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D.E1 Part III

Prologue

It was another bleak day in the massive space colony; nothing that its inhabitants were not used to. Sectors all over gigantic ship woke up early to the loud echoes of alarms, systematically following their routine and duties.

The air was thick and warm. The fumes of the refineries ofter made it all the way to the living areas, reminding the inhabitants at every second that there was no rest; no peace.

"I can still go on, please!" One of the inhabitants begged. He had been caught twice falling behind with his work.

A metallic claw brutally grasped him from his neck, taking him face to face to the being that this limb was part of.

"Please... I'm just a bit tired. That's all." He continued to beg. But he knew his chances were probably exhausted by now. "I promise I will catch up during the day!"

There was no mercy for these worker's lives. What mattered was the never-ending mining operation set in that colony. If just one lagged behind, that would affect the flow of the refinery. At the same time, maintaining a weak link meant resources that could go to the strong were being wasted.

"Please... you could put him in the breeding program. He has strong genes..." One of the workers risked it all by pausing his own work to advocate for his partner.

The tall metallic being looked closely at the weakened worker it held in its claw. "Irrelevant..."

"Please, have mercy..." The worker whispered.

His partner looked away. He knew there was no more reasoning to do... Once the metallic being made a decision it was for the good and efficiency of the colony. He resumed his work in an attempt to ignore what came next...

The yelp of agony was soon silence. It was quick and efficient; that's how the metallic ones liked it. Many eons in the past he would've given his life to save his partner, but the bond that once united his race was far gone after years of pain and suffering. Their soul and heart was now a vague memory.

It was better this way. There was never a chance for them to fight the metallic beings. Their lives were obscured by the pain, but they were alive still. The metallic beings kept their race alive even if it was at the cost of their freedom. Yes; if they looked away, placed their minds at blank, forgot about their feelings and just worked, they would still be alive as a race.

Through endless shifts, through endless days and years the oppressed species gathered minerals and processed them in the thousands of refineries across the colony. Day and night, nonstop. It was the life they knew, it was the life they would ever know.

How could they fight them? Years ago they tried at the cost of almost their entire race. It was either succumb to the cold blades of these metallic beings, or take their only chance to survive, even if this had meant the eternal enslavement of their race. They didn't know how to fight, they were always alone in the vast darkness of space. They didn't even know their origins until now, but little did it matter.

Every now and then there were heroes that rose and fought for their kind, only to have their efforts be in vain. After the years, they learn it was futile and these rebellions became less frequent. But some never lost hope... maybe some day there would be one that freed them all.

"How is he doing?" One of the enslaved being said. She seemed to be in charge of a Sector and her duty was to care for the others. She wasn't happy; she knew she might be in trouble for what she had done.

"He's out cold still..." Another replied. He looked closely at the unconscious one, now that he had been taken to a medical center.

"Darn it..." The female leader growled, hitting the wall. "I made a huge mistake..."

"You did your job."

"No!" She barked at her partner. "I should've left him there. Now we might pay the price. You know what they will say."

"It is inefficient to keep a useless one; I know." The male said. "But he's young and strong. He works hard. It would be a shame that he was terminated."

There was no response for the female leader. She thought for a second or two, almost being betrayed by her feelings. "I'm tired of seeing our kind being killed..."

"Don't say that out loud, Rika!" Full of fear, her partner whispered loudly. The metallic beings had ears everywhere, and any signs of rebellion weren't taken lightly, no matter how futile they were. "I know what you mean... And I know that's why you brought him here."

"Do not call me by my name. I am Sector Master. If the Masks sense that we are being too personal with each other, we will get in trouble." The female leader said irritated. "I only brought him because as you say, he's strong. I do not want to lose a strong worker if that means putting the efficiency of this refinery at risk. If that happens, the Masks will come after me." She remarked. For a second it seemed that her true feelings were back, but the deaths of many and probably her own soon made her go to her emotionally blank state of mind.

These beings weren't always like this, but throughout the years they had learned to put their feelings aside. Without knowing, they had turned into harsh beings, even with their own. Maybe it was better this way if deep inside they knew this meant the survival of their race.

"Get back to work." The leader said. "We will have to fill in for his position temporarily, which means we will have to work double."

"Yes, Sector Master..." Her partner said. He was for a second disappointed, but soon that survival instinct that had nullified their feelings took over him.

"I will check back on him later, and if he is still unconscious, I will have to report it to the Masks..."

Another dark day went through in the massive space colony. Darkness that they were very used to already. There was no point on complaining or fighting as this was they only life they knew. They were still alive and for this they were somewhat grateful...