Grey-brown dust was everywhere. It seemed to be able to penetrate anywhere, and covered all that piece of the planet that Christina had a chance to see while the ship was landing. As soon as the engines stopped, and the ladder was lowered, she, like the other captives, was pushed out, forcing them to descend to the ground. Soft and dry, it immediately stuck to the boots, covering all exposed areas of the body with a thin sticky layer. Her teeth creaked, and her mouth tasted bitter.
One of the women almost fell, entangled in long, brightly colored robes. Christina supported her with her shackled hands. A friend in misfortune whispered something in response, apparently thanks for the help. Her long black hair was braided into many braids and came down to her ankles. “What will they be like if they are dismissed?” thought Christina. The unusual, almost golden hue of the woman's skin, made her look like a statue. She was amazingly beautiful. As, however, and the rest of the women with whom I happened to be in this strange world.
Christina did not consider herself particularly attractive. With tousled red hair, in a soiled T-shirt and jeans, she looked like a pitiful shadow against their background. Why the kidnappers liked it so much, I had no idea. She stood for a moment, breathing in the strange, prickly air, saturated with unusual smells, while their captors, shouting in an incomprehensible language, argued about something.
Well... I had to come to terms and accept the fact that earthlings, alas, are not alone in this universe. Outwardly, the scoundrels almost all looked like people, like the captives, practically no different. So who were they? The notorious space pirates, if they are wrong? What did you want from them? Where were they taken? Were they going to be sold into slavery? What is the world before her? Christina could not find an answer to any of the tormenting questions.
After all, quite recently, she, Kristina Petrova, a police lieutenant, sitting at the wheel of her beloved old Ford, rushed along the night road, hurrying to arrive at the scene. It was raining, the visibility was terrible... She was almost there when she saw the silhouette of a man standing in the middle of the road. No matter how she signaled and did not try to slow down, he did not budge, falling under the wheels. She immediately stopped and got out of the car, intending to help. This made a fatal mistake. Since it was worth bending over the victim, she felt a burning pain in her shoulder, which spread like a wave throughout her body. It was the last thing she remembered, losing consciousness.
I woke up already on the ship, barely able to realize what was happening. How long she had been there, Christina had no idea. They were kept in one large cell-cabin. There were five other women with her. Of course, her weapons were taken away from her. All that's left is an empty holster, and now an unnecessary ID in my pocket. His hands were shackled with strange glowing shackles. Abrasions from one of the attempts to free himself were drying up on his forehead and shoulder. They scorched mercilessly thanks to the caustic sand. But there was no way to fix it.
Cristina shook her head, trying to brush her long, tangled strands of hair out of her face. Everything that happened was like a crazy dream. Looking at people with weapons, she again felt a surge of indignation.
No, she just has to accept reality. Accept, reconcile with her and not give vent to feelings. Do not Cry. Don't twitch. Keep a low profile. And use the first chance to free yourself. Damn... I wish I could figure out how to free everyone else. How tormented by impotence!
Far ahead, behind the scatterings of multicolored sand and huge bare rocks, one could see the outlines of the towers of some old city. Dark or light. This city - it looked more like a huge gloomy fortress. Everywhere sand. He brought an impressive layer of a large stone platform. It looks like ships haven't landed here for a long time. Whistling, one of the kidnappers walked towards the city gates. After some time, the man returned, having discussed something with his accomplices. Then three of them went to the captives, telling them to follow them.
As soon as Christina hesitated, one of the guards grabbed her by the hair, wrapping it around his fist so deftly that she did not have time to come to her senses, and dragged her forward. She struggled as best she could, trying to free herself, but in vain. Moving away from the ship a little, the pirate released Christina. Pointing his weapon in her direction and waving it, he ordered to go ahead. Then he surprised her even more when he came close and began brushing off her clothes, straightening her T-shirt. The guard looked at his face for a long time and skeptically. Then he waved his hand, clearly disappointed. The weapon again buried itself in the back of Christina, and she wandered forward, catching up with the rest, silent and uncomplaining captives.
The outlines of the city began to clear up. Now it was possible to make out the tower-like houses of a round shape, randomly clinging to each other. Their roofs gleamed under the rising luminary, and the countless eye sockets of the windows seemed to be peering, studying the guests from a strange world. Only in some places in the houses were lights on, and they looked quite unfriendly.
The rising wind threw prickly grains of sand into his face, forcing him to rub them off his lips and constantly screw up his eyes. The city seemed like a graveyard, silent and empty. Cristina shuddered as the huge gate creaked open.
Five, apparently local residents, came out to them, becoming a wedge. They were tall creatures, about two meters tall, dressed in bright robes, under which skinny, bony figures were guessed. They moved in jerks, always leaning to one side or the other, leaning on long staffs of carved wood or bone. Elongated wrinkled faces, unblinking amber eyes, hidden under shaggy, protruding brow ridges, made one feel only hostility.
Getting bogged down almost ankle-deep in sand, one escort with a wide step approached the creature that stood at the head of the wedge. Apparently he was the leader of the group. As soon as the man stopped and spoke, at the same time all the other creatures directed amber glances at the captives. The leader nodded, but then returned his gaze to Christina. He shouted something sharply, making an incomprehensible gesture with a bony hand. His henchmen also now looked only at her, and openly hostile.
What's wrong? What were they talking about? Christina stepped back and looked around. Run? Where? Sand and rocks... How long will she hold out here alone, in these handcuffs? Meanwhile, the guard gesticulated hotly, proving something to the tall creature, swaying on long three-toed legs, covered with a bright robe. The leader clearly disagreed with the man's assurances. Pointing at Christina with a twisted finger, he shook his shriveled head, crowned at the very top with soft dark feathers. The guard swore hoarsely and spat, looking contemptuously at the colorful delegation.
Cristina went up in flames as the man whirled around, aiming his weapon straight at her head. It seems that no matter what happens, these scoundrels failed to agree. And he just decided to shoot her? Christina took a deep breath. No, if he dies, then not standing still and waiting until he gets a bullet in the forehead! What to lose if there is no choice?
Its advantage was that the escort did not expect resistance. In one quick movement, Christina swung the weapon aside, then kicked the kidnapper in the groin. Barely stunned, she took away the weapon, unscrewing his brush. The guard writhed and wheezed, pressing his hands to his groin. The rest of his comrades immediately pointed their weapons at her, and Christine prepared to say goodbye to this strange world as well. But the locals suddenly perked up, croaking happily. Nodding, they raised their hands. And what would that mean?