by LC Morgans
Feeling a wave of numbness wash over her, the memories of Kronus and Invasion Day dissipated, and Kyra brushed her perfectly white teeth and then padded back into her sparse bedroom. There was definitely something flowing through her body, she was sure of it, because as sure as she’d just been thinking of her old life, her mind was suddenly empty again as she wandered back to her room. Light as a feather, unburdened by guilt or regret, she walked the short distance from her en-suite to her bed and didn’t even flinch when she saw Greegis standing in her doorway watching her. She simply felt nothing. No fear or loathing. No surprise or annoyance.
“Good morning, Paynton,” he said, and she frowned. Who was Paynton? That wasn’t her name. Greegis stepped closer, shutting the door behind him. “I said good morning, Paynton,” he repeated with a scowl.
Kyra began to tremble. She remembered now. He’d told her it over and over again, drumming it into her, but for some reason the change of identity wasn’t something her mind was able to retain on its own. No matter how often he reminded her, she always forgot again so easily. Perhaps the strange flaws in her memory like this were the reason for the same wakeup message from his assistant each morning too? She couldn’t remember how many mornings had started the same way, but she certainly remembered how she would be punished if she didn’t answer him soon.
“Good morning, master,” she mumbled in response, staring at the floor by his feet.
“Are you ready for breakfast?” he asked.
“Yes, master.” She nodded. Greegis came closer and tugged at the towel still wrapped around her. It fell to her feet, leaving her naked before him, but again Kyra didn’t react, not even when he eyed her up and down. “As much as I like to admire that which I created, I don’t think it’d be suitable for you to walk around like this, do you?”
Kyra shook her head. She knew she ought to be getting dressed, but couldn’t remember where her clothes were kept. Greegis sneered and clicked his tongue impatiently. He grabbed her right wrist and inspected the cuff for a second before producing a strange looking pin from his pocket, which he pushed inside a tiny hole to one side. He then took a small device from his jacket and started pressing on the touchscreen. “Tell me your name,” he asked, evidently playing with the controls of her cuffs via his handset. She was elated to know she’d been right, but was still confused by his question. He fiddled with it again and repeated the request.
Kyra. Her name was Kyra, but that wasn’t right. She had a new name and he expected her to say that one instead. She could tell he was getting angry and wanted to give him the right answer, but it’d gone again. Greegis grabbed her by the throat and slid his thumb up and down the almost invisible scar there—the only remnant of her injury that’d left her unable to speak for months. “Answer me. If I wanted a mute I would’ve cut your new voice box out along with your microchip.”
That was right. She remembered it now. The fog was clearing a little at last and Kyra thought back, recalling how he’d taken a scalpel to her wrist and cut out the chip she knew could be used to track her. Kyra didn’t doubt he was capable of cutting out her new voice box, or any of the various punishments he’d threatened her with this past year, and silently cursed him with her suddenly clearer inner voice. Whatever he’d done to lessen the effect of the device controlling her cuffs, it was working. She knew she didn’t want to go back to the vacant numbness that’d been clouding her mind for weeks, so forced herself to answer him.
“Paynton. That’s my name,” she answered coldly.
“Good girl.” Greegis let her go and pulled the pin from her cuff, stashing it back in his pocket. “We’ll see if these settings work better. I could easily go out and buy myself a mindless robot to work for me, but a human slave slowly succumbing to a new, mind-altering invention of mine…” he took a drawn out, satisfied inhale. “Now that is a treat to watch at work.”
Kyra opened and closed her mouth, feeling both dumfounded and terrified at the same time.
“Why?” she whispered, unable to stop herself. “Why me?”
“Because you’re not only the one human that is a walking, talking, living, and breathing exhibition of my work. You’re also the perfect test subject. Nobody knows you’re here and I’ve done so well in altering your appearance that no one would recognize you anyway.” He cupped her cheek in a rare display of gentleness, and Kyra cringed. She still hated him with every fiber of her being, no matter the effect of whatever drugs he had to be injecting into her via the cuffs, and couldn’t hide it. Greegis simply continued to leer at her. “What else was I to do all those months aboard that ship with nothing to work on but formulas and hypotheses? I created something else alongside my serums and used the time to develop it in wait for the perfect slave to trial it on. Turns out you came back to your maker at exactly the right time, so along with everything else I gave you, I also added a full upgrade to the package.”
Everything inside of her was screaming for the first time in weeks and she knew it must’ve been because he’d turned down the intensity of whatever was previously clouding her mind. Kyra wanted to lash out at him and scream, but she couldn’t force her body to move. Nothing happened, no matter her mental insistence. Her body point blank refused to obey her commands. Greegis seemed to sense her turmoil and leaned closer. “They’re called nano-bots and they work solely for me. Right now, they’re working their magic inside your brain, telling your body what it can and cannot do, think, remember, or say. The first phase is complete and now we’re onto the next step. That’s why you were so vacant. They’ll slowly repress your memories and override every single one of your synapses. You’ll soon learn to comply with my orders no matter what your instincts are telling you,” he whispered. He was right and even though she didn’t want to admit it, Kyra knew she was in no position to fight his hold on her.
“I need to get my clothes on,” was all she replied, and Greegis stepped back with a salacious smile. He was spot on, though. The moment she gave in, all she could focus on was what he wanted from her. When she tried to lash out, her body had refused her command and instead she was reminded of his order that she get dressed. Being ready for breakfast in time was suddenly her top priority and with only seconds to spare, Kyra quickly pulled on the dress he’d picked out and laid on the bed for her.
“That’s it. Good girl,” Greegis said as he took her hand in his and led her out into the hallway, but Kyra suddenly couldn’t quite remember what he was saying it for. All she’d done was shower and dress for him on time like he’d asked. They hadn’t even spoken yet this morning other than in greeting, not that she could remember anyway.
Chapter Six
Kyra ate breakfast in silence, watching as Greegis and his staff discussed the day ahead. She watched as he issued his orders to the various elements of his team over an informal meeting full of delicious treats and a strong sort of coffee. She had no idea what they were even talking about, and didn’t understand any of the medical jargon, but also couldn’t completely remember what she was even doing there. Her short-term memory was suffering with the onslaught to her brain cells that the nano-bots had brought with them, however she had no idea, and had completely forgotten all about the conversation she’d had with Greegis about them that morning.
“Paynton? Would you like something to eat?” a nurse beside her asked, but she ignored her. Who was Paynton? Her name was Kyra. “Paynton, here. You need to eat something,” the woman insisted, and she pushed a plate with some fresh toast on towards her.
“My name’s K…” she began, but was cut off by the mammoth Thrakorian sat beside her.
“Away with the fairies, aren’t you?” Greegis said, spreading some kind of jelly on her toast before sliding it in front of her with a scowl. “Eat, Paynton. You need to keep your strength up.” On his order, she did as she was told. She slowly ate the food before her, but couldn’t enjoy it. Nothing about this entire scenario felt right, but when she tried to remember why, sharp twinges of pain behind her
temple sent her mind reeling back and away from the train of thought she’d been following.
After breakfast was over and Greegis had dismissed his team, the daytime work routine commenced. Kyra had no role as such, but was expected to remain close to her master at all times. She often wondered if Greegis had activated some kind of maximum distance she could be away from him via her cuffs as she regularly felt the pull back to him if she ever wandered too far. Instead of letting her mind mull over that idea, or in fact anything at all, she simply sat in silence and watched in a daze as he went about his work.
The nurses had brought up numerous human patients from the depths of the facility for him to work on. They were then prepped and positioned, ready for him to start removing tissue from various parts of their bodies. Some were awake while others remained out cold, but the sight of them wasn’t new to her, so she simply sat and watched as Greegis took his samples and then removed his scrubs before washing and changing in readiness for his next patient.
Kyra often wanted to ask what he was doing or why, but the urge would quickly leave her again and she would remain silent. The same routine carried on throughout the day, and by evening, she was feeling restless. Bored, yet she didn’t know what she thought she was meant to be doing with her time other than following Greegis around like the doting slave he evidently expected her to be.
“Come and join me for dinner, Paynton,” Greegis said as he finished off his scrubbing down ritual after sending back the last of they day’s patients. Kyra frowned. Why did he keep calling her that? She couldn’t understand why he insisted in calling her by a different name, but rather than question him, she silently fell in line behind her intimidating owner and he seemed to enjoy how easy she now was to be around. Greegis smiled back at her, watching her from the corner of his eye, but he didn’t say a word.
Dinner was a far different affair to breakfast. In the huge dining hall with all the others, she’d felt comfortable enough to hide amongst the group of nurses and doctors chatting loudly about their research and brainstorming together while they ate. On an evening, it was just her and Greegis, and as Kyra took a seat beside him, unease curled in her gut. She was wearing another dress he’d chosen for her, which seemed to be his preference, however this one was fancier than her comfortable day dress. It was more of a gown, with delicate gems inlaid into the bodice and skirt. Greegis had dictated every part of her attire, even how she was to wear her hair, and he watched her every move.
“Good evening, master,” she said with a smile she knew wasn’t genuine, but he seemed fooled. Either that or he didn’t care whether she meant it or not, only that she played along.
“Good evening. Would you like to talk about what you watched happen today?” he asked, taking a delicate and well-mannered bite of his starter. He then watched as she thought about his offer intently. Everything inside screamed out for her to say yes. She wanted to ask the how’s and why’s of what she’d watched him do, but every time she tried to chase the thought, the headaches were just too hard to bear and she was forced to retreat. Kyra tried to focus, but all she could think about was the man sitting opposite her and how he was waiting expectantly for her answer, however ‘yes’ wasn’t the answer he wanted her to give. He didn’t want her to be curious or have any input. He wanted her to be a mindless slave, so her treacherous body wouldn’t let her say it.
“We can talk about whatever you’d like,” she eventually answered, and was glad when her headache subsided. Greegis raised an eyebrow.
“Why do you say that?”
She wanted to curse at him and beg him to set her free, but every thought like that brought with it excruciating headaches and instead she gave in. The pain was too much to bear and while she despised herself for doing so, Kyra lost her inner battle and took the easy route.
It was only seconds before she realized what was happening inside her head. If she thought of anything except Greegis and his wants or needs, or thought of saying anything that might anger him, the pain would set in. The nano-bots were working their magic at every turn in her mind. Giving in was unmistakably the only way to stop it. Kyra realized she was disappearing a thought at a time and that Paynton was slowly taking over. Letting go was freeing, but also terrifying.
“Because it doesn’t matter what I’d like to discuss. All that matters is you,” she replied. Greegis seemed happy to ignore the flat, emotionless tone she spoke in. He beamed, clearly impressed with the progress she’d made so far, and nodded.
“That’s right. I’m glad you’re doing as you’re told at last, Paynton.” Greegis placed a hand over hers on the table, and even the thought of her pulling it away had Kyra wincing in discomfort, so she left it there beneath his grasp. “Pain is bad, it means you’re disobeying your master. Be a good girl, and you’ll be rewarded.”
***
Thrayke paced the corridor and wrung his hands. He had a scowl plastered across his features as usual, but now he was especially annoyed. Kronus had been asking him for months to accept the position as his Chief Advisor and he was desperate to accept the post, but in doing so he would also have to give up his search for his lost love. Kyra had been stolen from him aboard that ship and he’d failed in every attempt he had made to discover who had taken her, or her whereabouts now. He’d suspected Rasmos, but hadn’t found any proof to confirm it, so the trail had grown cold right from the very start.
She’d somehow simply ceased to exist and not a single one of his leads had taken him anywhere. Thrayke had never once admitted defeat in all his life, and yet now, he knew he was creeping closer and closer to having to concede. For his own sanity if for nothing else. Perhaps she was somewhere too far for him to reach, maybe taken to another planet entirely by her captor? She might even be…
He couldn’t bring himself to even contemplate the finality of that last possibility. He needed help, but there had been nowhere to turn for it. Minic had done everything he could to try and track Kyra down with him, but he too had come up empty every time. Each piece of information they’d found led nowhere and anyone who had reported seeing a dark haired slave in any of the Thrakorian high society households always shook their heads when he or Thrayke had described Kyra in greater detail.
He hadn’t turned to Kronus. Their Prince didn’t need the stress or worry. He was weak and had gone on to become gravely ill with the Ehrad disease. Despite keeping up appearances, he was deteriorating every day and was sure to be dead by the end of the following year. Two of his siblings had already perished from the devastating illness, along with numerous others within the Thrakorian civilization, but the losses to the royal family were providing the most devastating blows to their people. Kronus and his army had dedicated years to finding a cure, and while they were close, it was still not close enough. Thrayke had barely seen his leader—his friend—more than a handful of times since their ship had returned to Thrakor, and each time he had, he’d looked worse and worse.
Thrayke hadn’t wanted to burden Kronus by telling him about Kyra’s kidnapping at all, and had decided not to tell him she’d even made it off Earth, but now he was forced to reconsider. Kronus had called a meeting with him to discuss his new role, again, and also Thrayke’s proposed arranged marriage with one of Thrakor’s most beautiful and eligible females. None but Minic could fathom his hesitation at accepting either the role of Chief Adviser to the Prince, or as a husband to a woman he’d never met. And yet, he simply couldn’t accept either, regardless of knowing he was throwing his life away by pining relentlessly for Kyra.
A servant called him inside and Thrayke walked in with his head held high and a smile on his face, despite the terrible state of his good friend. Kronus was standing over by a roaring fire, seemingly warming himself by the immense heat, while Thrayke pulled open his collar against the stifling warmth inside the vast room. He was sweltering in seconds while Kronus shook as though frozen.
“My apologies, my old friend. I can’t seem to warm up,” he said, offering him a
seat away from the direct heat of the hearth. Thrayke shrugged away the explanation, choosing not to dwell on it, or to comment on the pale, gaunt state of him. He took the offered seat and stared across at Kronus, but jumped back up when he faltered as he stumbled over to join him, helping him into the seat opposite without a word. “I won’t ever become King of a planet again, Thrayke. When I die, my Kings Guard will be amalgamated into my father’s service and you’re one of those who could lose both your high position and title. A marriage with Leila will ensure you transcend into the highest position possible, both socially and in your career. Please accept before it’s too late for me to see you start the life you deserve.” He was almost begging, and it broke Thrayke’s heart to see Kronus fret over his foolish friend’s future rather than his own.
There was seemingly nothing he could say or do that could convince him to back off this time. Thrayke knew he had no acceptable reason to refuse a dying man’s wish. The time of holding back or being less than honest with his leader was over and he knew he had to make his decision at last. Should he let Kyra go and move on? Would he be able to live with himself if he did? His answer was right there without hesitation—no. He wouldn’t be able to carry on living without knowing for sure what’d happened to her. If he discovered Kyra alive and well, happy and somehow living her own life away from Kronus and his armies, he’d let her be and take Leila as his wife. However, Kronus wanted an answer now, and despite his frailty was clearly growing impatient waiting for it.
“I need more time,” Thrayke answered, but Kronus shook his head.