Escape From Redeem, Rise of an Emperor

Planet: Redeem, Class A Prison World

The Prisoners of Redeem gathered in the Central control block, and beheld Caleb who was about to address them. Dillon had even limped out from his cell to hear the words of the rebel that promised them their liberty.

‘Your time of bondage is now at an end.’

Caleb’s voice carried to every ear in the large cell block. He had no need for the microphone now that all of the prisoners were gathered in one place. Once Caleb had dispatched the first group of guards, he had repeated the process with wave after wave of them. They came at him like the first; with fury and pistols blaring. All met the same fate, as the stunned inmates watched in fascination of this angel of redemption.

The guards behind the last few doors had watched this freak of nature annihilate their comrade’s single handily. When he opened their doors, they came out with arms raised, and were ushered in to cells by the other inmates, all by Caleb’s command. Leadership suited the young him well.

Hugo Wellin and the Mine Hounds gang leader, still lay above them on the steel gallery. Both were pleading down to him, with desperation etched all over their faces.

Caleb was cold to their fate now. The other guards had been dispatched or imprisoned in their quarters and newly vacant cells; it was time to start dishing out long awaited justice on these wicked men.

‘I call anyone to stand in the way of justice now.’

The man, who had asked for his boss to be released, stepped forward out of the milling throng of inmates that crowded to see the impromptu trial.

‘What is your name?’ Caleb inquired.

‘My name is Franco Montoya; I don’t know what you are, but I can understand why you’re so sore about your friend the boss ordered dead.’

Franco gestured up to his boss who was now conscious but said nothing.

’I have never seen anyone do what you’ve just done my friend. We were put here because our crew was getting to strong back home. It’s a ruthless crew; it’s yours if you set us free. All of us will swear loyalty to you.

Caleb stared at the man called Franco Montoya, and seemed to burn into his soul, causing the Latin gang member to look down in discomfort. Franco was a brutish looking man with tattoos plastered over his body like most of his kin.

‘And your loyalty to him?’ Caleb’s gaze went to the fat man at the end of the rope.

‘We are loyal him. But after what I have seen, we could not stop you even if we tried.’

‘You are correct, you could not.’

Caleb confirmed loud enough so all could hear. Raising his chin and closing his eyes his mood cooled suddenly in the face of this opportunity. ‘This man deserves death my dear Franco.’ Franco nodded in agreement of his words.

‘Loyalty dictates that I plead for his life. He is a cruel man that is true. But spare his life and I will pledge us all to you now.’

In truth, Caleb had put on this show of strength to recruit the prison populace under his banner. Apparently this had worked. He did not envisage gaining the loyalty of the most savage members of the Mine Hounds. If He could control this hardened band of killers, and temper them into obedient soldiers, then he would have the beginnings of an army to return to earth with. It was another tool to be used for his revenge.

‘Your boss is a cripple now anyway Franco. It would be a mercy to kill him now.’

Franco waited and said nothing. His many gang members were at his back, but looked far from threatening, with heads lowered before the wrathful prisoner 118. After the display He had put on for them, it showed tremendous courage for Franco to speak up as he did.

‘Very well Franco Montoya; you have a deal.’ He handed over the rope tied to his boss’s ankle. ‘You may take him down.’

Franco gestured to two others, who rushed up to free their boss. ‘Thank you. Our loyalty is yours 118’

‘You may call me Caleb.’

Franco nodded simply. For a gang member his voice seemed educated, and almost civilised. Perhaps he was high up within the gang’s ranks. This man; Caleb felt he could use.

‘I accept your word of loyalty Franco Montoya.’

Caleb then addressed the other inmates that all stood silently, waiting to see what would happen.

‘My name is Caleb Bruce. Some of you may think strange, what you have seen this night. Do not fear me, for I will set you free.’

He gazed around them, his natural orator talents kept all eyes and ears on him.

‘I was made to lead humanity, after our President steps down. I believe that is why I was sent here; to this place of horror. I tell you now it is over for the men who run this facility. It is over for the men who sent me here!’

Caleb was practically shouting now. ‘I will set you free and wipe your slate clean; but with a condition. This condition is that you renounce any wickedness of your past life. I have control of this facility now, and I plan on returning to Earth to find out who really runs this place. I will have revenge for what they have done to us here. If it was President Black that sent us to this world of ice; then he too will feel my vengeance.’

He knew he had the men around him. The hope in their eyes was answer enough.

‘So who is with me?’ He bellowed finally. They all roared in unison, filling the hall like cellblock with a chorus of jubilation. Caleb let them have this outlet of hope, and then held his hands up as the noise died down to hear him speak once more.

‘I will open the doors to the barracks now; I need you to put the guards into the cells that were once ours. Do not kill them if you can help it.’

He tapped his data tablet, and the doors down the long corridor clanked open with a rusty sound. ‘Follow me men and you will have justice. Betray me and justice will be mine.’

With that said, he pulled the rope attached to the guard Hugo Wellin, who fell a full two metres before the rope around his neck snapped taut. His screams were cut off in an instant, as his neck was broken from the sudden fall. Justice had begun and he would deal it out swiftly. He would now turn his thoughts to the complete control of this facility. After that, he would train this rabble of men. Redeem would soon just be an unpleasant memory, and experience he had endured.

***

Warp Space

Tanandil had cast his mind to the Ice world were the human captive Caleb dwelt. He did not reveal himself directly. The next time he met the young human, should be face to face. The planet’s surface was harsh and inhospitable, but Tanandil did not feel the cold bitter touch from this place, the humans used to imprison their kind. His dream walking allowed him the luxury of not feeling an environment with extreme weather conditions.

The marvellous being known as Caleb, had broken free of his captivity and was even now marshalling the other prisoners to do his bidding. He was beginning to realise his potential at last.

Tannandil had met a few great beings throughout his long existence, some alien and some were his own kind. But this human’s aura had burned brighter than any living being he had ever met. The potential was there to be as mighty as even him one day, and that he thought with no self-flattery, was something indeed.

It would only be a matter of weeks before the small Elfan war band broke out of the warp tear, and met this remarkable human face to face. Lord Gretnear sat opposite the old mage who looked like a young Elfan in his prime.

‘So he has killed his own Tanandil; should we be worried?’

‘We should not. His aura is as pure as my own; even after the horrors he has endured. The men he has killed on that planet have done wicked things to him my friend.’

Gretnear had put his neck on the line in support of his friend the mage. He thought of nothing but retaking their former worlds, back from the cursed Orkra. If Tanandil said this human boy could help them in that quest, then he would try. He just wished he could have brought an army with him, instead of the small war band they had.

They were tasked to bring back this boy to their people, to stand before the king. He would make final judgement, on whether to pursue an alliance with this young race.

The warriors he had brought with him however were the best fighters his realm had to offer. He hoped soon he could use them, instead of endless avoidance of an enemy that they should be fighting. This thought made him think of the attack by the Orkra on the Humanar planet Earth.

‘The boy will want to go to his own planet, once we tell him that it’s under threat of annihilation Tanandil. In truth I would not blame him if he did. Should we not return there with him, and do what we can.’

The high mage sipped from a cup filled with Arulean wine. The planet that made the fine drink had the perfect conditions for making the best vintage, to grace his cup.

“Gretnear, I want the same as you, but to go against the council and the king would be unwise. I fear the planet Earth is already doomed anyway. I will try to convince the boy of the bigger picture, in my own way.’

‘And if he does not come?’

‘If he does not, then that is his own choice to make. We cannot force him Gretnear.’

He poured more of the precious wine into his friend’s cup, and they both ate a light meal of breads, an assortment of meats and a few other delicacies. Tanandil enjoyed good food and drink, when traveling the stars. Just because they were far from their own realm, did not mean they could not enjoy a few home comforts.

‘Will we have to fight to get to him Tanandil?’

‘Fortunately not; the last time I looked the boy had taken almost complete control of the prison. Alas; they did not know what he is.’

‘What is he?’

‘He is special.’ Tanandil said. The Lord Gretnear was intelligent, but would only utilise that intelligence on Warcraft. Other mysteries of the universe, he left to Tanandil and others in the Mages circle. They both sat quietly and relaxed for a moment to enjoy the flavours of their food and drink, in peace. The High Mage had a feeling there would be little of that, in the future to come.