Terra Stone: Mistaken Identity Chapter 7

 Artwork by TroyDM

Terra Stone

In

Mistaken Identity

Chapter 7

 

Lord Quintan’s Office

Quintan Slave House, Sutter’s World

 

          Quintan leaned back in his chair and close examined the man on the other side of the desk. He had to admit that under different circumstances he might actually like this McNally. He was bold and had the look of someone that had been tested in the fires and survived. Then looking over McNally’s shoulder to the two stripped and collared pirate queens who wore only collars, cuffs, and light silk covering. He had to admit they both looked damn good like this.

          “So, when did the Union start taking and practicing the slave trade,” Quintan asked a second time.

          “So, you find them of interest.” Rafe smiled evenly. “I thought you might. That is why I brought them along with me. And officially, the Union does not condone or practice the business of taking and keeping slave. However, there are extenuating circumstances that can make us not look the other way as much as our eyesight not so clear.” He smiled.

          “Would you care to elaborate more?” making a come out with it motion with his hands.

          “As I said before you have two that I want. And I have two that you would like to have back one way or another.” Rafe looked over at Stone and Rojas as they knelt naked chained to their Master’s desk. Both looked to be in decent shape all things considered. “But to answer your questions. Dito decided begging for me to bring her along was better than being turned over to the Jardidians who wished to turn her into a place to lay their eggs and eventually food for their newborn. And Masadones. Somehow they felt that it was better to risk life a slave with you to the long painful death that awaited them elsewhere.”

          “So, you decided to enslave them and bring them with you.” Laughed Quintan as both the pirates stiffened.

          “Quite the opposite in fact. They have not been enslaved. But have accompanied me here of their own free will after having been very informative about many things which they felt myself and those I work for would be of greatly interested in.” McNally shrugged off.

          “And their lack of clothing, as well as the collar and chains?”  the slaver lifted an eyebrow.

          “Well, it might not be strictly by SOP. But given the reputations of these two, another strip search was definitely in order to ensure they had nothing that could be used to free themselves nor to attempt an attack. Given how well you know them, would you transport either of, let alone both of them, as anything but secured slaves?”

          “Excellent point,” the slaver finally conceded after looking over his former two associates kneeling like leashed slave behind the hardened space marine. Both women had proven time and again to be as deadly and resourceful as they were beautiful. Not to mention that they both looked very nice as naked collar slaves on their knees. While they had been valuable to his operations, there were many ways that they could serve him. This might be a new one and a very pleasurable one at that. He smiled as he imagined the pleasant hours breaking each of them to their collars.

          “The blockade that netted these two will surely catch a few more who will affect your bottom line until replacements can be located. And like with these two, we will learn more and more about your operations and how to hurt you.” McNally smiles after having gestured to the two former pirate slaves.

          “I did not think that Ambassador Black had this in him. I underestimated him.” Quintan smiled and nodded back.

          “Oh, you are right. He doesn’t. His instructions are to process any and all request from me and to stay out of my way.” Rafe watched the concern on the faces of the two slaves chained to their Master’s desk. As well as that of their Master. “No, this was something that he just was not suited for as it is not a diplomatic matter.”

          “No,” Quintan leaned back and reevaluating his advisory in this matter. “It is not. But I am surprised that such a matter has been trusted to someone of your rank. If not the Ambassador then I would have assumed that this duty would fall to an Admiral or a Captain of a ship at the very least.”

          “Admirals have fleets to run and functions to attend. Captains have ships to run. Master Gunners take care of what needs done.” McNally said evenly and coolly.

          “And what is that needs done, McNally. And other that I know you have some connection to this slave,” reaching down and playing with Terra’s hair like she was his pet. Smiling with an evil gleam in his eyes. “But why did they send you? And how were you so sure that I had these slaves”

          “One of the fools that snatched the wrong woman to fill their slave order.” Pointing to Terra. “I man called Tabor. Oh who is now in the custody of the authorities on Romata III, told us who he sold her to when he was captured. And they didn’t send me, I came on my own.”

          “You are trying to tell me that a warrant officer arranged all this?” the slaver laughed.

          “Let’s just say I know people. And when I start calling in markers and favors. Things happen.” Rafe smiles and held his hand out to the side in a what can I say type gesture.

          “Why she is just a female and now just a slave?” not able to comprehend what was happening and how this man was doing all this or why.

          “To you she is a slave, nothing but a piece of flesh to be traded or sold,” looking to Terra first then the Rojas girl. “To me it is personal as they are my people. So we are going to do a little old-fashioned slave trading. You are going to give me those two slaves chained to your desk and I will give you the two slaves that I have with me. Even swap.”

 

          Terra looked back and forth in disbelief. They were talking about her and the others as if they were not even in the room. Or as if they could not understand what was being said. As if they were animals or pet, then sinking in finally, or slaves. She looked at the two pirate queens on their chains. She didn’t want to be a slave for the rest of her life and certainly didn’t want this naive girl who had been trying to help to be a slave as well. But she didn’t want to wish that on anyone else to take her place. Then she looked at the two leashed pirates again. How many other people had those two delivered to Quintan and others like him to be sold as slaves. How much pain and suffering had they caused. Both looked as if they were undefeated still as if they were just waiting for this to be over and the collars and chains removed. Did they actually think that Quintan would free two slaves he just traded for?

          “No, not even by far.” The Slaver replied. “While the young one is pretty and would bring a fair price on the block just for being a pretty slave. The other is far more valuable. Her beauty alone would bring at least twice that of the young one. I would say ten gold minimum. But there are those who will pay hundreds or perhaps thousands for her, not for her beauty but for her and for what is in her head for them to drain and use to their advantage. So, no deal, but I will make you a decent offer for your slaves. Say four gold for the both of them?” He smiled.

          “YOU SON OF…” The Baroness had screamed at the slavers offer as she lunged at him with her shackled wrists outstretched. But she was jerk back by the leash on her slave collar, and the collar sent a series of jolts of energy into her body causing her to squirm and scream in pain on the floor at the feet of the Marine. Dito on the other hand had only stared at the slaver with a look of don’t lower your guard as I will kill you.

          “Four gold for both?” McNally laughed, “Not that I could collect it. But there are bounties on their heads for a thousand times that, each.”

          “I thought you said that they were to be executed?” smirked the slaver.

          “Oh, they would be after they were turned over for the gold. It truly surprises me that as cunning and resourceful as these two are. That they haven’t figured out a way already to fake being captured to be turned in for the bounty on them. Then have a prison break already in place to get them back out.”

          “Thank you,” Dito smiled noting what she took as a compliment. Then icily adding, “Master.” While at the same time Baroness, was still curled up on the floor recovered as she sobbed. She did not care for the punishment that she had used so freely for her amusement on others. McNally glanced over and nodded to acknowledge.

          “A point well made,” Conceded the Slaver. “You have a counteroffer?”

          “Same as before, plus I will have the blockade removed and you can resume business.” Holding up a hand to signal that he was not finished. “This blockade does not just effect your operation but everything that is going on here. Rumor has it that there are a lot of shady dealings happening on Sutter’s World.”

Damned this man Quintan thought. He was right while the blockade had affected him.  It would only be a matter of time before those who came here to broker under the table deals would stop coming and that would cause his cousin to cry even more. And he was also correct about the kings random offered in bounty on the two wore the collars and leash that he controlled. But he could not just give in right now. Not letting this damnable Marine win in his own house by setting the terms.

“Fine for the two slaves you have, recall your ships,” pausing for a moment more before finishing. “And 50 gold for each of the slaves I hold.” Smiling thinly.

“How about I agree to the first two terms and 50 gold for the both of the slaves. They are still new to their collars and mostly untrained.” McNally smiled and countered. Terra could not believe that he was bartering for her with this man.

“Done.” Quintan growl bitterly. With a hand he waved for Mester to take possession of the two slaves who were former associates of his.

“Before you have any funny ideas of a double cross. If I do not signal the USS Chesty Puller in a quarter of an hour. Then four Iwo Jima class assault craft will be launched to raid this facility. But if you don’t believe me, then call my bluff” McNally smiled and shrugged. “Now if you will have those two slaves,” pointing to Terra and Marla, “placed in transport tubes and delivered to my craft.” Reaching into his tunic and pulling out a bag of coins and tossing it on the desk in front of Quintan. “Our business will almost be done.”

Quinton picked up the sack of coins in one hand and nodded to Mester to have two more of his people unfasten the two slaves from his desk and removed from the office. Terra looked back over her shoulder as she was led past McNally. Once the door closed behind them.

“Almost with done? What more can you possibly want from me?” looking up from the desk.

“I have been instructed to acquire some addition slaves from you. If you count the gold in that bag. You will find it holds 150 gold doctras. I would think for the additional 50 doctras I should be able to get at least 4 more quality slave girls.” Holding up a hand to the slavers. “I am not at liberty to say. I will trust your judgement in the 4 slaves you give me to be of good quality. But they will need to be delivered to my ship with the other two in transport tubes.”

“You said that there was 150 doctras in the bag.” Dumping it out on the desk and counting it. Finding that was the exact amount. Then looking up at the smiling Marine.

“Yes, 50 for the first two slaves, 50 for the 4 additional slaves, and the other 50 for let’s just call that a processing fee so that all records and data on all the slaves is transferred with them.” Rafe smiles then his eyes went cold. “Also this will be the end of this. If you ever try to come back later and file claims of ownership over any of the slaves that I just acquired from you. Or any of your people do. I will personally come back here and burn this place to the ground with you in it. Do you understand.”

Quintan leaned back in his chair looking at the pile of gold coins on the desk then to the Marine standing on the other side of the desk. He had dealt with many people from many cultures and worlds. He had learned to read then their body language and the tone of their voices when they spoke. The man before his stood like a statue and his words were spoken calm and evenly. That alone would have been enough to taken him seriously. But, that he had somehow managed to sortie several warships to assist him in rescuing two of his people. That was unheard of. Yet he had done it. So again, He had no reason to doubt that this man would do just what he said he would do. It was not a boast or ideal threat. If was a statement of fact.

“Mester, select four slaves form the top tier of the next auction lots. Have them delivered to Master Gunner McNally’s ship with the other two slaves and all documents and data we have on all six slaves transferred with them to his ship” He order his assistant.”

“I think that concludes our business then, Lord Quintan.” Touching his brow in mock salute McNally smiled and turned to the door to leave. Then stopped and looked back, “I don’t expect that I will be seeing you again. Will I” Turning back to the office door and leaving to return to his ship.

“Mester, I sincerely hope that we never see that man or those two females ever again.”