 |
 |
 |
Ballus led Supergirl away from the dining room towards what he called her "quarters". She was bound, of course, with her arms pinioned painfully behind her with rope encircling her wrists and her elbows.
Ballus was obviously in no mood for talk and had silently re-gagged her with the harness gag as soon as he had reached her side in the dining area. There was no way that she could verbally ask him what she wanted to know, and she did not dare think too hard on the subject for fear of the Trull picking up her thoughts and discovering what the girls had in mind in way of an escape attempt. So Supergirl kept her mind blank as Ballus led her into a small cell.
Once inside, the door closed and he made a motion with his hand, and the ropes binding her arms fell away. Blood rushed back into her arms and there was a tingling feeling as if they had fallen asleep. She look curiously at the exotic Trull, curious as to why she was now free of her bondage. She still wore her gag and the ever present collar. There was no response to her silent question.
Instead, Ballus gently pushed her against a wall from which bands came mysteriously from within to anchor her arms to her sides by her wrists and upper arms. Identical bands clasped her ankles, thighs and waist, firmly holding her against the wall. With Supergirl now in this helpless state, Ballus turned and left the room.
Ballus felt uneasy as he glided towards his office. Something felt very wrong, yet he could not determine what it was. He didn't want to spend more time with Supergirl, advancing her training as Slaver wanted him too. Well, being bound and alone could be considered part of her training he thought, and thus smiled to himself in that he found another way to side step obeying Slavers direct command.
He wanted to reach his office as soon as possible so that he could meditate on the feeling of dread that plagued him. He felt that it was somehow connected with Supergirl. He had probed her mind, but only discovered some silly plot that the captives had for stealing a shuttle craft. Escape plots were nothing new, which was one of the reasons that Slaver employed Trulls. No, he decided it was something else, and he was determined to find out what it was as soon as possible.
He could not have any disruptions to his master plan, now that he was so close to it's fruition, now that Supergirl was within his grasp. He absent mindedly saluted the huge Mobian guard at his door and went inside, locking the door to prevent any intrusion, including that of the Slaver. Slaver was unaware of this added security measure that he had installed years ago, along with a few other "refinements" that Ballus personally made to the ship. Ballus did not get to be as rich and powerful as he was today by being trusting. That was why he had the Mobians as his own personal guards. They were loyal only to him. They would kill Slaver in a second if he so ordered.
There was no need for Ballus to make such an order...yet. But, he could see the day was soon coming.
Ballus reclined in his chair, closed his eyes, and released his mind to roam in meditation. He marveled at the hubris of Slaver. To take such a risk as to possibly revealing his secret by kidnapping Supergirl to be his slave. Yes, Ballus knew who and what the Slaver really was, and what a great asset he was in Ballus's quest for power. So close, he was soo close! Damn Slaver!! Some changes had to be made, but with Supergirl, he goal became that much closer. He smiled to himself and began to go into his trance state, allowing his psyche to race freely into the sixth dimension.
***
Slaver sat in his huge captains chair and looked around his efficient control room. They were fast approaching the time for de-acceleration to sub-light speed because of the a quasar, which could cause havoc with their warp drive engines, and possibly destroy the "Klarion Rebel".
Slaver was annoyed at the delay in delivery of the slaves that would cause, but knew that it could not be helped. It was a known risk one took when traveling through this sector.
"Time to decel?", he asked.
"Twelve minutes, 20 seconds", his navigator immediately answered.
"Calculation of time before we can go back to FTL speed?"
"Fourteen hours, thirty-three minutes at 90 percent light speed", the navigator replied, referring to his computer terminals after pressing a series of buttons. The Zziggii were well formed for work of this sort with ten long fingers on each hand. Two eyes, spaced at the sides of their bald heads could work independently and the brain could function simultaneously at several levels. The Zziggii could watch two video screens 180 degrees form each other and react to both at the same time. Slaver used them exclusively for his space flight crew.
"Sound general quarters", Slaver ordered as he studied the main tactical screen before him that displayed the star system that they would be entering.
"Condition Yellow executed, Captain", his executive officer reported twenty seconds later. Slaver frowned. His crew was getting slow. He had to unload the Earth girls soon, as the crew was apparently beginning to become affected by them.
"Too slow, Commander!", Slaver growled at the tall Vegan officer, the only non-Zziggii on the bridge, besides himself.
Commander Tasdron Lysander stood calm besides his captain as Slaver glowered at him. He stood in this spot every time a slaving mission took longer than a month. The crew too often forgot what they were in the slavery business. Slaves were nothing more than a valuable commodity, nothing more. Their only function was to make a profit for Slaver, and thus for him. Lysander made very good money as Slaver's third in command. Only Ballus commanded more respect in the Slaver's organization than he did. Excepting Slaver, of course. Even then, Commander Lysander had his doubts of late. But, the capture of Supergirl added new respect for the captain of the "Klarion Rebel".
"Ten minutes to decel," the navigator reported.
"Initiate long rang scanners," Lysander ordered. There was a silent bustle of brief activity as three pairs of hands flew lightly across their control panels. The view of the main viewscreen changed. The planetary and star positions of the system redefined themselves in contrast and symbols representing different tactical situations flashed and glowed at various points. The two officers studied the screen carefully. Everything appeared to be normal, and thus safe.
"Status?", Slaver asked as he calculated the run that he would take through the system, looking for ways to cut time that they would spend in vulnerable sub-light speed. He preferred the safety of traveling in hyperspace. No Star Legion. They were out there looking for him, and once word of Supergirl's capture reached them, they would intensify their search a hundred fold. He decided that he would have to go underground for a while until the upcoming fervor of the Star Legions fury dissipated. This would have to be the last long range spaceflight that he took for a while. It would cost him lots of money to hide, but he had Supergirl to occupy his time and make up for any monetary losses that he will incur.
"Eight minutes to decel," Lysander said, "Condition Yellow Alert. All cargo secured." The cargo was, of course, the Earth females. That Supergirl was there as well made him nervous. Slaver was risking alot by this action.
Commander Lysander was not used to being nervous, and was glad that Ballus was not around to see him in this state. He was afraid of what the Trull would pick from his mind. The memories that came back to haunt him. Lysander moved over to stand beside the science officer and examined the readouts on the system recourses and populations.
"System is comprised of seven planets orbiting twin suns, captain. Three planets, XM 3, XM 5, and XM 6 have rudimentary life forms. No indication of any advanced civilizations. No sign of abnormal energy usage or output." He glanced over at the screen before the tactical officer. "No spacecraft in orbit or on the surface of any planet. Asteroid scans also reveal negative contact."
"Very good, Commander." Slaver settled back into his chair. "Maintain scans and report if there are any changes." Slaver knew from experience that he could never be too careful. The Star Legion was getting smart to his tactics. He would use the time when he was not toying with Supergirl during his "forced vacation" to rethink his methods and make some changes in his tactics. He knew that he would also have to make some changes in personnel as well. Soon would be the time to met out some well deserved punishments.
Lysander stalked around the control room, standing still only to peer for a moment over the shoulder of one bridge officer or another before stalking over to the next position. Slaver was slowly drumming the arm of his chair. Lysander knew that his captain was agitated, and this made him nervous. The Vegan felt trapped, that his past was about to catch up with him and reveal his secret. If that came before he was prepared, Slaver would have him killed. He would probably give the pleasure to Ballus who would rip his heart from his body with an invisible hand as he had seen him do in the past, Lysander thought with an inner shudder.
He had to do something about Supergirl, and soon. He thought about her helpless and naked in her cell and about their meeting in the past. Why did this have to happen now?, he asked himself as he continued to pace back and forth. Slaver glanced over at his executive officer, but said nothing. It was common to see his exec. like this, keeping on top of things, making sure that everything ran smoothly. Slaver relaxed and prepared himself for the decel.
***
Ballus jerked upright in his chair. They were de-accelerating! The time had slipped past him quicker than he realized. But, now he knew something about his discomfort. He reached over to his computer terminal and raised that planetary display that copied the main view screen of the bridge. He looked at the twin suns. Something was very wrong here, he thought, and it had to do with the two small stars that encircled each other. However, everything about them appeared to be normal and no data came in to say that there was any threat or danger. It was just the feeling of dread that he had, and he could not shake it.
He stabbed the call button on his intercom. "Incapacitate the prisoners," he barked. "Do it now!" He then jabbed another button on the intercom, the one that opened up a channel to Slaver, where ever he may be. "Something is wrong, sir," Ballus said rising from his chair, "and I would advise that we go immediately to red alert!"
***
Slaver bolted out of his chair and looked closely at the main screen for something that he may had missed, something that would cause Ballus to react as he did. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Best not to take any chances, however, he thought.
"Go to Red Alert," he commanded. Instantly all normal lights went dim on the bridge and they were bathed in the red glow of the battle lamps. "Time to sub-light?" he asked.
Commander Lysander quickly moved over to the tactical position.
"Forty-five seconds," the navigator replied.
"All stations secure for red alert," Lysander reported, "All shields raised, weapon systems online and at 100 percent power."
"Prepare for evasive maneuvering," Slaver said to Lysander. The Vegan quickly moved over to the helm and replaced the Zziggii helmsman. Slaver knew that now was the time that a Vegan was needed at the flight controls, and Commander Lysander was the best pilot to be found in any galaxy. Lysander quickly punched in his personal code into the flight computer and the control panel changed before him, adapting the controls positioning for his human like Vegan form.
Tasdron smiled to himself as he took the flight controls into his hands. He was in his preferred element now. He was excited and ready. His hand poised over the manual over-ride, waiting to take control as soon as the decel was complete and they were in normal space. Seconds later the viewscreen changed before them.
"Decel complete," the navigator advised.
"Status?" Slaver asked as he went back to his seat and buckled himself in.
"All systems prime, no unidentified craft in the system. Energy levels at maximum output," his science officer reported.
"Get Ballus up here," Slaver growled. "I want to know what in the hells is going on here."
"He is on his way now, sir," his communications officer informed him. Slaver knew that his second in command would be on the bridge any second now. That Ballus had left for the bridge as soon as he was off the intercom with him. He glanced over at Lysander. "Follow projected flight plan and path, Commander, but be prepared to take manual on a seconds notice."
"Aye aye, sir," Lysander replied, keeping his eyes glued to the main screen. "You have the Conn.," Slaver then said. That would save valuable seconds if the Vegan would happen to perceive any threat before he did, since he would not have to wait to for Slaver's order before taking evasive actions. Milli-seconds counted in space, and the seconds saved by the order could very well mean the difference between life and death for the "Klarion Rebel".
"Aye aye sir, I have the Conn.," Lysander acknowledges. He was tempted to go into manual flight now, but decided to wait. Everything was now going according to plan, except for Ballus's warning, he thought briefly. He quickly masked his mind as he heard the bridge doors hiss open behind him as Ballus entered to control room.
Slaver turned to Ballus. "Explanation, Ballus," Slaver demanded. Ballus glided over to stand beside his captain.
"It is strange, sir. But, I have a feeling of wrongness here, like the quiet before the storm. Something is about to happen, I fear. And soon!"
"Any idea what it may be?"
"No sir, but I believe that it has something to do with the twin suns of this system," Ballus replied softly, looking over at Commander Lysander, who sat at the helm, striving to hide his nervousness from him. Nervous about what?, Ballus asked himself. He wondered if he should probe the executive officer's mind, but decided against it. Vegans mind's were very well masked against psychic intrusions, and they always made him queasy and sick every time he had tried.
"What is wrong with the stars?" Slaver asked, directing his question at the science officer. After several seconds of the Zziggii referring to his computer shrugged his shoulders in response. "Harrumph! Nothing, eh? Well, Ballus, there seems to be nothing wrong here. Could you possibly be wrong with your perceptions?"
"Possibly sir. As I said, I cannot pin down the reason."
"Well, until you pin down the reason, I see no reason to stay at red alert. Commander, you can take us back to yellow alert."
"Aye aye, sir. Yellow alert," Lysander ordered the bridge staff and the red glow was replaced by the normal lights.
"I am going to rest a while, gentlemen," Slaver told his officers as he unbuckled himself from his chair. "Lysander has the Conn., Ballus."
"Yes sir," Ballus replied. This was normal. He may be second in command to Slaver in the day to day operations, but it was the Vegan that ran the ship's operations when Slaver was occupied elsewhere. It was accepted by him, and he held no malice against the commander for it.
"Continue as planned, Commander," Slaver said and settled himself comfortably into the captain's chair, crossing his arms and closing his eyes. Ballus grasped his hands behind his back and waited beside Slaver, watching the viewscreen as the "Klarion Rebel" raced through the system.
***
Tasdron Lysander looked over his shoulder at Slaver. He was now dozing in his captain's chair. Lysander then looked at Ballus, who had now gone over to the science officer's station. They were discussing the two stars, unable to fathom the threat that Ballus perceived from them. Commander Lysander turned back to his vigil of the main view screen before him. They were now halfway through the system and the crew had settled into a quiet state of watchful ease. They weren't as tense as before, and some were actually bored. Slaver was now asleep, since their decel had been uneventful and they were apparently safe for the moment. Ballus on the other hand, was always the alert type, but he was too preoccupied with the systems stars to bother him, the commander knew.
***
Slaver stood. He now felt refreshed after his short nap. He had not slept since laving Earth, and he now felt ready for anything. He looked about him and saw that everything was quiet. Ballus was speaking with the science officer and Lysander was attentive at the helm. He smiled to himself as he thought of his captive Supergirl, and decided that he would pay her a little visit. They would be in the system for a few hours more and Lysander or Ballus could handle the ships operations until he returned.
"Commander," he said standing, "alert me of any changes. I will be inspecting the cargo." "Aye sir," Lysander answered. He stood up form the helm and the blue uniformed Zziggii helmsman he had replaced earlier took the helm. The commander turned in time to see the door closing behind Slaver.
Lysander took Slaver's place in the captain's chair and thought of how he could now get Ballus off the bridge. The Trull made him nervous.
Ballus turned from the science station towards the Vegan who was now seated in the seat of command. He, too, was nervous and wondered if now would be a good time to mentally probe the commander. He knew that he could do it subtly, without the Vegan being aware of the probe, but it would still be very difficult. What was it about Vegans that made it so distasteful for a Trull to probe? He knew that weaker Trulls even became physically ill when they attempted to probe Vegans. Ballus wished he had another Vegan to experiment on. Slaver needed Lysander too much for Ballus to experiment with his prize pilot's nervous system. And, Ballus was not ready to confront Slaver, just yet. So he decided against the probe and turned back to the problem of the twin suns.
***
The "Klarion Rebel" was not the only ship in the system. Three small Star Legion star cruisers lurked silently in the bowels of a small asteroid on the far side of planet XM-4. Quietly they awaited the slave ships approach so that they could spring the trap. There would be no jumping into hyperspace for the slaver while it was within the system.
The crew of the "Klarion Rebel" were unaware of the three space ships which lay in wait for them. Everyone, that is, except for Tasdron Lysander, who was a spy that they had placed in Slaver's organization many years ago. The Legion had been content to just be a minor hamper to the slaver's activities, to chase him about the galaxy. But, now the time for the chase was over, they had more than enough evidence against Slaver now to convict him and execute him for his multitude of crimes. The moment had finally come where all the advantages were theirs and Slaver was at him most vulnerable. They now knew everything that there was to know about Slaver and his organization.
There was one thing about the "Klarion Rebel" that the Star Legion did not know, however, and that was the existence of Supergirl aboard the ship. The three ships had powered down to minimum as to not reveal their existence. It was now a waiting game. For the Star Legion, it was a wait for the "Klarion Rebel" to be in perfect position. For Slaver, the wait was for the moment to return to the safety of warp speed. For Ballus, the wait was for the unknown storm. And, for Tasdron Lysander, he waited for his destiny.
|
|
|
