Deran knew all the heroic stories about Hanjek and the Ferocious Five, who had even destroyed one of the bigger spaceships by pouring fruit juice in their machines. The height of the smoke column after the explosion grew by the telling.

Since then, the Rahenians had not attempted another riot, and Mawany security had dropped to a minimum again.

Cautiously, Deran crept closer, thinking of Hanjek and playing the mind game of how he would win and force the invaders to leave the planet before the vinti-fruits were ripe. He had no trouble climbing the roughhewn trunks that held the structure up. Once safely up to the first floor, he squatted to have a look at what was going on inside.

Two female Mawanies talked with each other in their language that consisted of tweeting, chirping and purring sounds. The latter was meant to be laughter, but Deran was not sure. He knew little of the language and less of the strange habits. No one had ever made an effort to teach the Rahenians the language of their invaders and only bit by bit did the people gain an understanding. The Mawanies were not pleased that the peasants learned it, but the workers close to them caught some meaning here and there and taught it to their families. Slowly but persistently, the foreign language became more understandable.

While the two females lifted shining pieces of cloth to cover their slim alien bodies, obviously choosing what to wear tonight, Deran heard the words fun, new, male and excitement. At last the word Rahenian was clear.

A shiver crept up his spine. There were rumors about Mawany habits of entertainment and even more stories about indescribable cruelties, especially after Hanjek and his men had disappeared.

Deran left his position to move around the building. It was easier than climbing a tree and his soft shoes made no sound. In a way, he liked the new palaces, as strange as they were. The rooms were high and bright with light coming from undetectable sources. Furniture with long sides and pointy edges competed with tables of a shining material that changed patterns every few seconds. Once he had fallen in a trance just watching the swirling motion. Luckily, he had awakened before a Mawany had caught him, or he’d have been one of the toads thrown out.

Along the small balcony, he swiftly reached the other end of the building to find the young man sitting on the floor. Deran gasped and quickly held his breath. It was too late. The young man had heard him and lifted his head.

“Who are you?”

Deran’s throat was too constricted to answer. He stared at the thick wooden chains that wound around the man’s wrists and ankles. They looked heavy. And if that was not enough, the man was naked and the chains were connected to a ring in the floor.