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Truth or Dare

Chapter 9: Shot in the Dark

"Miss Redtail so good to finally meet you in the flesh," Sykon said in a cold tone as a charming smile graced his features, exposing every one of his shark like teeth.

Katlin managed to fight down a scream but was unable to suppress her other reactions to meeting Sykon: her ears going back against her skull, her hackles rising and the rest of her fur going on end, her eyes going large with fear and her lips curling up in a snarl. This of course made Sykon smile that much more.

"No greeting for me Katlin? No witty retort? No mind blast? I am wounded at this," Sykon stated with a small look of dejection on his face.

"Get y-y-y-y-your hands o-o-o-off me," Katlin managed to squeak out.

"Well I can't do that my dear, dear fox," Sykon said in a cold tone, making Katlin's knees go weak, "my dear; you seem to be having an issue standing up you should sit down before you fall down"

Katlin tried to shrug off Sykon's hand but found his grip like iron and directing her over to the chairs in the hall. Finding herself forced to sit Katlin looked up at Sykon and tried her best to look defiant in face of her fear.

"Now before we have any type of nonsense interrupt me," Sykon stated in a calm tone, "I just wanted to again offer my proposal to you."

"Fuck y-y-y-you," Katlin managed to stutter.

"Tut-tut my dear vixen. Such language does not become one such as you. To remind you, in case you have forgotten, when my fleet catches up with the Revalon I will kill most of the crew, take the rest as slaves, keep your friend Diana as a personal fuck toy, have you by my side so I can take over the Imperium and . . . I know I am forgetting something . . . oh yes that was it, have my dear brother tried as a traitor to the Imperium and summarily executed."

Katlin remained quiet, not trusting her voice.

"Oh I can tell what you want to say," Sykon said with a smile, tapping the side of his head with one claw, "and believe me when I say this, when we catch you the things that AJ did to your friend will seem like a walk in the park compared to what I will do to her. I will even let you watch so you can both share in the misery. How many times do you think it will take to make her mind snap? The surgeons on Drackinalis are quiet good and the medical facilities make what you have in the Empire seem . . . crude and ancient. This can be avoided if you just stop following my brother, pledge your mind and body to me and you can remain quiet happy."

"How c-can you think I w-w-would join or e-e-even think of being with you," Katlin managed to growl out, though it came out more of a whimper.

"Don't be an idiot Katlin," Sykon stated, his smile falling from his face, "you fail to take into account I have all the recourses. I have all the weapons. I have the fleet of the Imperium at my beck and call. What do you have? That little piss ant ship the Revalon? One of my frigates has more firepower than that thing. You are placing your loyalties in the wrong place. You are stupid to think you will survive if you stay with that bastard."

"He a-a-already broke your arm," Katlin stated looking up at Sykon, "what have you done?"

Sykon sucked in his breath through his teeth and fell back as if he had been struck. The look of rage that crossed his features scared Katlin. "You little bitch!" Sykon hissed through clenched teeth. He drew back his hand to strike Katlin causing her to reflexively put an arm up. At the same time the massive blade of a poleax fell between them striking the ground with a loud thud. Both Sykon and Katlin froze; Sykon's eyes were large with either surprise or shock while Katlin had her eyes closed tightly.

"Apologies High Prince," the Queen's Guard stated, "the High Matriarch has given strict order that none are to touch the Sympathetic fox bitch."

"I do have a name," Katlin bristled, opening her eye slowly..

Looking perturbed Sykon took on an air of aloofness. "I wasn't going to strike the poor thing merely help her into her seat. She looked as if she was about to fall out of it."

"A thousand apologies High Prince," the guard said bringing his poleax back from the floor, "but the High Queen also gave us instructions that you are to not to be near this one."

"When were such instructions passed?" Sykon asked with a slight edge to his voice.

"I don't know why my orders are even being questioned," the Queen's voice stated from an unknown source but sounded like it was right in front of them, "especially from my own blood."

Katlin saw Sykon's lip curl up in a sneer for the briefest of moments. So quick was it she was not even sure if she had really seen it. Looking from Sykon to the Queen's Guard she made eye contact with the brown dragon. Surprisingly he did not look at her with disdain. Instead the dragon gave her a wink before returning to his expressionless composure.

"Well since my mother clearly wants you gone from the palace unmolested I will take my leave," Sykon stated. With an over exaggerated flourish of his hand and deep bow. He made eye contact with Katlin before rising. Within that moment everything froze around them. 'You are protected now pretty Katlin, but mark my words there is no place you can go that I will not find you.' As he rose everything seemed to speed back up. "Have a good day Miss Redtail."

Shuddering, Katlin watched Sykon walk away with relief, but it was quickly replaced by confusion. Looking away from Sykon she looked to the Queen's Guard standing by her. The brown dragon had not moved since Sykon's departure. Swallowing hard Katlin took a chance, "can I ask a question?"

"You just did," the guard stated in a monotone voice.

"How did the Queen . . ." began Katlin, she had no idea on how to ask the question that was on the tip of her tongue.

"Directional sound wave technology. Two different frequencies focused on a point to complete the whole. Many of our guests ask this question about our communication systems in the Palace."

Katlin made a surprised face as she stared at the brown dragon. He had just answered her question with no prompting to what she was going to ask.

Looking at the brown dragon he still wore an expressionless mask on his face. His eyes though were a different matter; they had a mischievous spark behind them. Tapping the side of his head once Katlin's eyes grew wide with understanding. When she went to open her mouth the dragon's eyes changed and she knew not to speak.

The sound of booted feet filled the hall distracting Katlin and causing her to look towards the sound. Entering was the Palace Guard, the same female dragon leading the two columns, heading directly towards her. Looking back to the brown dragon she saw that he was gone, the two by the Queen's door were still there but neither of them where the one she had been speaking too. Scrunching her face up with mild confusion Katlin looked back to the Palace Guard, as they approached the Commander started making stand up motions with her hand. Even more confused Katlin got off the chair she was in, her confusion was short lived.

"Fall in behind me fox," the Commander ordered as she drew closer, "I am not stopping for the likes of you."

Biting back a comment, Katlin fell in behind the Guard Commander and happily followed knowing the further from Sykon she was the better for her it would be.

---

Sykon entered a darkened room without hesitation. The only light being cast in the room was from the open doorway and a small lamp sitting in the center of a larger table. The light from the doorway only penetrated so far into the large room stopping several feet from the door and lighting a small portion of table but leaving most of it in complete darkness. When the door closed behind him the room grew all the darker.

"A little dramatic don't you think?" Sykon asked in a bored tone, as he looked about the darkened room.

From where he stood Sykon could just make out movement of the figure sitting at the opposite end of the table. The sudden flare of light from a match being struck revealed a set of cold grey eyes and tanned skin briefly before the match was drawn away from the figures face and lit the end of something that had a strong bitter smell to it. The end of whatever the figure was smoking grew brighter on the inhale and dimed slightly as the dark grey brown wisps of smoke blew through the light cast by the lamp.

"I should have you killed for just smoking that thing," Sykon snorted, wrinkling his nose as the smell assaulted his nostrils, "you do know that plant you are so enjoying right now is illegal within the Imperium? I cannot help you if you are caught with that substance."

A short dark laugh emitted from the darkness followed by chuckling as the figure took in another breath. "Don't worry your scaly head," the figure said darkly, "this is not Dream Grass, and even if it was I have never been caught and never will be."

"And what would be preventing me from calling the guards right now?"

"The fact that the best sharpshooter this side of Orion's Belt has his cross hairs lined up on your pretty little head."

"I do not know what or who this Orion is."

"Doesn't matter, you delivered the money?"

"Yes I have your credits," Sykon replied with mild annoyance.

"I can't spend fucking credits back where I'm from."

Sykon pinched the space between his eyes and counted back from ten, "you are a walking cliché, yes I have placed the agreed sum at the dead drop: 300 pounds of pure gold, one ton of Queen's Steel, and 100 pounds of uncut diamonds and rubies. You had better be worth this ridiculous amount."

"And? You are missing something my friend."

Sykon growled angrily, "and one pair of the Queen's under clothes . . . worn and unwashed."

"Then you my scaly friend have a deal. Granted if the mentioned payment is not there I will give you a smile even one such as yourself can appreciate."

"You have the pictures, has the information has been passed to your . . . business associates?"

"Aye, they know who to open up and who to fuck."

"She is not to be touched, I cannot make that clear enough to you, do you understand? If there is so much as a bruise on her we will have a problem."

"God you are an uptight prissy little thing. You paid me, my boy's will do as they are told and nothing more."

"Is that a yes then?"

Dark chuckling made Sykon frown as he watched the darkness behind the table. He could just see the figure moving on the other side, beyond the light of the lamp. A heavy but dull thud made Sykon cringe slightly as he watched a pair of booted feet lazily propped themselves up on the table top, the light being bright enough to show them clearly, but nothing else beyond. A glint of silver inlaid in the bottom of the heel caught Sykon's eye, he could just make out the symbol that was there. Even he recognized it and apparently it meant the same from wherever this backwater creature came from. Granted what made up behind the symbol was different but the pattern was the same: a grinning skull with something crossed behind it.

* * *

Katlin sat in silence looking out of the front of the flyer as they flew back to the Revalon. When the Palace Guard had dropped her off she had intended to yell at Deamos for not telling her about the Queen. But when she had arrived at the landing pad she held back yelling at him when she saw Deamos. As they had approached she could see even from a distance that the Enforcer Commander did not look well. His shoulders were slumped and his scales had taken a more ashen look to them, they were almost to the flyer before he had realized they were coming. When Deamos had looked up and saw them, Katlin was positive she had seen a look of relief briefly cross his normally stony features. That brief look that had crossed his face now made Katlin uncertain and confused about her own feelings.

Katlin was certain that she hated Deamos for what he did to her and how he had treated her in the past. Another part of her though always cried out for him whenever she was in danger or in trouble. There was also part of her that briefly felt giddy whenever she made physical contact with the dragon. In whole she was very confused by what she felt. Watching the clouds pass as they made their way up through the atmosphere Katlin thought back on one of the things the Queen had said, '. . . I had the last threat dealt with and the family has remained just as strong . . .,' the more she thought about it the more she frowned.

"Can I talk to you about something?" Katlin asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

"Miss Redtail," replied Deamos, "I am sorry I sent you in without telling you what to expect. If the Queen had smelled fear on you from the get go she would have eaten you alive."

"That is not what I was going to ask," Katlin stated in a sour mood, being reminded of the queen made her hackles rise, "but thank you for clearing that up for me. What I was going to ask was about something the Queen said to me."

"Whatever the conversation was between you and my m . . . the Queen stays between the two of you."

"But she said something I think you might want to hear."

"Keep it to yourself Miss Redtail."

"You need to he-"

"Do you wish to be ejected?"

"Fucking Jackass," Katlin growled, looking back out at the clouds. Katlin waited a few minutes before speaking again, "the Queen got bent out of shape when I mentioned Sykon, said that was not his real name."

Deamos let out an agitated sigh, "you don't follow instructions very well do you?"

"Not really," Katlin replied with a small smile, "so what is with his name?"

"Sykon or Sielltkion," Deamos began, "picked his name up from the slave district of Drackinalis. Where he honed his talent on the slaves that worked around the Pits and it earned him the name Sykon, which is actually slave speak for 'demon eye' or 'mind demon' I am not one hundred percent sure on the translation. "

"Pits? Slave speak?" Katlin asked with curiosity.

"Sorry, I am referring to the ore mines of Drackinalis," Deamos explained, "in order to get the metal necessary to make antimatter cannons and such the . . . I do not remember the actual name of the ore itself but it is referred to as Queen's Steel . . . the ore is located in the deepest most inhospitable places of the planet. The air down there is toxic and even with respirators on, the few guards that keep order can only stay down there for fifteen minuet shifts before the seals are corroded and need replacement. Obviously those actually working the pits wear no such protection or last that long. Some I have seen wrap rags around there mouths but that does no good, I have seen prisoners fall over throwing up blood, drowning in their own blood, and skin literally falling off like dander. So the mines are referred to as the Pit."

"So the slaves work in the Pit?" Katlin asked with some anger in her voice, "how can you even support slavery in this day or allowing living beings to work in such horrid conditions? There are robots and automated mining technology. Is this not a blatant violation of the Arcadis Treaty?"

"Look, I do not support slavery or what the Imperium does," Deamos shot back, gripping the controls of the flyer all the tighter, "and no, slaves do not work the Pit. It would be cost prohibitive for the Imperium to do that. Slaves cost money to locate, house, feed and take care of. Instead slaves are used for hauling the mined ore from the Pit to the transports. The ones that work the Pit are convicts; there are no prisons within the Imperium."

"Wait, how can you not have a Prison system? There is no way the Imperium has everyone lock step with whatever laws are in place."

"You are correct; there are still violent offenders and petty crim. There are two types of charges that can be brought against an offenders Red or Grey."

"Red being bad right?"

"Wrong. Red so the one being charged can be easily separated and not shipped off to the mines. If a crime lands you under a grey offense it is a minimum 5 year sentence and a max of ten."

"It does not sound like the punishment fits the crime."

"Life expectancy within the mines is three years. I said the most inhospitable place and I was not joking. Besides the air, there are fires, cave-ins, and Marcgrah worms."

"Marcher-grey-worms?"

"Close enough, real nasty carnivorous critters that live in the deepest portion of the mines. Biggest ones are a little over a meter in length."

"What's so bad if they are not that big?"

"They swarm."

"I don't understand how does a worm swarm?"

"The things swim through rock like a fish swims through water. They let out a real high pitch screeching sound before attacking, the sound vibrates through the rock and attracts others. Once they start one can become hundreds with in minuets and can consume a body in moments. No way to stop them, the only thing that can be done is stop the mines and wait for their . . . food . . . to get consumed."

Katlin felt her stomach heave slightly as the words sunk in. "If there are all these dangers, how can they keep the Pit running? There can't be that many criminals on Drackinalis."

"I said the Imperium had no prisons. Criminals come from all over the Imperium and are brought to the Pit."

"Drackinalis the only place that has . . . Queen's Steel?"

"I didn't say that," Deamos stated firmly, looking over at Katlin, "it is just mined on Drackinalis."

"I still don't know why the Imperium has slaves if they have all these criminals," Katlin huffed, surprise crossing her features when she saw that they were already in space, having not noticed the break from gravity.

"Slaves are used for all menial labor," Deamos began, "such as picking up trash, grounds keeping, servants both in the traditional sense and . . . the sex trade."

"So basically what the Dragons deem to unsavory to do themselves," Katlin growled crossing her arms, "so where do these slaves come from?"

"Criminals mainly but they are also collected from settlements along the border of the uncharted zone and along the Empire. They have special 'teams' that go on raids and collect those that are outside the Imperium realm."

"They kidnap free citizens and force them into servitude!" Katlin nearly yelled, "and the Empire just lets it happen?!"

"Basically yes," Deamos growled under his breath, "I do not make the policy and I think it is wrong as any other Freeborn would think but the Empire is weak and the Imperium has the guns to do as it pleases.

"This is so . . . what . . . the . . . fuck . . .," Katlin was staring bug eyed as a shadow crossed over them.

Above them a ship lazily glided by, blocking out stars and causing other ships that it passed or past by to look like children's toys. The shape of the ship resembled an oblong diamond that bristled antimatter cannons. It had sections plated in a red metal that reflected the light making it look like blood running down the sides giving it an ominous appearance.

"That is the Flag Ship of the Imperium space fleet," Deamos stated, "for her to be here is surprising and unsettling."

"What is that one called?" Asked Katlin in a near whisper of a voice.

"Desperation," Deamos answered, "and she is captained by Fleet Commander Karlentarg."

"That does not sound very . . . Dragon."

"That is because he is not a Dragon," Deamos stated, "he is some ugly little thing with black and orange scales. He was found on some border world that has two suns and the place was a giant desert. The planet does not even have a name just some number designator given to it by the Imperium 3X-29Z. I have been there twice and the inhabitants are not very pretty and they smell worse."

"So if you have scales I take it," began Katlin, "you have room for advancement within the Imperium military?"

"There is some, but it was unheard of having a non Dragon being captain of a deep space Judicator Class war ship or as the Empire and Alliance has labeled them 'Planet Killer'. His placement caused many to become angry within the ranks. From what I heard there had been a few attempts on his life but he survived them and shortly thereafter several prominent members of the aristocracy were found dead in the street, skinned."

"Well if he did do it, good for him," Katlin grumped, "from what I have dealt with so far the Dragons need to be brought down a peg or two."

"I understand your disgust with the Imperium and how Specieism runs rampant throughout it. You do have to understand that it has been this way for thousands of years. There has been some improvements over the years and a few progressive members of the family have been pushing for changes without bloodshed."

"As long as the Queen is still alive nothing will change."

Deamos sat quietly for a few moments, "you are young Miss Redtail and do not understand how the Imperium works. I know that those that have fur want equality in the Imperium but as history has shown repeatedly those with power are slow to change their ways. Granted the Empire was not so different some 300 years ago. I remember the fighting that-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, back up a second," Katlin interrupted raising her hands in a stopping gesture, "you trying to tell me your over three hundred years old?"

"Closer to 530 I have lost track exactly," Deamos replied in a level tone.

"Bullshit," Katlin argued with a mild level of amusement in her voice, "there is no way anyfur could live past 190 tops even with current medical technology. I mean common you look like a hard 35 . . . a-real-hard 35."

"Doesn't matter," Deamos replied with a wave of his hand, "the Empire was similar in its practices with the treatment of those born to the wrong social class and species."

"Yes I know my history," Katlin stated with a roll of her eyes and a smile, "the Equality War that lasted fifty years brought the end of the class system and the segregation of species. Lord Richard Quickclaw overthrew King Velxek or the 'Butcher Lord' at the battle of the Three Stars, largest Naval Engagement in recorded history, over two million deaths and five million casualties. The end of the war brought about the Equality Rights Act for all and the birth of the Empire. I am a Data Analyst I learned about this in depth while in school."

"Well I am glad you know your history," Deamos said evenly, "unfortunately the Royal Family controls everything and was smart enough to have incorporated 'cousins' such as that Duke you met. This keeps those without scales from being able to rise up because if they did those that are Dukes and Earls would lose their holdings."

"But how would that keep those with fur from rising up? Surely there are sympathizers amongst these 'Cousins'?"

"Oh there are. But think about it, the Family only has to keep an eye on these 'Cousins' instead of every citizen. If there is any suspected insurrection brewing in the areas controlled by the 'Cousins' the Family comes down like a hammer. I have seen the purges, entire cities burnt to the ground, mass executions, the leaders crucified and left to rot. Those that manage to survive are put into reeducation camps and those that fight back are simply sent to work in the Pits."

"And this keeps everyone in line?" Asked Katlin with some amount of horror in her voice.

"When an entire planet has been burnt to a cinder it tends to make everyone watch everyone."

"How the fuck can there be any progression in a society like that!"

"You can't kill hope."

"Well your family seems to be doing a damn good job of doing that. It is just a big powered keg waiting to blow! Even I can see that."

"I know," Deamos replied gravely, "the writing is on the wall so to speak. I know there is an underground movement to topple the Imperium from the inside. From what my own intelligence agents have gathered. Small but it is still there."

"I don't think I will ever understand the politics of the Imperium," Katlin stated with aggravation, "you say the Imperium will come down like a hammer on any form of insurrection, then you tell me about a small group, who I am sure our Imperium friends are aware of, that is trying to overthrow it. So if they are trying to overthrow why are they still operating and why has the Imperium left them alone?"

"For one the group has been nonviolent," replied Deamos, tapping on one of the many instrument screens, "and it was been trying to introduce an idea of a Republic vice a Monarchy. They have been staying low key and staying within the confines of the Imperium's own laws. From what I have gathered The High Matriarch and Warlord have been rather pissed about this movement but can do nothing without risking a complete open revolt throughout the Imperium. Granted the laws do not allow for insurrectionist activities, but it does allow free born subjects to voice their displeasure as long as it does not include any inflammatory, insulting, insurrectionist ideas, incite riots, incite rebellion, incite violence or say anything derogatory about or towards the Family."

"Is that all?" Katlin asked sarcastically.

Deamos shot Katlin a withering glare, making her shrink back in her seat. "Yes the Imperium is bloated with needless laws as is any civilization. The bottom line is there is a movement within the Imperium and it has been gaining traction."

"I still don't get how that can be," Katlin stated crossing her arms, "you tell me that if someone so much as complains about the Imperium openly they don't last long. You then tell me that there is this group that is doing that but are untouchable. The whole Imperium is fucked up from the top down."

"I will not argue with that," Deamos replied.

"Flyer A296 you are clear to dock at bay 4," The com suddenly stated making Katlin jump in surprise. Without responding Deamos banked the flayer slightly and started his approach to the Revalon.

Looking above them again Katlin stared at the Desperation with both a sense of foreboding as well as complete admiration at the construction marvel. The Empire had nothing close to the size of that war ship and as they drew closer to the Revalon she wondered what type of power core it took to keep something like that moving let alone required to power a Star Drive. As they passed through the bay doors Katlin looked forward again and was surprised to see Fleet Commander Ross staring back at them. The tiger was standing behind the barrier shield that went up whenever the landing bay doors were open or if there was a structural breach. She was standing with her arms behind her back, tail lazily swaying behind her and she wore an expression that would have cut through diamond carbide hull platting.

Rising one arm slowly to a deck computer the intercom inside the flyer cracked to life followed by her voice, "Geht en meh fuhkin reedy rhoom," lowering her arm she turned calmly and walked out of the bay.

Blinking Katlin looked over at Deamos. When she saw him swallow without saying anything her eyes grew larger.

* * *

As the Revalon slowly drifted from the its moorings at the space docks above Drackinalis, Fleet Commander Ross watched from the small window in her ready room. Once it was clear they were free of all fuel and power lines she turned from the window and locked her eyes on Deamos.

"Chu be carhen to explahin why chu whnt plahnet side wit ought ahthorization?" Asked Commander Ross in a flat tone.

"To get some answers," Deamos stated simply in an equally flat tone.

The muscles under Commander Ross's left eye began to twitch slightly, "So chu 'anded her over to dah Queen beetch wit ought clearahn et wit meh? Chu know bether den dat, copy?

"It was the only way to secure safe passage from Drackinalis and not worry about the whole Imperium coming down on us the moment we broke from dry dock."

"Ahn what exactleh did da Queen gehve en return for ahn audience wit miss Red-Tyl?"

"A 24 hour window to run," Katlin replied, "it started the moment we broke from dry dock."

"Fuhk!" Ross growled slamming a fist down on her desk and making Katlin jump, "dat leahvs ohnly de Unclahimed Zohn."

"Unclaimed Zone?" Katlin asked, her ears perked up in curiosity.

"Where I was born," Deamos replied.

"Habt dem ploht corse for de Unclahimed Zohn," Commander Ross ordered, "fhul speed, copy."

"Commander Ross," Katlin began, causing the tiger to look over at her with a sour glare. Swallowing Katlin continued speaking, "I wanted to say something regarding what happened when I was down there."

"Ah em shur Chomandahr Falchion wilt habt ah report on meh desk," Ross replied dryly, "Now ah habt a sheep to run."

"No he won't," Katlin growled angrily, "he instructed me that anything that happened was between me and the Queen was where it would stay. What I want to say did not happen between me and the Queen."

"Es dat so?" Ross asked in a tired voice looking from Deamos to Katlin, "Den ah beh expeckten you chu do dat, copy?"

"What?" asked Katlin angrily in response, "I was told something fucking important by that bitch and no one wants to fucking hear it?"

"What ehvr da Queen did sahy et would do one oft chu tings, cahse fuhkin pahnic or cahse mahny prohblems. So, dah, shoot yehr mouf ahnd keep et chu yah self. Copy?"

"No I don't 'copy' any of what you are saying," Katlin growled her fur bristling, "are you all so dumb that you refuse to hear me?"

"Miss Red-Tyl," Commander Ross began in an irritated voice, " ah be sahying dah queen would wahnt chu tings, pahnic or prohblems. You habt yeet chu say ah dahmn ting ahnd you ah cahsen problems."

Katlin opened her mouth beginning to say something but quickly shut it when she saw the look Commander Ross was giving her. Letting out an aggravated growl Katlin stormed out of the Ready room her fur bristling. As soon as the doors closed behind her Deamos looked over at Commander Ross.

"Before you ask, yes the bug was placed," began Deamos, "I received both audio and visual up to the moment she entered the Queens chambers and then everything went dead. They have upgraded their jamming capabilities so we need to get our tech folks to figure out a way around their jammers. But I still think she made contact with our operative."

"You tink she did?" Asked Commander Ross with a raised eyebrow.

"I am about 90 percent sure."

"For all oft us you beahter hope so."