Darterra Saga: Book 2 Marooned, Chapter 6

The Darterra Sagas

Marooned

Chapter 6

“I Fear that we have woken a sleeping dragon”

 

Crash Site of the Starship Yakali Kole

Western Territories, Darterra

 

          The attack had caught Kala completely off guard. The air had been still full of smoke and the scent of hot metal and burning debris when her and Maco had reached the area of the crashed ship. So, Kala failed to detect the scent of humans near by other that her pet. An object had landed at their feet and exploded in a blinding light followed by a gas cloud that cause both her and Maco to stagger back gasping and choking for air. Then their worlds went dark, and they both collapsed to the ground.

          Instantly, uniformed men dressed in red jackets and black trouser of the security forced of the Cristo Corp emerged from their hiding places. The Garbeh warrior quickly stripped of her weapons and armor. Both her and her slave were quickly chained, leashed, and muzzled so that when the effects of the gas used wore off. Kale and Maco found themselves helpless and at the mercy of the men who had then encircled with drawn weapons.

          A brash and self-absorbed young officer that not only bore the insignia of a Second Lieutenant on his shoulders but badge of an officer of the Cristo Corp. His name was Chase Van Horn, and while he was not the senior surviving officer of this mission. He felt that his being the representative of the District office made him senior to anyone else. Now that Captain Shan had been killed with the ship destructed. He felt that Lieutenant Davis should relinquish command to him even though Davis was a 1^st Lieutenant. The capture of the Garbeh female would be a major boost to his career and might even mean a promotion and transfer to a more prestigious posting. The fact that his failure to follow proper clearing procedures may have been what triggered the self-destruct protocol need not be mentioned in the official report. He would see to that.

          It had shocked him that the human female pet of the beast had not been grateful for being rescued baffled him. Perhaps she was feral, having lived too long as a pet of those creatures. And even though the woman had not spoken a word since they had been captured, having only made grunts, whimpers, and even growled at him. He had overridden Davis and ordered her to be muzzled as well. She was a shapely thing and would make an excellent slave once she was properly cleaned up, conditioned, and tamed. He would keep her, at least for a time, as a trophy of this great moment. Van Horn would prefer to keep the beast as well. But was sure that it would be transferred quickly to New London as a prize for study and display. It was actually remarkable when you thought about it. The she beast’s breast it was discovered, once her armor and clothing was taken, though lightly covered with fur, were as nicely shaped and much like those of her human slave. It made one wonder what else was similar in the Garbeh females and human females.

          “Van Horn,” Davis called to him.

          “That is Lieutenant Van Horn.” Van Horn shot back.

          “You may represent the Corporation, Van Horn. But with the loss of Captain Shan, I am the senior officer on this patrol. I’ve have cut you some slack, but that will only go so far. I fully intend to ensure the report shows that you entered that ship without following procedures and likely triggered that explosion.” Davis standing his ground. “Now we have to establish contact with headquarters so we can arrange transport back for ourselves and the prisoners.”

          “And how do you plan to do that, Davis.” He challenged.

          “Not far from here is an old ranch. We will march there and stay there while we sending a rider back if they lack a radio. Now get the men and the prisoners ready we will be moving out in five minutes.” Davis looked at what was left of the patrol. Out of 20 men and 3 officers, only himself and Van Horn remained of the officers and 8 of the men none higher than a corporal. “Corporal Hass, we are going to be moving out, I want flankers on both sides and a scout up front. You will take charge of the prisoners personally.” It should only take maybe four to five hours to reach the Lasignia Ranch from here. He had been there a couple times in the past. But he knew that the only way that they had taken the Garbeh was her superior sense of smell was off due to the smoke and ash lingering in the air. Those grenades that had been removed from the ship prior to its destruction had been the only thing that enabled them to take the warrior without taking serious casualties. He had to wonder how Van Horn had known what they were and how to use them. Van Horn had only been at the headquarters for a few weeks and had been evasive about where he was from. But he didn’t have time for that, watching as the scout and flanker started to move out, followed by Hass leading the prisoners on their leashes. He motioned for Van Horn to proceed him then followed with the final trooper bringing up the rear.

         

 

 

 

 

Lasigna Ranch

Fortier Territory Western Darterra

 

          Two days had passed since she and the others had been captured and brought to this ranch. There had been some tense moments a few times. Master Tyrell’s slave, Piper, was clearly in charge of all the slaves including her. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. But as she was a slave she didn’t have any choice in the matter as both the Masters had decided. Just like she didn’t have any choice in her name being changed from Terra to Leta. The reasoning had made perfect sense. As Terra Stone, she was well known to the Cristo Corporation, so that Terra Stone was supposed to be a slave on smuggler ship Yakali Kole. If they learned that she was on this world, then they would know that the rest of those with her were here as well.

          So now she was the slave girl Leta, and only the slave girl Leta. She was slowly adjusting to that reality. Master Tyrell had returned her to Rafe as his slave. It was clear that to him that was all she and the others were slaves and nothing else. She supposed that she understood why he felt that way. She and Nina had been lured into traps and taken as slaves. The others were simply collected as they were already serving as slaves. She also reasoned that she would either still be in the slave pens of Sutters World or been sold to someone already if Rafe had not done what he had. So, in reality she was a slave as she had been sold by the Slaver to Rafe who was her owner and Master.

          She had been allowed to be chained at night in the bedroom of her Master as Piper was chained in the bedroom of Master Tyrell. Nina and the others were still chained in the stalls of the stables at night. The three non-humans were still locked in the tack room at night for their own safety. During the day they were released to work inside the stables where they would not be seen by any who approached the ranch unnoticed. One of the other things that had been agreed upon by the two Masters was that all of the slaves would be clothing but also be allowed to carry a small hunting knife on a belt about their waists. This was to help them in their chores but to also given them a means of protection and defense in case of attack. Master Rafe had wanted to give her and Nina pistols, but Master Tyrell had not budged on that subject. Saying that while it was not illegal for slaves to be so armed. It was seldom done without good reason like an imminent attack. And once it was discovered that a ranch that was known to have only the one remaining slave, suddenly gained four more slaves and all beauties. There would be some notice taken of them. To arm them with anything more that knives that might be needed in their daily chores would only cause the ranch to be looked at harder.

          Leta was pretty sure that if Master had not shown up when he had to claim her. That Master Tyrell, to Piper’s dismay, would have gotten to know her much better as she squirmed on his chain at night. Several times she had felt his eyes upon her, and to him she was nothing but a slave, and giving pleasure is but one of the many things expected of slaves. Since leaving Sutter’s World, her Master, Rafe had her pleasure him many times to her mutual enjoyment. But the longer they remained on this world, the more native they would all become. And with no rescue in the foreseeable future, it might not be long before she was traded for the night or chained downstairs while one of the others pleasured her Master.

          The short time that they had been here had started affecting all of them. Magdella and Druilla both had matter of factly accepted and embraces that they were slaves and to serve those that either owned them or were told to by their owners too serve. They both had different mindsets on the matter. Magdella’s was that she was inferior and therefore only worthy of being a slave as that was logical to her. Druilla on the other hand had been born into the slavery of a conquered people. She had known nothing else her whole life. Her only reservation was when it came to serving the red skinned Latorian Masters and Mistress that had oppressed her people and enslaved them. She took great joy and pleasure in making sure that her former mistress, Olaca, learned that her life of leisure and privilege was over and now she must be the one that serves and pleases lest she feel the lash of her owner’s displeasure.

          Marla was still trying to accept why when we had been bought from the Slaver that we were simply not whisked back to the Fleet. Taken promptly to sick bay, where not only would these hated slave collars be removed, but the brands that marked us as slave like we were livestock would be removed as well. Not only had that not happened, but she was now chained in a barn like an animal and forced to do manual labor. Naomi, she suspected had spent some time as the slave of the black marketeers that took her prior to be sold. She did what she was told and didn’t complain or bitch about it.

          “Hurry up with that water, Red!” Demanded Piper from the doorway of the kitchen.

          “Coming Piper,” Leta groaned. She had really started to hate being called ‘Red’. She granted that Piper had more experience as a slave than her or anyone but maybe Druilla. But she had been put in charge of them, and she would not hesitate to take the switch she was given to any of the slaves under her. At least she didn’t require them to address her as mistress like that bitch back in the slave house had done. Then Lita saw them emerging from the tree line at the far side of the field. There was a half dozen or more soldiers coming with two prisoners. One of the prisoners was human while the other looked like a large cat walking on its hind legs. “Piper, Soldiers!” she warned.

          “Those aren’t soldiers” The color drained from Piper’s face. “Those are company men!” She vanished into the house to find the Masters.

          Tyrell was standing on the porch of the ranch house by the time the patrol reached them. Seeing the striped prisoners, one of them a female Garbeh that was muzzled and chained, caused him to shift his stance uneasily. The exotic slaves were locked back in the tack room, and the other slaves had been warned to behave. The 1^st Lieutenant that was leading the patrol looked familiar to him.

          “Blackburn, I see that you are well and have been prospering.” Stated Davis as he glances about. Noting that there were five slaves working about the house and barn. The one brown hair girl he recognized from his last visit. He had even half-jokingly offered to buy the busty dark tanned slave from him.

          “Maybe,” Tyrell shrugged. “What brings you out this far?”

          Davis was about to explain when Van Horn exerted himself into the conversation.

          “As representative of the Honorable Cristo Corporation. I require you to surrender two riding horses, a wagon and team,” pausing to look over the slaves working them letting his eyes come to rest on Leta and Piper. “And at least two of these slaves to cover any taxes that are due.”

          Then absurdity and boldness of Van Horn’s demand too everyone back including Lt Davis. Van Horn then pointed to Piper and Leta then motioned for them to come stand before him. As slaves they did so without hesitation. When they stood before him, he scowled seeing the knives that each girl carried at her waists. Removing the knives from their scabbards, he tossed one to the side away from them. With the other he proceeded to cut the strings which held their halters and loincloths on them. Smiling wickedly as his eyes roamed over their naked beauty. Slowly walking around the two and then pulling their wrists behind their back, locked them in handcuffs.

          “Just what do you think you are doing?” Demanded Tyrell none too friendly.

 

          “Isn’t it quite clear.” Van Horn chuckled. “I am claiming these two slaves in the name of the Cristo Corporation.” The snapping a leash to each of their collars.

          “You mean that you are stealing them.” Growled Tyrell starting to step down from the porch. This caused the men with Van Horn to tense up and bring their rifles to the ready.

          “Easy, everyone Easy!” Davis raised his hand then turning to his men to ensure that they didn’t make matters worse than they were already. Van Horn that horny ass! He had wanted to arrange a deal for one horse to send a runner back while they bivouacked here. They might have even worked something out for the use of a wagon and team. But that was not very likely now.

          “The Cristo Corp does not steal. And these slaves and the horses are more than enough to cover any taxes that you owe.” Van Horn said matter of factly. Playfully tugging on the two girls’ leashes to move them away from the house and the angry man to whom they had belonged to. He eyed the red headed slave. She was beautiful and would be pleasing to own and mount often. But there was something about her that he could not put his finger on.

          “I don’t owe any taxes, and ifing I did I would not be parting with that slave to settle them, when I have others.” Tyrell pointed to Piper.

          “Then I will simply keep the red headed one and take that busty bitch over there.” Van horn laughed and pointed at Naomi.

          “Well, the red hair slave is mine and so is the big breasted one. And I don’t owe anyone anything and they are not for sale or for taking.” Came a voice from behind them as Rafe stepped from the barn.

          “I will take what I please in the name of the Corporation, Mr. What-ever-your-name is.” Snarled Van Horn.

          “The name is Cutter, Nate Cutter, and I will be inviting you to take your hardware off of my slave.” Rafe answered in a low all business tone of voice.

          “Van Horn, Stand down! You are only making things worse.” Ordered Davis.

          “Van Horn!” gasped Leta finally putting a name to the face herself. But now her eyes widened in fear as she saw that he too had put the name to the face as she tried to pull away but the leash held her in place.

          “Stone! Terra Stone!” Tugging the naked and restrained slave closer to him. “The cat bitch and you at the same time. I will get promoted and off this rock..” He never finished as his eyes went wide, and mouth started to slack as he fell to the ground. Nina’s knife was planted to the hilt in the middle of his back. Only when he fell he pulled Leta and Piper down with him as he had a death grip on their leashes.

          The suddenness and the attack coming from a slave at that, stunned the troopers who were slow to react. Leta and Piper with their wrists locked behind them could do little more than to kick at the body of Van Horn in their attempt to pull away from him. One of the troopers brought his weapon up to take aim at Nina. He never got his finger on the trigger before Tyrell stop him dead. The trooper that was holding the leashes of the Garbeh warrior and the slave, never knew what hit him as the Garbeh female brought her shackled wrists down across his tempt, killing him. Within moments, all the Cristo people were dead or wounded. Lt. Davis was dazed and bleeding from a knife wound inflected on him by Naomi, who had ripped open her halter so that he was so distracted by her bare breasts that she was able to close and stab him in the shoulder.

          But it had not all went well for them either, as the Garbeh warrior knelt next to the naked human slave chained with her. The Garbeh was holding pressure on a bullet wound from a stray shot one of the troopers managed to get off. Naomi’s training kicked in and she rushed over to start helping the girl. Piper and Leta had their leashes cut near the hand of the dead Lt Van Horn by Marla. But the leashes still dangled between their rip bare breasts as their wrists were still securely locked behind their backs.

          “You knew that one?” Rafe asked Leta as she moved closer to lay her head on his shoulder.

          “Yes, Rafe,” Leta started only to have his finger on her lips to silence her.

                   “Remember from now it’s always Master or Nate. I am Nate Cutter, and you are the slave girl Leta. We cannot afford to have what just happened occurring again.” He corrected her.

          “Yes, Master.” She smiled then sighed. “He used to work for Cristo on Romata III. He was bragging and let it slip about the hacker who was selling access to the planet. He was trying to impress me with how important he was. But I don’t know how he got here?”

          “The long arm of the Corporation no doubt.” Tyrell’s deep voice came form behind them. Turning they saw him standing there as he removed the leash from the collar Pip wore. Then squatting down, he checked the dead company man’s pockets for the key to the cuffs. Finding it he rose and spun the girl about freeing her hands from behind her. “Go release the other from the barn.” Sending her on her way with a slap on her bare ass.

          “You think he was sent here to get him out of sight or as a punishment?” Nate speculated.

          “It would seem to be their way.” Nodding in agreement. Looking at Leta, the motioning for her to turn about. Tyrell removed her cuffs as well. She jumped when she too got a playful slap on her ass sending her on her way as well. Removing the leash from her collar, she moved about the bodies checking for those that may still be alive and disarming the living and dead. “But we have a bigger problem.” Pointing to the furred slave prisoner.

          “Is she what I think she is?” Nodded Nate.

          “Yes, she’s of the Garbeh. And if there are more of her kind close about. It will not go well for us.” Turning and moving to the kneeling feline. Removing his jacket and placing it over her shoulders then releasing the muzzle from her so that she could speak. “I am Tyrell, and this is Nate, and we mean you no harm”

          “Forgive me if I don’t believe you , as my people have heard that before,” Kala hissed at them as she eyed them. She wanted to back away from them as she was still chained, but she would not leave Maco. There was also the fact that her and the girl were still chained together to consider as she stood her ground. The male with the hairy face, she thought they called that a bread was the one that has spoken to her calling himself Tyrell, slowly moved towards her with his hand to the side in a non-threatening manner.

          “Take it easy,” Nate told her a low calm tone of voice. “My girl Naomi is a first-rate healer, She will take care of your friend.” What he had read about Naomi’s past told him just that. She was an excellent field medic. Methodical and dedicated to helping and healing anyone that she could. As far as he could tell that is what led to her becoming a slave. Glancing over at the olive-skinned buxom slave as she worked on the likely slave girl chained to the Garbeh woman.

          “Master, I am going to need some help. Mags has some healing skills too I need her.” Naomi looking back over her shoulder with concerned in her eyes. Seeing a nod from her Master she looked towards the stables. “Mags get that pale ass of yours out here I’ve got a bleeder!”

          Tyrell took advantage of the distraction this cause and grabbed the feline warrior’s arm, thrusting the key in the shackles and opening each of the cuffs letting them fall away then pulling the snug leather pouches that had been placed over her hands? Paws? Whatever to call them, the leather sacks had prevented her from using her claws as a weapon. She bared her teeth at him till she realized that he had just freed her. She started to thank him, then saw the pale-skinned Thetanuian slave running to help the one they called Naomi work on Maco.

          “Goddess!” was all she said.