Post by Zerori on Sept 29, 2018 15:42:34 GMT -5
(North Quadrant, Mitra)
In the massive technological jungle known as Mitra, an expansive prison beat in the heart of its body. A haven for the worker or common business owner, many avoided breaking laws upon the rustic world in favor of not getting an intimate encounter with the enforcement that frequented its surface. Unfortunately, not all were fortunate enough to escape the wide gaze of the law and some even less fortunate to have spend a decidedly large portion of their life within the prisons.
For three years, all starting from the point in which Zerori lost her father, the prisons of Mitra were a neutral home to her. Oh, she hated at first – as any criminal would be leashed and confined like an animal. Time dulled all things, however, and her explosive desire to escape was no exception to this.
Within her cell, Zerori rested upon the metal cot – a data pad in one hand and what looked like a stress ball in the other. Her prison blues were cleanly pressed, the only clue the hybrid that she was in for something different today. Earlier that day, she’d joked in the cafeteria that she was due for a gift from the warden for good behavior – a joke to any that knew her volatile personality.
Footfalls, sharper than the guards that lackadaisically sauntered down the halls, began to trek toward her cell. It was early evening, so all inmates were confines to cell for the night. Another clue that something was up and Zerori tensed in preparation for whatever beating she might receive as a late ‘gift’. When the footsteps stopped, and a shadow spilled across the dim light inside her cell – only an electromagnetic field keeping her from escaping – she looked up from her data pad with a huff. “I’ve got permission to read when lights are out. Not much else to do, eh?”
“Stand up, 0942 – you’re going for a walk,” Came the no-nonsense response. Zerori raised an eyebrow at the shake up of the familiar, slowly getting to her feet to appraise the armored guard.
“Why the formality? Have we not shared precious moments together, Jek?” She asked, aloof and amused by the uncharacteristically stoic response she was getting from her favorite escort. In her time during prison, she’d been passed through many hands in attempts to break her into the day-by-day of the prison. Jek, the big Xeno in front of her, had been the only one she cared to allow near her. It didn’t help that he was endearingly amusing to fuck with.
“Quiet. Hands,” Came the rough response, not playing with her in the least. For a moment, Zerori contemplated pushing her luck before the curiosity of the new events had her pushing her wrist through the opening provided in the field. Precise and to the point, as always, Jek cuffed her and deactivated the field. Energy suppression kept her power in check – not that it was any match for the brute – but that still didn’t stop her from giving a sly wink when he pulled her forward. “Follow silently. Any resistance will be mt with lethal response.”
Suddenly, it felt like ice water was thrown against her spine; what she had hoped was playing hard to get seemed deathly serious now. “What’s going on?” Up went the walls and defenses and she was fight or flight now – forced into following her once favorite guard to a possible execution.
“Move.” Was his only response, roughly turning her around and painfully taking grasp of the back of her neck. Pushed along, Zerori could only move in the direction she was lead; forced to traverse halls, catwalks and even a few rooms that she MORE than certain inmates had no business walking through.
The end result was a dizzyingly plain hall with no windows, pictures or even blemishes of color that she could discern. A door at the end opened as she approached, the room a stark contrast to the metal charm of the rest of the facility. It unnerved her how white and pristine the walls were – as if they weren’t walls but an endless expanse of just whiteness that went on forever. There, in the middle of the room, was a table and two chairs.
Her nerves fought against her will to keep silent, “What’s happening?” She demanded. Jek gave no response and instead pushed her to the chair before securing her binds to the back of the metal. Trapped, in the dark and getting more nervous by the second – Zerori could feel her composure slipping with every passing second. She turned to Jek as he made his way out of the room and she felt panic speak for her in a moment of weakness, “Damn it, wait! Where are you going?! Tell me what’s going on!”
But, like a nightmare… Jek ignored her and slammed the door behind him – leaving her alone in a room that felt more isolating than solitary ever did.
She had no idea how long she sat in that chair, arms bound behind her cramping the muscle in her shoulders painfully. What felt like hours could have only been minutes, exasperated by the intense anxiety that tightened in her belly. By the time the door across from her opened, she felt like she’d been staring at the one dot in the middle of the table for days. The sound had startled her, teeth bared in a snarl as she looked across at a well-dressed individual.
Whatever gender they were couldn’t be discerned easily, hidden behind a suit that could easily confuse them as a male. Their hair, however, had even Zerori cautious about their species – shining bright red in the white of the room almost ephemerally. In their hands, a detail Zerori couldn’t miss, was a metal case. Moving, they closed the distance been the door and the chair on the otherwise like a ghost; she couldn’t hear their footsteps or even feel their presence.
The sound of their voice was just as jarring, echoing breathlessly like they weren’t really there. They spoke as if they were both just chatting at lunch, “Are you impressed? It’s a special coating we lined the walls with – helps to keep most individuals grounded-”
“Why am I here?” Zerori interrupted, annoyed by the effect of their voice and dribble that came out. She wanted answers and wanted them the second she was sat in her chair.
They paused, whatever emotion they were feeling not easily discernable, before they smiled. “I’ll get to that. Firstly, you must be quite disoriented, correct? That is a side-effect of this wonderful coat along the walls. It has such wonderous uses; very multi-faceted, this enamel. It has been said that not even ever-elusive magic can penetrate it’s surface.”
Zerori growled low in her throat. So that’s what they began with; keeping her in her place by shoving their ability to control her demon side effortlessly. “That’s nice. You want an award for that?” She snidely remarked.
“Oh, we have many. Quite the facility, this place is. How long have you been here?” They questioned, ignoring her remark with all the grace of a gymnast.
“…” Zerori said nothing, willing to push for a more useful response.
“It’s not a problem if you refuse to speak from here on; in fact, it might benefit you to listen completely and not speak at all.”
Oh, they were good. The back of her tongue itched to move, the vow of silence now a bad aftertaste. When her patience ran out, she spoke, “You don’t control me.” And even she was embarrassed by the pathetic response she gave; it reeked of weakness.
“On the contrary…” They mused softly, the smile twitching upwards on one side. Just as quickly as it came, the smirk was gone and back in place was the smile. “Let’s get right down to it, shall we? To avoid my having to repeat anything, I recommend you listen very carefully – as you will be given a very rare choice at the end.”
Despite whatever intrigue she might have had, the grimace on her face told the suit before her that she was not in any mood to acquiesce to any demand. After a brief moment of silence, the demon tilted her head upwards just slight enough to encourage the nameless suit to speak.
“Very good; that’s quite impressive,” They commented, reaching down to pick up the case and place it on the table. “I’m sure your very well aware whom owns the planet you’ve been imprisoned upon. You’ve also had a somewhat…” They paused, as if contemplating their words carefully. “-intimate… affiliation with some of the Ultramarines that back the law.”
The heat that brought to Zerori’s cheeks was ignored in favor of glaring daggers into the suit before her.
“And finally, you have served your sentence acceptably well these three years. Minimal injuries to staff, performance of community service is impeccable – who knew a woman could bring such a ‘culinary’ touch to meat-”
“Your voice is starting to piss me off,” Zerori mumbled softly, yet the words were so clearly heard in the deafening silence of the room.
“-And I’ve just realized that I never introduced myself. How rude of me,” This suit was an expert at ignoring other people, Zerori realized. “You may call me Malik. Or, Mr. Malik – either are respectable.”
“I could think of other things to call you… Malik.”
Malik laughed, a tittering, strange soft sound before he turned the case around began to unlock it. “We’re going to get along just fine, Miss Zerori. Now, without too much preamble – we have an offer for you.” With a click, the case was opened and then turned around for Zerori to peer at. The color of the armor she saw was unmistakable. She looked up at Malik, not liking the direction where this was going. “The terms are simple, Miss Zerori. You will work for the Galactic Empire and, in exchange, you will (in time) be given parole pending a hearing to determine whether you are safe to reintegrate back into society.”
You know what that sounded like to Zerori? “I’m going be a prisoner in a super suit?” She deadpanned, sounding thoroughly unimpressed.
“Well, when you put it like that – it sounds better than what we’re offering.”
“What?”
Malik pushed the case toward Zerori, getting up from the chair to speak more animatedly. “You will commit to the same amount of years you’ve served at this facility as a closely monitored ward of the law. You will be permitted access and amenities that the Ultramarines offer at a great marked-up cost. Your activities monitored, your interactions observed, and your transactions closely controlled. Your compliance will be guaranteed through a surgically implanted failsafe at the base of your skull – removed only when your years of service among the Galactic Empire is satisfied. After which, you will be considered for re-assessment to determine if you can return to life as a civilian. Though… I imagine the Ultramarines may request your continued service, should you perform admirably…”
Zerori listened, gaze turned down to the case that held the suit as they spoke about the terms. Even as they finished Zerori could bet her breast that there were more catches to the deal. Would she be told about them? – unlikely. Would she find out about them? – definitely.
It was a miracle Zerori contemplated the offer as long as she did – obviously only one option to take at this point. Still, she pushed, gaze pulled back Malik questioningly, “And if I refuse?”
“An excellent question with an, equally, excellent answer. You’ll be executed. Simply put, and not in a very delicate or dignified manner – if I remember the details correctly.”
“Hmph,” She looked back at the suit – suspicions confirmed.
Live long enough as a slave to seek an escape at a later time, or risk trying to escape as they execute her. It wasn’t hyperdrive mechanics. The answer was obvious. I’ll kill you later… She promised before she gestured with her shoulders at her bound state.
“When do I start? Can’t crush anyone’s skull with my arms like this, right?” She grinned in what she hoped felt intimidating in her state.
It failed fantastically, eliciting a chuckle from Malik. “That’s wonderful to hear; though, I don’t care much for any skull crushing, unless you plan to do it between your thighs. Ho ho ho!” They laughed behind their hand. After, they gave a solid snap of their fingers and the door behind them opened to reveal a new set of uniform-clad officers. “I’ll need your final word, Miss Zerori. Make it official.” As they produced a data pad, the officer came around to unlock and release her from the chair.
Once again, she surprised herself when she didn’t attack anyone outright – looking to the pad with clear and determined intent. Once it was placed on the table, a screen requiring a sample of Zerori’s hand print – she wasted no time in pressing her palm against it. After a set of beeps, she removed it and looked Malik, greed in her eyes, “Next?” She barked.
“Oh my,” They cooed, head tilted to one side, “-you really must be desperate to leave. That will be all, Miss Zerori. The case is yours and you’ll be shown to an appropriate changing room. The guards will escort you from here to your – shall we say – orientation.” As they collected themselves and stood from the chair, Malik would then add as an afterthought, “And Miss Zerori? This chance is your one and only… I don’t have to remind you the consequences of your actions, should you choose to abandon your service… prematurely.”
At that, she merely shrugged – regretting it as her cramped muscles complained. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. You just watch your back, Malik,” She winked at him, walking passed his surprisingly taller self and out the door he came in at. Ultramarine guards at her back, Zerori was greeted by a more familiar set of metal walls as Patrollers and Officers made they way around in an organized mess.
With a scowl, Zerori glance behind her at her new escorts before she released a sigh through her nose. This was her life now… for now. “I’m going to regret this, I just know it…”
Word: 2440
In the massive technological jungle known as Mitra, an expansive prison beat in the heart of its body. A haven for the worker or common business owner, many avoided breaking laws upon the rustic world in favor of not getting an intimate encounter with the enforcement that frequented its surface. Unfortunately, not all were fortunate enough to escape the wide gaze of the law and some even less fortunate to have spend a decidedly large portion of their life within the prisons.
For three years, all starting from the point in which Zerori lost her father, the prisons of Mitra were a neutral home to her. Oh, she hated at first – as any criminal would be leashed and confined like an animal. Time dulled all things, however, and her explosive desire to escape was no exception to this.
Within her cell, Zerori rested upon the metal cot – a data pad in one hand and what looked like a stress ball in the other. Her prison blues were cleanly pressed, the only clue the hybrid that she was in for something different today. Earlier that day, she’d joked in the cafeteria that she was due for a gift from the warden for good behavior – a joke to any that knew her volatile personality.
Footfalls, sharper than the guards that lackadaisically sauntered down the halls, began to trek toward her cell. It was early evening, so all inmates were confines to cell for the night. Another clue that something was up and Zerori tensed in preparation for whatever beating she might receive as a late ‘gift’. When the footsteps stopped, and a shadow spilled across the dim light inside her cell – only an electromagnetic field keeping her from escaping – she looked up from her data pad with a huff. “I’ve got permission to read when lights are out. Not much else to do, eh?”
“Stand up, 0942 – you’re going for a walk,” Came the no-nonsense response. Zerori raised an eyebrow at the shake up of the familiar, slowly getting to her feet to appraise the armored guard.
“Why the formality? Have we not shared precious moments together, Jek?” She asked, aloof and amused by the uncharacteristically stoic response she was getting from her favorite escort. In her time during prison, she’d been passed through many hands in attempts to break her into the day-by-day of the prison. Jek, the big Xeno in front of her, had been the only one she cared to allow near her. It didn’t help that he was endearingly amusing to fuck with.
“Quiet. Hands,” Came the rough response, not playing with her in the least. For a moment, Zerori contemplated pushing her luck before the curiosity of the new events had her pushing her wrist through the opening provided in the field. Precise and to the point, as always, Jek cuffed her and deactivated the field. Energy suppression kept her power in check – not that it was any match for the brute – but that still didn’t stop her from giving a sly wink when he pulled her forward. “Follow silently. Any resistance will be mt with lethal response.”
Suddenly, it felt like ice water was thrown against her spine; what she had hoped was playing hard to get seemed deathly serious now. “What’s going on?” Up went the walls and defenses and she was fight or flight now – forced into following her once favorite guard to a possible execution.
“Move.” Was his only response, roughly turning her around and painfully taking grasp of the back of her neck. Pushed along, Zerori could only move in the direction she was lead; forced to traverse halls, catwalks and even a few rooms that she MORE than certain inmates had no business walking through.
The end result was a dizzyingly plain hall with no windows, pictures or even blemishes of color that she could discern. A door at the end opened as she approached, the room a stark contrast to the metal charm of the rest of the facility. It unnerved her how white and pristine the walls were – as if they weren’t walls but an endless expanse of just whiteness that went on forever. There, in the middle of the room, was a table and two chairs.
Her nerves fought against her will to keep silent, “What’s happening?” She demanded. Jek gave no response and instead pushed her to the chair before securing her binds to the back of the metal. Trapped, in the dark and getting more nervous by the second – Zerori could feel her composure slipping with every passing second. She turned to Jek as he made his way out of the room and she felt panic speak for her in a moment of weakness, “Damn it, wait! Where are you going?! Tell me what’s going on!”
But, like a nightmare… Jek ignored her and slammed the door behind him – leaving her alone in a room that felt more isolating than solitary ever did.
She had no idea how long she sat in that chair, arms bound behind her cramping the muscle in her shoulders painfully. What felt like hours could have only been minutes, exasperated by the intense anxiety that tightened in her belly. By the time the door across from her opened, she felt like she’d been staring at the one dot in the middle of the table for days. The sound had startled her, teeth bared in a snarl as she looked across at a well-dressed individual.
Whatever gender they were couldn’t be discerned easily, hidden behind a suit that could easily confuse them as a male. Their hair, however, had even Zerori cautious about their species – shining bright red in the white of the room almost ephemerally. In their hands, a detail Zerori couldn’t miss, was a metal case. Moving, they closed the distance been the door and the chair on the otherwise like a ghost; she couldn’t hear their footsteps or even feel their presence.
The sound of their voice was just as jarring, echoing breathlessly like they weren’t really there. They spoke as if they were both just chatting at lunch, “Are you impressed? It’s a special coating we lined the walls with – helps to keep most individuals grounded-”
“Why am I here?” Zerori interrupted, annoyed by the effect of their voice and dribble that came out. She wanted answers and wanted them the second she was sat in her chair.
They paused, whatever emotion they were feeling not easily discernable, before they smiled. “I’ll get to that. Firstly, you must be quite disoriented, correct? That is a side-effect of this wonderful coat along the walls. It has such wonderous uses; very multi-faceted, this enamel. It has been said that not even ever-elusive magic can penetrate it’s surface.”
Zerori growled low in her throat. So that’s what they began with; keeping her in her place by shoving their ability to control her demon side effortlessly. “That’s nice. You want an award for that?” She snidely remarked.
“Oh, we have many. Quite the facility, this place is. How long have you been here?” They questioned, ignoring her remark with all the grace of a gymnast.
“…” Zerori said nothing, willing to push for a more useful response.
“It’s not a problem if you refuse to speak from here on; in fact, it might benefit you to listen completely and not speak at all.”
Oh, they were good. The back of her tongue itched to move, the vow of silence now a bad aftertaste. When her patience ran out, she spoke, “You don’t control me.” And even she was embarrassed by the pathetic response she gave; it reeked of weakness.
“On the contrary…” They mused softly, the smile twitching upwards on one side. Just as quickly as it came, the smirk was gone and back in place was the smile. “Let’s get right down to it, shall we? To avoid my having to repeat anything, I recommend you listen very carefully – as you will be given a very rare choice at the end.”
Despite whatever intrigue she might have had, the grimace on her face told the suit before her that she was not in any mood to acquiesce to any demand. After a brief moment of silence, the demon tilted her head upwards just slight enough to encourage the nameless suit to speak.
“Very good; that’s quite impressive,” They commented, reaching down to pick up the case and place it on the table. “I’m sure your very well aware whom owns the planet you’ve been imprisoned upon. You’ve also had a somewhat…” They paused, as if contemplating their words carefully. “-intimate… affiliation with some of the Ultramarines that back the law.”
The heat that brought to Zerori’s cheeks was ignored in favor of glaring daggers into the suit before her.
“And finally, you have served your sentence acceptably well these three years. Minimal injuries to staff, performance of community service is impeccable – who knew a woman could bring such a ‘culinary’ touch to meat-”
“Your voice is starting to piss me off,” Zerori mumbled softly, yet the words were so clearly heard in the deafening silence of the room.
“-And I’ve just realized that I never introduced myself. How rude of me,” This suit was an expert at ignoring other people, Zerori realized. “You may call me Malik. Or, Mr. Malik – either are respectable.”
“I could think of other things to call you… Malik.”
Malik laughed, a tittering, strange soft sound before he turned the case around began to unlock it. “We’re going to get along just fine, Miss Zerori. Now, without too much preamble – we have an offer for you.” With a click, the case was opened and then turned around for Zerori to peer at. The color of the armor she saw was unmistakable. She looked up at Malik, not liking the direction where this was going. “The terms are simple, Miss Zerori. You will work for the Galactic Empire and, in exchange, you will (in time) be given parole pending a hearing to determine whether you are safe to reintegrate back into society.”
You know what that sounded like to Zerori? “I’m going be a prisoner in a super suit?” She deadpanned, sounding thoroughly unimpressed.
“Well, when you put it like that – it sounds better than what we’re offering.”
“What?”
Malik pushed the case toward Zerori, getting up from the chair to speak more animatedly. “You will commit to the same amount of years you’ve served at this facility as a closely monitored ward of the law. You will be permitted access and amenities that the Ultramarines offer at a great marked-up cost. Your activities monitored, your interactions observed, and your transactions closely controlled. Your compliance will be guaranteed through a surgically implanted failsafe at the base of your skull – removed only when your years of service among the Galactic Empire is satisfied. After which, you will be considered for re-assessment to determine if you can return to life as a civilian. Though… I imagine the Ultramarines may request your continued service, should you perform admirably…”
Zerori listened, gaze turned down to the case that held the suit as they spoke about the terms. Even as they finished Zerori could bet her breast that there were more catches to the deal. Would she be told about them? – unlikely. Would she find out about them? – definitely.
It was a miracle Zerori contemplated the offer as long as she did – obviously only one option to take at this point. Still, she pushed, gaze pulled back Malik questioningly, “And if I refuse?”
“An excellent question with an, equally, excellent answer. You’ll be executed. Simply put, and not in a very delicate or dignified manner – if I remember the details correctly.”
“Hmph,” She looked back at the suit – suspicions confirmed.
Live long enough as a slave to seek an escape at a later time, or risk trying to escape as they execute her. It wasn’t hyperdrive mechanics. The answer was obvious. I’ll kill you later… She promised before she gestured with her shoulders at her bound state.
“When do I start? Can’t crush anyone’s skull with my arms like this, right?” She grinned in what she hoped felt intimidating in her state.
It failed fantastically, eliciting a chuckle from Malik. “That’s wonderful to hear; though, I don’t care much for any skull crushing, unless you plan to do it between your thighs. Ho ho ho!” They laughed behind their hand. After, they gave a solid snap of their fingers and the door behind them opened to reveal a new set of uniform-clad officers. “I’ll need your final word, Miss Zerori. Make it official.” As they produced a data pad, the officer came around to unlock and release her from the chair.
Once again, she surprised herself when she didn’t attack anyone outright – looking to the pad with clear and determined intent. Once it was placed on the table, a screen requiring a sample of Zerori’s hand print – she wasted no time in pressing her palm against it. After a set of beeps, she removed it and looked Malik, greed in her eyes, “Next?” She barked.
“Oh my,” They cooed, head tilted to one side, “-you really must be desperate to leave. That will be all, Miss Zerori. The case is yours and you’ll be shown to an appropriate changing room. The guards will escort you from here to your – shall we say – orientation.” As they collected themselves and stood from the chair, Malik would then add as an afterthought, “And Miss Zerori? This chance is your one and only… I don’t have to remind you the consequences of your actions, should you choose to abandon your service… prematurely.”
At that, she merely shrugged – regretting it as her cramped muscles complained. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. You just watch your back, Malik,” She winked at him, walking passed his surprisingly taller self and out the door he came in at. Ultramarine guards at her back, Zerori was greeted by a more familiar set of metal walls as Patrollers and Officers made they way around in an organized mess.
With a scowl, Zerori glance behind her at her new escorts before she released a sigh through her nose. This was her life now… for now. “I’m going to regret this, I just know it…”
Word: 2440