by E. R. Torre
Am I their prisoner?
At the fifth hour of flight Inquisitor Deveri, the younger of the two Overlord security staff members, left his post and returned a few minutes later carrying a tray of food. He offered it to Inquisitor Cer.
“Thank you,” she said.
“How’s it going?” Deveri asked.
“We’ll reach Longshore in three hours,” Inquisitor Cer said. She grabbed the food stuff, nothing more than nutrition cubes, and popped them into her mouth.
“I’ll inform Overlord Octo,” Deveri said.
After Inquisitor Cer finished her meal, he took the empty tray and departed.
Forty minutes later Overlord Octo returned to the cockpit. Inquisitor Cer rose but he motioned her to remain seated.
“Inquisitor Deveri told me we are nearing the Space Lanes,” he said.
“We are, your eminence,” Inquisitor Cer replied.
“Is our route clear?”
Inquisitor Cer re-checked her sensors. There were no ships within range. At least none visible.
“It is.”
Overlord Octo folded his arms over his chest.
“It will be nice to return home,” Overlord Octo said. “Are you looking forward to resuming your duties?”
“I am,” Inquisitor Cer admitted.
“Are you ready for the debriefings? They will be intense.”
“It is to be expected.”
“They may take days, perhaps months.”
“I know, Over… Overlord,” Inquisitor Cer said.
She shook her head. Her last words came out slurred.
“Wh… what…?”
The stars beyond the front view screen blazed white hot. They blurred. Inquisitor Cer rubbed her eyes.
“I’m sorry, sir,” Inquisitor Cer said. “I must… must be more tired than I thought. Is there something else—?”
Inquisitor Cer could not finish her thought. She tried to move. She couldn’t. Her body felt as if it were asleep. The stars blurred even more. Her vision dimmed.
“What…?” she muttered.
“Heridian,” Overlord Octo said. “It was in your food.”
“…Heridian…?” she repeated.
“This particular batch was cultivated in the Damanos system,” Overlord Octo said. “If taken in even small doses, it is quite lethal.”
Abruptly, Inquisitor Cer’s seat moved. Overlord Octo spun her around until she faced him.
“Don’t worry my child,” Overlord Octo said. “You have only a few moments of suffering before it will all be over.”
16
Inquisitors Deveri and Loalla remained at their post beside the cockpit door. Neither showed concern for the fate of Inquisitor Cer.
“It pains me to do this,” Overlord Octo said. “There are so many good things we’ve done these past years.”
Inquisitor Cer tried to fight the poison’s effects. She knew there was still a chance to flush the venom out. Overlord Octo removed the remote control from Inquisitor Cer’s arm and set it aside. He then reached into his pocket. When his hand emerged, it held the microchip Sergeant Delmont gave her back in the Dakota.
“I found this in your backpack,” he said.
“What… what…”
“Shh,” Overlord Octo said. “You didn’t have time to look the information on this chip over, did you?”
“Pl…please,” Inquisitor Cer managed.
Overlord Octo motioned to Inquisitors Deveri and Loalla.
“Leave us,” he said.
The Inquisitors bowed and did as told. The cockpit door slid shut.
Overlord Octo inserted the chip into a slot on the control panel. A monitor above the slot lit up, revealing hundreds of lines of information.
“This chip is quite full,” he said. “It would take weeks to process the information on it and, well, you don’t have the time.”
Overlord Octo scrolled down the list of files. One of them was highlighted.
“The person who gave this to you wanted you to see this file first,” Overlord Octo said.
He accessed the file and video footage appeared on the monitor. It featured a split screen video communique between two parties. On the left side of the screen was a grizzled, elderly man. He spoke in a Far Western Epsillon dialect. On the right of the screen was the man he was in communication with. Inquisitor Cer recognized him. It was Cardinal Duval, second in line to Overlord Sept’s position. He was considered one of the Holiest of the Secondary File.
“I must inspect the cargo, Captain,” Cardinal Duval told the elderly man.
“Of course,” he replied.
The elderly man pressed a button and his image was replaced with what looked like security footage of a freighter’s cargo hold. The camera panned around, revealing small, filthy cages that housed over seventy people. They ranged in age from very young to roughly in their mid-thirties. They were male and female and barely clothed. The youngest ones cried while the adults looked drugged or in shock. Guards stood at the far end of the cages, the expression on their faces one of routine boredom.
“By the Gods…” Inquisitor Cer said.
The Captain of this cargo ship, the man Cardinal Duval was speaking to, was a sex-slaver. Not just any slaver, but the very worst kind: The type that trafficked in children as well as adults. The camera lingered on each of his captives while descriptive lines of information appeared at their sides. Most of the children were orphans. Several others were listed as runaways. Other than their overall health, far less information was offered regarding the adults.
“The cargo is acceptable,” Cardinal Duval said after completing his examination.
“The best for the best,” the Captain said. He flashed the Cardinal a frosty grin.
“The Golden Jubilee is in three weeks’ time,” Cardinal Duval said. “We will not pay if this cargo is not delivered on time.”
“Your schedule is tight. Skirting borders and avoiding checkpoints can be dangerous.”
“Your only worry is getting past Epsillon security,” Cardinal Duval said. “Once you reach Phaecian territory, you’ll have a clear path to Cumea. I trust you can handle your own people?”
Cumea was a small planet in the Alaneto System. It was home to Cardinal Duval and housed his private villas. The Golden Jubilee and the meditations had taken place six months ago.
Meditations, Inquisitor Cer thought, the horror of realization dawning on her.
“I’ll have them in time,” the Captain said.
The rest of their conversation was focused on payments. The two talked as if they were arranging the sale of used vehicles. Overlord Octo cut the video feed and removed the chip from the player. He sighed.
“So much trouble in such a small package.”
He dropped the chip on the floor and, with the heel of his boot, crushed it. Left behind were tiny pieces.
“Vacuum floor,” Overlord Octo said.
The Xendos’ cleaning system came to life and the microchip pieces were whisked away.
“Purge cleaning system,” Overlord Octo then said.
The distant sound of trash ejected from the Xendos was heard. Overlord Octo contemplated the darkness before them. He then looked at the clock on the cockpit dashboard.
“It’s been fifty minutes since you ate,” Overlord Octo said.
Sweat dripped down Inquisitor Cer’s face.
“The time to flush the poison from your system is past. By now your organs are shutting down.”
Overlord Octo rubbed his hands.
“You still have a few moments,” he said. “Speak.”
Inquisitor Cer coughed.
“What… what would you have me… say?”
“Who was the man that gave you this chip? Why did he do this?”
Despite it all, Inquisitor Cer could barely contain her surprise.
“You know… it was a… a man?”
Overlord Octo pressed a series of buttons and one of the monitors before them displayed security footage
from the Dakota’s elevators. The meeting between Inquisitor Cer and Sergeant Delmont, at least the parts he didn’t black out, played before her.
“You have… contacts… aboard the Dakota?”
That knowledge frightened Inquisitor Cer. It meant the Overlords were far closer to the Epsillon Empire’s heads of power than either party let on.
“Who was he?” Overlord Octo said.
“I… don’t… don’t…”
“You’re lying,” Overlord Octo said. “Even as you pass, you sin.”
Overlord Octo pressed another button and the monitor once again displayed elevator footage. This time, Inquisitor Cer was on the elevator with the mysterious brown haired woman.
“Two rides in the elevator and two different companions,” Overlord Octo said. He pressed the button again and the image changed, this time revealing security footage of a balcony within the Dakota overlooking the ship’s docking bay. On a landing pad below the balcony was the Xendos. In the foreground were Sergeant Delmont and the mysterious woman. They were watching the ship depart.
“We can’t identify the man but we know the woman. Her name is Latitia. She is an Independent most recently in the employ of Jonah Merrick, my partner in crime, as it were, in finding and destroying the Argus. She’s on the Dakota in spite of the fact that she left Merrick’s employ well before you were stationed on Titus. She, along with her partner, were not listed as passengers aboard that ship. Imagine, two stowaways in plain sight in one of the best guarded military vessels of the Epsillon Empire.”
Inquisitor Cer gritted her teeth. A burning sensation rolled throughout her body. It was hard to keep from screaming.
“Since… since when do Overlords and C-Cardinals deal… deal with sex slaves?”
“Everyone has needs,” Octo said. “It’s a pity. In time, you would have become one of our top Inquisitors. You might even have risen to the rank of Inquisitor Prime. Instead, here you are, another member of the Blessed family tragically lost in the performance of her duty.”
Inquisitor Cer tried to reply, but the Heridian’s effects overwhelmed her. She closed her eyes tight and could no longer breathe.
“Goodbye, Inquisitor,” she heard Overlord Octo say.
Her world went completely black.
17
Inquisitor Cer’s eyes fluttered open.
For a moment, she was disoriented and more than a little confused. Flashes of recent memory filled her mind, images of Overlord Octo and microchips and poison…
Poison.
She heard a noise and quickly closed her eyes. She remained still.
Where am I?
The fingertips felt around.
You’re lying on a metal floor. You’re no longer in the cockpit. Where?
The noises continued. It was a conversation between Inquisitors Deveri and Loalla.
Inquisitor Cer carefully opened her eyes.
At first she saw vague, blurry shapes. Her vision cleared. She was lying on the floor just outside the Xendos’ decompression chamber. Inquisitors Deveri and Loalla stood a short distance away, working the chamber’s controls. A chill passed through her.
You’re going to dump me.
Lights before the decompression chamber’s computer panels lit up. The chamber was almost ready for its one way passenger.
The Inquisitors approached Inquisitor Cer. She remained perfectly still.
“What a shame,” Inquisitor Deveri said. He grabbed Inquisitor Cer under her arms as Loalla grabbed her by the ankles. They lifted her up.
“What do you mean?” Loalla said.
“Haven’t you looked at her? I mean, really looked at her?”
“She’s beautiful,” Loalla admitted. “But we have our vows.”
“Give me a woman like Cer and I can…” Deveri began.
“What?”
“Never mind,” Deveri said.
They moved to the chamber’s entrance and stumbled walking in. Deveri almost lost his grip.
“Easy,” Loalla said.
“What does it matter?”
“She is one of ours, even if Overlord Octo says she was corrupted.”
“Is that why he had you poison her?”
“He regretted the need to do so.”
“Not nearly enough.”
“He said her mission in Epsillon forced her to renounce her vows. There can be no forgiveness for that.”
“Are you suggesting poisoning was a kindness?”
“If she were brought before the courts, she would have faced the Machines.”
Inquisitor Deveri involuntarily shook. Few citizens could withstand the pain inflicted by the Machines. Inquisitors were different, of course. They could take the pain for weeks before admitting any wrongdoing. Weeks of savage, cruel pain…
“This way she didn’t suffer.”
“Much.”
The haziness within Inquisitor Cer’s mind was almost gone. Incredibly, her strength was rapidly returning.
They think I’m dead. By all rights I should be. How am I still alive?
Had Overlord Octo mistakenly given her a different drug? That was unlikely. The Overlord was a careful man. For him to accidentally give Inquisitor Cer an incorrect drug was beyond incompetent, and the Overlord was anything but incompetent.
So why hasn’t the Heridian killed me?
That mystery would have to wait. For now, Inquisitor Cer had to deal with Inquisitors Deveri and Loalla. There was no time to convince them of Overlord Octo’s corruption.
Inquisitor Cer’s mind was suddenly razor sharp.
Choose your next move wisely.
She waited for the Inquisitors to carry her to the back of the decompression chamber. When they bent down to lay her on the chamber’s floor, she acted.
Her left leg kicked out, smashing Inquisitor Loalla in the jaw. The Inquisitor fell backwards, blood splashing from his cut lips while the back of his head slammed against the chamber’s metal wall.
Inquisitor Deveri could barely react before Inquisitor Cer grabbed him by the neck. She flipped him over and slammed him on his back. The Inquisitor tried to fight but the force of the impact took both his strength and breath away. Inquisitor Cer was on him, her hands tight against his throat.
“Don’t worry, Brother Inquisitor,” Cer told him. “Like me, your days in this world are not yet over.”
It was a promise she could not keep.
Moments later Inquisitor Cer had Overlord Octo’s security staff tied and immobile. She took their weapons and locked all but one fusion handgun away. She left the Inquisitors just outside the entrance to the decompression chamber and began the search for Overlord Octo.
Inquisitor Cer moved carefully. Though Overlord Octo was an elderly man, he was obviously far from helpless.
He was crafty enough to have almost killed me, Inquisitor Cer thought.
She found him in the lower forward deck of the Xendos.
At one time the area served as a small lounge for the craft’s personnel. A window within looked out at the universe while a secured table and set of chairs were there for star gazers. Overlord Octo sat in one of the chairs. Before him, the table housed three monitors. On one of them was a feed of the ship’s internal security camera footage. It displayed Inquisitor Cer in the lounge’s doorway.
“Hello, Inquisitor,” Overlord Octo said. “I see you’re back from the dead.”
Inquisitor Cer gripped the handle of her fusion handgun tight. She aimed it at Overlord Octo.
“Please, join me,” he said.
Inquisitor Cer approached the Overlord’s side. His face was very pale and his breathing shallow. There was an empty glass before him. Grainy white particles littered its sides.
“How long?” Inquisitor Cer asked.
“If you’re wondering whether there is time to save me, the answer is no,” Overlord Octo said. His voice grew weaker. “I took considerably… considerably more Heridian than you. Which one of the Inquisitors betrayed me?”
&n
bsp; “Betrayed?”
“Which one gave you the antidote?”
“Neither.”
“Then how… how are you still alive?”
“I don’t know.”
Overlord Octo thought about that.
“Oh,” he said, as if discovering the answer to his own question.
He coughed. A drop of blood rolled down the side of his mouth.
“Why poison me?” Inquisitor Cer said. “Why not expose this corruption and clean the Council ranks?”
“There are two sets of rules, Inquisitor Cer. Those that govern the masses and those that cover the Overlords.”
“Corruption is corruption. With this information—”
“Don’t be naïve, Inquisitor,” Overlord Octo spat. “The Overlords are above rules. It has been that way ever since… since the time immediately after the Arks. They will… will continue to do… what they want until the Universe is cold and lifeless and…”
Again he coughed.
“Why bury the information?”
“My dear I should think… think it obvious. I’m saving the Empire.”
“By hiding some council members’ crimes?”
“Some?” Overlord Octo said and laughed.
Inquisitor Cer finally understood.
“They know,” Cer said. “All of them.”
“Everyone has urges. Chasity, purity… it doesn’t exist. Never has.”
The statement shocked Inquisitor Cer.
“I don’t believe it,” she said. “I’ll get the information together again and I’ll—”
“You’ve already done your worst,” Overlord Octo said.
“What do you mean?”
“The automated transmissions,” Overlord Octo said. “Very clever to have the ship broadcast the video feeds as I was showing them to you. Was that some kind of failsafe?”
“I didn’t do that.”
Though Overlord Octo’s face was deathly pale, his eyes remained sharp. They scanned Inquisitor Cer, testing her truthfulness. Finally, he chuckled.
“I never thought… never thought I’d bear witness…” he said and stopped. “As soon as I realized the information was transmitted, I was forced to issue my own statement to the Overlord Council. I’ve taken full responsibility for the sex trade crimes. My office, my legacy… will be expunged from the official transcripts along with… with Cardinal Duval and at least twenty others. It will take a while to sort the mess but the Empire… the Empire still stands.”