Through the Abyss

by Daniel Litchfield

  “Well that escalated quickly.”

  A sheepish smile made its way to the Emperor’s face, “It was the only way I could make it work. Don’t want any Commanding or Fleet Admirals trying to tell you what to do. Anyway, talk to you when you get back. Love you son. Emperor Carpathian signing out.”

  The Emperor ended the message there, sending the newly recommissioned Empirical Admiral back to his profile. Remarkably, his Rank suddenly reflected the change, as if the UIS was waiting for Euphretes to hear the message. “No kidding did that escalate; but we’ll find out why soon enough I guess,” Euphretes said as he moved his eyes to get the CMDS to play the next recording.

  Euphretes’s surroundings quickly changed again to an all-encompassing bright light as a star rained down its energy from above. Light forestry surrounded the image of a face painted in camouflage that barely showed any distinctive human features.

  “They must be using new prosthetics, those look so real.”

  Just then the eerie face started speaking. “Sir, Emperor Indus is still keeping a tight lid on the whereabouts of his Royal Fleet Combat Team. Every time we get a lead, it turns out to be a dead end. We did manage to get some decent intel however. We believe Emperor Indus killed his wife sometime last night. While the gossip inside and outside those walls is as far-fetched as ever, this time we were able to gather enough evidence to prove one of them right for once.”

  “Another?! This is the third since they’ve been there.”

  “He’s desperate for an heir,” Euphretes replied to his mind space as the other worldly face continued speaking. Because the slot was still empty, the recon team still had to report to Euphretes even though he technically was no longer the Royal Huron Special Operations Commander. Nevertheless, Euphretes always found their reports fascinating.

  “There is a compound on the far right corner of the Palace Grounds in which only the Emperor enters. Wait, let me rephrase. No one other than the Emperor enters and exits alive. I’ve personally seen over twenty individuals enter and then their bodies turned up in the trash the following day. And while her body hasn’t been dumped yet, we watched the Emperor bring his most recent wife there last night. It’s a strange place Sir. His staff avoids it at all costs. Only a few odd uniformed mercenaries standing by the entrance are brave enough to be near it.”

  The face paused, caught in thought for a brief moment in time. “Sir, I’m not kidding, even the animals go so far as to avoid that building’s shadow. Whatever is going on in there, it’s not pretty.”

  “He’s always been desperate for an heir. That hasn’t changed. But this behavior, it’s new.”

  Chapter 5:

  The Enemy

  Strobe lights flashed across the dance floor while a stunningly beautiful woman danced in a small metal cage hanging twenty-one feet above the party goers. Her lustrously curved body gracefully moved to the rhythm of the music. Apart from ornamental piercings and sleek strips of neon paint, the dancer’s upper body was entirely exposed, displaying a perfectly sculpted stomach. She had a diamond studded belly button ring that reflected the flashing strobe lights to her admirers below. Skin tight, netted material clung to her athletic legs and lower back, providing the only source of imagination for the onlooker. Her long honey-yellow hair twirled in the air with her every move, drawing everyone’s gaze from her inflamed chest to her mesmerizing snow white eyes. The dancer’s arms snaked to the music above her head while her manicured fingers combed through her shimmering hair.

  “Do you like what you see?” Pamir asked Emperor Indus, who was sitting next to him in a booth by the dance floor. One of Indus’s most trusted friends, and just as callous, Pamir Ashtoroth Baikal was the Emperor’s Secretary of State.

  Indus’s eyes mentally undressed the already half naked woman as his mind ran wild. “She is quite the specimen. Where did you get this one?” He asked, his thoughts already considering the possibilities of the evening ahead.

  “We stole her from some poor peasant’s husband. The idiot cried like a baby when one of my soldiers pried her from his arms. At one point, he even got on his knees and begged to take her place. Like I would want to bed him!” Pamir remarked with contempt. Indus sneered as Pamir continued his story. “He’s lucky I didn’t just kill him. I gave him enough money to keep him comfortable for a long time.” Another scoff came from the Emperor, who reluctantly turned his gaze away from the dancer and refocused on his friend. "I know, I let my generosity get the best of me, but I felt that it was the least that I could do,” Pamir finished.

  “How much?” Indus finally asked Pamir.

  Pamir slowly rose to his feet and stood next to Indus, placing his left hand on his shoulder. “Sir, Your Highness, you asking me that is an insult. You’re my Emperor and friend. I want you to have the desires of your heart. Ask, and she’s all yours.”

  A smile slowly spread across Indus’s handsome face. “I want her,” he whispered.

  Pamir instantly reached inside his pocket and withdrew a small black device shaped like an egg. An interactive interface covered the entire exterior’s surface, allowing the owner to make any demand imaginable. The Secretary of State placed the device into Indus’s hands, “She’s all yours brother.”

  In the Emperor’s sweaty clutches was the ability to completely manipulate the gorgeous woman dancing in the cage. On her back, just under the skin, was a small piece of equipment that had been surgically attached to her spine. Filled with a series of drugs and able to produce multiple different electrical charges, the device provided near total control for whoever had possession of it. The drugs kept her in a constant state of euphoria and disillusionment, making the victim exceptionally vulnerable to answering the call of another’s whims. Electrical charges sent through her brain could produce large amounts of dopamine and serotonin when the physical drugs ran low. Or, they could cause immeasurable pain if the person became defiant or disobedient. With the black box on her spine, she was nothing more than a sex toy to whoever held the controller.

  Indus marveled at the device in his moist palms. He was mentally making plans in his mind for the night when all of a sudden, a sort of flash caught his attention, drawing his gawking eyes to another woman dancing in a nearby cage. Her posture was far different from the other woman. There was no box on her back and her movements looked forced, unnatural and out of rhythm. Only wearing paint to cover her indecency, she hugged the metal bars out of fear rather than seduction. She grimaced every time she brushed the metal bars of the cage, and there were tears in her eyes, threatening to spill over. If any of the party goers below had taken the time to actually look at her, they would have seen a battered woman in agony, and overwrought with sorrow and regret.

  Her name was Priscilla. She had been stolen from the Natron Empire and was currently one of Emperor Indus’s concubines. Unbeknownst to her, Police Staff spotted her in the embrace of another man and reported the indiscretion to the Emperor, who immediately locked her in a room. Later that night, as Indus entered the room, she landed a punch to his face and managed to run away. Her newly found freedom was short lived however, as she ran right into one of the guards only minutes later. In a fit of rage, the Emperor had her beaten until she lay unconscious on the ground. Thinking that was not punishment enough, he came up with another plan. He would add her to the entertainment the night of his party.

  The Emperor tapped a device on his wrist, shutting the music down and returning the room to normal lighting. Scantily dressed women and the Emperor’s closest and wealthiest friends were immediately illuminated in their debauchery. Hundreds of bottles littered the tables and floors while various pieces of clothing hung from the chandeliers. Several of the guests had passed out and were randomly sprawled across the tables.

  “My friends and guests, welcome to my humble abode. I want to extend the invitation for everyone to enjoy themselves for a night where your pleasure will only be limited by your imaginations,” Indus exclaimed, his voice being mechanically
enhanced with hidden speakers. He waited for the conversations to die down before resuming, ignoring the whimpering coming from the woman above him. “As many of you know, I am celebrating my sweet mother’s birthday. May her soul rest in peace in the wonders of paradise.”

  Indus paused for a false sense of reflection.

  “Now, I want to offer the first of the night’s entertainment. Would everyone please look up at the lovely lady crying above you.” A spotlight instantly shined on the woman, who after hearing the Emperor’s words curled into the fetal position in an attempt to hide her shame.

  “A long time ago, I was told by my mother that a caged bird forgets how to fly if it has been caged for too long. To be honest with you, I never believed her. So, I thought today would be a good time to see if the old woman was right.” Indus’s thick, masculine voice filled the room, captivating an audience that was busy clearing the floor below Priscilla.

  "Above you is a young bird who had it all, beauty, charm, intelligence. But, she chose to be caged instead. Now that she is here with us, we might as well learn something new.” As the Emperor spoke, Priscilla’s cage began to rise higher and higher above the dance floor. Her eyes grew wide with terror and her whimpering morphed into screams as she began to realize her fate. “Ladies and gentlemen, please applaud our young bird as she will soon be set free.” The crowd began to cheer and holler.

  After the partiers had had their fill of spewing insults at Priscilla, Indus ordered, “QUIET PLEASE!” The crowd silenced, he continued, “FLY AWAY TEMPTRESS!”

  “AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!”

  Without warning, the cage door burst open, plunging the screaming girl to the floor forty-two feet below. Priscilla’s body smacked into the dance floor like a wet bag of cement. Splintered bones stuck out of her contorted legs while a dark red puddle began oozing from beneath her. For a few fleeting moments, she opened her bloodshot eyes and scanned the crowd for help. Some were laughing, some were clapping, but none were willing to help. Thankfully, as her soul began packing its bags for the final journey, Mercy swept in and lifted the woman from her suffering. As the shock and horror of the moment subsided, the crowd quieted down and returned its attention to the Emperor.

  “While I have some someone clean up this mess, why don’t you all get to know each other and enjoy yourselves,” The Emperor suggested.

  The partiers returned their attention to the half-naked woman and sensuality all around the room. The hired hookers ratcheted up their efforts as the men basked in their fallacious advances. Two Palace Staff members, long numb to the atrocities played out at these parties, left to get a crew to clean up the gore. The party raged on.

  Taking one last look at the merriment before having to pretend pleasantries for the next couple hours, Emperor Indus silently exited the depravity and headed for a far more tame event. In another section of the Emperor’s hidden palace, a stately birthday party for Indus’s dead mother was taking place, those guests completely unaware of the evil occurring nearby.

  Emperor Indus would have to spend the next few hours with the diplomates and powerful ancient families trying to gain his favor. Feigning a smile with brilliantly white teeth, the Emperor hated every second of it. For a miserable forty-two minutes, he conducted an on stage comedy routine, making fun of everyone and everything, including himself. He had an incredible memory, able to recall people’s names and faces from years ago without needing Cat’s assistance. Much of his routine was completely improvised. His guests laughed and clapped when appropriate. Whether or not they actually thought he was funny, remained a mystery.

  A large section of the allotted Palace grounds had been set aside for traditional folk dances of the Baikal Empire. Indus, knowing all of the dances, politely danced with anyone who asked. Children, brought by their families, received gifts from the Emperor himself, who hugged the future great civilians of the Baikal Empire and lightly kissed them on their foreheads. Only two hours in, however, Indus grew bored and restless. Politely excusing himself for the night, the Emperor slipped out of the ball room and excitedly raced to other side of the Palace.

  When Indus returned to the dungeon, he could immediately see that the event had grown with heinous energy. The crowd had nearly doubled and the heavily spiked drinks were beginning to take their toll.

  Indus’s new possession, who had been in the other cage, had since been taken down and had disappeared with Pamir in order to prepare her for the Emperor later that night. Frustrated with the empty cage, Indus ordered that another concubine be brought in to entertain his guests. A glowing young girl with the same device on her back, barely a woman in the eyes of the universe, was fetched and forced into the cage. She was too far gone to understand where she was; and just started to swing her hips to the music as the on lookers cheered. With the cage rising off the floor, one of the guests began shouting for her to remove her clothing, “Take. It. Off. Take. It. Off.” As more joined in, the pressure began to mount for the poor soul trapped in the cage.

  “Take! It! Off! Take! It! Off!”

  Because of her drug-induced state, the woman had no understanding of what the people were shouting at her, or what they wanted her to do. She continued to sway and spin. The cheers quickly turned angry when it was thought she was being disobedient. The tension in the room began to mount when a guest, who was actually a retired Admiral, took it upon himself to address one of the bodyguards stationed at a nearby exit, and demanded to see his gun. Looking over at Indus for the final word, who merely shrugged his shoulders as if to say, “why not,” the guard relinquished his firearm.

  CRACK!

  The totally blitzed man took quick aim and fired a slug at the gyrating girl. Everyone froze at the sudden blast and slowly looked up where the barrel of the handgun was pointing. Their eyes fell upon the young girl, who had collapsed to the bottom of the cage without making a sound. The razor tipped slug entered her side, tore through her internal organs, and exited out the top of her shoulder. Thick warm blood poured out of the two holes and trickled down onto the shocked dancers. Some of the guests jumped out of the way of the dripping death, while others continued to dance as if their cult lord demanded it.

  Emperor Indus, too inebriated to remember which woman danced in which cage, immediately inquired of the slave, knowing that he would have to pay her owner restitution for the loss of his property. When he discovered that she was one of his own, he became infuriated. It was not anger that someone had stolen a human’s life, but anger that someone had stolen HIS human’s life. The enraged Emperor ran up to the Retired Admiral and demanded the gun. Petrified, the man handed his Emperor the weapon. Once it was in his possession, Indus grabbed the man’s shoulder with a vice grip and walked him to an outer room.

  CRACK! CRACK!

  Guttural screams echoed from the room. One round had decimated the Retired Admiral’s groin while the other destroyed one of his knee caps. Seconds later, Indus strode out, with a satisfied smile back on his face. Somehow, he managed to avoid getting a single drop of blood on his clothes.

  Having heard the screams, another guest walked over to the entrance of the outer room to investigate. Indus noticed the man and studied him intently as he made his way to the room. Indus was curious how the man would react. Surprisingly, the guest looked in and then pressed the door control panel, closing and locking the door in order to better cover up the cries of pain.

  Twenty-one minutes later, the dancers were once again cleared and the floor divided itself, leaving a giant pit in its place. Hand rails popped out of the ground and circled the hole while Palace Staff came in and set up bleachers around the opening. As the guests filled the seats, two men in rag cloths were dragged out. Their hands were chained and masks covered their faces, preventing them from seeing their surroundings.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen, for our second round of entertainment, may I introduce to you two strapping young men from the Carson System!” Emperor Indus declared.

  Shouts of disgust rang out
from the crowd at the mention of the Natron territory. “To my two pitiful looking fellows, there is a knife at the bottom of my little pit here.” Noticing that the two sacrificial humans were still blind folded. “OH! You there! Remove their head gear!” Indus cried out, furious that he had to remind his servants how to do their job.

  “Now,” The Emperor started back up once his two victims could see, “Like I said, there is knife at the bottom of this pit. Whichever of you is left standing will not only have your freedom, but you will also be handsomely rewarded for your victory.”

  A second before Indus finished speaking, a section of the hand rail disappeared. Both of the captives were then hurled into the pit without warning. One man shattered his collar bone upon impact while the other smashed his head, leaving him blind in one eye from the swelling. After forty-two minutes, there was a victor. The winner was dragged out of the pit to stand before the jawing audience. In mocking fashion, Emperor Indus embraced the man like a son, who was too bruised and battered to recognize the evil that hugged him. The survivor was then sent off while another pair was dragged in. The barbaric amusement continued through the cycle six more times before the blood orgy ended.