Breakout: (Space Outlaw 1)

by Dominique Mondesir

He continued on his path--trying not to make a sound. He knew she was in here. He didn't know why but his gut told him that his goal was within reach. Seeing a puddle on the floor, he moved towards it. Squatting down, he looked at it closely.

  Blood? No. It was darker. Thicker, heavier.

  Oil.

  Movement from behind made him stand up and spin around.

  Nothing.

  Movement from his right drew his gaze that way, but it was too late.

  Phoenix tried to make his body face the right way, but he could do nothing as a kick caught him in the stomach, doubling him over.

  He felt his breath forcibly expelled from his body. He tried to get it back.

  Phoenix was powerless to do anything as a lifted knee smashed into his face, throwing him onto his back. Looking up through blurry, tear-filled eyes, he saw Saoirse standing over him--hands on her hips, one eyebrow arched upwards, disappointment radiating from her features.

  "I heard you were looking for me."

  24

  "And now I've found you," said Phoenix, rising from his feet while wiping blood from his nose.

  Saoirse stood, feet apart, arms crossed over her chest. Her blank expression gave Phoenix nothing. They stared at each other like two wildcats waiting for the other to make a fatal move.

  Phoenix wiped dirt from his sleeve and looked at his surroundings before finally addressing Saoirse. "I believe we could be of help to each other. In this prison, a helping hand seems as unlikely as freedom. I have something that may be to your liking. But in return, I need something from you."

  "I doubt you have anything I need. And I highly doubt what you have to say to me is worth my time."

  "Are you willing to bet your life on it?"

  Saoirse took a step forward and stared down her nose at Phoenix. "Are you willing to bet yours?"

  "Easy, easy. I didn't come here for a fight, I only came to find an ally," said Phoenix, holding up his hands.

  "You speak such pretty words. I would almost mistake you for a Council member."

  "We have a saying back home, you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. I'm just trying to..." Phoenix rubbed his hands over his head and clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth.

  "People who ask questions about me do not live long. Those who chase after me and try to seek me out among the shadows die even faster. I do not want to hear what you have to say. I do not need your friendship. Do not seek me out again. Do not ask questions of me again. Otherwise, it will be me chasing you through these corridors." Turning her back on him, she started to leave.

  "Florin sent me with a message!"

  Saoirse halted in her tracks. The jet-black hair didn't move.

  "I need your help. I won't offer the message freely."

  "What if I take it from you by force? How long do you think you will last before you break? We have an eternity among these walls. No one cares what would happen to you. No laws govern this place. So I repeat: how long do you think it would take before you break?" asked Saoirse.

  Phoenix bit his bottom lip until it bled. Stepping forward, he clenched his fists into balls until they went numb. Body shaking uncontrollably, vision narrowed to a single point, he moved towards his goal.

  Phoenix grabbed Saoirse by the arm and spun her around, his eyes narrowed and teeth clenched. He stared into her soul.

  "I would die a thousand deaths before you break me. Don't make the mistake of thinking that just because I'm here, I'm just another weak-willed fool who couldn't control his base desires or wants. I'm not here by choice. And although I have committed crimes--and would most likely do so again to get what I want--nothing I've done warrants me being here. So if you think you can break my desire to achieve my goal, think again!"

  Saoirse's eyes narrowed and her upper lip curled into a snarl.

  Phoenix had a feeling that a blow was coming, but he was too late to figure out what to do about it.

  Saoirse's forehead slammed into his nose. Phoenix tried to blink away the tears to clear his vision. He didn't do a good enough job, as he failed to see the low kick that swept his legs from under him. As he landed on his back, the wind he'd gained only a moment ago was once again knocked from his lungs.

  "How dare you touch me with your filthy hands! I am Saoirse Vacsoon. Firstborn of my clan! Warrior from birth. You dishonour me by touching me!"

  Phoenix got up, a chuckle escaping his lips.

  "What is so funny?"

  "How far you have fallen, mighty warrior." Phoenix sneered.

  Words appeared to come out of Saoirse's mouth, but she couldn't formulate them quicker than the rage flowing through her veins. "Argh!"

  Saoirse came towards Phoenix at a full run. He prepared himself for the onslaught he was about to receive. Part of him was interested to see if she really was as good as they said.

  She threw a left kick aimed for his kidney that he blocked, then he ducked under the right cross that followed. Back-pedalling just out of reach, he waited for his opportunity to attack.

  But he couldn't find one. As fast as he could move backwards, she moved just as quickly forward, crowding him, eating up the space that he left. Forcing him to make a mistake.

  Hook. Cross. Uppercut. Low kick. High kick.

  It was a blur of motion Phoenix knew he couldn't keep up with. He saw a smile dance along her lips and he knew he was being played. She was testing him, seeing how dangerous he really was. He was being toyed with as a cat toyed with a mouse.

  Sweat coated the small of his back and breath became laboured. Phoenix went on the attack.

  He threw a one-two punch. Both were dodged with a slight movement of the head. It seemed like she didn't even move. Throwing a spinning back kick, she moved out of the way and elbowed him in the back before he had time to recover. Stumbling forward, he threw a back fist, but it was batted away like an annoying fly.

  Saoirse sent a kick to Phoenix's stomach that sent him flying backwards. Spittle flew from his mouth as he tried not to throw up the meagre meal in his stomach. Phoenix rolled to his side as he dry-heaved, blood trickling out the corners of his mouth. Getting to his feet once more, he threw his shoulders back and held his head high.

  She had measured him up and knew he didn't compare to her in skill. But what did that matter? He had somewhere he needed to be.

  He threw a sloppy haymaker as a feint, then followed it up with a kick to her kneecap. Neither landed.

  He got a jab to the nose for his troubles. Blood running down his nose, face marked and bloody, Phoenix smiled a bloody smile.

  "Is that all you got, your nobleness?"

  "I must admit, I am impressed. Most of the scum in this place would have run or begged for mercy. But you continue to fight on. Interesting--"

  Phoenix threw another punch combination in the hopes he would catch her off-guard. They were slow in reaching their target, laboured, lacking any sting.

  Not even bothering to raise her hands, Saoirse pulled her head back just out of reach. Always out of reach. Always just an inch too far for Phoenix to hit.

  Driving a foot once again into his stomach, she threw him backwards. Grunting in pain, Phoenix rolled onto all fours.

  "You. Will. Help. Me," said Phoenix.

  He got back to his feet on unsteady legs. Walking towards Saoirse in a dead man's march, Phoenix threw a punch he knew would never land. Even if it did land by some miracle, it would have less effect on her than a bee sting would on a rhino.

  It didn't reach.

  Instead, her boot met his stomach once again, dropping him to the floor on his back.

  He heard the footsteps slowly approach. He heard every bolt they scattered as they landed. He knew that those footsteps were coming for him, but he was powerless to do anything about it. Looking up into the beautiful face of his death, he smiled.

  She raised her foot above his stomach and brought it crushing down.

  Phoenix grunted in pain as he felt the heel twist in his abdomen
.

  Saoirse lifted her foot again and slammed it down harder.

  He wouldn't give her the satisfaction of hearing him scream. If the only thing he could deny her was that, then so be it.

  "Give up! Leave! What is so important that you endure this? I don't need your help," said Saoirse.

  "Family!" screamed Phoenix.

  Her boot hovered inches from his stomach, but didn't land.

  "Florin has a message. Florin!"

  Another face appeared next to Saoirse's. Phoenix couldn't make it out through his blurry vision, but the voice rang out clear and true.

  "Saoirse, enough. I like the colour of his heart."

  After many false starts Phoenix got up from where he lay. Finally making it to his feet, he took a few steps back. Wiping the blood and sweat from his vision, he could now make out his saviour. She was short and fair-skinned, with an angelic sort of face. She would pass for any human female in her early twenties. Hair the colour of a tropical ocean fell just past her ears.

  One eye swollen shut, Phoenix looked from one woman to the other.

  "Well?" he asked.

  "My name is L and although you may not have noticed, we have been watching you."

  "Have you now? Well, I do hope you ladies have been getting all my best sides. I would hate to disappoint," Phoenix said with what he meant for a smirk, but simply couldn't pull off as his face was in too much pain.

  "Arrogance," Saoirse said with a snort.

  "Why, may I ask, were you spying on me?"

  "Oh, you know. What else do we have to do? Plus midnight here thinks you're cute," L replied.

  "I do not!" said Saoirse.

  "Figured as much," Phoenix said with a shrug.

  Saoirse began to walk towards him with murder in her eyes, but was held back by L.

  "We spy on anyone asking too many questions. Especially about midnight here. In this place, questions normally mean one thing--Death. Death for the person asking or death for the person the questions are about. So when you started sticking your big nose into things, we decided to check you out, see what you're about, who you are."

  "Did I make the grade?"

  "Well...that's to be seen. Saoirse here just wanted you killed, but I think there may be some use for you yet," said L.

  "Seeing as you're going to spill our plans to him anyway, I think it's best if he follows us. Talking out here in the open with so many ears about can only lead to our downfall," snapped Saoirse.

  "And why would I follow you to somewhere even more secluded than where we are now?" asked Phoenix.

  "You wanted something from me, remember?" Saoirse turned around and walked the other way with L in tow.

  25

  Phoenix's senses were heightened as he walked through the shadows.

  He knew what Saoirse said was true. If she wanted to kill him, he'd be dead already. But that didn't change the fact that he still felt uneasy about being led through the shadows like a lost lamb. He could just about make out their backs, could see that their heads were bent close, and they were whispering about something he wasn't privy to.

  No matter. What other choice did he really have? If it meant jumping in a pool with sharks to retrieve a gold bar at the bottom of it to end his poverty, then he would have to learn how to swim, and learn fast.

  Saoirse waved him forward as she checked the area. Satisfied it was clear, she pulled a grate sideways. L's form disappeared from view as she went in first.

  "In you go," said Saoirse with a smile.

  Lips set in a firm line, Phoenix pulled at his collar. "No problem."

  He ducked down so he could slip through the entrance. Walking a few feet in compete darkness, he spotted a faint light up ahead. Emerging from the tunnel, he found himself in a small, boxy room no bigger than his cell. A soft light hung overhead casting more dark shadows than driving them away.

  Tools of all kinds lined the walls, and different gadgets Phoenix was completely ignorant of littered the floor.

  It was a workshop, well-used and well-maintained.

  "What's the deal here?" asked Phoenix.

  "None of your business," said Saoirse, emerging from the tunnel mouth.

  "No, no. I have no secrets here." Looking around the workshop, L let out a soulful sigh before speaking. Her hair went from ocean-blue to grey as she continued. "I have an older brother, who is a bit naive. Tends to get fooled easily, taken advantage of. Always wants to see the best in people. All about love and joy and being one with the universe."

  "We call them hippies back home," said Phoenix.

  "Hippie. Hmm, I like it. Yes, you could say my brother is one of these hippies. But I love him like all siblings love one another, and I always wanted what was best for him. He's one of the smartest people I know. He can do things to computers that people thought weren't possible. It's like he talks to them, sees things that others can't. Well, anyway. A serious gang took note of his peculiar talents and before you knew it, he couldn't get out from under their hold. He didn't think he was in a lot of trouble, but I knew he was. He didn't want to listen to me. Didn't think he needed help from his little sister."

  L paced the cell back and forth, hair turning a fiery shade of red. "I told the law about it, and they seemed to understand. They sent me undercover to gather information about the gang so they could be sent to prison. It turned out I was the one being set up. The gang had already paid the law off. They all profited from one another, so why spoil a good thing?

  "I got arrested for crimes I didn't commit, and sent here. Luckily, I know my way around machines, almost as well as my brother knows his way around computers. So the Warden gave me a room in exchange for my services. That still didn't stop..." Breaking off, L looked off into space.

  Saoirse walked behind her and placed an arm around her shoulders. The embrace was tender, hungry, motherly. It had all the trademarks of a mother wolf protecting her cub.

  "I met up with L some time after, and we have been waiting for a message from the outside since," said Saoirse.

  "Why?" asked Phoenix.

  "Because my sole purpose is to bring the Warden to his knees for his crimes."

  "I don't understand."

  "The Warden is manufacturing drugs; you and your friends saw as much yourselves. There were rumours escaping from different planets about a substance that robbed the users of free will. They would do anything they were told if the command was uttered at a certain frequency. I began to investigate the claims behind these rumours for a family belonging to the Council of Six. What I saw horrified me. Whole towns, cities, even worlds laid to waste, all their resources gone. All the most able-bodied males missing. It only happened to a handful of planets, but that was enough for prompt action."

  "I was going to ask why someone would do such a thing. But greed and power are behind most actions," said Phoenix.

  "You are correct. Taking all the resources from a planet--they could use that to further boost and grow their ranks. Making them stronger."

  "How can one person be so powerful? This sounds like the work of a government."

  "Not a person, no. But a family. Each family on the Council is like a nation. A family needs vast resources to maintain its position on the Council. New families are always looking to take the places of the old at the council. It's a constant battle just to survive, politics like no other. One wrong move, one wrong gesture, and your house could come tumbling down around your ears. This constant struggle is what made the Council so great. But it's also their biggest weakness," said Saoirse.

  "Did you find out which family was behind it?" asked Phoenix.

  "The Portendorfer family."

  Like a stone thrown into a still lake, the ripples of that name seemed to spread out among the stars. Phoenix felt his hands clutch by his sides. The smirking look. The pudgy face. He would repay that bastard back, he swore it.

  "I knew that name would have some meaning to you. News of your presence here spread quickly. Attacking a member
of the Council is like attacking a god--unthinkable, unspeakable. It is a miracle that you are still alive," said Saoirse.

  "Miracle or not, I'm here and I'll have my revenge."

  "That should not be your major concern. What should be is why Holger was there. Going by my reports, after he visits a world, an outbreak caused by the drugs follows. You have bigger things to worry about than your foolish vendetta. Your world is in danger of being enslaved. I would focus on that first above all else, instead of thinking about payback."

  "If you haven't noticed, I'm not in a position to do anything about it."

  "Yes, you are. We all are. The reason I'm here is because the drug shipments come from this prison. The next shipment is not for some time yet, but I have no doubt it will head for Earth. If we stop the shipment and break out, then I have all the information I need to stop the Warden and put him away."

  "Look, I didn't sign up for any of this. I just need to get home. Whatever happens next, I couldn't care less about," Phoenix said with a shrug.

  "How can you be so selfish?" asked L.

  "Less than twenty minutes ago, she..." Phoenix pointed at Saoirse. "...was going to kill me. I made an agreement that if I delivered a message to her, I would be able to escape this hellhole. I've done that, made good on my part of the deal. Now I need you to fulfill yours."

  Saoirse crossed her arms over her chest, as her lips set in a firm line. "I will put this so it gets through your thick primitive skull--no help from you, no help from us. You no leave."

  Phoenix looked at L's sympathetic face, then at Saoirse's, which was set in stone. Letting out a sigh, he could see his future was going to get a lot more chaotic before it got better.

  "What do you need from me?"

  "We'll be in touch," they both said.

  26

  Phoenix sat with his back against a wall, with Freyan and Plowstow sitting opposite him in their tiny cell. He'd explained what he had been told by Saoirse and L and they sat silent, neither questioning him nor saying anything until he was finished.