Smugglers Cove (Love2write and Silence)

Seeing her on the ramp of the ship almost tore his heart out. Killian winced when she dropped the umbrella. What was the man doing to her? It was unclear from this far away. Edging a little closer he thought about risking it. Maybe he could...Still she cried out again and he lowered his head. This was something he couldn't watch. His Star was just out of reach. Forcing himself to look up again he saw her being loaded into the ship and it lifted off.

He hadn't learned anything of this planet or world. So far all he'd known was the games. Killian did know how to survive and it was what he would have to do. Carefully he started to work his way along the edge of the wall and followed the ship on foot as best he could. It went west. He could see and tell that much. When it dropped out of view he slowly started for a road. Hopefully if no one was looking for him it wouldn't be as likely that they would recognize him. Occasionally he would bring his hand up to wipe away any extra blood from the bullet wound. Finally he stopped in the back alley of a city. Where it was he didn't know. What was edible? It didn't matter.

Digging into the garbage he pulled out anything that might be considered food. Some of it was half chewed on. Then he stripped his shirt off and exchanged it for a torn grease stained shirt. At least he didn't look like he just walked out of the games. He still had the boots and pants, but that was going to end up staying. Otherwise there weren't any boots or pants that would fit.

Killian slumped against the garbage bins and fell asleep. Waking in the morning he found himself peering into the eyes of a little woman. She was staring intently at his face. He might have been alarmed but, all the folks staring at him in his cage had broken that little habit. Finally the female spoke. "You look like The Beast. He died yesterday."

That name. It was exactly what he'd become and he hated being reminded of that fact. Rolling his eyes he got up off the ground. "Think what you like."

"It might be your eyes. It could be the blood on your face. I heard rumor that you can't be killed. You were shot in the head at the games weren't you?" Getting closer she reached out for his hand. "I have no great love for the masters of the city. Come, I'll hide you and when you escape take me with."

There wasn't any harm in following the woman. When she brushed his hand he lightly grasped her fingers and the two of them limped along till they came to a small cellar in the ground. Killian stared at it for a moment and then descended the steps with her. Inside it was barely big enough if he wanted to lay on the floor. Wasn't enough room for her to lay too unless she crawled on top of him or in one of the shelves lining the wall. "I only need one thing from you. Who owns a ship with a blue phoenix? I saw an old man with pointy bones. He has a human for a slave."

"Ah a Gillick." The woman smiled. "Cousins of your kind I hear. Only I'll say your kind happened to get the better looks." Leaning in the lizard eyed woman peered into his face. "I could show you where he lives if you'll help me."
 
Star woke up shivering in a damp cell she'd started her slave life in. He only put her here when he deemed it time to "retame" her. Retame the tamer. Kafus was very proud of that fact. The cell door swung open and Kafus stepped in, an electrified rod in hand. She pushes to her feet and kneels in front of him, knowing the more she resisted the more she would suffer.
"Oh...now you're the obedient hand-servant. Tsk. I don't know what you were hoping to gain on that planet by defying me...but it just proved to me you're still not fully loyal." He stood over her, lowering the rod to her shoulder. "By the time I'm done, you'll never defy me again."

For the two weeks screams echoed through the house, a warning to any other slave who'd thought about defying their master.
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Dinner parties were a great time for music, food, gossip and backdoor deals. But above all, it was the flaunting of one's wealth, power, and status, typically through the use of the hand-servants. Kafus stood tall in an expensive suit and a woman at his arm. Not a hand-servant, but a fellow Gillick who was also looking to climb the social ranks via the battle of the tongue. Then, walking behind him at his beck and call, the Chippequoti Tamer. Dressed in yellow and blue silk, with a scarf that hid her collar and burn scars along her throat.

Kafus greeted several fellow Gillicks cheerfully, making sure they had a good look at his popular hand-servant. Her head was held high, but not with a pride of her own...no that had been beaten from her. This was how Hand-servants were supposed to look, proud of their masters and loyal to the death. Too often the Lords of the court would have a subtle battle of the hand-servants...seeing which one would do more or go lower for their master. Often these consisted of humiliating activities, but whatever her master ordered, that is what she did.

The party was held outside on a summer's eve. Blue lanterns hovered in the air around the grounds of the massive home and gardens. Guards patrolled the perimeter, someone passing the same spot every two minutes. The lanterns also were consistently doing facial checks to make sure no-one univited had slipped in. Weapons were scanned for by probes in the bushes and on the side-walks. This party would not be crashed with ease.
 
Helping the woman was the only chance he had at finding Star. There was nothing he wouldn't do to find her. Skulking through the streets he came to the building that she pointed at. He had to break inside and steal the mantelpiece art. Perhaps it didn't seem like such a big deal till he looked inside the window. "That?"

Nodding she grinned. "I know you won't come back for me if you escape. So if I help you I need something that will sell for enough to get me out of here." She was no fool after her years on the street. It was plain that he was perhaps one of the few if not the only one capable of getting her out of here. Since she couldn't depend nor did she trust him to return it was best to withhold the information he wanted till she had what she wanted.

Killian growled under his breath. "Damn it." If they got caught...He couldn't think of that for now. Steal the artwork and go get Star. She couldn't be that far away. Walking up to the door was the easiest to do for now. Knocking on it he noticed the woman's eyes get big. As soon as the butler opened the door Killian shoved him aside and rushed into the house. Taking the painting off the wall he started back out the door. Already the emergency lights in the house were flashing. Hitting the man again he charged out the door and down the street. In the cellar he watched the woman carefully take the picture from the frame and roll it up. "Now you'll tell me where to find this Gillick."

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It had only been a few weeks but, it felt like forever. Killian sat in the bottom of the ship. The cargo bay was freezing. He reminded himself that the most important thing was that he was on the way to the planet where they held Star. Whatever the time was he didn't know. Whenever he landed wouldn't matter he could find her. Drifting off to sleep again his head lulled to the side. A shift in the ship set some of the crates moving. Killian felt one begin to crush him against the wall. Squeezing out from between the crate and the wall he decided to stay awake for the landing.

Crouching in the ship he saw the cargo bay door come open. It was dark outside. That was good. At least his eyes were already adjusted to the darkness. Patiently he waited for the first few boxes to be unloaded and then when there was a break he made a dash past the merchants. Behind himself he could hear their yells and he kept running till he reached the street.

Above him on the sign was a red dragon. Putting his hands on his knees he took a few deep breaths. Red dragon street and turn left. Killian slowed to a walk. The house should be near now. He didn't have any weapons on himself but, he figured that he was good enough. He would have to be. Finally the white mansion came into view and he couldn't help gaping at it. In a way the building was intimidating itself. People streamed in and out of the doors constantly. Maybe it was a party of sorts. Killian looked down at his clothes. They were still the same dirty ones that he'd worn for a few weeks. Probably smelled like it to. Couldn't pass as a guest. He could just break in.

The captain watched from a distance until the house was full of guests. No one was wandering outside. It was probably because it started to get cold. Now would be the best time. Stepping onto the sidewalk he took himself around the house and was completely unaware of the silent alarms. A base floor window made for easy access. Pushing the window open he punched a hole in the screen, tore it open and crawled inside. All he had to do now was find Star.
 
The guards were alerted immediately to the the fact that someone had just accessed the house that wasn't supposed. Somewhere on the bottom floor. The majority of the guards continued to patrol the perimeter while 4 took off downstairs to find the intruder. A floating light scanned Killian and immediately began sending the alert to the guards. They looked down at the screens on their arms, showing them where in the house the security drone had seen him. They rushed his hiding place, guns at the ready.

Star was serving Kafus, rubbing his shoulders as he sat and talked with his guests. A guard rushed towards him. "Sir, there's been a break-in. We believe there is a chippequoti on the lower floor. Guards have already gone to investigate." The man whispered, but Star heard it all. Her eyes widened, and her hands stopped moving. He'd come!? After all this time!? He'd finally come. Kafus glanced over his shoulder at Star, pieces starting to fit together in his mind. A chippequoti, invading the one house that had a chip tamer. She'd rebelled against him, the same day a chip had died in the arena. "He's yours..." He growled and stood. He took her arm. "Get the intruder...but don't kill him. I want him alive."

Star watched the guards go with wide eyes. Killian...get out! Please, get out!" Kafus pulled her to the living room where he sat in his favorite chair, in view of all the guests. He forced her to kneel beside him. His fingers ran through her hair and he grinned. "Oh, I look forward to showing your chip how I tamed his tamer." She tensed, gritting her jaw as people stared at Kafus' odd actions. His fingers tangled in her hair and he pulled it cruelly. "Try anything, and I'll kill both of you."
 
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It was all so quiet. At first it was nerve wracking and then he realized that having it silent was an advantage. This just meant that he hadn't been found yet. The longer he could go before that happened the better. Putting a hand out he caught the edge of a wall. About the same time he heard something. It sounded like pants rubbing together at the knees. Moving quickly to the side he managed to stay out of the way of the guards. Killian was starting to get worried now. They were going to make it difficult to get out of here by himself, much less with Star.

A little light turned on as he made the slightest motion. He was caught! Killian knew he couldn't stay here much longer. Darting toward the corner he waited for a new rush of guards. Maybe that was it. It had to be. Killian didn't have time to waste. Whipping around the corner he started up the stairs. Behind him he could hear the guards. First floor, make a scan and go higher if he didn't see her. All he had to have was a little plan and that was going to be good enough. No time for anything elaborate.

Before he reached the top of the stairs a guard tried to stop him. Grabbing the man by his collar Killian threw him down the stairs toward the others. A short electoral charge went through the air. It was good to know that the man didn't arm the guards with much more than stun guns or they hadn't chosen to use a real weapon yet. At the top of the stairs he was greeted by a whole horde of the guards. Immediately Killian reached for one man's neck. There were too many of them. With a scream of frustration he was tackled to the ground and his arms forced behind his back. It took almost 4 men to keep in line as they walked him up another 2 flights of stairs before stopping.
 
Killian was forced to his knees before the bone-faced Gillick. His lips turned up in glee at the prize now being held before him. The guards had secured his arms in powerful thick cuffs that covered the entirety of his wrists. Kneeling obediently beside him was Star. The man's hand tangled in her hair. The guests gaped in wonder at "The Beast" kneeling before their host. Immediately a host of excited whispers rushed through the crowd. Many took pictures as proof of this moment.

Star's lips quivered. A feeling between radical joy and immense sorrow threatened to break through in a flood of tears. But she couldn't. Not here. She manages a pained smile at Killian, wishing so desperately to throw herself at him and hold him. Kafus pulled her hair, forcing her closer to himself. "Well, well. She really does have you trained...doesn't she. So well in fact that you faked your death and tracked her all the way here, to my home. Well, look closely now, Beast, ...I've tamed your tamer. Which means, you belong to me. Oh, and I wouldn't recommend trying anything. One violent move...and I kill her, painfully." He held the remote up and pulled away her scarf, revealing the collar and burn scars on her throat.

Kafus chuckled and shook his head. "The Beast...at my feet. I couldn't have gotten a better gift." He stands, though wisely keeping a good distance away from Killian. "You belong to me now, Beast. You obey me...maybe I'll let you see your tamer. You disobey me...I make both of you suffer. Understood? If you do say, 'Yes, Master.'" He grins cruelly.
 
On the final floor Killian could hear the various whispers of the people and the camera flashes all around. They were taking pictures of him. Clenching his jaw he looked up at the Gillick. There was no flexibility to his wrists even though Killian had already tried to bend them or work the cuffs up his arm so he could move his hands better. Instead the cuffs dug into his skin and started to bruise him the more he struggled.

As much as it made him seem an animal Killian understood it was better to allow the people to think Star was the tamer. If they knew it was the fact that he loved her it would only get worse. He had failed more than once now. Killian had never failed like this before and he was failing Star at a critical period. Momentarily he met her gaze and then scowled at the man. This Gillick was threatening Star and Killian followed his hand with his gaze. The alien lifted the scarf to reveal the collar he had on Star. That was the reason she'd fallen that day at the games. It was all starting to make sense now. He'd never worn such a thing since they were more worried about getting him into the games.

For shame and sorrow he dropped his gaze to the floor. Killian grit his teeth when the man called him 'The Beast.' Having never spoken to anyone inside the games or the cages he decided to test the man. What if he didn't have to speak? He could pretend to be mute. Lifting his eyes he just stared at the man defiantly, but offered no physical resistance.
 
Kafus raised his eyebrow at Killian's silence. He looked like he was about to get mad then a guest piped up. "The Beast is mute. He's never spoken a word."
"Oh, is that so?" Kafus didn't seem convinced. "Mute and stupid he may be...but he's not deaf." He raised the remote and Star winced, lowering her head expectant of another cruel shock. He glanced at her and smirked, then looked back at the beast. "How tame she has made you. You don't even try to resist in her presence." He chuckled and nodded to his guards, slipping the remote in his pocket. "Take my new pet to the cells. I have a party to attend to." Kafus turned to a judge he knew and greeted him like an old friend, leaving Star kneeling by the chair as she watched helplessly as Killian was dragged away.
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On most nights Star slept on a thin mat on the floor at the foot of her masters bed. She had to be ready to wake and jump up at a moment's notice for any need. That was unless he was entertaining a woman in his chambers. In which case she would lay by the door. Tonight, one of his many female friends stayed over and Star was sent to the hallway. She was perfectly happy with this because it meant she had a chance to sneak away to see Killian. Oh how she wanted to see him.

When Star was certain both were sleeping she got up and hurried to the kitchen, taking some food for Killian then trotted slowly past the guards downstairs. Being a hand-servant had its perks. Most guards didn't question where she was going or why she did what she did. Their master was an odd man. She made it to the last step, out of view of everyone and raced to the cell bars. "Killian!" She whispered hoarsely. She covered her mouth as he came into view unable to help the tears that now flowed. He looked so tired and weathered. But those eyes still shone with light. The cuffs were gone for now, but they'd put a similar electric collar on him, just in case. She reached out to him, desperate to hold him, even if it was between a set of steel bars.
 
A guest piped up before the man could try and make him talk. Killian just kept his mouth closed and stared at Kafus. So long as he could make the man believe he was mute the better. He'd pretended to be mute for 2 months just so he wouldn't have to call any man master. His jaws almost seemed to tighten and the muscles along the side of his face tensed when the man called him pet. There were still some things that angered him beyond his ability to hide. What was worse than having someone have control over Star's life and it was all based on his actions. Feeling a hand at his arm he got up and followed the guards to the basement. They could do what they wanted but, he wasn't going to call the man master.

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Taking a seat in the cage he stayed toward the middle. Killian had learned the hard way that some of the fellow prisoners in the cages if they were near enough would try to strangle him before the games. Shortly after he was put in the cage a guard came in with a collar. Eyes flashing he met the man's gaze and then refused to look at him while he fastened the collar. Having the collar on didn't change anything. In fact it changed a good number of things. However, Killian refused to let it have an effect. If he did what he had to here he would find the time to kill the Gillick and take the controls. Then they were free.

Settling into the middle of the cage again he curled his back while he wrapped his arms around his legs and rested his head on his knees. It was one of the few safe ways to sleep. The scuttle of feet woke him and remained perfectly still. Opening his eyes just a slit he peered at the entrance of the cage. The familiar voice whispered his name and he raised his head.

Almost silently he rose to his feet. Walking over to the edge of the cage he reached through the bars with one hand. He couldn't get his arm out past his elbow. The awkward angle only allowed for him to barely rest his hands on her shoulders. Star's slim arms easily slipped between the bars and wrapped around his sides. It had been so long since he tried speaking that Killian almost rasped the first word and it was completely unintelligible. Finally he got control of his vocal cords and he whispered back to her. "We'll get out of this somehow." Lowering his head a little further he kissed her gently on the lips. "Does he know you're here?" Killian couldn't help worrying that the man had maybe sent her to see him. Turned out she snuck away. His brow furrowed with worry. "You should be careful. Go back up before he finds out. I'll be fine."
 
Star shook her head. "No. I'm staying...as long a possible." Her voice was raspy, like a smoker having smoked too long in their lives. "I may never get to see you again." She swiped away at the tears, trying to stay strong. "I saw you...in the arena...you let them think they killed you. I'd almost given up hope till then." She smiled, putting a hand on his cheek. "Its so good to see you...even if its like this." She rasped.
 
Even if it was dangerous Killian couldn't tell her what to do. He wouldn't deny that he had been worried sick about her and he needed the time with her even if it posed a risk. There wasn't much to grin about these days. Despite his best efforts to keep spirits high he just nodded when she rested her hand on his cheek. "You know I'm always going to love you." The arena wasn't something he wanted to talk about so keeping the conversation on the good things was for the best. "It doesn't matter what happens to you or what you look like." Taking her hand he kissed the back of it. "I'm always going to want you."
 
Star chuckled, inspite of herself. "Oh...now you say you love me." She teases, tilting her head up to kiss him again. She stared at him, memorizing his eyes, how she felt in this moment. It would have to sustain her until they got to meet again, if ever. "Have you heard anything? About the others?" She asks hopefully, tilting her head aside to cough. Speaking with damaged vocal cords was difficult, but it was worth it for every word she heard from Killian.
 
Just holding onto her when he could was enough. Killian was enjoying the silence. Shifting his weight he moved his legs further away from the cage and rested his head on the bars. Catching her kiss he gave a pathetic smirk. He would have closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep but, she asked about the others. "Nothing." Exhaustion was starting to take over. The captain fought it for as long as he could and if he had to remain standing to do so he would. "If I get sent back to the games....Star somebody is going to kill me. Just a matter of time." It was a small detail that he'd come to realize. "I memorized your master's face the day you were sold to him. When I saw him coming down to view us before the games I knew it was my chance to get you out. Now I'm here and I failed. Forgive me."
 
Star shook her head. "You didn't stand a chance. He's smart, paranoid. No one enters or leaves without his knowing about it." She coughed again and tightened her hold on him. "Listen to me, Killian. When we first woke, Timo was there. He was all grown up. He told me that Kato and him were working on a plan to get us. We need to have faith that they'll find some way to rescue us. Until then..." Her expression became stern. "You do whatever you must to stay alive. If that means releasing the monster, then do it. You stay alive! Promise me."
 
He knew that Star wasn't trying to insult his intelligence but, he didn't have time to plan and neither did he have anyway of knowing some of those things without having some kind of equipment. "Grown up?" Killian shook his head. "You haven't aged." It was too strange. The woman was still trying to give him the pep talk about staying alive and he shook his head. "Star you saw what happens. I can't stay alive in there forever and I don't want to." Killian met her gaze again. "If all I do is live to kill then its not worth it. I'll hold on long as I can for you."
 
Star looked behind her startled as a guard began walking down the steps, probably to check on what was taking her so long. She kissed Killian again. "Don't give up. I love you." Pulling away was more painful than a thousand electric shocks. She hurried away, swiping at hot tears, not knowing if she would ever see him again.
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"No! You got the judge to give you ownership of the beast!? You are absolutely incredible, Kafus." Kafus was entertaining yet another group of powerful guests and re-telling the story of his "heroic" capture of "The Beast." He'd told the story hundreds of times in the last month, making it sound like he'd planned the whole thing. Each time she cringed in pain as they laughed over their suffering.

"As you know he's won nearly every fight he's been put in." Kafus bragged. "I've could by that stadium myself three times over with the money he's earned me. He truly is a beast."
"You own the beast, the beast's tamer...what's next? A seat on the royal court." One of his guests tease, but Kafus smiles knowingly. The man sits up, mouth agape.
"No...don't tell me you're going after Master Pratt's former chair."
"Things are proceeding in that direction." Kafus nods. "But that's all hush, hush for now. Let's talk about your budding buisness."

Star wanted to gag. He was disgusting beyond measure. Pride shrouded in humility and guile. Cruelty hidden under the guise of business and political cleverness. Slaves disguised as loyal hand-servants. He was despicable. As much as she hated it every time he talked about Killian like a beast, she was glad to hear he still lived. Every victory meant he was still fighting...but for how much longer.
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Timo slipped on a gas mask and nodded at Kato and four other men in the ventilation chamber with him. Kato held a thumbs up, wearing a gas mask as well. They both unlocked canisters of gas and threw them into the vents that pumped air to both sides of the ship seperatly. Timo looked down at his watch, counting down the seconds. Finally he nods again. "Let's hijack a ship!" The six men rush out of the ventilation chamber and began dragging the unconscious bodies out of the ship.

They'd been planning this coup for 6 months. It had taken countless hours of meticulous set up and preparation. Everything from getting the ingredients for the gas bombs to getting access to the ship's computers. But it had all paid off. "That's the last one! Cody, start the air filtering. Matt, fire up those engines." Timo orders running to the ship's navigation computers. He'd been watching and training for the last 7 years for this moment. The engines kicked into gear, the ship lifted off the ground. Once safely away in space he plugged in the coordinates for the three remaining gps signals on his data-pad. Star's had vanished months ago. He was holding out hope that one of the others would know where she was. Kato joined him at the controls. His face and body had begun to show signs of age with wrinkles and grey hair. Even at only 35 years, he looked like he was 50.
"Whose our first target, kid?"
"Killian. As much as I hate him...we need him to rescue the others." Timo replied.
"It won't be easy, rescuing him from the killing grounds."
"No, it won't, but we've been planning this for months. We can do it. We have to. They've suffered long enough."
 
It only took a few days before a guard came down the stairs to remove his collar. Killian knew what it meant. The Killing Fields were going to be his future. As much as he had tried to get his hopes up it didn't work. Of course the man was going to send him back. If he hadn't given up that one day and allowed someone else to win he would have won again and remained an undefeated champion. Instead of being allowed to stay here and be paraded about he was given his dirty clothes to change into. The clean ones had only been for the fact that he smelled bad enough even the Gillick didn't like it when he walked into the basement.

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Days felt like weeks and weeks felt like months and the first month back felt like years. All he did for days on end was fight game after game. After 2 weeks of games he was taken out of rotation to let the bruises heal. Killian could barely move his one shoulder. It had swelled up with the constant beating he received over the last several weeks. Like usual the little medic made his rounds and gave all surviving fighters and those preparing to go into the next round a shot of antibiotic and a hint of the anti-inflammatory medication. People milled about the cavern looking at all the fighters and like usual there was a good number of them surrounding his cage. Killian hardly felt human with the way they talked about him in front of him. The medic motioned to him and he pulled the shirt off, revealing the many bruises. It was like people had waited for that moment and the flash of cameras started, nearly blinding him in the process. Finally he lowered his head and squinted his eyes.

Soon as he could move his arm and had most of his range of motion he was put back into rotation. Killian was still tired after one week of rest. Not necessarily physically tired. His emotions had been raw for quite some time. The captain struggled for every hint of fluid thought or humanity. Nothing he did was even close to human. Even the act of relieving himself was in public. A bucket in the corner of his cage. Once in a while the guards would come through and strip them all and spray them down with hoses then give their clothes back. It was always cold water.

Another morning came and it was promising, promising to be another day full of killing. One guard shoved a bowl of slop through the cage at him. Killian took the food and didn't even bother to look at it. Half the time it made him sick and the other half it didn't seem to taste like anything he'd ever eaten before. Some rumored that the bodies of the dead were ground into meal for them. If it was true or not he didn't know. It would likely save on cost for the men that kept them here. He'd been to the graveyard and it didn't seem to have as many bodies in it as he would have expected. Still there wasn't any point in thinking about it. Part way through his meal he heard a little voice behind him.

"Hey you're the beast. Are you going to kill me if we go in together?" It was a boy hardly older than Timo.

Killian turned slightly and looked at him. Instead of speaking he just grunted and nodded his head. He hated it when someone tried to talk with him. Only made it that much harder to kill them later on. Then like usual there were a few that were conspiring together to see if they had what it took to kill him all together and then they would face each other.

It turned out to be just another day. Killian did his work and the crowd cheered as he returned to his cage by himself. For a few hours it would empty before they collected the next round of men to put in the surrounding cages.

The routine was becoming almost normal feeling. It wasn't quite as difficult as he had thought it would be. Instead time was making this easier. Perhaps it should have frightened him. That little sensitivity was gone too. Walking into the field he heard the crowd cheer and then the bullets started to fly. By now he'd figured out the pattern and he got to the center without any problem. A few guys tried to keep his path but, he made sure to kill them if he could. It wasn't the beginning that endangered him so much as it was the center. Most men died at the beginning but, it was because they didn't know what he did.

Dropping on the other side of the wall Killian grabbed his favorite club and walked casually to the center. There was still time while the others scrambled over the walls. What bothered him this time was the fact that a few of them waited on one side for the others. It was something he would have to stop before it got started. Charging toward them with his club he swung at the gathering group and broke them up before returning to the middle. He couldn't leave the flag alone too long. When he returned to the middle there was another group waiting for him. They had all chosen clubs from what he could see. It was the usual mistake. Going for the largest fellow first he swung his club at him.

Killian knew he was in trouble when he had over 10 men all surrounding him and they weren't concerned about killing each other yet. There was no way to keep track of them all. Wrenching a club from one man's hand he used both to try and create a space around himself. At least 5 of the men lost either their heads with the impact of the club or the skull was badly mashed.

A short man ducked underneath the swing of the clubs and he pulled a knife from his belt. Thrusting the knife into Killian's chest he tried to twist, but the ribs only allowed so much motion. Another man pushed a dagger deep into his right side. Momentarily Killian winced. His adrenaline was still pumping and he swung madly at the two of them. It felt like acid reflux so thick he couldn't breathe. Foamy metallic tasting fluid gathered in his throat and a little blood sprayed from his mouth with each hacking cough. Almost losing his ambition to survive he lazily beat the last man to death and crawled for the top of the stairs.

The knife in his side felt like it dug every little motion. Reaching for the blade he pulled it out and a stream of blood started to flow almost uncontrollably. Gripping it tightly as he could, Killian forced his way the last few steps to reach the flag. With a bloody hand he plucked it from its place and waved it to indicate the end of the game. Without bothering to cover his mouth he coughed again and the blood dribbled down the front of his chin and splattered onto his already bloody shirt. Shakily he started down the steps. About half way down he teetered precariously and reached for the wall before losing his balance and hitting the ground. Killian rolled to his left side despite that being where his chest was injured. Gasping for air and clutching his side he waited for the final death blow or for the medics to pull him from the game. He won so it was a different story though he didn't know what it would be.

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"Sir I have a message for you. It's urgent." A plain clad man handed an electronic pad to the Gillick. "Your 'Beast' was injured at the games today. A collapsing left lung and a punctured liver. They are keeping him stable for now. I need for you to click here and sign if you want him to entertain in the last game or if you would like we can put him in the game's hospital ward for up to 1 week. Rules do not allow for more than that unless you withdraw him from the games for 1 year or more. In one week we still risk the lungs collapsing. Actually for up to 2 weeks you run that risk. His liver will likely take 4 weeks to heal at the rate we have recorded his other healing processes. Even 1 game after that week if he wins could make him eligible for another 1 week in the games hospital." Patiently he waited until the owner signed the paperwork. Then the postal worker put his thumb print on it and sent the form, verified to the Games Headquarters.

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It was only the third day in the Games hospital and Killian winced while the nurse pulled the packing out from his liver. They only used minimal pain medications because for the time they didn't want to overtax his liver which had already been worked too hard with the constant stream of shots given by the medics. After she removed the packing she inspected it for any additional bleeding and then nodded. "We'll take you in and get the drainage tube removed from your side and probably the one from your lung too." Thankfully it didn't take long for the tubes to have his insides drained of the excess blood. Still it felt like his lung was burning with every breath. Whatever medical care they had at the games hospital was cheap and old. Even the beds were old and he could feel the frames through the lumpy mattress.

Despite the discomfort of the bed it was still better than the floor. Killian shivered a little after he came out of the surgery to remove the tubes. He was still pale and his lips were almost blue. Pulling the nasty pilly blanket up a little further he winced. His side made it next to impossible to move without feeling it. For now the best he could do was rest. He would need all of it before the game next week.
 
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Star lay against the cell wall, eyes red from crying. She'd beg kafus to pull Killian out of the games for the rest of the year. She'd tried to get him to see that if he forced Killian to continue to fight with those wounds, he'd be killed. Kafus had made her suffer for it. But nothing he did was more painful than the knowledge killian was going to die soon and she could do nothing to stop it.

The light to the basement flickers on and she squints, wincing at such a bright light after three days in dark. Kafus glided down the stairs stopping in front of the cell door. Star scooted back into the corner of the cell in terror. She couldn't help the panicked whimpering. "Please, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She rasped hoarsly. "I wont defy you again. I swear. I swear."
Kafus entered the cell and crouched beside her. "You're right...you won't." He stood and guestured for a man behind him to enter. He looked like some sort of scientist with glasses and a thick silver case.

She trembled in panic. "What...what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to tame you, pet. This time... permenantly."

*****
A familiar yet new face appeared late that night. The man was older with greying hair and wrinkles. He had a mask over his face and wore the uniform of the other doctors. This particular doctor seemed especially interested in him and his injuries but had yet to say anything. He had shifty eyes and seemed to be looking for something or perhaps waiting for something.

Whatever the doctor had been waiting for seemed to happen and he hurried to Killian's side. He put something in Killian's i.v. and a moment later sleep took him.

As Kato waited for the drug to take full effect, and bring killian to a near death state, he fitted a tight metallic frame around killian's face. He activates it and a fake face forms around his real face. Kato disconnects the former captain from the i.v. and pulls a white sheet up over him. He rolls the gurney towards the exit.

One guard stooped him at the door. He pulled back the sheet, glancing over the unfamiliar face and checks for vital signs. Finding none he nods and allows Kato to pass. The doctor breathes a sigh of relief and hurries him to the ship to save his life.

*****
Timo waited by Killian's bed, having put the ship on autopilot. He couldn't believe they'd actually save this man...but here he was. It was for Star's sake...not Killian's. He'd made sure Killian was secured to the medical bed. He didn't know how much humanity was left in him...if any. Even Kato theorized Killian might not be much more than a mindless killing machine running on instinct. If that was the case they'd put him down and find another way to locate and save Star.

Kato came up behind the lad, putting an hand on his shoulder. "He should be waking soon. Then we'll know."
Timo nods. "He's not going to be doing anything for a couple weeks with those wounds. We'll pick get Mike and Andy in the meantime."
Kato pats his shoulder. "You should check on the others. I'll call you in the comm when he wakes."
"Thanks, Kato. Be careful with him."
"Always."
 
Killian drifted in and out of sleep for most of the day. The last few days felt like forever. Each time he could have sworn that it should have been 5 hours and he'd only been asleep 20 minutes or less. It was miserable to be cold and he wished to sleep longer. Somehow to rest long enough that the pain wouldn't be so bad. Resting was the only way to get past it. When the new face came in he stared at the man a few times but, couldn't quite make himself remember where he knew that face from. Hadn't really mattered anyway. Many faces looked the same these days.

Eventually the doctor raced over in an illogical way. Doctors here were never in a hurry for anything. Killian turned his head to look at the man while he injected the IV. Whatever it was Killian welcomed it. More pain medication, poison, it would bring relief either way. Gradually he drifted off to sleep and it brought no dreams. It was as if for a time nothing existed.

Moaning a little he became painfully aware of his existence. The captain cautiously moved a hand to rest over his side. It still seeped blood from time to time. Pulling his legs up to help relax his stomach muscles he winced with the motion. Finally he opened his eyes because it felt like he was moving. Dizzy was a new symptom. Usually it was nausea or something like that. Instead of staring at the filthy hospital ceiling he was staring into the strange doctor's face and a new room. Killian knew there was no hiding the pain though he would usually try there wasn't any point. Obviously the man already knew he hurt. Still unable to figure out who the man was Killian closed his eyes again and tried to nestle into the bed. He noticed this one was much better. Even smelled clean and he had enough blankets to keep from feeling like he was freezing.
 
"Welcome back from the dead, Killian." Kato said with a soft smile. "Do you need more pain medication?" He knew by the man's face, that he did. His body had been through hell and it hadn't been properly treated. Kato increases the dosage of the pain medicine, knowing it would probably cause the former Captain to pass out again but, that was alright. There was no rush at the moment as they were several days from the place Mike was being held.
 
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