Pule dodged, and pulled out a shiny raygun of his own as he ducked for cover.

I tried to follow his example, but I couldn't tell where the attack came from exactly.

Before Pule could return fire, the rays cut him down and he collapsed pitifully in a pool of rust and rainwater.

I flattened myself to the wall, which sloped backwards, hiding me slightly behind projections further up. I looked up and saw it was a little darker there, but some forms appeared to move up on a ledge of some kind.

Taking a deep breath, I dashed for the weapon and rolled to fire wildly at the men above me.

Fire came back at me just as wild, but a scream came from above too and a silver-armored body tumbled down to land nearby.

Shouts issued from above and I heard feet pounding on warped iron grating.

As quickly as I could I shuffled down among collapsing struts and pipes and found the rupture in the hull that led outside.

I squinted at the sunlight, even though it came to me diffused through the forest canopy. I stumbled around the corner to where the giant rocket tubes yawned, their recesses now filled with ferns and mushrooms. I imagined if I crept back in there I might find the “cave” of a bear or mountain lion.

Just as I started off into the woods, away from the rocket, something heavy landed on me from behind.

I woke back inside the central chamber with the Event Record Transmitter loomed on its pedestal. Lord Bowen stood over me with an evil look on his face, a look of triumph.

I held my head and tried to sit up from the couch I lay on “You didn't have to break my head, you old villain.”

“I didn't need to. My man simply tackled you and use a sleep-buzzer on you. You might have slept more comfortably had you remained in your room.”

“He could have asked nicely.”

“You might have done something rash. Besides, you shouldn't go running around with traitors. You detest traitors. After all, you are Captain Rathdrum.”

I stood up angrily “I'm Cylas Renford, and I'm not playing your game with you.”

“You are Captain Rathdrum, you are the leader of the guard for Radon. And who is Lord Radon?”

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I noticed that the Event Record Transmitter was glowing. A strange sensation passed through me and I heard my own voice answer him “You are Lord Radon, hail!”

He laughed in triumph and I could now half see him as that red devil alien from ages past. “Yes! Yes, and who are you?”

Again my voice answered for me “I am Captain Rathdrum.”

Lord Bowen's evil puppet show had started and I was completely helpless to stop it!

Alongside Tando, Tsang and Xato, I helped play out the evils of decades past. Somehow I was aware of everything throughout the awful parade of horrors. I knew deep down that I was myself and that my body moved against my will, although when I came nearer the Event Record Transmitter I felt the terrible emotions of the character, of Captain Rathdrum.

For days we held court in the spherical room, with each person playing out the role of someone in Radon's court centuries ago. Radon's court was not what most folks might imagine when they picture kings on thrones, however. Bowen as Radon reveled in excess, having slaves brought for orgies of torture. The human puppets were forced to carry on debaucheries and terrible acts of violence throughout the “palace” in which we were confined.

To my horror, I participated and had to hear my own voice in maniacal laughter as I heaped indignities on helpless victims. There were whippings and beatings and things on a level of cruel invention that I would never have dared to comprehend.

The worst thing was when the terrible act demanded I be nearest to the device, for at those times not only did I feel more like Captain Rathdrum the sadist, but my vision clouded over to see what he'd seen so many centuries ago!

In those moments Bowen became a towering red devil and the room took on its lost finery. I could see the blood flow and, wore, as the mad captain, I even enjoyed it.

Much of what I saw and what I was made to do is too terrible to repeat, it was a violation of all human decency.

My mind and soul could only recoil from what occurred, it was evil to the point of absurdity.

Perhaps it is appropriate that absurdity is what ended the horror for me.

Lost in the throes of evil passions, Lord Bowen gave the same orders that Radon had given, and as the captain I obeyed.

“Captain Rathdrum!” Bowen laughed. “Come here beside me.”

“Yes, Lord Radon.” I replied and obeyed.

“Take your men with a car to Norwood Mine and slaughter the rebels who are halting production there.”

“You wish this now? The festivities have only just begun.”

“Yes, now!” Bowen shouted, straining his voice to reach the evil notes of Radon's tones. “There will be plenty left for you when you return.”

I saluted and ordered six men who were supposed to be under my charge, in fact only hostages from the city on the mesa, and we boarded the one working hover-car outside. The car had, in fact, only been captured recently, so I'm not sure how we should have played out the history otherwise.

As we got into the open air and boarded the car, I began to feel more of my own self possession returning. I still carried on the role given me, talking to the others as Rathdrum would have, but as we set off down the road, I began to simply be myself again.

At first I said and did nothing different, one of the others was at the controls and I simply watched where he took us.