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gnawed. It had the
consistency of sawdust and less flavor. Agarik placed another tray,
this one with a larger portion of food, on the floor in Five’s
cell. He drew his cutlass and used it to push the tray deeper,
presumably so the chained prisoner could reach it. Tension marked
the corporal’s movements—he seemed to fear an attack at any
moment—and Tikaya wondered if people had been hurt, or worse, when
the marines originally locked Five up. Either that or his
reputation was simply enough to instill fear. Even Sergeant
Ottotark’s bravado had seemed forced. And she wanted to ally with
Five? Was she insane? Just desperate, she decided.
    Agarik delivered the meal without incident;
the chains did not even clank to suggest movement. He sheathed his
sword and turned to face her.
    “ Captain Bocrest wishes to
know if you’ve decided whether to cooperate voluntarily or if
more...” he shrugged apologetically, “pressure is
required.”
    What? Threatening families—and windpipes—was
not enough to sway most prisoners?
    “ I’m willing to attempt
the translations,” she said, “but I have terms. I can’t work in
these conditions.”
    “ I’ll tell
him.”
    “ Corporal?” Tikaya asked
before he could leave.
    He turned back, face guarded. He probably
feared she would ask some favor he would be duty-bound to
refuse.
    “ Thank you for your
kindnesses,” was all she said.
    He nodded but said nothing. A bevy of
footsteps hammered the deck, the hatch clanked open, and six burly
marines clomped into view. Sergeant Ottotark followed, tapping his
baton against his thigh as he walked, and Tikaya shrank into the
shadows. Now what?
    The six marines staggered themselves along
the corridor and pointed pistols, not into her cell but into the
opposite one. Tikaya stepped forward, afraid they meant to execute
her neighbor, but Ottotark rattled the keys.
    “ Time to visit the
captain, Five.”
    He unlocked the door and waved two of his
men inside. They exchanged nervous glances but slid into the cell
and stood on either side of the door, pistols never wavering.
Ottotark took a deep breath, visibly steeling himself, then walked
inside. As yet, the chains had not rattled, and Tikaya half thought
Five asleep. Maybe he was just being still, hoping for a chance to
escape. Though how he could do so with so many firearms pointed his
way, she could not guess.
    While all eyes focused on that cell, Tikaya
eased forward. She eyed the belts of the men within her reach,
hoping to spot a set of keys. Such luck did not favor her.
    Corporal Agarik had stepped back when the
others marched in, and she caught his knowing gaze on her. She
sniffed and stared back. They had kidnapped her; she refused to
feel guilty for thinking of escaping.
    “ Up.” Sergeant Ottotark
must have unlocked the chains securing the prisoner to the wall. A
long still moment passed with no sign of movement in Five’s cell.
“I said, get up!”
    Ottotark lunged into the shadows. Tikaya
flinched, expecting the meaty thud of that baton striking flesh. A
scuffle and grunt sounded. Someone threw the baton and it clattered
against the gate before dropping to the floor. The sergeant growled
and drew his arm back, but he halted mid-blow and skittered
backward.
    Five was on his feet.
    “ Don’t move!” one of the
marines inside the cell barked, pistol arm straight and rigid.
“We will shoot
you.”
    “ Doubtful.” But Five
stopped short of grabbing Ottotark and turned toward the guards,
his features still in shadow.
    “ Cursed bastard, you
presume much,” Ottotark growled. “We can shoot you without killing
you.” A speculative note entered his voice, as if he were truly
considering it.
    Tikaya gripped the bars of her gate, trying
to think of something to say to help him. After all, Five had come
to her defense.
    “ Or we can just beat you
into oblivion for the rest of the trip.” Ottotark hooked a punch
into Five’s face.
    With pistols pointed at his chest,