by Catty Diva
Every Phoenix went through rigorous training. All his siblings were currently in that training. Blaze thought back to those days with fondness. At least they could be home. He knew the young often longed for adventure far from home, but it wasn’t the same in reality like it was in your dreams.
Walking along the huge throughway between shops and other businesses, he tried to memorize everything here. It could come in handy later if anything went wrong. There were stores that had everything the modern day traveler might need along with places that provided food or entertainment.
Once he’d made his way along the whole path, he turned back to head to the cafeteria. His stomach rumbled not that it surprised him. A phoenix could put away a lot of food in a day. Maybe he’d supplement what he ate by getting some food at restaurants. It wouldn’t do to attract any needless attention.
When he entered the cafeteria there were only a few people there. Filling his tray, he quickly found a place where he could watch the door without anyone getting behind him. There were people at one table he didn’t recognize. Two women and a man sat there eating, but talking more. They laughed teasing each other drawing out their meal with enjoyment.
They weren’t a danger so he ignored them. Several guards sat at another table casting worried glances in his direction. Medical personnel sat at a different table, it seemed they didn’t mix with guards. Blaze wasn’t sure why since they seemed to be as heartless as the guards. None of these people here seemed to care for anyone except themselves.
He finished eating so he could turn in for the night. Tomorrow would bring its own set of problems. Captain would be a difficulty, he just didn’t know when. Returning to his room, he settled in for the night. A good night’s sleep would be worth gold.
His alarm went off waking him. He’d set it to automatically go off at the same time every morning since his shift was set, at least for now. They worked twelve on and twelve off with two days off a month. Not a job for someone who was lazy. Of course it was also true there wasn’t much to do around here so they might as well work. The week off at the end of the year for those who made it that long was the real cherry on top.
Employees got a bonus with transportation to somewhere else if it wasn’t too far away. Living on a space station had never been a dream of his, but the work itself didn’t bother him. Phoenix were all hard workers. The conditions the residents lived in, that made him cry on the inside. He couldn’t let the pain he felt for them show. Even slipping Felicity the candy bar would get him in the world of trouble. Blaze wasn’t sure why he’d done it.
Dressing fast, he was out the door with plenty of time to spare for breakfast. Delicious aromas wafted to him as he got closer to the cafeteria. It made him sick when he compared this good food to what he had to serve the residents. This place was proof all by itself that life wasn’t fair.
“Hey Brad, come sit here after you get your tray.” David said waving at him cheerfully.
Blaze hated morning people. How had he not realized after several days that this guy was one of them? He shot him a sour look, but David just laughed like it was a joke. Oh yeah, David usually ate and was gone before he got here in the mornings.
Blaze was usually fine once he ate as long as he also had a few cups of coffee. On the ship he got the Mazlan’s substitute which he loved, every bitter drop. It sucked that they had none of that here. If he asked for some, that would get their attention. This whole assignment sucked hairy goat balls. Getting his tray, he sat down by Mr. Cheerful.
“What the hell are you so happy about?” Blaze asked.
“I’m just glad you survived the night. I don’t want one of the other assholes to be my partner. I wasn’t sure they’d let you live.” David admitted.
“I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you by dying.” Blaze said before taking a huge bite of a ham and cheese omelet. Several of his favorites were on his plate showing him that they tried to keep the guards happy.
“Aw, don’t be that way, Man. You know what I mean. I’m not going to get all touchy feely.” Davis insisted.
“Wouldn’t want you to.” Blaze said. He liked David, it was too bad he had come here. Of course, his life before here hadn’t been a good one. Maybe Razar would give the guy a chance. He’d heard some of the guards from other labs had been given a second chance. Why not this guy?
They sat eating their breakfast quietly. When they were done, they dumped their trays before going to work. The wing they worked was quiet. That was no surprise since many of the residents slept most of the time. What else could they do? There was a knock on the door. Their breakfast was here. Blaze opened the door pulling the cart in. It was huge, but it didn’t have to be. Half the cells here were empty.
Blaze wasn’t sure if that was because they weren’t getting new residents or because they were losing old ones to violence. If they fed them better, some might do better. The environment here didn’t exactly give anyone a reason to live. That was why the poor woman who’d gone over the edge had been willing to die to kill one of the people who’d tormented her.
They handed out tray after tray of food. The people in their wing weren’t any trouble, the one that had killed the attendant hadn’t caused them any trouble either. Blaze suspected the male had it coming. None of them knew how that attendant had treated the residents that he took for tests.
He reached Felicity’s cell immediately noting her. She always caught his attention even though she didn’t try to. Blaze was used to females vying for his attention. Phoenix in general were attractive people. On this station, he stood out because most of the males were ugly. Not only in appearance, but they were uncaring of others.
David was an exception, he was a nice looking guy with a friendly smile. Being too nice here wouldn’t do him any good. Since he had beaten up the boss recently, he figured David wouldn’t take any advice he might give, so he didn’t mention it. Blaze knew what he should do, he just didn’t always do it. He could give David sound advice if he was open to it.
Right now they’d just finished handing out the last tray so they would just stand around for a little while before they picked up the trays. Most residents ate quickly because they were afraid the trays would be taken before they were finished eating. As little as they were fed, he could understand why they would want to get it all.
None of them looked well fed, their ribs could be counted and their faces were gaunt. Some looked as if they had vitamin deficiencies, an easy thing to get in space. One of the females had lost all her hair. Her scalp was covered with sores. He slipped her extra food whenever he could sneak some out of the cafeteria. Things like rolls or apples were easiest. Mush food was too much trouble to transport in his pockets.
Chapter 4
Felicity
Felicity didn’t know what to make of the two new guards. They were the nicest ones they’d ever had. Brad was the nicer of the two even sneaking the poor sick lady in the third cell over extra food sometimes. He was risking a lot, whether he knew it or not. Preferential treatment wasn’t allowed and he’d already upset Captain.
Everyone was talking about the beating he’d handed his boss. The night guards speculated constantly about what Captain would do to get even once he was back on his feet, that is. According to the guards, Captain like to beat the shit out of the new guys right after they got off their shift. They would have twelve hours to recover, but they better not miss their next shift.
She wondered how the asshole liked being on the receiving end of the ass whipping. The guards wondered too actually enjoying Captain’s pain even though they would be too scared to attempt to beat him in a fight themselves. Felicity hoped it hurt like hell. It was no less than the male deserved after all he’d put the residents through in the time he’d been here.
Some of the old guards who were no longer here had discussed why the residents got so little food. Captain had a deal with the manager of the cafeteria who supplied their meals. They skimmed twenty percent off the budget shar
ing it equally. What was left was used to provide the food for the residents. The labs weren’t generous to begin with, but removing twenty percent from the budget left little to work with.
Time seemed to go faster now that Brad and David covered a shift in her wing. A few days passed where she found herself looking forward to seeing the two guys, especially Brad. The day neither of them worked, just dragged. Brad was back and well into his second week, when something seemed to change with him. Dealing so much with guards, she had learned to pick up feelings from them. It helped when you could anticipate their moods to avoid bringing out their temper.
Brad had an air of expectation. It was like he was waiting for something big to happen. None of the other guards seemed to be any different. He still did everything like he had before so she didn’t know what to make of it. Today, he slipped her a candy bar.
“Things will get better soon.” He whispered to her. What did that even mean? Her world never changed much, each day was a lot like the one before it. She refused to develop expectations because the disappointment could crush one’s soul.
Felicity just smiled at him to make him happy. It didn’t mean she believed him. Brad seemed to be happy with it as he moved on to the next cell handing out the tray of food. Brad and David delivered two meals that was why newbies had gotten what was considered the day shift. That was when most of the work was done. Today was the first bath day for the two of them.
Baths were given three times a month whether you needed it, wanted it, or not. Sometimes the smell got pretty bad, but most of the females hated bath day because the guards watched them as they tried to clean themselves. Some even commented and there were a few that touched parts they weren’t supposed to. She was sure she wasn’t the only one wondering how these two guys would handle things.
Once the trays were picked up and removed from the hall, Brad and David went to the supply closet to get out towels and clean clothes. Soap was already in the dispensers in the shower. Hundred gallon barrels of soap were used. They didn’t need replacing often. The one soap was used for the hair and the body.
They went to the first cage letting the woman out. “Are you alright to shower by yourself?” Brad asked the woman. She just nodded. He handed her a towel and a change of clothes. “Just put your dirty clothes in the hamper.”
David was on the other side of the hall at the first cage that held someone doing the same thing. He had her standing by the door to the bathroom waiting her turn. Once the first lady exited the shower dressed in clean clothes and smelling like soap, Brad escorted her to her cell. Once he had her locked in, he went to the next resident. He and David worked their way down the wing that way.
Felicity felt odd when it was her turn. Being out of the cell without a guard at her elbow was unheard of. The sense of freedom even such a small thing gave her was undeniable. She tried to imagine being somewhere else, somewhere without a cell. It had been her life before, but now she barely remembered it. Hurrying, she didn’t waste time because she didn’t want them to regret giving her, along with the others in her wing, a bit of freedom.
The soap was industrial, but it still smelled better than body odor accumulated in over a week. She never understood why they had shower day, but the sheets weren’t changed or their cells cleaned for several more days. Once she sat back down on her cot after her shower was done, the scent rising from it offended her nose. It just brought home that she and the others had no control over their own lives.
Everything was regulated by someone who didn’t give a damn about them. Their food, clothes, and cells were dealt with on someone else’s schedule. They were just lucky when they weren’t forgotten. There’d been guards in the past that had skipped their meals. Some had skipped their showers too and never changed their sheets. In their position, they had to be grateful for whatever they got.
She just didn’t know what to think about the hint of something on the horizon that Brad had dropped. The day ended without any excitement, good or bad. Maybe it was her imagination that bought into his hints of a something better on its way. Maybe he wanted something better so badly that he was willing to imagine it. It was breakfast with everything proceeding as normal when sounds echoed from outside their area. Loud banging noises along with sounds of yelling or screaming.
As the sounds grew closer, the sounds of laser fire became clearer. Something big was going on. She could see Brad speaking to David who was now several shades paler than usual. Davis nodded in agreement before Brad went to the door opening it. He looked out into the hallway for a while then closed the door before making a round.
“It’s okay everyone. No one intends to hurt you.” Brad assured.
“How do we know that?” One of the females a few cells away yelled.
“I just told you so. I’m not worried, you shouldn’t be.”
“Your partner looks worried enough for both of you.” She observed.
It was true, David looked sickly. He jumped at the loud noises growing ever louder as they got closer. Brad didn’t seem disturbed in the least. Felicity drew a conclusion. The guard, Brad, was involved in whatever was going on. She liked Brad, but did she trust him with the lives of everyone in her wing? If she didn’t, what the hell could she do about it now? Whatever was on its way, it was coming soon. There was no way to turn it back. They were all locked up forced to face their fate head on.
A bloodcurdling scream rent the air making everyone more nervous. From its sound, someone had lost their life. More screams sounded closer as if someone had run down their hall to escape whatever hunted them only to be caught. Someone or something pounded aggressively on the door. Brad hurried to open it while David threw his gun down to the ground. There would be no drawn out battle here.
Their guards were giving it up to the conquering new comers. One stepped through the doorway into their cell block. He resembled Brad. The male was big, muscled, and attractive. Where Brad’s hair was dark red, this guy’s hair was dark blond. Another person followed him in, it was a female. She was cute with dark blonde curly hair.
“Roar, why did you bring Treva here?” Brad asked.
“Blaze, it’s what she’ll be doing.”
“Hey, Blaze. Talk to me not around me.” The female said. Why did the other male call Brad Blaze? Which was his real name?
“Blaze, who’s this guy?” Roar asked.
“This is David. He’s not been here long. He got recruited like I did. We were told little, but once he was here, he had no way to leave.” Blaze explained.
“You’ve finally learned not all bad guys are bad?” Roar asked.
“True statement, but many are more bad than good on this station. David is alright. I want to talk to Razar on his behalf.” Blaze admitted.
“If he’s a good guy in a desperate situation, Razar will take that into account.” Roar admitted. “Where do you want Treva to start?”
“Let her talk to Felicity. I think she’ll be a help once she realizes we’re freeing them.” Blaze observed.
“Good. Which one is she?” Treva asked.
“Just follow me.” Blaze suggested.
Listening to their conversation prepared Felicity for what was headed her way. They stopped in front of her cell which Blaze opened. “Who are you?” She asked the female.
“My name is Treva. This gorgeous hunk is my mate Roar. I was born and raised in a lab when they freed me. I didn’t know what to do when they told me I was free. Where would I go? How would I live? But that’s not what is going to happen to you. These are good people. Not only will they free you, they’ll take you somewhere where you will be safe. You’ll be fed, clothed, and educated until you decided what you want to do with your life.”
“Why would they do that?” Felicity asked.
“You’ve only been around the people here?” Treva sked. “That’s too bad because there are other people that care about others. They treat you like you matter so they’ll want to help you. If you look around hard enough, you�
�ll usually find some good to balance out the bad you see here.”
“I didn’t always live here, but I was brought here at a young age. I was told my parents owed money when they died so I was sold to the lab. Later, I was moved from that one to this one.”
“Gods, I wish we could track you back to where you came from. I would like to jail everyone involved.” Roar declared.
“I know I came from Darvos. It’s a little backwater moon that was terraformed. My parents were farmers, but my mom also sold pies on Saturdays for extra money. She was going to teach me how to bake when I was a little older. We used to pick wild berries at the edge of the woods for her pies, but I ate more than I put in the bag. They used to give me a belly ache. I’d help her in the kitchen by washing the berries and picking out the stems.” Felicity remembered.
“I’m so sorry. It must hurt more to have those beautiful memories to haunt you in here.” Treva mentioned.
“No, they gave me an escape from this sad reality.” Felicity insisted.
“Can you help me calm the others? Once we have this place under our control, we’ll be moving you to our ships.” Treva explained,
“Who are you?” Felicity asked.
“These guys are Phoenix, but they work with the Mazlans. They live on Oison which is where you’ll go. You don’t have to go with us, but if you stay here, what will any of you do?” Treva asked.
Chapter 5
Freedom
Blaze was impressed with the way Treva had explained things to Felicity giving her a chance to go over it all. She would make her own choice, but it was true there was no real choice. If they stayed here, there was no way off the space station. Ships demanded a price up front before taking on passengers. The residents had nothing, not even decent clothes or food to eat.