Deus
I am insulted by how little the Ulep wants for me. So insulted I forget I’m supposed to be unconscious and release a snort of smoke.
Both Ntahal rear back from me, with Purple putting the biggest distance between us.
“Do not worry,” the Ulep says. “He does that from time to time. You have my word he is unable to harm you.”
Insulted at my price I might be, but I’m more impressed at his ability to lie so smoothly. I watch as he removes a small device from his pocket and there is a further hiss of gas. I make myself droop further and see how he relaxes.
The Ulep genuinely thinks he has control.
Interesting.
I stay as still as possible as the Ntahal come closer once again.
“You have experienced Sarkarnii before, I gather?”
“One of my progeny in Xracak City has had dealings with them. It did not end well,” Purple says.
“For the Sarkarnii?”
“For my progeny. The Sarkarnii are not to be underestimated. Especially as they can change their form.”
“The collar controls his form. He will not change unless you allow it,” the Ulep says, clearly wanting to close in on a sale.
“And in terms of his control. Other than the fluids you can milk from him, is it possible to get him to do what I say?” Purple Ntahal asks.
“You mean use him as a weapon?”
“There are places I go where an organic weapon would be most useful, yes.” Purple looks at Blue who burbles something approximating a laugh.
“With this.” The Ulep holds up the device which I’ve already deduced relates to the collar. “The Sarkarnii is yours and I can even offer an additional ten percent discount today only.”
He is giving me away. Which makes me wonder why.
“Sold,” Purple says. “Transfer the credits,” he says to Blue. “Have it taken to my ship.”
“You have made an excellent choice” the Ulep says. “I will have him transferred.”
I huff out a large breath filled with smoke and embers to see what effect it will have.
This time, Purple doesn’t flinch.
“Do you have any way to stop it from doing that?” he asks the Ulep in all seriousness.
“It is the nature of the beast,” the Ulep responds. “But if you remove enough of his accelerant, he will do it less.”
“Good.” Purple runs his tentacles over his head. “Now, show me what else you have.”
All three leave the cell, the door remaining open as a set of Madar enter. It is absolutely no surprise to me this species, all legs and beaks, are in league with the Ulep. They drag behind them a hover-trolley, and I rather enjoy making it extremely difficult for them to put me on the thing.
Once they’re breathing heavily and have activated the forcefield around the trolley, I can finally open my eyes. Both Madar ignore me as I’m dragged out of my cell and down a brightly lit passage before the trolley is shoved into a dark tube.
I go weightless for a nova-second or two before the tube spits me, and my transport, out into a vast hangar. One which is decidedly empty, save for two craft, the more gaudy of the two clearly belonging to the Ntahal.
The tube continues along a pre-determined line towards the ship until I’m loaded into the cargo bay.
Now all I have to do is wait until my new owner decides to come play with his toy.
I think I probably fell asleep. Or I was knocked out by the collar. I have no way of knowing. What I do know is, as I raise my hand to wipe the drool from my mouth, I’m being stared at by the purple one.
And, as I expected, he has the controller for the collar in his hand, waving it around like he owns the universe.
And, as I expected, the forcefield has been removed.
“I want to see you change into your Sarkarnii form,” he says to me, a goblet of alcohol in one of his tentacles, another buried deep within it as he takes up the liquid by osmosis.
Ntahal absorb much through their skin. It makes them quite angry.
I look around the cargo bay.
“Not big enough,” I rasp.
“Big creatures like you are always going on about size.” Purple huffs. “I don’t believe you. Become your Sarkarnii.”
The tentacle holding the controller is being waved around rapidly.
“You will need to permit it,” I rumble. “Or this thing will blow my head off.”
Purple peers at the controller. “It will?”
“Just give it to me. I will do it,” I suggest, more in jest than any hope.
The Ntahal hands me the controller. For a nova-second, I can’t quite believe what happened. Then I press the symbol I need.
The collar clicks and slithers down my chest to the floor.
All three of the Ntahal’s eyes widen to the point I’m sure they are going to drop out of his head. I rub at my neck as I grind the collar into pieces beneath my foot.
“Is your ship fast?” I ask.
The Ntahal blinks discordantly. I grab hold of the tentacle at the front of his body, and he squeals like I’m setting him on fire.
Which I might do, in time.
“I asked if your ship was fast.”
“It is.”
“Where is your compatriot?”
“He is piloting it.”
“Excellent.” I give Purple the benefit of a lot of fangs. “If you would like to keep your cock, I suggest you take me to your bridge and we discuss terms.”
“Terms?” he gibbers.
“Whereby I do not kill you and you give me your ship,” I say with a sharp smile. So sharp, he knows I will cut him on it.
“Take what you like,” he says, tentacles rippling with anxiety.
“I will,” I reply. “I will take it all.”
But first, Vorostor and my mate. I have to be sure she is safe. Only then can I return to deal with the Ulep once and for all.