In outer space was a giant battleship. Inside of it were thousands and thousands of jails from which screams of the inmates were constantly heard. Their cells were small horizontal hexagones constantly spining like clocks. They couldn't find a position to remain unmoving, couldn't get up and were constantly beign turned over. It was a psychological and physical hell that left them just enough to remain alive and sane. And that was the worst of it. They were forced to consciously endure again and again. They were like hamsters who lost their footing in their wheels...and could never regain a foothold while the wheel never stopped.

In a particular part of the battleship was a door. It had been configurated as both the entrance and the exit to the battleship. It was, after all, a space jail. Having random beings teleported all over it randomly wasn't a good idea.

As such, the security around the door was tight. With dozens of armored soldiers with railguns in hands waiting around it. The entire place was in extreme alert level right now. The door was opening from the outside. Someone was trying to enter.

As the guards were pointing their guns forward, sweat dripped down their foreheads. It was a dangerous world they lived in and their job was like that. Whatever came out of the door, there were only two possibilities. Friend or foe.

This time, from the door, a woman in gold and dark armor appeared. She had blue hair and pale skin. She had a shield and a blade with similar designs. They all knew her.

Taïna.

She was the owner of this space jail and their employer. However none dared put down their weapons and they kept them pointing at her. She grinned as she saw it.

Taïna: Good! You guys remember that shapeshifters do exist unlike last time! Now, hurry and bring the signature recorder to identify me!

The soldiers didn't move but soon another entered with a different gun in hands. He pointed towards Taïna who remained in its path grinning. Blue light spread onto her and she was scanned. This was the recorder. It could scan the soul itself as long as it had recorded the waves of it.

Soon enough, every soldier sighed of relief. She was the real one this time. They had lost a few comrades back in the days because of a shapeshifter... Fortunately, they would not need to fight today.

Taïna hurried to the commander center from where she could see the vast expanse of space through windows. Her fleet's lieutenants were around, acknowledging her return and awaiting orders. Whatever they expected was far from what they got though. She said something they never thought they would ever hear in their lifetimes and they lived very, very, very long.

Taïna: I found love.

There was a long awkward silence until one of the lieutenants coughed and asked her:

???: W-who might be the lucky one, Commander?

Taïna: Him.

That's what she said. While putting a severed arm on the table. It was a humanoid arm covered in white scales with some blue lightning escaping from it from time to time. As the lieutenants looked at the arm, they couldn't help but shiver and all of them had but one thought: "I beg you to never love me commander".

They felt like the price of her love would be their live and while they did respect her, they didn't want to end like that. They would rather keep a distance and stay professionnal lest she killed them out of 'love'...They all knew she was a twisted one but this...Was she the mythical yandere?

Taïna: He's called Shen. I want to find him. Alive.

???: A-Alive? Should we capture him, commander?

Taïna seemed to ponder for a moment before she nodded. Then, she grinned and said:

Taïna: Activate protocol 'Barking dogs'

All the lieutenants shivered. Just what did this poor man deserve to be loved by their commander?! To go so far as to activate the protocol... Goodness. They silently prayed for him before activating the protocol.

At this very moment, all the inmates received a discharge and stopped speaking. At the same time, an hologram appeared in all the cells. It was Taïna.

???: You have been connected, Commander.

Taïna: Good. Do you hear me, you dogs?!

All the inmates heard her and they couldn't help but scream at the top of their lungs with excitement. If she appeared, it only meant one thing. There had only ever been a single reason they weren't killed...'Barking Dogs' protocol. They could not help but fidget in excitement.

And she knew it too. So, she laughed along with them.

Taïna: You're right, you lowly dogs! It is time for the protocol to activate! There is someone I want! Find him for me! Alive! You know the rules! Find him alive! Report! Be set free!

All the inmates began to cheer even more loudly. This was their only hope to live and leave this hell. They hunted their own kind and were freed if successful. That being said it wasn't easy and many died trying. Still, it was better than remain here and enduring the torture.

Taïna: I will send his information on your watches! Don't forget though! I need him alive! Finding him is enough too! However, if you dare to kill him, I will make sure that your suffering will be eternal. Now, go, my dogs!

All the cells opened as the inmates exited. They were of all races but had a few things in common. Their clothes were rags and smelled horrendous. Oh, and they had a dark technical watch on their wrists. It had only three options:

1 ) Contact and receive call from the Jail (only when the protocol is on)

2 ) Access the target's information (only when the protocol is on)

3 ) Kill the wearer

The third option would automically activate if the watch was removed. Destroy the watch? Does not matter. The option is triggered by a 'curse' created by Taïna herself. The only way for them to escape was for her to die first. But would she? They knew it was impossible. Because they fought her themselves. And so, all the inmates boisterously ran to the door, ignoring the guards and the other inmates.

They had a new chance to get freedom and many competitors. Yet there was still hope.