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I promised my self I wasn't going to write this one until I finished at least two of my other stories. However, my muses had other ideas. I haven't seen this particular muse since I wrote the manuscript for my science fiction novel(and no its not published, maybe someday). So after banging my head against a wall for several minutes I discovered two things. #1)Hitting your head against a wall HURTS!, and #2)my scifi muse is not going away. So unfortunatly here's another unfinished story that at some point in time will be finished. And if that's not bad enough for you here's the kicker...this story promises to be a full lown series. Okay enough of my ramblings. The story is an Alternate Universe that takes place in the future. The characters names are the same, and basically they are the same characters with a few minor changes(and some not so minor), so be warned. I promise not to have Jim get raped again, but I won't promise not to hurt him. Hey I'll even throw in a few Blair owies for interests sake. Bear with me on this one. Some of you are going to read this and go WHAT!!!!!, and probably not finish it. I won't blame you if you don't, but I'll never talk to you again...lol. This story is Rated PG 13 for violence, and language. Imperial SentinelPart One: Finding Control Planet Orion 4 Rainier Guide University September 7th 2342 Guide student Blair Sandburg woke slowly to the light of a new day. Squinting in the light, he groaned rolling over and trying to throw the covers over his head to block the streams of sunlight ppouring through the window of his dorm room. His roommate and friend, Blake Anderson, grabbed the covers and threw them off of the young student. Grinning at his long haired friend, Blake called, "Rise and shine, Blair!" "Man, there has to be some kind of rule that you can't be that cheerful in the morning." Blair said as he opened his eyes and glared at his five foot ten roommate. Blake only smiled even more broadly at him. "Come on Blair, your Spirit Guide class is in less than two hours. I have to be at my Med class in half an hour. Are you going to get up on your own?" Blake asked as he packed his books in his backpack. "Yeah, yeah, I'll get up. Go before your late. Observor Davinger isn't too keen on tardiness." Blair answered remembering his own experiences in Basic Medicine and First Aid for Sentinels. He had also had Observor Davinger as his teacher and had once seen the man embarrass a tardy student so bad the poor kid had run out the door. Yawning, Blair climbed out of his bed and went to the bathroom to take his morning shower. Luckily, Orion 4 was a type Earth planet, and there was no water rationing. Blair had grown up on Tao 7, a near desert world, and appreciated the lack of water raioning. He also appreciated hot showers. Blair towled himself dry, and dressed quickly in his grey jumpsuit, the uniform of guides-in-training. While chewing on a granola bar, Blair packed up his books, and notebooks that he would need for the day's round of classes. His first class was Spirit Guides 101. This class was different from others. You continued to take it until all the mediation lead to you finding your Spirit Guide. So far Blair had yet to find his, but he was determined. He had five more classes after that, two before lunch and the rest after lunch. Blair finished off his granola bar, and walked out of his dorm room, then out of the dorm building. Outside he walked through the grounds of the University, taking in the feel of the serene surroundings. The grass beneathe his feet was a deep lush green, and the flowering trees had beautiful purple and gold blossoms. Even though by Earth calender it was fall, the only land mass on Orion 4 was in spring equinox. Blair glanced over as he always did every day to the large grey stone buildings surrounded by a high walled fence. Inside the fence, the grounds were as nice as the grounds to the University. Even from this distance, Blair could see some children playing on the playgrounds with its swings, and jungle jim under the watchful eye of Observors. Blair smiled. It always made him happy to see Sentinel children playing at the Sentinel Compound as the area was called. One day, Blair thought. Blair was now in his third year at the Guide University. It usually took up to four years before the Observors would take a student to the compound to look over the unbonded adult Sentinels that were housed there. Only Observors were allowed anywhere near an unbonded Sentinel. Observors had been Guides once upon a time, but had lost their Sentinel for some reason or another. Unlike Sentinels, Guides did not automatically shut down and die after the loss of the other. And an Observor could only bond once in his or her lifetime, so there was no danger of that happening. Blair knew that somewhere in that compound was the Sentinel that was destined to be hisSentinel. It would not be long, he hoped, before it would be his turn to go into that compound. First, however, he had to get to class. USS Amadeus Taurus Sector September 8th 2342 Captain Jim Ellison of Star Rangers walked through the corridors of the warship, Amadeus, heading for his barracks. He had spent the morning in the gym, working with the free weights, and running some laps to ease the tension he had felt sense returning from his last mission. The mission had been a bust. His ship had crashlanded on a barren moon, killing the pilot, and injuring Captain Ellison. The ship's enviromental systems had not been damaged, but the engines, and flight control had been. Isolated and injured, Jim had waited for rescue that came six standard days later. During that time, Jim had started having problems with his senses, and on the fifth day had realized with growing horror that he was developing Sentinel abilities. Ellison had raged at himself for awhile, knowing he had no control over that. It was genetic, so he had been told when he had taken the small course with his other medic courses on how to treat Sentinels. Jim then raged at those damn Observors. They always thought that they held tightly the breeding lines of the Sentinels, but every now and then a "wild" Sentinel such as, he admitted, himself were born among the ranks of the Citizens. If they had true control over those damn lines, then Ellison would have been born on Orion 4 at the Sentinel Compound, not on Centaurri 3, where he had grown up with his father and mother. Then he wouldn't be worrying about when the Observors on board the Amadeus were going to find him out. He was finding it difficult to keep his newly acquired abilities secret. His senses flared up at the worst times, and he had nearly zoned several times. Determined not to let his senses get the better of him, Jim fought for control, and usually lost. One day, he knew, he would lose in front of someone, and the Observors would then come for him. He knew that the Observors could teach him control until he bonded with a Guide, but sheer stubborness and good old fashioned fear kept him from turning himself in. He knew that as soon as he did, he would no longer be a Citizen or a Star Ranger. The life he knew would be over. He would be a Sentinel, belonging first to the Sentinel Compound as an unbonded Sentinel, and then to his Guide once he bonded. Jim hated the idea of being considered someone's propery. Before the accident, he had met a few Guides and their Sentinels. Everyone had offered the Guides respect treating them like any other Citizen. The Sentinels had been ignored like one ignores a man's dog. Sometimes complimented over, sometimes commanded, but never conversed with except by his Guide. Sentinels were Property, because unbonded Sentinels were dangerous to themselves and others. To protect normal Citizens, Sentinels had been isolated from society, and quickly bonded to Guides. the Guides went through extensive training on how to care for and control their Sentinels. Now the Sentinel Compound had its own breeding program, and the Rainier Guide University taught people how to be Guides. As much as Jim wanted control of his senses, he wanted to keep control over his own life. Deep in thought, Jim was surprised when as he walked into the barracks he was grabbed on all three sides. Ellsion struggled with his attackers, realizing that it was his own comrades, Lts. Rafe, Brown, and Conner, that were trying to subdue him. He looked around as he struggled and noticed Colonel Banks standing a few meters away with two Observors dressed in white jumpsuits standing beside him. They know, Jim thought afraid as he continued to struggle. Though he was bigger than the other three Rangers, their combined weight and skill brought him to the deck and held him there lying on his stomach. Jim continued to struggle usesly. One of them would hiss at him to calm down, and Jim would become angry. Already commanding the dog, Jim thought. One of the Observors came forward, and Jim's sight kicked in enough for him to see the syringe in the Observors hand. Jim knew what was in that syringe. Docile, a sedative that had been specifically developed for Sentinels. Normal sedatives didn't work well on Sentinels, neither did pain killers. But Docile worked, Jim had even used it once himself on an injured Sentinel during a pirate attack. Docile would knock a Sentinel out for eight hours with no side effects. The Observor bent down on one knee beside the struggling Sentinel. He whispered in a soothing tone, his voice pitched for a Sentinel's hearing, "Sssshhhh, its alright, Ellison. Calm down. No one here is going to hurt you." Jim hated the man's tone. He had even made Jim's name sound like a dog's name. Jim increased his efforts to free himself to no avail. Rafe held his arms pinned behind his back, with Conner helping, both of them using their weight to keep him down. Brown used his weight to control Jim's legs. These people had been his friends and comrades, now he felt betrayed by them. He understood, though. He was a Sentinel, not a Citizen. He was dangerous to them. The Observor placed a hand on Jim's head, moving it lightly in a stroking manner. Jim felt the sharp prick of a needle in his neck and the feel of the Docile pushed into his veins. When the needle was removed, the Observor placed it in his coat pocket, and continued to stroke Ellison's head lightly with his fingers all the while talking in his soothing tone."Its alright, Ellison. We are not angry at you for hiding this from us. We understand. Sssshhhh, rest now. Breathe in...breath out. Sssshhhh." The Observor's voice dissapeared as Jim slipped into unconsciousness. After the Sentinel fell under the drug, the three officers released their former Captain and stood up. "Man, that sucked." Conner whispered. Rafe nodded agreeing with Conner's statement. "But necessary." Observor Michael Corrins said as he continued to kneel beside the unconscious Sentinel. Observor Kristine Sandavol walked over with Colonel Banks at her heels. "Now what are you going to do?" Banks asked. He had been shocked when the Observors had come to him and told him that Captain Ellison was a Sentinel. In situations like that, an Observor suddenly became a General, and by law Colonel Banks had to comply with the plan to capture Captain Ellison. Observor Corrins looked up at the big Colonel, "Now we take care of him. A ship from Orion 4 is on its way, and Ellison is now property of The Sentinel Compound. We will deal with this ouselves, Colonel. Thank you for your assistance." Two more Observors entered carrying a stretcher. Colonel Banks motioned for the other to proceed him out the door. Once the Colonel and the other men were gone, Observor Corrins helped the other Observors roll Ellison onto the stretcher. It took all four of the Observors to lift the heavy, well-muscled Sentinel and carry him to sickbay. Once inside the sickbay, the Observors commandered an isolation room and a connecting office and bathroom. Using their codes, they were able to get pure water to fill the bathtub. The water didn't have any chemicals in it that would irritate a Sentinel's sensitive skin, and was used only for Sentinels. They stripped Jim of his workout clothes and placed him in the bathtub. Observor Corrins bathed the Sentinel using a soap that was made from organic compounds. The Observors were gentle with the newly acquired Sentinel. They dressed him in black coveralls made from a material that had been produced for Sentinels. Black signified that Jim was a Sentinel, just as white signified Observors, and grey for Guides. Once they had dressed the unconscious Sentinel they placed him on the bed of the isolation room using the leather straps in case the Sentinel awoke before the Orion ship arrived. The Observors then dimmed the light, leaving a camera running, and left the Sentinel to sleep. Orion 4 September 8 2342 Rainier Guide University Blair sat in the lotus position on his woven mat, eyes closed, breathing slowed, and heartbeat slow and regular. Meditation was the path to finding inner peace, but it was also the path to finding one's spirit guide. So far, both of those things had eluded Blair Sandburg. He had already gone through the parts of the class that taught about spirit guides, why they were important, and what each animal represented. Unlike the others in the class, however, Blair had yet to find his. His teachers were patient, telling him that a spirit guide showed itself when it wanted to and not before. All of which combined to irritate Blair. His first year of classes had been on history of Sentinels and Guides, their importance and role in the modern world. They were also taught about the instincts of Sentinels, and how thoses instincts affected them. Some of those instincts were useful, such as the protective instinct, and the instinct for mating and reproducing. Others were annoying, and could be controlled if the Guide was willing to go through the trouble to do so. His second year had included some basic med classes, as well as those med classes that dealt specifically with Sentinel physology. There were even some psych classes, and classes on hypnosis. All and all the first two years had been very interesting, and Blair had enjoyed his classes. This year he had classes more rooted in the mysticism side. Spirit Gides, and the interpreting of dreams were just a few of his classes. He knew that the fourth year was the year in which he would be taken to the Compound until he found his Sentinel. The classes from then would be on learning to train his Sentinel in controlling and using his gifts. All Sentinels had small training in the control of their senses, those born at the compound anyway. Blair knew, though, that there hadn't been a "wild" Sentinel for fifty years. Blair knew they were very rare because the Observors kept a tight rein on the Sentinel lines, and Guides kept a tight rein on their Sentinels. No unauthorized breeding, especially with Citizens. Blair realized he wasn't going to relax enough if he kept his mind in a constant stream of thought. Telling his mind to shut up, Blair tried to imagine a single candle flame in his mind. Concentrating on the candle to clear his mind of bad vibes. The flame was imperfect, but it would do. The class ended and Blair had yet to find his spirit guide. Dissapointed, Blair packed up his books and headed to his next class, Dream Interpretation. Blair sat down in his seat and waited patiently for the instructor. Beside him, a young woman with golden brown hair sat down next to him. Blair smiled at her, and she smiled back. He had a feeling he wasn't going to be able to keep his mind on class. Blair met Blake at the cafeteria along with a few of his other friends, Mathew Evans, Dawn Summers, and Philip Chaney. None of them were fourth year students, and Dawn was a first year student. They ate and discussed their classes. Philip let Blake borrow his notes from his Med class, and Dawn flirted with Mathew, who seemed to enjoy the attention. None of them wore the Guide band around their wrists that signified that they had found their spirit guides and would be ready to ascend to the next level of training. Blair and Mathew, being third year students were closer to gaining the coveted Guide band, than the others. The rest of the afternoon, Blair spent at classes. When the sun went down, Blair was already back in his dorm room studying his texts and notes. Blake had a Med test the next day, and Blair helped the man study for it by quizzing him. After spending four hours studying, the two guides in training went to sleep and dreamed of the adventures that awaited them after their training. Orion Shuttle Sept. 9th 2342 Enroute to Orion 4 When Jim regained consciousness, the first thing he became aware of was the feel of something soft and padded beneathe him. His eyes opened slowly, but there was no residual effects of the drug. Moving only his eyes, Jim looked around his surrounding. He realised he was in a "grey" cell. A padded room with light grey walls, low lighting, and soundproof, the "grey" cell was designed for Sentinels. the room was supposedly as zone free as could be made. Used for Sentinels who through injury or drugs had lost control of their senses, or for ones such as himself, "wild" born and completely unpredictable. Jim sat up and looked around more scrutinly. Facilities were in one of the corners, not hidden by any curtain or door. The rest of the walls were merely padded to prevent him from injuring himself. The room was not very large, nor very tall, but at least Jim didn't have to crouch down. He looked at a black clothed arm noticing that his sweats were gone, and the traditional black jumpsuit was in its place. Angry that they had undressed him and dressed him like a babe while he had been out, Jim thought seriously about stripping out of the damn uniform. He decided against it though. He drew his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around his legs resting his chin in the crook between his knees. The hum beneath coming from the floor told Jim that he was on a ship. He knew that the Amadeus had no "grey" cells on board. Injured Sentinels were put in isolation rooms. Therefore, he concluded that he was on a different ship, and he knew were they were going. Suddenly, the door opened admitting an Observor. Jim recognized the Observor that had injected him with the Docile. The Observor had a plactic tray in his hands. On the tray were fresh fruits, vegetables, and some cooked meat of some sort. At the sight of the Observor, Jim had been ready to leap and attack. However, a deeper instinct within him told him "no". Instinct won out, and Jim just glared at the Observor as the man set down the tray, then left the room. The Observor had smiled at him when he had sat the tray down. Jim ignored the tray, refusing to touch the food. Istead, he continued to sit in the cell, his mind going over old books and training manuals as he had been taught to do should he ever be captured by the enemy. To the wild Sentinel, the Observors were the enemy and the first duty of all prisoners was to escape. Orion4 September 10th 2342 Rainier Guide University Blair sat on his bed studying the book on Dream Interpretation that sat in his lap. Reaching up, Blair removed his reading glasses and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. He glanced at the chronometer and realised he had been studying for four hours. Sighing, Blair closed the book and decided to go for a walk. Replacing his boots n his feet, Blair stood up and walked out of the building and onto the campus grounds. He thought about taking a tube to the city, and decided that it was a good idea. The tube took him quickly to the city that was several miles from the campus and the compound. Once in the city , Blair decided to eat at his favorite restaurant. He ordered a tuna fish sandwich with some fresh veggies on the side, and a glass of milk. Sitting down at a booth, Blair dug into the sandwich. When he was done eating, Blair walked around the city aimlessly. He suddenly found himself near the spaceport, and was just in time to watch a shuttle land on one of the eight landing platforms. Strangely, Blair felt a compulsion to go over the the newly landed shuttle. Shaking off the feeling, Blair turned and left wondering why he had ended up at the spaceport. He hadn't been there since he had arrived on a shuttle some threee years ago. After buying an algae shake made from the special algae cultivated in the aquafarms in Orion 4's vast ocean, Blair took a tube back to the campus. Returning to his dorm, he picked up his book and while sipping on his agae shake he continued his studies. Orion 4 September 10 2342 The Sentinel Compound When they had landed on Orion 4 not more than a few hours ago, the Observors had come into the cell. There were four of them, and because Jim could not go against his instincts and harm them, the Observors herded him into a corner. One of the Observors placed a harness on Jim that had straps that went around his waist, over his shoulders and met in the middle of his chest where a metal ring hung. Once the harness was in place, the Observor snapped a leash onto the ring, and Jim was forced to follow them out of the cell. Two Observors walked beside him, while the one holding the leash walked in front of him. The two at his sides would occassionaly touch his arms or his back lightly trying to use their touch to keep him calm. Jim had refused his breakfast that morning, and in fact hadn't eaten since before his capture. They led him to a transport tube, and they rode the thing to the Compound. Once at the Compound, he was taken to a medical room. Stripped of his clothes, he was forced to lay on one of the examining tables. He endured their examination of him because he had no choice. All of them were Observors, and Jim's Sentinel instincts forbade him to harm a Guide, even Guides with no Sentinels. Once the exam was done, Jim was taken to another room where he was bathed, and redressed in a clean jumpsuit. The harness was replaced and Jim followed his captors to another grey cell. The new cell was larger than his old one, but it was still a cell. When Jim wasn't pacing and growling, he would sit and stare at the wall. Not zoned, only replaying images in his mind to keep his sanity. The Observors continued to bring in trays of food, which the Sentinel ignored. He drank only the water provided for him, and refused to look at the food. Once his anger became overwhelming, and Ellison picked up the tray and threw it against the wall. He then proceeded to beat his fist angrily at the padded walls screaming at the top of his lungs. The Observors waited until the Sentinel exhausted himself knowing that the padded walls would keep the Sentinel from harm. Then they walked in while the Sentinel lay on the floor curled up in a fetal position breathing heavy from exhaustion and cleaned up the tray. One of the Observors tried to comfort the Sentinel with a touch, but even exhausted, Jim flinched away from the proffered hand, and the Observor gave up and left. Finally, sleep overwhelmed the exhausted Sentinel. Orion 4 Sept. 24th 2342 The Sentinel Compound Observor Corrins watched the Sentinel on the monitor in his office. The Sentinel had now gone two weeks without food, and the Observors had been forced to insert an IV. Now, Jim Ellison lay strapped to a bed in the 'grey" cell with an IV giving him the neccesary fluids and vitamins. Soon, if the Sentinel did not give in they would be forced to insert a tube in the Sentinel's stomach to feed him. During that two weeks, the Observors had not been lax. They had brought in unbonded graduates from the University. The Guides were placed in the cell knowing that Ellison couldn't harm them. The Guide would try and get the Sentinel to talk to them, eat with them. Some had tried touching the Sentinel, who would only flinch away. So far fifteen Guides had been brought in, and Ellison as yet remained unbonded and falling further and further into insanity. The Observors were beggining to think that they might have to take the last resort and humanely put the Sentinel down. Blair sat on the handwoven mat in the otus position eyes closed. The rythmn of drums and pipes coming from the computer system in the room helped relax the young Guide as he drifted off into a meditative state. Breathing in slowly, Blair tried to move his spirit into the other realm... Blair stood upon the broken steps of an ancient temple in the middle of a jungle. Suddenly a wolf's howl echoed throught the jungle. Startled birds took off from the trees cawing their irritation. Another howl resounded, and Blair peered through the foliage. A silver wolf padded out from beneathe the green underbrush and stared at the Guide with its amber colored eyes. Blair felt something exploring inside his mind as if it were a cave hiding treasure. He realised it was the wolf...his spirit guide. Blair became excited, grinning like a chesire cat. The wolf opened its muzzle, tongue lolling out in a wolfish grin. The wolf then bound toward his side, stopped and placed its forpaws on Blair's shoulders. The wolf's tongue came out again and licked the Guide's face... Blair opened his eyes in startlement. Before him was Observor Hardin, his instructor. Blair grinned at her wildly. she smiled back. "You found your spirit guide>" She said pouring out her happiness in her tone. Blair nodded unable to speak, at least coherently. "Oh Blair am so proud of you." She said hugging him to her. Blair returned the hug enthusiastically. She pulled back and looked at him smiling, "I will call the Goldsmith. Go now, by the time you get there he will be ready for you. What was your spirit guide, Blair?" "A wolf," He said. "A silver wolf." His spirit guide. Blair felt like cheering, his heart bursting with joy. He stood up, and barely caught himself from dancing. "Go to the Goldsmith, Blair." She repeated the order laughing at Blair's giddiness. Blair left. He arrived at the Goldsmith's office. The man was also an Observor, but was talented in creating the guide bands, and sentinels bands. Hardin had already called him with the details. With the high tech tools he had available, Goldsmith already had a guide band waiting for him. Blair watched the Goldsmith snap the gold band around his left wrist. His blue eyes followed the wolves that were carved into the gold. Scenes of wolves running, and playing. Heads thrown back, Blair could almost hear the howls. His eyes wouldn't or couldn't leave the sight of the band. He heard a chuckle from the Goldsmith. Reluctantly, Blair looked up and focused his gaze on the big former Guide. "All new ones are like that. They stare at that band like its going to disappear any second now. The band can't be removed, Blair. You know that. You'll have all the time in the world to admire my work, but you need to get to class, now." The man said with a chuckle. Blair suddenly realised he had another class in about thirty minutes. With a goodbye, Blair raced out of the Goldsmith's office, and to the building that housed his next class. The goldband flashing in the sun, Blair ran almost feeling his wolf running beside him. Blair tossed and turned on his bed lost in the dream. Blair stood in the jungle again. Before him was the temple, with its broken
vine covered steps. On the top step stood the silver wolf looking at him. the
wolf turned toward the entrance to the temple, then looked back over a furry
shoulder as if to say, "Well come on!". Blair followed the wolf
inside the temple. Lying in the center of the chamber was a large black jaguar. The beast lay on its side panting heavily, tongue lolled out between its powerful jays, eyes half lidded. Silver chains held the jaguar to the floor, and blood dripped where the chains lay. Blair's heart went out to the poor creature and he moved as if to help the jaguar... Blair jerked awake and sat up in his bed breathing and heartrate skyrocketing. He glanced over at the other bed and saw that it was unoccupied. Remembering that Blake had a date, Blair smiled knowing the reason why the bed was empty. He blinked and looked back at the bed. It was not empty. Standing on the bed was the silver wolf with its amber eyes glowing in the low light. The wolf leaped from the bed and headed toward the door. Not understanding why, Blair got up, dressed, then followed the silver wolf out of the dorm room and into the night. The three pale moons provided Blair with enough light to see by as he followed the wolf across the green expanse of the campus toward the Compound. The wolf moved at a pace that Blair was able to keep, and stopped every so often to look back at Sandburg. Blair did not understand why the wolf was there in the physical world, or why he had the urge to follow the wolf, but he was not one to argue with the spirit world. The wolf led him to a part of the surrounding fence that on the other side was the compound. The wolf whined and dug at a freshly dug hole that led beneathe the fence. Blair understood and crawled through the hole. The wolf watched his progress, then nodded its furry head. The wolf then walked through the fence as if it did not exist. Blair stood up and brushed dirt from his clothes scowling at the wolf, "Now why couldn't I do that?" The wolf just snorted then continued onward. Blair followed obediantly. Apparently, the wolf knew to watch for guards, because every so often the beast would crouch done behind cover and Blair would follow suit. Just as they did, a guard would come into view, look around, then continue on. The wolf led him to a large grey metal building, stopping for guards a few more times. The wolf waited at the entrance for Blair, who had to wait a few seconds to avoid another guard. Blair discovered the door to be unlocked, so he carefully opened it praying there were no silent alarms. The wolf led him down a corridor where office doors stood on either side. When he passed an office he ducked beneathe the window on the door in case there was someone inside the office. Only two offices held people that Blair was sure of. He could hear them talking to each other in the offices. One voice he recognized as Observor Corrins, in whose class he had had the honor of being in two semester ago. Blair wondered briefly how much trouble he was going to be in if got caught. The wolf led him through another door into yet another corridor. The doors in this corridor were different, definitly not offices. Blair paused by the first door. It was metal, with no window. Beside it was a slot with a large white card in it. Blair picked up the card and read it, "Mitchell, Adam. Second and third degree burns on thirty percent of body. Isolation recommended by Dr. Morrison for a period of three weeks. Guide:Anders, Donna. No visitors other than guide." Blair realised that the rooms were grey cells. He had learned of them in his Med class, but they could not be taken to the compound to see one. The wolf had stopped with him, but now continued down the corridor. Blair replaced the card and followed the wolf to another door, five doors down. Blair picked up the card in the slot next to the door the wolf had stopped at and read it, "Ellison, James. Wildborn. Unbonded Hunger strike, IV recommended by Dr. Morrison. Possible termination." Blair gasped at that last statement. They were thinking of putting a sentinel down, which went directly against Blair's guide instincts. Blair replaced the card, and slowly opened the door. The doors were only locked on the inside, and Blair stepped through. The first thing he saw was the black jaguar laying on a stone bed covered with the silver chains, but when he blinked the image was replaced with a man lying on a hospital bed. Leather straps held down the well muscled man by his wrists and ankles. An IV needle was stuck in the back of his left hand with precious fluids dripping from the bag held on the IV pole beside the bed. The man's eyes were open and glaring at him. Blair swallowed underneath the steady angry blue-eyed gaze that seemed as cold as ice. "Go away." the man growled. Blair watched the wolf glide over to the bed unseen by the sentinel. Blair realised the wolf wanted him to come closer to the sentinel. Blair took a deep breath and stepped over to the bed. Ellison growled deep in his throat then said, "I thought I said go away." Blair reached out and touched Ellison's right forearm with his left hand. "I won't go away." He answered in a soothing tone. When the hand touched Ellison's forearm, a flood of warmth filled Blair's soul, and he saw the same reaction in the other man's eyes. The wolf howled in pleasure, then disapeared. Blair gasped at the power of the connection of the Sentinel/Guide bond, and fell back a step. Ellison appeared equally shaken, but managed to mumble, "What the hell..." Blair shook his head, then walked back to the bedside. He placed his hand on the side of Jim's head and moved his fingers in a stroking motion, "Its alright, " he said in his best guide tone, " it was just the connecting of our bond." He continued his petting motions even when Ellison growled, "Fuck!" under his breath. Blair smiled at his Sentinel. Ellison turned his cold blue eyes back to Sandburg. "Why did you come here? I was fine until you showed up." "Fine, huh." Blair pointed at the IV, "Yay, you look fine to me." Blair said sarcastically rolling his eyes. "Yeah, fine. They were getting ready to kill me. Why did you come and ruin it?" Blair's eyes widened, "Did you really want to die?" "Better than being somebody's pet." he growled back jerking his head away from Blair's ministrations. No, its not going to be that easy, Jim, Blair thought and at the same time reached out again with his hand finding Jim's head and continueing his stroking ignoring Jim's attempts to flinch away. Blair somehow knew that he needed to push and not allow the sentinel any slack or Jim would die. The bond was made, though it was fragile, it could not be broken short of the death of one of them. Blair had no intention of letting his sentinel die by the sentinel's own hand. "Well, I'm not going to let you die, Jim." Blair said moving his hand from Jim's head to his shoulder still moving his hand in a stroking motion. "So what we're are going to do is get you some food, and you are going to eat. And when your strength is back, we'll see about getting you out of this cell." "So it starts, huh. You giving orders and me obeying like some kind of dog. And I don't have a choice do I. These damn senses woke up some kind of strange instincts inside of me, didn't they. I remember what I learned about sentinels in that med course I took in the military. These instincts make a sentinel obey his guide. I couldn't even fight back against those fucking observors because of these fucking instincts. Well fuck those damn instincts, I'm not a fucking dog!" He ended up shouting that last part, and Blair understood why the sentinel was so hostile. He had been in the military, trained to fight and kill, but now he had come across any enemy he couldn't fight, and it frustrated him no end. Blair continued to run his hand up and down the sentinel's right arm soothingly while he spoke, "Calm down, Jim. Everything will be fine. Yes, they did awaken buried instincts, but they are a part of you. Just like the senses. You'll feel better I think once you learn to control your senses. That will be a big step, and it will be hard to learn, alright, but I am here to help you." He continued to speak, rubbing his hand along Jim's arm, up to his neck and the side of his head, then back down again. Jim breathed heavily, angrily, but his guide's soothing voice began to penetrate through his tough barriers and Jim eventually calmed down. Observor Corrins watched the exchange on the monitor in his office. When the silent alarm had gone off indicating someone in the grey cell, he had immediatly gone to the monitor. When he saw young Blair Sandburg touch the wild sentinel, and jump back, Corrins knew what had happened. He immediatly called off the guards, then called up his collegues having them come to his office. The others of the Board stood behind him watching the monitor as well. "Obviously, Sandburg has bonded with Ellison." Observor Kellers said. She did not seem happy about it. In fact Corrins noted that several on the board where not happy about it. He had heard that Blair was becoming a favorite pupil, and he knew the Board had high hopes that Blair would bond with one of their more promising compound born sentinels. Apparently the thought of their star student bonded to the wildborn sentinel was too much much for them. "I'm going to go get Blair. I'll bring him up to the office but I don't want any of you going off on him. Blair is now the only one who can save that sentinel, or do you all want us to have the sentinel put to sleep." He accused and watched as the Board members blushed and stammered realising how they had been acting. "Good, I'll be right back." And with that he strolled out of the office and headed for the grey cells. Corrins walked into the grey cell and heard a distinct growl from Ellison. He watched Blair turn aorund and go white in the face, eyes wide with fear. "Blair I need you to come with me." Corrins said. Blair nodded and followed Corrins out of the grey cell with one last look at the stubborn sentinel, who refused to look back. Corrins led Blair back to his office where the other members of the board awaited their arrival. Corrins motioned to a chair, and Blair sat obediantly. "Blair, I need to understand why you felt it neccesary to come over here to the compound at night?" Blair replied, "I..I uh was following my spirit guide." Realising how stupid that sounded, Blair shut up. "Your spirit guide led you here? What did you see when you walked into the grey cell?" "I saw a black jaguar lying on the bed with silver chains holding him there." Blair answered. Corrins nodded. Of course, the spirit guide would know that the sentinel needed his guide, and would have brought said guide by the scruff of his neck if he had had to. "I believe you Blair. Spirit Guides are very good at getting us to do what needs doing despite all our plans to the contrary." He eyed the other board members with the last statement. "So now we must get you ready, Blair, to handle your sentinel. You have yet to go through any of the classes that teach you to help your sentinel control his senses. That will change, as of today you are now a fourth year student. I will have a copy of your schedule sent to your new dorm room." "My new dorm room?" Blair questioned. "We can't very well have you living with a roomate and your sentinel now can we. As a fully bonded guide you have a right to private quarters. Your sentinel of course will be staying with you. The bond is fragile, and only through touch and constant promimity can you strengthen that bond. Tonight, we'll have a pallet made for you in the cell. Tomorrow, we'll see if you can't get your sentinel to eat. Once he's back on solid food, then we'll have you moved to your new quarters. I will warn you now, Ellison was a Star Ranger. He will be dangerous to non-guides, and I am betting he will be a flight risk. The instinct to obey his guide should allow you to keep him from escaping, but my guess is that he will try eventually." "Yes sir. I will watch him closely. And I Corrins took Blair back to the grey cell. It was Blair who, after the nurse removed the IV, unbuckled the restraints that held his sentinel on the bed. The sentinel then got off the bed slowly, and layed down on the padded floor breathing heavily from the exertion, but watching Blair and Corrins like a hawk studying his prey. The nurse wheeled the bed out of the cell along with the IV equipment. Another Observor brought some blankets and pillows, which he handed to Blair. Then both Corrins with a last squeeze of Blair's shoulder, and the other Observor left. Blair looked at the sentinel huddled in the corner watching him, then sighed and used the blankets and pillows to make a pallet. When he had the pallet all made up he sat down on it and looked at the sentinel. Mmmm, Observor Corrins said touch strengthens the bond.He thought. Decision made, he pulled back the blanket. Then to Ellison he said in his guide tone,"Come on over here, Jim." The order was clear, and Jim could neither fight instinct nor the command. He crawled over to Sandburg, who ordered him to lie down on the pallet. Jim did, anger flashing in his blue eyes from being ordered around. Once the sentinel was settled, Blair lay down on the pallet beside the sentinel lying on his left side while Jim lay on his back. His right arm reached over Jim's shoulder the crook of his elbow resting on top of Jim's right arm. Blair's hand stroked Jim's neck beneath his chin and his chest after pulling the covers up to their waist. The setinel flinched at the touch, but did not scramble away. Blair listened as the Sentinel's breathing became slower as Jim fell into a deep sleep. Blair smiled then closed his eyes. Within a few minutes, the guide was fast asleep. Blair was the first to wake up and soon discovered that they had moved during the night. Blair now lay on his back, with Jim's head laying on his chest, the sentinel's left ear pressed above Blair's heart. The sentinel's right arm was flung over Blair's stomach, and Jim's right leg was pressed up against Blair's left leg. Blair realised why he had been dreaming about being trapped under a bear. He chuckled lightly, which woke the sentinel. Jim's eyes opened, and he looked around. Realising how he was laying, Jim scrambled away pulling the blanket off of Blair. Blair sat up, yawning and stretching, while Jim watched him from the corner of the room he was crouched in. Ice blue eyes followed his every movement. "I'm hungry, what about you?" Blair asked as he began folding the blanket Jim had left piled up. The sentinel said nothing, merely watching Blair warily. The door to the grey cell opened, admitting Observor Corrins who carried a tray. "Sleep well, Blair?" Corrins asked. Realising that Corrins probably saw them on the monitor, Blair nodded, "Other than a really weird dream involving a bear, I slept pretty good." Corrins laughed as he sat the tray down. "Well, I brought you both some food. You'll have to start him out on liquids until his system is ready to handle solid food again. The oatmeal should work well." Blair glanced at Jim, who was now including Corrins in his icy stare. "Oatmeal sounds fine to me. don't worry, he'll eat." He looked at the sentinel significantly, who growled low in his throat. Blair realised that the black jaguar was a definite match for his sentinel. "Well, I'll leave you two alone now. I have a feeling this sentinel has met his match." He said the last part with a smile for Blair. Blair grinned,You better believe.. Corrins walked out of the room, another Observor having opened the door for him. Blair took off the cover of the tray and found two bowls of hot oatmeal, two spoons, a container of sugar, a container of honey, and some fresh blueberries. Blair looked at the sentinel, "come on. You need to eat. I'm pretty sure you don't want a tube put in your stomach, do you?" Ellison stood up and walked over to Blair, then sat down beside the young guide. "You want honey or sugar in yours?" Blair asked. "I don't care." Jim answered. "Ookay, fine, then I'll put sugar in them." Blair poured a spoonful of sugar into both bowls of oatmeal, then stirred them around. He added some blueberries to his bowl, then crushed some into the other bowl. "Now unless you might to spoon feed you myself, I suggest you take that bowl and eat. Slowly, though." "You would, wouldn't you." It wasn't a question. "Of course." With that he picked up Jim's bowl and placed the spoon in it, then lifted out a spoonful. Jim rolled his eyes, and took the bowl from Blair, then grabbed Blair's spoon from his bowl leaving Blair holding Jim's oatmeal filled spoon. Blair laughed, and placed that spoon in his bowl. Jim fought the urge to laugh, and hid it by taking a bite of the oatmeal. It tasted like cardboard. Ignoring the taste, he took another bite. That one tasted like sugar, and nothing else. The next bite he could barely taste the sugar for the taste of blueberries. He realised then that he hated the taste of blueberries. Taking another bite, wondering if he'd now taste the spoon, he realised that he could now taste everything in the right combinations. Finally,he thought,my tongue decided to coorperate. Blair watched Jim as he ate his own bowl of oatmeal. He could tell by the grimacs on the sentinel's face that his taste must be spiking. He noticed though, that the grimaces went away, and Jim ate the oatmeal with a bit more enthusiasm. "Don't eat that too fast, Jim. You don't need to be throwing it back up. Won't do you any good then." Jim ate slower, and Sandburg nodded in satisfaction, then continued to eat his own. When they were done, Blair placed the empty bowl back on the tray. Jim leaned against a wall with his knees to his chest, forarms resting on top of his knees, chin resting on forearms watching Blair. Blair sighed as he noticed the sentinel's eyelids begin to droop.
Apparently, the full stomach was making the sentinel sleepy. Blair stood up
and walked over to the sentinel, who made no attempt to walk away from him. He
sat down beside the sentinel pressed up against him. Jim watched him covertly
through his peripheral vision, then as Blair body touched him, he relaxed
unconsciously. Once his body was relaxed, it didn't take long before he fell
asleep again. Blair sighed and maneuvered the sentinel's head to rest against
his shoulder. Blair knew that the lack of food for two weeks had left the
sentinel without any reserves. The food had caused his body to begin healing
again, which caused the sentinel to be even more tired. As he sat with the
sentinel's head on his shoulder, Blair reached up with his left hand and idly
stroked Jim's head and neck. A few hours later, Blair realised with a start that he had fallen asleep as well, when he was suddenly awakened by slight shake of his shoulders. Blair opened his eyes and looked up into the hazel colored eyes of Observor Corrins. Corrins smiled at him, and Blair smiled back then looked around. He realised he was no longer sitting against the wall. He had been gently placed on the pallet at some point, and the one who had obviously moved him was curled up against Blair's left side, head resting on Blair's chest above his heart. Blair wondered when the sentinel had moved him, and why he hadn't awoke. Ignoring the train of thoght for a moment, he focused his gaze back to Observor Corrins. "You must be pretty tired, Blair." Corrins said. At the sound of the Observor's voice, Jim awoke immediatly. the sentinel lifted his head off of Blair's chest and glared menacingly at the Observor, who ignored the look. "I guess so," Blair said as he lay his left hand on Jim's head to calm the sentinel. Sense returned to the sentinel, instinct overriden for the moment, and Jim moved away from his guide's side focusing the glare to the long haired student. Blair chuckled a bit under his breathe, and slowly stood up with Observor Corrins help. "I'm glad you were able to get him to eat the oatmeal." Corrins said realeasing Blair's hand that he had used to help the guide up. "Me too. Though there was a moment there that I thought he was going to dump it all over me." Blair answered smiling. Corrins laughed. Jim watched them talk over his head as if he wasn't in the room. Or as if I was a child or a dog, not able to understand, Jim thought. Leaning his back against the wall, Jim listened to the conversation wondering what was next. He had been embarrassed when he had woken that morning to find he had sprawled over his guide during the night. He remembered the sound of a gently thumping in his ears, realising that it was the young guide's heartbeat. He had found the sound soothing in its steadiness and deep rythmn. When he had fallen aslep again after eating the oatmeal, he remembered vaguely awakening, at least partially, and gathering the limp sleeping body of his guide into his arms. He layed the guide gently on the pallet, then curled up beside the guide like a faithful hound, head resting on his master's chest. The heartbeat drowning in his ears. Disgusted with himself, Jim tried to block out the memory of what he had done. Instinct. That's what he had blamed it on before, shouting at Blair about how his newfound instincts were controlling him. The protective instinct he felt towards the young guide was the most overwhelming, the second being the need to obey his guide. Jim wondered briefly if the protective instinct could override a guide's command. Shaking his head, he thought,What do I care if it does. Im not going to stay here. First chance I get, Im outta of here. He thought about where he would go. The Aries system?He knew that in that sytem of lawlessness, where pirates and smugglers performed their tasks under the scrutiny of the rogue lords, he would be safe from Imperial pursuit and the pursuit of one particular guide. Imperial law had yet to reach those systems, and probably never would. The rogue lords were ruthless, and the Imperial forces were already spread to thin for the Emperess' comfort. Unlike her father, she did not want an all out war with the rogue lords. Not once, did Jim think about what would happen to him if he reached Rogueworld, which was the center of the Aries system. He forgot how much sentinels were worth on the black market. His concern for escape was at the foremost of his thoughts. His head ran through different scenarios of escape, and realised that every scenario involved being away from the guide long enough to escape. Jim wondered how he was going to manage that. Blair nodded at the suggestion made by Corrins, and noticed out of the corner of his eye that his sentinel was no longer paying attention to them. He could tell though that the sentinel was not zoned, but deep in thought. The blue eyes held a strange light, and Blair wondered what the sentinel was planning. An escape plan, no doubt,Blair thought. Knowing that his sentinel was a former Star Ranger, the elite of the elite, terrified him knowing full well that the sentinel proably could escape if given half the chance. Then, I won't give him that chance.Decided, Blair turned his attention back to the suggestion Corrins had made. Looking at the sentinel, who glared back at him with his icy blue eyes. If those eyes could shoot the lazers they threatened, Blair would be a smoldering ruin. Ignoring the glare, Blair crossed his arms over his chest trying to be forceful. "Well, get up and let's go." Blair said his voice commanding, yet gentle. Jim stood up. "Where are we going?" The Sentinel asked not really caring. "The bathhouse. You've been in the same clothes for, according to Corrins, the last three days." Jim could tell by the feel and the smell that Corrins was probably right. "Im not a child, I can bathe myself." He mumbled, though Blair heard him. "Been doing it for years now." "True you aren't a child, but your starting to act like one." Blair retorted. The glare retuned full force. "Come on." Jim raised an eyebrow, "Your not goint ouse that harness?" "No, why should I." Jim shook his head. "Good, then follow me. And don't try to escape. The Observors would just send out two or three Sentinels with their guides to find you. And they would find you. They are better than bloodhounds." With that Blair walked out of the cell, Corrins having opened the door for them. Jim followed at Blair's heels, his eyes taking in the corridor's every detail. Blair followed Corrins, who took them to a room that had several bathtubs. Blair noticed that some of the bathtubs were occupied. Sentinels soaked in the tubs, while their guides scrubbed the sentinels using the sentinel safe soap. Blair could tell that most of the Sentinel were injured in one way or the other. After the bond was strengthened, guides rarely bathed their sentinels, except in cases where the Sentinel was injured and needed his or her guide's reassuring touch to help them heal. For Blair and Jim, the bathing would help strengthen the bond through the physical contact. Like lions, it was a ritual grooming that allowed both Guide and sentinel to reaffirm their relationship and strengthen the bond between them. The touching, and bathing was not sexual, but more on a spiritual level. Rarely did a Sentinel and Guide become lovers, and not because most bondings were between the same sex. Blair helped Jim out of the black uniform, much to Jim's embarrasment. Blair filled one of the empty tubs with the clear pure water that was used for Sentinels. On order, Jim sat in the tub, the water up to his chest. The heat from the water soaked into his skin, and the steam rose over the rest of his body. The water felt good, but Jim's anger did not abate. Blair picked up a washclothe and lathered the Sentinel safe soap onto the washclothe made from the same material as the uniform. He began at Jim's shoulders, moving the lathered clothe in circular motions over the broad muscular shoulders of his Sentinel. Blair moved the cloth down Jim's back noticing the thick mass of scar tissue on Jim' back below his left shoulderblade. Evidence of the crash that had ended his old life and began his new one. Blair continued to gently scrub his Sentinels's back, then moved along the sentinel's left side over the ribs, and underneathe the powerful arms. returning back to the shoulders, he moved the cloth down Jim's lft arm to the Sentinel's hands. Jim contnued to sit in the tub allowing the Guide to manhandle him, all the while fuming deep inside like a volcanoe on the edge of erruption. The other Sentinels in the room were aware of Jim's anger by the new bonded Sentinel's hearrate and respiration. But the touch of their own guides visibly relaxed them, and they only mounted a small sensory guard over the new sentinel. It took awhile, but eventually the comforting touch of Blair's hands, though hidden beneathe the washclothe, and the murmuring voice in his ear calmed the Sentinel wther he wished it or not. Instinct, which was strongly ingrained in a Sentinel, eventually won out, and the Sentinel relaxed, even when the Guides hands began to wash below his waist. When Blair finished lathering the Sentinel's body, he rinsed out the washcloth, then procedded to mop off the lather with the wet clothe. He used a shampoo on the Sentinel's short hair, then drained the tub. Jim stood silently while the guide dried off his body with the white towel brought to them by an Observor Jim didn't recognize. Clothing had also been brought, and when the Sentinel was dry, Blair helped Jim into the new black uniform. Blair then led him down another corridor. This one however led into one of the many gardens in the Compound. Blair seated himself on one of the benches. Jim looked at him. "If you want to walk around, go ahead. There are Sentinel guards aorund us, so don't even think about escaping." Jim rolled his eyes. Suddenly, a red object caught his attention. Not far from them was a group of children. Jim readily recognized the strange feel that told him the children were also Sentinels. They were throwing an object to each other, and catching the object. Vaguely, Jim recognized the object as a frisbee. He followed the frisbee as it was thrown through the air. His eyes focused on the curves, and the shape of the fisbee. The multitude shades of red became fascinating as the light changed the shades and tone every second. Immediatly the world around him dissapeared and only the frisbee and its red hues remained. "Jim, come on back. come on Jim, snap out of it. I don't know what's got you so interested about that frisbee, but you really need to breathe, okay. Take a deep breath for me would ya. Come on, Jim." Blair voice seethed through his consciousness, and his brain suddenly became aware of the feel of his guide's hand rubbing up and down his arm. Jim took a deep shuddering breath, then blinked looking at his guide, utter confusion and slight fear in his blue eyes. Blair sighed in relief,"Oh, man. Boy, am I glad your back. You had me scared there for a second. You were so zoned you weren't even breathing." "Zoned," He mumbled. "So that was a zone. Strange." "Scary is more like it. What was it about that frisbee that had you so fascinated?" "The color." Jim ansered absently. "The color, what have you never seen red before." Blair was shocked. What was fascinating about the color red. "It wasn't just red, chief." He said not realising that he had called his guide the same thing his adult friend form his childhood had called him. "It was shades of red. Different tones and shades depending on where the light touched it." "Oh, cool! Shades of red. I get it." Blair smiled. Jim just scowled. The zone had frightened him and he was trying to cover his fear with his normal anger. Bliar just continued to smile then went back to the bench picking up the book he had been reading. Jim watched him for a second, then seated himself on the grass and watched the sentinel children. He scanned the ground covertly and found the Sentinel guards. There were three bonded pairs around the garden. Jim knew that they were there to watch him specifically. Keep wathing, guys. Times not right yet.Jim thought as he settled back on the grassy knoll and stared up at the blue sky with its multitude of clouds. Through the clouds he could see the large red and green planet that was visible to normal eyes. Orion 3. They stayed in the garden for a several hours. Jim fell asleep on the grass, and Blair became so engrossed in his book he didn't realise the time until Observor Corrins touched his shoulder. Blair looked up at Corrins, then frowned. He looked at his chronometer, then searched around finding his sentinel not far from him curled up on the grass fast asleep. "Oh, man, I didn't realise it was getting this late. I'm sorry." Blair said. Corrins smiled, "Its alright, Blair. No harm done. Looks like your sentinel caught up on some much needed rest. He seems pretty comfortable." Blair smiled, "Yeah, I hate to wake him up though. But I guess I'd better." With that Blair stood up and went over to his sleeping Sentinel. When he came within four steps of Jim, however, the Sentinel awoke with a start, leaped up and looked ready to attack. When he saw that it was only Blair, he relaxed a bit. "Whoa, its only me." Blair said backing up a step. Jim frowned at the young guide. "That's a good way to get yourself killed, Chief. Don't sneak up on a Ranger." Jim thought about it for a second then added, "Even an ex-Ranger." With that, Jim stood up, and followed Blair out of the garden and back to the grey cell. Orion 4 Sentinel Compound October 4 2342 The oppurtunity Jim had been waiting for came up. Blair did not spend all of his time with Eliison after the first week. Jim was back on solid food and had no intention of returning to his hunger strike, and Blair needed to do to classes that would teach him to help Jim. When Blair was at class, Jim was kept in the grey cell. That day an Observor came in with the tray of food. The Observor was young having lost her Sentinel less than a year before. They had given her the task of bringing the Sentinels in the grey cells their meals just that day. the Observor who opened the door for her stood in the hall when he was called quickly to one of the other cells. Apparently, the sentinel was having convulsions. The Observors left the door to Jim's cell open slightly forgotten in their rush to help the other Sentinel. While the Observors were occupied with the convulsing sentinel, Jim used all his Ranger skills to slip out the cell door and througjh the corridor. When he stepped outside the medical building, he was spotted by a Sentinel/Guide pair. A shout from the guide to halt only annoyed him. The sentinel gave chase, but Jim was faster and had a headstart. Jim made it to the fence surrounding the compound and began to climb. When he was nearly over, the other sentinel hit the fence and began his ascent. Jim tore his hands and arms on the razor wire, but managed not to get tangled in it. He hit the ground when the other sentinel made it to the razor wire. The sentinel's guide told him not to go over the fence. Jim did not bother to stop, instead he raced away from the compound into the surrounding forest. Jim smiled when he hit the treeline, knowing that he was in his element. He knew they would send sentinel/guide pairs after him, but Jim had been trained on how to keep a sentinel off of his trail. Luckily, he knew in what direction the city/spaceport lay. Even knowing that the Observors would figure that was where he would head, he wasn't worried. Blair was worried. The Observors had taken him out of class informing him of his sentinel's escape. Corrins tild him that they suspected Jim had headed for the city. "He's good, Blair." Corrins said as they took the transport tube into the city. "He's layed several false trails, and used local plants to throw off the sentinels we sent after him. He also built hidden traps that caught two of the sentinels, and one of the guides. Their uninjured, however, just embarrassed. A query sent to Colonel Banks, his ex-CO, and I discovered that Jim had been through some special training that taught him how to elude Sentinel hunters." "Damn," Blair murmured. "He also worked covert ops for several years. Blair he may escape us completely. With that kind of training, Jim could very well disapear." "I can't lose him, Observor." "We'll get him back. I've already contacted the Imperial Police. They'll put out a universal APB, and plce his picture over the vids. Eventually, he'll be caught, Blair. He's family was contacted in case he tried to go to them." Blair had not realised that his sentinel had a family, "How did they take the news about him being a sentinel?" Blair asked. "His father is a five-star general and personal advisor to the Empress. He took it stoically, but I heard that his mother cried. His brother was in shock, apparently. Possibly a nit frightened." "Afraid he'd turn out to be a sentinel, too.?" "Yes. We tested him though and he appears normal. Nothing enhanced, at this time any way." "What did they say about the escape?" "That's the funny thing. General Ellison just smiled and said, 'took him long enough', then said they would watch for him." Will they hide him or turn him in?" "The general would turn him in. He's advisor to the Empress after all, and Sentinels, rogue or not, are property of the Empress. His mother might hide him, and his brother....who knows." The transport stopped and the Observors, bonded paris, and Blair disembarked. "The pair are going to search the city. The guides have tranqu guns with Docile. If they spot him, they'll tranqu him and call us." Observor Corrins told Blair as the pairs went out into the city. I hope we find him before he gets off planet." "We're scanning all out going ships and checking the manifests and passengers lists against life sign readings." The Observor took Blair to the Imperial Police Headquarters Orion division. The captain, a large middle aged man with obvious Native American features, invited them into his office. "So far Observor," the captain said, "we haven't found any sign of your rogue. We've been having problems lately with smugglers from Rogueworld. You don't think he'd try hitching a ride with them? Their ships have sna blockers." "Its possible. Hopefully not. Sentinels are worth quite alot on the black market. If he is on a smugglers ship, he probably killed or injured the smuggler and took the ship himself. He can pilot anything." Observor Corrins answered. "Unless the smuggler got the dropon him." Blair added. "I heard he was a Star Ranger. Do you really think a smuggler can take him?" The captain asked. "If he zoned..." Blair trailed off letting the implication lie. "We'll do what we can. The vid's already shown his picture identifying him as a rogue sentinel. We've had a few reports, nothing substantiated. Take a seat gentlemen, the hunters will call us when they need us." Blair sat in the offered seat and prayed to all the gods that they found his sentinel, alive and well. Unknown Location Unknown Date Jim opened his eyes slowly, then closed them quickly due to the brightness of the room. He vaguely remembered making it to the city. He had stolen some clothes, and exchanged that damn black uniform for a pair of jeans and a shirt. The last thing he remembered was seeing his face on the holo vid. Apparently from the way his head felt someone had hit him from behind. Groggily, he allowed his eyes to adjust to the bright lights and was able to make out the place he was in. The room was small and cold metal surrounded him on all sides. The familiar hum beneath him told Jim that he was on a ship of some sort. He realised that whoever had him was not an Observor. Suddenly, the ceiling lifted open and more light flooded into the storage space. A face peered down at him holding a blaster with the muzzle pointed directly at Jim. The scraggely beard, and characteristic long hair with its one braid over the left ear told Ellison who it was. "Dakota, what the hell!" Jim growled. "Good to see ya, too, Ellison." Dakota was a smuggler. Not a very good one. "I thought you were in prison." Jim mumbled. I got out, obviously." Dakota answered with a toothy grin. "I was on Orion 4 buying some Golden, when I saw you. then I saw that holo vid." Suddenly Dakota laughed, "Who would have thought. Captain Ellison...a sentinel!" He laughed some more, a sound like a donkey braying. "Oh, but your not a captain anymore, are you Ellison. Your one of the Empress's pets. " He suddenly snapped his fingers, "Oh, but then I'm going to sell you to Deneron, so I guess you get to be his pet." Deneron. Jim knew that name. Deneron was an Elium roguelord. One of the more powerful roguelords. Shit,Jim thought. I forgot that I'm more valuable as a Sentinel than I ever was as a captain. Jim knew that Deneron had always wanted to get his hands on a sentinel. Like the Empress, Deneron was an Elium. A member of the conqueroring race that had created the empire that existed in the present time. Earth was one of the conquored territories, as well has thousands of other worlds. Of course, humankind, had benefited from the conqueroring. Their technology level had been increased, and after two centuries humans were now considered equal Citizens with all the rights and priveliges that came with that title. They had there own private military fleet that of course was still owned by the Empress, but run by Earth military forces. The same military forces that Jim had once been a member of. However, unlike the Empress, Deneron was not a member of one of the Thousand Houses. In Elium society, House members were high society, and one could only be born into a House or marry into a House. Deneron had been jelous of the Houses power all his life. No matter how much money Deneron made, legally or illegally, he would never be a member of the Thousand. And only a member of the Thousand could own a Sentinel, unless a person was lucky enough to be gifted a sentinel by the Empress herself. Jim remembered the time his father, General William Ellison had been offered, in private, by the Empress the gift of a sentinel. His father had refused, also in private, saying that he wouldn't feel right owning a sentinel, and neither did he want the kind of attention it would bring upon him. Jim was brought out of his thoughts when Dakota dropped a bottle of water, a Fist Aid kit, and some S-rations into the small hidden cargo hold that held Ellison. "Don't need you dying on me, Ellison. Aein't worth much to me dead." With that he closed the lid, and Jim could hear his footsteps above him as Dakota walked away. The light that had blinded him upon first awakening turned out to be the motes of light that filtered in through the tiny breathing holes in the ceiling. His sentinel sight was online, and the light was enough for him to see everything clearly. Jim opened the First Aid kit and took out the dermaplast spray which he used on the bleeding cut on the back of his head. The spray sealed the wound to allow it to heal. Jim then took out a syringe, and filled it with the antibiotic. He injected himself on the thigh with the antibiotic, then wrapped the needle in plastic and placed it back in the kit. He ignored the bottle of Docile that was in the kit. Docile in small amounts was used as a painkiller on Sentinels. Jim didn't want to be doped up, however. He would need his edge to deal with Dakota. Once done with the first aid kit, Jim set it aside and opened the bottle of water, and a powerbar from the S-rations. He hadn't eaten since the morning of his escape, and his stomach was protesting that fact loudly. Eating the powerbar, Jim conteplated on how he was going to escape this predicament. He realised it was stupid of him to escape from the Compound. He hadn't realised at the time that he was a sentinel. He knew it, but hadn't let it really seepe through. Many a roguelord would love to get his or her hands on a sentinel, not just Deneron. Others who were not even associated with Rogueworld would also love to have a sentinel. He remembered the pirate attack on the Olympus. The pirates had taken some of the cargo, but they had tried desperatly to take the ship's sentinel and guide. The Rangers had been able to finally repel the boarders, but the sentinel and guide had been injured. It had been that sentinel that he had used the Docile on. Both of them had survived. Jim shuddered at the thought of what Deneron might do to him. He had met the Elium Roguelord once while he had been undercover on Rogueworld. The Elium was into selling drugs, and weapons, as well as slavery. Most of his girls and a few men had been exceptionally beautiful, but all had been strung out on Cosmic, a drug with similair properties to herion. Jim hoped that the roguelord knew that sentinels reacted differently to drugs, especially illegal drugs like Cosmic and Golden. Sometimes just an ounce of Cosmic could kill a sentinel. Dying was preferable to becoming a Cosmic addict. Finishing off the powerbar, Jim took one last drink of the water then capped it. Head pounding, Jim tried to get some sleep, saving his strength for when he would need it. He allowed the hum of the jump engines to lull him into sleep. Some hours later he was awoken by the familiar feel of the jump engines engines going offline as the ship reentered normal space. As soon as the jump engines were offline, the ship's normal engines kicked in. Jim could feel the difference in the hum from the jump engines. He realised that he never could before. Sometime later, Jim felt the ship enter an atmosphere, and Jim knew without being told that it was Rogueworld. The ship landed somewhere, and the engines cut off. Jim heard the hiss that indicated that the excess of carbon dioxide that had accumalated on the ship had been released. Footsteps echoed above him, then the ceiling above him was removed. Dakota stood at the mouth once more, blaster at the ready. Beside him was a large hulking blonde man, even taller than Jim, carrying iron chains. "Now, Ellison, be a good Sentinel and let Justin here put those shackles on you without any trouble. Got it." Dakota said, then without waiting for a reply he motioned to his partner. Justin dropped down into the cargo storage space, then kneeled down beside Jim. Quickly and efficiently, Justins snapped an iron collar around Jim's neck. The collar magnetically locked into place. He then cuffed Ellison's hands behind his back. Holding the end of the chain leash in one hand, Justin reached into his pocket and pulled out a syringe. Ellison tried to move away from Justin, afraid that the syringe held Cosmic in it or worse Golden. "Calm down Ellison, its just Docile. A light dose to make you easier to handle." Dakota said, "I'm not stupid enough to put anything else in your system. Remember, your worth nothing dead." "You really are going to try and sell me to Deneron. You are crazy. Deneron doesn't buy anything but drugs, weapons, and prostitutes. You try and sell me to him, and he'll just kill you and take me anyway. He doesn't like for people to have want he wants." "What the hell do you know, Ellison." Dakota said. Justin removed the cap of the syringe, then grabbed the top of Ellison's jeans in the back and pulled them down enough to reveal the top part of Jim's left buttock. Justin jabbed the needle in then pushed down on the plunger. "I know quite alot, Dakota. When Deneron kills you I'm going to laugh." Jim said as he felt the Docile enter his body. Justin pulled ou the needle and released Ellison's jeans, then stood up and tugged on the leash. Jim obeyed the tug using the wall for support as he stood up. Justin climbed out of the cargo hold, then together Justin and Dakota lifted Jim out of it. Once he had his feet under him again, Jim conteplated trying to run. However, the Docile in his system began to work, and Ellison felt as if he were moving through a turtle stasis field. A tug on the leash had Jim following Justin and Dakota off of Dakota's ship and out of the hangar. Jim recognized Vegas, the largest city and spaceport on Rogueworld. They took a hovercar to Deneron's Lair, a strip club and casino that also dubbed as Deneron's home. A guard inside the club led them through the casino area, and the strip bar into a room behind a hidden door. The guard searched all of them, including Ellison, and confiscated the blasters and knives that Justin and Dakota had. the guard then left the room. The Docile was starting to make Jim sleepy, and finally his legs could no longer support his body. Strangely, Justin caught him before he fell and eased him to the ground. Ellison fought the Docile's effects, and only succeeded in not falling asleep. Another door opened into the tastely, and richly decorated room admitting the tall Elium roguelord, Deneron. Beside Deneron was a member of the Duitria race, a large insectoid race whose strength rivaled even that of the Elium. the Duitrian rose up onto its hind set of feeler covered legs, and swiveled its compound eyes directly on Jim. Deneron nodded, and the insect came forward and waved its scent feelers over Ellison's body. Duitrians were also useful in the fact that they could sense or smell Sentinels. The Duitrian turned to Deneron, and in its language said, "He is one." Deneron nodded as if it didn't surprise him. Dakota had a smile on his ugly face. "So you want to sell him to me." Deneron said in Standard. By using Standard, Deneron was already dismissing their intelligence. "Yes, sir." Dakota said. Jim shook his head, and wasn't at all surprised when he heard a blaster fire two shots. Dakota, and Justin fell to the ground, their chests burned open by the close proximity. The insectoid replaced its blaster in the holster at its torso. Jim threw back his head and laughed. Deneron looked at him. "Why are you laughing?" Deneron asked as the insectoid dragged the bodies out of the room after handing the end of the chain leash over to Deneron. "I told him that this would happen, and when he refused to listen to me, I told him I would laugh when you killed him. I always keep my word." Jim answered after staring down Deneron for a few minutes. Deneron had looked back in a nonchalant gaze. "I see." Deneron said. He looked at Jim critically. "They've drugged you I see. Docile?" Jim nodded. "It will wear off." He walked over to the wall, and attached the chain to a ring embedded into the steel surface. He then walked over to Jim, and uncuffed his wrists. "Rest, I will see to it that no one will disturb you. After the Docile wears off, Icnohtha, the Duitrian, will come in and take you to your permenant room. Don't give him any trouble, Ellison." With those orders, Deneron left the room. Jim knowing that Deneron's people would not come in allowed the Docile to take over and fell into a deep dreamless sleep. Comments and Feedback Welcome!mailto:Stormwolf2000@hotmail.com |