"Welcome to my Kingdom." The King smiled at the six delegates from the Planets Alliance. "This is my wife, and these are my sons, Peter and Daniel."
"It's an honour to be invited here." Captain Steven said, smiling at the four members of Royal family. He looked at the two boys stood behind the chairs of Peter and Daniel but didn't say anything.
"My sons will show your crew around. Anything they need or want to see, just ask. How about we go and discuss matters."
The Captain, the King, and the Queen left the room.
"So, what would you like to do first? How about a tour of the palace and then we can give you some time to relax and prepare for this evening." Peter suggested.
"That sounds great."
Peter and Daniel led the way, chatting with the head of security and the head of engineering. Fabian and Sequence followed behind the group. A young girl at the back of the line, stopped to look at a plant. Sequence stopped near her.
"Its beautiful isn't it?" He asked motioning to the plant.
"Yeah, do you know what it is?"
"Its an orchid. It's called 'Full Moon'; one of my favourites." Sequence touched the plant causing it to bloom. "I'm told it's purple."
"How did you do that." The girl asked.
"Plants are my thing."
"Mine as well." She smiled. "My name's Zariah."
"I'm Sequence. Maybe I'll be able to show you my Master's garden while you're here. I did the garden here too but my Master's is special to me." The followed the rest of the group.
"Your master?"
"The King's youngest son. What do you do on your ship?"
"I'm training to be a doctor. I'm meant to investigate new plant life and see if any of them could be used in medicines."
"I've got a range of medicinal plants; if you want to look at them with me?"
"You know what would be totally cool? If you come on the ship and check my plants. There's this tree I got from another planet but I don't see to be able to grow it."
"Your Master won't let you go alone." Fabian said turning to him.
"You can come." Sequence suggested.
"I hate listening to you talk about plants." Fabian smiled at the officer he'd been talking to. "Sequence is a plant geek."
Sequence smiled at them.
"Sequence." Daniel called. Sequence ran to stand before his Master. "Why don't you show our guests the garden?"
"I'd love to, Master." Sequence grinned.
"I'll get some drinks sent out so that when you get bored of him you can relax. Fabian, set out tables and chairs." Peter said.
****
Sequence and Zariah grinned at the others as they rejoined the group after their garden tour. Zariah sat on the last chair, Sequence handed her a drink before sitting on the grass near Fabian.
"Have fun, Zariah?"
"Yes, it's awesome. Sequence sure knows his plants. He's a plant life form!"
"Really? Wow!"
Captain Steven joined the group. Sequence jumped up to get him a chair.
"Thank you."
"Would you like a drink, Sir?"
"No, thank you; I had one with the King." Captain Steven smiled as Sequence sat back on the grass. "Why don't you two get yourselves chairs?"
"Why not?"
"Its not respectful."
The delegates frowned; the Captain slid onto the floor.
"Tell me boys, are you happy here?"
"Yes."
"But this isn't your home planet?"
"No. My home planet is about three weeks away from here."
"Are you here by choice?"
"Yes. Why all the questions?" Sequence asked.
"He's politely trying to ask if we're slaves." Fabian said.
Captain Steven blushed.
"Yes, I'm afraid I am. I'm not being very diplomatic about it am I?"
"Or so diplomatic that you're not understandable."
They all laughed.
"So you're not slaves?"
"Oh, no, we are slaves."
"What?"
"We are slaves; our Masters own us." Fabian grinned. "You expect slaves to be chained up and unhappy?"
"They expect slaves to desire their freedom. They expect slaves to obey because of fear." Sequence said, staring at them. "They want us to want to escape."
"We were told that slavery wasn't a problem here."
"It's not; it works well."
"But it's against human rights."
"All slaves are well-treated; any owner who mistreats their slaves has them confiscated, is banned from owning and is beaten. We are well-treated and respected."
"We don't approve of slavery. He could easily pay you to do his garden."
"I'm not a garden slave. I'm a sex slave; the garden is just a hobby. Master wouldn't disgrace you by offering you the services of a mere garden slave."
"A sex slave? As in you are forced to have sex with him."
"He doesn't force me. If you are so anti-slave owning you need to tell the King before the party tonight."
"Why?"
"He's planned a slave show in your honour; a competition testings obedience, endurance and good ownership skills."
"I'm going to win tonight." Sequence smiled at Fabian.
"You won't win. You look so delicate, your Master won't leave you in place as long as you can hold out."
"Tonight he will; we've been practising."
"You two want to take part in this competition?"
"Yeah, its a sport."
"How long have you been slaves?"
"I've been a slave for about three years, Sequence has been here about a year."