Plain of Sorrows

Author: Milady Dragon

Disclaimer: Anything vaguely resembling Earth 2 doesn't belong to me. The "ghosts" are mine, though.

Rating: PG-13

Author's notes: Another case of life getting in the way of what I really want to do. Thanks for being patient with me.


Chapter Sixteen

She stood, her back against the railing, staring out at the stars.

The observation lounge was just that: a large, round room with a solid dome of space-hardened windows that allowed the viewer to see beyond the metal hallways of the spaceship. It was almost possible to forget that one wasn't actually surrounded by blackness; only the slight vibration of the engines through the deck gave anything away.

However, even that was gone now. The ship had been shut down, on orders of the commander. It was necessary, he'd said. They'd need to "divest" themselves of those who would hold them back from the greatness that was theirs by right.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

She didn't turn, recognizing his voice beside her. "Yes."

"Soon it will be ours."

She agreed, although she didn't speak out loud.

"I'm glad that you have joined us," the commander continued. "If only your father could see as you do…he also would be invaluable to us."

She shrugged. "Not everyone has the vision you do."

"Very true. And now we must deal with those who would stand against us." He rested a hand on her shoulder. "I know this will be very difficult for you…"

"Not as difficult as you think." She smiled. "I…no longer consider him to be my father." She looked up at her companion. Although he was so close to her that she could feel the heat of his body, for some strange reason she couldn't make out his face.

"Then you are truly worthy, child. I feel privileged that you will be at my side." The commander moved away.

She twisted around, to lean her elbows on the rail. She rested her shin on her right hand, staring down into the central "pit" of the lounge. The comfortable sofas and chairs had been removed from the area, leaving it bare of everything but the soft green carpet.

It was where the weak ones were being held.

They milled around, looking up every once in a while at their captors. The fear was so strong she could smell it, an acrid scent that made her want to gag. She could have ignored it, if she'd been allowed to lose herself in space…oh, well. This was something that had to be done, and no amount of procrastination would make it any easier.

Her father was down there. Despite her words to the commander, she still loved him fiercely. But he'd betrayed her, betrayed their destiny. He would have to pay for that, and it didn't matter what her feelings were.

"This is your last chance." The commander's voice echoed through the dome. "All you must do is accept what is being offered, and you may join us on our journey of greatness."

"It's not greatness!" She recognized the voice. It was the commander's own daughter, who had turned her back on her father just as she herself had done. "You would lead our people into damnation!"

"You know not what you say," the commander rebutted. He sounded sad. "If you would simply open your mind—"

"Open your mind too much and your brains would fall out!" came the rejoinder. Even though she couldn't see him, she recognized the voice as her father's.

The commander sighed. "It's truly sad, that you cannot see beyond your petty concerns and realize that what we're doing will bring us to our rightful place among the stars."

"The stars are already ours, father," his daughter answered. "We have our place among them. You would destroy our freedom with your delusions."

"I feel sorry for you all," the commander murmured. He glanced around at those who stood along the balcony.

She held her breath, awaiting his orders. Despite the dread she felt at what was about to happen, she reveled in the power they had over the weak ones. Her very nerves sang as her muscles tensed in anticipation.

Those below sensed that something was about to occur. She could actually hear their hearts beating in terror. She smiled at their fear now.

"Let us begin."

At the commander's word, the strong ones leapt over the railing to land amid those who would be their prey. She was with them, landing softly on the balls of her feet. Only days ago she would never have attempted such a jump; it had been too high, and she would have risked serious injury.

But the change was upon her.

And things would never be the same, for any of them.

True Danziger moaned slightly in her sleep, trying to wake up, but the sedative that Julia had given her was too strong. She sank back into the nightmare, a part of her taking joy in the blood and terror and madness…