CHAPTER THREE

THE FATE OF AN UNKNOWN

—

Iason entered the security room, then proceeded to start the protocol of ensuring everything was in order. He steadily navigated his way through the coordinates of the security cameras with the gesture of his hand. His advanced eyes skimmed each display of footage for a brief moment, while he mentally went through the checklist of finding anything suspicious.

When everything appeared to be in working order, he switched to the MSC cameras, locating Luci's in a matter of seconds. He leaned back as he watched her movements. She was sitting on the floor, tracing her fingers idly across the textured ground. It appeared as if she were drawing something, but as there was no marking device, it remained a mystery to him.

Suddenly, as if sensing she was being watched, Luci looked straight into the camera. Her gaze burned a hole deep into Iason, as if somehow she knew he was watching her from within that plastic covered camera.

Was it a coincidence? Iason frowned, scolding himself internally for thinking something so foolish. Of course it was a coincidence, there was no way for her to know that he was on the other side of the security camera - it was impossible.

Luci didn't drop her gaze, still staring intently at the lens behind the plastic coating. Her lips moved as she silently and slowly mouthed the word: Iason

Iason's eyebrows knitted together, while he sat forward and regarded the impossible identification. "Impossible," he murmured, feeling a bit disturbed that she had said his name and seemed to be looking directly at him. Before he could do anything, the screen suddenly glitched, a variety of fuzzy colored bars replacing the crisp image.

Annoyed, Iason began tampering with the feed. After a painfully long twenty seconds, the feed resumed and Luci was nowhere to be found. A sharp sense of panic filled his chest as his eyes skimmed the room.

He jolted as suddenly Luci's face filled the screen, her eyes piercing into the camera. What was she standing on to reach the camera at this height? Again, he grew disturbed as she mouthed his name. How in the world did she know he was in the security room? The feeling deepened as her irises grew darker and darker with each second she stared into the camera. Were her irises changing shape?

A surge of anger filled him as yet again the screen glitched as it malfunctioned. He swiftly attempted the same tactic to repair the feed and it reappeared ten seconds later. When the screen cleared, Luci was sitting on the floor again, but with her back turned to the camera and was idly tracing her finger across the floor as if nothing had happened.

Iason closed down the screen, his mind filtering what had just happened. He opened up another screen, reviewing the footage that had occurred and the security room feed as well to see if it was a bizarre coincidence. He watched as she was placed in the cell, handed off her amenities. Orphe was in the security room at that time, but was not watching the MSC camera for thirty seconds. When he switched it on, he frowned at the sight of the child and brought up the security line.

"Why is there a child in Maximum Security?" he questioned, ignoring the greeting. His eyes skimmed the screen, watching as the child glanced up at the camera and tilted her head.

"It is an order from Lord Mink, Sir."

Orphe paused, watching as the child held his gaze as well. "I see," he uttered, then ended the call before adding bitterly. "Another mongrel…"

Iason smiled, somewhat amused by the fellow Blondie's response riddled with annoyance. He watched as Orphe pulled the MSC screen to the side, then continued his own routine checkup on the electrical functioning. Iason's eyes narrowed, noticing that each time Orphe glanced back at the screen, Luci looked up and met the gaze as if he were watching her in real life. Orphe undoubtedly noticed this as well, judging from his stiffened reactions as he did a few practice glances away.

It was somewhat amusing to see the Blondie so perturbed, but what really got Iason and Orphe was that when he went to close down Luci met his gaze and waved. Orphe then rose, a frown creasing his forehead as he left the room muttering something intelligible. The footage onward showed that no one else, other than droid security, had entered or monitored the room, until he arrived and during that time Luci hadn't glanced at the camera at all. Somehow she knew when she was being watched.

Adding his new curious finding to his collection, he left the security room and headed off to Jupiter's Tower. He would have to request a hearing with her within the next day or so to have this situation sorted out.

—

Riki paced nervously on the balcony, growing increasingly uneasy as the afternoon sun was slowly descending and Iason hadn't returned. When he had woken up, he had searched the penthouse for Luci, but it was just as Iason had said. He gnashed his teeth at the thought of the small child being all alone in the cell, treated like a wild beast that might attack. It reminded him about how he was treated, and he wouldn't wish that on anyone, let alone his own child.

He was debating what to do. If Iason decided that she would be sold off as a pet, he really would kill her and himself. He wasn't going to let his...accidental fortification creation be at the mercy of a Master like Iason or worse. It was his fault that he fucked some rare women, probably high or drunk and now had to suffer the consequences.

The mongrel tossed his finished cigarette over the edge with shaking fingers. He was scared, actually scared of what Iason might do with the child. Heck, right now he could be packaging her up and sending her to a brothel. With Iason there was no telling what he was thinking. He had seemed very generous and approving of the situation, but now he was upset. Riki understood that the unreasonably jealous Blondie would probably be upset knowing that he had mounted another female, but it was irrational. Six years ago he didn't have any connection to Iason. He was still in Ceres with Guy six years ago. Guy and him were probably still fucking six years ago! So why was he so upset that he happened to fuck a female too?

Riki angrily ran his bandaged fingers through his hair, his mind racing. What the hell should he do? He didn't want to do anything rash, but he didn't want his daughter to suffer. The whole situation was a fucked up dilemma! Maybe he was overthinking the whole thing? Maybe Iason would spare her and allow her to stay? But usually pet's children were sold off, they were never kept in the same household after they were mature enough. Would Iason go against the norm and keep her?

Another thought hit him, how would Iason's reputation be further ruined by this? He had warned Iason that if he kept him the name Iason Mink would be tarnished, but with the addition of her how much more would it be tarnished?

Realizing he was driving himself crazy, Riki stomped inside and headed to the door. He'd find Iason himself if the Blondie wasn't coming back! He stepped up to the portal only to find it flashing red with the message of Access Denied. "You've gotta be fucking kidding me!" Riki snarled, landing a kick on the panel and causing it to dent. "Open, you fucker!"

"M—Master Riki, please stop!" Cal pleaded, hesitating to approach the angry pet. He had witnessed and dealt with a few angry Riki moments, but this one was by far the most terrifying. Riki looked ready to kill anything that dared interfere. "Master Riki, stop this instant!"

Riki paused, staring at the smashed panel then slowly up at Cal. "Open the door, Cal."

Cal gulped at the icy tone and look in the mongrel's eyes. "I'm afraid I cannot do that, Riki," he apologized sympathetically.

Riki growled, slamming his fist into the door and then stalked away, back to his room. Iason had already advanced the portal systems the last time he had broken out, so there was no use in attempting again. If the Blondie was gonna make him wait, he wouldn't give him the satisfaction of him running to him and pleading on his knees to spare Luci.

He only hoped that Luci would still be safe by the time Iason returned.

—

Iason entered the last line of the request and then sent it. He leaned back in the chair, awaiting Jupiter's response to his request for a hearing and evaluation of the child. Not that she ever would deny him.

Seconds later a screen popped up:

|Request Accepted|

|Hearing Will Commence Tomorrow at 11 AM|

With that, Iason shut down the system and strode across the room and headed for the tower exit. He had decided that he had let Riki reflect on the severity of his behavior and the situation long enough. He had a feeling that if he stayed away longer, Riki might attempt to break out of the penthouse again or damage some of the artisan pieces throughout the penthouse.

That would not be a pleasant situation to deal with, and he'd rather not have his priceless pieces smashed over Riki's tantrum. Iason entered into the lift that would take him to the main hall. He hoped Riki was behaving better when he returned, as he truly did not enjoy having Riki act this way. But if he did, it was his job as Master to punish him. No matter how much he loved Riki, he had to punish him or else he'd never learn.

The lift reached the bottom and Iason glanced up to see Raoul leaning in the elevator entry. "Raoul," he softly acknowledged, stepping forward. He'd hoped that even Raoul would leave him be, but as the fellow Blondie fell in step with him, he realized he had no such luck.

"Are you going to sell her?" Raoul questioned.

Iason had been debating his action plan in the back of his mind, knowing full well that if he didn't he would again be committing some unspoken taboo. Pet's children were sold as pets to other Elites, and the Masters received the funds from the sale. That was the tradition. "I have not decided as of yet," Iason denied.

"You can't honestly believe that Jupiter will allow you to keep her, Iason?"

"Why would she not?" Iason challenged, not even glancing at Raoul.

"Iason," Raoul affectionately sighed, grasping onto his arm and bringing him to a halt. "You're treading on thin ice as it is, do not make it thinner with this."

Iason smiled softly. "Thank you for your concern, Raoul. But I am aware of my limits and circumstances." He pulled away and strode forward, leaving the mildly worried Blondie behind.

"Iason..."

—

Iason entered the penthouse, immediately noticing that the portal struggled to open and close. He looked back and grimaced at the smashed panel. So Riki had taken his frustration out on the door again? Well, he supposed it was understandable, but still not acceptable.

"Welcome back, Master!" Cal cried, hurrying over to greet him. "I apologize, I did not intervene quick enough to—"

The blonde held up his hand. "It's not your fault, Cal," he assured, stepping forward. "Where is he?"

"Master Riki is in the Master bedroom," Cal revealed.

Iason nodded, then moved down the hallway and soon entered the Master bedroom to find Riki on the bed.

"Iason!" Riki exclaimed, jumping out of the bed and then slowly approaching him.

"Are you ready to behave properly towards me?" Iason demanded, crossing his arms and looking down upon the mongrel.

Riki gnashed his teeth, but nodded. "Pl...please don't sell her as a pet, Iason."

"That's not your decision, pet."

"Iason!" Riki cried, grasping onto the man's tunic and pulling. "You'd really sell something that's half of me?" He hated resorting to this excuse, but he had to convince Iason no matter what. "I...I thought you liked kids? I can't believe you'd..."

Iason calmly grasped onto Riki's hands. "It's not your decision and it's not completely mine," he clarified. "Jupiter has agreed to hold a hearing with me tomorrow. She will decide the fate of Luci."

Riki paled, his chest tightening in fear. "You can't..." he murmured.

"Riki," Iason sighed, pulling the mongrel into his arms. "What do you want me to do?"

"I don't want her to be a pet, Iason!" Riki answered immediately. "And I don't want her to suffer anymore!"

"Do you want to keep her with us?"

Riki paused. "No...maybe..."

"Is that no or yes, pet?"

Riki struggled to answer that, accidentally inquiring his biggest worry. "Will it cause more trouble if she did?"

"Naturally," Iason answered, watching Riki hesitate on his response. It brought him a sense of joy to see Riki so concerned about his reputation and well being. His mongrel was proving just how much he cared for him, by hesitating because of something like this. He slid his fingers through the dark locks affectionately. "But it is nothing I can't deal with."

Riki instantly lightened up, looking into the blue eyes with astonishment. "Really?"

"I am capable of almost anything, pet," Iason reminded. "Allowing her to stay won't be the end of me."

"You're sure?"

"Quite."

Riki mildly wrapped his arms around the Blondie, before giving a half hearted squeeze. He had never willingly hugged Iason before, but he figured he owed him that much as a thank you.

Iason was surprised by the affectionate gesture, a warm feeling filling his chest as he realized he had made his mongrel happy. It seemed like it was so difficult to do, but it was worth it. He kissed the top of the mongrel's head.

"I'm...s...sorry," Riki whispered, as quiet as a mouse.

Iason's advanced hearing picked up on the words and he tilted Riki's chin up so he could plant a kiss upon those beautiful lips. "You are forgiven," he answered, then continued to hold Riki in his arms for a bit longer. He didn't want the blissful moment to end.

—

Luci flopped over on the bed, absentmindedly sketching layouts and designs in the air. Droid security was monitoring the rooms in place of Elites, leaving her to entertain herself. Staring down the Elites was a bit of a pastime, as she could not only sense who was there, but also their emotions - or limited ones present.

The first one, whom she had later identified as Orphe was hilarious. He was nothing short of disturbed by her sensing abilities, much to her amusement.

She had been limited before, due to the shield built into the tank glass. But now that the barriers were gone, she herself was surprised at how sharp they were. All those years of practice to pierce through the shield had definitely empowered her ability.

Luci sighed silently, rolling onto her stomach and tracing the thirteenth floor side room of the laboratory out. There was a large screen that took up the majority of the North wall, stairway, side door and viewing area on the East wall, her tank and the two other ones on the South wall, and equipment room and supply stash on the West wall. In the middle of the room there were two chairs with straps, and then one large examination table and an L shaped supply table.

She knew where everything was in that room, having spent most of her life there. Minus one and a half years. During that time...

Luci shook her head, she didn't want to remember the bits and pieces she could recall. It was like something out of a horror flick, like the occasional one that the wall screens used to broadcast. She pushed the recollections from her mind and continued to trace out the floor layouts.

—

Iason sipped his tea, watching his pet push the food around on his plate with his fork. "Pet, eat the food, not play with it."

Riki sighed, slouching back in his chair. "I wasn't playing."

"What's wrong?"

"I just...nothing, never mind," Riki sighed, stuffing his mouth full of food.

Iason resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "If you don't tell me, I can't help you."

Riki averted his gaze. "Are you really going to let her stay?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I've already told you this, pet. It's because you asked me to," Iason answered honestly.

"I've asked you for freedom a—"

"I will give you whatever I believe will benefit us both," he clarified.

"Asshole," Riki muttered under his breath.

The Blondie reached over, grasping the tanned chin gently. "Do you not recall that it was your decision to come back to me? How can you be asking me for freedom when you returned on your own accord?"

Riki shrugged out of the grasp. "Yeah, yeah, I got it." He stabbed his fork into the pile of mush he had made, chewing down his sorrow of once again having the fact he was forever Iason's waved in his face.

—

Luci stared at the security entering her cell, feeling slightly nervous by the appearance of many. With them was an Elite, one with blue hair - but he was fairly young compared to some of the others. A sapphire doctor? Oh, the feeding tube.

"Secure her," the main guard ordered, motioning for the two others behind him to come forth. They stepped forward, approaching the child as if she were a wild animal. They ruthlessly grabbed onto either of her arms, despite the fact she did not put up any fight. "Proceed."

The blue haired Elite approached, grace within each step. "Do you really need to secure her in such a fashion?" he questioned. "She does not appear to be a threat to you or anyone here." Luci blinked a few times, her nose picking up a scent of the Elite. It was an odd musky scent that had a way of soothing her nerves. It was a very familiar scent that lingered with the cologne. She leaned forward slightly to inhale it more. Noticing her keen sense of smell, the Elite chuckled. He reached out and tapped her nose. "Do you like that scent?" he inquired, then set the box of liquid food syringes down and pulled one out. "Can you unhand her? It's quite difficult to do this with two men in my way."

The leader's eyes narrowed. "I do not advice that, Lord Marquis."

"I am not able to do the task in these circumstances," he protested. "Do you wish for Lord Mink to come and reprimand you?"

All the guards stiffened and finally the leader caved. "Let her go," he agreed. "We'll be outside if you require assistance."

Lord Marquis nodded, watching as the men set the child down and then vanished from the room altogether with the door sliding shut. "Now then," he huffed, turning back to Luci. "What could a child like you have possibly done to deserve being thrown into a Maximum Security Cell, hmmm?"

Luci giggled silently, she quite liked this Elite. He wasn't a hard ass like most of the others. She just shook her head, because she couldn't tell him that she hadn't done anything - except existed, she supposed. Her eyes fell to the floor at that realization.

"Oh dear," the Elite sighed, crouching down in front of her and again tapping her nose. "I've gone and made you sad." He held up the food syringe. "Would this help?"

Luci was never the one to say no to food, now that it was available and able to be given to her by experienced hands. She gave a small nod of approval to the idea.

"I'm going to connect the tube to you, all right?" Lord Marquis explained, reaching out to lift the clothing and touching the implant. He watched as Luci tensed beneath the touch, but was sure to keep his movement's gentle. "There we are. See? Nothing to be afraid of." He gently patted the spot and smiled softly as he eased the syringe forward.

Finally, Luci was revealed that she was receiving some form of nutrients outside of whatever she was previously given. This food looked higher quality and more vitamin enriched that the white goop drained from the holder every three days. She sighed happily, then smiled in thanks to the Elite who had aided her. He reminded her of two people who were close to her, and she missed them dearly.

"Are you a mongrel, by any chance?"

Luci stiffened, worried that if he knew she was, he would be appalled to have been so kind to her. She gave a tentative nod, her eyes again lowering to the floor.

"I am not like most Elites," he assured. "I do not judge when it comes to helping another Human being. It irks me to see the others treat a person of lower standing as if they are not worthy of help."

Relief flooded over the child, thank whatever God was out there that she had this Elite attending to her. If it was any other Sapphire she was sure they'd have traumatized her more. She hated having her stomach area touched, it brought back too many memories she'd rather forget. Luci reached out, landing her pointer finger on the Elite's chest. Name? she mouthed slowly.

"I am Eli Marquis," he answered, finishing the syringe and then disconnecting it softly. "And you are?"

Luci waited until the Elite had set the syringe back into it's disposable wrapping, before reaching out and stretching out his hand. She traced an L, then a U, a C and then an I.

"Luci," Eli smiled. "That is a beautiful name." He straightened up after ensuring everything was sealed off, collecting his items. "I will be back later, Luci. Don't cause any trouble while I'm away, these guys won't hesitate to take a hit or a shot at you."

The child nodded, waving goodbye to her new found guest and then hopped back up on the bed. Now more than ever, she missed her special companions. They had been there for her - against the rules, naturally - since the day of her creation. Oh how she wished for a bit of company instead of these four walls.

—

"Riki?" Iason whispered, spooning closer to his pet. "What's wrong?"

Riki shook his head, but leaned back into Iason. "Nothing..."

"You can tell me," he prompted.

Riki took a deep breath. "What if Jupiter terminates her?"

"Are you worried?"

"How can I not be?" Riki fired back, turning to face the Blondie. "I just found out I have a daughter and now she's gonna—" He stopped himself, horrified he was spilling his fears to Iason. He was doing that too much lately! What the hell was he doing? "Never mind."

Iason smiled. "Oh love," he chuckled. "I daresay you're starting to act like a Father."

Riki froze. "No I'm not," he disagreed. "Anyone would...would be worried about something like this."

"So you are worried?"

Shit, he got me. Riki scowled. "Well, how would you like it if you suddenly had a child and they were at risk of being terminated?"

"I wouldn't enjoy it one bit," Iason confirmed. "But Riki." He turned the mongrel's face to him, capturing his lips in a gentle kiss. "She technically is your child and therefore mine as well by default. And I will not let her be terminated easily. She is..." He paused, knowing Riki would be upset by this. "In Jupiter's eyes, you are my property, and therefore your offspring is my property. And as my property, I have a say in her fate."

Riki scowled darkly. "Property?" he hissed.

Iason silenced him from his ranting with another kiss, this one deeper. "In Jupiter's eyes, I said," he clarified. "You are much more than that to me. How many times must I tell you this before you believe me?"

Again, Riki hardened himself to protect himself from falling further into Iason's snare. There was no way for Iason to ever feel the same way as he did. He was not Human, therefore he would never know this Human emotion - love. "Your beloved pet then," he snarled.

Iason sighed. "Yes, Riki," he answered. "But it's more than that."

"Whatever," Riki growled, turning away. "I don't wanna talk anymore. I'm tired, thanks to you."

"Very well," Iason agreed, wrapping his arms around Riki in a loving embrace. "Good night, Riki."

Riki felt his chest tighten painfully, and he swallowed back a feeling of sadness. He could never let Iason know his feelings, he couldn't act as if those three years of torment hadn't happened. Their relationship wasn't normal - he mustn't forget that.

—TO BE CONTINUED—