Part 29

The sun was unrelenting, and Dylan was glad that he was dressed for the harsh terrain. He glanced at Rommie, noting how cool she looked, and envied her android features that allowed her to remain unaffected by conditions on the planet.

"The prison is straight ahead from here," Rommie gestured, and then looked over to a small settlement containing a few ramshackle buildings, one of which appeared to be a bar of some sort. "Maybe the locals could provide us with more information on the camp?" she suggested.

"I was thinking the same, this is definitely a Yussuf stronghold, so we might not get an accurate picture but there's no harm in asking," Dylan agreed and they made their way over to the wooden building.

On entering all talk stopped, as the locals took in the two strangers, and with suspicion. Dylan was more than use to the reaction and with Rommie; they took it in their stride as they approached the bar and ordered two drinks. Still the locals stared at them, before the bar tender finally spoke.

"We don't get many visitors, what is your business here?" the man asked, a portly gentleman with wild white hair.

Dylan glanced at Rommie before speaking. "We are passing through this sector, needed to pick up some supplies, so what is this place?" he calmly asked. "And is that some sort of prison to the south? We don't want to walk anywhere where we're not supposed to, you know?" he spoke, adding a touch of ignorance to his tone.

"You would do well to avoid that area altogether, unless you want to cross Yussuf," he answered and then looked at them closely. "You don't want to cross Yussuf do you?" the bar keep asked suspiciously.

Dylan narrowed his eyes to the question; it seemed more of a hint than a question with the tone that the man had used. "Why do you ask?" Dylan had to respond.

"We're just hearing rumblings, like you do," the portly man answered. "I think something is going to happen soon, and the likes of you seem to be showing up a lot lately, something is going to happen, right?"

"Not that we know of," Dylan admitted. "But you say more like us?" he questioned with interest.

"Renegades, trouble makers, seen a few pass this way over the past week," the bar keep stated.

"I thought you said you didn't get many visitors," Rommie now spoke up.

The bar keeper eyed Rommie with suspicion now. "We don't, not usually, but something is going down," he repeated once more. "And those that have passed through have all asked about the prison, like you did," he added.

"Tell us about the prison," Rommie now leaned on the bar.

The bar keeper looked uncomfortable, as he tried not to look at Rommie, but obviously enjoying the view she displayed, and in his distraction he began to talk. "Its high security, we understand that it's just that, a security prison, folk inside, they have done little wrong but be associated with those who have wronged," he explained awkwardly. "Yussuf, he calls them his security, to ensure others work for him, by keeping loved ones locked up in that prison, as security," he stammered the explanation.

Dylan nodded towards Rommie, they had heard enough and they gave the bar keep more money than the drinks were worth, before leaving the bar and their drinks untouched.

"That could explain why only Beka is in the camp," Dylan spoke first as they walked away from the bar.

"You think that Yussuf is making Harper work for him, and has Beka as security to ensure that he does?" Rommie figured.

"It seems logical, and could also mean that Yussuf is unaware of how much Dani means to Harper," he shrugged.

"Or maybe Yussuf's feelings for Dani makes it a non-issue," Rommie countered.

"They said the people inside the camp have done nothing wrong except be associated with those who are involved with Yussuf, how many people are we talking about here?" Dylan asked.

"Over fifteen hundred people live inside the camp," Rommie answered.

"This has to stop," Dylan now seethed. "Innocent people can not be held like this, so how has Yussuf got away with this for so long?" he stressed.

"Because he's been allowed to, there has been no authority that has been able to stop him," Rommie replied.

"This," Dylan gestured. "Is why we can not fail in rebuilding the Commonwealth, whatever it takes," he said with determination, as they continued to walk in a southerly direction.

Rhade had evaded the planetary sensors once again, and the Maru had landed in a location where it wouldn't be found unless someone specifically looked for it. He had been walking for nearly two hours, and finally his destination was in sight, the city where Yussuf's operations were based.

The Maru sensors had detected that Yussuf had only arrived back an hour or so before he had landed, and the two ships that had escaped the Andromeda were now in dock, with all personnel on them now transferred to Yussuf's palace in the hills that overlooked the city. Rhade glanced over to them, seeing them clearly and knowing it would take a lot of skill to infiltrate that fortress.

The first part of his mission was complete, he had confirmed a visual on Yussuf, and had sent it back to the Andromeda before landing the Maru. Now, he had to get a confirmed sighting on Harper, and maybe Dani, he wasn't entirely sure how important the latter would be, he would have to make that call if the time came.

Yussuf's ships had reported that they held no prisoners, which didn't bode well for Rhade's investigations. There were no other ships however than Harper could have been on, unless he was back at the camp that Dylan and Rommie were currently investigating. However, Rhade conceded that they might be a number of reasons why Harper's name had not been registered. One, it was Yussuf's ships, and if anyone could ignore protocol on issuing paperwork then the known tyrant of the system was a fair bet in being able to do that, and two, maybe Harper wasn't a prisoner, and the thoughts that supported that made Rhade's stomach churn.

Rhade knew that he was yet to fully understand and appreciate the annoying human who was a part of the Andromeda crew. He respected the kids skills, who couldn't, the guy had single handily kept both the Andromeda and Maru functioning, and was able to pull off a number of ridiculous stunts to ensure the ships continued running. It was the person he had trouble with, so far, the Nietzschean had only succeeded in sharing the guys jokes, and trying to understand his humour, sometimes rising to the baits with a few remarks of his own and he would admit that he enjoyed the banter, Harper rarely knew when to shut up and the exchanges would often become very silly, not something, as a Nietzschean, Rhade was able to participate in often, but with Harper he didn't seem to care who he bantered with so long as he came out with the funniest comebacks and usually, Rhade conceded, he did.

Rhade now scanned the market square, remembering how this whole mess had all started here and he was careful to stay out of sight. He was wearing clothes that fitted in with his surroundings, and were different to his normal attire and a hat came down, covering the majority of his face. Rhade knew he had to locate someone who worked with Yussuf, and he also knew that that in itself didn't guarantee information, and he hated to admire Yussuf for his ability to keep things close, but it made seeking information all the more harder.

"Hey, mister," a voice caught Rhade's attention; it wasn't aimed at him, but a burly man that had been walking ahead of him. "Ever considered the fight program?"

"Get out of my face, do I look like I need that crap?" the burly man huffed and walked away.

The kid that had asked the question saw Rhade had noticed the exchange and took it as showing interest. "What about you?"

"I'm new in town, what is it?" Rhade asked and the kid gestured to the Nietzschean to follow him to a quieter part of the street.

"The fight program, it's basically about entertainment," the kid explained. "Yussuf, he loves to see hand to hand combat, real hard stuff, and no protection just back to basics fight to the death if it comes to that," he stressed. "As you can imagine, we go through our fair share of fighters, so we're always looking for new challengers, any creed, race or background, no questions asked, you just fight for your life, provide some entertainment and if you win, you are rewarded."

Rhade considered the information. "Does Yussuf attend these fights?"

"Every single one, and he brings his own fighters sometimes, he has enough flunkies around him to pick and chose opponents on slow nights, but he always ensures a fight happens," the kid stated firmly.

Rhade frowned, knowing it would be a good way in and he fancied his chances against any opponent. He knew he would almost probably be recognised for his efforts, but felt it was a worthwhile risk, seeing no other way to get close to Yussuf or finding out his plans, maybe if Yussuf was a betting man, he could appeal to that side of Yussuf's nature?

"Sign me up, sounds like fun," Rhade finally agreed, and planted his thumb print on the pad the kid quickly produced.

"Be back here for seven, there's a fight night tonight and you'll be on the bill," The kid smiled. "How should we promote you?"

Rhade thought about the question, and decided he had nothing to hide. "Just call me Rhade," he answered, at least if it did go all wrong, the Andromeda crew would have some reference to his whereabouts.

Dani needed to leave her room now, having arrived back a few hours earlier at the palace where she had reacquainted herself with her even grander quarters. She had realised that she was achieving nothing by worrying about things that hadn't happened yet or fearing what might be, but on walking towards the exit she was surprised to see her temporary slave still on duty.

"Isn't Shay, I mean my slave back yet?" Dani asked, and the slave simply shook his head. "William, Will, it's me Dani, remember me? You can talk to me, so tell me what's going on."

Will offered a brief smile, glad for her words. "We miss you Dani, why did you take that promotion, you're one of us, not one of them," he stated.

"Tell me what you know about Seamus Harper," Dani spoke dismissively.

"I was just told to be here until further notice, I know nothing about any Harper," Will shrugged. "I was told that as soon as someone else turned up, I'd be relieved but no one has come back yet, so I guess I stay here till they do," Will offered. "What happened to your slave?"

"He got into a fight at dinner, was taken to the infirmary on the ship," Dani explained. "But it's been over three hours now, how bad could he be?" Dani asked with concern. Will couldn't answer and just shrugged by return. "I need to go and see Malik," Dani simply gestured and Will moved ahead of her to open the door.

"It's an honour to serve you Dani, even though you're one of us, you're something we can aspire to now," Will gushed as he eagerly gestured her through the open doorway.

Dani simply smiled, knowing that she was the exception, a unique commodity. It was only because Yussuf loved her that she was in this position, and if it wasn't for the fact her lineage was that of a kludge, Dani knew that she'd be much more in his life, and she was grateful for her background preventing such a scenario. As it was, this was the most Yussuf could offer her and it took some getting use to, but she appreciated it just the same.

"Dani," Will whispered, knowing it wasn't right for him to talk but he felt comfortable in the knowledge that Dani wouldn't beat him. "This isn't the quickest route to Malik's office," he pointed out.

"I know," Dani answered. "I need to check medical first, see that Shay is ok."

"Shay, that's your slave, right?" Will checked. "He's the new guy, the one who ate the knuckle sandwich at dinner?" He added with realisation to make sure.

"Yes," Dani responded. "I'm one of you at heart remember, so I need to know that he's ok, it's my fault he found himself in that fight, I could have stopped it but I didn't, I forgot who I was and the power I had and now he's badly hurt because of me," Dani explained with worry clear in her voice.

"You care about him?" Will realised.

"Of course I do," Dani partly snapped. "Why shouldn't I, just because he's a slave?" she questioned.

"No," Will quickly back tracked. "It's just, well, we all get dragged into that fight thing at some point, yourself included, it's just the way it goes," he offered bluntly. "Why are you so cut up about what happened to the new blood?"

Dani didn't respond immediately, Will was right to be confused by her reactions, and she knew she was probably showing too much concern for there not to be questions asked. "I just didn't warn him, ok?" Dani offered as an explanation.

"Ah," Will said, to indicate that it made more sense now. "So, you feel you didn't prepare him for the crap his life is now?"

"Something like that," Dani agreed with a sigh.

"I don't like him," Will then announced, as they continued to walk.

"Why not?" Dani asked. "And don't you think you should get to know him first, before making such a sweeping statement?" she argued.

"He seems to be a liability, I hate liabilities, always ends up with everyone being punished for his mistakes," Will offered. "And I don't know, I got the impression at dinner that he doesn't think he's one of us, I bet he's one of those," he hinted.

Dani had to bite her tongue, that was exactly what she had called him after they had first met, and she knew for a fact that he was 'one of those', a kludge who hated slaves, and she was concerned now, a kid like Will had detected this already in Seamus, if he had, how many others had also sensed it? Suddenly what had seemed a good plan at the time had rapidly become a nightmare.

Reaching the medical area, Dani stepped inside and glanced around. The first thing she noticed was the empty cots.

"Where's my slave?" Dani questioned.

"Earth kludge, data port?" the doctor responded, and Dani nodded her head. "He's been discharged already."

"To who?" Dani demanded. "He's my slave."

"Yussuf took him and I wasn't going to argue," the doctor stressed, and returned to his work.

Dani found that she was breathing quicker now as her brain figured out the new information. Why had Yussuf taken Harper, and where had they gone?

"We should go and see Malik," Will suggested, seeing Dani distracted by what she had heard.

"Yeah," Dani answered, although the last thing she wanted to do now was leave the palace to go on a stupid mission, she wanted to find out what Yussuf was up to. Was this a test; was she to demand her slave back? Any other Nietzschean on board would react like that to their slave being taken by another without word.

Dani looked at Will. "I need to see Yussuf first, you don't have to come with me," she stated, knowing that most slaves didn't enjoy the prospect of being in Yussuf's company.

"I'll be ok, I won't let you go in alone," Will stated. "We stick together."

"I'm not one of you now, I'll be ok," Dani assured him but Will made it clear that he was not going to leave.

Dani reached Yussuf's offices and took a deep breath as she stepped inside, and she immediately saw Yussuf sat on one of the plush couches that he loved so much.

"Dani, Malik has informed me that you have so far failed to show up for your information," Yussuf declared.

"Where is my slave?" Dani immediately demanded.

"You have one stood right by your side, Dani," Yussuf arrogantly answered, gesturing to Will.

"You know that he is not my assigned slave," Dani argued.

Yussuf got to his feet, and appeared amused by the exchange. "Oh you mean the kludge that you're training?" he said knowingly.

"Where is he?" Dani demanded. "I'm assuming you took him to test me?"

"In part, yes," Yussuf agreed. "And on this occasion you haven't failed me, but your kludge is not here."

"Well, where is he?" Dani asked, losing patience.

"On a mission, we needed a key so I thought I'd give him a try," Yussuf offered calmly.

"On a mission?" Dani questioned. "He's my slave, Yussuf, what am I suppose to do?"

"You won't miss him, he'll be back by the time you are, now run along and get on with your own mission," Yussuf arrogantly gestured, leaving Dani little choice but to comply.

"He better be back before me," Dani stated, and didn't wait for Yussuf's reaction as she quickly left the room.

Behind her Yussuf simply smiled, it had pleased him that Dani had been brave enough to confront him about her slave, he had grown concerned by her state of mind in her new position on board, but she seemed to be accepting it more now. He walked to the far door and entered the room, and he saw the sleeping form of the kludge she had wanted to see. Roughly, Yussuf pulled him upright and forced his eyelids up, confirming that the kludge was still unconscious.

Picking Harper up now, Yussuf carried him over his shoulder and stepped onto his private docking bay. Gesturing to one of his guards, he handed Harper without care over to him.

"Put him in a cell onboard, and secure him," Yussuf ordered. "When he wakes I want him cleansed and his wounds treated, and then prepare him for the mission."

"Sir," the guard returned.

"We have to be quick on this one, I don't want to miss tonight's entertainment," Yussuf declared, as he walked onto his ship.

"Sir," another man saluted the Nietzschean leader.

"Is Johnson on board?" Yussuf asked.

"He is sir," the man returned.

"Great," Yussuf declared with less enthusiasm. "That man is a bore, but I guess I have to tolerate such imbeciles in my line of work."

The man in front of him attempted to suppress a smirk. "Shall I tell Johnson that you are on board?"

"And ruin all my fun? No let him wait, I want to speak to my crack commando team, I need to brief them about a new tool I have acquired for them," Yussuf gestured to the unconscious human another guard was carrying towards the cells.

The man nodded his head, and disappeared above decks. Leaving Yussuf to settle into his own offices and await departure.

Dani listened to the information Malik was telling her, this mission involved her receiving information, rather than sharing. She was relieved by this, as it meant that she would only be away for a day, if that. Although to follow procedure, they still would insist that she slept before departing, thinking that when she awoke, she wouldn't remember that the mission was so short, and would carry the hesitate vibe into the mission, making her appear more vulnerable and less suspect.

Malik had finished his briefing but instead of requesting that she slept, he instead seemed as though he wanted to speak some more and he soon did.

"How much for your slave?" Malik asked. "I could exchange, or offer you what I think is appropriate compensation."

"He's not for sale," Dani stated and stood up.

"He's a good fighter, I could do well by him," Malik persisted.

"So good that he lost that fight at dinner?" Dani questioned, trying to deflect the overweight Nietzschean from his interest in Harper.

"Unfortunate," Malik dismissed. "He was obviously distracted, untrained, lacking in match fitness," he offered. "I could train that out of him, build him up, fix that breathing problem he seems to have," he gestured. "The kludge could be a surprise and I want to be the one who has him in my camp."

"I'm sorry, but I still owe him for what his people did to me, he's mine until I say so," Dani insisted, finding her feet in her new role and knowing a large part of her job now was to convince people that she couldn't be walked all over.

"Dani," Malik now stood up, his bulk was nearly twice the size of Dani as he stood before her. "You may think you're on a level with normal pride members, but to me you'll always be the slave girl, and the weakness in Yussuf's armour."

"Fact remains the slave is mine," Dani insisted, although her voice sounded weaker now, as she stared back at Malik.

"Is that so, then do tell me why you have a temporary slave in place right now?" Malik asked.

"My slave is assisting Yussuf on a mission," Dani answered, and her fears resurfaced.

"Is he now, a kludge is assisting Yussuf?" Malik frowned and then sighed. "Another kludge is working his way into Yussuf's pride now? You know I'm beginning to think this hatred that Yussuf supposedly has for kludges is just a smokescreen," he bitterly smiled.

"That data port," Dani shrugged. "It's of use to him."

"That is a surprisingly bonus to the kludge, and I had noticed that," Malik agreed casually, almost arrogantly. "But its of no interest to me, I just want to train him up and set him loose in the ring, I know some drugs that would enhance that inner rage he has so well," he spoke with passion.

Dani couldn't believe the guys nerve, but suppressed her reactions. "If I change my mind, I will give you first option," Dani offered as a compromise, she just wanted to leave now.

Malik only returned the most sinister of smiles, as if playing along. "Oh, that would be nice, thank you, first choice," he simply said in a voice that sent a chill down Dani's spine.

Dani made to leave the room but Malik soon stopped her. "Are you forgetting something?" he gestured as he moved close to her. "With Yussuf on another mission, I've been left to do the honours."

Dani tried not to show her confusion, and it occurred to her that in the past she didn't recall how she found herself on the missions that she did, it was as if she never remembered that part. When Malik produced a syringe, she suddenly realised why as the world around her fell into darkness.

TBC