Part 26
"This is the tenth set of guards we've tracked, Harper," Beka began to complain.
"It's not working, is it?" Harper was forced to concede and they broke off their pursuit and sat down on a stone wall, having spent the best part of two hours following various patrols. "We need to know where that control centre is," he sighed, knowing he owed it to Dylan to find out.
"Someone must know," Beka joined Harper, and sat next to him on the wall. When Harper didn't respond with any suggestions, she glanced at him and caught Harper holding his neck, with a slight grimace. "You ok?"
"Just a twinge," he offered. "But not a fit, so don't worry," Harper said, with his eyes shut for the moment.
"You look hot," Beka noticed and without hesitation she placed her hand against Harper's forehead. "You have a temperature."
"I'm good, it's just all the walking about in this heat," Harper dismissed. "I really need some water, and some food, hell I need a break from this shit," he frowned.
"I know what you mean," Beka agreed. "Come on, let's get back to the house, maybe we can scrounge some more rations, or at least eat something for today?"
"Yeah," Harper answered absently, getting to his feet.
"There you are!"
Harper spun around, confused when he saw Zal standing behind him suddenly. "Where'd you come from?"
"Just over there," Zal answered. "Come, we need one more."
"What?" Harper glanced at Beka with confusion.
"One more, come on, let's go," Zal enthused eagerly.
"Hang on, what happened to the 'never see you again' line?" Harper questioned.
Zal just looked at Harper. "You know I was just being a drama queen, come on, you'll like this."
"Harper, we should be going," Beka advised, seeing that Zal was trying to lead Harper in the other direction.
"Tell me what you want me to do," Harper requested calmly to Zal.
"Make up numbers, we're playing Zodd, it's a great game, come on," Zal encouraged and this time managed to pull Harper along until they reached the corner, and looking beyond Harper could see a group of Edenians in a wide open court yard.
"I don't know how to play," Harper began to protest dismissively.
"It's easy, come on, Beka can watch," Zal smiled broadly.
"Harper, playing sports is probably not a wise idea right now," Beka warned remembering his temperature.
"We have water," Zal then pointed out.
"Water?" Harper was now interested.
"The guards like to watch, they don't get to see much doing their endless boring patrols, so they encourage us to do games like this, so they can bet on the outcome, so they always bring water for us," Zal stressed.
"I could really do with that water," Harper turned to Beka.
"Not whilst exhausting yourself playing some stupid game!" Beka protested.
"I'm just making up numbers," Harper shrugged. "And if the guards are approachable, maybe you could, you know," he hinted.
"Get friendly with them?" Beka raised her eyebrows.
"Like you don't know how," Harper teased with a smile.
"Harper, one problem, you're supposed to be wearing a collar and these guards will have plenty of opportunity to recognise you," Beka warned.
"Crap," Zal then spoke and looked around. "Wait here."
Harper watched as Zal dashed off, and as his eyes followed the lanky Edenian approaching the group, he soon recognised Buz.
"Maybe we should just get out of here," Harper suggested with concern, slowly backing away.
"Glad you've come around to that way of thinking," Beka agreed, and took hold of Harper to ensure that he moved, and they began to head away with pace from the square.
"Harper, wait up, don't go!" Zal then called running back, and it took a couple more attempts by Zal to get his attention, before Harper finally forced Beka to let go of him so he could see what Zal wanted.
"What?" Harper stated. "Look I can't play your games, those guards will see me."
"No, Buz has spoken to them, its ok, they just want a game, they don't give a rats ass about your collar, or lack of," Zal stressed brightly.
"Zal," Harper shook his head, and sighed heavily. "I know Buz is a part of the Gilads, and I really don't think I should be out there playing games with him, or his friends," Harper emphasised, looking at Zal now. "I didn't want to believe it, Zal, but maybe Asa was right when he said you were part of the Gilads too."
"I'm not a Gilad," Zal immediately stated.
"But Buz is, right?" Harper returned.
"Come on, Harper, let's go," Beka encouraged, seeing Zal trying to come up with an answer, obviously surprised by Harper knowing about Buz.
With Beka, Harper turned and they began to head away from Zal.
"It's just a game," Zal offered desperately. "It's not a signing up ceremony or anything, ok so I hang around with a few people who are known Gilads, it's not a crime, they need some time off too you know?"
Harper just smirked as he realised something, stopping he turned back to Zal. "It's all just a game to you, isn't it, nothing is serious with you?"
"Pretty much, but Zodd is a good game, I know you'll like it," Zal stated genuinely, and then he moved to close the distance between them. "And it's an opportunity to kick Buz's head in if I get the chance, and that doesn't happen every day."
Harper relaxed and sighed, almost smirking, knowing that Zal had an annoying habit of amusing him. "I'm in no state to play games, Zal, seriously, I think my port is about to go again," he admitted with a heavy sigh.
"Just play a quarter," Zal persisted. "It won't kill you, and you'll make the numbers even for the start, that's all we want pretty soon the numbers dwindle."
"Harper, don't," Beka warned with a serious tone.
Harper looked torn, and he looked between Zal and Beka before finally frowning. "I need to rest, I'm not sure I'm fit enough for games."
"Please," Zal asked, and the tone of his voice caught Harper as he went to turn away, but instead Harper found he was looking back at the Edenian with some concern suddenly sensing more to Zal's request.
"Harper," Beka's tone then caught his attention and slowly Harper realised that they were not alone.
Surrounding them now was the rest of the players, and it was Buz who stepped forward.
"What's keeping him?" Buz asked.
"Why don't you ask him?" Zal returned with a sneer.
Buz turned to Harper. "We need to start the game, and we've decided already that you're making up numbers so come on."
"I don't think," Harper began before he felt himself being hauled forward, and hearing Beka's protests behind him. "I really don't feel like," Harper attempted again but stopped when he felt himself pushed forward.
"You're on the blue team," Buz stated, oblivious to Harper's protests. "You're against me and my guys," he gestured.
"Otherwise known as the Gilads," Zal hissed, and Harper began to understand more clearly now.
"So who are we?" Harper asked.
"The only ones mad enough to take them on in a game of Zodd," Zal shrugged dejectedly. "Sorry, they made me do it, as soon as they knew you were in the area."
Harper glared at Zal. "You didn't make it out to be so deadly when you were begging me to play," Harper snapped.
"You would have run a mile," Zal protested innocently.
"For good reasons," Harper returned sharply. "I don't even know how to play this stupid game and now I'm lining up to begin the first quarter?" he stressed.
"There's no quarters," Zal then revealed. "It's just played until last man standing, that team wins."
"What?" Harper was lost for words momentarily. "So what was all that 'just play for one quarter' business?"
"The game can't start till both teams have a full compliment of players, and the Gilads were getting tetchy, it was lucky you were so close by," Zal smiled.
"Lucky for who?" Harper sneered as they took position in the square, the Gilads finally giving Harper some room as they made their way to their end of the court. Harper then turned to face the tougher opponents. "How the hell do you play this game anyway?"
"There's the ball," Zal gestured to the ball that Buz now held. "You just got to stay within the square of the courtyard, and keep possession till no one else is standing," Zal then shrugged. "And try not to get killed or knocked unconscious, if you do, you're out."
"No kidding," Harper sighed. "And last man standing with that ball wins for his team?"
"Yeah," Zal agreed.
"How many times has the Have Nots won?" Harper then asked.
"Still waiting for that," Zal grimaced.
"Zal, how did you know I was in the area? I wasn't in sight of you or this damn square," Harper then asked, keeping an eye on the ball that Buz still held, whilst waiting for the start.
"Can we discuss that after we've had our heads kicked in?" Zal asked, and for the first time Harper saw the very real fear in the Edenian's eyes.
"Zal, why can't we just go?" Harper asked. "We don't have to do this, the game needs to start with full compliment, but if they are just going to knock us out anyway, why not just leave them to it?"
"The guards," Zal gestured nervously. "Take these games very seriously, and they don't like quitters."
Harper looked around and saw that the guards were strategically placed around the square. "We're in shit, right?" Harper then figured, and moved closer to Zal.
"So much we can taste it," Zal agreed, and Harper could only frown, as the game kicked off.
Beka had anxiously watched as Harper was pushed into the area of play, and she could see that they were preparing to start. Two males and a female stood around her, and she knew they were there to ensure she didn't leave, Beka also knew they were Gilads. As she watched, she could see Harper slowly begin to panic, but what concerned her more was the sudden drain in colour from Zal's features, and she knew he was scared too which didn't bode well for Harper.
"Your boy doesn't stand a chance," the female turned to Beka, but her tone wasn't gloating, more of concern. "My name is Tarah. I helped Harper when he was ill and first arrived in our home."
"Well help him again and get him out of there," Beka demanded, but the glares from the two males were enough to let her know that wasn't going to happen.
Another female voice joined them. "Impossible, once he's in the game, he's in the game. My name is Junia, Tarah is my sister."
"Forgive me if I'm not pleased to meet you both," Beka stressed with distraction, as she heard the signal for the game to commence.
"This is Zal's fault," Tarah then spoke. "He shouldn't have been so weak."
"Excuse me?" Beka asked confused.
"He lets the other's manipulate him, they play him like a fool," Junia answered for her sister. "Pallu has his older brother wrapped around his little finger; it's not nice to watch."
"So why don't you do something about it?" Beka asked.
Junia shrugged. "I don't want to die," she simply answered.
Beka stared at the younger sister, and didn't miss the look her older sister threw her. "Who said anything about dying, this is wrong, what the Gilads do is wrong."
"Nothing is right about this place," Tarah spoke. "We just have to live with it, anyway we can," she added coldly, seemingly aware of the males that still stood nearby.
"Harper is being wise, staying near the edges," Junia then pointed out, paying attention to the game that was nearing a brawl in one corner.
Beka turned to watch, seeing both Zal and Harper staying away from the area of play. "So why are they so interested in Harper?"
"Something bothers them about him," Junia shrugged, despite her sister nudging her. "We don't know what."
"Bothers who?" Beka questioned.
"Them," Junia responded without further explanation.
"Well Harper bothers a lot of people, it's his way," Beka dismissed, and continued observing the game, thankful that for the moment Harper was playing safe.
"They will get him," Tarah then spoke, getting Beka's attention.
"Get him?" Beka repeated.
Tarah looked on sadly. "He's already been tagged, he's been accepted into the game, and some might say he's already one of them."
"No, Harper is not one of them," Beka protested. "If by 'them' you mean the Gilads."
"It started the minute they changed his hair colour, that was the beginnings of his initiation, and then the chip in his back," Tarah continued.
"Harper never agreed to any of that," Beka argued.
"Who said he had to, when the Gilads want someone, they get him," Junia offered blankly.
"But Harper doesn't want to be a part of them," Beka said with frustration.
"On that we agree, he won't want to be a part of them, but he already is," Tarah shrugged.
Beka shook her head, trying to keep her attention to the game but her thoughts were trying to figure out what the girls were telling her.
"And so are you, by association," Junia then added.
"Me?"
"It's why the guards haven't taken you, or taken Harper, Kenan doesn't mess with us," Tarah explained. "Your other friends are safe too now."
"Safe? By whose definition?" Beka asked, seeing how the game in front of them was nothing more than a huge excuse for a street brawl.
"You no longer have to worry about Kenan," Junia smiled.
"Great," Beka sighed, she was about to add more when something caught her eye. "Dylan, Rhade," she suddenly called, as they spotted her and began to walk over, partially distracted by the fighting going on.
"What the hell is going on here?" Rhade demanded. "And what is Harper doing just watching?"
"He's a part of the 'game'," Beka explained with a heavy sigh.
"Zodd," Tarah offered.
"Zodd?" Dylan repeated with confusion.
"The game they're playing," Beka gestured.
Rhade and Dylan took a moment to take the game in. "That's a game? I thought it was a disagreement," Dylan questioned.
"It appears Harper's got us all into the Gilads, without even knowing it, aren't we happy," Beka sneered towards the girls, not angry with Harper but with the way things had panned out.
"We are?" Dylan frowned once again. "I didn't bring my ceremonial uniform; surely it would be needed for such an occasion as this?"
"I got a feeling you won't need to worry about that," Beka mocked. "It's not exactly a negotiation, more of a takeover."
"I see," Dylan appeared to be enjoying the news a little too much for Beka's liking, and she wondered if he truly understood.
"So what do we have to do now?" Rhade asked casually. "Run around chasing anything that moves and then beating up the weak and innocent, when do I start?" he flippantly offered with a smile.
Tarah only smirked, whilst Junia avoided eye contact. "You misunderstand, you're not a part of the Gilad elite, you're not members, you are now owned by the Gilads, put simply you're their property."
"I don't think so," Rhade stated losing his smile but retaining his arrogance. The two males that had been stood nearby turned to face Rhade. "I'm not a prisoner to no one."
"Who said you were a prisoner?" Junia asked. "You're owned by Gilads, you're not their prisoner, and you won't be locked up. You'll just be looked after until such a time you may be of use to them."
"I'm really hating this, captain," Rhade turned to the equally bemused Dylan.
"By looked after, you mean?" Dylan prompted.
"Kenan can't touch you," Tarah answered.
"Well, that's a silver lining at least," Dylan suggested.
"Why do the Gilads want to own us?" Beka asked.
"By owning you all, we own Harper, the Gilads aren't stupid enough to try and split you up like Kenan did," Junia offered.
"So what, you'll own us, but we won't be prisoners?" Beka asked, still distracted in part by the game, keeping an eye on Harper's position.
"We'll know where you are, or at least where Harper is, as the most important of you," Tarah answered helpfully.
"Dylan is the captain, Harper is just the engineer," Rhade pointed out the ranks.
"In your system maybe, but the Gilads have decided he is the most important or they wouldn't have tagged him," Junia sighed. "You are weak, injured, of no use," she gestured to Dylan. "You are," Junia paused as she looked at Rhade. "Too aggressive and unpredictable, and you," she turned to Beka. "You care about Harper, and that gives you a use to us."
"How so?" Beka needed to know.
"He'll need a friend," Junia simply said and then paused before speaking again. "He also has friends in me and Tarah; I only ask that you don't forget that."
"Ok, you're scaring me now," Beka admitted, glancing at Rhade and Dylan.
"Oh no," Dylan then spoke, his attention fully on the game and they all turned in time to see Harper unintentionally receive the ball, as a pack of Gilads descended on him.
Harper soon disappeared under a bundle of bodies that landed on top of him, and Beka got to her feet, prepared to move but she was soon stopped by Rhade who held her back. "We can't help him," Rhade spoke with care, gesturing to the guards and the other Gilads who were all staring at her. "Not just yet," he added under his breath.
Beka spun around, still with Rhade's hold on her. "Stop this, please," she pleaded to the girls, but they were no longer stood there, and her plead fell into empty space. Both Dylan and Rhade protectively embraced Beka, turning her away from the game, and hoping it would end soon.
The smell hit him first, then the hunger but it was the pain that finally consumed him. He had only wanted that piece of bread, but he had been caught and now pain. Tears fell from his eyes but no one noticed, he didn't understand, and they were not stopping. Who protected him now they were gone? He was just a boy, and how was he expected to understand. The ubers kept hitting, never stopping and wearily he conceded to the attack, just waiting until they got bored and hoping he'd live long enough. His head rolled, and he flexed he hand, he wasn't a boy, he wasn't on Earth and suddenly Harper realised he could fight back this time and with fury he lashed out at those who hurt him. There were too many, and disorientation led to Harper wildly hitting anything he could in a desperate bid to free himself from the pack that had surrounded him. This wasn't Earth, this was someplace else, the smell was different the attackers less powerful but more vindictive in their approach.
Suddenly he felt a pull on his shoulder, and Harper felt himself being removed with force from the fighting crowd. Still receiving blows just about everywhere, Harper kicked out as much as he could, till he was clear and in the arms of others, who were not kicking or punching, but protecting him now. His head swam, and it took Harper a moment to realise where he was, the stone buildings surrounded him and he remembered something through the haze, Edenia.
"Harper?"
Harper blinked his eyes and his head rolled. "Mom?"
"Snap out of it, Harper," Beka stressed.
Harper suddenly recognised the voice and opened his eyes further to see Beka staring back at him. "Oh, Beka, yeah," Harper stammered, trying to find his feet and still being held up by others, and he glanced around to see Rhade taking his weight, and Dylan assisting as much as he could. "The game," he suddenly panicked, before noticing they were being approached by the other team, the Gilads.
"This time, too far," Rhade sneered and with force he brought Harper around and grabbed his shirt, bringing Harper's face close to his.
"Rhade!" Beka and Dylan appeared to speak in unison, as the Nietzschean growled into Harper's face.
Harper was suddenly taken back to Earth, remembering the uber's growls and the pain he was feeling, and the fear he suddenly felt. He was that boy again, not understanding and scared, wishing his parents were still alive to protect him knowing there was no one.
"Rhade let him go!" Beka stressed with force, her hand coming across Harper's chest attempting to get between the two, but Rhade wasn't moving.
Harper blinked his eyes, bringing him back to the Edenia, and his head rolled again, as he attempted to focus.
"Look at him Rhade, he's in no state to have to deal with your crap," Beka stressed angrily.
"Let go of me uber," Harper sneered under his breath, and his arms attempted to push the Nietzschean away, but there was no strength behind them.
"You heard the guy," Buz then walked forward, and gestured to his fellow Gilads to join him. "You've spoilt our game."
Rhade glared at Buz, but remained holding Harper. "I have business with this one."
"That one is our business, and I can assure you, you have none with him," Buz stated confidently.
"Yeah, about that," Beka spoke up but was soon cut off by Buz.
"Silence!" Buz snapped. "Harper, do you want this man to let you go?"
"Yeah," Harper answered with laboured breaths.
Buz cocked his head towards Rhade. "I would strongly advise you to follow this man's request."
Rhade felt an arm on his, and glanced at Dylan who didn't have to say a word and reluctantly Rhade let Harper go. The human stumbled back, and a couple of the Gilads caught hold of him before he fell.
"You," Buz gestured to Beka. "With us, you'll stay with Harper, and you two, make yourself scarce for a while," he ordered towards Dylan and Rhade.
Beka glanced at Dylan who prompted her to go, and she watched as the captain encouraged Rhade to walk with him back to the house. Without further hesitation, Beka caught up with Harper and remained by his side as the Gilads walked him away from the now stopped game, to a chorus of boos and jeers from the guards.
TBC