Everything hurt. Jacqui tried to raise her head but merely succeeded in thumping it against the asphalt. With her mind racing, she took stock of her state. Some scrapes bleeding on her cheek, a sharp pain in her left side...The sun glared into her eyes so that they reflexively shut again. Have to check on the guys. An effort to sit up failed and resulted in flopping over onto her aching side. The dull throb in her shoulder was definitely a dislocation. Fighting injured sucked but she'd managed before...

On her side and shielded from the midday brightness, Jacqui forced her eyes open. Had to evaluate the scene. The truck was lurching into a ditch. Protruding from the shattered windshield was a body in fatigues, slumped over the hood.

She winced. Jerry. Fresh outta bootcamp and getting married before Christmas. You didn't walk away from that much blood. He was beyond help but there was still...

"...have gone to considerable effort and expense to free you. The Kahn expects no more delays." A raspy, gutteral tone that she would never forget. Reptile. Shit.

Erron answered back but she couldn't make out any words, only the low easy cadence of his voice. It didn't matter, she had to find the driver, Bill, and get them to safety.

"One still lives." The Outworlder rasped. He inhaled deeply. "The female. End her so that we may leave."

Footsteps crunched over the broken glass, definitely coming her way. Jacqui forced herself to relax, to be ready for any way that she may have to defend her life. But the steps ended abruptly.

"That's why your kind is nearly gone, piss poor strategy like that." He was close enough now that Jacqui could hear him loading bullets into his pistol's chambers. She opened her eyes the tiniest sliver possible. "Escaping now means I'm gonna have the full brunt of the Special Forces on my tail. This here, " he knelt down beside her, staring right into her face. "is about to be the prettiest life insurance policy I've ever carried."

"Those were not my orders ! She must be killed before we-"

"My employer is Kotal Khan. Not you, Syzoth. I'll discuss it with him." The outlaw crouched down, casting a dark shadow over her. " Look at me, Briggs. " There was no point faking, so she opened her eyes. "You get to live today because you might be useful to me. Know that your status can change any time I decide."

The outlaw kept staring, maybe waiting for some answer, some inkling of understanding? Jacqui stared back silently. Staying alive now depending on appearing cooperative until an opportunity presented itself.

When no reply from her came, he sighed. Disappointed? Too bad. "C'mon, Briggs. Get up. We're leaving."

"Stay here til I get back." Erron shoved her into the room. Standing on either side of the door were two Torr looking creatures. "Door's guarded so behave yourself, Briggs." And then he was gone.

No one had to tell her this was the Imperial Palace, home of the Kahn. Discussion had been nil after Erron pulled her to her feet and dragged her through the portal to OutWorld but she knew he was reporting back to his employer. What happened to her now was any one's guess. Kotal had no love for EarthRealm and even less trust for Special Forces so he might very well order her killed.

Whatever Black wanted with her, he needed her alive. That was all she could count on at the moment.

Escape was near impossible; she was surrounded by an army and defenseless. Jacqui took a calming breath and scanned the room, a sparse set of living quarters. A weapon, she needed some kind of weapon. But the area was bare of any personal effects; a simple couch, solid stone table, a few wall sconces... No knick knacks or items distinctive of an inhabitant...

A thorough inspection of every surface turned up a lone writing quill, one of those old fashioned ink dipping pens. No matter, a sharp point was still something. Melee combat was not her strong suit but she was taking what she could get.

There wasn't time for another check; both doors parted and the Khan marched towards her, Ermac on one side and her kidnapper behind him. Reptile was mercifully absent. Though his was a towering presence, Kotal had never intimidated her. It was hard to feel terrified of a man in a miniskirt who wilted without direct sunlight. With those weird,translucent glowing eyes, he stared. Jacqui stared back, letting him read the anger simmering in her gaze.

"Black, I accept your terms." Kotal's eyes stayed locked on hers. "Take her and make any arrangements necessary. We convene back here tomorrow to discuss new strategy." And then he was gone. Ermac lingered a second before turning and following his master.

Terms? Her jaw ached with the need to scream but she held herself still. When it was only her and the outlaw in the room, she calmly demanded, "Care to tell me what the hell that was about?"

"You'll find out before the night's over. Let's go." When he reached for her, she arched her body away. "Look, princess, this where you wanna spend your wedding night?"

Wed...

Her brain refused to reiterate the words. Something was very wrong here. This was one of those surreal pranks only Cass would find funny...

"Wasn't much choice. He wanted you dead, I had to bargain. But you'll be alive." This time when he grabbed her arm, she didn't resist.