by Pearl Tate
As we walk, more and more males peek out from around the trails we’re walking. Young, dirty males. Emaciated, filthy bodies fall around us as I’m half-walked, half-dragged through the underbrush. Nothing more is said for the next few moments as Tier, Kene, and I concentrate on not tripping as we’re shoved ahead.
The forest lightens as a clearing begins to develop ahead of us. Breaking through the trees into the brighter light, I realize the area is much smaller than I’d hoped. It’s little more than a large mud pit with an enclosed, roughly made fence around it. Large trees lashed together in X shapes are centered in the rudimentary fencing.
Someone grabbing my collar from behind has me grinding to a halt. “Strip them.”
The grubby, older male who appears to lead them passes a knife to the male on my right. “Don’t release their arms until they’re relieved of their clothing, and as soon as you’re done, get them up on the splits.”
They make quick work on the material of my flight suit. Releasing the fastener down the front, they only have to tear down the arms and legs before it falls away. I’m left naked and exposed to them and the elements. The material disappears immediately as I try to count the males here with us. At least fifteen, probably closer to twenty. All with basic spears and wearing only loincloths.
I notice most of the loincloths are made out of a suit the same color as mine. Tuono’s suit. This means that they’re killers as well as outcasts.
Dragging us into the enclosed space in the clearing, we’re each taken to a large X created out of tree trunks.
“Spread your legs.” Rough hands spin me around to press my back against one of the lashed together trees. When I don’t spread my legs far enough apart, they’re kicked until another male kneeling in the mud begins tying my ankle to the branch.
By the time my legs are secured between the ankles and knees on each side, my thighs are uncomfortably wide. My balance pitches forward until my arms are released, and I enjoy a brief respite from the pain in my shoulders. Before I can rotate them, they’ve grabbed my wrists and pull them high over my head to the outside to pin them against the top of the branches.
“Why’re you doing this? We only came to help—” Kene’s voice is cut short by a cracking sound that has me trying to swivel my head far enough to peer over my left shoulder. He’s now unconscious as they finish with one of his arms.
His attacker is brandishing a large branch as round as my wrist and when he notices me studying him, he immediately makes his way over in front of me. “Do you need a little of this, too?”
When I don’t answer, he slowly taps the smoothed surface against his palm threateningly. “We don’t need anything from you. It doesn’t matter what you offer, we aren’t interested.”
Studying his features, I wonder what brought him to this place? Was he a criminal or just unfortunate enough to acquire a sentence to this place due to circumstances beyond his control? During the course of the thirty-seven rotations that I’ve been on this planet, there have been very few “prisoners” I’ve met who’ve deserved to be here.
Sure, some had stolen food or performed some other petty crime. But to be banished from your home world to a planet with others that legitimately deserved it? More of the guards deserved the sentence than the actual inmates. “What is it you want from us?”
I see the blow coming before it lands this time, but there’s no way to avoid it as the branch cracks across my cheekbone, throwing my head back.
“Nothing from any council representatives.” His body is pressed against mine, spit splattering my chin as I blink and wiggle my mouth, thankful that his blow didn’t connect differently and break my jaw.
His weight disappears as another voice, deeper and calm chastises him. “Leave them be. You know our orders, and what it means if we don’t deliver. They’re secured. Go back to scouting for others.”
My neck creaks painfully as I slowly tilt forward to access this newcomer. He’s larger and cleaner than the others, but doesn’t bother to speak to us before he spins away, barking orders to one of the males leaning against the fence. “Just watch them. Don’t touch them.”
Almost everyone else has scattered into the thick underbrush under the canopy of trees surrounding us. The male leaning against the post does little more than glance at us before going back to sharpening a long, fairly straight stick they must use as a spear.
A sense of exhaustion settles over my body as I try to ignore the discomfort of my position. My boots were removed before lashing my legs, and the mud beneath my feet is cool. Even naked, I’m not wearing much less than the rest of them in their small loincloths.
Slowly, I lean back to push pressure on the point where the two tree branches are lashed together. It’s surprisingly sturdy for what it’s set into. Even if I could knock this over, I’d be on my back and unable to remove the bindings from my hands and legs.
As foolish as it sounds, I can’t help but hope that it isn’t Bren who rescues me. Let it be Amari or one of the other men. I’ve worked so hard to prove myself to him as someone capable of organizing and handling anything assigned to me.
Unfortunately, being overcome in an enemy’s territory, especially when you didn’t realize they were an enemy of this capacity, wasn’t part of my training on the Discovery. I underestimated their hate and distrust. Closing my eyes, I try to relax and conserve my energy. My only option now is to wait and see what they intend for us—and hope that we’re rescued before we endure a fate the same as Tuono’s.
CHAPTER FIVE
- Karen
“Why are we landing here?” I just opened my eyes and realize that our trajectory is going directly to the dome that glimmers with a faint reflection in the distance. Jo-Anne perks up in the seat next to me where we’re strapped in for the atmosphere entry.
“Yeah. I thought we were going to just have them follow us?” Her question is directed to Remus who’s on her other side, but it’s Travek in front of us who answers.
“Amari wants the females together, with their mates. Basically, he’s saying if Rachel’s coming out—and she’s insisting, then he wants us all together as a team. Not in separate crafts.” Travek’s jaw flexes tightly as he glances at Lisa next to him. “He doesn’t want Rachel to go, and I have to say, I feel the same about you.”
I watch him run his hands through Lisa’s hair trying to soften his words, but she narrows her eyes in annoyance. I’m glad she’s not backing down. It’s bad enough that everyone feels like they need to baby us, they can’t make us stay back too.
I have to go. I’m the one that can feel the pull to Selas. It’s strange. If no one told me what it was, I could easily ignore it, but now that I know, I can’t seem to not think about it. It’s like having an itch in that impossible-to-reach area on your back. Knowing others are going to rescue him doesn’t help. And really, having me direct them will cut valuable time off locating his three man team.
“No way.” Lisa smiles tightly as Travek pulls back to concentrate on circling the dome to the access point. I’ve heard about how they can feel each other’s emotions. He must know she’s determined to come, and I love her all the more for it.
Sure, I’ve been training them in basic Aikido moves on the way here, but it’s stuff that I learned when I was ten. It might buy you a couple seconds and give you a chance to run, but none of them could take a man down—especially one of these seven-foot monsters. I hope this Selas guy can accept me for who I am and not try to continually keep me at home as the little woman on the ranch. They’re overbearing and sheltering attitude is so outdated. Even my father gave me more freedom than it looks like Travek and Remus will afford my friends.
“We’ll all be fine because we’ll be with you.” Jo-Anne leans away and despite her seat restraints is practically laying across Remus’s lap. Gag. They’re making out again like teenagers.
“This will be quick though, right?” I watch in awe as the dome shimmers with a tint of blue to the clear film in fr
ont of us before totally disappearing. The landing area is just inside where the dome let us in, and we’re landing as he answers.
“Yes.” Swiveling his chair to face me, he releases his restraints with an ease that makes me jealous, before turning to Lisa’s to help her. Fumbling with my own, I try to remember the sequence for the lock that releases all the points across my chest. It’s like a puzzle.
Travek releases Lisa and stands as he answers. “From our communications, it’s clear that they’re all very concerned about getting to their location as soon as possible. The longer they’re out there, the more likely they’ll never be seen again.”
“Has that happened?” Wiggling out of the too big chair, my feet drop to the floor as I stand and look up in alarm. I’ve heard about the one guy getting killed—but missing? “How many people are missing?”
Following Travek and Lisa down the hall to the ramp that still lowering, his answer is drowned out by shrieks. “Lisa! Oh my god!” I recognize Rachel’s voice and sure enough, I see glimpses of her and Jenny behind Travek in front of me.
A sense of relief flows through me as I see they both look healthy and happy. Lisa runs down the ramp to be swept up into a hug from Rachel and Jenny runs to me, pulling me in to do the same. When she pulls back, tears shine bright in her eyes as she throws her arms around Jo-Anne beside me. Rachel pulls me in quickly to take her place.
“How are you?” Pulling back and holding my upper arms, Rachel looks me over critically. “That looks really good on you! I look like an idiot in those.” Self-consciously I wipe my sweaty hands on my legs as I look around at all the large men hovering around us.
I know a few of them are their mates, but there are at least a dozen more scattered around the area we’ve landed, and they aren’t shy about staring. Most of them are wearing a version of the tight jumpsuit I have on, but bright yellow is also prevalent, especially on some of the men further away.
“I’m good. It’s been kind of cramped quarters on their ship…”
“Yeah! We’ve been so excited about you getting here, too!” Lisa’s just pulling out of Jenny’s embrace and wipes her eyes as she swears. “Damn!” Nervous giggles explode out of all of us as we stare at each other.
Jenny reaches back to grab the hand of the large man behind her, tugging him closer. “This is Devlin.” She beams up at him with clear adoration and the look on his face reflects that he thinks she hung the moon.
“Oh, sorry honey.” Rachel steps to the side, wrapping her arm around another man that towers over her. “Amari, these are my friends from Earth. Lisa, Jo-Anne and Karen.” She points to each of us as Amari gives us a tight nod.
Angling his body into hers, he bends down and speaks directly to her even though we can all hear him. “Let me speak with Travek here, and we’ll take off shortly.” He plants a quick peck on her lips and then moves away, waving at the rest of the guys to follow him. They stomp away down the ramp to a cluster of other men in gray suits.
Rachel’s eyes follow him moving away before flickering up to us with a smirk. “Mm, hm. So? Everyone happy here?”
Lisa titters next to me, but Jo-Anne throws her arm around me even while watching Remus moving away. “Except we need to go get this Selas guy for Karen. Do you know him? He’s the one heading things up around here?”
I’m torn. I want to hear what they have to say, but I’m also dying to know what the men are planning. There’s no way in hell I’m just going to sit on the sidelines. I wouldn’t be here if that was me.
Rachel’s face has darkened as her lips tighten. Jenny puts her arm around Rachel as she answers. “We’ve all had moments of disagreement with Selas. He’s just trying to do his best here, and I don’t think Bren really realized how bad it was on the planet. You know?”
I don’t. “No, what do you mean?” From everything I’ve heard, it’s a pretty open prison system. It’s kind of the equivalent of when prisoners were shipped off to Australia. A new life in a new place with it’s own struggles. The prisoners help run the entire facility, and at least they aren’t locked up in cells.
“I just mean there’s a splinter group of criminals that are outside the dome causing havoc. Selas was left here when Bren and Hannah took off in the Discovery to Quasar to get the antivirus for Tirus X for Shelly and Beth.” I’ve heard all this before and know that the Discovery will be here with more of the antivirus that I’ll have to get too. Coming to the surface has exposed me, although supposedly I can also get the antivirus through my mate’s bodily fluids.
Honestly, I was kind of looking forward to it, I think. If I’m attracted to him, which as I know, will be a rare and wonderful thing for me. There have been times I’ve wondered about my lack of libido. All the other girls I’ve been around have been like these guys—almost overly obsessive about the opposite sex.
Sure, these guys are nice looking, well built and all. I’ve gotten used to the long hair that they style up all fancy and can control like fingers. But all-consuming lust? It’s never happened.
I’ve been on plenty of dates and had my fair share of wet, sloppy make out sessions parked in cars. But even with heavy groping, I’ve never been turned on enough to bother doing more. In fact, most of my dates happened the year I turned sixteen. Back when I was super happy that I was allowed to date and ready to try it all.
After that first six months to a year, I didn’t bother. Why? I know before I even go out whether it’s going to be worth it. Not that I’ve given up… I was trying with Tim. I never give up…
But Lisa and Jo-Anne guaranteed me that I’d like my mate. That he was going to be biologically perfect for me. They didn’t know why my mating marks developed slower, but they suspect the Ashen knew something we didn’t and the timing wasn’t right.
“So, are you saying that he’s a bit of an ass?” I can’t help asking. I’m determined to do what’s best for me. If this alien guy isn’t right for me, the Ashen have assured me they can wipe my memory and send me back to Earth.
“Not on-a-power-trip asshole!” Rachel hurries to assure me.
“No, no.” Jenny flips her long hair over her shoulder as she looks at me seriously. “It’s the stress and responsibility. He sometimes makes decisions for everyone without thinking about the fact that what’s most convenient for him might not be what everyone else needs or wants.” That sounds ominous.
It’s finally dawned on me what’s different about her appearance. “Where are your glasses? Did you lose them?”
Her smile widens as she answers. “Nanos! They corrected my vision. It’s incredible! In addition to curing my genetic cystic fibrosis, the nanos corrected my vision. I’ve had glasses my entire life, and now I can see perfectly.”
“Wow.” I’m speechless. That really is incredible, but I don’t want to get too sidetracked and as I’m about to ask for more clarification, the men come stomping up the ramp behind us.
“Are we going?” I can’t keep the excitement out of my voice. They all look serious, but I’ve a huge smile on my face, and it’s not because of what they think. Sure, I’m looking forward to meeting this Selas, but I’m also just as excited to be going out to kick some butt!
Jenny grabs me quickly, squeezing me tightly before stepping back into Devlin’s arms. “I’m staying here, but I’ve got chili on the stove. Multiple huge pots—so come back quick.”
Everyone shuffles around me and into The Top Pick. I don’t know how we’ll all fit. It was close quarters with the five of us before.
Rachel tugs my hand. “Ready?”
Hell yeah!
CHAPTER SIX
- Selas
I’m not the best at daily reflections. As a society, they’re definitely not stressed the way they were even a hundred annual rotations ago, but since meeting Amari, I’ve tried to settle into a regular routine.
The one thing about them that’s most appealing right now, is the way they transport me away from the hell-hole I’ve found myself in. It hasn’t been long,
but it’s clear the sun is setting. and it won’t be long before night falls. In the tiny clearing we’re secured in, dusk will come early.
Cracking my eyes, I wonder what their plan is for us. Except for the male they call Jedco, there’s been very little movement around the perimeter of the fencing. He hasn’t said anything to us, which isn’t surprising since he was ordered not to.
Occasionally, I hear Tier and Kene shift in their bindings, trying to adjust themselves to get the circulation going again. I do the same. Aching pains throb through my arms as the lack of blood flow creates prickling sensations. With my legs spread so wide, I’m starting to feel it in my low back and upper thighs as well.
We don’t talk amongst ourselves. What can we really say? I know it’s only a matter of time before a team comes looking for us, but it’s hard to say if they’ll reach us in time.
Before everyone totally disappeared, I did overhear the cleaner male, who stopped my torture send off a scout with a messenger. They appear to be waiting for someone they all report to.
Jedco stands as another male enters the clearing with a torch held high over his head. He’s younger and filthy as he silently passes it off before disappearing back into the darkness.
Circling the enclosure, Jedco begins to light torches driven into the top of each post. The more I take in our rustic surroundings here, the more I realize this is set up as some kind of arena. Crude, but effective. The haphazard and dilapidated limbs between each pole are not only for bracing, but could be used to sit on or lean against just like Jedco has been doing.
The mud that’s seeped up to my ankles is partly because the undergrowth has been completely cleared, and the X-shape we’re attached to sits lower than the posts around us. It’s both good and bad. I’m thankful there are no bugs or wild animals creeping up my naked body.
Shutting my eyes again, I sink into oblivion to ignore my impending fate. Deep breath fills my lungs as I slowly forget everything. Every worry. All the chaos. And my looming death.
