Captives of the Unknown
By TheRealXenocide
Disclaimer: This story contains plot elements and characters created and owned by Sunrise and/or their successor companies. No permission has been given. No money is being made with this story, and no infringement is intended.
Note: If it was good enough for Dickens, Tolkien, and other luminaries, why shouldn't I have some fun with it?
Chapter 7
Double Deus Mayhem!
For the rest of the day, the crew of the 'Outlaw Star' were held in the cage, with their only contacts being the regular security patrols. And they refused to speak no matter what was tried. They did provide thin mats for sleeping, ration bars for food. Additionally, a smaller container was attached to the same end of the cage, with pipes quickly attached to it. Their curiosity was answered when the connecting doors were opened to reveal a toilet and shower, each with privacy screens, along with a note that read simply "You Reek!"
"And I wonder whose fault that is!" Gene can't stop himself from exclaiming.
Before anyone used either, they were inspected for any rude surprises. That was how they found the data pad with five earpieces, with the note "Use only in here."
"Somebody took a big chance for this." Suzuka observed, speaking quietly.
"We should see what's on it." Melfina said, also quiet.
They agreed, and took an earpiece each. Aisha activated it, and found the face of Fred Luo. "Hello, everyone. I'm sorry this has to be a recording, but it was the best I could do on short notice. Anyway, Gene, when you failed to show up for our meeting three days ago, I began to investigate. Between my contacts and a few well-placed bribes, I learned that you were all being held by the Ctarl-Ctarl. Something to do with a forced marriage for Aisha. Putting other wishes aside, I knew as well as you that that wouldn't be welcome news for either Aisha or Jim, so I made contact with a group I knew could stop it, as well as paying somebody on the inside to keep track of you. He let me know about this sudden change. So, I've paid him enough to safely track you, while I rendezvous with the rescue fleet. We should be where we need to be in time. So don't try anything unless you have no choice. My associates and I have it covered. Oh, and while I shouldn't say who I've hired, I will say that your big lizard friend says you'll owe him one. Final point you should know. During my investigation, I learned that there is a major political uproar within the Ctarl-Ctarl imperial court about all this. Unfortunately, I couldn't get more details than that. So stay alert for something along those lines, as well. Now, my source on the ship says you should put this back where you found it. Bye for now."
The pad went blank for a moment, then a sequence of code that Jim recognized appeared. "It's over, guys." He took his earpiece off. "That code was a wipe program." Everyone took their earpieces off. "Fred's going through a lot of trouble for us."
"He just wants us further in his debt." Aisha offered.
"While it is true that we've managed to repay 89% of what was owed, most of that was done by working for him." Suzuka replied. It was something she had resisted at first. But she had to admit that he had been one for the better employers she'd ever dealt with, even if his personal style was annoying. "He may have decided that we are too valuable of an asset to lose. Be that as a group, or as individuals."
"So, enlightened self-interest?" Gene asked.
"Of his own unique variety, yes."
"If he meant he hired who I think he meant, they could bring enough force to deal with one Ctarl warship." Jim observed.
"I'm more concerned about the Ctarl political problem he mentioned." Gene observed. "Without details, it's a wild card that means we need to be ready for anything."
"Aisha, if needed, can you lead us to the escape pods?" Suzuka asked.
"Sure. They don't need security codes to access." Aisha answered.
"So, does this mean we won't need Aisha's plan?" Melfina asked.
"Let's hope Fred gets to us in time." Gene answered. "But we should be ready, just in case."
Six days later, they were beginning to wonder if Fred's plan had failed. They had re-entered normal space, followed about ten minutes later by what sounded like the ship-wide vibration of two ships docking. "Remember, do nothing until the challenge is issued." Aisha reminded them.
Soon, a troop of twenty well-armed guards came to the small door of the cage. The one who appeared to be in charge of the guards spoke. "Lady Aisha, I implore you not to try anything. We have our orders."
Aisha looked at him for a minute. "You were the ensign who tried to help the captain try to claim me down back at Blue Heaven, right?"
"Yes, Lady Aisha. But I'm a Lt. Commander now, as well as deputy security chief."
"Well done. And don't worry, we won't resist yet."
"Um, alright." Her wording left him unsure, but he had his orders. "Open it up."
The locks were unlocked, and the door opened. They came out one-by-one, with Aisha in the lead, followed by Jim, Melfina, Gene, and finally Suzuka. They offered no resistance as they walked with the troops. Finally, they arrived on the spacious bridge of the Orto Hone-Hone. The humans, having never seen a spaceship bridge like this, were amazed. "Is that really a waterfall?" Jim asked.
"It goes to the plants, which serve as both air and water filtration." Aisha replied.
"SILENCE!" Roared a younger version of the governor's voice. "Human scum have no say on a Ctarl-Ctarl bridge!" This Ctarl appeared to be about 6 foot 6 inches tall and well-muscled. It was all Gene could do not to make a joke about the fact that his fur looked perfect for a terran tabby cat.
"You haven't changed, Harith." Aisha spoke with sweet venom. "You're still a moron."
"Dammit, Aisha! You will treat your mate with respect!"
"Neither of those will EVER happen!"
"ENOUGH!" The governor roared. The Tam-Tam men were standing on a command platform, with about 20 yards between them and the crew of the 'Outlaw Star'. The governor then formally addressed his son. "Harith Tam-Tam, do you wish to claim your rights under the marriage contract between the Tam-Tam family and the Clan-Clan family joining you to Aisha Clan-Clan?"
"Yes."
"It has been reported that she has taken a mate on the person of the human James Hawking." It took all of Jim's will not to correct this, as he and Aisha hadn't done THAT yet. But he knew that for Aisha's plan to work, they had to be allowed to believe that they had. Besides, as a matter of Ctarl law, the terms 'mate' and 'spouse' were interchangeable. "Do you wish to challenge this, and enforce the contract?"
"Yes." Harith hissed that word out, glaring at Jim. "I will kill you, human."
"Wrong, moron." Aisha spoke, stepping into his line-of-sight. "I, Aisha Clan-Clan, formally object to this marriage contract. I had no knowledge of it's existence, and I have already chosen another for my mate. And according to the customs and laws you are using, when I choose to object to this contract marriage on those grounds, I can choose to fight you myself."
"Ridiculous!" Harith roared.
"Silence, Harith." His father, the governor, ordered. "Unfortunately, she is correct. By making this particular objection, she can choose either her chosen mate or herself to fight for them."
"But he's human! And a pathetic example of one! Certainly that law never included this!" Harith complained.
"The law was never species specific in regards to the chosen mate. It may have never been intended for inter-species mating, but it was never changed to exclude it." Governor Tam-Tam answered his son.
"And by the way, Harith." Aisha added. "While Jim is physically immature, his mind is better than anybody on this ship. Meanwhile you are what you've always been, a bully who wouldn't be anywhere without your father!"
"How dare you!"
"Enough of this!" The governor roared yet again. "Harith Tam-Tam. Do you still wish to enforce the contract, now that Aisha Clan-Clan has contested it in this way?"
"Father, you think I should fight her?"
"The choice is to you, Harith. I cannot intervene now."
Harith growled in frustration. "You're really going to make me break you to marry you, Aisha?"
"As if you could." Aisha taunted in a dangerous voice.
"Fine! I WILL enforce the contract!"
"Very well. Raise the challenge area!"
On that command, four poles rose from the floor. It was obvious to everyone that the poles were built to contain a 20 foot by 20 foot area within light shields, which would be projected between them once the combatants were inside. Even though Aisha had warned her friends about this, it was still difficult to believe. Ritual challenges happen often enough for this to be considered standard equipment on a ship this size? And yet, she assured them that there were very strict rules surrounding these challenges. Among them was the fact that there were no official duels to the death. In fact, duels around family matters, like mates, were the only things where you could get away with killing your opponent. And not even that was a given.
"Aisha Clan-Clan. Harith Tam-Tam. Step into the . . ." The governor was interrupted by two large explosions and the sirens on the bridge blaring to life.
"Sir, several ships have re-entered from sub-ether to the port and are firing on us!" Yelled the nearest sensor station.
"What! Who would dare do that?!" Captain Tam-Tam yelled back.
"They appear to be of Terran design! One battle-carrier, along with two heavy cruisers and four destroyer escorts!"
"Terrans! How!"
"I am also picking up a smaller vessel behind us, sir! Confirming . . . it's the 'Shangri La'!"
"MacDougall! I'll rip his . . ."
"We're being hailed by the carrier, sir!"
"On screen." Governor Tam-Tam ordered calmly.
The main screen came alive, and it was an image that relived the crew of the 'Outlaw Star'. Fred Luo was standing next to a very familiar saurian. "Attention Ctarl-Ctarl vessels. My name is Duuz Delax Rex. I am First Officer of the carrier 'String 1', lead vessel of battle force beta of the private security force 'Angel Links'. We are under the employ of Mr. Fred Luo to retrieve five hostages illegally in your custody. Turn them over to us peacefully or be forced to do so."
"You dare challenge the Ctarl-Ctarl Empire, saurian." Governor Tam-Tam growled.
"Do I need to point out the tactical situation?" Duuz asked. "You are outnumbered, outgunned, and your ships are docked together, limiting your mobility. And I know from experience that your hostages are experts at surviving difficult situations."
"If you think . . ."
"Large sub-ether re-entry point forming to starboard!"
"Now what?!" Captain Tam-Tam exclaimed.
"Sir! The six ships emerging are Ctarl-Ctarl."
"Perhaps you'd like to reconsider your threat, saurian." Governor Tam-Tam offered.
"We are being hailed be the lead Ctarl-Ctarl vessel, sir."
"Put it on screen."
"Sir, they want joint communication with us and the terran ships."
The governor sighed. "Very well. But if they aren't high ranking, I'll have their pelts!"
The main screen became a split screen, and the new image was one of the last beings in the galaxy he wanted to see in that moment. She was first cousin to the Emperor. Sixth in line to the throne. She also had another title, and Governor Tam-Tam immediately knew that this title was why she looked as enraged as any Ctarl-Ctarl he had ever seen.
"Mom?!" Aisha exclaimed.
"This does not end well." Gene whispered to Suzuka.
"It might." She replied.
"GOVERNOR TAM-TAM! THE EMPEROR HAD RESCINDED HIS AUTHORIZATION FOR THAT ILLEGAL MARRIAGE CONTRACT! YOU AND YOUR SHIPS WILL SURRENDER IMMEDIATELY!" Everyone on the bridge, human and ctarl alike, had to cover their ears. And they still winced in pain.
"Lady Clan-Clan, do you have evidence of this?" Governor Tam-Tam asked, trying to remain calm. He knew full well that Raisa Clan-Clan had joined the Clan-Clan family via an arranged marriage. Even though it had been to her childhood friend, and she had gone along with it, she was still an outspoken enemy of the practice.
She immediately held up an official looking document. "A copy has been transmitted to you on a sub-channel. You must be growing senile, Hasib, if you thought my agents wouldn't inform me in time to stop this. One of them even tracked you here."
"The second shadow."
"Lady Clan-Clan, may I address this situation?" Fred asked.
"My agents informed me that you and 'Angel Links' were attempting to help my daughter and her friends, Mr. Luo. That is why you are on this channel, instead of being destroyed."
"I thought as much." Duuz gave him a sideways look. "It occurs to me that, while the combined firepower of our ships would easily dispatch those two cruisers, I think you would agree that that would put the hostages at significant risk. However, if you and Duuz are willing, I think the combined boarding forces of our ships would overwhelm any resistance without seriously endangering them."
Her grin was bloodthirsty. "I think I like you, human. Any objection, Duuz Delax Rex of the proud saurian race?"
"I came here to do a job, and that is to liberate the crew of the 'Outlaw Star', which includes your daughter. My warrior's pride will not allow me to sit this out."
Governor Tam-Tam had heard enough. He may be proud, but he wasn't a fool. "That won't be necessary. We surrender."
"NO!" Captain Harith Tam-Tam roared. "The challenge has been accepted, and I will win her!" He spun around, meaning to charge . . . and ran into a full-force palm strike to the nose from Aisha Clan-Clan. Everyone watching saw the eruption of red as the cartilage and nasal bone basically exploded from the combined force, and several of the bones behind his nose shattered. He collapsed, the bloody deformation where his nose had been clear to see.
"Is he dead?" Jim asked.
"If not, he'll wish he was." Duuz chimed in.
"I give it a 50/50 chance." Aisha answered, cleaning her hand on Harith's sleeve. "He was quicker than I remembered." She glared at the Governor. "Are we done now?!"
"Medics!" Governor Tam-Tam called. Then he focused on Aisha. "I know when I'm beaten. You and your friends may go."
Aisha ran to Jim and picked him up in a spinning embrace. She then sat him down and caught him in a passionate kiss, which Jim eagerly deepened.
"Well, while those two enjoy the moment, may I ask a small favor of you, Lady Clan-Clan?" Fred asked.
"What is it?"
"I understand and respect if you would like your daughter and her friends to join you on your ship. However, I have something of theirs on board that I think they would like to retrieve as soon as possible."
"What's that?"
"The 'Outlaw Star'."
"What?!" Gene exclaimed in surprise.
"How do you think I got to my rendezvous with 'Angel Links' in time to get here?" Fred asked. "Once I explained everything to Gilliam, it was willing to help. Mind you, it couldn't do much without Melfina, but it was capable enough for this. While I guess it could wait, I thought Aisha might like having the 'Outlaw Star' take her to this family reunion."
"Very well." Lady Clan-Clan said. "In fact, I invite you, Duuz, his captain, and any command level officers in your force to a celebratory meal aboard my ship. Lt. Commander Lyn-Lyn!"
The Lt. Commander who had led the escort group answered. "Yes, Lady Clan-Clan!"
"Job well done. Now, you will take my daughter and her friends to the shuttle bay and fly them to the terran fleet to reclaim their ship. Then you will fly whoever wishes to come to my ship for the feast. Oh, and you should clear out your quarters. You will be remaining here. You've earned it, Commander."
"Yes, Lady Clan-Clan! Thank you!"
"Governor, as soon as their shuttle has left your ship, I advise you to leave this area. QUICKLY!"
"Of course, Lady Clan-Clan. Well played."
"I hate to interrupt, but does that invitation include us?" Call the familiar voice of Ron MacDougall from the speakers.
"Great." Gene grumbled. "I guess Harry finally hacked in."
"Not really." Came Harry's reply. "Somebody installed some nasty I.C.E. everywhere but open ship communications."
"Lady Clan-Clan, they are my contractors. May I answer them?" Fred asked.
"Be quick about it."
"Of course." He cleared his throat, then spoke in his hardest business voice. "Ron and Harry MacDougall. The terms of your employment were VERY clear, and for good reason. For the sum of 3,000,000 Wong, you agreed to double-cross Governor Tam-Tam, help me keep track of the 'Outlaw Star' crew, including tracking them on this journey when things changed. At the end of the job, you were to vacate the area."
"But I think the lady would like to thank . . ."
"You want me to make it possible for you to try to kidnap Melfina again." Fred cut in. "Do I really seem that stupid? I need to protect my investments and resources, and you two have been nothing but trouble. So let me be clear. Now that the job is done and the rest of your money has been paid, the next time you go after anyone connected to the 'Outlaw Star', I will place a LEGAL price on your heads so large that even the Sith will be interested. So I suggest that you leave, now, before Duuz decides to collect."
"Are you sure about that?"
"I'm sure about this." Lady Raisa Clan-Clan cut in. "Now that I know that you are the infamous MacDougall Brothers, wanted for capital crimes in the Empire, allow me to be clear. The only reason you aren't dead right now is because of your role in helping my daughter. That grace ends in one minute. Furthermore, if you ever trouble my daughter or any of her companions again, I will see to your deaths. After ten years of Ctarl-Ctarl torture."
Ron had heard enough. "Sorry, Harry, but no girl is worth all that." With that, the signal was cut. Soon after, sensors confirmed that the 'Shangri La' had fled via sub-ether.
"Are we really free of them?" Melfina asked.
"If they know what's good for them." Lady Clan-Clan answered. "But for now, hurry up, get your ship and get over here. We have a rescue and a reunion to celebrate."