Meteorites blazed through the darkened skies of the planet Deth. The rotation of the planet had slowed over the last millinium meaning that darkness filled the skies of half the planet for half of it's year while the other half was dimly lit by a dying sun. It was a dying planet with a dying sun, which meant it was only good for one thing, the mining of it's last valuable rocks and ores.
Four mining companies each struck claims to a quarter of the planet each. Three of the four were slave mining companies while the last was a free lance operation. The slave miners were exceptionally cruel and ruthless, bring in new slaves daily to replace those lost to the darkened depths of the mines, only to become a part of the planet's final legacy.
One of the companies was a little more lenient compared to the others, only expending the weakest of thier slaves in order to maximize prfits and reduce costs. They actually fostered the best workers and miners, who were allowed to run thier own affairs in thier own camp. New slaves had seperate quarters provided until they could prove worthy of the elite slave camp.
The elite camp was also allowed to foster children. Light duties were given to the mother bearing children. However though, after birth they were required to return to normal duties, while the shild was left in the care of the Den Mother.
The Den Mother was an elderly woman who had already paid her dues in full to the mines. She was a hardened woman who was kind when need be but generally stern so as to raise the children to be prepared for the harsh realities of the mines. She had hand picked assistants and it was considered an honor to be picked.
The children were allowed to stay in the care of the Den Mother until the age of seven. Then it was off to the harsh realities of the mines. Sometimes, an exceptionally unruly child would be sent of sooner and that usually signaled thier demise. Mostly because they were too young and unready for the hard labor that ensued.
Each child that was raised and became a productive worker was considered an asset because no real money was involved in thier purchase, only time and supplies. The amount of time involved in the mother's diminished capacity along with the amount of supplies needed to raise the child was formulated and calculated as an average and each child was expected to work hard enough and long enough to at least pay this debt. After that, it was all income. It took most strong young slave working from the age of seven until the age of just about thirteen to accomplish this feat. Some however never made it, while others took longer.
It was here that one such child was born and raised. His name was Kiss. His mother thought it would brighten the camp to have a child with such a sweet name in such a desolate place. Little did she know what he would become.
His mother was a heavy set woman, perhaps even attractive had the circumstances been different. Her name was Lucy and she came from a good farming family. Unfortunately, her parents were a poor farming couple with too many children to feed, from a planet somewhere on the other side of the galaxy.
They sold her into slavery not just for the money, but, because it would give them one less mouth to feed.
She worked as a hand maiden to a Royal Duchess on some planet she can't even remember the name of. She worked there from the age of eight until she was just about sixteen. It was at this timethat one of the other hand maids, jealous of her for no apparent reason, whispered in the Duchess's ear that Lucy had designs on her youngest son who was only eleven.
The Duchess became furious. No slave maiden almost twice her son's age would make designs on her son, lulling him away with her femine charms. That was her little innocent boy and heads would roll before he was taken advantage of. Without trial and without notice Lucy was auctioned off at the nearest slave market.
It was there that Lucy was introduced to the mining trade. They found her to have stong bones and teeth both signs of good health. She had bright eyes and a semi wild spirit. When the slaver went to take her away she tore from his grasp shouting" Get your hands off me you filthy pig." just moments before he backhanded her as hard as he could knocking her to the ground.
Until now she had not been treated so as a slave. Up till then it had been the hosh posh lifestyle of a hand maiden in a Royal court. And she simply couldn't understand the rough treatment.
The slaver yanked her up off the ground and half dragged her half pulled her to the minig company group. There half a dozen other slaves were being fitted with metal collar for the trip to thier new home. Another slaver came up to her ready to fit her with a metal collar and she slapped his hand away. He turned and looked at the one who brought her in and said " Aye a fiesty one we have ear' mate huh" As he turned back towards Lucy his right fist slammed right into the square of her face. She dropped like a sack of wett wrenches.
When she came to she was sitting on a bench with a metal neck collar and a chain attached. Where it led to she did not know. The other six slaves sat on the long bench next to her finding themselves in the same predicament as her. Or maybe it was the other way around. As she looked around she realized she was on some sort of craft, Most likely a spacecraft. The other slaves seemed already accoustomed to thier surroundings. They were relaxing in various positions. Lucy spoke up " Where are we and where are we going."
The slave next to her a skinny elderly man asked " First of all are you alright dear. We had feared you wouldn't wake up. Just look at your pretty young face, they have smashed it ruthlessly.". With that being said he drew a rag from his clothing and dipped into the common water that was meant for drinking or whatever needs the slaves deemed nessasary. He started to blot Lucy's face, which was covered in blood. When he got to her nose she winced. " Yeah I'm afraid you have a broken nose my dear. We can fix that but let me clean you up first." the old man stated. He continued boltting and wiping until all that could be seen was the clean face of a girl with bright eyes, a slight cut on the corner of her mouth and a swollen nose with two black eyes to boot.
"Well that pretty much does it" said the old man " Now let me see that nose" Trustingly she moved her head closer to his. With his thumb her moved her head first one then the other then back towards his gaze. He stared at her intently and Lucy held his gaze. Mesmerized Lucy hadn't even seen his hands move in as they squeezed the bridge of her nose in just the right place. " OUCH " she cried as she jumped back whimpering. Holding her nose she stated " That hurt. " The old man replied " Off course it did. What did you expect. But the throbbing has stopped along with the pain hasn't it." She turned her head from left to right then up and down, It did feel better. " I thank you uhhhh. " "My name is Tiberius and you are welcome miss? " " Lucy. " she responded. " Now where are we and where are we going might I ask? " Tiberius responded " No problem my dear lady. We have all recently become in the employ of one Excalibur Mining Company. We are currently on our way to one of their many mines where you can expect a luxurious stay in Hell. I was bought for a pentance and am probably not expect toto last very long. You on the other hand I'm sure a pretty price was paid for and can look forward to many years of labor wasting your youth away. I'm sure you will survive a couple of years at least."
With that Lucy resigned herself to doom. She sat silent thoughout the rest of the flight resting herself for what lay ahead. They had obviously reached thier target because They had stopped.
Slavers came in ushering them all from the bay. It seems thier necklates were all atached to a chain. They moved as a team. They were led to a torbo lift that only went down. Lucy took one quick glance at the surface she was never to see again. Darkness was all she saw. With a zip the turbo lift took them away.
It was here that Lucy learn the true meaning of labor, moving rock and ore from on area to the next. It was also herethat Lucy would bre the only child she would ever have. And would pray and wish upon this child to become more than she could ever be. That perhaps a star from the surface would break the ground asunder and give him freedom where she had none.
1500 words plus I could have written more but I'm tired.
I know what you said Art about my character being involved and he is. Just not until the 3 or 4 thousand word mark. This is character development I'm still developing. I wish I could have witten just five hundred more words for the bonus but I'm tired. Look for continuing personal stories from me Thanks.
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Grammar, mechanics, punctuation, spelling, diction, effectiveness in the science, and larger elements are the facts at hand. The Harbrace College Handbook edited by JOHN C. HODGES
FM/LCR ETAN EVNSTAR/Kaph 7/flight 2/mSSD Atrus/def/VEN/VE/(=A=) Phoenix wing