Odessa threw her arms behind her, trying to reach his face, trying to grab, scratch, punch–anything.
"I need this more than you. I need to be more than I am!" said Plowstow.
The animalistic grunting that escaped Odessa's lips lowered to a softer pitch with each passing second. Plowstow could feel blood running down his arms, creating a strange sensation where warm fluid met cold air.
Odessa threw her arms behind her in a final effort and her legs jerked out in front of her, kicking empty air. She gave a final small shudder, and all went quiet as her movements ceased.
Plowstow released his hold on her neck and allowed her to slide down into the dirt. He checked her pockets but didn't find anything of interest. He got up and looked at the body for a few moments before snapping his fingers. He reached for her boots and pulled both of them off. Two small pouches dropped to the ground.
He picked them up and found credits in one, but the contents of the other stole his breath away. Precious stones slipped into his open palm. They could give him the sort of lifestyle he'd always dreamed about–well, until he blew through it all.
"Ahem," said a voice behind him.
Plowstow closed his fist and spun around. Freyan stood before him with his arms crossed.
"What?" said Plowstow.
"Is that any way to speak to someone who has saved your life twice?" said Freyan.
"Twice? I was only injured once."
"Yes, you were, but if I tell Phoenix what I saw here today, you won't be alive much longer. And even if he doesn't kill you, Saoirse will do unspeakable things to you once she finds out that Rustem only knew where we were because of you--"
"You can't prove that!"
"One of the wonderful things about a Bloodless being is the tech we carry on our person. For instance, I listened to everything that was said between you and...Odessa, was it?" Freyan said, pointing to Odessa's lifeless body. "And I recorded it for later use. Plus, I recorded a video to go along with my audio, so there's that too."
"What do you want?" Plowstow asked.
"Not much. Just a favour, here or there. Nothing compared to what your little friend over there was going to have you do, I assure you."
"What's stopping me from just destroying your metal ass?"
"Phoenix was right. You can always trust a dishonest fool to do dishonest things. I thought you would say something along those lines, so I have beamed my findings back to the ship. If I am not back within the hour, it will play through the speakers of the whole ship. Then you won't have anywhere to hide, will you?"
"It's not what it looks--"
"Plowstow, I don't care. But Phoenix is willing to give you a second chance, and as you saved his life, I guess that counts for something. Now, I suggest we head back to the ship before questions start getting asked."
Plowstow gave Freyan a small nod before walking past him.
"Ahem," said Freyan.
"What?"
"I shall take the precious stones you have slipped into your left pocket. Also the three that have found their way into your coat. You can keep the credits," said Freyan.
"That be mine!"
"No, that be the ship's. The price those will fetch at market will put us in fuel, medical supplies and food for some time," said Freyan with his hand out.
Plowstow dropped the stones in his hand with a scowl and began to walk off, but he was stopped by Freyan. Plowstow looked down at his wrist, which was encircled by Freyan's hand, and tried to yank it free. But the effort was futile. No matter how much Plowstow pulled, the result was always the same.
"I know what you were trying to sell," said Freyan.
"I don't--"
"I found the molecular blueprints of the Warden's drug on your person after I performed surgery on you."
Plowstow licked his lips. His eyes shifted uncomfortably. He scratched his neck with is free hand. Is this a trap? "Look–"
"No, my empty-headed friend, you look. Do you know what those drugs could do if they got out? Do you know how selfish it was of you to steal them? Do you? I guess you don't."
Plowstow's heart raced as he tried to decide what to do. If the crew ever found out about this, he was... It really didn't bear thinking about.
"This is what will happen. I will call upon you to do something for me when I choose. It may be in a week, a year, or longer. But when I ask, you will do it. Do I make myself clear?" said Freyan.
What choice do I have? I should have left the planet when I had the chance.
Plowstow gave Freyan a small nod and began to walk off.
"Plowstow! Back at Dredar, did you set me and Phoenix up just to get your hands on the blueprints?"
"Do you really want to know?"
The cold desert wind gave the only answer that was needed.
"I thought so," Plowstow said, walking away.
61
Phoenix awoke from his slumber and opened his eyes. The same ceiling greeting him as before. He got up off the bed and planted his feet on the floor. He shivered, looking down at his naked body, and shook his head. His mouth felt bitter; his tongue was furry. He made his way to what looked like a sink and spotted a glass of clear liquid.
He brought it to his nose and gave it a sniff. Odourless didn't mean not dangerous. He brought it up to his lips and then hesitated and placed it back down.
"It is safe to drink," Freyan said from behind him.
Phoenix nodded and knocked the liquid back, washing his mouth out with it. He spat the first mouthful out and drank the rest until nothing was left. Liquid poured down the sides of his mouth as he gulped. Slamming the glass back down, Phoenix wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
"That's better."
"The effects you are feeling right now are normal. It will wear off in a day or two."
"Why does my mouth taste like copper?"
"I could explain it to you, but..."
"Oh, I forgot. Someone from a backwards home world like mine wouldn't understand, right?" said Phoenix.
"Something like that, dear chap," said Freyan.
"How long was I out for?"
"Thirteen days."
"That long, huh?"
"If anyone else had operated on you it would have been longer, but because of my advanced skills the time was reduced significantly."
"Freyan, how many times? Being humble is a virtue that you must work on."
"But facts are facts. I must inform you that you are the proud owner of my greatest work. You are my greatest work."
"Work?" said Phoenix confused.
"Yes, work. If you turn around and look in the mirror you shall see it."
Phoenix slowly turned and walked to the mirror Freyan pointed to. He remembered Freyan telling him what he was about to have done to him. The details were foggy now.
Phoenix took one step forward and stopped. His chest rose and fell. He cast a quick glance towards Freyan, then lowered his gaze back down to the floor. He took another step and hesitated again.
If he looked in that mirror would he recognise himself anymore? Would the twins?
Phoenix stood in front of the full-length mirror and let out a sigh of relief.
"You didn't think I would change you into some monster, did you?" Freyan asked.
Phoenix didn't respond, looking his naked form up and down. He had put on bulk and muscle. There wasn't an ounce of fat on him. Veins popped out from his arms and stomach. Bringing his hands in front of him, he rubbed one hand against the other. His right hand didn't feel right. Phoenix looked at Freyan, holding it out before him, confused.
"I told you I had to remove your hand. I couldn't repair it. Too much damage had been done. So I replaced it with a robotic one. It will still look and feel the same to everyone else–only you will know the difference," said Freyan.
"What's it covered with?" Phoenix whispered.
"Your flesh. I skin-grafted it over the metal."
Phoenix nodded his head slowly and opened and closed his
fist. He moved it around, admiring the full range of motion. Phoenix moved his fingers, faster and faster, till they became a blur.
"Oh, that's not all you can do. You can crush any known alloy apart from a special metal only found on Saoirse's home world. Your hand is also impervious to heat–well, to a certain degree. Don't try grabbing a sun. You have sensors in the fingertips that can detect poisons and DNA, and can break most coded computers."
Phoenix was stunned. He blinked back tears and the image he saw magnified in size.
"Whoa, everything looks really big," he said, panicked.
"Don't worry, that is just your retinas adjusting to you. Both were damaged, so I had to repair them. While doing so, I upgraded your eyesight. You can now see eight times better. You also have night vision that will detect most heat signatures. Oh–I almost forgot. Any written language can also be translated and read."
Phoenix backed away from the mirror in shock. The flood of information he was receiving was too much. He didn't begrudge Freyan's help, but was he even human anymore? Backing away, he bumped against a table, spilling its contents to the floor.
"Phoenix?" Freyan was walking towards him.
"What have you done to me, Freyan? Am I even human anymore?"
"Of course you are. I understand this is a lot to take in--"
"A lot to take in? A lot... Freyan--"
"Phoenix, if I didn't do what I did, you would be dead. Or worse–you would be blind, deaf and missing a hand. Would that state have been better to live in?"
"No," said Phoenix with a sigh. Walking back towards the mirror he looked at himself more closely. "At least I have kept my good looks."
A door opening to his left brought a squeal of delight, as L ran into the room and gave Phoenix a running hug.
"L, L, you're choking me," said Phoenix.
"Phoenix, I've missed you so much! I thought... I thought, I..." L buried her face in Phoenix's neck. Her warm tears trickled down his neck.
He wrapped his arms around the tiny engineer and hugged her tightly, kissing the top of her head. "I know, I thought the same thing too. But it's fine now, I'm much better. Freyan has been looking after me, so I can't complain." Phoenix kissed the top of her head once more, allowing L to settle in his arms. "You okay?" Phoenix whispered.
"Couldn't be better," L laughed, jumping away from him. "Watch me dance."
L did a little jig on the spot, and Phoenix was tempted to join her but he realised that he was naked. Bringing his hands towards his genitals, he tried to cover up.
"I've already had a good look! Yummy, yummy," L said, biting her bottom lip and giving him a wink before she left the room.
62
Phoenix made his way down the corridor, amazed at what he saw. The ship was straight out of a sci-fi movie, not like the old relics he had travelled in before. This one took his breath away. He'd never owned a luxury car back home, but he could imagine owning his first one feeling very similar to what he felt in the pit of his stomach.
He ran his hand along the spotless wall, taking in the holocoms embedded in the walls. Lights followed him, above and below, wherever he went. A small robot rolled past him, going in the opposite direction. He rounded a corner and saw L with her arms crossed over her chest.
"Welcome aboard the PH1. On board you will find sleeping quarters enough to house ten. The canteen is down the hall and to the left. There is a machine that I installed that will cater to everyone's needs..."
L ran through a speech Phoenix was sure she had rehearsed more than once. He allowed her to finish before giving her a mile-wide grin.
"The PH1–I like it. Makes it sound mean," said Phoenix.
"I am glad you like it. A shame, though, that you're wearing so many clothes. I was getting used to the sight," said L.
"Where is everyone?" Phoenix asked, quickly trying to change the subject.
"Right this way."
L turned on her heel and led him down a few corridors. Phoenix poked his head through every door they passed, till L grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him along.
"All in good time," said L.
They came to a set of double doors and walked through to the bridge.
"Now this is what I call a bridge!" said Phoenix. He walked forward and was greeted by a viewing screen that showed him the brown sands of the desert. He looked towards L and sent a worried glance her way.
"Don't worry, we are parked on a huge rock structure; we're safe from dust worms. Don't think I would be as stupid as that," said L.
"You sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Now, Midnight is our pilot, and she will handle the actual flying of the ship."
Phoenix turned his head back and saw Saoirse looking at a bunch of controls that made his head hurt just looking at them.
She looked up and gave him a simple nod. "Glad to see that you are well, Phoenix. Now that you have stopped lazing about, there is--"
"Lazing about? Is that what you call what I went through? If it wasn't..." Phoenix let out a sigh and rolled his eyes. "Nice to see you too, beautiful."
Saoirse's jaw clamped together and her nostrils flared. She climbed to her feet, and L jumped between them.
"Play nice, play nice. Now, where was I? Oh yes, and Plowstow is our weapons gunner," said L.
Phoenix looked over at Plowstow, who seemed to be asleep. His head was back, his eyes closed, drool making its way out of the corner of his mouth. Phoenix walked over and slapped him on the shoulder, jolting him awake.
"What! What! What," Plowstow said, looking around guiltily. "I wasn't sleeping, I was just--"
"Plowstow, I'm glad to see you. Once again, I must thank you for risking your life for me. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here today," said Phoenix, enveloping Plowstow in a tight embrace.
Plowstow allowed his arms to hang limply by his sides as Phoenix embraced him. His eyes darted all around the room, searching for the hidden danger.
"Thank you, once again," said Phoenix, pulling away.
"And finally, Kai will be dealing with our navigation. He created the computer system for the ship, so I think that it's only right," said L.
Kai's long shaggy hair hung in his eyes as he looked back at Phoenix. "By the power of Soul, I am glad to see you up and about."
"Same goes to you, Kai. Happy to have you on board. Now, where do I sit, L?"
"Right here," L said, pointing to a chair in the centre of the bridge.
"Is this..." Phoenix said, eyes wide, a small smile on his lips.
Saoirse rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the screens in front of her.
The chair in question was all black with a red stripe down the middle. It appeared to be made from some sort of leather. If there was a space equivalent of a throne, he was looking at it. Phoenix walked around the chair, taking it in. He leaned close to L. "Is this the captain's chair?" he whispered.
"Yes. Just don't mention it or certain people will get annoyed," said L, pointing not at all subtly in Saoirse's direction.
Phoenix lowered himself into the chair and allowed it to hug his body. Placing his hands on the armrests, he noticed that there were little grooves for his fingers. They fitted perfectly.
"When did you...?" Phoenix looked at L, confused.
"I took your measurements while you were asleep. Naked," L said, waggling her eyebrow up and down.
Plowstow let out a snort but snapped his head forward when Phoenix glared his way.
Phoenix settled his body into the chair and sighed. "It's like I'm sitting on a cloud. It's wonderful, L. Thank you." Something caught his attention on the table next to him. It was a holocom, one that he didn't recognise.
"It's Rustem's. All I could find was that, but not his body," said Saoirse.
Phoenix picked it up and moved it back and forth between his hands. A small smile danced on his lips as he slotted it in his pocket. "Right, ladies and gentlemen. What do you say we take this baby into outer orbit and see what she can do?"
&nb
sp; "Oh, great, this shall be the first time I get to see it leave orbit," said L.
"What...do you mean?" Plowstow asked.
"Well, with one thing and another, and everything that has happened, we kind of never got round to taking her off-planet. But–but..." said L as horrified faces swept her way. "I'm pretty sure that it will be fine. What's the worst that can happen?" she said with a nervous laugh.
"What!"
"L, I don't think--"
"I ain't risking my life on hopes an' dreams. I'm too young to die!"
"Maybe if we were to test--"
"Enough!" Phoenix shouted, slamming his hand down on his armrest. "Now, L, are you sure this thing can fly safely in space?"
"Phoenix, I wouldn't be on here if I didn't think it could," said L.
"That's good enough for me," he replied.
"I'll just make my way to the engine room to make sure everything is all right. Take off when you're ready," said L, leaving the bridge.
Phoenix leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. Another adventure awaited, but before that, he had some payback to deliver.
"Saoirse, take her up when you're ready," said Phoenix.
He felt the roar of the engines vibrate through the ship. Already he could tell that this thing was more powerful by far than anything else he had flown in.
"Any direction in mind?" Saoirse asked.
"No. Just up."
The ship rocked slightly then shot up in the blink of an eye. The force it took off with pushed Phoenix's head flat against the chair. They were pulling at speeds that boggled his mind.
"Shit!" Phoenix said, gripping the chair as the viewing screen showed clouds and then the first hints of space.
"Uh-oh," L's voice said through the ship's speakers.
"What uh-oh? No uh-oh!" Plowstow said, his voice shaking.
"We've lost the power to all the engines! I think we're going down," said L.
Silence filled the spaceship as the sound of the engines cut out. Four faces looked at each other, open-mouthed and wide-eyed.
Stranded: (Space Outlaw 2) Page 19