TO LOSE YOUR SELF WORTH AND HONOUR
Location somewhere in the galaxy, chained up in a pitch black room on board the Iron Year science vessel.
What is self worth? Is it a feeling? Is it what makes you, you? I wish I knew right now. I'd give anything to know what it really stands for. I'd give anything not to be asking myself this question. I just can't get it out of head it keeps repeating over and over again. It's horrible that I know the only reason I'm asking it is because…" Because I feel weak and unsure of myself right know. Even afraid I don't know where I am or how I got here. I'm just in this room this cold horrible room, where my feet touch the ground but I can't sit. The chains holding my arms back are keeping me standing solid and they hurt like hell. They keep my arms outwards so I can't move.
I can still recall what happened! I can still see the look on Leo and Julia's face! Those bastards! They betrayed Jeuki and me! I don't even know where Jeuki is! They've taken him somewhere. Somewhere else on board this sodding science vessel! Iron Year they should've called it the Iron prison because that's what this place is a prison! This isn't even honourable! I've been chained up and they stripped me off all my armour! All I have is my material top and hanging cloth that Jeuki made for me! They even took away my sandals! They'd steal a warriors armour shows just how dishonourable they are, they couldn't even give me a good death. Instead I'm here to be punished.
Punished for something I refused to do, no doubt that was not helping Oran with his ship, which he stole from the honourable dead. I'll kill Julia and Leo! I swear if I ever get out of this dark room and get my armour back I'll kill them both! I'll turn their skulls in to a pair of trophies and I'll put them on my trophy wall. I can't believe I trusted them I am so stupid! This is what I get for returning to my old world, to become no more than a chained prisoner! I'd rather die than be forced to endure this humiliation. It's so dishonourable! I am going to get out of this! If I have to kill every marine on this ship that gets in my way then so be it! Emma yanked on the heavy chains again trying to push her self forward. She struggled harder feeling the pinch of the chains against her wrists. She lowered her head ignoring the tears of pain that started to trickle down her cheeks. She pulled back as the light beamed through as what looked like a door was opened in front of her.
She closed her eyes as a huge lamp slowly came on. She left her gaze wander as three shadows moved in to the room. She found herself pulling back as Lexington's face appeared in the lamp light. He grinned widely. "Aw crying are we? How sweet I didn't know a bitch like you could cry." He laughed slightly. "Crying over your ugly faced hump buddy?" Emma pulled back on the chains. "Where's Jeuki?" Lexington smirked. "Why do you need to know? Need your daily dose of alien screwing?" Emma felt her teeth grind together. "Where's Jeuki!" Lexington sighed aloud. "Ah you are infuriating!" He slammed his hand down on the button near by watching as the chains began to pull tighter. Emma self a shearing pain as her arms where pulled she felt her hand form tight fists. She found herself half crying out in pain, she watched Lexington stand up walking towards her. He grinned evilly. "Those chains are wonderful aren't they? Prime built their actuality for holding down crates on cargo ships, immensely strong."
He put a hand on one of the tightened chains. "Made from the strongest version of human steel to date." He slowly met her gaze. "Why if I was to tighten them anymore it would dislocate both your shoulders." He put a hand under Emma chin. "And believe you and me if I was to put just a little more pressure on them. Well you're arms would be ripped clean off from your body." Emma grinned trying to ignore the pain in her back and shoulders. "Fascinating I'll remember that so when I get out of here…I can pin the chain end to your dick and rip it off." Lexington slammed his fist in to the woman's stomach ignoring her scream of pain. "Shut up your cocky little bitch! I was told that somewhere in that perverted mind of yours are the codes to the hunter vessel."
Emma looked up slightly. "Well you keep looking send me a memo when you find them." Lexington slammed his backhand across her face he watched a spray of red blood fly through her teeth. "Don't push your luck Emma Wingates! I'm in no mood for games!" Emma turned tasting blood in her mouth she turned spitting it in his face. "Screw you!" Lexington slammed out his hand yanking the bone chain free from her neck. "Did your ugly faced boyfriend give you this? Such a sweet gift a rack of bones on a piece of string." He wiped the blood of his face. "You seem to like trophies, well so do I. I'm going to take this off you since it's something you hold dear to your heart." He looked at the bone necklace putting it over his head "I'll keep this with me always to remind me that I was the one who took down the alien humping bitch who was later killed by my hands." He moved closer. "Mark my words I am going to kill you Emma Wingates! But not yet, as soon as you cough up the information Oran wants I'll end your life."
Emma felt the blood trickle down her chin. She slowly narrowed her gaze. "Please don't try to sound clever… As if you have any idea what a trophy really is or what it means! Taking something from another person something you didn't earn…makes it stealing." She gritted her teeth. "Pray I never get free Lexington. Because I will kill you and I'll probably really enjoy doing it." Lexington grunted in annoyance. "Do you like pain Emma Wingates?! Because I can make your suffering so horribly that you'll want to die. And you will be begging for me to end your life." Emma laughed slightly despite her pain. "Me…beg to you…I wouldn't give you the satisfaction." She grinned widely. "I don't beg to anyone. Let alone anyone who's is utterly stupid." She laughed again. "Seriously I've seen animals… smarter than you Lexington." Lexington sneered he leaned over picking up the electric prod. "Another fun device gives a painful shock which is enhanced by your chains." He turned the button on watching the electricity move between the coiled points. "It's just with in human tolerance."
He jammed it in to Emma's side he grinned as she screamed in pain. "So what are those codes?" He pulled the device away turning the volts up. "You see the higher I turn this up the more chance you stand of having a heart attack." Emma screamed as the device was jabbed in to the lower stomach. She could feel her body shaking from the force. Lexington pulled the device away watching Emma breath painfully. "Come on you know those codes, tell me them." Emma coughed painfully she looked up slowly trying to speak. "I'll…I'll tell you the codes." Lexington leaned forward till her was close to her mouth. "Go on." Emma coughed again. "The code…the code…is go screw yourself." Lexington pulled back he slammed the device in to her lower stomach ignoring her cry of pain. "Annoying bitch!" He pulled the device away watching her shake from the aftershock. "You will tell me those codes!" He turned of the device throwing it on table near by then grabbed a long carving knife. "You'll tell me them now!" Emma looked up trying to stop her self-shaking. "I don't have them… my invisible friend pinched them." She found herself laughing hysterically. "He took them away…far, far away." Lexington growled aloud. "Oh you're funny…real funny!"
He slashed the weapon across her stomach his gaze narrowed as blood began to run down from the flesh wound. "Tell me the codes! Now!" Emma looked at the wound she breathed in deeply trying to take the pain. "Go to hell!" Lexington pulled back the dagger. "You stupid bitch!" He turned as someone moved in to the light. His gaze met Ferns. "What is it? Can't you see I'm busy!" Fern stood up slightly. "Sir we have a problem, all the armour we took off Wingates it's not working anymore." Lexington lowered the dagger eyeing her. "What?" Fern put her hands behind her back. "I mean it's in the other room, and it's all stopped working. We can't even get the spear to work. It appears it only works when it's on her." Lexington dropped the bloody knife on the table. "Watch her! I'm going up to Oran's office to report this. He growled aloud. "Maybe the scientists from the lower unknown sector know how to get it to work." Fern eased up her gun looking at the chained woman. "May I interrogate her sir?" Lexington turned slightly. "I said watch her! That mean's you watch her!" Fern sighed aloud watching as the door closed as the general left. "Fine I'll watch her…"
8
Jeuki tried to keep his eyes open. He had struggling for what felt like ages. All he could make out was blurred shadows moving around him and talking, which he couldn't make out. He'd felt hands moving all over him pulling all his armour off. He found he couldn't move all his limbs felt like stone. They kept injecting him with something as well. He felt something the hands move lifting him up in the blurred shadows moved. He felt horrible it was like he was floating he felt hard ground as he was laid down which was followed by a sharp pain as he was injected with something again. He heard the sounds of a door closing and bolting, and a shield going up. He eased up his clawed hand watching as it came in to focus again. He groaned pulling himself up in to a sitting position putting both clawed hands on his face. His didn't feel good at all he felt weak and tired. He looked up watching as his whole world slowly came back in to focus. Two huge glass walls appeared as he blinked.
He could see shielding rising up around them, the walls behind where solid steel as was the floor. He put a hand to his neck the breathing device was missing. He could still breath though strangely enough. He looked down the sudden sensation of cold hit him his armour normally kept him warm but it was gone. As was his hanging cloth! He was naked! This was horrible! It was bad enough that they'd be dishonourable enough to strip his armour but his clothes that covered his private part as well! He groaned then swung his head around where was Emma? He couldn't see her anywhere he squinted noticing something odd. They're where three pens. He couldn't see who was in the pens because they'd been closed, he could see that these pens where attached to other and to his they also had a tunnel that led between them. The same shielding was around these tunnels, His gaze turned quickly as he got up he looked at the tall glass. It was just glass he pulled back.
He slammed his fist in to the glass only to howl in pain as a spike of electricity from the shield hit his fist. He had to get out of here! He had to find Emma! Those oomans! Those disgusting oomans had betrayed him! He kicked the glass only to feel pain again. He pulled back as part of the shield went down he could see a huge lab full of his races weapons and armour. He could just make out his armour which three ooman scientists where looking at it. His gaze narrowed his gaze who did the other armour belong to? He watched as familiar face appeared in front of the glass. He found himself roaring in anger as Carlos grinned at him. The head ooman scientist smiled. "Welcome to level ninety Jeuki."
Carlos watched as the hunter smashed the glass wall with both fist ignoring the electricity and pain of each blow. He turned to Julia who was grinning. "Turn the speaker on, he understands as so let him talk." He leaned forward watching Julia tap the panel. She was just out of Jeuki's view the shield making her invisible. Carlos breathed in deeply. "There's no way you'll get out of there Jeuki try as you might the others of your clan haven't been successful." Jeuki turned sharply "Others?" Carlos grinned tapping the button. "Yes others, the remainder of your clan." Jeuki watched as the shields moved revealing two very young blood predators and a white haired elder all in there pens. The two naked young bloods clicked their mandibles coming up to the glass of there pens to look at him. While the elder slowly stood up putting a clawed hand on the glass. He felt his gaze wander he remembered them! They where from the other ship! The huge ship had been full of young blood hunters who where no more than teenagers.
He could see there double crests and thin mandibles and underdeveloped faces. As they pawed the glass showing there surprise. The naked elder was ether there trainer or one of the trainers from the ship. He stood quietly assessing the situation; Jeuki pulled back this was disgusting! How could these oomans do this! Treat them like animals! He turned back looking through the glass narrowing his gaze. "Emma where's Emma!" Carlos laughed slightly. "Probably dead by now our marines are no doubt killing her as we speak." Jeuki roared aloud. "Filthy oomans!" Carlos put his hand on the panel. "Jeuki, Jeuki it was inevitable…you know that as well as I do. You see you and her, you're just not natural." He grunted aloud. "You can't love another species, I mean look at you? Your ugly and well she's a human being. A foolish human woman whose misguided and needs to be gotten rid off." He sighed aloud. "Its how things have to be Jeuki." He smiled slightly. "Don't worry I'll make sure the marines bring you her skull when there done."
He pulled back as the huge hunter roared with all his might before hamming against the glass for all he was worth. Julia watched him as he hit the glass. "Shame I thought he'd take that better." Carlos sighed aloud. "Close the shield and open the tunnel he may as well be introduced to the others for a while." Julia ignored the howling as Jeuki carried on pounding. Her hand moved tapping the controls causing all the tunnels to open she watched the shields go up blocking everything from view. "Will Oni Jui be coming down here later?" Carlos moved away slowly. "Yes he'll want to chat to Jeuki, seems they don't like each other so it'll be interesting to study." Jeuki hit the glass. Disgusting little oomans! He'd kill them! He'd kill them all! He loved Emma! He had never loved anything in his life or had anything that had meant so much! Yet they'd taken it away from him! He'd make them suffer! There would be no end to his vengeance! He wouldn't rest until he got out of this pen!
"There is no way out of the pen."
He slammed both fists in to the pen before turning to meet a pair of old eyes. The old hunter clicked his lower right mandible before talking in his races language again. "Don't waste energy young warrior, you need your energy." It seemed so long since he'd heard his own language spoken he turned looking at the nine foot elder. He slowly sat himself down angrily watching as the elder did the same. The two large crested adolescences did the same being quite and still trying to take in the situation and they're new member. The elder looked at him again. "The oomans keep as locked here they open the pens from time to time. So we can talk we have to make the best of our time together." Jeuki tapped his upper left mandible in frustration. The elder eased out a hand. "What's your name warrior?" Jeuki looked at his clawed hands. "Jeuki I'm the third son of Dijon Mi Uri, from the Tosuji clan!" The elder pulled back in surprise. "Your one of us, it's so good to see you young warrior." He pulled up a clawed finger tracing one of the scars. "You've seen glorious battle young warrior and you wear your scars with pride."
He turned as one of the teenagers came closer. "These two young bloods are Adarmi who has the scar on his felt arm and the one with the missing thumb on his left hand is Idosoi. The elder put a hand on his chest. " I am Erisoki I was the second highest elder abroad the young blood ship. My brother was on your ship the elder craft. Jeuki looked down slightly. "The elders are dead your brother died a glorious death. He died with honour like my teacher." Erisoki leaned forward. "Then that is enough that I know that his death was honourable." He looked at the young warrior he was no doubt of high rank and well trained it showed in his posture. Unlike his two young bloods who where still full of growing hormones he was calm and quite. This young Yautja could have been one who was about to choose his path. He heard two had made it to high rank, he knew the outcome of one of there fates, but there had been another. This was no doubt the other.
He was in his prime for one and was older than any young blood from his ship but he was not old enough to be up in higher ranks. He seemed very troubled and hurt as well. He could understand though the young Yautja had had his armour taken away. But he was troubled worse by someone the oomans called Emma. He sat up slightly. "Tell me Jeuki who is Emma?" Jeuki looked up sharply. "Emma is a female ooman." Erisoki heard the young bloods hiss. He turned sharply. "Quite! You will let the older hunter speak he has seen more than you and lived longer!" He flared his mandibles. "You will show him respect!" He watched the youngsters go instantly quite. Erisoki eased put his hand. "Continue." Jeuki felt his hand form a fist. "She helped me, she become my clan and I trained her to hunt! For this the other oomans have condemned her to death!" Erisoki put a hand on his chin watching the two young bloods look at each other in both surprise and horror. "Is the ooman your mate?"
Jeuki looked up slowly. "No but she might have been." Erisoki eased up both hands. "Did you train her to hunt because she became honoured prey?" Jeuki flared his mandibles. "Yes! And I would do it all over again if I had to! She cared more about me than her own race, who have condemned her to death. She is the most honourable ooman alive!" Erisoki put a hand on his chin, in all his years alive he'd never seen anything this strange. He could see in the young hunters eyes that he meant every word. He knew the elder Ioji who had ruled before him would have been angered by this. He was not Ioji though and he believed in firm leadership without punishment like his brother had. Punishment should only be handed out for harsh disrespect. This young warrior had done nothing disrespectful. He had done what his code had said which was when prey becomes honoured it can be trained if the hunter chooses. It was a firm code that had stood for thousands of years. The only complication was that this warrior had wanted the ooman to be his mate.
Jeuki lowered his head as the elder rose. "I know my fate, I know what I've done and it dishonours my clan." Erisoki put a hand on his chin. "I believe the elder before me would agree with you but I don't." He folded his arms. "As a warrior I'm sorry for the loss of your ooman female. I hope she dies a death worthy of any hunter." Erisoki breathed in heavily. "No your wanting to mate with her will be over looked. If honoured prey becomes a great hunter then it's one of us despite its species. My opinion is final Jeuki I've lived to many years to concern myself with little details. The code is what matters to what's felt of this clan. Our honour codes are what bind as. Not our species."
8
Fern poked Emma with her gun. "Stay awake!" Emma half opened one eye. "Go…away." Fern pulled up her gun. "Would you like me to blow a hole in your wound bitch?" Emma sniggered slightly. "By all means…fire away…" Fern watched the woman laugh at her she pulled up her guns hilt. "Don't you laugh at me you stupid little…!"
"Leave!"
Fern turned watching as Eddy walked in through the door. "Did you not hear my orders?" Fern pulled back slightly. "Did Lexington give you permission to take over?" Eddy growled eyeing her. "Yes he did!" Fern grunted aloud. "So what's your form of torture?" Eddy pulled off his jacket. "Well I'm going to get my desserts aren't I Fern!" He pulled up his hand. "I mean she won't have sex with me so I'm going to get what I want before she dies!" Fern pulled back. "I understand sir." She slowly stepped back grinning. "Make her scream." She slammed the door shut locking it. Eddy smiled walking up to Emma he watched as she opened one eye looking at him. "Bastard…" Eddy smiled he slowly pulled up a cloth wiping the blood of her face. He leaned down meeting her gaze. "No …all I ask is one kiss." Emma found herself laughing again. "Oh please I heard what you said…it's nice to know that I'm nothing but an object to you to get what you want!" Eddy eased her face around. "You're wrong." He smiled brushing his fingers down her cheeks. "I want one kiss. I know where your partner is if you kiss me I'll tell you." Emma narrowed her gaze. "You can't be serious! Why should…I trust you…asshole?" Eddy growled aloud. "I am serious! I've never been more serious in my life!" Emma raised an eyebrow. "Why a kiss?"
Eddy grinned. "Because I need to know something..." Emma started laughing again ignoring her pain. "Fine." Eddy leaned forward he gently met her lips kissing gently. He snapped his eye open gently breaking free. "I knew it!" Emma breathed in gently. "Knew what? Oh please just kill me…or do what ever it is that you're going to do!" Eddy slammed his hand down on the panel he watched as the chain tension went full loose causing Emma to hit the floor on her side. Emma groaned that hurt! She tried to get up only to be pulled to her knees by Eddy. The marine slowly unlocked her chains, which fell to the floor. Emma blinked in surprise he wasn't going to harm her? Eddy turned Emma's face around. "You do love him." He shook his head. "I just wanted to know and your kiss was how I could be sure." He grabbed her around the waist pulling her up to her a half standing position. "You should go to him, he's on the lower level it referred to as level ninety. It's not on any maps." He grabbed a syringe of the table injecting it in to her neck quickly. "This will stop the bleeding." Emma breathed in trying to ignore the pain. "Why…why are you helping me?" Eddy smiled slowly easing out one of the wrist weapons with its locked blades along with its counterpart which he'd hidden in side of his jacket. "The general has lost his mind."
He passed her the wrist armour watching her slot it on, which caused it to instantly come to life. "I didn't sigh up here to harm people I sighed up here to help people." He grunted aloud. "If I'd have known what this post involved I wouldn't have taken it. I'm a marine not a murderer and I refuse to join in this disgusting charade any longer." Emma slotted out her wrist blades. "Thank you." Eddy grinned slightly. "No thank you because of you I've learnt something which I didn't realize and it's made me see clearer." He pulled up his gun. "Find him, and be with him Emma. Like you I'm going to disappear as soon as you've escaped. I'll be sure to help Lucy and Marcus on my way out." He ran a hand through her hair. "Just don't forget that I would've loved you just as much as he does." He took a step back. "Your armour is in the other room just knock out Fern and take it. She has a weak right side." He watched as invisibility cloak moved over Emma causing her to disappear. "There's a veneration shaft in the same room, follow that one down till you get to the main ventilation shaft." He grinned slightly. "It's huge you won't miss it plus they'll be maintenance workers all over it and be careful of the lifts." He watched the door bolt move back then open as Emma moved through it. He smirked as he heard a cry of agony from the next room followed by a crash. He slowly blew a kiss. "Go find him Emma."
8
Lucy looked at the chains which where bolted to the cabinet. "Great the last hours of my life I get chained up and locked in this room." Marcus sighed aloud looking at her. "Well I get to spend those last miserable hours with you Lucy." Lucy groaned feeling the pain in her shoulder. "Those two assholes, I can't believe they did this!" Marcus grunted aloud. "Did what, betrayed us? Or are you more annoyed you have to spend those last hours of your life with me." Lucy turned slightly. "The betraying part spending the last hours of my life with you isn't a bad thing." Marcus sighed looking at his chains. "Since we've only got a few hours I want to ask you something?" Lucy pulled on her chains. "Yeah go ahead…I'm not going anywhere." Marcus sat back tugging on his own chains. "Why are you so damn cruel towards everyone? I mean you seem so damn unhappy with yourself." Lucy looked at her bleeding shoulder. "Because no one cares about me, I'm worthless I have one use and that's looking at cells!" She groaned looking at her shoulder. "I mean once I leave these stupid labs at night my dull one women life starts. I don't even have friends! Christ I envy Emma! At least she found where she belonged, something I can't seem to find." She hit head against the cupboard. "All I wanted was something to give my life meaning and I have nothing."
Marcus looked at her. "My god you do have feelings. Leo always told me you where just an evil ice bitch." Lucy found herself half laughing hysterically. "Oh that's funny. I think the true ice bitch is Julia that woman you liked." Marcus snorted aloud. "I can't believe I ever liked her. I imagined dating her hell I was an idiot for believing she was my type." He turned slightly. "You're not worthless you know your best cell scientist I've ever met." Lucy hung her head down slightly. "Oh please you're just being nice because were not going to be alive much longer." Marcus shook his head. "No I'm serious okay I thought you where a bitch but I've always admired your work." Lucy tugged the chains. "I don't know anything about spaceships I envy you." Marcus turned slightly hearing the sound of soft crying. He nudged her leg slightly with his. "Hey come on now don't cry." He nudged her with his body. "Tell me what is that would give meaning to your life?" Lucy looked up feeling the tears run down her face. "I want to travel the galaxy study different life forms."
She lowered her head "I want to visit worlds I don't want to be stuck in this ship I hate this ship, I don't have money or a spaceship and I can't pilot one ether." She growled aloud. "I just wanted to go exploring with someone but I don't even have friends." Marcus shook his head. "Well you know something I'd be up for that." Lucy found herself half laughing through her tears. "Oh please Marcus…" Marcus pulled on his chains. "No I'm serious hell I was wrong about you really wrong. I owe it to you to be a good friend since I ignored you for two years." He looked up. "Mark my words if we get out of here I'll happily take a ship and see the world with you." He grunted aloud. "Believe me when I say this I don't have any friend's ether those who I believed where my friends weren't." He shook his head. "Yet the one person who I ignored is better than those friends who fooled me." He pulled on the chains. "I'm a man of my word." Lucy grinned slightly. "Thank you Marcus for cheering me up."
End of part 12
Silvermoonlight