An Assassin for the Slave Page 10

  If the entry cave was meant to impress them, the ballroom left them breathless. It was one of the largest rooms on Gigas Vnee and probably larger than most public rooms on other planets.

  The room was full of finely dressed residents in various styles, using the red as a statement. Long ball gowns in red or with red stripes or red overcoats. Well-dressed males in the latest costumes from across the social planets, again using red to honor the day.

  Also, among the jewels, rings, necklaces, pins and hairpieces were draped the Threads of Targent.

  The lighting was held by the Threads, and the drapes along the walls were twisted with the Threads. There was a table set up on the dais along one wall with a deep red cover over it and ten large carved wooden chairs. A single Thread was attached on the curve at the top of each chair.

  The statement was made, to both the Magistrates and to the forty leaders. There were more Threads of Targent on display for this hearing than would be required for the payment of the requested restitution. Gigas Vnee was so rich that a paltry payment to a charge from the Courts would not affect them.

  Finally, to attract complete attention was what in some royal courts would be the main interest, but in this room was one of just plain dread. It was the sitting of the royal family.

  Their platform was a step up from the dais that held the Magistrates. It was at a right angle so that it faced the room and the Court. Here the difference was a dramatic change. First everything was white, without any Threads in the area.

  Loralei sat forward and looked stunning in a soft flowing white gown. On each side of her and slightly higher, sat the twins in matching white long jackets over white trousers. This seemed to make their striking changing eyes stand out to anyone brave enough to look.

  To add to the scene and make a final statement of shock, a step behind but standing directly behind Loralei, stood a Medal Assassin, hidden within his full cape and hood, making him hidden in plain sight.

  There was a lot of shuffling at first as there were no seats or tables provided for the forty extra guests. Next, it seemed that the Magistrates were waiting for someone to start something; after all they were not in their own courtroom.

  General Sachim approached Loralei, and they talked quietly but with a smile on both their faces, as they looked around the room. Finally, she made a show of waving her hand to the long table and the General nodded and bowed.

  Baloko went over to the Chief Magistrate. "Sir, you can start whenever you think it is appropriate. I am having non-alcoholic drinks brought to your seats, is there anything else you require?"

  At that moment wait people, in red and one for each Magistrate, approached and sat items at the elbow for each to have something to drink. At the Chief Magistrate's site was placed the bell that allowed him to control the meeting. He took a quick sip and then hit the bell three times calling the court to order in the traditional manner.

  "We have a set of charges brought with what seems enough witnesses to warrant substantial verification. Shall we now read the document?"

  A floating screen came up with the beginning of the usual small print of a legal document.

  At this point Loralei spoke, her gentle but firm voice carried well within the large room. "Your Honor, we accept the document and state that the document does not need to be read."

  The Chief Magistrate nodded and looked in both directions at his fellow court. "Fine, then can we ask how you plead to the charges?"

  "Of course, your Honor. Your charges are not of a nature that requires a plea of any type. What they do require is a decision of acceptance of change of policy and a possible payment of restitution. As the representative for the people of Gigas Vnee, I will answer the documents statements."

  Loralei felt a slight shake in the floor and knew her two lovers were getting ready to leave. "This will not take long, sirs." She was speaking more to the twins than to anyone else.

  She smiled. "First there is the term Bigotry as applied by the Federated Court. It does not apply to our planet since our planet is one of the originators of the Federation Declaration. We cannot be found in conflict with that regulation. Do you agree?"

  There was a conference at the table, and a couple of Magistrates pulled screens. A couple of nods allowed the Chief to announce that the Mistress was correct and the word would be stripped from the charges.

  "Thank you, as for the charge of Emancipation. This would have to be proved by having residents of Gigas Vnee questioned and testifying to that charge. Do you have someone that is a resident of our planet besides the ones from outside who answered that charge?"

  Now a couple of the forty guests tried to step forward but the General's red brigade was in place quickly. The Chief rang his bell for quiet in the large room. "Royals, we must admit that there has not been anyone that is a resident attached to this section. Based on that you do not have to ask, we will eliminate it. I think that would also apply to the Equality section also. There is no need to waste time on items without proof. Next would lead us to the Illegal Theft, which does have strong proof. How do you answer?"

  "Your honor, we formed our own court and did an investigation into the possibility of theft and instead found the person or persons involved only in a rescue mission. It seems there was a ship in deep trouble and due to an old seafaring premise of women and children evacuate first, that is exactly what happened. There were a group of females, all screaming for help, and they were taken from the damaged ship. They were transferred by deep space at personal expense to our planet.

  Here the females requested help, and we could not refuse. We found no fault with the perpetrators."

  The Chief spoke.

  "There is a problem here. These females were property of merchants. As a result, those merchants are out of profits. Also, those females are not free but are chattels. How do we address this?"

  "Gigas Vnee wants to be fair. First we should let it be known that some of the females are no longer in our possession. The ones that are, like myself, are legally purchased slaves of honest residents of this planet." At this point, Loralei was interrupted by a loud series of comments from the group of forty.

  The Chief rang his bell and the Red Brigade pushed for silence. "Are you saying that there is slavery on this planet?"

  Loralei looked over, meeting the eyes of the Magistrates. "Is there any doubt of my position within the royal family?" With that statement, there was a rumble within the floor of the ballroom, shaking dust from the ceiling as the two twins stood.

  There now was complete silence, even within the guests as everyone stared in shock at the twins. Loralei ignored everything and just sat quietly. To everyone's relief the two impressive males sat back down in their chairs behind their slave.

  The Chief tried to regain control, of both himself and the court. "That would seem to indicate some acknowledgement that there is value in these females. So some restitution is required."

  Loralei nodded. "We agree. We will set up a fund in the amount that the Court will decide, equal to the value of the females and any additional costs due to compensation. But we will handle how it will be paid. First, we will pay to anyone who has a receipt for the purchase of a female the amount of the receipt plus additional restitution of fifty percent. Next,…"

  Before she could continue, an uproar was happening in the middle of the guests. There were several males pushing to get past the Red Brigade. They were not having any luck, but it was obvious they were unhappy with Loralei's statement.

  The Chief rang his bell over and over, and then the General stepped forward with more men.

  Finally, the Chief spoke over an announcer. "I will have removed from this hearing anyone who disrupts again. This is an official Federation Court. General, I instruct you to arrest and hold anyone who is out of order and hold them to be picked up by Federation Military for prosecution."

  Everyone settled down, and the General returned to stand at the feet of the royal family. In the quiet of the room, Lo
ralei started to speak but all were surprised when the twins rose. In a voice that merged as one their strange voice could be heard.

  "We agree that the Large Restitution required by this misunderstanding will be met. We will pay it in the following manner. One tenth will be sent to the Federated Bankers to disperse as indicated immediately and on the one hundredth birthday of this planet another tenth will be sent to the bankers. It will continue every hundred years until the restitution is paid. During that time, we will not export, sell, give, or allow any access to the Threads of Targent." With the end of that mutual statement, the two matched males literally disappeared.

  Now there was a lot of whispering and mumbling, even among the Magistrates. The General didn't leave his position near the Mistress, but the Assassin had moved forward to stand directly behind her thrown. In essence, she was protected by the two strongest males on the planet, except for the twins.

  The Magistrates were too busy talking among themselves to try to settle the room. Eventually, the Chief must have reached a decision and began to ring his bell. Surprisingly, the talk quit almost at once.

  "Mistress, are you now the spokesperson?"

  Loralei raised a hand and nodded. "I represent the planet."

  "Did the Royal Family state that they would not supply Threads during the time they were paying the court restitution? That would mean that growth in the development, expansion and exploration might almost cease."

  Loralei looked over at the people in the room. She let her eyes avoid the forty and just looked at her people wearing some red. "It would seem you are to make a decision similar to all the residents of this great planet had to do recently. Decisions are not always easy as they often mean some change in order to protect stability. So, you can have your Restitution, or you can forgive that charge and business between Gigas Vnee and the rest of the society will continue as it always has under its normal contracts. The choice is in the hands of this court."

  She stood and took the hand of the General, who helped her down the steps. The Red Brigade formed a double line for her and her Assassin to walk through to leave the room.

  "I am going down the hall. We have a grand dinner prepared. When you reach your decision, please feel free to join me and my people. Everyone wearing red will be allowed to follow first to find their assigned seats for our meal."

  Chapter Sixteen

  Bleak and Leant waited until they were lying on each side of her. Loralei lay on her back, fully sated from the love of two gods that were still one hundred percent males.

  Loralei let the words sink into her soggy mind. "What do you mean you are leaving?"

  "Loralei, I am giving you serotonin from your own body to help you relax more than our sex allows you ease." It was Leant as he leaned in to hold her.

  Bleak spoke against her cheek as he kissed her softly. "We have moved beyond this planet for now. We need to do what you heard from the Magistrate—explore."

  Loralei knew she had to get up and argue with her lovers. "You can't leave us. This planet and your people need you."

  Both spoke with one voice. "No, they have you and Baloko when he returns from delivering his female. They have Dee and a military force that could even defeat the Federated Military. The planet is united to stand against any tyrants that might come along. We have looked at Dee's body, and it will last him a long time to come."

  She sat up as the two twins floated away from her over to the wall that looked out at the ocean. They were serious, and her two gods were going to leave.

  "Leant, Bleak, we have formed a special connection. How am I supposed to exist without you two? Not only that, how far will you go in those damn sleep pods? You hate them as much as I do."

  Bleak turned to look at the female that was a part of him. "Get dressed and meet us in the entry cave."

  Damn they were gone. They no longer had to travel the way people did, they just disappeared from one spot and appeared in another. Their clothes could change or rearrange as they willed, leaving them in whatever suited their needs.

  For her, she needed a shower and a glass of orange juice before getting dressed in the usual manner. Then it was down the hall, knowing a black shadow was somewhere near her as usual. The one lift that was reserved for the Royals was already open.

  "Assassin, please come into the lift with me. I need to share something with you."

  Just before the doors closed the tall, dark killer slid into the brass lined box.

  "Thank you. You have shared information with me in your strange quiet way. I may need more in the future. The twins just told me they are leaving for an exploration trip. They basically are leaving me in charge with a group of local governments."

  She heard his whisper. "Ahh."

  Loralei looked over at him. "Ahh? That is your response?"

  He nodded. "It explains the new ship the workers are finishing."

  She got off the elevator carrying a real anger. She stopped for only a moment on the higher deck then noticed the area that was off to one side and had drop sheets hanging from the ceiling to block from view the work being done behind them.

  "I am not going to ask you how you got to see what is behind those sheets, but no one is going to stop me from inspecting."

  It was a torpedo of a ship with a point on one end and a huge hole for the fire on the other. As she pushed through the covers to look at it, all the workers stopped and came to attention.

  When she got close, it was larger than she expected. It appeared to be seamless without windows, but there was a door open with a couple of steps set up by workers. Her nose led her to the steps, and the Assassin held out a hand to help her up. Lowering her head to watch where she stepped she was shocked when she was in the ship and looked up to see the inside.

  It was not the inside that was amazing, and; it was the shell that was completely clear. There was no need for windows as the entire shell would be like floating in deep space once the ship left the planet. She took a couple steps forward on a lined area that marked stepping spots while letting the bottom of the cave to show.

  She felt strong arms reach around her to pull her back against a warm body. She knew the dark killer must have disappeared when the twins came to the ship. It was Leant that held her. He was a gentler male inside. She would never tell the two of them that it was the way she always told them apart.

  "You two have invented a new type of metal. Will you share this technology with the Federated society?"

  Bleak moved around them and handed her a round ball. It felt cold and as she turned it the ball it would sometimes be black and sometimes be clear. He kissed her deeply, pressing her head against Leant's chest.

  "You can make the decision if you want to share it and how to make a profit for our people." Bleak answered her as he pulled away.

  How they moved her outside with the workers she had no idea, but she had quit asking a lot of questions of these two males that seemed to mostly be one. She knew different, she knew the small things that kept them individual and that made them better.

  She felt the Assassin's hand on her shoulder. "Mistress, this is no longer a safe place for you. I suggest we return to the elevator."

  She let him guide her away from the closed up black torpedo. There was a slight vibration from the ship. They were leaving without a goodbye. She fought the tears, and she was the Slave of the Twinned Dissnue, she was the Mistress in charge of their people.

  Loralei stood for a moment and watched the black ship move out to the open and then it too disappeared. Again a new technology or was it the minds of the twins? She would not let anyone see one second of weakness in her.

  She rose up alone in the elevator. She thought about this world. She had Dee, and she needed to get Baloko to return as soon as possible. She had the Assassin for several more months and perhaps she would arrange to extend his contract.

  She had threats from the slavers, as they would not give up so easily without receiving anything for the loss of their sh
ip and payload. There were also some of the forty who were not happy with the out-come of the Federated Court. There would be plots within plots.

  She had people right here to protect, and new stories to understand about this harsh storm world. She would persevere. By the time she reached her lonely rooms, another savage storm was tearing up the ocean below the cliff.

  She stood at the window, already missing her two lovers. She could only hope they had the means to communicate with her and that their trip would be short.

  She watched the heavy waves and was surprised to see a water ship of some type slip below and disappear within the depths of the dark green waters. She didn't even know that people used underwater craft on this world. There was still so much to learn about Gigas Vnee.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Bogdan watched the woman sitting outside the open door of the newly created four room home. It was off the entry cave far enough to avoid the noise and traffic, but on the edge to have a couple of view walls of the ocean, one in the bathroom.

  It had been weeks since he had watched the soldier give her the papers that made her the owner of this cave home. Magda had been in her work cube, and the soldier had been extremely polite. He had knocked on the edge, not stepping within her space as instructed.

  Magda looked at the documents that had been handed to her. She gazed at them in puzzlement.

  "Wait." She spoke as the soldier started to move away. "What is this?"

  The soldier smiled. "Read it. A very nice present."

  "Wait." Magda hung her head. "I can't read. I was never taught. Tell me what this means."

  The soldier came back and with patience pointed out the important items. "You own a very nice home. See this number, it is right over there, up that exit tunnel. It is paid for and in your name. You should go look at it. It will be much nicer than the bunk rooms upstairs."

  Bogdan watched her from above, whenever it was safe to leave the Mistress. Magda sat the title to her new home on the bench, away from the area where she worked, and seemed just to ignore it for the next few days.