Project - Prometheus Ch. 10

Nats remembered that mission well. It was an unusual job they'd taken, which had been to deliver a package to a specific client and ask no questions. It was paying well enough, so they didn't, but Nats decided to sneak a peek at what it was anyways. It turned out that the package they were delivering had been a human woman, who was being given to a Takharian warlord, as a concubine.

The poor girl had been kidnapped from her family and would be treated little better than a slave. On top of which, Takharians were known to be brutal to their females, beating them regularly. Wanting to spare the girl such a fate, the crew devised a plan to find a way to trick the warlord into thinking his prize had died in transit. Korsa was able to pull off everything medically, to make it seem that the girl had.

It almost went off without a hitch, except for the problem that they had been set up. They weren't just to deliver the girl, but themselves as well. Their employer had learned of the bounty on Korsa's and Taal'ani's heads and was looking to collect. Though he had to split the reward with the warlord, it was a sacrifice he was willing to make. What the Takharians hadn't counted on, was the crew being such adept warriors and adaptive strategists.

Though initially taken by surprise, the crew of the Darkstrider had fought back, slaying many Takharians. They had accounted well for themselves and killed the bulk of the warlord's forces. Korsa herself had engaged the warlord, and they dueled for hours, eventually becoming separated from the rest of the crew. When the dust had settled, they saw a trail of Khontaran blood amidst the carnage and feared the worst.

When they finally found Korsa, she was limping towards them, bloodied and battered, but holding the warlord's head in her hands. The crew had worried about Korsa, mainly because Takharians were bigger than Khontarans. And had their own warrior culture, steeped in the blood of all they had conquered and fought against. Seeing her alive was a relief that day as no one had escaped without some scar to show for it.

Once they'd tidied up their mess and taken a large sum of valuables from the warlord's treasury, they freed his concubines, returning them to their worlds and families. They also had a few choice words for their former employer, most of which was delivered at gunpoint. That had been the crew's finest moment and had cemented their reputation as hardened warriors that were not to be crossed.

"Yeah. We all thought that Mama was dead that day, with the amount of blood she lost. Took quite a few hits that should have killed her, but she just kept on going," Natalya recalled.

"I was surprised that she killed the bastard! The way he was regenerating was like he was a freak of nature or something!" Priya said, remembering the bloody battle.

"Korsa found that he had several nanotech regen generators placed in his body. That bastard wanted to make it seem like he was a god among his men. It worked, until Korsa figured that the only way to kill him, was to take his head. Those little shits weren't so cocky then, seeing their 'God' as something that could be killed," Talon interjected.

"Like I said Nats, don't worry. Korsa has come through a lot of rough times and always come out on top. She survived that warlord on Tahrion V and she'll survive this," Inari reminded her. "She'll be back, just the same as she always was."

Hearing this gave Natalya both the heart and the hope that Korsa would pull though. It also gave her the resolve, to believe that everything would be OK. Feeling doubly fond of everyone there, Natalya let that hope buoy her spirits and enjoyed her food.

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Korsa opened her eyes and was astonished at the various things she could see. All around her, were various clouds of differing scenes that floated around her. Some scenes appeared to be things that had happened, whereas others, looked like they were completely implausible. Korsa had to blink a few times to make sure she wasn't imagining things.

"Where are we?" Korsa wondered aloud, more out of curiosity than fear. The other aspects of Shazza all meandered about, taking in the scene like Korsa did.

"To the one place that the master dares not touch or sully too much. Imagination," Innocence informed her.

"Why won't he dare do anything drastic here?"

"Simple. This is the place where many of the things that Shazza has done, were first conceived of. So much pain, hate and darkness has come from here, that the Master thinks it is just fine the way it is. Thankfully though, he didn't dare look too closely, or he would have found me hiding here," Innocence explained.

Indeed, there was much in the way of evil and hateful things that were being created here. Korsa could see them orbiting where they stood now, almost like sharks, circling prey. Where they were was a small but bright place, surrounded by peaceful and loving images and fantasies. Korsa had been right! There was good in Shazza! The darkness of what she had become had all but obscured it, but it still held!

"How is it that this place hasn't been found? That the Master hasn't destroyed it? Or destroyed you?" Korsa asked.

"In the mind of a Xuul'khan, our emotions are inextricably tied to everything we are. To outright destroy or vanquish them is tantamount to crippling us. Crippled or hampered servants will not do, so our minds are invaded and... conditioned," Innocence stated, shivering at some memory that had surfaced.

"Who we are is made in the image of those we are bound to serve, but there are often parts of every servant that is... inconvenient. So, rather than destroying us, we are... stripped away... from the main consciousness. That way, we are separate parts of the whole and weakened in such a way that we cannot fight back. Then we are... contained."

"Like those cages that I found you in?" the Khontaran woman queried.

"Yes. We were all sent there to die, but not quickly. Slow, languishing deaths is what the Master had in mind for us. Draining us of everything we are, so that when he came back to claim our domain over Shazza's mind, that we would give it to him, to end the suffering," Innocence told her.

"So, if you were all caged like that, then how did you get out?" Korsa directed at the girl.

"When we are... tethered to a Master that we must serve... a link of some kind is established between us. The master commands and the servant obeys, without question. When we woke from that cryo pod, we could all sense that our link to the Master had been severed. We didn't know if it was distance or death that had broken the link, but we were happy that we could wrest control back!" Innocence said excitedly.

"It was then, that my cage crumbled, and I was able to roam around here, trying to find Shazza's consciousness. If I could find her, then I could break his hold on Shazza and eventually we would all be free! Sadly, the Master planned for such a thing and had left a portion of himself here. Though he is just a remnant, he is strong, and he wasted no time in asserting his position here."

"He had left this part of himself behind, to consume us, then to overtake Shazza completely. To carry out his foul will and sick deeds across the galaxy once again. But we proved to be far too strong to simply destroy and he knows, that should we ever find Consciousness, then he will lose. So, he has collapsed parts of Shazza's mind, one part at a time," Innocence said sadly.

"Let me see if I have this straight; the Master wants control of Shazza's body, but because he can't have it, he's destroying Shazza, rather than risk losing control?" Korsa asked incredulously.

"Yes. Our will to be free at long last is far too strong for him to overcome on his own. He would rather face oblivion than let a former servant be free," Innocence said.

"That is total and utter horseshit!" Korsa cried out, startling the wandering aspects. "This is your body, your home! Do you really want to see it destroyed by some arrogant prick who is afraid of losing control?"

The aspects all shook their heads, wanting nothing more than to take back what was theirs. They looked at the Khontaran, waiting for her to go on.

"This is where you all belong, and it is your place and your right to exist. This 'Master'" she spat the word, "has no right to be here! This is not his place to command! It is yours! Are you willing to fight for it?!?"

Clustered around Korsa now, they all nodded vigorously, wanting nothing more than to take back their body. One aspect stepped forward, with a question on her face.

"How do we do that? It appears he is invincible and there is no hope in fighting him!" the ethereal-looking aspect stated.

"Which aspect of Shazza are you?" Korsa queried.

"Hope."

"Well, first, let me tell you something..." Korsa started, as she put her hand on Hope's shoulder. Almost immediately, Korsa was drawn into something, but she knew not what. Suddenly, they were no longer among the other aspects, but now in some kind of memory.

Korsa could tell this, because they were now on some kind of ship, in an audience chamber. She saw Shazza in a throng of Xuul'khani near the front of the crowd. Korsa tried not to jostle anyone there, but found herself not having to worry about it, as she was like a phantasm. She walked right on through the crowd, coming to stand right next to Shazza.

Before them, was the Master that Korsa had fought, lounging on his throne, holding a bloodied whip in his hands. He was licking it with his tongue; the blood reddening it further. On her knees in front of him, lay a woman, who was nude, and formed very much like Shazza.

Only she had wings protruding from her back, instead the leg shape that Shazza possessed. Her skin was a deep purple in color, marred only by the crisscrossing lash strikes she had endured. Also, her hair was pure black, as opposed to the pure white that Shazza's was. She was also quite well formed and beautiful though her face was contorted in pain and suffering.

"So, what am I to do with you, Sahraka? You have continually displeased me on more than one occasion and that is something I cannot countenance. Perhaps you should be fed to my hounds, to fill their bellies? Or maybe I pit you against one of my loyal assassins, for the viewing pleasure of my subjects?" his voice boomed.

The crowd seemed to be fond of the second option as they were eager to see bloodshed. Korsa stood aghast of the brutal suggestions that were being foisted on the flayed young woman. She looked over at Shazza and her face was impassive as if she was trying to conceal something. Korsa saw a slight glimmer in her eye, almost like she was sad for the poor girl. She might have been as there were several tells in her body language that said as much.

"You can save this girl," Korsa said out loud. "You know that you can, with no one knowing what your heart is like," she pleaded. Though she could hear herself speak, no one in crowd acknowledged her, including Shazza. Korsa saw Shazza shifting her eyes towards her and then, she stepped forward through the crowd. The memory she was witnessing, then shifted, becoming less ethereal and more solid, like it was taking its true shape. As she walked into the circle where the girl and her prince stood, the room quieted.

"My prince, with all due respect, I believe that I may have found a solution," she spoke loudly, catching everyone's attention.

"Ah, Shazza! I assume that your solution for dealing with this sorry wretch, is a good one?" he asked her with an oily smile.

"Indeed, I do, my Lord! I think she is not worth becoming a meal to your pets. Nor do I think she has the stamina, to be any more than a few seconds of entertainment against myself or any of your other servants. No, I think a... special punishment is to be devised for her," Shazza quipped.

"Oh? Do tell!" her prince asked, his interest piqued.

"I think she should be... frozen, so that everything and everyone she knows, advances beyond her. Keep her imprisoned so that everything and everyone she knows is far beyond her or gone. So she is the lowest of the low and no longer among those here now. She is to be kept like this, until you see fit to release her and either give her another chance, or end her," Shazza finished smiling.

"An excellent suggestion!" the man beamed. "In fact, I think that is what I will do. She is far too well formed to waste. Keeping her in stasis is the perfect punishment! Guards! Take Sahraka, to the Forming Pit, then have her placed with the other trophies I have taken. Let her wallow in nightmares about what may or may not come!" he grinned evilly.

Smiling just as evilly, Shazza bowed to her Lord and Master and he waved her away, having found the solution to his problem. With the problem solved, the people dispersed, having seen the end to the day's issues. With that, Shazza turned away without a word and was off to her own business, with no one daring to bar her way.

Seconds later, the memory faded and Korsa came out of it, back into the mindscape. Hope looked at her, forlorn and embarrassed at herself.

"I don't know why I showed you that. That was something I did not intend for anyone to see," she said, looking away.

"No, you showed me that even buried here, in the deepest recesses of Shazza's mind, that you do what you can to keep hope alive," Korsa told her, gently taking her face in all four of her hands. "Although the girl got punished, you saved her from her final fate from being decided that day. You gave her a small measure of hope."

Although Hope didn't seem to believe it, her corporeal form solidified somewhat. Almost like she was being uplifted, Hope then stood tall with her head high and a light sparked in her eyes. Immediately after this happened, a light emanated out of her, but different in color than what Korsa's was.

Unlike the pure gold that Korsa's light was, Shazza's light was a whitish silver. The same gold light that attached itself to Shazza from Korsa, came out of Hope and went back to its owner. The moment it touched Korsa, she felt stronger and more alive. The others stared at Hope as the silvery light suffused her form until she was complete and whole. Once it had finished, they turned back to Korsa, staring at the woman who had brought Hope back.

"Thank you, Korsa. I feel more like myself now and I believe that we can defeat this... 'Master'" she said, sneering the word. Indeed, she looked like she was more than ready to take the bastard on and win. Seeing Hope's resolve and resilience restored, the other aspects clamored around Korsa, pleading and begging for her to do to them, what she did for Hope.

"Just a moment!" Korsa said loudly, raising her arms for everyone to calm down. "I will do that for everyone, but I need to do this one at a time. I have four arms, not four minds," she joked. The aspects giggled upon hearing that and nodded sagely. They all then knelt in front of Korsa, each one waiting to be called.

As she said, Korsa called them all up, one by one, going into the memories that each aspect was associated with. Helping a childhood friend find her way when drawn into Compassion. Facing old fears when aiding Courage and standing against a hated adversary with Will. There were many battles to be fought, but they were fought with the mind, of which Korsa was strong.

There was so much to be done, but Korsa helped them all, empowering each aspect to believe in itself. She took her loaned willpower back with each one she helped, strengthening both herself and the aspect. Finally, there was one aspect of Shazza that remained, that had left itself for last. For that, it had good reason to do so.

"Love, I believe that it is your turn now," Korsa called out gently. Surrounded by her sister aspects, Love walked forward, encouraged by them all to go on. She stood in front of Korsa, all fidgety and nervous. It was almost as though she was feeling self-conscious about something, but Korsa couldn't figure out what.

Korsa placed her hands, on Love's shoulders and was again, catapulted into another memory. This one differed from the others though, in both setting and atmosphere. The walls were a pastel white, trimmed with red and gold accents and the room was bathed in a soft yellowish light. The floor was a dark slate tile, in irregular sizes and shapes. A massive pool of steaming water dominated the center of the room, circular in shape. It had built-in benches, allowing bathers to sit and relax in the water as they wished.

She was on a ship again, likely the same ship where Shazza had spent most of her adult life. Korsa could tell as she could feel a distant thrumming of engines roaring through space. Despite that, this room had been designed to evoke the feeling they were not, and it worked spectacularly. Shazza was present of course, only this time, it was just Shazza and another Xuul'khani woman, with lilac-colored skin and silver hair.

Inspecting the woman, she saw that she was several inches shorter than Shazza, maybe five foot eight. She was slightly bustier than Shazza, her perky tits looking to be somewhere between a forty E and EE cup. Her hips were round and by Korsa's estimation, she looked to be almost on par with Priya in that dimension, at around forty-seven inches around.

Her eyes, however, were her most interesting feature, with a solid orange glow to them. The woman's face was round and cherubic, but with all the characteristics of a feminine woman. Although not possessed of the classical and obvious beauty that Inari had, Korsa was certain that this woman would turn heads wherever she went. Though she seemed more robust than Shazza was, Korsa believed that it was because of her height that made her assets stand out all the more.

The room they stood in was some sort of a public bath and Korsa saw the logic behind that. Individual baths on this ship would likely force people to shower or bathe at irregular intervals. Public baths simplified things exponentially, but there were several private alcoves, for those who wished for some privacy. It was right then that Korsa noted that both women in front of her were nude and she blushed slightly.

She then witnessed both Xuul'khani women paw at each other, their fingers caressing each other's skin. The breathing of all three of them sped up as the caresses drifted and wander towards more erogenous and secret places. Sitting in the bath's water, they shimmied closer to one another, until their bodies were pressing up to each other.

They leaned close to each other until their lips met and from their passion only enflamed further. Their arms stopped wandering about each other's bodies and wrapped around each other tightly, pressing their hefty racks together in an impressive display of titflesh. Korsa normally had a very high tolerance for watching these kinds of encounters and it would take a lot for her to get worked up.

She was having a difficult time of it now as she was feeling the emotions flowing from Shazza's aspect. Also, it had been some months since her last encounter, so fighting her sex drive was out of the question. That and her kind were an open and sexual race, embracing every form of sex and sexuality that was known. Korsa then rubbed her tits, ever so slowly, as they were a potent erogenous zone for her.

She watched both women continued their lurid dance, their tongues darting back and forth, each one seeking what the other was giving. Slowly, both women broke apart, breathing heavily as they eyed each other.

"Palesia, the alcoves," Shazza panted. Turning her head, Palesia looked at them all and saw them empty. Grinning, she leapt out of the water and darted for the nearest one. Shazza was only moments behind her and chased the lilac skinned woman into it, catching her at the threshold. Turning the shorter woman towards her, Shazza kissed her again, slowly pushing her back into the room.