Chapter Two - The Hunt Begins

The crimson dawn bled across the horizon, painting the jagged mouth of the desert cave in fiery hues that clashed with the cool shadows within. Captain Kendra Shaw stood near the entrance, her navy-blue UGS uniform torn at the shoulder, revealing a glimpse of her toned skin glistening with a faint sheen of perspiration. Her fiery red hair, pulled into a tight ponytail, caught the morning light, framing her sharp green eyes as they scanned the endless red sands for any sign of pursuit. The cave’s damp air clung to her skin, a stark contrast to the heat outside, and her boots pressed into the dusty stone floor, grounding her resolve. The redhead had led a group of twelve surviving crew members into this refuge the previous night, fleeing the chaos that followed after her Starfire spacecraft collided with the unknown world. The memory of one of her crew members, Officer Lewin, caught and humiliated by Magnus Holt’s men, burned in her mind, fueling her determination to keep the rest of the group safe.

Sarah approached from the cave’s perimeter, her black braid swaying against her tattered uniform, which hugged her lean, muscular frame. Her eyes met Kendra’s as she approached, her steps deliberate despite the exhaustion etched into her features.

“Captain, I’ve scouted the perimeter,” Sarah said, her voice steady. “There’s no sign of those bastards yet. The sun’s up, and the desert’s quiet, but we can’t count on that lasting.”

Kendra nodded, her gaze flicking to the horizon where the crash site’s smoke continued to rise like a beacon. “Good work, Sarah,” the redhead said calmly as the pair headed back inside the cavern toward the rest of the group. “We can’t stay here long. Magnus and his men are hunting us, and they won’t stop until they’ve got us all.”

The cave’s interior wrapped around them like a protective embrace, its rough walls etched with faint veins of red ore that caught the slivers of morning light filtering through the entrance. Kendra’s boots echoed faintly against the stone as she strode toward a cluster of her crew, their forms huddled in the dim glow, uniforms disheveled and clinging to the subtle swells and dips of their bodies after hours of restless vigil.

The dozen women looked up as the captain approached, their faces a mosaic of weariness and resolve, eyes shadowed but alert. Emily Ward propped against a boulder, the First Lieutenant’s blonde hair tousled and framing her pale features, her uniform’s tear at the thigh exposing the curve of her leg where the bandage wrapped her wound like a lover’s possessive hold.

Kendra stopped at the center of the group, her posture straight and commanding. “Listen up,” she said with a clarity that demanded attention. “We’ve had a night to catch our breath, but that’s all we get. Magnus and his pack of criminals are out there, and they’re not the type to give up on finding us. We can’t stay in one place for long. Our next move is to find a new refuge, somewhere we can lie low until the crash site clears out, and those animals start tearing into each other.”

A murmur rippled through the group, heads nodding as the weight of her words settled over them. One of the women, a young officer with short-cropped auburn hair and a medical patch on her sleeve, leaned forward. Her hazel eyes flicked to Emily with genuine concern, her voice soft but edged with worry. “Captain, what about Lieutenant Ward? Her leg’s holding up, but pushing her too hard in this heat could reopen that gash. We don’t have much in the way of supplies left to patch her up again.”

Emily straightened at the mention of her name, her blue eyes flashing with a spark of stern defiance that belied the pallor in her cheeks. She gently pushed herself to her feet, grimacing as the weight shifted onto the injured leg. “I’m fine,” she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument despite the slight waver in her stance. “It’s stiff, and it aches like hell, but I can walk. Limping or not, I’m not going to be the reason those bastards find us.”

The redhead’s gaze softened for a moment, admiration flickering in her eyes as she took in Emily’s unyielding poise, the way her blonde hair caught the sparse light and framed the determined set of her jaw. “You’re tougher than most, Lieutenant,” she said before addressing the rest of the group. “The first lieutenant is right. We can’t stay here. Our supplies won’t last long if we don’t search for resources, and there is no rear exit to this cave. If Magnus and his men storm the entrance, we will be stuck as sitting ducks.”

Sarah stepped forward, her braid swinging with the motion. “Captain, I can lead the way,” she said, her voice laced with a fierce edge. “I’ve got the lay of the land from my scout. There’s a ridge to the east; higher ground could give us a vantage point without exposing us.”

Kendra considered her officer’s suggestion, her green eyes narrowing as she visualized the terrain beyond the cave. “That sounds promising,” she said. “We’ll head east. Keep it tight, single file, and stay low. No one strays from the line.”

The young medic rose to her feet, her jacket slipping slightly to expose the gentle swell of her collarbone. “I’ll help Emily with the scanner,” she said helpfully. “It’s picking up faint signals, but if we can boost it, we might be able to spot the convicts before they spot us.”

Kendra felt a surge of pride swell in her chest as she watched the medic assist her first lieutenant, the two women’s forms leaning against each other in a display of quiet solidarity. The captain turned to the group, her voice carrying a commanding resonance that cut through the cave’s hushed murmurs.

“Gather what you can carry,” Kendra said, her tone infused with determination. “We move out in five minutes. Sarah, take point and keep your eyes sharp for any movement. Emily, stay close and signal if you need to slow the pace. The rest of you, watch each other’s back. We’re in this together, and we’ll get through it by staying smart and united.”

The women moved with renewed purpose, their bodies shifting in the dim light as they collected the scant supplies, their tattered uniforms outlining the graceful lines of their figures amid the cave’s rugged confines. Whispers of encouragement passed between them as their leader’s promising words sparked enthusiasm. There was a renewed sense of purpose to work together and survive this desolate hellhole as a united group.

As the group assembled near the cave’s mouth, Kendra took her position at the rear, her pistol holstered at her hip, ready for any threat that might emerge from the shadows. Sarah led the way, her lean frame slipping out into the morning light with agile grace, her braid catching the breeze like a dark ribbon against the crimson sky. The women followed in single file, their steps measured and cautious. The redheaded captain watched them go, her heart steady with resolve, knowing that every step carried them deeper into the unknown, but also closer to distancing themselves from the hunters who stalked them.

❖

Magnus Holt stood at the edge of his newly built basecamp, his broad chest swelling with pride as he surveyed the work his men had accomplished. The crash site loomed half a mile away, its twisted metal carcass still smoldering under the red sun. The main shelter stood sturdy, its walls pieced together with jagged stones and bent panels from the Starfire, providing a central hub for the criminal’s growing faction.

Men in orange jumpsuits hustled around him, hauling crates of weapons and tech from the wreckage, their voices barking orders as they reinforced the perimeter with more debris. Magnus folded his arms, his bald head shining in the harsh light, feeling the power of command surge through him like never before.

Caleb pushed through a group of workers, his stocky frame cutting a path straight to Magnus. Dirt streaked his jumpsuit, and a fresh bruise swelled on his cheek from a night skirmish, but his eyes held the fire of loyalty.

“Boss, we combed a five-mile perimeter. We found a cave a few miles north-east of here with evidence of activity, but there is no sign of them now,” Caleb said, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. “They must have slipped out before dawn. The tracks lead east, but the wind’s picking up, and the sand’s shifting fast. It’ll be tough to follow without fresh leads.”

Magnus unfolded his arms, his massive frame turning to face his deputy fully. Disappointment flashed in his cold blue eyes, but he kept his voice steady. “Rest your men for a few hours, Caleb,” he said. “Let them eat and catch their breath. Then get back out there. Those bitches won’t survive long in the heat when we have all the supplies. Bring me the captain alive. I have plans for her.” His expression morphed into a sadistic grin.

Caleb nodded without hesitation, spinning on his heel to relay the orders. He shouted to his team, gathering them near a makeshift fire pit where the rations were being distributed. The men obeyed, slumping down to rest while keeping their weapons close at hand.

The bald leader watched Caleb go, his mind already shifting to the next step. The basecamp was coming together faster than he expected, with additional shelters rising around the HQ to house his growing numbers. He needed more captives to solidify his control, and the captain and her group represented the perfect opportunity. The man’s gaze drifted to the steel cage inside the HQ, where the brunette crew member he had captured the previous day, Officer Felicity Lewin, knelt naked, her wrists cuffed behind her back and chained to her ankles, forcing her into a position that left her completely exposed.

Magnus stepped closer to the cage, his boots kicking up red dust as he circled it slowly. Felicity’s eyes followed him, burning with a mix of fear and defiance, her body trembling slightly from the position’s strain. The ball gag in her mouth stretched her lips wide, silencing any protests she might have made.

The large man reached through the bars and grabbed the brunette’s chin, forcing her to look up at him. “Congratulations, pet. You’re the first of my new collection, but you won’t be the last,” Magnus said with a slight chuckle. “This world belongs to me now, and your kind will soon learn your place.”

Officer Lewin tried to pull away, but the steel bars kept her contained. Magnus released her chin and stepped back, signaling to two of his men nearby. The swiftly unlocked the cage and dragged the woman out, dropping her onto the hot sand. She landed on her knees, the impact jarring her bound body.

Magnus looked over at Rex, a heavily tattooed criminal, who sat at a workbench nearby, using an engraving tool with intricate precision. “How’s that collar coming, Rex?” he asked.

Rex glanced up from his work, his orange jumpsuit strained with grease from his earlier salvaging work. “Almost done, boss,” Rex said. “Just putting the final touches on it now.”

The leaded nodded, turning his attention back to the gagged brunette. “Get her ready for the ceremony,” he ordered his men. They separated her ankle and cuff chains and hauled the woman to her feet, her naked form exposed to the gathering crowd as more prisoners paused their work to watch.

One of the men gripped her arm tightly, his fingers digging into her skin. “You heard the boss,” he said. “Time to make you official.”

Felicity struggled, her muffled cries vibrating through the gag, but the cuffs limited her movements. The men forced the officer to kneel again in the center of the basecamp, the sun beating down on her bare skin.

Rex approached, holding the finished circular metal collar. The engraving at the front read “BitchWhore” in bold, mocking letters. He handed it to Magnus with a nod.

The bald man examined the collar, running his thumb over the etched name. “Perfect,” he said. “This will do nicely.”

He stepped forward and wrapped the steel collar around Felicity’s neck, the click resounding through the camp as it locked in place. The men cheered, their voices rising in a rough chorus.

“Your name is BitchWhore now,” Magnus declared, leaning down to meet her gaze. “And you’ll answer to it from this day forward.”

Felicity’s eyes blazed with hatred, but she could only glare in gagged silence. The men erupted in celebration, clapping and shouting as the woman’s naming ceremony marked a symbol of their control in the area, and how the tides had turned. The brunette was dragged back to the cage and locked inside as if she were merely property.

As the cheers died down, another prisoner stepped forward, dragging a naked blonde crew member with small breasts by her hair. She was ring-gagged, her arms bound behind her back with rope, and she stumbled as the man forced her to kneel beside him.

“I found this one on her own, boss,” the convict said. “Running scared through the sands. She didn’t stand a chance once I caught sight of her.”

Magnus approached the blonde with a grin, reaching down and squeezing her nipple hard enough to make her wince. “What’s your name, sweetheart?” he asked mockingly.

The blonde tried to respond with a screech, but the gag turned her words into garbled sounds.

The bald leader laughed, dismissing her attempt. “It doesn’t matter anyway,” he said. “You’ll get a new name shortly.” He turned to Rex. “Fix up another collar for this one.”

Rex nodded, already reaching for his tools to start the engraving.

Magnus slapped the blonde’s breasts, watching the small mounds jiggle before stepping back. “Keep her in a cage until the naming ceremony,” he ordered the prisoner, who promptly locked her in a shallow, cramped cage beside the newly christened BitchWhore.

The bald man folded his arms, and satisfaction spread across his lips as he watched the scene. His gaze shifted to the horizon, where the sand stretched endlessly. “A revolution is in progress,” he said, his voice carrying over the camp. “And the sooner that bitch captain is captured, the better. She’ll be the crown jewel of our new world.”

The men roared in agreement, their energy renewed as they returned to their tasks, hauling more supplies and reinforcing the shelters. Magnus stood tall, his shadow stretching long in the morning sun, the weight of his vision settling over the basecamp like an unbreakable chain.

As the camp took shape, Magnus allowed himself to dream bigger. He could create a new civilization here, one built in his image, guided by his values. This was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to miss, and he looked forward to seeing how it would take shape.

❖

Victor Crane led his group through the endless red sands, his steps measured and deliberate as he tugged the leash attached to his rebellious prisoner’s steel collar. The crash site had long vanished behind them, its smoke a distant memory swallowed by the horizon. Riley stumbled forward, her naked body exposed to the scorching sun, her wrists and elbows bound tightly behind her back with coarse rope that chafed her sweat-addled skin with every pull. The red ball gag wedged between her teeth muffled her grunts, but her green eyes blazed with furious defiance. Victor’s appointed second-in-command, Nathan Malik, walked beside Victor, his tall frame unburdened as he scanned the landscape for opportunities.

Behind them, four male former prisoners strained against the weight of a massive sled fashioned from Starfire debris, piled high with salvaged forbidden tech. The men heaved in unison, their jumpsuits soaked as they dragged the load across the shifting dunes.

Nathan wiped his brow and glanced at Victor. “We took every piece of useful Earth tech I could find back there,” he said with a grin. “With this, we have everything we need to survive around here.”

Victor glanced back at the sled, his eyes narrowing in satisfaction. He pulled his captive’s leash sharply, forcing her to quicken her pace despite her bound state. She tripped slightly, her bare feet trembling on the hot sand, but the older man yanked her upright without mercy, prompting a groan from Riley’s gagged lips.

“We do,” Victor agreed. “Those idiots back at the crash site don’t have the right vision. We have a chance to build something great here.” He smiled coldly at the mohawked woman as he continued his walk.

The group pushed forward, the sun climbing higher and beating down with unrelenting force. Victor looked up; for a planet so impossibly far away from the heat source, it was amazing how intense the temperature was on this desolate planet. Riley twisted against her ropes, her muscles straining as she tested the binds for any give, but the coarse fibers held firm, much to Victor’s delight. He chuckled. “Keep struggling, princess. We’ll be keeping you tired enough when we get to where we’re going.”

Riley jerked her head back, her green eyes flashing with rage as she mumbled incoherently through the gag. Victor ignored her, instead turning to Nathan.

“How’s the battery situation holding up?” Victor asked. “We have enough to get us set up?”

Nathan nodded slowly and glanced back at the men pushing the sled. “We picked up four units. That should be sufficient for our needs. We’ll set up a solar rig once we find a spot.”

The four prisoners pulling the sled grunted in effort, their muscles bulging under the strain. One of them, a burly man with a shaved head at the front, called out. “Boss, I‘m not sure how much further we can continue. Any chance we can lighten the load?”

Victor glanced back without breaking a stride. “Not a chance,” he said. “Everything on there is essential. You want to eat and drink, you pull.”

The man grumbled but kept heaving, the sled’s runners carving furrows in the sand. Riley used the distraction to test her bonds again, the convicted murderer twisting her wrists until the rope bit deeper into her flesh. She winced but refused to stop, her defiance fueling her despite the exhaustion creeping in.

Hours dragged on, the sun merciless as it climbed to its peak. Nathan spotted something ahead, a faint shimmer tucked alongside a ditch beside a red rock, its surface slightly darker as liquid splashed against it. “Look there,” the black-haired man said, pointing with excitement. “That could be water. If it’s a source, we can set up camp and start purifying.”

Victor quickened his pace at Nathan’s words, yanking Riley’s rope to force her along. She staggered but kept her footing, her bare skin flushed from the sun’s assault. The group closed in on the shimmer, and Victor knelt beside the ditch, dipping his fingers into the shallow pool. The liquid was warm but clear, a rare find in the barren desert.

Nathan dropped to his knees beside him, pulling a testing device from his pocket. He submerged it in the water, watching the readout flash green. “It’s viable,” he said. “A bit mineral-heavy, but the pump will handle it. We can purify and even expand the source with the condenser.”

The leader of the group grinned widely, pulling the bound Riley close and groping her bare ass possessively. This was the first piece of news Victor had received that told him the settlement was possible. This was a place the convicts could call home. “This is our spot,” he declared, much to his exhausted men’s relief. “Set up camp here. We’ll make this our base until we move into expansion.”

The men sprang into action, unloading the sled and pitching tents from the savaged supplies. Nathan directed two prisoners to assemble the pumping device, connecting hoses and wiring it to one of the new solar-supplied battery units. The machine whirred to life, drawing water from the pool and filtering it into clean containers.

Victor turned to Riley, who knelt where he had left her, exhausted from the naked trek. He picked her leash back up and pulled her closer, forcing her to look at the growing camp. “See this?” he said mockingly. “Once we control the water and power around here, the others will be begging to trade with us.”

Riley mumbled through the ball in her mouth, her eyes flashing with hatred. She twisted her bound arms again, but the ropes held firm. Victor laughed and tightened the leash, running his hand over her mohawked head. “That’s the spirit,” he said. “I like a fighter. Makes breaking you all the sweeter.”

Nathan called over from the pump. “It’s working,” he said. “We’ll have enough water for the group in an hour. With the condensation unit set up, we can keep it running indefinitely.”

The leader released his captive’s leash slightly, letting her slump forward. “Good,” he said. “Once we have food production online, the others will come to us. They’ll trade whatever they have for a chance of survival.”

One of the prisoners approached, eyeing Riley’s naked form with lust. “Boss, about her,” he said cautiously. “The guys haven’t felt the touch of a woman for years, and she’s been a teasing liability. Maybe we could share her around, keep the men motivated.”

Riley’s eyes widened, her teeth pressing against the gag as she attempted to garble a retort. Victor considered the suggestion, eyeing his prisoner’s naked form. “No,” he said finally. “She’s mine for now. But if she keeps acting up, you can have your turn.” The man’s warning felt like a stab in the rebel woman’s chest.

As the camp took shape, Nathan pulled Victor aside. “We need to think long-term, boss,” he said. “We’re the first men to set foot on this planet. Who knows what minerals or unique elements we can find around here?”

Victor clapped Nathan on the shoulder. “That’s why you’re my right hand,” he said. “Get the camp set up before organizing a scouting team. Let’s see what we can find.”

Nathan nodded and returned to the pump, directing the men to set up the condensation unit. The device began humming alongside the pump, pulling moisture from the air to supplement the pool’s supply.

Victor dragged Riley to a shaded spot beside his own tent, tying her leash shorter to further restrict her movement. He forced her to kneel, her bound arms pressing against her back as she glared up at him.

“You’re going to watch a revolution, doll,” he said, his face closer to Riley’s. “And when it’s done, you’ll be on your knees serving me.”

Riley’s muffled response was a growl, but Victor just laughed and walked away, leaving the woman to stew in her trapped humiliation. Victor’s new plan was taking shape, and Riley struggled to find a way to break free.

❖

“Those bastards are erecting a camp,” Ethan Stone said as he studied Magnus’s group through binoculars from a lookout point high on a cliff edge. The engineer lowered the device and passed it to Lieutenant Grace Harper, who knelt beside him in the enclave. The group could see the crash site and Magnus’s growing basecamp in the distance, but their higher ground gave them a sense of security.

Grace took the binoculars and peered through them, her Asian-American features accentuated by her dark brown hair, pulled into a tight bun that framed her focused expression. “They’re working fast,” she said with concern. “If they keep building like that, they’ll have a fortress soon. We need to find the captain and the others before those criminals solidify their hold.”

Ethan nodded, his short black hair matted with sweat from the heat. “Have you received any communications from Captain Shaw yet?” he asked, his brown eyes scanning the horizon.

The medical lieutenant shook her head, lowering the binoculars. “No,” she said. “We’re on our own until we can establish contact. I’m not even sure they have a comms device on them, but we’ll keep trying.”

Ethan reached down and took the binoculars back from Grace, his hand brushing against hers as he did so. The touch lingered for a moment longer than necessary, prompting the young woman to narrow her eyes in annoyance.

One of the three crew members who accompanied the pair, a woman with curly brown hair named Mia Reyes, shifted uncomfortably nearby. “What if they spot us up here?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly as she glanced toward the distant camp.

Grace turned to her, offering a reassuring nod. “We have the advantage of height,” she said. “We can track their movements from here. Don’t worry, no one will be able to sneak up on us until we’re ready to move.” Her words gave the young officer hope.

“Well, well, well.” Suddenly, a voice echoed from behind the group that sent a shudder down Grace’s spine. “What do we have here, boys?” The voice belonged to Jeremy Reed, one of the most prominent convicts being transported on The Starfire, a notable serial killer known for his sadistic joy in watching others suffer.

Grace spun around, her knife drawn in her hand as she rose to her feet. Jeremy stood there with a stun gun pointed directly at the group, flanked by ten fellow male convicts in familiar orange jumpsuits. Their eyes gleamed with hunger, and they spread out to encircle the enclave.

“Back off,” Grace said, her voice steady as she brandished the knife. “Turn away now, and no one will get hurt. We don’t have to do this!”

The convicted killer tilted his head, his lean frame shifting as he leveled the stun gun at Grace’s chest. He laughed, the sound sharp and mocking. “Oh, but we do,” he said. “You see, out here, it’s survival of the fittest. And you ladies look like you could use some protection.” The taunting man shot a wink in Ethan’s direction as if to challenge the man’s macho pride.

The engineer rose to his feet, his hands clenching into fists as he glared at Jeremy. “You heard her,” he said despite the fear knotting in his gut. “Leave now, before we smoke you assholes.” He drew the pistol from his holster, pointing it directly at the group’s leader, attempting to show resolve despite the apparent panic in his voice.

Jeremy’s grin widened, his cold hazel eyes locking onto Ethan’s shaking head, as if to challenge him directly. He took a step forward, his stun gun steady as his men closed in tighter. “Smoke us?” Jeremy said with a chuckle. “Look at yourself. You’ll hit one of your own before you touch me.”

The taunt appeared to be the final straw, and Jeremy cocked the gun. However, before he could shoot, one of the men to Ethan’s right tossed a knife with perfect precision, the sharp blade slashed into the firearm in Ethan’s hand, disarming him, tossing the gun away from the group as it fell towards the cliff edge and slid down to the depths below.

Jeremy chuckled at the scene unfolding before him. “Nice shot,” he complimented his soldier, his eyes not leaving the now disarmed engineer’s. “Who’s smoking who again?”

Grace lunged forward with her knife, slashing Jeremy’s arm. The blaze grazed his jumpsuit, drawing a thin line of blood. The murderer recoiled, firing the stun gun wildly. The bolt hit Officer Reyes, sending her to the ground.

The remaining three female crew members fought back as the men closed in on them, one kicking a prisoner in the groin as the other hit a sweet left hook across another’s chin. However, the men quickly overpowered them. They pinned the women down, swiftly binding their wrists with coarse rope, rendering them powerless.

Grace seized the moment of distraction. She charged at Jeremy again, her knife slashing through the air. One man stood in front of his leader, and a blade to the throat dropped him with a gurgle. The group hesitated for a split second, and Grace spun, driving her knife into another prisoner’s chest. He collapsed, his eyes wide in surprise.

Jeremy recovered quickly, his non-lethal gun firing again. The bolt struck Grace in the shoulder, sending a jolt of pain through her body. She staggered but refused to fall, her knife still gripped tightly in her hand.

“You bitch,” Jeremy snarled as he glanced at the two fallen men. He lunged forward, tackling the Asian-American to the ground before she could swipe at him, pinning her arms above her head. “You’ll pay for that.”

The remaining men subdued the two female crew members, binding their wrists with rope and gagging them with strips of cloth torn from their own uniforms. One woman, a blue-haired woman with a septum piercing, struggled fiercely, her muffled cries echoing off the rocks.

Ethan stood frozen as the scene unfolded before him, his hands empty now that his gun was gone. He looked at Grace, pinned under Jeremy, and then at the encroaching men. His heart pounded, and sweat poured down his face.

Jeremy glanced up at the engineer, his eyes cold and his grin wide. “You gonna do something, hero?” he asked mockingly. “Or you gonna run like a worthless sissy?”

Ethan’s mind raced. He spotted a fallen stun gun near one of the dead prisoners. He dove for it, grabbing the weapon and pointing it at Jeremy with trembling hands, only to find four guns directed back at him.

Jeremy laughed, his grip on Grace tightening as he worked on binding the struggling medical lieutenant’s arms tightly behind her back. “Look at you,” he chuckled, staring up at Ethan. “Shaking like a leaf. One slip, and you’ll put a bolt through your girlfriend’s head. You going to pull that trigger, or get out of here while you still can?”

Ethan’s finger hovered over the trigger, his breath coming in short gasps. The men closed in, forcing the engineer to make a split decision. In a moment of panic, the black-haired man dropped the gun and turned to run, not looking back as he escaped the confrontation.

“Ethan!” Grace shouted out. “Get back he-ughhh!” She cried as Jeremy gagged her with a ripped piece of cloth, tightly wrapping it around her head and fastening it in place, transforming her angry pleas into a garbled mess.

Jeremt laughed sadistically, standing up and pulling Grace to her feet beside him. “Your knight in shining armor was a coward,” he said, ripping the front of the lieutenant’s uniform to reveal her pert, bare breasts. He hoisted the Asian-American over his shoulder, smacking her ass as she struggled. “Now, I’m going to have some fun with you.”

His men lifted the other three women over their shoulders, carrying them away as the group vanished into the desert, leaving the enclave silent and the bodies of the fallen behind.

❖

Captain Shaw led her group up the rocky incline, her boots crunching against the loose stones as they reached the new gathering point. The women moved in single file, their breaths heavy from the trek, but the vantage point offered a clear view of the crash site and Magnus’s growing basecamp below. Officer Sarah Blaze knelt at the edge, peering through her binoculars, her black braid falling over her shoulder as she scanned the distant activity.

“Captain, you need to see this,” Sarah said, her voice tight with anger. She passed the binoculars to Kendra. “They’ve got Officer Lewin locked in a fucking cage like some animal. She’s naked, collared, and there are about two dozen men down there!”

Kendra took the device and focused on the scene, her green eyes narrowing as she spotted the brunette crew member cramped in the steel cage. The sight fueled her anger, but she kept her tone steady. “They’re organizing fast,” she said. “But they’re criminals. It won’t take long for them to turn on each other. We’ll wait it out here in this new refuge. Higher ground gives us the advantage to monitor the situation without being seen.”

Sarah stood up, her lean frame tensing as she faced Kendra, ready to fight. “Wait it out?” she asked, her voice rising. “They’re holding one of our own down there. We can’t just sit here while they do God knows what to her. We need to act now, Captain.”

Before Kendra could respond, footsteps scraped in the distance, echoing off the rocks. The group froze, drawing their weapons and aiming in the direction of the noise. Kendra motioned for silence and crept forward, her pistol raised as she investigated the source. She jumped back slightly when a familiar figure emerged from a shrug, exhausted and scared, his face pale and streaked with dust.

“Captain,” Ethan Stone gasped, dropping to his knees as he caught his breath with his arms in the air. “It’s me. Don’t shoot.”

Kendra kept her pistol trained on him for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the situation. “Ethan,” she said, lowering her weapon slightly but keeping it ready. “What are you doing here? Where have you been?”

Ethan looked up, his face etched with exhaustion and fear. He wiped the dust from his eyes, his voice trembling as he spoke. “I retreated from the crash site,” he said. “I found Grace and a few of the crew. We grouped up to try and find you, but then we were ambushed.”

Sarah stepped forward at the sound of her friend’s name. “Ambushed?” she asked sharply. “Where is she?”

The engineer dropped his head, his shoulders slumping. “We were encircled by a group of prisoners. Jeremy Reed and his men,” he said regretfully. “They came out of nowhere. We fought back, but there were too many. I took down a couple, but they overwhelmed us. Grace was captured, along with three other crew members. They were alive when I escaped.”

Kendra holstered her pistol and knelt beside him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “You escaped?” she asked, her voice steady but probing. “Tell me exactly what happened. Every detail.”

Ethan took a deep breath, his hands shaking as he recounted a revised version of the story. “We were in an enclave on higher ground, much like this, watching Magnus’s camp,” he said. “Jeremy snuck up on us. Grace drew her pistol, but they disarmed her with a knife throw. She fought like hell and killed two of them with her knife. The rest of the crew and I tried to help. I took out two with a double-bullet shot and stabbed one in the back as he tried to assault Grace. There were too many of them, and they overpowered us. I barely got out of there, but the others were already apprehended.” Ethan paused, staring at the ground. “I wish it were me in Grace’s place, and I did everything I could to save her. I’m sorry.”

The group exchanged glances, whispers ripping through the women. Kendra’s expression softened as she patted her crew member on the shoulder. “You fought bravely, Ethan,” she said consolingly. “Not many could have escaped that. We’ll get Grace and the others back.”

Sarah lowered her pistol, but her face remained tense. “Is Lieutenant Harper still alive?” she asked urgently. “Did you see what they did to her?”

Ethan nodded, his voice breaking slightly. “She was alive when I left,” he said. “Jeremy had her pinned himself. I tried to shoot him, but I missed. I never heard any further gunshots when I escaped.”

Kendra stood, helping Ethan to his feet. “You’re safe now, Engineer Stone,” she said. “Focus on that. We’ll figure out how to rescue the others. For now, you’re with us.”

Kendra turned to the group, her voice firm as she addressed them. “We have a new vantage point here,” she said. “We’ll use it to monitor the camp and plan our next move. Sarah, take first watch with the binoculars. Let me know of any movements headed our way. The rest of you, move the supplies under cover and get some rest. We can’t afford to be careless.”

The women nodded, moving to their assigned tasks. Sarah positioned herself at the edge of the cliff, her eyes locked on the distant basecamp as her face contorted into a furious scowl when she placed eyes on her bound former colleague again. Those bastards would pay, she told herself.

The captain moved among the group, checking on each crew member with a quiet word or steadying hand. The enclave’s rock provided cover, but the open air carried the desert’s heat, making their uniforms cling uncomfortably to their skin. The redhead stopped by Emily, who sat with the scanner, her fingers working the device despite the pain in her leg.

“How’s the signal?” Kendra asked softly.

Emily looked up, her blue eyes determined. “Spotty, but improving,” she said. “I’ve got faint readings from the crash site itself. If I can fine-tune the frequencies, we might be able to pick up chatter from Magnus’s base.”

Kendra squeezed her first lieutenant’s shoulder. “Good work,” she said encouragingly. “Keep at it.”

As the sun climbed higher, the group settled into a rhythm. Supplies were stashed out of sight, weapons cleaned and distributed. Ethan helped carry crates, his movements mechanical as guilt gnawed at him. He avoided Grace’s name, but it hung in the air like a shadow.

Sarah called out from the edge. “Captain, movement below. A small party leaving the camp, heading east.”

Kendra joined her, taking the binoculars. The men below fanned out, weapons glinting in the light. “That’s Caleb Miles and his scout team again,” she said. “They’re still hunting for us.”

Sarah softly bit her lower lip. “We have a sniper scope in our inventory,” she said hopefully. “We could probably take a few out from here and thin out their numbers.”

The redheaded captain shook her head. “No, Sarah. It’s too risky,” she replied. “One shot, and the enemy will know our location. We’ve got to be smart.”

The afternoon wore on as the group rotated watch shifts. Kendra mapped a potential path to the crash site, giving the group a chance to fetch further supplies without being seen; her mind raced with strategies to strike back and save her fellow crew members.

❖

Caleb returned to the basecamp, his muscle-bound frame moving with urgency as he approached Magnus Holt inside the sturdy-built HQ shelter. The air inside was thick with the sounds of grunts and moans, but Caleb ignored them, focusing on his report.

“Boss, we found evidence of a melee at a lookout point overlooking the crash site,” Caleb said, holding up a ripped-off badge originally belonging to Lieutenant Grace Harper. “This belonged to one of the crew. She might be with the captain and her group now.”

Magnus took the badge, examining it with a grin. “Good find, Caleb,” he said. “This means they’re scattering. Intensify the hunt. Send out more men at first light and expand the search zone. I want that captain brought to me alive.”

As Caleb moved away to instruct his team, Magnus pocketed the badge and turned his attention to the source of the grunts. BitchWhore, the newly named Officer Felicity Lewin, was bent over a leather-backed table fashioned together by Magnus’s new carpenter. Her wrists and ankles were cuffed to the table legs, spreading her naked body wide and leaving her completely vulnerable. Two men took turns with her, one thrusting into the brunette officer from behind while the other forced his cock into her mouth, her muffled cries muffled by the taste of his shaft.

The fierce leader stepped closer, his boots thudding against the dirt floor as he circled the table. BitchWhore’s eyes locked onto his, filled with hatred, but her body trembled under the relentless fucking from behind. The man behind her gripped her hips tighter, driving deeper with each thrust.

The man at BitchWhore’s mouth thrust forward with increasing force, his cock sliding deeper down her throat as she gagged around it. The brunette’s lips stretched wide, saliva dripping from the corners of her mouth as he held her head steady, his fingers tangled in her hair. The former prisoner groaned, his pace quickening as he enjoyed the sensation of a woman’s mouth around his member, a feeling he hadn’t experienced for quite some time.

The man from behind her took full advantage of his moment, slamming into her pussy with renewed vigor. His hands roamed over her back, squeezing her bare ass as he drove in and out, her body rocking against the smooth table with each powerful thrust. BitchWhore’s muffled moans filled the air, her hips bucking despite herself, the sensation of forced pleasure overwhelming her resistance. The man reached around to pinch her nipples, twisting them until she arched her back, her breasts heaving with the motion. The man orgasmed almost in perfect unison with his compatriot at her mouth, both filling each orifice with their seed, the man at the head ensuring she swallowed every drop, keeping her mouth firmly plugged.

They both slowly withdrew from BitchWhore, but before the exhausted woman could plead for mercy, one of the men reinserted the red ball gag that was hanging around her neck, ensuring her silence until the next group member was ready.

Magnus approached the table, his hand reaching out to stroke the captured brunette’s hair gently, a mocking tenderness in his touch. She flinched at the contact, her body still quivering from the violation, but the cuffs attached to her appendages held her in place. “You’re doing well,” he said patronizingly. “Keep this up, and you’ll be my favorite pleasure slut in no time.”

The bald man turned to one of the men, who wiped sweat from his brow. “Keep the training going,” Magnus ordered. “I want this one obedient and eager. I want her salivating at the sight of a cock when you’re done with her.”

The man nodded, picking up a whip from the floor. He cracked it against BitchWhore’s backside, drawing a sharp cry from her gagged mouth. “Time for round two, slut,” he said sadistically.

Another man stepped up, loosening the ball gag just enough to pull it down. He entered the woman’s mouth immediately, thrusting deep as she gagged anew, her muffled moans ignored by the people around her.

Magnus watched for a moment longer, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes, before stepping outside. The sun continued to beat down on the expanding basecamp, casting shadows on the growing structures. He walked toward a long, shaded building receiving its finishing touches, his boots kicking up red dust with each step.

The workers hammered the last panels into place, creating a low-roofed enclosure designed for one purpose: storage. Magnus pushed through the entrance, the door creaking as he entered. Inside, a row of shallow cages lined the walls, six of them occupied by naked, gagged women, their bodies bound in various positions of submission, their eyes mixing dread and fear with anger and resolve.

He strolled along the cages, admiring his collection. The first held a woman with dull red hair and freckles, her wrists cuffed to her ankles, forcing her into a fetal position, a bit gag silencing her whimpers. Next was a brunette with tattoos, ring-gagged and chained to the bars, her breasts against the cold metals, her nipples accessible for Magnus to pull and tease as he saw fit. The third contained the blonde captured earlier, her small breasts heaving as she struggled in her ring gag, arms bound behind her back.

The fourth cage housed a woman with short black hair, ball-gagged and kneeling, her eyes filled with defiance. The fifth held a petite Asian crew member, muzzled and cuffed after she bit off the pinky finger of her attacker. The sixth contained a curvaceous prisoner, her mouth stuffed with cloth and a wrap gag, her naked form glistening with sweat.

The remaining cages stood empty, waiting for new occupants. Magnus grinned to himself as he paced the row, his fingers trailing along the bars. He planned to create a civilization in his image, and these women were the key to it all. They would serve, breed, and worship him on their knees. The thought sent a thrill through the bald man, his vision of dominance taking shape, with no feminism or all-powerful authority to stop him.

Magnus stepped out of the building, slamming the door shut behind him, leaving the women in their cages to contemplate their new reality. The fierce leader had grand plans for this conquered land, and it started with capturing and claiming that bitch captain whose careless crash made all of this possible.

End of Chapter Two

——————

Status Report

Captain Kendra Shaw - Alive, uninjured, leading a mostly female group (including Emily, Sarah and Ethan) from cave to new high-ground enclave overlooking Magnus’s basecamp; armed, monitoring enemy.

Lieutenant Emily Ward - Alive, leg wound bandaged and manageable, mobile with limp.

Officer Sarah Blaze - Alive, uninjured, on watch; restless but following orders.

Lieutenant Grace Harper - Alive, captured by Jeremy Reed; wrists rope-bound behind back, cleave-gagged, uniform top ripped open exposing breasts.

Engineer Ethan Stone - Alive, uninjured, fled Jeremy’s ambush; rejoined Kendra’s group at enclave after running.

Magnus Holt - Alive, free, ruling fortified basecamp half-mile from wreck; overseeing construction and “training” of captives.

Caleb Miles - Alive, free, Magnus’s second-in-command; leading expanded hunts after finding Grace’s badge; just reported back to base.

Victor Crane - Alive, free, established water-source camp far from wreck; has Riley leashed, still naked/bound/ball-gagged; directing setup and long-term settlement with Nathan.

Nathan Malik - Alive, free, Victor’s second-in-command; overseeing water pump, solar rig, and scouting plans at new camp.

Jeremy Reed - Alive, free, leading rogue band of approximately 9 men; ambushed Grace’s lookout; captured Grace.

Riley Thorn - Alive, captive, still completely naked; wrists/elbows rope-bounds, red ball gag, steel collar and leash; kneeling tethered in shade at Victor’s new water-camp.