by Thomas Davis
“Short-Stack,” It was Sam Hawkins calling her.
“What’s up Princess,” Edith smirked.
“Get back here ASAP. The captain’s been attacked!”
“Jake?” Edith’s face went white as she let go of Chase and backed away. He was surprised to see her façade fade away. She was so aloof up until this point that seeing her shaken was quite jarring. This woman who literally laughs in the face of death was now full of anxiety at the thought of someone she cared about being hurt… or worse. She marched out of the door leaving Chase behind. He was trying to figure out what to do when she poked her head back into the wrecked room. “What’re you doing?”
“What?”
“C’mon dummy!”
“Okay.” Chase nodded and followed. He felt like he was finally winning the respect of the Strike Team.
11. Fear and Retribution
Bethlehem Colony
Rocky slammed his closed fist against a panel on the wall to close the warehouse bay door behind him. He leaned on his transport and took several deep breaths to clear his mind. He then thought of the woman he locked inside the vehicle and his blood began to boil once again. “Where the void is that little weasel?” He was speaking of Garret Rainey, the young man who hired Rocky and Yvette for this particular venture. “Shangri La! I’m going to break his neck for this!” He tore off his mask and stylish blazer throwing them down to the floor as his eyes darted about the warehouse in search of Rainey.
Garret was sitting in the corner near a table with computer components and fine tools upon it. He was a slight man with shaggy dyed silver hair. His white dress shirt was wrinkled with rolled up sleeves to the elbow and one of his suspenders drooped from his right shoulder. The images on his data pad reflected in his large frame glasses. He was sitting cross-legged on a chair completely absorbed by whatever he was tinkering with on his data pad. Otherwise he would’ve noticed the large angry man wearing a fedora marching towards him. Rocky flipped the table near Garret into the air with one hand and stole Garret’s attention. The table crashed upside down onto the floor scattering the components. “Any guess who’s inside the van you little worm?” Rocky yelled.
“Rocky? What’s going on?”
Rocky yanked Garret to his feet by the collar of his wrinkled shirt, “did you just say my real name out loud you moron?” He angrily whispered.
“Sorry it just slipped out.”
“You were blackmailing the fricken Governor and you didn’t bother to tell the guy doing the pick-up?”
“Nobody else would take the job. I kinda just kept that part to myself when I hired you.”
Rocky slapped Garret down onto the floor. He paced back and forth as he tried to formulate a course of action. “Alright. There’s gonna be blowback from this. Me and Yvette gotta get off the Colony and you’re coming with us.”
“What?”
“You’d snitch on us in two seconds when they eventually caught you. And they will catch you because you’re an idiot.” Rocky tapped his Navi, "where you at babe?" There was no answer. "Yvette?"
"I'm afraid Yvette won't be joining us tonight." A voice said over the Navi. "But you still have a chance to walk away from this." The power in the warehouse cut off and the red emergency lights immediately kicked on.
"I don't think you get it pal." Rocky pulled a Tommy gun from the front seat of the van; "if you hurt Yvette there's no walking away from this for you."
"I will be seeing you very soon."
"You wanna play Freakshow," Rocky stomped his way to the back of the van. He yanked the cargo door open then pulled a terrified Catherine Fisher out by the arm. "Alright, we'll play!"
Simon watched the scene through an open window. He realized he overplayed his hand and put Catherine into an even more dangerous situation. He assumed that the man and woman were just collogues. He didn’t know they were lovers. Simon’s plan to pressure this man into quietly handing Catherine over in exchange for his own life had just backfired. Strong emotional connections tended to make people act irrationally. There was no telling what this man was capable of in his current state of mind. He could execute Catherine on a whim, out of grief.
Rocky aggressively gripped Catherine’s shoulder, “I don’t wanna hurt you but I will.” He glanced at Garret. “Get over here!” Garret scurried over. Rocky retrieved a pistol that he had tucked into his waistband near his spine. “Take it.”
“Why?”
“Take the piece and press your back to mine, Genius!”
Garret complied.
“If this guy,” Rocky tried to remain strong as he said it. “If this guy killed Yvette then he’s the real deal. Keep your eyes peeled.”
“We should take the money and run is what we should do.”
“You try to run and I’ll shoot you myself. We have what he wants and when he comes for her I’m gonna make him pay.”
Simon had already circled around to a window on the side of the building. He had the VL gear but his adversaries had him out gunned. The only weapon Simon possessed was a 6-inch blade he held in his left hand. Taking out two armed men with a knife was a tall order even with the aid of the Versatile Layer.
Simon slipped into the warehouse through the window. He stalked silently in the darkness avoiding the areas illuminated by the red emergency lights. He scoured the darkened region of the warehouse for anything he could use as a weapon. A length of rope strewn about the floor caught his attention and gave him an idea. Simon quickly formulated a plan. Rocky was on edge and ready for the fight that was definitely coming his way. He was getting impatient, “You got 30-seconds pal.” He pointed the Tommy gun at Catherine. “In 30-seconds I start by shooting her in both knees.”
“Are you crazy?” Garret protested.
“Shut up!” Rocky got back into character. “20 seconds now asshole!”
“Alright!” Simon stepped into the light with his hands up. “You win. Let her go and we’ll settle this. Man to man.”
“You better not be trying anything slick!”
“I’m unarmed,” Simon shot an obvious glance to his right. “Let’s trade, my life for hers.”
Rocky caught the glance just as Simon had planned, “You think I’m some stupid thug? You’re not alone! Whoever’s with you better step out into the open or she gets it.”
“I came here alone.”
“Stop lying to me!”
As Simon took another step the now taut rope tied to the back of his VL gear pulled down a large rack several feet behind him. It slammed down onto the floor stealing Rocky’s attention for an instant. Out of instinct Rocky snapped the gun’s muzzle towards the fallen rack. Simon closed his eyes as he tapped a button on his glove, which restored power to the room. Rocky was dazed by the sudden brightness. He blindly opened fire. Simon cut the rope from the back of his Versatile Layer and in the same motion flung the knife into Rocky’s shoulder forcing the tall man’s aim towards the ceiling. The bullets from the gun sprayed the ceiling causing light fixtures and other debris to fall to the floor.
Simon called out to Catherine as he dashed forward at an incredible speed. “Run! Get into the van!” Catherine noticed that Rocky had released her from his powerful grip. She made a run for it.
Garret turned towards her as she fled then pointed his gun at her, “Stop or I’ll shoot.” He yelled as his hands trembled. He accidentally fired a shot into the floor near her feet as she rounded the corner of the van and out of view. His own overwhelming indecision paralyzed him until Rocky grabbed him by the shirt and threw him stumbling in the direction of the van.
“Get after her!” Rocky yelled.
Catherine made it to the van's cargo door. She slid her finger across the touch screen on the center of the door for it to open but to no avail, it was locked. She understood that it wasn't going to open but she continued trying in a panic. In a fit she beat her fist against the back window but all she accomplished was to hurt her hand.
Garret pointed his pistol at
her as he stumbled around to the back of the van. "Don't move!" His face was painted with fear and uncertainty as his hands shook while holding the gun. "Stay still or I'll shoot." Catherine studied the young man's demeanor. She felt the fear dripping off of him and knew he was frightened enough to foolishly open fire on her. She had to redirect that fear within him, make it serve her needs.
"You don't want to do that." She raised her hands shoulders high with her palms out. "You don't know who's going to win that fight back there. If my guy wins what do you think is going to happen to you if he finds me hurt?" Garret grabbed himself by the shoulder with his free hand in an attempt to stop his arm from shaking. "Simon is a trained assassin and a thorough interrogator. He has a thousand ways to hurt you. When he comes back here, the only one who can stay his hand is yours truly."
"Why're you telling this?" Garret's eyes were slightly tearing up.
"Put the gun down so we can work this out. If your guy... Rocky is his name, right?"
"Yeah."
"Yes. If Rocky wins we negotiate." Catherine stared the frightened young man in the eyes. "If Simon wins, if you put down the gun... now, I can keep him from torturing you to death."
"Torture?"
"You'd be surprised how much you can do to a person without killing them." Catherine spoke as if she was an expert on the subject. She had no idea if Simon had ever tortured anyone but what was important at that moment was making Garret believe her. She could tell what kind of person Garret was. He was like everyone else on the Colony, desperate to be led. He wanted out of this situation that had spiraled out of control. Catherine just needed to give him an out. "I can protect you but you have to trust me."
"I..." Garret held out his trembling hands. The gun was practically falling from his fingers. He had a look of relief on his face as if he was eager to accept Catherine's protection. He wasn't just dropping the weapon he was trying to give it to her. A large bloody hand reached out from beyond the edge of the transport into view. It snatched the gun from Garret's possession. Rocky Kinney staggered out. Catherine was shocked to see he survived an encounter with her knight. He looked worse for the wear but somehow, he had won. She prepared herself for the worst. She would have to deal with these vile blackmailers on their terms. Garret lit up, “Rocky? Thank Shangri-La you did it. We’re back in business.”
“What’re you doing you?...” Rocky was too weak to hold the gun above his belt buckle. He was covered with knife wounds and bleeding profusely as he fell against the wall face first. His eyes rolled into the back of his skull as he slowly slid down the wall leaving a red smear all the way down to the floor.
“Rocky?” It was all that Garret could say before a gloved hand chopped him in the neck rendering the skinny man unconscious. He collapsed onto the floor into a ball next to Rocky’s lifeless body. Simon stepped into view holding a bloody knife in his left hand. He was holding his side with his right. With his right foot he nudged Garret over onto his back before kneeling down next to the young man and changing his grip on the knife. He raised the knife above his head and brought it down in a stabbing motion towards Garret’s neck.
“Stop!” Catherine yelled. Simon stopped the knife an inch away from Garret’s throat. He gazed up at her with a thirsty look in his eyes. It took all the self-control he could muster to comply with her request and spare Garret. Catherine took it all in, this was the other side of Simon, his true face. This was the monster that lurked behind his usually gentle disposition. She collected her breath, “I need him alive Simon. Bring him.” She corrected her posture into a statuesque pose.
“As you wish.” Simon tossed Garret over his shoulder as he stood back up from the floor.
“Good. We have much discuss,” Catherine said as she brushed Garret’s hair away from his unconscious face as she examined his features. “You are not to harm him in any way. Do we understand each other Simon?”
Simon’s posture relaxed as he regained his composure. “As you wish.”
12. Life and Death Battle
Amarillo Outpost 01:10 hours
Captain Takeda stared at the ceiling from his bunk. All of his attempts to sleep had failed and he was wide-awake. He sat up then glanced around the barrack. Sam Hawkins was fast asleep in the next bunk and of course Edith’s bunk on the other side of her was empty. Which made sense; Edith had slept most of the day. She was likely out exploring the base at this late hour. David was also absent, he didn’t need to sleep but would often power down after a long day. He was definitely out getting into trouble.
Jake stood up and put on a pair of pants and boots. He grabbed a black tank-top that was neatly folded from the top of his footlocker. Then rummaged inside of the locker until he found a puzzle sphere. He walked towards the door as he put the shirt on with one hand. He took notice of the many empty bunks in the barrack and he thought of Everett Green. Everett was back home on Ujjain by now. It had been over a month since his injury took him out of the field for good. Even though he’d never fight again at least he was alive. Jake walked out of the barrack then wandered the unfamiliar halls of the outpost until he found himself outside. He settled at a railing near a cliff edge then allowed himself to get lost in his puzzle.
The puzzle sphere was slightly larger than a baseball but still small enough to fit into a cargo pants side pocket. Small circular lights covered its surface and would illuminate various colors based on how the sections on the ball were manipulated. It was a simple color-matching puzzle, which was made more challenging by a limit on how many turns the player was allowed. Earlier levels allowed up to thirty turns but the final level only allowed seven turns. Completing the puzzle shifted all of the lights on the sphere to a brilliant white. It was pretty bright and after complaints to the manufacturer newer spheres had this light significantly dimmed as not to hurt the eyes. Jake was a collector of classic puzzles and a purest so he managed to get his hands on the original model.
“What’re you doing up so late?” a voice said. Jake looked back to see that it was David Assad, the Lhasan Titan.
“I could ask you the same thing,” Jake replied.
“Did you know there are no bars on this base? None that’re open anyway.”
“Well, they have been under siege for over a month, you know.”
“All the more reason to crack one open, my friend. If you gotta die don’t do it sober.”
“You may have a point there. No takers tonight?”
“Actually, I’m on my way back from the southern barracks… Redhead.”
“You’re a piece of work.”
“The ladies love a metallic man. You should really consider dropping dead someday.”
“Well… It’s not like I have a choice in the matter.”
The two laughed for a moment. “So, you putting this Shonen Boy kid on the team or what?” David asked.
“Or what,” Jake said as he slid the puzzle into his side leg pocket.
"Really… Man, that kid really rubs you the wrong way, doesn't he?"
"He's not good a fit for the team."
"He's the most qualified soldier on this base to fill Everett's spot." David shrugged his robotic shoulders, "Void... He might be more qualified than Everett was."
"You know you have a talent for being an asshole Dave?"
"A wise asshole. Thank you very much. You really don't see it do you?"
"What’re you going on about?”
"Your reflection idiot," Dave shook his head.
"You talk to your Captain that way?" Jake laughed.
"I'm serious. You don’t like that kid because he’s you from years ago. Back when you were an idealistic young lad with a ridiculous dream of your own."
“You’re crazy… Or drunk.”
“I wish I could get drunk. Do you know how much that firmware upgrade costs? It’s inhumane.” David stood next to Jake and rested his arms on the railing. “You never did like change did you. But we are woefully understaffed for what’s on the way.”
&nb
sp; “Yeah, I know.”
“The kid’s the most impressive candidate we’ve seen on this base.”
“He’s too reckless.”
“Says the guy who stole a ship to get his alien sword back from a dead space colony.”
“If I remember correctly you were right there with me.”
“Of course, I was,” David joked. “Bros over intergalactic laws and potential court martial.” They laughed obnoxiously loud for the hour.
“Your point? If you even have one.”
“You were a reckless, borderline irresponsible mess. Why not give this kid a chance? Who better to guide him into manhood?”
“Did you mean to make that sound so weird?”
“I don’t know. I’m not a wordsmith,” David fell silent for a moment as he considered his next words. “Do you still think about her?”
“Adeola?”
“Who else would I be talking about, numbskull?”
“Everyday.”
“The Jake Takeda I knew was dedicated to seeing her again,” David put his hand on Jake’s shoulder. “What happened to that guy?”
Jake was leaning on the railing. His posture deflated, “He grew up.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” David leaned back and placed his hands in his pockets. “That guy. That guy was willing to take on the entire galaxy to get back to her. I miss that guy.”
“That guy,” Jake struggled to say it. He had held it in for so long, “that guy got you killed, Dave.”
David started walking back towards the base. He stopped then turned to face Jake. “What happened that day isn’t on you. I’m a big boy and I’m the one in charge of what happens to me.”
At that moment a Charge-Blade tore through David’s torso diagonally from shoulder to hip. He began to break apart. An Arez warrior emerged through his center mass, sword first, scattering pieces of David in all directions. She swung her Charge-Blade at Jake horizontally. Jake fell backwards to avoid the violent slash. He patted his hip as he hit the ground in search of his weapon only to realize that he left the barrack unarmed. As the Arez changed her grip on her blade and stabbed down at him, Jake rolled out of the way to his right and through an opening in the railing down the cliff side. He grabbed pieces of David’s circuitry as he tumbled over the edge. The Arez’s blade stuck into the ground as it missed him by inches. She struggled to pull the weapon back out.