"A New Day Comes"
[Previous post: "Emotional Upheavals", written by the ever present Brian Matthews]
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Setting: CABRY III, City of Xian-Fer, Market Square
The light of the new day had barely begun to touch the shadows that
filled the market place. All seemed as it should until a large explosion
rattled the lingering stillness of the night. Instantly the four
captives jumped and readied themselves as much as their bonds allowed. At
first Lea had thought that Broot had hit one of the cages with something
big. The way he had beaten Pravat had left no doubts as to the Cats
loathing of Humanoids. A quick look around dismissed that idea as the
muscular brute had been nowhere to be seen.
Although it had appeared as if any of them had been in any immediate
danger, Lea's heart had been racing. Being in a cage had been bad enough
but being shackled therein had left the CMO feel exceptionally
vulnerable. Should something major happen there had been no other choice for
her to submit to it.
When a second explosion shook the entire market place Lea and the
others shared a quick glance. Had the situation been different the CMO might
have been happy to see the MCO awake and alert. Instead Lea immediately
began to fear for their common well-being.
"Looks like there is a war going on beyond those buildings," Susan
said. The sound of fighting had reached them and indicated that things had
not been at all peaceful. The look of absolute irritation on Broots
face when he emerged from his home had been impossible to miss. Whatever
had happened had angered the large Cat to no end and it showed. With a
motion of his hand he ordered several of his underlings to move out
towards the heart of the battle. Instead of joining them though Broot
casually made his way to the four cages and the people inside.
"So it seems the legends are more then simple fairytales. That or
someone believes that they can just waltz in and take away my prize
possessions. Either way the outcome will be the same. You are mine to do as I
wish with and your would-be rescuers will not see the setting of the
day's sun." Having said that Broot reached inside the cage where Susan had
been held captive. With nowhere to run the Cns had no choice but to
permit the powerful hand to grab hold of her throat. Susan instinctively
tried to escape but her efforts only strengthen the Cat's hold on her.
"Let her go!" Lea pleaded with tears in her eyes, ready to offer
herself as an alternate target for Broot's anger.
"You would do well to remember that I am the one who owns your lives. I
can do with you as I wish, and I will not let any of you out of my
grasp. At least not while you are still alive," Broot said, an absolute
anger present in his every word.
"BROOT!" Another Cat said in panic as he ran towards the one in charge.
"The west and north towers have fallen."
The reports had meat nothing to Lea other that it had been good news.
Not by its significance but because it had made Broot forego his hold on
Susan. The Cns immediately began to choke as Susan tried to catch her
breath. Clearly had Broot held on for a little while longer the Cns
might have fainted from lack of oxygen.
"How is that possible? No one has the capability to take over those
locations. Not even if they combined their forces could the Horses and
Bulls manage such a feat," Broot said. To say that the Cat had been angry
would have been a drastic understatement.
The sound of a third explosion, this one much closer, served as answer
to the question that had been asked. Broot's eyes opened wide as he
looked up to see what appeared to be birds of metal fly over the market
place. The muscular Cat turned to face Susan and the others. Desperation
and madness flared in his eyes. If he could not keep his newly obtained
prize for himself, no one else would have them. Before he could once
again reach inside Susan cage, a rope entangled the Cat like a snake. The
more he tried to fight the more entwined Broot became until he could no
longer stand.
A single bird landed next to the Cat followed by several more. Lea
could see the black metallic armour each wore, but the CMO could only guess
as to what matter of beast hide within. The first armoured bird
approached the not powerless Cat and knocked him several meters back with a
single backhand. Whatever those creatures were they possessed an
indescribable strength.
Within seconds each cage came to be visited by a similar winged
creature. Lea watched with bewilderment as the bars of her cage were spread
open as if made of paper. The chains that had bound her to that same cage
were as easily disposed of. Lea crawled out of her shattered prison and
quickly rushed to Susan's side. Maya on her end had done the same, but
towards Pravat who had collapsed to the floor.
"Thank you," Lea said to the iron bird which stood over her friend.
"The question is now how do we get out of here?' Maya asked as she
looked at Pravat. Although conscious and aware the Marine had been in no
condition to run from this place, let alone walk.
Without saying anything each of the iron bird creatures gently took
hold of one of the former prisoners. With great ease each was lifted off
their feet and within seconds carried into the air. Lea continued to
watch in sheer amazement, glad that they had all escaped. As they flew
over the hills near the city the CMO wondered about their rescuers and
their intents. Had they been rescued by some benevolent souls or had
they found themselves in deeper trouble?
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Lt. Lea Summers 2006 post #282
Stardate: 61038.0545
Tiffany Rose {lady_tiffany_rose@mail.com}
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
