Author's note: Helios’ undercover name is “Odysseus” and that is what the other Brekkens will call him. "Arrowhead" is his comm codename. However, for all intents and purposes, the “omniscient narrator” and Cara will still refer to him as “Helios.” Again, this story belongs to me - please do not reproduce without my permission or claim it as your own work.
Constructive feedback is always appreciated. :D

Brekken Military Base, Terra V

“Arrowhead, Phoenix, do you copy? Over.” Aiden’s voice said through Cara and Helios' comm pieces.

“Loud and clear, Doc," Helios said, as he steered the ship towards the approaching planet. "So far so good. We will be maintaining comm silence from this point on. Arrowhead out.”

Helios looked over at Cara in the copilot's seat. She nodded once to show that she was ready to start their mission. “Approaching Terra V docking port," he said tensely, slowing down the ship down.

There was a loud beep, and a mechanized female voice filled the cockpit. “Unidentified vessel, please state your names, purpose, and business on Terra V.”

Helios cleared his throat and spoke. “Odysseus, son of Captain Mercurios, and one human slave requesting permission to dock. I have important information for the General regarding Outcaster activity on Terra II. She'll know who I am.”

“Processing request.” The next minute went by like an eternity, with only the sound of their breathing filling the silence. Finally, the voice spoke again. “Permission granted. Please proceed to docking bay A5 on the lower level. The General will meet you at there.”

“Affirmative.” Helios skillfully maneuvered their ship to the port. There was a loud clang and hiss before a moment of silence. The door parted, and Helios stood up from the captain’s chair, his face stony and proud like a true Brekken citizen.

He firmly grabbed Cara by her arm, letting her try to pull away in the illusion of struggle – although, inwardly, he was sure part of her was struggling for real. Attaching an iron chain to the Brekken slave collar around her neck, Helios dragged her out the door into the cold, metallic hallway where a tall Brekken woman stood with five male Brekken guards – all in complete battle armor.

“The great General, I presume.” Helios said, giving the traditional military salute.

The General smiled, her dark eyes glittering as her gaze raked over Helios’ body slowly. Cara narrowed her eyes. She'd never liked women that oozed sexuality - they complicated things. This is just...great, Cara muttered in her head.

The General walked forward. “And you must be Odysseus. I've always wanted to meet you. Your father spoke often of you before he died in that unfortunate accident. When my men couldn’t find your body, we thought you were dead as well.” She moved closer until there were barely two inches between them. “And yet...here you are. I’m sure it must be quite a story.”

“It is.” He said, smiling back at her. Cara mumbled something insulting under her breath, causing some of the Brekken men to narrow their eyes at her. Her voice was muffled under her slave mask, but the sensitive ears of the Brekkens picked up on her words right away.

To maintain his image, Helios backhanded her as gently as he could without it being too obvious that he was trying not to hurt her. Cara reeled from the contact before the chain jerked her hard back against Helios' side. “Quiet, slave, or I’ll cut your tongue out.”

The General gave Cara a dismissive look before returning her gaze to Helios. “Your slave talks too much. ”

“My sincerest apologies, General, she’s new. I captured her from an Alliance merchant vessel two days ago. She hasn’t learned her place quite yet.”

“And I’m sure you’re just the person to teach her.” Her voice dripped with honey. “I can’t wait to see your other…talents.” She moved back away from him and nodded to one of her guards. “Take him and his slave to their quarters. Odysseus, you will be joining me for dinner. You can give me your information then.” With that, she turned and walked down the hall, followed closely by the remaining four Brekkens.

Helios and Cara were taken without ceremony to one of the military guest quarters. Cara furtively glanced around the room. It was grim and sparsely decorated except for a large bed covered with furs, one chair, a small metal table, and a cot in the corner furthest from the heating vent. It was dimly lit by three lights partially hidden by metal grating on the far wall. In the silence, they could hear the sounds of the soldiers on watch marching back and forth.

Their guard said, “I will return in one hour to escort you to dinner with the General,” and then left, the unmistakable sound of a lock activating coming through the door.

Helios pressed a hidden button on the side of his laser gun. “We can talk freely now. Any bugs or cameras will be temporarily occupied thanks to Aiden’s new invention.” He removed the chain and collar from Cara’s neck.

Cara glared at him from under her slave’s mask before removing it and rubbing her neck. “Was that slap and jerk routine absolutely necessary? You could have broken my neck!”

“Impossible. I only used a fraction of my strength, and you’re quite resilient. Besides, if I had done nothing, it would have been much worse. Brekkens have no tolerance when it comes to slaves. To do nothing would have shown me as weak, and it would have aroused their suspicions, maybe gotten us killed.”

“I know very well what Brekkens are capable of.” Cara tensed when she felt Helios’ hands on her shoulders. She slapped them away and scrambled back. “Do that again and I’ll break your arm,” she hissed.

Helios raised his hands in a position of surrender. “I just thought you could use a massage after being in that collar all day. I’ve had to wear one before, so I know how restrictive they can be.”

Cara raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You’ve worn one before? That’s impossible. You’re a Brekken. Only human slaves wear those.”

“Well…there’s a lot you don’t know about me or my life, okay?” he said gruffly. There was a moment of awkward silence before Helios spoke again. “You should rest while you can. I’ll be leaving for dinner with the General soon. Stay here until I get back. I’ll see what I can find out from the General, and when night falls, we’ll try to find your agent friend.”

“You don’t seriously expect me to just stick around here, do you? I could do some of my own snooping while you are ‘distracting’ the General.'”

Helios growled audibly and fixed Cara with a steady gaze. “No. Slaves are not supposed to leave the chambers of their masters unless their master accompanies them. If you are caught, it would blow both of our covers. Stay here. I’ll return as soon as I can.”

“Not if the General has anything to say about it,” Cara mumbled under her breath. Helios’ superior hearing picked up her words, but he said nothing. He sat down on the bed, and Cara sat in the chair. The time ticked by slowly, each lost in their own thoughts.

The sound of the door lock deactivating was abruptly loud in the silence. The door slid open and four guards stepped through. The one with the highest rank moved forward, his gaze openly disdainful. “Odysseus, you are summoned to dine with the General. Leave any weapons and your slave behind. One of my guards and I will escort you to the General’s chambers. The other two will stay behind and guard your possessions.”

Helios crossed his arms, and glared right back. “I want your word as a Brekken officer that no harm will come to my slave. ”

The soldier laughed derisively. “What’s it to you? She’s just a human. Attractive and young maybe, but easily replaceable, if you ask me.”

“I didn’t ask you. No one touches her but me.”

The soldier sneered. “You seem really protective of your slave. Some would say that’s a sign of weakness.”

“I’m protective of my possessions. Some would say that’s a sign of ownership. Now, enough chatter. The General will begin to wonder what became of me.” Helios strode out the door, and after a moment, the four guards followed him. The door slid shut behind them and the locking mechanism reactivated.