Part 28
Harper had never run straight into a brick wall before, at least from memory he never recalled doing so, but he was currently feeling like that was exactly what he had done. Standing behind Dani, as she tucked into some overly rich food, Harper had never felt so insecure, so humiliated, and so shamed in all of his life.
Harper however still thanked the divine for small mercies, as he focused on the floor of the mess deck, at least none of his family had lived to see this day, and he then remembered back to the horrific moment when both his mother and father were cut down before him, and for what? For his freedom, to protect him, and save him for this, from slavery and the shame overpowered his feelings once again.
Feeling a nudge, Harper suddenly became aware of Charlie, the slave that stood beside him.
"Take her plate," Charlie prompted, Harper then realised that Dani had finished her main course, and that he had been told about the five second rule, that all finished plates must leave the table promptly, and within five seconds of finishing.
It was bad enough having a slave tell him what to do, even worse to know he was relying on that slave to ensure he survived the night without making too many mistakes.
No one had seemed to notice that it had taken him a little while longer to collect Dani's plate, as he quickly scooped it off the table, and he purposely ignored Dani as he took it away towards the galley.
"Hey, slave," a voice bellowed, as Harper dumped the plate in the sink, where another slave was assigned washing duty.
Harper turned towards the uber, knowing it was him that they were calling and he bit his lip not to return a sarcastic comment.
"Refill my glass, kludge," the uber now ordered.
Harper walked over to the uber's table, all the while his mind buzzed with what he'd like to refill the glass with, but he had to resist his more natural inclinations. Then as he reached for the glass, the uber suddenly grabbed Harper's wrist, and held his hand down firmly against the table top. It took all of Harper's will power not to react to the move, and he remembered Charlie's advice, 'humour them, that's our main job' he had said, after Dani had introduced him to Charlie, and had asked Charlie to show him the ropes.
The table was silent to the ubers actions, and Harper remained calm. There had been an awkward pause, as if the uber was awaiting the room's attention before proceeding with whatever he had planned. Harper noticed that the head table, where Dani and Yussuf were sat, had finally noticed that something was happening, and Harper could see Dani's concern as he glanced over.
"You're new here," the uber finally spoke, and Harper simply nodded in agreement, knowing that to talk was forbidden. The uber now stood up, and pushed Harper back as he walked forward, he grabbed hold of Harper and positioned him in the middle of the room and Harper could feel that all eyes were on him now.
"You're not exactly blessed in many departments are you?" the uber sneered as he roughly looked Harper over. "Too small, too slight, too pale," he listed, as he continued to poke and prod the human, like a piece of meat. The uber then glanced at the data port but quickly dismissed it, to Harper's surprise, remembering Yussuf's interest.
"Hit me," the uber instructed.
Harper looked at the uber, trying not to show confusion but only succeeding in doing so, and he made no attempt to follow orders.
"Are you deaf as well as stupid?" the uber demanded loudly. "I said hit me," The uber sneered. "You don't honestly think you can hurt me, do you?" he goaded.
Harper nervously looked at Charlie, who simply nodded his head to signify that he should comply with the uber's instruction. With a slight hesitation, Harper drew his fist back, then briefly closed his eyes, remembering his shame, remembering how his parents had died in front of him, feeding on that anger, he drew his hand back in a fist and lashed out at the uber before him, cleanly connecting with the uber's jaw.
The pain was immense in his knuckles, and Harper quickly held his hand, wondering briefly if the ubers jaw was made of lead. To his credit though, the uber's head had moved swiftly to the right on impact, and he had managed to at least move the uber, but it wasn't enough to do much more then leave a light bruise, if he was lucky.
The uber brought his hand up to his chin and rubbed it for a moment, looking upon Harper with a strange glint in his eye. "You make up for your weaknesses with an inner rage, you surprise me," the uber finally spoke.
Harper felt uneasy suddenly, still unsure why the uber had asked for him to hit him. The uber then grabbed Harper's shoulders and spun him around, so Harper was now stood in front of him and facing the people in the room.
"I'll take the new one," the uber then declared, and Harper noticed Dani stand and she looked as thought she was going to speak, but she stopped and remained silent. "So, who challenges?" Malik then asked loudly.
Yussuf got to his feet, with a beaming smile. "Let the after dinner entertainment begin," he declared with joy. "Jacob," he snapped his fingers to a well built slave who stood by the door. "You will challenge Malik."
"I accept the challenge," the uber holding Harper announced, and Harper guessed his uber was called Malik, and that he was in big trouble as he eyed the other slave taking position opposite him.
Suddenly the room became alive with activity, as ubers around them found a place to sit, and soon Harper found that he was in the middle of a makeshift circle, all around him were ubers either sitting or standing, and still opposite him stood fellow slave, Jacob.
"Best of three rounds," Malik announced and urged Harper forward, before he found his own place to observe from.
It all become clear to Harper now, that this was some sort of sick entertainment for the ubers, he was expected to fight Jacob, but he wasn't sure to what end. With controlled breaths, Harper observed Jacob and saw intense concentration staring back at him, clearly Jacob fancied his chances. There was no way out, Harper couldn't run and he couldn't hide.
"Let's get this started," Yussuf declared, and the room came alive with cheers and jeers from the gathered crowd.
Around him, Harper could hear the sounds of the tables being cleared, and wished he had that task, rather than this, the guy facing him look as though he was at least five hundred pounds heavier now, and built like a tank, a tank that could penetrate even the most stubborn of buildings. Harper wasn't even convinced the guy was a slave, he didn't seem like he needed to take any crap from anyone, he could easily hold his own and the feeling that he had been set up began to creep into his subconscious.
Jacob was now moving forward with haste, and Harper stayed on his toes, keeping his movements light. Clenching his fists, Harper prepared for the worst, and his eyes never left the stare of Jacob, as they sized each other up.
Suddenly Jacob moved forward, leading with a fist but Harper easily dodged the first attempt, and to Jacob's obvious surprise Harper managed to land a punch to Jacobs stomach. The larger man winced slightly and Harper kicked at the back of Jacob's knee, causing the slave to stagger. Gaining in confidence Harper continued his attack, having managed to manoeuvre behind Jacob, and he now landed punches to Jacob's ribs and side.
Over confidence however led to Harper being blindsided by a reverse attack, as Jacob brought his hand back, and spun around, catching Harper squarely across the head, and sent him stumbling to the ground. As Harper recovered his senses, he felt himself being lifted up and although he kicked out at Jacob, he felt himself hit the ground again with force, winding him slightly.
His old instinct kicked in, and Harper used his legs to lash out at the larger man, making contact the Jacob's shins. The connection was sweet, and enough to cause the huge guys to momentarily stop, allowing Harper to jump back to his feet and use both hands, locked together, to hit Jacob hard just at the top of his back. Jacob fell forward, losing his senses for the moment, and Harper tripped the larger man, pushing him as well for good measure and watched with satisfaction as Jacob landed on the floor.
"Five seconds down," Malik declared. "My slave wins the first round," the uber declared with joy and Harper couldn't help the brief smile that crossed his face, and he fought to recover his breath. Around him there were some cheers, and a few jeers, and then Harper noticed the money being exchanged between ubers.
Harper took the opportunity to recover his breath, but he was already breathing heavily, and he knew he had another two rounds yet. Doubt began to flood his conscious, as Malik declared the second round to be underway and before Harper could react to the announcement, Jacob had already lashed out at him, catching him squarely across the jaw. Falling to the floor, Harper rolled on impact, but Jacob had the upper hand, and he felt himself being lifted up. Unsure of what happened next, Harper remembered only the floor rushing towards him and the weight of something large crashing down painfully on his back, then his head being pulled up, and soon after a total black out, as unconsciousness took him painfully when his head crashed back down against the hard floor.
Dylan took a moment to adjust to normal space as the Andromeda exited slip stream, and he glanced around at Rhade, who was shutting down the drive before he looked at Rommie.
"Where are we?" Dylan asked.
"We're in a sector of space known as the Gallent Region, nearby we have the planet Oracle, and this planet is a known supporter of our friend, Yussuf," Rommie said a touch too brightly.
"Let me guess, our trail ends here?" Dylan sighed.
"It does, the south side of the planet is where the trail actually ends," Rommie informed him.
"I have completed a rudimentary scan, I am detecting a large settlement in that area, but I am also detecting defence shields, similar to a prison facility," Trance spoke up with concern, she then paused. "I am picking up a weak homing signal, and it seems to be Beka's," she then added with some hope.
"Any sign of Harper?" Dylan asked.
"None," Trance responded. "Not even a flicker, but that could mean many things, the area is dense with electronic fields, he could be in an area where his signal is cancelled out."
"Or," Dylan stated. "He might not be on that planet at all, there are two of Yussuf's ships that we still haven't accounted for, so it's quite possible that they split Harper and Beka up," he reasoned. "Any sign of Yussuf?"
"I can't detect any, but that doesn't mean he isn't here," Trance admitted.
Dylan took a deep breath. "I want confirmation on what you believe is Beka's life signs, we will then begin planning her safe return to this ship," Dylan stressed.
"Dylan," Rhade spoke up. "If that is a prison facility on the planet, then that won't be easy."
"Who said it would be?" Dylan said tiredly.
"Further scans reveal three parameter fences, Dylan," Trance spoke up, as he console flashed up more details.
"This is definitely not going to be easy," Dylan frowned.
Rhade glanced over to Dylan. "Do you think we might find out information about the other two ships down there?"
Dylan didn't appear confident. "Probably not, we know that Yussuf keeps a very tight ship as it is, so why would a prison facility need to know his movements?" Dylan glanced around the ship. "This could be another distraction, we can't be sure," he then offered, and turned to Rhade. "Rhade, I want you to take the Maru, and I want you to head back to Yussuf's base, the planet where you first picked up Dani," Dylan ordered. "I need to know if one, he is there, and two, if Harper is there, I suspect that if there is information available, that would be a good place to start."
"Sir," Rhade accepted his orders, but it was clear he had wanted to stay to help Beka, if she was indeed on the planet before them.
"I'll take Rommie down to the planet, don't worry, we will bring Beka home," Dylan further confirmed and Rhade nodded his head, before leaving the command deck to follow his orders.
The room was dark and musty, and it was obvious that the sunlight hadn't graced this room for a long while. Beka Valentine walked slowly around, and took in the occupants, all of whom ignored her whilst she observed them. They were in deep discussion, pouring over pieces of paper laid out on the table before them. Colin moved beside Beka, and he glanced at her reaction before speaking.
"Soon," Colin announced, to get Beka's attention. "Soon Yussuf will be toppled, and a new leader will take control."
Beka raised her eyebrows to the declaration. "Seriously?" she asked.
"Word reaches us that there are actions already in place for this to happen, and it's not a dream, it's not a maybe, its going to happen," Colin stated assuredly.
"Ok," Beka accepted, and crossed her arms. "Just don't try and convince me that it's going to be you and your friends that will overthrow Yussuf," Beka half smiled.
Colin grinned in reaction, to Beka's relief. "Not us, no," he continued to smile. "But we are preparing, the moment Yussuf loses control, this camp will be liberated, and we're talking days now, not years," Colin stressed. "These people, most of them have forgotten themselves, they do not know outside of this camp, so we are preparing."
"Preparing for what exactly?" Beka had to ask.
"To help them, to make them understand what has happened, and that Yussuf is no longer the boss," Colin explained.
Beka considered the information. "These people, they don't seem to want change, they seem content with life as it is."
"And that is why we're here," Colin gestured to his crew. "We are loyal to the uprising, but we understand that contentment is our biggest enemy," he said with passion.
"So you plan to dictate how these people should be thinking?" Beka tried to understand.
"Not dictate," Colin corrected. "Guide, we will guide these people to understand what is happening around them, the changes that will take place."
"And who exactly are you to do this, to take on this position?" Beka asked.
"We are people who are sick of what we have been forced to accept," Colin responded.
"I can relate to that," Beka agreed. "And I've only been here a day."
"So, I've shown you a bit about myself, what is your story?" Colin asked once again. "Maybe you can tell me whilst I treat you to dinner?"
Beka stared at the people still going over the papers, before she looked at Colin. "I'd like that," Beka finally confirmed, and if these people were not crazy, she realised that they could be her only remaining hope inside the camp.
Yussuf watched with some satisfaction as they carried the kludge from the room, but he also couldn't help but notice Dani moving to follow. He waited a moment to check that she was in fact going after the kludge, before he called after her.
"Dani, you will remain here," Yussuf declared. "I wish to talk to you," he gestured to a side room.
Dani stopped and immediately turned to him, and although she may have looked like she had wanted to protest, she didn't, and duly followed Yussuf into the side room.
"You are too weak," Yussuf declared.
"Sir?" Dani checked unsure.
"Your slave," Yussuf declared. "He shows no promise, he is not an ideal candidate, and I seriously think that I need to review my original decision," he stated abruptly.
Dani moved forward. "Give it time, please, that's all I ask."
"Why?" Yussuf asked calmly.
Dani considered the question with care. "Because it would make me happy," she stated.
"You know that's all I want," Yussuf agreed, and he moved closer to Dani, brushing her hair back behind her ear. "But you deserve better, you deserve a slave who can follow orders, who you can be proud off."
"I am as new to this as my slave is," Dani explained. "Please let me learn the ropes of my position by breaking this slave."
"You know I took a great risk in giving you a more notable position in my pride," Yussuf explained. "I do not want to become a laughing stock, and tonight your slave, and your lack of attention in preparing him, well it was almost enough that I nearly demanded you leave the table."
"I'm sorry that I caused you such embarrassment," Dani lowered her head.
Yussuf lifted her chin, so she would look at him. "You are not my slave any longer, and you are the first slave I have come across who has risen to a position of power within a pride, and I know that is with thanks to me," Yussuf stressed. "I have done so much for you, so much, Dani, and when you were taken, it made me realise how important you are to me," he stated with care, as he stared into her eyes.
"I understand, sir," Dani accepted, although she wasn't sure how to really react to his words.
"I know you will have problems with the adjustment, to go from being a kludge, to my personal slave, and now to having a position of power within my pride," Yussuf gestured. "It is why I allowed you to take this kludge as a slave because I realised it would be a personal thing, being your first slave, and I saw what his people did to you, and maybe that was why I was a little shocked to see you hadn't done the same to him, as your slave he should expect it, and you shouldn't disappoint, but you did, Dani, you disappointed me," Yussuf explained now with his voice growing colder. "I now wonder how personal things are between you."
"I don't understand," Dani said, a little concerned now but trying to not let it show.
"Dani, you best start treating him like a slave, or you will make me the biggest laughing stock that there has ever been, do you understand me? Never before has a slave been promoted, enough to have their own slave," Yussuf's voice now rose. "You failed to punish him for leaving your plate unattended, and you took no action with Malik claimed your slave as his, for the fight, Dani, you must start to take your new role seriously or you will find yourself being a simple slave once again."
"Sir," Dani simply said.
Suddenly her head snapped to the side as Yussuf struck her hard across the cheek, drawing blood with the impact. "Damn it, Dani!" he yelled with anger. "You are supposed to a part of the Yussuf pride now, and you are referring to me as if you were a slave?" he questioned harshly. "You insult me, Dani; I have given you more than I ever should have. I have made you 'a somebody' in this pride and this is how you repay me?"
"I will try harder," Dani explained uneasily.
"And try harder you will!" He raged. "I don't think you realise the position you are putting me in Dani, the fact you were so easily taken by the Commonwealth was bad enough, but this as well?" Yussuf exclaimed. "When you asked for the kludge as your choice of slave, I was ecstatic, I thought that maybe you were taking your promotion seriously, but now, let's just say thin ice, Dani."
"I have taken this chance seriously," Dani now pleaded, and she held Yussuf's arms now. "Yussuf," Dani spoke his name with a cautious air. "I appreciate everything you have done, and continue to do, but I'm not like you, and haven't you always said my best quality was my ability to befriend even the most hostile creature?" she hinted.
"Go on," Yussuf encouraged, a little brighter now and wondering what Dani had up her sleeve.
"My slave, his name is Shay," Dani explained. "When I first met him on board that ship he treated me like crap," she offered with disgust, and now paced before Yussuf. "He called me names, treated me badly, and I was just a dirty scummy slave in his eyes, but I won him over, and won him over enough that now," she looked at Yussuf and took a deep breath. "Now he can't get enough of me and look at what I have done to him, he's now my slave, a stupid scummy slave," Dani stressed. "I do things my way, Yussuf, and I'm only sorry that it's not your way."
Yussuf stared at Dani and for the first time since she had returned he saw 'his' Dani staring back at him. "You truly have outsmarted yourself this time, that is positively evil, and this is why I love you so."
"I learnt from the best," Dani smiled, returning his feelings with a brief kiss on the cheek.
"So are you telling me that this kludge, this thing, this vile creature, that he may have feelings for you?" Yussuf asked with interest. Dani shrugged, and didn't answer. "Well, maybe I will discover this myself; I may get a few of my people to test this kludge's reactions."
"Please don't take him away from me," Dani quickly returned. "He's the perfect slave for me, haven't I convinced you of this yet?" Dani asked, almost pleading.
"Oh you've convinced me," Yussuf returned. "In fact, it all seems so deliciously perfect, that I wonder how I could have thought otherwise."
"Then why talk of taking him from me?" Dani asked with confusion.
"You are leaving soon to take on your next mission, and you will travel alone as it's only a small mission, one day maximum, and you leave in five hours," Yussuf explained.
"So soon?" Dani questioned, taken aback by the suddenness.
Yussuf simply nodded his head. "I need you to report to Malik, he has the information you will require and then you will sleep."
Dani looked at Yussuf, he was still unaware that she no longer had her supposed brain injury, and still believed that anything he told her would be forgotten for a time after some sleep. She wasn't going to tell him otherwise, and she nodded her head towards Yussuf. "I understand," she accepted and left the room.
When she returned to her quarters, Dani saw that she had a different temporary slave awaiting her, he appeared well trained, and she was reminded of Harper's earlier incident, figuring he was still in the infirmary. She hurried to her room, knowing that she could not go and check on Harper, at least not unless she wanted Yussuf on her case again. Dani locked the door immediately, and once she was convinced that she had total privacy, she couldn't hold her emotions any longer as the tears fell.
"What have I done?" she stressed to herself, clutching her pillow as she cried.
TBC