Moral High Ground: Crew of the Ninja #1

by Joseph Bradshire

  Tan wasn’t sure what to think of it. He called the port authorities as he watched the ship slip over the horizon, already glowing orange from entering the atmosphere at a dangerous velocity.

  * * *

  Jon held onto his straps as tight as possible. Weston did too, all were silent. They didn’t want to disturb Jeff’s concentration.

  Not like anything could disturb his concentration. When he was in the zone nothing stopped Jon’s brother. The universe could be falling apart around him and he’d stay focused on his flying.

  He finally dumped velocity as they neared an altitude of 500 meters. The ship was still buffeted by wind but the lowered velocity allowed the internal gravity to compensate for the turmoil.

  Jon checked his screen, they were right on top of Young Rae’s signal. It was a large country compound. An estate, miles across, with several sprawling structures. Some sort of luxury cattle ranch.

  Jon reached over to the com station and put a call through to Young Rae. Anticipating her voice far more than he would admit to himself.

  It was not her voice that came through, but a man’s voice filtered through a computer translator. “This is security for the Lee Summer Estate. Your unauthorized approach has been reported to the Port Authorities. You will contact traffic control and get an assigned orbit and landing plan or face the consequences.”

  Well. That was a good start.

  “We are here to pick up Lee Young Rae. If you contact her she will confirm.” Even if Young Rae didn’t know why he was there she would play along and confirm, she was quick witted like that.

  “We do not have record of any pending business with Lee Young Rae, you will return to your assigned course.”

  Jon struggled. Explaining things through a translator was difficult. No complexity, one couldn’t rely on nuance. Had to be direct.

  “Inform her we are here for her protection. I must see her.” There. Simple enough.

  There was silence on the line for a few moments. Jon started to double check that the signal hadn’t been dropped when a new voice came on.

  “This is head of security, as a protector we have no authority over you, we are sending you landing coordinates now.”

  The translation was slow but the coordinates came through as he was speaking.

  Without being told Jeff made for them. A landing pad near the central structures. Barns or huge houses, it was hard to tell. Young Rae’s signal was moving toward that location as well. Perfect.

  As Jeff was easing the Ninja down onto the concrete landing pad Jon could see Young Rae stepping out of a ground car, shielding her eyes as she looked up. Watching them land.

  Jon was running down the ramp before it was fully flush with the ground. He jumped the last few feet, sailing through the .93 gravity.

  He ran toward Young Rae, trying to figure out what to tell her first. He missed her. She should come with him. She’s in danger. It’s her father. How is she doing? Have you changed your hair?

  Before he could say anything Young Rae put up her hand to stop him, saying, “You’re an idiot.”

  * * *

  Jon stopped in momentary shock. Confused.

  He recovered. “Young Rae we need to get you out of here. Quick, it’s your father...”

  Young Rae cut him off. “Yes I know, my father hired men to kill me. I’m not safe. I was about to sneak away with this ground car and leave the system under a false name. So what was your plan? You thought you’d fly in here with an unarmed ship and carry me away like a story time hero?”

  Jon fumbled. “Yeah. Well it’s more complex than that. But yeah.”

  Young Rae tilted her head and looked at him for a moment, frowning.

  Jon’s hand com chimed. It was Jeff on the line. “Jon, it looks like those destroyers from Candia found us. They are in orbit, blocking us. I’ve informed Captain Crater.”

  Young Rae said, “They’ve been in orbit the whole time, staying on the other side of the planet, just in case you tried something. Like barreling in for the rescue.”

  “They weren’t exactly part of the plan,” Jon said.

  “What about telling everyone we are married, was that part of the plan?” Young Rae asked.

  * * *

  Private security goons arrived in patrol vehicles in twos and threes. Dressed in official grey. They surrounded Jon and Young Rae, saying nothing, until someone with a different uniform arrived. Someone in a white uniform. An older man, but still fit. Full of authority.

  Young Rae shrunk back, stepping behind Jon. He’d never seen her act like that.

  “Hello. Captain Aichele is it?” The newcomer said. “I appreciate you bringing my daughter to me.”

  It was Young Rae’s father. Lee Sang-Hun. It made sense he’d be close by, welcoming his daughter home before he killed her. He was wearing the big innocent smile of fatherly concern too, the bastard.

  Before Jon could reply with something witty and scathing Sang-Hun continued. “I understand you are claiming to have married my daughter?”

  Jon was about to deny it, when Young Rae nudged him from behind, where her father couldn’t see. “Um, yes, yes I did. Sir.”

  Sang-Hun’s face darkened. Good. Get him angry. Jon certainly was.

  “Young Rae and I, with your leave, will be going now,” Jon said as he started to turn towards the Ninja.

  Sang-Hun chuckled, but his face stayed just as dark. “As husband you can do as you will with her. That is our law. We have other laws, however, a tradition of dispute resolution passed down through the generations. You’ll stay here until that ceremony is complete.”

  With that Sang-Hun turned and signaled toward his guards. They all drew their weapons, maybe a dozen of them, pointing them at Jon and Young Rae.

  “You’ll stay for the ceremony or be arrested.”

  Sang-Hun turned and walked towards his car, his chauffer opening the door.

  “Tomorrow morning then, Captain Aichele, at dawn. I will see you then.”

  “And I’ll be seeing you too,” Jon said under his breath.

  * * *

  Jon, Young Rae, Weston and Jeff sat in the common area of the ship. It was around dinner time but no one was hungry. They weren’t allowed to leave, not until after the ceremony, but Jon was happy with how it all turned out. There would be a delay, which was annoying, but tomorrow morning they’d be on their way and Young Rae would be safe.

  Technically Sang-Hun could wait until they were in deep space and then vaporize them. That’s what he’d hired those destroyers to do. But with Captain Crater escorting them they’d be safe enough. They’d not risk a full blown space battle with an armed cruiser. Probably.

  Jeff was the first to speak. “Married huh? When did that happen? Why wasn’t I invited to the wedding?”

  Weston chimed in, getting in on the joke. “Yeah, what is this? Some twisted honey moon?”

  Jeff and Weston were having a good time but Young Rae definitely was not.

  “Young Rae, I didn’t tell anyone we were married,” Jon said. “I’m not sure where they got that impression. If it helps me get you out of here we should stick to that story until we are safely away.”

  “You told them you were my ‘protector’?” Young Rae asked, it was more of a statement than a question.

  Jon nodded, not knowing where she was going with this.

  “Protector translates to husband.” Young Rae said.

  Jeff and Weston, who hadn’t quite stopped giggling like a couple of school children, started to fall apart in laughter. Jeff was trying to make another joke but could barely talk while Weston had trouble staying upright in his chair.

  “My father has an ancient right to object but it’s almost never utilized. The objection takes the form of the ceremony tomorrow morning.”

  Jeff and Weston were still chuckling, egging each other on.

  “The ceremony is simple, Jon. You and my father will draw swords and fight.”

  Jeff and Weston stopped cold. Sile
nce.

  * * *

  Jon hadn’t slept a wink. Just before dawn Tan Verakul had come to the Ninja and escorted Jon to the ceremony field. The field of battle. The sun was fully risen by the time everyone had arrived. Several officials were in attendance wearing gaudy robes and tall ridiculous hats.

  No spectators, which was strange. Most rituals he’d been to usually had a few onlookers. Most fencing matches, even ritualistic ones, would draw a crowd.

  Jon had been allowed two ‘seconds’ in his entourage. Despite her begging and pleading Jon had left Young Rae on the ship. It was the safest place. It would be a waste to have come all this way back for her to then let her stand out in the open, susceptible to all manner of attack.

  So he’d brought his brother, Jeff, along. His other second was Tan Verakul. Jon had asked for him by name, the only person he knew in Cao that was at least marginally neutral and, more importantly, could speak the language. Jon had already screwed up one translation, but had gotten lucky. He wasn’t eager to test his luck again.

  Jeff, Tan and Jon were patted down by one of the official looking gentlemen with the ridiculous hat. There were no weapons allowed beyond the two swords provided by the officials. The swords were carried by yet another enormous hat wearing official.

  Tan explained the ceremony. “It’s ancient really, no one does it this way anymore. Technically the father of the bride gets to show his disagreement with a marriage via duel.”

  “It’s not to the death though, right?” Jon asked.

  Young Rae had told him it wasn’t, but it had been unclear what would stop the duel. The ritual was so old and fallen out of use she hadn’t known. They couldn’t look it up either, their ship and coms were on full lock down.

  A time limit maybe?

  “So how does the fight end?”

  “First blood. Even a minor scratch, ends the duel.”

  “What if I lose? Do they keep Young Rae? They’d have to break into the Ninja for that, and I’m certain the Lord’s Justice will have something to say if they try.”

  They’d been unable to contact Sam and Captain Crater in orbit but Jon was sure they were watching them with every high definition scope they had.

  “If you lose, you lose honor. Respect. And Sang-Hun gains more prestige.”

  “Wait. That’s it?” Jon asked, shocked. “I get scratched and then walk away?”

  “Yes. But you would be shamed. Wouldn’t be able to hold your head up around the Lee family ever again. You could be shunned, ridiculed. It’s why you always ask permission of the father before marrying a Cao woman.”

  Tan Verakul was lecturing Jon like he was an ignorant child. Like he was a dastardly man, marrying and shaming a woman by elopement. Irrevocably alienating her from her family. Forcing Sang-Hun to the field of honor to salvage the family reputation.

  Jon hadn’t married her. He was just playing along to get her off planet. He thought about telling Tan that, but decided against it. He’d find out eventually.

  The official patting them down stopped when he got to Jeff. Jon was so used to Jeff’s aquatic modifications, the webbed fingers, gill slits and pale blue skin, he hardly noticed anymore. The official definitely noticed. He was reticent to touch Jeff to properly pat him down.

  Bigots.

  They handed Jon a long blade. A one or two handed sword, sharp on one side and slightly curved. A katana. Well made too, advanced metals but constructed in the ancient style. Some sort of ivory hilt. A perfectly balanced weapon.

  Jon wondered if they’d let him keep it.

  He took a few practice swings to warm up and grow accustomed to the weight. It was both lighter and longer than the cutlass he was used to. Most of the weight difference was due to the lack of a hand guard. The grip was longer as well, to allow for two handed use.

  A much different blade than Jon was used to but he’d manage.

  Sang-Hun was warming up on the other side of the field, about 40 paces away. Unlike Jon’s seconds Sang-Hun’s men carried sidearms. Mean looking men too, Jon had no doubt they’d leap at the chance to use those pistols.

  Sang-Hun nodded to one of the officials, the official turned to Jon and said something he didn’t understand. Jon nodded anyway. The official raised a hand and lowered it, yelling something.

  Sang-Hun advanced, blade held high in two hands. Forward slowly.

  The fight was on.

  Jon stood side face, blade in one hand. He was unaccustomed to a two handed blade so stuck with his training and wielded one handed. He kept his guard high. Advancing slowly, step by step.

  From five paces away Sang-Hun lunged, he was fast for an older man. But Cao’s gravity was less even than that of Earth’s. Jon had grown up on Cornhaul, in 1.22 gravities, he was much faster. He batted away Sang-Hun’s thrust and circled out.

  Sang-Hun had anticipated the move, however, and followed up with a kick to the back of Jon’s knee. A dirty move but he supposed Sang-Hun wasn’t in the mood to follow any gentlemanly formalities.

  Jon nearly went down from the kick but was able to stagger off at a different angle and avoid the follow up swipe by Sang-Hun. Or nearly so.

  Jon had not compensated for the lack of a hand guard on the katana. Sang-Hun’s swipe cut across Jon’s knuckles and the top of his hand, all the way to the bone. A painful injury with an impressive amount of blood.

  Well that’s that. First blood. It’s over. A short fight but hopefully it was enough to satisfy convention.

  But Sang-Hun continued his attack, raising his sword high in two hands and raining down blow after blow. Jon parried them easily but fell back.

  He could hear Jeff and Tan yelling to the officials. Blood from Jon’s hand was splattering all over his shirt and down the blade. The officials had to see it. Jon waited for them to intervene. Protecting himself.

  The officials did not intervene.

  This wasn’t a ritual at all. This was an execution. Sang-Hun meant to slay Jon and likely take care of Jeff, Young Rae and Weston in turn. A madman.

  And it didn’t even matter if Jon won this fight. He couldn’t win. If he struck Sang-Hun down his goons would open fire, gunning Jon down. Afterward Sang-Hun could make up any story he wanted. Beyond the officials there weren’t any witnesses. And who knew about the officials. They looked like priests, a religious order, but they could have just as easily been Lee family loyalists. Or both.

  Jon lost his patience. He’d played this old man’s game long enough. His plan to lose gracefully had gone out the airlock. Time for a new plan.

  He grabbed Sang-Hun’s sword arm with his good hand and clubbed him with the pommel of his sword. Hard. Knocking the man to the ground. Sang-Hun scrambled in the dirt but Jon was on him, not letting him up.

  Jon thought about killing him but knew Young Rae wouldn’t approve. Her father was trying to murder her, so maybe she’d forgive him. Jon was of two minds, he raised his sword high, contemplating.

  “You imbecile,” Sang-Hun said from the ground. “She’s a freak. A mutant. She cannot be allowed to live, to tarnish the family...”

  Jon kicked him in the face with every ounce of strength his Cornhaul upbringing afforded him. Sang-Hun was knocked out cold. He’d end up with a concussion, and maybe a massively swollen face, but he’d live.

  He turned to Jeff and said, “Now.”

  Jeff pulled a pistol out of the front of his pants and started firing on Sang-Hun’s guards.

  Bigotry was never an admirable trait, but this time it worked out for the best. As he’d hoped, the officials were reluctant to touch Jeff enough to check every crack and crevice for a weapon.

  It was always good to have a backup plan.

  One of Sang-Hun’s guards was down. A glancing blow to the head with one of Jeff’s gel cap rounds had put him out of commission. The other guard focused fire on the officials, gunning several down as they scattered in all directions.

  Sang-Hun’s plan was becoming clear. Kill everyone on site and blame it on
the crew of the Ninja. Not even the officials would live. Sang-Hun needed a body count to blame on Jon to justify whatever his next move was.

  Jon was happy to throw a wrench in that plan.

  Jeff ran out of rounds and the remaining guard was still standing. Jeff had hit him at least once but with gel caps it sometimes took several shots to put a man down. Jon should have had him load slugs but he didn’t think it would be needed. If the officials had found the pistol it was better to have it loaded with non-lethals.

  So much for that theory. Lethal rounds would have been nice right about then.

  Jon was charging the remaining guard with his sword when Tan Verakul, sneaking off to the side, tackled the man to the ground. By the time Jon got there Tan had wrestled the guard’s pistol away.

  Jon unceremoniously kicked the guard in the head. Knocking him out. He was getting good at that move.

  “You alright?” Jon asked Tan.

  “Yes. I think so.”

  “Good. Time to run.”

  Jon, Jeff and Tan both sprinted towards the Ninja. When they arrived Weston had the ramp down. Young Rae was at the top of the ramp with an assault rifle firing rounds over their heads. By the way she held the rifle it was clear she had never fired one, but any pursuers wouldn’t know that. They’d pause, keep their heads down. The noise itself was impressive enough to make Jon duck and flinch.

  Jeff ran up the ramp without slowing down.

  Tan Verakul started up the ramp but Jon stopped him, grabbing his shoulder.

  “Tan, you should stay here. It’s going to be dangerous on board. There are unfriendly warships in orbit.”

  “Stay here? I’ll be killed. Sang-Hun has gone mad,” Tan said.

  Jon looked up at Young Rae. She shrugged her shoulders.

  “Okay you can come. Just stay out of the way.”

  Chapter Ten

  Weston had the reactor and thrusters warmed up and ready to fire when Jon reached the bridge. Jeff had arrived before him and was strapping in to the pilot’s seat.

  “Weston, do we have the Lord’s Justice on scopes?” Jon asked.

  “Yes, they’ve just come over the horizon. But coms are still jammed. We can’t contact them,” Weston said.