Proserpine: Chronicles

[frozen]

A New Perspective- II

Badlands, New York system, Liberty...
817 A.S.

Before we start, pray do have a seat. One thing you must know is this. Anything I say here is rather delicate information, and I would appreciate if it stays here amongst us. Masquez emphasized the last few words with a low hiss of sorts.

Definitely, Mr. Masquez.

Okay. Lets begin from the start.

About 3 months ago, when the Event Horizon was drifting in the Omicron delta system as part of the mission parameters, we picked up a distress signal from an unknown vessel inside the Nauru Ice Field. Normally, due to the nature of our work, we would have avoided any sort of confrontation, however there was a problem. The mayday was being relayed by a person who seemed to be near death, but thats not the surprising part. The problem was he knew my name.

You see, not many people know my real name, and even the name you have been told is, unfortunately, fake for a variety of reasons, including security, and the fact that I do not know you long enough to trust you fully, if you will pardon any disrespect. Anyway, we proceeded to the location that the signal seemed to be coming from, and it wasnt until we were around 3k away from the signal did we witness a sight so horrendous, it would make anyone sick. A luxury liner had been completely obliterated; it had broken into over 30 smaller pieces, each flaming, sparking and smoking independently, and amidst all of this, over 400 mangled bodies of men, women and children floating in the void, frozen solid, shattering upon colliding with the debris or each other. Flying past and witnessing the havoc from the windows of the Event Horizon, we witnessed looks of complete horror, frozen on every persons face, almost as if they were permanently sculpted. A few of the bodies were still intact as we slowly drifted past the debris, scanning for any sort of life, until we spotted something rather peculiar" Masquez paused to take a deep breath and to let whatever he had said so far sink in for Shade.

Being a luxury liner, you dont expect to see a High Security cargo pod aboard, yet there was one. Surprisingly, it contained a prisoner who seemed to be alive according to the scans the ships scanners conducted. We tractored in the pod, and after a moments hesitation, a moments pause to pay our respects to the lost souls, started up the engines and made our way as fast as possible, out of the Ice cloud. After all, the Slomon Khara, better known as the nomads to a few people, were frequent visitors to the ice cloud, and we didnt wish to draw unneeded attention both from the aliens, or the Corsairs that were swarming near Yaren base.

We opened the cargo pod even after taking into consideration that it was a rather high risk decision that was way out of normal protocol. We found a man inside who seemed to be near death. We took him to the medical facility immediately, and the doctors aboard tried their best to help the man. After 29 hours of surgery, he was put in the intensive care chamber to rest, and the doctors then came to report to me. They told me the extent of the injuries the man had sustained, and I can tell you the list isnt really pretty.

He had four broken ribs, and a broken femur. Furthermore, both his biceps and triceps had been pierced with something rather sharp, rendering them useless, and had small implants inside where the incision was made- possibly to be used as a means of torture. After all, the implants were electric pads that could generate enough volts to inflict excruciating pain. His skull sported a hairline fracture, subject to repeated beatings, it seems. He had scars all over his back, as if he had been whipped with barbed wire. His fore-arms looked as if he had been repeatedly cut with a blunt piece of glass. I know, because Ive seen bounty hunters being subject to such tortures before.

We may be Outcasts, but we are not cannibals, or savages. Suffice to say, we tended to the man day and night, and he even had a nurse who took care of him. She voluntarily decided to help. Nearly a month had passed, when he finally gained consciousness. He seemed to be able to hear everything we said for a couple of days before he opened his eyes; however he was too weak to respond. Plus, I think he was being naturally cautious- after the extent of torture he went through, Im sure hes got more than enough doubts regarding everything. Hell, Id be surprised if he even trusts humans any more. He opened his eyes for the first time, and the first thing he saw was the nurse- Angelina. He has grey eyes- i still remember when she told me that.

Indeed. A rather strange tale you have to tell, Mr. Masquez. But when will you get to the part where you explain your urge to ah recapture your lost man? Perhaps I may still be awake if that time is soon! Shade added with a hint of mockery in his voice.

With all due respect, Shade, do not mistake my kindness with weakness. Your continuous mockery may have dire consequences. However, I will return to reason why we need him back. replied Masquez with a hint of suppressed anger.

He is an interesting subject. As you may have gathered, the Event Horizon is mainly an intel/recon vessel. Yes, it possesses some of the most advanced upgrades to both the scanner array and armour, but besides the point, we are a bunch of Scientists if you will. That man well, suffice to say, hes our Lab rat gone AWOL and we want it back, for its a smart little rat. That is all you need to know. Also, I am offering you 20 million credits for his safe return, ALIVE, paid after delivery.

Ihm. You have a deal, Mr. Masquez. I shall contact you soon enough, with your lab rat. In the mean time, keep my reward ready. Shade rose from his chair, and made his way to the door. Pleasure meeting you, Masquez.

With that, Shade was led by a group of heavily armed guards to his ship. Masquez was standing by the window, looking as Shade undocked from the Event Horizon and vanished into the grim darkness of the badlands, quickly lost both to radar and the naked eye. Masquez let out a slight sigh before turning around and taking a seat, stroking his chin with his fingers.

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