“They wouldn’t have done that if they’d known you were a true brooder.”
“Yeah, because slaves are only valuable if they can fuck or make babies for anyone with enough credits to purchase them, right?” When he didn’t respond, I continued, “All the other slaves aren’t real people, so you can beat them, starve them or sell them to anyone in the verse. When you’re on the top looking down, you can never see how unfair and horrible the whole system really is. I wish every single being in the verse could spend just one day as a slave. Then they’d understand how wrong it is.”
Nodding, his expression is deeply perturbed. “You give me much to think about, human.”
I wanted to scream at him that I had a name and that he should use it, but I didn’t because I’d already gone way too far. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to go off on you like that.”
“I am perpetuating your humiliation and abuse. Who better to bear your anger than me?” His voice was calm, low and unemotional.
I can feel my eyes watering in frustration when I respond, “You’re probably a good choice because you couldn’t care less about my situation.”
“Is that what you truly think of me?”
“Why would I think anything different?” Standing, I clip all the containers back together and shove them through the bars of the hell hole that I’m starting to think of as my new home. Turning my back, I wrap my arms around my midsection and try not to cry.
“You wish me to leave, do you not?”
“I would like to be alone for a bit.”
“As you wish.”
I can hear him pick up the stack of metal containers before his footsteps signal that he has moved away from the cell. The moment the outer door slams shut, I slide to my knees. I’m finally cracking, just when I need to be strong the most. Truth be told, I no longer feel like flirting with the ruthless bastard. Feelings of hopelessness overwhelm me, and it seems like the walls are closing in around me. He’s the enemy. I will repeat that to myself many times before the day is out.
6
Tarion
I’ve left my new slave to her own devices for a few days. Our last conversation left me thinking that perhaps she does not understand how interplanetary trade works. Individuals who could not or would not provide for themselves were taken as slaves. Often, the individuals who could not provide for themselves had to be forced to earn their keep once a responsible party stepped in. Naturally, one could not always have it their own way once they were under the care of another.
Not being totally ignorant, I knew that was how the system was supposed to work. What Carissa referred to as slave pits were actually huge underground holding areas where traders came to acquire and relieve themselves of responsibility. The holding areas were located underground to take advantage of the protection from heat and foul weather. It was the best type of environment for both caretakers and those in their care.
Still, it bothered me greatly that she had been abused.
She was correct that all beings have worth, but unfortunately, some are worth more than others. Even among my family, there is a strict hierarchy of importance. As the oldest and most experienced, my sire is the most important member of our family. One would think that as his eldest son, I might be second in importance. That is not the case, however. After failing to attract a mate, I have been dropped from consideration as an heir, since I am not destined to continue our line. Failure to attract a mate did not mean exile, but I am now a social outcast among my people. I’m the one who had every advantage and failed.
The realization bothers me little. I am happy to compete with my father for riches and territory. In truth, I’m virtually the only real competition the poor man has. We both enjoy our little grudge matches. Just three solar revolutions ago, the old buzzard fleeced one of my mini-freighters of a load of foodstuffs. But that was fine; during the next solar, I dropped down behind him and fired on his rear engines, costing him more in repairs than the foodstuffs were worth. Hearing him sound off furiously on the communi-channels for all the verse to hear was more than a little gratifying. Good times, they are.
My mind drifts back to the female sitting in my hold. I learned that Carissa has been in service for many years. Slaves that suffer from hard use are often bitter and broken. However, Carissa seems not only to have born it with incredible resilience, she’s still got fire in her gut and enough courage to speak her mind. Her battle marks are both numerous and gorgeous. I am especially fond of the scar running down the side of her throat. It makes her look fierce. Those scars set her apart from other females, marking her as a strong survivor. No doubt some of them were even acquired when she was but a youngling.
I admire the fact that she’s been tested by the worst the verse has to throw at her and endured. I imagine the quality of young she will brood will be amazingly strong if she is chosen by a true warrior. Warriors are the strongest of all males and true brooders are superior to all other females because of their ability to breed with so many species. Though no warrior in his right mind would lend out his brooder to another male, having lured a true brooder marks even a warrior out as elite among others of his kind.
Lehar’s impatient voice interrupts my internal musings. “Sir, I asked if we are still a go for the extraction.”
Abruptly brought back to the task at hand, I nod. “Yes. Begin with Extraction Team One and release each of the remaining teams
