by J. K. Mabrey
"That's the percentage of their wall that's still intact," Zavik said. "Now, if the Stelbachs can destroy the other team's wall completely, and have at least twenty percent of their wall still intact, I'll win the bet."
"What's their wall at now?" Mike asked.
"It's looking good, they're at-" a detonator went off. The camera panned back. Almost half the other wall collapsed to the ground. The rest of it cracking under its own weight. The screen flashed twenty-two.
"That the Stelbach's wall?" Mike asked.
"Yep."
"That's not good."
"Nope. Any more detonators go off near it, they won't have enough wall left to cover." Just then another went off. This time in the hands of a Walud who was racing for the wall. His bike turned end over end and he was thrown from the handlebars, landing with a thud on his back. His bike streaked for the wall and erupted into a fireball on impact. A large chunk of the top of the wall fell to the floor, shattering into a million pieces. Thirteen.
"Damnit," Zavik said as a few in the bar cheered, but most groaned and cursed at the screens. Zavik rubbed his temples, then moved to the bridge of his nose. "I really could have used that," he said more to himself than to Mike.
"You ok, Zavik?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, great, I just have some debts to pay back."
"And you're going to do that through gambling? Not the best investment, my friend."
"Yeah, well with fuel costs and the increased portal fees, my older shipping routes just aren't footing the bill anymore. I'm trying to not have to resort to smuggling, but out here that's all that pays good. These people are growing tired of the Council's hold over the portals, even they look for ships with lightdrives, just so they can hide transactions from them. I mean, can you really believe they doubled the portal fees after Red Moon." He looked around. "These guys hate it, but the portals are faster, and a lot of times speed does matter. When lightdrives become the norm, these systems won't listen to the Council anymore. They'll have no need for them."
"The Council's not just going to let them pull out from the Community," Mike said. "That's not how things work. You never give up territories you've taken, and to let these systems go would prompt others to try the same. If these systems try to secede, they'll find out how strong the Council's forces really are.
"Why don't you invest in a lightdrive?" Mike asked.
"Because a used one on a junkyard ship still costs twenty-five thousand credits. I don't know about you, but I just never had that kind of money laying around. I was hoping that moving out here, where the cost of living's cheaper, and doing odd jobs for the local merchants would generate enough for me to buy one. But the only money flowing into this system is from the Council and it goes to pad the profits of the warlords. The merchants I had contracts with fled to other systems like Helmstat and Dracona. I took out a loan from a local Savin named Rodderick, thinking I could use the funds to support a venture into the Telamere system, and eventually afford a lightdrive, but two months after moving out there they broke out in a civil war. Their portals were taken offline or damaged in attacks. Ten thousand credits wasted, and at ten percent interest."
"That's why you're stuck here?" Mike asked. He couldn't help but shake his head.
"Yeah," Zavik said taking a sip of his drink. "They placed a tracker on my ship. If I leave the planet without his authorization they can track me down, or destroy the Rinada."
"Zavik," Mike said, "what have you gotten yourself into?'
"I don't know," Zavik said as tears began to form in his eyes. "I just want to be done with this guy, for my crew's sake.
"Zavik, where's Dani?"
"She's on the Rinada, with Brax and a Rovun, Charra. They both joined my crew, but they're stuck here just as much as I am."
"Sounds like you need to just get off this rock," Mike said.
"That why you're here?" Zavik asked. "You want to give me a pity job?"
"I'm trying to help you. You're wasting away sitting in dives like this, wasting credits on games, and by the looks of it, not even attempting to find work, just going after Red Moon when you can. I know that information on Red Moon isn't nearly as valuable as it used to be. You need something else to focus on."
Zavik looked down at his drink. He nodded softly and just said, "Ok."
"Ok? You'll take it?"
"I'll listen and then maybe I'll leave it up to my crew," Zavik said. "I doubt they'll say no." A brief smile flashed across his face and for the first time since looking at him Mike thought he might not be such a mess after all. There was still some of the old Zavik in there. The one who always seemed to do the right thing when pushed. He didn't think he pushed too hard. He certainly wouldn't feel guilty about it. Garos needed those supplies and Zavik was as good a person as any to deliver them. After seeing him face-to-face he realized Zavik needed Garos just as much as Garos needed Zavik.
"What is it that you'd want us to do?" Zavik asked.
"I want you to be our liaison for securing supplies needed to colonize Garos. We need the help of other systems, other races. Even with our efforts to fend off Red Moon and restore the Council, some still don't trust us or like us for that matter. In order for this colony to survive, we need to secure supplies for it."
"Why can't Earth just provide the supplies?" Zavik asked. "Your restoration efforts are almost completely over, you must have more than enough resources."
"We're growing and developing as much as we can on Earth, but it just covers what is needed by the people. We don't have enough to ship off-world. But we feel confident that if we can get a surplus to start Garos out on, it will be successful."
"So why are you asking me? Shouldn't our Councilor be able to negotiate these types of deals?"
"Councilor Hains used up most of her political capital getting Garos approved for colonization, what little capital she had. The other races and their systems are less willing to deal with her on this. They have their own problems, economic struggles, rebellions on their own colonies. We have to go outside the Council's influence to secure these supplies. That's where you come in. I know you have a lot of contacts in the Outer Spiral, so I suggested to my superiors that someone like you could be valuable in securing what we need."
"And when did it become a military operation?" Zavik asked. He didn't like the idea of the U.E.F. having control of the situation.
"There have been recent attacks, mostly in the Outer Spiral, as I'm sure you're well aware." He was very aware of the attacks. They were something he monitored daily, looking for any inclination that they were tied to Red Moon. So far they had truly seemed random. More of a nuisance, as the Council had put it, than anything else. The targets of the attacks were classified by the Council, something Zavik didn't take too kind to. Why classify benign targets of pirates? Dani was having a hard time hacking into their network to reveal the true nature of the targets. It was the most secure network she's ever seen, she said, even more so than Red Moon's old network. "They're mysterious ships, not Red Moon remnants, Chokmnd, or any other known types of ships from the limited reports back. Earth wants to have some influence in the Outer Spiral, but like you said, it's dangerous out here, and these new attacks don't help any. The U.E.F. is in charge of security for the colony and ensuring that there's no interference with the supply routes."
"You're going to place battlestations around Garos?" Zavik asked.
"Eventually."
"Already turning it into a military colony, huh?"
"That's not the plan," Mike said, "but we have to be prepared for whatever happens out there. I really think you can help us out here Zavik. The U.E.F. is stretched thin as it is."
He wasn't going for it, Mike thought, but he needed to. Vanity might help, it always seemed to. "The fleet's still rebuilding from the Red Moon rebellion, and no one knows the workings of the Galaxy like you, especially out here."
A smile, noticeable this time, crept up his face. "Well, I can't argue with that."
&n
bsp; "It pays good," Mike said, a smile forming on his face this time. "Might be able to get a lightdrive for the Rinada, and pay off that debt."
Zavik sat there staring at Mike. His friend. One of the very few true friends he had left. Perhaps it was time to think about their future, shake off that feeling of returning doom that had consumed him for the past five years. Perhaps this was just the job to do that. "I'll need a full rundown of what Garos needs."
"Of course."
"Then I'll need some money to start out with, some fuel and supplies."
"Ok, sure."
"And one more thing..."
"What?"
"I need you to help convince Rodderick to let us off this planet."
Mike went back with Zavik to the Rinada after alerting his pilot that he’d made contact and again assuring him that everything was all right. The ship looked just as Mike remembered, albeit with a few more blast marks on the underside. He was relieved to see that the ship hadn't gone completely to hell in the last few years as he feared it might. He knew Zavik was good at turning a pile of junk into treasure, and he had done that with the Rinada. It was a standard freighter not originally designed for combat. But Zavik managed to turn it into one of the best fighters in the Galaxy. The Council was so impressed, and slightly paranoid, about its abilities that they even started a file on the ship after the Red Moon rebellion. A heavy weapons cannon sat on top of the ship. State of the art shields were installed, engines improved, a missile launcher was attached under the cockpit next to a small cannon and Mike could only guess at what other nice surprises Zavik had added.
The cockpit protruded from the front. He could see someone in there, but couldn’t make out whom behind the thick tint of the windows. A ramp descended from the left side as they approached and he followed Zavik onboard.
To their immediate left sat a Rovun and a Chokmnd at a table. Mike recognized the Chokmnd.
“Admiral Snyder!” Brax said and jerked himself out of the seat. The Rovun just sat there eyeing him. “What brings you to a place like this?”
“Business,” Mike said, slightly taken aback by the Chokmnd's hospitality.
Zavik walked past them and went straight for the cockpit. It must have been Dani he saw, Mike thought.
“Charra, this is Admiral Snyder, of the United Earth Forces," Brax said. “Is it Admiral?”
“Uh, yeah,” Mike said.
The Rovun just snarled and bared a row of white fangs that reminded Mike of mountain peaks blanketed by perpetual snow back home in Colorado.
“Well, say something you brute,” Brax said.
Charra stood and stiffly said, “Nice to meet you, Admiral.”
“Yeah, pleasure,” Mike added, “but please, call me Mike.”
“Mike was our contact for Earth during the Red Moon rebellion,” Brax said. “He’s an old friend of Zavik’s.”
“That so?” Charra asked.
“Sure is, and if you don’t mind me asking, how is he?”
“What do you mean?” Brax asked.
“I found him in a local bar, a little drunk and he seems depressed.”
Charra growled and said, “I think we’re all a little depressed right now.”
“He told me about Rodderick, it’s why I came back with him, but there seemed more to it than that.”
Brax lowered his voice. “I think he feels like he let us down, you know. We were supposed to be off this rock and making our own way in the Galaxy by now, but Rodderick’s got a hold on us for a little while longer. We're honestly not sure if he ever intends to let us go.”
“I think I’m here to see if he can be persuaded to lift his restrictions.”
“Oh, yeah?” Charra asked. “What have you got in mind?" He made a fist with his right hand and clutched it in his left.
“Mike has offered us a job running supplies for Garos, Earth’s new colony,” Zavik said entering the room with Dani.
“Do what now?” Brax asked.
“A real job?” Dani asked.
“Just supplies, hmpf,” Charra said. "Sounds boring."
"Sounds better than sitting around here," Brax said.
Charra cocked his head to the side and nodded slightly.
“Yes, yes,” Mike said. “I want you to deliver some very vital supplies for Earth’s new colony on Garos. I can discuss specifics later, but first, we need to find out if you can even leave this planet.”
“He doesn’t let us go, I’ll rip him apart,” Charra said.
“All right, all right,” Zavik said trying to get Charra to sit back down. “Mike and I will go see Rodderick and get the permission, if this is a job we want to take.”
“Of course,” Dani said.
“I’m fine with it,” Brax said. “Anything’s better than stealing weapons for him.”
“What about you, Charra?” Zavik asked. “Are you ok with helping Earth’s colony?
“Yeah, sure. Why shouldn't I be? I got nothing against you humans having a colony. Don’t know why you would want one. They’re all money pits and wasted space if you ask me.”
“Galactic economics 101 by Professor Charra,” Brax said. Charra just snarled at him.
Zavik smiled to himself. Meaning and purpose had been brought back. That was always a great feeling.
It took them twenty minutes to reach Rodderick’s place on foot. His local base of operations was a rundown old house on the edge of the city. It wasn't flashy or intimidating, just cheap. A cement staircase sat in the middle, a thick crack splitting it in two. Two square columns stood on each side. The one on the left was recently painted bright white, but the other remained a dull gray on two of its sides. A limb from a thick tree had collapsed on the front yard. Decay and fungus had clung to it as the humid conditions ate it away. The tree towered over the house, its thick foliage blocking the incoming rays of light. The front door was dark red. Paint flaked off the corners and down the left side. It looked like it could be peeled off with a slight breeze. The underneath wood was decaying and crumbled.
Two Savins stood at the door’s edge. Blasters hung at their sides.
“The guy holding you here lives here?” Mike asked.
“This is just one of his safe-houses on Zalif. It’s the only place I know about.”
Zavik remembered the first time he came to see Rodderick at this house. He got the name from a local he'd delivered a shipment of quali fruit to. Not an exciting job to say the least, but the fruit was on Phelis where one of the last remaining remnants of Red Moon was. He only brought Charra along that time. Charra was always good to have around when you thought you might need some good backup or just wanted to present a little air of intimidation. Rodderick was friendly, if not a little too friendly now that Zavik thought about it. He welcomed them in, handed them drinks and pushed off business whenever Zavik tried to bring it up. He acted like their friend, one who was too quick to make you happy and comfortable at the expense of really getting to know you. Finally, after about an hour Rodderick inquired about his ship. He just nodded along as Zavik detailed the highlights of the Rinada, almost like he was checking off boxes that he already knew were there. He gave them a crate of weapons all too easily and said to deliver them to Fewara. They would receive payment upon return and another job if they wanted. The delivery went off without a hitch and they took another three jobs from him over the coming months. He remained friendly each time, getting to know the crew, even inviting them to a few of his outlandish parties. He was even friendly when Zavik asked for a loan. He supported the venture though did lament the loss of one of his favorite new shippers. Perhaps the Rinada would be available for some of his more essential deliveries, he asked. Zavik couldn't deny that request. Rodderick had given them the best opportunities and the most credits of anyone since the rebellion. He remained friendly up until Zavik began missing payments and the civil war made it clear that there were no profits to make on Telamere. Then he turned. Began demanding payment, began demanding their services for no pay. H
e installed the tracker on the Rinada and more than once threatened to take the ship. He still joked with them and invited them to parties, but his snide comments and veiled threats were enough to make any meeting nerve racking. A far cry from the first time he came to the house.
Zavik walked up the steps. Mike hesitated behind him. “I need to see Rodderick,” Zavik said.
The two guards looked ahead. Both were dressed in flamboyant armor whose shine sharply contrasted the decay and ruin of the building they were guarding. The guard on the right was well covered in bright red patches of painted metal. A comically small green helmet adorned his elongated head. The one on the left tapped his finger against the side of his blaster.
Finally the one on the right asked, “Who’s your friend?”
“We don’t have time for your questions, Jorgan,” Zavik said. “I have a proposal for Rodderick that can make him a lot of money. It’s time sensitive. Do you want to be the one to jeopardize that?”
Jorgan looked at his partner and nodded his head. “Fine. It better be good. Rodderick doesn’t like to be distracted. Oh, and you make a fool out of me and I’ll have your head.”
“Hate to see what you did to your tailor,” Zavik said as he passed. They entered the house and he heard the other Savin say something in Savinese and they joined each other in having a good laugh.
The inside looked little better than the outside. Thinning paint lined the walls, and torn carpet ran down the hall. A rotten food smell permeated the air like it was engrained in the slowly deteriorating wood of the house.
Zavik led Mike through the house. “I take it you’ve been here before?”
“Yeah,” Zavik said, "a few times."
“What does this guy do?” Mike asked.
“He controls a lot of operations on Zalif and a few other Outer Spiral systems. He knows about all the smuggling operations going on out here, and the ones he doesn’t, he has them shutdown until they pay his fee.”