Page 79 of Celestial Bodies

Dacias swallowed. They had a plan; he just needed to follow it. “Crushed in the rockslide. I’m sure you heard it. There was a tremor, and it caused an avalanche at the volcano row. We barely survived.”

The same guardian spoke again, “You didn’t get the documentation? It should have been on your person.”

Dacias began to reply, but Klorin yelled, “You want us to drag her back to that fucking pile of rubble and dig for the documentation? Do we not get a pass for narrowly escaping with our lives?” Klorin motioned to his injury.

The guardian eyed Klorin, a sneer curling at the corner of his mouth. He spoke with exaggerated friendliness, “We’re just following protocol, comrade. There’s no need to get so pissy.”

“I was nearly buried alive, so forgive me if I’mpissy,” Klorin spoke with the aggrieved edge of a military runt forced to run a lowly errand, which caused the two guardians to laugh.

The first one called to whoever operated the gate, “Open up and let the poor bastards in. These two need a drink. And maybe a little roll in the hay with the lady here.” He released a gasping laugh, and Dacias could see Klorin clenching his fists to keep from wringing the man’s neck.

Dacias nodded. “Our thanks, comrades.”

The gates opened, and the two guardians hiked back to their posts. Klorin and Dacias dragged Souzie into the main area, and the smell of decomposition slapped them across the face. As they marched toward the prison entrance, Souzie slipped on the muddy ground, adding effect to her role as a manhandled captive.

Dacias discreetly eyed the prisoners. They walked about like livingskeletons—eyes sunken and skin sallow. Not a trace of life in their gaze. They moved robotically, executing their assigned tasks. When a prisoner collapsed, a nearby guardian would beat them with a club. If the prisoner didn’t rise, another set of guardians would check their pulse, fling them onto a cart, and wheel them into the prison proper if the person was alive. If dead, they dragged the body to the base of the wall for disposal. It was revolting.

They entered the prison’s opening, where another guardian met them with a questioning stare.

Dacias answered the wordless question. “New prisoner for processing.”

The guardian drawled out a bored reply. “Labor or research?”

Dacias shot a look at Klorin, who spoke with a confidence that surprised Dacias. “Research.”

The guardian huffed. “Processing for research subjects is two flights down.” He motioned to a staircase leading into the prison’s depths. “When you reach the second level, go straight. The lab assistants will take it from there.”

Dacias nodded. He and Klorin took Souzie to the staircase and made their way down.

The second flight down opened to a long hallway. The prison was gray stone from the ground up, but the walls and floors were rusty orange in its depths. The sulfur smell was nauseating, and the metallic aftertaste was so strong that Dacias thought he might gag.

At this level, the only people present were those in laboratory attire. Souzie feigned collapse, and Dacias and Klorin lowered her down.

Dacias moved close to her, and she whispered, “Carry me the rest of the way as if I’m passed out. When we enter, wait for my signal. You’ll know it when you hear it. Pick me up now.”

Dacias and Klorin picked up Souzie and carried her limp body to the door straight ahead.

The hall was silent except for the piercing cries bellowing behind doors lining the corridor. Those in laboratory attire shuffled in and out of the rooms, holding various blood-stained equipment unfamiliarto Dacias.

They approached the end of the long corridor, and Dacias knocked heavily on the last door. A mousy female with black hair, pale skin, and thick-rimmed glasses appeared. She surveyed the three of them and asked, “Processing?”

Dacias nodded, and she opened the door wider, motioning for them to enter. Several empty stretchers filled the space.

A male orderly stood next to an older female, seemingly of higher rank. She scowled as she looked at Souzie. “We’re lucky you didn’t kill her. How many times have I told you animals to be more gentle with those assigned to research? How can we know the effects of anything if they arrive half-dead?” She tsked and took a breath. “Put her on that one.” She motioned to the stretcher nearest them. Dacias and Klorin walked Souzie’s limp body to the stretcher and set her down.

The younger female began rifling through a cabinet, eventually pulling out some medicine. She jabbed it with a syringe and sucked out its contents. The male checked Souzie’s vitals, and the one in charge surveyed their activity. Dacias carefully watched Souzie, waiting for the sign.

Souzie leaped into a crouching position on the stretcher. She slipped the dagger from the holster hidden beneath her clothes, grabbed the male orderly, and held the dagger to his neck.

“SHIFT NOW!” Souzie screamed.

Dacias and Klorin obeyed immediately. The three medical staff shrieked at the sight of a lion and a cougar. The younger female ran to a bright red button on the wall behind her. Klorin leaped before her, guarding the button while bearing his teeth.

Souzie screamed, “All of you shut your mouths, or his blood will flow like water.”

The man cried out as he gripped Souzie’s arm. He was no match for her. Her muscles bulged as she wrapped her arm around his neck. “Listen to me, and you will survive. Attempt anything, and this lion to my right will rip your entrails from your body and eat them while you watch.”

The room became very silent.

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