I awaken in a fog, feeling a sharp stinging sensation
in my neck and realize my "dragger" (we started calling them draggers as
they pulled us here) pricked me with a needle and caused me to lose consciousness.
I see my two crewmates standing over me, concerned
expressions on their faces (well one of them doesn't exactly have what
you would call a face). Sitting up slowly, I ask "How long was I out?".
"Long enough for them to do God knows what to you."
Was my reply.
Now, that was unpleasant news indeed. I wasn't sure
if I should be grateful or worried that I carried no memories of the episode.
"How long was I gone? Do I look any different?"
As I examined myself I found a number on marks were
some sort of device had been attached.
Touching the back of my neck I found a small disk
that had been surgically inserted under the skin right at the base of my
skull. It didn't hurt but it made me mad. How dare they invade my body
"It is a monitor and can cause great pain if they
choose" said a tired voice to my left
I looked into the swirling eyes of a Chichten. He
or maybe she(hard to tell with a Chichten)spoke with a heavy accent but
I could understand it
"It is how they control us" It turned to show me a
matching disk on it's neck. The Chichten are a gentle insectoid people
but very strong, I could understand why slavers would capture them .
Always the engineer I decide to test what the capabilities
of the disks they have inserted into our necks. The draggers are no where
to be seen as I look all about us, so I begin to move slowly about our
prison cell. It's more like a circular walled hive than a cell and I am
easily able to walk all about the room. There are no windows and only one
half round door with no apparent knobs.
As I go back and sit down with the others there is
a sudden rasping noise and the door begins to roll back. Silence penetrates
the room as we all stare in horror at door.