to have a cousin who just happened to have a room that was in a shady section of town where we could be easily stolen from our bed in the middle of the night?
“This isn’t right,” Elyse protests in a whisper, her words meant for me. She’s afraid. Her pulse is hammering in her throat, her blue eyes wide in her face.
They roughly slap pain/kill collars around our necks, then force us into a hover-van.
“Where are you taking us?” I demand even though I know there won’t be an answer.
There are five of them now. The driver must have stayed with the vehicle. There are two in the front and three behind us. After we slide into our seats, they make a show of having their weapons aimed at our heads. I’m going to figure out a way to free Elyse, but it’s not going to be accomplished in the tight quarters of this hover.
We’re taken to the spaceport and forced into a small vessel. I keep looking for a means of escape, but I’m outmanned and outgunned. And I have Elyse to think of.
The vessel is shaped vaguely like a piece of pie, and they seat us in the rear. I’ve been dragged all over this sector of the galaxy in the cheap seats of every type of transport, often behind bars or locked in the hold. I’ve never seen anything remotely like this. It’s sleek inside and out. The hover driver sits in the pilot seat and begins powering up before they even lock us into our seats.
“We were promised priority,” he barks at ground control. Sure enough we take off in less than a minima. Whoever is behind this has a great deal of power.
Although I’ve been jolted into hyperdrive dozens of times on the way to matches, I’ve never experienced anything like this. The force knocks me back into my seat with such power I grunt as my head is thrust against the headrest. They’re obviously in a hurry to get us off-planet.
“I’m sorry Elyse,” I say after the launch stabilizes and we’ve adjusted to the hyperdrive. I’m not embarrassed to express my feelings in front of this galactic scum.
‘Ooh, he’s got it bad,” one of the drackers teases. “She’s going to be hard to love after her new owner is finished with her.”
“It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have brought you here.”
“Are you kidding? This is all the rage on Earth. The couples’ friends kidnap them and take them somewhere exotic they’ve never been before. I think this qualifies,” she says bravely. “I can’t believe you planned such a great honeymoon.”
I scowl, but I’m proud of her courage. I reach to hold her hand, but the seats are too far apart.
“This honeymoon is going to be out of this world,” the pilot goads. “I’m going to be your tour guide. You’re going to have the pleasure of a trip to Rhoid, compliments of this fellow's mother. One thing is certain, you’re either a terrible son or she’s a terrible mother.
“I wouldn’t want my worst enemy to endure even a layover on the planet.” He manipulates the instrument panel, then turns in his seat to enjoy the show his words will provoke. He, like all the others, has taken off his protective shields. With their faces exposed, I see they’re all Wryth’Ns. “They like to call themselves a planet, but it’s so small it barely qualifies.
“It’s good for nothing except green salt. Mines dot the entire planet. Most are owned by the Rackton company, and run by a fellow name of Sooma Ryone. You don’t rise to the top of the heap on a planet like that because of your good intentions and scruples. He’s one badass from what I hear. Better try to stay on his good side for as long as you live.”
Glancing at Elyse I see her eyes fly open as she gasps. Her brave front has disappeared. She’s terrified.
“Green salt is green because it’s radioactive. Average lifespan in the mines is less than an annum, although some races last longer. Not sure about Wryth’N, though, and not sure about . . .?” He’s waiting for her to tell him her race. She doesn’t answer.
He grabs a toothpick from an indent in his computer desk and begins working at something in the back of his mouth.
“Doesn’t matter. Don’t answer, female. Whatever race you are, a little thing like you isn’t going to last long.”
This time, when I reach for her she sees my