They were given Atmosphere Converters, because the Triceratons' air was toxic to them, and their arms were bound in large metal cuffs behind their back. They were pulled from the shuttle and led down a long corridor to what Leonardo assumed was the commanding officer's office. A highly decorated Triceraton stood and walked around his desk to study the four Turtles. "I am Commander Mozar of the Triceraton army. Which one of you is the inventor?"
"I am," Donatello answered meekly. "My name's Donatello."
Mozar looked down at Donnie, "You will be taken to where you can build the transmat device. Any and all supplies will be provided for you. When you finish with one you will be moved to a new location to work on another. You will continue to work until your freedom is bought." He grabbed the genus Turtle's face, "If you try anything, your friends here will suffer for it. Do you understand?"
Donnie nodded trying his best to hold back tears.
Mozar moved to stand in front of Leo, "You will be placed in the mess to serve my men. You will continue to do so until your freedom is bought." He then moved to stand in front of Raph, "You will be put in The Pits. You look strong enough, maybe you will go far. You will fight until you can buy your freedom." Finally he moved to stand in front of Mikey. He placed his hand under Mikey's chin and forced him to look up. "You're cute," Mozar smiled. "You will go to my personal bed chambers and stay there until your freedom is bought."
Mikey's eyes widened and Raph lunged toward the commander, "You won't touch him again!"
Mozar's hand came down hard on the side of Raph's face sending the emerald Turtle to the ground. "You are now slaves of the Triceraton Republic," Mozar growled. "Learn your place quickly or suffer." From the glazed over look in Raph's eyes, Leo wasn't sure that Mozar's words were heard.
Mozar looked up at his soldiers, "Take them."
"No!" Mikey screamed, coming out of his shock the second there were hands on him. He kicked and screamed as he was pulled out of the room and down the hall. Raph, Leo and Don were led down the other direction and were soon pulled down different halls.
As soon as Donnie left Leo's sight he could hear the panicked begging from his lover, "Please. I can't be alone. I don't want to be alone." Soon he was screaming as his fears overcame him and it pained Leo that there was nothing that he could do for any of them.
Leo was led through a series of halls and he could smell his destination before he could see it. The mess hall was surprisingly clean and well-kept and so was the kitchen. The Triceraton who Leo assumed was the head cook just frowned down at him then pointed him to a sink of dishes.
Leo's cuffs were removed and he got to work scrubbing. He worked for hours cleaning dishes as they were handed to him. The food actually smelt good and he glanced over to see large quantities of it in rather large pots that he knew he would have to clean later.
He actually finished with what was in the sink so he turned around and simply stood there waiting for further instruction. The head cook noticed this then smiled, "Come eat before you serve."
This was surprising to Leo given that he was expecting to be fed the leftover scraps after all the soldiers were fed. The head cook indicated a seat and Leo sat down at the table then helped himself to the food spread out in front of him. The rest of the cooking staff ate and joked while Leo listened and planned.
After everyone was finished, the table was cleared and plates were placed in the sink. Leo started to wash them but he was pulled away. "That can wait," the head cook told him. "Wash your hands and get ready to serve the troops."
Leo nodded and cleaned himself off then walked over to the head cook. "They've heard of you by now," the head cook told him. "Don't fight them," he warned. "I'll tend to whatever injuries you sustain."
A lump filled Leo throat as he contemplated those words, "What are you implying."
A sorrowful smile spread across the head cooks face, "You got the short end of the stick when it came to your placement. I just hope that the one assigned to The Pits is a good fighter and cares enough for you to earn your freedom." He tilted his head to the door leading to the mess hall, "Until then, you serve the soldiers, slave."
Leo was handed a platter of food and sent out with the rest of the serving staff to place the food on the tables. Hungry eyes were on him and he knew that they were not hungry for food. He became light headed with fear as he placed the platter on the table, and he fought the urge to panic.
He couldn't stop the sob that escaped him as a hand came up and grabbed his wrist. The need to get away overwhelmed him and he pulled against the vice like grip. He looked around for help and his eyes fell on the head cook who only looked away and retreated back into the confines of his kitchen. Leo continued to look around to see the rest of the serving staff submitting to the desires of the Triceraton army.
The ship had several mess halls throughout, but today, this one was busier than usual due to the new slave. One hundred soldiers were allowed into the hall usually meant to hold only eighty, before the guards outside had to turn more away. Fortunately most were there for the spectacle while few were there for the sport.
A total of ten had their way with him before guards came in to clear them out. Leo simply lay on the table where they left him as they filtered out of the room. His clothes lay torn on the ground. His throat and his rear hurt and he wanted nothing more at that moment than to die.
The head cook came out of the kitchen and lifted Leo off the table and carried him back to a small room. He was placed on a cot and cleaned off before being covered up with a soft blanket. "The first day is always the worst," the head cook patted his shoulder. "You did better than most of the others on their first day. I'm sorry." He got up and left. As soon as the door was shut, Leo let himself cry.
….
Raphael was guided down a hall and could hear Donnie's cries of panic. He felt lost as he thought about Mikey's fate. A door slid open and he stepped out of the building. The ground was smooth rock and when he looked up he saw stars through a dome. Triceratons were going about their business. Some did not look like soldiers, but common citizens. He looked around and wondered just how big this place was.
"What is this place?" Raph asked.
"What do you mean?" one of his guides replied.
"It looks like a city," Raph said in awe.
"We have more than just soldiers here on the Asteroid Ship," the Triceraton replied. "There are workers of all kinds here and their families." They passed children playing in the streets. They looked up to see the strange creature being escorted through the city.
They turned and entered a large building that was practically empty of people. They walked down several flights of stairs then down a long hall of doors too close together for the rooms to be more than a few square feet. At the end of the hall was another door that they entered without knocking.
"This one's for you," the guard announced as soon as the Triceraton behind the desk looked up.
He walked over and looked at Raph, "He looks strong. We'll see how long he lasts here." He walked over to a cabinet and removed a thick metal collar then walked back over to Raph. "Don't move," he warned, "unless you wish to die."
Raph froze and the collar was placed around his neck. The Triceraton pushed a button on it and it came to life. He felt it move against his neck, pushing up against his skin, but he did not move. When it stopped moving, Raph thought that it was done and relaxed a little. Then pain seared through his neck as four thin needles pierced his flesh and imbedded themselves. He though that after a moment they would retract, but they stayed there. He looked up at the Triceraton in confusion.
"Training collar," he explained. "If you had moved, you would have risked a needle piercing a major artery or damaging your spine. The needles will stay where they are and are flexible enough that you will be able to turn your head." He picked up what looked like a remote control from his desk, "If you misbehave…." He pressed a button on the controller and a wave of pain filled Raph body. "You will be punished." He looked up at the guards, "Take him to number twelve."
Raph didn't realize that he had fallen to his knees until there were hands under his arms pulling him up. He was dragged back down the hall and thrust into one of the small rooms. The cuffs were removed before the door was shut, locking him inside. A small cot, a small sink and something that Raph assumed to be a toilet were all that were in the small windowless room. He sank down onto the hard mattress, dumbstruck by all that had happened.
He had no way of knowing how long he had sat there before a tray of food was slid under his door. The smell of it reminded him that he hadn't eaten in a while and he ate without really tasting it. When he was done, he cleaned himself off at the sink then sat back down on the bed.
He had dozed off for a while and woke when he heard the door open. "Everyone out," the Triceraton ordered.
Raph stepped out of his cell into the hall and saw several other strange looking creatures. They all had collars on just like his and they looked at him like they were measuring him up. They walked through another hall that curved with doors along the inside curve. One by one the creatures were directed to enter through the doors. Raph was directed to one and he stepped through into a room with weapons and a gated wall that looked out in to an arena. He looked around at all the blunted weapons lining the walls and selected a pair that looked similar to nightsticks. He sat down on the bench that faced the gate and waited.
He could hear the cheers of the crowd above as they waited for the combatants to emerge. Two gates opened and the creatures inside stepped into the arena to fight. He could see the lack of true skill in them, but he could also tell that they have been at it for a while. They fought until one fell and did not get back up. The winner would limp away while the loser was dragged. After a few bouts Raph cage opened and without hesitation he stepped out.
Even though he had only a year of training, his skill was greater than his opponent's and the fight was over quickly. So much so that when he reached his room the gate was closed and a second opponent entered the arena. He noticed that it was a combatant that had already gone. Raph figured that it was a process of elimination until one remained.
The second one was a little harder to beat, but only because he had a long staff and it was hard for Raph to get close. In the end though, Raph won. He turned to look at his room and saw that the gate was open so he walked over and sat down.
He fought a total of six times, each opponent a little harder than the last, and beat them all. When the final fight was done he was declared the victor and the crowds cheered.
When the spectators were gone the combatants walked first to a mass shower then to a room where they were looked over by doctors. After their checkup, they were then taken back to their rooms. A Triceraton came by and handed Raph eleven tokens.
"What are these for?" Raph asked looking down at the small oval shaped metal coins.
"You earn them for winning. One for each victory five for the overall win," the Triceraton replied. "You can trade them in for items or extra food. You will be given a list on the day you can redeem them. Or you can save them and hope to buy your freedom."
"Oh," Raph tucked them under his pillow.
Before he shut the door the Triceraton looked at Raph, "I doubt you'll be staying in The Pit very long."
"What makes you say that?" Raph snorted.
"You've got skill," the Triceraton answered. "You'll probably move up to The Fighters soon."
"Is that good?"
"Pays more?" the Triceraton answered then left.
Raph laid on his cot and started to doze. He was woken when the Triceraton opened his door, "Want to make fifty extra tokens?"
"How?" Raph asked sitting up.
"Some spectators like to have sex with the victors," the Triceraton answered flatly. "It cost one hundred tokens and you get half."
"So I'm a fighter and a whore?" Raph grunted.
"The whore part's optional." The Triceraton shrugged, "Fifty tokens. Take it or leave it?"
Raph sat and thought about it for a moment then sighed, "Take it."
…..
Mikey was pulled crying from the building and dragged kicking and screaming through the streets. By the time they reached the living quarters of Commander Mozar, Mikey's throat was sore and his voice horse. The front door opened to reveal a female Triceraton, "My husband had you bring this?" she sighed.
"Yes, Ma'am," the soldier answered.
"Take off his cuffs. I'll take him from here," she opened the door all the way. The guard removed Mikey's cuffs and the little Turtle entered the home.
Mikey rubbed his wrists, "When the big guy said that he wanted me for his bed chamber, I thought he wanted me for a sex slave."
"He does," the female answered flatly. "You can call me 'Ma'am'. This way." She headed down a hall and Mikey followed.
"Yes, Ma'am."
They entered an elaborate bedroom with a large bed in the middle of it. It was warmly decorated and surprisingly plush. "You will stay in here," she told him. "You will eat in here, you will sleep in here and you will bathe in that room there." She pointed to a door. "Your bed is that pallet on the floor and you will only be allowed on the master bed when invited. Do you understand?"
Mikey nodded, "Yes, Ma'am." He tilted his head, "Am I for you or your husband?"
"My husband," she answered. "We are an arranged marriage. I've had our children and we will stay together until they are married themselves. I have my own room with my own slave." With that she left the room and Mikey was alone.
He curled up on his pallet like a new pet and started to cry. 'Ma'am' brought him food and drink and after a while came back to retrieve the plates. She strongly suggested that he clean himself before her husband returned from his shift. So not wanting to cause any trouble he entered the small room and bathed.
Commander Mozar entered the room alone and walked up to Mikey, who was simply resting on his pallet. "My wife said that you had to stay in the room did she?" Mozar asked sitting down and removing his boots.
Mikey nodded.
Mozar stood, "Help me out of my clothes." Mikey got up and helped the commander strip to reveal the scars that riddled the large orange body, "You will assist me in dressing and undressing." Mozar then began to remove Mikey's clothes and the small Turtle couldn't help but sob. Once all of his clothes were removed the Triceraton gently caressed Mikey's cheek, "Get on the bed."
Mikey openly cried as he climbed onto the plush bed and laid on his back. Mozar climbed up after him then ran his hand down Mikey's plastron. "You are male, are you not?" Mozar asked looking Mikey over.
Mikey nodded while tears continued to stream down his cheeks.
Mozar shushed him, "I will be gentle." He ran his hands up Mikey's legs and Mikey's instinctively closed them and kept his tail tucked up tight. "Or I could be rough," Mozar growled. "That's up to you."
Mikey whimpered and parted his legs. He wished he hadn't eaten so much before, because now his stomach was threatening to empty itself. Mozar found his tail, "Is this your penis?" He gently pulled on it and Mikey let him pull it down. "No. It's your tail. Where's you penis?"
Mikey swallowed hard, "It's behind my shell."
"How do I get to it?" Mozar grumbled.
"You have to reach up and get it," Mikey trembled. "But I don't think I will be able to get an erection right now anyway."
Mozar reached up, but his hand was too big to fit, "This is problematic." He examined Mikey further then grunted in frustration. "You will go to the physician tomorrow," he decided. "They will figure this out." He went back to Mikey's tail, "For now, I will make do with what I do have access to."
Michelangelo couldn't help but cry as Mozar's tongue began to lick his opening. Not wanting to damage his new plaything, Mozar went slowly and made sure that Mikey was prepped. "Touch me," Mozar husked and Mikey looked over to see the throbbing member of the commander.
Tentatively Mikey reached down and started to stroke Mozar's erection. "That's good," Mozar hummed. "It's been too long since I've had a sex slave."
"What happened to your last one?" Mikey asked.
"Her freedom was bought by her mate," Mozar answered then sat up. "And, yes, that means that your freedom can be bought too. But, that all depends on how well the big one does in The Pit and if he is even willing to pay for your freedom over his own. By our slave laws I had to assign one to be able to earn your freedom, but it will not be easy for him."
"He will," Mikey's lip quivered. "I know it."
"Until then," Mozar pulled himself on top of Mikey, "you're mine." Mikey fought back a yelp when Mozar thrust up. Slowly the Triceraton commander pushed in deeper until he was fully sheathed. Mercifully he waited for Mikey to adjust before he began to move in slow even strokes. Mikey cried the whole time Mozar was in him and continued to cry after he was finished.
He stayed on the bed and cried long after Mozar had left the room and only got up when Mozar's wife shooed him off. "You keep crying like that and I'll have you beaten," she warned. "I won't have you keeping me up all night." She placed his food on the floor, "I may be in another room, but your weeping carries."
Mikey curled up in his little pallet on the floor and tried his best to stay quiet and sleep.
….
As soon as the door shut, Donatello went in to a state of shock. He found a dark corner and sat with his legs tucked up to his chest and his arms wrapped around them. He hated being alone. He rocked back and forth as he sang songs that his mother used to sing to him when he would have his fits.
His mind raced with possibilities and none of them were good. Every scenario ran through his mind only to be repeated again and again. He buried his face in his knees and continued to rock and sing. The defining silence was getting on his nerves.
His fingers played with his pant leg while he tried not to think about what was happening to the others. He wanted Leo. He wanted someone he knew with him. Panic stared to set in and his eyes darted around the room. They were watching him, he knew it.
The room was full of equipment. Maybe if he gave them what they wanted, then they would let him out or they will kill him. His body began to shake as his mind started to run through contradicting desires. He knew they would punish him or the others if he didn't work, but feared that once they got what they wanted they would all be killed.
He looked at the equipment and took stock of everything. He didn't have all that he needed to build what they wanted. "I need more stuff," he yelled clinging to the wall. "This isn't enough."
The door opened and a smaller Triceraton walked in. "Make a list of what you need using the tablet there," he said pointing to a rectangular device on the floor. Donnie had to fight with himself to get his body to move and pick it up.
"I'm not well," Donnie choked out as his body twitched. "I don't like being alone." He dropped the tablet and crumpled to the ground to lie in a fetal position on the floor. "I can't be alone," he sobbed. "I need one of them with me."
…..
Commander Mozar was pulled away from his new plaything to see the supposed genius having a mental breakdown. He was sitting and rocking in the corner of the room talking to no one. He would occasionally get up and start to tinker with some things then walk back to the corner to sit and rock.
"What is wrong with him?" Mozar snarled.
"Apparently he cannot handle being alone," another Triceraton answered.
Mozar looked down at the reports of the other two slaves, "It looks as though the big one is a better fighter than The Pit deserves. Move him up to The Fighters and have him stay in the room with our mental case here and see if that helps him cope. Bring him to me first."
"Yes, Commander," the Triceraton soldier saluted.
…..
Raph's cell door opened and a soldier stood looking down at him, "You have earned a promotion to The Fighters."
Raph sighed as he reached under his pillow and grabbed the pouch full of his tokens. He followed the soldier out of the building and back through the city streets. He was surprised to see that he was taken back to the building that they had started out in and soon found himself back in Mozar's office.
The commander looked up from his desk, "Congratulations on your promotion. The higher the fighting ring the more tokens you will earn for winning."
"You mean these," Raph held up his small bag.
"You can buy your freedom with those," Mozar informed him. "It will take twenty five thousand to buy your freedom alone. If you want to free all four of your kind you will need one hundred thousand."
"Don't they earn their own tokens?"
Mozar shook his head, "Only fighters earn tokens and only one from each group can be a fighter."
Raph looked down at the bag in his hand, "This is going to take me a while then."
"Not if you make it to The Champion," Mozar told him. Mozar held up one finger and lifted others as he listed, "The Pit, The Fighters, The Warriors, finally The Champions. You make it through the ranks, and you will earn your freedom and the freedoms of your friends in no time."
"It's all on me?" Raph asked as his heart sank. "I'm not the best fighter in the group."
Mozar shrugged, "I'm legally obligated to let you know the terms. What you do with it is up to you."
"Alright," Raph nodded. "You brought me here to tell me this? Why didn't you just send a messenger?"
"There is more," Mozar nodded. "It seems your genius friend cannot handle being alone and is having a breakdown." Raph simply waited for Mozar to continue. "You will stay with him and be escorted to The Fighters stadium and back every day."
"Leo's his boyfriend," Raph pointed out. "He will do better with him."
Mozar shook his head, "Leo is popular in the mess."
"All he does is serve food."
Mozar chuckled and shook his head, "He serves the troops, but not just food."
Raph's breathing became heavy, "Please tell me you're not implying that he's being raped." Leo wasn't his favorite Turtle, but Raph still considered him a friend. Mozar nodded and Raph's eyes burned, "Then the first one I will free is Leo."
"It's your tokens," Mozar shrugged. "Until then, you will keep Donatello happy while he builds the transmat device." He walked around the desk to stand in front of Raph, "I'll make you a deal. Your friend finishes the device and you buy your freedoms, then I will use the transmat to send you all home."
"I'll make it to The Campion and buy our freedom," Raph swore.
"Good luck with that," Mozar sneered. He looked up at the guard, "Take him."
Raph was led to where Donnie was being held. The poor guy was sitting in the corner rocking and crying. Raph walked up to him and placed a hand on Donnie's knee and Donnie jumped.
Honey colored eyes looked up and searched Raph's face, "Are you really here?" Donnie's hand came up and rested on Raph's plastron. "You are here." His whole body shook as he threw his arms around Raph, "Don't leave me alone."
Raph held him tight and rubbed his carapace, "I will have to leave to fight, but I will come back every day and stay with you." Raph lifted Donnie's chin so that they were looking in each other's eyes, "I have to fight so that I can buy our freedom and you have to build this thing so we can go home."
"But…," Donnie tried to argue but Raph shushed him.
"It's the best chance we have right now."
"What if they come after Earth?"
"Honeycutt said that it's too far away to be of any consequence to them. Let's just hope that he's right."
Donnie clung desperately to Raph, "If I know you will return to me, I think I can handle a few hours alone."
"If you focus on work, then you won't even know I'm gone," Raph soothed.
"How will you buy our freedom?"
"I earn tokens for winning, and… there are those who pay tokens to sleep with the victor." Raph explained. "After I get what I need to buy our freedom, I will."
"How much do you need for all four of us?"
"One hundred thousand."
"That sounds like a lot."
"With my winnings and… um… the extra thing, I earned sixty one today."
Donnie started to cry.