"Stand down, Ingentian vessel. This is General Lilith Conroy of Consortium Fleet Vessel Omicron. Repeat, stand down." General Conroy tried to keep the sneer out of her voice, while asserting her command to the Ingentians, but her vessel locked weapons on the dark arc of Lord V's cruiser as a warning.
The bloodless, menacing face of Lord V appeared on her viewscreen, "Ah, General Conroy, you're looking so well," Lord V drawled in a casual tone though his eyes were sharp and his jaw tight. "But, I fear I must remind you that within Ingentian borders, you have no jurisdiction."
"Lord Protectorate, the vessel you are attempting to secure has passed into neutral territory, and we have business with a human citizen on board," Conroy replied.
It was rare to see outright annoyance on the features of an Ingentian, especially one of high rank, they prided themselves on a sort of fake, silly stoicism. It did Lilith Conroy's heart good to see Lord V lose control and flash an expression of outright hostile irritation.
Lord V pursed his lips and replied, "If you are referring to the human known as Sierra, rest assured, she is not your concern. She was purchased legally by me in Ingentian territory. I am simply attempting to bring her home." He continued, his voice laced with sickening false concern, "She must be so . . . lost without her master in the hands of the slaver scum who stole her."
"Perhaps, we should ask her," General Conroy retorted dryly, but added before Lord V could protest, "We propose a consortium parley. If it is found that the human on board that stargalley is rightfully your . . . property, we will return her to you with our apologies. However, there are some questions as to her origins and therefore, the legality of your claim." Lord V tried to cut in, but Lilith Conroy overran him, "We have already notified the appropriate authorities of both the Ingentos and the Solaris councils. The parley will take place on Space Station Ganymede."
Lord V's gray eyes shot daggers through the viewscreen, but he managed to compose himself into his customary cool sneer.
"Very well, general. In the end, I'm sure you will find this to be an unnecessary exercise, but I'm willing to adhere to the bylaws of our treaty. And, when, shall this parley convene?" Lord V asked smoothly.
"Two days and all parties should be accounted for and ready," General Conroy answered.
"I will be ready," Lord V responded darkly, his hands steepled before him.
~
Sierra thought she had been holding her breath through the entire exchange. Though the stargalley's crew were not part of the conversation, when Jarok picked up the standoff on the scanner, he'd piped it through so Gerra and Sierra could see and hear as well.
Jarok and Gerra had discussed running while the two larger vessels were distracted, but in the end they'd decided that they wouldn't get very far with two cruisers chasing them.
Suddenly, the commanding, attractive face of the blond human general took over the whole viewscreen and spoke to them directly. "Stargalley occupants. You are to surrender your human passenger for transport to space station Ganymede."
Sierra gasped and she turned towards Jarok with confused eyes. Wasn't this what she wanted? To be given a chance by the modern human authorities to come back to Earth? Why did she feel so reluctant?
Jarok returned her gaze, his amber brown eyes reassuring, "that station isn't far; we'll meet you there in a few hours. If your jury or whatever doesn't seem to be going the right way, we'll get you out of there."
Sierra nodded gratefully. "How can I ever thank you?" Sierra asked earnestly.
Gerra rolled her eyes and broke in with a nudge to Sierra's arm, "Well kid, it's been real and it seems we'll be seeing you soon, but they'll expect us to deposit you in their bay shortly, and I have a few things to, ehem, set aside before we enter a Solaris vessel.
~
Lord v steepled his hands in thought in his command office. Conroy, that condescending, human slut. She needed a firm hand to remind her of her place. Not for the first time, he imagined the laughably domineering human general stripped and bound in his instruction room. He'd mark and bruise her soft human body and then make her beg for his cock. After spraying her with his seed, he'd leave her in a quivering naked heap, kneeling at his feet.
Come to think of it, he had a few scores to settle with alien females; that Keplarian woman and his own sweet Sierra would have their reckonings. He had been so gentle and generous to his little human slave. Perhaps, that had been a mistake. She would learn. He would make his delicious pet realize the only place in the galaxy for her was to be open and ready for him. Lord V smiled his tight, little smile.
~
It was so strange to Sierra to be given a room of her own, to be informed and given options, to be given so much control. In a few hours she would brief the General on how she arrived in the Ingentos sector. Though she was worried that her story wouldn't past muster and she would "belong" to the Ingentian under modern laws, she had noted that General Conroy didn't seem to like her master very much and that gave her hope.
Sierra flopped down on the fluffy single bed and luxuriated in the comfortable clothes she'd been given. She had picked out a salmon colored tunic and tan, textured leggings. Her hair in a long ponytail the way she used to wear it and smooth, brown boots on her feet, she felt like a person again. She had already been able to ask the computer all sorts of questions. It turned out she did still have relatives living on Earth, her younger brother's family.
Sadly, everyone she knew personally was gone. It was a hard blow to see the names of loved ones listed as deceased when to her it seemed she'd seen them just a few days before. The loss was staggering. Now she was healthy, and they were gone. It was difficult to take in.
Chimes sounded and the computer querried, "Jarok Fife requests an audience. Entry authorized?" Sierra smiled at the "requesting an audience," but told the computer to allow entry.
The door slid open and Jarok stepped in looking out of place in the clean, well appointed quarters; his olive green flight suit wrinkled and dingy, his brown hair wild and the scruff dusting his jaw adding to the roguish appearance of her friend. Still, he was a heartbreaker, no doubt about that. He smiled his winning smile that was always coupled with warm, but sad eyes.
"You alright?" he asked while fidgeting a bit with a brown bag in his hand.
Sierra rose from the bed and Jarok seemed to take a steadying breath as he looked at her.
"I'm good. A bit nervous about the parley, but I'm glad to be my own person again," Sierra replied.
Jarok winced. Sierra didn't understand, but tried to smooth things over, "Is Gerra okay?"
"Yeah, she's back at the ship. Making some . . . modifications," at this he grinned.
Sierra smiled, "She seems like a good friend."
Jarok nodded and then looked at the floor.
