“I told Elijah I will only do small jobs for him. He knows I can’t stand anyone telling me what to do. I have a slight problem with authority. Remember when I was in the UPG Space Navy for nine months when I was sixteen? I was kicked out for assault on an officer, and I was listed as having a personality disorder. They told me that even if there is a system-wide war and they implemented a draft, they still wouldn’t take me back. That was probably one of the shortest military careers in history. That’s when I became a pirate under Captain Barakat. I heard about him when I was in the Space Navy. When I was kicked out, I tracked him down. Taking orders from him wasn’t so bad, because I knew I could quit whenever I wanted to. What do you think, does Elijah still trust me?” Jesse asked.
“Of course he does. You know Elijah, and he wants everyone working for him. He wants you most of all because you are so damn talented, my friend.”
“He has too much of a wild temper. If someone pisses him off, he kills them without even thinking about it. All you have to do is fuck up a few times, and that is it.”
“You are right, brother, he does have an out of control temper. That is one of the reasons why he was kicked out of Africa.” Haseeb placed his arm around Jesse’s shoulder as they begin to walk through the crowds of people. When the swarm of citizens saw Haseeb and the White Skull, they immediately parted as if royalty was walking past.
“What is the story on Elijah anyhow? Why was he kicked out of his own country?” Jesse asked.
“Well, I researched the story myself when I first started working for him. I wanted to know what I was getting myself into before I joined up with him. Evidently, he was an exceedingly cherished political leader in Ghana, Africa. He had become so influential that some of his counterparts had set him up. He was framed for the murder of a political rival. He was sent to live on a prison colony on Mars. He was sentenced to life and lived there for ten years before his name was finally cleared. The person responsible for the murder confessed to the crime, and Elijah was freed and cleared of all charges. After three years of living on the prison colony, his enemies had told his wife that he had died in prison. He served six years on Mars, and when he was let go, he ventured back to Ghana to find his beloved wife, who had re-married and had two children. I heard that he begged her to be with him, but she told him that she had to let him go. Those words drove him mad. First, he got his revenge on his enemies by killing each of them. The people of Africa begged him to return as a leader, but he refused and left Earth, vowing never to return again. He became a ruthless smuggler, and with the help of a few unknown connections, eventually took over the entire black market. Since then, he rises in power every year. Trust me, it’s good to be his friend, if you know what I mean,” Haseeb explained.
“Damn, I had no idea. No wonder he gets pissed off so easily. I guess that explains his large harem of women, instead of having just one wife. I think his connection may be the president of the UPG. I bought the Black Ice from him, you know, and you know who it used to belong to, Randal Fleming, who worked for the UPG. I’ll tell you, something is going on, and it doesn’t feel right,” Jesse told Haseeb, as he poked his friend’s big stomach.
“You’re right, and I don’t want to know. The control center said they saw a dent in your ship, is everything okay?”
“Yes, I just want to get a few supplies and get my ship fixed. Don is still here, right?”
“Come on, you know I will never give him up. He is far too valuable to me. People come from all over the solar system just to have him fix or upgrade their ships. I told Don that if he stays with me, I will pay him whatever crazy amount he asks for, and I do. He brings me a substantial amount of business, including valuable information,” Haseeb said, as he laughed out loud, “Things are very well, my friend!”
“Listen, Haseeb, I’m running low on pills,” Jesse said, feeling a knot wrench up in his stomach. Part of Jesse was happy to get some more drugs, and the other half of him loathed himself for his weakness.
“No problem.” It was no big deal to Haseeb to get Jesse drugs, since he himself was addicted to many different drugs, far worse than what Jesse was taking. Haseeb considered painkillers to be as strong to him as aspirin, since they weren’t effective enough for him.
“I also want to know if you can get a hold of some exercise equipment,” Jesse asked in a low voice, as Haseeb leaned in.
“What was that?” Haseeb giggled.
“Don’t make me say it again,” Jesse said, as his face turned red.
“What, do you have a new girlfriend or something? Jesse, my boy, you look healthy. Look at me, I’m big, but I don’t need to lose weight. It is all in your mind. But, if you want, I can get it. I let some bounty hunters open a gym, which is actually quite successful now. I have a catalog on a data disk. If you like, I can show it to you when we get to my palace.” Haseeb grabbed one of his men who happened to pass by and told him to have Don work on Jesse’s ship immediately. The man told his boss that he would and quickly ran to Don’s hanger.
“Come on, let’s go to my palace among the stars. I can’t wait for you to see it. I had it decorated after your last visit.”
“Sounds fantastic.” Jesse hoped that it had improved since the last time he smelled and set eyes on it. Jesse recollected that it was incredibly enormous, cluttered, and foul, just like any other bachelor’s dwelling. The Blue Neon had become an extremely active and influential trade station. The Blue Neon was on no account empty or slow going. The massive space station housed over two hundred thousand people and was first governed by Weelip Heder, who had committed suicide by slashing his wrists and then walked through the marketplace until he died of blood loss. It was rumored that his wife left him for an UPG council member. After that incident, the next manager of the station was a high-ranking UPG Unified Police Force Officer. After twenty years of successful management, Captain Shelton died of a drug overdose. The next few managers each met with a similar uninspiring fate. As the years passed, the Blue Neon grew to be listed as an undesirable managerial position and slowly transformed from a sophisticated space station to becoming one of the most corrupt space stations, which was now run by Haseeb.
Jesse could tell that Haseeb had made many improvements, although he did go a little crazy with the neon lighting. Almost everything on the station had some form of neon connected to it. It could give you a headache if you weren’t used to it. Even the floors had a strip of blue neon under them, circling around the entire station. Jesse thanked the Lord that Haseeb used different colors of neon in the décor instead of only blue. Also, circling around the horizontally positioned donut-shaped station were many different merchant stores, restaurant, clubs, bars, and a large casino. A large section was reserved for rooms and apartments, which were for rent. Many individuals lived on the Blue Neon and many people only flew in to conduct their illegal commerce. Similar to the Trading Post, a person would be able to buy virtually anything a little black heart can desire. The only difference was that the Blue Neon was considered to be cleaner and trendier. Once in a while, you would even see a few clean-cut businessmen pop in and out, most likely for the prostitution, or to acquire something that was banned. That was one of the things this station was popular for, as well as drugs, prostitution, and Don’s hanger. Everything else came second at the Blue Neon. A tantalizing aroma was emanating from one of the restaurants and hit Jesse like a jackhammer on his nose. The salad he ate earlier wasn’t cutting it. He knew he had to be strong if he wanted to get back in shape. Jesse had been through many hard, bloody battles, but controlling his appetite somehow seemed a touch harder.
Finally, the two men reached an elevator, which was located in the hub of the enormous station. Haseeb pulled out a blue security card, which he had secured around his neck. No one on the station had access to the elevator except for him and his head of security. He swiped the card over a hidden lock, causing the elevator door to open. After the two men entered, the door closed behind them. After thirty se
conds, they arrived at the security station lobby. In the massive lobby, a group of armed guards sat at different tables playing cards while watching the security monitors. The men jumped up when they saw Haseeb, and he waved for them to sit back down. Haseeb escorted Jesse to another elevator, which only Haseeb had access to, and again swiped his security card. This elevator took the two friends to what Haseeb called his lair of love. Haseeb called it this due to his rather large harem of beautiful women. The doors opened, revealing a gorgeous palace, decorated with elegant furnishings and artwork. The first room they passed through was an exquisite ornamented sitting area. The next area they passed was Haseeb’s office, which eventually led to a substantial living room. The entire room was painted white, with white marble floors that shone and sparkled. Two massive gold statues of life-sized elephants faced each other as Jesse and Haseeb walked under them and into a sitting area.
“What the hell…shit man, you’ve been busy,” Jesse said in a stunned tone. He found it hard to take his eyes off the two elephants that formed the most magnificent entranceway he had ever seen. Jesse had forgotten about how impressed he was with Luis’ new ship. He was starting to get really pissed off at his friends.
“You’ve really outdone yourself. My God…is that…a fountain? What the hell is that coming out of it?” Jesse asked his friend, not sure if he really wanted to know.
“Yes, the fountain is gold, and I have the most expensive champagne flowing out from it. I have it freshened every two days. You can actually drink out of it. Would you like some?” Haseeb smiled, pleased at his friend’s awestruck reaction.
“You’re one sick bastard,” Jesse said, half serious and half amused.
“Life is too short, my friend. We could all die tomorrow and never experience true happiness. I don’t want to take that chance. I want to seize the moment for what it is worth. Life is much too precious and should not be wasted or taken for granted.”
“Nice philosophy. I think you have just become the poster child for insanely happy living,” Jesse joked, as he shook his head.
Haseeb smiled at Jesse, because he knew Jesse had been joking and never did take his friend seriously. He loved Jesse like a brother. Haseeb knew if there was one person he could trust, it was Jesse. Haseeb motioned for him to sit down on a group of white leather couches that formed a large circle. In the center, there was an elegant black marble table. Behind the group of couches was a magnificent window that had a magnificent view looking out into space. Haseeb told Jesse that no one can see into his palace. Elegant tapestries hung from the walls, as well as priceless gold-framed paintings, which were positioned all around the room. Haseeb clapped his hands twice and ten gorgeous ladies, wearing harem outfits, entered the living room. Their beauty added to the elegance of the room, making them look as if they were exotic goddesses. Jesse put his feet up on a white cushioned ottoman and leaned back into the couch. A large crystal chandelier hung above their heads. Jesse again shook his head.
“Would you like a few women?” Haseeb asked the space pirate. Haseeb motioned to the women to sit beside him. Jesse was taken aback by their exotic beauty. Ten different nationalities of women sat next to their Lord as they blew kisses at the White Skull. All of the women knew who he was and were anxious to take good care of him. Jesse had also taken notice of Haseeb’s ten fingers, which had a gold ring on each digit.
“No thanks, I’ve cut down,” Jesse said, thinking about the woman in his cargo bay.
“Awwwww,” the women sighed in unison.
“Look, you’ve hurt their feelings. Come, come, my brother, have a heart,” Haseeb said, as if he were talking to a little child.
“Well, I could use a massage,” Jesse confessed, not wanting to hurt his friend’s feelings, and not wanting to look like a punk. A group of women happily ran over to him as their thin, sheer, multi-colored garments glided through the air.
“Much better. Are you still recovering from the pain you suffered from Monica, eh?” Haseeb lightly laughed, as four women attended to the White Skull. Haseeb witnessed firsthand the hell Monica had put him though. Sometimes she wouldn’t return for days and no one would know where she was, or if she were alive or dead. The three of them used to hang together at the Rusty Bucket before everyone became insanely rich.
“Don’t worry, Jesse, I understand. Would you like something to drink as well?” Haseeb asked.
“Yes, do you still have that case of Blueberry Zinfandel?”
“Of course. I saved it for your return. Sherry, bring this man a bottle of Blueberry Zinfandel and a couple of glasses,” Haseeb instructed one his beauties.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Sherry answered in a sweet, sexy voice as she bowed before Haseeb.
“Your Highness? What are you doing to these poor women?” Jesse asked, while laughing.
“I told all of my staff to call me either Your Excellency, or Your Highness. I like to hear it. Would you like something to eat?” he asked Jesse, while stroking his beard.
“No thanks, I’ll pass…Your Highness,” Jesse said, trying to hold in his laughter. His stomach didn’t agree with Jesse; it desperately wanted some real food and began to growl at its owner. Jesse slowly relaxed as the women massaged his feet, legs, arms, shoulders, and head. He was beginning to wonder why he didn’t have his own harem. He had seen Elijah’s harem of women as well. Elijah’s harem was far larger than Haseeb’s, making Haseeb’s group of women look like a small gathering.
Jesse looked at his friend, whose kind face and generous heart hid how ruthless Haseeb was. He wasn’t the type of man you’d want to make angry. He was very passive, but could kill with a smile on his face. He could slit someone’s throat while telling a joke, and then finish the punch line as if nothing had happened. Haseeb clapped his hands twice, startling Jesse. Four little dark-skinned men, no larger than three feet tall, came before Haseeb and bowed. They were wearing similar ancient Arabian attire that their Lord Haseeb was also wearing. Two of the little men held a silver tray with a large smoking device decorated in priceless gems. The little men carefully placed the tray on the marble table and prepared the smoking device for their Lord, then one of the men handed Haseeb a tube that had a metal attachment at the end.
“Play something Arabian,” Haseeb instructed to the other two little men. Both men bowed and scurried away like little mice, without making a sound.
“Opium?” Haseeb asked, as he leaned over the table and offered it to Jesse.
“I’ve never tried opium before, but I’ve heard it has the same effect as morphine. Oh, screw it,” he said, as he took the first hit from the tube and inhaled deeply, held it in for a few seconds, and then he exhaled. He had never smoked anything before, except for marijuana. It was customary in the midst of Elijah that after a deal was made, you must smoke marijuana with him. It was his way of sealing a deal.
Within seconds, Arabian music began to fill the large living room. The music was lively and energetic, which seemed to lift up the beautiful harem women from their seats, causing them to dance. Jesse felt as if the women were entranced by the music and had no choice but to dance for their very souls. One woman continued to massage Jesse’s feet, and another woman continued working on his shoulders. As the music picked up in tempo, the exotic females danced faster and with more sensual passion. The two men passed the tube to each other as Sherry returned with the drinks. Smoke began to fill the room, as Haseeb’s harem girl gracefully poured Jesse a glass of champagne and handed it to the space pirate, followed by a wink. Jesse smiled at the woman, gulped down the glass of champagne, and then took the bottle and placed it between his legs. He realized that looked more or less like a little kid who was no longer willing to share. Jesse knew it wasn’t very hospitable to smuggle the whole bottle, but he didn’t really care at that point. He began to feel the force of the opium take over his body like a powerful storm of relaxation. It was a different type of high for him, and he enjoyed it. Haseeb looked over and smiled at Jesse. The ladies con
tinued to pleasingly dance as Jesse and Haseeb slowly sank further into the white leather couches.
“Ah, yyyeeeeeesss,” Jesse managed to voice out. He felt his body become increasingly heavy and relaxed as the minutes quickly disappear. Haseeb motioned to the dancing women to begin taking their clothes off, and they happily oblige. The space pirate admired their beautiful, naked bodies and was momentarily hypnotized by the females’ sensual curves, yet his thoughts drifted to the woman in his cargo hold. Jesse moved his head to the right side and looked out into space. He watched as the stars began to dance with each other. Jesse squinted his burning eyes, as he watched a nearby green nebula smoke a joint and give him the middle finger. Jesse gave the nebula the middle finger back, and Haseeb and his girls laughed at him, wondering what the hell he was doing. The White Skull placed his left hand in front of his face and began to move it around, as if it was the most interesting thing he had ever seen.
“What the fuck are you doing, boy? Shit, you are really messed up,” Haseeb laughed. To Jesse, the laugh seemed to occur in slow motion, as he once again lost grip on reality. He didn’t care and looked back into space. Jesse momentarily felt as if he was transported to another place in the universe. In the reflection of the window, he saw a gorgeous woman with long, silky dark blue hair and blue lips. In the reflection, he could see the woman sitting on his lap. Not certain what was going on, Jesse looked down at his lap and saw nothing, so he looked back at the reflection and again saw the blue-haired woman again. She seemed familiar to him somehow, so he waved to her.
“Hey, lady,” Jesse said to the reflection. She disappeared, and Jesse looks over to Haseeb. “She’s gone; the woman with the blue hair is gone,” Jesse said, in sad voice.
Voyages of the White Skull Book 1 Page 8