Chapter 2 And to think I thought I had principles
And to think I thought I had principles
Melanie
My legs felt weak after spending weeks in that tiny cell. In space. No matter how many supplements they gave me, my limbs weren’t used to the artificial atmosphere and gravity.
I wobbled after the couple of guards escorting me. We’d finally stopped moving and all shutters were closed. In fact, they were careful to close them a good hour before we docked the mysterious space station, preventing me from taking a good look at it from up-close.
“Stay here,” agent seventy-eight said as he pushed me down so that my ass landed on a chair. He hesitated, but turned his back to me before adding, “Don’t run off.”
I lifted my cuffed hands and feet with a sarcastic smile. “Not like I can.” And where would I even run to? The only exit was the vast deadly space or the station we were attached to, where I assumed people were waiting for me. It would be like running straight into the enemies’ arms.
I held a defeated sigh as I took in my surroundings.
They hadn’t let me out since they stashed me in my cell, and I wasn’t expecting something so…
clean and sterile. Everything was either white or steel gray—including the guards uniform and weapons.
The shuttle was like a big corridor with rooms on each side and elevators on each back end.
But this level was different; the room was open and would show what was happening outside if the shutters weren’t obscuring the sight.
Probably where the guards and crew relaxed after spending their day working.
The agent came back and indicated to me to stand up before he walked us to stand in front of the large metal door. That was it—whatever the Zodiac program was, I was now a part of it, whether I wanted to or not.
My stomach was in knots as I was led inside the space station.
The white and sterile looking shuttle paled in comparison to the luxurious decor of this place.
I’ve always thought these space buildings were all metal and looked the same on the inside as they did on the outside—rough, gray, covered in huge wires and blinking lights.
But no. The people living and working here had it good, a far-cry from what life on Earth and the colonies in the Solar System were.
Destroyed planets, polluted air, high crime rates, miserable people kept in poverty while the rich members of society and government officials lived in fancy space stations.
Of course, this one looked nothing like the intricate one made of some sort of glass and polished golden metal that hovered around Earth’s moon.
Previously mentioned billionaires and politicians all lived there, looking down on Earth and the destruction they brought upon it from their safe spot, drinking artificial champagne with their pinky up in the air and expensive whores polishing their floppy cocks.
Hopefully, this station was different and they didn’t bring me here to replace one of them. I’d take no wrinkly old dick in my mouth without ripping it off, thank you.
The agent’s grip tightened on my upper arm as he took a sharp turn, leading me through another empty corridor.
“Where is everyone?” I asked.
“This is the detention wing. All prisoners are locked inside their respective cells.”
I arched a brow, suddenly hopeful. “No guards?”
Doors lined the walls, but no sound could be heard through it. “Why would they need guards?” He scoffed. “There’s nowhere to escape to.”
The bastard had a point; I didn’t feel like taking a leap into outer space… “Why guard me in the shuttle then? There was nowhere for me to escape either.”
He took another couple of turns and grunted. “Captain was afraid you’d escape and take control of the ship.”
My eyes widened and a booming laugh escaped me, surprising both of us. “Take control—are you guys insane? You do realize you kidnapped me from Earth, right? Not even a colony! I’ve never set foot in a space shuttle before! I’d crash the damn thing in a minute if I were to try, you moron.”
“Cap wouldn’t take any chances.”
Well, if the deep crease between agent seventy-eight’s brows was any indication, he wasn’t amused. He took one last turn and stopped before sliding his hand over a side panel. It lit up and the door slid open.
“Sliding door—fancy.”
“Get inside.” He shoved me in and stood outside for a moment as I turned around, itching to just punch him in the face—if I only could.
Agent seventy-eight was the only one who never showed kindness.
How I wished agent twenty-one was the one to escort me instead.
That one was actually nice and funny. “Employees of the program will come and pick you up in a couple of hours to take you to the showers, dress and feed you. You’ll meet the team in charge of the program and either agree to join in or serve your time here. Any questions?”
My mouth opened and closed, like a fish stuck out of water. “What the hell is this program?” I ended up asking.
“The team will explain.”
And that was it; the only question he allowed before the door slid close and the asshole left. The cuffs at my wrist beeped and the pressure keeping them stuck to each other eased, allowing them to fall limply at my sides.
Guess I’d find out soon enough.
I sat in front of my empty tray, watching the five people minding their own business in the small conference room warily.
The shower had been warm. I haven't felt hot water in over a decade. It had been so surprising that I nearly jumped away from the stream in utter terror. The soap and hair product they had provided smelled like orchid and had made my skin and strawberry hair softer than it’s ever been.
The clothes they gave me looked simple and yet, in a style I enjoyed but never wore because most fabric cost a kidney on Earth.
It wasn’t surprising to see people wear their work uniform on a daily basis just to avoid spending extra money, which made us all look like carbon copies in various shades of dirty white, gray or brown.
What I was wearing now was a pair of jeans.
Jeans! I haven’t seen any in ages! My ass looked so good when I checked myself in the mirror that I had to blink a couple of times to ensure that I wasn’t hallucinating.
To make things even better, that little white top made my boobs look absolutely great.
That and the fact that the bra I was now wearing was size appropriate.
Who knew wearing the right size was comfier and made one’s breasts look better?
Damn, I’ve been missing out on life by being poor. I should have stolen nice clothes instead of food and scraps of money to pay for the ridiculous apartment I shared with granny.
There had to be a catch. There was no altruistic reason coming to my mind for all of the nice things they were giving me.
Why were there only men in this damn station? Was I right? Was I going to be whored out? Was that why they made me smell all flowery and dressed me up pretty?
Well, over my dead fucking body. I may die, but at least I’ll die looking pretty damn good and without a ripped out cock in my throat.
“Miss Traynor,” someone said, stepping inside the room and closing the door behind him.
One of the five lurking men came behind me to take away my empty tray before walking away.
“I’m Maxwell. Apologies for the delay, but since you arrived one day later than what we expected, we’re all running around to ensure everything is ready. ”
My throat closed up. “Ready for what?” I croaked.
He smiled, unbuttoning his white coat and taking the seat facing mine. Was he a doctor? Some sort of scientist? They were rare on Earth…If someone got seriously sick, they could only pray they wouldn’t die until they’d get an appointment a year later.
“Right, Captain Farrow said we would be the ones to explain. You’ve been pretty active on Earth; money theft, debts, a few robberies here and there—”
“We don’t all have the luxury of being served free food and washing ourselves with hot water,” I accused. Most weren’t as dumb as I’d been either…
His eyes fell on the neatly placed datapad on the table in front of him.
“One year ago, we officially launched the Zodiac Program. But this program needs constant data coming from all human-occupied planets. So, the last time you were arrested, right before you escaped two months ago, your test results and psychological profile were sent to us.”
“And I’m the thief? I don’t remember authorizing—”
“We’re a private governmental organization and you’re an escaped convict,” he interrupted. “We don’t need any authorization to access your data except for the one who you stole from.”
“Because the government is fucking crooked,” I mumbled. If he heard me, he chose to ignore it.
“We’re here to offer you options,” he continued, not picking on my eye-roll. “Earth doesn’t want you anymore. You’re causing too much trouble, and prisons are too full to keep a close watch on you. So we came to an agreement with the local authorities.”
Well, I wasn’t sure I wanted Earth back anyway…If it weren’t for granny—and the lack of money—I would have left a long time ago. If he says I’ll be the station’s whore I’ll stab his eye with his fucking ball point pen.
“You’ll serve your sentence here.”
I scoffed. “Here. For how long?”
He gave a casual shrug. “Only the rest of your life.”
My jaw nearly dislocated and I was surprised not to hear it clink on the cold steel table. “The rest of my—for a few thousands dollos of debts? Isn’t it a little harsh?”
I couldn’t stay here forever. What about my grandmother? Who would pay the rent? Who would pay Ernesto? He lowered his rates as a gesture, but if he stopped coming, Granny would starve!
The man leaned back in his chair, unbothered. “We’re only following protocol. The debt must be paid one way or another, and if it’s imprisonment, you’re facing a life locked up in here, as Earth prisons won’t have you anymore.”