Colony

2

His time in the cell gave Markus a lot to think about. These pirates obviously had little compassion, if any. Greed fuelled their souls and credits pumped their blood. Hell, they'd seemingly screwed over an entire bar just to get to him. He'd have felt honored if so many didn't have to die to satisfy the pirates'... fun? Now thinking about it, what exactly was the purpose of making such a mess about abducting him? Unless of course, the lady pirate meant what she said about Criseia supposedly "teeming with business opportunities." Usually galactic ruffians didn't care to enter a room nicely, wiping their shoes and hanging their coats. No, they wanted to make a statement. They were in charge now; no one else.

Markus feared for his daughter more than he did for himself at this point. Ava was only ten and could hardly cook a meal on her own, much less hold off any piratic brutes. Rim's Edge promised legal and military protection of their colonial investments, but just about everyone knew that was a steaming pile of bantha crap. He did hope, however, that the credit whores would notice a slight decrease in profits which would trigger any action they might take against the pirates. But right now that was just hope, and probably false hope too, considering the tiny colony of Criseia was hardly even a speck on RE's map of investments.

Taking a moment to glance around, the epiphanous sensation that then hit Markus left him in utter stupor. He was in a dull, cold, and uncomfortable cell, and that was just about all he needed to describe his new cramped living space. It wasn't pleasant, especially considering the fact that his entire body ached at the slightest turn. He scored big with those drugs, but in reality they weren't his only source of income. He'd hoped to escape the dangers of crime for at least a half year with that kind of profit, but look where it got him. Tangled in a mess of cosmic proportions; pirates and flashbangs making his life a living hell. Now his entire colony, and most importantly, Ava, were threatened. What a fine way to end off his short but eventful career as a lying, criminal scumbag.

Markus scolded himself for moping. It was time for him to find a way out of this little jail, even if it seemed near impossible. Once more he studied his grimy location, this time with much better care. He noticed a stone floor, stone walls, and a stone ceiling, with fauxsilver bars trapping him in the tight alcove. Outside the tiny cell, to the right, a wall which marked the conclusion of a passageway down which he could only peer so far from even the best vantage point of his new, but hopefully temporary, home. The walls of the passage were, shockingly, made of stone as well. How delightful.

Quite amusingly, the first thought of escape came to Markus in the form of the most overused and laughably simple plan ever devised. Such a thought even warranted a painful chuckle which rattled all the aching bones in the Twi'lek's bruised chest. Yet he didn't reject the notion. However, if such a scheme failed, Markus would need a trusty back-up that probably wouldn't go awry. Thinking of that plan was another story altogether, but at least he was thinking, which was quite the significant improvement.

<**>

Nearly three days had passed since Markus's rough draft of a plan was first developed. Currently, as was now expected, his meager meal was being delivered to him in the evening of the third day in the same manner as it was the two days prior. Markus hardly knew what he'd been eating; however, he cared not, as it was astonishingly atrocious.

The same unremarkable Nikto pirate stopped directly in front of the cell bars and reached into a pocket of his plain, black trousers while supporting the miniature food tray with his available hand. Metal clinked and clanged as he removed a bundle of numerously sized keys, and with the scaly fingers of a single hand, he began to sort through them until he found the appropriate match. He inserted the key into an old fashioned locking mechanism of decent complexity, and turned it counterclockwise to click and push open the barred door. Markus, still an ungracious mess chained to the cold floor, made no effort to move or speak, and simply allowed the indigo-attired pirate to set the serving of mud-brown slop down on the ground. Markus's visitor left immediately, and without a single glance at the Twi'lek, locked the cell once more, pocketed the keys, and made his way down the mysterious passageway.

Markus's evening three: more exquisite slop for supper, and an amazingly comfortable rough and rocky ground on which to sleep. A most definitive five star service. Soon enough, however, he'd be leaving. That he was sure of.

<**>

At long last, three days later, the woman to whom Markus had originally spoken returned to his little prison. He was absolutely delighted.

"Ah, look who's come back!" he exclaimed. "And with friends I see," he added, gesturing towards the two humans who had accompanied her.

"Ah, if it isn't the charming Mister Hunt, still in chains but alive and well. I'm simply over the moon," responded the pirate, sarcastically. "Don't get too excited, Mark,"- she tried out the word with evident distaste- "You're not going to like where you're going."

"Ah, but I reckon a change of scenery would be quite nice," he said with smile. Nor was he was lying. All he saw at night when he closed his eyes were the dull walls and glaring bars of the small cell, and it was beginning to drive him mad.

"Your optimism would be admirable if it weren't so clear a facade, Mister Hunt." At this point she was twisting a key within the lock. "But not to worry, I too find amusement in our little bouts. Truly, we should do this more often." The door now creaked open, the aging metal crying out in protest.

The pirate entered carefully, and kneeled down to unlock the chains binding the Twi'lek's sore wrists and ankles. Apparently she felt safe enough to do so with her two armed bodyguards no more than half a meter behind her. Up close Markus could notice the female pirate's pretty features much clearer. Showing off moderately long, straight brown hair, green eyes, and a petite nose, Markus wondered if she ever used them to her advantage. Of course Markus himself wasn't foolish enough to be seduced by a mere pretty face; however, he most certainly could appreciate it.

"I don't believe I ever got your name, sweetheart. Do you owe me that courtesy at least?"

"Oh, do shut up," she snapped, continuing to remove one of Markus's shackles. "You can call me Dannosi, and that's the end of it. And don't you EVER call me 'sweetheart' again, lest I painfully remove both your lekku individually," she threatened, growling the last word menacingly.

Markus could see he struck a nerve, his eyes widening significantly in response to the outburst. Still, he regained composure fairly quickly. "My apologies, Lady Dannosi."

Dannosi rolled her eyes in clear annoyance as she unlocked the final cuff binding Markus. "Ah, free at last!" he exclaimed, wiggling his wrists and ankles in relief. "You know, those really were quite uncomfortable."

"I can imagine," Dannosi said as she rose from her position on the floor, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Don't get too excited though, you're not getting an upgrade in living conditions or anything like that. Quite the contrary in fact."

"Oh really?" Markus arched one side of his hairless brow.

"Oh, yes. And you better drop that attitude too, 'cause I'm getting sick of it, and behind me there are two men ready to fire if you try anything clever," she shot back sharply. "And that includes pissing me off."

Markus, too, had finally had enough of the baiting and mockery. He remained quiet for a few moments before asking, "May I at least know where we are heading?"

Dannosi laughed out loud. "I'm not going anywhere, and thank the Force for that too. I'll tell you this though, Markus." She paused, her face straightening. "Prepare yourself mentally, and physically too, 'cause you're not gonna like this... your smugness is about to disappear faster than a ship entering hyperspace."

"Oh joy," Markus responded with a cheeky smile. Despite Dannosi's ominous assurances otherwise, he could tell he was indeed going to enjoy this.