You Don't Mess with my Girls

The note was simple. It had a planetary location, a city, a street, a number and a time. Three people had died to get her the note, two of theirs and one of hers. Crumpling the note in her hand she dropped it on the street outside of the address and pulled out a pair of old circular glasses, rose tinted lenses and sighed, squeezing the arm of the man beside her.
"You don't have to do this."
"You do, and that's enough for me. I'll wait til I get your signal."

There was music coming from inside, strong rhythmic undertones, the sound of the heels of the dancers, the clapping and a heavy singing voice. It was unlike any other Gallente music she had heard. Checking her weapons were secure she walked towards the door and into the taverna. The atmosphere inside was passionate and most of the people were watching the dancer, a tall thin woman who moved like she was possessed. But, she mused, another night to appreciate this. Business first. And with a smile that was almost a snarl she spotted the table with her prey.

Two geisha walked along the streets of an obscure border city. The heavy advertising of the Caldari interests flashed garish neon that cut through the driving rain and fog like a subdued nightmare. Under their umbrella's they looked small and petite, but as ever on the neon streets of caldari cities, looks can be deceiving. More than once a gang of youths had tried to stop them, it did not take long to disuade them. Together they stopped at a corner and look up and down.

"That last one bled on your kimono...."

Orchid looked down and stamped her foot.

"Why didn't they just turn around and run after we broke his arm? Why the bravado?"

"Maybe because for them to be beaten by women means more here than other places?"

Orchid hunched her shoulders and let her head roll, her neck cricking.

"How much futher? It's not bad enough that I'm drenched in blood but I'm getting soaked!"

"According to this, it's that blue door over there... come on... lets see how easy it is to get in."

Carm pushed her way through the crowd and fell into the empty seat at the round table full of minmatar. They looked up at her as she leant back in the chair, her hands deep in her duster pockets. Several stood up, hands going to holsters.
"Guys, not here. Sit."
The man at the opposite end of the table from her looked her up and down.
"You. I know you. Traitor to your people!"
He spat on the floor by his chair.
"Let me know why I shouldn't have my men drag you outside and execute you? I'd be well within my rights."
She chuckled.
"You dont have the cojones to do it. The blood in your veins is brutor piss, you do the sebiestor a disservice by being so weak and cowardly. Hiding at the back behind your big strong men. Yeah, all men. That it is it? You like men? Or boys?"
His pistol was out of it's holster and pointing at her.
"You dare sit there, slaver, and insult me?"
"I'm not a slaver, I'm a Holder, big difference. And you messed with one of my girls, trying to get her to turn against me. Loyalty obviously means nothing to you."
"Pah, what do you know of loyalty. Loyalty of the lash is no loyalty. Men are meant to be free. I am free, so are my men!"
"Free? You are all slaves to a decaying republic. You, you however are a punk, and a pretty second rate punk. The only real success you have had has been diverting slave transports. Six hundred rescued was it? Quite a coup, at least... it would have been...... They are on their way to.... Bei wasn't it? At your staging ground? Third moon?"
"How does she know this?"
"Quite, she is bluffing. Something she won't be able to do once I put a bullet in her head."
She smiled.
"You might want to call your boys."

The bestowers were old, but still usable as slave transports. In truth, though old not much had been done to make them any more comfortable. But, as some in the Amarr Empire thought, slaves are not used to comfort. The convoy had been six bestowers escorted by a dozen frigates and two cruisers. For such a transfer no more was needed. When the freedom fighters attacked it was over in minutes, their assault frigates tearing through the defence, and their own transports, large mastodons docking with the bestowers and troops boarded and secured each one. Six hundred slaves rescued, a minor coup for the freedom fighters, a feather in the cap of their sponsor. 

Once the slaves were aboard it was a short haul to low-sec and an escort, and then on to Bei, their secret staging grounds. However, almost immediately as the slaves were aboard things began to take a turn for the worse. On one of the mastodons guards and crew members began dissapearing and eventually the ship stopped broadcasting messages, claiming a systems error. The freedom fighters took no note, it was a minmatar ship after all, such things do happen. And anyway, the fleet was scheduled for repair at Bei.

One by one the ships landed and the slaves were released, the guards puzzled by the lack of movement from the last ship, which had docked hard, shattering one of the landing struts and tilting at an angle. Repair crews were despatched and the ranking officer came over and only realised the situation when the hatch opened and a rag tag bunch of slaves, all heavily armed stormed onto the landing field.  Behind them the golden armoured troops of Amarr, lashing the slave crowd forward with whips and threats. The vitoc staved slaves attacked everything that moved, desperate to show they were worthy  for their dose, desperate to asuage their pain.

Inside the warehouse one of the guards heard the desperate sound of knocking and went over to the door. Pulling back the vision panel he looked into the pleading eyes of two geisha who both started talking to him in frantic Khanid.
"Whoa, whoa! I dont understand you, can you speak Gallente?"
"Yes... uh.. a little. Please kind sir, we need to come in out of the rain!"
"Find a hotel, or a corner cafe. This is not a place for..."
For the first time his eyes took in the two geisha. Even with their kimono's he could see their curves as the wet material was clinging to them. The flimsy umbrella's they had seemed to have kept their makeup and hair neat and that was it. That natural yearning that all men have for women in distress acted and he pulled back the locks and opened the door.
"There now, come in and...."

One of the two geisha, who before looked so helpless now held a large silenced pistol in her hand. She put one finger to her lips as the other frisked him then slammed her own pistol onto his neck, knocking him out. Orchid shook her head and lowered her pistol at him.
"You know what she said, no witnesses."
The sound of the ejected case on the floor was louder than the shot and a voice came from down the corridor.
"Hey, is that the delivery girl?"
"Why yes it is," Rose called out,"Where do you want it?"
A smiling face poked out of a corridor and she raised her pistol and fired, tearing his face away. A cry from inside the room as his companion saw his body fall. Orchid closed and locked the door and pulled out a second pistol.
"Come now Sister, time to go to work!"

On a whim, Orchid turned and looked up at the security camera and smiled before pumping a round into it.

The Leader gestured to one of his men, keeping his pistol trianed on the woman before him. Her state of relax was annoying, her utter calm. It was unnerving.

"Boss, the landing field is under attack. One of the slave transports... the slaves are attacking... I dont..."

"Give me that...."

He took his eyes off of her, it was all she needed. She kicked out at the table legs, pushing her chair backwards, her hands coming out of her pockets with heavy pistols in each, her thumbs already selecting full auto as she pulled the triggers and sprayed left and right.

Outside Lientus swore as he heard the sound of full auto pistols firing and dropped his cigarette and ran into the building. Bloody wife, he thought as he pushed past the screaming patrons trying to flee and watched as his wife was shot down before his eyes.  The heavy barrel of the combat shotgun came up and as the red mists descended he began to fire, his whole body shaking with each blast. 

As the trigger clicked on an empty barrel and the last shell casing pinged across the floor took a breath. The smoke in the air was mingled now with the screams of the wounded and the heavy smell of blood and spilt drinks. Slinging his weapon over his shoulder he pulled out a smaller pistol and walked over to the wounded. One shot each, then knelt down next to his wife and punched her in the chest. She gasped, her eyes flying open.

"You are one crazy woman."

"You hit me!"

"I woke you up is all. And to think you wanted to leave the armour behind this time."

"Okay, you were right.... " she grunted as he helped her up,"This time."

"They are all dead."

"It was just one cell anyway. Have the others reported in?"

"Orchid and Rose have swept the safe house, they have documents, money transfers, no survivors."

"And the landing platform?"

"I dont like using Amarr Mercenaries, their methods are...."

"They have their uses. I dont agree with their methods, which is why I dont want to know their methods, only that they succeeded."

"They did. The staging area was taken after a heavy firefight. They just said losses were within acceptable perameters for the job and documents would be forthcoming after final payment."

She sighed and nodded.

"Acceptable parameters... what the hell is that."

Picking up a bottle she looped her arm through her husbands.

"Come on, back way. I think we'll be too hot here for a while. Tell the girls we'll meet them at the backup site."

"Oh... and don't forget there is a Council Meeting tomorrow. You will have to attend."

"Gah, political nonsense.... but... it's my political nonsense. We'll have to change as well then."

Subversion

Rose sat at the bar and listened to her Mistress talking with the clubs owner. Her eyes and ears roamed, looking for threats, familiarity, and.... just waiting. Already she had spotted the plants in the club, those who were security, those who had something to hide. And those who were hiding in plain sight.

She sipped her quaffe and talked softly to Hana, the girl behind the bar. Something about her brought a kinship to mind, they were both after all of the same status it seemed. She wished, above all else, that Orchid was here. The bond she shared with her, once they both had been bought from the slavers pit was forged in love and respect, and a necessity to fight. Whisper too, shared that bond. And their Mistress, after a fashion.

Watching and listening she observed her Mistress and smiled. It was rare to see some happiness in her these days, and the Corvidae Club seemed to make her smile. It even seemed to make her forget her addiction. Pulling a small datatablet from her pocket she messaged both Orchid and Whisper and excused herself and headed to the toilets.

Her instincts served her well. She was already moving before the shadow detached itself from the wall, and before two of them had her pinned against it, two more were down on the floor, the scuffle deadened by the music nearby. Strong hands pulled her into the corridor to the slaves quarters while another hand covered her mouth.

"Stop struggling, sister. We mean you no harm!"

The voice was thick sebiestor, male and a familiar trace she couldn't place. His face, when it appeared infront of hers was handsome, once. Now it was scarred, broken, but the eyes were bright and hopeful. She had seen such hope before, seen it crushed. But, she stopped struggling.

"I know you. I knew you from before. I was there when you were taken, bought like cattle."

"Impossible, only slaves were there."

"Do I look like I am not? I swore on my clan, those that live still, that I would make it strong again. But for that I need women to join me."

She laughed softly at him, with no ire.

"You want me for your bed? There are ways to do that without trying to abduct me."

"I want you free. Do you not want to be free again? To once more walk on our homeworld and feel the wind in our hair?"

"You are freedom fighters?"

"Yes!"

"And what makes you think I want to be free?"

He looked at her, a strange look in his eyes.

"We know well your Mistress," he spat the word out,"A pariah and a traitor to our people, a slaver and a murder. Her crimes are too long to list. We would see her dead. We want you to help us."

There are moments of clarity when we can see the future with an accuracy that is profound. She saw the Geisha House burning, the patrons executed on the beach, or dying from the fires that tore through the buildings. The gardens one large mass grave and above all Him standing there, directing the massacre from atop the matari landing craft. Carmilla and the geisha bound and gagged, captured awaiting a trial back in the republic that would be a farse, and a fate worse than death.

This man, was no freed slave, she thought.

"Tell me what you need,"she said cautiously, already knowing the answer.

"We need the codes to land on your whore house. And we need to know when she will be there so we can capture her."

"You dont want to kill her?"

"No," the look in his eyes however said something different.

"Rose?" The voice echoed down the corridor and the people blended back into the shadows

"We will be in touch.... depend on it."

Rose leant back against the wall, shuddering slightly and looked up. Hana was standing by her, looking up into her eyes with a kindly smile.

"Your Mistress is expecting you, you must come.... Are you allright?"

"I'll be fine. I just need..."

Hana held out her hand and took Roses and kissed it gently and held it to her cheek.

"I know, don't worry. You will be fine."

Rose walked back to the bar with her, but at the back of her mind was the talk with the strange Matari. Things were happening. Pieces were being moved into position. She had to be ready when they made their final move. They all did.

"Orchid... where are you my sister?"

Carmilla looked on as Hana and Rose came back and patted the seat next to her, concern on her face.

"Rose, is everything okay?"

"Mistress, we need to leave here. Please."

Carm looked at her girls expression and nodded. She knew her girls, depended on them. Now, more than ever.

"Don't worry, we'll go get Orchid. I know you are missing her, I am too. But she is doing a vital job for me with my husband. But yes, we'll go home."

As they walked out Rose noticed a face looking at her from the crowd of people. She shuddered as she saw the matari, his knowing smile and then it was gone in the throng.

Lady Carmilla, Khanid Holder

Fifteen days ago, Khanid space - Kihtaled IV

Carmilla sat on top of the skyscraper and looked out over the city below. The architecture of most Khanid cities she found interesting. The deviations from the traditional Amarr, subtle in some places, obvious in others. Watching the sun as it gleamed from gold and black chrome sides of the building a few blocks from her brought a lump to her throat.

Soon she would be inside, with the man who might yet be her husband, a handful of her supporters and her mother. Although she had planned much of what was going on today, there was still a large margin for error. At best, she'd get everything she had worked for for years. At worst, well, they might not give her a choice about wearing the chrome. Hell.... it was always possible she wouldn't walk out alive....

She looked over to where Orchid and Rose were standing looking over the edge. Both were in their usual geisha attire and she smiled, thinking back on their first days with her. Happier days? Not necessarily, but days to remember. Happiness was something illusive these days. Turning to the girls she picked up her datatablet and answered a flashing message and smiled. 

"The last of the prelates are here. Come on, time to get this sorted."

She turned her head and looked over at Lientus, sitting on the edge dangling his legs over the drop.

"You coming?"

"It's not too late for you to stop doing this you know?"

"Yes it is. I've come too far and burnt too many bridges to go back now."

"Actually, my dear.... I think you'll find I understand better than you think."

He stood up and held out his hand, she took it, looking at him with a smile.

"Come on... lets go get married."

Walking over to the girls she poked them playfully.

"Is everyone assembled?"

"We can't get hold of Alizabeth."

"What? I need her here! Where is she?"

"Null Sec. Fighting. Every time I contact her I get a reply that she is in a warzone."

"Goddam! I wanted her to be here."

"Who is this Alizabeth?"

"Oh... you'll find out. Come on... before there are any other surprises."

 Flanked by her geisha Carmilla clad in her long serpentis cut suit walked into the lounge of the hotel. Before her there was a screen of guards. She stopped before them and bowed graciously, her girls taking one step backwards. Eyes and scanning rays covered her from top to toe and with a grunt the guards parted and gestured her in. Walking towards those inside she smiled.

"Gentlemen, Prelates, Governor. I think you for your support."

"Aaah, Carmilla, I hope you know what you are doing?"

"Why do people keep asking me that?"

"Maybe because you will shortly have more enemies that even you can handle?"

"Hated as a slave, hated as a Holder. It's all just names when someone is trying to kill you. Now, as per my request I have constructed Houses for each of you and some of my girls will run them until your own people learn how to do it properly. That means, how I want it done. Each of you knows the pleasure of my House," that brought laughter and nods from all of them, "And all of you know I am obliged to all of you regardless. So I had the deeds transfered this morning."

"You know I could walk away now and leave you without my support."

"Yes, My Lord. All of you could. You would all be richer for it, and I stand by my obligations."

"Why?"

"Because it's who I am, My Lord."

The Prelate looked at her, his hand caressing his steel gray beard.

"I also understand we are to be witnesses to your rather informal wedding?"

"Yes."

"Who is the lucky man?"

"His name is Lientus of Rixhes."

They all looked at each other.

"Carmilla... you really need to pay more attention to current events. I hope when you are a Holder Minor you will do that."

Confused she frowned and just nodded.

The Royal Khanid Courthouse in the capital city of Kithaled IV is a surprising structure of black chrome and glass. Towering above the nearby buildings it is a bastion of law and order. And to this place Carmilla, her girls, her soon to be husband and her supporters went. Ushered in to one of the main chambers she looked around as she made her way to the dias, standing before the assembled judges. She felt nervous. Behind her, the throng took their seats.

"Carmilla Deritan. You are here today to perform a decree absolute on your divorce?"

"Yes, your honour. And to marry the man who will be my husband. Unfortunately I could not do this until we were both sure it was what we wanted."

"I see.... Your wife I see is not present?"

"No, your honour. It is not required as she was the one who pushed for the divorce."

"And your matriarch blocked the divorce?"

"She did. As is her right as the matriarch of my House."

"But you are Deritan. Surely that is all that is required? Have you wasted our time here today?"

"No, sir. My house... is House Jobias, a house of some... repute that goes back many years."

There was silence as documents were handed around.

"Carmilla Deritan. Are you aware of what you are saying?"

"I am. The Matriach of my House can be verified by genetic testing. Such was performed by a Doctor of the Court and matched against records. It proves I am who I am. And she is here, should you require to speak to her."

"Speak? We should lock her up and throw away the key! She is a wanted criminal and...."

"Not by the Khanid."

Silence again.

"Do you dare to speak against the Kingdom?"

"I speak only against the Empire. Not the Kingdom. By revealing my position, and by the honours bestowed upon my by my wife, Ithiria Deritan I put myself forward to become a Holder Minor. My loyalty is towards the Laws of the Khanid."

"And the man you wish to marry? What has he to do with this?"

"We are in love. And the merging of his house and mine will make us stronger, and more loyal."

"Bring him forward. Let us see this man of yours."

Lientus, clad in the traditional robes of a Khanid Holder stood next to her and stood defiant. He whispered to her softly and squeezed her hand.

"I hope you know what you are doing."

"Ssssh my darling."

They both looked on as the Judges began reading the documents before them. A whispered argument was taking place before the judge spoke again.

"Carmilla Deritan, I will honour your request. The divorce is now decree absolute. You are no longer Carmilla Deritan, instead you are now known to us as Carmilla Jobias. Though that is no honour that I can see."

"My Lord..."

"I am not finished. While in your position as Wife and Slave to Holder Deritan you committed more crimes than I can care to read and take in. You have served our enemies, you have fought against us and our allies and your family is not much better. Your sister is still a wanted pirate, your mother is a genocidal maniac and your husband is a war criminal! This is not the best way to attempt to start a life as a Holder Minor in the Kingdom!"

Carmilla turned her head slowly and looked at Lientus.

"A war criminal? May I remind the court that he has fought valiently for all of us and is a hero. What care we if our enemies call him a war criminal?"

"You mistake me, Carmilla. His crimes were against the Amarr! He personally lead the attack that wiped out a major city complex on a planet in the warzone. The death toll was in the millions. They captured him and sold him into slavery!"

"Where I rescued him."

She whispered low to Lientus.

"You are so dead when we get home."

"I am not at liberty to say, My Lords, what the Amarr conisder to be a crime. I put it before you that the Amarr are not worthy enough to try a man such as Lientus. That is for a Khanid court to decide. I only know that to me, my soon to be husband is as much a patriot as I am. Yes, more Khanid blood runs in his veins than mine, but our children will be brought up properly, as loyal and patriotic as we are."

"We, the assembled Judges of the Court do not believe that you are able to fulfil the duties of what you are after. Yes, you can probably make a good wife to this man, heaven knows you are both a good match for each other, and as familes go you are all the same. But I have yet to see that you are worthy of such a title and role in our Kingdom."

Carmilla nodded and turned aside and looked at those who had come to support her.

"In that case, My Lords. I offer testamony from a council of my peers. Prelates and Governors who stand by me."

She stood back as one by one they came and spoke on her behalf, her hand a steel band on Lientus wrist. She hissed to him.

"A war criminal? You might have told me!"

"I tried to tell you you were making a mistake! What was I supposed to say?"

"God damn, Lientus! Do you know how much I have sacrificed to get here?"

With pleading eyes she looked at his face and pulled him into her arms and held him. He held her tight and comforted her, surprising himself that he meant it.

"Carm, we are both outcasts without homes. If you can make this work...  then you will have a man who will be proud to have you as his wife."

"You are just saying that... without me you'd be dead on an arena floor...."

"And with you, maybe I have a reason to go on living..."

There was a clearing of throats. Carm, wiping her eyes and pulling Lientus with her returned to the dias.

"It seems, that you are an impossible woman. But, I can think of no one more suited to being the wife to this man. Your marriage is accepted and has been registered as legally binding."

"Thank you, My Lord."

"Also, it seems that although your House, Jobias, was originally an Amarr House, your husbands house is an old Khanid House, as old as your own. And given that technically you have been a Holder for the past couple of years, I have no hesitation in adding your name to the list of Holders of the Khanid. Lady Carmilla, of the House of Jobias, we welcome you."

There was cheering from her supporters and she turned to Lientus. There was a smile on her face that mirrored his.

"Husband..."

"Wife...."

She kissed him and melted into his arms. Now, at least, she had the power she needed.

"Dont think you are not going to get your ass kicked... But lets get out of here. Once the news hits the nets I dont know what sort of reaction we'll have."

"So where are we going?"

"Seshala. I'm taking you home."

As the shuttle landed on the pads at the Geisha House she waited til the girls had gotten out before stepping out with her new husband.

"Darling, go with the girls, let them show you around your new home. I have something I need to do first?"

He looked at her and nodded, kissing her forehead as she made her way to the beach and to the end of the pier. As she thought, Whisper was waiting there.

"I hear you are now Lady Carmilla?"

"I am Whisper."

"To me you will always be Carmilla."

"I dont want to be anything else to you, or my girls."

She sighed and wiped her eyes.

"Do you think he'll understand? Or will she?"

"My child, Ithiria will understand. Though she may rant and rave, she loves you still. And part of me thinks you would run to her if she came back. But he will understand. One day, you will return to him, but you have many years of life yet."

"He was a good husband, he treated me well."

"So will this one, you two are alike."

"You know of him?"

"You mean did I do more research on your husband than you did? Yes. But I also know that like Samual, he is a patriot, a loyalist and more like you than you realise."

Carmilla took a necklace from her neck and held it up. The small piece of twisted metal of her necklace she poured into Whispers hand and closed it.

"Take it to his grave please?"

"Carmilla, you know he was proud of you, every day you were together. And I know how much you loved him."

"I kept his name, as I said I would, til I got what we both dreamed of. I'm a Holder now, and my Mothers house has been resurected. But I will never forget him, Samual D'morenta... my husband, executed for treason. I will now make them pay, Whisper."

Whisper smiled and walked her Mistress back to the Geisha House and found the girls and Lientus. How people change, she mused.

Three days ago - Secret Training Facility - Essence

Carmilla Jobias walked up to the balcony of the building and looked out. Before here troops were assembled in ranks awaiting her inspection.  Hundreds now, soon to be thousands. Looking over them, her cloak swept behind her she smiled. A judgement was coming. Those who stood against her would fall, one by one. She was no powerhouse, like Ithiria or Esna with their fleets and power. She had loyalty, devotion and hatred. And she had time to plot, time to scheme, time to win.

Walking down the stairs she was flanked almost silently by Rose and Orchid and went out to inspect the troops. In her mind a tune she had heard once before came back to her memory and she started to smile as row after row of troops stood to attention as she passed. All this was hers now, she smiled again, then laughed, a laugh that echoed around the training facility and sent shivers down the spine.

This is how I feel sometimes

You know, I've been playing MMO's for a long time. I cant' remember half the characters I have created on everquest, Wow, Star Wars Galaxies, CIty of Villians, LotRo....

But I do remember that when I played Final Fantasy XI back in the day I had a Mithra named Shamsara.

It's remembering the old games and how we enjoyed them that made me look for something I remembered. And I found it.... I always find watching this sad, because it reminds me that all the MMO's out there, including those that have now fallen by the wayside and even been closed were created for us to explore and appreciate, not just to destroy and kill.

So, I give you, A little FFXI story

/cry

The Search...

Thirty Five Days Ago.... Khanid Space - Keberz System

The two women walked away from the building behind them that was burning fiercly.  The younger of the two, clad in a smart business suit in the Serpentis style had the soft features of a Sebiestor, but the imperious sneer of an Amarrian. Stopping by the gravcar she turned at looked, watching as those nearby came to see what was happening and to gawk at the fire.
"I know what you are going to say, Mother. But insults like that just cannot be ignored."

The older woman removed the black mask that covered her face and shook her hair. Her tight fitting combat suit hidden behind an ankle length duster, a wide brimmed hat in her other hand. Though they looked Gallente, her ancestory was something different, older and more sinister. Doctor Kim Leannder looked on and sighed, replacing her hat.
"I just wish you didn't have to burn the house down. And I wish you would be more submissive to them, we have limited time left until you have to give your say to the divorce. We must find you a suitable husband."
"I know," she spat, "I just wish they didn't have to be such assholes."


 Thirty Three Days Ago, Gallente Space - Auvergne System

Two guards, clad in powered armour and followed by a third, heavily armed dragged a man between them. He was stuggling feebly, his hands bound, a hood over his head. They walked down a tunnel in plain sight of everyone. On either side of them, down the marble clad pavements that led away from the Palace of Expected Merchandise and the great open bazaar people in their hundreds had congregated to explore the stalls and enjoy their lives. The tunnel however, though the guards and the prisoner, had he been able to look up, could see out onto the throng, but they could not see back in. Some things they liked to be private.

Behind them the weekly slave auctions were well underway. The prisoner between them had been bought, his fate sealed. His general physique and what little clothing he wore indicated he was a solider, possibly Khanid. But to the guards he was just so much meat. One of many who had gone down this route. Such, they mused, was the fate of those who dared stand against the Federation.

At a junction in the tunnel they handed him over to a woman clad in a heavy robe and bundled him into the back of the speeder she was standing beside. The prisoner was in no state to try and resist as he was chained to the seat. Through his hood he could only hear the sound of the bazaar fade away, the sounds of other traffic and eventually the sounds of the sea before he was uncermoniously dragged out of the speeder and literally, pushed into a hole. He fell and hit hard, blacking out.


He awoke slowly, groggily to a damp cloth wiping his face. Instinct lashed out his arm and his hand clasped around a throat. His eyes opened and he looked into the shadows of a hooded cloak. The woman he held calmly dropped the cloth and reached up and clutched his wrist, squeezing a pressure point. He gasped in pain and let go.
"Where am I? Speak woman!"
She coughed gently and rubbed her throat and puts the cloth back in the bowl beside her.
"You are in.... a training facility. Or maybe, a gateway to your freedom."
"You... speak Khanid. But with a trace of slave. Is that what you are? Slave?"
"Like you, you mean? In a way. And yes, I speak Khanid."
"Hah! I am no slave. I will find a way out of here and come back with my troops and wipe this place clean of the taint."
She laughed softly and handed him the cloth. He took it and after looking in a mirror she held up for him with a smile he started to sigh and clean himself of the prison filth. Around them both he could see the huddled shapes of other people. Slaves, he sneered, this is not my place. But he could see the looks in their eyes. They recognised him, or if not who he was, then definately what he was. So did she, he thought.

"Why do you show me such friendship?"
"Because I show everyone the same mercy who comes here. Be they slave or holder, soldier or criminal. All deserve to face their fate clean and proud."
"My fate is not to be determined within these walls. I am Lientus of the House Rixhes, my fate is my own, in the hands of...."
He paused for a moment, his face hardening and screaming, leaping to his feet and grasping the bars on the cell wall infront of him. Those sitting around the walls just watched, shaking their heads as he ranted. The cloaked woman backed away for a moment and seemed to whisper something into the darkness. Moments later three heavily armed guards kicked open a door to the cells and walked in. For a moment, Lientus was silent then he spat through the bars at them.
"Open these doors! If you are man enough to face me. Even with your weapons I can take all three of you."
One of the guards looked on impassively as he raised a stun gun and fired it. As Lientus slumped to the floor they looked to the woman in the hooded cloak and she just nodded.

Lientus awoke as the bucket of water splashed into his face and spluttered as she pulled himself up. Looking around he saw himself in a circular arena. The sandy floor stretching all around him, walls raising up into a dome. All around were screens, they were slowly filling with faces. Standing and stretching to shrug off the stun he looked around. The woman was there, holding a bucket. Beyond her there were three men, three brutor by the looks of them. All were armed.
"What is this place, woman?"
"I told you. A place of training. Where people fight and die for money, and glory. And for your Mistress, she who now owns you."
"No one owns me, I am my own man."
"And yet you are here."
She said it simply and he looked over to her. Still she was hooded and he snarled and walked over to her and ripped the hood from her. Under the hood he saw a sebiestor woman, with red hair and look of quite contemplation.
"You quite happy now, Lientus?"
"I dont know you."
A voice boomed out over the arena, a loud voice in the Gallente language, female and alluring. He listened, but did not like what he heard.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Holders and Slavers, Politicians and Pirates. Welcome to the Games of the Heavenly Flower! For your amusement I give you first a taste of what we can offer you before the warriors come in and fight for you. Here, a slave, once of the Khanid Army, sold as a slave and now here... meerly to get the crowd going. Against him, three more slaves, each guaranteed his freedom if he survives. And, maybe with your blessing, they will. I give you, the Khanid Tiger version the barbarian wolves!

"At least tell me your name, if I am to die, I would die with the name of someone who showed me kindness on my lips."
"You may call me... Orchid."
"Well Orchid. I have no weapon."
She handed him the bucket and smiled, backing away to the wall.
"Fight and live, my Tiger."
Lientus held the bucket in his left hand and breathed deeply, his booted feet apart, a chill breeze ruffling his hair and his shirt tight over his muscled chest. Turning his head to the right he watched the three as a gong sounded. A smile crept over his lips.

Two of the slaves hefted the swords they held and charged howling like the wolves they had been described as. The third hefted his spear and watched. Lientus waited until they were almost upon him before he struck, bringing the bucket around and throwing it at the slave on the left. It struck him directly in the face, sending him flying backwards. The second slave making the mistake to turn his head and look, giving him the entrance he needed, running and leaping towards him, his foot slamming into his arm, knocking the sword out of it and onto the floor, where his momentum rolled over it. Standing up he swung the blade in a circle in his hand and walked around the two brutors. With two screams his sword slashed out twice, two head rolling on the arena floor. Turning he looked at the third and started to walk towards him.

No, Orchid thought, that's not walking. That's stalking. Yes, this one is a Tiger. And just was her Mistress needed. She looked around the screens and found her Mistresses image and smiled, bowing towards it.

Several regions away Carmilla and Kim watched the fight again. They both looked at each other and nodded. Carm clicked her fingers and a geisha slipped up beside her and handed over a datatablet.
"What do we know of this man?"
"From Orchids message his name is Lientus of the House Rixhes."
"That House sounds familiar....."
"That's because it was in the news recently. His wife died under mysterious circumstances and he was lost fighting  against Gallente special forces who were infiltrating various planets according to this."
"Set course for the Auvergne system. We need to meet this... Lientus. And pull up all information on his wife, that needs to be looked into."


Seventeen Ago, Gallente Space - Auvergne System

From the cells Lientus listened. He could tell from the sounds when the fights started and finished, when the guards were coming. Quietly he spoke with the other prisoners, tried to glean all the information he could. When he had the time, he spoke to Orchid. Twenty times taken out to fight. Twenty! Like a slave, he mused. The bitter irony of the times he sat and watched his own slaves fight and die for his pleasure. Now he fought for others. None he faced could stand agaisnt him but it still fired his hatred for those who had bought him and used him as chattle.

"Tiger, your owner summons you. Move."
He looked up at the guards and scowled, but stood up. It wasn't time for any of the scheduled fighting that he was aware of. Most of the others who were with him the first day he arrived had gone, most to the fighting, others.... never to return. The only person who seemed to come and go as she pleased was Orchid. He could tell she was a slave, the demeanour, the attitude... just everything about her screamed it. But she had a power here. Flexing he walked towards the gate and waited while they opened it.

As they walked down a well lit corridor Orchid appeared from nowhere, walking beside him. He had been so intently looking at everything for a hint of a chance to escape that he hadn't heard her.
"Good afternoon Tiger. How are you?"
"As well as a prisoner can be, considering. Have you been watching my matches?"
"Yes. There is room for improvement, but you are good. I hope you will behave today, this is most important for you."
He stopped walking and the guard behind him bounced off of him and cursed. The others turned and leveled their weapons. Lientus looked at her with a frown.
"Behave? By the sacred teats Orchid, I was thrown in prison, forced to fight for my life and these damn guards keep me under such a close watch they could tell you what I didn't digest for breakfast! Why should I care what the hell is beyond that door?"
Orchid simply smiled and looped her arm through his and pulled him towards the door, he followed grudgingly.
"Aren't you afraid I might take you hostage?"
"No. You are an honorable man."
"In a dishonorable place.... maybe it will change me."
"No. Not you," she smiled.

The double doors were opened into the main audience chamber and the Tiger and the Orchid walked in and stopped before a raised dias. Orchid bowed, Tiger stood defiant. Three women were standing on the dias, two matari and a gallente that he could see. The tall matari, a sebiestor it seemed, but one unlike any he had seen before. He looked between Orchid and the woman, wondering if there was a family link there. Both were similar build and shape, with striking red hair and looks that quite frankly stirred him.

Clad in a long formal black business suit she walked towards him, her heels clicking in the silence and stood before him. Slowly she walked around him and stopped infront of him.
"What happened to your wife, Lientus of Rixhes?"
Of all the questions he was expecting, this was not one and he was unprepared for it.
"What? Do you seek to wound me further than the slaves in the arena or the guards tender mercies?"
"Your wife, Analiva Rixhes, was murdered during an apparent break in of your estate. Several slaves were murdered during the break in and also your datafiles were ransacked. Shortly after sums of money were seen to me covertly moved from various accounts. Looks to me like you are being blackmailed, neh?"
"I am saying nothing."
He folded his arms and looked directly ahead. How had she known? What did she know? Who was this woman?
"I dare say a lot of questions are running through your mind now, Tiger. Tiger, I like that. My girl says it is the name you have been given during your time here. Well Tiger, you are being blackmailed, or at least. You were."
She snapped her fingers and four guards appeared out of the shadows pulling two bound and gagged figures. He looked at them, recognising one of them and looking between them.
"I take it you know your previous superior officer and his wife? We found all the evidence we needed, silly of her to keep your wifes gems and necklaces, but stupidity is breed in some people."
"That can't be possible. He was my.... I mean...."
"He wanted your money and estates. Your wife caught them and she paid the price. Orchid, take them into the arena and get them ready. Five minutes I think?"

Lientus looked on with growing confusion and anger.
"Why are you doing this? What do you want?"
"You. I want you."
"Fuck off!"
"Not the language I expect to hear from the Holder Minor of the House of Rixhes. I'm going to give you a datatablet with the confession of those two on it and a sword. When you come back we can talk about your future."
He took the datatablet she held out, noticing the Serpentis sigil and opened the file and started listening to the confession and checking the attached files. When he looked up she was holding a sword out to him. He took it and walked towards the arena. It took them both a long time to die.

An hour later Lientus was escorted back into the audience chamber and over to the woman and Orchid. He dropped the sword on the floor before them and crossed his arms.
"Okay. I'm listening. What do you want?"
"Like I said before. I want you. As my husband."
"Why?"
"Well, I own you already. I bought your contract from the woman who runs this place, who is actually a close friend of mine. This place, is actually mine, but I dont have time to run everything. It was a stroke of luck that you were found when you were. For me and you."
"Why?"
"Well, you could have been sold to someone who just wanted a slave for the mines or dosed you up with vitoc crap. What I want is infinitely more enjoyable."
He looked at her, as a man looks at a woman and nodded his head.
"I want my freedom...."
"Granted the moment we are married."
"My house will be the primus."
"No, I need my house to be the primus. Any children we have will be primus of your house."
"Your house? You are Sebiestor, what house could you have."
"I am the daughter of Marika Jobias of the House of Jobias."
"No. That house has long since been...."
"I have all the backing I need to resurect my house. All I need is a husband of the Khanid, a Holder Minor and someone.... who quite frankly knows how to handle a woman."
"If you think I will be some submissive husband, you do not know who I am."
"You are here, you are mine and you are a Holder Minor. Yes or no."
"Yes..... though I hope you know what you are getting yourself into."
"I do. Orchid, get him ready I'll meet you both on the ship in ten."
"Hey, wait. If I am to be your husband, dont' I get to know your name?"
"Carmilla. Now hurry darling, we have a busy couple of days ahead of us."
Carm blew her soon to be husband a kiss and walked towards one of the doors.

The Frontline Gamer

So.... here is a link you should all explore :)

http://thefrontlinegamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/700-followers-time-for-blood-maw-vore.html

Threatened...

As the elevator doors opened Whisper looked up and stepped out onto the cloning level of the station. There were few people here, most of them technicians, the occasional guard. Behind her six geisha followed her in two files, the last two were pulling a small grav platform with a crate on board. Already however she could see there was something wrong here. To the area she was heading, the Militia wing of the cloning level there were no guards. But there were hastily cleaned up stains on the floor.

She pulled out a small datatablet and looked at the console by the side of the door. The cameras she noticed were not tracking, their lights were out. Popping the casing she linked her tablet up to the inside reading a diagram one of the girls was holding up. The rest were keeping watch, their hands in their sleeves. With a silent click the lock disengaged and she pulled the door open.

"Who are you? This level is restricted to Militia personnel!"

She looked up at the person who spoke. Militia maybe, Matari no. Even though he had the look of a classic brutor guard he smelt Khanid, literally. Looking beyond she could see several others who were noticing and walking towards them, beyond them she could see three men overseeing what looked like the attack on a tube with sledge hammers. 

 "I'm sorry. I seem to be lost. I was looking for the morgue...."

"The what? Listen lady, get..."

She walked towards him, as if moving around him. He lowered his weapon and watched open mouthed as she slammed her fist into his throat. Almost immediately he started choking and clawed at his throat as he dropped to his knees, one of the geisha picking up his rifle, the sound of her firing it loud in his ear before he blacked out. 

Whisper ran towards those who were approaching, her hands disapeearing into her sleeves and came out throwing. Razor sharp stars of metal impacted those coming to them, their weapons raised and they fell. The ones by the clonetube were scattering, several of their number down, shot by the geisha. She stopped at the  tube. It was the one she was after. It was Kikia Truzhari's clone.

"Check the other tubes, look specifially for militia markings. I dont think they had time for sabotage, but look anyway. Explosive devices, access panels that open too easily."

The two pulling the platform pulled the crate off and opened it, handing out the weaponry inside. High powered rifles, the most up to date from the Angel Cartel that Carmilla had been able to obtain. One of the girls was already in the control room and accessing the protocols while others brought around a proper platform for moving the tubes. Checking that all the integral systems were working she began deactivating the external sources and cleared the clamps. In the control room the switches were pressed, sirens sounded and the claw moved and slowly picked up the tube.

"We have three minutes girls before reinforcements come and look to see what is going on. Assuming they are not already on their way!"

She felt a chill run down her spine and her vision blurred slightly, but she shook her head and it went. Accepting a rifle from the girl she checked it's load and watched as the tube was loaded safely, one of the others sitting in the driving seat and started moving it towards the double doors at the rear.

"I need a volunteer to stay here with me. Two more get to the doors and open them, the rest guard the tube. Carmilla is relying on us..."

"I thought she would have been here for this."

"You know that if she could have, she would have. If she's not here then there is a big reason why she isn't."

The alarms on the bridge only made the problem worse and the console that would have turned them off was crushed under one of the roof supports. Looking through the main viewscreen they saw the gate, it was close. Armour screamed and the ship shook at the next barrage slammed into the already crippled frame.

"This ones going to be close!"

Activating gate controls. Hold on to something!

Forty klicks away the armageddon and it's flanking ships watched as the prowler aligned and jumped. Behind it three executioners aligned moments later and followed her through. The golden battleship accelerated towards the gate, it's flanking omens keeping pace with it.

Carmilla closed the eyes on the crew member she was kneeling beside and rubbed her face with hand. As soon as the ship landed she ordered it to jump to a moon and cloak while they assessed the situation. Snake looked over at her and turned and left the bridge. Turning around she realised she was the last one alive on the bridge and sat down on the command chair.. and wept.

Snake made her way into the medical bay and over to Aliza's bed. The little medtech was no where to be seen, but then she was probably seeing to the other patients on the ship. Assuming there were any alive, assuming there was anyone else left alive other than her and Carm and the pilot. Fishing around in a pocket she pulled out a small vial of quicksilver liquid and selected a syringe.

"Damn silly woman for putting Carm through this. Tea Ceremony...."

She muttered and injected the woman and checked her eyes and pulse. Still the same. Good, she mused. Any reaction this soon would be bad. Very bad. She patted Aliza on the cheek and then ran her hand over her body, exploring, feeling, squeezing and then probing.

"I can see why she likes you. But if you hurt her, I'll carve your heart out and feed it to your wife."

As she left the room she detoured, checking the other compartments and the cargo bays. Two she couldn't enter as the emergency seals on the doors were showing the room beyond had been opened to space. The engine room was nearly empty, two frantic engineers were busy, far to busy to notice her. For a while she watched, then accessed the diagnostics to see what else needed to be done, then picking up a tool box went over to help them. On the bridge, Carmilla slept.

Carmilla walked across the ash plain to the small outcrop of rock that was the only landmark she could see. When she got there, she started to climb. It was tricky going, but eventually she reached the top and saw there was a table and chairs there. She blinked as she looked. Kikia was there, as was Maeve. She sat down and smiled.

"You saved us again Carmilla."

"I'm only sorry I couldn't be there to do it myself."

"We know. Even though you give yourself to Aliza, you still love us. Even though you leave us, you still love us."

"I only left the corp. What is the corp, but a name, a title, a collection of souls. What we have cannot be broken, cannot be taken. I won't allow it. I will fight for it."

"We know."

"People are dying again because of me. I held her in my arms as she breathed her last breath. What is it all for... "

"You do it because it's what you are Carmilla. You are there for people. Some for just a few moments while they are dying, others while they are living. Others you are there for just because. Take Aliza...."

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you with Aliza?"

"I dont understand...."

"You are with Aliza... why? Why when you gave your word once that you'd never be a slave again."

"I need.... "

"You whored yourself out.... betrayed her... as you betrayed your people.... again and again and again..."

The voice of Maeve was changing slowly. All around the sky was swirling, as if before a tornado. In the distance great walls of ash laden stormfront were approaching on all fronts. She got up and looked around.

"Stop it Maeve... this is not right...."

"Maeve? There is no Maeve here... there is only what you bring...."

THe voice had changed again and she turned around to face the woman she had held before she died, one of the crew. Her face was partially missing from the explosion that had tore her jaw away. Memories of her choking gasping breath as she died was loud.

"Why... why show me this...."
"Why did you kill me? Why did you kill us? You were supposed to protect us... we were your crew... your family...."

Behind the woman other forms were shaping. Some she recognised, her girls, her geisha. Others, crew she recognised, troops she'd fought with, friends, associates... lovers... all dead. Ten, twenty, fifty.... all of them pointing at her, accusing her.

YOU KILLED US ALL! YOU BETRAYED US ALL! HOW CAN ANYONE LOVE YOU WHEN THEY KNOW YOU WILL JUST KILL THEM TOO? BETRAY THEM TOO? 

She put her hands to her ears and closed her eyes.

"This is just a dream! None of you are here!"

A hand slapped her across the face and she looked up into the bloodied face of a woman. She screamed as the wounds on her bled and her eyes melted, her features running like wax under a blowtorch.

THIS IS NO DREAM!!!

The hand slapped her again and teeth shot out from the melting face and bit her on the arm. Her scream was horrific.

Snake stood over the twisting form of Carmilla and slapped her hard again.

"Carmilla! This is no dream! Wake up for the love of....."

She leaned down and grabbed her arm, biting it. Carmilla scream was deafening and she fell from teh chair and scampered into the corner, pushing herself back with her feet until she was cowering in the corner.

"Carmilla! Wake the fuck up! We're in trouble!"

Snake pulled the terrified woman to her feet and looked at her, she was shaking and pale. She slapped her again, bringing blood to her lip. It seemed to work as she looked around, shocked.

"What happened... where am..."

"We got probes dropped all over the system. Interceptors are buzzing around like mad checking all the planets and moons. We got about five miunutes..."

"What about the cloak? We should be cloaked?"

Cloak died three minutes ago we dont have the parts to repair it.

"How is Aliza?"

"Alive, for the moment. But we need you to help us now. We need you to turn off the cloaking device. We dont have the access codes."

She frowned and looked at Snake, it was like looking into a mirror.

"Why dont you do it? It's your ship...."

"Because I have too much to do. Now get up and turn off the cloaking device."

A whining ringing sound in her ears, an incessant alarm sound. Looking down at her arms she saw there was blood on them in regular points. She shook her head and it felt insubstantial. Slowly, painfully she got to her feet.

"Turn off the cloaking device. Do it now! Before all is lost!"

The whinning turned into a rhythmic slamming sound. Each movement was heavy, each breath was now laboured. All the time Snake was there, looking like a mirror image.

"Turn it off, bitch! Do it now, you are worthless.. you cant' even turn off a cloaking device...."

From somewhere far away there was a screaming, a voice but too high pitched, keening as if in utter pain. It took a while to realise, it was her voice. She slumped against the control panel that held the controls to the cloaking device. 

"Hurry slave. They are coming! Do as your Mistress commands!"

The voice had changed, Khanid, with a hint of old gallente. So familiar, yet so strange. There was a strong metallic taste in her mouth and she could feel her pulse racing fast. Why turn off the cloaking device? Then they would see them. They would find them and kill them. Aliza would be lost... so would Snake... but Snake was here.. with her golden hair....

She looked up, dragging her head and looked at the woman before her. Snake, as she's never seen her before, with golden hair. That, wasnt' right.... She laughed. It was painful and she had to gasp, the air thinning.

"You look... so funny like that...."

Her hand lashed out, slamming into Carmillas face again and again, grabbing her hair and slamming her face into the control panel.

"Turn... off... the cloaking... dev...."

There was a sound, a long drawn out explosion, like a gunshot in slow motion. Then a hot, bitty rain, then screams, her body shaking, her face looking down at her as everything started going black.

Little Snake wedged the door open with the heavy pry bar and slipped her head and torso in, scraping off large sections of skin but she was able to see Carmilla and the intruder, just. The air was rushing past her into the bridge from where the pilot had been pumping it out. She raised her pistol and fired, taking the intruder who was hurting Carmilla in the back of the head, spraying blood, bone and brain all over her. WIth the help of the engineers she opened the door fully and ran in, picking up Carm and wiping the blood from her face. Her eyes were wide and drugged, the acrid metallic taste of mindflood could be smelt on her, and she coughed and a small blue pill stuck to snakes face. She picked her up and carried her to the medical bay and slammed her down onto the table next to Aliza.

"Go through the ship with a scanner. Room by room, every place you can hide a body and check there are no other assassins on this ship."

They both nodded and departed. She turned to Carm and pulled out some wipes and some water and started to clean her up.

"They got you good this time. Got us both good. I hope they are worth it Carm. I really do."

Several hours later the Prowler landed on the dusty plain outside of an ongoing archaeological dig. The serene face of the statue carved into the side of the mountain looked down on the ships before it. Whisper and the girls stood in the shade of a large tent and took in the damage with shock and awe. The ramp into the transport was lowered and two people were wheeled out on stretchers and into the shade. Kikia walked out of one of the smaller tents and over to her and looked up at Snake.

"What happened?"

"She got outplayed. We both did. Almost got us too. But she got her out safely. And you."

"Yes. She did."

Kikia, one hand resting on her more prominant bump looked down at her with a smile and caressed her cheek.

"She never gets a break, does she?"

"Some how I dont think she'd be able to cope if she did. Whisper, I need you to get hold of Aliza's wife, this Zsaryna Adrelana. Fill her in on all the details about her stupid tea ceremony and Ithiria and ..... just make sure she's at Aliza's apartment on that.. tower place. I'm sure you know where it is better than I do."

"It will be done. Now go get some rest. We'll take care of the ship and everyone here.... Snake?"

"Yes Whisper?"

"We are going to fight back, right?"

Snake looked down at herself lying on the stretcher, hurt and drugged. And at the woman opposite her, in a coma.

"Oh you can count on that. I think we've all had enough. This shit just got real."