Condition Evolution 2: A LitRPG / Gamelit Adventure by Sinclair, Kevin (black female authors txt) 📗

We were sitting in the seats on the bridge talking mainly to each other, and occasionally to Calegg when he had a minute.

“You know, we should probably go and check on our prisoner,” Ember said. “We’re going to have to feed them and take them to the toilet at some point.”

“Oh, shit. I hadn’t even thought about that. Who's doing the toilet job?” I asked.

“Well, it’s a guy, so it’s going to have to be you, obviously.”

“Is it a guy?” I said, puzzled.

“Well, yeah. Sure he is, I think. Come on, dipshit. Stop causing trouble.”

We entered the room the cage was set in. The prisoner sat huddled in the corner of the cage. “Sorry about the level of comfort,” I said. “We’re new to this whole ‘prisoner transport’ thing. Well, we’re pretty much new to…”

Ember nudged me. “Shut up telling the prisoner our life story, Shaun,” she hissed. “And stop apologizing. They’re a criminal, and a prisoner. We probably shouldn’t even be talking to them.”

“I dunno. It just seems right. They’re still a person after all. I’m sure the Fystr have thought similarly about us.”

Ember sighed, “You’re such an idiot, Shaun. This will only lead to feeling sympathy for them. Just leave it. We’ll keep them alive, get our money, and get onto the next thing.”

“No!” I said firmly. I was always one for following Ember blindly, apart from when it went against my basic moral impulses.

“If we’re transporting prisoners they’re still going to be treated with respect. Don’t forget where we came from, Ember. Now, I need to know who we're dealing with. I’m sorry if you disagree. But I won’t just ignore them, or treat them like an animal.”

“Okay, okay. I know you’re a soft hearted dumbass really, but we’re definitely not taking the mask off. I’m taking no chances.”

“Fair enough. I wonder if they’d be okay if we went into their mind.”

“Just do it, you pillock. But go alone in case anything happens, and I can kill him,” she sighed. “Or her? Find that out while you are in there.”

“Will do, Captain.” I saluted.

“You better believe it, Shaun. You’re the captain of the ship, but I’m your captain and don’t you forget it,” she said, pointing at me with a grin.

“I won’t, boss,” I smirked, then I looked at the prisoner.

Closing my eyes, I concentrated and spoke to them in their mind. I didn’t enter their Mindscape. “Hi, I’m Shaun. What’s your name?”

The alien’s eyes shot wide open. No response came.

“Just try and form your thoughts into words directed at me.”

“Can you hear me?” came a voice.

“Fuck me! That was quick. Well done.”

“Oh. Thank god you can hear me. I thought I’d never have a chance to defend myself with this thing on.”

“First things first. What’s your name?”

“Elyek, and I’m not a criminal. I was captured on false charges. They do it all the time, and would have done it to your girl there if you had left the prison.”

“What do you mean?”

“They would have taken her in on some made-up charge, and you would have had to pay for her release. If, you could have afforded it. As a Fystr she would be worth a fortune on the Slave Markets, so you would probably have never seen her again.”

“They were planning to take her as a slave?” I asked angrily. “I’ve heard of this before. Is slavery really that common around here?”

“Very, yes. It’s only supposed to be for lawbreakers, or those who have been defeated and captured in a recognised war. I was taken for no reason other than those they made-up. I’m now being sold as a slave.”

“How can I trust you?”

“I don’t know. Can’t you read my mind or something?”

“One minute. I need to speak to Ember.” I quickly broke the connection and turned to Ember and said, “Their name is Elyek and say they’re not a criminal, that they’re being sold into slavery on made-up charges.”

“Wow. What a surprise. Well, let’s free them and give them the keys to the ship, Shaun. What could possibly go wrong?”

“You’re a real dick, Ember. Elyek said the same would’ve happened to you if I’d left you in the prison, and that you would be worth a fortune as a Fystr slave. This seems to be a common theme. Remember Xzonico?” I said, sarcastically.

“Yes, Shaun. It’s empowering to know that everywhere I go people want to own me, and I have to rely on you to keep me free from certain slavery. Oh, what it must feel like to be a dominating male.”

“That’s not what I meant, and being me is terrifying and confusing. Even so, obviously, I would’ve killed everyone in the prison until I got you back. I’m sure you wouldn’t have left me either.”

Ember got up and walked out of the room. I followed, wondering if I’d upset her, or gone too far. Once the door closed behind us she started talking and I quickly realized it was just so we could talk freely, without the prisoner overhearing. “Why would we trust them? Him, or her? Which one was it?” she asked.

“Shit. I didn’t ask. Still, they said we can check their thoughts to see if they’re lying.”

“Well, we could do that if we had half a clue how to tell if someone is lying, stupid-ass.”

“Oh. Well, I do actually. It’s pretty simple.”

“And just how the fuck do you know how to read minds, and I don’t?”

“I’m smarter than I look.”

She stared daggers at me, and after a few moments I couldn’t take it any longer and confessed, “Alright, alright. It was Ogun. He told me how to do it.”

“And, why did you never tell me?”

“It never came up. It was when Ogun came to see me after that fight with Roger. He said, ‘Roger told me what happened, and I could see he was lying.’ I said, ‘how?’ And he said, ‘Easy, I go in your control room while I’m asking questions and I