Gabatrix: The Pirates of Palora

Chapter 9: Departure

"This is kidnapping!" Bautista replied. "I demand my lawyer."

"Kidnapping?" Stone asked him. "And what do you call what happened to those kids?"

"I....I swear I don't know what you're talking about."

It had been well over an hour. Stone, Shira, Ioren, English, and the captive Bautista were on their way to the first level. Ahead was the main elevator that led up to the UHN Lifen. Fellow crewmen were still handling the last of the cargo containers, scanning them for anything that may appear to be unusual. Chef Bransen and Chief Elimiano visually inspected the food packs, checking for any form of tampering. Foot traffic was picking up as more and more people were walking to and fro. While it was still some distance from the elevator, it was enough to show that day-to-day events were rising. Enlai and Dariea, two known armed marines of the ship, were ready to receive the acquired prisoner. Among some of the other crew members helping out with the transfer were Girsha'lar and two engineers. They were focused on inspecting the tools and additional replacement parts before loading them up to the main elevator.

Shira was focused on the small disk-like device in her hand. Javier's face was displayed on the 3D imager as he spoke to the captain. They were still half a minute's walk from the elevator.

"I still can't believe it," Javier said to Shira. "Itrean children being shipped off to God knows where."

"It is no surprise at this point," Shira calmly explained. "As the alliance continues between the UWA and the Itreans, so does the criminal underworld. Access to new equipment, people, and resources all increase exponentially."

"Yeah, but children? Why?"

"A plethora of reasons. According to the testimonies of some of the children who were well enough to speak, their parents gave them up willingly. They were sold off to be transferred to others who would pay a huge sum of money to have them. Many of them claimed they were to be given to loving parents, but that is highly unlikely."

"They just gave them up?"

"They were Golarren. You already know the definition of what they are. You are already aware that in Itrean society, those born with defects are sometimes eliminated by their parents or the society that encourages it. In T'rintar society, the aspects are nearly the same, but there are laws to prevent abortions based on the conditions of how the child will be based on those....defects. It is a societal taboo to be a Golarren, to be born with disabilities or 'defects.'"

"Because it's so rare...." Javier shook his head.

"Yes."

The five individuals reached Enlai and Dariea. With a heave, Stone tossed the handcuffed Bautista to them.

"Bag him!" Stone sternly ordered the two as they grabbed the prisoner. "Bring him to the detention room and keep him in there. This man isn't to leave unless ordered by me or the Captain. Is that clear!?"

"Aye, Master Sergeant," Enlai replied.

"I want two posted guards at his door at all times!" Stone gave a firm look at Shira before crossing his arms.

"What were they trying to do with them?" Javier wondered.

"It varies," Shira answered. "Besides Bautista's fetishes or the other humans with similar desires, in Itrean society, there is a small but steady demand for Golarren meat. While usually disclosed, Itrean cults sometimes practiced their dark arts by sacrificing and even devouring them. It's even possible for the other enemy clans to make a trade to have them, to use them for their own various means. I would guarantee you that none of the Golarren would have had a future if we didn't secure them."