Corin had started to protest when she felt a cold fire ignite on her right calf muscle. Then the cold retreated, leaving only the excruciating pain that seemed to be eating its way through her leg. It felt as though the bit of a drill press was being run all the way through her flesh.
With exhausting effort, she fought the cresting waves of agony. She felt slick with sweat, as if she had just run a marathon. Darkness threatened to overcome her, but she fought the urge to shut down and sleep. It seemed like several moments before she could think over the agony, but pain also had a way of stretching time.
Dr. Gladstone said, “The Mongols were brutal for sure. But think of them in comparison to Rome or Alexander the Great. It is said that Alexander the Great wept when he looked at his domain. For there were no more worlds to conquer. That’s legend. In terms of actually leaving your mark on our species, let’s judge by the extent of the conquered area, the number of years taken to conquer it, the number of years the area was under the rule of the king or his lineage, and his military efficiency and effectiveness. If you consider all those factors, then Genghis Khan is the clear winner. His was the largest land empire in history!”
Still panting, Corin said, “And how many people had to die for him to feel important?”
“I’ve seen some articles which propose that the great Khan and his horde were responsible for the deaths of as many as forty million people.”
“And he’s your role model?”
“I don’t necessarily wish to cause anyone’s death. But I also have no problems killing anyone who gets in my way. Genghis Khan was actually a just and fair ruler who sought to bring the entire world under his umbrella of protection and peace.”
“He was a butcher.”
With a shrug, Gladstone replied, “It is said that, in a city that was about to be sacked by the Mongol horde, women would walk up to the tallest points on their outer walls and fall to their deaths. They preferred death over the rape and suffering that was in store for them.”
A freezing wind blew over the water and attacked her naked body, but Corin didn’t mind the cold. It actually numbed a bit of the pain.
She asked, “Why are you telling me all this?”
“Because I want you to understand. I don’t want to hurt you, Corin. I want you to be part of something that will never pass away. Something grand and beautiful. A new society.”
“And torture is your sales pitch,” she replied, still out of breath and feeling increasingly lightheaded.
“Our rules here are strict because we can’t allow one scared and naïve child, who doesn’t even know what she believes, to jeopardize all we’re building. But once we get to the Island, everything will change, and you’ll see that this is your opportunity to do something with your life.”
Corin started to explain that she planned to survive this, kill him, and write a bestselling book about it. But the hate she was about to spew caught in her throat. A small voice in her head told her that losing a little dignity was a small price to pay for survival, and Corin could sense that further defiance would incite Derrick Gladstone into killing her slowly and painfully while trying to act as though he wasn’t enjoying it.
Choosing her words carefully, she replied, “Fine, tell me all the details of this kingdom you’re trying to build. Then I can make an educated decision.”
“I like that attitude. After your punishment has been administered—and you’ve had some time to recover—I’d be happy to explain everything. We have no secrets here.”
“I thought you just gave me my punishment.”
He laughed. “No, my dear, that was merely a small taste. As I was explaining, I have learned much from studying the ways of the great Khan. One very popular method of execution among the Mongols was to pour molten silver into the eyes of the condemned. You’ve just experienced the pain of a few drops of that same melted metal.”
“And I suppose if I decide I don’t want to be part of your kingdom, then I get the silver in my eyes.”
“It’s important that I establish treason as the most deplorable of offenses.”
“I didn’t ask to be part of this.”
“Soldiers are often drafted against their will. In fact, one of Genghis Khan’s largest battles was a war with an already conquered province that refused to send him troops for one of his campaigns.”
Tears streaming down her face, Corin said, “I don’t want to go to war. I’m not a soldier.”
“Oh, Corin, this fragile little mouse act of yours doesn’t work on me. And the war I’m referring to isn’t one that requires battle. It’s more a war of ideas. And ensuring the survival of our species can be a messy process.”
“I’ve learned my lesson. Please, show me mercy. I’m begging you.”
Gladstone brushed the hair from her face and wiped away her tears. Then he said, “Rules are rules. There are no exceptions. And believe it or not, seeing this through is going to hurt me worse than it hurts you. I hate to see perfection defiled, but sometimes scars and disabilities serve to make people more interesting. I have a few phone calls to make, and so Sonnequa will be completing your punishment. But don’t worry, my dear, you’ll survive, and we’ll talk again real soon.”