Gunship

by J. J. Snow

  At that moment, Reilly looked up at Tiny with a pleading glance. That one last glance said Just go.

  It was a mixture of sadness and defeat, but at the same time pride and defiance. This woman was prepared to die, but she wouldn’t go without a fight. Tiny had never seen anyone like her before, and it dawned on her for the first time that the crew followed Reilly not out of fear, but out of respect, because they knew what she was willing to sacrifice for them. The same respect Tiny felt now.

  And out of respect, I’m going to disobey that order, Tiny thought to herself.

  She pulled Reilly up to her feet again, now angry for allowing herself to be distracted. She hoped Welch and Crazy Ray hadn’t noticed anything odd. Just to be sure, Tiny prepared to backhand the Captain when Welch suddenly stepped in.

  “I’ll take it from here.” He grabbed Reilly’s arm firmly but continued to smile politely and walked her slowly down the ramp. Reilly stared at Tiny like she had gone crazy, then hung her head again. Welch signaled Marek to follow him and continued on through the sliders, leaving Tiny alone with Crazy Ray and his men.

  Tiny could see Crazy Ray’s rage boiling over as he looked around the cargo bay. She stood motionless, avoiding his attention as he searched for targets to unleash his wrath upon. Several of Welch’s men remained near one of the doors, and Crazy Ray directed them to help move some crates to make room for an outgoing shipment. The men slung their weapons and started to move the crates to the edge of the pad near the containment field for the bay. As she watched, Crazy Ray turned to two of his men and sent them running for the nearest TORR. A moment later, they slammed the TORR into Welch’s men, forcing them into the field and killing them instantly. Crazy Ray clapped his hands and giggled like a spoiled child just over a tantrum, his rage subdued for now. He turned to see her watching him and waved her over.

  Tiny complied. She had worked with all kinds of scum before to get jobs done, and plenty of them had been sociopaths. The best part was eliminating them when the mission was over. She imagined finishing Crazy Ray off and ridding the galaxy of another parasite. She sighed. First, she’d have to rework their escape plan. But for now she needed to focus, for this next part was the most dangerous part of all.

  Crazy Ray gave her an apologetic smile as she stepped up to where he stood.

  “I know you and your partner were most likely looking to drop off and go, but my guest will probably ask you to stay a bit longer. He may have a follow-up mission for you, and he has asked me to offer you lodging.” He paused, then continued when Tiny said nothing. “If you will follow my man over there, he will make sure you get paid and then escort you to the living quarters we have set aside in our detainment wing. I think you will find everything you will need there.” Crazy Ray reached into his pocket and pulled out a small metal pentagon with a hole in it. “This will allow you to access the guest corridor in case you require anything from your ship during your stay. This is my gift to you because you brought me such a nice gift for my birthday!”

  The token provided her with just the opening she needed. Tiny took the metal pentagon and deliberately strung it onto the metal chain around her neck. Reilly had laughed at her idea, but Crazy Ray did not. He bought it, because to him it meant something. It was her trophy chain, and his eyes gleamed in appreciation when he saw it. The small trinkets she had strung on it were significant to her, but not for the reasons he would believe they were significant. She nodded a quick thanks to him and quickly hid the chain. Trophies were personal, private. Allowing him a glimpse of them was a way to connect, as if she were allowing him a glimpse of herself. The timing couldn’t have been better. He was still riding the high from killing Welch’s men, so he would think she had enjoyed it as well. By her briefly sharing her trophies, he would think that she was showing him approval.

  As sick and twisted as the idea was, it paid off. She could tell he was intrigued by the idea of a woman who kept trophies too. More importantly, she had earned some of his respect, the first step in earning trust. As she turned to follow his man, Crazy Ray stepped in front of her again and leaned in, looking her in the eye. She didn’t flinch or blink, she just stared back, unafraid, death looking at death. It felt like an eternity.

  He stepped back again, obviously amused. “Once you get settled, I wouldn’t mind some company, if you care to join me for dinner or perhaps a glass of wine?”

  The only answer that wouldn’t get her killed in this very dangerous game was yes. So she nodded again, still showing no emotion, and when he grinned in response, she turned to follow the man to the detainment wing. They arrived a few minutes later, and she used the metal piece to gain entrance through the door. The large man behind the counter barely looked up at her as he passed her a key card for a room and waved her down the corridor. She continued on to her accommodations, pleased to find that they were at the end of the hall conveniently located next to an air shaft. That would make at least one part of the plan a bit easier. She entered the large suite and promptly swept it for cameras and bugs, then proceeded to locate a wall in the back bedroom that sat in front of a large ventilation shaft. Her handheld detailed the structure, showing that it went straight up for another thirty feet until it met with a cross-shaft which provided the main airflow for the wing. Tiny pulled a small laser cutter from her ruck and got to work. She had no illusions. She was only alive as long as she continued to say yes to Crazy Ray. Plan B was now in effect, since the FUBAR criteria had been met. Every minute from here on out would count, for all of them.

  —————

  Reilly was starting to feel the effects from the mild beating now. Her eye had puffed up to a thin slit and her lip still oozed blood as she tried to breathe through her mouth. She could feel Marek walking behind her as Razam Welch maintained his grip on her arm. He had insisted on removing the shackles so she would be able to walk without stumbling, but the wrist cuffs remained. As they walked, he extolled the virtues of Crazy Ray’s space station, the views, the security, the privacy. But under his words she could sense the contempt he had for the arms dealer.

  She acted as if she were fading in and out, but in reality Reilly was learning as much as she could about Welch. It was apparent that although he too was a sociopath, he wanted very much for her to believe that he was different than Crazy Ray, removed from petty killing, a class above his peer. He tried to appear sophisticated with his fancy suit, and even his speech was measured and precise. He smiled politely and pointed out features of interest as they walked, his eyes ever focused on Reilly’s face, watching for her response.

  Razam was a very different man from his brother Errat. His intellect astounded her as he recalled all sorts of technical details about the station for her and the surrounding asteroid field. He quoted poetry, used phrases in Latin and Chinese, and discussed the latest model of battle rifle down to the laser compressor coils and the equation modification that had allowed the engineers to reduce the amount of gas while still increasing the strength of the laser and improving the focus of the beam. He talked about flying and seemed to have an intimate knowledge of her and her crew as he threw in compliments on their historical achievements on the battlefield. Reilly found it interesting that Welch had spent so much time learning about them. It meant that he wanted something and that while Crazy Ray intended to kill them the first chance he got, Welch had other plans. His conversation was an act to both impress and intimidate her before he began to reel her in to get what he wanted. Too bad he had failed in both areas, since Reilly didn’t give a damn what he wanted; her only focus was getting off the station with Ty alive and Crazy Ray preferably dead.

  Finally they arrived not at a room but at another corridor, which linked to a large AOC battle cruiser. Welch entered a code and the doors whooshed open; he lead her down a few more corridors and then up a lift which opened into a large room that looked out over the asteroid field. He directed her to a divan situated in the middle of the room next to a single brushed-s
teel reading lamp and a table piled with books. He waved at her to sit, still holding her arm, and then got Marek to redo her cuffs so she could have her hands in front of her. Having her arms cuffed behind had put extra pressure on her shoulder and kept the knife wounds bleeding. As she sat down, Welch turned to Marek briefly, handed him something, and sent him back down the lift.

  A short man appeared a few minutes later with a medical kit. He entered with a nod to Welch and set about getting Reilly cleaned up. He stitched up her shoulder while Welch watched and then gave her a shot to help with the pain and swelling. He nodded briefly as Welch directed him to the lift and was gone.

  Reilly moved her arm slowly, surprised that it didn’t feel as stiff as she had expected. If she had read Tiny right, the Gaiden wasn’t giving up on their plan despite Reilly’s order, and Reilly knew she’d need use of that arm later if she was to play her role. If they made it out alive, she reminded herself.

  She looked up as Welch came over and sat by her, offering her a glass of brandy. Reilly noted he had decided to start off with the good-guy approach, the rescuer who got her a doc and a drink. He must want something from me pretty bad to tip his hand like this, Reilly thought.

  “So! We finally meet. I have heard so much about the famous Reilly Campbell and her band of…miscreants!” He smiled, but the smile never reached his eyes.

  “That’s strange. I was told you were dead by your little brother. Otherwise, I doubt I would even know who you are.” Reilly tested the water, watching as Welch tried to hide his annoyance and anger at her response.

  He smiled again. “Here, drink this. I’m certain you’re just feeling a bit worn out from all the excitement today. We have a lot to discuss!”

  Welch watched her intently. Reilly took the drink warily, sniffed it, then took a sip, then a gulp. Welch smiled even bigger.

  He likes that. He likes to be in control. But right now, he wants me to think we’re equals…let’s see where this game goes.

  Out loud she asked, “Like what? I don’t even know you.”

  Welch held his glass in both hands as he bounced with excitement. “Ah, but I know you. You see, I’ve been learning everything I can about you since you and your crew decided to raid my compound on Vervian. I have copies of all your service records, your medals, even some of your reports. Very impressive!”

  “Vervian was just another job. Errat hired us to get that stupid religious relic you had down there, but he didn’t bother to tell us about the security. So we helped ourselves to the extras as payment for dealing with Enforcers and just barely made it off-world…as I’m sure you know.” Reilly continued to watch him.

  “Yes, that was quite a feat, to defeat eight Enforcers and only the two of you. Which is why I’m so sorry about your sergeant, Joby Ty.” Welch lowered his voice and looked out into the void.

  Reilly’s head snapped up. “What about my sergeant?” she said quietly, with an edge to her voice.

  Welch smiled to himself before he turned to face her again. He had been so right. She was like a wounded mother bear still trying to defend her cubs. He sighed. Just once it would be nice to have a challenge. When he looked at her again, his face was somber.

  “Tethers brought him here earlier today in bad shape. They had beaten him half to death, fractured his skull. He wasn’t even coherent enough to speak. Raymond was quite angry about it all. The young bounty hunter, the one responsible, is enjoying some time with the detainers right about now.” Welch watched the darkness leap across Reilly’s face. He could see the question she wanted to ask but also the fear that held her back, prevented her from saying it, making it real.

  “He wouldn’t have lasted five minutes with the detainers, so Raymond had him put in one of the medical chambers. That way he’ll be in top shape for tomorrow’s show.” Welch shook his head, feigning disgust, but underneath he was laughing with delight as he watched Reilly respond to the buttons he was pushing. He had done it, she had hope now, her sergeant was still alive. He watched as the hope turned to determination. Good, she had taken the bait.

  “I tried to talk to Raymond, but he is determined to kill your man. They had a falling out a while back that has never been resolved, I take it?”

  Reilly nodded and took another sip of the brandy. Welch grinned again. This was all too easy.

  “What a talented man, Joby Ty. I read his records too, one of the four who survived the bloodiest alien battle in all of history. Now only two of you are left, national treasures headed for the chopping block, really a shame. So much potential will be wasted!” Welch shook his head sadly.

  Reilly watched as he responded to her reactions, read her, and brought her along. It was classic interrogation 101. This was where the bargaining would begin. She wondered how long he would play the good guy before the bad guy took over. It was only a matter of time before his true self came to the surface. She waited for him to speak again, now keeping her head down as if she were still in some pain from her wounds.

  Welch got up and walked to the large window and struck a dramatic pose. “The galaxy is a dangerous place, it always has been. There are aliens, pirates, slavers, and a myriad of other threats that plague the average citizen, tear the hard-won peace apart and throw it to the dogs. Homicide, genocide, fratricide, these become common, and civilization, Reilly…well, civilization goes down the toilet.”

  Here it comes, she thought to herself.

  Welch turned back towards her and pointed his finger in her direction. “We, however, have a civic obligation. People like you and me, we know the evil that exists in the void, and we struggle against it. We are the last ones standing on the castle wall, defending civil society from the darkness that seeks to overwhelm it. Freedom, liberty, justice, peace…with the right tools and the right people, we can guarantee this to the galaxy. People like you and Joby Ty. You’ve already made a difference, saved hundreds and thousands from alien hoards, genocidal rampages. You have what it takes. Under a powerful central government, we can reunite the galaxy and drive out that evil…yes?”

  Reilly was still looking down, but now she sat with her hand raised like a school child, shaking her head. She wanted to laugh as Welch tried to keep the annoyance out of his voice.

  “I never figured you for a patriot, and while that all sounds pretty good, I was under the impression that once you are done with me, I get to go join my sergeant in the detainment wing for one of Crazy Ray’s special videos. I’m feeling pretty crappy right now, my head is still throbbing, and most likely I’m going to be hacked to bits in a few hours. So can you just cut the bullshit and get to the point?”

  Welch forced another smile to cover his irritation. He needed Reilly Campbell…no, he wanted Reilly Campbell to join him. She was his perfect match, intelligent, aggressive, and experienced in the art of war. That experience could help him finish Zain and any pitiful opposition he might raise. Zain would be a small bump in the road on his way to rule the galaxy if Reilly was with him. Even she couldn’t refuse the chance to take on a role that would give her so much power. She would want it, she would join him, and so would her crew. She would say yes. How could she not? No one would be foolish enough to turn down an offer like this. Promoted from death sentence to galactic military commander in an hour, no one else could or would offer such a deal. Besides, she had her crew to think about, and Mama Bear wouldn’t want to let them down!

  “How very astute of you! I can see you appreciate directness, as do I, a quality everyone should strive to develop. In a few short weeks, I will be taking on an important role in the galactic government at the request of the AOC. I was humbled to have been offered this position, but it comes at a time when we are once again on the verge of war, due to the actions of rebels and aliens. I could use someone like you at the head of our military to lead and defend the citizenry against these threats.” Welch paused and cleared his throat, then turned back to face Reilly, an eager light in his eyes. “You would be my right
hand. I would not interfere with your appointments of personnel to the war council. Your crew would also be provided positions of importance. Together, we can unite the galaxy once again under the protective shield of a strong central government.”

  Welch smiled to himself as he set his glass down. The fact that he was planning to implant or collar all of them didn’t need to enter into the discussion. Certain information was need-to-know, and right now all Reilly needed to know was that this was her only option for survival. He shivered slightly, delighted by the possibilities, as he waited for her to say the only words she could say, waited for her acceptance.

  Reilly slowly looked up at Welch, at the expectant look he wore. He thinks I will say yes, because I have no other option. He thinks that I will be the dagger with which he will tear the galaxy apart, that I would willing agree to help him in his tyrannical quest for galactic slavery. Damn! He’s crazier than I thought!

  “What about Commander Zain? I thought he was the AOC War Council commander these days?”

  She could see the darkness then. Welch tried to hide it, but the feelings were too strong, and the hate overrode his attempts to maintain his good-guy image. He flashed an evil grin at her before he spoke.

  “Commander Zain has disappeared. Rumor has it that he may be attempting to restart the galactic alien war in order to take over the AOC. If that is true—and I believe it is—then it is imperative that we find someone who can stop him. And in my new role, according to the duties and powers granted to me by the AOC in these dangerous times, I can appoint whomever I would like to lead the military. There is no one else who has a…suitable military background, no one else who can fit the requirements of the position. So it must be you…I want it to be you.” Welch was pacing, animated by the anger he was trying to hide but also agitated by Reilly’s lack of a response. The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. He paused a moment and smoothed his hair and his shirt while he collected himself. Then he swiveled to face her. He had completely shown his hand, more than he had intended to. Now it was her turn to tell him yes.