The energy that tingled across her skin sent a shiver down her spine as Morrigan stepped into the open space of the surface once again.
She watched as eight drones fluttered around her and the guard, transfixed on her position as they glided through the air while Morrigan walked across the open field. She spied the control tower rimmed with cameras, giving a sly smirk in its direction now that she knew she was being watched.
“So, I take it someone reported Tyrus’s death to the Warden?” Morrigan asked casually as she took in every surrounding detail.
“Apollyon, make sure you’re paying attention, this us our chance to learn the layout of this place,” she told her disembodied partner though Apollyon did not reply.
The guard stiffened when he heard her question, “uh yeah, I think it was someone for the morning guard,” he said cautiously.
Morrigan knew the guards rotated each day since Mine 16. She tried using their replacement as a time table though that quickly blended into nonsense since she did not know the time table the guards used.
One thing she did notice that the guard who wielded the mini-gun in Mine 4 passed it off to the relieving guard, which told her those were at least in short supply.
Morrigan snorted at the fear the guard radiated, “you don’t have to be so worried, honestly you and your fellow guards have been respectful to me and the others.”
The guard chuckled at the notion giving her a cursory glance, “ma’am… with all due respect, I just watched you crush a guardswoman as if she were a damned grape… I may get paid well enough to stand around this shit hole and protect the company’s “interests”, but I’m not paid enough to press my luck mouthing off to you.”
That piqued her interest at the mention of a company. “A company you say?” she inquired.
She could hear the guard curse under his breath at his loose mouth, “I mean this respectfully but I’ve already said more than I should have…”
Morrigan snorted and folded her arms as they walked, the drones chirping electronically at her sudden movement, “I mean, the cat is already out of the bag, you might as well tell me.”
The guard sighed loud enough for her to hear though he kept her pace at seven feet away, “shit… I guess to avoid having my spine ripped out… the most I can say is this mine is owned by a mining company.”
Morrigan hummed thoughtfully as she took in the concept and started connecting the dots, “so, the Federation sells prisoners to this company who turns around using slave labor to mine Viridian to sell back to the Federation and CoU…theoretically,” she said aloud before starting to chuckle darkly.
She heard the guard hitch his breath in panic, “I uh I don’t know ma’am, I’m just a guard I don’t know anything about operations or…”
Morrigan waved her hand cutting him off with a blown raspberry, “relax, I’m only curious how much Amaranthe got for me,” she chuckled as she lied, when deep down she was pissed she was sold as a slave.
She knew she could be wrong, however, for a mining company to establish a prison filled with Federation prisoners, it was the only conclusion she could come to.
The guard clammed up after that as they walked their way towards a massive blast door on the other side. There were two heavily armed and armored guards at each end of the gate. One also carried a mini-gun, though she couldn't identify the other weapon, “Perhaps a grenade launcher?” She thought though the barrel seemed significantly too large for that.
Maybe? I mean you can always rip his skull out and try it out? Just saying, Apollyon quipped which made her crack a small smile.
“Please, wait right here for a moment,” her escort asked.
She nodded respectfully and watched the guard deflate in relief before jogging over to the guard on the far left that held the strange weapon. After a moment of talking the guard reached into a recess in the wall next to them and the blast door let out a shriek of grinding metal as it slowly started to rise.
To her surprise, the other side of the blast door was a hallway only eight feet wide, each side flanked by 20 feet of stone wall.
Her escort returned and they walked into the hall, her escort pressing himself against the wall to give her space.
She could also hear the hum of drone engines fade away as they remained in the courtyard.
The hall ended in a T intersection, her eyes homing in on the directional image on the wall. Three arrows pointed to the left listed: Dock, Processing, Barracks. The four arrows pointing to the right listed: Warden’s office, Infirmary, Mess, Control.
“This is it! I can escape!” she shouted in her head.
Fucking hell girl you don’t need to yell, I’m right here…
The guard pointed to the right and she paused, before following his direction.
“Sorry I got excited; this is what we needed to find. That sign said the docks are behind us now!” She said cheerily as she considered killing her escort and making a run for the docks.
Slow down girl, as much as I enjoy your attitude about getting the hell out of here… you might want to come up with a plan unless you’d like a repeat of last time, Apollyon pointed out.
She cursed herself silently. “Okay, fair point…”
Besides, you’re forgetting something important, Apollyon noted which had her tilt her head curiously.
You got that horny kitten and those big lizards to think about too, not that I care if you leave them behind, I just don’t want to listen to your whining about it later.
Morrigan’s heart tugged painfully at the realization she had just considered abandoning Nora and Xol-Tau.
“Shit… I can’t believe I didn’t think of that…” her reply was filled with guilt and shame.
Don’t worry about it little goddess, excitement gets the best of us.
After turning down three more halls they arrived to an obnoxiously well-designed dark wood door that was out of place surrounded by the white walls and tile floor of the hall.
“Just give me one moment,” her escort requested before knocking on the door and stepping inside.
Morrigan waited until the door opened fully and her escort waved her in.
The Warden’s office was the epitome of luxury which made her grind her teeth as she took in the sight. Walls were dark hard wood panels with ornate light sconces, wall sized bookshelf along the back filled with records, novels, knickknacks and the like. The Warden sat in a high back leather chair behind a large mahogany desk one would expect to find in a government official’s office.
She noted a small, basic chair in the middle of the room that was well in view of the small automated turrets that hung from each corner, tracking her every movement.
“Please, take a seat Miss Clarke,” the Warden said gesturing the chair. She stepped around the chair and took her seat, leaning back in surprised comfort.
“That'll be all for now, Asahd. Please wait outside, I’ll send her out when we’re finished.”
The Warden casually slipped papers away and moved things around his desk as if unconcerned by her presence. Given the amount of fire power pointed at her, it was a moderately safe assumption she would behave.
“I can’t say I’m surprised to see you here when I heard of Tyrus’s death. He was a good mine leader.”
“You mean rapist,” Morrigan spat as she ground her teeth as her anger spiked.
The Warden looked up and regarded her for a moment, pursing his lips, “well, I don’t keep track of each mine leaders’ personal activities are…though this makes a lot more sense…” he said in indifferent realization.
The way he called rape a personal activity had her seething but he did not stop there.
“Honestly, the leaders are the liaisons between the prisoners and me. They make sure production is kept up and on time, and I fulfill what requests they bring me as well as report any events that happen to affect the Viridian supply. Outside of that, my knowledge of what happens within each mine is very limited,” he said in a way of omitting any guilt.
Morrigan did not hide the fact she was grinding her teeth.
He watched her closely and cleared his throat, “anyways, I hear you killed the guard I sent down into the mine,” he said factually.
Morrigan shrugged, “maybe next time you'll send someone more respectful.”
He hummed thoughtfully, “quite…” he said absently in thought, “well… I am sorry for what happened to you for what it’s worth…however, I requested you here to discuss business going forward.”
She remained silent as her stern demeanor became harder.
The Warden got up and stepped around his desk and sat on the edge closest to her, “I have noticed production has been steadily rising from Mine 4 which I believe you are responsible for. I've also been told the other prisoners hold you with high regard and respect. So, my question to you is what your demands are to keep productivity high?”
“I suppose getting off this rock is out of the question?” she quipped rhetorically.
The Warden gave her an unamused smirk knowing she knew the answer already.
Morrigan sighed, “better food for one. The slop you give us is bullshit.”
The Warden nodded at that, “that’s a fair demand though do you have something in mind? That's a very vague request.”
Morrigan rolled her eyes as she leaned back, “at least something with flavor! The shit you give us tastes like fucking flour. Hell, maybe even some bread instead of stale ass fucking hardtack!” she spat.
The Warden raised his eyebrows at her small tirade, “well, the issue with the “slop” as you call it, is that it contains all of the essential nutrients needed to keep everyone healthy. Changing to different food may cause an adverse decline in health…” he pointed out.
“Maybe, but there’s gotta be a way to make it taste better,” she retorted.
He scratched his chin in thought, “well, I suppose we can add chicken or beef broth to it. That would give it some flavor, wouldn’t it?”
Morrigan narrowed her eyes as she mulled the idea over, “Sure, but change it every two days. That way we won’t get flavor lock and it’ll still appeal to my inmates. Some fresh bread too,” she said making sure to keep that in the bargain.
“Done. I’ll have to order more bread but that’s doable. Anything else?”
Morrigan put more thought into what essentials the prisoners could use that wasn’t too ridiculous.
“Well, if you want higher production that’ll mean harder work, so we will need additional water…” she said curiously.
He nodded in agreement, “that’s certainly reasonable. That can be easily done. What about for you though? Being a leader means you can ask for some personal items for yourself. It’s the perk of being in such a position. Your uh… predecessor, often asked for liquor as well as furniture.”
Morrigan didn’t feel the need to ask for anything now that she set up a way to track time with the food delivery. However, she could ask for alcohol for Nora. It would be a great way to repay the woman for all that she has done for her.
“I wish I knew what I could get Xol or the Marmuro’k… ugh I need a smoke…” she thought to herself as the faint scent of cherry tobacco around the room finally ate away at her nerves.
She also considered updating the list later when she could speak with Xol, she might even get a list together from other inmates and sneak them into her own demands.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“Well, alcohol would still be nice though I have no need for furniture, I could use a steady supply of cigarettes though. I ran out the other day…” she said chewing her lip.
The Warden snorted and nodded, “yeah, it’s a terrible vice but it’s one I certainly understand,” he mused as he reached behind him and dug into box.
He snipped the end and presented her with a thin cigar held out by the tip of his fingers, “here, do you need me to light it?” he asked with a smile.
She shook her head as she cautiously reached out as took the cigar from the other end, making sure his fingers were a healthy distance away.
When she put it in her mouth she reached into her shirt and pulled out her matches and lit the rolled tobacco.
“This, is amazing…” she said as she exhaled the earthy cherry flavored smoke blissfully
The Warden chuckled, “well they’re expensive so I can’t get you a steady supply of those, consider it a show of good faith. I will see to it that you have cigarettes though.”
She nodded slightly and enjoyed her smoke, “I would appreciate that.”
That made him laugh for some reason not that she considered what she said to be funny. “Well then I guess this is a done deal, I'll have some broth added to the food tomorrow and I’ll even throw in some extra crackers until I can get the bread you’re asking for,” he said as he stood straight in front of her.
“Honestly, I expected far more complicated demands from you, I’m glad you didn’t turn out the be a difficult negotiator,” he said as held out his hand expecting her to shake it.
She shrank back in her chair slightly, “that’s… not the best idea…” she stated as she started at his hand with wide eyes.
He furrowed his brow as he looked down at his hand before making the connection. He quickly pulled his hand back, “right, that slipped my mind,” he awkwardly cleared his throat before walking around his desk and sitting back down.
He reached into his desk and pulled out a small bottle of scotch and set it at the edge of his desk, “go on and take that. Consider it an apology for Tyrus’s actions on behalf of myself…” he said gesturing to the bottle.
She cocked her head in confusion, not really being able to get a bead on the man. On one hand, he ran a slave labor prison with very little regard to what happens to the lives of the prisoners within them, but on the other hand, he seemed to be very understanding and even humane.
“Why?” She blurted.
He leaned back and scoffed before his expression softened, “I’m not a monster Ms. Clarke. I may run a prison but I do have values and rape is one of those things I will always be against. No one deserves that to happen to them. Honestly, if I would’ve known he was committing such a vile act, I would’ve executed him myself,” he told her with complete sincerity.
She processed what he said and nodded tersely, “well… thank you…”
He gave her a nod before taking out the papers he put away, “go ahead and take the bottle, Asahd will escort you back. Just don’t move too quickly. I don’t want you to set off the turrets.”
She eyed the automated weapons with a thick swallow. She slowly stood and reached for the bottle even slower, making sure to follow the instructions given.
Good job, I like what you did with the food, clever thinking girl Apollyon mused proudly.
Morrigan left without saying another word and headed back to the mine.
Nora was giddy when she saw Morrigan step off the elevator. She and the Marmuro’k had been lounging around the overview.
“See! I told you she’d be fine!” Nora chirped loudly, she was obviously excited to rub it in Xol’s face who ended up ignoring her and gave Morrigan a respectful bow of his head.
To see them getting along as normal made Morrigan smile, especially with Xol having not killed Nora during her absence.
“I got you something,” she said as the half-consumed cigar hung between her lips.
Nora jumped up with childish excitement before rushing over to her.
Morrigan brandished the small bottle and Nora’s eyes lit up like a cat before letting out a girlish squeal as she grabbed the bottle.
After giving her a quick hug Nora unscrewed the cap and took a small sip. “Oh my God! That is heavenly!” she exclaimed in a blissful groan.
She should be saying “Goddess”, seeing as she’ll be on her knees before you in no time! Apollyon cackled.
Morrigan squeezed her eyes tightly as she chuckled, smiling strongly.
“Why! Seriously why would… bloody hell Apollyon! Just… why!?” she sputtered in her head. Apollyon only chuckled in the back of her head having accomplished embarrassing her.
Refocusing, Morrigan grabbed Nora’s wrist and started dragging her to her room, “I gotta talk to you.”
Nora sputtered in giggles and made noises that insinuated a very desirable change of pace she had not been expecting, all the while grinning like an idiot.
“Xol, come with!” Morrigan ordered.
Nora looked between Morrigan and Xol in confusion as he stood responsively.
“Wait what? I mean… what?” Nora sputtered in uncertainty as they disappeared into Morrigan’s room.
Once Xol joined them Morrigan released the blonde, “we’re escaping,” she blurted.
Even Xol stopped mid stride to give her an awkward look as Nora looked at her as if she had lost her mind.
“I’m serious. I’ve seen where to go, all we need to do is come up with a plan,” she stated and moved to the far end of the room, focusing on her emotions to pull back the amount of energy she used as her crimson claws enveloped her hand, using a clawed finger to start etching a map into the stone floor.
Nora and Xol looked at each other in curious surprise before moving to see what she was doing.
Morrigan explained what she saw, her negotiation and her plan as she mapped out as much of the prison surface as she could see.
“It will probably take a eight to ten days to coordinate with all the inmates and figure out who to send up with each group. When we take the barracks and kill whoever stands against us, we can take the docks. If there are no ships then we can move to the control center. I know two Federation corporals who will not ignore me…” she trailed off angrily before shaking her head, “we’ll take their ship when they come to stop us, and I’ll finally get to kill those two bastards for putting me in here,” she added hopefully.
She looked up at her two companions, “so, what do you think?”
Nora looked at the map in shock, “I never really thought escaping was possible…”
Xol huffed, “baş hebûn roj karxane,” as he nodded.
“Good, then we start spreading the word tomorrow. We just need to be sure the guards don’t catch wind of this otherwise we’ll never succeed.”
The amount of danger and risk her plan brought tickled Nora pink as she spun Morrigan towards her and planted a hard kiss on her lips.
“Violence, danger, booze and utterly sweet acts of kindness, how did I get so lucky to meet you precious?” she said as if she were dreaming.
Morrigan blushed as she pulled Nora into her, resting her forehead against Nora’s, “we only have this one chance at freedom…” avoiding the rush of emotions that flooded her, part of those emotions being worry since plans seemed to never work out in her favor.
You’ll be fine Mori. This plan of yours, it’s a good one. Let’s be honest, I’ve heard a lot of battle plans over the millennia, just focus on this lovely feline in your arms, Apollyon said encouragingly.
Morrigan sighed and looked up into Nora’s sparkling silver eyes, feeling all her stress fading away and the tiredness from the day settling into her muscles.
ΩΩΩ
The prisoners were filled with high energy as Morrigan, Xol and Nora spread the word of her plan. The Warden was true to his word as she received a package of cigarettes as well as delivering chicken and beef broth infused slop which made the inmates even more content.
Morrigan was happy having a sense of time again since the Warden had followed her instructions of switching the flavors, though she could not be certain he followed the correct time frame. Trying to pair it with the guard rotation did not help much seeing as the guards could be different any time the warren stirred awake.
The three of them had gone through and found everyone combat-fit, and organized equipping them and putting them into groups for the elevator. Even the Eskarii, who still had no desire to interact with her, held back their disdain for humanity for the chance of escaping, offering assistance to Yekku and Qiote, who she had fashioning throwing knives and daggers from stone zealously.
Seeing the Eskarii and Marmuro’k working side by side made her happy as she watched them grind stone on stone to sharpen the edges. “You see, total queen vibes,” came the giggly voice behind her.
Morrigan turned to see Nora’s proud smirk as she wrapped her hands around Morrigan from behind.
She's not lying, you have a knack for being a leader Mori, Apollyon said, supporting Nora’s claim.
Morrigan smirked as she leaned back against the blonde woman, taking in her warmth. “I couldn't possibly be a queen, I'm barely even a leader who just got lucky enough to do something right…” she sighed.
“Why couldn’t you be a queen? I mean look at all you have done to make everyone's lives slightly better while plotting the greatest gift of all. Freedom.” Nora argued sweetly.
She’s right Mori. I’ve seen countless leaders come and go, you inspire faith and hope amongst the masses little reaper. That’s the whole point in leading, to give your people something to look forward to that brings them together; such as my siblings creations over there. As far as I understand it, they’re enemies yet you have them working together to arm your people.
“What is with you both trying to make me think I’m something I’m not?” She asked internally.
If the boot fits, eh? Apollyon chuckled darkly.
Morrigan gently shook her head and sighed. All she wanted was for the Federation to pay for their crimes. As much as she did not want to be a leader, she could not deny the unity she had spurred within Mine 4. She could not believe she was even considering that Apollyon and Nora may have been right.
“We do this tonight… waiting any longer just adds unnecessary risks,” Morrigan said wistfully trying to keep her nerves from going into overdrive.
Nora nuzzled the side of her head, “don’t worry precious, trust your people. We will be free soon.”
You remember what we’ve been training on for the past few days? Apollyon asked.
“Yeah, it almost feels like second nature now,” she thought as she lifted arm in front of her. She focused her emotional barriers and pushed out energy that crackled into her arm. Slowly, the energy coalesced and encased her forearm in a protective shell as a long three-foot wrist blade apparated connected to her forearm. It was similar to the massive forearm appendages she had seen in the brief look at Apollyon’s spirit when she finished the ritual Apollyon had her perform.
That was something she wished to inquire about when she had the moment.
“Let everyone know. Make sure everyone is armed after we have eaten and rested,” she said in a cool order.
“Of course, precious,” Nora whispered out as she stared in awe at the newfound form of Morrigan’s powers. She gently kissed the side of Morrigan’s head before releasing her and moving down the tunnel to inform the S’randin and Eskarii.
She watched the blonde sashay away with a smile as she released the energy covering her hand and turned out of the tunnel to head back into the central warren.
The nervous, eager energy around the warren was palpable by the time everyone had eaten and spent some time recovering from the mining done for the day.
Morrigan watched the guards out of the corner of her eye. Despite Xol’s misgivings about it, he stood sentry across from the overview while Nora, and Hî’tet both fidgeted nervously as they split their attention between Morrigan and the inmates gathered.
Morrigan took a cursory glance across the many faces that tried to act casual as they were gathered within the central warren. Morrigan hand selected as many ex-military and ex-mercenaries on top of the seven Eskarii to join her and the Marmuro’k in the first two waves up the elevator to serve as the vanguard for the surface assault.
The only thing holding them back was Morrigan; it was up to her to give the signal. She was holding back out of fear something would go wrong, though she did not show it in the slightest.
What’s the matter little reaper? Getting cold feet? Apollyon inquired.
“No, no, it’s just… if we mess up then everyone here will die, and it’ll be my fault,” she responded as she chewed her lip.
You can’t worry about that girl, not when you have vengeance at your finger tips! Apollyon said icily.
“Yes, I can Apollyon. These are my people… they’re my responsibility and if they were to die because of me…”
That’s where you’re wrong. Only they can get themselves killed. You may have given them the hope this fight will bring but it’s up to each of them to survive. The Federation is what you need to worry about! They’re the ones who stole your freedom. They stuck you deep in the ground, the ones who caused you to lose Henry and the old man, the ones who are responsible for Tyrus raping you instead of you being back home with your family and that little lover boy of yours! Apollyon growled in irritation, trying to show her when to worry about one’s followers and when not to.
Morrigan bit her lip hard enough to draw blood as Apollyon’s words echoed in her head. She could feel her unbridled rage rising within her core as she considered Apollyon’s words. Remembering that the deity had yet to steer her wrong.
She needed to make the Federation pay, to have it fall to its knees so everyone they have ever put down could stand on their feet and unite like they should have done so many decades ago.
As she stood, she took one final look at the hodgepodge group of aliens and humans that followed her near blindly.
“Just as I’ve united them…” she thought.
Now you’re getting it little goddess, let the slaughter begin! Apollyon cheered with sadistic excitement.
Morrigan moved from her chair, and gave Nora a stern nod, her expression cold.
Nora grinned and clapped excitingly as she giggled, quickly chasing after Morrigan as she started stalking down the slope towards the elevator.
Xol also moved closer to the elevator as the S’randin shifted to the edge of the crowd.
Once she was within range, Morrigan lashed out, a large spectral crimson claw bowling over most of the guards and killing a few of them as gaping wounds were torn open.
Morrigan shifted her energy to the crimson wrist-blades and launched herself into the midst of the guards, pirouetting in a deadly arc.
Nora squealed excitedly as she formed her magic into half a dozen crystalline knives and threw them with deadly accuracy.
Xol rushed to the elevator, homing in on his single target, the guard with the mini-gun. As the guard regained composure by the sudden massacre of his fellow guards, he turned the six barreled weapon upon Morrigan and Nora.
Just as the barrels of the weapon began to spin up to speed, Xol’s stone hammer smashed into the guard with bone crushing force, sending the man crashing into the wall next to the elevator.
Xol followed up with another fluid swing, the guards head shattering in gore between the proverbial, and literal, rock and hard place.
Nora drove her icy blades into a dying guard as one surviving guard tried scooting onto the elevator, holding a wounded belly.
Morrigan stalked closer with glowing crimson blades protruding from her forearms. Recognition flashed across her face; the surviving guard had been Asahd.
He looked up at her as his wound bled through his hand, “why?” he forced out.
No mercy girl.
Morrigan stood tall above Asahd looking down at him with her hooded gaze, “I’m sorry, but your life is the price of freedom. I will make it quick,” she said coldly.
She drew her arm back and pierced his heart for a swift death, the only merciful death out of the bunch who had been butchered by her crimson blades.
She turned back as the central warren roared in a triumphant cheer. “First group, move forward and arm yourselves! We are the spear as well as the shield to those behind us!”
Ten ex-military inmates moved forward to strip the guards of their gear and weapons, including one who Morrigan designated to wield the mini-gun.
She had the strength to wield it given her powers, but she had no idea how to operate the gun, therefore felt it was in better hands of someone who has used advanced military weapons before.
Besides, she had to worry about the courtyard tower.
“This is going to be so much fun!” Nora cheered as she walked up and squeezed Morrigan's shoulders as they waited on the elevator, Xol, the Marmuro’k and Eskarii joining them as they waited.
Morrigan sniggered before turning her attention to the warren, “group two be ready! Group three spread the word! Today we fight for freedom!” she cried out. The prisoners roared in a cheer as her group finished piling onto the elevator tightly despite the platform being able to fit 30.
“We’re ready,” one of the prisoners stated.
Xol hit the button for the elevator and they rose into the darkness of the shaft readying themselves for the fight of their lives.
As the mine gate rose, they were greeted with an empty courtyard they rushed out to. Xol sent the elevator back down as Morrigan channeled her rage, a massive spectral claw went soaring towards the central tower.
As it crashed against the tower with devastating force, the alarm blared throughout the courtyard before the tower shattered.
Morrigan growled, she had been hoping the alarm would not get off but there was nothing to do about it now as a swarm of drones flew into the sky.
Her group responded immediately, the mini-gunner doing his job as he released a constant stream of bullets at the incoming drones that fired the stunning pulse rounds at the group.
The rest of the guards responded more quickly since her first encounter with them. Though their expectations must have been similar to last time as they barked in surprised shouts as they were met with 24 inmates armed to the teeth.