My hand tingles as the door to med-bay opens. The scientist isn't anywhere to be seen, but the place is empty other than me. A clone guard steps inside, his weapon holstered, his gray uniform crisp. "Come with me, human."
That's…new. I get to my feet, straightening my clothing. I'm still spattered with all kinds of stains from the incident in Crulden's cell. I suppose I should be glad that no one changed me while I was unconscious, but my skin itches and crawls. I just want to return to the slave quarters, wash up, and get back into the normal routine. "Is the overseer looking for me?" I ask. "I've been here the whole time. I just woke up."
The guard shrugs. "I wasn't sent by the overseer. My instructions are to bring you back to your cellblock."
A cold prickle moves over my skin. "I…my quarters are in the slave quarters."
"Your things have been relocated," he says.
My things? I don't have things. I have a cot in a room I share with two other ooli slaves. "But—"
The guard shakes his head, raising a hand. "I'm just telling you my orders. Are you compliant or do I need to use force? Because I'd rather not use force."
"I'm compliant," I protest. "I'm just confused." And scared.
"I'm not allowed to ask for clarification," the guard says with a shrug. "As long as you're mobile and able to walk, my instructions are to deliver you back to a particular cellblock." And he waits by the door.
For a moment, I'm tempted to fake dizziness. To pretend that I don't feel well and I should stay in med-bay longer, but something tells me that won't go over well. I run my hands over my stained shift one last time and then take a deep breath to calm my nerves. "I…guess I'm ready."
I'm not. I'm terrified. But I need to find out what my fate is.
I remain calm and quiet as the guard leads me out of med-bay and across the compound. There's a training exercise of some kind going on, and three gladiators are hard at work, wrestling with each other as the pit masters watch. The moment I appear, all three gladiators stop in their tracks and turn to look at me, which just makes my hackles rise. It's that “prey” feeling, and I hate it.
"Back to work," a pit master bellows, and then there's the crackling sound of shock-sticks. There's a grunt of pain, and then the sound of bodies smacking into each other again. I don't look over in that direction or acknowledge their presence. Under the radar, I chant to myself. Under the radar is the only way you'll stay safe. On the radar, and you're prey.
I don't know how I'm going to stay under the radar in cellblock C, but I'll find a way. For now, I keep my head down, my steps quick, and I'm oh so obedient because a bad slave is one that gets attention. I want to be so damn invisible that one day, no one will notice if I'm just…gone.
The moment we enter cellblock C, I can hear the sounds of shouting.
It's coming from Lord Sir's private offices. The guard hesitates, glancing around. "The scientist was supposed to meet me out here," he mutters. "Come on."
I follow after him, trotting down the hall like the good little idiot I am. As I do, we pass by Crulden's cell.
He sits on the edge of his cot, his forearms resting on his knees. It's supposed to be a pose of relaxation, but there's such an air of menace to him that it almost feels like he's crouching, waiting to pounce. His cell is clean as a whistle, the floors gleaming and the bedding fresh. As we walk past, his gaze locks onto me. He watches me with the guard, and a hint of a smile curves his tusked mouth.
That smile is terrifying. It means he knows something I don't, and I'm afraid of what it is.
I'm glad when we continue farther into the cellblock, but the mental image of that smile haunts me.
"Absolutely not!" The lord shouts from within his office, and the guard pauses with me outside. He moves to stand next to the wall and indicates I should do the same. I do, lining up against the wall next to him, and we both stare at the door as the men inside argue. The lord seems to be winning. "It is not a toy to be discarded! That human is a very high-profile gift! What am I going to tell Lady dra’Niiron if it turns up dead?"
I wince.
"But you're not using the thing," the scientist continues, his voice full of excitement. "This is the only thing that Crulden has responded to. If you want his cooperation, why not see how he performs if given what he wants?"