KITG: And yet another chapter hehehehe.
CHAPTER 4They were led from the truck and made to walk past the automated train. Now inside he could see all the humans and aliens. They were either digging what looked to be precious rocks, like rubies, out of the cave. So it wasn't only Cordritum that this planet yielded.
The warden Dumah led them past the miner, some Rose could see where whole families. Children digging along with their parents. All the while the mining carts rolled past to be loaded on the train. The multi-colored hue of the Cordritum plain to see. It would have been beautiful; if it's raw form wasn't so deadly. He could see Radiation shields around the carts, blocking the harmful waves. So they were safe for now. He looked up as a pick was shoved into his hands.
"Welcome to your new home, you dig when we tell you. You eat and sleep when we tell you. Now start digging" he was about to make some witty remark, but the crack of an electro whip to Rose's side, making her scream cut him off.
"Leave her alone!" he shouted, standing before her, but he suffered the same fate as her. Jack was about to start, when a girl came forward.
"Please warden, they'll dig, just need someone to show then is all. Brains must be slow." The Warden laughed and walked off, leaving them chained to the main chain that ran either side of the tunnel. The tunnel was shored up with metal girders, lamps where placed at random intervals. Here and there the black rock glittered with the hidden treasures, which it held.
Jack helped the Doctor to his feet, while the young girl helped Rose. The Doctor looked at the girl, she seemed to be 15, pretty face obscured by the dirt. Her green eyes shone with intelligence and pain a girl of that age should never know. She had short cropped hair, and was about 5ft. her clothes where tattered, looking too big for her slight frame, hand-me-downs almost.
"Thanks" Rose spoke, her voice hoarse, that had bloody hurt.
"No problem, you'll have to watch out for him, he won't hesitate to kill you" the young one commented, watching the retreating form of the Warden.
"What's your name?" The Doctor asked, making an over the top gesture of digging.
"My names Mizariah, though the kids call me Miz for short."
"Never heard that name before…I like it" Jack Commented going closer to the Girl.
"Down Jack!" Rose commented. Then turned to Miz "don't mind him. I'm Rose, He's Jack. And this is the Doctor" she pointed to the two in turn.
"Oh he doesn't bother me. There are far worse, the warden included." Miz went back to digging.
"What do you mean? What exactly is this place?" Rose asked, now seeing fully the mixed variations of people. From families, to old. To those who seemed apart from the others, seeming to be feared.
"This is a mining planet belonging to Kouken Hangyakusha Mining. The master owns the company. His real name is Melchia. But we have to call him master. He takes all the workers he wants from either prisons, or hijacking cryo-ships. That's where most of the families come from." Miz told them, not looking at anything but the rock before her as she dug. Then grabbing a shovel she scooped up the rock and placed it into the cart behind them.
"What about the prisons?" Jack asked, but already knowing the answer.
"Well you think of a crime, and one will be here to fill it. From pickpockets and thieves like some of the orphans, to murderers and rapists like the Warden. So watch your self with him" They all looked up at the alarm that sounded. The hiss of steam as the turbines wound down that ran the carts. There was a clink as the main chain was retracted, leaving them now free to move.
"What's that?" Rose asked, looking to the dark roof for the source of the noise.
"Time to end for the day. Can't work in the mines at the night, the temperature drops too low. Only the Sultarrvec can continue. Come on, you can stay with us. Till you find your way around" So the three fell in behind Mizariah as she led them into the cave, then into a side section. As they passed the threshold they felt the warm air from the heater in the wall. She led the through the shambles of bedding and sleeping forms to the dark back of this room. There talking and generally playing games were some children ranging from 4 to maybe 15. Two seemed to be standing on guard; they nodded when they saw Mizariah. Confirming the Doctors suspicion that she was their leader somehow. She indicated for them to make themselves comfortable as they could.
Rose sat next to the Doctor, leaning against him gently as their backs were to the wall, looking out at the room. So no one could sneak up from behind. Jack was sat next to Miz. He was looking at the girl when a young boy cam forward to stand between Miz and Jack.
"You'd better not let the Sultarrvec see you looking at her like that. He would kill you"
"Timmy! I can take care of myself thank you. And Jack here is my friend. Like you." Mizariah said patiently to the little one. He tended to be overly defensive for her, which often got him into trouble.
"Don't worry kid. I'm not going to do anything to your friend"
"Well you'd better not. Mokie would be mad" with that he shuffled off and lay down to sleep. Rose smiled; he stood up for Mizariah like she was his mother or something.
"Sorry about that. He can be a bit protective."
"They seem to look up to you" the Doctor finally spoke, eyes hooded in the darkness.
"Yeah, cause I'm the oldest. They think of me like their mother. I look out for them. Make sure no body messes with them if I can. Though most of the inmates don't dare. After what Mokie did. Only some new inmates who don't know often try."
"Who's Mokie?" Rose felt her eyes becoming heavy, but she sat bolt upright as a mans voice broke into the quiet atmosphere
"Mokie is the stupid name those kids give to that monster" The man came out from the shadow, looking thin. His eyes wild and haunted.
"Leave it alone Bob" Miz replied, her eyes narrowing.
"I keep telling you girl. Stay away from that monster. He will kill you"
"He won't..he's not like that"
"Have you forgotten of what it did to my daughter? Have you warned them of the Sultarrvec?" he then turned to the Doctor and Rose "keep her close my friend, don't let her get sent to the Sultarrvec. Best let the warden have his way, lest she will be alive then. I will kill that monster; kill the Sultarrvec for my daughter. I will I tell you" his voice took on a hysterical tone, as two others came forward. Trying to calm the raving man. They dragged him off. Rose watched, clinging tightly to the Doctors hand. Jack had also shuffled closer to her, ready to protect if he needed.
"Mizariah. Who or what is the Sultarrvec and Mokie?" Jack hadn't turned from watching the man being led off as he spoke.
"They are one and the same. Mokie is the name I gave him when he saved me. I know Sultarrvec isn't his real name. But he won't say what is. It happened when I was four. My mom had been killed by the radiation from the ore. I was alone. One of the rapists tried to..assault me. I was four " Rose gasped at this. The Doctors eyes took on the form of a swirling blue storm. Almost made her dizzy so she looked away. "I remember him pushing me to the floor, and me screaming. My food for the day spilling everywhere. Then the weight was gone. I heard the guy scream. Then I was picked up, I remember I felt afraid. But then he spoke. Telling me it was alright. His voice had a musical kinda tone back then. I just said the first thing that came into my head. "Mokie" it was the name of my teddy my mother had given me so long ago. And it kinda stuck. He gave me his food, and looked after me while he was on the surface. Never saw what he did to the man. But the others say he was ripped to pieces." She paused looking into the darkness.
"He is the only safety we have for a time " she indicated the other orphans as she said this "when he's allowed to the surface, we can play by his tree while he's tied there. None dare to enter the range of the chains."
"But what of that other girl. Did he kill her?" Rose asked, she had cuddled back to the Doctor, eyes drooping.
"I don't know….I know he can be ruthless, I would be stupid not to see it. But he has never done anything to harm us. But I know Bob's daughter had done nothing. It wasn't pretty. She had been ripped apart, parts eaten. Face set in fear and pain."
"But wait, you made this Mokie sound like a man." Jack voiced, sleep sounding in his voice also.
"He is, but I think he can change, though I have never seen his other form. Maybe he turns from Mokie into the Sultarrvec. All I know is if you are sent to the Sultarrvec's lair, you are never seen again here. Rumours tell of red eyes in the dark, and movement like that of a great-clawed beast. The old timers say they saw him. Skin alight with fire as he was subdued and taken into the cave to be the masters Pet."
The Doctor took all the information in. could it be Galen? Seemed likely, but he wasn't jumping to conclusions. Even as he was deemed traitor, Galen had never been a ruthless killer. Valuing life like the Doctor had. "A lot of things can change. Given time" his mind argued. But to fall that far. He seemed to still have some protectiveness to young innocents. But what happened when they reached a certain age? If they were sent to him. Would he kill them? Did he kill them? Or was it all an elaborate Ruse by this Master, to make people comply out of fear.
He looked down to see Rose asleep against him. He would have to keep an eye on here in this place, he had seen how both the master…No his name is Melchia. He is not your master his mind decided to add. He had seen how Melchia and the Warden Dumah had looked at Rose. He had no doubt what they would do to her. Both he and Jack would have to keep a very close eye. He settled down not to sleep, but a relaxing doze, always alert, as Jack, Rose and the others slumbered.
In the Shadows he watched. The blonde one was a beauty he had not beheld for such a long time. He felt aroused just looking at her. Yes, he would have first taste of her. No doubt the Master would have her sent to the Sultarrvec, claim she had been killed so he could keep her at the manor for himself. So he would have to move before. Or even better. Have her sent there. Take her down. Then have his way. And blame any damage on the Sultarrvec. Yes. He would make his move when she was alone. Away from the leather clad man. There was something about him that tolled him to be wary. Some hidden knowledge. He turned from the scene and travelled down the hallways to the planet side, already the cold beginning to freeze the dripping water, as it did every night. It would fall below –100 at its peek, but as always in morning it would be gone. Dry as a bone and pleasant like the old summers on earth. He could still hear the Sultarrvec digging, the loud scratching echoing around the chasm. He smiled. Soon he would have his fun.
KITG: There go go, kinda cliffy. R&R so I know people actually like this. I'm starting to get worried. :(
PS: just incase you wanted to know. Kouken Hangyakusha means Traitorous Guardian