Across the Universe
Part 10
[All standard disclaimers apply.]
Pidge woke up with a groan. She was lying on a cold metal floor. A quick glance around informed her that the room was empty.
She moved to sit up, using her bound hands to push herself off the floor. The movement made her head swim. She leaned back against a wall. With a sigh, she pressed her temple against the cool metal.
She suddenly opened her eyes. Her helmet was gone. So were her gloves. Thankfully the rest of her armor was intact. She was glad that they left her boots. She didn't look forward to trying to escape barefoot.
She pressed her temple back against the metal wall. She was aware of the ache in her shoulder where she had taken the first shot. But her chest hurt more.
'Note to self. Stop getting shot.'
She chuckled but stopped with a wheeze as it made her chest hurt more. She focused on her breathing, hoping to get the pain to lessen back to a tolerable level. A few moments later, the pain changed into a dull ache.
Pidge glanced around the room. The floor, walls and ceiling appeared to be made of metal. There were no windows. The only feature was a single door with a very narrow window. Too small for her to squeeze through.
There was no obvious means for her to escape.
Of course, she had no idea where she was. On a Galra ship? Imprisoned on a base? Somewhere else in the universe?
There was noise suddenly as the door. Pidge tried to sit up straighter, moving into a crouch. Her injured shoulder screamed in protest but she ignored the pain, keeping her focus on the door.
Suddenly a Galra commander entered the room, flanked by two sentries. "So, you're awake."
"Your powers of observation are truly amazing," she said.
The Galra commander scowled at her. "I'd mind my tongue, if I were you. If you want to keep it."
Pidge glared back but stayed silent.
"Good. You're going to be reasonable." He kept a hand on his blaster as he studied her. "I'm Mowkar, commander of the Legion of Marauders. There are a lot of people interested in you, Paladin."
Pidge kept her expression carefully blank. She had never heard of this Mowkar or his Legion of Marauders. She wondered if it was a self-made title. Was he another leader trying to take advantage of the chaos currently raging in the empire?
"So many offers for you, even without your Lion. However, only a few can be taken seriously. Truly, it comes down to this: do I hand you over to Sendak or to the witch?"
He watched her for a reaction but Pidge still kept her face blank. "No preference? No interest in your fate?"
He laughed as he turned to leave. "Enjoy what's left of your life, Paladin. It won't be long."
The heavy door slammed closed behind him as if sealing her doom.