[GlacierDragon]

Thanks for the comments. I know its only been a few hours and I said I would limit my posts but I'm really board so I'm just going to give you the next chapter. I know this story is probably a bit cliched but I hope it turns out ok and you all like it.

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Chapter 2

“Slig 5-12-3-27, you are charged with defying orders given to you by a commanding officer and for helping aid a possible escape. Do you understand the charges?"

I look up at the Glukkon talking to me. He looks and speaks like he’s only got half a brain. Surprising, since he’s the one who runs this prison and organises everything. “I understand,” I say. What else can I say?

“In two days you will board a train that will take you, as well as some others, to see Queen Skillya. You will tell her everything, and she will decide what will happen to you. Do you understand?”

Again, grimly, I answer yes.

“Good. You may go back to your cell until farther notice.”

Relieved, I stand from my chair and walk towards the door. I’m in this Glukkon’s office and he was telling me what I did wrong. A pointless speech, but they like it when they think they are doing something important. Anyway, I make my way towards the door. Outside there is a Shrink waiting for me (yes, they actually have Shrinks in this place!). It has the face of a Slig rather than that of a Mudokon. It extends its arms when it sees me, as if it wants a hug. (Can you imagine hugging a Shrink?)

“Slig 5-12-3-27, I am to escort you back to –”

“Yeh, yeh, I know. But I’ve been here four days. I think I know my way back to my own cell.”

The Shrink folds its arms slightly and comes closer to me, clenching its metal hands into fists. “Yes, but I have to escort you anyway. Let’s just call it a lack of trust. Are you ready to go back to your cell, Slig 5-12-3-27?”

“Whatever.” I push past the Shrink and stomp away, leaving it to follow closely behind. God, those things are annoying!

Security cameras can be seen wherever you turn. They fly around checking that no one is making trouble. One flies up to me, takes a quick look at what I am doing, then zooms away. I ignore them mostly, but they do get on your nerves when they are constantly following you around, as they do with me sometimes.

I can see Sligs cleaning floors and walls and bits of machinery. There are great big machines that we have to operate. They don’t do much, mainly melt down metal, but they are complex and difficult to use. I was told a Slig fell into one once and burned to death. Makes me shudder to think of it.

The Shrink comes up next to me. “So what is your sentence?” I can’t believe what I am hearing! It’s actually trying to make conversation? Must be some new programming or something.

“I’m to see Queen Skillya in two days,” I say. Best to be polite, I suppose.

“Ahh, I see. She will know what to do.”

I role my eyes. What is it trying to do, be friends with me? It’s torture enough having it follow me. At least I will be outta’ here soon, I tell myself silently.

After ten minutes of walking and putting up with attempted conversations from the Shrink, I finally reach my cell. I walk in and close the door behind me. The Shrink locks it, then looks through the window. “Good luck with everything,” it says happily, then folds its arms, twirls around and disappears through a hole in the ceiling. I slump to the floor in relief.

“That new programming is a real nightmare,” Zevenk says from his cell. We’ve become good friends since I arrived, but I still haven’t told him why I am here. What would he say if he learned I was a big softy who couldn’t even shoot a slave?

“Tell me about it. It even asked me what my sentence was. I mean come on!”

“I know,” he laughed. “The other day one asked me how I liked this place. When I said I hated it here, it replied ‘we are trying to make it pleasanter’. Made me laugh.”

I think of something to say. I have a feeling he is about to ask me something. I also have an idea of what it is going to be.

“What is your sentence anyway?”

Yep, I was right!

“In two days I’m getting on a train and going to see Queen Skillya.”

“That’s a coincidence. I’m going to see her in two days as well. Guess we’ll be travelling together?”

“I guess.” Part of me is happy that he is coming because it means I wont be on my own (I haven’t really got to know any other Sligs here), but part of me hates it because he can be really annoying sometimes. Firstly, when he starts talking sometimes he doesn’t stop. Secondly, he snores. And thirdly, he’s always moaning at the quality of the food (personally, I think it’s the best gruel I’ve ever had). But I suppose it will be good to have the company.

There’s no work for me to do and it’s really boring so I go to sleep for a couple of hours.

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