Cembre stood, nodding, unable to form words. “Chadon, you won't regret this.”
“You just keep those damn Marisheio off my planet. They've caused me enough hardship,” Sedom grumbled.
Garric poked his head from around the corner. “Chadon, sorry to interrupt, but Dranium wanted me to let you know levels four through nine are fully operational. Levels five and seven are ready for Cidele’s teams.”
Sedom stood, nodding. “Very well. Inform her to start immediately. We have twelve-hundred new faces that are going to need training and housing.”
“Assuming they want to stay,” Cembre mentioned.
Sedom grinned. “I suppose so. It’s better to be prepared. I’ll let those we rescued know they have an option.” Sedom stood with a burst of energy. “You know, I think I’ll go do that right now,” she mentioned.
“Would you mind if I join you? There are three men I met aboard the Elnek that I would like to recruit for my team,” Cembre mentioned.
Sedom waved her to join her. They walked down the stairs, Sedom noticing the two brothers Danstu had hired going through her firestones. She caused Cembre to pause as she went over to the two men.
“Did Danstu talk to you?” she asked the two men, startling them both at first. “About the six locked cabinets?” she clarified.
The taller of the two men bowed slightly. “The Chirisal mentioned they house your personal property and we are not to touch them,” he stated.
Sedom nodded, pleased by Danstu’s excuse. “Keep up the good work,” she said. She continued over to Cembre again. “Bookkeepers,” she mentioned, noticing Cembre’s amusement.
“It’s amazing how many types of people it takes to run an army,” Cembre mentioned.
“You’re telling me,” Sedom returned in an elongated huff.
They reached the ship bay near day’s end. The sun globe was at half-brightness. Within the ship port, Sedom and her security team, plus Cembre all paused to look around. Nearly a thousand people sat around on the floor. Several of the Tasgool and the citizens of Gathow were helping to pass out blankets and pillows. A food station had been set up near Sedom’s own ship. A long line of ex-slaves waited to get food.
Sedom strolled over to the food counter, seeing Cidele dishing out food. She barely acknowledged that Sedom was standing beside her.
“Is there a reason why we only have one station available for these people?” Sedom asked Cidele.
Cidele continued to hand out plates of food as people walked by. “We don’t have the manpower. The only people who aren’t working to help these… survivors are our maintenance team and my team who are hard at work trying to clean new units,” she explained low behind her charming smile.
Sedom took a step back, feeling to her wrist com. She turned to Tremble, who was behind her and asked, “how do you work these again?” she asked.
Tremble held up her own com to demonstrate. “Who do you want me to call?” she asked.
“Dranium,” Sedom returned.
“You’re kind of new to this, aren’t you?” Cembre asked.
Tremble handed Sedom her com. “He’s waiting,” she said.
Sedom took the wrist com, scowling. “Show me next time. I need to know how to work them,” she grumbled. She turned her attention to the com watch. “This is Sortec. I need you and your men to come to ship bay one and help serve meals to the survivors. We’re a little short-handed.”
“Okay, Chadon we’re… on our… way,” Dranium returned.
“And yes,” Sedom replied to Cembre as she handed Tremble back her band. She continued through the crowd, walking by the people in the room. She was surprised when she saw no children and that most of the slaves were men.
“Why only men?” she asked Cembre, who she felt standing beside her.
“Women are a distraction,” Cembre explained. “There are a few women and children, but they’re in your infirmary,” she added.
“Oh, I see,” Sedom muttered. She stepped in the middle of the group, holding her hands up for everyone to take notice. “May I have your attention!” she called out. She continued to call out several more times until the ship bay quieted. Suddenly, over a thousand eyes were on her. “Welcome to Gathow. For those who don’t know me, I am Sedom Sortec, Chadon of the Narkoy,” she began, instantly causing gasps to echo out throughout the ship bay.
“I am pleased to inform you that you are all free people. You have been liberated,” she called out. The room remained in a hush. It wasn’t exactly what Sedom thought their responses would be. “If you choose, in the weeks to come, we will help you return to your home planets and to your loved ones. Or… you may remain here, within Gathow, and help us free all of our brothers and sisters still in bondage. Everyone has unique talents that could all greatly assist in our cause and we are in short supply of help. There will be stations set up tomorrow to help accommodate your needs. I do apologize that I cannot offer you all better accommodations this evening, but I promise you better accommodations are in the works. For now, eat well and attempt a good night’s sleep.”
She turned to Cembre, waving to the group. “The floor is yours now,” she whispered, although with is quiet as the room was, she could have yelled and her voice would have carried the same.
“Chadon,” a booming deep voice called out. Sedom turned to see a hulking Dormin man standing away from the crowd. “What planet are we on?” he asked.
“Matrador,” Sedom called back. Finally, she could hear several gasps of excitement. “But I warn those of you who are from this world. It isn’t the same planet that you left. Many of the cities here have been destroyed. There has been much devastation. Do not expect to find what you left
