Bounty by Blood

Chapter 1: Warning signs

Twelve years later...

Kalpesh, one of the largest and most admired planets in the west quadrant, admired for its memorizing shades of cyan that swirled together to make the most desirable colours to eyes that took it in. Life that was full of balance and prosperity. unheard of were killings for riches and sins of desire, the Kelp had all they could need on this massive planet, their blue seas much like their hair and multitude of vegetation much like their traditions.

However what once was beautiful, now only a memory, perhaps even a myth to many a newer generation.

Poverty, misery and slavery were only a small dose of the poison that flowed into the planets bloodstream, from the fangs of the alliance with Frieze's army, the remaining sayajin warriors twelve years ago when the agreement to share resources was reached, the people of Kalpesh had given much more then they could have possible wish for in return.

The deadly venom spread slowly at first, taking away the people's ability to find employment thus their livelihood would be ravaged, as would be families of their personal possessions.
As time passed the venoms potency grew stronger and struck down hard, young women began disappearing for days from the very doorsteps of the family home, some as young as ten, those that returned were never again the same stripped of all hope and desire to live.

And finally the deadly toxin struck down the supports, the societies freedom was cast away with shackles and lash, made into slaves for the sayajins every needs, growing produce and a mining empire. Young women used for their satisfaction and men made into soldiers for frontal attacks, to die on the battlefield during the takeover of neighbouring planets and systems.

In a darkened cavern beneath a large water pipe that supplied the palaces water, close by the landing station where ships came in to deliver cargo, a woman hurried around her daily works, her clothes tattered and crusty with absorbed dirt and blood. She is a slave, only kept alive this long due her intelligence, yes she had high intelligence and could work in many different fields and technologies from simple farm chores to armature decoding.

"Mommie when can we go home today, I am tired" the little girl pouts, stopping she flips over the wooden bucket in her hand, utilising it as a seat she watched the mother continue to scrub the overhead pipes with a large thick bristled brush." Soon darling but yesterday we did less work so today we have to make up for it, I told you we would need to so just be patient okay" Sicuro spoke gently as only a mother could to try an minimise a child's frustration.
Kira jumped down harder onto the bucket venting frustration, they had been in this dark damp cavern from the early hours before the sun had a chance to peak though the clouds and now it was approaching dawn.

Heavy clanking boots made their way across the hard ground, their echo reached the ceiling as they came closer, Kira jumped off the upturned bucket and slipping her arm under the handle, holding it close.

Sicuro grasped Kira's arm and dragging her around behind her and out of view, continuing working as shadows began forming on the opposite wall, the fuel powered portable lamp beside her rattled as the heavy leather boots came into view.

"You, how long have you been here." the tall broad soldiers demanded, pointing his index finger in her direction, Sicuro looked up from her chore to a large sayajin warrior, his frighteningly high stature make her knees go weak.

On either side of him stood two much shorter Sayajins, each held a well carved ivory spear in their right hands.
She stopped her work setting aside the bucked and brush, turning her body into their direction.

"Since dawn my lord, our shift will be concluded within the hour" Sicuro muttered as she looked to the ground, the Kelp were not permitted to look into the eyes of their overseers.

"Our shift?" the sayajin questioned, slightly taken back because he saw no other in the cavern besides the woman, then a slight movement by her legs caught his attention.
Kira was curious and edges her head out from behind her mothers matted shirt to observe the tall overseer.
Nappa placed his hands to his hips looked at the two Sayajins that accompanied him.

"I see, well then". Nappa kneeled down onto one knee eyeing Kira, smirking as she retreated behind her mother.
Nappa held out his massive hand curling back his finger at Kira as she again showed her face.

"Come here child," he said in an odd gentleness.
For seconds Kira did not move, then she looked up to her mother 'what do I do mommie' her eyes pleaded, She was afraid.
Sicuro padded her hand on Kira's back, pushing her gently forward.

Kira understood, placing the bucket down and releasing her grip on her mother, she very slowly edged toward Nappa. He grew impatient.
"I SAID come HERE Girl" he growled loudly, gesturing with his open hand.
Sicuro watched in deep apprehension, her hands trembling behind her back.

Kira now stood in front of Nappa and watched as he brought his hand up to her chin and with his knuckle he inspected the young girls face and neck, tilting her chin I all directions 'she was a beautiful child'.
"Hmmm, you are a beautiful little girl, that is a good thing, you shall be well taken care of." Nappa stoped his inspection clasping Kira's tiny hand in his, swallowing it amongst his flesh as a sly grin crossed his face, as he came only inches from Kira face.

"Soon" he whispered. Kira was afraid yet curious, 'well taken care of...' she wondered, did that mean they would no longer be slaves, have to beg for food or travel miles for a sparse amount of fresh water that was never clean?
Before leaving Nappa looked to Sicuro, she tried to mask the fear in her face but to no avail, he smirks
"You have permission to leave now, go home rest and care for your ... " he looked at the tiny Kira that stood before him.
"...Lovely daughter" he added, the same sound of his heaving boots again could be herd as he left with the two lower rank soldiers in tow.

When they were out of sight Sicuro ran to Kira hugging her tightly to her chest.
"Are you alright?" she asked on her knees, full of concern she stroked her young daughters hair
"Yes mommie im alright.. but is it true?" Kira asked smiling innocently, leaping up and down her long dark blue hair bobbing.
Sicuro creased her forehead with confusion.
"Is what true Kira?" She asked holding her by the shouldered to stop her from jumping.
"The overseer he said we would be taken car of, we won't be slaves anymore will we mommie?." Kira's childish grin faded as she saw her mother show no enthusiasm to the idea.

Sicuro faked a smile, seeing the innocents in her daughter made her heart shatter, she knew the truth, she stood up placing the smaller of the two rickety wooden buckets into the larger one, then into that some loose rags and thick bristled brush. Clasping Kira's hand, she offered no words for what seems the longest time as they started exiting the cavern headed for home, along a dark trail that all slaves took to reach the holding area.

The planet was like a huge camp there was no where that could call freedom and there was no fence to escape under & no bail to be pain for their free will.
At twelve years of age Kira had only known this, the misery of whet their once beautiful reason for living has become, being a strong race with high procreation they were the perfect choice for slave labour, there were always a new batch of slaves every few years.
Those that had served their purpose were soon done away with one way or another.
Sicuro was lucky to have lasted this long

"Mommie?" Sicuro looks to Kira as they walk down the through the shabby dying trees, faintly able to see her daughters light blue eyes knowing how they truly looked because they were exactly like her own.

"Yes darling, what is it?" she asked soothingly as they continued to walk their hands still locked." Can you carry me?" she stopped s frown covering her face
" I'm tired" she added
Sicuro could barely manage her daughters weight as she picked her up, their race was a strong one but not one of great stature though the men were noticeably larger, still they could not compete with anything close to the strength and physique of a sayajin.
Sicuro walked on, their quarters now in view she looked down to alert Kira, and Sicuro smiled with amusement for Kira was asleep.

Thankyou for reading... -