“The Golden City” Chapter Fifty-two
“...the beast...shall make war against them, and shall overcome them,...”
Revelation 11:...
Chapter 52
What Is Truth?
Zay·tooth’s head rested limp on his chest, his body outstretched and hanging, chained and shackled to a bulkhead like a misguided spider caught in his own web. His metallic-colored, scaly looking skin, glistened in the dim light, amplified by the thin layer of sweat mixed with blood, still oozing from pores and the numerous wounds still releasing fluids amid the strenuous torture his flesh had endured.
Across the corridor Gal·ca·us, similarly fettered, was still conscious. He stiffened as Dall·jah·sin ran the electro-arch across his chest. The putrid smell of burnt rubber mixed with copper filled the air as the voltage surged and ripped his flesh without cauterizing the wound. Ionized purple droplets of ichor, stimulated to vibrate at speeds within the wavefield frequency tore through his leathery hide and then turned into a fine mist as the bloodcells burst apart, once freed from the body. Gal·ca·us lurched and strained under the magnitude of the pain, but not a sound leaked from his lips.
“I’m impressed lieutenant. Few have endured under the riggers of the off·waa·ta·na in silence. But you will tell me the encryption codes.”
Gal·ca·us smiled weakly. “You know you can’t break us.” The Marshal took a deep breath. “It’s truly sad you can’t see how far you’ve fallen.” He shook his head slowly, “One of your station falling prey to the sick and twisted pleasures of torture.”
“I find no pleasure in this!” the general yelled in anger as he triggered the device, ripping the lieutenant’s flesh from the inside out.
Gal·ca·us heaved against the chains as Dall·jah·sin intensified the wavefield frequency. The Marshal shook in spasms and his mouth opened uncontrollably, but Gal·ca·us held his tongue.
“Tell me the codes and this will stop or do I have to start the fillet process?”
“Keep telling yourself there is a reason for this brutality; but we both know the truth. Everyone justifies their wickedness, but your actions betray that one step from the insanity—consuming you.” Gal·ca·us looked down at the general. His eyes were bloodshot. His constitution weak. He whispered as he drifted into unconsciousness, “Or have you already stepped off into the pit?…”
Dall·jah·sin pulled a small cylinder from his belt and snapped it in half under the lieutenant’s nose. “I’m not through with you yet.”
The officer jerked and awoke as his head rolled back then forward; his long fangs pressed against his chest. Gasping for air, the Marshal’s weary gaze again fell on his tormentor.
“Perhaps I should make you watch as I gut your brother.”
“I am a servant of the Empire as is Zay·tooth, whom you failed to break. We live by honor. Your threats mean nothing.”
“This is no threat Gal·ca·us. It’s within your power to save him. Tell me the codes or his blood will be on your hands!”
“The dark path has blinded you to the reality, Dall·jah·sin. You’d be killing him. His blood would be on your hands as is the countless others that have died because of your master’s insanity. Go ahead general; kill your only hope,— guaranteeing your failure.”
“Tut,tut,tut,—lieutenant. If he’s my only hope I guess I should make him the offer. Maybe he’s not as stupid as you.” The general paused as he took in a deep breath. “But truly, I’m not so sure we need either of you. The commander’s arm——all fixed up! And he seems to be healing up again in record time unlike Joc·al·ca. Just what kind of experiments was the Prince running on your superior?” Dall·jah·sin smiled slyly. “Isn’t that against the code?”
Gal·ca·us mustered up his strength and looked down hard at the general, “Lan·sha·cur will fail, and you will die with him.”
“We’ll see who’s going to fail, lieutenant. But either way, you won’t be around to see it.” And Dall·jah·sin engaged his gaunlet hooks and raked the barbed blades across the officer’s flesh.
* * *
Chapter 1
https://theprose.com/post/135238/the-golden-city-chapter-one-prison-bonds
Chapter 5
https://theprose.com/post/155256/the-golden-city
Chapter 8
https://theprose.com/post/136480/the-golden-city
Chapter 12
https://theprose.com/post/246382/the-golden-city
Chapter 20
https://theprose.com/post/246680/the-golden-city
Chapter 38
https://theprose.com/post/165305/the-golden-city-chapter-thirty-eight