HEIRS TO FATE – BANE
STARDATE 10.21.22
X-SECTOR
Ensign Matthews screamed at the top of her lungs. Her body felt like it was on fire, but her flesh did not burn. Her mind was being fried with electricity, but it remained intact. Her organs felt as though they were going to burst, but none of them were damaged. She stared at her tormentors with eyes that bulged so large they nearly leapt out of their sockets.
Captain Ichadred and his First Officer looked at their captive who was imprisoned inside of a long, vertical tube. Their eyes were cold, merciless, and without remorse. Faint smiles hinted that they were enjoying the spectacle. The Agonizer Booth was flanked on each side by two Security Officers wearing black shirts.
“please…no more….stop…stop…i beg you…”
Ichadred gazed at his crewman with his blood red eyes. “Stop? But why should I do that, Ensign Matthews? Your punishment is far from over. Did not Sister Snare catch you trying to send an encoded transmission to Protectorate Command? And in that transmission were you not noting my frequent extended absences from the Iscariot and several command decisions that you thought were questionable? On my ship, Ensign Matthews, that is treason, to be dealt with harshly. In fact, your punishment should be death. So your agony is, in fact, a merciful punishment.”
Sister Snare smiled widely as she watched Ensign Matthews suffer with her many Spider Eyes. Her two large fangs clicked together in anxious delight.
Ensign Matthews could do nothing more than scream as loud as she could as the torment continued for another hour. Finally, she was released from the Booth of Agony. Ensign Matthews crashed onto the floor, face first, landing right at the feet of Captain Ichadred and Sister Snare. Her entire body quivered with pain. She could barely move or speak.
Ichadred looked down at Ensign Matthews with disgust. He would have preferred to kill her, but it was far more effective for the crew if she be made an example of. He nodded toward his two Security Officers. They quickly picked up Ensign Matthews from the floor and seated her in front of a table. On the table was a long, serrated knife.
Ichadred sat down at the opposite end of the table. Sister Snare stood directly behind him.
“Now then, Ensign Matthews,” Ichadred said in a calm voice. “Your pain will pass. In fact, there will be no mark on your body as evidence of what happened here today. So I need something else from you. Your right index finger. Then you will never forget.”
Ensign Matthews, though weak and subdued, looked at her Captain with defiant eyes. “You can’t be serious. You torture me for hours and now you want me to cut off my own finger? Never! Put me back in the booth if you like. But I will never self-mutilate myself!!”
Ichadred formed a sinister smile. “I knew you would say that, Ensign Matthews. You are strong in character, morals, and will. Normally, those would be admirable traits. But not today. You see, your file says that you have a Grandmother on Pisces III, two nieces on Verdan VIII, and a brother on Altinius. If would be terrible if they suffered as much as you have. No, I won’t let them die. Their torment will be long and unendurable. Is that what you want, Ensign Matthews?”
Ensign Matthews stared at Ichadred with a defeated look. She thought of her loved ones, especially her two young nieces who were innocent, pure, and full of life. She could not let anything happen to them. No matter what the cost to herself.
Ensign Matthews picked up the serrated knife. She placed it in position next to her right index finger.
“I do this for my loved ones, Ichadred, not for you!” Ensign Matthews spitted out like venom.
“Of course,” Ichadred answered with a wiry smile. “Proceed, Ensign Matthews. For the…Good…of All.”
Ensign Matthews began to saw slowly at her index finger with the serrated blade. But the pain was too great. So she decided to finish the task with one swift cut. Her cry was sharp and loud.
AAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
