Seventh Ring
Part 2: Numbers
New Earth, 418 A.C. (After Contact)
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"Bring the coach around back, Two," said William hastily to a tall, lanky alien standing beside a jet-black carriage. Two was one of William and Ari's longest owned aliens. He was also one of their most trusted, hence their allowing him to remain unchained and unsupervised with their carriage. They were certain of his loyalty to them and often left him in charge of simple tasks; like going to the market and cleaning around the house.

Two looked as though he had just stepped out of the 17th century. He was an older, stuffy-looking alien who had a small head, long face, a large nose, and big green eyes that always seemed to be looking down at everyone. He also had ears that were long like a goat's, but one could never tell, because he insisted on keeping them tied behind his head like a tiny ponytail. William chose him specifically for his snobby demeanor and snooty, high-end tastes. When he was purchased, he was the only alien in the auction who was well groomed and dressed and stood proud and tall, despite his predicament.

The alien tipped his head and blinked slowly, acknowledging William's orders. It took only a few short, graceful steps for him to reach the large creature in charge of pulling the coach. With a click of his tongue, he signaled to the work horse that it was time to move. To most, the horse herself could hardly be called that. She was more often referred to as "Marge." Her face certainly resembled a clydesdale mare's, but her deep, dark brown body was half horse, half machine. Instead of four legs, she had six, two of which were mechanical and attached between her front and back legs. Her back and sides were also covered in layers of metal and gears and worked in conjunction with her real muscles so she could still move and run fluidly. The extra set of legs simply made it easier for her to haul heavy objects in the fields or through town. Marge gave a new meaning to the term "horse power," as William often joked.

Two guided her by placing his hand on her shoulder and walking beside her slowly as they pulled up behind the auction's stage. Another tongue click and she stopped, though her front hoof clawed at the ground anxiously as a breath of hot air shot through her nose. Two placed his long, spindly hand on the side of her neck and waited for William's return.

"He's already been bought and paid for," he heard his master say from behind a closed door just ahead of them. "Just bring him out back, I've got my carriage waiting."

The door flew open as William came through with Ari not far behind him.

"Get in the cab," he said suddenly. Ari silently did as she was told and shuffled quickly to the carriage. Two opened the door for her and helped her inside.

As he closed the door behind her, the distinct sound of rattling chains made him cock a brow and examine the young Kazekian male that was being escorted out towards William. The look in his eye was like that of a wild animal, though his expression only read as mildly annoyed. Two's eyes scanned the other male from head to toe. He sniffed unpleasantly, then crossed his wrists behind his back and stood very straight and very still in front of the cabin door. Ari, meanwhile, was leaning against the thick glass of the cabin window to try and see around Two so she could watch William and their newest purchase interact for the first time.

"I'll be sending McGreavy the bill for his medical care," said William as he circled around the Kazekian. The two volunteers holding the alien's restraints glanced at one another. They were the same two that had clobbered him earlier after he'd hit Charlie in the chin. They seemed disgruntled, but knew better than to question William. Apparently, Ari was not the only one who'd learned this rule.

"This arm is pretty well constructed, but could use a bit of work. I'll have to have Lucas take a look at it. Did you make it yourself?" William asked. He reached out a hand to grab the Kazekian's arm. He pulled it away from him and snarled.

"Can he understand me? I know not all Kazekians can speak or understand English. They're an underdeveloped race, though this arm he has intrigues me.” William glared at his new drudge as he spoke. He was trying to get a rise out of him, as that would let him know he could understand. The Kazekian curled his lip and narrowed his eyes, yet he said nothing.

“You can understand, you just aren't speaking to me. Fair enough.” William smirked and snapped his fingers. The two volunteers started walking towards the coach, tugging the chain and the alien along with them. “Tie him to the back. He's probably been cooped up in some sewer for days. A little exercise will do him good.”

The volunteers did as they were told and tied the chains around the back of the carriage. Marge stomped her hoof as the scent of the Kazekian hit her large nostrils. Two tried to calm her by stroking her side.

“Let's go, Two,” ordered William as he opened the carriage door. He closed it before the volunteers had time to say goodbye. Though they didn't seem too disappointed.

Ari was sitting straight and still when her husband first approached the coach. She gave no indication that she'd been watching their exchange with great interest save for the fading fog mark on the glass of the window beside her. By the time William was seated and had turned to address her, it had dissipated.

“When we get home, you are going to assist Two in unloading the carriage and returning Marge to her stable. I'm going to show our newest addition where it is he'll be living.” William's gaze was rarely on Ari when he spoke. Instead, he was digging in his jacket pocket for his communicator. Once it was located and placed in his ear, he removed the jacket entirely and tossed it onto Ari's lap. She folded it neatly and held it still while the carriage began to move. Two had cracked the reins and Marge had started a mild trot.

Behind them, the Kazekian examined the chains that tied him to the carriage. They had not only been looped around a thick metal rod that sat horizontally along the trunk, but the loop itself was held tightly together by a lock. The face of the lock glowed red. He'd hoped that perhaps, the volunteers had forgotten to scramble the code before they'd left him. No such luck today. As Marge's pace picked up, so did his own.

Ari found it nearly impossible to not glance back and watch the Kazekian. Any time she saw William's gaze wander off to the window beside him, she'd sneak a quick glance back, just to be sure he hadn't tripped and fallen. She imagined it would be difficult to right yourself if you tripped while being dragged, so her concern was almost constant. Each time her glossy blue eyes darted behind her, though, the Kazekian was matching Marge's pace and holding strong. He didn't even appear to be winded after nearly four straight miles of trotting!

“Has he fallen down yet?” Ari's body shook suddenly when she realized her 'quick peek' had transformed into a 'long stare.' Her eyes shifted nervously from side to side before settling forward. Never did they meet his own, even when she spoke.

“N-no, not yet.” She could feel William's stare. It seemed to last forever.

“We're about to pass Culler's store. That's about seven miles or so,” he said more to himself than to her. Ari did not acknowledge his calculations, nor did she dare look behind her again.

They rounded a wide corner that was currently occupied by a small brick establishment covered in wires and signs that advertised fresh fruit, vegetables, and free WiStaC (wireless station connections) . The outside of the store was less modern and more like a marketplace. The fruits and vegetables advertised by flashing lights could also be found in crates and stands just outside the front door. A small, legless robot that extended from a long rod in the middle of an apple stand was picking up each apple and scanning it. Its head looked like a shiny black pool ball, but inside, a small lens was growing and shrinking as it zoomed in and out at any potential flaws found on the merchandise. One bruise, and its tiny arms threw the apple into a straw-woven basket on the ground. It never missed.

Culler's market had been around far longer than most of the families that lived in the surrounding countryside, including William and Ari West. It was the closest place to find good produce without needing to hitch up a carriage. Ari sometimes accompanied Two when he was sent on errands, but she never went with him for the company (Two was never one to talk, so his company was not something anyone fought over). Instead, she went with him so she could get away from their home and her duties. William often instructed her to stay at home and tend to the house and the farmland, but once her chores were done, she had all afternoon to do as she pleased while William was at work. He assumed the chores he gave her would keep her busy all day, so idle hands would stay occupied. She made it a daily habit to prove him wrong.

The carriage continued down the road with the Kazekian trailing close behind. It passed by another road that crossed a small creek and ended at a beautiful white mansion. This was their home, though they would not be stopping off at the front of the house. Instead, Marge led the carriage further down the road until they reached a wide metal gate. She stopped along side a metal sign as Two tugged back on the reins. The sign itself was actually a small screen that had 'West' and their address displayed. Two slid his finger across it to activate it. Their address was then replaced by a code request prompt. As he entered the necessary numbers on the electronic keypad provided, the sign illuminated and the gates began to open outwardly. Two snapped the reins again and Marge picked up her trot.

William's property seemed endless. It extended as far as one could see in every direction. The entire area was surrounded by an electric fence that worked to keep animals and thieves away from their land, livestock, and produce. The carriage passed by a wide field of corn before it reached the stables. Marge slowed to a stop.

“Two, take Marge to her stable. Ari will help you,” said William as he stepped out of the coach. His eyes traveled from Two as he nodded and stepped out of the driver's seat, to the sweaty Kazekian standing motionless behind them. His attention had strayed to his surroundings, as this new place was quite foreign to him. He'd never been to this planet before, nor had he seen a human home or property. His eyes drifted back as William approached the trunk of the carriage. He unlocked the chains and held the end of them like a leash.

“This way,” said William with a toss of his head. He led him past the carriage as Ari and Two unbuckled Marge. Ari looked up at them only when she was sure they would not notice. With Marge completely free of the carriage, she stood quietly beside her and stroked her long, soft muzzle with her hand. Marge, appreciating the attention, turned to watch with Ari as William and the Kazekian rounded a corner. Two had joined them, though as always, he never said a word.

“Well then, this is my ranch. We have fruit, vegetables, livestock, and plenty of land to continue expanding. The entire area is protected by an electric fence and small, hidden turrets all the way around. So nothing gets in, and nothing gets out.” William's eyes drifted to the Kazekian as he spoke. “That means there will be no more use for these chains. You get anywhere near the perimeter of that fence, and you will be shot on sight.”

William reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pin with a glowing blue light on the end. He approached the Kazekian and used the chains to pull up his arms. The pin was inserted into the cuff of the shackles around his wrists. Almost instantly, they expanded and dropped to the dusty ground at their feet. The Kazekian rubbed his sore wrists and stepped back.

“Follow me,” said William as he placed the pin back in his pocket. He led them towards a large barn located a little ways away from the back of the mansion they had passed on the road. He walked around to the side, leading the Kazekian to a wooden door beside a rectangular bale of hay. Without knocking, William entered.

“Three, are you in here?” called William into the barn. The Kazekian looked around curiously after passing through the door and stood motionless behind William as he spoke. He took a moment to examine the barn and noted that it wasn't used for what he'd learned they were conventionally for in human books. Instead, this barn had been turned into living quarters. It looked like it had originally contained stables for horses, but the stalls had been modified into small, individual rooms. The Kazekian would have enjoyed a closer look at the rest of the barn, but a voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Good afternoon, Master West. Who might this be?” said the voice. Its owner came around a corner with a towel in his hands. He rubbed his arms with it and dried his face as he approached them.

“Three, I'd like you to meet our newest addition,” William said with an outstretched hand in the direction of the Kazekian. “His name is Seven.”

The Kazekian glared at William without him knowing. His upper lip twitched as he tried to keep himself from snarling. What kind of a name was 'Seven?'

“How consistent,” said Three, acknowledging the Kazekian's indignant expression. “Welcome to what we like to call, the 'West Wing,' Seven.”

“I want you to show him around, introduce him to Four, Five, and Six, then bring him back to me. I have plans for him later this evening after dinner.” William did not wait for Three to agree. He turned on his heel and headed immediately for the barn door, leaving the two aliens to stare after him.

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Art, Characters, and Story © Quaylak