suenix

Here it is. Only a few hours late .

It's for the wonderful

astrogirl2 .

I hope this is something like what you had in mind.

Bilar Crais had always considered himself a good tactician . He owed his advancement through Peacekeeper ranks to his excellent abilities in strategy. His execution of countless missions gave him great pride. But all of this was no help to him now.

The plan had been simple enough. An exchange of goods and currency , followed by a rapid return to the ship. It had been unfolding without incident until the hynerian had imposed himself into the “negotiations”. One use of the word “dominar” taken them both down. Rygel had been recognized as a fugitive, forcing them to scatter. The planetary law enforcement had captured them within a solar day.
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Crais paced back and forth across the musty confines of a dim cell trying unsuccessfully to resist pulling out his hair. He worked his head from side to side in an effort to release the tension in his neck. It might have worked if not for the voice he heard from the corner of the cell. The unmistakable tones of the repellant little toad drew him to the opposite wall. Rygel was calling out his name from the other side.

“Make me a happy man , Dominar. Tell me that you are in excruciating pain. Tell me that your execution is scheduled for the morning.”

Rygel responded with an annoyed clearing of his throat. “ I don’t think it is in your best interest to insult me, Captain. “

“O do tell me why , when it is you who is responsible for our current
predicament. Insults are the least of what you might fear from me. “

“ I responsible ? I can’t be held responsible for my fame. You should be grateful for the assistance my renown can offer to you . If you want to leave this place , that is”

Crais knew that he would regret asking “ What do you mean? “

“I have a plan “ Rygel replied.

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Crais steeled himself. It was intolerable. He was entirely surrounded by a group of enthralled Hynerians. It seemed that the former ruler had a sizable group of former subjects here. These loyal followers had reacted at once to the news that Rygel had been “unjustly imprisoned “.

These little loyalists had created a well timed and quite skillful diversion involving explosives and a number of small farm animals. Once the constabulary had been lured out of the building , holes were blown in the adjoining cell’s floors. After crawling on hands and knees through a seemingly endless stinking sewer, Crais and Rygel were led to a compound on the settlement outskirts.

This successful break out was being celebrated with uncommon gusto by all concerned. A feast was hastily assembled with the full complement of toasts and courtesies that a Dominar’s presence demanded. Crais soon found himself in the middle of a hall full of loud , guzzling and very inebriated Hynerians. In short, his own personal hell.

Rygel was , of course , feeling quite the opposite. This was the most gratifying experience he had had in nearly a hundred cycles. It was very touching to see the devotion that this small group still held for him. He had never been so surprised in his life to see the face of his former school mate among the officials at the prison. It has been the work of microts to hatch the plan to ensure their escape. And the best part had been the Peacekeeper’s face when he saw the results in motion. Rygel gloated quietly to himself and planed ways to collect the debt that Crais would owe him . But this revelry must end. They had yet to leave the planet and their absence would be noted by sunrise. He began the ritual farewells.

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The sun was just beginning to emerge from the planet’s edge as the shuttle lifted off. The Hynerians had not only provided their escape but also a supply of food that would last Talyn’s small crew for weekens. It had , for once, been a fruitful trip.

“ I hope that you will remember this Crais. After all , I might have left you on the planet. “

Crais turned a pained smile to his enforced companion. “ Oh I can assure you that I will not forget this , but I would especially in your debt if you did not mention any of this to the others.”

Rygel smiled in return. “ As you wish, but next time I should be in charge of procurement. “

Crais began to form his own plan to assure that here would be no next time.

Suenix