Fic: Rainbow’s Freedom (Project K Arc) (10/54)
Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Project K Arc) (10/54)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): The Rebel, The Pirate
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. New superheroes appear on the scene as the Abolitionist Movement gathers strength. Meanwhile, Lex gets his heart’s desire while long-held secrets begin to spill out of the Manor. Nothing will ever be the same again.
The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Challenge, Drama, Slavefic
Challenge Category: Section E (Slavefic)
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: In a smoky cantina far, far away, rebellious plans are made.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): September 7, 2009
Date Of Posting: December 8, 2010
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1068
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Written for my 2010 DCU Fic/Art Bondage Challenge.
The Sword
Of Rao
Shall strike
Swift and sure,
Bright and
Bloodstained,
Terrible
In its justice.
Psalm 26, Verse 6
"The Book Of Rao"
16th Century, B.C.E.
X
THE SWORD OF RAO
The hooded figure glided into the smoke-filled cantina, the patrons a mix of species from throughout the Galaxy. Loud music from a quartet of musicians in the corner made it easy to conduct business without being overheard.
The room was dark, the bar at the far end rimmed with several patrons nursing drinks. Whores of both and indeterminate sexes drifted around, hoping to drum up business.
The cloaked figure headed over to a table in the corner, tapping a finger once, then twice more on the rough wooden surface. The unshaven man sitting on a rickety chair inclined his head and the newcomer took a seat.
The unshaven man wore an eyepatch and shabby clothes, dark-brown hair unkempt but clean. He chewed on the end of a peppermint squeezestick, his dark-green eye noting the rough brown cloak of his guest.
“Have you got the goods?” The voice of the newcomer was low but clear.
“I do.” He took a sip of Saurian rum. Not as good as their brandy, but the Saurians knew how to make the best booze in the Galaxy.
“We’ll be able to pick up a good haul for our stockpile.”
The man grinned, showing even white teeth. “Are you sure the Beta Colony is the best source for weapons?”
“Oh, it is. It’s not a military base, so the security is a lot less. I have a fast ship engaged. The smuggler and his blond boy toy and Wookie will get us away nice and easy.”
“Good.” The Pirate chewed on his squeezestick. “So when will your Freedom Fighters be ready?”
“Oh, that’s not certain at this point.”
“Will Van-Zee and his allies object?”
“Van-Zee!” Contempt laced the other’s voice. “He and his ilk cower in caves, hiding in the shadows, hoping the Govs won’t find them. If they don’t fight back, they’ll be exterminated as if they were nothing more than vermin.”
“And you think outright rebellion is the only way?”
“For our people it is.”
The Pirate tapped his teeth. “Are you still convinced of the Salvor?”
“I am.”
“The old stories claim the Heir to the House of El survives. If so, where is he?”
“In hiding until the time comes to show himself.”
“Have you considered the possibility he doesn’t know who he is?”
The other scoffed. “Of course he does! With his powers under a yellow sun, how can he not know?”
“What if he landed on a red sun world?”
The hood shook back-and-forth. “The course was set to a yellow sun world.”
“Earth?”
The other went still. “Perhaps.”
“That would be the heart of the lion’s den, wouldn’t it? The Empire’s headquarters is on Rivellia but Starfleet is there on Earth. The Terrans are the cleverest of the bunch, if you ask me.”
“I didn’t.”
The Pirate smiled. “If the Salvor is on Earth, he is well-hidden. And allowing our people to suffer.”
“He will know when it’s time.”
“I hope so. Our numbers dwindle every day. The Govs have been notoriously efficient in carrying out the Hunt Decree.”
Contempt laced the other’s voice. “They are vermin. Enslavers all! Crushing people’s hopes and dreams.”
A sardonic smile twisted the pirate’s mouth. “And you think that all the good citizens of the Empire are Abolitionists at heart?”
“Of course not. I’m not naïve.” A gloved hand gestured angrily. “Many people make profits off the backs of their slaves. They won’t give that up.”
“So how do you plan to start this little revolution?”
“With the attacks we’ve outlined…”
“And how do you expect to keep it up? The people won’t rally to your banner. They’ll laugh at you, then blow you out of the sky.”
“Maybe, but it will be difficult to blow a squadron of super-powered people out of the sky.”
“The Govs have Green K.”
“And we have brilliant minds within the Resistance. They can come up with a counterpoint.”
The Pirate shook his head. “You’re counting on a lot to go just right. And…” he took a pull on his squeezestick “…counting a lot on this Savior.” He deliberately used the English word. He sensed his companion’s annoyance.
“He can rally our people in ways that no one else can.”
“What about you?”
“I am the one who does the dirty work. The Salvor will be the shining symbol, untouched.”
“Unless he’s living in a vacuum, he might not be so unsullied.”
The cloaked figure shrugged. “At least we won’t be humiliated like the poor souls who are manacled. He is a free man.”
The pirate leaned back in his seat. “I still say he might never have made his destination.”
“Do you think Jor-El was so incompetent?”
The next number by the musicians was even louder, swelling over the two of them.
”No, but what if a meteor hit the rocketship? What if Jor-El never got the ship off at all?”
The figure’s face was completely obscured by the hood but the Pirate could swear that his companion was smiling sardonically.
“Do you know the Book of Rao?”
“Of course I do.”
The cloaked Rebel leaned forward, whispering, “’And in the Time of Darkness/When blood runneth over/And the people wail/And gnash their teeth/Will come the Sword of Rao/Golden and shining/Pure and heroic/And will lead the people/To the land/of milk and honey.’”
“Lovely words,” the pirate murmured as his companion sat back, “But the psalm could refer to almost any dark time.”
“And what could be darker than the Great Destruction, the remnants of our people being Hunted down and murdered?”
He sighed. “I hope the prophecy comes true.” The cloaked figure stood and the Pirate lolled back with a crooked smile. “Say hi to Han and the kid for me.”
The Rebel swept out of the cantina, leaving behind a chuckling Pirate.
& & & & & &
Once outside, the Rebel walked quickly down an alley, pushing the hood back.
The blond woman turned her face up to the red sun. Soon she would lead the raid on Beta Colony for much-needed weaponry and to give her troops much-needed seasoning.
Then she would go to Earth and focus on finding the Salvor.
Kara Zor-El smiled as she walked deeper into the maze of alleys.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Pairings/Characters: Kara Zor-El, Val-Kor
Hit Counter
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): The Rebel, The Pirate
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. New superheroes appear on the scene as the Abolitionist Movement gathers strength. Meanwhile, Lex gets his heart’s desire while long-held secrets begin to spill out of the Manor. Nothing will ever be the same again.
The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Challenge, Drama, Slavefic
Challenge Category: Section E (Slavefic)
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: In a smoky cantina far, far away, rebellious plans are made.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): September 7, 2009
Date Of Posting: December 8, 2010
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1068
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Written for my 2010 DCU Fic/Art Bondage Challenge.
The Sword
Of Rao
Shall strike
Swift and sure,
Bright and
Bloodstained,
Terrible
In its justice.
Psalm 26, Verse 6
"The Book Of Rao"
16th Century, B.C.E.
X
THE SWORD OF RAO
The hooded figure glided into the smoke-filled cantina, the patrons a mix of species from throughout the Galaxy. Loud music from a quartet of musicians in the corner made it easy to conduct business without being overheard.
The room was dark, the bar at the far end rimmed with several patrons nursing drinks. Whores of both and indeterminate sexes drifted around, hoping to drum up business.
The cloaked figure headed over to a table in the corner, tapping a finger once, then twice more on the rough wooden surface. The unshaven man sitting on a rickety chair inclined his head and the newcomer took a seat.
The unshaven man wore an eyepatch and shabby clothes, dark-brown hair unkempt but clean. He chewed on the end of a peppermint squeezestick, his dark-green eye noting the rough brown cloak of his guest.
“Have you got the goods?” The voice of the newcomer was low but clear.
“I do.” He took a sip of Saurian rum. Not as good as their brandy, but the Saurians knew how to make the best booze in the Galaxy.
“We’ll be able to pick up a good haul for our stockpile.”
The man grinned, showing even white teeth. “Are you sure the Beta Colony is the best source for weapons?”
“Oh, it is. It’s not a military base, so the security is a lot less. I have a fast ship engaged. The smuggler and his blond boy toy and Wookie will get us away nice and easy.”
“Good.” The Pirate chewed on his squeezestick. “So when will your Freedom Fighters be ready?”
“Oh, that’s not certain at this point.”
“Will Van-Zee and his allies object?”
“Van-Zee!” Contempt laced the other’s voice. “He and his ilk cower in caves, hiding in the shadows, hoping the Govs won’t find them. If they don’t fight back, they’ll be exterminated as if they were nothing more than vermin.”
“And you think outright rebellion is the only way?”
“For our people it is.”
The Pirate tapped his teeth. “Are you still convinced of the Salvor?”
“I am.”
“The old stories claim the Heir to the House of El survives. If so, where is he?”
“In hiding until the time comes to show himself.”
“Have you considered the possibility he doesn’t know who he is?”
The other scoffed. “Of course he does! With his powers under a yellow sun, how can he not know?”
“What if he landed on a red sun world?”
The hood shook back-and-forth. “The course was set to a yellow sun world.”
“Earth?”
The other went still. “Perhaps.”
“That would be the heart of the lion’s den, wouldn’t it? The Empire’s headquarters is on Rivellia but Starfleet is there on Earth. The Terrans are the cleverest of the bunch, if you ask me.”
“I didn’t.”
The Pirate smiled. “If the Salvor is on Earth, he is well-hidden. And allowing our people to suffer.”
“He will know when it’s time.”
“I hope so. Our numbers dwindle every day. The Govs have been notoriously efficient in carrying out the Hunt Decree.”
Contempt laced the other’s voice. “They are vermin. Enslavers all! Crushing people’s hopes and dreams.”
A sardonic smile twisted the pirate’s mouth. “And you think that all the good citizens of the Empire are Abolitionists at heart?”
“Of course not. I’m not naïve.” A gloved hand gestured angrily. “Many people make profits off the backs of their slaves. They won’t give that up.”
“So how do you plan to start this little revolution?”
“With the attacks we’ve outlined…”
“And how do you expect to keep it up? The people won’t rally to your banner. They’ll laugh at you, then blow you out of the sky.”
“Maybe, but it will be difficult to blow a squadron of super-powered people out of the sky.”
“The Govs have Green K.”
“And we have brilliant minds within the Resistance. They can come up with a counterpoint.”
The Pirate shook his head. “You’re counting on a lot to go just right. And…” he took a pull on his squeezestick “…counting a lot on this Savior.” He deliberately used the English word. He sensed his companion’s annoyance.
“He can rally our people in ways that no one else can.”
“What about you?”
“I am the one who does the dirty work. The Salvor will be the shining symbol, untouched.”
“Unless he’s living in a vacuum, he might not be so unsullied.”
The cloaked figure shrugged. “At least we won’t be humiliated like the poor souls who are manacled. He is a free man.”
The pirate leaned back in his seat. “I still say he might never have made his destination.”
“Do you think Jor-El was so incompetent?”
The next number by the musicians was even louder, swelling over the two of them.
”No, but what if a meteor hit the rocketship? What if Jor-El never got the ship off at all?”
The figure’s face was completely obscured by the hood but the Pirate could swear that his companion was smiling sardonically.
“Do you know the Book of Rao?”
“Of course I do.”
The cloaked Rebel leaned forward, whispering, “’And in the Time of Darkness/When blood runneth over/And the people wail/And gnash their teeth/Will come the Sword of Rao/Golden and shining/Pure and heroic/And will lead the people/To the land/of milk and honey.’”
“Lovely words,” the pirate murmured as his companion sat back, “But the psalm could refer to almost any dark time.”
“And what could be darker than the Great Destruction, the remnants of our people being Hunted down and murdered?”
He sighed. “I hope the prophecy comes true.” The cloaked figure stood and the Pirate lolled back with a crooked smile. “Say hi to Han and the kid for me.”
The Rebel swept out of the cantina, leaving behind a chuckling Pirate.
& & & & & &
Once outside, the Rebel walked quickly down an alley, pushing the hood back.
The blond woman turned her face up to the red sun. Soon she would lead the raid on Beta Colony for much-needed weaponry and to give her troops much-needed seasoning.
Then she would go to Earth and focus on finding the Salvor.
Kara Zor-El smiled as she walked deeper into the maze of alleys.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Pairings/Characters: Kara Zor-El, Val-Kor
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