The Soroyans filed back onto the Redwing. As they made their way back to their chambers, Kerne spoke to Flacsin and Cian.

"So, how many did you get?"

"Twelve." Flacsin replied.

"Twelve? I got eighteen, and I'd have got that Summoner brat, too, if Master Phiran hadn't cut us off."

"Well, good for you." Flacsin said sullenly.

"What about you, Cian?"

"I don't know. I didn't count."

"Ah, you're just jealous 'cos you didn't get as many as me..." Kerne smiled. She moved a little closer to Cian. "But I can make it up to you if you want..."

"I'm not interested."

Kerne pouted, hands on hips. "What is up with you?"

"Just leave me alone."

Kerne sidled over to Flacsin. "Well, you know how to have fun, don't ya, baby?"

Flacsin stroked her hair. "Don't you know it." He turned to Cian. "Come on, man, lighten up. We're nearly done. Master Phiran's plan is nearly finished, then we'll get our freedom and we'll go and... I dunno. Have fun, or something."

Cian spun around to face them. "Don't you see anything wrong with this?" he cried. "Don't you think that we're getting a rough deal?"

Flacsin frowned. "What are you on about?"

"Who says that Phiran is going to keep up his end of the bargain? What if we just get stuck here forever? What if we're never freed? What then?"

Flacsin shrugged. "I dunno."

"Exactly! No- one does! What if he kills us all as soon as he has what he wants?"

"What does he want? He never told me."

"He never told you, Flacsin, because he knows you have the mental capacity of a five- year- old."

"The what of a five- year- old?"

"Exactly." Cian stormed into his chambers and slammed the door. Phiran was stood in front of him.

"Shit!" Cian swore.

"Precisely. And you, my friend, have landed straight in it." Phiran snorted. "I heard every word. How can you not trust me, Cian? After all I did for you." His eyes narrowed. "Or perhaps you don't think my services are good enough? Perhaps you want me to take them back?"

"No!" Cian cried. He dropped to his knees and kissed the hem of Phiran's long coat. "Please, Master, forgive me. I was merely frustrated that we have been toiling so long and not yet seen the fruit of our labours."

"Cian, Cian, Cian. The plan is almost complete. You saw how close they were to surrender yesterday. The rest is easy." Phiran frowned. "You deserve punishment. You know that, don't you? I should kill you for being so mutinous."

"I most humbly beg your pardon, Master. I am your loyal servant, now and forever."

Phiran stepped over the prostrate form of Cian and opened the door. Flacsin and Kerne had long gone. "Follow me."

Cian got up somewhat ungracefully and followed Phiran as he swept down the corridors. They came to a flight of stairs, the main stairwell in the ship, and Phiran went down, with Cian dutifully following him as a puppy would its master. Down they went, into the very bowels of the ship, until they came to the bottom floor. Most of this floor was taken up by engines, but there were several small rooms along one of them corridors. Taking a bunch of keys from inside his jacket, he opened one of the doors. He motioned for Cian to go inside. "Get in."

Cian slid past Phiran and entered the room nervously. Phiran slammed the door shut. The key clicked in the lock. Cian was in complete darkness. He couldn't even tell how big the room was, although he guessed it was very small.

He guessed right.

Phiran put one ear to the door of Flacsin's room. There were vacuous giggles coming from inside. He guessed Flacsin was with Kerne, atoning for the murderous sins he committed today.

He guessed right.

Phiran knocked on the door. "Flacsin? Flacsin! Get yourself out here now!"

In a matter of seconds, Flacsin was outside. Phiran sighed inwardly with relief. That meant it hadn't been anything serious.

"Flacsin, get Kerne and anyone else you can find and get the entire crew into the Hall. Do you hear me? Everyone must be in the Hall in fifteen minutes." Phiran swept off.

Flacsin poked his head around the door of his room. Kerne was hidden under the bed. He could see her shoes tossed on the floor. He hissed urgently: "Kerne, get yourself dressed. We've got to get everyone in the Hall!"

Kerne poked her head out from under the sheet concealing her presence. "Everyone?"

Flacsin nodded. "Come on, hurry!"

Fourteen minutes later, Cian felt a strange vibration running through the floor. He stood, preparing for whatever was going to happen next. Suddenly, the whole room glowed blue and he felt as if he had been suddenly lifted off the ground. The room faded from view...

/Let me out! Let me out! No, don't.../

Cian blinked, and he was in the Hall. The room was crowded with Soroyans. They had formed a circle around him. He looked around. Phiran was also in the circle, and a slow- looking low- ranked Soroyan.

Phiran addressed the crowd. "This filth, this piece of scum, has betrayed you all. He has mutinied, and incited others to mutiny as well."

Cian shot a glance at Phiran. "You had better kill me now, Phiran."

Phiran laughed. "Kill you now? No, I have an idea that will be much more fun. Take off your clothes."

When Cian hesitated, he shouted. "Take them off!"

Slowly, Cian stripped completely naked, and he stood there, shivering in the cold room, as thousands of eyes watched him unashamedly.

Phiran selected four members of the audience at random. "Hold him down."

Four Soroyans immediately piled on top of Cian, one holding each limb, so Cian was hanging several inches from the ground. Then Phiran turned to the low- ranking Soroyan behind him. "Illtyd, would you do the honours?" Phiran produced a box of matches from inside his coat. Illtyd took one out and struck it against the stone floor.

"What should we burn into his forehead?" Phiran said turning to the circle.

"Bastard!"

"Deserter!"

But it was Kerne who uttered the word that Phiran chose. "Traitor."

"T for Traitor... yes... I think that would work." Phiran mused.

Illtyd held the match to Cian's naked skin. Cian cried out in pain, gritting his teeth as the match-head was pressed into his forehead and he smelt the burning of his own flesh.

When the spectacle was over, Phiran motioned for the Soroyans holding Cian to drop him, and they did. Cian hit the stone floor hard, winding him. He tried to get up, but every time he tried to move it sent a fresh wave of pain searing through his body.

Phiran spoke to the Soroyans who had held Cian, "Take him back down to the cells. Keep on guard there."

The Soroyans nodded and picked Cian up, ignoring his screams of pain.

The crowd filed back to their rooms, discussing what they had just seen.

A/N: Ah, the ol' torture scene. I love writing them, so you might get a few more in this fic. If that's a problem for you, I advise you not to read any further, especially as they may get more perverted. Sometimes I have a really sick mind...

Kuja: I should know...

Jukka: winks at him Aw, come on, you know you like the kinky stuff really...