The cell looked nothing like a cell. It was a spacious room with a large and comfortable bed, a couch with fluffy cushions, an empty desk, a couple of chairs, and even a TriVid screen. When he’d turned it on, it had broadcast none of the usual holofeeds. Instead, he was flooded with messages about how good the Masters were, how they took good care of their Servants, how only obedience made Servants worthy of such benevolence, and so on and so forth. The whole thing made him feel uneasy.

  Bregg switched the feed off and looked around the room.

  While it may not feel like one, this was a cell all the same. There were guards right outside his door. Not the human sort, but those disturbing fang-covered beasts. He was not free to go about as he pleased, that much Hordan had made quite clear, even if he’d refused to use the word ‘prisoner.’

  “You are a guest,” he had made a point of repeating. “You will remain with us until the Masters have deemed it safe for you to leave. This is all for your own safety, I hope you understand. It is not safe out there. Nor will it be for some time yet. Not until the Cleansing has been completed.”

  “The Cleansing?”

  The language used was eerily similar to how the kahdians spoke, which had made him uncomfortable.

  “Humanity has grown corrupt and has spread itself too thin. It has reached a point where it stagnates and feeds upon itself. The Masters, in their profound wisdom, shall mend these things. All they ask in return is our love and dedication. It is a small price to pay for this gift of peace.”

  Bregg had just stared at the man. These people were lunatics—perhaps fanatics would be more appropriate. Hordan sounded like a brainwashed cult member. And the holofeed did nothing to alleviate that feeling.

  He grunted as he paced back and forth, trying to process all this new information.

  “I blame you for all this, Richard! If you hadn’t talked me into following these alien ships... Now we’re stuck in a madhouse! I don’t have time to waste. I have things to do—military bases to raze, justice to render... What do these people want from me? And did you hear what that man said? The Qevahri got their ships from these so-called ‘Masters’! What do you make of that?” He glanced to the side. Frowned. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. It can’t be just the ships. All their technology. That would make sense, wouldn’t it? Probably those weapons, too. That must be why it didn’t work when I tried it earlier. They must have locks in place so they can’t be used against them.” His frown deepened. “I was trying it on a human, though. That should have worked. Unless the lock is based on location. Can’t use it on one of their ships, perhaps. What a nuisance.”

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  He stopped pacing when the door to his cell slid open. A young woman stepped in, carrying a tray of food. She inclined her head.

  “Greetings, sir. I hope you are having a splendid day.”

  She stepped to the table and set the tray down.

  Bregg snorted. “Splendid. Sure. If that’s what you call being locked up in a cell and held against your will.”

  The woman turned to look at him with a startled expression.

  “This is not a cell, sir.”

  “No?” He gestured toward the door. “Then can I leave this room whenever I please?”

  “That would not be safe, sir. It is best if you remain here. Are the accommodations not to your liking? I can have you moved to—”

  “The room is fine. That’s not the issue. I have places to be. I can’t be stuck here. Do you understand that?”

  “I understand. I am sure the Masters will provide you with transportation as soon as it is feasible. In the meantime, please enjoy yourself.”

  She bowed her head and started toward the door.

  He grabbed her arm and forced her to turn around.

  “Hang on one minute. Why do you keep calling them Masters?”

  The woman blinked. “Because that is what they are, sir. They tend after us and see to our needs. We never lack for anything.”

  “Provided you worship them.”

  She smiled. “We do not worship them, sir. We obey and we serve, as is our duty. That is what we were born to do, after all.”

  “That is ridiculous! Who ever told you that? Them?”

  “Oh no, sir. We’ve never met the Masters.”

  “Then why do you serve them?”

  “Because they tend after us and see to our needs.”

  He grunted as he let go of her arm.

  “Where do you come from, girl?”

  “I was born on Calista, sir, as were all on this ship.”

  “Never heard of it.”

  “It is a small world, sir, out on the rim.”

  “So it’s part of the Imperium?”

  “I couldn’t say, sir. I’d never heard of the Imperium until we set out on this mission.”

  “And what mission would that be?”

  “A mission of salvation, I believe, sir. You would need to ask Hordan for the details, he would know better.”

  “Did you and the others volunteer to come, or were you forced to?”

  “Forced? No, sir. It is our duty to serve.”

  “As you keep saying.”

  “We go where the Masters tell us to go. We are happy to obey.”

  These people have been brainwashed, thought Bregg as he stared at the young woman.

  “May I go now?” she asked.

  He sighed and nodded. “Sure. Go. Be a Servant for all I care.”

  She bowed again, turned, and hurried out.

  Bregg stared at the door for a moment after she’d gone, then swung to look at the empty space behind him.

  “See that? Total nutcase. These people are mad, I tell you! How am I ever going to get out of this place?”

  He groaned as he looked around. His gaze stopped on the tray. Sighing, he pulled a chair and sat.

  “Well, at least I won’t die of hunger.”

  With that, he dug into the food.

  right here.