CHAPTER 17: The Colosseum

Story by silver2075 on SoFurry

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

#17 of The Plight of Hunter

Things just keep getting worse for Hunter.


CHAPTER 17: The Colosseum

Pages 599-627

"Okay, we are almost there. Are you sure you can keep it together?" Tyberius questioned as he glared at his daughter.

"I said I was sorry," Sylvy hissed as she struggled to remain calm.

"I can't believe you let her come along," Tyrell complained with a glare.

"Stop it!" Charlet snapped in frustration. "I doubt if we will have much control over events soon enough. Just remember we are here to help Hunter at any opportunity we see," she added as she held the eyes of everyone cramped inside the passenger compartment of her shuttle.

"Ma'am, we are being flagged down," the pilot announced as he slowed a good distance from their destination.

"It will be fine. We can walk the rest of the way," Charlet instructed before she glanced at her distressed daughter. It only took a glance to know she had made a mistake to agree to bring her. It was a mistake, but one she couldn't force herself to rectify. She would have felt the same if it had been her... She didn't think it was proper to compare Hunter to her husband.

"Are we getting out," Tyberius questioned impatiently as his mate hesitated after they stopped.

"I was just thinking," Charlet lied before she began to exit the shuttle.

"Governess Longfellow, you shouldn't be here," one of the men declared once he recognized her.

"I don't know where you would expect me to be during such a crisis to warrant a declaration of martial law over the colony by the security agency," Charlet replied with a scowl.

"I would request you return to your office until the crisis has past," the man suggested as he frowned while others disembarked her personal shuttle.

"Request denied, Lead me to the prisoner," Charlet ordered firmly.

"I can't do that," the man replied nervously.

"That is fine. Lead us to someone who can," Charlet instructed as she began to step around the fool.

"Ma'am... guards...," the man protested as he moved to intercept her.

"I am still the highest ranking official of this colony. Refusal to obey a legal order from me could constitute charges of treason," Charlet announced for all those listening.

"We have orders to secure this area?" the man replied nervously.

"My request does not interfere with your orders. If you cannot leave your post, send for someone. However, know that I will see the prisoner or their will be charges set for every man who denies any legal order from myself," Charlet threatened through gritted teeth and noticed the fear in those around them.

"Private... take Governess Longfellow inside," the man ordered one of his men.

"Remember, your instructions," Charlet scolded with a glare at Sylvy.

"I am sorry, but you can't seriously think I can allow everyone to go with you," the man protested as he moved to intercept those following the governess.

"You can't really expect me to leave my staff behind," Charlet replied with a raised brow. "Take his name and rank down," she added with a snap of her fingers to get Sylvy's attention, despite the orders being for Rose who was supposed to pose as her secretary.

"Yes, ma'am," Rose replied as she activated the personal device she had been given.

"That will not be necessary. However, I must disarm everyone," he added quickly.

"I am Colonel Sanders with military internal affairs. I don't believe even she has enough rank to disarm me. These two are military police in my command. You couldn't disarm them without a direct command from the ruling council," Colonel Sanders snapped with a sneer.

"Who are the other three?" the man inquired meekly as he felt his career disappearing.

"I am the Governess Longfellow's personal assistant," Rose spoke up with a squeak.

"I am a veterinary doctor to examine the prisoner," Carl assured rather nervously, while he considered if his insistence that his mate remain at their practice a poor idea. She could charm her way... no he was just being cowardly. He could do this... he would do this.

"I am the Colonel's assistant," Sylvy offered with venom after receiving an elbow from her father.

"Take them inside and let him decide what to do with them," the man ordered reluctantly.

"Thank you," Charlet replied with a sigh of relief. She knew it wasn't over, but at least they made it past the perimeter guards.

"Wait here," the private, instructed once the entered into the gate area of the coliseum, before he darted away.

"What now?" Tyrell questioned nervously.

"We wait," Tyberius, answered with a scowl but it was directed at Sylvy instead of Tyrell. She had a glint of insanity in her eye and it was more than a concern. He was actually relieved when the private managed to return with a superior.

"Governess Longfellow, it is a surprise to see you here. I would have thought you would be at your office by now," the superior declared dryly.

"You have me at a disadvantage. May I ask whom I am addressing?" Charlet asked as she stepped toward the man. It only took a moment to recognize this man was used to a position of authority.

"You may refer to me as Mr. Smith," Mr. Smith replied with a toothy grin.

"Is this your operation, Mr. Smith," Charlet inquired with a raised brown.

"No, ma'am. I am however, the senior agent at this facility," Mr. Smith replied with a dry but polite manner.

"May I ask who is in charge of this operation?" Charlet continued to question.

"That would be Mr. Smith," Mr. Smith continued to answer in his robotic droning voice.

"I suppose it would be pointless to ask for agent identification numbers as well," Charlet observed with a sigh of frustration. "I would like to request a few things out of cooperation from your agency during this time of crisis. First of which is to meet with this Mr. Smith to discuss any parts of this operation that may concern public safety, public wellbeing, or any other public impact. Secondly but less importantly, is to inspect the condition of your prisoner. I will not allow any unlawful treatment of any prisoners during my Governorship. I will not interfere with your operation. However, I will record and report all of my findings to the Ruling Council after the operation is complete as a form of departmental oversight," she added quickly.

"I understand you have brought medical personnel for the prisoner," Mr. Smith inquired while ignoring her requests.

"I have," Charlet replied while she took note of the man's refusal to acknowledge her requests completely.

"The facility medical personnel has departed without notice and has yet to be located. The prisoner has suffered from injuries from an unfortunate accident with some other active coliseum combatants. They have been separated for now, but you know how unpredictable the lesser species can be," Mr. Smith continued with his explanation. "As you can see we have broken no laws here," he added with his most cordial tone and grin.

"That is good to hear. I hope my presence will prevent any more accidents," Charlet replied through gritted teeth. "Lead the way and we will see to the care of the prisoner," she instructed before she lost control of her temper.

"I wouldn't allow anyone near the prisoner if it wasn't absolutely necessary. He remains very dangerous. Therefore I will allow only the medical staff visit the prisoner at this time," Mr. Smith replied as he returned to his monotone dialogue.

"I can appreciate your concern for safety. However, I do have a duty to perform. I must inspect the conditions of the prisoner's environment. The only option is to transfer him to an established holding location," Charlet argued with her sternest glare.

"I will allow you to accompany and assist the medical personnel. However, the rest of your staff will be escorted to the upper level for safety," Mr. Smith snarled before he could restrain his frustrations. He gave a nod to a few men standing ready nearby to escort her staff upstairs. He made her stand and wait for him for no other reason than to demonstrate who was in charge before he took his first step toward the lower levels where no volunteer or uncontracted combatants were held for the coliseum.

"Hold for a moment," Charlet instructed once the man stopped in front of a heavy door, before she took his picture with her personal device.

"You will have to surrender your personal device before you leave this facility," Mr. Smith informed the foolish woman through his gritted teeth.

"This device is equipped with military grade encryption. It is not just my personal device. It is the device of my office. You do not have the rank to remove it from me. Mr. Smith that heads this operation does not have that authority. I will not interfere with your operation. However, you do not have any authority over me, unless I do interfere," Charlet informed the man once she managed to stifle her chuckles.

"I do not have to allow you access to the prisoner," Mr. Smith threatened with a sneer.

"That is exactly why I took your picture. I do not have any identification of you, but I now have video evidence of your identification. This device possesses highest-grade optics available. This device isn't even available to the public on the open market. If you refuse to render him to our inspection, you will face full prosecution by the law for the mistreatment of this prisoner," Charlet swore as she stepped up to Mr. Smith and held his glare.

"Is there anything else you require," Mr. Smith inquired without recognizing his hands had balled up into tight fists.

"How long has it been since the prisoner has been given nourishment," Carl asked nervously before those two started fighting in the hall.

"I have other duties to oversee," Mr. Smith snarled before he turned to leave.

"I will require an assistant or aid to retrieve necessary supplies from this facility to care for the prisoner," Charlet demanded as she moved to intercept him.

"Follow me," Mr. Smith agreed reluctantly as he led her to where the coliseum bitch was housed. He wasn't surprised to see the bitch was busy when they arrived. He made her watch as they waited for the two men to begin to grunt as they filled the bitch from both ends.

Charlet had nearly all she could stand of this man and that was before he led her to what was obviously a prisoner cell with a breeding bench in the center. She could see the rabbit laid across the bench was male, but there was a soldier drilling his tail hole mercilessly while another was thrusting into his mouth. It took all her restraint to wait until the soldiers were finished.

"Damn, that is the loosest tail hole I have ever felt," one soldier complained with a laugh before he swatted the rabbit on his rump hard enough to cause him to jump.

"That is why I took his mouth," the other joked until he noticed the Governess standing at the door.

"Ma'am," he saluted once he had his trousers fastened and nearly ran from the room and didn't stop to see if his friend was behind him.

"You will see to Governess Longfellow's needs until further notice," Mr. Smith ordered before he departed.

"I... I... have never had the privilege of servicing a female," the Lepu declared as he looked over his shoulder at the female Draconis.

"You may call me Charlet and that is not the type of service I require. We wish to attend the new prisoner here and we require your assistance," Charlet explained with a frown for the poor condition of the unfortunate creature.

"The Lupus?" the Lepu questioned as he sat up a little on the breeding bench. However, he couldn't hide his shame as a stream of seamen ran out of his gaping ass. "I have been very busy with all these male soldiers stationed here," he explained with a pout.

"I would love to have the time to clean you up, but I fear the Lupus will need medical attention," Carl assured with a lick of his lips for all the seed escaping the Lepu's tail hole. However, as he approached he noticed scars along the poor creature's hips and sides. One ear was broken completely and hung limply from its head, while the other was bent at an odd angle half way along its length. "What happened to you?" he asked as his heart sank in pity for the abused creature.

"I... the others... the combatants can be rough. I serve as their entertainment," the Lepu replied in his shame.

"Is that legal?" Carl questioned with a frown for the callous treatment of the poor man.

"What one does with their property is not very tightly regulated," Charlet admitted impatiently. "What is your name?" she added quickly as she tried to help the poor thing to his feet.

"They just call me bitch," the Lepu admitted as he wiped himself up, before he strapped on his thin skirt designated for his attire.

"I will not," Charlet swore with a shake of her head. This was the other side of owning intelligent species as property. She knew this kind of abuse was not common but it still existed and it disgusted her. "You must have had another name at one time," she added and was saddened even greater as he shrugged his shoulders without replying.

"Are we really going to see the Lupus?" the Lepu asked excitedly as he tried not to think about what his name may have been before he came to this wretched place.

"Yes we are. How do you know about him?" Carl asked curiously.

"Only what I have heard. I do know he killed the current Equine champion here," he answered with a smile. "I wish I had been there to witness it," he added as he turned the corner towards the Lupus holding cell.

"That doesn't sound like Hunter," Charlet replied with a frown as she wondered if she really knew him well enough to know whether the statement was true.

"I heard the champion had tried to mark the Lupus. They said the Lupus struggled in his restraints and protested. They said he was hard to understand but he claimed to belong to another. Then when the champion continued to mark him, he kicked back with his legs and broke both legs of the champion. Then he used his legs to wrap his chains around the champion's neck. By the time the others were able to beat the Lupus off the Champion he had torn his head off... completely off. The champion was quite cruel. I dreaded servicing him. I have received multiple treatments for injuries from his visits to my room," the Lepu explained as they came to a stop in front of the Lupus cell. "I understand he had already been beaten to unconsciousness, before they began mounting him. I heard they beat him mercilessly after he ripped the champions head off. You should stay here... I can assist him, Governess," he added with a frown for the nice female Draconis.

"I am in his debt. I will not allow a little blood keep me from my duties too him," Charlet whispered after making sure the hall was clear first.

"It is true then. He is here to free us," the Lepu replied in astonishment after he blinked in disbelief for an eternity.

"I don't know why he is here. I don't understand what is happening or why to be honest," Charlet replied with a frown for the poor creature's hopeful words.

"I hope you can help him," he replied before he opened the door.

Charlet failed to restrain her gasp as she saw Hunter's broken body lying across the table. He was covered in unspeakable filth. His fur was matted with blood seamen and the smell of urine was strong in the room. However, it was the insects swarming over his open wounds and the massive pool of blood behind his chained legs, which caused her stomach to turn. It took all of her strength to force herself to start taking video recordings of what she saw. She would see that the men responsible for this were prosecuted if it was the last thing she did while in office.

"We need to find him someplace cleaner than this filth. He needs a bed to rest," Carl stated as he rushed to Hunter's side. He could hear the man's deep breaths were not as they had been. This time they were raspy and labored. "Fuck, he is in bad shape. He... fuck... broken ribs, arm, both legs, both hands, jaw, and at least a punctured lung... I don't even have the equipment to treat him properly. Hell, it isn't even legal to treat him as he should be treated," Carl swore as he wiped the dampness from his eyes.

"I have a bed and it isn't far. My personal quarters are much cleaner than where I am to conduct my services," the Lepu offered as he felt his dreams flickering into ash.

"Do you know where you can get an anti-gravity platform to move him? I don't want to have to manhandle him down the corridor," Carl requested as he continued to wipe the filth from Hunter's open wounds. He didn't hear a response, but noticed the Lepu left at a full run. "Can you remove that pipe from his ass," he asked with a shake of his head in disgust for the treatment of such a beautiful creature.

"I can't believe they did this," Charlet declared as she wiped the dampness from her eyes, while she made her way carefully over the chains attached to the walls to remove the huge pipe still stuck in the poor man's tail hole. She did her best to ignore the blood, urine, seamen, and if she wasn't mistaken some of Hunter's feces as she stepped closer to remove the pipe. It took all of her conviction to pull the pipe out as he groaned and whimpered. It took all of her restraint to refrain from throwing the vile thing once she recognized the bloody and sharp threads at the end of the pipe. "He probably has some internal bleeding and at least a torn bowel," she added before she made her way to stroke his ear. However, the way it dangled from his swollen head was too much for her. "What the fuck is wrong with people? Who could do this?" she swore as she began to cry.

"If you are going to cry, step outside. I don't want him to wake. It will be easier to move him if he stays unconscious. I don't dare give him a sedative or a painkiller... I don't even know how he is alive," Carl complained as he began to unfasten the chains from the wall.

"I will... I can...," Charlet tried to lie but she couldn't even convince herself she could do this. Nevertheless, she did manage to force herself to unfasten the chains from the wall on her side of the room. However, she noticed something odd. "Carl does the wall look odd to you on your side?" she asked as she examined the chain.

"What do you suppose the tensile strength of chain this heavy is?" Carl replied as he examined the stretched links. He could be wrong he was sure Hunter had nearly broken the chain he was examining. However, the arrival of the Lepu with an anti-gravity platform reminded him he had business at hand that is more urgent. "Help us transfer him to the platform," he urged unnecessarily.

Charlet took one last look at the room they had kept Hunter, before she turned and followed the others to the Lepu's larger than she expected cell or as he called them apartments.

"Can I help clean him," the Lepu pleaded as he eyed the magnificent Lupus.

"Yes, please... Do you have access to clean water here?" Carl asked as he retrieved a fresh cloth from his bag.

"I have all the cleaning supplies you could ever need. They usually like me to clean myself between my uses," the Lepu assured proudly before he literally bounced to the next room to retrieve an armload of clean linens.

"We will clean him up and dress a few of these open sores, before we transfer him to your bed. Then we will finish dressing the rest of his open sores. That way we will have to move him the least possible," Carl, declared after a little thought.

***

"Holy shit! This is too good," Tyrell declared once the door shut behind them.

"How in the hell do you figure that?" Tyberius questioned with a frown.

"We are across the hall from the control center for this facility. All I have to do is break their security and we can use the communications from this facility to send any message we want," Tyrell answered with enthusiasm.

"How is that any different than it was at the military complex," Tyberius continued to question.

"Well, for one, I can't imagine this place having the same security as a military frequency and second they are using these coms. They will not recognize I have tapped into them nearly as quickly," Tyrell replied as he began tapping away at the personal device he had been loaned by General Kyoko. "Damn, this thing is fast. I swear it is nearly as good as my console at home," he added as he continued his work.

"What do you want us to do?" Colonel Sanders asked as he wondered if the young man could actually hack the system.

"Well, you could stand outside and watch the door. Pay attention to that control room. See if you think we can take control over it if we have to do something before I can hack this system," Tyrell replied as he scanned the information on his tablet. "Damn it!" he swore as he continued to read.

"How long will it take you?" Colonel Sanders questioned with a frown without asking what the young man found upsetting. He suspected he already knew the answer. He suspected the agency had already upgraded the security for the facility before they even took command of it.

"They changed the security here. Even with this device, it could take days before I hack the system with my logarithm," Tyrell answered as he continued to scan the list. "Wait a minute... there may be a back door through the maintenance log, but it will still take time to restructure the access of maintenance. I will set this device to start decrypting the mainframe while I use dad's device to log in through the maintenance. Then I will start hacking the passwords as I come to them to restructure the administrative access to that access. It will take time, but I don't know what else to do," he added with a frown before he began.

"Rose, keep the colonel company in the hall. Engage in mindless small talk so he doesn't appear to be watching the control room," Tyberius instructed before he surrendered his device to his son. However, he found himself without a purpose once again. He decided to leave his son to his work and joined the rest in the hall.

***

"Hunter?" Charlet whispered as he began to moan.

Hunter struggled to form his thoughts as his mind was overloaded with pain. His body failed to respond as he tried to open his eyes. His ears seemed to play tricks on his mind. He could swear he could smell Charlet but her words were nearly obliterated by the ringing in his ears. He tried to raise his arm to his ear but it failed to function as an incredible pain caused him to gasp.

"You must lie still," Charlet cried with a croak.

"Hunter, it is me... Carl. Can you hear me?" Carl asked anxiously. However, he couldn't tell if the man had actually attempted to answer. "You must lie still. You are severely injured. I have given you several shots, but... can you swallow," he asked as his heart raced. He wasn't even sure if this would work. The man hadn't been very specific on how he had healed himself the last time.

"I think he passed out again," the Lepu observed as he struggled to contain the great sadness that washed over him.

"Wait...," Carl, replied as he looked at the others in the room. "He can... he can do things," he added despite how insane it sounded. "Quiet... listen to his breathing," he added excitedly. He could hear those breaths become very deep and rhythmic despite the gurgles from his lungs. "I have seen him do this...," he added with a grin before he heard as well as witnessed the man's shattered jaw reform.

"Sweet mother of Petra," Charlet mumbled in her amazement. "You have seen this...," she began until she remembered his remarkable recovery from the wounds he had received when he had been shot by the military lethal ammunition. "Fuck... is this how he has lived... How old did he claim to be?" she continued to marvel before she realized no one in the room knew what she understood what had her rambling.

"Hunter... can you swallow?" Carl repeated when the man's breathing returned to normal... well it wasn't normal but it wasn't those slow deep breaths. "I have brought a shitload of vitamin supplements that may help. I will have food brought next. Will that help," he asked once he received the first nod. Then with the second nod he began to drop handfuls of his vitamin supplements into the man's gaping mouth, but failed to contain his wince once he noticed the lack of teeth in that huge mouth. "Can you fetch him as much fresh meat as you can carry?" he requested as he looked at the Lepu. He vowed to name the man before he left once he realized he still thought of him by his species. However, it was better than the other was. He would refuse to refer to the man by that name.

"I will return," the Lepu swore as that glimmer of hope returned, before he dashed from his quarters.

"Are you good? Do you need to sleep again," Carl questioned but received no answer as Hunter's breaths returned to that deep rhythmic breathing. However, this time the man didn't wake. He wasn't sure it was working until he realized the man's breaths no longer produced the gurgles. Then he couldn't hear or detect the slightest raspy breath as well. "Damn if he isn't the most magnificent thing I have ever seen," he marveled as he continued to examine the man.

"I brought everything I could on the anti-gravity platform," the Lepu announced once he returned, but was disappointed to find the Lupus had fallen asleep once again. "Is he...?" he added sadly.

"He will be fine. We will wait until he wakes," Carl tried to reassure but knew he couldn't be any more specific. However, as the hours dragged on he began to become more concerned. He didn't want to wake the man, but he could swear he could watch the man losing weight, which was as impossible as..., as well as healing himself.

"How was...," a large male Catain began to ask as he entered the Lepu's apartments. "Oh, I didn't realize you had company," he apologized as he began to depart hastily. However, the large Canis was unmistakable. "What is he doing here? Damn it... I told you to stay away from that brute. I can't protect you from Mr. Smith if he finds out you are helping that man," he set to cursing immediately.

"Mr. Smith assigned me to assist them," the Lepu replied meekly.

"I... I just don't want anything to happen to you. You don't know what that thing is capable...," the Catain, continued to fret until he decided to hold his tongue in front of these strangers. "And who might you be?" he questioned with a scowl.

"I am Governess Longfellow. This is a Dr. Carl Krinshaw, but you may call me Charlet and he is Carl. Who might you be?" Charlet introduced curiously.

"Excuse me Governess, but I am... I am going," the Catain replied nervously.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Charlet questioned as she moved to intercept the Catain before he could depart.

"I know what they did to that man. I have heard the stories. I have seen some of the video. I want no part of your government's special treatment. I wouldn't wish it on my enemy. I am just a contract combatant. My contract does not include torture or any military operations. Therefore, if you will excuse me," the Catain replied with frustration as he glanced at the Lepu.

"I should also mention. Hunter belongs to my daughter. I am here to help him if I can. Any information you can provide would be appreciated," Charlet replied with pleading eyes.

"If you want to help, have that Mr. Smith arrested. I have never heard of such dishonor... to beat a prisoner while he is restrained... I... it is unfathomable," the Catain snapped in disgust.

"Kleio please stay," the Lepu begged with a pout.

"I will stay for you, but I will not interfere this time," Kleio replied with a sigh.

"What can you tell me about what happened?" Charlet questioned with a smile.

"Not much... as I said I refused to be part of Mr. Smith's thug squad. I wasn't there when they brought in your friend, but I heard two men broke their hands on his face. They immediately switched to weapons to hit him. I heard Mr. Smith asked him a couple questions the big man didn't seem to understand before he instructed them to beat him and they did. They waited for hours for him to regain consciousness before they began raping him. Yazhi could tell you as much as I can," Kleio began to explain despite his best judgment. However, he could tell by the puzzled looks on their faces they had no idea who he meant. "You didn't tell them your name," he scolded with a glare. "How many times have I told you, you have a name?" he continued until he could see the hurt growing in Yazhi's eyes. "I am sorry but you deserve better," he apologized before he reluctantly went to comfort him.

"No one deserves such treatment," Charlet finally agreed once she recovered from the realization the Catain and the Lepu were... well she wasn't sure what it was. However, was it any different from the relationship she had witnessed between her daughter and Hunter? She hadn't ever considered such intimate relationships between different species. It just didn't happen... but it obviously did happen.

"Then why don't you do something about it. I only know of three species that acts as if other species are below them. The Catain will hunt the Canis for sport but only out of our greatest respect for their abilities as warriors and it is a very rare practice. I haven't heard of it being practiced in a long time," Kleio questioned without pausing his petting and stroking Yazhi, while he clung to him.

"I don't have the power to do this on my own," Charlet replied weakly as she felt her shame for not trying to do more.

"Well, could you at least do something about the abuse he has to suffer while all of your soldiers are assigned here?" Kleio grumbled in disgust.

"I may be able to do something about that, but I am not...," Charlet began to reply.

"Where? What?" Hunter moaned as he tried to move, but his mind reeled at the pain.

"Hold still, you have been injured," Carl urged after turning his attention back to Hunter instead of the odd scene in front of him. He had always enjoyed playing with those pets willing who were brought into their practice, but he had never treated them poorly. He had even grown quite fond of several such as Hunter and Rose over the years of practice. However, he wondered if the fact that he still considered them as pets was in fact poor treatment.

"I feel like I have been trampled by a stampede," Hunter complained as he tried to open his eyes, but failed. "Carl... can you have Rose bring me some... who is there? I don't recognize those scents," he added nervously.

"They are friends," Carl tried to reassure with a worried glance at the Catain. He still didn't know how he felt about the combatant whether he was contracted or not despite his tender treatment of Yazhi.

"Any man who killed Enyo is more than a friend of mine. That stallion was a sick and twisted soul," Kleio assured respectfully to the strong warrior Canis.

"I killed someone," Hunter grumbled with great sadness. "I didn't...," he stammered, as his memories seemed to flood back to him. "I don't like it here. I want to go home," he nearly cried as he thought of how he had failed Sylvy. She would not be pleased that he had killed something or someone.

"Hunter, we brought you some food," Charlet croaked out after hearing his words.

"I want to go home," Hunter repeated weakly.

"We will do what we can. I promise. You need to eat and heal," she urged as she knelt at his bedside and wiped the dampness from her eyes.

"Hunter, open your mouth," Carl instructed as he held a smaller chunk of meat in front of Hunter's nose. He was grateful the big man obliged and even more grateful he still had all of his fingers when those jaws snapped shut on the meat whether he had any teeth or not. "Easy there big guy," he urged nervously as he placed another chunk of raw flesh in front of him.

"I didn't give authorization to have him moved. You removed his... secure that beast," Mr. Smith screamed after he burst into the room and was followed by a flood of men.

"You will not lay a hand on him. He is under medical care at the moment. Do you wish to intervene knowing the cost," Charlet questioned with a scowl. She recognized their hesitation and continued while she had their attention. "You placed a prisoner in a cell with unsanctioned restraints. You held that prisoner for an unspecified time in a cell without sunlight. That is a violation in itself. Have you even officially charged him with a crime yet? He isn't even charged with a crime. You seized personal property without charging any crime. That is unlawful in itself. I will not even go into his physical treatment during his imprisonment," she continued to scold.

"Are you interfering with this operation?" Mr. Smith challenged with a snarl.

"I have not made that claim. I am simply pointing out violations in criminal code. If you want to secure the prisoner, you may do so under advisement of the medical personnel. If you want to put him in another location, you may do so in an approved location. We moved him here for his care, because it is clean. He can be moved to another location if you find a suitable cell and after he is released from, medical care or you can do as you wish and suffer prosecution. I would also like to point out that any man can be held accountable for his actions despite following orders," Charlet answered as she glared at the soldiers.

"I have taken semen samples, while I cleaned his wounds. I hope there are not any DNA matches amongst your men. You can be held liable for their actions during your operation," Carl added as he too glared at the men in the room.

"You push your authority too far," Mr. Smith warned as he struggled to contain his anger.

"I am merely acting as an oversight. I have no authority over Security Agency operations. However, I suspect I already have enough evidence that you Mr. Smith along with whoever your superior is will be facing life imprisonment at the least by the time this is over. I don't know how many will be joining you. Of course, rape of a lesser species is still rape and punishable as well," Charlet corrected as she returned his glare. She knew rape could only be accused by the lesser species owner, which Sylvy certainly would, but she hoped it helped Yazhi as well despite knowing the coliseum management would do no such thing.

"It will be over soon and I don't believe anyone will question our tactics when we produce results. Besides I have no control over the other combatants and how they mistreated the prisoner," Mr. Smith replied with a smug grin.

"You declared he needed medical attention, yet I found him with a pipe sticking out of his rectum. You mean to tell me, you thought it belonged there. You try that line of defense in any court you wish and I guarantee a conviction," Charlet argued through gritted teeth.

"You have two days and he will be moved. If he can't move on his own, I will have him moved," Mr. Smith replied before he stormed from the room.

"Carl?" Charlet questioned after all of the men departed from the room.

"Hell, if I know. Hunter?" Carl inquired as he wondered if there was any way the man could walk in two days after having both legs broken.

"I could walk now, but I would be very weak," Hunter replied reluctantly. He didn't like others to know he was different. "I will require more food than you have there," he added with a frown. "I hope this place has good plumbing," he added after a little thought. However, he didn't understand the chuckles for his statement nor did he care. He didn't know how much he would have to eat or sleep in two days to return to his health. However, he was even more concerned how the healing of these new injuries would change him this time.