“Holy Space Balls!” Rick’s voice intruded on Evan’s thoughts, startling him. The pilot grimaced, halfway into the commons as his brown eyes widen in mock concern. “You’re dwelling, aren’t you? Now, don’t lie. I can see it in your furrowed brow. You’re not going to try and beat me up again, are you?”
Evan frowned. “I didn’t try to beat you up.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t stop Jackson and Lochlann from having a go at me, did you?” Rick grinned, his expression saying he was hardly concerned.
“You talking about me?” Lochlann asked, suddenly appearing at the door. He was a dragon shifter, a Draig, who came from the same planet as Captain Jarek. The two were longtime friends who had run away from home while their two races were at war. Neither one of them had wanted to fight so they chose the high skies. In space, things like a person’s race didn’t matter as much. Everyone was different. Though the war on Qurilixen was over, Lochlann and Jarek’s families didn’t fully accept their friendship.
“No,” Rick lied.
“Hmm, ‘cause I’ll beat your ass again.” Lochlann laughed. “Just for the fun of it.”
“I’ll help him.” Jackson joined them, falling onto a seat with a big sigh. He was a security officer who kept mostly to himself. Evan knew he was a good man, could feel it with his ‘gifts’. Jackson spent a lot of his time in the Virtual Reality training room with Dev, fighting computer-simulated beasts. Evan knew Jackson had plenty of his own demons to fight.
“Ah.” Rick waved his hand in dismissal. “Shut your black holes.”
“What’s all the yelling about?” Viktor asked, carrying a tray of Qurilixen blue bread and a steaming bowl of liquid for dipping. Lucien and Viktor had gotten lucky. When the rest of the crew was cursed, they’d stayed on the ship guarding a prisoner while the others were at the Zhang palace.
“Lucky bastards,” Evan mumbled to himself at the thought.
“Who’s the bastard?” Lucien joined them, moving by to swipe the tray from his brother for himself. Viktor protested, as Lochlann and Rick moved to block his pursuit. Lucien tossed pieces of bread to his helpers, only to hand Viktor back the empty tray.
The two brothers constantly bickered even though they were really quite close. They were half human, half dere, and had a milky white complexion which contrasted the strangest red-brown and red-green of their eyes. Lucien was a communications genius and Viktor was one hell of a mechanic.
“You are,” Viktor grumbled, eyeing his empty tray. Turning toward the door, he added, “Good thing I fixed the food simulator.”
“Hey, bring me something,” Jackson yelled. Viktor waved his hand over his head by way of an answer. The three bread-thieving men chewed on their stolen goods as Jackson and Evan watched.
“So? What’s the yelling about?” Lucien asked, popping the last bit of bread into his mouth.
“Jarek and Mei.” Evan didn’t need to expand upon the comment.
“What’s with you?” Lucien asked.
“He’s dwelling on what that old bag of air said,” Rick answered. Then to Evan, he added, “Why worry about it? I bet she couldn’t predict her way out of the palace, let alone tell us what our future holds. Holy space balls, she couldn’t even walk toward the light when she died and now is stuck annoying people. She’s just a dead broad, that doesn’t mean she’s smart.”
Evan quirked a brow. “Then why were you trying to make amends with the rest of us last time we were on Lintian?”
Rick shrugged. “She’s pretty sexy for an older lady and I’ve never done it with a ghost.”
He looked so sincere, and they couldn’t help but laugh at him.
“I’m sure it’s just like having sex with air,” Jackson said thoughtfully. “And you’ve done that often enough.”
Rick lifted his hand, wiggling his fingers. “Never air, space cadet. I’ve got my favorite lady right here.”
“Maybe old Zhang An is your fate,” Lucien teased. The two dere brothers had enjoyed tormenting ‘the cursed ones’ to no end. “You’ve got the element of air.”
Rick shivered. “Married to an old dove like that? Spare me the horror.”
“Dove?” Jackson asked. “Broad? Walking toward light?”
“It’s a—” Rick began.
“Never mind, I don’t want to know,” Jackson said. “I think it’s better if we don’t get your meanings.”
“I’m not fated to be air,” Rick informed Lucien. “It’s pretty obvious that I’m metal.” He pounded his chest. “Hard as ship’s steel.”
“Your head is full of air,” Evan mumbled. If the old spirit had wanted to drive them to madness, she’d picked a brilliant way of doing it. Being part telepath, Evan knew the dangers of revealing too much of the future, but there was also danger in not saying enough. It’s why he often said nothing about what he sensed in others, or what fate had in store. In fact, the other crewmembers didn’t exactly know how much of the future he could see. But, since tomorrow was forever changing, it was pointless for him to give hints and change fate. Intentions could be misread. Knowing the future often changed the way people acted and could sometimes cause dangerous outcomes.
“Ah, stop being so melancholy. You should be happy to know how to avoid marriage,” Rick said. “Can you imagine? Being bound to one woman? I like Mei, but I feel sorry for Jarek. Forced to sleep in one woman’s bed for the rest of his life, stuck banging the same piece of—”
“Rick,” Evan warned.
“Hand?” Lucien finished for Rick, chuckling.
Rick gave them an ornery look and kissed his knuckles. Whispering to his hand, he said, “Don’t listen to him, sweetness, he didn’t mean it.”
“The captain’s in love. Why feel sorry for him?” Jackson asked, though the look on his face wasn’t as certain as his tone.
“Jackson, come. I’ve reset the program.” Dev appeared at the entryway and Jackson instantly stood.
“Ah, lay off, would you, Dev,” Rick grumbled. “I’m trying to start a party here.”
“I don’t want any part of the party you’re trying to start,” Viktor teased.
“The last time you started something, we kidnaped a prince,” Dev answered. He was the ship’s muscle and a bit of a loner. Being of half Belvon descent, Dev was of a demonic looking race with red skin and a very stern temperament. Aside from the intense coloring, he appeared humanoid, only larger. Because of his human features, the Belvon rejected him and, because of his Belvon features, the humans feared him. He was an outcast to either race, but on this ship, he was a brother. Rick was the opposite of Dev. The Belvon was all about maintaining order and Rick was all about breaking it.
“And Sam got married to him,” Lucien said. “It worked out.”
Evan felt his gut tighten again at the mention of her name.
“That gives me an idea.” Rick winked at the group in general, as he crossed toward the gaming table. “Wanna play Kiss My Comet? We could always see what we kidnap next? You never know, we might find a sexy woman with five breasts locked in one of our quarters tomorrow morning.”
“We’re not drunk,” Evan said, by way of denying the request to play a kid’s game. It’s the only thing the crew could remember the rules to when they were blitzed.
“Mm, not yet,” Rick corrected, reaching behind a seat and pulling out a half-full bottle of Earth whiskey. “But that’s easily rectified.”
“It’s early,” Lochlann protested, even as he stood.
“Not on the west side of Qurilixen.” Rick grinned. “Come on, it’ll take your mind off of that stupid premonition.”
“Jackson?” Dev asked.
“Yeah, coming.” Jackson followed Dev out of the commons.
“You need space credits again, don’t you?” Evan laughed.
“I do,” Rick admitted. Then, lowering his voice, he said, “I just picked up a loose transmission wave in the cockpit. Rumor has it the Galaxy Playmates are doing a show near the Siren Mining Colony. If we have just
the right amount of engine trouble, his royal princeliness will have to let us land there for repairs.”
“You’re going to sabotage our ship?” Evan quirked a brow.
“Ah, sabotage is such a harsh word.” Rick took a long pull off the whiskey bottle. “I’d like to think of it as saving the crew. Ever since Jarek got married, or mated, or whatever it is those Var do, he hasn’t put in for any shore leave.” He paused, motioning down to his crotch. “Little Rick is feeling mighty neglected these days. He’s not too happy.”
“Watch a download,” Evan quipped, reaching for the bottle. He paused, looking at the old fashioned label on it to make sure it wasn’t anything strange.
“Not as fun as the real thing.” Rick grabbed the bottle back to take another swig, his look telling all that the whiskey was untainted. He started to drink, but Lucien swiped it from him, spilling liquor down Rick’s chin. “I keep saving up to buy one of those pleasure android girls I saw Lochlann looking at, but I can never seem to hold onto enough money. In fact, I think I might end up lifting one next time I get the chance.”
“We are not kidnapping anyone or anything tonight.” Lucien took a drink. “I don’t want that kind of adventure. Besides, pleasure robots, droids, whatever you want to call them, are chipped. I heard if you steal one and then try to use it without the right codes, it’ll blow your manhood right off. It’s a built in security measure.” Then to Evan, he added under his breath, “Unless this time the adventure leads to Rick getting married and left behind.”
“Ha, ha.” Rick pretended to growl as he took the bottle of whiskey away and passed it again to Evan. “I miss Sam. She would’ve played cards with me. And she would’ve gone to Siren just for the adventure of it. She had the best ideas, like the time she entered us in the great space race.”
All but Lochlann laughed. He’d not been part of their crew when it happened.
“And, as far as the future Mrs. Rick Hayes is concerned,” Rick continued. “Viktor can overwrite any programming glitch she might have.”
“You’d put your balls in my brother’s hands?” Lucien snickered, knowing just how bad the question sounded.
Rick growled at him. “Keep it up, space cadet. I know the launch codes to the pods. I’ll shoot you so far into deep space you’ll—”
“Finally get some peace because I won’t have to listen to you run your mouth all day?” Lucien offered.
Evan took a drink and then another before handing the bottle back. “Sam and Falke. Funny how things work out, eh?”
“Yeah. Funny.” Rick’s face turned serious for a brief moment before again lifting into an easy smile.
“I’ll deal.” Lucien pulled a chair to the gaming table.
“You cheat,” Lochlann said, doing the same. “I’ll deal.”
“Do not,” Lucien protested.
“Yeah, you do,” Viktor said from the door. This time he carried a huge tray, overflowing with food. He set it down in front of them.
“Sam wasn’t the woman for you,” Rick said, leaning close so only Evan could hear. Though he didn’t look it, Evan could feel the concern in his friend. Rick placed his hand on the arm of Evan’s chair, leaning over him. “She never was.”
Evan nodded.
“She is Falke’s wife, Jarek’s sister-by-marriage,” Rick reiterated, handing up the bottle. “And our friend.”
Evan nodded again. He knew all that and didn’t need the reminder. “Enough, I’m fine about it.” Then louder, he said, “Now, let me deal the hand. I’m the only one of us who doesn’t cheat and I don’t want to stop playing until we all pass out.”
“That’s the spirit,” Rick clapped his hands. “And I promise you won’t regret it!”
Chapter 3
Evan didn’t move as he stared up at the commons’ metal ceiling. Getting drunk had been a rash, horrible decision and he regretted making it. His head throbbed, radiating pain through his temples, his eyes, his neck and shoulders. Beyond that, he couldn’t feel anything.
“All right, you’ve suffered enough.” Mei’s voice came from a fog, booming abnormally loud for the soft-spoken woman.
Evan felt a tug on his arm and several burning pokes. By small degrees, he started to feel better. The ache lessened and his eyes no longer hurt when he blinked. Turning his clearing head toward the princess, he saw her holding the hand-held medic unit to his arm and weakly nodded his thanks.
“I should leave the lot of you to rot in misery, but I found something,” Mei said.
Evan mumbled, but even he didn’t know what he was trying to say.
“In the ducts,” Mei explained. “It’s old. Really old. Well, old like my husband at any rate.”
“I’m in the prime of my life,” Jarek’s voice protested.
“Mm, yes you are,” Mei agreed.
“I’ve got hundreds of years left in me,” Jarek continued.
“Whatever you say, ten nai.” Mei giggled, teasing him.
Evan pulled himself up, the slow movements of his body hampered by the lingering grogginess in his head. He’d slept on the floor and had the stiff muscles to prove it. Blinking several times, Mei’s words registered. “What did you find? Another broken communicator? Or a phaser?”
“No,” Jarek said. “She really did find something this time.”
Evan glanced at the captain. He’d spent the evening with his wife and it looked like they’d worked out whatever they’d been fighting over.
“Fea, get the others so we can all look at its contents,” Jarek told his wife. “Please.”
She nodded, moving toward Lucien and Viktor with the hand-held medical unit. Soon the others were moaning as they came to.
Evan rubbed the back of his neck. “What did she find?”
“She found an old holographic box,” Mei answered.
“It looks political, maybe fifty or so years old,” Jarek added.
“What’s a political holo-box doing on this ship?” Evan frowned. “There wasn’t any mention when you bought it that it was once a Federation ship, was there?”
“There wasn’t mention of anything when I came in possession of this ship,” Jarek admitted. “The guy who had it before me didn’t have the original ship’s logs so we just kind of...”
“Made them up,” Jackson offered bluntly.
“Made them up?” Mei repeated.
Jarek shrugged, unapologetic. “The ship was a bargain.”
“A holo-box?” Lucien and Viktor said in unison.
“It could be weapon schematics,” Lucien said. “Or some stolen piece of evidence.”
“I’ll know if it’s a weapon,” Viktor countered. “There is only so much the Federation could do with weaponry that long ago.”
“Fine, but if you blow us up with that old—” Lucien couldn’t finish.
“Hey, fifty years is not that long ago,” Jarek protested.
“Whatever you say, pops,” Rick laughed.
“Pops?” Jarek repeated. “I don’t know what you’re calling me, but I’m sure I’ll put a fist in your face if I ever find out.”
“Ah, stop arguing,” Rick grouched. “My head still hurts.”
“No one made you down that entire bottle by yourself,” Lochlann said.
“We need Dev,” Mei made a move for the door. “He’s with Par—my son. I’ll go get him.”
“What’s with her lately?” Jackson asked. Jarek waved his hand and they all knew better than to pry.
Jackson’s green eyes were rimmed with red and he looked like someone had punched him in the jaw. Evan vaguely remembered a punching game of cards the night before. He glanced at Rick. The man had a matching bruise near his left eye. Yep, they’d had a game where the person with the losing hand got punched. Good thing he was too smart for that foolishness.
“You guys look like you’ve been to battle,” Jarek smirked, motioning to Rick’s face. “Now, Rick I understand. We all want to hit him.”
“Hey,” Rick protested, gingerly touching his
eye. “I can’t help it you’re jealous of my dazzling good looks.”
“And Jackson is always bruised from the VR training.” Jarek pointed at Jackson before giving a pointed look at Evan. “But you, Evan? I expected more out of you.”
Evan frowned, stood up, and went toward the metal wall where Rick had buffed it to a polished sheen. Seeing his reflection, he grimaced. A sharp pain radiated down the side of his face, and he instantly relaxed the muscles. Both of his eyes were bruised and the bridge of his nose appeared swollen. No wonder he felt like he’d been dragged behind a space ship. He turned back around to look at the other crewmen.
“What?” Rick said to him, smiling innocently. “You had a lousy run of luck.”
“Come on, let’s go get some food into you men,” Jarek said. “You’ll think better with clearer heads and fuller stomachs. I’ll have Mei meet us in there with the holo-box.”
As Jarek left, Evan made a move to follow behind. Rick came up beside him and slung an arm around his shoulders. “So, my little friend. I hope you weren’t too drunk last night and forgot our bet.”
“Bet?” Evan repeated, not liking the sound of that.
“Yes, bet. You promised to read the next sexy woman we saw and tell me all her deepest sexual fantasies.” Rick grinned.
Evan pushed the man’s arm off of him. “I would never bet any such thing.”
As he walked toward the dining hall, curious to see Mei’s newest treasure, he heard Rick laugh, “Well, can’t blame me for trying.”
“Top secret. Prisoner two, two, five release order number six, nine, twelve. This is General Stephans of the New Earth Settlement on Florencia’s Fifth Moon.” The small image of the holographic general paused as he stood in shiny white on the round disc on top of the old metal holo-box. The miniature man’s fingers ran through his dark hair before his hand again fell to the side. “This is General Stephans of what was formerly the Earth Settlement on Florencia’s Fifth Moon and this is an official order of...” The holographic image blipped and faded. General Stephans’s image froze in mid-motion, his mouth agape.
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