She laughed slightly, then placed another in his hand.
Sweet laughter. He could listen to that all day and never grow tired of it.
“More? You are kidding, right?”
"You have to eat. Here, try to pull yourself up and sit." She wrapped her arms around him. He drew in her aroma and felt her softness. Sharp sparks of pain kept him from enjoying her closeness too much. He pushed and she pulled until he was up.
"I feel as weak as a kitten," he said. The dull throb in his forehead had now turned to a solid pounding. "And the air in here stinks!" Pain knotted his insides in a throbbing heat.
He was so damn helpless. How could he help her now?
“A kitten? What is that? Here, have some water.”
He passed his hand over bare skin. “What happened to your clothing?”
“They stripped us to nothing. Easier for them to pull us out and hose us down. As slaves, we have no dignity. They did not get everything, however. I managed to keep a few pieces of my dress to use as a bandage for you."
“Thanks. But why am I still clothed?”
“You are sick. They tend to avoid the sick ones. If you do not get better by the time they get to where they are going, they will probably kill you.”
“Lucky I woke up then. Do you know what they're going to do with us?"
"I do not know. I do not want to know."
“What do you mean?”
“We will be slaves on some Xi-Empire planet and slaves are known not last too long.”
“Is this your attempt to cheer me up or something?” He tried to follow it with a weak chuckle.
She smiled. He was likable. He had a way about him. How could he possibly joke after everything he has been through? He’s stronger than she had thought.
“Tell me about yourself, and about Signus.”
“Well, this may seem a bit ironic, but we were, in particular, I was, on my way to Earth - I mean, my ship was. We had discovered Earth about, let me see, eight of your years ago, but we had elected to suppress contact at that time. We had already engaged the Xi-Empire and we realized we must exercise caution. Since then the war has not gone well. Our mission was in violation of our own policies. We were on our way to warn you about the Xi-Empire encroachment. I was the acting chief linguistic specialist. It took extensive analysis of your radio signals, but I have successfully memorized 52 of your languages.”
“That is impressive. I have to confess you know more of our languages than I do.”
“I am still having difficulty with all of your slang expressions and contractions that you use, much less your accent.”
“No, you have the accent, but it’s nice. It’s different.” He smiled, although it didn’t matter in the dark.
“So what happened? You obviously never arrived on Earth.”
"We encountered this slavership. It attacked us on a vector for Earth. I surmise they must have superior deep-scan technology. We were at a disadvantage. Our ship had been stripped down to only a few weapons as we were outfitted for speed. We did not have a chance. We flew directly into their trap."
She paused to take a deep breath. He could sense the heaviness in her voice. Something terrible had happened on that ship.
"We were boarded. They killed most of the crew, took some prisoners – of which I am one, then they proceeded to destroy the ship.”
“So it was pretty bad.”
“Brutal and violent. They tortured some of us. Some begged them to stop, to kill them and end their suffering.”
She put her head on his shoulder, her cheek was wet.
“They are animals. They are evil. They should be wiped out – all of them.”
He stroked her hair, which was tangled and dirty with the filth from their tiny cell.
“We just never expected them to be this far out in the quadrant. We thought we were safe." She said it like she was blaming herself. “I guess it does not really matter. The damage is already done. It is too late for Earth, and it is too late for Signus.”
“What do you mean?”
“The latest news we received was not good. Our main defenses were breached. Even though we had anticipated this possibility, it never seemed completely real. Colonization expeditions were launched before the Xi-Empire found us. At least they will survive. If not for the Showmish, Signus would have been lost years before.”
"The Showmish?"
"We have been trading with them for the past thirty or so years. I believe that would translate into about forty-two Earth years."
"Your years are pretty long."
"The measurement of time is relative," she replied. "In any case, we have had little time to prepare. It is more of a case of forestalling the inevitable. They hit Shawma – the Showmish home planet - before us. The Xi-Empire fleet destroyed their defenses with ease. That made us draft up contingencies.”
“And Earth is next.”
“Your planet emits radio waves like a quasar. Its only protection is the expanse of space.”
“That’s not much protection – this ship made it. How can you explain that?”
“I can’t. My Captain had mentioned this ship was modified, but I do not understand the technologies at work. I can tell you this is not your typical Xi-Empire slavership.”
“You mean this ship can go further than the others?”
“It’s been modified. Much too fast for a retired cruiser. Our ship didn’t have a chance against it.”
“I shouldn’t have survived this, Ryan. I should be dead like the others.”
“Call it a miracle then.”
"A religious reference? My studies had exposed some of your peoples’ varied beliefs.”
“Well, I was not sure about aliens, until now. God is not too much more of a stretch.” Ryan chuckled. “Who knows?”
“I do not consider myself religious either, but you sort of get that way out here - so far from everything, distances so great that you cannot imagine. It makes one either more spiritual or more crazy, but either way, it changes them. I have done some personal research in this field of study with many different races. Some of the similarities would amaze you.”
“How many others?”
“Many. We aren’t alone out here, and you are not alone, Ryan.”
In a sudden passionate urge, he pulled her close and kissed her. She yielded, responding back heatedly, but then broke it off, pushing away.
A few awkward moments passed in silence.
“I am sorry.”
“No. No. I’m sorry, my fault. I didn’t mean to... to offend you.”
“Why did you do that?”
“It just felt right. In this insanity, was probably the most sane thing I’ve done yet.” He laughed slightly. “I just needed the closeness.”
“I guess that is… acceptable.”
“Tell me, Aviore, what color are your eyes?”
"Brown and green.”
“What?” he laughed.
“Brown with a tinge of green,” she giggled.
He ran his fingers over her face, cupping her cheek. She didn’t pull back.
“I wish I could see them.” He ran his hand through her hair, carried its caress down past the middle of her back. She trembled slightly, arched her body closer to him.
“If I was feeling a little stronger…”
“No, we cannot,” she said, slightly out of breath. “Not here. Not now.”
“Yeah, I know. Not the right time. Not the right place.”
“I think you should get some rest. No telling what they have planned for us tomorrow.”
They both settled into a comfortable embrace. In a few minutes, Ryan was sleeping, intermittently snoring ever so lightly.
Aviore held the Earthman close, searching through her troubled thoughts. Why was she developing feelings for him? Why does she find him so attractive? He wasn’t even from her home. If she had met him before would she have given him a second thought?
Maybe… There’s no doubt there’s
something special about him. He’s certainly brave, if not strong-willed. She admired that about him.
Her hand ran idly through his hair.
They had come so close. She had wanted him so badly. Was she wrong to stop? If they were to survive only the next few days, maybe so, but the other possibility was more frightening, to bring a child into slavery - she could not bear that.
She closed her eyes, intent on falling asleep. Maybe she would dream of home.
A tremendous bang echoed above them, traveling through the cold metal with sharp ease. Aviore woke first. She brought her hand over his cheek, noticing he was also stirring awake. “Don’t worry, it’s far away. Probably pulling out slaves from the other tubes for standard checks.”
“And us? Will they pull us?”
“I expect our time will come. Tell me, Ryan,” she said, attempting to divert the discussion. “Do you believe in fate?"
"Do you mean destiny or fate?"
"What is the difference?"
"You can shape your destiny - it is the sum of all your previous decisions. Fate kind of gives you no choice.”
“What is your answer, then?"
"I guess I believe in a little of both.”
“Really? I hadn’t expected that.”
“So, while we are on the subject of the inevitable, why don’t’ you tell me what you know about our captors.”
She pulled herself up, drawing herself into a ball. “I’ll tell you what I know, but I don’t know much.”
He could tell her manner had changed, felt the withdrawn coldness. “It’s OK, just whatever you can recall.”
“I have managed to decipher the core of their verbal communications. It is just another version of Trinarieit - a common communication-based format that must have been developed by some mathematician. A wheel is a wheel no matter who develops it first. I find it lacking in some respects, not near as articulate as the version we have developed for our trade. I have not, however, been able to decipher their native Txtian or Xilozak languages in full - just bits and pieces – nouns, verbs. Most of them will talk to us in Trinarieit so we can understand their commands. I noticed when the Txtians talk in their native tongue it is usually when no Xilozak is near. I do hear a name pop up often. Zorlog... I think that he is their Tarvok – that is, their Captain or something of equivalent rank. Most of them are afraid of him – including the Xilozak crew. From what I can tell he’s a rogue out here, a free merchant, not an official part of their military. That’s why he could perform these raids.”
“That one I met out in the corridor, he wore some rank insignia.”
“I think we met him, Ryan. I believe he is the one that hit you.”
“Then he’s a sonofabitch for sure.”
“Yes, I do agree. A sonofabitch.”
Ryan laughed.
“What do you find so humorous?”
“You. Your accent does not work so well when you curse.”
“Perhaps I need more practice,” she smiled at him in the dark.
“Tell me more about Signia. I want to know about you.”
They had little to do, cramped in that dark hole, but at least they had each other. So they talked, becoming familiar, developing a deep friendship. When fatigue settled in, they eventually fell asleep within each other’s arms, each hoping to be let out, but knowing enough to be careful what they wished for.
* * *
The door swung open with its usual clamor. A shadow of an insect creature motioned them out.
“What is it?”
“They want us out, Ryan. We need to head up.”
“Is the door open – can you see light?”
“Yes, they want us to go up.”
“I… I can’t see anything. I think I am blind. He couldn’t stop the feeling of utter helplessness overtake him.
“No. It will come back, and I am sure you will heal. It is due to the fever. I am sure your sight will return. But we have to move. We must exit. They have little patience.” She helped pull Ryan up the slope. His legs were shaky and his body broke out into a cold sweat from the effort. One of the guards grew tired of waiting, grabbed him, and yanked him out in one effortless motion. He hit the floor hard, instantly overcome by nausea. His stomach wretched inside, bringing up dry heaves. He heard Aviore yelling at them, cursing in foreign languages of which he had never heard before.
Ignoring her, the thing grabbed Ryan and hoisted him to his feet, then subsequently pushed them both down the corridor.
Ryan squinted, making out the slightest sliver of light as his eyes fought to adjust under the shift from absolute darkness.
He could see! Not much, but he could see something.
He walked, one foot in front of the other, guided only by a sharp talon buried into his back.
“I can see, Aviore. I can see light!” he yelled.
He felt her grab his arm. “Stay calm. Keep walking. I’ll guide you.”
They approached a split in the corridor. A Xilozak guard looked down at them contemptuously and growled Trinarieit at their two Txtian escorts. One of them chirped back shrilly, then pushed the two captives down another corridor. Ryan would have fallen if it had not been for Aviore, who managed somehow to move beside him.
She whispered to him softly. "How well can you see?"
“Just blocks of light. Shapes moving. It’s getting better. A little at a time. You’re just a blur, but look beautiful to me.” He stole a quick kiss.
They hobbled down the hallway, constantly harassed by the Txtian guards which constantly chirped amongst themselves.
“Can you make out what they are saying?”
“Somewhat, I think they are arguing about a wager on a game of chance, but is hard to tell.”
The small corridor eventually merged into a larger one. It was jammed full with a slow-moving stream of fellow captives. Few, if any, spoke. There was the odd muffled cry as a whip landed on the back of some hapless soul. The guards pushed them into the crowded stream, happy to abandon them to continue with their argument.
They stumbled as the crowd pushed them forward. The smells were intense, urine, feces, sweat and the unmistakable coppery odor of blood. "What's happening, Aviore?"
"Just be glad you cannot see it, Ryan. Let’s try to stay close to the bulkhead.”
They eventually came to a stop, then advanced to stop yet again.
“What are they doing up there? Can you see, Aviore?”
“Looks like we are coming to the end of the corridor and then into an elevator.”
They started moving again.
“Definitely an elevator. We have just walked onto a platform. Below us is a sea of slaves, literally thousands. This is, I believe, one of the ship’s cargo bays. We are about 20 meters above the main floor.”
The floor lurched. She guided his hand to a metal bar. “Grab the rail."
She scanned the scene as they lowered, mentally calculating the numbers. "There must be three thousand captives here."
On the bay floor, the aliens were separating them into groups. The weak and the injured were being pulled away from the others and forced to the side. One of the guards grabbed hold of Ryan. Aviore fought back, holding onto Ryan’s arm desperately. Ryan, too weak to resist, was joggled back and forth like a rag doll. She begged the guard to let him go, holding onto Ryan with an unrelenting grip. Another Txtian guard approached with a whip, its tip dragging across the floor in a dance of blue sparks.
A sharp bark from above grabbed their attention. The ship's doctor was on the platform. He growled out hoarse orders and waved them on. Aviore pulled Ryan away from the disgruntled Txtian. She looked up gratefully, but the doctor had already turned his back. They started into the flowing stream of slaves and held on to each other tightly.
"What did they want with me?"
"They were going to cut you from the rest of us."
"And then?" He was almost afraid to ask.
"It is a general practice, in order to keep infestati
on and disease down, for them to kill all the injured and sick."
"Oh." Ryan felt a shiver race up his spine. He pulled Aviore closer. "Thank you."
"It was the doctor. He interceded and let us go," she stated.
"I couldn't see."
"I know."
They were broken into smaller groups and ushered into a side room where any remaining clothing was stripped away and they were hosed off by an acrid-sulfur smelling solution. They were then directed back into the general population, shaking from the cold.
Aviore and Ryan had managed to stay together throughout the ordeal, huddling to one another in order to maintain some warmth. They waited silently, holding each other as they shivered, as much from the cold as in fear of what was next.
Hours passed.
The sick and injured were methodically massacred by the Xilozaks. The unfortunates were lined up against a wall and decimated with small laser rifles. The killing seemed to last forever. The sounds of the dying were burnt into their memory. Some begged, some pleaded, others stood silently, uttering not a word, welcoming what was to come. The end came unceremoniously, marked with a silent yet noticeable drop in tension and fear.
Aviore whispered, "Those poor people.” Tears were streaming down her cheeks.
Ryan reached over and wiped them away. “You’re not a blur anymore. He fought out a trace of a smile. I can almost make you out clearly. You’re as beautiful as I thought."
That brought more tears to her eyes. They streaked down her cheek. She did not bother to wipe them away. Ryan reached out, but she grabbed his hand.
"I have to tell you something," she whispered. She sounded different, distant. "I did not want you to know this, because it could put you in danger, but you should know the truth. My father is the Governor of Signus - the highest official of our planet. I have heard the guards talking, and they are looking for me. They probably have tortured some of the crew from my ship and found out I am still alive. That is standard Xi-Empire protocol. They look for information, anything that might be of use. Ryan, they are coming for me."
"Why?"
"I do not know. Perhaps they think I would be a useful asset to inflict a unique brand of terror." She paused a moment, as the words sunk into Ryan's mind. "We are going to be separated soon. And I do not want you to fight them or they will kill you. You have to promise me you will let them take me. You cannot die. Promise me!"
A Bellicose Dance Page 3