Chapter 15: Cainite Concentration Camp
The coordinates Princess Thalya provided turned out to be rather close to where the Star Surfer was parked; which was good as far as Abel was concerned, the dark night sky of the Dour Plains gave off a heightened sense of danger, as if a pack of lizar-dou might ambush them from behind.
Yet Nia was more concerned about a different kind of predator, a different kind of danger. Especially when there was only darkness when there should be Princess Thalya greeting them.
“There’s nobody here,” Nia said. “Where is that witch? I think she’s ghosting you, Captain.”
Abel shook his head. “No, she’s here all right.”
Nia furrowed her brows. “How do you know?”
In response, Abel showed Nia his communicator, which he pointed upwards. The screen showed an energy signature where there was nothing but the darkened night sky of electric stars.
“That energy signature, it’s a ship,” Nia said, her eyes widened. “But that means…”
As if on cue, the empty sky began shimmering, revealing the reddish glow of a Kruptosian airship at night. At the bottom, a hole began opening, making way for a descending platform carrying none other than Thalya herself; the red-skinned Princess stood confidently as she looked down upon the two UEC officers beneath her.
Nia felt her hand balling into a fist. “And there she is…”
Abel extended his arm, as if to protect Nia. “Watch my back, but let me handle this.”
“Yes, sir,” Nia said, nodding.
As Thalya’s platform finally reached the ground, the Kruptosian princess finally approached Abel, before she curtsied.
“Abel Ramsey of Earth,” she said, smiling.
“Your Highness.”
Abel bowed slightly, much to the Nia’a bemusement.
But Thalya’s smiled disappeared as she finally turned her attention towards Nia. She looked back to Abel, frowning.
“I told you to come alone, Abel Ramsey of Earth.”
“So you did,” said Abel. “Is that going to be a problem?”
Thalya paused before she spoke, “No. No it won’t be. In fact, I had expected you to bring a companion along, given the circumstances.”
“Good,” responded Abel.
But Nia was not fooled. In the glare of the Kruptosian airship’s lighting, she could see the look of annoyance in her eyes; and not to mention the clenching of her fists. The Lieutenant smirked inwardly, as if she finally had something to celebrate over her romantic rival.
“Hmph, I will play your game Abel Ramsey,” Thalya said, crossing her arms. “But as I said before, I did not want complications, so unfortunately I cannot take you both aboard my ship. I will have to relay what I have to say right here.”
Abel nodded. “I’m listening.”
Thalya couldn’t help but smirk. “Very well. I told you that I have what you need, I was not lying. As you may know, the Hawk Tribe like both the lions and the sharks also seek to break away from my father’s rule. But unlike the foolish lions, the hawks have been biding their time, looking for the right opportunity to strike.”
“And that’s where you come in, I take it?” Abel asked.
“Perceptive as always, Abel Ramsey,” said Thalya. “I had made my visit to King Horus of the Hawk Tribe. When he heard about Cain’s great victory over the lions, he wanted to remain in his floating city and continue sending tribute to the Dragon Tribe. But I made him see the opportunity lying before him, the concentration camp where countless lion warriors are being held. This is not ideal, which Cain himself has recognized. My father wanted to simply execute them all at first, but he knew that had the lion prisoners understood that they were going to die anyways, they might be tempted to fight to the death instead…”
“I think I know where this is going,” Nia quipped.
Thalya continued, “…and there were simply too many lionmen for us to contain should that happen. This concentration camp is temporary, the prisoners are to be dispersed to other camps. And the Sethite man will be brought to the Dark City, of course.”
At the mention of Rick, Abel took a deep breath. “That will not happen!”
Thalya grinned. “Your resolve is admirable, Abel Ramsey. This is why I took the liberty to convince King Horus and the Hawk Tribe to launch an attack on the concentration camp.”
Abel crossed his arms. “And you want us to agree to a joint attack with the hawks, is that it?”
“No, not at all,” Thalya said; the Kruptosian princess chuckled and soon laughed.
Nia frowned. “What’s so funny?”
“Your presumption, of course,” responded Thalya. “You see my dear Sethites, the Hawk Tribe are already set to launch their attack. Tomorrow at noon. Oh, don’t give me that look, Abel Ramsey. You have nothing to worry about. I told the hawks to expect two Sethites and a Shark princess to assist them.”
Abel looked at Thalya with frustrated intensity. Yet he was at a loss for words.
Thalya curtsied before the two. “I’m sure you’ll find a way to… cooperate with the hawks, Abel Ramsey of Earth. Now if you don’t mind, I will take my leave.”
And with that, the platform ascended once more, taking Thalya through the air and into the glowing red Kruptosian airship.
Abel and Nia could only watch as the airship finally disappeared into the camouflage.
“Well,” Nia said. “That went well, all things considered.”
Abel nodded. “Indeed. At least now we know that the hawks will help us when we break Rick out of that camp.”
Nia crossed her arms. “I just wish we can do this on our own terms, instead of dancing to Thalya’s tune.”
“Don’t worry, Nia,” responded Abel. “Odysseus told me before that Thalya isn’t as in control as she wants us to think. And I’m starting to agree with him.”
Nia gave Abel a curious look. “Really? What makes you think that?”
“Remember what she said to the hawks?” Abel said. “Expect two Sethites and a Shark Princess.”
Nia’s eyes widened. “You mean… she doesn’t know?”
Abel shook his head. “I can’t know for sure. But I do not believe Thalya knew that Chief Muwatalli and Nike had just joined us.”
“Hmm,” Nia said, smiling. “That’s honestly reassuring. Especially since she wanted you to get on her ship.”
Abel nodded. “Yeah, after what she did before. There’s no way I’m stepping on her ship. I’m not falling for that trick again.”
Nia couldn’t help but chuckle as she wrapped her arm around Abel’s, and moved herself closer before she leaned her head on his shoulder.
“I don’t think that’s what she had in mind, Captain,” the Lieutenant said.
Abel didn’t respond with words, but he allowed Nia to grab onto him as the two began making their way back to the Star Surfer.
***
When the two UEC Officers finally made their way back to the Star Surfer, Nia was still holding on to Abel. They were both expecting darkness, as they had ensured the lights were off before they left. But instead, the lights were on; and to their horror, everyone was there: Muwatalli, Asmunikal, even Melia.
“Abel, Nia!” Melia cried.
As she said this, the Shark Princess made her way to the two before she hugged them both.
Abel and Nia couldn’t help but look at each other. But it was Muwatalli who broke the silence.
“Where have you two been?” the Lion Chief said. “We were looking for you both.”
Asmunikal smirked. “Our apologies. We didn’t know you two were having a… quality time.”
As Nia heard this, her face turned red. “W-what? What are you talking about?”
“It appears Ricardo my beloved had neglected to mention that two of you were betrothed,” the lionesswoman said, her tone mischievous.
Now it was Abel’s turn to blush. “N-no, Asmun- I mean, Nike. It’s not like that at all.”
“How are you all awake anyways,” Nia said, more to change the subject than anything. “It’s not even close to dawn yet.”
It was Melia who spoke out, “It was me,” she said. “I wanted us to have a sleepover again. But then you weren’t in your room, and neither was Abel. I thought something terrible must have happened to you two.”
“Oh,” Nia said. “I’m sorry, Melia, we didn’t mean to make you worry.”
As she said this, Nia made sure to ruffle Melia’s silver hair, as if to both assure and apologize.
It was at this point that a loud masculine roar rang. Everyone stood still, and looked to the source: Muwatalli.
“Pardon my foul language,” the Lion Chief said. “But I assume you two Sethites must have been away for a good reason.”
Abel nodded. “We do have a good reason, Chief Muwatalli. You see, we have found a way to rescue Rick and the lion warriors at the concentration camp.”
Asmunikal’s ears perked as she heard this. “Oh?”
Muwatalli nodded. “Then tell us, Abel of Ramsey.”
“Understood,” Abel said. “You see…”
***
The bright blazing electric sun of Planet Kruptos stood over the Dour Plains, almost right over the heads of Abel Ramsey and his companions lying prone to avoid detection. At the moment, they looked down at the small valley where the Cainite Concentration camp was. It was a rather huge complex for something so makeshift. A mix of lionman prisoners undergoing manual labor overseen by Kruptosian guards could be seen even from a distance. Turrets dotted the edges of the camp, intended just as much for possible escapees as prospective attackers.
Even just breaking in would be an achievement, so Abel thought.
Muwatalli, itching to just get down to rescue his fellow lionmen, clenched his fists as he looked up to the sky. “It is high noon, already,” he said. “Where are they? Where the hawks?”
Nia interjected, “Is it possible that they decided not to show up? This could be a trap all along.”
“I would not be surprised,” responded Muwatalli. “Thalya is the daughter of the Conquering Cain. I would not trust her any more than her treacherous father.”
“Oh, no,” said Melia. “What do we do now?”
Abel raised a hand. “Simmer down, everyone. There’s no reason to think they’re not coming. They might just be running a little late.”
Asmunikal nodded. “I agree. This is our best chance to rescue Ricardo, we cannot turn back just yet.”
Nia looked to Asmunikal in surprise. “Nike…”
Thus, the party decided to wait it out. Their patience soon paid off as just minutes later, Abel felt his communicator buzzing over and over again. The UEC Captain clicked on it, to hear the message:
“Energy signature detected. Energy signature detected. Energy signature detected…”
Nia looked to Abel, her expression unsure. “Captain?”
“I think they’re here,” responded Abel.
“You sure?”
“Absolutely, check the sky.”
As Nia did so, she couldn’t help but gasp; everyone else did as well at the sight:
Up in the sky above the Cainite Concentration Camp, a horde of planes and airships began to descend upon the complex. There were so many of them they even casted a shadow on the entire camp. From the aircrafts, hawk soldiers swarmed out, their arms of maces and lances in hand.
But the Cainites were not at all defenseless, Cainite soldiers manning the turrets began firing their laser to shoot down the flying invaders.
Thus, the battle between the Hawk Tribe and the Dragon Tribe begun.
And Abel knew this was the time to strike.
“Let’s go, people,” the UEC Captain said.
Muwatalli punched his palm. “Finally.”
***
In a dark cell of the concentration camp, Lieutenant Rick Smits was sitting down in sweat, he had just finished yet another grueling round of manual labor of breaking stones; he was sure that this was just a way to keep the prisoners tired.
But from out the window, sounds of laser whizzed through. At first, Rick thought it was an escapee; wouldn’t be the first time so bold a lionman was shot in pursuit of freedom. But the lasers kept on firing, and soon Rick realized this was no escapee or even a mere riot. This was a prison break.
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