Ajax: Relinquished

by Gavin Magson

  We are almost back from sourcing out a repair crew, thought you should know. We will be in the dining room for a few hours. You’re more than welcome to come join us – Greg.

  He removed his sheathed knife and packed it away within a vacant side pocket. Everything he owned that Beryl was not transporting fitted into the rucksack with space to spare. It stunned him to think that all his worldly possessions could fit in such a small bag, nothing of great importance or personal value amongst them.

  Ajax pushed the thought from his mind. Travelling light did not mean his life was without purpose, just easy to pack up and move on. He zipped the bag closed and headed for the dining room. Greg's message could not have come at a better time, the heat from underneath had risen through the floorboards and was trying to cook him in his own room.

  Ajax reached the foot of the stairs just as three familiar faces walked through the door. Wordlessly they headed for a table together, each taking a different path through the maze of tables. He was thankful that the room was quiet, Sarah was nowhere in sight which he hoped meant that Maria would be serving their table tonight.

  “What was your progress like on organising some repairs for the ship?” asked Ajax as Maria headed over to their table. He held up four fingers and she turned back mid stride to fetch their beers.

  “It was really productive, a rarity in my experience. It is surprising just how willing people are to clear their schedules and help when you suddenly have money,” said Duke. A grin spread across his face that took away the lines his recent stresses had almost caused to be a permanent feature. “We could have the ship back up and running in little over a week, if our contractor’s boasts turn out to be true. Greg has also been busy finding candidates to take Ilya’s place within the crew, interviews start tomorrow.”

  The beers arrived and each man grabbed at them, both visibly and audibly enjoying their crisp taste.

  “I presume that means Ilya won’t be coming back to work with you guys anytime soon then?” asked Ajax once his thirst was quenched.

  Duke shook his head in answer, his expression downcast at the question. “New man, new life, and new friends it would seem. I’ve told her that she is always welcome back, should she decide to return to work. For all I know she has found different employment, Ilya never mentioned why she was leaving.”

  Ajax nodded and thought better of continuing that conversation. He picked up a heavily stained menu stuck to the table’s surface. He had to prise open the sticky pages in order to read through the selection. Eventually he gave in when his eyes could not distinguish letters from unknown residue.

  “There are times when I think the words on this menu are pointless, the damn thing is an advertisement for the meals Sal makes. Is anyone else hungry?” he asked whilst trying to attract Maria's attention once more.

  “I certainly could eat.” said Greg. A nod from his partner was enough for Lev to convey his hunger.

  Maria finished serving a table close to the taverns heavy wooden door as the men waved her over to their table once more.

  “Could we have four house specials please, gorgeous?” asked the captain. He gave Maria's hastily blushing face a wink when she managed to look him in the eyes.

  “Certainly gentlemen, any more drinks whilst I am here?”

  “Just the food for now, though I'm sure there will be a few more drinks soon.” said Duke.

  “You could at least treat her to a meal before scarring the poor girl for life, you creep.” chided Ajax.

  Greg tried inhaling his beer as he burst into gargled laughter, which resulted in him choking on the liquid. The sour expression on Duke's face quickly cleared as he began chuckling at the struggling man. Lev patted a large hand against his partners back until the raking coughs subsided.

  “Now that's a little uncalled for, I was just paying her a compliment. Besides, do you think she would go for a guy like me? I'm not too old to play the field, right?” asked Duke, which set Greg off for a fresh round of hacking coughs and strained laughter.

  “I don't honestly know what her preference in men is, but I would not risk Sal's wrath if I were you; you'd need to save the man's life, his business, any family pets and probably his grandmother to get on his good side if you shacked up with his niece. Let's leave Greg to recover, otherwise I’ll be waiting until after his funeral to talk with you guys.

  “I have some news of my own for you. I have accepted the job offer from Rine, it's uncertain at the moment but I could be starting as soon as tomorrow.” Ajax's words did not meet the congratulations he was hoping for; instead the three men simultaneously paused in their drinking. “Come on, lads, no need for all the sad faces. I'll be back before you know it.”

  “I am sorry if we look a bit shocked, I know that I was hoping we would get you for a little longer; you have barely been back from prison and are already off again.” said Lev, finally remembering the tankard held close to his lips.

  “We all know that I am not suited to be a crew member on the greatest mining tug in this system, so I can't be with you guys as much as I want to be. The way that Rine advertised it I am sure that this job is going to pay out a substantial sum, perhaps then I can retire from dangerous assignments and open up a business somewhere. For now I have to go out and shoot some bad people, it is the only thing I know how to do. I don't want to see any sad faces tonight; it could be my last with you for a while so let's get some more drinks down us and have some fun.” Ajax raised his tankard in a salute, and then downed its contents in a single loud glug.

  His companions almost instantly followed suit, quaffing their drinks with gusto. Maria saw the scene and fetched more drinks automatically for their table, which earned her a ragged cheer. Before she could leave Duke ordered what turned out to be a bottle of amber spirit, the name of which eluded Ajax as it sounded unpronounceable, along with four short tumblers.

  Their food arrived somewhere between the fourth and fifth drink, the mysterious bottle sitting unopened at the tables centre. Each meal came served on a wooden board that contained a variety of selection, each food stuff more exotic and tasty than the last. Their drinking slowed down momentarily as priorities were made to finally eat. Despite his general inactivity for the day Ajax was famished, no thanks to Sarah for trying to change that. He was nearly at the end of his meal when Aiko walked into the tavern. Several heads turned as the open door let a strong breeze in and stayed turned at the sight before them.

  Ajax had known the woman for a few months, almost as long as he had known Duke and his crew. Until today he had yet to see her not wearing the trademark long coat that left everything to the imagination. Now that he knew what she looked like underneath Ajax’s mind was blown.

  The blouse and skirt went well together, accentuating her curves better than any coat could. Ajax couldn’t care less about her choice in clothes, rather he was captivated by those long, shapely legs and the way her blouse was pulled tight across her chest. With some effort he managed to compose himself before Aiko saw how much she affected him.

  “Good evening, gentlemen. Is there room for one more at your table?” asked Aiko, standing next to Ajax whilst he tried his best not to stare.

  Lev reached around behind him to grab a nearby chair and set it down between himself and Ajax, who wanted to curse Lev for all the good it would do. Aiko smiled at the tall man and squeezed herself around the table.

  “I don't think I have had the pleasure of being introduced to your friends, Ajax.” said Aiko.

  “You are right, I'm sorry. This is Duke, captain of the Illicit Jane. Greg, his navigations officer and Lev, who does something but I'm not too sure what. Everyone, this is Aiko, who you probably remember from my last fight as my now ex manager.” Lev cursed at him and the table erupted into laughter at the mild giant's anger.

  “I hope you are joining us for a few drinks, Aiko, after all this lad might be leaving us tomorrow and I don't know when we'll next have the chance to force him into a drunken stupor.
” said Duke, placing an empty glass and his amber bottle in front of the woman.

  Aiko's answer came as she filled the glass with spirit and downed the contents in one, her wavering expression as she tried to suppress a cough only further fuelled the laughter. Maria appeared almost instantly with a fifth tumbler and more drinks were ordered. Soon the plates were cleared to allow the five figures to gradually become more inebriated.

  “A toast to our departing friend, Ajax,” said Greg, struggling to stand from his seat. The four followed suit and raised their glasses, oblivious to the stares from fellow patrons around them. “We are all going to miss you, Ajax, yet again you are disappearing on us. Make it back safe and ensure you return rich.”

  The group cheered, touched glasses and downed their drinks. The moment was only ruined when Greg fell over trying to get back into his seat.

  Chapter 5

  The key slid up and down the door as Ajax tried to slot it home, scratching away at the metal face of the lock as he got ever closer. Aiko giggled frantically at his muttered curses and failed attempts, snorting through her laughter which caused Ajax to chuckle, sending the key yet more wayward. Eventually the key made it into the lock, a surprise to the small crowd present, and the door swung inwards, allowing the drunk figures inside. Lev and Greg bid them goodnight, carrying an unconscious Duke between them.

  As the door closed Ajax turned around to see Aiko taking in his room, her unsteady walk amusing as her hips wiggled wildly to balance in those ridiculously tall shoes. She admitted defeat and took them off, dropping down at least six inches in height. A broad, drunken smile across her face at the instant relief from her discomfort made him laugh once more.

  “I nearly forgot, let me show you the map of Sector Six. It's important you know as much as possible about what you are getting yourself in for.” said Aiko.

  She sat down on the bed, gently patting the area next to her; Ajax took the hint and sat down heavily. He rolled backwards and both laughed at his clumsiness as he struggled to right himself. Out of a small handbag Aiko pulled her tablet and an oval device constructed of a polished metal, which the tablet slotted inside. Three dark lenses raised out of its surface to move into position and a projection illuminated. The image showed a three dimensional map of the slums that slowly revolved, allowing Ajax to see the slums in their entirety.

  Ajax marvelled at how accurate it appeared to him. Despite that the buildings were projected in miniature they were incredibly detailed, demonstrated by Aiko moving her fingertips apart near the image that resulted in it magnifying. Ajax could make out individual windows peppering the multitude of skyscrapers.

  Sector Six was built in a wavering circle that ringed the mountains base, with a tall wall standing between it and Seven that the tallest buildings of Seven were almost level with. Aiko set the device down on the bed between them and Ajax reached out a hand that passed through the light; it seemed so realistic to him, he had half expected the projection to be solid.

  “This is the train station you'll be arriving at,” she said, pointing a slim finger at the large building from above. Aiko pressed on the screen of her tablet and several buildings nearby changed from white to blue in colour. “These are the guest houses, hotels and bases for the mercenaries we have hired. You have a free choice of which to stay in, no need to worry about payment for your lodgings.” another tap and most of the city turned red, some parts green and the small remainder stayed white. “Everything red indicates areas controlled by the current drug gangs and the green is what we have liberated and now occupy; you could call it a safe zone, of sorts. However, do not become complacent and assume these areas are always going to be safe; you never know when some idiot with a gun will make a suicidal bid to take you down.

  “Rine has chosen your deployment area already. It is where he requires immediate action to combat the resistance that is hampering our efforts to push through Six-“

  “You and Rose are going to act as our forward scouts for this mission. Make sure to avoid engaging the enemy, unless absolutely necessary; we want to use you two as a surprise offensive, if you can go undetected. General Greaves has a lot of faith in you two. Don’t let the old man down.”

  Ajax glanced at the field map, its top down view showed in real-time troop movements across the boggy terrain as the military closed in on the city of Witeport. The lieutenant in front of him had already changed the projection so that an overlay showed the route Ajax and Rose were to take, transported most of the way via an armoured Ravager-class tank.

  Witeport was just a small coastal hub on a backwater planet that nobody had cared about until it was overrun by the subservient populace. Now Ajax was months from home and preparing for his first military engagement because his government had not met their promises of protecting Witeport from bandits that raided the city for both supplies and young women.

  “This is a simple operation and we aren’t looking to escalate it through conflict. If all goes well you two will infiltrate the city, locate the militia ringleaders and eliminate them. I’ve been briefed that this is your first deployment, but Greaves insisted that you two would be ideal as our scouts-“

  “-which means you will be thrown in the deep end. I advise you stay in one of these lodgings for at least your first week, whilst you get to know the surrounding area,” Aiko pointed to three buildings in the centre of the green zone, their positioning close to the train station but far from the action. When she looked back up at Ajax the blood had drained from his face, leaving his blank expression framed by pale skin. “What is wrong, Ajax?”

  The memory was fresh, almost as if he had awoken a few hours later and was looking back on the events. Ajax could recall he and Rose crammed into the tank, four other soldiers jostling them as they moved around the seated duo. Before long they were crawling through undergrowth as the tank’s engine roared in the distance, its bulky form lumbering from sight.

  They had made it to the city walls by sundown, having skirted around the city so that they approached a barricade closest to the coast road that connected Witeport to nearby settlements. The sentries had their weapons trained on the couple as they approached and a potbellied man encased in faux military clothing challenged them.

  Thirteen minutes later the first volley struck the city’s outer wall as a line of heavily armed vehicles descended upon Witeport. Ajax and Rose were trapped, along with dozens of citizens, within a collapsing building as explosions rocked the buildings all around them.

  Ajax was struck by a wooden beam as they tried to flee and passed out in Rose’s arms. When he next awoke the night sky was aglow from the inferno that was Witeport. He heard Rose try to reassure him that neither of them could have prevented the assault before he lapsed back into unconsciousness.

  “I…I’m fine. Must just be the drink getting to me.” Ajax's hand pointed at a blue patch towards the green zone's edge. “Thank you for the advice, but I think this will do for my base. I'm not going into the slums for a picnic, I don't want to be there for a year carefully clearing the place out. Shock and awe is what this assignment needs.”

  “If I didn't know any better I would think you were trying to impress me, Mr Frost. Choosing to get into the thick of the action from the outset is quite the bold statement. Pass me your tablet, I'll transfer this map over for you.” the projection stopped and Aiko soon tapped away at both tablets in her hand.

  “I would not want to give you the idea that I purposefully chose that location just to impress you; unless it did, of course.” Ajax grinned inanely and Aiko chuckled at his expression. The alcohol had worn away at the sudden memory, easing the anxious feeling that had distracted him. “I'm just eager to make a name for myself among the competition, and get into the thick of the action, of course.”

  Aiko handed the tablet back to Ajax, who placed it on his bedside table. He turned back and hesitated for a second, watching as Aiko's eyes lingered on his mouth, chewing subconsciously on her own lips as she did so. A
jax moved closer and put one hand behind her head, then leant in for the kiss. It was all heat and wetness, Aiko moaned with unreserved pleasure.

  Wordlessly they began helping each other remove their clothes with haste. They had to stand so that Ajax could unzip the dress Aiko wore as they sent the layers flying in all directions. Finally the pair stood naked, lips locked in an embrace that their bodies mirrored. Ajax pulled away just to take in the naked form of Aiko. Her lightly tanned skin was illuminated under the bright moonlight as his hungry eyes traced the curve of her hips. Without the coat she was a totally different person, long black hair came down past her shoulders, perky breasts usually covered by clothes were free in the night air. Ajax traced his thumb over a dark nipple, smiling as her body tensed and quivered.

  “I've wanted this for so long,” whispered Aiko, standing on tip toes to lean in and nibble at his ear.

  “I had no idea.” Ajax replied with absolute honesty.

  Ajax swept the woman off her feet, almost with too much enthusiasm as Aiko soared into the air. He took care to gently deposit her on the bed and climbed under the covers alongside her. The rising heat from the taverns fire was no longer combating the cold tendrils that whipped at their naked flesh and he felt the woman shiver against him. Ajax moved on top of Aiko, who lifted her head from the thin pillow to kiss him again, her teeth biting at his lip.

  Ajax managed to free his mouth, despite her protests. He traced kisses down Aiko's neck, feeling her whole body quiver each time as he hit the sweet spot. As his mouth moved down towards her breasts Ajax felt Aiko starting to squirm, her legs squeezed together and twisting; he did not leave her wanting for long. His head moved all the way down, strong hands prised legs open and his hot tongue ran along her hairless sex.

  He was sure she was going to scream, Aiko was definitely hypersensitive by his judge of things. Even his strength wasn't enough to stop her thighs from closing around his head and attempting to crush his skull. He was thankful they were as smooth as the rest of her. Soft hands grabbed at him, trying to pull him away.