COWARD

By

PHAIR

Ebook by
PDAFiction.com

DISCLAIMERS:

This has the potential to be very sad.

Beware of the usual suspects as well; violence, sexual situations, poor grammar, foul language, and flawed characters.

Please direct all feedback to

p.phair@comcast.net

You can check out more of my writing at

http://www.phair1.com

COWARD

PART 1

RORY STRUGGLED TRYING wake herself from the familiar nightmare.

The man of her dreams stood at the door to a cozy home holding their toddler son. He smiled and the boy mirrored the look.

"Welcome home, my soldier girl," his voice brimming with expectations of things to come.

"That's Major to you," she grinned up at the pair from the bottom step, "but the little guy can always call me Mommy."

Before another word could be uttered, a deafening explosion from within the house sent Rory to the ground. When her rattled senses permitted, she managed to roll to her knees. Before her, scattered across the blackened lawn, were the smoldering remains of what was once her whole life. Now both her husband and son lay dead in each others arms. Her heart broke.

Rory awoke trying to silence the screaming in her head. It always took her several seconds to calm her body and take in the surroundings after reliving the death of her family in her dreams. She frowned wondering what triggered the memory she kept buried so deep this time.

A missile blast rocked the bunker and knocked Rory out of bed. "That answers the question about my dream," she grimaced as she climbed to her feet. Once again she was grateful she left her body armor on and only removed her helmet to get some sleep.

Heading to the fox hole at the front line of the bunker, she woke the other four soldiers on break, "I swear you lot could sleep through the end of the world. Let's go! We're taking fire. Move it."

The frigid night air was heavy with the hint of snow and spent mortar rounds. She squared her shoulders when she saw the tanks lining the horizon and on the move toward her position. The shear number was enough to send a shiver down the bravest of spines. The truth was, with the arms those tanks carried, one vehicle could turn each member of her twenty troupe squad to dust in an eye blink.

"Stuart, you should have called me at first sight of 'em! How long have they been visible?" She shouted at the young sentry.

"An hour, ma'am," the soldier's voice cracked. "Don't matter no how. I was gonna call you but Colonel McShane radioed and ordered us to hold the position to the last soldier. He also said to hold fire until the bunker takes a direct hit."

"The Hell we will!"

"They're leaving us behind, Major," Fred, the Captain, unnecessarily observed.

Rory knew he was right. McShane was well known for staging dramatic engagements in the field. Before any of his big assaults on enemy targets he always served up a sacrificial squad to focus national anger in their endless war.

An unending endeavor to sway the apathetic voting public. Rory understood, first hand, the futility of war. Twenty years and millions dead and neither side was closer to compromise than the day the first soldier died. A useless waste of good human beings.

"Captain, any squad forward of our position?" Rory asked.

"No, ma'am."

"Rear?"

"Bunkers H62, K83, and Z196 have all bugged out. McShane's bunker is checking out in about twenty minutes." The Captain scowled before repeating, "He's leaving us to die."

Rory shook her head, "No, he's not. Everybody, listen up. Drop your weapons and head out the back hatch. Stay together and move directly for McShane's position." Her troupe stood staring at her. "I said move," her voice dropped into a dangerous range, "now move!"

Her squad sprung into action at the second command. She could see the relief on their faces. They were so trusting, so young, so innocent. They believed in her. It was going to make the price she paid for her decision a little easier to endure.

"Major," Fred stepped closer to her side in order to keep his voice down, "you can't do this. You know what will happen to you. You know the penalty for a Command failure."

"Fred, you grab one of those lovely white sheets off the last bunk before you climb out the hatch. If one bullet comes your way from either side you start waving that mother like it's our very own flag," Rory gave him a wink then turned to lift a rocket launcher into position.

"Ma'am, what are you doing? You can't hold this position alone. You got to at least come with us," Fred was stunned by her behavior.

"Me, I'm done, Fred. But, those kids I got waiting on my orders are babies. I can't just let them die. You get them to McShane's bunker and I'll give you fire cover if you need it. Go on, get going before our troupe out runs you, you old bastard," Rory smiled after her command. "I'll hot foot it over as soon as the last ass hits the sand!"

Fred had tears in his eyes, "It's been an honor to serve with you, Major." He saluted sharply then raced back into the bunker.

Rory could almost hear them scrambling across the barren field behind the bunker. She watched the opposing tanks carefully for signs of aggression. After several long minutes, Rory noticed the advance had stopped. She waited as the roar of the evac hovercrafts loomed in the distance. The tanks rolled back into an even formation. They formed a single, delineated line.

"They want a withdrawal, not surrender," she realized with a flash of clarity.

Taking the opportunity, Rory made a run for it. If she was to die then she'd rather die in the country of her birth. Let her government execute her for cowardice. At the very least, she saved her squad. One life for nineteen was worth the price. And her life, she believed, did not add up to a whole life anyway. Even in the dark, she could see her soldiers had made it to the rear bunker.

"Just one more little soldier to go, Geronimo," she thought in silent prayer as she plunged into McShane's bunker feet first.

"You stupid bitch," McShane slapped her across the face before she could even stand up. "You'll pay for ruining my operation. I'm gonna make sure you pay dearly."

Rory stayed silent. She could hear the evac hovercrafts landing and she didn't want to jeopardize her squad's departure . McShane kicked her in the gut with a high polished boot tip.

"You're gonna wish you were never born."

A flurry of blows landed across her body. She couldn't tell if it was one man or two hitting her. She didn't really care. Rory could hear her soldiers calling their thanks to the evac crews.

"Safe. They're safe. I managed to save somebody," she thought happily before falling into unconsciousness.

*  *  *

Rory let them manhandle her. After days of interrogations and beatings and little food or drink, she was done trying to co-operate with her jailers. If they wanted her out of the cell then they were going to have to carry her out. Which was exactly what four burly soldiers were doing at the moment. Two had her arms and two had her legs as they marched down the hallway to the courtroom.

The soldiers used her head and right shoulder to push open the heavy wood door. Rory let out a short gasp at the thudding connection. She tried to blink back the stars which clouded her vision with little success. By the time she could see clearly, she had been chained to a chair next to a young man in civilian clothes.

"You suppose to be my lawyer?" She asked as she tried to shake off her multiple injuries.

He shrugged, "Something like that, I guess."

"What are you a paralegal?" Rory was stunned by his response.

"I'm a mediator. The damn liberal courts say chickens like you get to have counsel. Armed Combat Troupe Guide to Services defines counsel as a lawyer or mediator. Either/Or. Don't worry, sweetheart," the man looked directly at her and sneered, "I should be able to handle your case. After all, I finished high school."

Rory tried to reign in her emotions. She really didn't need a lawyer. The trial would end in a guilty verdict which would result in an automatic death penalty. Rory just needed to be allowed to make a statement. The judge would be an active duty general and telling him about the field maneuvers of the enemy would turn the course of the war. He would understand the significance. It was all about neutral lines and a truce. The opposition was willing to stay at a truce.

Rory calmly asked, "What happens next?"

"General Franco will be seated and ask your plea. I tell him guilty and ask for leniency and he'll condemn you. Should take about twenty minutes," the young mediator looked at his watch. "I'll make it back home in time for Judge Judy; the Next Incarnation."

"Well, a boy does have to study," Rory replied in a sweet voice. "When will I get a chance to speak?"

"You don't."

"Wait a second. I'm guaranteed a right to speak on my on behalf regardless of the plea." She watched in amazement as the young man started shuffling through his papers searching for the answer. "Hey, Matlock, pay attention," she barked the command and the guard behind her smacked the back of her chair with his baton.

"SHUT UP!"

Rory swallowed hard and sat back. The mediator thanked the guard. He flashed her a smug grin before returning to his papers. She would have laughed if it all wasn't so pathetic. There was no need to railroad her. She was willing to plead guilty. Still, the military and the government weren't taking any chances with her.

"Remain seated," General Franco spoke as he entered. "Can't slow down justice with formality."

"Your honor, the defense counsel and I have agreed to skip the reading of charges and move to the pleading," the prosecutor announced.

Rory knew him. It chilled her to acknowledge it to herself but she did know him. The prosecuting Lieutenant had visited her cell on two occasions. He left her each time naked and humiliated.

"Fine with me. How's she pleading?"

"Guilty to all charges," the mediator stood and nodded to the General with a wide smile.

General Franco winked back, "Okay, on to sentencing."

"Article 7 dash 23 D of the criminal code allows me to speak directly to you regardless of my plea."

Rory closed her eyes as a sudden rush of air came from beside her. She hit the floor still bound to the chair from the force of the blow. The swelling over her right eye began immediately.

"Son of a bitch," Rory hissed when she realized her own counselor had slugged her.

"You shut up, just shut up and don't ruin this for me," the mediator was frantically slapping at her as the guards righted her chair.

The gavel banging matched the throbbing in Rory's head. Still, she was glad for it because it got the mediator to stop hitting her.

"Jonny, Jonny, take your seat, boy," General Franco spoke quietly.

"Sorry, Uncle Frank. I told her to be quiet but she won't do what you tell her to do," the young man tried to explain.

The prosecutor laughed, "That's exactly why we're here now, isn't?"

The courtroom burst into fits of laughter. Rory waited with a half smile on her face. She waited until the judge was prepared to speak again.

"Let's see, back to business."

Rory steeled herself, "I'm entitled to speak," she could not help but flinch when good boy Jonny turned her way with fists raised.

"Hold off there, Jonny. She gets two minutes to say whatever foolishness she wants. Young woman, I just want you to know your statement will not be kept as part of the court record. So, it is just us few who are your captive audience. Guard if she doesn't stop talking the moment I order her to then gag her. The prisoner may begin."

"General, you need to bring my field observation back to Command. The opposing tanks did not advance on my position when we abandoned the bunker. They, in fact, returned to their previous formation. If you check the maps then you'll see McShane brought us over the Demarcation Line of 2087."

"So what? That line is ancient history. The New Year's violation of 2100 destroyed the agreement," the Lieutenant countered. "Every schoolboy knows about the New Year's Day War."

"Which has lasted more than twenty years," Rory fired back. "General, I don't have much time please listen me," Rory strained against her bonds to shout over the prosecutor.

"LET HER FINISH!"

"Thank you," Rory was grateful. "The night I abandoned my post there was no more forward position than my command. And, no more forward position of the enemies. We were at a scrimmage line and I retreated but they never moved to claim the territory. The tanks moved back to the '87 Line."

"So, your point is, they want peace," the General yawned.

"No, my point is they signaled a truce with me that night. Bring my report to Command. Tell them to hold the line and let the fighting end today. Make my death worth something. Let my death be the last senseless death," with her hands bound, Rory could not wipe away her tears.

General Franco cleared his throat and fixed his gaze on Rory, "I was a classmate of your father long before the war began. My family attended your naming ceremony. My wife and I attended your secondary graduation where you accepted the rank of Private, First Class. I had such high hopes for your career. You excelled in your studies at the War College. Your physical abilities in Field Combat Summer Elective have yet to be surpassed. Some of us were certain you'd make General and sit with us in the planning room one day."

The old soldier let out a great sigh of distress, "Then you hit a bump. Steve? Was that his name? And, then the baby so soon after the marriage." The General rolled his eyes. "Tragic as their loss was, most of us at Command hoped it would bring you back into the fold. Physically you did return to your duties. But, you lost your fire. You went soft. Even when we put you in the thick of the battle, you held back. You, who mourned a dead husband and child thanks to the enemy counter operations division, should have known the depths of their cunning. Their strategy on the field the night of your crime was to once again try to lull us into inattention as they did in '87. No, truce is not possible. Annihilation is the only victory possible."

Rory shook her head in disbelief.

"We are fortunate our culture has strong extraterrestrial allies. While they are unwilling to join us on the battlefield, they have provided us technology and weaponry to continue our struggle. The Varicants have also allowed us to use their penal colony for our most dangerous criminals. You, Rory, are among the most dangerous I've ever met." The General pointed at her as he spoke, "You fooled the brightest military minds of our time. I shudder to think how you would corrupt the innocent public. Therefore, for the protection of future generations, I sentence you to the penal colony on T298: New Earth. They tell me human life expectancy is extended due to some chemical or some such nonsense."

The prosecutor interrupted, "Your Honor, it's in the air. The compounds are inhaled and supplement the body's immune system thus extending life. Varicants have told us of humans living to 300 years on New Earth."

"Ya, but what a rotten place to live," the mediator laughed.

"Excellent points. So my sentence must take into account an unusually long life time. Just to be precise, I'm going to sentence the prisoner to a term no shorted than three days after she is declared dead." General Franco grinned, quite happy with his decision.

Rory glared. In her heart she never wanted to believe Command had a role in the deaths of her husband and son. However, General Franco's words convinced her she was foolish to ignore the obvious. The only people with something to gain from destroying her life was her own side. But, instead of creating a vengeful monster they wanted to fight their war, the death of her loves had left her empty and searching for something to quiet the ache in her heart.

"You're going to suffer for centuries," the mediator leaned over to taunt her.

Rory moved faster than the guards could respond. She caught the smug little bastard by the cheek and bit deep. His screams would be one last, small, happy memory for her trip to Hell.

PART 2

THE ELECTRIC CANE struck her across the ass and the man grasping her shoulder shouted the count as twenty. The blow was entirely excessive. Rory stopped struggling on the tenth hit. She gave up with an audible sob. She was beaten. The shear number of guards trying to move her from her cell to the launch area were overwhelming enough but added to that were the combined handicaps of the hood blocking her vision and breathing and the heavy chains secured around her throat, belly, wrists, and ankles. There was no way for her alone to delay never mind stop her punishment.

The guards carried her now limp body down twists and turns of endless corridors. She half expected her head to be used as a battering ram again as they rounded each corner. Rory forced herself to take deep breaths in an effort to calm her rising panic. A death sentence would have been a relief. It would have released her from a troubled existence but the extended life sentence in exile was the worst kind of cruelty she could imagine. A solitary tear slipped from her eye at the shear horror of it.

"Sir, the prisoner is ready for transfer, sir." A voice near her head announced with clipped military precision.

"Proceed," Colonel McShane's nasal voiced command followed.

Rory was set on her feet but was quickly knocked to her knees. A strong pair of arms grabbed her from behind and held firm.

"Easy now, girl," a familiar voice mumbled near her ear.

The hood was removed without a warning. Rory blinked quickly against the glare of the landing site lights. After two months in the dark of solitary, even a candle's flame would have stung. The brilliant bulbs blinded her behind a veil of tears.

"How 'bout a pair of sun glasses," she quipped as she whipped her head side to side in a futile effort to escape the stinging pain.

"Lieutenant," McShane all but purred, "what are your orders?"

"The prisoner has been sentenced to exile for life plus three days to the penal colony of T298: New Earth. The court has deemed her a coward and she must bare the mark of her crime."

McShane chuckled as he gave the order, "Then see to it, man."

Rory blinked rapidly trying to clear her vision. She could make out the shape of the Lieutenant standing near the portable commander's center punching code. When he turned toward her with the glowing laser branding iron in his hand, Rory began to struggle again.

"Major, easy now," the soft, familiar voice whispered in her ear. "I can't help you out of this, girl. But, I'll hold onto you while they commit this sin against you. There's no shame in it. No shame in crying, when you're in a comrades arms."

It was Fred holding her. She was sure of it. Rory turned to look over her shoulder but her face was forced away. Her neck was exposed for the laser. She barely had time to swallow before it touched her. It burned like flames across her skin. The agony was unimaginable. She screamed and screamed. The pain was so great it robbed her of consciousness.

"You sleep now, girl. You rest up. And, you live for those three hundred years. Make yourself a life on whatever God forsaken rock they leave you on," Fred mumbled as he buried his face into Rory's shoulder while her bound body thrashed wildly about in pain.

McShane shook his head and asked, "Lieutenant, do you think her body is just reacting to the trauma or do you think it really hurts?"

"Trust me, sir, it hurts. The brand only takes thirty half seconds to apply but the burning sensation lasts for days," the Lieutenant explained. "A repatriated prisoner once told me it was like having his hand held over an open flame until the skin blackened. And, he knew for sure. Both things had been done to him."

"Good," McShane smiled.

*  *  *

She watched from the bottom step as her little man smiled. He recognized her. He knew she was home. He raised his fists in the air; way up over his head. For one small moment in time, he was the center of the universe. He was the center of her universe. And then, BANG!

Rory woke with a shudder in the steel walled room. She sat up and quickly blinked the sleep from her eyes trying to assess her current situation. The cell contained no window or time piece. The walls' seamless lines did not even betray the door opening. The haunting silence seemed to only be enhanced by a faint hum which Rory assumed was the distant rumble of large engines. No other sound penetrated her cell.

"Space craft," she muttered as she stretched her bones. "They got me loaded on the damn thing before I even woke up."

She wasn't surprised to find herself naked. Apparently, her jailers did not want her to kill herself during the transport.

"I wonder how they'll feel when I kill myself on the gang way getting off this tub," her smirked quickly died on her lips as her solitary voice echoed in the empty chamber. "Oh boy."

A nagging itch began to pester her while she tried to plot her own demise. She fingered the burn on her neck absently.

"The gang way's the best chance I'll have to end this before it begins," she spoke aloud and shivered slightly at the echo. "If I can keep my head together until then."

Her neck was itchy. It was painfully itchy. Rory tried to shake off the growing discomfort. However, even fully awake, she found it hard to keep her hand away from the wound.

"Damn it!" She cursed herself as she enjoyed the scratching of her nails across the healing flesh. "Last thing I need is to break the skin and get an infection."

It was then she recognized the feel of tortured skin. It was the cause of the itch. Rory let her fingers trace the wound. "COWARD." She was convicted and branded. Marked by the government she spent her life protecting.

The same government that murdered her husband and son. The government that allowed weaklings like McShane to plot the deaths of his own soldiers to increase public support on an unending war. The government that sentenced her to more than life on a distant planet.

"Bastards."

It was no more than a whisper. Her voice echoed across the room. The emptiness chilled and stilled her. Alone. All alone.

*  *  *

Rory guessed she had nodded off after making three hundred complete circles of the parameter of the cell. She remembered sinking to her knees and curling in a ball. Then there was nothing.

"Must have fallen asleep," she decided aloud.

After the echo, she nodded agreement.

It was then a glint caught her eye. A bowl sat against the opposite wall. Rory was certain it had not been there during her walk. She quickly scooted over to examine it.

"Field rations? Is that the best we can do?" Rory actually laughed at the familiar paste in the bowl. "Six months of this and I'll be stir crazy."

The words were out and echoed before she could stop them. She knew the trip was a six month journey. Still, knowing it and saying it were two different matters. She was worried about the risks to her mental health from six months without human contact. Rory knew she needed all her skills to endure. Her previous two months in solitary had taught her some important lessons on preserving her sanity.

"Okay, I need to track time," she announce to her food. "So, a small portion of this…, breakfast," she wasn't really certain which meal the bowl represented but decided to start at the beginning, "will be sacrificed to calendar making."

Rory took the bowl and walked five paces toward the opposite wall. She removed a small handful of the food and rolled it into a ball. Kneeing down, she put the ball of food on the floor.

"Breakfast, day one!" Rory happily proclaimed and the echo shared her enthusiasm.

*  *  *

"Happy anniversary to me, happy anniversary to me, happy anniversary dear me," Rory swayed in time as she held the last long note, "happy hundred days anniversary to me!"

She shouted hurray as she planted the hundredth ball of breakfast food on the floor.

"Excuse us," a deep voice interrupted her celebration.

Rory dropped her bowl of food and rushed to the corner of the cell she usually slept in. She folded herself into a fetal position. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest. While the voice was not human, the language was clearly her own. For some reason, after months of silence, familiar words spoken by another voice terrified her beyond her present ability to reason.

"Please don't be alarmed. We did say, excuse us. We would like to converse."

"Who?" Rory managed to croak.

"We are Varicants. We are your keepers. We are taking you to…,"

"Hell!" Rory sobbed and buried her face behind her knees.

"No," the voice sounded confused. "We are transporting you to a penal colony on T298: New Earth…,"

"Right, Hell," Rory shouted back.

"No, the penal colony is called…,"

"Look, I'm in my own Hell here and I don't expect New Earth to be better than this so…,"

"Conditions on T298 are nothing like this. The weather is extremely severe. Daily temperatures climb into the low 100's while the night's fall well below zero. It is barely fit for human life. The work prisoners are required to complete is labor intensive and mentally unfulfilling."

"Like I said, Hell," Rory started to rock back and forth.

"We are growing concerned by your behavior. The food ritual you perform at meals and your current arguments about your present and future locations are alarming."

"So?" Rory asked.

"We wish to know if you are well."

Rory started to laugh. She laughed until there were tears streaming down her face. And then she wept bitterly.

"This too is an unexpected and most disconcerting response."

"Thought you guys were suppose to be super smart or something. Don't you know, people need to be with other people. Isolation leads to madness," Rory snorted a laugh as her thoughts began to run free, "and madness leads to isolation. So boys, it's six or one half dozen or, maybe, the other! We got both the cart and the horse but why did that chicken cross the road into the frying pan? And, don't get me started on that lazy assed cow and the spoon. But, the moon is still alright by me."

Rory wiped her tears and got to her feet. She was feeling a surge of energy.

"I think I'll miss the moon the most. The penal colony's below the surface, right? So no more moon and stars for me. Hey, wait just a dawg gone minute! How do I know you guys are for real? Maybe I'm deluding you…, no, that's not how I say it. Maybe I'm hallucinating, that's it, that's how I say it, good one Rory!" She praised herself as she started to pace.

"You are becoming most troubling to us."

"Really? Well, I think you jerks have troubled me from the get go. Think of it as reciprocity. Prick Pro Queer! You're a jerk, I'm a jerk, we're all jerks but the question that really matters most is," Rory smiled broadly, "whose the biggest jerk off of all of them?"

"You make no sense."

Rory yawned. She was feeling unusually tired. If her mind had been clearer then she would have realized the air in her cell had changed. Instead, she sat down hard on her butt.

"Ouch! I gotta take a nap boys. Can't keep my eyes open," Rory fell over in a dead sleep with the last word.

PART 3

SHE WAS REACHING up to take him in her arms. She had to strain up and over to accept the precious package because her feet were frozen to the bottom step. The boy was giggling as his tiny body passed from his father's hands to hers. No sooner had she gotten her grip than the pulling started. She tried to hold firm but the boy was slipping away. Her wrists and shoulders ached as she tried to maintain her grasp on to her son. She could almost feel the muscles stretching as her shoulders threatened to separate. In a blinding flash of light, he was pulled free of her care forever.

"NO!" Rory tried to scream but her voice, her anguish was smothered in a dusty wind.

She was being dragged by the wrists down the gangway of the space craft. Rory shook her head trying to clear her vision and her thoughts. Three inch black metal bands were fastened around each wrist. A magnetic field held the bands tightly to each other and its force pulled her toward a human guard at the base of the gangway.

"So much for my brilliant surprise suicide plan," Rory thought to herself with a gentle head shake.

The last half of the trip was clouded in her mind. She had vague memories. Shadowy recollections of the ghostly Varicants washing and feeding her over the last few months. They kept her heavily sedated since their first and only conversation.

"Fuckers!" Rory muttered. "If I could get my hands on you," she smirked at the thought, "they'd pass right thru."

The Varicants, who's forms are little more than gaseous clouds of matter, hovered on either side of the gangway. They paid no heed to the bedraggled line of prisoners being off loaded. The Varicants' focus was on the handful of prison guards waiting for the new arrivals. A heated debate seemed to be ensuing between each group's respective leader.

"Look, we need all the supplies command sent. End of story. Period," the human guard stated with a finger point to accent the last word. "My government paid for the stuff and paid you to ship it out here. So, we should get every last speck of it."

"Captain, our agreement has always been for eighty percent. Surely, an honorable soldier as yourself will stand by a verbal agreement," the Varicant shifted into a soothing pink color as he spoke.

"That was before I realized how much dirt you were diverting. Millions of cubic tons! Plus a percentage of the supplies! Get real. This is a bullshit operation. Me and my guys are getting screwed over every which way to Sunday and back."

The Varicant flashed black for a singular moment and then returned to pink, "Bottom line then. Tell us what you want."

The group of guards nodded to each other with broad grins. They were oblivious to Rory stumbling off the gangway. She landed hard on the jagged stone of the landing site. Hitting the ground as silently as possible, Rory remained down. She wanted to hear more of their conversation. The other prisoners stumbled and tripped over her.

"Cash, good old cash. My team rotates out soon and I want to make sure we were all enriched by this learning experience," the Captain laughed.

In spite of her best efforts, Rory could not resist the pull of the magnetic field. It dragged her along until she could get her feet under her. Long gashes opened on her upper arms and legs from the unprotected contact with the rough terrain. Rory swallowed hard trying to ease the growing lump in her stomach. She would need to be sick very soon.

"Hey, Captain," a voice near her called out, "we got one of our own here. Crawl Bitch!"

A fist caught Rory in the right ribs. She stumbled from the blow and fell over. The magnetic field continued to tug her crumpled body forward along the rocky surface.

"HOLD!"

The Captain's voice roared from behind her. Rory gasped with relief when the pulling on her arms stopped. She knew the respite would be short lived but reveled in the feeling for a brief moment.

Strong hands grabbed the shirt front of the black uniform she had been dressed in, "A friggin' coward!"

His cold hand slapped her cheek. Rory felt her unsettled belly roll with the hit. She forced back her nausea and glared at the young man pulling her to her feet by her clothes.

"Soldier," she managed to croak in her dry throat, "where's your honor? Beating the defenseless is a code violation and," she took a deep breath trying to ease her stomach, "totally pathetic."

The Captain backhanded her. She fell to the ground with a rip of torn clothing and a whimper.

"Don't you dare lecture me! I'm doing the job every friggin' seventy two hour day, nine days a week, eighty seven weeks a year on this barren hunk of mineral and wind while people like you are given grief to the government. You bag of shit!"

The Captain punctuated his remark with a kidney kick. Rory shrieked in pain. She curled into a tight ball and began to rock her battered body. The surrounding guards and Varicants shared a the laugh at the site.

"Captain, this one's a troublemaker. She abandoned her post. She left your homeland, your wives and your children unprotected from the enemy," the lead Varicant explained, "while you and your men have been serving tirelessly so far from home."

"BITCH!" Another kick followed the shout. "Okay men, everybody gets a free crack," the Captain announced. "You lot want a hit or two?" The Captain nodded to the cloud like beings.

The lead Varicant sighed, "No, we've had our fill of this particular prisoner. Do as you like with her. However, we still need to reach an agreement on the numbers."

"Right," the Captain had momentarily forgotten his argument with the alien. "Leave us eighty five percent of the supplies and forget you dumped this piece of crap here."

"Agreed. However, I need to caution you the prisoner is being monitored from Old Earth. Your government wants her to serve her full sentence and not escape into a premature death."

"Figures," the Captain sounded dejected. "Men, just use your feet and hands on her."

Rory pressed her face closer to her thighs and took a deep breath.

*  *  *

The flat bed vehicle bumped along the ragged, makeshift road rattling Rory to the core. She was positioned on her knees with her wrists secured above her head. It was hard for her to remain awake after the beating the guards had dispensed but the ever chilling wind and rough ride served to periodically startle her back to the present.

And what a grim present it was. For as far as her eyes could see, semi permanent, twenty man tents were lined up in neat rows. Outside each were open fires with cooking pots. Small bands of people huddled around the fires to get their food before racing back inside the tents. Rory didn't question their haste as she could feel the temperatures were dropping by the minute.

"Maybe they'll let me freeze back here," Rory considered as she glanced over her shoulder at the two guards in the closed cab of the vehicle. "Must be warm in there," she announced to the wind. A slight howl answered her back and she shuddered against it.

The vehicle jerked to a sudden stop. Rory's head snapped forward and back with the motion dizzying her fragile senses.

"Bearses, hey Bearses! We got a new one for you," the guard in the cab announced over a loud speaker.

"They're not taking any chances," Rory thought to herself as she watched the men wait inside the armored and heated cab.

"Come on, Bearses! The longer you take to get your ass out here, the colder it gets." The voice was taunting.

The wooden door to the tent pushed open against the wind. A tall, thin man emerged hugging himself to keep warm. Immediately Rory's wrists were released, she collapsed forward and fell off the vehicle. She began to wretch miserably as soon as she hit the ground. Her belly had endured all it could stand.

"Come on, get inside. You can puke just as well indoors," Bearses grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her, crawling on all fours, into the tent. "Toilet's straight ahead. Move it! You only got a few minutes to take a berth and make warm for the night."

Rory emptied her stomach into the dirtiest crapper she had ever seen. She could feel the creeping cold and finished as quickly as she could. Her body seemed to understand her life depended on getting warm.

"Where to?" Rory managed to ask as she stumbled away from the toilet.

"Everyone bunks with at least one other prisoner to make warm. The nights are subzero in the common areas of the tents. Even with the Varicloth canvas surrounding the individual berths, the tempts inside the berths can easily drop below forty. With heavy winds, the berths can get as low as thirty. Two bodies generating ninety eight makes it survivable with the Varicloth canvas and blankets. Three bodies," he snorted and a puff of white exited his nose and frosted his beard, "makes life livable. So, let's get you settled for the night. We'll talk more in the morning."

Rory understood little of what the man was saying. Her body was demanding rest and warmth. Her brain was on automatic.

"Right, morning."

"Follow me," Bearses motioned her toward the far end of the tent. "Rabbit, Rabbit, you got a new owner. Stop your shivering and sniveling and give me a hand with her."

In response, a tuft of blonde hair poked out from behind the canvas of the last berth. All the activity was lost on Rory. She could not see at this point. She was stumbling forward on freezing feet. She clutched at the posts between berths to steady her way behind Bearses. When he stopped walking, she crashed into him.

"Rabbit, grab her shoulders and I'll hoist the rest of her in," Bearses shoved Rory up against the berth. "One, two, three and up and in. Nighty night."

Rory felt her body being pushed, pulled and shoved. She was too sick to resist. Somebody was helping her. She allowed somebody to help her. Her reward for cooperation was warmth. Warm air surrounded her shivering body. She let herself slip away into its comforting embrace.

*  *  *

Rory was cuddling the body pressed firmly against her. Warm. So, very warm. She let herself relax and enjoy the moment. How long had it been since her body felt like this? How long since she had enjoyed this kind of comfort? Had it been years?

Yes, it had been years. It had been years since she and Stephen made love. Years since the last time he nestled himself between her thighs and made her scream his name. Endless years since Stephen and Andy died before her eyes.

Stephen is dead.

"WHO? Who are you? What the fuck?" Rory snarled as she struggled to figure out who was pressed against her in such an intimate way. Rory realized with a sudden shock there was a hand between her legs. "FUCKING A! Get off me!"

The blonde head suckling her breast snapped up with startled eyes at the curse. Rory did not consider how frightened the woman looked before she tossed her over.

"You fucking dyke!" Rory slammed a balled fist into the woman's nose. "You don't ever touch me!" Another punch connected with the blonde's belly. "Pervert!"

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry," the cringing woman wept. "No hit, no hit, sorry, sorry, sorry. Please, let me make warm, please. Don't let me freeze. Please, only meant to warm you."

"What the…,? What the fuck are you talking about?" Rory muttered in a hoarse but furious voice.

Her strength was spent on her outrage. Rory had to ease her pounding head back to the nest of fabrics serving as her bed.

"What do you mean, warm me? There are blankets. I get mine, you take yours. Take 'em and get over there away from me."

"No, we freeze. Please, no, no, no," the blonde head shook from side to side. "Please ma'am, I not mean to be 'fucking dyke' to you. Please, I do nice. Whatever you want. Can we make warm now?"

Blood dripping from the woman's nose seemed to instantly crust on her upper lip. Rory began to notice just how cold the berth was growing. The heat trapped by both bodies under the specially made Varicant blankets was lost when Rory tossed the woman out. They would both freeze if Rory didn't act. Looking around the berth, Rory saw a handful of torn cloth amid the clutter. She grabbed several strips and quickly wiped the blood from the woman's nose before braiding them together.

"Get over here." She barked the command.

Rory's order was quickly met. The compliant woman was flipped onto her belly. Rory lashed her wrists together behind her back.

"This way you get to keep warm," Rory spoke as she repositioned the woman on her side and under the blankets, "and I get to keep your filthy hands off me. He, Bearses, he called you Rabbit, right?" A quick nod of an answer replied. "Well Rabbit, you need to understand one important thing. You sicken me. People like you are a plague on society. I think women like you should be drowned at birth so you can't infect good folks with your twisted idea of sex. I hope I'm making myself perfectly clear to you. Am I making myself clear, you dyke piss guzzler?" Rory grabbed the woman by the chin and shouted directly in her face.

Wide, frightened eyes fixed on Rory. Rabbit nodded slowly. Her eyes never left Rory's face. Rory had seen this particular look a thousand times before.

"You think I'm gonna kill you right here, right now, don't you?" Rory asked.

Again, Rabbit nodded with wide, frightened eyes.

"Not tonight. Maybe in the morning but not tonight," Rory settled in under the blankets and wrapped herself around the trembling, bound body of a young woman named Rabbit. "My head hurts too fucking much to try to kill you," Rory mumbled before falling back to sleep.

PART 4

RORY COULD HEAR a siren in the distance. She ignored it. Her body felt too good to start moving around so early in the morning. Snuggled up in the sweet warmth of another body was a long absent pleasure and she was unwilling to let go of the moment or the body.

"Ma’am, wake up time. Wake up time, Ma’am," a soft voice whispered close to Rory’s ear.

"Five more minutes," Rory mumbled.

"Guards be mad. Gots to be up at wake up time. Guards be mad at you, no food for Rabbit."

"Shit."

Rory opened her eyes and sighed. She remembered everything. Every horrible detail of the last nine months was right there in her head. The peaceful comfort of sleep was over. She pushed Rabbit away from her and started to untwist the blankets from their bodies.

"Let me go now?"

"What?" Rory was lost in her own thoughts. She only heard the woman’s voice and not the actual question.

"Let me go now?" Rabbit half turned as she spoke to show her bound wrists. "No touch you. No be fuckin’ dyke to you. So let me go now, please?"

Rory rolled her eyes as she grabbed Rabbit’s wrists began to untie them, "Just keep your hands to yourself and we won’t have any more problems."

Rabbit pulled her hands away once they were free. She scooted to the far side of the berth to dress. Every few seconds she would risk a glance at Rory. She was absolutely terrified and it clearly showed on her face even in the dimly lit interior of the berth.

Rory smirked. She was pleased the woman learned so quickly. In spite of her general dislike for gays and lesbians, Rory didn’t really want to spend her nights beating the woman into submission. Besides, Rabbit seemed simple minded and hurting the handicapped rubbed Rory the wrong way.

"It’s better she understands from the start that I’ll break her neck the next time she tries something," Rory thought to herself as Rabbit scrambled to get out of the berth.

A blast of hot air invaded the space when Rabbit opened the Varicant canvas to leave. Rory remember then that, while the nights were subzero, the days on New Earth usually exceed one hundred degrees.

"Just like I said, Hell. Oh well, only one hundred and nine thousand, five hundred and two days more to go," Rory bitterly mumbled to herself.

Rory took a few seconds more to loosely braid her hair. She hadn’t had long hair since her childhood and found the mass of brown which had grown since her incarceration to be annoying. Once finished, she eased herself off the berth and was the last one leave the tent.

"Come on, now. Tell us the truth, Rabbit. Is your new owner as tasty on the inside as she looks on the outside?" Bearses held the struggling Rabbit around the neck in a head lock as he taunted her.

The other prisoners, eating their breakfast, began to gathered around the pair. They laughed at the helpless woman’s frantic efforts to free herself form Bearses’ grip. None of them noticed Rory walking toward the scene.

Bearses pulled Rabbit upright and off her feet to rub his rough beard over her unprotected cheek, "Did she have you lick her spot or does she like it the other way around?" With one fist he smacked Rabbit’s crotch. "Maybe she likes it face down or maybe she likes you face down?" The same hand snaked around to pinch Rabbit’s ass. The crowd hooted encouragement for the sick game. "Don’t you be keeping us guessing, girl! Tell us!"

"She no like funkin’ me. No touch her, no more," Rabbit’s voice cracked as she confessed her shame. "Bearses, she no want to make warm. Bearses, I gonna freeze?"

Bearses shifted his hands to cradle Rabbit more than torment and restrain her, "I guess you will at that, Rabbit."

The crowd howled with laughter. Rory watched as Bearses let go of Rabbit and she sank to her knees. Tears streamed down the woman’s face which only served to fuel the crowd’s amusement.

"KNOCK IT OFF!" Rory bellowed. She proceeded to shove the now silent gawkers out of the way. "Bearses, you better stay out of my business or we are going to have a problem. A very big problem." Rory stormed up to Rabbit and yanked her to her feet, "STOP CRYING!"

Rory instantly regretted shouting. Before her, in the stark daylight was the same wide eyed, fear she saw last night. Somehow it was worse to see it in full detail. The tears had stopped but Rabbit continued shaking violently. Rory realized what she had just done to Rabbit was worse than the torture Bearses put her through moments ago.

"I’m sorry," Rory softened her voice and placed both her hands on Rabbit’s shoulders in an effort to still the quaking. "You’re not going to freeze. I’m not going to let you freeze. Just keep your hands to yourself and we’ll be okay, you and I."

Bearses’ laughter broke the moment, "Sweet! How splendid you two could make it up. But, now it’s time to be getting to work. The day’s a wasting, my fellow felons. No breakfast for Rabbit or Rory. Let’s be on our way."

Rory could not move fast enough to keep Bearses from dumping out the breakfast pot. The contents drained down into the porous ground. There wasn’t even a puddle to scoop a morsel from.

"Son of a Bitch!"

Rory raced toward the pompous tent leader. She was going to deck him. Less than two feet from her target, Bearses grabbed his left forearm and the metal bands fastened around Rory’s wrists slammed together. She dropped to the ground at Bearses’ feet.

"No, you don’t get to be a bad ass here. I’m in charge of an orderly tent. You obey me and you’ll get by. You defy me and you’ll be hook up by the wrists on the punishment post all day long. Got it?"

Rory could not move her arms an inch. The bands hummed and sent tiny shock waves of pain through her entire body. There was nothing she could do but surrender.

"Got it," her voice was weak and broken. Nine months of agony and humiliation hit home as she lay shivering in pain, face down on the rough, concrete like alien ground.

"That’s a good girl. I knew you’d be one to see reason. Now, let’s get to work."

Rory felt the bands release. She gently moved her sore body to test its strength. It took several attempt to move to her knees. The group of prisoners from her tent were quickly breaking up to follow Bearses. Rory wondered if she would be strong enough to get up off the ground on her own.

"Ma’am, gotta go. Up and go," Rabbit was squatting next to her. "Rabbit get a whippin’ if you don’t up and go."

Rory ignored the woman’s words, "Give me a hand, will you?"

Rory reached out to steady herself against Rabbit. The woman flinched back. She winced as she gave a sideward look at Rory. Rabbit was obviously waiting for beating.

"No touch, no ‘fuckin’ you, you break my neck, right? Teasing Rabbit, right? Want me to slip some more so you pound me?" The words were whispered.

Rory wanted to scream but the scene before her was too pitiful. Rabbit was scared stiff. Rory idly wondered if Rabbit was frightened by everybody or if it was just herself who instilled so much fear in the young woman.

"Or maybe only those people who threaten to kill her actually frighten her," Rory sadly thought to herself. "I’m not teasing you. I need help to get to my feet. This kind of touching doesn’t count. It isn’t fucking or anything perverted like that."

Rory reached toward Rabbit again and the woman let her steady herself. The pair managed to get Rory up and walking after several tries. Rory kept her arm over Rabbit’s shoulder even when they caught up to the others. The group was moving toward a large hill.

Rory took in her surroundings for the first time. The penal colony was obviously below the surface of the planet. Because of the porous nature of the rock formations, light from the four suns New Earth revolved around streamed in creating an orange glow against the red rocks.

The heat was like a physical presences. Rory thought is was similar to being submerged in an ocean of still water up to her nose. It created pressure all around her body making every movement deliberately effortful. However, unlike the night before, there was no wind.

"Is it only windy at night?" She asked Rabbit

"No light, cold wind. Light, hot still air."

"How long you been here?" Rory really wasn’t interested but asked to kill time as they made their way to the work site.

"Always."

"What’s that suppose to mean?" Rory snarled thinking Rabbit’s answer was meant to be sarcastic.

A woman near them answered, "She’s a tent rat. She came with the tent. Born here. Took the Old Earth team a while to get sterilization procedures right."

"Who the fuck asked you?" Rory’s anger was close to boiling over after a morning of degradation.

The woman turned and faced Rory, "My name’s Petra. My man is Jeff. We take care of Rabbit when she’s between owners. She makes warm with us, right Rabbit?"

"Yep, very toasty warm," Rabbit blushed as she smiled for the first time Rory could remember.

Rory was embarrassed by the exchange, "What in Hell are you trying to tell me other than you have a lovely threesome?"

Petra frowned at Rory, "Don’t be a pig. We share a berth, not our bodies. Jeff and I don’t want the girl to freeze. If you’d open your eyes you’d be able to figure Rabbit out. Look at her neck." The woman explained and pointed, "She’s branded a thief and a murderer with a little two after each scar. Rabbit is marked with both her parents’ crimes. The thief, her mother, was repatriated just after I got here. Rabbit was three or five or something like that. Age is hard to guess for native New Earthers. The murderer was a long time dead before that. Rabbit inherited her father’s life sentence." Petra started walking again and Rory and Rabbit fell into line behind her, "Rabbit has always been here because she was born here more than twenty five years ago.

"So, why’s she still here?" Rory asked as she glanced at a blushing Rabbit.

"That’s the government policy. New Earthers get the lengthier of the parents sentence."

Rory didn’t respond. Her heart ached at the thought of a baby born in such a terrible place. A baby with a mother who would leave her all alone and helpless. Instinctively, she tugged Rabbit a little closer to her side.

"Sorry," Rory quietly sniffed but Rabbit didn’t understand what Rory was sorry about.

Once they climbed to the work site, Rabbit showed Rory how to use a wooden mallet against the porous red rocks. The rocks shattered under the force. Large white stones trapped inside the hill were then easily accessible. The stones were loaded into buckets with thin skis attached to their bottoms. When the buckets were filled, Rabbit exchange an empty bucket for a full one and dragged the full bucket to a waiting transport wagon. The manual labor required from each prisoner was back breaking.

"Ma’am, you slow," Rabbit stuttered quietly shortly after midday.

"What?" Rory was beyond exhausted.

"Two buckets too slow," Rabbit held up two fingers. "Gots to hurry. Guards punish."

Rory swung her mallet at the woman, "Back off!"

Rabbit fell back on her ass. The mallet came within a hair’s breadth of her head. She scramble away from Rory but never broke eye contact with the incensed prisoner. She waited until Rory returned to smashing the rock wall before she raced for relative safety.

When the evening siren finally blew, all the prisoners dropped their mallets. A collect groan went up as the groups began the long march back to their respective tents. At the foot of the hill, stood several heavily armed guards. Nearby, armored flat bed vehicles sat with waiting drivers. Due to the weaponry involved, there was no possibility of a prisoner uprising against even such a small band of guards.

"HOLD!" A guard slammed his baton against Rory’s chest forcing her back several steps.

She glared at him but held her tongue.

"You came up a bucket and a half short of your quota."

Rory shrugged, "Call it first day jitters."

"Three point penalty. Move your bitch to the punishment post at once."

The guard wave toward an erect T bar several feet away. Rory was about to give a smart mouth answer when she felt a small hand on her hip, pushing past her. Rabbit was following the guard’s order to the post.

"Wait a minute…,"

Rory’s argument was stopped when the guard hit his left arm. Rory’s wrists slammed together. She dropped to her knees as the magnetic pull trapped her wrists to each other and the ground. However, there was no pain this time.

Rabbit walked to the post and pulled her shirt off. Her back was a map of injuries both old and new. She leaned against the post, stretching her arms wide.

"Promise not to move and I won’t tie you," the guard spoke in a gentle manner.

Rabbit’s voice was soft, "Promise, sir."

The guard grabbed coiled rope from the backside of the post. He shook it free as he strode around Rabbit in order to face her naked back. Rory could see the ends of the braided rope were loosened and knotted.

"No, don’t," she gasped as she realized what was about to happen because of her, "please."

The guard brought the rope down across Rabbit’s back with a fierce crack. Rabbit shuddered but did not cry out. A second sickening snap opened the skin at the midline of her back. Still, the woman remained silent. The third strike left a livid red welt from her shoulder to the opposite hip.

"Get dressed and go home," the guard recoiled the rope and placed it back on the post tact.

Rabbit stumbled a little as she moved away from the post. She quickly found her shirt and pulled it over her head. Slightly disoriented, she staggered back towards the tents.

Rory’s wrist bands released and her hands flung wide almost knocking her backward. She clawed her way across the harsh ground in order to catch up with Rabbit. Once Rory was upright and running, she caught up with the dazed woman quickly.

"Why, why, why?" Was all she could ask as she took hold of Rabbit by the shoulders.

Rabbit’s cheeks were pale and her breathing was in short pants, "Don’t know what why, you mean?

"Why did you step in for me? Why take my punishment?" Rory had to slip her hands under Rabbit arms as the woman’s strength failed.

Rabbit’s eyes were rolling back in her head but she muttered the dreadful response, "Whippin’ bitch, I’m your whippin’ bitch. Take punishment. Take what you earn."

PART 5

RORY WAS CAUTIOUS as she approached Bearses. The man was too busy doling out the evening meal and tormenting their tent mates to notice her. She decided after a few moments of observing his animated antics that it would be better not to surprise him.

"Bearses, excuse me," at the sound of her voice, he whirled to face her with his hand reaching for his left arm. "Wait!" She voluntarily crossed her wrists and dropped to her knees before him. "I just want some information. Please, there’s no need to hurt me," she had to swallow past the lump in her throat, "or anybody else."

Bearses adjusted the growing bulge between his legs. His grin quickly became a smug smirk. It sickened Rory that she had to humble herself to such a bully but she had very few choices at the moment.

"Well, what kind of information would you be looking for now, girl?" He asked.

"I don’t understand the rules. Rabbit was punished because I came up short on my quota. Why? Why’d they hurt her? Why not just beat me? Why not kill me for that matter?" Rory asked. "It doesn’t make any sense. None of it makes any sense."

"You need Rabbit to survive. She’s the only one who’ll warm with you before you’re broken into the system. Nobody else will risk being with you while you’re still racking up penalties. Rabbit has to be with you because we gave her to you. She came with the tent, she’s like an extra blanket to be shared." Bearses stopped and tried a different way to explain when he saw a look of confusion on Rory’s face, "Rabbit gets punished for all of your transgressions because torturing you would be a waste of time. It’d only fuel your rage against the system. Make you more defiantly suicidal. But, beating a weakling, a simpleton because of your failures drains your strength. It leaves you feeling impotent." He gave a snort of a laugh before continuing, "And, if she dies then you freeze to death. Think of it as motivation to obey."

Rory nodded. "Okay, I get it. I’m sorry. I’ll obey," she winced as she said the word. "I’ll do my part. Whatever it takes. But for right now, I’ve got her back on the berth and she’s in a lot of pain. Can you give me something to help her through the night? Anything to ease her hurt?"

"Monthly tent supplies run out on the second day, mostly. We’re only a few days away from the next shipment. Talk to me then."

"That does nothing to help her tonight. Please, I’ll take anything at all?" Rory tried to keep her voice calm. "The girl didn’t do anything wrong. She shouldn’t have to suffer because of me."

Bearses laughed at her, "Just this mornin’ you were smacking her yourself because she was warming you. Now you’re supposed to be worried if she’s injured? Please, tell it to somebody else."

Bearses turned his back on her and ended the conversation.

*  *  *

Rory could tell from the change in her breathing that Rabbit was waking up. She kept the woman snuggled under her chin immobilized with one leg wrapped around Rabbit’s two and one hand nestled firmly in the small of her back.

Rabbit was a light weight. It would be easy to hold her down but Rory didn’t want to hurt or scare the woman more than she was already. She let her free hand stroke Rabbit’s flank. Rory frowned as she realized she could feel each rib in detail.

"We got to make sure you eat more," Rory’s mumble was met with a squeak of fear. "Easy, easy, no jumping around. Stay still," Rory hushed over and over as Rabbit’s body began to tremble.

"Touching, sorry, sorry," Rabbit was tensing her muscles in preparation for another assault. "No be fuckin’ you no more. Sorry. No be touchin’ you no more. Sorry."

"Shh, relax, easy, I’m not angry. This kind of touching doesn’t count," Rory whispered as she maintained her gentle but firm hold. "Shh, hold still. If you move around too much then you’ll knock down the blankets. I set them up like a canopy to keep them off your back."

"Huh?"

"Um, like a little tent over us. It’s a bit cooler than last night but at least the cloth isn’t sticking to your wounds," Rory continued to use her softest tone of voice.

Rabbit whispered back, "Nice. Nose make warm too."

Rory couldn’t help but laugh. One of the advantages of tenting the blankets was it kept the whole body at the same temperature. So, no painfully cold nose.

"That’s right. Our noses will be as warm as our toes," Rory sighed as she felt the woman relax a bit. "Rabbit, are you in pain?" Rory knew it was foolish to ask when she didn’t have anything to ease the woman’s discomfort but she wanted to know the truth.

Rabbit nodded once before she answered, "Hurt, yes ma’am. Burns and aches."

"Call me, Rory. And, I’m sorry you’re hurting. I don’t have anything to make you feel better. Maybe you should try to go back to sleep? Getting some rest should help."

"Talk?"

"Huh?" Rory had no idea what Rabbit meant.

"Talk. Talk more. Nice voice. Help me sleepy, maybe?" Rabbit was hesitant.

Rory thought for a minute about what the woman was trying to ask from her. "You want me to tell you a story to help you fall asleep?" She finally guessed.

"Yes, please, yes. Petra. She talked stories. Her nice voice too. Help me go sleepy," she whispered. "Rabbit like sleepy talk."

"Okay then, a story it is. Let’s see. Once upon a time, there were three bears…,"

"What’s three bears?" Rabbit asked.

"Right," Rory remembered Rabbit had no first hand knowledge of Earth. Animal references were out of the question. "How ‘bout this one instead, once upon a time, there were three Guards getting ready for first shift but their morning rations were too hot so they left them out to cool. Along comes Rabbit…,"

Rory could feel the body on top of her relax with the words. Rabbit’s breathing was getting deeper and steadier as Rory spoke. It didn’t take long for the woman to begin to snore.

"Finally! I’m able to do something right on this God Damned forsaken piece frozen rock," Rory thought to herself as she allowed her own body to drift off to sleep.

*  *  *

Rory slammed her mallet against the red rocks. Her body had grown accustomed to the resulting vibration after days and days of endless hours of the mindless work. It helped her to not think about what she was doing. Instead, Rory let her mind wander to the insignificant details of her surroundings while her body went through the motions of the laborious task. She focused on the way the dust rose as the rocks crumbled or the number of seconds it took all the rocks to settle so she could retrieve the white stones. Sometimes, Rory even counted the fading of Rabbit’s footsteps away from the work area.

"Sure glad she’s a quick healer. Didn’t even take her two days to get back into the swing of it. Here it is a week or so later and she’s as good as new," Rory observed idly about Rabbit as the young woman hurried off with her cargo. "Must be the special healing air they talked about at my trial. Ha ha, right, special air. I’m losing my mind," Rory hummed to herself as she hefted a particularly heavy stone.

Several rocks cracked and shifted beneath her. Rory scrambled to steady her footing but it was a futile effort. She went down with the stone trapped between her chest and the surface. She could feel a snap when her chest slammed against the stone which had smashed against the ground. The pain was instantaneous and intense. Rory gasped for one agonizing breath after the next. Stars clouded her vision as she started to lose consciousness.

"No!" Rory struggled to stay alert when her heard Rabbit’s panicked cry. "Rory, no, don’t be deading, no!"

Small, trembling hands grabbed the back of Rory’s shirt and pulled her over. She couldn’t stop the scream of pain that followed the fierce movement. When her eyes fluttered open, Rory was staring directly into Rabbit’s grief stricken face.

"You be okay, fine. You be living," Rabbit babbled as she cradled Rory’s head in her lap. "You breath. In and out. ‘onceuponatime’ breathing."

Rory grinned in spite of searing pain. While Rabbit’s vocabulary was limited, the young woman’s intentions were quite clear. She didn’t want Rory to hyperventilate. Rory took a deep breath in through her nose and let it slowly escape her mouth.

"Okay," Rory managed a whisper. "In and out by nose. I got it. Rabbit, I’m alright."

"Really?" Rabbit leaned closer as if she were looking for a lie. "You not deading?"

Rory chuckled. The laughter was quickly replaced by a sharp cough and a flash of pain. Rory dug deep in her mind to separate herself from the agony in her chest. She put her hand on Rabbit’s shoulder and forced herself up to a sitting position.

She gave a wink to the very worried Rabbit, "See, okay fine."

Rabbit almost through herself at Rory. She wrapped her arms around Rory’s neck and buried her face against her dust covered shirt. Deep sobs wracked Rabbit’s narrow frame.

"Hey, what’s the matter? I said, I’m fine," Rory gritted. She was more embarrassed by the affectionate display than she could ever remember being. "Come on, I thought you were going to keep your hands to yourself?"

Rabbit released her hold. She scuttled back several feet. Her hands came up to block any blows that might result from her breaking the touching rule. She sat, cowering, waiting for Rory to strike her.

Rory regretted her thoughtless words, "Rabbit, I’m sorry. I was only kidding. I’m not going to hit you. I promise," Rory’s fingers traced a small cross over her heart. "Here you were being nice to me and I shoot my mouth off. What can I tell you? I’m a bitch."

Rabbit gave a half smile but didn’t move any closer to Rory.

"Can you give me a hand getting back on my feet so I can get back to work? I don’t want to cause any trouble," Rory extended her hand for help.

Rabbit crawled over to her. She wrapped Rory’s arm around her shoulder and hoisted the tall soldier to her feet. When Rory clutched her chest in pain, Rabbit continued to hold her close so she wouldn’t slip and fall.

"Thanks," Rory gasped. "I better get back to work."

"Two buckets."

Rory lost all color in her cheeks at the thought of so much more work to do, "I’m behind two buckets?"

Rabbit shook her head, "No, quota done. And two buckets done. You stop. It be okay."

"In that case, I’d better sit."

Rory was relieved she would not need to lift anymore today. With Rabbit’s help she eased herself down. It was then she noticed the stone she had dropped. The stone had smashed open. Dark, rich dirt lay inside and out of the broken stone. Rory grabbed a fistful and sniffed it.

"Dirt?" She asked Rabbit and got a shrug for an answer. "This is soil. Rabbit, this is what Old Earth is made of."

Rabbit stared at Rory. It was clear from her expression she didn’t know what Rory was talking about.

"Don’t know that," Rabbit shook her head. "But do know, Varicants take black dust. Varicants take more and more and colder more and more. Maybe it’ll be colder more and more and more. Maybe three to make warm or maybe four." Rabbit’s train of thought shifted with a warning whistle from one of the guards, "Gotta go. You rest. I get here at siren time."

Rory nodded agreement. She leaned back against the rock wall to rest her aching muscles. She would wait for Rabbit to come and get her at the end of the shift. Maybe then she would waste some time trying to figure out what the Varicants were doing with tons and tons of dirt. Maybe she would still be interested after a short nap. Maybe. Maybe she would be but sleep was first on her agenda. Sleep.

PART 6

RORY RELISHED THE wonderful, dreamless sleep. Her body was warm and comfortable and safe. Her mind was deliriously empty of memories or grief or agony. It would have been complete bliss if not for the incessant chatter going on near her ear.

"Quota Day! Up, up, up! Quota Day, Rory. You be up now," Rabbit was almost chanting.

A blast of cold air startled Rory out of her perfectly blissful sleep when the blankets were ripped back.

"What the…," Rory cracked open an eye to see the other woman dressing in the still chilled morning air that filled their berth. Small puffs of steam rose off Rabbit's heated skin in the dim light. "Hey, you'll catch a cold or frost bite. Get back under the blankets. I know it's not time to get up yet. It's too cold to be up." "Rory! Gotta be up now. Please. Quota Day! Hurry, hurry, hurry." Rabbit flung Rory's clothing onto the sleepy woman's face. "Please, Rabbit up. Rory gotta be up too. Rabbit gotta be first. Rory gotta be first too. If no, Rabbit no get dead things. Gotta be up, both up, to get the dead things."

Rory peered out from under her tossed clothing. She didn't understand what Rabbit was talking about but she could see, even in the half light of the berth, Rabbit's expression. Rabbit was smiling broadly. She was vibrating with the excitement of a child at Christmas. For whatever reason, Rabbit believed today was special in a very good way.

Who was Rory to disagree?

Rory raised her hands in surrender, "Okay, I'm right behind you. Go on ahead and I'll catch up."

"No," Rabbit shook her head vigorously. "Both, not one or none. Hurry, hurry, hurry, Rory. Gotta be there. Rabbit gotta be there. Rory gotta be there too."

Rory shrugged into her clothes in record time. Before she could even braid her hair, Rabbit pulled her out of the berth, passed several of their just waking fellow tent mates, and out of the tent. A steady frigid wind ripped at the pair and they stumbled back a step. Rory hugged herself against the cold and shivered with each gust of icy wind as she marshaled forward behind a very determined Rabbit.

"What's going on?" Rory asked between chattering teeth. "It's freezing. Morning is hours away. Rabbit, why in Hell are we out of the berth never mind out of our tent?"

"Hear the sound?" Rabbit asked.

Rory listened for a moment and heard a low, faint rumble. Each second longer brought the sound closer. Rory was finally able to see the dust trail from the approaching convey on the not so distant horizon.

"What is it?" Rory asked with mixed emotions. She found herself to be excessively fearful of the guards after Rabbit's whipping.

"That be the monthly supplies," Bearses answered from the tent door. "First one out of the tent gets the dead men's letters. Rabbit is first, yet again. Good work, Rabbit."

Bearses patted Rabbit's cheek as he walked by her. Her face went pink with the attention.

"So, they give us supplies and bring mail? We're allowed mail from home?" Rory asked with a faint bit of hope.

"Sure. We gets supplies and a day's rest. The courts say this not be a cruel fate as long as we get minimal stock, mail from home, from family, and a day's rest." Bearses paused to spit out his contempt, "Bastards! Tell me, Rory, do you think a coward like you is gonna get any mail from your family?"

Rory sneered at his taunt but her heart broke a little bit more with the truth that followed, "Ain't got no family left. What kind of supplies are we talking about?"

"Nothing useful," Bearses shrugged off the question. "Dusting powder, cold cream, salt, sunscreen. Damn guards grab the best of it before we see it; underwear, socks, blankets, potatoes. They take it for themselves like their lives aren't already bearable enough."

"So there's nothing worth hanging around for," Rory sighed in resignation. "You got any problem with me going back to get some rest?" Rory asked.

"Let Rabbit get her stuff. Don't want no one trying to take it from her because your ass is sleeping. After mail call, unless you want to fight over dusting powder and sunscreen then you can go back to your berth. Today we rest. No work today."

Rory nodded her acceptance of Bearses' plan as the supply convoy pulled up. With the engines' drone so close, the rest of the tent's occupants stumbled into the cold. Several big boxes were taken off the flat bed by Bearses and two of his strong allies; Web and Lorna. Getting to handle the supplies was a sign of power, Rory gathered from the way the other inmates stepped back from the trio.

"Hey Rabbit, the two dead guys be on top! How 'bout them apples?" Bearses winked as he handed the mailers to Rabbit.

"Three," Rabbit took the offered items but waited.

Bearses and Web chuckled with laughter but the rest of the group remained silent. "Right you are. Tell me girl, how did a moron like you learn to count?"

Rabbit didn't answer the question. She waited until the third box was offered and she grabbed it. With her packages wrapped solidly in her arms, Rabbit raced back into the tent as Bearses and the inmates howled with laughter.

Rory lingered until the laughter ebbed then she followed Rabbit's lead into the tent. Her heart ached for the young woman's humiliation. Not only did Bearses treat her as a simple minded piece of property but he teased her every chance he got. She was sure she'd find Rabbit hiding in the berth sobbing.

"Rory, we gots looksees. Todd's hot, sexy bitch looksees. Five and five and five more," Rabbit was giggling at the three rows of five pictures lined up in front of her.

Rory snorted a laugh at Rabbit's unexpectedly high spirits before climbing up on the berth to get a better view. The fifteen pictures were of a naked woman, with legs spread wide, obviously pleasuring herself. Rory felt her cheeks go hot pink with embarrassment. However the embarrassment came only after Rory noted Rabbit's correct assessment. Poor, dead Todd's bitch was very hot and very sexy.

"Rabbit, what are you doing? That's pornography. You shouldn't be filling your mind with garbage like that." Rory tried to explain in a calm but no nonsense manner.

Rabbit giggled even more, "Mens pay. Big pay too. Chocolate. Potatoes. Gum. Just for a peek. Socks. Underpants. Gloves, sometimes. To keep looksees. We livin' now, Rory."

"Running your own black market, are you? You're pretty clever, Rabbit." Rory was impressed, "I don't think I would've thought of doing that."

The smile left Rabbit's face. "Rabbit don't think. No brains," she pointed to her head. "Momma told Rabbit. Hungry; looksees peeks for food. Clothes, boots; trade looksees. Cold; suck cock, suck pussy. Hungry, clothes, cold; Rabbit be whippin' bitch."

Rory could feel her chest tighten more and more with each word of Rabbit's explanation. She wanted to weep. She wanted to tell the simple woman that life didn't have to be so stark. She wanted Rabbit to understand survival didn't mean subjugating herself on a daily basis. Rory wanted Rabbit to know love and warmth were two different things.

But, Rory wasn't ready to let her guard down, "Anything else in Todd's mailer?"

"Gum. Chocolate." Rabbit set Todd's mailer aside and tore open the next one, "Socks. Lots. So good. Ooooh, bandages. So, so good."

Before Rabbit could announce the next item Bearses voice echoed in the empty tent, "Coward, where you at?" His head and shoulders leaned into the berth, "Ah yes, you be making time with the richest woman in the tent at the moment, I see. You got a mailer from home." Rory took the item from him and he dropped back to the floor, "I hope it's something worth trading for 'cause we're out of supplies."

"This can't be right," Rory muttered almost to herself. "I've got no family left who would send me anything."

"Open. Open. Open." Rabbit's eyes sparkled as she encouraged Rory.

Rory obeyed. She tore along the official government seal and realized that not only was it still intact but it was military. Her heart raced with thoughts of her father. Could he have found some small bit of pity in his heart for her to send a kind word?

"Nope," Rory sighed when the mailer was opened and Fred's hand written greeting was revealed.

"Read?" Rabbit leaned closer sneaking a peek at the letter.

"What?"

"Read? Share home with Rabbit?"

Rory nodded. "Sure, what the Hell. Probably just war talk anyway. Let's see, it says, "Hello Rory. How Are You Your Squad Standing With You Two More Squads Stepping Up McShane's Squad's Evenly Divided I Petitioned Your State Senator For Paternal Privilege," Rory's monotone shifted as the meaning of the words filtered into her consciousness, "After your father's public renouncing of your birth right," Her breath caught momentarily in her throat. "My petition was granted. I'm now acting on your behalf as a family member. I requested the Soldier's Relief Lawyer to accept your appeal and the motion was granted."

Rabbit moved closer and wiped a stray tear from Rory's eye, "No understand. What you mean?" "Somebody back on Earth is trying to get me out of here," Rory whispered. "Somebody remembers me."

"Good. No cry. Good thing. Anymore?"

Rory wiped her face, frustrated with her own emotions, "Some legal stuff. Two potatoes. Bottle of aspirin. Pictures."

Rory blinked. Her heart beat picked up to triple time. The faces looking back at her from the bottom of the box were Stephen and Andy. It was from their last summer together before she left for her two week training. Before her leave back home. Before the explosion.

"Baby cute. Who he?" Rabbit asked.

"My son. He was my son." Rory's head was throbbing.

"He 'members you?"

"No, my son is gone." Rory closed her eyes as she spoke. With an unwelcome awareness, she realized she had stopped dreaming of him over the last few weeks.

"He be back. Like Momma. He be back."

Rory's heartbreak soured quickly to fury.

"You stupid little cunt!" Rory grabbed Rabbit by the shirt and pulled her within a breath of her face, "My baby is dead. He was blown to pieces while I watched. He's never coming back!"

"Sorry. Sorry, baby deading," Rabbit's voice was hoarse with fear and tears streamed down her face. "Sorry Rabbit stupid cunt. Sorry baby no be back like Momma."

Rory grabbed Rabbit around the throat and started to choke her. She forced Rabbit on her back and straddled the gasping woman.

"Stop talking! Shut up, bitch! Your mother isn't coming back. The whore left you. Left you to suffer with people like me."

Rory's hands went weak with her words. She released her grip and quickly retreated to the edge of the berth. Shaking hard, she dragged in big breaths of air. Her own tears started to make their way down her cheeks.

"Damn you," she muttered to a cringing Rabbit. "Damn you for being so stupid. Damn you for believing in a mother's love."

"No love," Rabbit coughed. "Momma no love. Hit. Kick. Sell. No love."

Rory's anger start to boil again, "Then why do you think she'll be back for you, Stupid."

"Repeat 'fender."

Rory had to think about the what Rabbit meant. "Repeat Offender? You mean, your mother is a repeat offender so she'll get sent back here?"

"Repeat 'fender," Rabbit nodded. "She be back. She be cold. Rabbit no warm Momma. Rabbit let her freeze."

Rory saw anger in Rabbit's eyes for the first time. She heard the depths of the woman's pain in her voice.

"You hate her."

"Want her deading," Rabbit said it like an oath. "Want to watch."

Rory nodded her head truly understanding Rabbit. "I bet my son feels the same way about me." She paused to dry her tears. "Sorry, Rabbit. Sorry to lose my temper like that. Sorry I ruined the day."

"No ruin. Got deading stuff. You got stuff." Rabbit gave a shy grin, "Chocolate for looksees peek?"

"What?" Rory rolled her eyes, "You want to peek at my picture when you got Todd's hot, sexy bitch."

Rabbit eagerly nodded her head and offered a piece of chocolate. She was careful to stay out of reach.

"Come on," Rory said with a grin and waved the woman closer. "I'll keep my hands to myself."

Rabbit scrambled across the berth and snuggled up next to Rory. She handed over the chocolate and Rory held up the picture.

"Him?"

"My husband, Stephen. He's gone too."

"Hot, sexy. He make warm with you?"

"Yep."

"You lucky. Him?"

"Andy, my son."

"Cute. Little. Love him?"

"Not enough." Rory answered honestly as she wrapped on arm around Rabbit. "Really sorry."

Rabbit didn't answer. She thought Rory was talking to the picture.

PART 7

"I NEED TO GET back to the berth. Would you mind waiting around for dinner again?" Rory asked.

Rabbit nodded her assent. She looked at Rory with a twinkle of hope in her eyes. She hoped Rory would finally tell her what she was working on in the far corner of the berth. Every day since Quote Day, Rory had hurried back to the berth leaving Rabbit to get their evening meal. More often than not, Rory would tell Rabbit to eat both meals. Rory said she was too busy to stop and eat during the dwindling hours of warmth. She worked in that far corner of the berth, nearest the light fixture. Her hands were tireless in their efforts to make small hills out of the rich soil stolen from broken stones. But, she never offered Rabbit any details on the project. Tonight, it seemed, would be no exception. Rabbit's shoulders sagged in defeat.

"Doncha' worry, I'll keep your woman comfortable," Web snickered and leered from the line near the cooking pot.

Rory whirled around and was on the man in two long strides, "Touch her, talk to her, look at her funny and I'll kick your ass so hard you'll have to open your mouth to take a shit!"

She cocked her arm to hit the foolish man but Rabbit grabbed her before she could deliver the blow. Rory was dragged back several steps by a frantic Rabbit.

"Don't. Please. Don't, for me," Rabbit mumbled as she struggled to subdue Rory.

"No fighting. Unless you want your bitch to pay the price of it. Five lashes," Bearses chuckled while he filled another waiting inmate's bowl without missing a beat.

"Fine, no fighting," Rory forced herself to relax and raised her hands in surrender. "But, I want an understanding. This girl's mine. Nobody touches her but me. Right?"

"Right, right, right. Web leave Rory's whippin' bitch alone," Bearses yawned on the last syllable.

"But, she never fucks the bitch anyway. My berth is right next to them. They never screw. Never. It's a shame to let good pussy waste away like that," Web rubbed himself as he spoke.

Bearses replied, "Web, shut up! Rabbit belongs to Rory. She can do what she wants with her. Even if it's nothing at all. End of conversation. End of story."

Satisfied with Bearses' pronouncement, Rory left Rabbit to get dinner and went inside the tent. She was hard at work when she heard Rabbit climb onto the berth. Rory knew Rabbit was waiting and watching from the edge of the berth.

"You eat now? Food hot. Rory eat? Please?" Rabbit's worry was evident in her voice.

"You go ahead. I'm not really hungry."

Rory heard the heavy sigh behind her. She knew Rabbit was trying to find the words and the courage to ask her what she was working on. Rabbit desperately wanted to know what Rory was doing with the dirt.

"When you finish, close the curtain and come over here, would you?" Rory instructed. A clattering of bowls quickly followed, "No Rabbit! I want you to finish up with supper first. Clean plates, kiddo. I mean it. You need every mouthful."

Another heavy sigh went up. Rory smothered her chuckle. She didn't want Rabbit to think she was making fun of her. Especially, after Web was such an jerk.

"Done?" Rabbit asked in record time.

Rory looked over her shoulder at the empty bowls. "Yep, good job. Now, close the drapes and get over here," Rory grinned as Rabbit scrambled to obey. "I know, you've been wondering what I'm doing. I'm gonna tell you but it's a secret. The guards would probably punish us if they found out what I've got growing over here."

Rabbit eagerly nodded agreement.

Rory pushed back from the dirt mound to give Rabbit a better look, "I strung together a bunch of the old rags and made an enclosure. There was some Varicant blanket scraps in the pile which I used for the bottom and top covering. You know, to keep everything toasty warm." Rabbit smiled broadly at Rory's little joke. "Then I filled it up with dirt, you know, black dust."

Rabbit frowned as she examined the odd item, "Why?"

Rory didn't answer. She reached into the dirt and pulled out a potato. Rabbit's jaw dropped.

"How?"

"Potatoes grow underground but in very little dirt. They don't need a lot of sun so putting the spuds this close to our light worked. Keeping it warm enough was the hard part," Rory smiled as she explained. "The scraps of blankets took care of that. I'm a bit worried the buggers might be too warm. Look how big this grew."

"Grew?" Rabbit frowned.

Rory tried to think of an explanation which Rabbit could understand. "Old Earth is nothing like here. It's covered with dirt, black dust, like this," she held up a handful of the rich soil. Food like potatoes can grow in it if you have enough of the right balance of light, water, dirt, and seeds. Seeds are tiny versions of what you want to grow."

Rory watched as Rabbit tried to understand. Rabbit reached out and touched the potato. Then she leaned forward and smelled it. A big smile spread across her face.

"More?" Rabbit pointed at the dirt mound.

"Yep, about six or seven. But, we should save two to grow more again. The rest you're going to eat, young lady."

Rabbit's expression shifted from excitement to fear, "Why? Bad? Potato no good?"

"No, the potatoes are fine." Rory said with a smile and gently lifted Rabbit's shirt. "One, two, three ribs? Rabbit, you're too skinny still. I need to get you stronger."

"Why?" Rabbit looked really worried now. "You sell? Sell Rabbit to guards. Sell Rabbit to fuck. You be cruel to Rabbit too?"

Rory worked hard to keep her emotions from her face. She anticipated Rabbit's suspicion. The woman, while simple, was not stupid. Rory maintained a ready smile and soft touch to Rabbit's ribs.

"No. I promise I will never betray you again: no hitting, no yelling, no selling. Promise. You have my word. Rabbit, we have a chance to get out of here. Fred is working on my appeal…,"

"That you. Rabbit no apple. No apple for Rabbit," The woman's eyes filled with tears. "No Fred for Rabbit."

"Shh, Rabbit, easy girl. Try to listen to me," Rory wrapped her arms around Rabbit's shoulders and pulled her close. Rabbit buried her tear stained face in Rory's chest. Rory rocked the sobbing woman for a few moments as the air got steadily chillier. "We need to get to bed soon. It's getting too cold for us out here. Rabbit, I want you to understand I won't leave you behind. I'm military. Disgraced, convicted, and branded but military none the less. If my appeal gets passed to the next level then I'll be transferred to the closest military prison to here so they can try the case on it's merits. The prison would be…, Houston or maybe Knoxville back on Old Earth. I'll claim you as my dependent. The military will have to transfer you while the Judge Advocate tries to sort through my claim. Once I get you home, I'll figure out a way to keep you there. Safe."

"Safe?" Rabbit's voice was a whisper and her whole body shook with the word.

"Safe at home. Promise. Or, I won't leave. You'll either go home with me or I'll stay here with you."

"Promise?"

Rory moved them both to the blankets and began to undress Rabbit for bed, "I promise, Rabbit. I won't leave you. I won't abandon you like I did Andy. Promise."

*  *  *

Rory carried a white stone over to her bucket but it was already more than full. Rabbit, who most days was one step ahead of all the inmates, was nowhere to be seen. Rory knew something was wrong. She grabbed her mallet and started down the path Rabbit walked at least a hundred times a day in search of the woman.

Rounding the sharp bend in the path well worn down by Rabbit, Rory saw Web with the young woman cornered on her knees. The spot he'd picked was hidden from the plain view of the guards and inmates. However, Rory was pretty sure none of them would have cared enough about Rabbit to raise an alarm of any consequence.

"Suck it," Web hissed and dragged Rabbit's face closer to his exposed crotch by her hair.

Rory didn't think. She just moved. She swung her mallet with the force of her anger. It made a solid connection with the back of Web's head.

"What the…," he managed to utter in a gasp as he staggered from side to side.

Before he could recover, Rory grabbed the back of his shirt and tossed him to the ground. With two efficient swings of the mallet, she shattered his knee caps. His agonizing screams drew no help.

"You better get crawling now if you plan to get back to the tent before you freeze to death," Rory stated with a matter of fact tone. "Rabbit, come with me."

The two left Web howling in pain to make their way back to Rory's work site. Several inmates congratulated Rory on taking Web out. However, there was one or two tasteless remarks about Rabbit's skills on her knees tossed into the conversation. Rory stopped and glared at the group.

"Rabbit's with me. None of you are to touch her. Do you get that yet? Rabbit's off limits, is that clear? 'Cause if it's still not clear, I'd be more than happy to demonstrate my point once again," Rory announced as she hefted the mallet over her shoulder.

The inmates quieted and returned to their work without any further challenges.

"Are you hurt? Cut?" Rory sat Rabbit down and started to check for injuries. "Did he do anything? Did he have a chance to do anything more than what I saw him trying to do?"

Rabbit shook her head no.

"Thank God," Rory whispered and wiped her eyes, forcing down the threatening tears.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why "thank God"? Why "off limits"? Why you care? Do you care?" Rabbit didn't know all the words she needed to ask the question which made her heart beat faster.

Rory shrugged. "We're doing okay together, don't you think? Keeping warm, eating good, staying out of trouble with the guards; I don't want a good partnership messed up by some prick. That's all there is to it."

"Oh," Rabbit looked away in a futile effort to hide her own disappointed tears.

Rory could tell her logic wasn't sitting well with the young woman. Rabbit wanted her to say something else. Rabbit wanted to hear something more but Rory wasn't ready to consider any other rationale for her actions. Rory was not going to admit to anything more than the need to survive.

"Yep, good teams are hard to find out here," Rory nodded firmly to end the young woman's questioning.

With the day's work done the inmates made their way back to the tents. They quickly came upon Web trying to claw his way home. The taunting began almost instantly. None of the inmates, including Bearses, tried to help him get closer to safety.

"You're gonna freeze your ass off, you stinking bastard," his bitch laughed.

"Get back here and help me! Right NOW!" He screamed. "I'm gonna make you pay for runnin' your mouth, girl."

"You bet, I'll give you a hand first thing tomorrow morning," she laughed and skipped past him.

Rory kept her arm firmly around Rabbit. Her eyes glanced back and forth between the man she crippled and the tents. She was certain he would never make it back in time without help.

Rory was seriously considering helping Web when he spotted her, "You fucking dyke! Wait 'til I get my shot at you. You're going down, bitch. Then I'm gonna fucked that little slut of yours until she can't walk straight. I'm coming for you, COWARD!"

"That's the spirit, Web. Stay the course," Rory said in a distant voice, "be an asshole until the bitter end."

PART 8

RORY SNUGGLED A little closer to the slumbering Rabbit in a futile effort to starve off the chill clutching at her heart. She swallowed for the hundredth time trying to dislodge the lump which settled in her throat when she passed by the ranting but doomed Web. Guilt. It was guilt causing her distress. The guilt over another death at her hands was almost suffocating. Trying to block out the memory, she closed her eyes and a tear escaped. Others were desperate to follow.

"No sleepy?" Rabbit yawned and blinked her own eyes open from a brief nap. "Cry? Rory, you cry? Why?"

Rory sniffed, "It’s nothing. Must of got something stuck in my eye. Go back to sleep. I’m fine."

Rabbit reached up and wiped the stray tear from Rory’s face with her thumb. The blonde head bent to study the drop in the weak light of the berth. Slowly, the head turned from side to side. A small tsking sound rose from Rabbit’s pursed lips.

"No ‘something in eye.’ No fine. Sad. You be sad. These be bitter tears, Rory. Why? Why you cry? Why you cry such bitter tears?" Rabbit asked in a soft, caring voice.

Her lips were within inches of Rory’s cheek. Her warm breath sent goose bumps across Rory’s skin. Involuntary shivers raced down Rory’s spine. Rory’s feelings of general anxiety were quickly shifting to wanton desire. She believed in that moment, there truly was no peace for a wicked heart such as her own.

"I need you to back off, Rabbit," Rory tried to warn the young woman away from her.

"You need something but not be alone time. Rory feel bad. Rory wants something. Want forgetting time?" Rabbit risked meeting Rory’s gaze directly. "Hard on?"

Rory took Rabbit by the shoulders and gently but firmly pushed her to arms length, "Where did you get such a dirty mouth? Don’t say filthy things like that. And no, I don’t have a hard on. Rabbit, women don’t get ‘hard on’ or anything like that. Let’s just leave it that I got dust in my eye and now it’s out. Okay?"

"Cheeks red. Breath fast. I smell something. You smell wet. Nope, nothin’ in eye. You need screwin’ to forget." Rabbit smiled in a reassuring manner, "It okay, Rory. Rabbit do lots of times for rest of ‘em. Everyone gets sad. Fucking helps. Fucking forgets. Me fuck you. You see, you forgets when Rabbit fuck you. Not bad like you think. Not bad fuckin’ like a dyke, you see."

Rabbit tried to get closer. Rory moved her hand forward and connected with Rabbit’s bare breast. She quickly tried to pull her hand away but Rabbit captured her wrist and returned it to her breast.

"Nice, yes? Soft and hard. Sweet, yes? Rabbit tender, yes?" Rabbit asked innocently.

Rory squeezed her eyes shut but that only increased the sensations her palm was receiving, "Oh, God!"

"You feel too bad?" Rory nodded yes as a response. "About Web?" Another yes nod. "Don’t. He bastard. Dick too small. Fist too big. Make me bleed every time. Make me cry every time. Me no like havin’ to cry. He just laugh at Rabbit. He laugh every time Rabbit cry. But, he no laughin’ tonight." Rabbit gave a chuckle.

"Please Rabbit, don’t joke about killing him," Rory begged with fresh tears in her eyes. "Killing is bad. Killing is always bad even if the person dying is no good. It hurts everybody. It makes us animals. You’re too innocent to be cruel."

"Hurts everybody? Hurts Rory here?" Rabbit’s grin faded and she whispered as she touched the tender skin over Rory’s heart.

"Yes."

Rory’s resistance weakened with the admission. She allowed Rabbit to roll her on her back. She let Rabbit snuggle under her chin. Rory gasped when she felt Rabbit’s lips kiss a nipple and hand cradle her sex.

"Rory, please let me. Please. Me want to make you warm inside too. Me want you forgetting. Rabbit make you feel good. Inside and outside good. Promise."

"It’s wrong between women," Rory shook her head from side to side but did nothing to stop Rabbit’s soft touches.

Rabbit giggled, "Not when me do. You see. Rabbit the best. Make you forget. Make you cream."

Rory wept. She didn’t want Rabbit to stop but her mind raced with unspoken accusations.

"Please," she finally begged. "Make it stop, Rabbit. If just for a little while. Make it all stop."

Rabbit kissed Rory’s cheek and then traced small kisses to Rory’s lips. She captured the trembling lips in a tentative embrace. When the lips parted, Rabbit set her tongue and fingers to action to sooth Rory’s pain. Ecstasy came in a whimper. But, it came none the less.

Rory woke sometime later feeling better than she could ever remember. Her body hummed with a warmth that surrounded her. Her limbs were pleasantly tired but not aching. The taste lingering on her lips reminded her of being loved.

Rabbit remained fast asleep. Her head was nestled against Rory’s chest. A light snore rose from time to time.

"Thank you," Rory mumbled as she kissed the tangled blonde hair huddled beneath her chin.

*  *  *

Rory and Rabbit staggered out of the tent for breakfast together the next morning. They walked hand in hand to get in line. It was a first for both of them but neither was ready to let go of the other just yet.

Rory could not suppress the grin on her lips. Sure, her brain told her she was damned. Sex outside of marriage was a sin by her training. Sex with the same gender was an abomination. Hell was the only fitting punishment for such barbaric acts. But, her body told her it was rested, relaxed, and relieved by Rabbit’s sweet attention. And, she was already condemned to a living Hell. Eternal damnation would just have to wait its turn to torment her.

"I’ll worry about that in another three hundred years," Rory thought to herself.

A low moaning dragged Rory’s attention away from thoughts of her ultimate fate. She scanned the area trying to find the source of the painful cry. Much to her surprise, the frozen remains of Web were melting less than a hundred yards from their cooking fire. She was amazed he got so close to safety before freezing to death.

Web’s body was crouching on all fours. He was covered in a casing of ice which was now sweating under the morning heat. His legs were melting with the ice into pools of gooey liquid which drained into the cracks of the parched ground beneath him.

Rory was about to look away from the disturbing seen when she saw a puff of air filter out through cracks in the ice surrounding Web’s face. Another low moan followed.

"JESUS CHRIST!" Rory backed off two steps and clutched her stomach. "He’s still alive!"

Bearses laughed so hard he went into a coughing fit. "Alive in only the most minimal way, girl."

"What the fuck is that suppose to mean?" Rory screamed over the laughter of the rest of the inmates.

"His body froze but the part of his mind that suffers lives still. Saved by the cold. Or so the guards tell us. It’s science or magic or some nonsense men weren’t meant to understand. In the heat of the day, the ice will melt and so will he. Oh, the fussin’ he’ll be making as he turns into a puddle can hardly be called livin’ now, can it?" Bearses gave a wink and a smirk. "Rabbit, give us all a peaceful breakfast and knock old Web over like a good girl. Let him shatter into a million pieces so we don’t have to listen to him melt and moan and groan and such."

"No Rabbit, don’t do it," Rory shouted before a smiling Rabbit could see to the task.

When Rory reached for Rabbit’s hand Bearses hit the controls for Rory’s arm bands. The pain was intense and the magnetic pull to the ground was unstoppable.

"Bearses, no. Don’t hurt Rory," Rabbit pleaded as she went to Rory’s side.

"I’ll let her go as soon as you put Web out of his misery, like a good girl," Bearses advised with a hint of anger in his voice.

Rory caught her breath and croaked, "No Rabbit, don’t. Don’t kill. Killing is bad for everybody, remember? Makes us animals…,"

Instantly, the pain increased. Rory could say nothing more. Her breath and strength was gone. She curled into a ball and huddled against the pain. Rabbit stayed by her side.

"Bearses, please. Rory good to Rabbit. Please no hurt her. No more hurt her. Please don’t. Rabbit can’t kill. Rory said no kill," Rabbit cried. "Me no kill, no more. Rory said so."

Bearses walked over to where Rory cringed on the ground. He kicked her hard in the gut. "Rabbit, I said knock the ice cube over! Now do it, you stinking Bitch!"

"Don’t," Rory ground out in a short gasp.

"Bearses, please no make me," Rabbit sobbed as she held Rory. "She treat me good. No make me disobey. You gave me to her. Rory own Rabbit now. Me behavin’ for her."

Another low, long pitiful moan went up from the still frozen but melting man.

"Oh for the love of Pete! If you want something done," Web’s bitch cursed as she broke from the group. "then you gotta do it yourself. Die, you mother fucker!"

With a solid shove from the woman, Web fell over. His ice encased body shattered into thousands of pieces. A small cheer went up from the inmates but not from Bearses.

"I won’t forget your defiance, Rabbit," he gave a snort as he released Rory’s arm bands, "or your stupidity, Coward."

Rabbit ignored the remarks. She held tight to Rory as the woman gasped trying to gather her strength.

*  *  *

Two tense days had passed since the shattering of Web. Rory was well aware of Bearses’ simmering anger at her challenge to his authority. She knew he wasn’t above drastic measures to achieve some measure of petty retribution. She also knew she could be convincing with the humble routine and the time to do so was at hand.

"Can’t let this fester too long. He’ll find a way to take it out on Rabbit if I’m not proactive," Rory thought to herself as she approached Bearses at the morning cooking fire. As she had done previously, she sank to her knees and crossed her wrists when he made eye contact with her. "Can we talk?"

"Talk ‘bout what?" Bearses glared as he answered.

"I want to apologize. It was wrong of me to countermand your direct order. You’re in command. I should know the penalties for insubordination better than anybody here. Still, I did the wrong thing. I’m sorry, sir. It won’t happen again," she kept her tone even.

Bearses straightened his stance before asking, "How’d you know I was military?"

"Because," Rory thought to herself without a smirk, "even the wicked get lucky sometimes?"

She had no idea Bearses wore a uniform once. Rory was trying to be figurative in her language. It was an effort to appeal to Bearses’ power driven ego. Instead, without realizing it, she was being quite literal which was a direct hit to Bearses’ ego.

He was still waiting at attention for an answer, "It was your posture, sir. You stand like an officer."

Bearses gave her a full and genuine smile for the first time since they met. "I was a Captain. An enlisted man who made good and rose in the ranks over ten years. Honorable discharge. Wounded four times during heavy enemy resistance at Northwest Boarder Zero Base."

"Wounded or dead to the man," Rory agreed.

"They sent me home with tin medals in my pocket but no real money to speak of. Money to could keep my kids fed and educated." Bearses snarled, "I never stole ‘cept to feed those kids. Never would’ve got caught if I didn’t let them catch me. My kids gets more money with me here than back home on disability. The old wife gets bennies too. Ahh, the lot of them are better off without me." The man was silent for a moment before shame reddened his cheeks, "So you can tell, I’m not like you. I didn’t cause no disgrace to the flag, to my homeland. I didn’t run away like you, Coward."

"No sir, you didn’t. You’re nothing like me. You’re a hero and deserve respect. Again, I’m sorry I interfered with a direct order." Rory paused a moment to let her words sink in, "I spoke with Rabbit and she knows now you have the final say in all matters."

He smirked, it was a sickening, broken tooth look, "Risky of you. I could order her to my bed."

"You won’t. You’re honor bound as a soldier to protect people like Rabbit," Rory easily replied even though her heartbeat skipped

"People like Rabbit? What’ju talkin’ ‘bout, woman? You be straight with me," Bearses’ cool was shattered with the question of honor in connection with his treatment of Rabbit.

Rory shrugged, "The girl is simple. You know, worse off than just slow. The polite word is challenged."

"RETARD? She’s a fuckin’ retard?" Bearses’ face went purple, "DAMN IT! I thought she was just stupid. Are you sure she’s ‘tarded?

"I’m no doctor but at college…," Rory hoped for the best as she passed off the line.

"SHIT!"

"It only matters from here forward. You know she has problems so now you’ve got to protect her," Rory suggested.

Bearses shook his head, "No more talkin’. Rory, you take care of the girl. Keep her fed and rested and away from the guards’ whip and I’ll keep the inmates off her. We gots a deal?"

Rory nodded yes. "Bearses, one more thing," she hoped the glare she got was the go ahead to continue. "I’d like to make dinner tonight. Special recipe from home. You’ll like it."

Bearses looked at her with narrow eyes but agreed with a snort before he turned his back on her and returned his full attention to breakfast.

Rory gratefully got to her feet. The conversation went much better than she had hoped. That was until she saw Rabbit several feet behind her. The woman’s shoulders slumped and her eyes burned with unshed tears. Before Rory could ask what the problem was, Rabbit launched herself at Rory with pounding fists.

"Why? Why say that? Why lie? Why? You no my friend. No friend, no more. You lie. I not ‘tarded. I not." Rabbit muttered over and over as she struck out at Rory.

Rory wrapped her arms around Rabbit and held firm while Rabbit spent her rage striking Rory any place she could reach. Hitting and crying and kicking, Rabbit let Rory know the depths of her anger.

"It’s okay. I got you. Be as mad as you want. I don’t care," that got her a hard knee to the crotch. Rory didn’t loosen her hold in spite of the pain. "It’s safer this way, Rabbit. They’ll leave you alone now."

Rabbit, exhausted for her futile efforts, finally stopped fighting and sobbed, "I not ‘tarded. I stupid. It different. Just dumb, not sick."

"Call it whatever you want," Rory mumbled as she held the woman close to her, "I still call it safe."

PART 9

"YA TRYIN' TA POISON me?" Bearses ground out around a mouthful of supper. "Any 'taters from the last Quota day be sourin' by now. There be 'taters in this mess of yourn."

Rory answered an in calm voice, "Those are fresh. I grew them at the back of my berth. And, there are more still. We can have fresh potatoes at every meal, every day."

"This be risky. If the guards find out…,"

"I'll take the blame. But, I need you to protect Rabbit for me. Claim her as yours so they don't beat her," Rory explained her plan.

Bearses took another bit. His eyes closed as he savored the taste. It was a few seconds more before he opened them again.

"Why take such a chance for a bunch of worthless felons?" He asked before taking another big bite.

Rory tried to shrug as if she didn't care but her shoulders were stiff with worry, "I'll eat better. Rabbit eats better. So what if everybody else eats better too."

"Fine but you'll be standin' alone when they find out. Don't expect help from me." Bearses ended the conversation with a firm nod. "Next!" He shouted which got the others to start lining up for supper.

Rory quickly filled two bowls. One was for Rabbit and one was for herself. She left Bearses to dole out the food to the rest of the prisoners. She hurried to the berth anxious to share an evening meal with another person for the first time in a very long time.

"Rabbit, I got us dinner. It's really good tonight. I made it myself," Rory gushed with a little pride.

"No hungry," the words were muffled from under the blankets.

Rory rolled her eyes. She knew Rabbit was still pouting over the comments made that morning. Rory had little patience to waste time on such childish emotions as the evening began to chill around them.

"Rabbit, sit up," Rory yanked the blankets off Rabbit's naked body. "You need to eat this so quit fooling around."

Rory held the bowl out as an offering. Rabbit pushed it back causing some of the contents to slosh over the sides.

"No want food, no want you, no want nothing!" Rabbit hissed then grabbed her blanket to cover herself.

"You're still mad at me," Rory let her annoyance out with a heavy sigh and set down the bowl of food. "I'm sorry I hurt your feelings but I'm not sorry I lied to Bearses...,"

Rabbit dove forward and began to pound on Rory's chest with clenched fists, "BE SORRY, BE SORRY, BE SORRY…,"

"Come on stop it," Rory easily captured Rabbit's hands and twisted them behind the angry woman's back. "You have to stop hitting me. We can't get passed this if you keep hitting me. We have to get passed this. We need each other. I need you, Rabbit. I love you."

Her words came out in a rush as she fought to restrain the struggling Rabbit. Rory almost didn't realize the importance of the statement but Rabbit went still the moment the word was spoken.

Rory didn't relax her hold. She might not have meant to announce her growing attachment to Rabbit at that moment but she would not deny the truth of it any longer. Instead, she leaned in closer and kissed Rabbit's soft, full lips. It was hesitant. It was weak. It was heartbreaking in its innocence. But, it was breathtaking when Rabbit returned the attention with a confident kiss of her own.

"I love you," Rory said again in a whisper.

Rabbit kissed her again. "Touch me now? Touch me like Stephen touched you?"

"I'll try but you may need to give me some pointers along the way," Rory winced as she confessed to her own inexperience.

Rabbit nodded seriously, "No touch my bottom. Don't like to hurt like that."

Rory fought down a shudder at the comment. "Tell me what you do like. Tell me where to start."

"Say love me. Say again. And, hold me sayin' love me," Rabbit's words were slightly muffled as she snuggled against Rory's chest.

Rory readjusted her hold on the woman and moved them back to the blankets, "Love you so much, Rabbit. I love you. Love you."

She took a chance and accentuated each phrase with light kisses around Rabbit's neck and shoulders. The hum of response indicated Rory's instincts were on the right track. Rory was certain she would spend the rest of the night learning additional ways to make Rabbit hum.

*  *  *

Rory dropped her mallet and made a quick grab for the woman sneaking up behind her. Rabbit gasped at first and then relaxed into the embrace. Her reward for cooperating was half a dozen wild kisses to the back of her neck.

"How am I doing?" Rory mumbled in her ear before seizing the lobe in a nibbling kiss.

"No worry. One bucket more than."

Rory chuckled as she release Rabbit, "That's not what I meant."

"Rabbit know," Rabbit grinned back. "You do good. Not best like me but do good like you."

Rory gave a half bow.

"Back to work time," Rabbit cautioned but was reluctant to leave.

Rory nodded, "Tonight, I'll do good like me again."

Rabbit gave Rory a quick kiss before turning to grab the full bucket. But, she stopped in mid turn. "Rory, run!"

Before Rory could question the command, Rabbit grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the path.

"RUN! RUN!"

Rabbit's shouts were soon drowned out in a vociferous crashing that was echoing in the distance but growing closer. Sirens began to sound. Guards and prisoners alike were running to get back to the flatbed trucks which were already on the move. The ground beneath them began to tremble. Every few heartbeats the force of the trembling grew.

Rory didn't know what was happening. She just ran with the rest of them toward the tents. Her strides gained momentum and soon she was pulling Rabbit along. She was within half an arms length of a flatbed truck when she grabbed Rabbit around the waist and hurled her onto it. The blonde landed neatly in Bearses' arms.

"Nicely done," Bearses looked very worried. "Now you."

The truck was gathering speed. Rory caught movement out of the corner of her eye and saw a young guard lunge for the side of the flatbed. His hands caught the side but his leg went under and the wheel crushed it.

"RORY JUMP NOW!" Bearses screamed.

Rory stopped running and locked eyes with Rabbit. "I love you, Rabbit! Always."

She knew Bearses would keep Rabbit on the truck. Rory could not leave the guard, a fellow soldier, to die from whatever was racing up behind them. Or worse, to survive only to die like Web.

"This is gonna hurt. A LOT!" Rory shouted over the thunderous crashing sounds closing in on them.

She hoisted the guard, a boy of no more than eighteen, over her shoulder. His screams were muffled in the chaos around them. Rory began a measured jog back toward the tents. She was surprised to find an easy rhythm. The guard had passed out so his body was limp and moved better than the sixty pound packs she use to train with. She quickly began to pass older and slower prisoners but she couldn't think about them if she had any chance of saving herself and the guard.

The sounds of destruction and the trembling of the ground started to lessen. Rory could see the outline of the tents directly ahead of her. She allowed herself to think they were going to be fine.

That's when the soot began to fall. The dirt and ash descended like a snow storm. A light sprinkling which grew to a steady falling which then swirled into a blinding blizzard of blackness.

Rory stayed as pointed toward the tents as she could figure. She strained to make out images or sounds in the darkness. Anything to guide her back to the safety of the tents. There was nothing but soot before her and behind her the strangled cries of the dying.

She was beyond exhaustion. Her breathing was coming in choking gasps. Moving was agony. But, to stop would be to die. Rory didn't really want to die anymore. Not now, so soon since finding Rabbit.

"One foot forward!" She shouted over her misery. "Next foot forward! Two foot forward! Next Foot forward!"

A light. A flash. Something yellow directly in front of her. Before she could call out she heard the most beautiful sound in the world.

"RORY COME HERE!"

"RABBIT!"

A hand grabbed her shirt front. Then another hand. Soon the body she had come to know as well as her own was pressed against her.

"BEARSES PULL RABBIT!" Rabbit's voice screamed into the dark oblivion surrounding them.

Rory felt the pull. She clung to Rabbit and moved with the force dragging them out of harm's way. Rory didn't realized they were inside until the burden she carried was lifted from her shoulders.

"We got him, Rory. Let Rabbit see to you," Bearses voice was near but Rory could only see darkness.

"Can't see. Am I blind?" She asked Rabbit with a sudden panic.

"Nope. Dirty."

Rabbit helped Rory move further into the tent. Rory felt herself maneuvered onto a berth but she was sure it wasn't her own. Water was trickled down her face and her eyes teared and burned. A clean cloth patted the sensitive area dry.

"See now," Rabbit commanded.

Rory opened her eyes to the blurry face of her lover. "Yeah, I see now. Thank you, Rabbit. You saved me again."

Rabbit nodded but did not smile. She used the back of her hand to wipe several tears from her own dirty cheeks.

"No do that again. No more. No want you deading. Rory be safe. Be 'tard like Rabbit."

Rory held back her smile at Rabbit's precious speech, "I'm sorry I worried you. But, I couldn't leave the boy to die. It would have been wrong not to try to save him." Rory ended Rabbit's attempt to argue with a finger to her lips, "Just like it would have been wrong in your heart not to try to save me. So, how about you forgive me my foolish risk and I'll forgive you yours?"

Rabbit could not keep her tears in check any longer. They raced down her cheeks leaving clear paths in their wake. She sobbed and fell into Rory's arms.

"I got you. We're not deading. We're okay," Rory rocked in unison with the heavy crying until both of them fell into a fitful sleep.

*  *  *

"It looks like a bomb went off," Rory muttered at she surveyed the damage the next morning.

Several inches of soot covered the ground. The usual red glow of morning was dulled by the billowing clouds of dust in the distance. The evening cold was slow to warm. Hundreds of tents that littered the horizon had vanished and with them the prisoners who had occupied them.

"It be a collapse. We're guttin' the planet," Bearses spit. "These be happenin' more and more. Rabbit how many before me?"

"One. Then you, six, now seven," Rabbit spoke up.

"Won't be long 'afore the whole damn thing falls in on our own heads," Bearses said. "And they'll leave us all to die."

"Bastards," Rory grumbled.

Bearses gave a rueful laugh, "Ya might be a coward and I may be a thief but them big boys runnin' old earth are murderers, mass murderers."

The sound of trucks rumbled in the distance. It ended the conversation. Rory and the others started to clear the area in front of the tent in order to get breakfast going. Two flatbed trucks squealed to a stop less than a foot away from Rory. She held her ground and glared as the ten guards jumped from the vehicles with weapons at the ready.

"Where's Private Ellis?" Shouted the Captain.

Bearses nodded toward the tent, "He be in there. We set the leg of his you broke, by the way. No need to thank us for that either."

"Watch your mouth old man," the captain was in no mood for mouthy prisoners. "Get him out here at once."

Rory sneered, "We got him this far. Get him yourselves."

The Captain's baton connected solidly with Rory's cheek. She went down like a stone and was momentarily stunned.

"No," Rabbit cried and tried to run to Rory's side but Bearses caught her and held her back.

"ENOUGH! Get my soldier out here or my men and I will start breaking some of your bones."

Several prisoners went inside the tent. Long minutes passed until they returned carrying the whimpering guard.

"Put him on the truck and be quick about it. The rest of you better learn some respect or I'll have to come back and teach it to you at the end of my whip," the Captain threatened.

"Nice to know you go back for some things," Rory quipped from her spot on the ground.

The Captain hit the controls for her arm bands. Instantly, Rory was screaming in agony. Her wrists were locked together and fixed to the ground. Electric shocks rattled her body. The Captain took the opportunity to level six or seven heavy blows to her back and shoulders. When he finished, he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her head up to whisper in her ear.

"Don't think I forgot about your whipping bitch. I'd be happy to have you both stripped bare and howling on the post!"

Despite her raging anger, Rory managed to keep her mouth shut. The Captain released her with a curse. Rory crumbled to the ground in defeat. Some of the soldiers snickered at her humiliation but most returned to the trucks. They were, apparently, eager to be on their way. One soldier did linger a little longer. He seemed to be quietly conversing with Jeff. Bearses noted it but quickly turned his attention to Rory.

"Ya be one of the dumber women I've come to know," he said as he helped Rabbit give her a hand up.

"Not dumb enough," Rabbit's voice was tinged with anger.

"Oh, she's plenty dumb enough," Bearses replied as the trucks and soldiers sped away from their tent. "She's just not cowardly enough. Are you, Major?"

Rory's eyes filled with tears when Bearses saluted her. "Thank you, thank you, sir."

PART 10

"RORY, WAKE UP. Wake up, Rory!" Rabbit's tone was urgent. "Wake up in a hurry."

Rory cracked open one eye and saw Rabbit frantically trying to dress, "Quota Day?"

"N'uh," Rabbit shook her head. "Something else. More trucks. Lots of guards. Always bad. Always cause hurtin' trouble. No good for felons or Rabbit when they come like this."

"Hope you're wrong about them this time," Rory remarked and grabbed for her clothes.

"Me not. Rabbit wrong sometimes but Rabbit never been wrong about the guards."

"I know you're not wrong," Rory sighed in resignation. She was fairly certain she was the reason the guards were on their way, "Rabbit, come on over here. Come on!"

Rory held her arms open. Rabbit was hesitant to waste any time getting out of the berth before the guards used forced to move the slower prisoners but she could not resist her heart's desire. She gave into the invitation quickly. She snuggled against Rory's naked body and let out her fears in little whimpers.

"Whatever this is, whatever they've come to do, just remember that I'm in love with you. You mean more to me than my own life," Rory held Rabbit firmly and kissed the top of her head. "You saved me more times than I can count. Rabbit, you're the only reason I'm still alive on this god forsaken frigidly hot piece of rock."

"They comin', they comin' for you? You think they comin' to take you away from Rabbit?" The force of Rabbit's hold increased with the intensity of her question.

"EVERYONE OUT OF THE TENT. NOW!" A familiar and stern voice from outside called above the droning of the engines of the now parked and idling trucks.

"You head out. I'm gonna pull some clothes on," Rory kissed the woman again but did not speculate on the answer to Rabbit's question. "I'll be right behind you."

Prisoners straggled out into the cold, pre-dawn darkness. The guards snapped on bright directional work lights from their trucks as the group gathered. Orders were shouted and prisoners muttered complaints but no heavy handed tactics were used until Rory appeared in the doorway.

"TAKE THE COWARD DOWN!"

Half of the guards rushed toward Rory with batons at the ready. The other half stood as cordon between the remaining prisoners and the intended target. A few stray swings leveled several prisoners as warning not to interfere with the guards' strong arming Rory over to the Captain.

"On your knees, Coward!" The Captain screamed and smashed Rory in the gut with his baton.

Rory collapsed to her knees and then face first to the rock hard surface, "Son of a …"

Additional comments were silenced by repeated blows from multiple batons. Several stray boot kicks connected with her back as well. Rory closed her eyes and hoped Bearses had a good hold on Rabbit. She didn't want Rabbit to get hurt trying to save a lost cause.

Once the pummeling stopped, Rory's wrist bands were activated. They connected and immediately started to cause pain. It was not so sharp as to incapacitate her but enough to let her feel the force of it. Two guards yanked her to her feet to face the Captain. His twisted smirk said everything Rory needed to know. She was caught and her punishment was going to be memorable.

"Coward, have you been growing food? Specifically, have you been grow potatoes with stolen dirt in the back of your berth?" He asked loud enough for all to hear.

"Yes, Sir. Do you need some? We have plenty extra," Rory gave a broad smile with her cheery answer.

The Captain backhanded her. Rory was staggered by the blow. Only the hold of the guards kept her from falling.

"Don't get smart, bitch! Growing extra food is against the rules!" The Captain screamed and spittle from his lips blew briefly against the breeze only to flag and land back on his crisp, clean uniform.

"If'n I may," Bearses voice interrupted. "I be in charge of thisn' tent and these felon."

Rory turned to look at the man holding Rabbit steady. She desperately mouth 'no' over and over in an attempt to stop his interference. The last thing she needed was for the Captain's attention to be draw to Rabbit. However, Bearses blissfully ignored Rory's desperate, silent plea.

"So what? You want to share a piece of her penalty?" The Captain stalked over to Bearses.

"Oh, no, Sir, not at all," Bearses maintained a calm tone. "It be just, there ain't no exact rule against growing things."

"What?" The Captain stopped in his tracks. "What nonsense are you talking? I make the rules here."

"You be in charge but there be only six hard and fast rules. That what the gov'ment said when I be sent here. They goes like this; no scapin' nor temptin' to, no fightin'," Bearses rolled his eyes toward the sky as he tried to recall the list of 'DO NOT,' "no pregnant felons, no touchin or bein' disobedient to guards or tent leader, no shirkin' at work, no killin' anybody even 'tis self, and that be that. Nothin' 'bout grow extra food on the list. Nothin' even 'gainst stealin' nor theivin' for that matter."

The was silence when Bearses stopped speaking. Nobody on either side moved. The Captain's fury was evident in the red glow growing on his cheeks. Little beads of sweat began to form on his brow. Then his eyes widened with a sudden thought.

"Bearses," the Captain finally broke into a sickening smile, "isn't that the Coward's whipping bitch you're holding?"

The Captain laughed loudly when Bearses gave a reluctant affirmative nod. He continued to laugh as he sauntered back to Rory. Without warning he grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her ear next to his lips.

"You tell these fuckers that I specifically ordered you not to grow or plant things or I'll tie your bitch to a pole and whip every last piece of skin off of her!" His snarl was fierce.

"I broke the rule. I did it myself. I was ordered not to grow food. No planting. Nothing. I disobeyed a direct order. Again! Just like before." Rory continued to shout her confession until the Captain slapped her two or three blows in rapid succession across the face.

"There see. Two violations. The act itself and disobeying a direct order," The Captain announced with a flourish of a hand gesture. "Guards secure the Coward to the whipping post. It's time to make her weep."

"No, no do, no, my job, no hurt Rory," Rabbit struggled wildly in Bearses' arms. "Me her whippin' bitch. Me take the lash. Me suffer her. Me suffer. My job. Me suffer, Rory."

"Stop it girl. Petra, give me a hand," Bearses hushed in a low tone to avoid drawing additional attention to Rabbit.

Petra grabbed Rabbit by one arm and around the neck. "Easy, honey, easy. Don't fight us. Jeff…,"

"No," Bearses stopped her. "we don't be needin' him here."

Petra didn't understand why Jeff wouldn't be needed as Rabbit was putting up a fierce fight but then, she didn't argue the point either. Too much depended on getting Rabbit under control. Rabbit battled like a wild thing trying to break free.

"STOP!" Bearses grabbed Rabbit by the hair and hissed in her face. "Rory's standin' tall. Don't be shamin' her none. Don't make her a useless sack of bone by watchin' 'em kill you. Let her feel brave again. It can be your'n gift to her, Rabbit."

Rabbit stopped her struggle. She sagged against Bearses' chest. Her tears came in shivering sobs.

"She deading. Rabbit deading too," Her voice was muffled in the folds of Bearses' shirt.

"S'right girl. I'll let you bunk with my women and me. You'll not freeze, I'll see to it," Bearses hushed the words and stroked Rabbit's hair as he spoke. "You no need to be worried."

"No freeze outside. Freeze inside. Crack like Web if Rory deading. Never make warm again if Rory deading," Rabbit's voice quivered as she spoke her worst fear out loud.

Bearses was stunned by Rabbit's announcement. It took him several seconds to fully understand what the woman meant.

"Girl, you be lovin' the Coward?" He felt Rabbit's answer when her head nodded yes. "Then you'll not be watching this travesty, by God."

Bearses turned Rabbit fully from the scene before them. He wrapped his arms around her head and pulled him close to his chest.

"Shut your eyes. Don't be watchin' this." He ordered in a voice hoarse with emotion.

The guards dragged Rory to the punishment post outside the tent. She was stripped naked before being secured to it. A few groups of prisoners from other tents gathered to watch as well as all the felons from her own tent. Usually, public floggings were cause for celebrations as it delayed the work day and lowered the general quota. But, today was very quite. Many of the surrounding tents with frail occupants had received potatoes from Rory's hidden stash. While a majority of felons didn't think of other felons as likable, Rory was one felon who was not hated by those in her tent and outside of it.

"This woman, this Coward violated two rules. She endangered not only herself with her self indulgence but the rest of you as well. As Commanding Officer, I will not allow individualized behavior to endure! The punishment for the Coward is thirty lashes by my whip. Private Ellis will have the privilege of delivering the blows himself."

Rory rested her forehead against the pole and chuckled to herself, "No good deed goes unpunished."

"BY GOD!" A voice from Bearses' tent of felons called out.

A prisoner in the neighboring tent braved, "She saved you. Where's your honor, man!"

Scuffles erupted as Private Ellis limped over to the Captain. Nervous guards wrestled with prisoners. They were eager to quell the prisoners' feeble attempts at a rebellion. The Captain, irritated by the delay the skirmishes caused, increased the pain Rory's arm bands were sending her.

"Please, ah no, stop, no more, please," Rory shrieked unable to contain her begging against the vicious pain.

The prisoners immediately stopped their struggles with her words. They believed she was speaking to them. The moment was not lost on the Captain. He saw her full potential at that moment. He understood the threat she posed to the status quo.

"Time to squash this bug," he sniffed. "Private Ellis, if you would begin. I'll do the count myself."

The young man stepped within ten paces of the bound prisoner. He snapped his whip in a test crack and it bit him back on the wrist. The whip was dropped with a curse.

"Take your time, boy. I've got three hundred years and three days to spend tied to this damn post," Rory sneered at the young guard over her shoulder.

The prisoners erupted into fits of laughter. They hooted and howled but their jeers were directed at the guards and not the condemned. Private Ellis scrambled to reclaim the whip. He took a firm grasp of the handle, steadied his healing legs, and let the leather fly.

"ONE!" The Captain shouted.

There was no need to shout. The crowd fell silent as a stripe of red was left in the whip's wake. Rory had not screamed. She leaned heavily on the post wondering how she would endure twenty nine such blows more.

Ellis struck again and again with no real rhythm. Each hit differed in intensity and placement and strength. His novice handling of the whip gave no solace to Rory. She could not prepare for each subsequent strike. Several cracks snapped by without even hitting her skin but those were not credited to her. Still, she tensed and prepared for them just the same.

"Fifteen!"

Rory screamed at the tearing of her skin. What had been a tiny opening on strike ten, rendered completely from mid back to hip. Blood pulsed from the rip and ran in rivulets down her legs. Her knees buckled and she began to wretch.

"Twenty One!"

Rory's eyes rolled back in her head. She could barely stay conscious under the relentless assault on her bare skin. Pain was her whole world now. She growled and cried and spit and puked and pissed and shit as her body tried to escape the torture but the pain persisted. Rory was agony's handmaid.

"Twenty Five!"

"Still not dead," Rory mumbled to herself as the next crack struck. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." The repetitive explicative was screamed aloud much to the cheers of her fellow felons.

"Fuck 'em, Rory!" was the spontaneously chanted back from several corners of the gathering of prisoners.

"Thirty!" The heavily perspiring Captain shrieked over the other voices in an effort to silence them.

All fell quite except for the uneven sobbing from the beaten prisoner. Her body hung by the wrists from the punishment post. Her legs were crumpled beneath her. They could not support the aftermath of the whipping she endured in spite of her best efforts to get to her feet when the whip ceased it's movement. Blood flowed as freely from the open wounds on her back as the tears poured from her eyes.

"Punishment completed. You may all set out to your worksites. Except the prisoner named Jeff. He is to report to my truck post haste," The Captain said in an official voice.

"Son of a bitch," Petra shouted as her man walked over to the other side. "You turned her in, didn't you? May God strike you low for what you have done."

Jeff ignored her comments. He merely followed the guard's directions to the back of one of their vehicles. Once settled in the back, he flashed a brilliant smile to Petra.

"He's lost his mind," she gasped.

Bearses shook his head even as he kept a firm hand on Rabbit, "No girl, he's lost his soul."

"The Coward had suffered the punishment for her immediate transgressions. However, I'm going to request an execution order as she is a persistent threat to the security of penal colony. Guard, send transmission to headquarters now."

The Captain's announcement was met with jeers and posturing by the prisoners but no real threats of riot. Prisoners were a defeated bunch. It would take more than one woman's whipping and death to rally them, of this the Captain was sure.

"That's a negative, Captain."

"WHAT?" The Captain roared.

"Headquarters rejects the execution request. It orders the immediate transport of the Prisoner Rory and…?"

"And what, man? Spit it out!"

"And, her spouse to Base Level 1, sir." The guard was baffled by the order.

The red returned to the Captain's cheeks. "Fine! Load the Prisoners Rory and Rabbit on to my vehicle. I'll take the bitches to Level 1 myself." The Captain thought to himself as he watched Rory's limp body dragged to his truck, "Let those pompous asses try to deny me my execution in person. They'll give me my due, I make sure of it!"

PART 11

"RA," HER VOICE failed in a painfully dry throat. "Rabbit!" Her call was interrupted when a series of deep coughs racked her body. She finally managed a shallow breath and then another deeper breath. Shaking her head, she tried to rattle her senses back to normal before resuming shouting. Over and over she shouted, "RABBIT! RABBIT! RABBIT!"

"Excuse us," an unmistakable, inhuman voice interrupted her anguished screams.

"OH HO HO, not you bastards again," Rory's speech was slurred. "I thought I was done with you creeps after my last space trip ended," Rory croaked in a hoarse voice. "Yet, here we are again for the first time. Back at the beginning. Once more into the breach, so the bard would say. Same universe, different galaxy."

"We are…"

"Ya, ya, ya. Skip the introductions, Ms Manners," Rory rolled her eyes as she spoke. "Just tell me where my Rabbit is and nobody needs to get hurt? She's my dependent. A totally legal deduction according to my home commonwealth. If I'm on a space craft then she'd better be here too or you'll be talking to my lawyer, pal! I got rights, you know," Rory warned with a wave of her finger.

She forced herself to push over onto her back and ended up cringing from the pain. The wounds on her back had been treated but they hurt like Hell, none the less. Still, it was worth the discomfort. She wanted to see just where she was. Squinting open her eyes, Rory saw a cell much like the one on the space craft that brought her to New Earth. The only thing missing was the drone of the engines in the distance.

"Please tell me where my Rabbit is. Please, I need her," her bravado flagged with her strength and she ended up begging her captors in a voice just below a whisper.

"We are Varicants. We are your keepers. We are guarding you at Base Level 1. We will provide for your medical needs, daily cleansing, and regular feeding while your government determines the appropriate confinement for your body."

"SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP. WHOOP. WHOOP. WHOOP. I'm not gonna listen to that shit, right now," Nearing a panic, Rory shouted above their explanation as she pressed her hands over her ears. "I'm only gonna give you one warning then all sorts of bad stuff is gonna happen. You'd better listen to me!" Once the Varicants quieted, Rory spoke in a more rational tone, "Rabbit is my dependent. That means she stays with me. So send her in or take me to her. I don't care which. Come on, move it, move it, move it. Let's go you friggin' ghosts. I ain't got all day to waste waiting for you idiots to get with the program."

Rory managed to drag herself up into a seated position. The effort made her head swim. As she caught her breath, she noticed how clean the skin on her legs was. Taking an extra moment she assessed the rest of her body and noted all the dirt, grime, blood, and stink had been washed away. She was clean for the first time in months or was it years by her old Earth calendar?

"Oh, no. Did you do this to Rabbit too?" Her voice dropped back to a whisper again.

"We are not sure of your question. What is the meaning of 'do' in the sentence?"

Rory rested her spinning head against the wall behind her before clarifying, "Did you clean her? You know, wash her?"

"Of course. She was, like you, infested with parasites and larva which we could not permit to travel across our filter barrier. You are both antiseptically clean."

"Oh no, no, no! She must be terrified. Is she okay? She doesn't understand any of this. She was born on New Earth. She's an innocent. She doesn't know any of our ways," Rory was struggling to get to her feet as she rushed to explain. "Please, she's never been alone or clean or come face to face with Varicants before. For the love of God, she probably thinks that you're a bunch of blankets come to life. Please, you must let me see her and tell her it's okay."

"We find that request unacceptable. We would prefer for you to calm yourself. You should take some rest. Your injuries are quite severe. Your recovery depends on…,"

Rory leaned heavily against the smooth metal surface of the wall and ignored the Variants' prattle, "Think those injuries were bad then just watch what these are going to look like."

With that, Rory began to smash her head against the wall. She used a measured cadence for the blows and accentuated the thudding sound with a discrete banging of her palm at the moment of impact. After the third connections, a panel in the wall near her left hand slid open. Ragged sobs filled Rory's cell.

"Rabbit?" she blinked as the voice registered in her shaken senses. "Rabbit, is that you?"

Rory slid down the wall and began to crawl toward the sound. Her vision was clouded from both the effort and the blows she inflicted on herself. She grinned in spite of her pain.

"Worth it. Got my way. Got my Rabbit," Rory muttered to herself as she pulled her beaten body within inches of Rabbit.

Rabbit was naked. Her body and her hair were cleaner than Rory had ever seen before. Rabbit's fine blonde hair shimmered in the cell light. Rabbit was seated and had her arms wrapped around her legs and her face buried behind her knees. A steady stream of sobs rose from the young woman slowly rocking back and forth in the middle of the empty steel cell.

"Rory gone. Rory leave Rabbit. No more happy. No more love me," Rabbit wept. "No more hold me sayin' love me."

Rory felt her own tears start. "Love you, Rabbit."

Rabbit stopped talking. Her body stopped rocking. Slowly, ever so slowly, her head lifted.

"Really Rory?" She asked.

"Yes," Rory said softly as she move next to Rabbit and wrapped her arms around her, "It's really me and I really do love you."

Rabbit buried her face against Rory's chest and begged, "Hold Rabbit now. Always hold Rabbit. No let go no more."

"Never. I'll never let you go again."

Rory held Rabbit and gently began to rock her. She tried to soothe her terrified friend with familiar bedtime stories. With every word out of her mouth, Rory felt Rabbit relax a little more. Sobs were slowly replaced with steady breaths and finally tiny snores. Rory couldn't keep herself from smiling as she kissed the top of her lover's head.

"Sleep now. After all you've been through you could sleep for a week, I bet. I got you. I'll watch over you. You won't freeze and you'll never be alone again. I promise. But, I think we should make the clean thing our standard code of hygiene from today forward," Rory grinned as she whispered to the slumbering Rabbit.

"We are curious," the Varicants interrupted.

"Shush," Rory hissed. "I just got her to sleep. Don't wake her up, you dopes. Can't you see she's exhausted?"

"We will lower the volume but there are questions you must answer for us. We insist."

"What?" Rory readjusted her hold on Rabbit so she could begin to rock her again.

"You were a soldier."

"That's not a question," Rory spoke softly and cradled Rabbit closer to her chest. "It is a statement. How is it that you boys are so smart you can cross the universe at the speed of light but you still can't speak English properly."

"You were a soldier, correct?"

"Yes."

"You were married with a child, correct?"

"Yes," Rory answered quickly before brushing a freshly born tear from her eye.

"Your life prior to this was the antithesis of homosexual behavior, correct?"

"Yes."

"How and when did you become homosexual?"

Rory rested her chin on Rabbit's head and sighed. She closed her eyes to push back some of her warring emotions. In spite of her anger, Rory knew a poorly planned outburst could be physically costly for, not only herself, but Rabbit as well.

"We are prepared to inflict pain if you fail to answer our questions. We have a right to this information."

"I didn't become anything."

"You life before this was a lie, correct?"

Rory flinched as she felt Rabbit straighten up and pull back from her embrace. Apparently, Rabbit had been awake enough for the beginning of the conversation to understand the question posed. Rabbit stared Rory directly in the eye and Rory knew Rabbit wanted the question answered as much as the Varicants did."

"No, my life was not a lie. I love Stephen. Even so many years after his death, I dream of him and it makes my heart hurt because I love him so desperately."

A single tear made its way down Rabbit's cheek. She nodded her head in defeat. Her shoulders drooped with the weight of Rory's words.

"And," Rory continued her confession, "I still dream of my Andy. Sometimes I can feel him hugging me, kissing me, drooling in his sleep on my shoulder. Too many nights, I wake up thinking I smell his sweet, soft skin. But, then I really wake up."

Rabbit tried to dry the tears streaming down her face but for every one captured two more got away. Rory lifted Rabbit's chin to force the woman to look her in the eye again. Carefully, Rory wiped the tears dry with her own rough finger tips.

"Rabbit, my husband and son are dead. It doesn't matter how much I love them. They are gone. They are never coming back. I survived the explosion that killed them. Like it or not, I'm alive. Rabbit, I only know how to say this one way, I love you. For some unbelievable reason, you love me too. I can't explain how a person like me got so lucky in one life time. To find not one true love but two defies all the odds," Rory stopped and to kiss Rabbit's tear stained cheeks.

"If him no deading. What about Rabbit?" Rabbit bit her lip and flinched as she asked the dreaded question, "You still love Rabbit if Stephen alive and kicking?"

"Honestly, I don't know," Rory said the painful truth aloud.

"This is most strange," the Varicants announced as Rabbit crawled to the point in the cell furthest from Rory.

PART 12

RORY WAS VERY confused.  She was certain she had fallen asleep sitting up.  She had deliberately balanced herself against the wall with her shoulder in an effort to keep some pressure off her brutalized back.  The cell wasn’t cold but it wasn’t particularly warm either.  That’s why she was finding her current situation so difficult to process in her sleepy but waking mind.

Her body was resting quite comfortably on something softer than a mattress.  Better still, she was deliciously warm.  She could not recall the last time she had woken to such an indulgent environment.

“Must be dreaming.  As soon as I open my eyes, I’ll be back in Hell,” she thought to herself.

Rory blinked her eyes open and was pleasantly surprised.  Rabbit was cradling Rory’s battered body in her lap.  Keeping her warm and protected while she slept.

“Thought you were mad at me,” Rory said and raised her hand to caress Rabbit’s face.

Rabbit’s swollen, red eyes closed and she melted into the touch.  She kissed Rory’s palm before replying.

“No love, Rabbit.  Okay for you.  No your fault.  Stephen first.  Okay for him.  Okay for you too, right?  Him sexy man.  Rabbit still love Rory,” Rabbit sniffed back her tears with the last word.  “Rabbit only love Rory.  Always, only love Rory.  No different you no love me like Stephen do.  You can’t love Rabbit too.  That okay.”

Rory shook her head.  “You’re wrong.  I can love you too.  I do love you too.  More than my own life, I love you.  Please Rabbit, let me show you how much I love you.”

Rory pulled Rabbit into a kiss.  It was deep and needy.  Rabbit responded with a desperate kiss of her own.  Rory’s hand made a fast path to Rabbit’s hip.  As their touching intensified, Rory found herself unable to control her passion any longer.  She grabbed Rabbit’s ass with both hands and dragged her down onto her lap.  The woman landed with a thump while Rory groaned with the effort.  Rabbit began to giggle.

“What’s so funny?”  Rory asked trying to suppress her own laughter at the shear joy in Rabbit’s voice.

“Where you learn that?  Not very sexy, Rory.”

Rabbit’s critique was abruptly ended when Rory began to tickle her.  Rabbit squirmed to get away but Rory was too strong.

“Oh yeah?  You think I’m a clumsy lover, huh?  Well, I’ll show you a thing or two,” Rory promised with a wink.  “I’ve been told by my 100% of my previous lovers, ah…, lover, ah…that would be my husband, that I’m very skilled in the art of love.”

Rory shifted Rabbit to the floor and pinned her down with her own body.  Alternating between tickling and kissing, Rory managed to silence Rabbit’s laughter.  Rabbit began to let out soft moans when Rory would stroke or suckle particularly sensitive area.

“Rory show Rabbit more,” Rabbit begged.  “Please show more now.  Rabbit needs more.”

“Would you like me to show you more here?”  Rory asked as her thumb teased Rabbit’s nipple.  “Or maybe you want my attention lower?”  Rory blazed a trail of kisses down Rabbit’s belly.  “Or perhaps, both?”

Rabbit gasped.  Her power of speech was completely lost with her growing desire.  She nodded her head vigorously.  Rory accepted the response and took the hard nipple in her mouth while her hands teased the soft, warm skin of Rabbit’s abdomen to goose bumps.

“We are Varicants.  Your current behavior is deemed unlawful.  We insist you cease your present activities immediately.”

“SONS OF BITCHES!”  Rory shouted in frustration.  “Don’t you guys ever give it a rest?”

“Ghosts!”  Rabbit squeezed her eyes shut and wrapped herself around Rory in a fierce hold.

“Shh honey.  Easy there.  They’re not ghosts,” Rory continued to caress Rabbit as she reassured her.  “Varicants are aliens.  They’re not any kind of people at all.  They’re certainly not dead people come back to haunt us.”

“No ‘fraid then?  Not bad?  No hurt Rory?  No hurt Rabbit?”  Rabbit asked with a hint of hope in her voice but she did not lessen her grip on Rory.

Rory let out a sad sigh, “Oh no, we need to be afraid of them.  They’re  bastards.  Just like the bastard guards.  And, these shits will hurt us for no reason too.”

“Rory, let’s go.  Please.  Go back to Bearses.  Please, before freezin’ time.  Before ghosts hurt you more.  Before ghosts set guards whippin’ on Rabbit too,”  Rabbit whispered her plea in Rory’s ear as bravely as she could muster.

“That is not possible.  You are prisoners here.  You are confined under our supervision.  You are awaiting disposition of your bodies for the remainder of your sentences.”

“How him hear?”  Rabbit’s fear ebbed slightly with her confusion.  “Rabbit quiet talk.”

“They have lots of nasty tricks up their sleeves, my love.  You can’t trust them.”  Rory growled at the unseen Varicants, “Did you guys want anything in particular or were you just trying to ruin the mood here?  ‘Cuz, by my reckon’ somewhere in the universe it’s date night and happy hour!  And the wife and me got some gettin’ on to do.”

“She has no legal status.  For clarity sake, please refrain from using inaccurate terminology in our conversations,” the Varicants suggested.  “We will be forced to inflict pain if you fail to maintain a lawful standards of behavior and acceptable speech patterns.”

“Wife?  Like Petra?”  Rabbit, ignoring the Varicants jabbering, asked.  “Rory makin’ me wife?”

Rory grinned before answering in a soft voice, “Yes, wife.  If you’ll have me.  My wife.  My lover.  My best friend.”  Clearing her voice, Rory announced to the Varicants, “I hate to break this to you, ghosts, but my home commonwealth recognizes same sex marriages.  I was officer in the military and can still approve marriages during war time.  Unless the war on earth ended, I’m well within my rights to approve my own marriage to this woman.  Look it up, smarty sheets!”  She happily taunted before she placed a sweet kiss on Rabbit’s eager lips.  “Oh, so soft and sweet.”

“Please refrain from your current fornication while we verify your claim,” the Varicants directed.

“Really real Rory?”  Rabbit whispered in Rory’s ear in an impossibly low voice after breaking from the delicate kiss.

Rory chuckled.  “They can still hear you, sweetheart.  And, yes.  It is really real.  You are my wife.”

Rabbit buried  her face in the curve of Rory’s neck and began to sob.

“What’s wrong?  Don’t you want me?”  Rory flushed with embarrassment.  She worried she had over read the woman’s feeling for her.

“Happy tears.  Really real happy tears,” Rabbit managed to explain before the tears overtook her completely.

Rory held Rabbit while her body shuddered.  Deep cries filled the cell.  For long moments, Rory wondered if Rabbit would ever stop crying.  Ever so slowly, the crying eased.  Rory continued to hold Rabbit as the woman settled in for a much need rest.

“Sleep, my Rabbit, this is going to get worse before it gets any better, I fear,”  Rory whispered in a hot pink, slumbering ear.

*  *  *

“WAKE UP!”  The command echoed in the cell.

Rabbit, waking with a start, clung tightly to Rory.  Rory swallowed down the pain the embrace caused her injured back.  She would endure almost anything to protect her Rabbit.

“Okay, it’s okay, I’m right here,” Rory whispered the reassurance as she snuggled Rabbit closer to her.

“GET DRESSED!”  The order came at the same moment plastic wrapped prison uniforms were tossed into the cell.  “BE QUICK OR WE’LL DRAG YOUR ASSES OUT NAKED!”

“Rabbit, I’m gonna need some help,”  Rory tried to coax her.  “I can’t get dressed on my own.  Please, will you help me.”

Rabbit immediately released her hold.  She scrambled to retrieve the new uniforms.  Tearing the packages open, Rabbit shot a look over her shoulder to make sure the guards were still on the other side of the doorway.

“Stay focused on me, Rabbit.  Don’t think about anybody else or anything else,” Rory hushed.  “We’re still together so we’re doing fine.”

“Love me?”  Rabbit asked as she helped Rory pull her shirt up one arm and down the other.

“You are the only living person that I do love,” Rory answered as she started to button the shirt.

Rabbit grabbed the pants and pulled them up to Rory’s knees.  “You do rest?”  She asked as she looked over her shoulder again.

“Yep,” Rory grunted as she reached for the pants.  “Hurry and get yourself dressed.”

The pair finished in silence.  Rabbit helped Rory to her feet and they made their way to the cell door unbidden.  Rory stopped at the threshold.

“Clever,” the guard tisked.  “If you came across on your own, I would have zapped you.”

“We await your command, sir.”  Rory answered with a tone of respect she did not really feel.

“Prisoner Rory, step out first with your arms behind your back.”  The guard gave a smug grin.

Rory disengaged herself from Rabbit’s supportive embrace.  Rabbit shuddered slightly but made no other moves to stop her.  Rory put her arms behind her back and stepped forward.

The wrist bands locked immediately and the pain followed.  It was enough to be uncomfortable but not enough to buckle her knees.  Rory didn’t even flinch.  She was certain they guards wanted to punish her but she would not give them the satisfaction of seeing her grimace.  They wanted her on her feet so she was certain there was a limit to the abuse.  Rory knew she could withstand it.  Every time she felt like crying out, she thought of Rabbit’s beaten back and her pain faded.

“You’re some kind of tough bitch, huh?”  The guard taunted her.

“No sir,” she answered while focusing straight ahead.

“Get the little dyke out here!”  The guard screamed.  “You like that cunt, don’t you?”  The guard taunted Rory as Rabbit was pulled from the cell by three other guards.

“Please, sir,” Rory was quick to beg, “she’s done nothing wrong.  Please, your honor as a soldier demands you protect her.”

Rory struggle with her own bounds as she watched the guards drag Rabbit across the hall to a large machine with two round holes at waist height.  One guard grabbed Rabbit around the neck in a choke hold.  The other two took an arm each.  Without warning, they plunged Rabbit’s arms into the holes.  Rabbit bucked and screamed and struggled to no avail.  She would not be released until the machine was done with her.

“No, no, no!  No new.  Rabbit broked long time now.  Off, please, off,” Rabbit pleaded when her arms were removed from the machine and she saw the wrist bands.

“SHUT UP!”  The guard next to Rory commanded and included a pain charge to Rabbit’s wrist bands.

“Rory…,”  Rabbit cry was cut short by the pain and she dropped to her knees.

“Breath, breath, easy, breath,”  Rory, restrained by her own wrist bands,  did not know what else to do to help Rabbit.  “Just like you did with the whipping.  Breath through the pain, Sweetheart.”

“Sweetheart?”  The guard next to Rory hissed in disgust.  “You, dyke bitch!  You sicken me.  Perverts like you are destroying the country and keeping us from winning the war.”

Rory’s tight control on her temper was lost with the guards stupidity.  She head butted the guard.  He crumbled to the floor with a bloom of red blood pouring from his nose.  His cries for mercy silenced the room.

“You listen to me you pathetic wimp!  Stop crying!”  Rory muffled his sobs with a kick to the gut.  “I served on the front lines three times.  I’ve engaged the enemy with full scale assaults and covert operations.  I watched my husband and son blasted to bits before my eyes.  I’ve murdered and maimed more people than you’ll ever meet in your lifetime because I thought I was keeping my country safe.  Don’t you dare tell me I’m the reason we’re losing a losing battle.  If they listened to me there would be peace on earth this very night!”

“We are Varicants…,”

“Ghosts be back,” Rabbit warned.

“FUCKING A!”  Rory screamed

The pain in her wrist bans increased.  The blinding agony forced her to her knees.  She was left panting and shuddering as waves of electronic torture ripped through her body.

“As we said, we are Varicants.  We insist you cease this behavior.  It is undignified.  Officer Reynolds, you are relieved of duty.  You will face a disciplinary hearing regarding your treatment of the prisoners.”

“Son of a…,” the bleeding guard’s complaint ended when another guard pulled him to his feet and escorted him from the area.

“Prisoners, if you agree to accompany Captain Santangelo to the tribunal chamber without further disruptions then we will end the punishment mode of you Containment Bands,” the Varicants stated evenly.

“Rory be good, okay?  She be good, ghosts.  She no hurt nobody no more.  She be good for Rabbit.  Right, Rory?  Rabbit always good.  Rabbit obey.  All the time.  Ghosts no do hurt no more, okay?  Rory, Rabbit do good.  Ghosts do good too, okay?”  Rabbit tried to bargain with the unseen aliens.

“Prisoner Rory, we are unable to interpret the woman’s language.  Do you understand her?”  The Varicants actually sounded confused.

“Me talk fine,”  Rabbit huffed.  “You no listen good.  You no have ears or something?”

Rory finally found her voice in spite of her suffering, “Rabbit, quiet please.  Let’s not insult the nice ghosts who are going to ease our pain.”

“Sorry,” Rabbit whispered.

“S’kay,” Rory whispered back.  “Okay, Varicants, we’ll go quietly with the Captain.  No problems.”

Instantly, the agony from the wrist bands ended.  Rory, still restrained slumped slightly forward trying to catch her breath.  Rabbit scooted up next to her and rested her own head on Rory’s shoulder.

“You be fine?”  Rabbit asked softly.

“Yep, I’m fine,”  Rory grinned and planted a quick kiss to the top of Rabbit’s head.  “As long as you’re next to me, I’m fine.”

“Isn’t that just sweet?”  The Captain snarled as he entered the hallway.  “Guards, get these two freaks on their feet and get them moving.  The faster I get them to the tribunal chamber, the faster I get to execute them.”

“Rory?”  Rabbit’s worry was evident in her voice.

“As long as we’re together, Rabbit, nothing they do can really hurt us for too long,” Rory kissed the top of Rabbit’s head one last time before the guards pulled them away from each other and pushed them toward their fate.

PART 13

RORY WAS SHOVED into the tribunal chamber by the strong hand of Captain Santangelo at her back. She stumbled two steps but easily caught her balance to avoid falling. A quick glance over her shoulder reassured her Rabbit was only a few feet behind her. Rabbit's guard held her by the elbow and was guiding her more than manhandling her. That was the only consolation Rory felt at the moment.

The tribunal chamber meant a hearing was scheduled. Rory was certain that if the government went to all the trouble of having the proceedings on New Earth then the plan must be to keep her from getting back to Old Earth. Rory was sure the tribunal would find some way to reject the petition for retrial. A worse, growing fear was taking held in her mind. She was beginning to think the panel would somehow find a way to re-sentence her and order her execution. Now, that she found a reason to live would be the most terrible time to die.

"Guard, keep a good eye on these two. I don't want them sneaking up behind me, the Captain ordered as he pushed Rory to her knees before making his way to the communication consol. After punching several buttons, he declared, "This is Captain Santangelo. I have retrieved the Prisoners Rory and Rabbit. as you requested.

Moments passed. There was no immediate reply to his pompous, official announcement of their arrival. The group was left waiting in silence for some type of response. None was forthcoming.

The Captain slammed his fist against the communication devise and shouted, "I repeat, this is Captain Santangelo with the Prisoners Rory and Rabbit, as you requested.

And, they waited still longer.

The Captain stood at attention next to the telecommunicator. Rory remained on the floor where the Captain had dropped her. Rabbit was still in the guard's grip. She made a point of bumping up against him. When he would look down at her she would make small gestures with her eyes and head toward Rory. Each time the guard would shake his head 'no.' On her finale try, Rabbit begged quietly, 'please' with a small tear racing down her face. The guard tossed up his hands and gave in with an unhappy grunt. He sat Rabbit next to Rory.

"F-in Pre-verts, the guard mumbled as he stepped away. "Major pain in my ass.

Rory leaned close to Rabbit's ear and whispered, "Listen. This is really bad. You have to tell them I lied. Say we're not together. Tell them you want to go back to Bearses. Tell them you belong to him. Tell them you've always been his. You can say I was just boasting or something. You know, make up something.

"No.

"Rabbit, try to understand, Rory hissed. "Their gonna kill me. If you're still with me then they'll kill you too. It doesn't have to end for you. Save yourself.

"No.

Rory felt tears of frustration sting her eyes, "Please, listen to me. I'm gonna die…,

"Me too, Rabbit stated and rested her head against Rory's shoulder. "Me die when Rory die. No different if me with Bearses or if me here. Me die when Rory die. Rabbit heart freeze without love. Rabbit freeze and crack without Rory. Just like Web.

Rory was at a loss. She had no words to convince Rabbit she was wrong. In fact, Rory was quite sure Rabbit wasn't wrong. Rory believed at that moment Rabbit would die without her. Rory closed her eyes and finally surrendered herself to fate. She ducked down and stole a kiss from Rabbit's soft, trembling lips. A baton smack to her ass ended their moment.

"Rory love Rabbit too? Rabbit asked in spite of the angry guard at their back.

"Rory only loves Rabbit, Rory stated it as a promise.

"SILENCE! Enough with your freakish drivel! The Captain spun around to face the pair. "If you two don't stop with that filthy talk then I'll cut your tongues out myself!

"Have you been at war so long that talk of love is filthy? Rory retorted with a condescending sneer. She went further to taunt the officer, "Maybe you're not getting enough lovin'. Or maybe, you can't get enough lovin'. Come on, you can tell us. What's the erectile problem, Captain.

"Dyke! The Captain shouted.

The enraged officer backhanded Rory. She was unable to remain upright and crumble to the floor from the force of the blow. Her cheek immediately began to throb but a sharp kick to her crotch drove that pain to the back of her mind. Her body curled into a fetal position under the Captain's assault. Rabbit's frantic efforts to intervene were thwarted by the guard.

"Bad man, you be bad, Rabbit sputtered as she struggled.

The Colonel turned his attention to Rabbit. He slapped her to silence with several quick strikes to the face.

"Really, Captain, is that anyway to control prisoners? Colonel McShane's shrill voice interrupted the chaos. "I would have thought a mere two prisoners, females at that, would be…easy to handle for a man of your alleged skill. Tell me, have they gotten the best of you, old man.

McShane's smug smirk nearly unglued the Captain.

"No, sir. Not at all, sir. The Captain resumed his attentive stance and snapped off a salute.

"Could have fooled me. Tell me, what do you think Lieutenant? McShane asked.

"I think, I don't give half a crap! The Lieutenant who originally prosecuted Rory growled as he wiped his sweaty brow. "Let's get this interview over with, get the response signed, and get back home.

Rory cringed inwardly at the sound of the voice out from the past; from the most vicious of her tortures. Her brain begged her to run away and hide. Her body shivered at the memories of what the Lieutenant was capable of doing to a woman, bound and naked. However, curiosity finally won out over fear and she stole a look at the man speaking.

The Lieutenant had aged. More than the passage of years alone could have aged him. His hair had gone completely grayed. His face was ruddy and as bloated as his swollen belly. Once straight broad shoulders were rounded and stooped with worry. Rory watched at he gasped for each breath after the simple act of walking and talking. Rory cracked a half smile and her fear ebbed.

"I guess even he has a conscience, Rory thought to herself, "I hope it torments him to an early grave.

"My dear Lieutenant, McShane purred, "there's no need to be frazzled. We've come a long way to see the Coward. I intend to enjoy every moment of our reunion.

"How about we make that a short lived affair? Shall we? The Captain interjected.

McShane scowled before answering, "We seem to have the situation well in hand, Captain. You may go! NOW!

"Sir, no sir, The Captain snapped an angry salute. "I need to request summary execution orders on these prisoners. Their behavior and even their presence in the penal colony threatens general security. You must order their termination in order to preserve the peaceful status of the New Earth Penal Colony.

McShane announced, "Request denied. You are ordered to return to your duties.

"No, sir. The Captain challenged, "The Coward must be eliminated. Keep the idiot if you want her. But, I want the head of that bitch, Rory, and I want it this instant! I will not return to my post without it!

McShane didn't miss a beat. He stepped forward and reached into his jacket. He pulled his right hand out of the jacket as his left hand grabbed the Captain by the throat. BANG.

"Oh God, no, Rory gagged as the Captain's dead body dropped to the floor beside her. He had a large, bleeding hole between those once clear blue eyes.

"Now, Coward, McShane chuckled as he grabbed Rory by the hair and pulled her to the defense table, "let us get down to the business of your life or death, shall we?

PART 14

TRY AS RABBIT might, she could not keep her head up any longer. It dipped forward, chin briefly grazing chest, as fatigue overwhelmed her. Her eyes burned and watered as they closed for the first time in a very long time. The burning was the kind of sting that felt good after so many other bad hurts. A welcome relief which would not last long. The all too familiar whisking sound followed almost immediately. She knew it would. It had every time before. She responded on instinct. Her body went ridged in preparation for the coming strike.

"NO SLEEPING!"

Rabbit's body tried to flinch back. Move away from the oncoming pain. But, she was tied to tightly in place. Kneeling on the marble floor, her wrists were fastened together by the metal bands. One of the bad men used his belt and tie to lash her ankles together and pull her wrists snug to them. The taunt force tugged her shoulders down and painfully arched her back. There was some kind of bolt in the floor that the man fastened her restraints to. As she struggled once more against her bonds, the thin leather strap landed hard across her naked chest. She couldn't keep her cry silent.

"RORY!"

"Please," Rory's dry throat made her voice strain with the plea, "she's done nothing wrong. She's never been to Old Earth. Stop torturing her. Please, spare her for honor's sake if nothing else."

Colonel McShane laughed. It was a piercing. Rabbit cringed at the sound of him. In spite of her fear, she decided he was even more frightening with her eyes closed. She dared to open her exhausted eyes to face the men she hated and for a chance to see the woman she loved. Perhaps, she thought, if she could look at Rory for just a few more minutes she might forget how much her body hurt.

The Lieutenant laid the leather down hard on Rabbit again as he screamed, "Honor? What do you know about the word? You're a stinking Coward. You ran out when things got a little rough. Now, you're whining to any bunch of fag, hippie, lazy liberal, asshole, shits about how bad things are for you. And do you know what they're doing?" He struck Rabbit as he asked the question.

"They're squeezing the Lieutenant's balls, in case you hadn't guessed," McShane sneered. "You might think he's not taking it well but I assure you, he is. When we first discussed this mission, he wanted to disembowel you."

Rabbit didn't understand what the bad man meant. She only knew it wasn't good. She didn't like either man but the man sitting across from Rory was the worst. There was a table between their chairs but he was still too close to her lover for her liking. He hadn't hit Rory, yet. He did, however, make her cry with his words over and over again. And, then there were the papers he kept pushing at her. Rory would listen and listen and hang her head and say she was sorry to Rabbit. Then the fat, sweaty bad man would hit Rabbit. She didn't like him either. Now, that she had thought about it she decided they were both the worst.

"We've been over this a hundred times," the Lieutenant panted as he brought the leather strap down on Rabbit's breasts again. "Sign the God Damn papers!"

"STOP HITTING HER!" Rory screamed and made a frenzied struggle against the restraints holding her to the chair. "You muther fuckin' son of a piss bucket drinking, asshole kissing bitch in heat!"

Colonel McShane let out a hoot of a laugh, "Too bad we're not recording this interrogation! I'd like to quote her at the Senate subcommittee investigation next week."

"Colonel!" The Lieutenant cautioned as he turned his back to Rabbit. "We're not here to discuss national politics with the Coward."

Rabbit watched as both men glared at each other. She saw Rory respond quickly by sitting up a bit straighter in her chair. A small grin traced across Rory's features before being carefully hidden behind a furrowed brow.

"Is the Senate asking about casualties in your field command, Colonel? Or are they finally starting to worry about an endless war?" Rory asked with an air of casual concern.

"Neither," McShane giggled, "they're exploring reports…,"

"Colonel!" The Lieutenant warned.

"…, of improper sexual conduct with military prisoners by defense counsel and…," he continued.

"Don't say it!" The Lieutenant hissed.

"…prosecutors." McShane winked as he announced the complaint which sent the Lieutenant and him racing across a galaxy.

"FUCKER!" The Lieutenant turned back to Rabbit and began to whip mercilessly at her breasts and face.

Rabbit cried out. The searing agony landing across her chest was to much to endure in silence.

"STOP!" Rory screamed. "Stop. I'll sign my confession. Just stop hurting her. Stop!"

"You're ready to sign the papers?" McShane asked as he waved the Lieutenant off the relentless beating.

Rory sighed, "I'll sign my confession. I'll sign the rejection of further appeals. I'll sign to remove Captain Fredrick's Paternal Privilege. He won't be able to act on my behalf anymore. Please, let that be enough."

"IT MOST CERTAINLY IS NOT ENOUGH!" The Lieutenant turned back and kicked Rabbit in the stomach. "You'll damn well sign the demarcation retraction as well."

"You son of a bitch! Leave her alone, you limp dick bastard!" Rory screamed.

McShane barked out a laugh silencing the room. "So, it is true," he smugly announced as he regained his composure. "Tell me, Coward, how many foul ways did the good Lieutenant violate you during those late night interrogations?"

"He left no stone unturned, Sir." Rory spat back.

"Rory? Rory, he hurt you? He use his thing to hurt you?" Rabbit was horrified.

Rory's eyes filled with tears as she recognized the depths of Rabbit's concern for her, "Doesn't matter, Rabbit. It's over. I survived."

Rabbit turned her full, hate filled gaze on the Lieutenant, "You be deading. I be deading you. Don't go sleepy. I come and you be deading! I cut off your nuts!"

Rabbit pulled widely on her restraints. She growled like a thing possessed. Rabbit strained so hard that the leather belt securing her ankles began to creak, threatening to snap. The sweaty man took a step back and then a second step back.

"Tell her to stop," McShane instructed Rory in a hushed voice. "Tell her now."

"Rabbit! STOP!"

Her tone got Rabbit's attention. Rory watched as the fire left her friend. Their eyes locked. The depth of anger on Rabbit's face was something Rory regretted seeing.

"It was a long time ago, Rabbit. I'm fine. I'm fine because of you. He doesn't matter. He never mattered," Rory smiled and Rabbit responded with a hesitant half smile of her own. "Love you,"

Rabbit sniffed back her tears, "Me too."

"Okay, fun and games are over. Time to finish our business," McShane rose from his seat and approached Rabbit. He removed the gun from his holster and shoved the barrel in her mouth, "You know I don't bluff, Rory, so sign all the papers."

"Alright," Rory hung her head in total defeat.

"Even the demarcation retraction," he pushed the gun a little harder into Rabbit's mouth making the girl gag.

"I'll sign all the papers just, please, don't kill her," Rory was begging.

McShane gave a wink to the Lieutenant, "That's how you do it my friend, that's how you do it."

"We are Varicants…,"

"Wasn't everybody wondering when they were going to show up again," McShane rolled his eyes.

"Ghosts again," Rabbit mumbled around the gun in her mouth.

"…we don't mean to intrude…,"

"Then shut the Hell up and go away," the Lieutenant shouted as he mopped his brow. "We're almost finished here. So go away."

"We can not leave without first providing a message of warning."

"Which is…?" McShane asked.

"There is an unscheduled ship approaching. It is from Old Earth. We are told it has members of the judiciary aboard."

"GOD DAMN IT!" The Lieutenant sounded panicked. "I thought they were awaiting the results of our investigation?"

"Apparently, they made a change in plans," McShane was stone faced as he released his hold on Rabbit.

Rory watched silently as McShane began sweat for the very first time ever.

*  *  *

"I don't understand why you have come so far on a fool's errand," The Lieutenant stated as General Leonard entered the arrival area.

"Attention!" The General snapped to silence the Lieutenant's complaint. "You are a military officer first and foremost. You will address me with the respect I'm entitled to."

"Sir, sorry, Sir."

The General sighed wearily before introducing the rest of the party entering the arrival area, "Joining me on the panel are Senator Green, from Major Rory's home commonwealth and Judge Elliot, of the Federal Criminal Courts." After shaking each of their hands, the Lieutenant asked, "A panel, Sir? For a fact finding trip?"

"No, it is no longer a fact finding trip," Senator Green interjected with a ready smile spreading across her generous lips. "The Senate voted no confidence in the Military's ability to explore its own improprieties. We've come to hear Major Rory's appeal."

The Lieutenant began to shake with anger, "I'm not prepared for trial. It will take months…,"

"No need for you to worry," Judge Elliot reassured. "We brought an independent counsel with us for the prosecution and a Soldier's Relief Lawyer for the defense."

"What…,"

"Really, Lieutenant, it is more prudent to proceed this way. What with you facing a criminal investigation of your own," The General slapped him on the back.

"Sir…," The Lieutenant struggled to find his words.

"I'm sorry, the discussion must end here. Further conversation would be inappropriate without the lawyers present. And, I believe they've been delayed waiting for their luggage. Lieutenant, until you are summoned, you are confined to your bunk. Dismissed," The General snapped off a salute. "GUARDS, escort the prisoner to his bunk."

The Lieutenant began to sob as the guards each took an elbow and lead him to his confinement.

*  *  *

Rory carefully brushed the stray hairs away from Rabbits bruised and battered face. After being returned to their cell, Rory had worked to treat the damage the Lieutenant inflicted. The Varicants provided water, clean bandages, a special cream, and pain pills. Rory was surprised by their generosity but did not thank them. If they had wanted to be heroes then they should have stopped the abuse.

"How are you feeling?" She whispered to the woman laying next to her, snuggled safely in her arms.

Rabbit's eyes seemed to darken but there were no tears, "Mad. Hurt you. Me hate him."

Rory couldn't stop her smile, "I was talking about your injuries. He beat you up pretty bad."

"Him hit like girlie. Bad man." Rabbit was quiet for a moment before answering the question, "Hurt. Not hurt hurt. Only hurt."

"I wish I could make it so nobody hurt you again," Rory gave Rabbit a gentle squeeze. She was careful to avoid the wounded skin.

"Rabbit wish for Rory too." She gave a little shrug of her shoulders before grinning, "We can make it not hurt. Only a little but we can."

Rory shook her head no, "You need to get to sleep not get off. Both of us need sleep more than sex."

"Uh ahn, sex good for healing," Rabbit made a grab for Rory's hand in order to force the issue.

"Behave yourself. I promise, if you get some sleep then I make wild passionate love to you all day tomorrow," Rory caught Rabbit's hand and kissed the palm.

Rabbit eye's filled with tears, "No tomorrow, Rory. We get deading tomorrow. Love me now, please."

Rory knew Rabbit was right. They were almost out of luck. By tomorrow, they most likely would be executed. Rory nodded her agreement and spent the night fulfilling her promise to Rabbit.

PART 15

"TOO BIG," RABBIT giggled as she watched Rory dress in very strange clothes, "you too small."

Rory gathered the extra inches of material at her waist and shook her head sadly. "These were my Formal Dress Uniform pants. They use to fit me like a glove. I must look like Hell."

Rory took a moment to finger her visible ribs. She noted, only then, her stomach had become concave from the combination of heavy labor and poor nutrition. Her once tanned skin had a grayish pallor for lack of sunshine. Prison had reduced the once fierce and fit soldier to a battered and bruised shell of her former self.

A smaller but just as gray hand joined Rory's fingers tracing her ribs. Rabbit lingered a heartbeat before she moved on to explore Rory's naked chest. The breasts had withered with the weight loss but the muscles of her upper body and arms were rock hard from work. Rory remained perfectly still while Rabbit inspected her under full light for the first time. The lighting in their tent in the prison below the surface was very dim and it had been difficult to see details. The outside underground light was a weird red glow from sunlight filtered through miles of porous rocks and dirt. Nuances were lost in the dust.

Rabbit's eyes traveled to Rory's neck and the brand. Her finger tips softly followed the path of the tortuous mark.

"It a lie," Rabbit spoke quietly.

Rory captured the finger tips and kissed each, "No, it's not. I disobeyed direct orders and abandoned my post. The very least of my crimes is cowardice. They probably should have tried me for treason." She let out a sad chuckle, "They might still."

Seizing the opportunity, Rory let her own hands tour the miserable burns on Rabbit's neck. Each side hideously scarred by a brand the girl had not earned herself. Inherited misery. Rabbit initial stiffened but then relaxed into the tender strokes from her lover's rough but kind hand. Rory was loath to break the contact but she knew they needed to be dressed when guards came for them.

"I should finish getting my clothes on."

"Me do," Rabbit said.

Rabbit was very serious as she helped Rory into her shirt. Leading the sleeve up one arm, she then circled behind. Whisper like caresses anointed Rory's still healing back. Rabbit careful draped the shirt across the wounded skin before tugging the other sleeve up Rory's right arm, now covered with goose bumps. Rabbit buttoned the buttons and tucked in the tails. When she finished her brow was still frowned.

"What's wrong? Does it look that awful?" Rory asked as she studied herself trying to see all the flaws.

"Lost?" Rabbit pointed to the darker material at the shoulders and over Rory's heart.

Rory felt a lump lodge in her throat when she tried to explain, "I was stripped of my honor after my conviction. There were badges there that noted my rank and my achievements. They took them away from me. Like I never deserved them in the first place."

"Sad," Rabbit confirmed.

"Yeah, sad," with the memory of her disgrace fresh in her mind, Rory's shoulders slumped and so to did her baggy pants. She stood silently for a minute or two with her pants around her ankles before she spoke. "You know Rabbit, life's nothing but one humiliation after another."

*  *  *

Rory shuffled down the corridor toward the tribunal chamber. The shackles on her ankles hobbled her gait. One of the guards had trussed her up good before leaving her cell. He secured a chain through her belt loops and fastened both the metal wrist bands and ankle shackles to it. As demeaning as it was to be chained like an animal, Rory was grateful the restraint was tight enough to keep her pants up.

Rabbit was similarly bound which annoyed the little blonde no end. She tried her best to tell burly guards she was already 'broked' and restraints weren't needed. None of the guards paid her any attention.

"Stupidheads," Rabbit muttered to herself as she stumbled along behind Rory.

The large wood doors leading to the tribunal chamber were closed as they group approached. A call to open the entrance came from the back of the line. Rory looked over her shoulder to see who shouted. At that very moment, Rabbit's eyes went wide then snapped shut. Her knees buckled collapsing her to the floor. She screamed and screamed.

Rory started to struggled. She was trying to get back to Rabbit but her guards would have none of it. They hauled her full front. Blinding light tore into her vision. She too fell to the floor wailing like a child. General chaos ensued. Stunned guards struck out in an attempt to restore order but the women continued to writhe in agony.

"LIGHT! SHUT IT OFF!" Rory shrieked. "For the love of God, shut it off. Too bright!"

"We are Varicants…,"

"Great, give these bitches a zap will you?" the newly appointed, replacement Captain was relieved for the extra help.

The women continued to huddle on the floor crying. Rabbit was nearly incoherent. Rory kept shouting something about the light.

"Captain, it occurs to us your prisoners are reacting to the sunlight. They have been secluded underground for so long their eyes are unaccustomed to such brilliance," the Varicants patiently explained.

"Oh, um ah, should we draw the shades?" The Captain felt a bit silly for failing to recognize the situation for what it was.

"YES!" Rory screamed.

"We will dim the room by tinting the windows. A medic will be dispatched to provide drops to clear the prisoners' vision and reduce the risk of permanent damage."

"Okay boys," the Captain noted the dimming of the light immediately. "Let's get them back on their feet."

Rory was lifted bodily. She was completely blind. Colorful lights flashed and spun in her throbbing head. She was nearly sick from the pain. However, the gagging and choking sounds behind her let her know that Rabbit was, in fact, sick from the pain.

"Captain," Rory managed to speak, "please don't hurt her. She can't help it. She's sick. She's never been in the daylight. Ever. Please. It hurts. It hurts so bad."

Rory hung her head in exhaustion. Tears were streaming from her burning eyes. She leaned heavily on her guards for support.

"No worries, Major. My oversight. I'll take care of her," the Captain's voice held no threat. "Get this one inside, boys."

Rory was almost carried to her seat. The hard wood was cool against her sweating body. She could feel the pulls and tugs as the guards fastened her chains to the chair. She was so relieved the pain had ended that she didn't care what they did.

"We are Varicants. We are here to treat your eyes. Tip your head up," came the ghostly voice.

Rory obeyed. Stinging drops splashed across her skin and into her burned eyes. She could not hold back the whimper that followed. A strong but unfamiliar hand squeezed her shoulder.

"Stay strong," intoned a youthful male voice.

Rory gasped as her vision cleared but a fiery sensation raced across her brain. It tore like a wild inferno for several long seconds before it began to recede.

"Easy for you. Your head isn't on fire," Rory choked out.

The young man beside her held a cup to her lips, "Water?"

She nodded cautiously. The young man slowly tipped the cup toward her chapped lips. Rory gulped at the cold, crisp, clean water filling her mouth. It had been years since she last tasted anything so sweet. When the cup was withdrawn she smacked her lips and sighed. It was the best thing to happen to her since meeting Rabbit.

"Where's Rabbit?" She sat up straight when she realized she could no longer hear her friend.

The man next to her put his hand back on her shoulder, "She's right over there. See? The Varicants are treating her too. So relax."

Rory vision had cleared enough so she could see Rabbit. Her love was kneeling inside a small cage near the tinted windows. Rabbit was ghastly pale and panting for her breath. A ghost like Varicant glided toward her with the cure for the blindness clutched in his skeletal fingers.

Relieved Rabbit was safe, the scene behind the woman caught Rory's attention. Green hills, low and lush valleys, and miles and miles of trees, spread out in a panorama before the windows. It was like something out of the Northern Wilderness Magazine she read a kid.

"New Earth is barren. No life. Only an underground prison. Trees are not possible on New Earth? What's going on? Where are we?"

"Oh, don't worry. You're still on New Earth," the young man in the fine suit stated.

"Great," Rory thought to herself.

"This is the Reclamation Project of 2105. The Senate recognized even in the early day that the war was going to continue for centuries. They voted to establish a safe haven for the government should Old Earth suffer catastrophic damage.

"2105?" Rory questioned her memory. She wasn't even out of school in 2105.

"The dirt," her young lawyer continued, "mined by prisoners like you is being used to create a suitable living situation for our government on New Earth."

"This is what's causing the cave ins," Rory stated with some urgency. "The weight of it is collapsing the mines."

"Well, yes. Of course it is. The condensed raw materials will give us an even greater foundation when we begin to build," The young man smiled. "We should really start to focus on your appeal instead of boring future government projects, don't you think?"

Rory shook her head and began to strain against her restraints, "Don't you understand. People are in those mines. When the mines collapse, people die horrible deaths."

"Hey come on! Isn't it better than three hundred years at hard labor?" The man winked and snapped open his briefcase. "Now, Major, about your appeal. We'll try for reduced you capacity at the moment of command failure. We'll say the grief of your personal loss," he took a deep breath. "Of course you have my deepest condolences on the deaths of your husband and son but," it came in a well rehearsed rush; like one word. "beyond that, it'll give us the sympathy vote."

Rory was ignoring him completely. When she realized he didn't care for the fate of the prisoners below, she was fairly sure he didn't care much for her fate either. He was probably being paid a small fortune to sit this close to her and he couldn't even muster one spark of empathy. Instead of listening, she focused on Rabbit. Her lover sat across the room, restrained and caged, blinking against the still too bright light.

"I want Rabbit to sit next to me," she blurted out.

"Huh? You have a bunny rabbit?" The man in the fine suit appeared confused.

Rory managed to hold her anger in check and stated in a reasonable tone of voice. "My wife is locked in a tiny cage. I won't have it! She's to sit with me. Take care of it. NOW!"

The command in Rory's voice sent the young man scrambling. She watched as he crossed to the table next to them. There a woman, slightly older than Rory, stood straight and tall in full military dress. Rory noted the shoulder patches and medals of the other woman; General, no less. A small pang of envy rose in Rory's chest and she cringed at her own status; dishonorably discharged, demoted, disgraced military prisoner. Still, she watched intently as the young man in the fine suit approached and implored the General. The General seemed to be listening but her eyes darted between the young man and Rory. Finally, she muttered something and made her way to the defense table. Her gait and uniform were crisp.

"Former Major," the General snapped a salute.

Rory could only nod her return due to her chains, "General."

"Your lawyer tells me you have a complaint as to your wife's confinement."

"General, ma'am. My wife, Rabbit, is as much a defendant as I am. She has the right to sit next to me at the defense table. This is about her life too, Ma'am."

The General seemed to think about it, "This is new legal territory for the military. As I'm sure you are aware. Homosexual relationships are not tolerated and admitting such a situation would get you drummed out of the core. But," the General gave a kind smile, "you already are out of the core."

"General, you should use the standard for married couples as your guideline. My home commonwealth recognizes my status as married. The military doesn't need to consider who the spouse is for the purposes of this hearing," Rory was almost breathless as she made her point.

"Good theory basis." The General actually chuckled, "Wish your lawyer came up with it a few minutes ago. Would have saved us some time." She glared at the man in question and he blushed. "We have another bit of business to discuss. I was going to wait until the judges took the bench but seeing as we are already addressing legal issues, we might as well forge onward. Issue #3 on the agenda states that I have a personal connect with the Former Major. If you want me to withdraw from the case then say so now and I will."

"I don't care," the young man stated with a shrug. "What about you, Rory."

Rory studied the older woman before answering. She could not put a name with the face. Although the features were familiar, any mutual history was lost to Rory.

"I don't remember you but you seem fair enough. I don't want to wait for another prosecutor. Six months back and six months out? Another year? No, thanks. Let's get this over with today," Rory stated boldly.

"It's not a six months trip anymore. They cut travel time in half with the help of the Varicants," her young lawyer intoned with a great deal of enthusiasm.

Both women rolled their eyes.

"Okay," the General grinned, "we've settled the matters at hand. Guards bring the Prisoner Rabbit over to the defense table. Chief Clerk, let the judges know we are ready to proceed, and Bailiff, get the witnesses to the holding area. Let's get this hearing underway."

Rory shuddered as both lawyers walked away from her. Leaving her alone for the moment. Perhaps, alone forever.

PART 16

GENERAL LEONARD, SENATOR Green, and Judge Elliot, took their seats behind highly polished oaken table. The trio were stone faced. They glared down on the bound defendants from their elevated perch. Each seemed prepared to pass judgment before the hearing was even called to order.

"Scary people," Rabbit tried to whisper but found herself in competition with her own echo.

"They're judges, Rabbit. You must stay quiet or they'll be mad at us. Trust me, we don't want them mad at us," Rory hushed.

Rabbit leaned closer to Rory but replied in a louder, more frightened voice than her first comment, "Me no like georges. Georges look mad. Nobody says nothin' but they be mad."

Defense counsel dropped his head in his hands when Judge Elliot rapped his gavel on the table. The General prosecuting the case merely chuckled at the statement as she stood. She gave Rory a small wink and half grin before beginning her opening remarks.

"Your Honors, the defense counsel and I have agreed to let the record of the events stand as previously documented during the former Major's first trial. The only new issue before this court is, the lawfulness of the command issued. At the conclusion of testimony, if you believe the command to hold the bunker and not to return fire before a direct hit was taken was unlawful then you must overturn the conviction."

Rory studied the woman's profile as she spoke. There was something familiar about the face but Rory could not pin point where she knew her from. Even more disconcerting was the General's casual approach to the case. She appeared disinterested in the outcome. Perhaps, like the first time, the conclusion was assured before the trial began.

"However, if the command was lawful then the prosecution requests summary execution of the prisoners."

"What big word mean?" Rabbit asked Rory with her voice echoing throughout the cold marble chamber.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Judge Elliot shouted as he pointed his gavel at Rabbit.

"No, wait," Rory struggled against her restraints in a futile effort to intervene.

"Oh shit!" The defense lawyer cursed as he jumped to his feet, "A moment to confer with my clients, if it pleases the court."

Rabbit was shaking in her chair and her voice was getting louder with her mounting fears, "Me do wrong? What me do wrong, Rory?"

"No talking," Rory groaned but she was relieved to see the guards were grinning at the scene instead of striking out at them.

"Your Honor," the General had a difficult time containing her laughter, "the prosecution is prepared to indulge the Prisoner Rabbit. This is her first hearing. This is her first time out of prison. She is quite out of her element and can not be held accountable for protocol breaches."

"Come on, Elliot, lighten up," General Leonard advised. "Young woman, Rabbit is it? You must not speak again unless we ask you a direct question. Do you understand?"

Rabbit looked to Rory for advice.

"Say 'yes, sir,' Rabbit."

"Yes sir rabbit," Rabbit repeated slowly and exactly.

"Close enough," General Leonard agreed with a grin. "Let's move things along. General, call your first witness. We still have two other trials to conclude today."

Rory closed her eyes in an effort to concentrate. She stretched her bound hand, which was fastened to the arm of her chair by the metal bands, as far as the restraint would permit. Her long fingers were able to trace across the skin of Rabbit's little finger. Rabbit responded by forcing her trapped hand to its own limits and the pair met half way. Barely able to move, Rory and Rabbit managed to connect.

*  *  *

The first witness was escorted into the hearing without announcement. Rory recognized him but it made her doubt her reality. Fred had aged. A lot. He was leaning on a cane and his hair was more gray than brown. More shocking were the civilian clothes. The career soldier she remembered was no longer military.

"You are Retired Captain Fred?" The prosecuting General asked.

"I am," his voice was still strong.

"You are also the Former Major's Parental appointment?"

"I am. Proudly so."

"Proudly? A disgraced dyke?" The General smirked.

After a heartbeat of silence, Rory managed to kick her lawyer's chair leg. "Oh, I um, I object. Facts in dispute? Uhm, no, that's not right. It should be facts not in evidence. That's it. Yep, facts not in evidence."

"Sustained, unhappily so but sustained none then less," Judge Elliot ruled. "General, you know better."

The prosecutor nodded and shrugged. "My apologies to the court. Retired Captain, did your unit receive orders from Colonel McShane?"

"Yes."

"Did Former Major Rory disregard those orders?"

"Yes."

"Nothing further," the General returned to her table.

Rory watched her lawyer as he shuffled papers. She could see the sweat on his forehead. The man looked at her and gave a sad smile before standing. She could see the tremor in his legs.

"Great, we're gonna fry," Rory thought.

"Um, is the telecom hooked up yet? I know there were problems earlier today with the link," Rory's lawyer asked unexpectedly.

Senator Green spoke, "Yes, it's a live feed to the satellite. We are streaming live across our great nation and the globe."

"Perfect," the lawyer grinned with a wicked snare. "Fred, was that cock sucker of a Colonel going to sacrifice his own soldiers to the enemy for political purposes?"

"YES, SIR!"

The judges began to rattle their gavels.

"I'm expecting an objection, General," General Leonard shouted to the prosecutor.

"No objection at this time, your honor," the prosecutor replied with an easy grace from her chair.

"How do you know he'd let his own soldiers die?" Rory's lawyer faced the guards and the cameras for the satellite link but not the judges as he asked his question.

"I was under his command too many times. Barely survived Braemore Island."

"Braemore! Braemore! Braemore!" The guards chanted the national mantra of grief and stomped their feet in salute to fallen comrades.

"McShane's responsible for that catastrophe. He ordered the evac site moved to the open shore where the TV crews were located. We had to run for it and pray the guy next to us got shot," Fred testified. "I lost more friends in that one day than in any of the years combined since."

"Twenty five thousand soldiers went to Braemore Island," the young lawyer stated, "Two thousand came home. Colonel McShane ordered the failed siege and the disastrous withdrawal. One single military misadventure which lead to mandatory military service of five combat years for every man and woman between fifteen and thirty five."

The room went silent.

"I must object," the prosecuting General interjected, "there has been a gross misrepresentation of fact."

"Finally," Senator Green breathed a sigh of relief. "Please General continue."

"Mandatory military service for five combat years only applies to families with incomes below one million and all non party members. Mid high earners and party elite can be given waivers for their children or home based duties." The General sat back down, "I just want the record to stand correct."

"GENERAL!" General Leonard growled. "You have divulged confidential information! There will be repercussions."

"Cut the satellite feed, for God's sake," Senator Green screamed to the technician behind the communication console. "National Security is at stake. Cut that damn feed and I mean now!"

The young soldier behind the console shook his head no. Several guards drew their weapons and moved in around him to protect the area. They meant to harm anybody who tried to interfere with free communications.

"I have no further questions. General, if you would call the final witness," Rory's lawyer stated happily.

"Thank you, Andrew."

Rory was dumb struck by the casual remark, "Andrew? Can't be. Can't be Andrew, Andy."

"Next witness, Retired Five Star General Ronan."

"FUCK!" Rory hissed in surprise as her father was called to the witness stand.

Her lawyer reached over and put his arm across her shoulders, "Be cool, just a little longer. Be cool. I won't let him hurt you anymore, promise."

Rory stared into the lawyer's sweet, kind eyes and asked, "Andy?"

"Yes, no, well sort of. I am Andrew, Mom."

Rory had no time to think or speak before her father was wheeled over to the witness box. He was reclined on an elaborate gurney. An IV bag hung over his head dripping clear fluid into needle ports in his neck. Oxygen was pumped in through his nose then to his lungs from a canister placed on the floor next to him. His face and hair were whiter than clouds against a blue sky. Rory focused on his bloodshot eyes. She saw only hate and it was leveled at her.

"Retired Five Star General Ronan, welcome," the prosecuting General began. "Is Rory your natural daughter?"

"Yes. That miserable bitch came from me. I'm embarrassed to admit it but I'm under oath," the old man coughed and hocked phlegm out of his mouth and onto his stained Retirement Dress Gray Shirt.

"And, you came here to condemn your own daughter?"

"You bet your ass, girlie. Rory deserves to die. Prison ain't enough for a traitor of her ilk. Never mind the fact she's gone gay on us all!" The old man tried to direct his next wad of spit toward Rory but it only splashed back in his face from the powerful air conditioning system over his head.

The prosecuting General, unaware of her witness's distress, asked, "If Rory had been killed in action, on the battle field, then would you have been proud of her?"

The old man nodded. "Dying would have made up for the whole husband, baby nonsense. I didn't raise her play that card! I raised a soldier. Somewhere along the way the homo, fag, liberal, bleeding heart, dope heads are to blame, I'm sure. Giving regular people crazy ideas about peace being possible. Assholes! There can never be peace! What would the military be with peace?"

The General ignored his question to ask one of her own, "What would you like to see happen here today?"

"Give me your side arm. Let me shoot the COWARD!" His shout was cut off by coughing and more spitting.

"Nothing further."

Rory's lawyer stood, "I have no questions."

The judges looked to each other and gave affirmative nods without discussion. Judge Elliot motioned for a guard behind Rory to step forward. Rory heard the guard's gun creak out of the leather holster.

"Love you, Rabbit," she mumbled as she took several deep breaths preparing to die.

"The initial hearing's findings are supported. However, this court determines the previous sentence to be too lenient. Prisoners Rory and Rabbit will be executed at once. Guard, step up and do your duty," Judge Elliot ordered.

"We be deading?" Rabbit asked.

"Yeah, sorry," Rory was surprised to find Rabbit was not crying.

"Me sorry too," Rabbit stated seriously. "Liked being fuckin' dyke with you. Wanted more."

Several guards laughed out loud at the remark. However, the judges rapped their gavels and shouted for the executions to proceed. The guard with the unholstered gun, released Rory's restraints. Andrew help Rory to her feet.

"Thank you, Andy," Rory put her hand on his cheek and he smiled broadly. "Thank you for coming here and trying. There was no way you could win. Don't blame yourself."

Andrew wrapped his arms around her, "I won't. I'm planning on taking all the credit."

Stunned by the boldness of the statement, Rory was easily pulled off her feet by the young man. They crashed to the floor in a heap of arms and legs. Gun fire started almost immediately. Rory struggled to get up but Andy was too strong.

"STAY DOWN!" He barked as he tried to hold her.

"Rabbit," Rory screamed. She was certain Rabbit was helplessly caught in the crossfire.

Almost as quickly as it started, it ended. Hurried movement broke out around the room. Rory finally managed to break free of Andy's hold to search for Rabbit. Just inches away from her feet, the prosecuting General was freeing Rabbit from her restraints in the overturned chair.

"Fred, what's the tally?" The General shouted after she helped Rabbit sit up on the floor.

"Three dead judges, dead former prosecutor, dead retired general, two dead guards, dead Colonel, although he didn't wait for us. The bastard hung himself. Oh, and there's one large scale rebellion on Old Earth." Cheers went up around the room at Fred's announcement.

Rabbit took the opportunity to scramble into Rory's arms. She buried her face in Rory's chest and sobbed her relief. Rory held her firmly trying, in part, to cover the trembling in her own body.

"Whenever anybody would like to tell me what's happening, I'd be grateful," Rory spoke up.

"Boy, you know the story best so you tell it," Fred laughed as he pulled a chair up and sat down heavily. He was exhausted by his efforts.

The General plopped down with a gasp on the floor next to Rory and Rabbit, "Besides, the boy's the best educated of the bunch so we might as well put him to work."

"Fine, tease me all you like," Andrew blushed.

"Please," Rory was very serious, "Andy, tell me what is happening. Tell me you're really him. Tell me Stephen is alive," Rory felt Rabbit stiffen with the request but she couldn't beat her heart's hope back any longer.

Andrew became very sober, "Oh, no sorry, I'm.. not exactly.. well, I'm Andrew but not the original. I'm a clone. Your father commissioned me. A replacement, I guess. I'm sorry, Mom. Stephen and the first Andy were both killed in the explosion."

Rory could not hold back her tears. It was like losing them twice. Rabbit increased the strength of her embrace as Rory's grip slackened.

"So sorry they deading again. Sorry, Rory. No fair. No fair," Rabbit was crying too.

Andrew reached out and gently rubbed Rabbit's back, "It'll be okay, Rabbit. I'm going to make sure it's okay from now on. Nobody's gonna hurt Mom again. I promise."

"Please stop calling me that! You're not him. You're nothing more than a Xerox copy!" Rory snapped back from her heartbreak to strike out.

The young man removed his hand from Rabbit. He eased away from Rory's side, "Sorry, ma'am. Didn't mean to offend. Never my intention to upset you."

"You know, Major, getting you out of prison was Fred's idea but it was Andrew that figured out the plan. He found the laws we needed to use and risked jail himself in order to help you. You should thank him," The prosecuting General encouraged. "It's not his fault your family was killed."

Fred put his arm around the stooped shoulders of the young lawyer, "Try to remember, Rory, they were his family too."

Rory wanted to be angry. She needed to vent her rage at something beyond herself. She looked to Rabbit for support but only found a furrowed blonde brow. Rabbit shook her head no.

"Say sorry, Rory. You mean to other Andy. Say sorry. Say you be Momma to him." Rabbit understood few of the words circling her around her head but understood the pain in the voices that spoke the words, "He ain't got no Momma but you. Say you sorry. Say you love him."

"Oh for God's sake," Rory rolled her eyes unable to stand Rabbit's plea, "I'm sorry, Andrew. "

The young man just shrugged. Rory caught a glimpse of her husband's manner in the gesture. It broke her heart all over again. She let out a sob and Rabbit pulled her into a closer embrace; closer to her heart.

"Andy," Rory, strengthened by her lover's reassurance, reached out and took her son's hand, "I'm sorry. It was a stupid thing to say. If they used my cells then I am your mother. Call me whatever you want." Rory gave a shrug of her own, much like her son's, "I'm sorry, you got left alone. I'm sorry, I was nothing more than DNA to you."

"But, you were more. So much more," his voice cracked. "What you did to save all those soldiers. It's the tale to rally a nation. The country wants the war to end regardless of wins or defeats. You're heroic actions inspired this coupe."

"WHAT?" Rory was stunned.

The General spoke again. "You, my friend, are a legend. The peace movement began the day you were sent here; twenty five years ago."

Rory's mind spun. Twenty five years? It only seemed like months since she was last on Earth. Years had past back home. Rory had barely aged physically. Old Earth had spun on with its 24 hour, seven day weeks. Aging her few remaining friends and one remaining offspring well past her battered but youthful body.

"What happens now?" Rory tried to manage to be practical in spite of her complete sense of loss.

The General smiled, "We, the free citizens, need to go back to Old Earth and be sure we secure our new government and then a lasting global peace. After those aims are achieved, teams will review the prisoners incarcerated here and, repatriation proceedings will begin for those deserving another chance at a life on Old Earth."

"Sounds like a long process by Old Earth time," Rory looked directly at Andrew and the young man nodded grimly.

"The prisoners will automatically be released to the surface after the guards are safely away." The General pointed out the window to the green vista below, "Eighteen supply ships have already landed around the planet. They are loaded with building materials, food, water, seeds, farm equipment, clothes, all the essentials of building a society. But, it won't be the bureaucratic Old Earth Government elite who planned this venture who receives the bounty. It will be New Earth's prisoners who enjoy the first fruits of the new world."

Fred laughed, "There are test tube babies too for your very brave new world."

"That was only reported in the tabloids," Andrew reprimanded. "We don't know for certain about future life forms but they did send up books."

"Rory, I'm about to save your life. Consider it returning a favor." The General spoke with a big smile, "This is the only chartered map of the surface. It also has the locations of each supply ship and their manifests. You and Rabbit will have a good week's travel on the prisoners below. Please make the best of it."

"Why would you do this for me?" Rory accepted the offerings but still needed to know the general's motivation. "I understand Fred and Andrew wanting to help me but why you?"

The General gave a sharp salute, "I go by my given name now, General Annabelle. However, when I served under your command I went by a family name; Stuart. I was your sentry. You saved my life."

Rory studied the woman and could finally see the girl she knew long before. "Tell me, Stuart, was it a life worth saving?"

"Rory no be mean," Rabbit heard the edge in her lover's voice.

"You'll have to tell me, Major," the General responded kindly. "I rose to rank of General. Managed to get global agreement to limit battlefields to direct lines of fire versus covert operations which were killing thousands of children each year. Met a nice guy. We have eight kids between us; his, mine, and everybody's. I joined with the peace movement and got more than a few generals and senators on both sides of the war to sign on for the coupe." The General winked, "And, now I've returned the favor by saving your life and your lover's life. Is that acceptable?"

"Very," Rory spoke softly and extend her hand. "Proud to serve with you, General."

The group stood. Guards set about preparing for return to Old Earth. Fred hugged Rory goodbye. Both knew they would never have a chance see or speak to each other again. Neither said a word. They merely saluted. The General walked away with Fred leaving Rory to face Andrew.

"I'm sorry," she said. "If your life sucked, it's my fault and I want you to know I would never want that for you or any child of mine."

Andrew nodded and handed her a picture. "I want you to keep this with you. That's my wife, Jan, and our five kids."

Rory stared at the picture and took in all the faces. Some of them had Stephen's eyes and a couple had her nose and one had her mother's chin dimple and the little guy looked so much like Rory's own little man.

"You have a beautiful family, Andrew."

"No Mom, we have a beautiful family." Andrew stepped closer to her, "Someday, when you are out tending your garden on this new planet, a man looking just like Dad is going to come up to you and ask you to come home with him. It'll be my Stevie. See, he looks just like Dad."

Rory followed Andrew's finger to the little solemn face in the picture. Tears clouded her vision as she realized the boy did look exactly like her late husband.

"When he comes, Mom, you'll have to decide between staying here or coming back home to me. It'll be a free choice."

"Andrew," Rory took both his cheeks in her hands, "I wish your life could have been different. That we had a chance to know each other. But, that didn't happen. You are a descent man. Just like your father. I'm proud I had some small part in the making of you. Stephen and Andy would have been proud of you too."

Andrew blushed deeply. He cautiously leaned forward but Rory pulled him the rest of the way into a bear hug. She gave him a squeeze.

"Love you too, Mom."

*  *  *

Rory hoisted the last sack of grain into the underground shelter. It was filled to the rafters with food stuffs. She climbed up the stairs and slammed the titanium door closed. She engaged the pressure control and all the surplus air was vented out. Rory locked the door with thumb print imaging.

"Harvest is officially and successfully over!" Rory announced to the cool air around her.

"Nope. You be wrong," Rabbit's voice rose from behind her.

Rory turned to see her very pregnant Rabbit waddling up the incline from their living quarters. Rabbit still sported dark sunglasses to protect her eyes against the sun. Having been raised underground, Rabbit's eyes were very slow to adjust to the surface. Rory assumed her lover would always need protection during the daylight.

"Doesn't matter, dark glasses make her even sexier." Rory thought to herself before asking, "And, just what am I wrong about?"

"Me no harvest yet," Rabbit grinned and rubbed her protruding belly. "Baby still waiting."

Rory walked over to her lover. She wrapped her hands around the pregnant stomach and kissed Rabbit's soft mouth. As Rabbit responded to the kiss, Rory felt the baby kick.

"Somebody's awake," Rory hummed and stole another kiss.

Rabbit broke free and grimaced, "You wake him up. Tonight you massage Rabbit's back. Get him back again. Get him sleepy again. Rabbit no want pee pee pee all night."

Rory laughed out loud. "I'll massage you every minute every of every night for the rest of my life even if you're not pregnant. But, you'll still need to pee pee pee cause that's a gravity thing."

Rabbit giggled. Rory took the moment to steal several kisses. First from her lips. Then from her hand. Rory pulled gently to start them back on the path home.

"Baby close?" Rabbit asked as they strolled up the well worn path to their Yurt.

"Two, maybe four weeks still. Enough time to finish his own bed; a little cradle for him."

Rabbit stopped in her tracks. "He no make warm with Rabbit and Rory?"

"We've been here more than a year. I don't think we'll see the same kind of cold like we did below the surface," Rory reassured and tugged Rabbit closer to their front door. "And, some nights we are going to want him to sleep on his own. You know, so you and I can be close together."

Rabbit thought about the explanation while stepping into their cozy home. A blaze of red raced across her cheeks when she realized what Rory was talking about. She gave her lover a gentle push.

"Shh, him hear. No dirty talk," Rabbit soothed her hands over her belly as she hushed her words.

Rory recaptured one of Rabbit's hands and tugged her lover to the bed, "Not dirty talk. Lover's talk. Our sons and daughters are going to know how much we love each other. They'll see our commitment in our touches and hear it in our words."

"Son..Zes? Daughter..Zes? How many more we have, Rory?" Rabbit asked as she joined Rory on their bed.

"Well, there are thirty doses of sperm in the freezing unit we retrieved. The unit will operate for one hundred years; Old Earth time. So, we can try for as many kids as we want." Rory sighed happily when Rabbit's head tucked under her chin. "Of course our new neighbors, want a few samples of our supply."

"Glad Bearses and his women and Petra and her new men come," Rabbit curled as much as she could around Rory's lean body.

"Yep, it's good to have neighbors you know you can trust."

The pair stayed still, entangled on the bed. They were enjoying the quiet. Until the baby kick again.

"OUCH!"

"See, Rabbit told you him strong. How you like him inside awake?" Rabbit sat up rubbing her swollen belly.

Rory grinned like a fool, "Come here," she grabbed her wife around the shoulders and pushed her down on her side. Rory began to need the knotted muscles of Rabbit's lower back.

"Oooow, yep, there, sssooo hurted, yep, oh Rory, yep, yep there, my Rory, love you," Rabbit closed her eyes as the blissful massage unwound her constricted muscles.

"Love you too, Rabbit." Rory felt the tear streak down her face but she refused to cry out her anguish, her joy until she had gotten her lover and unborn baby back to a sound asleep. "Love you both, so much. I'll do it better this time. I promise, I'll take care of my family first, this time."

THE END

Copyright © 2005 Marguerite Mullaney. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
You must be 18 years of age or older to view this story

p.phair@comcast.net