((OOC Note: This post is adapted from IM roleplay between myself and Fleet Wolf's player. This post continues the SL from here.))


The mechanical scorpion wasn't capable of nodding, but the forward legs dipped the front half of the body up and down in a passable imitation of one. Hex's eyes swiveled to regard the crowd of Lupinossi, then the scorpion was in motion, moving right towards the soldiers without another ounce of stealth finally stopping five paces from the group.

#Legion soldiers! At attention!#

The soldiers turn and see the scorpion body and are confused, but fall into attention as the command had been drilled into their heads for the last week.

Hex moved up another two paces, with Fleet only a pace behind. Eight eyes swiveld as the soldiers formed ranks. #Who is the ranking soldier here?!#

One old soldier stepped up and saluted. his fur graying with age. "I am sir."

#Your name?#

"Mornikai, Sir."

#Mornikai, explain to me what is happening here.# One claw moved to indicate the crowd.

"We had qualms about the Elders being in our ranks. We can not just stand here and serve with them. They have inflicted too much harm on us. Captain Street tried to change our minds but we would not have it. We had to incapacitate him. He is with the rest of the troops. We proceeded here to discuss this with our Alpha."

#Unacceptable! You will discuss this with me, your Commisar!# The machine pulled itself up to it's full height, which while it was only about four feet tall, was still very imposing with the tail slung over like that.

Mornikai looked up, fear in his eyes, but resolve in his stance as he was now committed to his cause. The other 14 watched warily. Fleet just stood to side silent. It was no longer a pack matter but now a military one.

#Which among you 'incapacitated' Captain Street?#

"Not one sir. All of us.", replied the leader, behind him the rest of the canines all stood at attention.

#Had Captain Street explained to you your new status as warrior slaves of the Legion of Chain?# This time all eight eyes focused on Mornikai.

"We are to fight for ten years to earn our freedom, sir."

Behind, Fleet wondered why Street had mentioned only that much to the troops.

The machine 'nodded' again, #I see. Then I shall explain the full details of your new life here. You are now slaves, property of the Association. Until you earn your freedom, you are no longer persons with rights or status. You are weapons, no more, no less. Do you understand?#

All fifteen canines looked stunned at that explanatin. Then one short soldier in the back barked out, and pointed at Fleet. "You offered us freedom Alpha!"

#You! Front and center!#

The soldier in question stepped forward and marched up to Hex, no fear evident in either stance or expression.

#What is your name?#

The Lupinossi looked back at the machine, defiance clear in his eyes, "Callen Steel!"

#Callen Steel, would you prefer death to a temporary life as a living weapon?#

"Yes sir. I have no one to depend on me in Lupinoss. My life is my own, sir!"

Fleet's eyes widened slightly at the troopers stupidity.

The scorpion gave no warning, the tail snapped out like a whip, sweeping the Lupinossi's feet out from under him! #Your life is now mine soldier! Until the day that you purchase it back! I can take your life any time I choose! Remember that!#

Callen was taken completely off guard, he didn't even have time to cry out in suprise before the machine moved over so that it's head was hovering right in front of Callen's own. #Now, do you still prefer death?#

Callen looked up at the alien head, then past at the bladed tail that seemed waiting to kill him. Finally he managed a stammered, "No sir."

The tail that had till that moment been poised overhead withdrew, as did the bulk of the scorpion frame. #Very well, fall in soldier.# The defeated lupine scrambled back up and hurried to his vacant spot.

Hex's eyes resumed random sweeping over the ranks of the canines, drawing back up to almost eye level with most of them. #Listen to me, and remember this. You are now weapons for the Legion of Chain, until you die, or earn enough credit to pay for your lives. Until either of these events, you will follow whatever order you are given, and you will follow those orders to the letter! Are you clear on this?!#

A defeated "Yes sir!" was shouted back to Hex.

The machine nodded and settled down to a normal stance, #Good. Now, as to these Elders. I know what their crimes were, but that is in the past. Now they, like you, are mere property. However...#

The machine seemed to pause as if in thought before continuuing, #However, in light of their past deeds, they will be given no rank, no promotion within the Legion. Never will they be anything more than front line soldiers, grunts. Hopefully this will satisfy you.#

This time not a single soldier made a hint of protest. #Callen Steel! Front and center!#

Callen Steps forward hesistantly now, watching that tail of Hex's body.

#Soldier, you are to escort the new recruits, with their Command Collars intact, to the normal slave pens. When you arrive, you are to tell the guards these new slaves are to be processed as Gorean warrior slaves, and given a full training.#

"Yes sir!" he barked out, eyes not meeting the machine's, he was still watching that oh-so deadly tail.

The machine's eyes turned from Callen to the remainder, #As for the rest of you. You are to report to your barracks and ensure Captain Street is recovered. Then you will be disciplined for assaulting a superior officer and a Free Person. For the moment the punishment is a fifty mile run before sunup!#

Fleet stepped forward and the troops parted. He unlocked the door and called for Talna, second in command of Streets group to bring the elders down.

The soldiers looked resigned to the punishment as Fleet waited for the elders to appear. They were lead by Talna. She saw Hex and snapped to attention. "Beta Talna in charge of the prisoners as ordered by Captain Street, Commander sir. Where is Captain Street?" She reported and asked in one breath.

#These soldiers have incapcitated him, they have restrained him in the barracks. Escort these soldiers there and see to it that the Captain is tended to.#

"Yes Sir!" A cruel gleam in her eyes.

#I have already given instructions to Mornikai regarding their discipline. See to it they follow these instructions. The same goes for any other Lupinossi who was involved.#

Talna nodded once and saluted again. One of Hex's claws moved to return the salute, then the machine turned to Callen, #This soldier is to escort the prisoners for processing. As you were.# Callen aproached Talna to relieve her of the elders.

The troops saluted, then moved out to the compound, their orders understood. Fleet awaited for them to be out of ear shot before turning to Hex, "Thank you Hex. I am failing as an Alpha aren't I?"

If this frame had been capable of sighing, Hex would have. Instead, the machine just turns around in place to look at Fleet. #You are merely inexperianced, you will improve.#

Fleet nodded at Hex's comment. "Very well then. I am sorry to have taken you from the front lines."

The front half of the body shook side to side, #It was necessary. They were not properly briefed on their new situation, that error was my own.#

Fleet simply nodded again.

"I shall retire tonight then as the situation is under control. Now if I can just keep Street straightened out in my own pack."

#If you require assistance, you have only to ask. Good evening Alpha Fleet#

Fleet bowed to Hex and walked into the apartment.

The machine swung it's eyes to track them, then after the door closed, Hex turned and walked back to the yard to be certain it's orders were carried out...