Ripple Effect

By P.D. Smith

An adult scifi romance and adventure of a shy, misguided and timid librarian. Being kidnapped, beat, and humiliated, she finds a strength through her beliefs and convictions and comes to pity, care and love the kidnapper with a past linked to her in ways never thought possible.

Ultimately she stands up for herself in adversity, ridicule, degradation of her kidnappers, family and friends and gains the respect of the sole ruler of the Realm.

• Language: English
• Publisher: P.D. Smith
• Release date: May 31, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476130781

P.D. Smith

So here's a bit about myself. I've lived in two different countries (Canada and USA), Moved fifteen times in my life (not a military brat), lived in five different provinces and four different US States. Been to 27 different countries (being in the airport doesn't count) and finally settled down in the Pacific Northwest in my wife and cat. I don’t claim to be a great writer but just someone with an over active imagination. I first started my writing years ago but let it all slide to the right while a career took center stage. Once life slowed down, I picked up the graphics art bug and started in on 3D images and resumed my writing with my images and graphic novels. I do not call myself an artist but a hobbyist since the whole purpose of the images was and is, a hobby. http://pdsmith.deviantart.com/gallery/ I am not a English major, my education in writing comes from both Canadian and American schooling so both often clash with rules and styles. I prefer to use ‘U’s in my spelling. I speak from the heart, and use slang, and sometimes write it as it is spoken in everyday life thusly to give my characters that touch of being real and approachable. Live with three daughters and their ungodly number of friends coming over, you unfortunately pick up the styles! In closing, my images and writings are about strong women, passionate women, and most importantly women who respect each other and believe in a better future for all. My goal, like my 3D images, "Is to impress one person. Did I make you smile? Did I make you happy? Did you at some point think of some one special and want to share a moment with them? Then the story or image succeeded. Share the joy."

Book preview

RIPPLE EFFECT

By Paul D. Smith

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2015 Paul D. Smith

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

SPECIAL THANKS

To Kathy for tolerating all my wild and crazy ideas.

To Roy Knight and a few friends who helped. This is for your time, effort and support in making this story come to life.

Scientific note: Names, Locations, measurements and such are given according to terms and facts relatable to the reader.

Authors Note: When I wrote first wrote this story, many first thought it to be a post-apocalyptic story, it is far from it. It is a science fiction romance trilogy. A story of a woman seeking to right the wrongs and restore a balance in a Realm that has lost much but also finding love and adventure along the way.

If you like the story and want to see more, email me at [e-mail]

Let me know what you think.

PROLOGUE

In the final months of the Sol War of 2169, steps had been taken by all sides to ultimately destroy the opposing forces.

Wisdom had failed to stay the hand of the politicians, generals, admirals, and the businessmen. Their mutual distrust and hate for each other had destroyed the colonized planets and moons of Mars, Io, and Titan.

Earth; the birth place of mankind, looked much like its former moon; cratered and covered in dust; all traces of life had been burned away with its atmosphere before year 2150.

In the wake of Earth's death, Venus had become the new home for the Human race; a fully terra-formed and colonized world. Venus too, would eventually fall.

Mankind was destroying the very cradle from which they had grown.

In the wake of Venus's death, a truce was agreed upon and many had come to hope the final drops of blood had been shed in the war.

It was a shaky truce but it held.

On the twentieth anniversary of the cease fire, twenty five representatives; one from each of the new colonies of mankind, came to stand in the dust of a barren waste land of what had once been the gathering point of all races in the Sol system, Earth and the House of Commons of Sol. These few humans embraced hope and a future that together they could restore their home.

Their goal that day was to send a message to all human's across the Sol solar system.

This is what we have become…

The remainder of their message was never transmitted.

Pulled from the barren landscape into a bubble or pocket of air; they watched in horror as the planet they loved and cherished was destroyed.

It was as if the planet gave up and just drifted apart.

The handful of humans not knowing how, why or what had happen to the rest of their home, were taken to a new place, a new home. A Realm unlike any they had imagined. The sky they saw was filled with new stars and a light between those stars like that of a rising sun; full of life and hope.

A message was given as they departed in the place they once called home;

Begin again.

The planet they arrived on was like the sky above them, filled with wonders and dangers alike.

In the months to follow, the humans were mistakenly worshiped by the alien tribes as gods and goddesses. Their technological skills and ability to end a generation's of war was met with thanks, tribute, and supplication.

It was agreed not to repeat the mistakes of mankind; the humans joined as one with their new neighbors. In the centuries that passed the tan skin of the Human's mixed with the white, the blue and the green of the Tonori; and merged to become a collection of all colours; Grey. The new race of beings called themselves the Mantori.

A new government was formed. Societies became one, borders fell. A remarkable and unprecedented miracle had happened. The Mantori had created a Utopia.

A thousand years would pass till the Mantori saw the wisdom of taking to the stars. Fate would twist the lives of the Mantori. The first and only colony ship to leave the Utopia would be all that ever remained of the original and wise Mantori.

Their home was destroyed.

And the remaining Mantori became nomads, touching the lives of those across the Realm and eventually settling on a new world, led by the eldest woman of their race; The First Queen of the Mantori.

Untold years later, an interstellar war of religion had begun. The reign of Queens had fallen. Beliefs were challenged and many died in the name of their individual religions.

And in the end a single religion of peace was born out of the darkness. One Goddess, One sacrificed son, and One people.

The Mantori reformed into a benevolent Empire with an Empress and council to prevent future wars. For over two thousand years and despite the minor conflicts of the Mantori versus their sworn enemy; The Entity, a relative peace returned to The Realm.

It wouldn't last.

And it all started, in a Library.

CHAPTER 1

For weeks Lady Chandra had the girl followed. Every move, action, even the little things the girl did had been tracked, watched, or just dug through. In the past week hired individuals had scoured the girl's apartment looking for anything they could find of significant value to help understand her. Everything she owned, read, or wore had been looked at, cataloged, and critiqued; all their search had shown was the girl lived a very meager and empty life; if anything she was just bland and boring.

Nothing remarkable worth noting.

Reviewing all the reports and personal observations; the investigators had all said the same thing; the girl was blessed with a unique and very pleasing style and grace, but lacked refinement. She was uneducated beyond that of simple schooling, her chances of further or even a secondary education was beyond her grasp due to her comprehension skills. She understood so little of what she was taught.

She was timid, easy to frighten, and could be bullied into a corner just by a simple raised voice.

A coward and submissive to everyone of authority; she was truly the bottom rung of anyone's ladder of respect.

In the initial summary, she would never become or amount to anything significant.

However, the girls beauty, had a rare and heartwarming effect, she radiated a natural look and smile that turned many heads.

Looking at all the folders, letters, and dockets on the table before her, Lady Chandra, had read each one; each individual who investigated the girl said she was a perfect if not an exact match for the mission requirement.

‘Find a girl, roughly 20 to 25 seasons old, long black hair, slender body, roughly 1.5 meter's tall, of fair complexion with lavender eyes, looking much like the supplied sketch, but have a close if not exact match to a genetic code.’

What none of the investigators knew, Lady Chandra knew exactly what she needed the person to look like and what they had found was unnerving; the woman they found was exactly like that person needed, right down to the cowlick at the front of her hair line.

Chandra's sister and ever present travel companion; Dr. Priyanka, would have pointed out in the billions and billions of lives of the known Realm; the chance of someone similar to another was just a given. It was possible yet improbable; however, here was a match beyond imagination, working in a backwater world in a non-descript town’s sole science library hauling leather bound books around shelf to shelf and dusting away seemingly perfectly content with her surroundings.

A search into the girl's family tree and history said she came from a large and devout religious family. Her upbringing and planet’s opinions of the Realm had insulated her from the most complicated and significant events of the Realm. The girl had been left very naive and lost in the ways and workings of the universe.

The psychological profile spoke poorly of her; she thought all people were kind, loving, and gentle. The exception being of the Entity and its followers but that was a given and understandable fact. The problematic item currently flagged for concern; she was noted to succumb too many emotional breakdowns, fits, and bouts of depression; the cause being she took other people's pain and heartache very personally and made it her own.

One of the dockets pointed out the girl was originally intended to take her mother's place as lead Priestess of the local city’s Temple which subscribed to The Realm's most popular religion of One Goddess, One sacrificed Son and One People.

Instead of becoming a Priestess, the girl had decided she had a new calling in life; a desire to teach, to direct lives on a much smaller level than her mother; 'To make things right.'

So for the last five years she had done nothing but landed herself at an underpaying and under respected position as a librarian. Obviously her plan had failed. Chandra mused to herself.

Looking up from her paperwork and stretching her arms and legs, she found sitting in the girl's place of work was quiet and peaceful but filled her with a slight bit of irritation. It confounded her given the level of science, capabilities of technology, and vast methods of recording devices available to this planet; the people would choose paper over the digital or even crystals for archiving their sciences and history! The room was full of old and new books. The place was just rank with decaying and rotting paper.

The Library reminded Chandra of an ancestor’s tomb!

The girl didn't belong here! She deserved better and no one it seemed could see it.

Chandra opened another docket and read what she agreed was the root cause for the girl's problem. It all led back to her planet's views, opinions and ideas about The Realm. Her planet had a population of slightly over three billion and of that population, two and half billion were blindly devoted to the One Religion. This world was just backward compared to the rest of the universe. Religion in Chandra's view was for the weak minded and spineless fools. It crippled true growth intellectually! These people knew what extended beyond their atmosphere, but just chose to hide behind their religion, their history, and wished to remain separate from The Realm.

It confounded Chandra why these people would choose such a thing!

Yes, a few of the population dealt with 'off worlders' but it was with nothing less than pure suspicion and contempt. It was appalling!

But she couldn't refute the data; this planet had some of the strongest family bonds in the entire known Realm. They had a peaceful existence. Law enforcement was minimally trained and numbered compared to other planets.

The history of the planet was well known throughout the Realm; Vesi, as the people called the planet, had been a breeding and proving ground for a creature called Mutoids; a shape shifter; man and oversized evil looking panther like beast but at the heart of the creature it was all monster; one of the most evil and dangerous in the Realm. Chandra's sister, Empress Seraphina made it her very first task as the newly crowned Empress of the Realm to liberate this planet and few others from the Entity. A task not even their late mother had been able to do.

The Entity; considered to be the enemy and destroyer of families, planets and life in general used the Mutoids as its front line attackers and deceivers.

It wasn't exactly thanks that Vesi; this planet; closed their borders a few short years later after their liberation.

Chandra almost pounded her fist on the table. Had she’d been Empress, she would have done the same as their mother; conscripted the planet to help fight the war against the Entity and its minions. Instead the new Empress, her elder sister, had agreed to let them be while at the same time gave her support to protect the planet from further harm from outside aggressors.

‘WHY? Why protect or support a planet of ungrateful miserable pathetic weak minded beings?’

Nothing could explain what this planet had that was so special to her sister; Empress Seraphina. Sure the report did say as thanks the populace had incorporated her and the rest of her sisters into their daily prayers.

Empress Seraphina, Mistress or The Deliverer of Planets as she was also called was given a place almost equal to the Goddess. The rest of her sisters and Idra-lee were given respectable titles or the shared common name; 'The Grey's; a reference to the proud colour of their skin, which was why Chandra and her scientist sister were disguised by personal cloaking generators at the very moment.

To the outside world they were just two women sitting having tea in a Library, but if the planet was even aware, she; Lady Chandra; The War General of the Mantori Armed Forces or otherwise known as The Kali was here with her sister Doctor Priyanka; known to some as The Educator or The Learned; they would be mobbed with masses and masses of idolizing people.

From where she sat, she saw four of their elite guards in local dress milling about the street but watching their two charges carefully.

Not that it was needed Chandra mused. She was the strongest and most cunning of the Mantori. She’d never lost in battle or in hand to hand combat. She and her sister were hardly in danger from a lowly simple minded librarian.

But now was not the time to stroke an ego.

Today was a day of personal celebration; today that librarian was going to be elevated to a new level of her world and given a place among the stars.

Pushing her long black hair back, Chandra sat back and turned to her companion; it took a trained eye to see through the cloaking machine. What she saw caused her to smile. Her sister like herself was covered by the uniquely grey skin while black tattoos covered their bodies from neck to toe; displaying their beliefs, education, and goals mixed with distinct markings of their race.

There was never the chance of mistaking who you were speaking with when you met such an individual.

They were Mantori. A race known as one of the most civilized and possibly the most technologically advanced of the Realm, but most importantly; a people sworn to fight the Entity to their dying breath.

Chandra drew comfort from her sister’s presence. Unlike the rest of her sisters, she had grown up with Priyanka; they were more than just sisters and childhood playmates, they were now close and respected colleagues in a universe some would see them worshiped, loved, idolized or dead; it only depended on who you talked to.

Looking at the wall, Chandra saw images of various respected people of the planet’s history and at the end was a face that made Chandra smile. Her sister. A life size painting of Empress Seraphina on the day she liberated this planet. Then the smile faded, ‘The First Order’ or ‘The Prophesy’ as the two of them called it, prevented Chandra from ever meeting her sister Seraphina in person ever again. She remembered that day when they read the scroll together, she hugged her sister when they finished it and then walked away as it ordered.

Only two Mantori Royals ever carried the secret at any one time, so it fell to Doctor Priyanka to now be her closest sister.

Doctor Priyanka, considered being one of, if not the most intelligent of the Mantori race, but it was offset by a complete lack of social grace and a natural dry humor few understood or appreciated. Like Chandra, it was her mind people sought. People far and wide sought out Priyanka for insight and advice in all things science and history. She was as direct, precise, and as imaginative bar none.

Being dragged to the present; Are you sure she could be the one? Doctor Priyanka repeated noting Chandra was looking at her neck crest tattoo; Learned. Chan, I have noted by your docket, the girl is uneducated, inept in the way of The Realm, prone to severe outbursts, and emotionally fits. She is in a word; simple, and truly a poor selection for anything but her current duties.

She's perfect. Chandra smiled trying to stop Priyanka from changing her mind.

Choosing to direct the conversation to a more logical selection and debate, Priyanka added, But why her? I have six members of my private enclave that would be better suited and just as compatible to your own personal needs.

And they are male. Chandra added absently.

Sex has nothing to do with my attempt at a social interaction. But merely point out the folly of this endeavor. Priyanka said offended by her sister's remark. Seeing the girl was looking around absently and might be listening in, she changed from speaking in common to the Mantori language, The girl is a complete wash of anything viable but this occupation.

Chandra also spoke in Mantori but her eyes were on the librarian to ensure she wasn’t listening, Sex has everything to do with it just not as you believe. Unlike your perversion of laying, working, associating, or just constantly surrounding yourself with only males; this girl will serve my purpose in ways not even you can fathom. Chandra's grin was full and unnerving. Her mind was lost to the future she was about to give the girl.

Thinking of another their close sisters, Priyanka held her sister’s arm, It is not a perversion! Two of Katanna's group would be better suited to you, and most of all they would be willing to assist. You have wasted too much time to seek out a woman of such specifications; I find it a ridiculous and wasted effort.

I will not infringe on the Albino or anyone else's staff, Trying to diffuse a possible disagreement Chandra’s tone turned to a rarely heard gentle tone, Thank you for your offer, but I need this woman, I owe a favor to someone and this girl is my gift. Seeing her sister still didn't understand, Doctor, she said purposely omitting her sister's name to avoid attracting undue attention, Just accept, this girl is being selected for two reasons, looks and genetics, I need her and it's important.

Realizing the reason now, You wish to breed with her. Priyanka stated now looking at the girl's small slender frame as she went about her business stacking books and the odd bit of cleaning.

It has nothing to do with breeding! That is the last thing I would want of her right now! Chandra said pounding her fist on the table to emphasis her point.

The librarian and subject of their conversation looked up from a stack of books she was in the process of stacking. Shhhhh. She said politely.

Lowering her voice and speaking in the common language, Chandra smiled at the woman and waived politely. Despite my current lover's inability to bare an offspring and my recent injury, this girl will never be used for breeding. switching to Mantori language, If that were the case I'd drop the cloak and tell the girl I wanted her to carry my child, and she would; her psychological profile says she'd do it without a thought. Switching back to common; My desire for her are for my own reasons and nothing to do with breeding.

Priyanka placed her hand on her sister's hand, But you have some issues even Seraphina has voiced some concern over. I looked over the medical readings, her genetic markers are rare, and she would be a safe and very fine compatible breeder for all the Mantori. No one would even suspect…

Pri...I don't want her as a breeder. Ever, okay, that's what Eden is for, now drop it, I have other plans for her. Chandra was growing irritated.

Priyanka had been taken aback from the radiated anger from Chandra.

Accepting her sister to be truthful, Priyanka looked toward the librarian, So what ARE your plans?

I'm giving her to Candice. Chandra said with a smile.

Shock flooded Priyanka's face. Candice? Candice? As in…

The woman who broke my leg and arm last month, yes. I'm sending this girl to her…what she does to make her the woman I need, doesn't matter, but I'm giving her to Candice as a gift, and she just doesn't know it…yet.

Doctor Priyanka looked at Chandra long and hard. You're going to destroy this girl! The doctor lowered her voice, Candice is a killer, and she hasn't the patience or temperament to tolerate this girl. She'll kill her and make it look like an accident!

Chandra's face was very firm if not cross that her sister would think such a thing. Candice wouldn't dare kill the librarian. That was guaranteed! Candice will take her, trust me, she will train her, but if she does send the girl away or kill her, I will kill Candice without a second thought and turn her ship of thugs over to a certain seventeen year old girl.

The comment left Doctor Priyanka speechless. There was only one person Chandra was intimidated by, in fact, even the Entity the most hated being in The Realm was far from a worry to Chandra, but the teenage girl they spoke of was known throughout The Realm as the Supreme Magistrate or Ms. Themis. At one time the girl was their youngest sister, but now carried an authority even their sister, Empress Seraphina and The Entity who bowed to her as their equal.

Themis was the Law. The Balance. Neutral in their conflict.

Rumor amongst Mantori Royal Council had said Ms. Themis met the Entity personally, not once but twice before she turned fifteen! No one survived a meeting with the Entity!

The rumor wouldn't die, and Priyanka had to concede all rumors were based on some fact. The question was; what part?

Continuing her explanation, Chandra tapped Priyanka on the hand to break her from staring off into some unknown space or thought, Candice has spent the last weeks having her teams watch the girl, observing anything and everything. I personally delivered a copy of these documents to her so her teams would help Candice develop a psychological profile for her to work with.

Chandra pushed over a docket pertaining to plans and current activities of Candice's crew, I've been told they had been watching for an additional pattern Candice can exploit, use, and educate her. In fact if you stay a few minutes, you can watch how it all starts. She said seeing a black hover van stop in front of the library.

Priyanka looked up in surprise and shock, I have more important things to do than see you destroy the girls' life. Candice is evil. Priyanka spoke the next name with respect and concern, Ms. Themis, will destroy you if she found out. She has the authority to memory wipe the whole crew and you and not tell Seraph…

Priyanka stopped in mid speech seeing a tall black haired woman jump out a van outside the library. Candice… Priyanka spoke softly at realizing who the woman was; Candice held a pistol in each hand and start shooting in two directions. A split second later a large man came around the back of the truck taking the brunt of both of her guns. A moment later he too dropped out of sight to the ground. You're going to destroy this girl Chandra! If it's discovered you had a hand it in…I'm sorry I can't be a part of this.

Chandra felt like she was looking at Priyanka for the first time, it was a rare occurrence for Chandra or anyone to see Priyanka speak with emotion. It had given Chandra a sudden pause to think, she may have gone about this all wrong.

Doctor Priyanka was getting up from her chair. Clearly she was bothered, and wanted to get away from Chandra and Candice. But the decision had been made to kidnap the girl and obviously it was too late to change things. Like all decisions of a general, Chandra had to stick with it or fail in the face of those who questioned her.

Destroy her? I'll be enhancing her! The Supreme Magistrate wouldn't get involved. This is just one lone girl in the middle of nowhere, she means nothing in the bigger scheme of things. Chandra said getting up also.

For just a moment the tall woman looked through the window and looked at the two cloaked sisters, there was a moment of recognition, acceptance, and a signal to get out!

Our cue to leave. Lady Chandra said to her companion.

From the front door the tall broad shouldered woman barged through the door, shattering the large glass windows of the door with her boot. I'm taking you! she called out to the Librarian.

No! the Librarian screamed from across the room, both sisters watched as the larger woman jumped over the main front counter and kicked tables and chairs out of her way as she moved toward small black haired woman.

Speaking in Mantori, Doctor Priyanka had taken a tone she often used with explaining serious and complicated matters, while pointing toward the girl and the sheer terror coming from the Librarian, You are horribly sick, that girl doesn't need this. Candice is mentally unstable. You are making a terrible mistake.

Chandra pushed Priyanka to the door, I don't care what you think about this, I need the girl ready in three months, this plan was based on a calculated theory of your private and very elite scientists, you're in on this as much as me; the girl will learn faster and adapt faster under threat and fear. Now if you please, lead on, I've seen this play out enough times in planning to know how it ends. Chandra said following Priyanka toward the Library side exit.

Both women stopped as the front windows crashed inward, followed by two large black panthers jumping over tables, shelves and chairs only to move in beside Candice. Both stopped at the ready on either side of her thighs, neither one seemed to move, but stood waiting for a command, their tails twitching like they were ready to capture their prey.

Still speaking in Mantori, Priyanka’s voice was showed just how scared she was, You're sick! This is going to come back and haunt us! This is too much even for you. Please stop it Chandra! Priyanka pleaded while continuing to the door.

Trying to deflect and change the subject to a more personal nature, No. If I'm sick it's just as bad as you! Those collars and other devices you personally created…now that is sick! Now get going, I have a dinner date tonight and don't wish to be late. Chandra said mockingly also now speaking only in Mantori.

You're going to the dinner too? Doctor Priyanka asked surprised but still happy for the change of subject, her life was all about science, medical and helping. And thinking she would be one of the last to see the little librarian alive shook her up for some reason, she was just glad to be outside the Library's side exit and away from the screams for help coming from the Librarian.

Chandra with a huge grin explained her plans for the night with excitement. Actually I've been invited to have dinner with you and Idra-Lee; Katanna has proposed, and will introduce us to her future wife. In the mean time Eden will be under the table satisfying me.

Priyanka looked repulsed, You are sick! One moment it's kidnapping an innocent girl now all you can think of sex. You are sick Chandra. Please go back in there and stop that!

And this coming from you, imagine the outcome of what Seraphina, Idra-Lee or the holier than thou twins were to do if they learned you like your men dressed as little girls as they…

Fine! You win Chandra! What time are you going to be there? Since I'm sure the twins would cause a scene as Eden slid under the table. The tone was anything but friendly.

Ignoring Priyanka's tone Be about 10 minutes late that way Eden can be in position…oh and eat slow. She has asked that this dinner last over an hour. Chandra was all grins thinking of Eden; satisfying her under the table while being able to run her fingers through Eden's soft head of hair.

Turning to close the door to the library, Chandra looked one last time at Candice walking slowly, tipping desks, tables, books, and chairs out of her way only to further terrorize the little librarian. For a single moment she envied the Librarian, Candice had done this to her once, it had ended with the most intense sex she had had and changed her life forever. The thought brought a huge smile to her face.

I'll let Idra-Lee know. Priyanka said coldly, then reached and slammed the door closed and stop her sister from smiling at the small woman's cries for help. You're sick Chandra.

~~~~~~~~~

Inside the Library, the young woman was at her wits end, her voice had gone horse from screaming and yelling for help and be left alone, her arms felt like lead from throwing books and whatever else she could at the evil woman following her, if only she could get to the back door. She could pull the police/fire alarm.

Just as she lunged to the door the large woman decided her toying was done.

Subdue! Candice commanded of her cats, her voice echoing throughout the library, moments later the panthers had chased the small woman into a corner, her clothing ripped to shreds yet they had not drawn any blood, not even a scratch to her skin.

That; the small woman suspected would come soon. She pressed herself face first into a corner and began a renewed set of screaming for mercy, submission, and pleading for her life.

Candice stomped up behind the frail woman and dragged the librarian out of the corner by her hair and tossed her onto the open floor, pouncing on her chest and placed her hand over the helpless woman's mouth, Move, I cut yous, got it? the larger woman said.

The trapped woman watched in added terror as the larger woman pulled a knife from her boot and began to cut the rest of the clothing off of her. Bite me hand and you be having another hole rights beside yer pretty little mouth. The hard black eyes caused the small librarians lavender eye's to wince in acceptance.

In a few quick cuts and without a single nick of the skin, the petite librarian was bereft of clothing.

The woman's eye's suddenly bulged in fear as she watched the evil woman pull a 'Docile Collar' from a bag strapped to her hip. Adrenaline shot through the librarian, to try to fight the woman; the 'Docile Collar' was the tool of slavers; a thin gold collar with a box to control the wearer.

Looking around as best she could, the librarian tried to find the two women who had sat drinking tea. They were missing; either they escaped or, her heart sank; this evil woman might have taken them too. Struggling to look out the front window showed no one but two men holding huge guns looking around.

No one was going to come to hers or the two women's aid. She gave a small prayer in hope the two women had escaped.

Drawn back to her predicament, the librarian heard the sound the collar had made as it snapped around her neck. A small vibration was felt up and down her neck as it pulled snug. What came next she knew from the news, the books in the library, the dispatches, and even from friends who witnessed its uses; her life was effectively over.

Looking down, Candice watched as the last stage of the Docile Collar activated. What remaining strength the librarian had, left her. The collar had done its job. The woman was completely limp from the neck down.

Bring the box! The woman screamed. A moment later three men dressed in similar garb to the larger woman wheeled in a steel looking suitcase.

Puts her in dare, but no hood her like we did da last one, I wants her to see where we go and what we does wit her. She instructed.

Yes Ma'am. They said in unison, but all smiling at the same time.

Tears rolled down the small woman face as she was lifted, bent over, arms crossed over her chest and placed in the 'suitcase'. Her neck was held in place by a hole atop the case next to the extended handle. The threat of a stabbing was still valid as the woman never pulled the knife away from her face, and when she did, someone held her mouth open as the woman slid a tube in her mouth and pushed it down her throat.

The tube pressed into the back of her throat and down her neck. One of the men held her mouth open almost to the point of being painful as a large ball like device was placed at the end of the tube and clicked into place. A tiny buzz from inside the ball and small bits of pressure were felt all over the inside of her mouth and neck. A quick attempt at a momentary scream and the scream ended in no noise, a second scream didn't even get that far.

Silent mode is active ma'am. a male voice behind her said to the woman.

Goods...I'z likes that...moves her to da trux. We gots to go. The woman said with urgency.

The now silent petite librarian was wheeled away and into the back of a waiting hover van.

Not one person standing around the street bothered to help or save her. The four bodies lying on the sidewalk was warning enough not to get involved.

Forgetting about the two women. Her heart felt like it was ripped out in one fluid motion. One of the men on the ground was lying in a pool of liquid.

Unmoving!

DADDY! she tried to scream.

It was the last thing she saw before the doors of the van closed.

CHAPTER 2

She had spent what felt like hours locked in her case. Tears for her father had long since stopped; she didn't have any more to shed. Her concern for her family was greater than her own trouble. Her family had lost a well loved and respected man. They hadn't lost her just yet! She still had the chance to escape and get home!

Frustration had gotten the better of her as she tried to scream again and again for help, but the tube down her throat and ball in her mouth had prevented a single sound to be heard.

Running her tongue around the device, she figured it to be an audio limiter. A device no doubt made by the same people who made the collar. A part of her wished The Goddess would strike down the very being that created such evil and cruel devices.

Where ever she was going scared her just as much as the initial capture. She had thought she might remember where she was going in order to back track if she escaped. But being transported from truck, to cargo vessel, launched off planet, a sensation she had never felt before terrified her and made her sick beyond any illness she'd ever had.

Her arms and legs felt like they were being ripped to shreds as they left the planet.

She was then transported via a space walkway to a space station, and then wheeled into some deep space cargo transport only guaranteed the hopelessness of her situation.

She was lost.

The room she was currently in was amazing in size! It was big enough to hold three of her libraries and she was the sole occupant. The case she was locked in had been strapped and chained to the very center of the hold.

Let out twice, she was lifted out of the case and told to crawl over and relieve herself into a waiting bucket, a process that was done in the presence of not one but two of the male guards.

Both made comments about her naked body and both times she thought to fight them, but then felt the sudden flood of helplessness from the collar. No pain, not even an uncomfortable shock, but every muscle in her body fought against her mind were ultimately shut down. She'd fallen on top of her own waste. Only to be rewarded with a rinse from three buckets of cold water to clean her off and then be pushed back in her little suit case.

Listening to the two guards talk about her nonstop had destroyed her sense and feelings of all people are kind and loving. These two guards had taken great joy in describing how they would rape her, use her, abuse her and then kill her. One of them had even gone so far to say he would rape her dead body, "No struggle.' He said with a huge disgusting grin to his 'friend'.

It horrified her to hear such vile descriptions and seeing their faces; they truly meant it.

Thankfully their game of 'how to torment the librarian' ended with the large woman who had captured her showed back up. The librarian was shocked to see the woman stand taller than both of her watchers. Both men, if you could call that of them since no sensible man would speak such things to a woman, were quickly sent away as the woman gently stroked the trapped girls hair and face. Neither 'man' thought to say a thing to her but did as she ordered and walk away.

The woman looked down at her, gave a weak smile and then sat down behind her. Strong hands continued to stroke her hair, face and neck almost lovingly, So soft. She heard the woman whisper. She felt her hair pulled into a ponytail and then braided into a tight bun. The kidnapper never spoke after that but seemed to be humming to herself and then stopped once the braiding was done. The girl expected to hear the woman say, Welcome to your new life as a slave.

Instead it was, Gurl, My name is Candice, I watch you dearie, I seen how you act, I hear and see how pathetic you be. Not me desire to harm yous. Any pain, any hurt you be feel be because of yous. You life of blandness done, you works for me now, you beg me for me attention, soon you even beg me for me love too.

Never… she tried to scream; a surge from the collar passed through her, causing her head to fall against the top of the box, every muscle seemed to have left her weak and useless. Candice bent her head back a little to rest against the 'suit case's' extended handle. The Librarian's only wish at that moment was to do an unholy thing and cut open the maker of the infernal damnation around her neck!

Coming around to sit on the ground and face the librarian, Candice continued to talk and explain things to her.

The collar no like other collars, I said I not harm you, think sump'tin bad to me or crews, yous body will…hangs on one a sec. I's read card, The woman