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More from Melinaswift
A Fresh Start
Part Two
Copywrite©Melina Swiftwind
Solana Nebo©Flowerrrpower
MeganBryar©MeganBryar
GraceTheGoldenFurred©GraceTheGoldenFurred
********
The Planet Lunita
The Lantren Mountains
A shadow passed over the planet as the ship passed through a wall of purple vapour and emerged above a totally different landscape. A dozen various coloured clouds swept past in silent majesty. The ship had been very badly damaged as it passed through the vortex. Flames and smoke came from the rear of the ship as it hovered as best it could and started straight down into a sea of high bright blue grass.
In the distant background against an extraordinary sunset sky was the first city of Luntia and the Imperial Palace. A place of many levels, golden tiers and turrets, towers, flags and pennants. It is like something dreamed.
Several strangely armored men watched as the ship was descending slowly. They were a mix of people and dressed in black and red. The leader waved a hand the others started towards the smouldering ship.
********
“Well we at least landed more or less in one piece” Grace commented.
“Where do you think we are?” questioned Megan”
Suddenly Kristi gasped, reacting to something she spotted through the view port from within wall. They all look around and see the strange men in red approaching.
“Either way I think we are stuck here for now, the ship has broke it’s back” Dr Nazani ‘Naz’ Darin commented.
“You mean we’re stuck here?” questioned Grace.
“For the moment, right now I think we may have guests” Solana said
“Suddenly I think it’s fine in here” said Grace.
********
The hatch of the ship opened from the inside. The group of five got out.and the red and black clothed men stopped. The two parties gaze at each other, the first furs ever to see an extraterrestrial being. Solana walked up to the leader.
“Hello...my names Solana Nebo,,,can you understand me. We’re from Koinus..we come as friends”
“Extend your hand! That's the gesture of friendship known everywhere!” advised Dr Nazani.
Solana put out a hand in greeting with lightning speed a manacle was slammed on Solara’s right wrist and she was thrown to the ground as other red clothed furs advanced to handcuff the others.
“You are my prisoners. I will take you now to the Emperor, Ruler of the known universe!” commented the leader.
********
A gigantic statue came into view amidst topless columns as the end, sun light played over it in ever shifting patterns. The group of Darin, Solana, Grace, Megan, Melina and Kristi. In the back of a massive chamber was a throne that seemed to be made of pearl like substance.
On the throne, a large male dragon like bein sat clothed in red and purple robes. A pair of black and red wings came from his back they were black and red. A long black, red and white could be seen behind him. A mane of white hair crowned his head. The robes hid a decent amount of hidden muscle.
Hail Jolon, Hail the Emperor of the Universe!
A hundred reduplicated echoes of the shout ring through unseen reaches of the palace. Jolon bent his head slightly in acknowledgement, pointing idly at the red and black armoured men at the left of the group.
“The tributes of the Hawkmen will be first”
A tall feathered winged being knelt before the throne.
“My lord I present the fabled Fire Jewels of Pyrrhus. We seized them in battle from the royal crypt.”
“Stop! Fire Jewels of Pyrrhus are our tribute, Prince Thral stole them while we were busy burying our dead on Pyrrhus” cried out a red squirrel male.
“Liar!” replied Thral.
“You are a thief” retorted the squirrel.
“What did you say?” asked Thral as he drew a sword.
“Let down your weapons! No one, but no one, dies in the palace without a command from the Emperor!” commented a black robbed figure next to the emperor.
Thral took a step towards Prince Arden, the squirrel male.
“Thral you obey... or you sacrifice your daughter” said the black robed figure.
“Very well Genral K’al, Hail Jolon” replied the Hawkman.
“Next the tributes from Calida” said K’al.
A tall grey mouse male came up and knelt in front of the throne slowly.
“Your Majesty, we, the people of Calida we have suffered since you blasted our kingdom. I can offer you nothing this year except my loyalty.”
“Prince Ardin, we prize nothing more highly. And tell us, how great is this loyalty to your emperor?”
“Without measure”
“We are delighted to hear it. Fall on your sword. Show us this loyalty. Throw yourself onto your sword”
“May this deed of Prince Ardin be an example to all the kingdoms of Lunita. Death to Jolon!”
Before Adrin’s sword could even touch Jolon’s body was frozen by a stasis beam. Jolon stood up and carefully took the mouses sword and thrust it through his body. The mouse groaned and died on the spot.
“General K’al, I seem to have made a mess..have it cleaned up at once”
“Of course your majesty” replied K’al.
“This Jolon guy is a psycho” Melina said softly.
=^ = This Jolon guy is a psycho =^= said a little robot flying high over head it had not been noticed by anyone till now.
“Who said that?”
=^= One of the prisoners =^=
“Who are you?” questioned Jolon.
Introductions were made quickly.
My name is Dr Nazani Darin I'm a scientist. I kidnapped them here, in an effort to save our planet Koinus“
“The obscure body in the SK system, the satellites which has been giving you
so much amusement... recently” answered General K’al.
“But why? We are only interested in friendship”
“Why not? Pathetic beings, hurling your bodies out into the void, without the slightest inkling
of who or what is out here. If you had known anything about the true nature of the universe, anything at all, you would have hidden from it entirely. ” replied Jolon.
Jolon took a step towards the group and looked them over.
“Come closer. No, not you! The yellow vixen let us see you”
“No!” said Megan.
“Don’t Megan, not here” replied Solana as she held the rabbit.
Jolon brought up a ring on his right hand, the ring glowed and Grace’s eyes glassed over as she danced an exotic dance.
“Did you ever see such response?” questioned Jolon.
“No. Truly. She even rivals your daughter” answered K’al
The light of the ring faded away and Grace came back to herself and rejoined the others.
“What happened to me?”
“I don't know Grace, but it was pretty sensational” answered Megan.
“Remove the vixen, prepare her for our pleasure” announced Jolon.
“Forget it Jolon, it’s not happening!” said Megan
“It’s alright I’ll go with them” replied Grace.
Megan and the others thought they could probably fight but with so many around it could have gone wrong with so many around, their allegiance could be on either side.
“Take the scientist to General K’al, for conditioning by the imperial secret police. The others go the slave mines”
The small group wanted to fight but Solana was the more level headed. She convinced the others not to fight. They may have a better opportunity later.
********
Ringterel Slave Mines
Megan wasn’t sure which was worse the ride here or the smell coming from the deeper mines. Solana, Melina, Kristi looked around, the monorail train that had brought them here had departed a few moments ago.
A tall lion man and a dragon/fox hybrid waited for them. A few emaciated slaves in what was left of their clothes shuffled into a cage which was lowered down into the mine. A few guards watched the area armed with some sort of weapon.
“This is Tarsin, he’ll be your section leader, he’ll get you sorted” said the hybrid before leaving.
“Alright, you four follow me” said Tarsin.
Solana, Melina, Kristi and Megan followed the lion into a carved out chamber, inside there were a number of bunk beds.
“You’ll sleep here, it’s eight on and eight off with sometime to eat. Lunita, it’s kingdoms, other planets and moons follow a twenty six hour day. I really don’t recommend going out at night either”
“Why’s that?” questioned Melina.
“You’d not want to meet the creatures that wander the area at night. Most are either poisonous or carnivorous. The R’enk prowl the area outside the electro-fences it’s a kind of feline wolf hybrid. No one is sure if they evolved her or were created in labs and released here. They make escape virtually impossible either way”
“Why are you here Tarsin?” asked Solana.
“So my father will do as the Emperor says, he tried to go up against Jolon and failed. He could have killed him but didn’t instead Jolon imprisoned me here. I was once a prince of Rothon”
Tarsin continued his small tour, he stopped at another cave where a number of mining lasers were stored.
“Take one and follow me, we’re going down to a seam of kanite, it’s used in the metal of Jolon’s ships”
The lasers looked like a sort of drill but had a clear stone of some form at the end they weighed about four pounds each. The four grabbed one each and followed the lion.
“Why not turn the lasers on the guards?” asked Kristi.
“Because they can shut the mining lasers dow, shot you if your lucky or throw you outside the electro fence. They have done both many times, being outside the fence is a death sentence” Tarsin replied.
“That tells me I guess” said Kristi.
After a little while the five had left the cut out caves and had headed down a number of long tunnels. They came out as they found a large green stone mining face. The five started the mining lasers and started to cut out the green ore. As they worked it became warmer and more people started to join them as the new shift began.
********
Imperial Palace
First City
Imperial Medical Section
=^= Remember K’al I do not want her damaged! =^=
The screen went blank K’al watched as he walked around the large table on it was Dr Nazani Darin. Nearby a was a tall jackal woman, she was dressed in a black and gold uniform that shone a little in the light. It left little to the imagination.
“General Rasmi I will leave this task to you”
“Of course this will not take to long” replied Rasmi.
K’al left and the woman licked her gold lips, she enjoyed doing such things after all. A large device came down pointing at Darin’s forehead.
“W...what are you going to do?” asked Darin.
“We're going to empty your memory as we might empty your pockets... Doctor.”
“Noo! Don't empty my mind! Please, I beg you! My mind is all I have! I've spent my whole life trying to fill it!”
Suddenly a pale green laser hit Darin in the center of the forehead. A number of things went through Darin’s mind, she breathed heavily as she panted a long number of images passed on the screen from her birth to a war and other images. A dictator from Koinus past who had killed millions passed over the screen.
“Hmmph..now he showed promise, continue Rasmi” said K’al as he watched.
“Of course” answered Ramsi.
********
Ringterel Slave Mines
Melina flopped onto the bed with a soft sigh, across from her Megan lay down, what had passed for dinner they were unsure. Some sort of meat in a thin soup, the green color it had not been all that appetizing but somehow they had got it down.
“Goddess to much of that stuff and I’ll be jumping the fence” commented Megan.
“Revolting that’s what it was” replied Kristi.
“You can always try nothing..”said Melina from the bottom bunk.
“Look we have to get out of here and rescue the others. We can hardly hang around here, I thought you could make anything Mel, or was that just a boast?”
“Look we need to rest right now, we can’t leave here easily. Plus there’s Tarsin...what would you do about him?” questioned Solana.
“Getting out would be easy enough, but I need tools and time, both of which we’re shockingly short on” answered Melina.
“What if we got an extra drill could you use that?” Grace looked over.
“Maybe, I’d still need time, I’ve been looking and learning while we have been working. Only three times a day the monorail is used, once to bring food and water, the other two they take the ore we mine away. If we could get to one of the trains we might be able to do something. Going over land on foot is not a good idea” Melina said.
“Guess it won’t be now” complained Megan.
“One step at a time” said Tarsin from the door.
“Awww shit, you going to tell the guards on us?” questioned Kristi.
“No..I’d like to get away to, but you need to be very, very sure about what your doing. You really do not want to try something stupid. The Ringterel wastes are not to be traveled lightly, the animals and the rocky regions of the deserted tracts are deadly” commented Tarsin.
“Fine were do we start then?” asked Solana.
“There’s a shaft I and others cut further out towards the bend in the monorail track. It stops there to change heading towards the ore processing center it’s a few miles from here. Jolon don’t trust us not to steal all his raw minerals“
“We should try and sleep, once we wake we should try and get to this tunnel Tarsin cut. We can hide Melina there and make it look like she in here sick” commented Solana.
“That is a good idea, there will be a patrol of guards soon, they wont bother to look again till next shift change” Tarsin informed them.
“Alright that sounds like a good idea” Solana replied.
********
Imperial Palace
Imperial Medical Section
“Every hundred years or so I test a solar system in the universe. I visit it with mysteries,
earthquakes, unpredicted eclipses. Strange craters in the wilderness. If these are taken as natural, I judge that system ignorant and harmless. I spare it. But if the hand of Jolon is recognised in these events, I judge that system dangerous to us. I call upon the great god D’Val and for his greater glory...and our mutual pleasure, I destroy it utterly”
“You're saying it's my fault Koinus is being destroyed?”
“Precisely, Doctor. I thought it might amuse you to know this, before your mind is gone” answered Jolon.
Jolon moved to the top of the table where he could not be seen.
“Reprogramme now?” General Rasmi questioned.
“Yes, But don't fill her with anything above level three. I doubt their minds could take it”
“Very well Emperor”
“Oh and General Rasmi if anything happens to this one you will not live enjoy a prolonged visit to Aquaria. I am told you took the imperial doctor there last week. I’m also informed you viewed the ice mines on Frigia... quite a cold place, it would be very terrible for you to get stuck there” commented Jolon before he left.
********
Ringterel Slave Mines
The small group had managed to give the guards the slip for now, it would not last for ages he knew. Tarsin had led them down a disused tunnel. It ended in a large round area, the space to it looked like it had collapsed. However it had not really, if you were careful you could pass it carefully.They found a small workshop behind it and a few tools even if there was only few of them.
“Can you work with this stuff Melina?” Solona questioned with a slight look of worry on her face.
“It’s not a lot but yes I might be able to do something. There are parts of three drills here I’ll see what I can do”
“Good I’ll have to take the others with me for now or we’ll be missed” answered Tarsin.
Melina got to work she hoped that she might have something ready by the time of next shift change. She knew it was a long shot but they could do something she hoped. She said as much to Tarsin. He informed her that there was less than three feet to the outside and the track way.
********
Several hours had passed when Melina sat on the floor, she licked her lips and wondered how they would get the others out. Part of the answer lay on the bench nearby two laser drills that had been reworked into providing a kind of tractor beam. It would have to do really, time was not on their side after all.
Kristi, Megan, Solana and Tarsin had returned. The little group managed to bring some bread and some of the vile soup. Melina made a face as she looked over the container of the soup. The other thing that made her raise her eyebrow as the blue bread.
“Your world has some intreasting ideas on what color things should be. I mean blue bread?” questioned Melina.
“Why what color is bread on your world?” wondered Tarsin.
“Well normally its white or brown” replied Melina.
“And your saying we’re weird?” grinned Tarsin.
Melina shook her head and started eating, she stretched a little and as soon as she was finished eating she was explaining her plan.
“I finish digging out towards the track, I cut as much I dare so there’s less than a meter to do. I’ve reconfigured two of the drills to create an energy beam path, I did my best with what was here after all. I know you don’t have wings like myself”
“Well that was given” replied Kristi.
“Look we need to get it together and stop bickering, it’s a waste of energy” Solana said.
“We should get cutting into what’s left of the rock, and get ready. We only get one chance at this” Tarsin said as he picked up the drill he’d brought with him.
********
Imperial Palace
First City
Perhaps that drink had not been a good idea Grace thought her head was pounding. Opening her eyes she found two fennec girls wearing hardly anything at all waiting for her. The room was huge, one side was a large viewport out on to the city below. Above several Lavender, turquoise and lilac pastel clouds floated high above. Grace had to admit the bed was very comfortable and the fennec girls very pretty. The imperial bedroom was not somewhere to be relaxing all the same.
“Whoa girl this might be nice but I’m supposed to be looking for a way out!” Grace said to herself.
“Are you alright my lady?” asked the fennec with white hair.
“Yes sorry I was just thinking” answered Grace.
“We’re supposed to get you ready for his Imperial Majesty” replied the other Fennec.
“Please follow us...the bath is not unpleasant I promise” replied the white haired Fennec.
“Alright”
********
The bath was an understatement, it was huge, and could contain several people. Nearby was a beautiful dress in red and gold. Grace had to admit it was nothing like she was expecting. Gold marble was not something you found on her home world. The water was a pale pink, Grace was unsure if it was the natural colour or had been dyed or something. There was a strong scent of Lavender.
The two Fennec’s carefully disrobed her and lead her into the water. Grace had to agree the water was warm and relaxing. Once she was in the water the blue haired Fennec brought over a tray with a glass and large crystal and gold long necked decanter. In it was an odd liquid swirling around in the decanter. One second it was purple, next blue, then green.
“What is that?” asked Grace.
“It has no name. Many people died to bring it here from the Galaxy of Pleasure. It will make your nights with Jolon...more agreeable” commented the blue haired Fennec.
“Well maybe not right now maybe I should get dressed” Grace said.
“Of course”
*********
The bed was huge gold and black Grace sat down as the white haired Fennec brought the decanter over and set it on a small table. She poured a little of the liquid into the glass waiting for it. Grace was dressed in the gold and red dress that had been set out for her.
“Drink this” the fennec said.
“Will it make me forget?”
“No, but it will make you not mind remembering”
“Wow! This isn't bad at all wouldn't you like a sip?” Grace said as she sipped at the liquid
“Oh, no, it's forbidden for us slaves”
“Ooh, believe me, I won’t tell anyone, just a taste have some. Listen, we're all girls here.
I won't tell. Just one sip” Grace said softly.
The fennec took a drink and the two giggled softly.
********
After a few drinks the white haired Fennec had fallen asleep where the other one had gone Grace was unsure. The golden furred vixen looked around the door to the chamber had been left open slightly.
Stepping outside she found herself in a long white corridor, slowly she made her way along till she came to a guard station. A single guard dressed in back and red was there. Grace slowly and carefully made her way up behind the fox and took his blaster from it’s holster. Taking no chances she shot him in the back and headed deeper into the city it’s self.
********
Ringterel Slave Mines
Dust was everywhere but at last, Kiristi, Solana, Megan, Tarsin and Melina looked out on to the Ringterel wastes. Tarsin had been right the lionman knew his stuff. There was a single white rail running west to east beyond that were sand dunes, a number of rocky out crops, further out were jagged mountains.
“The Mountains you see are the steel mountains, beyond them are the lands of Prince Arden. The lands of Arboria are not friendly to me or my father, or my kind, but it pains me to say that it may be our only chance” sighed Tarsin.
“We have to do this then?” asked Kristi with a slight wobble of fear in her voice.
“Yes, unless you wish to stay here till you drop. Once on the monorail we can work out how to change the route from there” Solana said.
The group heard the track starting to hum, it was a sign that the monorail was on it’s way. They knew they would have a few moments while the train changed track nearby. As soon as the train came Melina had her redone drills working to produce a path of to the train. She quickly threw a large amount of dirt over the area revealing the path.
The group had soon boarded the monorail, the first carriage contained the driving unit. There were never any guards on ore trains. Mostly only the food train had guards. The controls were already set and locked out.
“Can’t we do something?” questioned Megan.
“Perhaps...maybe” said Melina.
The winged rabbit brought up the remaining drill and fired, there was a bright light that sputtered and took off the front control panel of the train. Melina quickly knelt down and started sorting wires as fast as she could.
“Can you do it?” questioned Tarsin.
“Yes, it’s not to difficult, we can go ore processing, the first city or Arboria”
“Hmmm, first two are out, we need help and more forces, perhaps we can convince Prince Arden” pondered Solana.
“You’ll need good luck with that, it’s the problem of our worlds and kingdoms. Jolon keeps the kingdoms fighting each other constantly. It's a really brilliant strategy really, you have to admire it in a twisted way. It might be difficult, to bring Arden on our side, he’s been taught from being young to trust no one but himself. He has little love for Lionmen and Hawkmen”
“Oh good, we really have our work cut out for us then” commented Megan.
********
This Story Will Continue In:
In Arboria
Part Two
Copywrite©Melina Swiftwind
Solana Nebo©Flowerrrpower
MeganBryar©MeganBryar
GraceTheGoldenFurred©GraceTheGoldenFurred
********
The Planet Lunita
The Lantren Mountains
A shadow passed over the planet as the ship passed through a wall of purple vapour and emerged above a totally different landscape. A dozen various coloured clouds swept past in silent majesty. The ship had been very badly damaged as it passed through the vortex. Flames and smoke came from the rear of the ship as it hovered as best it could and started straight down into a sea of high bright blue grass.
In the distant background against an extraordinary sunset sky was the first city of Luntia and the Imperial Palace. A place of many levels, golden tiers and turrets, towers, flags and pennants. It is like something dreamed.
Several strangely armored men watched as the ship was descending slowly. They were a mix of people and dressed in black and red. The leader waved a hand the others started towards the smouldering ship.
********
“Well we at least landed more or less in one piece” Grace commented.
“Where do you think we are?” questioned Megan”
Suddenly Kristi gasped, reacting to something she spotted through the view port from within wall. They all look around and see the strange men in red approaching.
“Either way I think we are stuck here for now, the ship has broke it’s back” Dr Nazani ‘Naz’ Darin commented.
“You mean we’re stuck here?” questioned Grace.
“For the moment, right now I think we may have guests” Solana said
“Suddenly I think it’s fine in here” said Grace.
********
The hatch of the ship opened from the inside. The group of five got out.and the red and black clothed men stopped. The two parties gaze at each other, the first furs ever to see an extraterrestrial being. Solana walked up to the leader.
“Hello...my names Solana Nebo,,,can you understand me. We’re from Koinus..we come as friends”
“Extend your hand! That's the gesture of friendship known everywhere!” advised Dr Nazani.
Solana put out a hand in greeting with lightning speed a manacle was slammed on Solara’s right wrist and she was thrown to the ground as other red clothed furs advanced to handcuff the others.
“You are my prisoners. I will take you now to the Emperor, Ruler of the known universe!” commented the leader.
********
A gigantic statue came into view amidst topless columns as the end, sun light played over it in ever shifting patterns. The group of Darin, Solana, Grace, Megan, Melina and Kristi. In the back of a massive chamber was a throne that seemed to be made of pearl like substance.
On the throne, a large male dragon like bein sat clothed in red and purple robes. A pair of black and red wings came from his back they were black and red. A long black, red and white could be seen behind him. A mane of white hair crowned his head. The robes hid a decent amount of hidden muscle.
Hail Jolon, Hail the Emperor of the Universe!
A hundred reduplicated echoes of the shout ring through unseen reaches of the palace. Jolon bent his head slightly in acknowledgement, pointing idly at the red and black armoured men at the left of the group.
“The tributes of the Hawkmen will be first”
A tall feathered winged being knelt before the throne.
“My lord I present the fabled Fire Jewels of Pyrrhus. We seized them in battle from the royal crypt.”
“Stop! Fire Jewels of Pyrrhus are our tribute, Prince Thral stole them while we were busy burying our dead on Pyrrhus” cried out a red squirrel male.
“Liar!” replied Thral.
“You are a thief” retorted the squirrel.
“What did you say?” asked Thral as he drew a sword.
“Let down your weapons! No one, but no one, dies in the palace without a command from the Emperor!” commented a black robbed figure next to the emperor.
Thral took a step towards Prince Arden, the squirrel male.
“Thral you obey... or you sacrifice your daughter” said the black robed figure.
“Very well Genral K’al, Hail Jolon” replied the Hawkman.
“Next the tributes from Calida” said K’al.
A tall grey mouse male came up and knelt in front of the throne slowly.
“Your Majesty, we, the people of Calida we have suffered since you blasted our kingdom. I can offer you nothing this year except my loyalty.”
“Prince Ardin, we prize nothing more highly. And tell us, how great is this loyalty to your emperor?”
“Without measure”
“We are delighted to hear it. Fall on your sword. Show us this loyalty. Throw yourself onto your sword”
“May this deed of Prince Ardin be an example to all the kingdoms of Lunita. Death to Jolon!”
Before Adrin’s sword could even touch Jolon’s body was frozen by a stasis beam. Jolon stood up and carefully took the mouses sword and thrust it through his body. The mouse groaned and died on the spot.
“General K’al, I seem to have made a mess..have it cleaned up at once”
“Of course your majesty” replied K’al.
“This Jolon guy is a psycho” Melina said softly.
=^ = This Jolon guy is a psycho =^= said a little robot flying high over head it had not been noticed by anyone till now.
“Who said that?”
=^= One of the prisoners =^=
“Who are you?” questioned Jolon.
Introductions were made quickly.
My name is Dr Nazani Darin I'm a scientist. I kidnapped them here, in an effort to save our planet Koinus“
“The obscure body in the SK system, the satellites which has been giving you
so much amusement... recently” answered General K’al.
“But why? We are only interested in friendship”
“Why not? Pathetic beings, hurling your bodies out into the void, without the slightest inkling
of who or what is out here. If you had known anything about the true nature of the universe, anything at all, you would have hidden from it entirely. ” replied Jolon.
Jolon took a step towards the group and looked them over.
“Come closer. No, not you! The yellow vixen let us see you”
“No!” said Megan.
“Don’t Megan, not here” replied Solana as she held the rabbit.
Jolon brought up a ring on his right hand, the ring glowed and Grace’s eyes glassed over as she danced an exotic dance.
“Did you ever see such response?” questioned Jolon.
“No. Truly. She even rivals your daughter” answered K’al
The light of the ring faded away and Grace came back to herself and rejoined the others.
“What happened to me?”
“I don't know Grace, but it was pretty sensational” answered Megan.
“Remove the vixen, prepare her for our pleasure” announced Jolon.
“Forget it Jolon, it’s not happening!” said Megan
“It’s alright I’ll go with them” replied Grace.
Megan and the others thought they could probably fight but with so many around it could have gone wrong with so many around, their allegiance could be on either side.
“Take the scientist to General K’al, for conditioning by the imperial secret police. The others go the slave mines”
The small group wanted to fight but Solana was the more level headed. She convinced the others not to fight. They may have a better opportunity later.
********
Ringterel Slave Mines
Megan wasn’t sure which was worse the ride here or the smell coming from the deeper mines. Solana, Melina, Kristi looked around, the monorail train that had brought them here had departed a few moments ago.
A tall lion man and a dragon/fox hybrid waited for them. A few emaciated slaves in what was left of their clothes shuffled into a cage which was lowered down into the mine. A few guards watched the area armed with some sort of weapon.
“This is Tarsin, he’ll be your section leader, he’ll get you sorted” said the hybrid before leaving.
“Alright, you four follow me” said Tarsin.
Solana, Melina, Kristi and Megan followed the lion into a carved out chamber, inside there were a number of bunk beds.
“You’ll sleep here, it’s eight on and eight off with sometime to eat. Lunita, it’s kingdoms, other planets and moons follow a twenty six hour day. I really don’t recommend going out at night either”
“Why’s that?” questioned Melina.
“You’d not want to meet the creatures that wander the area at night. Most are either poisonous or carnivorous. The R’enk prowl the area outside the electro-fences it’s a kind of feline wolf hybrid. No one is sure if they evolved her or were created in labs and released here. They make escape virtually impossible either way”
“Why are you here Tarsin?” asked Solana.
“So my father will do as the Emperor says, he tried to go up against Jolon and failed. He could have killed him but didn’t instead Jolon imprisoned me here. I was once a prince of Rothon”
Tarsin continued his small tour, he stopped at another cave where a number of mining lasers were stored.
“Take one and follow me, we’re going down to a seam of kanite, it’s used in the metal of Jolon’s ships”
The lasers looked like a sort of drill but had a clear stone of some form at the end they weighed about four pounds each. The four grabbed one each and followed the lion.
“Why not turn the lasers on the guards?” asked Kristi.
“Because they can shut the mining lasers dow, shot you if your lucky or throw you outside the electro fence. They have done both many times, being outside the fence is a death sentence” Tarsin replied.
“That tells me I guess” said Kristi.
After a little while the five had left the cut out caves and had headed down a number of long tunnels. They came out as they found a large green stone mining face. The five started the mining lasers and started to cut out the green ore. As they worked it became warmer and more people started to join them as the new shift began.
********
Imperial Palace
First City
Imperial Medical Section
=^= Remember K’al I do not want her damaged! =^=
The screen went blank K’al watched as he walked around the large table on it was Dr Nazani Darin. Nearby a was a tall jackal woman, she was dressed in a black and gold uniform that shone a little in the light. It left little to the imagination.
“General Rasmi I will leave this task to you”
“Of course this will not take to long” replied Rasmi.
K’al left and the woman licked her gold lips, she enjoyed doing such things after all. A large device came down pointing at Darin’s forehead.
“W...what are you going to do?” asked Darin.
“We're going to empty your memory as we might empty your pockets... Doctor.”
“Noo! Don't empty my mind! Please, I beg you! My mind is all I have! I've spent my whole life trying to fill it!”
Suddenly a pale green laser hit Darin in the center of the forehead. A number of things went through Darin’s mind, she breathed heavily as she panted a long number of images passed on the screen from her birth to a war and other images. A dictator from Koinus past who had killed millions passed over the screen.
“Hmmph..now he showed promise, continue Rasmi” said K’al as he watched.
“Of course” answered Ramsi.
********
Ringterel Slave Mines
Melina flopped onto the bed with a soft sigh, across from her Megan lay down, what had passed for dinner they were unsure. Some sort of meat in a thin soup, the green color it had not been all that appetizing but somehow they had got it down.
“Goddess to much of that stuff and I’ll be jumping the fence” commented Megan.
“Revolting that’s what it was” replied Kristi.
“You can always try nothing..”said Melina from the bottom bunk.
“Look we have to get out of here and rescue the others. We can hardly hang around here, I thought you could make anything Mel, or was that just a boast?”
“Look we need to rest right now, we can’t leave here easily. Plus there’s Tarsin...what would you do about him?” questioned Solana.
“Getting out would be easy enough, but I need tools and time, both of which we’re shockingly short on” answered Melina.
“What if we got an extra drill could you use that?” Grace looked over.
“Maybe, I’d still need time, I’ve been looking and learning while we have been working. Only three times a day the monorail is used, once to bring food and water, the other two they take the ore we mine away. If we could get to one of the trains we might be able to do something. Going over land on foot is not a good idea” Melina said.
“Guess it won’t be now” complained Megan.
“One step at a time” said Tarsin from the door.
“Awww shit, you going to tell the guards on us?” questioned Kristi.
“No..I’d like to get away to, but you need to be very, very sure about what your doing. You really do not want to try something stupid. The Ringterel wastes are not to be traveled lightly, the animals and the rocky regions of the deserted tracts are deadly” commented Tarsin.
“Fine were do we start then?” asked Solana.
“There’s a shaft I and others cut further out towards the bend in the monorail track. It stops there to change heading towards the ore processing center it’s a few miles from here. Jolon don’t trust us not to steal all his raw minerals“
“We should try and sleep, once we wake we should try and get to this tunnel Tarsin cut. We can hide Melina there and make it look like she in here sick” commented Solana.
“That is a good idea, there will be a patrol of guards soon, they wont bother to look again till next shift change” Tarsin informed them.
“Alright that sounds like a good idea” Solana replied.
********
Imperial Palace
Imperial Medical Section
“Every hundred years or so I test a solar system in the universe. I visit it with mysteries,
earthquakes, unpredicted eclipses. Strange craters in the wilderness. If these are taken as natural, I judge that system ignorant and harmless. I spare it. But if the hand of Jolon is recognised in these events, I judge that system dangerous to us. I call upon the great god D’Val and for his greater glory...and our mutual pleasure, I destroy it utterly”
“You're saying it's my fault Koinus is being destroyed?”
“Precisely, Doctor. I thought it might amuse you to know this, before your mind is gone” answered Jolon.
Jolon moved to the top of the table where he could not be seen.
“Reprogramme now?” General Rasmi questioned.
“Yes, But don't fill her with anything above level three. I doubt their minds could take it”
“Very well Emperor”
“Oh and General Rasmi if anything happens to this one you will not live enjoy a prolonged visit to Aquaria. I am told you took the imperial doctor there last week. I’m also informed you viewed the ice mines on Frigia... quite a cold place, it would be very terrible for you to get stuck there” commented Jolon before he left.
********
Ringterel Slave Mines
The small group had managed to give the guards the slip for now, it would not last for ages he knew. Tarsin had led them down a disused tunnel. It ended in a large round area, the space to it looked like it had collapsed. However it had not really, if you were careful you could pass it carefully.They found a small workshop behind it and a few tools even if there was only few of them.
“Can you work with this stuff Melina?” Solona questioned with a slight look of worry on her face.
“It’s not a lot but yes I might be able to do something. There are parts of three drills here I’ll see what I can do”
“Good I’ll have to take the others with me for now or we’ll be missed” answered Tarsin.
Melina got to work she hoped that she might have something ready by the time of next shift change. She knew it was a long shot but they could do something she hoped. She said as much to Tarsin. He informed her that there was less than three feet to the outside and the track way.
********
Several hours had passed when Melina sat on the floor, she licked her lips and wondered how they would get the others out. Part of the answer lay on the bench nearby two laser drills that had been reworked into providing a kind of tractor beam. It would have to do really, time was not on their side after all.
Kristi, Megan, Solana and Tarsin had returned. The little group managed to bring some bread and some of the vile soup. Melina made a face as she looked over the container of the soup. The other thing that made her raise her eyebrow as the blue bread.
“Your world has some intreasting ideas on what color things should be. I mean blue bread?” questioned Melina.
“Why what color is bread on your world?” wondered Tarsin.
“Well normally its white or brown” replied Melina.
“And your saying we’re weird?” grinned Tarsin.
Melina shook her head and started eating, she stretched a little and as soon as she was finished eating she was explaining her plan.
“I finish digging out towards the track, I cut as much I dare so there’s less than a meter to do. I’ve reconfigured two of the drills to create an energy beam path, I did my best with what was here after all. I know you don’t have wings like myself”
“Well that was given” replied Kristi.
“Look we need to get it together and stop bickering, it’s a waste of energy” Solana said.
“We should get cutting into what’s left of the rock, and get ready. We only get one chance at this” Tarsin said as he picked up the drill he’d brought with him.
********
Imperial Palace
First City
Perhaps that drink had not been a good idea Grace thought her head was pounding. Opening her eyes she found two fennec girls wearing hardly anything at all waiting for her. The room was huge, one side was a large viewport out on to the city below. Above several Lavender, turquoise and lilac pastel clouds floated high above. Grace had to admit the bed was very comfortable and the fennec girls very pretty. The imperial bedroom was not somewhere to be relaxing all the same.
“Whoa girl this might be nice but I’m supposed to be looking for a way out!” Grace said to herself.
“Are you alright my lady?” asked the fennec with white hair.
“Yes sorry I was just thinking” answered Grace.
“We’re supposed to get you ready for his Imperial Majesty” replied the other Fennec.
“Please follow us...the bath is not unpleasant I promise” replied the white haired Fennec.
“Alright”
********
The bath was an understatement, it was huge, and could contain several people. Nearby was a beautiful dress in red and gold. Grace had to admit it was nothing like she was expecting. Gold marble was not something you found on her home world. The water was a pale pink, Grace was unsure if it was the natural colour or had been dyed or something. There was a strong scent of Lavender.
The two Fennec’s carefully disrobed her and lead her into the water. Grace had to agree the water was warm and relaxing. Once she was in the water the blue haired Fennec brought over a tray with a glass and large crystal and gold long necked decanter. In it was an odd liquid swirling around in the decanter. One second it was purple, next blue, then green.
“What is that?” asked Grace.
“It has no name. Many people died to bring it here from the Galaxy of Pleasure. It will make your nights with Jolon...more agreeable” commented the blue haired Fennec.
“Well maybe not right now maybe I should get dressed” Grace said.
“Of course”
*********
The bed was huge gold and black Grace sat down as the white haired Fennec brought the decanter over and set it on a small table. She poured a little of the liquid into the glass waiting for it. Grace was dressed in the gold and red dress that had been set out for her.
“Drink this” the fennec said.
“Will it make me forget?”
“No, but it will make you not mind remembering”
“Wow! This isn't bad at all wouldn't you like a sip?” Grace said as she sipped at the liquid
“Oh, no, it's forbidden for us slaves”
“Ooh, believe me, I won’t tell anyone, just a taste have some. Listen, we're all girls here.
I won't tell. Just one sip” Grace said softly.
The fennec took a drink and the two giggled softly.
********
After a few drinks the white haired Fennec had fallen asleep where the other one had gone Grace was unsure. The golden furred vixen looked around the door to the chamber had been left open slightly.
Stepping outside she found herself in a long white corridor, slowly she made her way along till she came to a guard station. A single guard dressed in back and red was there. Grace slowly and carefully made her way up behind the fox and took his blaster from it’s holster. Taking no chances she shot him in the back and headed deeper into the city it’s self.
********
Ringterel Slave Mines
Dust was everywhere but at last, Kiristi, Solana, Megan, Tarsin and Melina looked out on to the Ringterel wastes. Tarsin had been right the lionman knew his stuff. There was a single white rail running west to east beyond that were sand dunes, a number of rocky out crops, further out were jagged mountains.
“The Mountains you see are the steel mountains, beyond them are the lands of Prince Arden. The lands of Arboria are not friendly to me or my father, or my kind, but it pains me to say that it may be our only chance” sighed Tarsin.
“We have to do this then?” asked Kristi with a slight wobble of fear in her voice.
“Yes, unless you wish to stay here till you drop. Once on the monorail we can work out how to change the route from there” Solana said.
The group heard the track starting to hum, it was a sign that the monorail was on it’s way. They knew they would have a few moments while the train changed track nearby. As soon as the train came Melina had her redone drills working to produce a path of to the train. She quickly threw a large amount of dirt over the area revealing the path.
The group had soon boarded the monorail, the first carriage contained the driving unit. There were never any guards on ore trains. Mostly only the food train had guards. The controls were already set and locked out.
“Can’t we do something?” questioned Megan.
“Perhaps...maybe” said Melina.
The winged rabbit brought up the remaining drill and fired, there was a bright light that sputtered and took off the front control panel of the train. Melina quickly knelt down and started sorting wires as fast as she could.
“Can you do it?” questioned Tarsin.
“Yes, it’s not to difficult, we can go ore processing, the first city or Arboria”
“Hmmm, first two are out, we need help and more forces, perhaps we can convince Prince Arden” pondered Solana.
“You’ll need good luck with that, it’s the problem of our worlds and kingdoms. Jolon keeps the kingdoms fighting each other constantly. It's a really brilliant strategy really, you have to admire it in a twisted way. It might be difficult, to bring Arden on our side, he’s been taught from being young to trust no one but himself. He has little love for Lionmen and Hawkmen”
“Oh good, we really have our work cut out for us then” commented Megan.
********
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