Ekora

Ekora had researched this facility for days. It was an intriguing place—a government processing center for newly arrived tanbith and some kind of testing facility. Testing what? She honestly wasn’t sure. Even with her military and seedy contacts, she had no information on that part of the facility. But that wasn’t why she was here. She was here to get herself a nice, new tanbith. The lack of detailed information about the place made her a little nervous. She didn’t usually like doing a job half-cocked. Even the map she had of the facility was a bit outdated.

She lifted the map and flicked the hologram on. It flickered to life with a soft buzzing sound. Ekora studied it briefly before sliding into the shadows of the clean, sterile hallway. The furniture and decor of the hallway were a mix of modern aesthetics and Art Nouveau, which might be confusing to the new tanbith—or, in English, slaves. Those brought here were often utilized as government tanbith, kept in small rooms and cages in various government buildings for cleaning and construction projects. Their lives were brutal, filled with neglect and abuse—worse even than privately owned human tanbith, who already had it difficult. As for the test subjects held here, she wasn’t sure. Rumors suggested they were captured from unknown space, but the information was well guarded. She wanted a human tanbith, but an unknown space alien that wasn’t dangerous would do in a pinch.

Ekora’s boots tapped quietly on the clean floor as she darted from dark corner to dark corner. She stopped when she found the door she was looking for. It was marked on the map as "tanbith processing." It should be an area where newly arrived humans were checked over. It was late, so any who had been brought in would probably be left there to fend for themselves until morning, when workers would come in to check them over. They would be confused and disoriented, of course. The process of bringing a human from Earth was dangerous: they were broken down into atoms and sent through a tiny wormhole. The process was supposedly very painful, and often they died before making it, which is why they were so expensive.

Too high for a pirate like her to afford. But pirates don’t need to pay, do they? They can just take what they want, when they want. And what Ekora wanted was a slave to entertain her, give her pleasure, and work for her. She pulled out her hacking device and began typing in various symbols, directing the device’s AI to unlock the door. She added a few modifications to the code it generated. The device beeped quietly, indicating the code had been successful. The door made a mechanical click and began to slide open.

“Welp, here’s hoping that old map is still good,” she muttered as she watched the door hiss open.

The auction house was a huge towering place. A strange combination of modern aesthetics and art nouveau like all Azorathian buildings. The humans stored within had probably never seen such a thing before. Most had just been brought in either from owners who didn't want them anymore and wanted to sell them along or freshly brought from Earth. Ekora was hoping for the latter. A freshly brought in human straight from Earth. Someone lost, confused, not already broken in. A tanbith who didn't quite know their fate yet, their place in this world. Someone who'd be a little bit of a challenge for her. Someone who'd be a little bit of fun. She always liked a challenge.

This auction house, like all of them, was in a seedier port town planet. The practice of human slavery, while not illegal, was not looked on well. Not because the Azorathians felt pity for the humans, oh no, because they thought they were inferior. Best to have an Azorathian do the work than a human. And the fact many who owned these slaves were using them for sex as well disgusted them. After all, there was always the chance, no matter how remote given the sterilization of humans who are brought here, that it might produce a half-Azorathian. Someone like herself.

Ekora pulled out her hacking device. This particular auction house was... poorly guarded. Fortunate for her, however, since now she'd be able to get herself her very first tanbith. The door let out a mechanical click indicating it was open. Ekora opened the door and walked in. The room past the door was filled with cages. The place smelled of piss and fear. The humans were all huddled in large cages naked so they could be examined by buyers. Most of them looked on in fear of her.

She was sure most had never seen a half-Azorathian. Hell, most Azorathians had never seen a half-Azorathian. But when they saw her they were always hostile. Spitting at her, cursing her out. With the humans fearing her it was... a nice change of pace. She loved the power it gave her. She walked by each cage, looking them over, examining each one until she came upon one that seemed perfect. The right combination of fearful yet spirited. They seemed capable as well given their chart information posted on the cage door. No name; Azorathians never bothered with human names—you don't need to know the name of an object. But medical info seemed good, personality notes were interesting, yup they'd do. She used her hacking device to unlock the cage door, swinging it open and reaching inside to grab the human.

"You're coming with me, tanbith." It was always so fun taking what wasn't hers. It'd be a while before they noticed this one was gone. They'd not miss it most likely. She led them out and back to her ship where she'd teach them their place as her new slave, her tanbith. She was going to have so much fun with this one. She grinned this wicked grin as she looked at them, her large hands digging into the flesh of their upper arm. Yes... this... was going to be enjoyable. Finally a companion that would have to respect her.