Spinward Fringe Broadcast 0: Origins

by Randolph Lalonde

  I said, “I'd like to remember tonight,” but neither of our refusals were very effective. They only drew playful jeers and goads.

  I got a smouldering blue shot, while Ayan's was perfectly clear. She eyed it warily.

  “I'm not going to like this am I?” Minh said, watching as the first mate set his on fire then did the same to her own.

  “To the galaxy's shadows,” toasted Captain Wheeler and everyone around the table, including a few late joiners from both crews took their shots.

  Mine was like drinking freezing, bitter liquorice. Ayan's eyes were squeezed shut before she drank the shot, but relaxed as she finished and turned to me, blowing the smell of her breath in my face gently. The mint fragrance was so strong I could taste it, but it came with a pleasant sweetness. I couldn't resist kissing her.

  “I think someone got lucky,” Minh said, gesturing in our direction.

  “Or is about to,” Wheeler's first mate added.

  We laughed an end to our kiss. “I've got to get the name of that liquor,” I whispered.

  “It's good but I don't think I'll be able to taste anything else for a month,” Ayan commented as she put her shot glass back on the tray.

  Captain Wheeler's eye was drawn to someone coming from behind us and I followed his line of sight. It was the lead singer, who shook hands with him. “I didn't know you'd be around this way. Good to see you,” said the voice I had heard from the stage just minutes ago. I couldn't help but notice that it was exactly the same. He was one of the few performers that didn't digitally enhance or alter his sound. He was tall, wore a long chain around his neck with tiny silver and platinum medals hanging all across it that jingled softly as he moved. The rings on his fingers were jewel-less but bore symbols from different worlds: the astrological sign of Gemini, and one that actually had a silver eye that seemed to choose features in the room and track them. It was focused on the table first, then turned to gaze at Ayan, blinking serenely.

  “You know me. Can't stay away from a good time. How's the tour been treating you?”

  “No breakdowns this time, getting paid everywhere we go, eating a bit too much - you know, the burdens of success,” said the minstrel, looking across the faces at the table, his gaze came to rest on Ayan and me. “Making new friends?”

  Captain Wheeler gestured towards us. “This is Captain Jonas Valent and Commander Ayan Rice, of the First Light.”

  The smiling, pleasant expression on the lead singer's face dropped, and for a moment I had no idea what to think. “I can't believe it. You're still in the sector, and in public,” he offered his hand and I shook it warily. “We just watched a hologram of your ship taking on a corporate carrier and two destroyers. You're famous, man.” His smile was resurfacing with a vengeance, he looked almost star struck.

  “What do you mean, famous?” Oz asked.

  “Someone in corporate security leaked that holovid. Now it's viral across the Stellarnet. Ships like yours don't exist man. This is like meeting Robin Hood in person,” he said before turning to Ayan. “Not to mention Maid Marion.”

  “I wouldn't go that far. I'm just glad I'm meeting one of the members of the band. I've never heard anything like you,” I replied, trying to turn the focus away. If that's how the public were seeing us off the beaten path, then we could do worse.

  “Ah, it's like anything you'd hear from a dozen backworld colonies. We put our own spin on songs about short-lived people in bad places, or short-lived places on account of bad people. I should write something about you guys. The notes attached to the holovid going around said you had something to do with Vindyne jailbreak, any truth there?”

  I hesitated for a moment. Jason fixed me with a look like we had gotten caught with our hand in the cookie jar. He looked more worried than I felt.

  Captain Wheeler interjected. “Let's just say Jonas and his crew tend to make an impression as they make their way,” he raised his glass in salute and took a drink.

  “I didn't catch the name of the band,” I said, trying to change the topic again.

  “Are you kidding?” Captain Wheeler said in exaggerated exasperation. “This is Stonemark, the edgiest band the edge of space ever did see.”

  The lead singer ignored him and nodded at me. “Glad to hear you like the sound. I've got to get back to the stage for the next set. Keep tearing it up out there. We need more real rebels around.”

  We watched him leave. The man had presence, was almost as tall as Oz and possessed an unconscious charisma. “How do you know him?” Laura asked Wheeler.

  “They were stranded on a backwater station when their faster than light systems died, and they signed on for a few months,” Captain Wheeler said dismissively. “I'm glad they're better musicians than crew. We didn't even know what to do with them at first. They jumped ship as soon as they had enough credits to buy an old beat up wreck that would hold together long enough to get them to a few gigs along the tradeway. Looks like you're getting a few fans of your own, though.”

  “I had no idea holographic combat recordings could leak so easily.”

  “Well, the Stellarnet thrives on anything anti-corporate or anti-establishment. Biggest unregulated network in the universe. Dangerous to be that well known for a crew like yours. After this mission you should move on. Find another end of the galaxy to work out of. Maybe even do some honest work with a government outfit out there for a while. There's real cash in privateering these days. Millions a month with the right ship and crew,” Captain Wheeler said. He was already making the assumption that we'd never return to Freeground.

  The band started playing again and Laura hopped to her feet with Jason's hand in both of hers. She tugged on him until he stood, and shrugged at us as he was dragged down the stairs back onto the dance floor.

  “I'm gonna go. Follow me!” The first mate said to Minh, only just loud enough so everyone could overhear. He was caught by surprise and his look of confusion cleared to reveal a smile. “Good night everyone,” she said over her shoulder as she walked down the stairs with Minh not far behind.

  “Oh, I think you'll have to go find him later, Oz. I wouldn't turn your comm off,” Ayan chuckled.

  “I just hope it's sometime tomorrow morning. Where does she usually leave her victims?” he asked Captain Wheeler.

  He shook his head. “She'll make sure he knows where the door is, don't worry.”

  “So how long have you been out here Captain?” Ayan asked.

  “It's been about thirty years. Time just happens by while things go on, I don't pay much attention.”

  “Do you still do much work for Freeground?”

  “Only when they come calling, which isn't often these days. They don't want anyone knowing where I come from.” He drained the remnants of his pint, then put it down on the table with an audible clunk. “There's a lot of Brit in you. Do you come from one of the coreward colonies?”

  His question caught us all by surprise. “My mother's from a British colony, if that's what you mean, but I grew up on Freeground.”

  “So you're from that Rice family. I knew your mother. Met her when the Brits arrived on Freeground and started pissing in the gene pool.”

  Ayan was just about to snap. What would actually happen afterwards I didn't know, but I couldn't let whatever was going on continue. “The founders would call that diversity,” I said flatly. “Looking at your crew, I see a lot of it.”

  “But I hire scraps and rejects on purpose,” he said as he poured himself more lager. “I don't let them think they're in charge then dress them up for show.”

  Ayan gave me an enraged, hurt look and in one smooth motion stood and started walking down the stairs. I followed.

  Oz wasn't far behind. “Are you sure you should just leave it like that?” he asked, yelling over the din of music and people.

  Ayan stopped and turned around, she was furious. “Now I know why Intelligence kicked him out.”

  “Doc warned us about him. We only have to put up with it unt
il the mission's done.”

  “I shouldn't be so angry. If he didn't look so young I would have seen it coming.”

  “You're right, he's got to be at least fifty or sixty, but he doesn't look a day over twenty five.”

  “So surrounded by the walking wounded, he's had anti-ageing treatments?” I asked no one in particular, it was more of a statement. “Classy. Let's just leave. We'll let Jason and Laura know after we're in the hall.”

  Ayan stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned to me. “No. He's just one prejudiced little bastard among millions. I'm not going to let him spoil tonight,” she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Go have a drink with Oz. I'll meet you in your quarters.”

  She strode off to the door before I could say anything. Oz made a hand signal towards the entrance where a few of his security personnel were on watch, and a female officer nodded before following Ayan outside.

  “Come on, let's hit the bar. Ensign Flores will make sure she makes it back to the ship okay,” Oz said, putting his big hand on my shoulder. “Not that Ayan needs help. Her infantry training and experience stacks up pretty high compared to most of my security people. It'd make more sense if she was escorting Flores.”

  “Some night, huh?” I said after watching Ayan leave.

  “Yup. Ayan looks amazing.”

  “She really does, I'm a lucky man.”

  “Sure you are, but so are a few other million,” I heard Captain Wheeler say from behind. “You should head to Britannia. There are a few hundred thousand women who look almost exactly the same. Curvy with blue green eyes and curly red hair. Your girl's just another manufactured piece out of a punch and cut mould. Most of them think they're better than everyone else too. Even the ones in brothels. I've had a few myself.”

  I've thought about what happened next over and over, but no matter how it plays out, what followed could have been avoided. I spun on my heel, swinging for his head and just as I was about to connect palm first with his temple he ducked out of the way and planted a fist in my stomach. His blow didn't do a thing -- my vacsuit hardened before it even landed -- and he probably did more damage to his hand than he did to me. I headbutted him with the force of my legs and shoulders behind it and felt his nose squelch against my forehead.

  Stupid. Every instant in that petty fight was stupid. My forehead had crushed his nose, blood flowed freely, and he squinted for a moment to clear his vision.

  I grabbed him by the collar of his jacket and Oz followed my lead, grabbing Wheeler's belt and hauling him off his feet.

  We half carried, half dragged him to the door and literally tossed him into the hallway. He rolled onto his back, laughing uproariously. “You take yourself way too seriously. And worse, you take her seriously. Her kind are nothing but genetically engineered breeders who think they're holier than the almighty himself. They were smart enough to quiet things down before you were born, but it doesn't change what they are.”

  “She saved the lives of the entire crew, and broke us free when no one else would have been brave or intelligent enough to get us out. You have a lot to learn.”

  The music behind us had died and some of the crew from both ships were starting to come out of the club. “I read the report, Captain. It doesn't change what she is. Go find the real history of Freeground. The British forced the real Freegrounders out of command a long time ago. I was glad when they offered me a ship. Freeground lives under my command, brother. The real Freeground. Anyone's welcome on Triton.”

  “As cannon fodder. I've heard about your command style.”

  He stood up slowly and straightened his clothing out, ignoring his nose, which had already stopped bleeding. “When this mission is over, we're done. You'd best make sure our shadows don't cross.” He tapped the back of his hand a few times and his crew started emptying from the club.

  Captain Wheeler led his ragtag pack down the hall. “Let's move on! There are other clubs. First rounds' on me!” he called out.

  “Well, that could have gone better,” Oz said. I turned towards him, still furious and he smirked back at me. “What? I haven't had that much fun since academy graduation night.”

  There were a couple dozen First Light crew watching us from the broad doorway. I hate to admit it, but Captain Wheeler had the only good idea for that situation. “Back inside everyone. The bands waiting for an audience, the bar is waiting for drinkers, and the floor's waiting for dancers!” I shouted, faking the revelry so well I almost fooled myself.

  “Damn, I didn't know you were a poet.” Oz laughed. The crew were following my directions and I could see the collective sigh of relief move through them like a wave.

  “I just hope Minh is all right.”

  “That little guy? You forget, he and I grew up with three sisters. If that's not survival training, I don't know what is. He'll be fine, and if not, I'll go get him. Now you'd better go meet Ayan before she falls asleep on you.”

  The way back to the ship seemed long, and I couldn't get to my quarters fast enough. I knew what Ayan had in mind before the night had begun, before events had turned south. Even if those plans were cancelled, I just wanted time alone with her. Having two days and three nights to ourselves sounded so good; it was like an oasis of paradise suspended between strife and jeopardy. I forced myself to calm down a little as the doorway to my quarters came into view.

  I passed through the paired doors and into the dimly lit main room.

  “I'm in here,” she called out quietly.

  I took off my coat and flopped it onto the back of a chair as I made my way into the bedroom. She was standing in front of the transparent wall, looking out on the gas giant's sun-kissed horizon. A rich blue and purple light filled the room. I moved to stand behind her. She knit her fingers with mine and drew my arms around her, leaning back against me with a sigh.

  “You know there are guards watching every hallway leading to your quarters?” She asked quietly. “Oz is getting paranoid.”

  “I didn't even notice,” I kissed the top of her head and held her close.

  “I'd still feel safe without them.”

  “There's nowhere else I'd rather be. I'm sorry about Wheeler,” I whispered.

  “I don't want anything to spoil tonight for us. Wheeler and the prejudiced idiots like him are all outside where they belong, and I'm here with you.”

  “I couldn't wait to get back,” I whispered. “You're all I could think about.”

  She let my hands go and turned around. “I don't want to wake up from this dream.”

  I ran my hand down the length of her bare back, just a feather touch across her skin. She shivered as we looked into each other's eyes. Her deep blues stared into mine and I ran my hand up and down, caressing, gently touching at first, then rubbing the ticklish traces away. “We have all night,” I whispered against her lips.

  “Then all day,” she whispered back.

  Our lips touched, gently parted and closed. Pressed together, all I could hear was the sounds of our rushing breath. She held to me so tightly, as though I could just disappear at any moment.

  She caught me toying with the knot behind her neck and chuckled. “Have you been good?” she teased.

  I shook my head. “No,” and resumed kissing her. I didn't wait for permission, I just tugged the silk tie loose.

  She stepped back for just a moment so I could watch her dress fall to the floor.

  Chapter 16

  Holiday

  Our vacation was well spent. We didn't shut ourselves into my quarters for the entire time either. In fact we ended up visiting the theatre for a production of Being Left, which was really a story about a man in love with two women at the same time. By the end Jason and I came to the conclusion that it was a bad idea to see that particular play on a date, especially since the main character was killed in the end during a battle for the two ladies' honour.

  The shopping in Starfree Port was an experience to remember. The promenade was filled with franchise shops in
the more permanent sections while temporary kiosks featured the most random wares either of us could have imagined. Everything from food, to pets of all sizes, and even clothing made of living plant matter that changed colour and shape depending on your mood, was offered.

  The times I remember best, however, were the long hours Ayan and I spent alone together. We got to know each other better during those times than we had during any other point in our relationship.

  There was something else going on, however, and after the second morning it started to occur to me that her belongings were already starting to make their way to my quarters. Drawers I would probably never use started to play host to clothing she cleaned after wearing for a morning, afternoon or evening. The small cupboard in my bathroom was suddenly equipped with little makeup applicators and grooming tools. And when we went out she made sure that I wore the scarf she gave me with my black trench coat. I simply wasn't allowed to leave it behind. According to her the trench coat and scarf went together, no exceptions.

  In all honesty, the fact that she was quietly making herself at home in my quarters didn't make me at all uncomfortable. My lifestyle was Spartan, so having things in drawers and around my quarters was unusual but somehow it felt more like home. That didn't stop me from bringing it up when we were having lunch with Jason and Laura in a restaurant overlooking the gas giant. Apparently Laura had already completed the process of moving into Jason's quarters. She had simply registered herself as a resident there seconds after his quarters were rebuilt.

  Sadly, as with all vacations, it came to an end. We were people with responsibilities. What's more, we enjoyed those responsibilities. They were part of who we were.

  I was just setting a very high security level for anything the surveillance equipment in my quarters may have picked up over the last few days -- something I forgot to do earlier -- when she came out of the bathroom. She was back in uniform and practically bouncing. We were both in a fantastic mood. I tried to finish up as fast as I could but I knew it was no use.