Kavvan
“Padda, set a course for the Decca Sector.”
“Commander?” He turned his puzzled gaze on me.
“You heard me.”
“Yes, Commander.” He turned back around and did as ordered.
I sat in the Captain’s chair studying my holo-pad. King Mallik had ordered the Victory to investigate rumors about a black market.
“Commander, we will reach the Decca Sector in three standard hours.”
“Thanks, Padda.”
I wanted to return to the Dreama Sector, help continue the fight against the Tureis. Zekke had returned to lead the fleet, and with the help of the Curazin’s they would soon rid Earth of their attackers.
“Did Aydan and Riley get home safely?”
I turned my head and spotted Nikkul standing just behind me and to my left. With Aydan now planet-side, Nikkul had been promoted to Second in Command.
“They did. The way I heard it, his mother was happy to see him and opened her home to his mate and the young.”
Nikkul nodded before asking, “What do they think we’ll find in the Decca Sector?”
“A black market filled with slaves.”
“Let’s hope not.”
~~~~~
I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Nikkul at the rear of a large, boisterous crowd. Species from all over had shown up for the auction. Some owned pleasure houses, others used slavers for their own personal gratification. The species here were like the Tureis, uncaring about others, only taking what they wanted.
The auctioneer’s voice boomed across the crowd, quieting everyone to a soft murmur. “Attention everyone! Today we have a special treat for you!” Two Tureis dragged out a thin red-headed female kicking and screaming. “An unknown female species. Take a good look and let the bidding begin!”
“Let go of me you fucking son of a bitch! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill all of you!” She thrashed her head around and twisted her body, trying to free her arms. “MANDY!”
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, Nikkul tilted his head sideways, bringing it closer to mine, and quietly asked, “Are you sure we need to save her? She has a foul mouth.”
I spared him a glance and said, “Yes. Come on.”
We weaved our way through the crowd, heading to the front.
“300 credits!”
“400 credits!”
“1,000 credits!”
I glanced at the one who bid last, and sneered. A Gubu. They were known for their brutality of females during sex.
The auctioneer’s grin fell from his face when he caught me and Nikkul standing there. I thought about fighting, but after glancing at the size of the crowd, I changed my mind. With a serious expression on my face, I raised my voice and said, “10,000 credits,” and gave him a look that warned he’d better take the bid or else.
The auctioneer held my gaze, and after a moment of hesitation, he called out, “Sold!”
Nikkul went to retrieve the girl while I waited to see if they brought out another human.
“Next, we have a hard-working Bix.” Bix’s were house helpers, nothing more.
With that, I left to find Nikkul. If they had had anymore humans they would’ve been brought out first.
I spotted them coming around the edge of the platform. Nikkul looked irritated and he’d just met the female. I wanted to chuckle at the sight.
“Let go of me you son of a bitch.” The female kicked at Nikkul as she tried to get out of his grasp.
“Calm yourself. We’re here to help.”
I shook my head at Nikkul. “She can’t understand you.”
She glanced over her shoulder and screamed, “Mandy!”
Nikkul glanced at me and frowned. “What’s a ‘Mandy?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. Let’s go.”
The female twisted one way and then the other, trying to break free. It was all Nikkul could do to constrain her. I’d had enough. In one swift movement, I dipped, my arm going around her upper legs. I hoisted her over my shoulder while she continued to pound on my back.
Once on board the Victory, I headed straight to sick bay. Her voice vibrated off the walls, “Let me go you mother fucker! Mandy!”
When we reached sick bay, I leveled my gaze on the healer. “Sedate her and then implant the translator.”
“Yes, Commander.”
I laid her on the cot, before stalking off to the bridge. When I stepped on the bridge, I looked at the navigation’s officer and said, “Let’s go home.”
Kavvan
(Coming soon!)