Marley barely heard what was being said as he walked through the starship parts factory. He was too busy trying to hide his astonishment watching the slaves work. The men that worked the factory were not particularly large or muscular, but they were incredibly strong. Those working the line worked with a rhythm that kept them all in sync as if they were working with the same mind. They hummed a wordless song while hammers and other tools rang out like instruments playing a metallic tune that felt oddly familiar. Just as whatever was being assembled reached the end of the line, a man no bigger than Marley would be there to catch it and heft the massive item onto one shoulder and carry it to its destination. Marley had not even realized he had stopped walking to stare when he was startled by DaNerg's massive hand on his shoulder. The factory overseer nodded toward a door at the end of the gangway they had been walking on above the work floor and guided the younger man there.
Once inside the large office DaNerg gestured toward a seat on a large plush couch as he sunk himself into a cushy armchair to the left of the couch, crossing his legs at the knees and resting his arms on the side of the chair. At that moment a beautiful young slave girl appeared from a side door carrying a silver tray with two steaming cups of tea, she wordlessly set the try on the coffee table and hurriedly left the room. She kept her eyes on the floor the entire time except for a split second before walking through the door when she braved a glance at Marley. Again, the prince didn't realize he was staring until DaNerg cleared his voice before he spoke.
"Magnificent, aren't they?" The older man asked as he studied Marley over his teacup.
Marley swallowed, feeling like he had been caught doing something wrong. "Umm yes, quite" was all he could manage.
"Does it ever bother you? Knowing you're one of them?" His eyes burning a hole in the younger man.
"Why does everyone keep asking me that question?" There was more irritation in his words than he intended. This was the third area Marley had been sent to, and the third overseer that had asked him that same question verbatim. "I was born of the slaves, even wet nursed by one. I know that mother took me from one of them to make some kind of point, or whatever, but I was brought up the Rednasi way just like everyone else. I had it no different from my brother, except I had to fight for my spot as Crown Prince since I was old enough to swing my fist. Am I curious about the people on this planet that look like me? Of course! But I feel no kinship with them. I am a Prince of the Rednas Empire, the conquerors of the universe, Proud and strong! Blood be damned, I am every bit Rednasi as you or anyone else!" He took a slow sip of his tea, finding he was more upset than he realized.
DaNerg sat silently nodding and smirking as Marley finished his speech. He gave a low chuckle that slowly grew to a loud almost menacing laugh. "Outstanding young man! Outstanding indeed! If half the Rednasi fleet had that kind of fire in their ass we would have taken over the universe a thousand years ago!" He sipped his tea as he brought his laughter back to a low chuckle that shook his shoulders. "Yes, yes very good. There is something about wanting to prove yourself that makes a man hungry...and dangerous." He eyed the prince as he sat back in chair, thinking. "Listen, I have decided that I want to see you succeed. I see a hunger in you that reminds me of myself when I was young. So, I will give you this warning. Like I have said, hunger makes you dangerous. For that reason, the overseers have conspired against you. They intend for the next stop on your training tour to be your last. The plan is for an 'unfortunate accident' to befall you while you are out in the fields. You would be wise to watch your back. If you survive, I will personally mentor your ascension going forward until you take the throne."
Marley stared back at the overseer dumbstruck. He could not believe anything he just heard. Neither his mind nor his mouth worked for a long moment. Finally, he closed his eyes, shook his head, and took in a long slow breath. As he exhaled and relaxed his shoulders the implications of DaNergs words settled over him and it showed on his face. He kept his eyes forward and his face stoic as he spoke.
"The overseers want me dead. Does that include you?"
"Until this very moment, yes, it did"
"Because my hunger makes me dangerous."
"Yes"
"And because I'm not Rednasi."
"Yes"
"I take it you're not going to give me any details about this supposed accident."
"I don't have them to give, by design."
"Of course. They know my record with those who have challenged me head on and figured being snakes gives them a better chance of success."
"Precisely."
Marley set his cup down as he stood up. He turned and headed for the exit slowly. As he opened the door, he said over his shoulder, voice full of venom. "Thank you for the information but I must take my leave. I'm suddenly sick to my stomach." He let the door slam behind him as he left. DaNerg smiled.
"Outstanding indeed"
He left his seat and went over to his desk. DaNerg rang Ginipesh on his communicator. He stared at the closed door where the young man exited just a moment before. Hopefully he could help the boy more than he said.
"Yeah?" Ginipesh answered with the sound of several different kinds of engines in the background. He was obviously not at his desk, he never was.
"Any way we can call this thing off?" DaNerg knew all communications were monitored so specifics were out of the question.
"You mean the big thing we all agreed on?" the elder man asked with more than a little sarcasm. "I really don't think so. The ball is already in motion." There was a brief pause. "Listen, I see it too. The fire in him. It's like the boy is meant to rule. That's the thing about fire though isn't it? If you can't use it, you need to snuff it out. I don't think we'll be able to use his."
DaNerg grunted. "I agree, but I get the distinct feeling that fire is going to burn us all before we can put it out."
"You told him, didn't you?" Ginipesh shook his head, not needing to hear the answer. He sighed "You're probably right."