Escape

"I- I'm being sold?"

Niko thought back to everything that had happened to him, to what paths he had taken to get here that's when the memories of everything that had led him here slowly flashed back to him.

Sasha's betrayal.

Elio's violent pursuit.

The hooded figure.

He had been condemned by the same friends that he had supported. By the same crew he had cooked and cleaned for.

"Shit."

He had no idea where he was or what had happened to his previous crew.

Sasha had betrayed him, seemingly selling Niko to the unknown group and orchestrating the plan to ambush them.

Although it seemed Hawk, Elio and Jack had no knowledge of his unconsensual purchase they still all agreed to selling him off in order to save their own skins.

Niko understood that in that moment they had chosen their own lives over his. That was fine. But that bastard Elio had gone too far. Logic didn't matter anymore. Niko had been betrayed before but this time he wouldn't take it lying down.

'I need to survive.' Elio thought to himself.

'So they can see how buried ghosts rise once more.'

'No matter what.' The same words he had screamed right before he passed out. He liked the phrase it reflected his newfound determination to survive quite well.

'I'm going to kill them. No matter what.'

Logic no longer mattered. To hell reasoning, The fury ignited within Niko could no longer be extinguished.

But first Niko needed to understand the current situation. Talia didn't seem particularly helpful so he turned his sights to the two Lizor in the cell opposite to him.

"What planet are we on?"

The Lizor who seemed extensively bored were more that pleasant to engage him in conversation.

"Stakanstas. It's outside of IGF territory."

As one of the three great factions that controlled the majority of the galaxy. The IGF were the closest thing to a government across this forsaken galaxy. The only problem being that the government was useless. Despite being called the "Inter-Galactic Federation" they hadn't managed to reach more than one galaxy and the galaxy they did inhabit they only had territory over about a quarter of all planets.

To be fair living within IGF territory was slightly better than outside they ensured policies such as clean water and a dedicated law enforcement but that didn't make life there good. Just better.

In order to avoid the IGF police most criminals stayed clear of their territory and acted within lawless planets or acted in planets with small governments that weren't claimed by the three great factions.

The typical number that came up was that 75- 80% of all planets within the galaxy were claimed by one of the three great factions.

"So what's happening now?"

"They're going to feed us so we look more 'well fed' and then sell us off. It seems they've got a special to sell off this time. So that should be the main event."

In slaver terms specials were rare species that could be sold for large amounts. It meant a huge payday for whoever was involved.

Usually being a special meant that they were either an almost extinct species or possessed a special ability, this ranged anywhere from unique augmentations to constellations.

Constellations were paths created by the seven paradoxia. The ascended gods who had connected the galaxy and shaped the new era, 'NE'. Constellations could either occur randomly or as a result of specific actions taken by the user.

Once a someone gains a constellation it cannot be taken and would open up the path for new and interesting abilities as they progressed.

A unique augmentation was one that could not be removed from the user even in death. These could either be developed by talented engineers who followed the Lyra constellation or happen randomly when AI programs install into the user.

Either way the special didn't concern Niko. The important part was figuring out how to survive.

As Niko conversed with the Lizor a small robot with an even smaller plate on it's head rolled into the frame of Niko's cell. It lay down what appeared to be two small slices of bread and two small aquafruits. This was supposed to make them 'well fed', what nonsense!

Aquafruits were typically used to replace water in poorer planets with little water reserves due to their growth efficiency and ability to go decades without rotting. Although they were absolutely not delicacies.

Niko slowly moved towards the robot but Talia dashed past him first. Holding the plate up with her wooden hand she spoke for the first time unprompted.

"You can have half a slice and half a fruit."

"Huh?"

Niko scoffed at her clearly unfair proposition he was the one who had been beaten starven and betrayed all within one day, if anything he deserved MORE food than her.

"Why would you get more than me? I'm a 6'0 male halfbreed basic biology says that I require double the calories you do!"

"Who said I'm eating more than you?"

Talia gestured towards the rat in the corner.

"He needs to eat too."

While Talia's selflessness was admirable her portion sizes were clearly uneven as the rat would be given the same amount as two humans. Niko understanding that there was no point in arguing with the woman just decided to do what he could.

The rat cautiously approached the two beings. Talia put the plate on the floor and moved it towards the rat. It gracefully climbed up and began to chew on the first slice of bread.

Niko knelt down towards the rat. Picked it up. Then squeezed it to death. All without a word of course. It's blood splattered out as dark splashes of crimson red coloured the bread and aquafruit.

There was, of course the possibility that rats could carry diseases. So now none of the food was edible.

Talia silently glared at Niko her death stare petrifying him completely. 

As Niko began to ponder any escape options the alarm began to blare and a male from far across the hallway shouted out.

"EVERYBODY! HANDS UP"

The two Lizor and Talia seemed to instinctively react as they dropped whatever they were doing and stood up straight with her arms stretched out vertically in just a few seconds.

Niko who was still unfamiliar with the rules of this place began to raise his arms slowly but as his hands were horizontal with his chest he felt a large metal wrap around his arms with incomprehensible speeds and send him flying with it.

Niko's left shoulder hit the wall as he fell to the ground. He wanted to scream for pain, but Niko knew better. As he fell to the ground a uniformed soldier walked towards him in the hallways.

"Get up boy. You got a show to put on."