Revenge: (Space Outlaw 3)

by Dominique Mondesir

  As they made their way inside, smoke hit the back of Phoenix's throat. It had a sweet tint to it, shouting that this was more than just tobacco he was inhaling. As his eyes started to water and he started to sneeze, he scanned the crowd for any sign of L.

  "I can't see her," said Phoenix.

  The place was packed; bodies pressed against bodies. Lines formed in front of games, as gamers waited their turn. With the sound of the music and the crowd, Phoenix felt like his head was in a vice. Phoenix elbowed Freyan and motioned with his head for him to follow.

  Phoenix elbowed, pushed and stepped on toes to cut a path through the masses. Curses and muttering followed in his wake, but his bad mood was getting worse with each step he took, so he didn't really care.

  A holographic screen four metres across floated in the air above everyone's heads. It showed a dogfight between two spaceships. They zipped and turned in a beautiful aerial display, each ship looking for the other's weakness, each ship picking their shots carefully.

  The crowd cheered and booed; most of the eyes that paid attention to the screen were bloodshot. Drinks spilled and flew in the air as a player scored a hit on the other's ship. Every so often, people from the crowd broke away and clustered around members of the crowd in shiny white suits, who handed them tickets.

  "What's that?" Phoenix asked, pointing to a floating board with numbers going up and down.

  "That, my dear friend, is the betting lines. You see each face next to the numbers? That shows the odds against that player, and those people in white suits are brokers. They take whatever bet you can afford--"

  "Hold up! Isn't that...Kai?" Phoenix asked, pointing to the betting board.

  "It appears so," said Freyan

  A cheer went up as player one scored a hit against his opponent. Player two was on the ropes. His ship was smoking, and warning lights flashed all over his screen; he was doing nothing but running.

  "Don't tell me..."

  "It appears our young Soul worshipper is losing...badly."

  Phoenix spotted L's changing hair colour from across the room. Nudging Freyan in the side, Phoenix nodded in L's direction before making his way over to her.

  "How badly is he losing?" Phoenix asked, taking a spot next to L.

  "Oh, Phoenix, I told him that he shouldn't. I warned him. But he's so..."

  "Addicted?"

  "Yes. He just doesn't know when to stop. He knows that he's no good, but when anyone challenges him to a game, he can't say no. It's like his pride can't back down. He's such a pain in the ass!"

  "How badly is he doing?" Phoenix asked again, looking back up at the screen.

  A shot from player one clipped one of the wings of Kai's ship. It spun out of control, but Kai managed to right it again. His ship skimmed across a lake before gaining altitude again.

  "He's player two. Need I say more?" L said, pointing to the screen.

  Another roar from the crowd shook the rafters as Kai was hit once again. Phoenix looked across and saw everything he needed to know when his eyes rested on Kai. Although Kai's head was covered under the VRG helmet, his body movements gave away how badly he was handling the game. His fists clenched and unclenched, and his feet wouldn't stay still. He fidgeted like a child on the naughty step.

  Phoenix looked over to Kai's opponent and knew that the end was near. His opponent was still. Not a limb stirred as he waited for his opponent to make a mistake. Without looking up, Phoenix heard it come as the place erupted in a roar.

  It was over.

  "I guess you win some, you lose some," Phoenix said to L.

  "Phoenix, you don't understand--Kai took a bet on himself."

  "So? Just get him to settle up, and we'll leave."

  "I don't think it will be that easy," said L.

  "Why not?"

  "Because he made a bet with them," L said, pointing to four large blue males, all making their way towards them.

  10

  Phoenix shook his head as they approached. Kai unstrapped himself from the console chair and stood sheepishly next to L.

  "What did I say about not causing trouble?" asked Phoenix.

  "You didn't say anything," Kai said, twisting the beaded necklace around his neck.

  "No?"

  "No," said Kai and L.

  "Well, I should have done--"

  "Hey!" shouted someone from behind them.

  "Let me handle this," Phoenix said, turning around, a smile plastered on his face.

  "Your friend here owes me credits," said an ageing blue male, whose neck and shoulders looked like they belonged to a bull. His once well-muscled frame had now turned to fat, but Phoenix didn't doubt for a second that strength lurked underneath that blubber.

  "And you are?" asked Phoenix.

  "Don't matter what my name is. What matters is how I'm going to be paid."

  "Well, Mr Don't-matter-what-my-name-is, I take it that this fine establishment is yours?"

  "Now, don't try and sweet talk me, or pretty me up with words. Like I said, all I wanna know is, how am I going to get paid?"

  "Paying you isn't a problem. Just tell me how much the debt was and I'll square it," said Phoenix.

  "Four thousand credits," said the owner.

  "That's three times the amount we agreed on!" L said, pushing past Phoenix.

  "Now, little lady, a lot of things have changed between then and now. The betting lines changed, my mood has changed, and I didn't know how bad a player he was," the owner said, pointing to Kai.

  "Taking all that into account, we shall pay you what we owe. Not a thing more," said Phoenix.

  "I must not be explaining myself properly. Did you understand what I said?" said the owner, turning to one of his men. A simple nod from the goon brought a smile to the owner's face. "You see, I must be making sense if my men can understand me. I didn't hire them for their intelligence."

  "No, I understood you all right, but I think you must not understand me. We...shall...pay...what...we...owe," said Phoenix.

  "Listen, boy, I own everything you see around you. This place belongs to me. These men belong to me. You belong to me until I say otherwise. So, if you wanna get out of here, you pay what I say. And I do believe the price is now five thousand credits."

  "L, what was the price you settled on?" asked Phoenix.

  "One thousand credits."

  Phoenix nodded his head before turning around and punching the goon to his left in the stomach, dropping him to the floor. The one to his right went for the pistol at his belt, but Phoenix was too quick for him. Jamming the pistol back into its holster with his right hand, Phoenix punched him in the face with his left, spreading the goon's nose flat against his face.

  The last remaining thug had already drawn his pistol. Phoenix ducked underneath his arm and swept the gun up in the air with his right hand. Screams echoed through the store as shots were fired from the gun. Phoenix still held it, so it pointed into the air. Panic started to spread like wildfire, and people trampled over one another to get out of the store.

  Gaming consoles were overturned and destroyed. Viewing screens were smashed as bodies pushed through them. The tent flaps ripped and tore as everyone tried to find the quickest escape route.

  Phoenix still held the gun above the goon's head as he tried to wrestle it out of his hand. Phoenix smiled as he slowly bent the weapon out of shape before releasing it. The goon brought the weapon to his face, turning it over and over in his hands. He looked up at Phoenix, wide-eyed, before Phoenix punched him in the throat, dropping him to the floor.

  Phoenix surveyed the three goons, who lay moaning on the floor, and gave a small nod. He brought his right hand to his face and flexed his fingers, smiling to himself.

  I must thank Doc for this little beauty. This robotic hand is gonna come in handy.

  "What the fuck have you done to my store?"

  Phoenix brought his hand back down and looked around him. The destruction was complete. Gaming consoles were smashed to pieces. Broke
n glass littered the floor. The only thing that remained was a single screen.

  "Me? Nothing," said Phoenix.

  "You...you...call this nothing?" the owner asked, shaking with rage.

  "Oh you're talking about your store? No, I had no part in that. That was your customers, who escaped in a hurry because of your actions. Now, I believe there was a debt that needed to be paid. L, do you have the man's credits?"

  L nodded and placed a couple of credit chips down on a stand next to the owner.

  "Well, I guess that takes care of our business. Sir, a good day to you," Phoenix said, ushering L, Kai and Freyan towards the door.

  As Phoenix walked past the last remaining screen, he brushed against it bringing it crashing down to the floor. "Oh, shit!"

  "You!--"

  "Oh, I can pay for that..."

  The store owner shook where he stood, vein pulsing alongside the side of his forehead.

  "You know what, never mind. I can see you have a lot on your plate at the moment," Phoenix said, backing out the door.

  Outside, the music from the island returned in full volume.

  "Phoenix, I can't thank you enough--"

  "Save it," Phoenix said, cutting Kai off. "Right, while we have nearly the whole gang together, what do you say we try and find the other two knuckleheads?"

  "Best idea I've heard all day," said Kai.

  "You're not out of the doghouse yet. And yes, that is another Earth saying. L, do you know where Saoirse went?"

  "Midnight? Well...I do, but you're not going to like it," said L.

  "Just tell me," said Phoenix with a sigh.

  "She is at the fighting pits."

  "Oh, that's not so bad. I loved watching a bit of boxing and mixed martial arts back home."

  "When I say she's at the fighting pits...I don't mean she's watching...she's kind of taking part."

  "Of course she is. Why wouldn't she be? Fucking wonderful. Alright, lead the way."

  11

  Bodies lay in doorways and shapes moved quickly in the shadows the buildings cast. Phoenix looked back and forth, a slight frown creasing his forehead.

  The buildings on this part of the island were dull and grey; a coat of grime covered the remaining windows that weren't shattered. Although the sun was shining brightly, it couldn't penetrate the gloom that hung over the area. Trees no longer swayed, as they had been cut down to stumps.

  "Well, this area is...well lived in," said L.

  "I doubt that it appears in the travel brochure," said Phoenix.

  A large group of men up ahead began yelling at each other. With each chest push, the volume of their voices rose by a decibel. Spittle flew as expletives were fired back and forth, and their momentum began to rise like a smoking volcano.

  "This won't do," Kai said, walking over to the group.

  Phoenix watched in utter disbelief as Kai got in between the group.

  "Now, come on, fellas, what's all this about?" Kai said, trying to keep everyone at arm's length.

  Like a predator stunned that his prey is not running away from it but towards it, the group stared at Kai, lost for words.

  "Look, I know sometimes friends may not agree on things, but that doesn't mean you have to resort to violence. Like the good book of Soul says--"

  "Piss off, will you!" said one of the leaders of the group. Picking up Kai by the scruff of the neck, he tossed him back towards the crew.

  Kai landed face first before Phoenix's feet, where he lay groaning.

  "Sorry about that!" Phoenix said to the group, who had gone back to arguing.

  Phoenix squatted low and tapped Kai on the top of the head. "You okay?"

  "Yeah."

  "I trust that next time you want to preach the virtues of your religion, you'll maybe start a little closer to home," said Phoenix.

  "Are you thinking about the joy that Soul can bring into your life?"

  "Hell no! I was thinking about your gambling ass. Try and better yourself before you better others," said Phoenix.

  Kai didn't say anything but simply nodded his head.

  "Come on, let's keep moving," Phoenix said, picking him up off the ground.

  The further they continued down the path towards the fighting pits, the more the ball of tension in Phoenix's stomach grew. Men passed them with bloody faces and bandaged injuries, while others had open cuts that wept blood. Some rested against walls, while others sat with their heads between their legs.

  The crew moved out of the way as two stretchers floated past, white sheets covering what they carried.

  "Are you sure that Saoirse--"

  "Yes, Phoenix, I'm sure," said L.

  They stopped in front of the largest building they had seen on the island so far. It was round, like a hut, and sat low to the ground. An axe and a pistol crossed each other, making up the building's logo. The door was opened from the inside by a skinny rake of a man who took a few tumbling steps forward before bending over and vomiting on the ground in front of them. Yellow liquid splattered the ground as he heaved for all he was worth.

  "Well..." said Freyan.

  "Yeah," replied L.

  "Come on, the sooner we get inside, the sooner we can leave," Phoenix said, walking towards the door.

  The smoke inside was so thick that Phoenix almost had to brush it aside like a curtain to step through. He waved his hands in front of his face as his eyes adjusted. The dim overhead lights did nothing but create long shadows.

  "Sin and debauchery do not much like the light," said Freyan.

  "No, they do not." Phoenix took a step forward and felt something crunch under his feet. Clearing the smoke as best he could, he looked down towards the floor. He wished he hadn't. White bone fragments littered the floor, along with various liquids that Phoenix didn't want to identify.

  "This place is disgusting," said L.

  "Try not to touch anything," Phoenix replied.

  As they walked forward, the noise of the place became abusive; it pounded on the eardrums, not allowing you a moment's rest. Round tables were scattered about the space. A bartender served drinks to anyone that was able to buy them. Participants of the pits and observers alike lined the bar. Phoenix scanned the faces of the various groups who sat at the tables, but none of them looked familiar.

  That was when he heard it: a booming laugh that could only belong to one person. He shouted at the top of his lungs, oblivious to the disturbance he was causing.

  "Is that--"

  "Yup," said Phoenix, cutting L off.

  Phoenix followed the laughter, making his way between tables and chairs. A green back shook, and a head with orange plaits was thrown back as Plowstow slapped his table. The table overlooked a pit, twenty feet deep and forty feet wide. Blood was splashed on its floor like a painter's canvas. Spikes stuck out from different parts of the walls. Barbed wire ran along the top of the pit, discouraging anyone who wanted a quick escape.

  Phoenix could see the odd limb here and there. "Enjoying the fun?"

  "Phoenix!" yelled Plowstow.

  "What are you doing here?"

  "Enjoying the fights! Why, why...you know, this place has the best alcohol...in this solar system," said Plowstow between drunk burps.

  "Really?"

  "Yes! Now listen, listen. You listening, Phoenix?"

  Phoenix gave him a nod.

  "OK, OK, the reason I'm here, is because--" Plowstow looked left and right before waving Phoenix closer. "I'm making credits. More credits than I've had in years. Can you believe that? Me. Plowstow. Me!"

  Phoenix took a step back; Plowstow's breath could melt the paint off their ship.

  "Phoenix, do you know why I'm winning so much?"

  "Why?" said Phoenix.

  "It's because of her," Plowstow said, pointing to the pit.

  Phoenix followed his finger and saw Saoirse enter the pit. War paint covered her face, and she screamed at the top of her lungs.

  12

  Phoenix began to move towards the pit
but was stopped by Plowstow's grabbing him by the arm. Phoenix's gaze slid down to the offending hand, and he looked back up towards the Orcian.

  "Easy, easy," Plowstow said, releasing his grip. "Look around you."

  Phoenix spotted guard after guard surrounding the pit. Each one carried a plasma gun on their hip, and they scanned the crowd every so often before bringing their gaze back to the pit.

  "You expect me to do nothing?" Phoenix snarled.

  "What are you talking about? Look around you. Fighters from the pits are free to come and go whenever they please. This isn't her first time in the pits, and it won't be her last. How do you think she hones those little deadly skills of hers? By painting flowers?"

  "Then why--"

  "Because she needs to, wants to--has to. Pick whatever one suits you," Plowstow said, taking a swig from a bottle.

  "We can't just--"

  "Phoenix, let her be," said L. "As much as I hate to say it, Plowstow is right. Midnight...has some demons that only she knows how to deal with."

  "Plus, she's making me rich... I mean us rich. Us."

  Phoenix folded his arms across his chest and walked closer to the pit. The lights had faded and a small cage began to lower from the ceiling. Inside it was a small dwarf-like creature with so much hair that it was impossible to make out any of its other features. It wore a dark suit that would be at home on any child's mannequin.

  It looked around and then tapped itself on the chest. "Ladies and gentlemen!" Its voice boomed with the force of five speakers. "We are here today to witness another fight--battle--the likes of which you scum have never seen! Dreams will be broken. Lives will never be the same. Limbs will be lost. All in the name of pleasing you bunch of disgusting bastards!"

  A cheer that rattled the rafters went up from the massive room.

  "Tonight will be a special occasion, a once-in-a-year sort of deal! Something we haven't seen since the great Rug himself graced these very walls. Do you want to know what that is?"