Intermission

Carmilla Deritan walked in and sat herself at the bar. Although just a transfer point, the small station, little more than a collection of warehouses, com-habs and hangers floating in space, it possessed one of the more interesting bars she had been in. Wind Force 12.

The bartender walked over to her and smiled broadly, his features pure caldari, his voice a mishmash of everything.
"What's your poison?"
"Khanid whisky, the good stuff. Where's Alphone?"
"Al? Oh he had some trouble, took a few hours off."
He walked over to a locker and pulled out a bottle and poured a glass placed it before her. She slipped her credit jack into the bartop and breathed the aroma in deeply.
"You sure this is the good stuff? Has a strange smell..."
"That's Khanid for you, but try it. It'll take you to heaven."

She looked at him, the way he said heaven rang a strange bell in her mind. Maybe it was just the way he seemed to slip into an Amarr accent for the word. Shrugging and noticing the time she knocked back the drink and coughed.
"By the maker... what was in that....."
Shaking her head she coughed again and breathed in deeply. Every nerve in her body tingled, a warm rush reaching from her stomach flowed out in every direction, she moaned softly as it reached certain areas. Holding onto the bar she shuddered as an orgasm rushed through her and a euphoric feeling the likes of which she'd never experienced before. Gasping she pushed the glass over.
"Another... make it a double."
"Better not, your connection is leaving soon."
"Damn.... make sure that bottles here when I get back..."
She giggled and started laughing and swinging around.
"God damn, that's good whisky."

Running and then skipping to the door she ran out and towards the liner taking her to Khanid. Behind her the bartender walked into the back rooms where the other bar staff were on their knees, hands behind their heads. Three troopers in black covert ops suits were training their weapons on them.
"Mission accomplished. You three, out now."
He dropped a large stack of isk notes onto the table.
"We were never here. If we find out you talked about this you'll be on the next slave transport to the ass end of the Empire."

Something on your mind?

As she walked through the station she recognised a change. People moved out of their way to avoid her, others greeted her with false friendship and insincere smiles. She knew what it was, she has seen it all before. From the other side. Because of what had happened, they now saw her as one of them.

Now, more than ever, the sound of someone behind you spitting sounded as it was meant to sound.

Some punishments, she mused, were real. Others were not so. This one, I did not deserve this. I did not deserve this!

I saved her life didnt I? Dead she would have been just another dead holder, alive she is a slave. And we can all see her where we are.

No they said, you are no longer where we are....
You should have rebelled, no matter the pain, no matter the cost. You should have stood with us!
Traitor!

And betray my wife? Betray my Mistress?

Fool! Maybe now you can see, when you are despised by slave and Holder alike, that you cannot have both. Perhaps you should have listened to what Mizh.....

Carmilla awoke from her nightmare screaming in anguish. All around her it was dark, the clammy sweat on her body made her leap out of the bed and run into the shower cubicle. She turned on the water, not caring that it was cold and sat in the corner shivering.

When she felt a bit more awake she turned the shower off and sat down on her chair. Rubbing her eyes sitting at her dressing table wearing just a t-shirt and her underwear she looked at the mirror. Her hair was growing back, but was taking too long. Oh it was easy she mused to jump into a clone and come out with a full head of hair again. But this, she touched the scar and her eye, would be gone til the next jump. And this reminds me of what is important in life. This reminds...... a flash from the mirror caused her to turn her eye and..... click

The body of Carmilla froze solid while she looked at the mirror. Several figures opened a hitherto unknown door into the room and walked in. All four of them were clad in nondescript covert ops blacksuits.
"We have three minutes.... get to work."
Inside her mind Carmilla screamed as her body stopped functioning as she wished. It was as if she was inside a prison cell inside her mind, smashing her fists against the wall trying to wake her up. She watched as sensors were placed on her body, readings taken, a syringe, two, three injected into her body in various places. Sensors placed on her head, readings taken. The people nodded to the forth.
"Lock the door. I think we have time for some fun before we go. No.. keep her null, this is for our pleasure, not hers. Stupid bitch."
Two of them picked her up and threw her on the bed, quickly stripping her. Inside her mind, Carmilla screamed as was violated.... click click

... looked at the flash and noticed nothing in the mirror. Must have been my imagination, she mused. Must be tired, shower. Shower was a thought on her mind, overpowering in its insistance. Walking naked to the shower cubicle, something in her mind made her look around. Her underwear was lying on top of her nightshirt, the bed needed to be changed, the scent in the air... was I with someone last night? Something... nothing... so tired and sore... nothing that a good hot shower wouldn't cure.

As Carmilla showered away the unknown violations of the night she thought only of what the day would bring. Perhaps today would be the day, yes. Today. First she had to free her, then head to Khanid, and then.... her appointment with the chamberlain at the Khanid Council.

Inside her head Carmillas screams faded to an insubstantial mistyness as a warm and fuzzyness filled her, her agression fading, only obedience remaining.

Polarity

A tall figure walked quickly through the Basilica, a heavy silken wrap around her head obscuring her face and drapped over her shoulders. She wound her way through the other faithful who were at the cathedral and stopped momentarily to listen to the singing. Stopping at a font she reached out a hand, running her fingers through the water and making a sign on her forehead with her finger. Those nearby could hear a few muttered whispers from beneath her cowl and walks under one of the archways into a secluded alcove.

In the alcove an old man sat wearing heavy robes and looked up from a pile of old manuscripts. He smiled as she walked over and knelt before him at the small rail that lead up to the altar he was using as a desk. Walking over to her he held out his hand, a heavy golden ring with a religious icon graced his finger.
"Hello, my child. It has been a while."
Carmilla Deritan removed the scarf from her head and bowed her head and placed a kiss upon the ring.
"Hello your eminence, it has been far too long. You are looking well, your studies proceed I hope?"
"Carmilla," he chuckled and pulled a stool over to the railing, "I like to think I have known you long enough to know when something is troubling you. It is rare that you come to me for spiritual guidance. I wish you would come more often."
She smiled and curled her legs under her and waited while he walked around and pulled the curtains over the alcove and pulled out a stool and sat before her, taking her hand in his old calloused one.
"Come on my child, tell me all....."


Two days previous - Peshar's Bane

Carmilla Deritan docked at the main landing bay in Peshars and picked up the bag and slung it over her shoulder. She breathed in deeply as she walked down the ramp, noticing with a smile the old musty smell had now gone, the air recirculators now fixed and working. With a laugh she spotted Brute and bounced over, wrapping her arms around him, making him sway.
"Hey lil lady! Hey, what happened to the eye? And the hair?"
"Brute, Ooooooh I missed you!"
"What you doing back? I thought you were given a one way ticket to Khanid?"
"I was, but like I'm going to leave this place and you and the crew. You're family now, so dont' you forget that."
Several of the others came over and grins split faces and hands slapped her on the back.
"So what you doing here, babe?"
"My Mistress informed me Relana had requested me. I have a new slave to break in apparently..."
Brute laughed followed by the rest of the crew around them. Carm looked at them with a confused expression.
"What's so funny?"
"You'll see. Though if I'm honest Carm... I don't half wonder if this isn't some sort of punishment for you too."

Carmilla stood before Relana in a submissive stance. Her old Mistress walked over to her and ran her hand over her growing hair and traced the line of her scar.
"Things have changed since you were here last...."
"Life has been a bit exciting, yes, Mi'lady."
"Has your Mistress told you why you are here?"
"Briefly. I have a slave of yours to work on. Other than that...."
She shrugged briefly, her mind wondering now why she had been chosen, wondering about Brute had said.
"Relana. Am I being punished for something? I mean...."
She held up a hand and touched Carms lips, then took her hand and walked out the door.
"In a way... yes you are."

The Holder and slave walked down the corridors towards a room which had a long queue of people outside of it. From inside screams and cries could be heard. Relana looked on impassively as Carm shook slightly. The sounds inside stopped and two men walked out, grins on their faces and laughing. Two more walked in, this time a man and a woman, shortly the sounds started again.
"What's going on Relana?"
"Yes you are being punished Carmilla, courtesy of Ithiria. You are to take over the keeping of the slave behind these doors until we decide fully what to do with her. You can use any method of punishment you want or need. In essence, you will be her Holder."
"I cant' do that. I'm a slave. More than that I wont' do it."
Relana grabbed a handful of Carm's hair and pulled her towards her face, the smiles gone only a cold stare.
"You will do as you are ordered or we'll have you strapped to the table next to her and I'll promise you a thousand deaths and each one more painful than the last!"
She walked them over and kicked open the door and thrust Carmilla in to see what was in the room. A faint cry came from Carms lips as she saw Alizabeth Vea strapped to the table in the room, naked and heavily abused. Two guards stood watching and the man and woman who had come in before stood back, heads bowed as their Mistress entered.
"This is the slave you have to break. I'm sure you recognise each other."
Alizabeth's cry was music to Relana's ears.

Carm looked on for a minute then shook her head and pulled out her communicator and whispered a few words.
"She is mine to do with as I choose?"
"Yes."
"Good." She pointed to the guards and every other person in the room," Everyone out! Now!"
The door opened and Brute pushed his way in.
"Brute, everyone except you, me and Aliza leaves this room," she looked at Relana," no exceptions."
"You dare..."
"My slave, my rules."

Brute unstrapped Aliza and taking a medical bag started to treat her wounds quickly. He looked up at Carm with enquiring eyes.
"You see what I meant Carm? About being a punishment for you too?"
"Yes. I see it now. Oh Aliza, what happened?"
She sat on the end of the bed and listened as she was told the story. The arguments in The Summit, the execution of the slave, the threats of war, the forced removal of Aliza, her enslavement and the corps change of direction. By the time she had finished Carm was looking at her with a hateful look in her eyes.
"Why that look Carm? You've done worse than that. Far worse."
"Yes, I know. And I've paid my dues. But so did that slave."
She stood up and brushed off her jacket and slung the bag over her shoulder.
"I think you Holders sometimes forget that the slaves talk to each other. I knew that slave you executed. Quite well."
With quite whispers she talked with Brute for a while and walked to the door, opening it and looking out on the angry faces beyond. Turning to Brute she looked at Vea and didn't smile.
"You have ten minutes Brute."
Aliza tried to say something as Brute grabbed a hold of her arm and wrenched. The sickening sound of muscle and tissue tearing as the arm was dislocated was nothing compared to her scream. Carmilla closed the door and faced those infront of her.

Folding her arms she stared down the angry slave force while behind her the screams and sounds of furniture breaking continued. Oaths and cries and threats were thrown at her and she stood there watching as more and more became silent.
"If you dont know why I'm here then I'll tell you. She was my friend to, and she died at her hands. But death is too good for her so I'm going to make her suffer. Me. Not you. And you all know me, know what I can do."
"You'll go easy on her! We know you bend over for Holders..."
"...Give it a week and you'll be back kneeling before her...."
".... Give her to us, we'll show her some real pain..."
"Enough," she shouted,"None of you have any idea what I've been through and I'll not take Vea down the roads I've been dragged. But mark my words, she'll pay. Pay in blood and pain and anguish. She is now a slave, like us. But less than us because there isn't one of us here, me included who hasn't felt her lash or been subject to her...."
More of them went silent as the sounds behind the door were familiar, they had all heard them so many times before. When the guards had taken them, or the Holders, or the pushers. Slowly they looked at Carmilla. Her slave collar was gleaming brightly, the look on her face, no longer one of anger, but one of pain and anguish. The screams coming from the room beyond, could almost have been coming from her mouth. Slowly the crowd dispersed until only Carmilla was left, leaning against the door frame openly weeping.

When the ten minutes were up she walked back in. Brute was sitting on the end of the bed, Aliza curled up in a ball, a look on her face that many of her slaves had once owned.
"Pick her up gently, lets take her to the infirmary. Is Kim still there?"
"Yes," he said as she picked up the brutalised woman in his arms, "She has a collection of heads in jars. She's a real spooky lady."
"Yes, she is. Runs in the family I guess."
She brushed a strand of hair from Vea's eyes.
"Now you know how we feel. And I'll teach you how we feel until I think you understand. I'll teach you to be a slave. I'll teach you hope, and I'll teach you hate. I'll teach you real submission and how to please. By the time I've finished with you you will understand what it means to be free. And at this moment I've never hated you more than I do now for what you've made me become."
And in her mind she could hear the mocking laughter of a sebiestor fanatic. As she touched her dead white eye she realised things would never be the same again.

No Greater Love.....

Carmilla Deritan stood in the window of Ithiria's apartment and looked out over the bustling city below. Her fists where clenched, clad in white silken gloves, and once more she punched the window, the anger seeping through, building as it flowed. For anyone looking into the window, the image of a geisha in a pure white kimono punching the window would have looked vaguely surreal. She spun around and walked with small steps over to the breakfast bar and sat back on the stool. Victor pushed over a cup of coffee he had brewed.

"Here sis, cup of blue shade, just as you like it."
She took it and sippped, sighing and sitting on the stool, looking at the multiple computer screens. The sigil of the Khanid Security Force filled the screens and the various hacking programs were burrowing into were slowly churning out information. Victor tapped away steadily and smiled, tapping on the screen.
"There, we are in."
Carm pointed at various menues and they sifted through the information. To difficult to get some of the details, check what they forget to hide. Entry stamps, every room identifies who enters, filtered down and put into a datadump. Easier to check than the holographic files. Rough day... got you. Entry at four seventeen, door, door, door, time passes, another door, time passes. Names on the doors.....
"Inquisitor Tomak Kasid. Room 317. "
Victor looked in and tapped a few keys.
"And here is the location. Danera III, Moon 3. The Khanid Transport Storage. Is that right? Must have patched the wrong file....."
"No. It's one of the offices of the Khanid Security Force. Come on Victor, you can fly me there. We'll need a hotshot pilot to get out of there once I do what I have to."
"Carm, if you even get in I'll be surprised if you don't get shot, arrested, tried and shot again."
"Oh I'll be fine......."
The voice by Victors ear was a whisper, but unmistakable. He turned and looked at a memory of the old days he'd hoped he'd not see again.
".... she's not going in alone."
"You remember 'Little Snake'.
Victor looked at the silver eyes of the twisted clone of Carmilla, the one he knew when she had been Gallicia's favorite. He couldn't help but shudder and she smiled at him.
"Helllllooo Victor. Been a long time."

Several hours later Ithiria Deritan opened the door to her apartment and walked in, a servant behind her carrying an armful of boxes and bags. Shrugging off her robes she walked into the bedroom and looked around, not seeing what she expected. With a frown she walked from room to room and ended up back in the living room. Then she noticed the computers. The servant picked up her robe and scurried around as Ithiria sat down, flinching slightly and looked at the screens. Major Kasids itinery for the next week was on display. A leaden feeling hit her stomach.
"Computer. Access location. Deritan, Carmilla...... Khanid region, pinpoint search."
"Searching.....", the voice of the computer soft, "Subject, Deritan, Carmilla, located. Danera III..."
She looked at the computer screens with a pang of sadness and a wry smile as she knew where Carm was going. However, there was something she had to do.
"Computer, place a call to Major Kasid, Khanid Security Force. "
The call took five minutes to patch in, five minutes too long she thought as she watched the screen. Eventually the scowling face of Major Kasid filled the screen.
"You again? Why have you...."
"My dear.... My wife is on her way to see you. I do not believe it is a social call....."

Major Kasid stabbed the cigarette out and looked at the security screen. It made no sense. No sense at all. Why by the sacred moons would Ithirias wife be coming here? Here? Because of the punishment Ithiria recieved? She pulled up everything she had on her, the file was extensive. But, as with everything, some things get overlooked. She reached over and dialed a number on the comm unit and waited til it was answered.
"We are getting a visitor, someone coming to see me. When she arrives I want a full tactical unit on standby. Just in case."
"Name of the vistor, Ma'am?"
"Carmilla Deritan. Detain her, alive. I dont think she is here for any mischief, probably just stand up for her wife. But if there is any problem, I want her put down. Alive."
"Affirmative, chief."
Lighting another cigarette she looked at the file again. Then closed it and checked her itinerary. And for the second time that day looked puzzled.
"Geisha?"

The door to the Khanid Transport Storage office opened and a Geisha walked slowly through the corridors until she came to a stop. Outside the door two guards looked at her, one holding out his hand as the other gave her a once over from behind his visor. She was tall, but clad in a fetching peach kimono, bound with a white belt. A thin black floral design wound it's way around. Her hair was pulled back into a long queue and held in place by a number of long decorative pins, each with a different sigil. Her face was purest white, lips the most vivid red, and deep blue eyeshadow which blended to opalescence. The guard took the identi-card that was offered and slotted it into his console.
"Geisha, appointment with Major Kasid. Ten minutes early....."
"Call it in. Sounds suspicious. Wasn't that the name we had to look out for?"
He looked at the identi-card again and shook his head as he interrogated the KSF system.
"Close, but no. This is Carmilla D'morenta, registered Geisha out of Seshala. Security checks are a little dated, but still in order."
The 'little snake' smiled and bowed courtesly as she took back her card and walked through the doorway, to the sound of weapon sensors activating. The guards reacted, weapons up and pointing at her, fingers slightly depressing the firing studs.
"Stand still. Do not move! You have a weapons violation and are subject to arrest and detainment under law..... now turn around slowly."
She turned and very slowly removed from an inner pocket two lengths of metal. The guards looked on, weapons not lowering.
"If I may.... these are really harmless....."
The snake slowly opened the two fans, the metal of the vanes etched with styalised khanid symbology, black on one side, white on the other.

"It is my clients prefered dance. Of course I will leave these here and you can inform her why I do not have them."
Clicking them back into place she offered them both to the nearest guard, who lowered his weapon. He tapped onto the console and then gestured with his head.
"We'll be informing the Major. Next time inform us."
She bowed lower and smiled as she moved into the complex. Behind her she heard the guards talking on a comm unit.

Above them, in one of the ventilation ducts Carmilla Deritan listened and smiled as well. Checking her wrist comp she grimaced, time was short and she had to be there quickly. With a final snip of wire she disabled the sensor pads for the section of ducting and slipped her tools back into her pouch then scampered onwards, the mental map of where she was going still clear.

The knocking on the door to Major Kasid's office was light and she almost missed it. Doing up the top button on her tunic she opened the door and looked up. A geisha stood in the doorway.
"Do I have permissssion to enter?"
"Yes," she said wearily,"God knows I could use some distraction while we wait for this damn woman. Show me these fans. My guards said they set off the weapon alarms."
She walked over to the geisha, a pistol on her hip and a sword belt slapping against her leg. Taking the fan offered she hefted it and opened it with difficulty. Behind her, she heard her terminal ping a message, by the tone an important one.
"It's heavy, you dance with this?"
"Oh yesss, most beautifully. I have been sent to entertain you, for the next hour my only purpose is to make you relax."
Looking at the geisha she handed back the fan and walked back to her desk, eyes looking at her flashing terminal.
"Thank you, but no thank you. I have far to much to do to be encumbered by a Geisha. Please thank whoever it was who sent you....."
"You missunderstand....."
She jumped, the words were whispered right by her ear. Turning sharply she saw the geisha right beside her, then noticed the eyes and the malevolance behind them. Her hand reached for her weapon then stopped as she was aware of a line of razor sharp pain at her neck. One of the fans had been opened silently and was at her neck.
"You kill me and you will never leave this station alive. My men will hunt you down and destroy your line."

'Little snake' writhed as she laughed and pushed the major towards the table and back into her chair. The heavy fan never left her neck as she reached over and pulled the pistol out and placed it on the table along with her sword. The terminal bleeped again and she peered into the screen.
"It seemsss a sensor grid is offline in the interogation quadrant. They want to know what to do about it.... dont they have any common senssse?"
"What is it you want?"
"Only to keep you here. Distracted. Away from.... other people. If you behave, you will live through the night."
The terminal bleeped again. The little snake glared at it, as if wishing it would go away.
"If I dont answer it ten of my best will be through that door in under a minute... then I'll find out why you are really here!"

Carmilla Deritan cursed as the current shot through her arm, the sensor grid shorting out. Biting back the scream as her arm went dead. If she hadn't already deactivated the alarms properly then guards would be kicking in the ducting ahead and filling the area with nuerazine gas. Pulling out the small map she looked at it again and started moving, faster this time. Stopping at a grate she flexed her arm and looked into the room. A man was there standing over a woman tied to a table. Her back was covered in welts from a neuro lash. Memories of the other day flashed into her mind, she snarled. All thought of caution fled from her mind, all she could hear were the screams of the woman, muffled by the grate and the sound of the lash. In her mind, they were Ithiria's.

The terminal started flashing at the same time as an alarm sounded. The little snake simply made a hissing sound while the Major had a look of triumph on her face. In the corridor beyond they could both hear the sound of heavy boots running towards them.
"You are lucky, she asked me not to kill anyone. So consider yourself very lucky!"
She brought the other fan around and slammed it into the back of Kasids head and by the time the body slumped to the table she was already over it and standing in the middle of the room, posed with her fans open. The door slid back and the guards rushed in, weapons pointed at her, their shouts to get on the floor were a cacophony and slowly she turned to them, and the weapons pointed at her. And laughed.

In room 317 Inquisitor Tomak Kasid, naked to the waist and dripping with sweat from the interogation looked up as the grating was forced from the wall above and shot across the room. A feral scream could be heard and a woman leapt from the hole, rolling as she hit the floor and coming up, a sword in her hand and the scabbard in the other. For a moment the look of intense hatred on her face made him take a few steps back. The only sound in the room, the alarm that sounded in the corridor outside the room, the sobbing of the traitor he was interogating and the breathing of the woman infront of him.
"Tomak Kasid. Before I leave here today you will appologise for the way you treated my wife. If not, you will never leave here."
He sneered at her and dropped the neuralwhip and walked over to the rack on the far wall.
"You must be Carmilla Deritan. I was told to expect your arrival, by your wife no less. She said you would not be here for a social visit."
"No one beats my wife and gets away with it."
"Ha! You are nothing but a slave. And slaves are beaten for forgetting their place, and you here, threatening me? That is you forgetting your place. By the time I have finished with you you'll be begging to be put back in the slave pens."
He pulled a long thin sword from the rack and bent the blade almost double before swishing the air with it. Carmilla dropped her bag and ran at him, a single scream coming from her mouth and she leapt at the inquisitor, sword behind her.


Ithiria Deritan walked into the Khanid Transport Storage in Danera III flanked by her paladins. Security around the entire station had been trippled. Guards checked her identity at almost every doorway. As she looked around she could see technicians sealing duct access panels, guards at every corridor. Smiling inwardly she was brought to the room of Major Kasid, where she looked on in shock. The room was a mess, it hardly seemed like the room she was brought to just a few days ago. Most of the furniture was damaged, the walls and floor were blood spattered and the signs of emergency medical action were apparent. Major Kasid herself was being treated by a medtech.
"I want her, Ithiria. I want them both. That fucking Geisha and your wife. I want them here, for punishment. Hell I may even put them on trial for what they did."
"Hello Major. Had some problems?"
The major stood up and staggered, walking around the desk and getting herself in Ithirias face.
"You bitch, you dare talk like that? If I find out that you knew what happened here and did nothing to stop it...."
Ithi narrowed her eyes and pushed the Major back, her tone cold and angry.
"First off, I warned you. I told you what was going to happen, that my wife was coming here. I don't know who she brought with her, but you were warned!"
"Warned... of your wife yes! Not the geisha. Ten men, all armed... now all in hospital. My husband in hospital thanks to your wife, beaten to within an inch of his life. Charges will be made Ithiria! We do not tolerate such things here!"
"Indeed we do not," Ithiria smiled and laughed at her, "We do not tolerate such failure as yours. You can be glad, Captain, that you are just being demoted. You not only allowed this facilty to be infiltrated when you were warned of it, but you allowed vital officers to be wounded and placed out of action. Soldiers put out of action. The security of this place is a farce. This is no longer your office. Go to your husband, the KSF will inform you of your new posting, if you are lucky you'll be checking Amarr slave hulks for health and safety violations!"
The Major, now demoted to a Captain looked on, the anger in her fading, the realisation of her failure dawning on her. Without fuss she removed the insigina of rank and dropped it on the table, looked at Ithiria as she settled behind her desk then walked out of the room.
"Carmilla," she whispered to herself, "You are in serious trouble when I see you next."
One of the guards walked over to her, limping, her face wrapped in a bandage under her helmet. The one beside her wearily looking around at the others in the office.
"Did you expect me to do any less? My love?"
Ithiria did not even look up from the desk, just reached out her hand and touched the guard.
"No. I suppose not. Paladin, take these two guards to my ship, get them out of here. I'll follow shortly."
"Ithi...."
"No Carm. That is an order. Disobey me and I'll have you strapped on that table. Both of you, and don't think I wont' do it."

She looked up at Carm, wondered about the bandage and then looked at the other guard.

"Little Snake. I should have know."
"I didn't kill anyone, Ithiria..... I sssshould have though."
"Carm, get Kim to look at your head. What did you do?"
"Tomak really was good with his sword. Maybe he will be again, once his hands heal."
She sighed and waved her hand away and looked at the terminal. When she looked up, they were gone. Inwardly she smiled. Such a wife. Such a slave. And such a punishment she will recieve.

Re-awakening of the Soul

The waves lapped the golden sands of the beach with the caress of a gentle lover. Blue skys and the occasional cloud allowed the sun to shine down on the small island that housed the Autumn Breeze Geisha House. The great statue of Ithiria Deritan gazed over the same house, arms extended, greeting the dawn which had come and gone.

From the roof of the Geisha House Carmilla Deritan lay on her back, naked in the sun, a chrome collar her only attire. She looked upon the divine countenance of her wife, the woman who held her soul. If only... she mused.... if only.

A shuttle arrived, followed by two more and it wasn't long before the hatch to the ceiling was opened from below. She looked over and smiled.
"Victor, my dear brother! How unexpected...."
With a flourish she got to her feet, wrapping her kimono around herself and pulling her hair back.
"I see you got your warehouses up and running. The steady stream of ships in and out was raising some concerns, so many armed ships in such a short time."
"Well my associates are now set up, so there will just be a small standing guard and freighters in every week. Now enough of me, what of you? I've been hearing things. Of both Ithiria and Relana. You go through Mistresses like some people go through clothes. I'll get the girls to get some breakfast sorted out. Go and get dressed. We have business.... disturbing business."

Carmilla turned on the sound system in her room and the air filled with music as she slipped into the shower. Half an hour she pulled a delicate kimono from a closet and slowly laced up the boots she selected, knowing the kimono would hide them. Sitting at her table she pulled her hair back and up, and pinned it back with the help of two flowers. Then she began doing her makup, making her face pale, lips delicatly painted crimson, eyes dark. When she had done, she slipped her collar around her neck.

She stood in the mirror, once more the very image of the Geisha she was. Once more she was where she belonged. In more ways than one. A smile came to her lips as she touched the chrome collar around her neck, and touched the sigil on the side that had been uncovered. There was a knock at the door and it opened revealing several Geisha. She smiled and went over and hugged each one, all old friends.
"We're back in business, girls. Get this place back up to scratch and contact the old clients. Let them know we're back."
Carmilla looked once more in the mirror and smiled. Yes, she thought, we're back. One step at a time. First a re-awakening of the soul.... then rebuilding the heart and body.

To Taste, Perchance to Dream...

Carmilla sat infront of the terminal in her room and watched the information screening in silence. Her Mistress had banned her from using the nets that she used to use, and allowed her access only to the news, concord and trade nets. Which was enough.

The contract she was reading was one of many scam contracts posted in Jita. Unlike many of them though, this one was used to transmit data to a third party, in this case, herself. Her old crew were still active, and knew her topics of interest, so every week created a newsletter. This time however, there was only one topic of information. Ithiria.

She read with a sinking heart. Ithiria had left her corporation, the Disciples of Night, taken her ship and departed for locations unknown. They had checked the usual locations for her, and the unusual locations. Tried to track her implants, even visitied her private planet. Nothing. Even her closest friends drew a blank.

Sitting back the looked at the screen and sighed. No, she thought, she was still out there. Still hunted and.....

Her eyes fell on a small envelope leaning against the frame of a small picture. It was her only picture she had taken of Ithiria, many many months ago out in null-sec. They had found a planet during their survey for the corp and had landed in what seemed to be a paradise. She had taken the picture, Ithiria in her flight suit, hair ruffled and streaming in the wind looking out over a deep valley. The look on her face one of intense joy.

Picking up the envelope she opened it and breathed in deeply. Her perfume wafted out of the envelope as she opened the small square of thick cream paper. Sitting down on the end of her bed she read the letter.... which fell from her shaking hands after a few minutes later. Her hand reached out and picked up a pair of scissors...

Relana walked into Carmilla's room and stopped as she saw her slave.
"Carmilla... what have you done?"
The lengths of Carmillas hair lay scattered around the floor, her head now shaven smooth, just staring into the picture frame.
"Aaah. I see you heard about Ithiria."
"Yes Mistress."
She ran her hand gently over her head and sighed.
"You didn't have to do that you know."
"I know Mistress."
"Turn around and looked at me when you talk to me."
The tone in her voice was soft, but edged with iron. Carm turned and looked up at her Mistress, the tears she expected to see were missing from her face. Relana handed her a datacard.
"It's the keycard to one of your prowlers. I obtained it from Ithiria before she left. She was proud of how far you have come with me. And it's because of her you can have this ship. Also... I'm giving you three days to enjoy yourself. Go somewhere, do whatever. But when you return, I want the bar stocked fully. I've had complaints."
Carmilla nodded her head softly.
"Thank you Mistress."

She looked at the keycard and stood up and walked towards the door when her Mistress spoke, almost to herself.
"Go to Khanid, Carmilla. Look there for what you are seeking. I will be here when you return."
"Khanid.... yes, thank you Mistress."
"There is a course laid in to your navi-comp on your prowler. Aaaaah, I feel tense. I need to relax. Run me a bath Carmilla."
Pausing she turned to look at her Mistresses back then walked down the corridor. Relana waited for a while then picked up Carmilla's hair and tied it up with a length of cord from her dresser and walked out and to her quarters. The smile on her face broadened as she could hear water running and nudged the door to her bathing rooms open with her boot. There, by the side of her bath which was full with hot water and bubbles was Carmilla.
"You didn't have to do that..."
Carmilla looked up at her with a smile that was the downfall of angels.
"Yes I did, Mistress."
Relana slipped into the bath and sighed happily as she thought back to what Ithiria had told her. How to get what she needed from Carm. And it was right, she still had much to learn, but she had a good teacher.

Carmilla gently washed her Mistress, her simple slave shift sopping by the time she had finished. By the end, she was smilling and happy, as she used to be before. Even Relana had noticed the enthusiasm she was now exhibiting, humming to herself as she performed her duties. Relana smiled and reached over, caressing her slave.
"Good girl, Carm."