Chapter 2: Theme Stated
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"Kael, huh?" Kay mused, her voice trailing off as they approached the battered freighter docked at the spaceport. She keyed in a sequence on the ship's control panel, and with a hiss, the cargo bay door slid open, revealing a dimly lit hold. She stepped inside, followed closely by Reese.
Kay's eyes scanned the room, landing on a hidden panel along the wall.
She pressed a concealed button, and with a groan, the panel slid aside to reveal a man completely naked, dangling upside down, his wrists and ankles secured with high-grade restraints. Kael struggled, grunting in protest against the gag stuffed into his mouth. His eyes widened in recognition as he saw Kay and Reese.
Reese let out a low whistle, "Well, that's not what I expected."
Kay approached Kael, her boots echoing on the metal floor. "You Kael?" she asked, more statement than question. She kept her hands near her blaster, not taking any chances. Kael nodded, his eyes flashing with defiance.
Kay lifted her chin, her gaze narrowing as she asked, "Who put you up here, Kael? And why?"
Reese stepped forward, his eyes scanning the restraints. "Digital locks, advanced material. Not your average smuggler's handiwork."
Kael's breath hitched behind the gag, his eyes darting between Kay and Reese. Kay nodded to Reese, who quickly removed the gag. Kael gasped for air, his voice hoarse as he said, "They said I had information they needed. They said they'd kill me if I didn't cooperate."
Kay's expression hardened. "Who's 'they', Kael? And what information?"
Kael swallowed hard, his eyes flicking to the restraints. "I can't...I can't tell you.