by Chris Mills
“I wish I could get this to work,” Herald said. The useless gadget slid over the table. “I could scan you and see the damage. I got us a room for the night.”
“Hanash has been dealt with,” Gabe said. “Right?”
“We can’t know how he figured out where to get us.”
“Someone told him,” Gabe said. “Can we even trust your people?” Herald’s glare did not fade. “You called them, and we could have all died, again.”
“Watch you tone,” Herald urged. “I did not cause this. There could be many reasons that led Hanash to us again. The whole empire is not after us, nor is the Talon Federation. We need to get to Galat II. We’ll stay here tonight.”
“This doesn’t seem like -”
“Stop it,” Stephen said. “This isn’t time to argue.” Gabe clenched his fist under the table. A soft hand came on them. He found his body quickly relax. “How are we getting to the embassy?”
“We aren’t,” Herald said. “I don’t want to think that we wouldn’t be safe there, but Hanash somehow knew where to pick us up. He could have paid someone or had some means to intercept the message. I have geks with me, and I hope we can get a ride out on a personal starship.”
“Where?” Kim asked.
“I talked to the bartender,” Herald said. “There is a shipyard not too far that brings a fair share of pilots here daily. We may be able to find someone who is will -”
“Have you seen most -,” Gabe began. He bit his lip. The pain in his leg lessened. “Can we trust them?”
“We can walk over there in the morning. I think we might have a better shot of talking price here.”
“How much do we have to work with?”
“Not here,” Herald said harsh. “I’m going to try and find a local. Maybe the bartender can point one out. There has to be someone here that comes through often. Galat II isn’t asking too much.”
“I’ll help,” Andy said.
“Thanks,” Herald said with a nod. “I have a room for us all. There were only two left and I didn’t want to ask for more. Be careful.”
“I think I’ll rest a bit,” Stephen said.
“Kim, could you ask a server if they have any pain relievers on hand?” Herald suggested. “The staff I met has been nice.” Gabe could sigh a little more relief. “Stephen, do you want something to drink?”
“Water,” Stephen said. “I haven’t been in a fight for a while.”
“You fought often?”
“Karate.”
Chapter Twelve
The coolness that absorbed in Stephen’s mouth had worked fast. He sat back in the booth with Gabe with a tall glass of water. It may be nice to have something else in it now. That explosion kept flashing in his mind. If he was honest - he didn’t know what would have happened with the gun. A heat had come to it and that light in his mind wouldn’t turn off.
Stephen drank more of the water. Kim had gone to join Andy, who had picked a human woman with bright purple hair. “There has to be someone we can talk to,” Gabe said yet again. “Police could do something.”
“We are far from where we were,” Stephen said. “Herald is trying to help. Police may not be wise right now.”
“It’s better than hiding here.”
“I don’t think we are hiding.”
“At least Hanash is dead. That bastard.”
“What a way to go,” Stephen said. “Falling.”
“Ouch.”
“I don’t want to fall again.”
“You seem okay with heights.”
“I’m trying to be,” Stephen said. “When that taxi we rode in earlier shook, my insides were turning. I’ve always been fine with heights before.” Two people slid into the booth. “Well?”
“No,” Kim said. “She isn’t a pilot and doesn’t really care to know anyone here.”
“She told us off,” Andy summed up. “We may have to wait till morning.”
“Is the bar open in the morning?” Gabe asked.
“I don’t see a sign,” Kim said. “I want to go lie down already.” The gash on her forehead had been healed by a small device someone lent. Stephen wouldn’t mind taking one home.
“Let’s find Herald,” Gabe said. “It’s pointless for us to stay down here.”
“Pointless?” Herald called. “Move over. I need to talk to all of you.” Gabe groaned a little. They should have taken one of the corner booths that had circular seating. “I’ve set up a meeting with a pilot.”
“When?” Stephen asked.
“He wants to talk after his friends leave,” Herald said. “I think it may be best if -”
“If what?” someone called. A man in his early thirties crossed his arms before them, wearing a smile. His tattered, blue shirt had come back on. Its sleeves were missing, giving view to the muscles that took down the Salzmenian. “So, this is the group you spoke of.”
“If you wish to talk now,” Herald began, “let’s find an empty booth.”
“I would like to get an idea of who I am dealing with,” the man said. His green eyes locked on Stephen briefly like each of them. “Hmm, I expected different. Move over, let’s talk.”
Andy managed to move enough so the man wasn’t hanging off the side. “Let me introduce myself,” the man said. “My name is Jared Galantine. Herol tells me that you need a ride.”
“It’s Herald,” Herald said. “We need to get to Galat II.”
“Galat II?” Jared questioned. “What’s your business there?”
“That is ours.”
Jared chuckled. “I don’t think you understand how this works, Herol,” he said with a strong emphasis on, ‘Herol.’ “You’re here late at night, you aren’t my typical client that barters for a ride, and you also don’t want me to ask questions.”
“We need to get to Galat II,” Herald said. “Let’s talk cost.”
“Very well,” Jared said. “Under these circumstances, I believe it is fair to ask twenty-eight hundred.”
“Fair?” Herald scoffed. “Twelve hundred. I’m asking for Galat II, not round trip.”
“If you want to pay twelve hundred, get a transport ship. I’m certain you could pay less. You would not be here if that be the case. People like you don’t belong here.”
“Fifteen.”
“You are wasting my time, Herol.”
“It’s Herald,” Herald corrected once more. “Mr. Galantine, I’m trying to be fair. I can offer you a thousand geks now and five hundred once we are there. Do we have a deal?”
Jared scratched his chin. “No,” he said. His eyes suddenly lit at the sight of something. “Give me a - Miss,” Jared leaned forward and stare at what Kim quickly hid. “Please. Let me see that.”
“No way in hell,” Gabe voiced.
“It is very beautiful,” Jared said. “Let me see it.”
“I -”
“Listen,” Jared said. “I want to see the cut. I’m not going to keep it.”
“Uh,” Gabe said. “Don’t take it off.” Jared’s eyes grew as Kim brought forth her engagement ring. He leaned close, as if an invisible magnifying glass hovered in front of his eyes. “No closer.”
Stephen groaned once more as a knee hit his. Jared moved his head about scooting his body back and forth. “I have not seen such a ring before,” he said. “They don’t cut diamonds like that. Is it real?”
“Of course, it’s real!” Gabe blasted. Stephen sent a kick right into his friend’s knee.
“I don’t doubt that,” Jared said with a smile. “You two?” Kim and Gabe both nodded. “A cute couple. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take the ring and all you have to do is pay my docking fee. That’s it. No questions asked. We’ll leave tomorrow and arrive the following day.”
“No way,” Gabe said.
“Eighteen,” Herald said.
“Unless you give me a real offer,” Jared scoffed. “Take my original or the ring.”
“You’d really do it all for this?” Kim questioned.
“Kim, no,”
Gabe said.
“We have to get out of here,” Kim said.
“No.”
“It’s only a ring.”
“It’s not.”
“You seem very confident,” Stephen said. Jared’s eyes snapped, like the others. “I have an offer.”
“You?” Jared questioned. “Very well, what is it?”
“Eight hundred,” Stephen said. Jared bellowed so loudly that many turned from their drinks. “If I win fair in a duel.” An eyebrow rose. Jared leaned back about knocking Andy with his elbow. He soon laughed. “I’m serious. If you can knock a Salzmenian down, then you must have skill. Try me.”
“You have no idea what pain I left that fool in,” Jared said.
“I know pain,” Stephen said.
“I’ll entertain this,” Jared said. “It’s a wager. I never got your name.”
“Stephen.”
“Stephen,” Jared said. He chuckled once more. “If you end up on the ground, what happens?”
“Kim?” Stephen asked. A single nod came. “There. Do you take my wager?”
“Are you serious? I won’t go easy on you.”
“I don’t need it,” Stephen said. “Five minutes. Set it up. We don’t need to get thrown out of here.”
“Very well,” Jared said, smacking the table. “Either way, you’ll go to Galat II. I keep my word.” He moved quickly back to the bar. Stephen found eyes quick on him.
“What are you thinking?” Herald said. “You barely escaped Hanash and -”
“It’s done,” Stephen said. “The guy is an ass to ask for that.”
“You could get hurt,” Kim said.
“What’s new?”
“Stephen.”
“Then go stop him,” Stephen said. All he could think of was the money Gabe had saved. He had been proud to show Stephen the ring. A diamond like that had been an achievement.
Still, no one went. Stephen took down the rest of his water and sat up. His back had a slight ache again. “This is real,” Gabe said.
“So was everything else,” Stephen said.
“This is -. Damn, you’re right. I want this day to end.”
**
The idea of giving up something you cherish was hard, but the idea of that changing things for the better made it a little easier. Kim stood near a table trying to debate if she should stop it now. She loved her ring and never wanted to take it off. Jared seemed like a jerk to even want a ring. She may not understand how money worked here, but what Jared had asked was more than any trip she had ever taken. How much did it really cost to go?
There may have been nine people that had been close to the last fight. The only to show were Stephen’s friends. Kim tried not to rub her ring between her fingers. Stephen stripped off his shirt and handed it to Herald. This figure that had only come into their life should be more stern with Stephen on many things. Kim had to agree with the point about birthright. She’d want to be able to have that chance - but not like this.
Herald whispered to Stephen something else, hopefully to tell him to stop. The bruises on Stephen really showed. Jared took quick notice. What had really happened with Hanash? Kim heard something boom. These weren’t burns.
“Last chance,” Jared said.
“You took it,” Stephen said.
Some laughs came from a table and giggles from the girls who had been very fond of Jared. ‘Floozies,’ came to Kim’s mind anytime she saw pretty girls gawking over some pretty boys with muscles.
The older man from before came beside Kim. He tossed his blue towel over his shoulder and crossed his arm. “Fair fight,” the man said, “or you’ll both be on the street. You hear?”
“Yes,” Jared and Stephen agreed.
“Beat each other senseless then. I’m warning you, Galantine. You pay up after this.”
“When haven’t I?” Jared asked. The man rolled his eyes. “There is no bell. Come on.” Stephen brought his legs apart and rose his arms. Kim had been to several tournaments, one dragged to by Gabe, and each time Stephen took this stance. His eyes stay fixed at his opponent. “Attack already.”
“It’s not about attacking,” Stephen said.
“Do you want your wager or not?”
“I’m waiting.”
Jared’s eyes barely rolled. His fist struck fast. Kim held her breath. Stephen swayed, feet moving, eyes fixed on the attack. His fist came round and struck Jared in the gut. Jared backed, eyes wide. The man by Kim laughed and hollered to a server. Jared glared. Once again, Stephen waited. He motioned him forward.
“Lucky,” Jared spat. “Let’s see if you can do that again.”
Jared struck again. Stephen’s movement quickened. He bit his lip. Jared brought his foot forward quick, missing the knee. A sweep brought Stephen back. He managed to catch himself, as a fist came close. He backed, clutching his side. Jared grinned.
“Are you done?” Stephen questioned.
“Done?” Jared quested. He suddenly coughed. Stephen had dropped to his knees, slid lightly on his bare knee, and his fist struck right. He brought his elbow back as he rose. Jared groaned. “You!”
Smack. Stephen hopped back and shook off the blow to his face. Jared’s eyes flared. He rubbed his back. “Did that hurt?” Stephen questioned. Kim rubbed her ring again. This wasn’t like the tournaments at all. She wished someone would call a timeout.
Stephen backed, hands at sides. His breathing had started to change. Jared swung heavy at him. He swung again. Stephen barely managing to duck. He pushed him back hard and rolled around. Up Stephen hopped. He spun. Kim’s eyes widened. Jared hadn’t been able to spot the foot nearing his face. The very ground should have shook. Jared lay on the ground, chest rising.
Stephen cursed lightly. He kept his leg up. The man chuckled by Kim and soon towered over Jared. “Finally, Galantine,” he said, “you’re on your ass. Would yah like a bucket?”
“Ugh,” Jared groaned. “What the fuck was that?”
“Do you keep your word?” Stephen asked. His foot still did not touch the ground. Jared nodded after a moment of silence. Kim hurried to Stephen and helped him along.
“Thank you,” Kim whispered. Stephen nodded. “I mean it. You didn’t have to, not after -”
“No one will take that from you,” Stephen said. The man caught up before them and brought a chair around. “Thank you.” He took hold of Stephen’s leg and helped with the shoe. A pull to the back band let the tension release. His eyes widened at the sight of Stephen’s foot.
“Damn,” the man said. “I’ll get some ice and a regenerator. What will you drink? It’s on me.”
“Uh, what do you recommend?”
“My house brew. It’s a nice dark stout.”
Stephen nodded. “You’re Fluge?” he questioned.
“Yes, and thank you. Galantine needed knocking on his ass. Made my week.”
Kim took hold of Stephen’s leg after Fluge hurried off to the front. She sighed. Damn. The final blow replayed in her mind. She couldn’t get her foot up like that and doubted any more yoga would help. Stephen’s head went back as she pressed again.
“I don’t think it’s broken,” Kim said.
“It isn’t,” Stephen assured. He would know.
Kim was a therapist, not a doctor. She went into a mother mode as her friends called it at times when someone was hurt. The response had not always been well - remembering how Stephen was in that chair. He had knocked things away, said comments that hit deep, and his anger seemed to never fade. She let his leg rest upon another chair.
Herald and the boys kept to Jared, who finally sat up. He kept hold of his jaw. Blood seeped from his mouth as he spoke. Kim cringed slightly at the thought of it being Stephen.
Violence would always exist, and Kim knew it was needed in times. This could have been avoided, yet some minds wouldn’t see it that way. Kim would have hated if Jared had pulled a knife or a gun upon realizing he would lose. There came a point where a line must be drawn. She wouldn’
t fight personally unless she had no choice. If that came, she knew what line not to cross.
“Here you go,” Fluge called. The tall glass had a reddish foam that seeped over onto the tray. He wiped a bit of the table off and set it down. “Here’s this, miss.” Coolness came to Kim’s hand as she held the small orange bag. It had a switch on it, a blue light, and no sign of where ice could be put in. “I need to make sure about him now.”
“Do you think he needs a doctor?” Kim asked.
“He may need one after he pays his tab.”
Fluge chuckled and took his time reaching Jared. Herald had something in hand now. A weak hand rose and took it from him. Jared tapped the side and soon nodded. The two shook hands. Kim sighed. Hopefully that wouldn’t be more money Herald would waste. She had a bit of anger built up at him that may not be his fault entirely. She had to respect that he had given a lot in order for them to have food and shelter.
“I thought those days were over,” Gabe said. He pulled a chair close with a smile. “Muscle memory or something?”
“It’s my body,” Stephen said. “It didn’t forget.”
“I hope your foot heals.”
“It will.”
“Thanks, man. I mean it.”
Stephen nodded. It took Herald, Andy, and a little help from Fluge to get Jared into a chair. The man had stumbled and kept holding his head. He may need someone soon. Kim’s foot started to tap on the ground. She rose lightly before a server emerged with a red kit in hand. She managed to sigh.
“What an ass,” Gabe said. “I hate to think he’ll run out with your money.”
“No,” Herald assured. He looked back at the aid in work. “He sounds trusting enough. He wants a chance to talk to you tomorrow, Stephen.”
“Me?” Stephen asked.
“Yeah. Be cautious.”
“He knows how to hit,” Stephen said. His foot twitched as Kim repositioned the orange pack. He lifted his drink and took a bit back. “Dang.” He shook his head. “I can say I’ve never tasted that before.”
“Are you sure you should be drinking?” Kim questioned.
“Give him a break, babe,” Gabe said.
“I want her to scan your foot,” Herald said. “Then let’s head up to the room. Jared wants to be off at eight tomorrow. He estimates with a needed stop, we’ll be at Galat tomorrow evening.”