A former mining colony now occupied by smugglers, thieves, and others who have fled or been banished from worlds of The Alliance of Free Worlds, and the United Systems of VASI. Inhabitants exhibit no allegiance to either side of the war and are typically hostile to all. WARNING FROM THE INTERPLANETARY PEACEKEEPING AGENCY (IPA) - avoid any travel to or within the system.
"We've got another one, boys!"
"Hell, yeah!"
"Wohoo!"
The three triumphant scumbags traipsed past the cellblocks with arrogant swaggers and greasy smiles. One hit the bars of the cell door with the stock of his rifle. The girl inside winced on every impact. Her pain and suffering only brought further pleasure to her captors. She was just fifteen years old and had never experienced how harsh life could be until a few days before. Several more thugs cheered at the sight of their latest haul.
Two of the goons dragged a body along, a woman who couldn't be much older than twenty. Blood dripped from her forehead where she had been knocked unconscious, but she was beginning to regain composure. Her vision was still blurred, but she could tell by her surroundings that they were a long way from civilization. Her head was dropped as she was being hauled along over the shoulders of two of the stinking excuses for human beings.
The tips of her shoes were digging trenches in the dirt and grime of the floor. Some of it looked like dried blood that had been there for years. She could smell the salty and putrid smell of her captors’ sweat. It was only overpowered by the disgusting smell of whatever they had cooking in a far off room. They passed the first girl’s cell and reached the next. She was thrown inside like a ragdoll. Her instincts and muscle memory did all they could do to breakfall safely onto the hard metal floor. She saved herself from any injury, but it still hurt like hell as she rolled onto her face.
"Who'd you think she is?" asked one.
"Fuck knows, someone with money, or with a rich mommy and daddy at least. Someone who'll care enough to cough up whatever we want."
"Shame, she'd be a real treat for the lads."
"You know the rules. Nobody touches the girls while there's any chance we'll get paid for 'em."
He grunted and walked off in disappointment. The other two looked down at the body of the girl. She was average height, slim and athletically built. Blond curly hair was tied back, but it was clear she normally spent plenty of time on it. She wore close fitting combat trousers, tall matching boots, a khaki blouse, and tan leather body warmer. She had the look of a woman trying to dress down, but the individual cost and cut of every item she wore betrayed her intentions.
"Posh girl, aren't ya? Well we have seen plenty come and go through here. You better hope someone cares enough to pay for you, or you'll be next week’s entertainment!"
They slammed the door shut, and a booming echo pulsed through her ears, straining her already aching head. Gone was the stinking smell of old sweat, replaced by the putrid smell of urine and damp. She felt like hurling, but coughed up blood instead.
"Are you okay?" came a faint voice.
It was the first friendly voice she'd heard all day and staggered to her feet. It was coming from the other cell they had passed on the way in. She grasped the bars of the cell door to support her and replied, "What is this place?"
"Hell."
"What?"
"Where you stay till somebody pays your ransom, or anyone else pays enough to have you for themselves."
She shook her head in disbelief.
"What's your name?"
The older girl hesitated for a moment, as she tried to make sense of it all despite her pounding headache. She was about to reply with her name when she reconsidered her answer for a second before finally answering.
"Erin, you?"
"Skylar...Gutierrez."
Erin knew the name immediately.
"The Gutierrez Corporation, your his daughter? Sure you want to be throwing that name around here?"
"It's the only thing that'll keep me alive and...untouched. My father will come for me. Is there anyone coming for you?"
She was silent as she thought about it for a moment. In theory there would be, but she had to be very careful about revealing her identity.
I'm a long way from home, and it's anyone's guess what they'll do if they find out who I am, she thought but didn't