"What do you two think?" asked Phoenix.
"Think about what?" said Plowstow.
"The choice of food they serve in the cafeteria," said Phoenix, rolling his eyes.
"Well, if you ask me, the--"
"I meant what I just told you about," hissed Phoenix.
Plowstow said, "I think we shouldn't trust her and it's a trap."
Phoenix rolled his eyes and turned his attention to Freyan.
"I think at this stage and time, we should consider all our options. I do believe we will not get another opportunity of this magnitude again. Like the great philosopher and poet Will Zayenther once said, 'Seize the day, baby. Seize the day. Yeah!'"
Phoenix stared deadpan at Freyan, lost for words. "Poetic genius, I am sure." Shaking his head, he continued on. "I still don't know how she is going to tackle the issue of escaping. But the reason I'm telling you guys is because I think that the more trusted people we have on this, the better our chances to pull it off"
If I didn't, I would leave you here to rot. They matter more to me right now than anyone else. I don't want to, but I will use you however I must to get out of here.
"I don't like this. I tell ya, something smells wrong. Trusting a bloodthirsty murderer of her ilk. No, no, I tell ya I don't like it," Plowstow said with a shake of the head.
"What great ideas have come from the vast intellect that you hold? What do you suppose we do?" asked Freyan.
"Did he just insult me?" Plowstow looked at Phoenix with fire in his eyes, pointing in Freyan's direction. "Intellect? That's an insult, isn't it?"
"No, you fool, it means... Argh, never mind," said Freyan.
"Plowstow, I know you don't trust her, and after what she did to my face, I don't either. But from where I'm standing, she's the best bet we have of getting out of here. Either way, it won't hurt to see what she comes up with. What's the worst that can happen?" asked Phoenix.
"We could all end up murdered or worse, tortured slowly. We could--"
"Plowstow! This is a prison. The last time I checked, prisons aren't filled with the most trustworthy people. Even in this room alone, our crimes would fill this wall behind me--"
"Speak for yourself," said Freyan.
"We do what we can, with what we have. Nothing less, nothing more," said Phoenix.
Muttering under his breath, Plowstow walked off and lay on his bunk
"Are you in, Freyan?"
Freyan got up and walked over to the cell bars. Running his hands along them, he seemed lost in thought. He studied every dent, every bump, every discoloured piece of metal.
"You know, getting out of this cell was never a problem for me. I could easily bend these as if they were made of paper. I have the strength to defeat anyone in this prison. I could rule this place if I so wished," said Freyan.
"Then why haven't you?" asked Phoenix.
"The question to that answer is twofold. First, although I have free will, in a sense I don't. When the Bloodless were created, our creator wanted members of our species to have a free mind. But he also wanted to install a program in some that would give them a set of core values, no matter what. That would protect their brothers and sisters."
"I don't follow you," said Phoenix.
"Eighty percent of all Bloodless can choose their own destiny, be it merchant, soldier, doctor, mechanic. But the other twenty percent were programmed to either be soldiers, doctors, or scientists. Soldiers so our brothers and sisters were always protected, doctors and scientists so they could continue the work the creator started and find a way to further our life. We cannot reproduce, so our numbers were limited from the start. But if one of us could find a way to further our kind along, it would mean we could live like any other normal species."
"That still doesn't explain why you're here," said Phoenix.
Freyan let out a irritated sigh. "My core values are those of a scientist and doctor. I can't harm anyone, only save them. It is hardwired into me, Phoenix. This is why I am here. If I weren't, I would have been destroyed. I would be too dangerous," said Freyan.
"Hardwired?" said Phoenix.
"If you were to attack me now, I would be powerless to stop you."
"But he's a Bloodless, so that's impossible to do without a weapon," Plowstow said from the shadows.
"That is right."
"How long have you been here?" asked Phoenix.
"Too long to count. I am a prisoner of my own making."
"That's more of a reason for you to come with us then, isn't it?" asked Phoenix.
"If I must, I must."
"What about you, Plowstow?" asked Phoenix.
"I don't like it. I don't trust her. But hell, I ain't staying here while you folks break out."
"All for one and one for all then."
Blank faces met him like lost boats at sea.
"It's an Earth...oh, never mind..."
Phoenix tried to sleep. He tried to chase away the doubts and the thoughts. But they kept on at him, relentlessly. Barking and growling while his mind tried to deliver the sleep his body so sorely needed.
How long had he been lying awake for?
He had talked a big game to the other two, but could he really trust someone who had been inches away from ending his life?
What choice did he have? Waste away here, while thoughts of his dying brother and sister haunted his mind? Or go for any silver lining of hope he could get? Even if it meant he would die trying, then he could die with a smile on his face, knowing he did everything he could to save them, to make their dreams a reality.
Phoenix looked over at the resting forms of Plowstow and Freyan. How far was he willing to go? How many lives would he destroy so he could prolong those of the twins? If he pulled this off, would it really matter to him? The odds of this even coming together weren't worth thinking about.
Had part of him accepted their fate? Had he given up hope?
He wasn't even on Earth anymore.
Phoenix closed his eyes and pictured them. Their smiling faces radiated untold warmth. He allowed the smiles to soothe his aching soul.
Time was running out. The longer he stayed here, the worse they would become. Time was his enemy. It was one battle he couldn't afford to lose, and he would commit untold horrors just so he could win.
What else was he willing to do as time passed so he could save his loved ones?
Tears dripping down his cheeks, Phoenix held his sobs in check.
After this was all done and he survived, would he even recognise the person he had become?
The tears streaming down his face felt like acid rain pouring from his eyes.
What he had to do, what he still wanted to do, scared him to his very soul.
27
It had been a couple of days since he had spoken to Saoirse and L. He hadn't heard anything since his last encounter with them. The thought of not doing anything while he waited for them annoyed the hell out of him. If he had a plan that needed to be placed into action, then he'd be working towards it. But just waiting slowly drove him insane.
All he seemed to do now was eat and work out in his cell. There was no workout yard or entertainment of any kind like there would be in a prison back home, just plain old boredom to pass the days. But Phoenix thought the Warden knew what he was doing in that regard. Take away any entertainment and the prisoners had to find it on their own. That resulted in fights and more fights.
Phoenix had seen a fair few since his arrival. Freyan said it kept the numbers low, more manageable. It was a quicker way to get rid of prisoners than waiting for them to die of old age.
Phoenix took the route towards his cell at a leisurely pace. As the well-maintained overhead lights gave way to flickering ones, he allowed his mind to wander. Stopping in his tracks, he tilted his ear to one side. Was that voices he could hear in the distance?
One of them sounded familiar.
Phoenix quickened his pace, running on the balls of his feet so as to not alert them of his presence
. Slowing down slightly, he pressed himself against the corridor wall and inched himself forward.
"Where is the Earth male?" yelled an unknown voice.
"I haven't the slightest intimation what you mean," said the unmistakable tone of Freyan.
"Don't play coy with us, fool. We know you're cellmates."
"Yeah, we see you all the time, cuddling together in the cafeteria. Whispering. Being close-like," said another voice that Phoenix didn't recognise.
"Dear sir, if you believe that my relationship with Phoenix is a sexual one, then you are sorely misinformed," said Freyan.
"What's with all the big words, huh? Think we're stupid in the head or something?"
Phoenix moved further along the wall. Inching his head forward, he tried to see what was taking place.
Freyan was enclosed in a circle by the three aliens who had tried to attack Phoenix in the cafeteria. Each one held some sort of makeshift weapon in his hands. Their leader wasn't a pretty fella. Scars adorned his face like a patchwork quilt. His skin was pale white, except the scar tissue, which was pink. Their backs were all turned to Phoenix. That was good.
"Look, you pile of useless wires and circuits. I will not ask you again. Where is Phoenix? When will he come back to his cell? Is there anywhere else he likes to go? These are all simple questions for a smart person like you to understand," said Scarface.
"He is around. You know how you organics like to get the blood flowing," said Freyan.
The leader of the group shook his head and licked his lips. "See, that's not an answer to any of my questions. Which is a shame, because now we have to hurt you."
"Hurt me?" said Freyan his egg-white face looking smug.
"Oh, you don't believe we can, ay? Hear that, boys? The great, mighty Bloodless one doesn't believe simple folk like us can hurt it. Well, I guess it hasn't seen our latest toy." Pulling out a long, dark pole, Scarface flicked it forward so it extended out.
Freyan backed up, holding his hands out protectively.
The group walked forward, stalking him down.
"You may be thinking, 'Where did they get that from?' A neoweapon. So rare, so sought-after. Surely a bunch of criminals like us couldn't possibly get something so powerful."
As chuckles descended around Freyan, he kept on walking backwards until his back touched the wall.
"Now we know all about your programming. You can't hurt us. That little red thing you do with your eyes...all show." Scarface twirled the weapon in his hands. Freyan's eyes never left it. "We all know what this baby can do, don't we, boys? It won't be pretty."
Like a pack of hyenas, the circle closed in.
"Now I will ask you once more. Where. Is. Phoenix?"
Not saying a word, Freyan closed his eyes and began chanting words Phoenix couldn't decipher.
Scarface shook his head and pushed a button on the weapon. A red-orange glow emitted from one end and he struck Freyan. The Bloodless one shuddered. Scarface raised the weapon above his head once more and brought it down with force on Freyan.
This time, a small groan of pain escaped Freyan's mouth. He collapsed to his knees as the attacker struck once more. Freyan howled in pain and brought his arms over his head.
"That's what I wanted to hear! Sweet, beautiful. It almost stirs the loins."
Phoenix used Freyan's scream to mask his approach as he crept up on the trio. Grabbing one of the three by the head, he twisted it violently with a crack. The sound was loud enough to draw their attention. Letting the body fall, he moved forward with speed and purpose. Head-butting another, he brought his knee up and delivered a blow to its stomach. Punch to the throat crushed its windpipe.
Two down, one to go.
"Here I am, sweetie. What can I do for you?" said Phoenix with a smile.
28
Scarface stepped away from Freyan and cast a look of contempt Phoenix's way.
"What have I ever done to deserve a look like that?" asked Phoenix.
Eyes turning into slits, Scarface eyed his two fallen friends. No help would be coming from them. Breath rapid, his chest rose and fell.
Phoenix moved forward, hands by his side. The now troopless leader took a few steps back.
"You going to stand there all day with your mouth open, looking like a brain-dead dickhead, or are you going to tell me what you want? Or do I have to beat it out of you?"
"What I want is really simple. It's to get out of this mess."
"I don't see how I can help with that," said Phoenix, confusion crossing his face.
"Oh, you can. It's easy. I cut off that ear of yours and send it to Holger. Once he sees how loyal I can be, how dedicated to his cause I am, he'll have me freed."
"Are you really that stupid? He's the one who sent me here. If he wanted me killed, I would have been. I don't see how you killing me will help him out," said Phoenix with a shrug.
"He may not have wanted you dead then, but he may want you dead now. I don't know how the mind of a Council member works. All I know is that you're my one and only chance to get out of here. The slimmest of chances is better than none at all. I will do whatever it takes to get out of this shithole. I ain't wasting another second of my life in here. My family! My children! Who looks after them while I'm gone? Who defends my wife? Who raises my sons? Who teaches them the way things are, and not what they want them to be? Who?"
We are just two thirsty men who would drink a puddle of piss because we think it will lead to our salvation. I know that mask of desperation well--it's like looking into a mirror.
"That's none of my concern. What is my concern is how you treat my friend here. That I can't tolerate. That I won't stand for," said Phoenix.
"Do you think I give two shits about you or him? Ain't you listening? Well, after I cut that ear off, it will be a lot harder to." Scarface laughed.
He ran towards Phoenix and swung the neoweapon at him. Phoenix leapt back as it struck the wall and sparks flew. Phoenix didn't know what the weapon was, but he didn't think it would improve his health.
Phoenix ducked under another swing as he looked for his opening. The attacker's movements were wild, unpredictable, hard to read. Phoenix backed up, keeping some distance between him and his attacker. His laboured breath was the only sound that could be heard as he waited for the desperate alien's next move.
"I see you walking around here with your nose up in the air, like you're better than everyone else. You smug fucker! You are here because you are like the rest of us: a failure, a criminal. Society's trash," said Scarface.
Phoenix allowed the words to wash over him. Being emotional now would only force him to make mistakes. But that didn't mean he wouldn't play some mind games back.
"I bet your wife is lying with another man right now! Enjoying herself." Phoenix allowed the last words to roll of his tongue slowly.
With a scream of rage, Scarface charged
He rushed Phoenix with wild abandon. Pure hate filled his heart and venom his hands. He was wide open; it was almost too easy. Phoenix didn't approve of the alien's tactics, but he did understand the reasons behind them.
Did that make them two sides of the same coin?
Thinking like that was going to get him killed. He couldn't show any mercy; he had a job to do. An obstacle to overcome. And this fool was standing in his way.
Allowing the attacker to come within spitting distance, Phoenix ducked low and shot for a double leg. Hitting the alien's stomach with his shoulder, he heard the satisfying sound of Scarface's breath leaving him. Taking him down to the floor, Phoenix mounted and disarmed him quickly.
Now in possession of the neobaton, Phoenix raised it above his head and pointed its glowing end at Scarface. With a look of shock and fear, the troopless leader raised his hands, begging for mercy.
Phoenix showed him none.
He drove the point of the baton down hard through Scarface's eye. Phoenix kept on pushing until he could push no more. As Scarface's legs jerked wildly underneath, Phoenix held his
position, keeping pressure on the weapon. With a final kick and shudder, the leader was no more.
Phoenix got off the corpse and made his way towards Freyan, who still had his arms over his head. Phoenix took each hand slowly off and lowered them down. He looked over Freyan to see if any damage had been done. Passing his hand slowly over Freyan's head, Phoenix felt the cool metal beneath his palm. It felt like he was passing his hand over a computer hard drive. He could feel the hum of life there as billions of different components kept Freyan alive.
Phoenix took his hand away, flexing it, as it had started to go numb.
"Don't worry, the numbness will pass after a while. My circuits are just going into overdrive to combat the damage done. Once it is over, you can touch me as much as you like," said Freyan.
"Err, okay," Phoenix said, choosing to ignore the last statement. "Are you okay? Everything in working order? No lasting damage done?"
"No, nothing that my internal systems can't fix. In fact, the damage is all but taken care of already," said Freyan.
"What is that?" asked Phoenix, pointing to the neobaton behind him.
"Oh, that. As you heard, it's called a neoweapon. They were made to combat the Bloodless. They work at a high electrical current that can inflict enormous amounts of pain on us. The weapon overloads us with too much power, short-circuiting our components one by one," said Freyan.
"I didn't realise you could feel pain. I know that you're alive in a sense, but..." Looking at a loss at what to say, Phoenix gestured with his hands, hoping that Freyan got his point.
"I told you, Phoenix. The Bloodless are as alive as you are. Just because we are not birthed or can't breed doesn't mean we are not alive. We feel as much pain as you do. We have our own fears, faults, goals, and agendas that push or pull us like any intelligent being," said Freyan.
"I apologise if I caused any offence."
"None taken."
Phoenix looked at the weapon sticking upright in Scarface's eye socket. Getting up, he walked over to the weapon and pulled it free. Returning to Freyan, he handed it over to him. "So it doesn't fall into the wrong hands."
Breakout: (Space Outlaw 1) Page 10