Captain Lex rescued Reznik from an Imperial colony ship many years ago. He was bound for a rim world colony—he would have been little more than a slave there.
Lex had to fight to suppress a smile every time he saw Reznik with his ancient data pad. Everyone had cybernetic implants to allow them to use interactive holo-screens and have real time access to the QNet. Reznik refused implants due to religious reasons.
“Captain,” Reznik said in his gravelly voice. He stepped beside Lex. “I have a full accounting of the prize here. He tapped his finger on the screen and the inventory appeared on a screen in front of Lex.
Lex studied it. It was a very good haul. “That’s a lot of alcohol,” Lex commented.
“Yes, sir. And it’s excellent quality,” said Reznik as he scrolled though the list.
“Also, there is a great deal of fresh food. Cows, chickens, great horns, and many other creatures. This is not vat grown meat,” Reznik said.
“Very good. I’m sure the crew will enjoy that. And Bosun Shred will have a chance to show off his culinary skills once again.”
Reznik continued, “We’re moving the new medical items into our med bay. Again, excellent quality. I’m happy we now have a real doctor on board.”
“Maybe he can teach Horn something,” Lex muttered.
The Reznoonian looked up at the captain. “I will order Dr. Drake to do so if you wish.”
“Yes. Please let him know that training the crew in basic trauma medicine will be one of his normal duties,” said Lex.
Reznik blinked. “I will make sure he understands his duties… Captain, if I may?”
“Yes?”
“I am not doubting your command, but what are we to do with Mr. Ford? I still do not understand his presence here,” Reznik asked.
“I understand your concern. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure why I granted Boomer’s request to add him to the crew. He did show a great amount of courage when he took down Digg.”
Reznik furrowed his brow. “I think Digg will not like his presence here, regardless of how much courage he possesses. This might be a problem.”
Lex shifted his weight to one side, and folded his arms. “Yes, it might be. We’ll pass through that jump gate when we get there.”
“Should I assign him to the raiders, as previously discussed?” the quartermaster asked.
“Yes, I believe that’s our best option.”
Reznik made a note on his data pad. “I will inform Deke that he has a new worker.”
Lex shifted his weight again. “Deke will resist, he always does. Tell him this is not open to negotiation.”
Reznik nodded. He learned that this meant either yes or marked an understanding. He didn’t understand. But he didn’t want to push the captain any further.
“Thank you, Captain. If you have no objections,” said Reznik.
Lex shook his head. Reznik bobbed his head again and departed.
Lex walked up the edge of the bridge and surveyed the Pegasus and his ships again. He opened a fleetwide comm channel. “Ships of the fleet. Prepare to get underway as soon as major repairs are complete. Inferno, once we are out of blast range, I want you to destroy that fancy scow.” Lex received affirmatives from his ship captains.
CHAPTER 17
The Pegasus survivors sat on metal chairs in the L-shaped galley. There was an oak and brass bar one side with a dozen barstools. An ancient painting named Dogs at Poker hung behind the bar. Further down there was a food dispenser, sharing the end with a full kitchen. Dining booths that could seat four lined the far walls and tables with simple chairs filled the middle space. The floor was stone tiled, and the lighting was subdued. The far wall had a panoramic window that looked out into space, with ten adjacent booths that looked like they could seat several dozens of people.
Six armored skeletons stood around them with weapons at low ready. The double doors slid open to admit a Reznoonian and another armored skeleton. Robert had never been this close to a Rez. This one seemed huge for his species. Robert suspected he knew who the other skeleton was. Boomer. Although they looked nearly identical, there was that almost effeminate wiggle in Boomer’s walk.
The large Reznoonian stalked to the tables where everyone was seated. He looked from face to face, appraising his new crewmembers. “My name is Reznik. I am your quartermaster. I have examined the records from your ship. Based on that information, I will assign your new jobs. Before you start, you must read and sign the Articles.”
Robert studied the furry alien with interest. He was dressed much like the other pirates, in dark cargo pants and light chest armor. He was covered in a fine, brown fur. On the top of his head, his hair was spiked up, as was the tradition among Reznoonians. I wonder if the top of his head is round or flat? It’s so hard to tell. His eyes were like black marbles and his voice was deep and gravelly. That couldn’t be typical for his species. Or could it?
Reznik looked down at his info pad and tapped the screen. The Articles appeared in individual windows in front of everyone.
The Articles
Every crewmember has a vote in the affairs of the ship. The crew shall divide any prizes equally accepting the following: The Captain will have two full shares. The quartermaster will have a share and a half. The Master Gunner, Chief Engineer, Chief Pilot, and Doctor shall receive one share and one quarter. All prizes will be paid after the cost of the ship and provisions have been calculated.
Every crewmember will keep their personal weapons and battle gig fit for service.
Alcohol and Drugs (or anything that will fog the senses) will not be permitted before or during battle.
No Gambling will take place among the crew while in space.
No fighting among the crew. Any differences while in space will be settled dockside or planetside.
Any crewmember found guilty of: Assault, Theft, Sexual Assault, or Fraud against another member of the crew shall suffer what punishment the Captain and the majority of crew see fit.
Any crewmember that shows cowardice in battle or ineptitude of their assigned task will forfeit their share and suffer what punishment the Captain and the majority of crew see fit.
Every crewmember will perform their assigned duties to the utmost of their ability. They will attend their assigned station at their designated shift and will report fit for duty. The crewmember that fails to do so shall suffer what punishment the Captain and the majority of crew see fit.
Any crewmember that loses a limb or sense such sight, hearing, or smell, while performing their duties shall be whole again by the ship’s account. Either by biological or cybernetic means.
Bonus may be paid to a crew member for the following: Exceptional heroism in battle, the first to spot a prize, anyone that disables a prize without damaging the cargo, and any selfless act that puts ship and crew above themselves.
Every member of the crew is bound to the ship until such a time that the majority of the crew see fit. A vote to disband the crew must have three quarters of the crew’s consent to carry. Any crewmember can buy out for a price of one million coin, which would be distributed per Article I.
By signing this, you make a solemn oath to abide by and uphold these Articles.
When it seemed everyone had finished, Reznik spoke. “Here your assignments: Mr. McAndrews, you will be pilot here on the Hell’s Bane. Mr. Burton, you will serve as engineer aboard the Inferno. Mr. O’Brien, you will be pilot on our newest ship, the Carpathian. Doctor Drake, you are now the chief medical officer for the fleet and will be stationed here aboard the Hell’s Bane.”
None of the Pegasus survivors spoke. They exchanged significant glances as they absorbed this information. Robert grew uneasy. He wasn’t sure what position he would be tasked with, but he figured it would be unpleasant.
Reznik finally turned to Robert. “Mr. Ford. Since you are unable to fly or fix a ship, and I don’t think you’d be a suitable candidate to become a striker, you are assigned to the raiders.”
; Robert looked at the quartermaster quizzically. He started to stammer out a few words when Reznik held up his fuzzy palm to silence him. “The raiders have an important role in the ship. Once the strikers have pacified a prize, the raiders move in to retrieve the cargo.”
Robert’s eyes narrowed. “So, I’m to move boxes?”
Reznik cocked his head. “Yes… Are there any other questions?”
Billy McAndrews raised his hand. The Rez nodded at him. “We’re going to get paid?” he asked skeptically.
“Yes. If you follow the Articles and do your job, then you will receive your share. And if your shares add up to one million coin, you may leave,” Reznik answered. The look of surprise on Billy’s face was mirrored by everyone else at the tables.
Colin raised his hand. “And, uh, how long does that usually take?”
Reznik swiveled his head towards Colin. “There are many factors. The quantity and quality of prizes we take being the most important. Also, if you don’t spend all your coin on R&R, you’ll find your pile increasing at a much faster rate. But, to answer your question: the fastest I have witnessed someone buy out is about two standard years.”
Pete whistled. Everyone else at the table seemed pleased at this news.
Colin leaned in towards Billy. “R&R?” he whispered.
Billy laughed. “This is a most peculiar pirate ship, is it not?”
Reznik’s thin lip curled up. He was trying to imitate a human smile—mostly he pulled it off.
“I guess you believed the Imperial propaganda that if captured by pirates you’d be tortured, then sent out of an airlock?”
Billy and the rest of the Pegasus crew exchanged looks and nodded.
“Yes, in most cases that propaganda serves our purpose. And, yes, it is at least partially true. We will put people out of the airlock, when we must. But, Captain Lex has forbidden torture in this fleet,” Reznik said.
Billy gave him a questioning look. “Propaganda?”
“Fear is a powerful ally. When boarding a prize, we want the crew and passengers to be as passive as possible. So, we use the ancient shock and awe strategy, except we kick it up a notch.” Reznik gestured to the massive armored skeletons. “And these are just part of the show.”
The skeletons’ heads shimmered, then dissolved into round helmets with full face opaque visors. A seam appeared running from the center of the helmets down to the crotch. The seam glowed white then the fronts of the suits dissolved into a bunch of tiny squares retreating from the center of the suits.
Five men removed their helmets and now stood wearing typical military power armor. The battle gigs, as they were called, were just a nano suit facade. Four of the men looked modded. They had bulging muscles, but they didn’t look like natural muscle. The way they rippled and made a faint hexagonal pattern under the skin marked them as military grade mods. Subdermal armor. Crude, but effective. Two of them sneered at the new conscripts. Two of them looked disinterested, and one smiled and offered a wave.
While everyone was looking at the ex-skeletons, the sixth pirate standing behind Reznik stepped out of the back of her shell. The others wore power armor. She had a military grade exoskeleton battle suit. She pulled her raven hair back and put it in a ponytail. Boomer was a full two heads shorter than the other five pirates She wore black, skintight pants and a tank top. The material looked like sharkskin.
Despite himself, Robert smiled and let out a short laugh. Boomer’s eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms in front of herself. “You find something amusing Mr. Ford?” she said. Her posh accent and tone of her voice momentarily surprised Robert. He sat, processing this information.
She took several steps in his direction. Her movement was smooth and graceful like a dancer, or a martial artist. She stood over him, looking down at him, refolding her arms, expecting an answer.
“I thought you might be a woman,” Robert said, watching his tone.
“How did you reach that conclusion?” she asked.
“The way you walk. Your… Ah, you don’t walk like a man,” he said, still trying to gauge his words. He was actively trying not to stare at her athletic frame. Keep looking at her face. It’s a rather lovely face after all. She put her hands on her hips.
“Well, aren’t you observant Mr. Ford,” Boomer said. Robert tried not to look at her cleavage as it spilled from her top, but he couldn’t help but steal a glance. Her eyes narrowed again. She spun on her heel and walked back to her battle gig.
Reznik spoke again. “Bosun Shred will show you to your quarters.” He gestured to the smiling pirate without military mods.
Shred turned and headed for the double doors. He paused as they slid open and looked back. “If you follow me, I’ll get you all situated,” he said with his Hibernian lilt.
CHAPTER 18
The bridge doors parted and Billy McAndrews stepped inside and looked around. It was larger than his last bridge. It was larger than his last bridge. Unlike the Pegasus’ sleek silver and rich woods, this bridge was cold and gray. All the stations looked well maintained, but also well used. The forward viewport took up the forward wall and half of the ceiling. It was set up in three tiers, the captain’s chair was on the top tier. The gunner’s and engineering stations sat on the second tier, each on the far side of the bridge, leaving the center section open. In the center of the bottom tier was the pilot seat and controls.
Master Gunner Boomer was at her station on the portside of the bridge. It was a circular dais with a rail around it, the console at the front and center. Chief Engineer Sparky and Quartermaster Reznik talked quietly as Sparky looked at a large readout.
Billy stepped down to the second tier and cleared his throat. Reznik turned to face him.
“Ah. Mr. McAndrews, welcome to the bridge,” the quartermaster said. “Please open a holo- screen and query your settings.”
Billy followed the command. His hand waved in the air. “Yes, sir. I’m there.”
“You should see a new set of menus: remote piloting, fusion power and thrusters, armor and shields, weaponry, and several others, like ship communications and your voting widget. You will also have full visibility of the engineering and weapons control holo-screens.”
Billy nodded, and started pulling holo-screens out and positioning them where they made sense to him. “Is this config acceptable?”
Reznik looked at him a moment with those black eyes, they reminded Billy of shark’s eyes.
“I do not have any ocular implants. Or any other implants. I cannot see how you have configured your holo-screens,” Reznik said. “Configure your screens however you see fit. I will remind you that are not in the merchant fleet anymore. We have few nonsensical rules.”
Billy looked at his new quartermaster, wanting to ask a question. Reznik cocked his head to the side. Billy didn’t know what that meant.
“I will answer the question you seem to be unwilling to ask,” Reznik said. “I am not augmented because it is against my religion. My Gods frown upon augmentation.”
Billy blinked. He was not sure how to respond, so he just said, “Oh.”
Sparky looked over from his station and chuckled at Billy’s discomfort.
Billy was still puzzled. Another question popped into his head.
Reznik peered him, and sighed. “In battle, I use VR goggles,” he said, pulling a data pad from his cargo pocket. “And I use this for all ship interface functions.”
“Ah. Gotcha. I was wondering…” Billy started.
Reznik cut him off. “Yes, most humans don’t understand how I am able to function as a member of the crew without augmentation. I am asked about this quite often by new crewmembers.”
Sparky chuckled again. “Don’t worry, Reznik. Someday we’ll get a crewman that already understands Reznoonian culture and customs.”
Reznik scoffed. It sounded like he was trying to clear phlegm from his throat. He turned back to face Billy.
The Reznoonian tapped at the touchscreen on his data pad. “We p
ulled your fitness reports from your ship’s database.”
Billy took a moment to absorb this information. Bloody hell, I can’t even imagine what the old man said about me.
Reznik was scrolling through lines of text. “Your captain said that you are one of the most talented officers he ever worked with, and one of the most able pilots, when you held that position.”
That statement hit Billy like a punch in the stomach. “Wait, what? Are you sure you’re looking at the right file?”
Sparky laughed. “Piss off the old man, did you?”
Reznik scrolled to the top of the document. “William McAndrews? Yes, I have the correct file.”
Billy stared inwardly. Damn, why didn’t he ever say this to me? All I ever heard was that I had to do better, or try harder. Why would he not tell me?
Reznik stared at him. “I guess it’s safe to assume what he wrote here and what he told you were two separate things.”
Billy blinked, pulled out of his reverie by the quartermaster’s statement. “You read minds?”
Sparky and Boomer both laughed. “Our quartermaster will surprise you. Sometimes I wonder how he can know so much about the human condition, while not being human,” the engineer said.
Reznik swiveled his head to Sparky. “That is precisely what makes me an expert.”
Boomer looked over from her station. She shook her head and laughed.
Reznik’s data pad buzzed with an incoming message. He tapped the screen to answer.
“Oy. Reznik.” The raider foreman, Deke, said. “I need to talk to you.” Deke sounded angry. “Please explain why I get this bloody fop in my crew.”
Reznik sighed.” I’m on my way, Deke. Reznik out.” He slid his data pad back into his cargo pocket. “Sparky, take over for me. Give him an overview of ship capabilities,” he said, heading for the door.
“Righty-o, Reznik,” Sparky replied, getting up from his station.
Billy and Sparky stood on the second tier looking down at the pilot’s station. The comfortable looking chair had two control sticks on either arm, and the console on a swingarm.
We Happy Few: The Leviathan Universe 2138 Page 9