by LARDLAD (ANTHONY E. TAYLOR)
The next day as the claxons sounded the beginning of his shift, Jalarl leapt from his cot. He'd barely slept at all that night. Reep Daggle, this Chameleon, stirred up an excitement he's never felt before. He couldn't wait to see him today.
About six hours into his shift, Jalarl finally got his chance. Jalarl timed his detail, so that when he got to cell D-9, he'd have the entire 15 minutes between guard rounds to spend with Reep.
When Jalarl walked in, he startled Cham from a light sleep. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you, Reep!"
"Oh, that's quite alright!" Cham said with an instant twinkle in his eyes. "I can't think of any better reason to wake up!"
Jalarl brought Cham's meal to him. Cham was so hungry that he didn't care that even Durlan buurglards would probably turn up their pig-like noses at it. After hurriedly gulping down the meager offering, Cham asked, "How much time do we have?"
"A little over 10 minutes," Jalarl replied ruefully.
"Okay, it'll have to be enough! I need to know if you'll help me escape, Jal."
"Jal?" inquired the youth.
"Oh, sorry. Where I come from friends often shorten each other's names because of the ease of their relationship. My friends in the LSH call me 'Cham'. If you'd like, you can call me Cham!"
"I don't understand--what is a 'friend'? You called me that yesterday."
Cham felt incredibly sad for the boy. What a bleak existence he and the other Rinaxlians must lead. After this pause he explained, "Friends are sentients who enjoy the company of one another. They share dreams, tell stories, have fun...basically they care about each other and like to spend time together. I care about you and enjoy your company--that's why I called you my 'friend'!"
Cham could see a light turn on in Jalarl's eyes. Jalarl understood and said, "I've never had a friend before, but I'm glad to have you as one...Cham!"
Cham couldn't help but smile.
"Cham, I'd like very much to help you!"
Cham felt a tremor of guilt. "Listen Jarl--I want you to understand that our friendship does NOT depend on whether or not you help me. Doing so could put you in a lot of danger. You must understand this before you agree to go any further. If you want to change your mind, I will understand completely! And I will still be your friend if you do."
Jalarl thought about it for a moment. His Khund masters would surely punish him severely, possibly torture and/or kill him, if they catch him. But what would be the difference? He was a slave. He felt an urge within him unlike any he's ever felt before. He had a friend now and never knew what that was before today. He couldn't let his masters break this wonderful friend as they had so many others. He couldn't live with himself. And he remembered his mother's stories. The answer was clear.
"Yes, I will help you, Cham! I can easily get a key to your shackles from the outer guard station. I go in there all the time to pick up my cart and load it with supplies. I won't be able to come back 'til tomorrow, though..."
"That's fine, Jal." Cham said and then paused, "Jal, I want to take you with me."
"Me...go with you?"
"Yes," Cham said very seriously, "I can't bear your masters punishing you if they found out you helped me. Grife, I can't stand the thoughts of you continuing to be enslaved!"
Jalarl was overwhelmed. "You'd do that for me?"
"Yes, I would. In a heartbeat."
"Then, I'd be free?" Jalarl said, almost disbelieving. He remembered his mother's tales of freedom. "What about the others on my planet?"
Cham answered sadly, "I couldn't take them, too. But the Legion could work on ways to free your people."
"I see. I'd like to go with you, Cham!"
"Excellent. I'll devise a plan to get us out of here between now and tomorrow."
The heavy footsteps of the guards could be heard in the distance. Both knew it was time for Jalarl to go. "Tomorrow?" whispered the Durlan.
"Tomorrow!" Jalarl whispered back, then scrambled to move on to the next cell.
That night Jalarl slept fitfully again. His world was changing very quickly, but any change was better than his life as a slave. He'd always dreamed of freedom. Now was his chance!
End Part Three