"How far are we away from contact?" he asked.
"Less than five minutes," said Kai.
"Good, good. Are we all prepared?"
"The ship is running like a dream. My baby hasn't had a hiccup yet, has she?" L asked.
"No, L, she hasn't. I couldn't ask for a better ship. Kai, are you sure they will be at the destination? A lot of our targets have slipped through her fingers, of late," said Phoenix.
"If the information Plowstow gave us is right."
"And why wouldn't it be?" said Plowstow. "I swear on my deliverer's life that the information is sound. I got it from Credits. Been knowing Credits for years. Credits ain't given me wrong information yet."
"Credits?" Phoenix asked with a raised eyebrow.
"He's called Credits because he's all about the credits."
"And why are we trusting information from him?" Saoirse asked.
Even with his eyes closed, Phoenix could picture her face: lips pulled back in a fine line, brows furrowed in displeasure. Phoenix opened his eyes and looked at Saoirse, unsurprised to find that his imagination was correct.
"Because that's all we have. Nobody is willing to talk to us, and all the information has run dry. No matter how many credits I place on the table, there are no takers. Holger's pockets are deeper than ours, and it looks like he has bought or killed off everyone that might have given us information about his organisation."
"Whose fault is that? We have attacked six of his labs stationed on everything from asteroids to planets, and we have attacked triple that number of his ships. This all-out war you are raging. It will not be won by force alone," said Freyan.
Phoenix looked to the ceiling as a frustrated sigh escaped his lips. This again. "What would you have me do, Freyan? Hide in the shadows till he appears, then assassinate him?"
"That would be dishonourable," said Saoirse.
"Honour and pride do not win wars," Freyan said, his head snapping back and forth between the two.
"Freyan, there is only one way to hurt a person like Holger, and that's through fear and taking away his control. We shall never win a proper war with him. But we hit him where it hurts--take pieces off the board that are important to him, one by one--then we get the upper hand. Fear and control is what rules Holger. Fear and control will make him blind," said Phoenix.
"Will revenge do the same to you?" Freyan asked.
Phoenix slapped the right arm of his chair. The dent he left brought a scowl to L's face. "Sorry, L. I keep forgetting my right hand can do that. Freyan, no matter how much you would like this to go away, it won't. We must face this head on or we shall forever be hiding in the shadows. I won't let another planet--another species--fall victim to the Portendorfer family's whims."
"The crew can't keep pushing this pace. They need a break. We all need a break," said Freyan.
Phoenix looked at the faces of his crew and he knew that Freyan was right. He could see it in the lines of their faces, the bags under their eyes, and the lack of laughter, which seemed to have evaporated from the ship. He was pushing them hard, but he was so close.
"I have the enemy ship in my sights," said Kai.
"Prepare for battle."
"Let's see what she looks like," said Phoenix.
Kai nodded his head and brought up an image of a small ship. Its wingspan was short and its belly was fat. As Kai zoomed in closer, Phoenix could see scorch marks along its metal panelling.
"You sure this is the right ship?" Plowstow asked.
"Listen, my bro, these are the coordinates you gave me. So I should be asking you--how reliable is your source?" said Kai.
"I already told ya, Credits and me go way, way back. There is no way that the information he gave me was false."
Phoenix leaned forward in his chair and cupped his hands under his chin. "Plowstow, did your friend act strange in any way when you spoke to him? Did he seem off, to you? Distracted? Was he in a hurry to leave?"
"Nah."
"Saoirse, what should this ship be carrying?" Phoenix asked.
"It should be a weapons shipment."
"Shouldn't a weapons shipment be bigger? I mean, a large-scale operation like Holger's would need a large supply," said Phoenix.
"Normally, I would agree with you, but they could be trying to hide their movements because of us. Or, more likely, the Council. You charter inconspicuous ships to carry things that you don't want other people to find. The pirates and outlaws have been doing it for years," said Saoirse.
"What shall we do?" asked Kai.
Phoenix looked at the screen in front of him and bit the side of his cheek. His fingers drummed against the leather armrest of his chair. Looking towards Plowstow, he held the Orcian's gaze. "Plowstow, I want you to think back, now. No, no, don't talk, just listen. Was there anything out of the ordinary, at all, that happened when you met this friend of yours? Anything? Think back, now."
"Well, now you mention it, there was something. The street and club we met in were empty. I thought it strange, because that part of the city is always busy."
Phoenix looked over to Saoirse and felt the bottom of his stomach drop. Her wide-eyed gaze matched his.
"Plus, now thinking about it, he did seem to be in a rush to meet up with some new woman he just met," said Plowstow.
"Shit! Change course--"
"Four ships have just appeared behind that asteroid field! It's a trap!
4
"Sound the alarm--evasive movements," Phoenix instructed.
Four ships, the likes of which Phoenix had never seen before, were quickly approaching them. Each one was angular in shape, with missiles shouldering each other aside for space beneath each wing.
"Destroyers," L whispered.
"Get to the engine room. We will no doubt need you in there more than we need you here," Phoenix said to L.
She looked towards the display screen, then to Phoenix, then back to the image the screen showed.
"L, go!" said Phoenix.
L tore her gaze from the screen and gave Phoenix a nod, squeezing him on the shoulder as she walked past. "Make sure you don't damage her too much," she said, heading out the door.
"Saoirse, what should I know about these ships?" Phoenix asked.
"Didn't you read the leaflet that I prepared for you?"
"Err..."
"The one I left on your pillow?"
There had been so many... "I was meaning to get round to it, but--"
"Well, if you had bothered to read the information I spent time preparing, you would know that a Destroyer is a highly developed battleship, manufactured in the era--"
"Saoirse, Cliff Notes! We don't all share your fascination with weapons or ships that kill things."
Saoirse pressed her lips into a fine line and raised one eyebrow Phoenix's way. "They are fast, manoeuvrable, but lack real firepower."
Plowstow said, "Real firepower ain't worth a damn, if there are four of them. With that many guns pointed our way, this will end poorly for us, and quickly, unless we do something about it."
"I hate to agree, but Plowstow is right."
"If you're going to do something, do it now!" Kai screamed.
The ships were now on their tail and firing. Saoirse swung the ship from left to right, avoiding what she could. A few shots were on target, but the shields handled them with ease. The ship rocked from side to side as the enemies' fire increased.
"Plowstow, when you get a clear shot, do some damage," said Phoenix.
Plowstow nodded, his eyes fixed to the screen in front of him. Phoenix looked towards the viewing screen, where two ships had broken away from the pack and were flanking them on either side. With two pursuing them from the back, the only direction they could head in was forward.
It appeared to be a clear path to freedom, an easy choice to make. How stupid do they think I am?
"Saoirse, head to the left," said Phoenix.
"But that way is blocked--it will lead us right into the enemy's path," she sa
id, looking back at him with both eyebrows raised.
"Yup! Head straight for that sucker. Do not change course, do not move out of the way."
"But...but...the path ahead is clear!" Plowstow stammered.
"A little too clear. They're herding us like sheep. But they will find no sheep here, only wolves."
"What are sheep--"
"Keep her steady. Do not change course. Plowstow, I want you to fire with everything that you have when I say so," said Phoenix.
"Do you think this is wise?" Saoirse asked.
"I used to play a game when I was younger called Chicken."
The ship was nearly upon them. It held its fire in fear of hitting the ships that were pursuing Phoenix from the rear.
"It was a game that involved being fearless, but also stupid."
The enemy ship was so close now that Phoenix tried to see if he could make out the faces of the crew aboard it. Their faces would be marked in panic, as they scrambled around on their bridge looking for a way out.
"Growing up, they were two things I had in spades. Fire!"
The PH1 emptied its guns into the enemy ship, ripping it apart. The flash was blinding; the guns left nothing behind.
"Shields still holding, bro!"
The PH1 rocked back and forth as they made their way through the debris. One ship, following closely behind, wasn't quick enough to activate their shields fully and was torn apart by the floating wreckage. The second explosion rocked the third ship but didn't destroy it fully.
Saoirse decreased the power output of the engines, allowing the third ship to shoot past. Its left side was now sporting a large hole, which spewed out members of its crew. They floated behind it like lost luggage on a road. It really didn't take much to destroy the ship; it was on its last legs. If anything, they were being merciful.
"We have one more coming from the right--oh no, multiple ships up ahead," said Kai.
"How many?" Phoenix asked.
"Too many to count."
"Head for that asteroid field and lose them in there. I believe their backup will be upon us shortly."
Saoirse did as she was told and flew the ship into the oncoming asteroid field. Phoenix brought up an image of the ships on their tail and swallowed. Multiple destroyers filled the viewing screen as they made their way towards the PH1.
"Once we get into that asteroid field, and we have a clear path, I want us in flaring as soon as possible."
"So much for hitting Holger where it hurts," muttered Plowstow.
"There's still time. There's still time," said Phoenix, his fingers digging into the armrest of his chair.
5
Phoenix sat alone in the canteen of the ship, one hand holding a spoon resting in a bowl of steaming soup. As the mist from the bowl wafted past his face, he stared at the far wall. His thoughts were on everything and also on nothing. A trail of thought coiled in front of him, offering the answers that he wanted, but whenever he reached out to grab it, it slipped between his fingers like an oiled snake.
He tapped his spoon against the bowl in a thoughtless rhythm. The sound bounced against the walls, with nowhere to go in the empty room. Phoenix played with his earring, allowing the smooth bone to give him some comfort.
After the ambush, they had managed to escape in the asteroid field. But it had been close--too close. No damage was taken, and it could have been a lot worse, but that still didn't sit right with him. This task he had set himself--
Footsteps echoing on the cold metal floor made their way towards him. Freyan took a seat opposite him, and he gave Phoenix a smile that Phoenix couldn't quite return.
Phoenix studied the eggshell-white skin of the Bloodless being and said, "You know, you would be a great poker player."
"Poker?" Freyan asked.
"Its a gambling game, played with cards. It's part skill, part luck, and part deception. The person who can read their opponent the most tends to be the winner."
"It sounds like war."
"I guess all games are, to some extent," Phoenix said with a nod.
As silence once again returned to the room, Phoenix brought his spoon to his mouth and began to eat. He couldn't remember the last time he had eaten, let alone slept.
"I am worried...concerned...about the direction that you are heading in."
"How so?" Phoenix asked, head still bowed, spoon travelling to his mouth.
"This obsession that you have with Holger-"
"Obsession! You call trying to stop someone from killing me on multiple occasions an obsession?" Phoenix asked, allowing the spoon to clatter to the table.
"Yes, obsession. I warned you how this would play out once you began poking the Council--"
"I am not poking the Council, I am simply trying to resolve a problem I have with one man. One snivelling child of a man, who has never been taught a lesson. Who has never known what 'no' means, who gets away with whatever he wants."
"Have you looked around you, lately? Have you seen how tired everyone is? We have been attacking Holger relentlessly on all sides for the best part of three months--hitting in many cases targets he is only remotely related to. Something has to give, sooner or later."
"Yes, something has to," Phoenix said, picking up the spoon again and bringing it back to his mouth.
Freyan tapped his fingers along the tabletop, allowing the sound to fill the room. He let out a heavy sigh and shook his head before closing his eyes. "I didn't want to tell you this, but some members of the crew have come to me seeking sleep aids and energy pills. You may not see how your actions are affecting the crew, but I do."
"No one is being forced to stay on this ship-"
Freyan leaned back, mouth slightly agape.
"Sorry, I apologise. I didn't mean that," said Phoenix, holding up his hands. "Just...Doc, this menace needs to be put down. I can't go on living my life looking over my shoulder. The people on this ship--I am in charge of their care, whether they like it or not. This ship is my responsibility."
"I think someone is coming that may disagree with that last statement," said Freyan.
Phoenix heard another set of hurried footsteps coming his way. Taking another spoonful of soup, he didn't look up from his bowl. "Yes, L?"
"Do you know what you're doing to my baby?"
Phoenix took another mouthful of soup before he lifted his head. L stood in front of him, hands on hips, hair fiery red.
"Err...I don't know how to answer that," he said.
"The engines are constantly overheating, the weapons keep on jamming because the barrels haven't been serviced, the anti-grav keeps on malfunctioning, the sensors won't pick up a hundred-foot dust worm unless it's sitting on top of the ship, the--"
"Whoa, whoa. The anti-what isn't working? I don't know what any of this means, L."
"It means that we need to land somewhere so the ship can be serviced. We've been running her at a hundred percent for too long now. Something is going to give, and if you think that it will be my ship, then you are mistaken."
"Something's got to give, huh? I've been hearing that a lot lately," Phoenix said, leaning back in his chair.
"Plus the cargo bay is a mess. I won't tell Plowstow to clean up his mess again."
"Okay, okay, L, leave it with me. I'll sort it."
L walked away without a backwards glance, arms swinging at her sides.
Phoenix and Freyan both looked at each other, then burst out in laughter. Phoenix held his hands in the air and said, "And here I was thinking that I was the captain."
"More fool you," said Freyan.
"Indeed."
"There is a well-known tale about Lord Portendorfer senior that I would like to share with you. It is said that he was out, scouting a gift for his wife, when he was set upon by bandits. It was his home world, so he thought he had no need for guards. They ambushed him and crushed his hand under a rock. He was given a sword to cut off the limb, and he would have been free to go.
"He chose not to accept their offer. So
they took the weapon away. The bandits thought he would surely die. But he didn't. Instead he chewed through his own hand, freeing himself. After he freed himself, it is said that he found each and every member of the bandit crew and tore their throats out with his teeth."
Phoenix licked his lips, sighing and placing his hands behind his head.
"That is the man behind the boy. That is who you will end up dealing with, if you keep attacking the Portendorfer family."
"My beef is with Holger, no one else. This war is only between me and him."
"Monsters always protect their own," said Freyan.
6
The maids had forgotten to bring him his favourite toy again. It was the one his mother had brought him, that would protect him. She said that no matter how far away she was, or how scared he might be, it would always protect him.
"Where is Frank?" asked Holger.
"Isn't he with you, young master?" said one of his servants.
"No! I can't find him anywhere. Claire, I can't lose him."
"Holger, don't you have enough toys to play with?"
Holger looked around the floor at all the brightly coloured toys surrounding his small body and shook his head violently from side to side. "I want Frank!"
"Tell you what," Claire said, squatting down so they were eye to eye. "Why don't you keep on playing, and I'll see what I can do."
Holger nodded his head vigorously before sitting back down among his toys. It had been a lot quieter since his mother had taken his big brother and sister away. They were visiting some place; he had been told where but he hadn't really been paying attention. All he could think about, when he was told, was all the peace and quiet he would have by himself. No one would lock him in cupboards, no one would steal his toys, no one would put things in his food.
As the time passed, Holger forgot all about Frank, but hurried footsteps to and fro brought him out of his dreamlike state. Maids ran about, clutching at their chests and sobbing silently whenever they spotted him. Guards with distant stares moved with purpose.
Revenge: (Space Outlaw 3) Page 2