Renya and I spent most of the night talking to each other. It was difficult to sleep when you knew that the next morning held torture and death. It had to be even worst for Renya because she also had the prospect of rape hovering over her. Yet, if it weren’t for the tears that I felt earlier that night I wouldn’t even be able to tell that she was stressed at all. I couldn’t even begin to imagine being in her shoes, I would be half crazed and rabid right now, and I wouldn’t even be capable of letting someone close to me. Nevertheless, she seemed calmed the entire conversation, and she only broke away from me when her brother Esven approached to sit next to us. Well, he sat next to her, apparently, even Kalar gave orcs some distance. However I felt safer around the orc than him considering what I did with his sister, but since he was already sitting down it was too late. Perhaps he will pretend that it never happened.
“So did you enjoy your time with my sister?” he asked which left me floored.
“…”
How was I supposed to respond to that? As a matter a fact I thoroughly enjoy your sister? Not one bit? She was alright, but I had better? I just chose my right to remain silent.
He and his sister started laughing. “Relax Ammon Ra, if I were seriously offended I would have tried to kill you by now, regardless of your orc friend. My sister is old enough to make her own decisions, but if somehow we both survive this I will have you take responsibility or I will be offended.”
I had no intention of ever letting go of Renya. I knew that it wasn’t love at first sight or anything near as romantic, but she comforted me when I needed it, and I probably did the same for her. No, it wasn’t love, but being forced to marry her isn’t the worst thing in the world considering my fears. I was more concern about how he knew my name, but then I just assumed it was something else that was overheard last night.
“I don’t plan on leaving her, and none of us is dying, not even the orc,” I said while looking in the direction of the orc.
Ever since the orc suggested to me that I got some sleep he has been oddly quiet. We can tell he been listening, but anytime we tried to include him in the conversation he either ignored us or just nodded. I think somethings wrong with him who ever heard of a broody orc or a quiet one for that matter.
“I see you’re still going for that tall green and brooding swagger, not very popular but it must have its loyal fans.” I joked when he didn’t respond to my last statement.
“I doubt that you can even save yourself especially if you keep taunting large orc in a small cage that you are also locked in” Renya counselled.
“Not to mention you are without your y’nir rods.” Her brother added.
Renya explain some of ‘our’ culture earlier, and I was told that an y’nir rod is a type of javelins usually crafted to the size of the user's arm, but the length is up to the warrior. The only difference from a regular javelin is that they have a bow built into it and a Kalar warrior typically carries three. Not sure how practical it is, but I didn’t really want to talk about weapons that didn’t have triggers. Well, combat knives might be the one exception.
“Why wouldn’t I survive, because of tiny? The big guy wouldn’t know what to do without me. Besides where best buddies.” I replied to the siblings.
“Isn’t that right big guy?” I said as I was patting his back, but a stern stare caused me to withdraw my arm.”
“Yes, I see it’s clearly you have been Qwu’nar for a very long time,” Esven spoke with no shortage of mirth.
Though, Renya withheld her laughter. She still believed that my clan, former Qwu’nar, and memories were lost in some recent skirmish.
“Enough brother! Sometimes you truly act like you are sandworm shit!” she said while hitting his arm with surprising force.
“What was that for?” he said while rubbing his arm.
“For being sandworm shit.” She declared then gave me a sympathetic glance.
I felt bad for her brother. It probably would have been a funny joke if I was more familiar with the term, and if Renya didn’t believe that I recently lost my former Qwu’nar. I tried most of the night to convince her that I wasn’t Kalar and I that I never had any of the things she thought I lost. She just chalked every argument I put forth as part of my head injury. She just ignores me and tried to teach me the ways of Kalar before I died so I could die proud. Still, the fact that she stood up to her brother for the sake of my feelings just made me more attached to her.
“I swear I will not let anything happen to you,” I said to myself more than anyone in particular.
I could immediately see shame on her brother’s face, and sadness showed on Reyna’s face for a half a second. The only reaction I didn’t plan for was the orcs. He had a look of surprise, sadness, and then anger before he regained control of his emotions. We all sat there in silence for a second before Renya spoke.
“I know that you and my brother will try, but it’s not up to any of you to save me. I know the risks of being a warrior, yet I fought for my third y’nir like every other.”
“Yet I swore to father to look after you” Esven protested.
“And I…” she cut me off before I could make the promise again.
“Enough! Esven my life is my own, and Ammon you should not make a promise that you are destined to fail! It will only cheapen the worth of your words.” She seethed. Staring dagger at both of us with glistening eyes.
She didn’t have to hear the words, but the promise will be made regardless. I didn’t have a purpose before, but now I believe I found one. I swear that I will do everything I can to protect you, and I will succeed.
Set Task as Mission Objective?
[Yes/No]
Yes.
I didn't like the fact that I was most likely an android but if it could help me save Renya then my hate was insufficient.
Mission Objective
Save Renya.
Mission Time limit
Unknown, but most likely less than 24hrs.
Chance of success
21%
Ways to increase chances of success.
Learn more about your internal software.
Discover how the dark elf can assist you.
Recruit/save Esven.
Recruit/save the orc.
Convert Captain Conner to your cause.
This could be useful.
I thought while the letters floated across my vision. Esven and Renya were arguing in the background about honor and being a warrior in her own right, but I tuned both of them out so I can begin increasing my chances. Now how am I supposed to learn more about my software?
Do you wish to learn more about your software?
[Yes/No]
Well, that was easy enough.
Yes.
This software was design by an AI with the destination Nia.
It has two main functions and two secondary functions.
The first primary function is to store all information that the host Perceives.
The second primary functions are to help the host utilise all information efficiently.
The first secondary function is to monitor the host and experimental parasites that
Are designed to ensure the survival of the host.
The last function is to actively translate any foreign langue until the host learns it.
. The part about parasites confused me since I was an android along with the lack of information about proficiencies. However, I did have an Idea of what it meant from when profiling increased. It made feel surer of my assumptions about the people I met, even if it did seem like it was making fun of me at times. So the only logical conclusion is that it made me more proficient and prevented me from making the same mistakes twice when learning something. It also made me wonder what else I was proficient in, but when I asked I was flooded with information. It showed me everything that I could do from walking to taking a piss. So I rephrased my statement.
Show me all my proficiencies that the average human can’t do.
Special Forces combat training
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
67%%
Contains subskills
Special Forces training
78%
Contains subskills
Piloting
12%
Contains subskills
Skydiving
63%
Massage
83%
Animal husbandry
56%
Orbital Freefall
89%
Profiling
26%
I thought about how there weren't many things listed, but I did say things that average human couldn’t do. I knew that there were no more farmers do to cloning so animal husbandry would be limited to just animal breeders. Although massage shouldn’t be all that uncommon unless you took my efficiency level into account. I also looked into subskills to discover that both sets of special forces training included plenty of things from hand to hand to call signs and hand signals, and piloting including every type of spacecraft the only one that I was halfway decent in was a frigate. I wondered if it would tell the current level of proficiencies as thy increased instead of how much it increased. And it could
“Knock it off in there!” I heard a guard yell from outside the cage returning my attention to the present. It was the same guard that woke me by the river.
“Is about time for the interrogations anyway. Grab the girl the sooner she gets done the sooner Lord Simeon will give her to us to have a go at her.” Another guard said anther with a chest piece and helmet making me assume that he was higher ranked.
The guards approach the door causing me to stir. I stood up to places myself close to the door of the cage.
“Ammon we must act honorable even as prisoners. We still represent Kalar.” Renya stated.
I ignored her. “Esven please restrain your sister. I know you two are bound by some code to be the perfect prisoners of war, but I have no memory of making any such pledge or making any promises except one. Worst case scenario is I bring dishonour to myself and we all die after torture as planned. Best case scenario your sister lives.
“Ammon just because you cannot remember does not mean…” Renya was cut off by the smacking sound of bone on bone contact. I turned around to see her go limp in her brother’s arms, but he spoke before I could protest.
“Trust me Ammon Ra, this was the only way to restrain my sister.”
“What are you doing? Step away from the girl.” The helmetless guards spoke. I didn’t pay too much attention to their features because they were less than human in my eyes.
“You won’t be taking the girl. You will be taking me first instead” I intervened
The guard with the helmet unlocked the cage, while the other came in with sword drawn.
“Step aside savage. I know your so-called honor will not allow you to stop me from taking that whore from you.” Said recruit smith.
It pissed me off that I still remembered his name. I didn’t want to waste a single memory on any of these worthless people who practice slavery, but it would seem my software wouldn’t allow for that.
“You would find out that I am not like other ‘savages’. When you captured me I didn’t put up much resistance, but today I feel like I got a lot of leftover resistance to use. Besides, I know you have to take me alive, and I would want to kill you so let’s see how this will play out.” I threatened.
The recruit didn’t seem too sure of himself anymore until the other guard stepped in and drew his sword. Causing all the other prisoners to cower together.
` “Yes, let’s see how this will play out. We can’t kill you, but we can remove some limbs. All we need to do is call the healers to stop you from bleeding out.” Said helmet. This caused Smith’s smug smile to return.
I knew that my chances against two swordsmen weren't that good, but what choice did I have? Let them take Renya? Not an option. I readied myself to charge the recruit and hope I can use him as a shield from helmet’s attacks. It wasn’t the soundest plan but it was all I had. I was just about to leap into action when I heard loud cracking noises as if everyone’s forearm snapping bones, thick ones too, like forearms.
I turned around to see the orc standing at full height cracking his knuckles. I didn’t really notice how tall he was before or how long his black hair was until now. Hell, I didn’t even notice he had hair.
I must be really dense at times.
He had a black braided Mohawk just like Esven with the sides’ shaven, and he stood at least seven feet tall. He didn’t say anything, but when he finished cracking his knuckles he just stood there with his arms crossed.
I turned back and faced the guards. “Well, it seems tiny as some resistance left in him as well.”
“Tiny?” recruit smith asked incredulously.
“Well, it doesn’t really matter what order you get taken in, we will get the girl eventually. Come on savage.”
I nodded to the orc before I let the guards escort me out and surprisingly enough he nodded back. I think I’m starting to grow on the big fella.
So know I found myself in shackled and being escorted roughly through the camp. I didn’t really pay attention as we walked because nothing really stood out, and I was too busy trying to think of a way out.
“Once the integrator gets his hands on you, you’re going to wish that you didn’t interfere.” Hemet sneered.
“Yeah, I’m going to enjoy hearing your screams throughout the camp.” Recruit smith verbally cosigned.
Why is it that when idiots come together it feels like their stupidity is multiplied instead of added.
When we finally arrived at an all red tent with no markings on it. My assumptions that this is where the blood interrogations will be held were confirmed when they led me into the tent. The tent was barren except a wooded and table with all sorts of devices, and one metal chair with built in shackles. One set for the wrist and a second for the ankles. The chair was placed over a small fire pit, which gave me pause.
“I see you noticed the fire pit. I bet you wish you was back in your cage right about now.” Helmet scoffed.
I ignored them as they remove my restraints and positioned me into the cold chair. I knew that I even if I could kill these two, that an escaped in the middle of the day was highly unlikely. So I didn’t offer up any type of struggle and allowed them to shackle me to the chair. When they were finished they both left the tent laughing.
After the left, the first thing I did was try to find out if I could turn off my sense of pain. After at least ten minutes of trying I accepted that there wasn’t, but I could turn off the messages about my injuries. I didn’t need a progress report on the torture or the pain that I was going to be in. And after a few prompts advising against it, I finally got it disable.
“A Kalar, this is going to be fun.” A main said from behind me but I couldn’t turn to face him.
“Just so we both are clear. I don’t expect you to talk. The eight hours you spend with me is going to be for training purposes, I’m going to practice my new techniques on you until it’s time for that elf to have a turn at you. Lord Simeon hates taking the chances with the elf, but he believes he can get something useful out of you. However, if you do talk and decide to talk to me instead, I promise not to use the full eight hours before I relay the information. Probably.
Mission Update
Save Renya
Do not give up any information so you can have a chance to meet with the elf.
That should be easy considering that I didn’t know anything, but if I'm too convincing, then they might not bother to send in the elf.
“Let us begin shall we.” The man then walked over to the wooden table and grabbed a leather strap and a scalpel.
I was surprised by the man’s appearance. He wore red robes with gold on the hem and was immaculately groomed. Not a grey hair misplaced from his goatee. He proceeded to grab a stool and place it next to the side where my right hand was shackled.
“Would you please open your hand?” he asked with genuine civility.
The sincerity surprises the hell out of me, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to open my hand for him.
“I wouldn’t expect any less from a savage.”
He then took his scalpel and in one quick motion scraped it across my shin. I felt the knife scrape across the bone. I cry of pain escaped my lips but I still didn’t open my hand.
He continued to make slashes across my skin exposing the bone to the open air. By the fact that I didn’t pass out yet I knew that I was a stranger to pain, in fact, it at least had to be a distant relative. It wasn’t the cuts that left me hoarse or whimpering, it was what he did after.
I don’t know how many slashes he made or how many times I cried out in pain, but it was when he placed the scalpel just below the knee and scraped all the remaining skin off down to my ankles scrapping the bone along the way. I never felt so much pain before in my life. I screamed out until my voice was sore. Even when he stop scrapping I still felt the blade on my shins. My nerves were on fire.
“I see.”
He then stood up and walked over to the table, wrote something down then returned to the stool with a small mallet.
Fuck.
He sat back down in the stool place the scalpel right under my knee once more. The pain from the touch alone almost made me cry out in pain.
“Mr Kalar warrior let me tell you how this will play out.” He stated while his lifeless grey eyes staring at me indifferently.
“In the next eight hours your mind will break from the pain, or you will choose to kill yourself and die a shameful death even in your own eyes. I have questioned many Kalar and the say the same thing.”
“The only thing worse than dying by your own hand is being forced to live to the will of another, or taken the life of those who trust you with it.” He imitated.
“Even though you find suicide dishonorable. You will most likely bite off your own tongue before becoming a slave, or betray your people. And I am fine with that. I will, however, applaud the willpower of your people because it allows me to hone my skills, but since I am technically an interrogator I must ask at least once. Where is the capital of the red desert?”
I knew I had to give him answer besides I don’t know. I also had to convince myself it was the truth. I didn’t know how I knew it but I just felt it in my bones. That was a horrible pun.
The red robed man swung the mallet at the scalpel that he place on my exposed shin. When the mallet connected with the scalpel pain flared throughout my body. Blood flowed from my hands from clenching them so tightly. I couldn’t even hear my own screams, I just felt the hoarseness in my throat and the pain coming from my leg.
Took another swing driving the mallet deeper into my shin. Then another. I was no longer even aware of my screams anymore.
“Alright. I’ll tell you.” I heard myself whisper.
“What was that?” he asked.
He stood up and place his ear near my lips. His mallet was still in hand, but the scalpel was partially embedded in my shin.
“The capital is located in…”
“In?”
“Your mother’s vagina its the only place it will fit,” I said with a sickly laugh.
Angered flash across his face before I spotted the mallet coming towards my face.
Proficiency increased
Special Forces training
79%
Counter interrogation
90%
I hope she is worth it. Were my last thoughts before I blacked out?
I was suddenly in a classroom again far away from that red tent. I probably passed out and was having another flashback. I was surrounded by other students in military uniforms it was twelve of us, and we spoke quietly among each other. Suddenly someone called the room to attention. Someone in all black fatigues walked towards the front of the classroom with a tablet. The man with a scar across his face told us to be at ease, so we all returned to our seats, but still sat at attention. He started to write his name on the holo-screen, but before I could read it, my vision blurred and I was in the tent once more.
“I must admit that was a creative response, you almost tricked me into killing you, and that would look bad on my record. I have interrogated 637 people, and I haven’t killed a single one nor did I even require a healer until the end. So let us continue, and just in case you haven’t notice that chair prevents you from dying of shock or staying unconscious.”
Joy. He even took the liberty to strap my hands down to the chair. The next eight hours proved to be the longest of my life. He started off by listing the fire pit under the chair, after every ten minutes he would douse me and the flames with salted ice water. When the chair cooled down he would stop the torture to relight the pit. The few moments where I passed out were my only reprieve, and each time I was always at the part in my flashback that I left off at prior to being forcibly woken up. Somehow I convinced myself that the comment about his mother was the information he wanted. So For eight straight hours, I was flayed and cut. For eight straight hours, I was burned and broken. For eight straight hours, I continued to insult his mother’s vagina.
----------------------------------------
Classified Location, Mars 3025 AD
Flashback
“Good afternoon class, my name is general top secret information.” He greeted us with a smile.
Obviously, none of us believed that was his real name. We were the strongest and brightest cadets under 21, so we all knew it was some type of test. I was trying to figure out the purpose of him lying to us, yet during the whole class yet nothing seemed to fit. He continued to teach us about interrogation techniques than almost seemed to be no different from what we learned in basic.
It doesn’t make sense to teach us something that we should already know.
It was until he started asking ‘what if’ questions to the other students putting them in the position of the one being interrogated before I got suspicions. I then thought back to the chow we had. It tasted a bit. Off. The realization must have shown in my eyes because he smiled.
“Interrogation 101 is now over. Welcome to counter interrogations, now class prepare to practice what you learned. There is going to be a pop quiz.”
Fuck
Before I could put up a fight my limbs grew heavy and my eyes started to close. The last thing I saw was those smiling green eyes and that scar.