Deus
It would appear the Ulep are attempting to bore me to death.
I’m not sure a Sarkarnii warlord has ever met such a fate, but if I have to stare at the unchanging view they have somehow taken from my quarters for much longer, I suspect I may smash my own head in, rather than have it blown off by the control collar.
Other than occasionally increasing the pain in my neck, the thing has been remarkably quiet, despite my careful exploration of its surface.
I can tell there are a number of entry points, and if it is true the Ulep want to continue taking my mating mix, I have suspicions that any charge which might result in separating my head from my body is a mere threat rather than a reality.
However, I know it is capable of rendering me unconscious with some form of gas. It can cause me pain, and it also, somehow, suppresses my shift, such as it is, meaning I am unable to escape from it by changing to my Sarkarnii form.
Other than a delivery of meat once a day, there is absolutely nothing else to do but contemplate my existence.
But if the Ulep think I’m going to sit here and let them use me as some sort of sentient dispensary, they are wrong.
I suspect my captors may have underestimated my desire to get free. Also my intelligence, although I doubt that’s a stretch given how I have behaved.
Further, they clearly do not have my Lydia under their control, or they would have shown her to me, rather than a holographic creation of her.
Provided they know about the mix, they would know her actual presence would make me produce more, therefore in her absence I know she is still safe, back on Vorostor, in the heart of all the Sarkarnii warlords.
Whilst it makes my mating gland pulse at the thought of her being surrounded by warriors, at least she is in that position, and while my body rejects it, my mind knows she is the safest she can possibly be without me by her side.
My fellow warlords will protect her, like they protected the other female humans. I doubt very much they will accept my disappearance as anything other than suspicious, because I would, but it makes me even more determined to get back and prove Dalox wrong.
I know now, despite my earlier desires, revenge is pointless. The Ulep do not care what happens to me, or to my mate, or to the other Sarkarnii, provided they get what they want. I should take their own instruction instead. Care less, destroy more.
The end of the Ulep would be satisfying, but it won’t bring Dylia back, nor will it take me to my beautiful Lydia.
I can still see Dylia’s hand on mine. I can still hear her voice.
“If this virus takes me to the ancestors, don’t ever be alone, Deus. You don’t do well alone.”
I should have listened to that voice, to her, the female who swore to protect me, not the other one, the one from deep inside me, the one which became overwhelmingly loud after Dylia went to the ancestors. The voice which promised destruction and pain to rain down on those who took her from me.
Because, despite everything I have done, the ancestors have seen fit to send me Lydia. My tiny creature who made noises I want in my head forever as I plundered her sweet body. Or as she stands beside me, making my fate her fate. My little fierce female, far more bold than she believes she is.
I need to be with her. The Ulep do not get to keep me from her.
“This one is producing an excellent amount of what the Sarkarnii call mating mix.” The Ulep’s voice rings in my ears.
Given no one has spoken to me for some time, this is a development. One I would prefer to use to my advantage.
I snarl. The collar hisses at me, the gas again.
Thing is, when a Sarkarnii warrior is left alone in a cell with a collar filled with all sorts of tricks, he’s going to spend some time working out what they are.
And Sarkarnii can hold their breath for a long time.
I close my eyes. Only my first eyelid, the one I can still see through even if it looks like I am unconscious.
The door to the cell slides open.
This is certainly getting interesting. I let my body go slack. The Ulep enters, followed by a set of creatures I recognize immediately.
Ntahal.
Two of them, one purple and one blue. The blue one is the superior to the purple one due to his color and markings. Their tentacles flick with some concern as they’ve entered an enclosed area with a Sarkarnii. Their fear is palpable.
“The gas we have created is enough to stun even a fully grown Sarkarnii,” the Ulep announces with some glee. “It is partially based on the venom their females produce and which is the only thing that can stop a rutting male like this one.”
“He is completely safe?” one of the Ntahal asks.
“Entirely insensible.” The Ulep rubs one of his appendages against the other.
“As you can see, we have a collection collar installed, and it is presently extracting the mating mix. It can also take the fluid used by the Sarkarnii to make their flame, along with the venom the male produces, although this is considerably less potent than the female venom. It does, however, have some healing properties for certain species.”
“I had no idea Sarkarnii could be so useful,” Blue Ntahal says. “I thought they were mere pirates and the best way to deal with them was to toss a few jewels their way occasionally.”
“I thought there had to be more to the creatures.” Purple Ntahal takes a few steps closer to me. “I didn’t realize they could be this useful,” he adds. “How much do you want for him?”
The Ulep makes a gurgling sound. “He is not for sale.”
“Everything is for sale, Ulep,” Purple growls. “Name your price.”