Wastes of Space

by Darcy Town

  “Obsession.” Keto stood in the doorway. “That’s all this is, but she’s not an object, Danny.”

  “He’s always been obsessed with something or other Keto: Star Wars, Lara, flying, drugs. Sammy was exactly the same way.”

  Keto made a face. “No wonder their father didn’t want them.”

  Danny glared at Keto. “He dumped them because he was a loser fuck who didn’t deserve them. He can rot in Hell.” He examined a picture on top of one of his bookcases. Sammy and Rake, no older than ten, were playing with toy lightsabers. Rake wore a skirt and had pink barrettes in his hair, his twin sister wore jeans, and had a moustache drawn on her face. “If his base personality is to have a fixation, then that is his personality, and maybe we just need to accept that and let him be.” He touched their laughing faces and smiled sadly. “He’s smiling again, Keto.”

  Keto sighed. “Fine, but perhaps having him fixate on something that isn’t Ravil would be a good thing. When was the last time he had a girlfriend?”

  “Lara.” Danny looked at Lara in the photograph watching the twins play. “Just her, only her.”

  “See my point?”

  Danny picked up the picture. “You don’t see your first love murdered and get over it Keto, ever.” He sat on his bed. “I don’t know what to do about this. He is not going to let her go. Rake has never let anything go. This isn’t as simple as removing her. He will fight us and track her down, I know it.” He flopped back on his bed. “I need to think.”

  Keto left him alone with his thoughts.

  ***

  Marx found Lincoln and Kennedy in a shack at a small, unmarked dock. The pair looked up when he sauntered over, a bag of takeout food in his hands. Lincoln inclined his head.

  Kennedy sucked the blood out of one of Lincoln’s claws and made a face. “Not him either.”

  Marx took off his gloves. “Ready for mine?”

  Lincoln shook his head. “I still have two more.”

  Marx sat and ate fried fish while Kennedy finished with Lincoln’s claws. He watched them work and cocked his head to the side. “Any luck?”

  Lincoln rubbed his eyes. “No, I did however learn more about these Wasters, very strange things. So very different from one another.”

  “Yes all different sizes and colors.” Marx played with his copper braid by winding it around his wrist. “The sexes are very defined I found when going through the sex places.”

  Kennedy made a face. “Icky.”

  Marx shrugged. “I find it interesting.” He flicked out his thumb claw. “Ready?”

  Kennedy glared at his hand. “I not want to take from you.”

  Lincoln’s jaw clenched. He slashed Kennedy across the face. Kennedy hissed and jumped back, blood ran down his chin. He looked between Lincoln and Marx. “Why?”

  Lincoln retracted his claws. “We have a mission, Kennedy.” He eyed Marx. “Are you due for a new set?”

  Marx shrugged. “Sure.” He put his mouth to his thumb and ripped the claw out. He spat it towards Kennedy. “This will slow us. I cannot sustain the blood loss. I have already lost three fingers.” He staunched the wound. “Can he not lap it off the ground?”

  Kennedy stuck the claw in his mouth, draining it like a juice box. “No match.”

  Lincoln sighed. “He could.” He hissed at Kennedy. “Will that be an appropriate medium?”

  Kennedy crouched low to the floor and crawled along towards Lincoln, he rubbed his head on Lincoln’s foot. Lincoln kicked at him. “Do not! Just do your duty.”

  Kennedy dropped his head to the ground and looked at Marx. He nodded slowly. “Fine.”

  Marx stuck out his other thumb claw and split it down the middle, draining the blood onto the floor. “My claws will take time to heal this way as well, but I’d rather this than pulling them all.”

  Kennedy tasted it. “No match.” He spat the blood out and wiped at his tongue. “Something is wrong.” He licked his clothes trying to get the blood off. “What was it?”

  Marx stared at the claw. “I took it from a man. He was passed out on the floor.”

  Kennedy coughed. “Bad blood.”

  Lincoln cupped his chin. “What do you taste?”

  Kennedy threw up and backed away from the vomit. “Disease, a mutation, icky!”

  Marx ducked his head. “Cancer. I did not know. My apologies, Kennedy.”

  Kennedy snarled. “You did on purpose!”

  Lincoln jumped between the two. “Stop, Kennedy. Marx would not put our mission at risk. You cannot die from the diseases here. What is this cancer?”

  Marx rubbed his jaw. “It is an aging malady that affects those here. I believe it may be a result of their seeding mix. It is nothing we can catch.”

  Kennedy growled in Marx’s direction. “I not forget you do that!”

  Marx shook his head. “I did not do this on purpose. The man fit our description.”

  Kennedy spat on the ground. “I take no more from him!”

  Lincoln grabbed Kennedy by the neck and lifted him off the ground. “You try my patience.”

  Kennedy squirmed. “Why do you not care for me?”

  Lincoln brought him close until their noses were touching. “Mate or not, we are here with a goal. A plan I intend to see through. I want to be off this job, Kennedy. I want to end this so that we earn more freedoms. We are doing this for that, keep that in mind.” He dropped Kennedy.

  Kennedy rubbed his throat and bowed his head. “I obey.”

  Lincoln scratched Kennedy’s chin. “I will taste each first to check for this malady, and then you will try when I determine it is safe.”

  Marx eyed his remaining fingers. “I must warn you I have at least one more that may have illness, it is hard for me to tell what is drug induced and what is not.”

  “We do that one last then.” Lincoln patted Kennedy’s hand. “No reason to offend his tongue further if these others prove fruitful.”

  ***

  Rake awoke to voices coming from downstairs. He rolled up to sitting and smiled at the sensation, happy he was no longer tied to a bed. That reminded him; he looked at his wrists and ankles, still bandaged. He poked one, pain shot up his arm. He made a face. “Damn.”

  He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and got up. The sun had started to set; the light coming in from the windows was orange. He staggered towards the door, woozy from taking a dose of Keto’s medicine before his nap. He could walk if he concentrated, the cleared floor helped. All of the girl clothing had been organized. “Someone cleaned, how nice.”

  “Katarina did.” Dead Lara stepped out of the shadows.

  Rake glared at her. “How do you know?”

  “You would too if you remembered, but you were too wrapped up in that damn smell.”

  He grinned and grabbed Ravil’s lock of hair from his pillow. “Thank you for reminding me. You are sort of useful, Dead Lara.”

  “Don’t call me that, Rake.”

  He put his back to her and pulled on a black tank top. He found a button-up shirt and put the hair in the breast pocket. He inhaled. “Space.”

  Dead Lara looked him over. “Freak.”

  Rake hopped into a pair of jeans. “Who is outside, Dead Lara?”

  “How the fuck would I know, Rake.” She walked into the wall and disappeared.

  “Bye!” Rake threw his door open and looked down from the top of the stairs. “Looks like a party is forming!”

  A group of Oro’s friends milled around at the landing talking to Danny and Katarina. They grinned when they saw Rake. Oro’s boyfriend Theo was among them. The man was Rake’s age, tall and dark. He waved at Rake. “Rake! Oro told us yesterday, big party tonight in your honor. Congrats on kicking it.”

  Rake fell to his knees. “There is a merciful God! I believe! I do!”

  Danny glared at him. “We have not decided on this.”

  Katarina smiled. “I think it’s a good idea.” She nudged Danny and whispered into his ear, “Reintegrate hi
m with everyone and get him to branch out with friends his age.”

  Danny scowled. “Fine, I’m outnumbered. Fifth floor only, no one fucks up the rest of my place! Do you understand, Theo?”

  “Yes, sir.” Theo fist pumped the air. “Great! I have the sound system ready and a carload of booze. Oro said Czar’s friends were bringing munchies and ass to look at. Speaking of ass, where’s Oro?”

  Danny gave him a black look. Theo cleared his throat. “Sorry.”

  Rake jumped to his feet. “He’s in Bombay.”

  Theo grimaced. “What? That little fucker. I have to DJ?”

  Rake bounded down the steps. “You know you’re better than him, Theo.”

  “Well, of course, but I wanted to get drunk tonight.”

  Rake looked the others over. “Everyone is getting drunk tonight, me especially.” He pinched Danny’s cheek. “Stop looking so glum! Did you get a hold of him?”

  Danny walked towards the kitchen. “No, but I’ve kept calling. He won’t answer.”

  Rake made a face. “Lame.”

  Evgeniy padded down the stairs after Rake. He nodded to the others. “I go to pick up friends, be back.”

  They got a knock on the door. Evgeniy opened it as Tasanee stepped through. “Hey.” She grinned at Theo. “Oro told me last night there might be a party.”

  Theo smiled. “Of course, he had me set one up.”

  Rake pushed through everyone and picked up Tasanee. “Where the fuck have you been!”

  Tasanee ruffled his hair. “Working, you dipshit, some of us do that during the day.”

  Rake kissed her on the cheek. “Well, I missed you.”

  Tasanee grinned. “Good, you should.”

  Danny’s phone rang. Rake whirled and carried Tasanee over. Danny answered. “Christ Oro, I’ve been calling all day! Hold on.” He put him on speakerphone. “You’re on with Rake.”

  Rake took a deep breath. “Where’s Ravil, Oro?”

  “Bombay. Look it wasn’t my idea—”

  “I know.” Rake glared at Danny. “Are you coming back tonight?”

  “Not tonight, flights are cancelled.” Oro’s voice held a hint of amusement.

  “Cancelled?” Rake eyed Danny. “Why the hell would they be cancelled?”

  “President Arvrington is flying into Bombay for an international meeting with the Chinese. Airspace is shut down until their plane lands. Next flight out isn’t until tomorrow morning. Look, I have to go, security around here is hot, and they’re monitoring everything. Send everyone my love, bye!”

  “Fuck! Wait! Oro!” The phone went dead. Rake glared at Danny. “Get him back on the phone and tell him what’s up.”

  “What’s up?” Tasanee looked between the two.

  “Ravil is coming back.”

  Keto stepped out of the kitchen. “Only to say goodbye, that’s it. Then she’s gone again. He should have put her on the phone. Then we wouldn’t have to deal with this back and forth garbage.”

  Rake paced. “Shut up.”

  Tasanee looked to the door, then back down to Rake. If they weren’t going to let Ravil stay or have any alone time to talk with Rake, then she still thought Oro’s plan was better. She put on a smile and pinched Rake’s ears. “Party! Party! Party!”

  Rake sighed. “Yeah.”

  Katarina punched his shoulder. “Look at it this way. You have a worry free night. If she were here during a party we’d have to keep an eye on her.”

  Rake stuck out his jaw. “I guess.”

  Tasanee grinned. “Kat’s right. I’d try and give her alcohol any time your back was turned. It’s just how I am.” She glanced at Theo. “I like corrupting youth like me.”

  Theo flashed a smile. “Too true, Rat.”

  Tasanee wiggled until Rake put her down. “So how about you chill and have a well deserved homecoming party. Oro told me yesterday that he pretty much invited everyone. We’ll have music, booze, whatever you want.”

  Rake wanted Ravil to be there, he wanted to see for himself that she was okay. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and inhaled, the smell of space filled his nostrils. Rake scuffed his feet on the carpet. “Fine.”

  Theo slapped Rake on the back. “That’s what I’m talking about!” He looked at his posse. “Set up top floor!”

  Rake put thoughts of Ravil aside and forced a cheerier attitude. He grabbed Katarina’s hands. “We’re gonna get drunk tonight, drunk tonight.”

  Katarina smiled. “Of course.” She looked over at Tasanee. “You need to get clean.”

  Tasanee frowned. “But I like the smell of grease and oil.”

  Rake sniffed Tasanee. He grabbed her and smelled her hair. “You smell like space too. I told you it was on Tasanee’s stuff!”

  Tasanee eyed him. “Space?”

  Katarina rolled her eyes. “Rake thinks he smells space again on your stuff and Ravil’s.”

  “Ravil’s stuff smells like space?” Tasanee held back a smile. “Interesting. Well, uh, Rake.” She pushed his face away from hers. “That’s nice, but I don’t want your nose up in my business.” She pointed up the stairs. “Don’t you have primping to do? You hardly look ready for a party in your honor. Where’s your party dress?”

  Rake did not want to leave the smell, but he took a step back. “I suppose I do need to get ready…”

  Katarina gestured him to follow her. “Come on, you’ll be a pretty princess by the time I’m done with you.”

  Rake followed her as if on a leash. “Sparkles? I want sparkles!”

  Theo snorted. “Are you sure you’re not gay, Rake?”

  “Only for you hotness.” Rake winked at him. “And Oro of course, can’t leave him out. Threesome, my room, after the party, call me?”

  “Tease.”

  Rake ran up the stairs. “That’s my game!” He ducked into Katarina’s room. “I want to wear your boots!”

  ***

  The sun went down over Bangkok. Tasanee’s workshop was dark save for one spot. Artificial light seeped outside through a crack in the door of the Russian spacecraft. Ravil and Oro sat inside, having holed up there all day waiting and talking. Now Oro knew about as much of the Resistance and Empire as Ravil did.

  He pulled a hat over Ravil’s head, the pom-poms stopped at her shoulders. “Adorable.”

  Ravil pulled at the puffs. “Why do I have to cover my hair?”

  “Cause you’re an albino alien and no one else is.” He took a step back and looked her over. She wore black cargo pants, leather high-heeled boots, and a tight-fitting jacket over her orange tube top. Purple gloves hid her hands. “You’ll fit right in. Your white skin is barely noticeable.”

  “I’m sweating in this.” Ravil pulled the jacket collar away from her throat; her hair was tucked inside it.

  “It’s all we have. And I’m not wearing much better.” Oro gestured to his outfit. He’d traded in his designer t-shirt and jeans for a button-up shirt and charcoal-gray slacks. He’d added a fake pair of glasses to the mix and his hair was pulled into a low ponytail. “I feel like my dad.”

  “At least you’re in adult clothes.” Ravil scratched at her head. “Isn’t this a child’s hat?”

  He pointed at her heels. “The rest isn’t for a child, I promise.”

  She eyed him. “Still, you think I might be ten.”

  Oro tapped a piece of paper tacked to the wall. It was covered in numbers and formulas. He’d circled three numbers. “You’re either ten, sixteen, or twenty-three-Earth-years-old.” He looked at the paper. “Or you’re thirty, maybe, but I don’t think so. I kind of doubt ten too.”

  Ravil looked at the calculations. “I hope it’s not ten.”

  “I thought age didn’t matter to your kind.”

  “It doesn’t.” She frowned. “But it seems to matter to yours and ten equates to slavery by your ‘adults.’ They’ll try and order me around some more.” Ravil paced. “Which is ridiculous, there is nothing that a few more years on this planet will do for me. I’ll st
ill look exactly as I am now.”

  “Well you’d pass for sixteen or seventeen easy as you currently look.” He circled her. “How do we jump start you to the next level again?”

  “I can’t until I have sex.” Ravil rubbed her arms. “Jumping to this stage is a biological signal to males that we’re ready to have children, it’s the only reason the stage exists. Once we’ve had sex, we’ve found our mate and the stage becomes irrelevant.”

  Oro smiled. “So theoretically you could stay in this stage for what, decades?”

  She nodded. “I could stay this shape until I die, Oro.”

  “How long do you live?”

  She frowned. “I don’t know. No Navigator lives past their pilot.”

  Oro’s phone buzzed. He flipped it open. “Text from Tasanee. Party is going, Rake’s awake, and Theo’s there.” He smiled. “Drinking has commenced.”

  Ravil paced. “So how long do we wait before heading over?”

  Oro climbed into the cockpit seat. “Just a bit longer. We need a crowd to get you lost in, me too.” He pulled on a hoodie over his shirt and tucked his hair into the hood. “We’re undercover.”

  Ravil frowned. “I don’t see why we just can’t go there now or why we can’t have Rake come here?”

  He turned his chair around. “They won’t let Rake out of the house, but security will be lax inside the party. Once he gets in his groove, they’ll ease off the watchful eye. That and Tasanee’s job is to get them all drunk. Then you can get Rake alone and tell him what’s up. If we marched you in there right now, you’d have everyone watching and you wouldn’t be able to tell him unless you wanted to tell everyone else. We can do that if you want to.”

  “No!” Ravil shook her head. “No way.”

  “Then we do it this way.” Oro smiled. “Trust me, this will be perfect, plus you get to see Rake in his natural element.”

  “I’ve seen Rake before, Oro.”

  “Yeah, but you haven’t seen him at a party and if he knows you’re there he’s not going to be any fun.”

  “Why?”

  “I hear he is rather protective of you.” He gave her a knowing look.

  She shrugged. “But if he’s drunk by the time I talk to him, what good will it do?”