If the World Is an Experiment

Story

It's been two weeks since Khafre and his brothers' master Altan stole them from the Space Wolves to his ship. Altan still hasn't touched or shared them with others yet, but he has often asked about their health and recovery. Perhaps he had a higher standard of sex slaves than the Space Wolves and preferred them to be more fit to withstand what he had in mind. Khafre hid his anxiety about that, as he needed to be strong for his brothers. 

"Perhaps Altan wants something else," Nu said when Altan's many duties kept him away, giving them temporary solace. "He wants pets."

The word "pet" brought back Khafre's bittersweet memory about the housecat at his parents' home. At least his parents and their cat didn't live to see what would have happened to them and the destruction of the planet. 

"It's plausible," Khafre said more to encourage his optimism. He suppressed the anger and shame that it would be lucky if Altan wanted no more than that. Impotent pride would only endanger them. 

They were what remained of their legion and Prospero. Khafre didn't want to lose anyone. 

Altan didn't keep them bound to his bed. He even said they were free to use his room. While he brought them to gatherings with other White Scars, so far everyone was handed off from them. Perhaps he was being indulgent. 

Alternatively, perhaps he was picky because none of them was a Pavoni.

Khafre still appreciated the brief respite that allowed his brothers to heal before they eventually had to pay for Altan's generosity. Serapis now could eat solid food and walk with support, when they all thought they would lose him to the Space Wolves' beasts.

Nu got a head injury just before the White Scars' raid.  Khafre would offer anything so that they wouldn't leave Nu behind, but fortunately they wanted to get every Thousand Son. Whatever fate awaiting them would at least be not worse than their previous treatment under the Space Wolves. 

Then Altan got a new brother, Yamanu from a small Space Wolf ship. 

Khafre's heart turned like stone when he saw Yamanu's pale, thin and perfect face. Yamanu was a Pavoni, a prized treasure to the Space Wolves and surely also to White Scars. In the apothecarion, a number of White Scars often watched Yamanu from afar. 

He was determined to protect his newest brother, but he was afraid that his best effort couldn't spare Yamanu from the service expected of him.

Yamanu stayed quietly at the corner furthest from the room with Serapis, who was showing him books and helping him catch up. Meanwhile, Khafre and Nu went through the clothing Altan provided, positioning themselves to block the view of him from the door. 

"This robe's plain and clashes with Yamanu's skin tone," Nu said while taking one long dull yellow robe among the others. 

Khafre picked a pair of long baggy dark green trousers that would be too big for Yamanu currently. They also messed with Yamanu's hair to cover up his forehead and eyes to make him less attractive. It might prove futile, but at least they were doing something to delay the trial. 

"Maybe we can paint your face so you'll look bruised," Serapis said to Yamanu.

"Too risky," Khafre said after pondering the option. They didn't have proper materials to make the makeup convincing. Besides, Altan wasn't a fool. He would remember how Yamanu looked before his release as Altan's property.

The Space Wolves only spared Yamanu's face. He was bruised and bleeding under his clothing when he was found. Now they couldn't hurt anyone anymore, as they met their demise in the White Scars' hands and became their trophy. A fitting fate for those wolves.

It was darkly ironic to Khafre that they were trying to dress down a Pavoni. Their powers should be a source of their pride, not their shame and downfall. 

He suppressed the feeling with practice. It was more pragmatic to try to find a way to help Yamanu with their limited options. They didn't have much time before Altan returned.

"It's all right," Nu said while looking down at his tightened fists. "I can take it better than the rest of you."

Khafre objected. "No, I am the senior among us . It should be me."

"Don't worry. I can…" Yamanu said slowly because of his abused throat. They didn't have the heart to ask for details of his slavery. 

"No," They all said at the same time, including Serapis. They were here longer and had more time to recover. They should shield the more fragile Yamanu. 

Altan always knocked before coming into his room. The Thousand Sons all tensed up before pretending to relax, because Altan preferred to see them appearing unafraid, which might be a notch for Nu's theory. 

Khafre and Nu stood to shield Yamanu, but Altan still nodded at Yamanu, "I'm glad to see you get better."

Khafre's heart sank. Before he had time to distract, Nu approached Altan and said, "We really appreciated your effort."

Altan patted his arm. "I have promised to bring your brothers back, as per the Khan's will."

Nu was trembling. "I'm really grateful…"

He started to sob. Yamanu bravely tried to insert himself before Nu, but Nu pulled him back. Khafre stepped forward to beg for mercy for Nu. He should have offered himself first. Now Altan would punish Nu and it was his fault. 

"We're sorry. Nu clearly hasn't recovered well. Please let me…" Khafre said. He would do anything for Altan to spare the rest of them. 

Instead of punishing Nu, Altan held him loosely, his fingers scratching his neck. "It's all right. It's all right…"

Khafre thought Altan was going to snap his neck when he first did that, but now they could keep their calm with it. Yamanu looked visibly worried, but Khafre shook his head subtly. He wouldn't let Yamanu offer himself and wasted Nu's sacrifice. 

Nu leaned into Altan and broke into loud tears. "Sorry…"

"It's all right. I know that it's been tough for you all. Don't worry. Things'll get better from now on." 

Khafre thought Altan was kind of right. At least he didn't rip apart anyone's clothing and throw them to his bed or beat anyone yet. Maybe Nu was right. Altan only wanted to keep them as ornament pets.

He ignored the sting of more confirmation of what they were reduced to and focused on the current urgent matter. 

"Please let me take over," he said and touched Altan's arm despite the weight in his stomach. 

"Why don't you take your time to talk among yourselves? I'll attend to some affairs for awhile, " Altan said before leaving. 

He didn't look angry. In fact, he was always gentle to them beyond their imagination. 

"It's my fault," they all said at the same time when the door was closed and they were certain Altan was far away. 

Nu put his arms across his chest. "It's my fault."

Everyone hugged him. Khafre patted his back. "You're very brave."

When Altan knocked again, Nu was more composed. "I'm sorry."

"Do you feel better?" Altan waved it away and asked Nu. When Nu nodded, he turned to them. "You're all my guests. If I can do anything for you, please ask. Please also tell me if I do something wrong so I can do better."

"No, of course not," Nu said. 

Khafre added, "Nu is still healing and needs a lot of time to deal with it."

Altan looked around them and smiled. "You must have felt cooped up. Why don't any of you go on a jetbike ride with me? I have discussed it with the apothecaries. They said that you could get jetbike lessons when you felt better."

Jetbike ride? Jetbike lessons? What for? "I'd love to." Khafre said. It was his grenade to fall on.

"Great! Don't worry! I won't let anyone miss out," Altan said, which sounded like a threat. "I have brought some books, but we'll have to wait until reaching the flagship to get more in Gothic. The rest I have are in Khorchin."

"Do you mind us learning Khorchin?" Yamanu asked softly.

"Of course not. I know the right person to teach you all. You'll pick it up soon and go through my library in no time."

It sounded like Altan was bringing another White Scar to them, which would be an unknown factor. However, the possibility of more books ignited a spark in Khafre's heart. "Thank you. We really appreciate it."

"It's nothing," Altan said and gave the datapads with new books to them. Khafre held them tightly and tried to believe that things could be less bad in the future.