Axen

by Arcadia Shield

  Melody smacked the pill tray on the ground. “We need to attack them head-on. They’ll respect that.”

  “I’ll do it.” The bright black eyes of Sonia Bush stared out from under her greasy black hair.

  “Nobody is going to fight the Fraken,” said Eloise. “We need to wait and see what they want from us. They could be bartering for our release.”

  “Nobody will pay for me to be released,” said Melody. “And I doubt any of us have people on Earth with enough e-credits to pay any hostage price.”

  Sonia wiped her hand over her mouth. “No one will even notice I’m gone.”

  “I bet the Fraken have bribed some official to turn a blind eye to the attack on the Capella.” Sonia dashed towards the metal door and slammed her fist against it repeatedly. “Let us out, Fraken bastards.”

  Eloise jumped to her feet and hurried over to Sonia. “Don’t annoy them. If you come to their attention, you will not like the consequences.”

  “I hate being shut in.” Sonia whimpered and then slammed her fist against the door again. “We have to get out. The walls are closing in on us. Don’t you see it?” She turned her tear-filled eyes towards Eloise.

  “We will get out,” said Eloise. “But we need to find out what they want from us first. Maybe the Fraken want to run tests on us and find out more about the new aliens they’re helping. Our biology must be different from theirs.”

  Melody let out a snort. “Don’t be naïve. Why destroy a ship simply to get some tests done? They want us for their games.”

  Eloise shot Melody a warning look. “We don’t know that for sure. They don’t use humans in their games.”

  “I do,” muttered Melody.

  Sonia groaned and pressed her fists into her side. “I’m so tired. Everything still hurts. One of the Fraken did something to me when they took us from the Capella. My side feels like it wants to burst.”

  Grace joined Eloise by the door and stood on the other side of Sonia. She placed a hand gently on her shoulder. “Come sit with me. I’ll have a look at your injury again. I’ve treated everybody else the best I can, but I know you’ve got a problem with your back.”

  Grace had quietly discussed Sonia’s ongoing back pain with Eloise the second day they’d been in the cell, and both of them realized it was serious. Grace worried it was a small internal bleed. It was something that could be healed, but not when trapped inside a grey Fraken cell, with no medical equipment.

  Sonia pounded on the door again as if Grace hadn’t even spoken. “Must get out.”

  Eloise and Grace exchanged a concerned look. The Fraken were known for being ruthless with any races who disobeyed them. And their orders had been to stay quiet.

  Grace pressed her ear against the door and then backed away. “I can hear somebody out there.”

  “Sonia, get away from the door.” Eloise tugged at Sonia’s arm, but she resisted her.

  “They’re coming to let me out.” Sonia stared at Eloise, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes shining. She looked to be in the grip of a fever, or maybe her mind was gone. Being locked in a prison cell for days, with no idea of your fate, would do that to a person. Eloise had felt herself slip towards hysteria on several occasions and sympathized with the desperate, foolish hope Sonia clung to.

  “Now’s our chance.” Melody stood with the tray in her hands. “Sonia can distract the Fraken, and I can take out as many as possible. Then we all run for it.”

  “Run where?” Jessie looked up from the corner she was crouched in. “We don’t even know if we’re on a planet. We could be on board a Fraken ship. We’d run straight into more Fraken, even if we get past the guards looking after the cells.”

  “We’re on a planet,” said Melody. “You can’t hear any engines humming. We’re on land.”

  “But whose land?” asked Grace. “We could be on the Fraken home world, Tibulet. If we are, we’ll last seconds out on our own. The Fraken will hunt us down and kill us.”

  “Grace is right.” Fear ran through Eloise as she watched Melody swing the tray in front of her. There was no way they’d be able to fight a Fraken troop. They were vicious, fast, and powerful. Their teeth were pointed, and their fingers ended in sharp, lethal talons. “We’re in no position to fight back.”

  They all looked at the cell door as the lock opened with a smooth click.

  “Sonia!” hissed Eloise. “You must get away from the door.”

  Sonia took a shaky step backwards just as the door slid open.

  A Fraken stood in front of them. He was over six feet tall and lithely muscular. Fraken bodies were designed for stealth and speed. This one’s skin was a dull moss green and covered in hard scales, and his narrow eyes were yellow, like all Fraken. His gaze rested on Sonia, whose whole body shook as she stood in front of him.

  “You called?” asked the Fraken. They had names but never shared them with any of the women in the cell.

  Eloise let out a shaky exhale as his gaze moved around the cell. She understood his words, despite the Fraken not speaking English. Universal translator devices had been implanted into everyone as soon as it was discovered humans were not alone in the galaxy. It was a technology gifted to them by a race called Deorg and made negotiations at the Intergalactic Council a little easier. That was, when the Earth councillors weren’t stomping all over ancient galaxy protocols they knew nothing about.

  “We need to leave.” Sonia’s voice trembled. “You’ve kept us here for days and won’t tell us what’s going on.”

  “You are here as our guests.” The Fraken smiled cruelly, his sharp teeth exposed. “Is there something wrong with your accommodation?”

  “This is a prison!”

  “Some would find this luxurious.”

  “We don’t. You must let us out,” said Sonia. “There will already be a search party out looking for us. You’re going to be in so much trouble—”

  “Nobody has contacted us about the sad disappearance of your ship,” said the Fraken. “And don’t forget, we came to your rescue.”

  “You were the ones who attacked the Capella,” muttered Melody.

  The Fraken glared at her before focusing back on Sonia. “Are you expecting someone to be looking for you?”

  Eloise glanced around the cell. She’d been certain their conversations were monitored by the Fraken, but this comment confirmed it. Moments ago, they’d been discussing their lack of connections back on Earth.

  Eloise took a deep breath and stepped forward, knowing she was risking her life by drawing the Fraken’s attention to her. “Is there somebody I may speak to about our capture?”

  The Fraken’s gaze shifted to Eloise. “What do you need to know about your capture?”

  “How long are you intending to keep us here?”

  “We’re almost ready for you,” said the Fraken.

  Eloise swallowed, her mouth dry. “And what do you intend to do with us?”

  “You are to be honored by participating in the Fraken games.”

  “I knew it,” said Melody. “Game fodder.”

  Eloise heard Jessie gasp from the corner of the cell. Humans were not permitted to participate in the Fraken games. “As you may be aware, our strength does not lie in our physical form. We are not worthy of your games.”

  The Fraken snarled and stepped towards Eloise. “Humans have no skills. That is why we now use you in our games. A good way to get rid of trash.”

  “I’ve never seen your games.” Eloise took a step back. The Fraken was so close she could smell his rank breath; the stench of rancid meat drifted over her. “But it is in the Intergalactic Treaty that humans should never participate in your games. We are still evolving, still finding our place among the stars.”

  “But they do,” muttered Melody. “They've never been the main game prey, but I’ve seen humans in the games, usually used as something to hunt for fun. The treaty is meaningless.”

  “Then you will be aware that humans make excellent prey,” said the Fra
ken. “And our latest batch is almost used up. You are our newest recruits.”

  “Do you have a Council member on board?” Eloise battled the panic flooding her veins. “Perhaps I may speak to him and see if we can come to an arrangement over our involvement in the games.”

  “You have nothing to offer.” The Fraken’s gaze raked over Eloise’s body.

  “As you see for yourself, we are just females.” Eloise was not willing to give up. There must be something the Fraken wanted. “We are no match for the other races you will put us against. Your games are better off without us.” Officially, it was illegal to run the games at all, but the Fraken were wealthy, with abundant plundered resources. They used it to bribe Intergalactic Council members, so they pretended the games didn’t exist, and the Fraken could fuel their gaming addiction unimpeded.

  “It’s true; humans are not an impressive race,” said the Fraken.

  “The warriors you use may find it an embarrassment to have to dispatch us,” said Eloise. “Maybe I could speak to them, instead?”

  “Bet it’s the Vorten we’ll be up against,” said Melody. “Fraken are obsessed with watching them fight and hunt.”

  Eloise’s fear grew. The Vorten were a powerful warrior race.

  “No Council member will talk to you. And neither will our warriors,” said the Fraken. “To us, you are like... those creatures you used to keep in pens on Earth and kill for food. What is the word you use for them?” He waved his hand in the air.

  “We’re not livestock,” hissed Melody.

  “Pigs!” The Fraken let out a deep, guttural laugh, the sound making Eloise cringe. “You’re no better than that.”

  Melody turned her back on the Fraken and stalked away.

  “Any more noise from this cell, and I’ll be testing your feeble feminine ways for myself.” The Fraken jabbed a sharp nail towards Sonia.

  Sonia gave a strangled sounding scream and sped towards the open door.

  “Sonia! No!” Eloise’s heart raced as she watched Sonia’s attempt at freedom. It was foolish and dangerous. She wouldn’t stand a chance out there.

  Sonia continued to run as the Fraken turned and watched her progress for a few seconds. He adjusted his grip on the stick he held, pointing it in her direction. A pulse of laser shot out from the end and struck Sonia in the back.

  Eloise turned away, struggling to control the sick feeling in her stomach. She found Grace and Melody by her side, expressions of horror on their faces.

  The Fraken strode towards the fallen body of Sonia. He grabbed her by the hair and pulled her up. “You dare to defy the Fraken.”

  Eloise found herself moving to the open door. A gut churning sickness made her grab her stomach, desperate to keep herself from falling apart and start screaming, like Sonia often did. She was defenceless.

  “Witness what happens when you do not obey us.” The Fraken looked over at Eloise. “Take part in our games, and you may live a little longer. That cannot be said for your friend.” He pulled out a long, sharp blade from his weapons harness and tapped it on Sonia’s cheek.

  “Let her live,” said Eloise. “She was desperate. She won’t do it again.”

  “You’re right. She won’t.” The Fraken drew the blade across Sonia’s throat in a swift movement.

  Eloise let out a cry and turned towards Grace, her vision blurring with tears.

  The sound of the Fraken approaching made Eloise look up. Fear spurred her into action, and she grabbed hold of Grace and Melody and dragged them away from the door, out of the Fraken’s dangerous reach.

  “I trust that answers your questions?” The Fraken smirked at Eloise.

  She nodded, her gaze fixed on the blood dripping from the blade he still held. She shot a warning glance at Melody, who still had the food tray in her hand, although it was now limp by her side. The sight of Sonia’s murder seemed to have robbed Melody of her desire to fight.

  The Fraken paused, and his hand went to his ear. Every Fraken wore a communication device, embedded in the flesh, just behind their ears. It linked each Fraken to a commanding officer who led the troop they were in. He gave a nod and dropped his hand.

  His gaze went around the cell, lingering on each occupant, as his lips stretched into a vicious smile. He focused on Eloise and beckoned her towards him with a click of his talons.

  The sickness in her stomach grew as the Fraken sneered at her. “What do you want?”

  “You’re up.”

  “Up for what?” Eloise backed away.

  “The games have need of you.” The Fraken strode into the cell, grabbed Eloise by the hair, and dragged her out.

  Chapter 2

  The last sight Eloise had of her new friends was as the door slid shut on the cell. Grace had tears in her eyes, Melody was frowning, and Jessie was still curled in a ball in one corner. And Sonia, she was gone. Eloise would never see them again, and the thought stung almost as badly as the pain on her scalp where the Fraken’s talons dug in.

  She twisted in the Fraken’s grip to relieve the pain, feeling her hair yank from the roots as she did so.

  “On your feet, human.”

  Eloise stumbled to her feet, and the Fraken grabbed her by the arm and strode along the grey corridor.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  The Fraken grunted in response as they reached a door. He swiped his hand over the access panel, and it slid open. He continued to pull Eloise along another featureless grey corridor, with small openings chopped into the walls to let daylight in and allow captives to get a view of their hopeless situation. She glimpsed a quick view of other humans and aliens in cells similar to hers. They looked beaten and downtrodden, and a number were in shackles.

  Panic surged through Eloise; the air was full of the stench of stale sweat, fear, and the stomach churning taint of blood. And it was getting stronger.

  As they moved through another doorway, she got a glimpse into an outside arena, covered in sand. Another type of alien were in there. The Vorten. She shouldn’t have been surprised. They were the favorite hunters used by the Fraken in their games. Vorten warriors had been bred and genetically modified to be fast, effective, and lethal predators.

  They were used by the Intergalactic Council as protectors of the main jump route through the galaxy and beyond. The Vorten protected the only known space vortex linking Earth to other planets. But for some reason unknown to Eloise, they always worked closely with the Fraken, particularly when it came to supporting the Fraken gaming addiction. Maybe the Vorten enjoyed the thrill of the chase the games provided them. Eloise swallowed her terror. She wouldn’t last an hour if a Vorten was hunting her.

  Two of the Vorten stopped their inspection of the sharp looking blades they held and watched as Eloise passed them. They were both solidly built and standing at over six feet tall. Their skin was a similar color to her own, but she knew the Vorten had the ability to camouflage themselves when needed by shifting the color of their skin.

  One, in particular, caught her eye, and she sucked in a gulp of air. He looked to be the oldest of the warriors there, with numerous scars on his body, including a large scar over his left eyebrow. He had tattoos running up one arm and words inked onto his torso. His eyes were bright green, and his black hair was short and cut close to his head. He had the usual broad, flat nose of all Vorten, designed to enhance their ability to sniff out the enemy. His physique was astonishing. Eloise was used to seeing the weak, malnourished human form. Something stirred in her that she hadn’t felt for a long time.

  Eloise thought she saw a hint of pity in his eyes as his gaze met hers, but she was dragged away before she could see any more. Could this warrior have noticed her? Maybe the pity he felt was for himself, knowing what a pathetic prey he was about to hunt. She shook her head, angry at herself for such a thought. A warrior so primed, so capable of killing her, would not waste his time dwelling on the emotions of his next victim.

  “Strip and wash.” The Fraken tossed Eloise into
a room and stopped by the open door.

  She staggered to her feet and looked around. There were a row of shower units to her right. The floor was rough stone and the walls grey and metallic.

  “I’m not taking my clothes off in front of you.” Eloise moved away from the Fraken swiftly, keeping her back to the wall.

  “You humans are all the same with your bleating protests.” The Fraken strode forward and ripped his sharp nails down the front of Eloise’s already ruined black dress.

  “Get your claws off me.” She smacked away the Fraken’s talons and received a stinging back hand across one cheek. Dots of light filled her vision, and her eyes watered.

  “Attack me again, and I will kill you before you even begin your game,” snarled the Fraken.

  Eloise looked at her shredded clothing and saw angry red rake marks on her skin, where the Fraken’s claws had made contact with her flesh.

  “I will take my clothes off, but not with you watching.” Despite being a prisoner and about to die, Eloise was determined to maintain a scrap of dignity.

  A low hiss shot through the Fraken, and he slashed at her again several times with his talons. She screamed and stumbled backwards, shreds of clothing hitting the ground as she moved.

  “Now wash.” The Fraken shoved her towards the shower units. “Or do I have to do that for you, as well?” He flashed his talons in front of her face.

  Eloise stifled a sob. The Fraken disgusted her, but she had to get control of her emotions. If she fought this one, she had no doubt, he would end her life just as swiftly as he’d shredded the clothing on her body.

  She kept her gaze on the Fraken and backed into the shower. It started automatically, and Eloise hated herself as a feeling of relief flushed through her as the dirt was removed. She had been filthy for so long, she’d almost forgotten what this felt like.

  Once clean, the Fraken handed her a pair of trousers, black boots, and vest. “Wear these.”