Being Taken

Micca stood on the roof of a building and looked out over the city. He could see the teams of armed naval security forces sweeping over the city, but he didn't move. He knew he was in the area they had already encircled. There was no chance to escape; no chance to hide; no chance to avoid his fate.

Over the last decade he had built up his own domain. The people around him were loyal and devoted. His wallet was always full of money. When he sat down to eat his plate was always full.

He accomplished all of this himself. Now all that will go away.

The Holy Emperor's Navy constantly needed new recruits, if they could be called that. They were more of commodities that were taken when needed. Slaves taken and pressganged into service with no chance of escaping once selected. Only one man on this world could change his fate now, The Baron.

Barons tended to rule their worlds with an iron fist. The only way they helped you was if you were in their inner circle. Heck, some even took enjoyment in randomly making life harder for those under their rule.

Micca watched as his friends and underlings ran across the streets trying to run and hide. Some of them he had known since childhood and others were recent acquaintances. Whatever the case, they helped him build his organization and he wouldn't forget them.

Some of them were gunned down as they tried to resist the Naval Security Forces, while others went quietly once found. A few even took similar approaches to him and welcomed their fate as they were grabbed, hoping for easier treatment. Micca was under no such false illusions as everyone gets treated the same when captured. He just didn't feel like doing anything else.

Eventually Micca was approached by the NSF and he turned towards them and held out his hands. He was cuffed, shackled, then brought to a line of other people as a chain was connected to each of them. Then two of the officers flanked them as another led them from the front and they were walked through the city.

They passed through sections of the town which were now desolate now that the NSF had passed through it. Buildings left empty with all the belongings remaining inside. After everyone was hauled off to the navy ship above looters would run rampant in this area taking anything of value. Eventually new people would move in and take over the empty buildings.

Some of the buildings they passed even had signs of battle done to them. Bullet holes, explosive damage, barricades, and the normal things. These were from groups who either thought it was better to die fighting or those dumb enough to think they could actually resist.

Eventually Micca's group was brought to an open area where soon a shuttle landed and everyone was shoved into it. The shuttle was made to accommodate twenty people; Micca's group numbered around forty. They were pushed in as those in front fell over and were quickly piled onto by those behind. 

The entire group ended up in a pile of living bodies on the floor of the shuttle as they raised the boarding ramp. As it closed Micca could even hear a crunch and then a yell as someone's leg or foot was crushed by the closing mechanism of the ramp. Those at the bottom of the pile gasped for air as they were crushed by those on top.

It was as morbid of a sight as Micca had ever saw. Their heavy breathing along with their pleas to be given more room slowly got quieter until nothing could be heard from them at all. Commodities. That is all they were. A few damaged goods in the process of shipping was normal.

Barely after the ramp had even closed they already begun their ascent to the sky. It was hard to pay attention to the movements of the shuttle when those around him were making so many noises, but from the sounds of it they were getting close to leaving the atmosphere.

Once not even a little air resistance could be heard on the hull of the shuttle Micca knew that they were in space. It was somewhat exciting even in this environment. Micca had never left his planet, let alone the continent he lived on. 

Before long the sounds of docking rang throughout the interior of the shuttle as clamps attached themselves to the hull. The shuttle was pulled into a hanger as it started pressurizing and then the boarding ramp opened.

Many people started falling out as the ramp opened and pulled others with them through the chains they were all attached with. Then those inside hurried to get up and finally give those at the bottom room to breathe. Most of them still lied still. NSF officers went in and unhooked the chains from those unconscious as medics began to check for any signs of life and make calls on who they could save with minimal effort.

As the group was watching the state of their fellow passengers Security Force officers rushed them out and down a hallway, swatting anyone with a baton who didn't move on quick enough.

The line of prisoners were quickly led down the hallway past windows showing the cold darkness of space and a small view of the planet they just left.

As they were brought down snaking halls, passing by an assortment of unknown doors with various markings on them, they arrived in a larger gathering area which was cleared for what looks like an assembly of the new crew.

Micca saw maybe three hundred people already lined up in front of the stage made from old metal crates bolted together with supports. Around it stood various naval officers talking between themselves as if it was any other day. Lined up right in front of the stage were varios Naval Security Force personnel watching the growing crowd vigilantly.

As Micca saw them he realized how many more were standing around the edge of the room along with two for every row of prisoners. With the two per groups of almost forty, a dozen up front, and another score around the edge of the room they numbered around fifty. Each one of them was equipped with a large shotgun, a strange looking baton, and thick hard plated armor. Their uniform was solid black armor along with helmets containing respirators. On top was a sash with heraldry of this division of the navy and a badge pinned to it with the seal of the navy, an eagle flying through stars.

The thought of just those present was scary enough, but there was an even greater number still on the planet rounding up the rest of the people of their sweep. If ever Micca thought there was a chance of escaping, it was gone when he realized how well equipped his wardens were.