Companion

Chapter Five

Hi guys, another two chapters. I'm on a role. Thank you to Moku_Sui for the review :) I don't want to give anything away, so stay tuned to find out if Kara survives ;)

Castis wakes in a containment cell. He tries to think of how he got there. The Chimeran soldiers, they brought him out of stasis. They tried to take him away but he struggled. Because of Kara, they had been going to leave Kara.

"Kara," he says hoarsely, looking around.

"Ah you're awake."

Castis recognizes his voice. He is the Chimeran who knocked him unconscious. He no longer wears a helmet so he can see his face. His braids are streaked with grey and the insignia on his jumpsuit indicates he is a Captain.

"Where is Kara?" Castis demands.

The Chimeran frowns,

"The Liran I presume?" he waits for Castis to nod, "I'm afraid we had to leave him onboard your craft."

A tightness clenches Castis' chest,

"You left him," his voice trembles in anger, "He was wounded, didn't you see? The ship is unstable, if his stasis pod loses power, he'll die."

The Chimeran's gaze is somber,

"I saw his wound," he says, "It was rather extensive. Our scout ship has limited medical equipment. It's doubtful we could have saved your slave's life."

"He's not my slave," Castis shouts, trying his best to hold back tears, "We must go back for him."

"That is impossible," the Chimeran says, "We have almost reached our rendezvous with our flagship, the Jerusha. The Commander wishes to... speak with you."

"Well I won't speak," Castis snarls, "Not unless you turn your ship around and try to save Kara's life."

The Chimeran's face hardens,

"You're in no position to make demands. You are our prisoner. I'm sorry for your... comrade. But there is nothing we could have done for him. My orders are to deliver you to the Jerusha. Whether you decide to talk or not is up to you."

A sense of despair washes over Castis. He must do something, anything to convince the Chimeran Kara's life is worth saving.

"Data chip," he cries, before he can even think the idea through, "I implanted Kara with a data chip."

The Chimeran, in the process of leaving the room altogether, stops and turns.

"What kind of data?"

"Data I had to wipe from the main systems. Sensitive military information, schematics."

"Schematics for what?"

Castis presses his lips into a firm line,

"I won't say. Not until you plot a new course."

"You could be bluffing," the Chimeran says, "Besides, I presume all the information's in your head."

Castis moves closer to the edge of the cell,

"If Kara dies," he says lowly with emphasis, “I will never tell you."

"If you don't," the Chimeran matches his tone, "The Commander will have you tortured."

"By then," Castis replies, "It will be far too late for you."

"What do you mean?" the Chimeran demands.

Castis eyes him coldly,

"Save Kara. Or your Empire will burn."

What follows is a tense silence, broken by radio transmission.

"Captain, we're in range of the Jerusha."

The Chimeran stares at Castis for what seems like an eternity before he responds,

"Initiate docking procedure. I'll prep the prisoner."

"You'll regret this," Castis whispers, as the Chimeran enters the cell to cuff his hands.