Surrender

AUTHOR's NOTE: To my loyal readers, I really hate to do this to you but there will be character death in this chapter. A story writes itself and this had to happen, bear with me though, eventually there will be a happy ending.

To Lilac: Don't worry, I will definitely finish this one, regardless of the lack of reviews. In the past when I wrote it was basically just for myself, for me to enjoy. I never really cared to let others read my work. However, it does feel wonderful when people tell me they like the storyline. That is what's most important; does it have merit?

I think it has been said by others that a story tends to write itself, and there are oppositions namely "writers block" that can rear its ugly head. But if one feels strongly and passionately about a story like I do with this one, it will get completed, count on it. ;)

P.S., I have been thinking of removing Gillian's story, (Spontaneous) because it needs to be re-written. And right now because it's incomplete and Surrender is actually its sequel, it might be confusing people a little bit. Just in case anyone has been following both stories this is a heads up.





--


Mischa liked the star-gazing room best. Devo had given him a tour of the Suvian ship shortly after he’d arrived and had explained to him how this room worked. There were large windows that revealed the dark space beyond. The stars created the illusion of long lines as the ship streaked through space fascinated him. A press of a button on the wall pad would make it seem as if Mischa were standing outside the ship in the middle of space, with the stars darting by all around him. It was such a realistic illusion that he couldn’t look away.

Mischa had only been on a ship once before, but it wasn’t a pleasant memory. He was being transported from his home planet to Hemparon Sector and the life of a brothel whore. He closed his eyes against the painful memories that rose to the surface. He had a new life and for the first time in a long time, it appeared he had a real future to look forward too. He prayed that after Devo rescued Arabel that his fellow slave would allow him to return with them to Devo’s home world. He knew all too well how very little he had left here in Andrenon. There was the fear that he wouldn’t be allowed to accompany them. The thought of remaining in this galaxy and trying to find his own way was very undesirable. He was 18 years old and had been at the Palace for over a year. He wouldn’t know how to live on his own, or what he could do to survive. Perhaps he’d end up becoming a street prostitute as his body seemed to be his only asset. However, he could be easily taken advantage of on the street, beaten or worse. That life was behind him and he was never going back to it.

“I can never go back,” Mischa muttered softly to himself.

“Never go back where?”

Mischa glanced around at the sound of the newcomers’ voice. He could not see anyone but himself within the dark void. He wasn’t quite sure who had spoken but he knew it wasn’t Devo because he was already familiar with his voice. “Who’s there?” He called out.

“My name is Stafon; we met a couple days ago when you were first brought on board.” He came to stand before the younger man, opting not to shadow-step realizing that the boy was frightened enough as it was.

Mischa remembered first seeing him when they had burst into the Euphoria chamber but had failed to rescue Arabel in time. He’d been terrified when the woman had ordered them to bring him along and Stafon had promptly obeyed. He remembered the man had barely grasped his shoulder before he’d fainted dead away. He awoke later on a medical table onboard the ship. Devo had been there to explain to him what happened and who they were. He’d said they were from another galaxy and he’d been brought here to rescue Arabel. His friends had come along to ensure this but the Scryers had thrown a wrench in their plans.

He’d later been introduced to Kenlan, Woen and Stafon. When he noticed that the woman was missing, he’d found the courage to ask Devo about her. He’d been informed that the woman was actually Devo’s mother and had returned to their galaxy upon emergency. She certainly hadn’t looked old enough to be Devo’s mother. She appeared so youthful and beautiful; he would have accepted it had they told him she was his sister. His own mother had been so very unlike this Gillian, both his parents were abusive and never really cared for him. A fact they proved when they sold him to the Cadence Palace for a very hefty price. He removed those thoughts from his mind; he had a new life to look forward to, one that could only be better than what he’d already experienced.

“Do you normally day-dream this much?” Stafon asked as he stared at the youth intently.

Mischa literally jumped back into awareness as he forced his mind back to the present.
“Please forgive me; I fear I am not myself.”

Stafon continued to look at him few seconds longer before moving past him to gaze at the seemingly moving stars that sped by them. Devo had informed him that this Mischa needed a friend of sorts. He’d apparently grown attached to Arabel who had shown him a sliver of kindness. It seemed the young man was not used to being on the receiving end of such attributes.

Mischa couldn’t help staring at Stafon, he was very handsome. His spiky hair was long in front but cut short in the back. The seemingly soft blond tresses fell across his face making him appear boyish. Mischa could not gauge his age either but had been told that Stafon was Devo’s uncle. That would mean he was quite a bit older than Mischa but he too looked young enough to be Devo’s brother.

Mischa’s gaze moved to Stafon’s attire. He wore a black vest that was made of a combination of black leather and velvet. It revealed his well-toned arms that were the same beautiful deeply tanned complexion as his face. His legs were also encased in black leather and rugged-soled boots adorned his feet. Golden arm-bands completed his attire. Mischa found Stafon’s looks very appealing. He’d serviced all types of men at the brothel, ranging from the very young possibly only a few years older than him, to the very old; some men so severely crippled with age that he’d either been forced to use his mouth or perform sexual acts before them to get them off. But he’d never found any of those men he had serviced attractive. He’d been given plenty of time to reflect on all he had engaged in while under Euphoria. There was not one client he’d gladly sleep with again out here in the real world.

However, this Stafon, Mischa already found very interesting. He thought Devo was wonderful too but it seems he was already taken. Woen and Kenlan hadn’t given him the time of day so he really hadn’t formed any opinions of them as yet. The very fact that Stafon was here with him now proved that their relationship was about to change. Would they become more than mere acquaintances, perhaps forge a friendship? Mischa found that he would very much be open to that idea.

“You’ve never had friends before,” Stafon stated without even looking at Mischa.
Mischa blinked a few times as he realized that Stafon had read his mind. “You, you can hear my thoughts?”

“Your thoughts were so open I couldn’t help it,” Stafon replied.

Mischa gulped as he realized something. “Can, everyone onboard read minds as well?”

Stafon paused a few seconds before replying. “With Gillian gone I am the only full-blooded Suvian left. Neither Devo nor Woen can read minds, they are only half Suvian. And Kenlan is a mystic not of the Suvian race. This is a derivative of our telepathy. When we converse telepathically we can sometimes steal into the thought process, but this is a simple feat only with humans.” Even then it was no guarantee; strong-willed humans could keep their thoughts well hidden. However, this Mischa seemed to be feeling very vulnerable at the moment, so it was rather easy to discern his thoughts.

Mischa felt a moment’s relief that Devo was not able to know what he’d been thinking in the past. He didn’t want to alarm them if he came off as being too clingy. He desperately did not want them to discard him, his future was at stake he couldn’t mess this up.

“You have nothing to fear, Devo has adhered to your wishes and you will stay with us until it’s time to return to our galaxy.” Stafon finally turned and gave his full attention to Mischa. The red-head was approximately half a foot shorter than him. His beautiful shoulder-length hair fell in auburn waves around his small, angelic face. Those green eyes appeared glossy with unshed tears. It seemed the boy was unaware the he wore his heart on his sleeves at all times. It wouldn’t take a psychic to guess what he was feeling. He noticed when Mischa lowered his head and his breathing increased. His mind reading was making the younger man uncomfortable.

Stafon turned towards Mischa and closed his eyes for a few brief seconds. When he opened them he made contact with Mischa’s fearful green gaze. “There, I won’t be able to see your thoughts anymore.”

Mischa wasn’t sure if he believed him or not but there was no reason not to trust him. Yet the fact that he even appeared to make an effort left the former slave in awe of him. “I hope I didn’t offend you.”

“Believe me, it’d take more than that to offend me,” Stafon replied casually.

Mischa felt a moment’s discomfort once more, he wasn’t sure what to discuss with him; it wasn’t as if they had anything in common. He grasped the first thing that came to mind.

“Are you, a warrior among your people?”

“You could say that.”

“Do you have a mate?” At the raised eyebrow Stafon shot in his direction he quickly apologized. “I’m sorry; you don’t have to answer that.”

“It’s alright, relax. And I’m not mated by the way.”

“That’s good, I mean uh – I’m sorry to hear that.”

Stafon moved in the direction of the button panel and suddenly the star-gazing room’s space illusion faded. “I’m suddenly famished; would you care to join me in the food locker for a bite to eat?”

“Uh yes – I’d like that very much.” Mischa wanted to kick himself for being so nervous. It was so very unexpected to finally have one of these amazing men show an interest in him.

As they walked through the deserted hallways, Stafon noticed that Mischa kept his eyes lowered as if he were a man on the way to certain doom. He wasn’t quite sure what to make of the boy and wondered if his overabundance of fear was something he’d eventually grow out of. Either way, Stafon intended to make the most of his excursion with this peculiar young man.

~*~

Arabel awoke to find himself once again laying on Hetite’s huge bed. He noticed almost instantly that he was not alone, but was grateful he was no longer with the imposing General. A middle-aged man dressed in a long, white coat stood nearby reading a mobile medical panel. Arabel noticed that there were two needles sticking out of his arm that were attached to the contraption. He glanced down at his body and saw that the bruises Hetite had left there from his recent beating were quickly fading. Whatever he was being injected with had almost immediate recuperative effects.

“Ah, you’re awake. I am Klare, medic #14. I’ve healed you in the past. It seems you will be a slave that requires constant care.”

“Where is the General?” Arabel asked when he realized that Klare meant him no harm.
Klare regarded the slave curiously before replying. “General Hetite is at work; he has a regime to run you know.”

Arabel realized this may be his only opportunity to attempt an escape. But first he’d have to get rid of the good doctor here. “I’m hungry; may I have something to eat?”
“You are being administered the nutrients you need to survive through the IV in your arm. So I sincerely doubt that you are hungry. Be warned that there are armed guards posted at your door at all times when the General is away,” Klare replied.

Arabel quickly pulled out the IV needles and left the bed taking the bed spread with him to cover his nakedness. He ignored Klare’s protests and headed for the front door. He’d see for himself if Klare spoke the truth. He began punching buttons on the wall panel in various sequences. He’d entered at least three different combinations when the door opened. It worked. Now why hadn’t he been this lucky when he’d been attempted to flee Hetite.

When the double doors slid open, Arabel’s breath caught in his throat to find that there were indeed two guards standing at the entranceway. One of them had just removed his fingers from a similar button panel on that side of the wall. Was it possible that Arabel hadn’t opened the door but this guard had instead? Arabel recognized him as one of the guards that had been allowed to use him before in the prison cell.

“Going somewhere?” Veinto asked as he stared at Arabel.

“I was – hoping to get some fresh air.” Arabel had a feeling that excuse wouldn’t go
over well.

Veinto seemingly ignored Arabel’s statement. “You know I had the pleasure of exterminating one of your kind. He was a young man intended for the mines. However, he never made it that far. His outward defiance had captured the General’s attention. Thus we decided to make an example of him. He did not have your pristine good looks.” With those words, Veinto grabbed the sheet Arabel had wrapped around his body and quickly tore it in two. As the strips fell to the ground, Veinto removed a curved dagger that was strapped to his thigh and positioned it very closely to Arabel’s bare chest.

“I cut him open, from here to here.” Veinto moved the dagger from the bottom of Arabel’s chin to his waist. “We’d pumped this Talion full of drugs so that he’d remain conscious for as long as possible. So with his intestines falling out, I then began to remove his fingers, one by one. His screams were music to the ears. After I finished removing his fingers, I started on his toes. Eventually, all his appendages were a mass of bloody stubs. Soon, his screams began to wane and he was nearing the end. But, I refused to let him die of his injuries; he would die by my hand instead. So, I took my sword and placed it right here.” Veinto positioned the tip of his dagger beneath Arabel’s chin.

“Then I pushed upwards, allowing his brain to taste its cold steel. Even then he didn’t die instantly; he suffered for at least another minute before finally succumbing. His body was then cut into five pieces before taken to the sea of No Hope and fed to the carnivorous creatures beneath the dark waves. May his lost soul continue to haunt its depths.” Having completed his story, Veinto sheathed his dagger.

Arabel had stood silent as he listened to the horrific story. He didn’t know if what Veinto said was true or if he was merely trying to frighten him into submission. The method of execution he described in enacting the unknown Talion’s death was not out of the realm of possibility for the Tolatrians. They were cold, heartless bastards and their cruelty was beyond compare.

“It is very unlikely that I will be able to do to you what I did to him. You seem to be the Generals unofficial favorite at this time. But you should know that your current status can change at a moment’s notice. With the frequency of the medic’s visits to this chamber I am to assume that you are not pleasing him as much as he’d like. Eventually this will wear on his patience and he will discard you. And when he does, you will not escape to the mines to possibly live for another year. Your life will instead come to an end here; and if not by my hand then someone else’s. I leave you to reflect on this.” With those words, Veinto stepped back into the hallway and punched the button sequence to once again lock the doors.

Arabel did not have time to think on Veinto’s words before Klare spoke to him. Apparently the medic had followed him into the pool room and had heard Veinto’s entire speech.

“Do you have a death wish? You belong to a conquered race, and these men would love nothing better than to kill you. Do you really have so little to live for? I’d been told you had a sister, I suppose she doesn’t mean anything to you.”

“She means the world to me!” Arabel didn’t mean to yell but was taken aback by Klare’s reprehension. “I’ve tried to bargain with the General for her release, but he won’t concede. I don’t know what else to do.” Arabel rubbed his furrowed brow as he tried not to let the helplessness of his situation overwhelm him.

“Start with trying to survive.” With those words, Klare left Arabel to his tumultuous thoughts.

~*~

Anata had never been so miserable in her entire life. She had blacked out on different occasions which were proof that Arabel was not faring well. She knew he would be near the breaking point which is why she had finally agreed to tell Medaq all she knew about the Suvians. She realized almost immediately it was a huge mistake. It wouldn’t change their situation. She had been granted a private cell and her own personal torture had ceased. But her request to speak with Arabel had been denied. Medaq had informed her that he was now Hetite’s personal whore and that his position would not change until the General grew tired of him. Anata had to hope that her admission would at least grant Arabel a reprieve from his own personal torture.

“Devo where are you?” She thought out loud. Since they had yet to arrive it seems that Kenlan was most likely unable to open a portal to their location. Anata was unsure how fast a ship the Suvians possessed, but with that being their only means of transport it could take weeks for them to get to Tolatria. Anata wasn’t sure if they’d be able to survive that long, the clock was ticking on their current situation.

Anata thought of the good times she’d shared with Arabel in the past. Including the exhilaration of competitive races and covering for each other when one got into trouble; she knew Arabel would always be there when she needed him. For the last two years all they’d had was each other. Now Arabel had a real chance at finding happiness with Devo. They’d come this far, it couldn’t end here. Anata didn’t care what happened to her anymore, as far as she was concerned, Arabel was the one who had the most to live for.

She’d always joked in the past referring to their conception that Arabel was by far the better half of the whole. However, her jesting held some semblance of truth. She could be cold and calculating, she knew this. Two men had died in her attempts to free Arabel from the brothel in the past. Their blood was on her hands, yet she had walked away as if their lives had been meaningless. Arabel was never one to treat life so lightly. He would have made a great diplomat had their people survived long enough for him to take over for their parents. Arabel had always been unsure of his talent and their parents had never given him any encouragement either way. But Anata knew that Arabel was put here to do great things, and she only hoped that he’d be given the chance to have the life the fates had originally planned for him. “Hurry Devo, please hurry.” Anata buried her face in her hands as she fought the urge to cry.

~*~
Hetite had called a meeting in his office to allow Medaq a chance to brief the heads of his military and the Mediators, a magical race that had served the Tolatrians for many years.

“Most ships by Andrenon standards would take almost two weeks to arrive here traveling from Hemparon Sector. So while I believe we still have several days before they arrive, I think we should be prepared to greet them within two days,” Medaq stated.

“You said that Talion woman related their numbers as four men and one woman?” asked Ulan, the head Mediator. He was tall, pale-faced and slender as most Mediators were. His white hair was cut in a short bob; and his opaque black eyes stared unblinking at Medaq.

“Yes, that is correct,” Medaq replied.

“I am confused then as to why we are gathering such a large strike force for so few enemies,” Ulan replied.

“The flame-figure; the woman named Queen Gillian is believed to possess god-like abilities. For this reason alone we must take the extra precautions,” Medaq stated.

Commander Soton, one of Hetite’s head military officials spoke up. “A female with god-like strength, the idea is ludicrous.”

“Well there must be something to her since Medaq here felt the need to retreat when he last encountered her.” There was a twinkle in Jubek’s eye as he sat lazily in one of the chairs situated before Hetite’s desk.

There were muffled chuckles throughout the room that caused Medaq’s blood to boil. “Well if you feel you can do any better, by all means Jubek; when we encounter this Gillian again, she’s all yours.”

“I accept gladly.” Jubek winked at his fellow scryer.

“That is not the plan,” Hetite spoke up. “You must all work together to bring this enemy to its knees. If I learn that either of you went rogue to take these foes on alone, there will be a price to pay. I’m rather curious about these enemies, and I would like them alive if possible. We are fast running out of worlds that we do not have treaties with left to conquer. If the information we gather from them proves fruitful, then their galaxy will be our next target. I’ll expect the report for the completion of your regiments’ preparations on my desk tomorrow evening the latest. You are dismissed.”

~*~

Devo went to see Stafon, he was aware that his uncle had been helping Mischa past the time over the past couple days. He thought he’d ask him personally how their guest was now coping with his new life here. As the doors to Stafon’s cabin slid open, Devo strode in but almost instantly stopped dead in his tracks. Before him, was an image of Stafon and Mischa entwined naked in each others’ arms. Obviously he’d arrived in the aftermath of their lovemaking. Mischa had already fallen asleep but Stafon was instantly awake. His eyes told Devo to remain silent as he unraveled himself from Mischa’s hold and stopped to don a robe before leaving the cabin with Devo.

“Stafon, this isn’t exactly what I had in mind when I asked you to take him under your wing. How long has this been going on?” Devo wanted to know.

“We made love for the first time a few nights ago. I felt it was what he needed at the time,” Stafon replied.

“Really?” Devo was slightly incredulous.

“I didn’t take advantage of him. The desire and the passion were there and it was what we both wanted in that very moment. He’s been a lot more relaxed since then if you’d bothered to notice.” Stafon didn’t blame Devo for not noticing the changes in Mischa. Devo had been moping around the ship ever since they had embarked for Tolatria. No doubt he was missing this Arabel a great deal.

Devo sighed before looking at his uncle and shrugging. Stafon was known to be a playboy. He liked playing games with his potential lovers and if what he had instigated with Mischa was only for his entertainment, then the red-head could end up getting hurt or worst.

//I’m not going to say I love him, we honestly haven’t known each other long enough and I don’t believe in love at first sight. However, we are currently enjoying each other. And before it gets too serious I will make him aware that this is the way it must be for the time being.// Stafon hoped his nephew would understand. The last thing he needed was to give the younger man something else to worry about. He was grateful when Devo decided to change the subject.

//We arrive in approximately one day. Hopefully Kenlan’s secret weapon will be ready by then. He’s been closeted away in his cabin working on it for several days now. If he does have to use it, it will take a lot out of him.//

//Well hopefully it doesn’t come to that. If our first plan as a stealth mission fails, then we go with plan B; make some noise. Woen and I have been itching for a real fight for quite some time.//

//Let’s hope it’s one we can walk away from.// Devo returned to vocals as he glanced at Stafon’s cabin door. “Go back to him.”

Stafon watched his nephew walk away and knew that he was a man with the weight of the universe on his shoulders. There hadn’t been this much drama and unrest since the time of Gillian’s youth and the battle against the Tagasus demonoids. It would almost be like old times to engage in battle again but he had to keep a clear head. There were lives at stake, not only that of Arabel and his sister, but Devo as well. They could not allow the crown Prince to be harmed, Gillian and D’ken were counting on them and Stafon didn’t intend to let them down.

~*~

After his talk with the medic Klare a few days ago, Arabel began to make a conscious effort to please Hetite in their continued sessions. It was in the hopes that the General would be appreciative of his submission and allow Anata to go free. Their first night together after he had adopted this new attitude had been very difficult indeed.

Hetite had ordered Arabel to service him with his mouth. At first he had trouble getting the humongous cock-head past his lips. Hetite had to hook one thick finger in the side of Arabel’s mouth then angle his cock on a slanted edge to get it inside. He had gagged as the large cock caused his right cheek to bulge inhumanely. He’d fought to breathe through his nose and move his tongue over the side of the blue-veined shaft. Arabel was grateful there had been no need to keep it up for long before a bucket-load of come was being poured down his throat. After the punishing cock was removed it took all of Arabel’s will-power to swallow instead of spitting out the offensive liquid as he so desperately wanted to.

While his willingness did not reflect that of a slave under Euphoria, it was so removed from his earlier behavior during Hetite’s initial rape sessions that the General seemed to be genuinely pleased.

At the moment, they both lay naked in Hetite’s large bed, with the bulk of Arabel’s slender body pressed against the General’s hard chest. “So tell me, what has brought about this change in you?” Hetite’s hand idly stroked Arabel’s blue-black hair, still damp from the exertion of their recent fuck session.

Arabel paused as he searched for the right words to fill his answer. “I’ve learned that pleasing you is in my best interest.”

Hetite chuckled. “How very wise; took you long enough though.”

“If I continue to please you, will you grant me one small request?” Arabel licked his lips as they had suddenly gone dry; so nervous was he over Hetite’s response to his request. “I would like to speak to my sister.”

“For what reason?”

“I wish to inform her that I am well, and to see how she is also faring.” There was silence for a few moments and Arabel knew then that he would not receive the answer he hoped for.

“Denied – you are a Tolatrian slave now, you have no family. You must forget about her.” Hetite stated.

“But what will you do with her?” Arabel asked as he felt the anger he had contained so well for the past few days slowly begin to build within him once more.

“Eventually she will be sent off to the mines, but for now she remains here until the upcoming battle is over.”

“For my continued submission, you will not grant me this one request?” Arabel turned pleading aqua eyes up at Hetite’s hardened face. “Please – I beg of you, let me see her.” He wasn’t even asking for her release, he just wanted to see her to make sure she was alright. He had done the unthinkable and stooped so low as to beg Hetite. It seemed his pride as a Talion was almost completely gone.

“I have already given you my answer on this matter; do not make me repeat myself.” Hetite considered the matter dismissed as his large hands began to roam Arabel’s naked body freely. He crushed Arabel’s face against his hard chest as his right hand reached down to cup and fondle his firm buttocks. He squeezed one of the dusky colored cheeks between his hands and muttered, “Can’t wait to be buried in your tight heat once more; turn over.” He expected Arabel to promptly obey but what happened instead left him stunned and in a lot of pain. Arabel bit his chest so severely he drew blood. Hetite grunted as he tossed the slave away from him. He looked down at his chest and the saw the indentation of Arabel’s teeth in the bite wound as well as the blood that now seeped from it.

Glancing up, Hetite saw the fire and hatred in Arabel’s eyes. So it seems his little spitfire was only pretending to be tamed. Anger burned in his veins to the tempo of the pain throbbing in his chest. He back handed Arabel which sent him flying from the bed. He jumped off the bed and was instantly pulling Arabel to his feet. He began to punch the boy directly in the face. He’d avoided Arabel’s face in the past for he didn’t want to mar its beauty. But he was so very angry that he honestly didn’t care anymore and simply wanted him to feel extreme pain. When Arabel was on the brink of loosing consciousness, Hetite stopped the beating to admire his handy work. Arabel’s nose was broken, and blood poured down his chin from a busted lip. Also, his right eye was well on its way to swelling shut. The slave’s injuries were only a small consolation for the pain he had been caused. He released Arabel and watched as the weakened whore fell to the floor. He then stormed from the room.

In his pain filled daze, Arabel heard the retreating footsteps as Hetite left the bed chambers. He knew there was no way the crazed man would be offering him a reprieve, and he was right. Moments later he felt two men grab him by each arm and begin to pull him out of the room. Once they were in the hallway he recognized Veinto’s voice.

“I told you that one day it’d come to this. Your special status as a slave is over. And after we’re through with you tonight you’ll wish you were never born.”

~*~

The Suvian ship dropped out of hyper-space a short league away from the Tolatrian planet. They immediately cloaked the vessel before moving forward. Spread out before them was an impressive war-fleet of perhaps hundreds of ships laying in wait for their arrival.

“Well, looks like they’ve rolled out the red carpet,” Woen smirked as he leaned against a monitor table observing the viewer screen.

All of the crew was present including Mischa. Devo turned to Mischa and gave what he hoped was a reassuring look. The horror on the red-head’s face was apparent, and he realized now what they had been trying to spare him.

“Surface scan shows a metropolitan world with almost every inch of land minus the seas cultivated.” Kenlan sat behind the computer console reading the output figures. “There are billions of people on that planet.”

“So is it safe to say that they have an equally large force waiting for us down there as they do up here?” Stafon asked casually.

At Kenlan’s nod, Woen began to grin. “Oh goody!”

“Kenlan, can we verify where the Cresh’s are being held?” Devo asked.

“I’m working on that now, will try to narrow it down to the exact location,” Kenlan replied.

“What – what are you going to do against all of them?” Mischa’s bottom lip was trembling as he asked the question.

Devo walked toward Mischa and offered him a seat on a nearby chair. “Don’t worry Mischa, leave this to us. Everything will be alright.” //I hope.// He glanced at the others in the room who heard the last thing he said. While they were confident that they could do what they came to do, even in the face of these overwhelming odds, there was still no guarantee that they’d all come out of it unscathed.

“I’ve got it,” Kenlan pointed at a large mass of land on the planet visual he’d brought up on screen. “They are being held on this continent at a military base. I was only able to detect Anata because I have already locked on to her DNA; I assume her brother would be nearby.”

Devo nodded and refused to allow himself to fear from Arabel’s life. He was fine, and by the end of the day Devo would be holding his love in his arms once more.

“I can put you down directly outside the base, but not within – it’s shielded.”

“Then they’ll know we’re coming by the time we get inside,” Devo stated.

“I have a plan, it’s dangerous but hopefully it will work,” Kenlan had enlarged the image of the base where the Cresh’s were being held. “Once I let you three off here, just outside the base, I’ll attack the building from the storage area which will minimize injuring those we seek to rescue. That ought to bring the shield down allowing you to teleport in and conduct your rescue. Hopefully I ought to have enough time to re-cloak before these ships can pinpoint me. Once you have your cargo, contact me and I will beam you out.”

//I don’t know about that Kenlan, if you and the ship are destroyed then we’ll have no way off that planet, we won’t even be able to portal back to our galaxy.// Devo felt the need to point out the danger.

//It’s our only shot, unless you feel that eventually this arsenal of ships will go away and we can simply wait them out.//

Even if that were the case, Devo was unwilling to allow Arabel to suffer on that planet for a day longer. “You’re right, this is our best shot, let’s do it.”

Kenlan nodded and got down to business. He entered Tolatria’s atmosphere before beaming the three men down to the designated area on the planet’s surface. There were smaller ships patrolling this area and hopefully they would pack less of a punch than the ones out in orbit. He wasted no more time and quickly fired two rocket drones into the storage area of the facility. The loud explosion alerted the smaller ships to him immediately and he quickly began his ascent. Kenlan heard the bangs as several shots were fired against the ship’s hull. Mischa’s frightened gasps prompted him to say the words of short sleep spell. When silence ensued he didn’t need to glance around to know that the red-head now slept. It would be better this way, plus he needed to keep his head clear so he could concentrate.

Just before he made it back into orbit he breathed a sigh of relief as he was able to re-cloak before the Tolatrian war-ships could lock on to him. His part was done, now it was up to the three on the planet to make this rescue a success.

~*~

Hetite was holding another meeting in his office when an alarm began to blast through the entire base. He was immediately notified that the facility itself had suffered an attack and the shields were now down. He was furious to learn that the ship that had instigated the attack had also managed to re-cloak before they could down it.

“Anata is still in her cell, Sesan is with her now.” Medaq informed them as he lowered his communication device. “Where is the boy?”

“What’s left of him should be in the arena, the men were allowed to take their fill last night,” Hetite stated.

Jubek gazed at Medaq who wasted no time before teleporting from view. The pink-haired scryer glanced at Hetite before taking off in pursuit. He knew for a fact that Medaq would try to upstage him during this battle but refused to let that happen.

Medaq arrived in the arena, a large square room decorated with plants and trees. There was even a small pool resembling a lake within the center. This is where he found Arabel laying face down in the sand, naked and unconscious. The arena was generally used for sport where one soldier could test his strengths against the other. However, it seemed that last night it was used as the location of an orgy. Judging from the rough shape Arabel’s body was in; he had been beaten and raped by possibly dozens of men. The blood stains now caked to his bare thighs were one indication that his ordeal had not been pleasant.

Medaq rolled the younger man over and his face was barely recognizable. The right side of his face was swollen and badly bruised; the sand clung to his face and body more so due to the sticky secretion of blood. Sesan had informed him that Anata was unconscious in her cell, and now he knew why. Grabbing Arabel by the hand, he began to drag him out of the room. He wanted a re-match with Devo, and the best way to guarantee that was to have the Prince come to him. And only Arabel would make the perfect bait.

The three from Tagasus hadn’t made it very far into the facility before they were greeted by a group of Tolatrian guards. These were easily dealt with as they seemed to prefer shooting first then asking questions later. With their weapon blasts easily deflected against personal shields, the Suvians were allowed to progress further.

Soon they entered what appeared to be a dining hall; there was another group of Tolatrian soldiers that were quickly dispatched. As the last soldier fell, a white haired man walked into the room. His eyes were opaque black making it impossible to tell exactly what he was looking at. He held a glowing orb in his hands and slowly raised it.

Expecting an attack, Stafon raised a single palm to create a barrier shield around the three of them. He’d raised the shield just in time as the light from the ball encroached upon them. Some of the fallen guards that were still alive on the opposite side of Stafon’s shield began to convulse and spasm as the light’s effects enveloped them.

As the white-haired man continued his attacks, the threesome heard when a door opened behind them and in teleported a pink-haired man. He was holding what appeared to be a glass staff with water encased within.

//He’s a scryer.// Devo informed his friends. It was obvious by looking at him plus he recognized the spiritual energy that seemed reminiscent of scryers.

//I got him.// Woen summoned four spinning blades and sent them in the newcomer’s direction.

After the stranger shadow-stepped away expertly avoiding Woen’s attack, Devo prepared to do the same. //I must go on ahead, we are running out of time, I have to find Arabel.//

//Go, but you just be careful.// Stafon glanced back at his nephew briefly as he continued to maintain his shield against their other attacker.

Devo had only left the room seconds before when the pink-haired attacker returned to confront Woen. The young mystic managed to summon a blade just in time to parry the attack of his staff.

Jubek grinned at the silver-haired man who he was slightly grateful had managed to block his attack. He didn’t want this fight to be over too soon, especially since the man he was fighting was rather attractive. He glanced up and noticed when his opponent’s blond friend retracted his shield creating a build-up of wind flow that blew Ulan’s dust attack right back at him. The light particles didn’t affect Ulan personally but the newcomers’ actions had in essence negated his entire attack.

Jubek decided to let Ulan worry about his own opponent and returned his attention to the handsome man before him. “I always find it honorable to know the names of those we fight. I am Jubek Canesh, and you would be?”

“I think learning my name is the least of your worries, Mr. Bad Fashion sense,” Woen quipped. He realized instantly that his opponent was now riled. Jubek’s attacks became faster as he’d shadow-stepped back and forth coming at Woen from a different direction each time. It was all he could do to keep up with the parries. Woen had been lulled into this rhythm that when Jubek raised his empty hand to quickly fire an energy beam at him, he barely dodged it in time. He’d fallen to one knee and glanced up to see Jubek about to swing his staff at his head.

Suddenly, Stafon appeared between them, and blocked the staff with a summoned dagger. He glanced back at Woen, “Switch,” he ordered.

Woen got to his feet and looked over at the man with the ball device. He had just regained his footing from whatever attack Stafon had unleashed upon him. Woen wasted no time and ran towards his new combatant.

“How lovely, a superior coming to aid one of his subordinates.” Jubek licked his lips as he got a good look at this new opponent. His spiky blond hair and dreamy golden eyes made him appear irresistible. He imagined that a man like him would have a decent sized cock, one that he wouldn’t mind riding into the wee hours of the morning. “After I defeat you, I shall put in a good word for you; perhaps you can become one of my sex slaves.”

“You talk entirely too much,” Stafon stated before pushing back against Jubek’s staff. He shadow-stepped to him once more and found that Jubek had done the same. They’d teleport into melee range then attack, their weapons clashing together before once again stepping out of range. This process continued for some time.

Meanwhile, Devo had been teleporting through the halls, avoiding most of the guards and stopping to fight only those that blocked his path. He was heading to the area of the map where Kenlan had located Anata; perhaps she could help him find Arabel.

Suddenly, the presence of a strong spiritual energy made him stop in his tracks. He recognized it as Medaq’s and knew for a fact that his friends were still fighting other enemies. So why would Medaq be releasing such spiritual energy unless…unless he wanted Devo to come to him. He stopped to weigh his options, he was almost certain it would be a trap. However, there was a pretty good chance that Arabel would be in the same place too.

He’d made his decision; Devo quickly teleported into a large meeting hall. He saw Arabel almost instantly. His love was attached to a stake positioned at the end of the hall. Devo quickly shadow-stepped to his side and was shocked by Arabel’s appearance. From the look of his recent injuries it appeared that Arabel had not fared well at the hands of these Tolatrians. He began to resonate a healing spell throughout Arabel’s body, but it seemed to only be enough to allow him to regain consciousness.

Arabel opened his left eye as the other was still swollen shut. He saw a blurry image of Devo standing before him and shook his head slightly. He immediately regretted it as pain from his recent torture welled up inside him. He had to be dreaming, there was no way Devo could actually be here. Unless he was dead and was dreaming of him, but if this was death, why was he still in so much pain?

“Arabel, if you can hear me; please say something.”

Arabel knew he hadn’t imagined that. Devo had spoken to him. “Devo…” he said weakly, his voice raspy from lack of use.

Devo smiled as he saw Arabel’s good eye turn to look at him once more. “Yes, it’s me.” His smile soon faded when he felt electricity in the air. Quickly summoning his staff, he turned just in time to block Medaq’s attack which would have severely injured him had it struck home.

“We meet again!” Medaq’s indigo eyes glinted fiercely as he stared at his opponent.

“I hope you don’t mind Arabel’s appearance, he’s had some work done. For the better wouldn’t you agree?” Medaq began to chuckle but his laughter soon faded when Devo’s staff began to glow. Medaq quickly backed away putting some space between them. He instantly noticed that there was a strange aura being emitted from Devo’s body in waves.

“So, you’ve finally decided to fight me at full strength. Glorious!”

Devo ignored Medaq’s outburst as the tip of his staff elongated into a sharp blade. He allowed his power to build up for a few more seconds, before attacking. He charged Medaq, both their staffs clashing as he lifted the other man off his feet tossing him backward which allowed them to place some distance between their battle and Arabel. Their weapons clashed and clanked breaking the silence of the hall. Sparks flew from the sheer force of the strength behind their attacks. This continued for several minutes as neither man gave up an edge.

Arabel didn’t believe what he was seeing. Devo was there fighting Medaq. But why would someone who didn’t care for him come to his rescue. It didn’t make any sense which was why Arabel didn’t trust what his good eye was seeing. After those guards had taken him from Hetite’s quarters he had been deposited into an arena filled with 3 dozen lustful, horny men. They hadn’t opted to simply rape him, but took turns beating him as well. Arabel wove in and out of consciousness the entire night. And several times over he was awoken to a strange man fucking him in the ass. They’d rape him then beat him, and sometimes he’d be fucked and beaten at the same time. He’d never wanted to die more in his lifetime. But if he truly was still alive then there was a reason for that. And Arabel suspected that it truly may have had something to do with Devo.

Arabel was distracted from his thoughts when he saw a fog begin to envelop the combatants at the other end of the hall. It grew so dense that he could not make them out at all, and eventually the sounds of their blades clashing together ceased. Even if Devo still did not care for Arabel, he desperately wanted him to win.

Devo was faced with the same battle situation that had almost ended his life back on Hemparon. But this time he was ready for Medaq. He saw the faked movement within the fog. However, he relied on his instincts and when Medaq’s attack came from behind he stepped out of reach and responded with an attack of his own.

Arabel watched amazed as the fog cleared and saw Medaq holding his shoulder as blood seeped through his fingers. He glanced at Devo who seemed to be unscathed.

“Am I still disappointing you?” Devo asked as he pointed the blood-stained tip of his staff at Medaq.

Medaq began to laugh, almost hysterical laughter. “So, you got a blow in, I suppose that means we’re even now!

“I don’t have time for this,” Devo stated.

“Do you really think you’re going to get off this planet alive?” Medaq grinned; then a thoughtful expression overtook his features. “By the way, where is that mother of yours? I can’t imagine she would remain on the ship that attacked us; she seemed so – hands on.” When Devo didn’t reply, Medaq began to chuckle once more. “She’s no longer with you is she?” He squealed with glee. “This is getting better and better.”

Suddenly, Sesan entered the room with Anata in tow. Devo saw as Anata broke away from Sesan’s grip and began to run towards her brother. He didn’t have time to assess the situation as Sesan raised his hand to fire a high density energy blast at him. He shadow-stepped around dodging the attacks that began to come at him in succession. He used this opportunity to telepathically inform his allies that it was time to regroup. They had the Cresh’s together; it was now or never if they were going to escape this place.

Medaq felt the spiritual energy of Devo’s allies getting closer. He realized he’d have to do something to shake things up or perhaps loose the opportunity. While Sesan kept Devo busy, he turned his attention to Anata who was about halfway down the hall on the way to Arabel. “You know what I’ve always wondered with these two being physically linked as twins, if one dies – perhaps so does the other – Let’s find out!” Medaq teleported immediately to Anata and without missing a beat quickly ran her through with Spark staff.

Anata stopped in her tracks as she looked down to see the tip of the jagged staff protruding from the other side of her chest. The crystalline blade appeared to be dyed red with her life blood. She thought she could hear Arabel screaming her name in the distance but wasn’t sure of anything anymore. Her body felt so numb, so heavy. Before Medaq withdrew the staff he twisted it in her chest then ripped it out, removing some of her entrails with it. He watched with a cold smirk on his face as Anata fell to the ground, lifeless.

“ANATA!” Arabel cried out her name once more before the effects of her death began to wash over him. His body dissolved into convulsions, he shuddered against his restraints and all too soon slumped forward, unmoving.