Gor undid her collar and walked her to the shower. It was obvious to her he did not clean himself in there. She walked in and began to rub herself down with what he handed her as he stood outside and watched. After her shower, he tossed a shapeless sack to her and she pulled it over her head.
“Come with me.” He walked her across the compound until they reach a structure set apart from the others.
“The only Mians kept at this base are pets. You will be working here.” He opened the door to a wide open space that held several Mians and what appeared to be a source of grain she had never seen before.
“You will spend your days here, helping to feed the Krier race.” Gor led her into the room and spoke to another Mian who was off to one side. “Show her everything she needs to know.”
Talia stood still and waited for him to acknowledge her.
“Follow me.” He led her to the back side of the room filled with huge bins. “What’s your name?”
“Talia, yours?”
“Ruuna.”
She looked around the room. She had counted twenty others not including herself. “Why is everyone so quiet, Ruuna?”
“The broken are quiet. What is there to talk about? Rejoice about?”
She nodded, not lifting her head to meet his eyes.
Ruuna picked up a handful of grain and showed it to her. “This is deadly. If you ingest it, you die. The Krier healers will observe your death and take notes.”
“Why would the Krier eat this?”
“They are not like us. They mask their image to appear somewhat like us.”
Talia stood still, hoping he would answer her next question. He said nothing standing still beside her.
“How is this grown on Mian?”
“The Krier seed the ground with a substance that changes it. This allows their food to be grown here. No more questions. You will break this apart place the edible part in this bin and the rest over here.”
“What happens to the planet when the seed it with their foreign substance?” She defied him by asking the question even as she tamped down on her last spark of resistance.
“The same that will happen to us Talia.” Ruuna hissed with blazing eyes before the look disappeared taking with it any hint of spirit.
He picked up several pieces of the grain and demonstrated how to separate the edible portion before he walked away.
Talia stood and began to work her way through the pile in front of her. Her stomach growled as she broke the food apart separating it. She wondered how many had eaten, just for the temporary feeling of a full stomach before dying. The chore was mind-numbing. There was nothing to do, but listen to the voice in her head. The one that had become her constant friend, telling her that this was what she was meant to do.
“Hi.” The sound was soft and low, making her turn her head to see who had greeted her.
“You will eat tonight.” Talia raised her head to look at the female more closely.
“Why do you say that?”
“There will be a big feast. My owner spoke of this and you will be there as proof that no one can resist the Kriers. He who reigns will feed you. He will want to be seen as benevolent.”
“Why did you call him he who reigns?”
“All pets are to call him that.”
“What is a pet?”
“Animals they keep for their amusement.” The woman’s face had gone slack with silent fear as she spoke those words. She cast a look around the room to see if any had heard her.
“Tell me, why don’t we escape? Is there a guard outside watching?” She had not seen a guard when she was brought in.
“Where would we go? Who would we run to? It’s not even possible to escape. They can find us anywhere. All they have to do is get close enough with their hypnotics and we will rise up and walk to them. I have heard it said some have come crawling back.”
“We all stay? No one fights back?”
“We stay, just like you stayed in that cage that was never locked until they took you out.”
Talia eyes widened and her heart pounded faster. She had never tried the door of the cage.
Chapter Sixteen
“Tau.”
Tau threw Tarek a look that made him back down. “Tarek, we are either going to discuss my condition or we are going to finish getting the field ready for an ambush. The decision is yours.”
He watched as Tarek backed off. Smart male. He turned sightless eyes on the area in front of him. Something was definitely wrong, but he would not be admitting that to Tarek, at least not until this battle was over. When they won and Azure was safe, then he would tell the other male. He would concede and allow him to treat him like a young in need of a strong parent, until his Lia came home. She would gladly take over and it was so much more pleasurable pitting his wits against hers.
She was missing. It took everything he had not to leave and track her down. He could almost see her standing in front of him, asking if he trusted her. I trust you had been his response followed up with, but I don’t trust the Kriers. Her lips quirked and those beautiful eyes lit up as she kissed him. Trust me to do what needs to be done, she said, between each seductive kiss she placed on his lips. He agreed, knowing he wasn’t going to win.
Now she was missing. It had been too many rotations. On top of that, there had been no communications with Zymar or Rylan. He had to believe no communication meant everything was still on track at a slower pace.
He knew first-hand what she was fighting. He understood it in a way the others could not, the insidious voice that invaded your mind stealing your thoughts, telling you that you were nothing. He lived with that voice for years. At times, he woke in a cold sweat feeling it testing his defenses, calling at him to come back. So many Mians had given in. They became a victim to it. Others resisted until the Kriers put them out of their misery.
Tau had no idea what was happening with Talia. He could feel she was still alive, but she had buried their connection. He didn’t know if she was trying to protect him or if she was losing the battle. That’s what hurt the most, not knowing. Only being able to speculate about what was happening. He understood that look now, the hopeless one covered with a smile that parents and mates wore when their male or female went to war. He wore that look. He smiled for the world, while he waited for news of his Lia.
“Tau.”
“Tarek?”
“You’re drifting off. We need your help or I need you to sit. Choose.”
He felt his lips lift briefly. The male had been his friend from the minute they had met and he worried, although he would deny it.
“You don’t want to lift me if I fall?”
“Do you know how heavy you are?” The smile threatening to find Tau’s lips finally came. The other male had enough strength to carry him if need be.
Tau grabbed the spool of the wire they were going to use as part of their Krier surprise party Tarek grabbed the other spool. The material was so sharp neither male risked touching it as they wrapped it between two trees.
“Why haven’t the Kriers been back? You are never off when you strategize.”
“Something happened to them. should be back soon to let us know what is happening.” He did not point out that Talia was not back yet, meaning she was rotations overdue.
“Have you felt Talia?”
“I felt enough to know she is still alive. I catch an emotion every so often before it disappears. I think she is trying to protect me. Keeping me buried deep in her mind is probably her only defense against the voice.”
“You talk about it like it’s alive.”
“At times it feels that way.” He stopped to look Tarek in the eyes. “Many times it felt like my very mind had been invaded by another who rearranged my thoughts and then presented them to me with a smile. I gladly held out my hand and took them, believing every one of them. Whatever that machine is, we have to destroy it.”
Tau looked up when he heard the small bird call alerting them to Kie’s
coming.
“What did you find?” Tarek asked, as he found a place to sit and motioned them to join him.
“I found something that is difficult to understand.”Kie sat down with a worried look on his normally expressionless face.
“The Krier decided to detour from the cavern and spend their rest cycle at the base of the great mountain. They had probably been there for several hours and were in the middle of their rest cycle when the great rocks began to fall on them.”
“How is that possible? Those great rocks never move, they were there when the ancient ones walked the planet.”
“I know what I saw, Tarek. They moved. They fell and killed many of the Krier.”
“How many did the great rocks kill?”
“It looked to be about half, Tau. This will make what we need to do easier.”
“Why are they still there?”
“All of their supplies ended up under the great rocks. They are just getting them free. They will march quickly and not stop for a proper rest cycle. I believe that will put them here tonight or tomorrow morning. Are we ready?”
Tau looked around the area. Each day the Krier hadn’t showed up, he came up with new traps that would kill the Krier without hurting the Mians. The field and the surrounding area were full of traps. The villagers in Azure had been warned to stay away and signs had been placed where Mians would see them. There was nothing left to do, but fight.
Tarek stood. “We should rest; we need to be ready to fight.”
***
Tau got out of bed fully clothed and started towards the dwelling of those who would help. He could feel the Kriers. They were close. He knocked on each door to let them know it was time until he reached Tarek’s dwelling. He slipped inside and went to the kitchen to wait on them.
Tarek walked in and gave him a once over with the look of a healer not a friend. “Jana, we have a guest.”
“Tau is not a guest. He is family. How many times must I tell you this?”
Tau gave a nod of approval at Jana’s comments before he grabbed water from Tarek’s cooler.
Jana walked in. “Everyone is outside waiting for us.”
Tau nodded and led the way out. Ha had handpicked the fifteen Mians standing before him. They were trustworthy and could take orders well. Each had a different skill and all had a natural defense to the Kriers hypnotic suggestion. As long as they listened, they would be victorious.
“Each one of you was picked for the same reasons; your ability to follow direction and to think quickly and clearly in a tight situation. I did not pick you because you were heroes. We will function as one and then we will all leave a hero to Azure. Any questions?” He looked around. No one moved. “Let’s go protect our people.”
Tau led the group away from Azure to the field they chose as the battle ground. He watched as his people found their spots and effectively hid themselves away from prying eyes.
It wasn’t until the first rays of the sun began to chase away the darkness of night that they spotted the Krier. Tau watched as the leader raised his hand, effectively stopping the hunting party from coming closer. He knew the Krier were a cunning adversary, so when the leader seemed hesitant to walk into his trap, he applauded him.
He cast his eyes around the field, making sure no one had betrayed their position. Wait for it, he breathed to himself, hoping his silent directions could be heard. The leader got a little closer with his men trailing behind him, all cautious after the rocks falling. He was now close enough to see. Tau turned his head to watch as Jana stepped out, looking like she had gone for an early morning walk.
Tau watched as Jana caught sight of the leader and became paralyzed with fear. The leader looked up seeing her, his face going from one of shock to one of joy. He crossed the field not thinking before she stopped close to the middle. Jana had taken a step back testing her legs and her ability to flee. Seeing this, the leader called for several Kriers to retrieve her.
Tau watched as she waited the fear refusing to let go of her. When they were committed, she turned and ran. The Kriers gave chase, running into the knife-like wire wrapped around the tree. Their bodies were cut in half.
He watched as other Mians raised reflective material that took the power of the sun’s rays and multiplied it. They aimed it at the Kriers, watching their clothes burn and their skin burst into flames from the sun.
He nodded to himself. They could not survive the sun on their planet. They wore multiple layers of clothing to be able to walk the surface. From what he had heard, their sun carried a power in its rays that was not found on the Krier home planet. It was death to them.
Small fights had broken out now, but the numbers were more evenly matched. Everything had gone well. Jana had left like she had been instructed to do. Now all they had to do was defeat them and clean up. He briefly thought of sitting until he heard quiet steps behind him. Turning around, he saw three Kriers trying to sneak up on him. The small smile he had been wearing turned dark and dangerous. He could feel it in his eyes.
“How nice of my people. They saved three for me.” He watched as the steps of one faltered. It must have been the sound of his voice. The sound of it had sent chills up his own back. He could not fault the Krier for reacting.
“Three against one. I think we have nothing to fear.” The leader laughed and reached for something at his side, only to come back empty handed. The glare of hatred replaced the smile he had been wearing.
“Get him. Try and keep him alive.” The leader commanded the two with him.
They attacked him together, obviously used to fighting as a pair. Tau allowed his body to slide into the routine he practiced every day. He met their fists with blocks and avoided their kicks. He noticed he was being protective of his midsection. They noticed it too. They came after him in a coordinated attack one attacking his chest while the other aimed for the mid-section.
Tau retreated, falling back so they were swinging at air. Moving around them he caught one from behind and broke his neck, keeping an eye on the other two. Standing, he motioned for the other to come and get him. He met every hit as he fought, looking for a weak spot. He waited until the Krier thought he had forgotten about protecting his midsection. When he came in, Tau dropped down and came up with a punch aimed at his wind pipe, crushing it with one blow.
Tau breathed hard as he looked at the leader. He watched as the leader stood, then turned and ran. Kie turned and followed, ending his life.
Tau watched as Tarek and Kie walked over to him. “Thanks for the help.”
“You didn’t look like you needed help to me.”Kie’s dry tone lightened the darkness of his gaze.
“I made sure they saved three for you. What more do you want?” Tarek’s light tone brought him back from the edge.
“I want to clean up so we can go home.”
Chapter Seventeen
The shame of having been kept captive in an unlocked cage had taken up residence in Talia’s brain and refused to let go. She had begun to understand what real hopelessness was. How the inability to fight or the belief that you couldn’t fight affected one’s mind and body. She looked around the feed room as she had come to call it. She was still here, separating the husk from the viable food.
She came everyday as directed, knowing there was no guard to keep her in, knowing she could try and leave this place. Her desire for freedom seemed to diminish every time she walked in here. No one questioned her. She was allowed to roam the compound like a domesticated animal that no one noticed unless they wanted to pet it.
She knew the days were passing by and she was well overdue to return, but she could not make herself care. She was the pet to the Prime. Other Mians looked at her with envy. To be the pet to the most powerful Krier was a status symbol none held before her. If she cared, she would have told them it was no different for her than it was for them.
He thought of ways to disgrace her, humiliate her. He withheld food from her on a whim and often taunted her with food they
both knew would kill her if she gave in. She did not feel privileged. Her days of privilege ended when she gave up Tau. She had to give him up. It was the only way to save his life.
“They say the day is finally here. Have you heard anything?”
She looked over into the eyes of the woman who might have been a real friend if they had met under different circumstances. She knew what she was talking about. The exalted leader of the Krier people was going to set foot on Mian. He stayed on the royal ship in space and let others do his work here, but he wanted to see her. That should have bothered her, but no longer did. What did she have left for them to take?
“The big dinner, according to Gor, will happen tonight. He is very pleased to be receiving this special visit.”
“Why do you think he is coming here? He never leaves his ship.”
Talia shrugged her shoulders. She only knew what Gor’s fears were. “Gor thinks he may want me for his pet. That is all I know.”
Talia watched as the others woman’s eyes got wide. She wanted to tell her it was not an honor, but a doorway to a life of horror. She said nothing. Pets did not get to choose their owners.
***
Gor was walking back and forth in the room he called his sleeping quarters. The Krier did not really sleep, not that it mattered to her. It was just another way they were different. The fact that they resembled insects when they were not covering themselves in hypnotic thought should have been of interest to her, but dying inside made everything else less interesting.
“Are you listening?” His tone cut into her and she flinched.
“Yes.”
“What did I say?”
“I am to stay away from the Leader of the Kriers unless you personally introduce me. If introduced, I am to leave as soon as it is deemed fitting. I am to be quiet and not draw any attention. If I fail to carry out those orders, I will be punished.”
“Go get dressed.”
She had been given a blue dress to wear. It was unlike the sack she had been in since she was first given clothes. Sliding it over her head, she wondered where they had gotten it. It was Mian in cut and design and she knew it looked nice on her much slimmer frame. That’s what happened when another controlled your very ability to eat.
Tau's Miracle: Alien Destination: Scifi FantasyRomance Page 10