-1Chapter 11

After 2 days of hiking, the entourage finally arrived at the mines. As they approached the mine, all of the group were scanning and assessing the area, looking for a way to escape.

The group was paraded down the main street of a village that was home to the guards that worked the mines. There were a few shops, several taverns and brothels. Off duty guards were everywhere. Most were dressed in the same uniforms as the guards that escorted the 'slaves' except that their uniforms were brown instead of black.

Once past the village, a large rocky outcrop loomed in view. At the base of the high, craggy, rock formation, was what appeared to be a huge entrance to a cave. As far as anyone could see there was only one way in or out of the rock mountain and it was through the cave entrance that lay in front of the group.

The Captain of the guard dismounted and tied his horse to a post outside the entrance of the cave and then signaled his men to bring the group forward. There were half a dozen Scorpions guarding the entrance to the mine. The Captain strode up to the head Scorpion, indicated the prisoners and said "New workers for the mine."

One of the Scorpions looked at Aaron and bowed, "My Lady."

Aaron rolled her eyes, "Hey Paolo. Is my husband here?" The guard nodded. "May I go see him?" Paolo nodded and unshackled her. She turned to her friends, "See you in a bit, whatever you do, do not get in a fight." She said and followed Paolo. They rest just stared at her in confusion.

The Captain turned to them, "Follow me!" He commanded and led the way into the cave.

As they entered the cave, the group found themselves in a wide, rough hewn passageway. The guards led them down the steep sloping passageway about 200 yards until the passage opened up onto a huge, domed area with a stage carved out of rock at the far end. The Captain of the guard waved a hand device in front of a lighted panel and a force field disengaged.

After the group was completely in the domed room, the Captain waved the device again and turned the force field back on.

The group, still in chains, was led down to the stage and made to stand in a straight line in front of the dais. Suddenly a huge man appeared, wearing the brown Nazi-type uniform, with many badges and insignia. The man looked at the group before him with dark, malevolent eyes. After surveying the group the man stated, "My name is Claudio and I am the Supreme Ruler of this facility"

"What I wouldn't give to have the Dalek fleet here right now." Theta replied sardonically.

Without hesitation, one of the guards shot Theta with a modified weapon and he went down in a heap twisting in pain. Rose immediately knelt beside him and checked his vital signs. She looked up angrily at Claudio, her hand still on Theta's chest, but said nothing.

When Theta was again able to stand, Claudio continued. "There is no escape from this facility. This is a very wealthy mine, we not only remove aquanda, but crystals that the Scorpions use for many applications, as well as a mineral we call fire chondrite that our own people use. If you don't work, you don't eat. You will earn tokens based on your quotas. The tokens can be exchanged for food, blankets, clothes and other necessities. You will not receive any of these items until you have earned enough tokens to buy them"

The captain of the guard who had brought the group to this facility, handed an official looking envelope to Claudio. The man opened it and read silently. He looked down at the group in front of him and finally his eyes fell on Theta. "You are the one called Theta." It was a statement not a question.

"Yeah..."

Claudio waved the letter he had been handed in the air "This is an order from the Protectorate. It says that if your woman," he glared at Rose for a moment before continuing "is not pregnant in 2 lunar cycles I am to give her to my guards."

The group stood in front of the dais in stunned silence.

Claudio waved a hand at a man who stood to his right on the stage. "This is my Sergeant of arms, Dace. He will lead you to your quarters." With that Claudio disappeared.

Dace, who was physically about the size of Jack, climbed down off the stage and surveyed the strange group in front of him. He had greasy brown hair that hung to his shoulders, he was missing several teeth, and smelled as if he hadn't taken a shower in weeks.

He walked down the line of prisoners stopping in front of Jack. He punched Jack in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

"Hey! What'd ya do that for!" Theta asked angrily and received a crack in the back that sent him to his knees.

Finally, Dace came to Rose. "Yellow hair and brown eyes, we do not see this much in the mines. I will make you mine!" He whispered in Rose's face with putrid breath. She made a face and turned her head away.

"No you won't buddy!" Theta said, still kneeling on the floor "She is mine!"

Dace nodded slightly at one of his guards and Theta was hit once more by a painful burst from a weapon.

Dace glared down at Theta until his eyes were again able to focus on him. Then he grabbed Rose's chin with his left hand and licked her face from her chin up to her eyebrows. She tried to pull away from him and when she could not stifle a "Yuck!" Dace slapped her across the face.

"Hey!" Theta shouted

"No! Doctor, its ok." She said, not wanting him to receive another vitriolic blast on her account.

Dace was tiring of his game and waved a dismissive hand at one of his guards. "Take them to their quarters." He said and stomped away.