He flipped a 20 credit coin towards the pillow, not bothering to see where it landed as he walked out the port. He certainly didn't see her body spasm as the tear slid down her cheek. She hated this life, but property like her didn't get to choose.
###
It was late by her standards. She was bone tired, and everything hurt – even her hair. And she was hungry, starving. She felt like she could eat a quarex -- whole.
But right now, Hypatia's priority was avoiding Tarrat. He wanted her, and he was pissed. Tarrat angry was not a pretty sight. Veins bulged from his shaved head, his face contorted and turned purple with rage. She knew she had that effect on him, and didn’t give a damn. In fact, what little pleasure she had in life came from pissing him off.
She was so glad just to be away from him she hadn't given much thought to a destination. There were tales of runaways. They always managed to find a meal. So, anywhere that was away from him was fine. Starving to death was preferable to living with that twisted ogre.
###
Tarrat was an expert at delivering pain without leaving any marks. No point in damaging the merchandise. This time he might kill her, just because he invested so much time in her. It was starting to become a losing proposition. She might be getting close to the end of her usefulness. If he couldn't get her under control, if she wouldn't be compliant, there wasn't much point in even feeding her. He might just have his sadistic fun with her until she was no longer one of his expenses.
Through the Looking Glass
Tia was thinking about her present options when something entered the cave. She had seen pictures of creatures like that before, but never up close. In fact, she never saw one live. It was much bigger than she had expected. They were supposed to be friendly. She hopes so. It was blocking the only exit, and its face showed no emotion. She really didn't feel like being on the menu for dinner.
Tia didn't realize that the huge cat like being was about five times bigger than his brethren were in nature. So was his brain. Unlike his smaller cousins, he was quite intelligent, and bread to be a sentinel. Of course, Tia had no idea what a sentinel was. Yet.
Tia tensed with shock and a little fear as goosebumps rose upon her arms when this being addressed her with, "My lady. Please do not be afraid. I am called Neral. My associate Mordok waits just outside. We are portal Sentinels. May I first inquire, are you hurt?"
Was he talking to her? She thought she was hallucinating. But this seemed real enough.
Neral was used to people's first reaction. After a polite, but brief silence, Neral inquired again, "My lady, are you in any needed physical assistance?"
After a moment's hesitation, Tia realized that Neral had spoken to her. But Neral's mouth had not moved! She realized she was hearing him -- not with her ears, but in her head. To Tia it seemed like magic.
Neral's face was immobile, except for blinking, as though carved from stone. He was expressionless. But his eyes seemed friendly, not dangerous or threatening. After a couple seconds, Tia recovered her composure and replied, "I am well, I think , thank you. Just very hungry, and tired."
Neral was used to the strange looks, the fear and trepidation with which people greeted him the first time. That is why sentinels strive for politeness. Although they can be formidable opponents when provoked, they are friendly and particularly fond of humans. in spite of the pointy carnivore teeth, they are strictly vegetarian.
The first course of business was to get Tia out of danger. The second was to figure out how much she knew. The third was to decide whether to give her asylum, or to send her back to fend for herself. Neral suspected, based on her disheveled appearance, Tia was going to be a candidate for asylum.
There was also a near certainty that whoever, or whatever was tracking her would figure out where she had gone, and follow.
For now, Tia was safe.
Neral left to take Tia to food and safety. Mordok would stay and keep watch for the next arrival which was sure to follow.
###
Tarrat was furious. Tia hadn't been that far ahead of him, and he would find her. If she wasn't worth so much, he'd kill her. The more Tarrat search, the angrier he became. He decided. He would kill her anyway. She would pay for all the aggravation she had caused him.
Tarrat found the entrance to the cave. He could smell her musky odor. He could almost taste her. He would enjoy it immensely this time. He didn't have to worry about leaving marks. He knew how to inflict pain, how to prolong it. And if he didn't have to worry about scarring her...
Tarrat was at the entrance to the cave. He had her if there were no other exit. He didn't think so. There was little light and he could see the walls on the other side, dank and dripping with moisture. He went deeper inside, walking into the steamy, fog-like haze.
He was agitated. He was thinking about getting his hands on Tia, about how he would punish her, make her cringe and beg him to stop. He wanted to make her cry, feel pain, feel remorse for running away. This time he would sniff the perfume of her sweat mixed with blood. He didn't care any more. He became enraged. Dangerous. These sadistic thoughts were getting him aroused. He was thinking less clearly. He'd pleasure himself with her, then kill her. She wasn't worth the cost of food any more.
Crazed with rage and lust and violence, he was no longer rational.
He stepped into the fog. He was disoriented, dizzy, nauseous. But he wasn't going to let that deter him. Until he saw the shadow of Mordok. Tarrat could tell from the shadow that Mordok was large, and inhuman. Mordok was an imposing figure. Tarrat had heard legends of these creatures. He'd heard that they could talk directly to your mind. He thought they were merely children's bedtime tales.
The stories were true -- and unnerving.
"May I be of assistance? Sir, what business have you here? " Inquired Mordok, with unfailing politeness.
"Did you see a girl pass this way? I'm looking for her," said Tarrat, "I own her, and I just saw her run through here. I'll gladly pay a substantial reward for her return."
That was all that Mordok needed to hear. He knew Tarrat was telling the truth. Tia was a pleasure slave, prohibited on the Nexus. If a slave made its way to the Nexus, or a master came through with a slave, and the master was stupid enough to admit it, the Nexus government, such as it was, immediately offered the slave its freedom. Only in rare circumstances was that offer refused.
Mordok wasted no time. In a second Tarrat was unconscious and back through the portal. As Neral had suggested, Mordok warded the portal. It would be quite some time before anyone would go through there again. Mordok headed back to report to Neral, and check on the girl.
###
The Meeting
In years past, sentinels were considered little more than biological machines. They were able to react instinctively and communicate crudely. But one could have hardly considered the early sentinels sentient. That changed. Sentinels proved to be quite responsible. New sentinels were no longer sterile, and were considered to be the only true, natural citizens of the Nexus. They like humans of all sorts. With a few minor exceptions, the sentinels chose to live out by the portals. That was probably an artifact of their original mental programming.
At the briefing hour, Narral gave the update including Mordok 's closure of the portal. Narral suggested amnesty for Tia. As usual, the decision was unanimous. Tia would be offered to say on the Nexus or join any of the affiliated worlds.
Since Narral granted her asylum, he was responsible for indoctrination. That would likely take a couple of months or so. Then Tia would have some choices to make.
Tia was safe. For now.
The Agreement
Tia had been cleaned up and was enjoying a good, human meal. She certainly wasn't malnourished. The throgs, as Tarrat's race was known, fed her well, as in nutritiously, not as in enjoyable. She certainly seemed to be enjoying this meal. It was much more appetizing than the brown-gray paste that had sustained her all these years.
Narral let Tia finish her meal, and then joined her. She was finally comfortable around Narral's kind now. They certainly treated her, a total stranger, with much more kindness than Tarrat had, and he had known her almost all of her life.
Narral explained to Tia that something happened to her when she went into the cave. Somehow she had been transported from the world of Tarrat and his kind to a different place. To Tia, it seemed as if it was magic. "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic," quipped Naral.
He explained to her that many humans lived here, and he would introduce her to them. Beings like Narral, he explained, lived in the outlands near the portals. They were guardians he told her. But theirs was a peaceful place, mostly, and he and the people lived in harmony. Slavery was not permitted. Killing was not permitted. Crulness to any living being was frowned upon. Tia like the sound of that.
Narral oversaw Tia's indoctrination in the ways of the Nexus over the next several weeks. Tia met quite a few people, humans, who came out to visit or do business with Narral's kind. After a while, it became plain to Narral that Tia was very intelligent, and grasped the ways of the Nexus quickly. She was an extraordinarily bright charge and soaked up knowledge like a sponge. It was time. Narral would take her to meet the headmaster.
The Education of Tia
Tia and Narral met Dr. Braylon in the court yard in front of the school's administration building. Dr. Braylon and Narral had known each other many years. Narral had provided Dr. Braylon with many a fine pupil.
After exchanging pleasantries and introductions, Darrell said his goodbyes to Tia, and promised to visit very soon. Dr. Braylon introduced Tia around the school, two other students and teachers. She settled into her new home in one of the dormitories, and set about the business of her studies.
Tia prove to be an exceptional student, surprising most of her teachers. She was quick of mind and exceptionally motivated. She went through the curriculum and became the youngest graduate candidate in the school's history. An unusual feat for a girl from one of the Nexus founding planets, all but impossible for an uneducated slave girl from an isolated world.
Final Exam.
The day of Tia’s final testing had arrived. She was repaired. She had studied, drilled, and was prepared as well as she could be. She breezed through the first parts of the exam. Now it was time for her orals. She stood before Dr. Braylon and her senior instructors.
They posed the problem.
Tia had an hour. She could ask questions of the instructors, make hypotheses, use whatever resources were available in the room. Most students did.
Tia stood in silence to the amazement of her instructors. Five minutes, 10 minutes, Tia stood, eyes closed, as if in a trance. Qianna, one of her senior instructors was tempted to ask her if she was all right. But, Dr. Braylon restrained her with a glance.
A few moments later, Tia opened her eyes and answered.
Everyone, including Dr. Braylon were amazed. Exceptional students passed the exam, sometimes on the second try. The average student took it three or more times. Absolutely never had anyone completed the final challenge in silence, without referencing any vids, or any help of any kind. And, no one had ever completed the final exam in under an hour. This was truly a momentous and historic occasion.
Narral Comes To Visit.
Narral came to visit the day after the exams. He had heard of her amazing prowess. He was both pleased, and proud. He knew great things were in store for Tia. There was a man traveling with Narral whom he introduced as Ayleon. After introductions and pleasant talk, Ayleon asked Tia if she had any plans, now that she had graduated. Tia informed him that she had several offers, but nothing was finalized. She had plenty of time to decide. Ayleon smiled. Narral would have, were it physically possible.
"You were an exceptional student Tia," said Ayleon. "Your prowess caught the attention of His Highness. He would like to know if you would consider an offer to join the Imperial staff in service to the Nexus, and also continue your studies." Tia realized this was a high honor. Not that many new positions vacated that often, or were opened to mere graduates. Tia looked at Narral, who just nodded. Being one to make up her mind quickly, Tia said yes.
At Court
Hypatia arrived at the Imperial residence, a euphemism for a fortified city that looks like it came out of some were in Europe in the days of knights and castles. The Imperial Palace was actually a midsize. walled city, a fortress. Upon her arrival, Tia was met by Sydney who was obviously a palace employee, and appeared to be approximately Tia's age.
After introductions and a few moments of polite banter, Sydney said. "Let me take you to your new residence. You can freshen up, and then we will go on a tour and introduce you to a few people."
As they walked, Tia observed Sydney's grace, her fluidity and economy of motion. Sydney moved with the suppleness and power of a prima ballerina. This caused Tia to re-evaluate her original estimate of Sydney's age. Tia now estimated her to be closer to 30 than 20.
They arrived. Although as one of the smaller residences, Tia found it lavish. A parlor, bedroom, study, dining room, kitchen. Far more lavish than her school accommodations and light years from where Tarrat kept her. It didn't take long to drop her bag, freshen up and meet Sydney in the parlor.
Tia lost count as to how many people Sydney introduced. She'd never remember all their names and faces. But Sydney told her not to worry. "You had many people to remember today, those you meet only have one -- you," Sydney said with a smile. Tia chuckled at that. Sydney was right.
"Hypatia, allow me to present you to our boss - The Defender Of Truth and Ultimate Arbiter, His Majesty, Hadrian, Emperor of the Affiliated Worlds," said Sydney. Tia didn't know whether to shake hands, bow or curtsy. Protocol was not her strong suit.
"Oh, so ridiculously formal," chuckled his Majesty to Sydney. "If Tia to be part of the family, so to say, let's cut the crap. Call me Hadrian, unless we're in a formal setting, and then Sir will do. We reserve 'his Majesty' for only the most formal occasions." Hadrian laughed boisterously, put his arm around Tia's shoulders and walked over to the seating area where Sydney followed.
Hadrian sat on the oversized chair while Sydney chose a spot on the sofa. Tia took a chair that made the base of the U. After they sat, a servant entered and left the tray of cookies, cakes and drinks on the table. "Thank you, Rod," said Hadrian.
Much to her surprise, Tia learned that she was to be part of Hadrian's personal staff. More importantly, she was shocked to learn that Sydney was the head of the Secret Service, and Hadrian's nearly constant companion, guarding his safety, and his trusted advisor. She was shocked again to learn that Sydney wasn't in her 20s as she appeared, but had actually served as Hadrian's predecessor's security chief and constant companion as well. Obviously, Sydney had been around far longer than her appearance lead one to believe.
Hadrian, Tia and Sydney continued their visit for a little more than an hour. It was Sydney who reminded Hadrian of his next appointment. They all stood, and Hadrian kissed Tia on the back of her hand. She blushed ever so slightly. "So gallant," Tia thought. "Surely we will meet again shortly," declared Hadrian as he walked out the other door.
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