Intercosmic

2.12 - Interrogation

2026-05-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

I expected to be dropped off at intake and be processed. Instead, they push and drag me through the station making sure every officer can see me. When they’re done with the parade, they leave me sitting in a cold interrogation room with my cuffed hands secured on the table. I can’t think of any real reason to have me here other than trying to instigate something. The whole thing is more annoying than anything else. I know they make the room cold to bother people, but I prefer the cold. Air conditioning is my best friend; without it I over heat far too easily.

A detective walks in, he’s short and thin. The white hair on his head is nearly gone, not even leaving a full ring. He slams the door behind him before slamming a notebook on the table in front of me. I don’t know if he’s angry or holding his breath, but his skin is bright red, almost purple. As he stands above me staring me down. I keep a straight face knowing that if I stood up, I’d be close to a foot taller than he is.

“So, you like beating up police officers,” he asks in a condescending voice.

“I don’t really like beating up anyone,” I respond to him in the same manner.

“It says in this notebook you sent 17 police officers to the hospital.”

I instantly start to laugh, “I didn’t touch nearly 17 police officers. You think I can be up 17 heavily protected and armed police officers? I’m honored you think I could do that but no,” actually, I probably could if I had some gear of my own.

“Okay smart ass, what do you know about the casino operations?”

“I know they do bad things there,” I keep my answer short. I’m starting to get the feeling they hope to charge me with something beyond just protecting civilians who got caught in the mess.

“And what did you do there?”

“Nothing.”

“You think if you keep quiet someone is going to rush in and save you. You’re ours and as soon as your buddies start talking, you’re going away for a long time. You put your trust in the wrong people.”

“Are you even in the right interrogation room,” a very serious question.

The officer grabs me by the collar of my shirt with one hand, pulling me towards him. With his other fist he threatens to punch me in the face for being a smart ass.”

“Beating me up before even taking a mug shot is the dumbest thing you could do,” I have to force my laughter back as I say it, but I’m so serious.

He releases me by pushing me back into my chair. The handcuffs scrape against my wrist, making me notice a bruise forming for the first time. They must be an underfunded department to still be using metal cuffs; not even those with magnetic locks. There’s better and more secure options. The officer snatches his notebook from the table and storms out of the room.

The whole process is designed to break you mentally but I’ve been in the military long enough that I’m already broken mentally. They don’t leave a clock so you have no sense of time. I’m not in a hurry to be anywhere so it doesn’t matter. At some point they may come in and offer food, a sign that they can be trusted. The problem is, I haven’t done anything, except punch a few of their coworkers in the face. The cuffs are still on, not because they feel threatened but because they want to remind people that jail is the only option left. I already knew I was going to jail so it does nothing. If anything, this is just a time to take a nap for me.

I’ve seen children open fire on people I care about. I’ve shot a kid. I’ve been blown up and lost an arm. I’ve been hit so hard by bounty hunters that I saw stars. There’s nothing they can really do to me at this point, short of killing me. I wouldn’t put that past them, but I think I’ve drawn too much attention for them to safely get away with it.

I lean forward and rest my head on my hands, but it’s uncomfortable. I settle leaning back and letting my head hang over the back of the chair. Closing my eyes, I try to think of somewhere peaceful before I can drift off to sleep.

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2.11 - Blockbuster Night pt ii

2026-03-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

With Creed making his grand entrance I don’t fight back anymore. Others still try to wrestle free from the hands of officers, some take the opportunity for greener pastures. For the police, it’s all business as usual. I’m not sure if they think they’re getting backup or they’re immune from Creed sending his men after them. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve seen him do it, I was a part of it once. We raided a black site run by a group of rogue Aket police officers. When they realized it was us kicking in their faces, they got even more upset, I imagine the same thing is about to happen as the ship touches down.

I’m lifted to my feet by my elbows. They’ve cuffed my hands together using zipties, as if I couldn’t just break free the thin plastic by twisting far enough. Together we watch as the shuttle lands and the boarding ramp reaches down to the ground before the door opens.

“What’s going on,” one of the cops asks.

“I don’t know, but I’m excited. Are you excited,” another asks.

“You think that’s one of the new armor-plated shuttles Invictus got?”

“It’s nice. I wonder if we can get one.”

I already knew that the best and the brightest didn’t go on to become cops, but the two that got me might just be the worst and the dimmest. I’m actually feeling bad for them. They don't know what's coming and they're just expecting backup from a Invictus even as soldiers begin to exit in full uniform. There's some loud posturing between a man I believe to be the police captain and a woman in a military uniform. I can't make out what they're saying but it doesn't seem to be going well for the police captain. A man who looks to be a platoon sergeant is going to every person detained by police and checking their image against something on his wrist comp and having discussions with them.

Eventually he makes his way to me, and I can see it's a file full of images. A few I recognize as employees from the casino. Each of them is marked with a red square. Finally, he reaches my image, I've got a blue box around mine. That causes him to smile for a moment.

"Efrem Gray, you're coming with us," he seems very polite as he cuts my wrists free.

"He's not going anywhere," the police captain starts to argue. "That man put his hands on multiple officers. If he's going anywhere, it's my jail," he pauses for a moment and as the woman prepares to respond he starts talking again. "I don't care who wants him you can't just go around body slamming my officers, any officers, without repercussions. We are the first line of defense to keep society running." Again, he pauses before allowing anyone to speak, "get him in the cruiser right now. Send him to the station and you book him. Book him good, the old way."

An officer grabs at my arm and attempts to yank me away from the scene, but I snatch my arm away and refuse to move. He reaches for the baton which causes me to go into fight mode. The platoon sergeant steps between the two of us, staring down the officer while keeping his back to me.

"Perhaps he wouldn't have attacked your officers if they hadn't been so overjoyed to attack innocent civilians in a botched raid attempt," the statement sounds more like a question from the woman. Every time she speaks her voice is full of sarcasm as if she's trying to tell the chief how stupid he is.

The two argue back and forth as more of the crowd gathers to get in on the action. The chief knows he doesn't have any real power here but insists on taking me to the station to be booked. In the end, too many people have gathered and it's decided I'm going to jail tonight, but I'm assured that they'll be there to get me soon, hell or high water.

The crowd boos as a cop puts a pair of handcuffs on me. They're tight, they're trying to intentionally hurt me which gets more negative feedback from the crowd. The platoon sergeant makes them loosen the cuffs and assures me they'll be there soon. He sounds reassuring, but after dealing with Creed so long I don't trust it. I wouldn’t doubt he orchestrated this entire thing. He’s probably on the ship watching it all go down and giving orders through an earpiece.

One of the officers tries to slam my head on the door frame while putting me in the car but I'm too strong for it. He slams the door in anger, but he just looks comedic to the onlookers. Several try to step in the way as we try to leave causing police officers to push them away. I wonder how long Creed will leave me in jail.

2.10 - Blockbuster Night

2026-03-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

I got word from Creed that there was going to be a raid on the casino tonight. I took up some space in the parking lot across the street to watch it all go down. I'm not sure what I expected but police officers with a warrant wasn't it. Then again, if Creed or whoever informed them that they would be doing a raid, the police may have tried to be one step ahead just to save face. For now, I'm just trusting the process and hoping everything goes well.

That idea vanishes from my mind as white smoke starts to pour out of the casino. It's not a fire, it's for crowd control. Soon people start pouring out of the casino in chaos. Police officers are grabbing random people and slamming them to the ground. It's gotten way too far out of hand and they don't even know if they have someone from the gang or just a random casino visitor.

People flee to the parking lot I'm standing in looking for a safe haven or a way to escape but police have begun to follow. An officer grabs at my wrist and attempts to place it behind my back before I yank my arm away from him and stare back with a look that lets him know he'll be in for a fight if he presses the issue anymore. He runs off to chase after some other person as more officers rush past me. The whole thing is getting worse by the moment. People who weren't even in the casino are getting swept up in the chaos.

"Help," a woman shouts, she's fallen, about to be trampled at this pace. I make my way to her, moving people out of the way as I go. She takes my hand, and I'm able to pull her up from the ground but as we move to safety, she's limping. I lean her against a car and help her slide down to take a seat away from the chaos. The first aid refresher with Martin comes in handy as I'm able to tell that she just has a sprained ankle. She'll be fine with some rest, ice, compression and elevation of that ankle.

There's not really any time to rest, as police officers go after an old man on a cane. Against my better judgement I intercept the officer with a shoulder check that stumbles him. I direct the old man to the same car the woman is resting at. As I watch him hobble away the pain of a baton slams into my side. Before I realize what I’m doing, reflexes have taken over and my fist slams into the officer’s face. As he scurries away, I direct more people to the car, hoping to keep them safe and out of the fray.

For a moment, things begin to calm down and I haven’t seen anyone who looks like they could be Creed’s men. I contemplate running away as punching a cop isn’t going to go over well. They’re vindictive and even if I was just reacting the way I would for anyone, they’ll plaster my face on the news and say it was targeted violence.

More smoke is released by the officers, hiding their movements. I don’t see the officer who fired the shot but the beanbag that slams into my left shoulder lets me know they’re out there. I feel arms wrap around me from behind in a bear hug. I bend my arms up at the elbow to get some room before struggling to step to the side. I get my right arm around the officer’s torso, and with my legs to the side, I throw myself to the ground. I land first, but he lands harder and it’s enough to break his grip. My older brother Evan’s favorite move was a bearhug. Learning how to escape was part of my childhood. I resist the urge to slam my fist into the cop’s face. Another beanbag slams into my back as I get off the ground. The first cop holds onto my ankle; I brace myself as another cop tries to tackle me at full speed. Some of the air is knocked out of me, but I don’t fall. I’m able to wrap my arms around his waist and slam him to the ground.

The three of us fight for position on the ground. There’s two of them, but police officers are just marines who couldn’t pass the fitness test and washed up high school athletes. They also don’t have any real hand to hand training, never fought bounty hunters and most certainly never sparred with an Alpha Draconian. I’m different from the people they’ve been manhandling.

The thought vanishes from my head as the boot of a third cop slams into my jaw. That’s all the room the others needed to pin me down with knees on my back and neck. They’re confused when I start to laugh. I know I’m beaten and I’m going to jail tonight, but the situation is funny. I trusted Creed again, and I’m in the same position that I was last time, with a boot on my neck. I don’t know why I expected anything else. For a moment, I don’t hear anything but my laughter, it’s slowly drowned out by the chaos still unfolding around me.

More surprisingly, the sound of thrusters silence everyone and blows the smoke away. From the corner of my eye, I can see a black shuttle coming into view. I guess Creed was just waiting to make a grand entrance.

***

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2.09 - Negotiations

2026-02-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

I could do it, raid the casino. Take out the leaders and disappear into the night. Probably wouldn’t go as smoothly as a movie, but I could do it. Yet everyone and everything around me seems to be yelling for me to not go through with that idea. Still, I need to do something. At least that’s what I kept thinking. Then I came to the conclusion that the casino is just a crutch. It’s something I can lean on instead of taking care of the actual issues that I’m facing. I need to put an end to this marines thing. Even if it involves me going to do time for desertion or whatever. I’m never going to be able to move on with my life the way that I want to if I’m stuck here mentally avoiding it. I just need to let the Casino go and move on.

That doesn’t mean I can’t make the casino someone else’s problem. I’ve worked with Creed enough that I can manipulate him. He’s not as smart as he thinks he is. I’m also not above throwing myself at his feet as a sacrifice for this community to have something better.

Creed answers right away when I make the call, and soon his smiling face is on my wrist comp. “I knew you’d be calling back.”

“Yeah, absence makes the heart grow fonder, what else can I say?”

“Don’t try to sweet talk me Gray, I know you’re a free agent, but I know what team I play for,” Creed laughs and I fake a laugh trying to stay on his good side.

“I’m not trying to sweet talk you. Just wanted to ask what happened to you after the mission on Xhosha.”

“Ah,” Creed pauses. “In short, nothing came from that mission for me. I walked out unscathed, at least as much as you can be. I dislocated my shoulder at some point, but who hasn’t done that in our line of work.”

“Well, I only have to worry about dislocating one shoulder now,” I joke.

“I heard about your arm. I’m sure you got the best prosthetic that money could buy.”

“No, they actually gave me the cheapest option available, only thing they’ll pay for. Haven’t gotten around to looking at the high end stuff.”

“Well that sucks, but I’m sure you didn’t call to catch up.”

“You’re right I just wanted you to understand why I ran. I wasn’t scared, but I was a new person. I can’t ever be the person I was before. I had to learn to use a new arm, but I had to adjust to the fact that I had been through something traumatic and that was hard. I always planned to come back, but I just needed time. I had a new view on life, and going from planet to planet for murder murder and kill kill, just wasn’t working for me. I couldn’t be just a weapon anymore.”

“But you’re calling me, so you want to be a weapon again,” there it is. Creed’s trademark arrogance. “Everyone can use a secret weapon that others don’t expect. It’s a nice offer. But unfortunately, I just don’t think you have it anymore,” this is Creed’s way of playing on people’s emotions. He wants me to get upset.

“I have it, I’m just not running into burning buildings without asking questions and without getting something in return now.”

“Okay, I get the game, what do you want?”

“There’s a casino where I am,” I know he’s already tracking my location, but I’ll play like I don’t know. “It’s being run by a pretty organized gang. I need you to send some guys and make some arrests. Special prosecutor can’t be from here. They’re getting paid for silence. So this takedown needs to be off the books.”

“Sounds like you’re in a real jam,” Creed responds sarcastically. “I don’t see how that helps me.”

“You get what you want,” I argue.

“What is it that I want?”

“Me,” I pause. “You know I’m the best soldier you’ve ever seen and you’re probably struggling without my efficiency. I’m willing to come back and do what needs to be done. Just as long as you take care of this casino thing for me.”

“You’re really confident in your skills for someone who got an arm blown off and ran away from his service. I was joking earlier, but now I’m serious. You might not have it in you anymore.”

“I got it.”

“Then I need you to show me something before I take action.”

“Oh,” I pause. “You want me to take care of an issue for you so you can renege on our deal. I told you, I’m not the same guy anymore and I’m not going to fall for that anymore.”

“People can pretend but can never really change who they are.”

“Maybe we just go through things to really reveal who we are.”

“I’ll think it over and be in contact.”

“Thanks.”

“One more thing,” Creed gives me a stern look. “I liked you better when you didn’t talk and just did what you were told. Since you’re a new person, let me give you some new advice. Everyone doesn’t like being backed into a corner.”

Creed hangs up the phone before I get the chance to respond, and I can’t help but feel as if I just made a deal with the devil. I may get what I asked for, but I’m going to get more than I bargained for in return. I still feel somewhat confident after that conversation. I was never afraid of Creed, and I argued with him frequently, but there was always a limit. A limit that came from my years of service telling me not to question orders from a higher up. That limit is gone now, and even if I re-enlist, it’s not coming back. I’m my own man now, and nobody can take that from me. Not Creed, not the government, and not even threats of death if it comes to that.

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2.08 - Role Model

2026-01-20T21:00:00.000-08:00

“Mr. Efrem,” a few of the kids shouted when I showed up with Martin. I didn’t want to come, but he insisted.

The Galactic Groundbreakers, Troup 491; Martin’s branch of a scout organization. I haven’t seen the kids since we took the camping trip which was over a year ago at this point. They’ve gotten bigger and there’s some new faces but a few of the kids were excited to see me. I didn’t think I made a lasting impression on them, but Martin was right. They did remember me and they did have a lot of fun. It’s surprising since I was basically just his side kick.

He thought it would be a good idea and a better opportunity to free my mind from the casino and everything else. I put up a good fight; found stuff to do around the ranch, pretended Pauline needed help, and I didn’t want to be around kids. But in the end, I gave up. You can’t fight against Pauline because she hits hard, but Martin knows exactly which heart strings to pull. He called one of the kids and told him I couldn’t come, right in front of me. I’ve never thought of Martin as a manipulator, but that was some textbook manipulation. I couldn’t take the disappointment in the kid’s voice so I had no choice but to come along.

I was expecting another camping trip but Martin drove us out to the community center. The building isn’t run down, but it needs some love. There was a mural on the wall outside but the paint is so faded I can’t tell what it used to be. Still, the building is full of life. Kids playing basketball, others playing some kind of virtual reality game, elders playing bingo. It's the kind of place every community should have, but they're so rare now. Time moves slow here, and relics of the past are easy to find. I'm just glad this place is still around. It’s one of those things from the past that should have never fallen out of favor.

"This week, we're going to learn a little bit about first aid," Martin starts once the kids have settled down a little. "Does anyone know anything about first aid?" A few kids put their hands up eager to tell Martin and I what they already know. All they know is the basics; scrape your knee, clean it and apply a bandage.

"Are we going to learn how to pull a bullet out and seal the wound with just a knife like the new Angel Granger film," one of the kids asks.

"No," Martin answers with confusion. "We're going to learn some life altering stuff here today. We're going to learn about torniquets and how they can save a limb or even a life in a bad situation," Martin tries to lean in and make it sound exciting.

“But there’s machines for that,” one of the kids responds causing the others to laugh.

“Machines won’t always be around especially if you’re out in the wilderness or somewhere far away from hospitals,” Martin tries to argue.

A few of the kids I’ve met before pay attention, but some of the new kids think Martin is joking. First aid basics are important. Accidents happen every day, and if you’re in the armed forces, or protesting those skills become way more important. Even if you’re not the designated medic, basic first aid is important. I can do CPR, apply a tourniquet, a splint, poor stitches as well as treat and know when someone has a concussion.

Martin turns to me with a sigh, “Can I get a little help here Efrem?”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Show the new kids what happens if first aid isn’t rendered in time.”

“I actually got great first aid. I probably should have bled out.”

“Get to the point,” an impatient boy shouts.

“Give him a second,” a kid I recognize as Phillip from my last meeting with the troop shouts back causing me to chuckle a little. He’s gotten taller but he’s missing his two sidekicks David and Jacob.

I take my hands out of my pocket and eyes are immediately drawn to my hand. I pull my arm through the sleeve of my shirt revealing to them that the entire arm is a shiny turquoise prosthetic. A few of the kids are surprised, some think it’s cool and others recoil.

“Does it hurt,” one of the kids asks quietly.

Martin’s face seems shocked before I answer the kid, “No, it doesn’t hurt.”

“Can you feel it,” another kid asks.

“I can’t feel it in the same way that I feel my other hand arm, but I’m aware of it. I know when I’m being touched and I know if I’m holding something tightly or loosely, but I can’t really tell if something is hot, cold or soft.”

“Now kids,” Martin interrupts, “it’s not nice or polite to ask questions like this and it can make people uncomfortable. We’re all different and special in our own ways. His arm is just another way he’s different,” he’s flustered.

“Hey,” I put a hand on Martin’s shoulder. “It’s okay, I’d rather them ask me than bother some random person on the street.” Martin relaxes but his trademark smile still doesn’t come back. “Go ahead, anyone else got questions,” the kids put their hands up high.

“How do you control it?”

“I’m not a doctor but in short, they used what was left of my arm’s tendons and nerves to this one. It took time and a lot of rehab, but eventually it started responding to my brain signals like my original arm did.”

“Is it electric?”

“Sort of. It has a battery, a really small battery and eventually I’ll have to replace it, but they tell me it should be good for almost twenty years.”

“How did you lose your arm?”

“I got blown up. But luckily, we had a medic with us. His name is Casey, and he made sure I didn’t die even while people were still shooting at us. He made sure I didn’t bleed out or go into shock. That’s why it’s first aid is important.”

Martin interrupts, “that’s why it’s good for you all to learn some basics.”

The lesson gets under way without any more interruptions. I’m able to catch up with Phillip just turned 16 so he’s got a few more years with the Galactic Groundbreakers. David has gone off to university and Jacob is working at the casino. Martin probably didn’t know that or he wouldn’t have thought this was a good way for me to put it out of my mind.

“Thanks for your help today,” Martin says to me once all the kids have left.

“I thought the camping trip was supposed to be your retirement.”

“Well, it was, but I couldn’t find anyone else to take over. I figured since we were going to be running the ranch a little longer, I could stick around. I just couldn’t leave the kids behind.”

“Well, we’ll need to make sure that you have something else good for your retirement.”

“Maybe I’ll stick around until you’re ready to take over for me.”

“I think I’ll pass.”

“You sure,” Martin tilts his head and lifts an eyebrow.

“I’m sure”

“I don’t think so. The kids really like you. I’ve seen it twice, you connect with them and they feel safe with you.”

“No, I think the kids like the arm,” I laugh.

“But you like the kids too.”

“Not at all.”

“Phillip told me about you going out into the forest with him when he was scared to use the bathroom. He won’t say it, but he looks up to you now. Asks me about you all the time.”

“That’s one kid.”

“That you don’t really know, but went out of your way to make sure he felt safe. That made a big difference in his life, and in turn he’s going to make a difference in someone else’s life. He’s not wrong to look up to you.”

“Kids have terrible judgement,” I laugh.

“No, kids are actually pretty good judges of character because they’re still honest, and they don’t feel safe around everyone.”

“I’ll take your word for it, but I’m still not taking your role here,” I laugh.

Martin lets out a loud laugh, “you got me; but I’ll get you sooner rather than later.”

2.07 - Closing Costs

2026-01-06T21:00:00.000-08:00

I've been sitting with Pauline for the last two hours as she talks about nothing in particular. Usually Martin is the talkative one, but today she's going nonstop. I came by to sign documents to make the sale of the ranch official; even if they'll be taking care of it while I go away. We've barely gotten any of the papers signed but she's got a lot to say about each piece of paper.

"Now, you've got a pretty good idea of the proper boundaries but let's say you wanted to expand. Beyond the tree line at the back end of the property is a lake with a few abandoned houses and shops. Was supposed to be the start of new development but it never got finished. Developer ran out of money then went to prison.

"Why did they go to prison," I interrupt

"He was playing with dirty money, owed a cartel, mob or something. Chose prison over whatever they had in store for him

"That's crazy," I laugh.

"Well, they offered to sell it to us for dirt cheap but we're old and don't have the energy for it. It's back there if you want it. Maybe some vacation homes around the lake or something. Could make a lot of money on it" Pauline shrugs away the idea, but I know it's her way of suggesting that I do it. She'll never force you to do anything but she'll lean on your rather hard. I barely know anything about ranching, so I’ll need a whole staff to do vacation rentals.

"One thing at a time, I got lot to do before I start thinking lake house expansions," I throw up my hands in a defensive manner

"Well, I won't fight you on it. Some fights just aren't worth the trouble," she stares deeply into my eyes with a look I've only seen from my mother.

"You're talking about the casino, aren't you?”

"Well, since you brought it up," Pauline waves her hand and takes a sip of tea. "I don't want you going down there and throwing your life away. Those folks basically got a whole army down there. I don't want you running into a fight, that isn't yours and then getting killed by overwhelming opposition," she takes another sip of tea.

"I know it's not my fight, but someone has to fight for those people. There's not a lot of people fighting to make sure drug addicts have safe access to their vices. There's nobody at all fighting for people being ripped off by shady gambling practices."

"But that somebody doesn't need to be you."

"Then who?"

"Sometimes, you don't need to fight, you just need to stand firm on what you believe in and that gives inspiration to others to fight. Those people will just have to learn to fight for themselves.”

"When has that ever happened?”

"Martin told you about the war against supremacy, right?”

"Yeah, he was in a human supremacist organization, and people across the planet fought back to make sure anyone could live peacefully on Nyame. He and many others realized they were wrong and switched sides."

"Yes, that's his side of the story, but do you know why people fought back so hard?"

"No, but I have a feeling you're going to tell me."

"When the supremacist were vandalizing businesses that would welcome non humans, there was a shop owner. Her name was Audre Rudolph. Everyone time they would destroy her shop, she'd take the insurance money and build a new one. Time and time again she did this, never raising a fist to fight. But she did inspire others to fight. All she had to do was maintain her principals. You can send a lot of messages with words and even violence. But sometimes the best message is sent by how you live your life."

“You two are really against me doing anything to the people running the casino,” I chuckle.

“Yes, we thought you died you idiot,” Pauline raises her voice. “We thought you were buried in some unmarked grave,” there’s a heavy sadness in her voice I’d never heard from her. “Do you think we wanted that? To see someone like you dying because you’re fighting some battle to save people who don’t want to be saved. They walk into that casino, knowing it’s a trap. You can’t save someone blinded by vice until they’re ready to be saved," Pauline slams her hand on the table as she fights back tears.

My mother didn't cry for me like this when I joined the marines. My father never worried if I was going to die in some pointless battle. Pauline and Martin have been good to me, better than I ever could have ever imagined and I'm putting them through hell right now. They just can't say it to me. I make my way to the other side of the table where Pauline is sitting and wrap her in my arms as she rocks back and forth.

"I can't sit around and do nothing, but I'll do it in a way that you won't have to worry about me. That's all I can promise you," I speak the words gently as she releases me.

"You're an adult, and you're going to do whatever you want to do. Not risking your life over this is all I can ask of you.”

New Release: Light Seekers

2025-07-14T17:10:00.000-07:00

Najor has seen more than most boys his age should, but he's never felt the warmth of the sun on his flesh. His town has been blessed with the gift of sunlight for three years now. The elders believe that this will continue as they are in God's favor. Najor is smart enough to listen to the migrants who travel along with the beam of light which illuminates the sky. They know the light is to vanish soon, and with it will go any normality in his life. He faced with the choice of spending his life following the beam of light, or attempting to bring the sun back.

The magic he wields is weak, and he can't use it for long without becoming sick. He's never left his town and only heard legends about the beasts that roam the wastelands and the sorcerers who reside high in the Phaethon Mountains. Still, he chooses to throw it all away and chase after a dream knowing he'll mostly likely die out in the darkness.

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2.06 - Good Morning

2025-02-04T21:00:00.009-08:00

“Is he breathing”
“Yeah but not much”
“You think he’ll make it”
“I don’t know, he’s strong”

“Oh shit they’re kids.”
“We shot some kids.”
“They’re just kids.”

“Efrem, come on, the coast is clear”
“Nah, I need to check on this.”
“You find something”
“...not a damn thing.”

“We have to return fire”
“Do whatever, just keep running.”

“Seargeant”
“Sorry about that, but I told you, I wasn’t going to let you die.”
“Seargeant”
“Hey, how about you take your arm as a souvenir? They might be able to put it back if we’re fast enough.”
“That’s not my arm.”
“Sure, it is, it looks a lot like mine, but it’s yours. Humans are funny that way.”
“Captain, sit down.”
“Oh shit, that is my arm.”

Last night, I dreamed of Xioshaa. Time and time again, I replayed the mission over and over again. Stealthy infiltration, but they saw us coming. They set traps and prepared ambushes. Psionic abilities, poison and hallucinogenics were all part of their plan. When we finally were able to meet them in combat, I shot a kid. They were all child soldiers and that was never something I expected. I saw one of the bodies, I didn’t tell my team. I didn’t want them to carry the burden with me. Only for me to get blown up because some psionic teenager changed the trajectory of a grenade in the air.

I went through weeks of rehabilitation learning to use my prosthetic and trying to get it to sync to my brainwaves. All while I had my first sit downs with a therapist helping me to cope. At least I thought the goal was to help me overcome the PTSD of killing a child and getting my arm blown off. In reality, they were just trying to make sure I could go out there and be the same tool for killing that I was before.

I’m contemplating taking down a casino and dreams of a battle that actually is mine are keeping me awake at night. Martin might be right, but I have to do something. Maybe I can use one to help the other. I’m not sure, but I can try. I grab a dusty glass from the cabinet and give it a rinse in the sink before filling it with tap water and drinking. I know what I have to do now, and I can’t keep putting it off any more. Scrolling through the contacts in my wrist comp, I come across the person I was looking for. A deep breath and I make the call. It doesn’t ring long before a familiar face appears on my screen. I project the image on the wall so we’re looking face to face.

“The prodigal son returns. We must celebrate and be glad,” he begins. “This brother of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

“I can’t say I’m as glad to see you,” I respond.

“But you need something, and I’m the only one who can give it to you.”

“You’re right.”

“You know what you have to do?”

“Come back, probably spend a little time in jail.”

“Well yes, but we’ve also got a job that still needs to be done. I just need to make sure you’re still enough of a man to take it on.”

“I need something from you too.”

He laughs, “you’re not in a position to bargain.”

“I’m going to do it anyway.”

“Insubordinate as ever.”

“There’s a casino. They sell drugs, offer prostitution and every other vice you can think of. It was funded by drug money and the police are paid off to look the other way.”

“And you want me to come shut it all down.”

“Yeah.”

“I knew you lost your arm, I didn’t know you lost your balls too.”

“What?”

“You lost your balls. It must have been when you were running away from your sworn duty.”

“If you can’t help me, I can’t help you.”

“You think I care? You think I can’t storm that pissant ranch you’re on right now? You think I couldn’t get you whenever I wanted?”

“I think you would have come to get me by now if you really could.”

“How about you prove to me you’re still a man of action and handle the casino yourself, and I’ll come get you when I’m ready.”

I bite my tongue for a moment before adjusting my feet squarely on the ground, “you’re still a piece of trash unfit to wear that uniform.”

“Yet you ran from it the moment things got hard.”

“I didn’t run from it, I ran towards something better.”

“Are you sure,” he mocks me. “Because things seem to have gotten a little hard for you and you’re running right back to my team. Let me put you under my wing again to protect you baby bird.”

“Who said anything about me joining your team?”

“Then we’ve got nothing to talk about,” the call ends without another word.

I pick up the glass of water and stop just short of flinging it against the wall as a few drops of water hit the floor. My morning alarm sounds from my wrist comp, letting me know it’s time to begin my day. A sleepless night into a day fueled by rage. What more could a man ask for?

2.05 - Strap Up

2025-01-21T21:00:00.001-08:00

I watch from my bed as Barbar jumps up and down while pulling up her pants from last night. I always hate one-night stands. This would only be my fourth time. I just like to have an emotional connection with someone before I have sex with them. It’s rare that I feel that connection the first time I meet them, but it happens. Renan is the only one night stand that turned into something more, so I guess I’ve had five now.

“You want to stay for breakfast,” I ask as Nariah as she searches for her shoe.

“Nope, got some errands to run today,” she pulls the shoe from under the bed.

“I can come along.”

“No need, but I’ll call you again next time I’m looking for a guy to make me feel good about the parts of my body I usually don’t like.”

I’m take the compliment in stride and walk Nariah from my front door to her car outside. I wave goodbye as she tosses a hand out the window. In the moment I find myself longing for a life with this woman and I don’t know anything but her name, her job and favorite sexual positions. Yet here I am looking for emotional investments, in a future I can’t see. I take a seat on the steps leading up to the guest house. If I planned to stick around longer I’d make an effort to get some furniture.

“Good morning,” Pauline shouts as she comes up the road.

I wave, and greet her with “good morning,” as she reaches the steps. “What’s on the schedule today?”

“Replacing some busted fence posts, start repainting the barn and of course the usual stuff. Nothing for you. I know you had a busy night.”

“I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Us big bosomed broads with loose morals have a radar. We can tell when we’re not the only ones in the area.”

“I, well,” I can feel the heat rushing to my cheeks. “I wasn’t trying to sneak around.” I feel as if my parents caught me bringing someone home. I never did because I was embarrassed. But this must be the feeling.

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of about sex. You’re both consenting adults, as long as you’re safe there’s no problem. But, next time you better invite that young lady to breakfast with us.”

“I tried to, I really did.”

“Well try harder next time. Now put a shirt and come to the big house to eat.”

Breakfast with Martin and Pauline was interesting to say the least. It started with me telling them about the casino and what I saw. Only for the topic to turn to Nariah. They really act like sitcom parents sometimes. If it were up to them, we’d start planning a wedding already. Thankfully my life isn’t a weekly sitcom with new episodes for the viewing pleasure of the masses.

I greet the workers as they arrive, handing out their tasks and assigning groups. Martin wasn’t joking about the new workers being terrible. A bunch of folks past their prime just trying to get by with the only thing they know; and a bunch of young people that don’t like taking instruction but don’t really know what they’re doing. I try to mix the crews with young and old hoping they can help each other. With the orders passed out it’s time for me to take on my daily tasks as well. Inventory supplies, make sure we’ve got enough feed for the few animals we’ve got and of course check in on the crews and lend a hand where it’s needed.

“Hey,” Martin calls out to me.

“You know you don’t have to work when I’m here,” I laugh.

“I know that, I’m just here to talk.”

“What’s going on?”

“Did you think about what I said the other night?”

I pause for a second, “that every man has a last fight, and we need to know when it’s time to move on.”

“See, that’s why I love you. You’re hard headed but you listen.”

“I don’t listen that well. I'm still thinking on it.”

“Well don’t think too long or too hard, that’s how you hurt yourself.”

“What would you do,” I ask Martin as he walks away.

“Live my life.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. What if you felt that something had to be done but you didn’t want to do it with violence?”

“Overwhelming force in the opposite direction. If you feel they’re having a negative impact, you need to find a way to counter it with positivity,” Martin answers quickly as if he’d thought of this before.

“Thanks Martin.”

2.04 - Queen of Hearts

2025-01-08T18:07:00.007-08:00

It didn’t take long for everything in the lounge to return to normal after witnessing an overdose. I imagine that kind of thing would typically bring an end to the festivities for the night, but not here. Everyone just kept drinking and getting high on the same drugs that just had a young woman dragged out. For a few minutes, I feel like the only person in the room who finds it odd.

Then I spot the bartender in a far corner of the room. A woman, roughly the same age as me, although I imagine I’m a harder to look at. Warm brown skin, dreadlocks braided into pigtails, a full figured woman carrying her weight in all the right places, black eyeliner, lipstick and gold fangs on her upper teeth make the look complete.

“Happen often,” I ask as I take a seat at the end of the bar.

“Only on days that end in the letter y,” she cleans a glass. “What can I get you?”

“Something that’s not going to leave me knocking at death’s door.”

“Water it is,” she laughs and pours a bottle into a tall glass.

“Water is perfect,” I laugh as I take the glass from her. “My name is Efrem.”

“I’m Barbara,” she smiles back at me.

“Hey, can I ask you something Barbara?”

“Is it my contact info.”

“I was going to say I’ve been away for a while and was wondering how things got like, well, like this,” I wave a hand around the casino.

“Well, that’s easy. Everyone has a vice. Gambling, drugs, alcohol,” she pauses, “sex. Nobody cornered the market around here. They just built a temple to vice and people come worship at it every day of the week.”

“And nobody does anything?”

“Pay off the right police and nobody has any choice but to look away, even if most of us hate it.”

“Working a job you hate for people you hate, I get it.”

“Don’t we all,” Barbara laughs.

“I got one more question for you.”

“If it’s not about my contact information you can get the hell out,” Barbara smiles. “I’m only half joking.”

“That’s good, because I was going to ask for it.”

I wasn’t really planning to ask for her contact information, but when a beautiful woman wants to give you her contact information, you take her contact information and make sure you call her. I guess that’s one benefit of coming here tonight. I just confirmed this place was everything I thought it was. I’m not any less convinced that it doesn’t need to be shut down. I exit the elevator and decide to take the back exit.

Outside in the alley I hear a commotion. The bald bearded man from the blackjack table earlier is being punched and kicked against the wall by some of the security guards. I know it’s not my fight, but they’re probably going to beat him to death if I don’t step in.

“Hey, let the guy go,” I call out.

“This ain’t your fucking business,” one of the guards shouts.

“If you keep talking to me like that it will be.”

One of the guards takes a wild swing that I’m just barely able to dodge in time. I use the opportunity to put all my weight into a right punch aiming at the other guard. My metal fist makes perfect contact between his eye and ear. I’ll have to tell Edan I knocked a guy out with one punch. I turn just in time to catch a punch to the ribs from the first guard. I retaliate by putting my hand in his face and pushing him away so I can regroup. I fake a punch only for me to grab his neck and bring it down to meet my knee. When he falls over I begin to land punches on his head hoping to put him out. But he’s still awake when I hear sirens. I wipe the blood from my fist on his shirt before making my way to the bald man.

“Why were the beating you,” I ask.

“I paid for a night with a woman and when I got to my room they took my money and drug me out here.”

“Well you should get your money back while they can’t fight back.”

I don’t hear what else he says, I make my way from the alley to the street where a crowd is starting to gather. I keep my head down and just walk with no real sense of wear I’m heading off to. A car pulls up next to me.

“You look like you could use a ride,” Barbara calls from inside the car.

“My hero,” I don’t hesitate to get in.

“Where to,” she asks as we begin to move.

“Anywhere you want to go,” I smile at her.

2.03 - Casino

2024-12-25T08:40:00.009-08:00

It’s not hard to find the casino. Tranquillus is a small town where most buildings don’t stretch more than two or three stories. There’s even a few single family residential homes on the edge of town. The casino stands out, five stories high, bright lights and music that can be heard outside. It’s not the first time I’ve seen a building like this, but it’s jarring standing above the rest of the town.

Security at the door is lax, two big guys standing there looking tough as people walk through an old model body scanner. A guy reads the screen and gives a thumbs up as each person walks through. Part of me wonders if anyone in here would recognize me but I mostly dealt with low level folks. My walk through the body scanners put security on high alert. They mov fast to block me from entering as others gather to gawk at the idea that something might happen.

“What’s under your jacket,” one of the guards asks me.

I remove the glove on my right hand revealing the scuffed and scratched turquoise metal. The guard motions me to stop as if my arm is unsightly or I should be ashamed. I remove my jacket revealing the entirety of my arm is prosthetic. I used to hate looking at it, the cheapest model money could buy. It got the paint from a Smilodonian in the rehabilitation center. I’ve grown to accept it as part of me now.

“I lost it in battle. A lot of marines have them,” I say to the security guard.

“Th-thank you for your service,” he mumbles through his words.

“You’re welcome,” I continue forward into the casino.

Inside is what I expect; cheap red carpet, slot machines crowding every space of the floor not occupied by tables of roulette, poker and blackjack. Waitresses in skimpy costumes serve drinks to gamblers. Free drinks for the losers, overpriced for those who win. More security guys watching for cheaters.

I make my way to a blackjack table and watch as a few rounds play through. I hate casinos, even when you win, the casino wins. As long as people have hope, they’ll keep playing and the money keeps coming in. When the hope gets low, they pick a sucker and make them a winner. A short bearded man, gets a complimentary drink as he goes bust on another round of blackjack. The dealer looks to me to ask if I want to join the game. I wave him off and he starts a new round. The bearded man who was looking down and out a few moments ago lands and ace and a king. He’s the winner, a few thousand. I wonder how much he blew to get there. He’s probably still in the hole. But it doesn’t matter, people see a winner. I step away as more people join the table looking for remnants of any luck. Even the people pulling handles and mashing buttons on the slot machines start to move faster.

The second floor is dedicated to mostly entertainment. A restaurant serving a few different meals is mostly empty. The real draw is the live entertainment but the next show doesn’t start for an hour or so. A few shops on this floor selling trinkets and nonsense. Another restaurant, this one a buffet, packed as people look for cheap food to energize themselves for blowing through money. I don’t hate gamblers, but I really hate the idea of gambling. Taking advantage of hope, one of the few things in this life that is free.

The third floor is more my pace. The entire space is an open area with various bar tenders. People sit and drink, reflecting on what they’ve lost or just looking for a reprieve from all the bright lights and noises on the other floors. I order a drink and wander the large area for a while. Martin was wrong, they aren’t done with drugs. They’re readily available here and plenty of people are choosing drugs over alcohol. It’s not as if they aren’t both vices, but alcohol is a lot safer than experimental drugs.

A young woman at a table opposite of me rocks gently in her seat with dilated pupils. I’m not sure if she’s hallucinating or overdosing but she starts to slow. I’m sure she’s heading for an overdose as the color drains from her face. Once she slumps in her seat, I stand to make my to her. She’s overdosed, brain isn’t getting enough oxygen. People think it’s the drug that kills you, but it’s just your body relaxing too much to breathe right. I saw more than a few overdoses when I was in the marines.

Before I can make it to her, two security guards and a woman dressed in right reach her. The guards left her and the woman places a mask over her mouth and nose and gives a few pumps from some kind of inhaler. Once the gas in the mask is no longer visible the woman’s color starts to return. The guards lift her and follow the medic.

“Most people wouldn’t notice and overdose. Even fewer would move to take action,” the woman says to me as they walk pass.

Without any more words they enter the elevator. I watch as the number changes from three to four. If one thing is for sure, I know they’ve got security cameras everywhere, not just where gambling takes place. I guess I have to hope they’re taking her to a medical bay to recuperate and not an incinerator.

Merry Christmas if you celebrate.

2.02 - Man to Man

2024-12-10T21:00:00.009-08:00

The barn here became a favorite spot of mine when I first arrived here. We’re far away from the town, and it’s a not a bright town. The view of the stars from here is amazing. It always filled me with the same sense of wonder that I had as a kid. Back when I would dream of being a space marine, taking down some great galactic evils and giving people freedom back. Putting an end to genocides, civil wars, and the like. I thought I’d be helping rebuild societies crushed by the horrors of war or build up places that had been forgotten by time. In the end, I got none of that. I never helped get clean water to remote locations, but I sniped more than a few people. I’ve never built a baseball or soccer field for kids who never heard of the sport, but I shot a kid.

I’m thirty-one years old now. I spent two years on the run from my life in the marines. I spent the better part of a year living out my brother’s space pirate ideas. I’ll be thirty-two soon enough. No children and my romantic prospects are a basketball player who gave up after four good years in the league and an alien criminal halfway across the galaxy who won’t give me a chance for another 60 years. Despite every fiber of my body calling me a failure and telling me to sink my time into this ranch and make a life here; I’m going to go back to what I was running from. Right after I finish a fight that isn’t really any of my business.

“Do you mind if I join you,” Martin asks as he’s already taking a seat next to me.

“Nah, I don’t mind.”

“Did I ever tell you what’s buried under this barn,” Martin asks an odd question.

“You never mentioned anything about that.”

“Remember when I told you about human supremacist and how we all banded together to fight them back.”

“You defected, wanted to make a better place for everyone. Got hurt, met Pauline.”

“Yeah,” Martin smiles as he reminisces. “After all the fighting was done some of us gathered up old armor and guns. We hid them. We thought there might be a day when they would return. I mean, all it took the first time was for people to look the other way because they were too afraid. That’s how they got shiftless young men to join up. The thing is, it took all kinds of people to fight back. Humans of different races, species of people that weren’t human. But the thing is it only took a few to fight back. That’s when people like me switched sides, realized what we were doing was wrong. We became some of the hardest fighters, hoping to make amends for the things that we did. And when things were done, we stayed vigilant. But there came a time when we needed to put those things behind us. We buried those things. Metaphorically and literally. Beneath the foundation of this barn is a cache of weapons and armor. With time, they became worthless. The reason being is that was no more war to fight.”

“You think I’m making the wrong the choice,” I ask.

“Not entirely. Going back to the marines and finishing the time you promised them, that’s honorable. Doesn’t matter if either of us agrees with what you’re doing. What matters is that you’re keeping your word. But, the whole local gang thing, let it go. It’s not your battle to fight, never was.”

“I know, but I feel like I have to do it. You mentioned making amends. I feel like on some level I need to do that. I need to do something good. Years and years of fighting, and I haven’t seen improvement for anyone. But I feel like, if I take care of them, I can provide some good to the people here. I can do something that actually matters.”

“You’re a grown man, and with that comes knowledge and experiences that differ from one man to the next. Those things shape who a man becomes. I can’t tell you not to do it. I can’t tell you how to live your life. I can tell you that I don’t want you to risk your life for something like this. If it were up to me, I say go back. Do your time and come home, then find a new way to help. For me, that’s working with my scouts. It might be something else for you. Just because you were a man of war, doesn’t mean you need to take the war with you.”

“Thank you for that Martin.”

“Well, that’s all I wanted to say,” Martin’s serious tone disappears in an instant. “Don’t stay up here too late. Have a good night.”

“You too, tell Pauline thanks again for the dinner.”

Just like that, Martin vanishes from the roof. Pauline will really punch you in the gut, but Martin knows how to give you an emotional punch, one that rattles your mind and heart. It makes you question what it is that you really want to do. You can be so sure of yourself, and your next steps, then along comes Martin. Kindhearted and jovial, until his words have started to poke holes in everything you know. I felt that way when I first came to this ranch as a laborer. Through our conversations, he began to alter what I thought I knew, time and time again. Here I am now, once again left sitting beneath the stars staring up above, looking for some kind of solution.

2.01 - Welcome Home

2024-12-03T21:00:00.008-08:00

The ranch is busy as it’s ever been. I don’t recognize all the faces as I make way through the main gate and towards the main house, but nobody stops me. Generally, if you walk with a stern face and fast pace nobody bothers you. They just think you’re supposed to be there. Something about this place just feels right now that I’m back after being away for almost a year. I didn’t consider it my home when I left, but now that I’m back here and I can smell the air, feel the breeze and hear all the commotion; home is the only thing I can call it. Even as a cough inhaling the dust kicked into the air by an old truck that still uses wheels.

The truck passes me by and slides to a sudden halt causing those on the back of the truck to lose their balance. A door slams in the cloud of dust and before I can get a clear look at him Martin has wrapped his arms around me. I feel terrible about disappearing, leaving Martin and Pauline to run the ranch for nearly a year. I was supposed to be their retirement plan, but at least I can pay them for the ranch now.

“Boy, I thought you were dead,” Martin speaks but doesn’t release me until I pat him on the back.

“Sorry, I ran into some trouble and my,” I stop as Martin holds up a finger.

“Don’t care, we’ll have plenty of time to talk about that. Just seeing you in one piece is good enough for now. Haven’t been able to find a single person with your work ethic since you’ve been gone.” There’s some groans from the workers in the truck. “Don’t get upset,” Martin turns to them. “All you do is loiter until Pauline comes out then you get to work.”

“Well I’m glad to be back,” I try to take some of the heat off the workers.

“I heard you got in some trouble over in the city, didn’t hear from you. Even tried to file a missing person report but they weren’t interested. Said we weren’t family and you’re a grown man. So glad to see you again. Pauline is going to flip, and then punch you out,” Martin causes the two of us to laugh.

“Yeah, I did get in some trouble, tracking down those drug dealers. My brother saved me from a tough spot. But he took me with him out to the boarders of Draconian and Revrell space. I’ve been robbed and beaten by aliens I’ve never seen before. I’ve got a cool new wrist comp with all kinds of illegal features.”

“I’m sure you got a ton of stories and I want to hear them all, meet your brother too,” Martin hugs me again with the warmth my own father never did.

“I missed you Martin.”

“And I missed your hard work.”

“I bet you do.”

Martin sends the workers off to what they were working on before I arrived. As we take the long scenic route to the guest house I had been staying in he updates me on things that have changed. The drug dealers I tangled with don’t deal drugs anymore. They’ve set up a small casino with live entertainment. Martin encourages me to let it go but I don’t make any promises. He assures me that they’re not causing nearly as much trouble but once I’ve started something, I just can’t let it go until I’m satisfied that it’s completed.

“We left the guest house just how you had it,” Martin says as we approach it.

“Thank you,” I hold my Wrist Comp to the door and it unlocks. My little brother Edan really did copy everything.

“I’ll let you get settled in, and get the medical supplies ready,” Martin jokes.

“Why do I need medical supplies?”

“Because Pauline is going to knock you into next week when she finds out you’re back. You gotta be the third man to make her cry.”

“Who were the first two?”

“Her dad and then me.”

“So I guess I’m in good company.”

“Yes you are, but she’ll hit you,” Martin laughs and pats me on the back as he heads off to tell Pauline.

Inside nothing has been moved, I never decorated when I moved in here and I’m sure I brought more things back with me than I had when I left. The thin layer of dust covering everything and spiderwebs in every corner gives the impression that the place has been abandoned for years. But it’s home, one of the few places I ever felt comfortable calling home. Despite all the warm feelings, I know I’ll be leaving here soon. Going back to finish my time in the marines, hopefully come back alive and without losing another limb. For now, the best thing to do is clear out the fridge because I know whatever I had in there is long past the expiration date.

Before I can get that done there’s a pounding at the door. I take a deep breath and mentally prepare myself. I’ve been to war, and I’ve been chased by bounty hunters but nothing and I mean nothing scares me more than a pissed off Pauline.

I rip the bandage off and open the door, “it’s good to see you Pauline,” I greet her with open arms.

“Cut the shit boy,” Pauline lands a solid punch to my gut. “If I wanted to worry about a damn runaway I would have had a kid.”

“Sorry, it wasn’t planned,” I grunt through the pain as she embraces me in a hug.

“Get settled in, I’m sure you’ve got a lot to tell us. But relax, please take a shower and I’m making roast beef for dinner. You better be there, 6pm sharp,” Pauline fights back a smile.

“I’ll make sure I’m there.”

“One more thing,” Pauline stops as she’s leaving. “If you ever go off the map like that again while you’re working for me I’ll personally hunt you down and drag your ass back here myself and make sure you finish replacing the damn fence.”

“I understand. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t laugh at me boy,” Pauline threatens without even turning to see my smile.

I came home on leave from the holidays once. My brother Edan had already taken off to do his space pirate or smuggling thing. My parents weren’t excited to see me. Last year I stopped by and tried to rebuild the relationship with them. I don’t think it well. But Martin and Pauline, they’ve been nothing but good to me since I first wandered onto their ranch. I’m glad they’re still happy to see me after up and leaving without any warning. This time I’ll make sure they have answers.

Book 1 - Finished

2024-11-26T21:01:00.034-08:00

Well, this is the end of Intercosmic, Book 1. I'm going to keep going with Intercosmic because it is one of my favorite things I've ever written. The other is Book 3 of Exsanguinate, called Retrograde. The story reached 100,000 words and that's about the point when word processors start getting a little wonky. It's also a nice, natural conclusion and I didn't want it going too long in the event that I ever sell physicals.

I originally plotted out 130 chapters for this story, because I plot everything in great detail. You'll notice it only reached 78. Here's the other thing, I've only completed 52 of the chapters that I planned. I plan things out intricately then go off script. For example, the whole Renan story line was just a, "vibe." It wasn't supposed to go past a little two chapter fling, but I was feeling it. Originally, I had Enyolo planned as the love interest, but I was feeling Renan, so I scrapped a lot of her love story. Renan might be the true love now. I don't know. But don't expect a lot of romance in part two, maybe not any.

I also didn't plan for Pauline and Martin weren't supposed to have such a big role in the story. Originally they were supposed to sell the ranch and vanish. But, I liked them, so they kept getting more backstory. I promise they'll get their happy ending at some point. They deserve a good retirement.

Let's talk about Book 2. I don't have a name for it yet. It's going to start right where Book 1 ended. It'll probably be around the same length. December 4th will be the first chapter. I know I'm doing these biweekly now, but I don't want people to think it's just over. In the end, it'll probably be around the same length. Efrem Gray will do everything he said he'd do, but it might take some time to get there.

1.78 - Going Home

2024-11-26T21:00:00.005-08:00

A shuttle back to the Sol system will be arriving soon. One of the few that goes to Nyame. When preparing for the trip back I thought there would be more options. Edan reminded me we’re outside of Sol, Nyame isn’t on a list of travel destinations and Invicta is really against corporations, which would typically provide this kind of travel. Add all those things together, and we’re left with limited options. Well, limited options that are safe. I was surprised security allowed Edan, Enyolo and Velphi all to walk with me to the platform. I guess that’s just a perk of traveling so frequently, or not worrying about strict regulations.

“I feel like we need to have some kind of touching goodbye,” Edan speaks.

“We’re going to see each other again and it won’t be decades. I promise,” I elbow him.

“Your relationship is admirable,” Velphi adds.

The shuttle’s doors open and passengers begin to depart as we reach the terminal. We take a seat and sit silently as the ship empties out and others prepare to depart. The terminal is quickly filling with a wide range of people. Surprisingly, mostly humans. I hadn’t seen so many in this part of space at any point since I’ve been here.

“I don’t know if you remember, but I’m not good at goodbyes. I usually just go without saying anything.”

Edan laughs, “no shit? I remember, last time you just said you were leaving and then one morning you were just gone.”

Enyolo shakes her head in disappointment, “In my culture farewell ceremonies are accompanied with a large gathering, well wishing and gifts to aid in travels.”

“I simply ran for my life,” Velphi adds. “I did not have time to say my farewells or exchange information with those that I love.”

“Well, thank you all, especially my little brother, for all the generosity and hospitality you’ve shown me during my time with you. Even when being chased by bounty hunters and robbed, we had some fun times.”

The four of us laugh about some of the adventures we’ve had in a short amount of time. Almost a year has passed since I left Nyame against my will. I’ve made a lot of money, committed a large-scale robbery, got a new set of armor. I don’t know why I’ll need the chameleon armor, but Edan insisted I keep it. I’ve faced death almost a dozen times despite this adventure starting because he was trying to save me. The flight crew signals we’ll be boarding soon and I prepare for my final goodbyes.

“Hey,” Edan sounds somewhat down, “Enyolo, Velphi, could you give us a minute.”

Velphi gives me a firm handshake and pat on the back as he makes his way out of the terminal. Enyolo surprises me with a hug, she never seemed like the physical contact type; but she did say farewells were emotional for her people.

“67 years,” she winks at me before vanishing into the crowd. That’s more her style, vanishing right in front of your eyes.

“Why’d you send everyone away,” I ask Edan.

“I didn’t want them to see you cry,” he responds with tears welling in his eyes.

“Give me a hug.”

Edan wraps his arms around me tight enough that it hurts a little, but I hug him, and rub his back. The same way I would comfort him as kids when Evan would pick on him. I feel the tears in my own eyes the longer he hugs me.

“We’re grown men,” I laugh. “We’re acting like kids who’ll never see each other again.”

“It was just so long, and I feel like I’ve really got my big brother back. These last few months have been perfect.”

“Except getting shot at and fighting Ajani.”

“Even those were perfect,” he laughs.

“Well, the good news is I won’t be far away. I’m going to make a home on Nyame after I settle my debts.”

“I know what you said, but I can’t help but feel it’s going to be a really long time until I see you again.”

“Even if it is, you can call me this time. You can message me, we can share photos,” I wipe a tear from my own eye. “You’re so damn emotional,” I sigh. “It really gets to me.”

“That’s what little brothers are for,” he smiles.

The announcer calls for first class ticket holders to board and that’s my sign to go. Edan gives me another hug, this time quicker.

“I love you, and don’t fucking die in prison,” Edan smiles at me.

“I love you too, and you try not to die in prison either. I want you to see the ranch.”

As I board the shuttle Edan gives me one final wave goodbye, I return the gesture before scanning the ticket on my wrist comp. I’ve never traveled in first class before, it should be a new and thrilling experience, but as I take my seat, I don’t feel any joy. I’m just as anxious as when I was sneaking off to Pluto for the first time. I’m just as sad as when I woke up missing an arm. Glancing out the window Edan still hasn’t left the platform. I give him another wave as the doors finally begin to close. The staff gives their information about safely traveling and I keep my eyes locked with Edan until he’s no longer visible as the ship moves into the launch corridor. He’s so damn emotional, and it gets to me every time. The sentence about finally getting his brother back sticks out in my head as the ship begins to rumble as it’s moved to begin takeoff.

The familiar pressure as the ship exits the space station at speed and enters space, hurtling for the a Hafengdan somewhere a few hours away. A message from Tawa arrives as soon as we reach cruising speed. It’s a photo of the two of us with Edan. I don’t remember taking this, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he took it with his security camera. It’s the three of us laying around after cleaning his apartment. Another message arrives from Edan. It’s just a note saying he misses me already. I shake my head and laugh before sending a message saying I miss him as well.

“Would you like anything to drink sir,” a stewardess asks me.

“Something strong and fruit flavored. Then maybe a water to wash it down.”

“I know just what you need. I’ll be back momentarily.”

I’m still not much of a drinker, but I’m going to need it for whatever comes next. Is the ranch even still there for me? I’ve got money but I haven’t spoken with them in almost a year. Will I actually have to go to prison and what comes next. It’s daunting, and it’ll plague my mind as I travel these next few days. But I’m ready for whatever comes next. I don’t have any other choice.

1.77 - Starlight Park

2024-11-12T21:00:00.008-08:00

We were joking about going to an amusement park together, at least I thought we were. But cutting through a small amusement park called Starlight Park is the quickest way back to our hotel. As Edan steps into my hands for me to boost him over the fence I can’t help but think about all the times we snuck out as teenagers and how we never had to do this. Eden perches himself on the stone wall and reaches down to offer me a hand. We land on the grass in synchronized soft thuds but stop in our tracks as a star shaped mascot stares at us from behind the costume head.

“Hey, what’s up,” Edan asks.

“Nice to meet you,” I add.

The mascot places a comically large hand covered in a white glove over its face but doesn’t say anything. We take it as a sign to just walk away. After walking around a small building, we make it to the main path of the amusement park. An artificial star swirling with pink, blue and purple lights sits in the center of the park with the words “Starlight Park,” in bright white letters across it. Souvenir stands and games are plentiful. A few rides stand out, one that takes people high in the air and drops them, a zero gravity experience, and a massive rollercoaster stand out. It’s a small park, and the rides are old, but it’s probably incredible for people who live on the station. It reminds me of the carnivals we used to go to as kids, but slightly larger.

“Well, I haven’t eaten all day and the drugs are wearing off,” Edan starts to walk before I’ve taken it all in.

“We should probably start heading to the hotel, it’s the smart play,” I follow.

“Can’t be running for your life on an empty stomach.”

We settle on some kind of orange burgers with purple fries. I hate amusement park food, it’s like sports food; designed to be weird. The food is always as bland as it is eccentric. I have to imagine the chefs ask themselves how to make something interesting, instead of making something good. I glance out the window as Edan finishes his food and spot another mascot. A different colored star, this one sporting a huge smile as well. It just stares at us through the window but Edan doesn’t seem to notice at all. I turn to point it out to Edan and as we look back the mascot is gone.

Outside I begin heading straight towards the hotel, but Edan keeps stopping me. Sometimes just to look at a street performer, other times to play a game. I understand that he’s no stranger to bounty hunters, and he trusts Tawa’s ability to get the bounty taken down. Still, being hunted isn’t something I enjoy, it typically ends poorly for me. I feel much more comfortable being the hunter. Edan throws balls at a stack of bottles hoping to win a prize that he could easily buy as I constantly watch the area looking for Ajani. After his third try, I can’t take it anymore.

“Hey,” I place a hand on his shoulder. “I know we said we’d do the amusement park thing, but I don’t think this is the best time.”

“Relax,” Edan places a hand on my shoulder. “Let’s just go on the roller coaster then we can get out of here. Just calm down, nobody likes a Serious Sherri at an amusement park.”

“Just the roller coaster, that’s it?”

“That’s all, scouts honor.”

“You weren’t a scout, but let’s go.”

We’re here in the middle of the day, but I expected a longer line. We’re able to get to the front in no time, but we let others go in front of us because Edan insists on riding in the front car. When we’re finally seated and strapped in, I spot Ajani, his huge frame standing above everyone else. I begin to struggle with trying to release myself from the ride.

“Wow, you’re scared,” Edan laughs.

“No you idiot, Ajani is standing in line. He’s staring right at us.”

“Oh shit,” Edan gets serious for the first time today, and begins to struggle with his own harness.

Ajani doesn’t even smile as he inches closer to us with each person added to the ride. When he reaches us, he simply smiles before heading to his own seat on the ride. He’s going to kill us on the roller coaster. I’ve never had much, if any, dealings with bounty hunters before this little excursion with Edan; but I have to say they are some sick and twisted individuals. Shootings in museums, chases through asteroid belts and now roller coaster murders. I take a glance as Ajani is strapped into the last car on the ride before I’m told to look forward as the cars begin to move.

Others shout for joy as the ride goes through the first loop and I’m only trying to catch a peak at Ajani. When I finally glance back, Ajani has somehow swapped places. He’s moved up a car, trading places with a man who now shares our look of panic. Edan and I share a glance, as he spots the same thing. We can’t break free of harnesses but he’s trading places. The ride goes upside down and there’s a panicked shout, not a fun roller coaster shout. When we’re back in the right direction, I glance again, and Ajani is another two cars closer. I just stare ahead and accept my fate. When he grabs me from behind, I’ll aim for his eyes. If he goes for Edan, I’ll punch him in the side of him in the ear and try disturb his equilibrium. When he doesn’t grab me, I glance again as we come to the end of the ride. There behind us is Ajani with a big smile on his face.

The ride stops and we take off the moment our harnesses are free. The few moments we’ll have while Ajani’s is being removed will be valuable. Rushing through the exit we spot a photo stand with pictures of the ride, Edan instantly runs off the path causing me to turn and follow.

“What are you doing,” I shout as Ajani makes his way calmly into the tunnel.

“I need the photo for the collection. We probably won’t have this chance again.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah.”

“Just take a picture of it, we don’t have time to wait in line.”

“But I like the high quality version, you’ll appreciate it one day.”

Our photo comes on the screen and it’s the two of staring in horror and Ajani with a slight smirk on his face behind us towards the ride’s end. The same smirk he’s making his way towards us with. Edan is finally satisfied with his purchase as Ajani reaches us.

“I guess we’re going to have to fight because you wanted a pretty picture,” I glare at Edan.

“Nah, we’re good,” Edan laughs.

As Ajani nears us Edan reaches towards a mascot and snatches a tray of food. He tosses the food onto Ajani before shoving the mascot as well. I’m stunned because that’s not something I’d expect, and the mascot seems to have fallen onto of Ajani taking him down for a moment. He shouts what seems more like a roar than words.

“Run,” Edan shouts at me and I don’t hesitate to follow.

We take off at full speed, with me slightly trailing behind Edan. I take a quick glance back to see Ajani and the mascot still tangled in a mess of food. The park is starting to get fuller as the day goes on, more mascots, more street performers and more park goers. The whole thing could be dangerous, but the hotel shouldn’t be much further. A familiar shout as Ajani begins to catch up running at full speed. He barrels through two mascots as he gains ground on us.

“In here,” Edan pulls me to the left

He takes out another mascot as I barely read the sign saying describing this as The Knossos Labyrinth of Horror. Usually, I hate mazes but as we head down a ramp, I’m relieved, hoping this will allow us to put some space between us and Ajani. Those hopes are dashed when we enter the labyrinth and there are glow in the dark arrows pointing which direction to go. Edan rips them off the walls as we go deeper inside, probably hoping Ajani will get lost. The whole thing is more haunted house than maze, but when one of us is a hardened combat veteran and the other is an intergalactic spice pirate it’s pretty hard to scare us. It doesn’t help that all of the decorations are star themed as well. Monsters jumping from behind hidden doors painted with stars are hardly equivalent to the horrors I’ve witnessed.

“You scared yet,” Edan asks.

“Not in the slightest.”

If there is a God, they’ve got a funny sense of humor and a great sense of timing. Immediately after answering the question, we hear shouts and pounding as if walls were being broken. As the lights come on, my suspicions are confirmed. I can’t see Ajani but the dust in the air confirms my suspicion. He is absolutely breaking through walls and anyone in his way.

“We should probably run,” I turn to Edan, but he’s already running.

I take off after him and quickly pass him, following the arrows towards the exit of the maze. Park workers who were here to scare us moments ago, poke out of their hiding spaces confused as to what’s going on. I want to tell them to run, but I also can’t really explain why their place of employment is being destroyed. I ram through the exit door as Edan slams into my back. The two of us go tumbling forward into the park. Edan laughs as a push him off me; this is still fun to him. I dust myself off and look around. We’re right outside the hotel. The problem is there’s probably thirty mascots standing before us, some of which are holding bats, chairs and spatulas. I take a step forward and each of them steps forward in the most intimidating way mascots can.

The exit door behind us lets out a thud as it’s kicked off the hinges. Behind us Ajani stands covered in dust, what appears to be remnants of mascot costumes and possibly a little blood. I’m sure the blood isn’t his.

“We can work this all out,” Edan speaks loudly enough for everyone to hear him.

“Kill them all,” one of the mascots shouts.

The mascots rush forward and Edan takes a fighting stance. I shove him out of the way as Ajani takes a big swing with his staff. I lose all breath and fall to my knees as the staff lands in my gut. From the corner of my eye, I spot Edan squaring off with Ajani. I’ve never been beaten by someone in a mascot costume before but there’s a first time for everything. It’s both painful and comforting. They are throwing hard punches and kicks, but the costumes are soft. It reminds me of combat training, taking blows while wearing pads and helmets. I ignore their attacks and focus on regaining my breath until I’m ready. I just keep my head covered, until I see an opportunity.

I wrap my arms around a mascot’s leg and start to pull myself up using them as a brace. Back on my feet I instantly wrap my arms around his waist and lift running forward. We fall over several other mascots; but I roll through to my feet and quickly follow with a strong punch to a mascot. I doubt the punch was strong enough to knock them out but it’s enough to make their head piece a hinderance. Standing on my own feet I’m perfectly capable of blocking, parrying and landing attacks on uncoordinated mascots. Edan backs into me leading me to wonder where Ajani is. The shout behind me lets me know he’s turned his ire to the mascots and is quickly going through their ranks.

The mascots begin to swarm him, one after another each grabbing at a piece of his body until they’re all attacking. Ajani is lost in the sea of mascots with a hand reaching through the mass of costumes every so often. For a brief moment there’s silence as the ball of mascots completely absorbs Ajani, his hand sinking until it’s out of sight. In an instant, bodies are thrown about as Ajani stands tall having tossed aside his attackers.

“We can beat him,” Edan sounds confident.

“Not the way he was manhandling us. Professional fighters have weight classes for a reason. Sometimes you can overcome the odds, but not all the time.”

Ajani begins to stretch and make his way towards us slowly as if he were some kind of horror movie monster. We don’t move, but take up position ready to make our final stand against the monster, choosing to face our death instead of run. I’m not sure if his steps are heavier or the blood pumping through my head is pounding in my ears. Just a few arm lengths from us Ajani pauses and presses one of his massive fingers to his ear and nods.

“Bounty is canceled,” he calmly speaks the best words possible.

“I don’t suppose you want to get a beer,” Edan smiles at Ajani.

Glancing at the damage done to the park and the broken bodies of mascots I doubt we would be welcome here. Ajani obviously feels the same as he turns to leave us, he states, “Perhaps a different time in a place we have not destroyed.”

“He’s a nice guy,” Edan waves goodbye. “Most bounty hunters would have just tried to shoot us on sight.”

I crouch down slowly before taking a seat on the ground, “you must do this more than I thought.”

“You get used to it.”

1.76 - Nowhere to Run

2024-10-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

Ship repairs have taken almost three weeks. During that time Edan and I remained on the station; he had to stay with his ship and I didn’t have anywhere to go. The station is named Ario Hr Trews, and I still haven’t learned to pronounce it. While Tortuga was more akin to an entire country; Ario would be more like a city. A small city, but a city. There’s still public transportation to get you from side to side, bars and apartment complexes. While Tortuga’s population crossed 20 million, Ario hovers around five hundred thousand. It’s a coporate station, mostly. A lot of the jobs around here revolve around receiving and shipping out products for various companies that pooled resources to build the station. That leaves the bars open for us most of the day. Edan is still drinking and drugging, but to a lesser degree.

Edan has been rambling about how I need to get married and have some kids to carry on the family lineage because he’s a hardened criminal. I’m just scrolling through messages. Renan is planning to leave his mom’s place and take a shot at returning to the ZGBA, Zero Gravity Basketball Association. Taffy has got some new prosthetics and they’re working great for him. Beatrix is going to take an attempt at starting a fashion zine.

“You know I’ve never liked real bananas,” Edan slurs his speech. “The texture is all stringy, and the taste is bland. But, I think these banana martinis are the answer to all my problems.”

“Edan Gray,” A giant alien with a second set of arms extending from his torso approaches our table. His eyes look angry, a smile is locked on his face as his jaw extends forward. He doesn’t carry a gun but a long metallic staff. “Surrender now, or be taken dead.” He has to be at least eight feet tall and is as muscular as any human or Smilodonian that I’ve ever seen.

“Would you like a drink,” I ask.

“Quiet scum,” The giant shouts at me.

“What crime,” Edan slurs.

“Theft, receiving stolen property, burglary, fencing illegal goods,” The giant bounty hunter starts to list crimes as Edan finishes his drink.

“So the normal stuff,” Edan cuts him off. “How about you just go away and we call it even.”

A quick scan with my wrist comp and I learn that a Sudalit is standing before me. A strong war like race that was locked in a feud with The Draconians for centuries. Draconians destroyed their food sources and polluted the water, severely crippling their society, yet they remained unconquered despite losing all but the three planets in their home system. They’ve been recovering in population for the last two centuries but have been locked in a civil war and unable to once again expand to an empire that rivals the Draconians.

“Hey, you should shave that pony tail,” I pick up the tail end of their conversation as Edan turns to jokes. “Also, that armor is outdated. You look like a volunteer soldier not a bounty hunter. Business must be rough.”

The Sudalit shouts, “Enough,” drawing the attention of the bar. For some reason that causes me to laugh. I haven’t had nearly as much to drink as Edan but the warm sensation and sweaty palms I’m feeling aren’t signs of fear. I’m only a little drunk. The Sudalit cracks the knuckles on their smaller hands causing my jaw to drop. I was hoping those arms were vestigial.

“Efrem,” Edan says. “Shoot him up, bang, bang, pew, pew,” Edan laughs at his own joke.

“Look at him. He’s eight feet tall and built like a tank. You’re the martial artist. Why don’t some kind of death grip on him,” I ask.

“Because he’s got four arms and he look he throw those hard punches. What’s your excuse.”

“I don’t have a gun with me.”

“I hear you,” The Sudlit shouts.

“Chill, we’re having a strategy meeting,” Edan waves him off and leans into me. “I got a plan.”

“What’s the plan?”

“I can’t tell you, just follow my lead.”

Edan lifts the table ramming it into the Sudalit, I instantly join and we’re able to overpower him, knocking him to the ground. I don’t even let the words leave Edan’s mouth before I take off running behind him. Tawa calls, but I ignore it as we cut through several alleyways. After a few blocks we hide behind a dumpster and wait to be sure we’re not being tracked.

“Feels like when we stole Evan’s condoms and used them as water balloons. He chased us for hours,” Edan laughs.

“We could not get them to pop,” I catch my breath. It’s always harder running with liquor in your system or maybe I just feel alive.

Another call from Tawa, his sixth. I finally answer. “Hey, what’s going on?”

“There’s a bounty on Edan’s head from Yana. A sudalit hunter named Ajani has taken the bounty. He’s never failed a job based on his record,” Tawa shouts. “You need to get out of there.”

“Can you cancel the bounty,” Edan asks.

“Yeah but it’ll take time. She didn’t exactly put it out over clear channels,” Tawa sounds worried.

“Just keep us updated Tawa. We’re resilient. We’ll get to the ship and get out of here,” I assure him.

“You don’t understand, this is a kill or capture bounty,” Tawa’s voice goes up.

“Hey, I said I’d come see you before I left. I can’t die before that so relax. Just work on getting that bounty cleared okay.”

Tawa doesn’t respond immediately, “I’ll get it taken care of as soon as possible.”

“Thanks,” I end the call. “Edan make sure the ship is ready for us ASAP. I’m going to plot us a route to the garage.”

“We need to hit the hotel to grab our things too,” Edan adds before making his own call.

“Good thing the sun is going down.”

1.75 - A Little Longer

2024-10-15T21:00:00.000-07:00

We made it through the asteroid belt and headed straight towards another space station. We’re still in the area where Revrell and Draconian territory overlap, but this area is obviously more Revrell. The ship had some serious damage but we did manage to evade the bounty hunters. Others have gone off to explore, but I chose to stick with Edan and the ship. I’m hoping it brings less trouble to me than any time I tried to explore Tortuga. It took a few days for us to finally get a mechanic, but I’m grateful for the moment of peace to think and recover. After seeing Tortuga, I doubt any space station will ever excite me as much. My wrist comp notifies me that there’s been a transaction done on my bank account. I’m hoping there’s not any fraudulent charges being made.

I’m left speechless when I view my account, there’s got to be some kind of error. There’s enough to buy the farm and have a little left over. Edan said the payment for the warehouse job would be coming soon but I didn’t expect this much. This has to be some kind of mistake. This needs to be split with everyone.

“Hey, is this right,” I ask Edan as he sits on the bench next to me. I hold out my wrist comp for him to view the transfer.

“Yeah, that’s your cut,” he smiles.

“Are you rich,” the question leaves my mouth without passing through my brain.

“No,” Edan burst into laughter. “Most jobs don’t pay that well but you wanted to take everything they had. Some of it was pretty valuable. You’ve turned me into a real space pirate. Nobody says it when you start but the best crews get a big pay day and lay low for a while living a modest life. You take time to hone your skills, maybe learn a trade. Everyone doesn’t do the run and gun every week thing,” Edan stares up above us.

There’s no artificial sky here; it’s an older station that leaves no misunderstandings about what it is. You could be born, live your entire life on Tortuga, die there and be completely happy. This station is a place to repair ships and sleep between destinations. Sure, there are stores and people live here; but they all long to escape. Each time I talk to someone, it’s as if they just know you’re a traveler. They ask about planets we’ve been to; what we do for a living and stories of the adventures they assume we all have. They all want more out of life, and it’s contagious. I have no doubt that Edan would happily allow me to work with him until the end of time and I would enjoy it for a while. But in the end, I would grow to hate it. Like all of these people I would want more. This is Edan’s dream not mine. I wanted to go from planet to planet helping people, maybe having a few glorious battle moments and this is not it. Working for Creed and wondering if every mission would be my last wasn’t it either.

“You should move to Nyame,” Edan says bluntly.

“Can’t live without your big brother,” I joke.

“No, I can absolutely live without you. That doesn’t mean I have to or even want to. You can keep working on that farm and I’ll stay in the city. We’ll make sure to see each other when I’m home,” Edan pauses, looking from the cieling to me. “I know we didn’t get along right after Evan’s death, but you’re still my big brother. As much as you ran away from the family, you were pushed away. We all pushed each other away. You were just strong enough to leave first. I felt like it broke the family. Dad was never great, but he started drinking more than ever. Mom just pretended nothing bad was going on and you got out of there as fast as you could. As much as I claimed to hate you I took off right after. Do you know why,” I simultaneously love and hate how open Edan is with emotions.

“No, I couldn’t tell you,” I look above us again as I answer.

“Get out of here as soon as you can, don’t let it drag you down like Evan,” the words leave Edan’s mouth now, but they’re my own. They were mine once, a long time ago.”

“Sorry about that, I was a jerk,” I start to apologize but Edan cuts me off.

“We were all jerks, but you didn’t lie. I guess part of me was glad you didn’t think I was ruined, that someone believed I still had a chance. That’s when I forgave you, because in that moment I looked up to you more than I ever had. I even stalked you online and went to your academy graduation. I just couldn’t bring myself to speak to you because I had become a whole criminal already. I didn’t want to embarass or upset you.”

I punch Edan in the arm, “you idiot. Criminal or not, I’m still proud of you. You had the guts to do what I never could and that was follow a dream and see it all the way through without getting distracted or thrown off course. All that time we missed together; I wish I could have it back.”

Edan laughs, “gross. Don’t go all after school special on me.”

“Don’t laugh at me. You know I’m right. Besides, you’re the one trying to get me to move to the place you called a cesspool for crime.”

“Well, you’re a criminal now. You’ll have a mugshot in no time,” he jokes but stops laughing when he sees I’m not laughing with him. “You’re going back aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I’m going back.”

“I knew you were going back to the military,” Edan’s tone shifts, not disappointment, but a unique sadness. “I knew this wouldn’t last forever; I just didn’t know it’d end so soon.”

“Yeah, you told me when we first started this little adventure that I would end up back there.”

“Are you going to work with that Creed guy again? He sounds like the type to hold grudges.”

“Probably for a while, but I’m hoping for a different division. Something that lets me have my own crew and ship. Something where I can choose my own missions and have real time off,” I take a deep breath. “I envy you and your crew. You’ve all been welcoming to me, even Nastas in his own weird way. But it’s your ship and your crew that you’ve built. As great as you’ve all been, I want my own.”

“I get it, you don’t have to explain. I get it,” he nods.

“Good because you’re really open with emotions, and I’m not. That was hard for me to say. I’ve been rehearsing in my head for days,“ I exxagerate a sigh of relief causing Edan to chuckle.

“Let’s make the best of what we have left then. We never got to go to an amusement park,” Edan jokes.

“We should because I’ll probably be going to prison when we get back to Nyame.”

“Still want to do it?”

“I need to make things right.”

“Well, don’t be afraid to take a plea deal. Only plea to things you actually did, take any other charges to trial. A jury trial, not a bench trial. Keep to yourself and use the time to learn something new.”

“I forgot you’ve been to prison.”

“No, I’ve been to jail. Big difference. Jail is short term. I can go home from jail. Prison, that’s a little more permanent. Be strong, do your time, don’t let your time do you. Your body is in prison but not your mind, and all that,” the two of us stare at each other for a moment with serious faces before bursting out in laughter. I’m going to a military jail, probably soon, and that’s a good reason to laugh with my little brother.

1.74 - Asteroids

2024-10-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

I’ve been on ships that were shot at while landing or taking off. That’s nothing out of the ordinary for some missions. I can say I’ve never been on a ship that’s flying through space at full speed as it’s pursued under fire. I’m strapped in but my body is being flung in all directions. Everyone else seems to have a role to play in defense but I’m useless. Sicker than the first time I went through a bangbepunkt. I’m just swallowing hard, trying to keep the vomit down. Focusing on the burning sensation of stomach acid on my throat as everyone else shouts information between their battle stations. Hollow booms echo as The Pariah returns fire. The sound of thunder shakes the ship with each blow that it takes. This isn’t a movie. There’s no losing them in warp speed. Even if there were a Hafengdan near by jumping through in the middle of a dog fight would mean certain death for everyone. It’s kill, or be killed. Maybe we get blasted and survive in an escape pod but I don’t think I’ve seen one on the ship. They’re living on the edge.

There’s shouting at the front. Disagreement about what to do before something large crashes into the ship. It’s not like gunfire. Even if the shields had deteriorated, gunfire wouldn’t shake the ship like this. Another pounding sound and the ship rattles. Silence falls over the crew; some kind of tense situation my mind isn’t reading. Shots are no longer being flung back and forth. A few more ship rattling collisions and we start to slow. In the initial quiet, nobody speaks to each other. Just deep breaths, an occasional glance, and the occasional mutterings of what seems to be a prayer from Nastas.

“What’s going on,” I ask.

“Janet has chosen the best escape for us is through an asteroid belt,” Edan responds with none of his usual excitement or even sarcasm. It’s a voice reserved for serious situations. A voice for when he needs to be the captain of his crew and not their friend. I don’t answer as another asteroid scrapes the side of the ship. The sound of metal crunching and stone dragging across it pains my ears but nobody else flinches.

I just close my eyes and wait for this to be over. Fleeing through an asteroid belt isn’t unheard of. It’s just stupid, something a military ship would never do. I’m trying to keep a calm exterior to show that I’m not worried. I don’t know if Janet is a good pilot, if she does this all the time, or even if I could trust her skill. Inside, my heart is pounding and I’m gripping my safety harness to prevent my hands from shaking out of control.

The crew of The Pariah remains in complete silence, not even uttering an affirmation to Janet as she pilots us threw. None of them look too worried, staring at wristcomps or leaning just enough to gaze into the pilot's nest and watch Janet at work. The feelings of adrenaline and mission going south are all too common. It wasn’t long ago when I was on Xioshaa walking hand and hand with death. I’ve got scars and a metal arm to prove it. But this is different. In the military, you just die or you’re held as a prisoner of war and eventually given back or rescued. But with this, I might die, smashed into nothingness like the rest of the junk that litters asteroid belts. Even worse I could end up in prison, an accomplice to whatever charges the crew has gained.

“And we’re clear,” Janet speaks.

I breathe a sigh of relief but everyone else acts as if this is just a daily occurrence. I need to go back. I can’t do the farm life, but this is not the life for me either. Fleeing from threats of death, fine. Even fleeing capture, fine. But everything has been a risk. I’ve been drugged, ambushed, dragged into a warehouse raid and helped fence stolen goods. I can’t do this.

“Need a drink,” Edan asks.

“Yeah,” I answer without hesitation.

1.73 - RUN

2024-09-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Outside the museum people scatter in all directions, causing instant panic in the district. We keep our heads down and I follow Edan as he picks up speed; making his way through alleyways and market stalls as if he knows the place well. We don’t speak just move. I’m reminded of a dozen different missions that went bad. We joke on the way in but when things go bad, there’s no more jokes or planning for afterwards. Hand motions and eye contact are the only forms of communication allowed.

Almost as if in slow motion a creature swoops down from the air crashing into Edan and dragging him across the ground through the alleyway and out into to the market. I follow, I reach for a sidearm that I don’t have as I hit the street’s. Through the crowd of people rushing and shoving I almost lose track of Edan but I make it in time as he manages to use his legs to push the creature away and regain his footing. It’s a Strux, I recognize them from the museum. The Revrell claim to have elevated their species for the purpose of law enforcement and fending of Draconian invasions. Many who don’t live under Revrell control work as bounty hunters, and I’m guessing Edan has a bounty. Insect like, hard exoskeleton, some even hide wings on their backs. I move in to join the fight but Edan waves me off confidently tossing his jacket to the side.

The bounty hunter swings first, Edan redirects his hand, landing a solid punch on the throat. If it were a person without an exoskeleton that would have dropped them. But it gets no reaction from The Strux. The two aback away feeling each other out. Edan pushes forward with a flurry of punches that all seem to be dodged or deflected. Another pause as a market stand separates them for a moment. The bounty hunter closes in with a flurry of body blows that Edan blocks with his elbows. It’s clear he’s a better hand fighter than I am but I can’t relax. The two trade a series of jabs and light kicks. Never really landing anything solid. The bounty hunter lands a big body blow to the Edan’s gut which causes him to back away for a moment. For just a brief second the bounty hunter shows signs of arrogance nodding his head and admiring his own work instead of closing in for the finish.

Again, I move forward but Edan waves me off. The bounty hunter rushes in to have Edan swing some wide hook shots and haymakers that seem to have no purpose until two manage to land on the side of the bounty hunter’s head. He’s shaken by the blows. That’s when I notice there’s no shell on the side or back of his head. Edan has a chance, he’s surely fought them more than I have. I just have need to trust in him.

Edan doesn’t allow time for pause, he rushes in with a series of shin kicks towards the knee. The bounty hunter attempts to lift his legs to block or avoid them. Edan launches a high spinning kick that backs the bounty hunter into another stall. He retaliates, grabbing a pot of liquid and flinging it at Edan. Edan covers his face to avoid whatever the liquid is only to have the pot thrown at him when peaking out. He manages to dodge the pot but the bounty hunter lands a big knee to Edan’s head sending him toppling backwards. Edan doesn’t move right away, but he’s still breathing. The bounty hunter produces a set of shock cuffs from his belt and walks forward.

He’s not playing fair, and I’m not going to let my little brother get arrested in front of me. I rush into the chaos, pushing through the circle of onlookers. Before he can turn around, I’ve grabbed the bounty hunter’s wings and placed a foot on his back. He shouts a gargled scream as I pull like I’m trying to rip them right off his back. I go toppling back to the ground as the bounty hunter goes limp. Edan is standing over me, offering a hand with the pot in his other. I roll the bounty hunter’s body off me and take his hand. A gunshot goes off and the crowd screams.

“Shit, he’s got friends,” Edan sighs either from annoyance or exhaustion.

“They’ve got guns too.”

“We should just run.”

“Which way,” is all I can ask before he takes off and I follow.

It feels like I’m back at the market when Edan abducted me, only this time, he’s running slightly ahead of me leading the way. Edan leads us down an alley and further down a set of stairs. We duck through a corridor and climb a fence as the chaos continues. I spot three more Strux chasing after us. Back on the market floor Edan starts to tip a stand of fruit, I catch up and help before we continue to run. Something tells me not to look back, but I take a glance. The bounty hunters aren’t stopping but the strange fruit does slow them just a bit.

“Ship is ready,” someone calls in to Edan but I can’t make out who.

“Coming in hot, be ready for a rough launch,” he shouts back.

We almost make it to the docks, before one of the bounty hunters manages to grab me by the arm. I throw a few punches but can’t manage to get away. The bounty hunter screams in pain as smoke pours out of their side. I spot Nastas pulling a short but red hot knife from their side and kicking them away. He tosses me a black holdall as I give him a nod of gratitude. The bag is heavy but I don’t question him right now. He’s running slightly behind me carrying a bag of his own as we move through the tunnel towards the docks. The ship is in sight, we’re in the home stretch now.

A heavy shot rings out and echoes through the docks as we near the ship. A pile of crates detonates before us, finally bringing us to a stop. My body sucks in wind air stinging my chest. Suddenly my legs ache after running, hiding and fighting for what seems like an hour. Edan and Nastas are equally as tired. Edan running with me the entire time, and Nastas clearly on his own chase, brining a new bounty hunter with him. The number has risen to five. There’s three of us, and they’re well-armed.

“We have you outnumbered,” one of The Bounty hunters says.

“Yes, but we have a Velphi,” Edan smiles.

“I hardly think now is the best time to be making jokes,” Nastas takes a deep breath. “We are in a life or death or prison situation. I don’t know about you humans but Meteorians believe prison is just as bad as bowing before another species. Live free or die, that is what my uncle always said.”

“I think now is a great time for jokes,” Edan tries to shrug while breathing heavily. “Besides when is the last time either of us went to jail?”

“What is a Velphi,” one of the bounty hunters asks.

“Are you two stalling for time,” I ask.

“I just think they should know what a Velphi is,” Edan responds.

“I hardly think that is any of their business. A Velphi is a trade secret, no, a company secret that we guard most dearly,” Nastas argues.

“I just feel like we should tell them and get it over with,” I join the fun.

“What is a Velphi,” another guard asks aggressively before Velphi’s massive body appears in the sky casting a shadow from so high above.

“That’s a Velphi,” Edan points up.

Their guns take aim at Velphi, the mythical Alpha Draconian their species was elevated to kill. Based on their reactions, they have never seen one before, a real one. There are plenty of species refered to as Draconians because they’re subjects of the empire, but Velphi is the real deal. The original species that conqured so many others. I understand their shock, I had the same reaction, actually, I think I was less afraid. Velphi is the culmination of centuries worth of nightmares. Not just for the five in front of us, but for their entire species. They raise their guns slowly to fire, too afraid to say anything. Velphi lets out a massive roar, that sends chills down my spine. A sound made of pure killing intent from the gentle soul I know just seems unthinkable. From here he does look like a dragon and commands the same respect as one. Will The Strux rise to be the knights they were trained to be by The Revrell in order to slay the dragon that had only been myth to them before, or will they cower? One of the bounty hunters fires their weapon. From this angle I can’t tell if Velphi was hit, but he doesn’t budge until the next round leaves the gun. With no warning he opens his mouth and begins to blow out flames that warp and shift until a massive fireball is heading towards the bounty hunters with speed.

The three of us rush onto the ship followed by Velphi. He’s embraced with hugs and cheers as the door closes. He saved our asses and should be treated as a hero.

1.72 - Exit Wounds

2024-09-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

I probably won’t be coming back to Revrell territory again for a long time, if I ever do. I especially won’t be going as far as Tortuga. Edan thought it would be a good idea to visit the station’s museum and do some light shopping. Edan has never suggested going to a museum in his life, and I’m not much of a shopper. I think he just wanted us to have one last day together. He’s also been completely sober since the meeting with The Meteorins. I wouldn’t say it made him clingy, but it has him wanting to go down memory lane a lot. I’m the one who likes history and old stuff, but he seems to be the historian of our family. Sometimes it seems like he’s got every picture and photograph from our family’s entire history. For the longest time, I didn’t have any of our family. I guess I just wanted a clean break, but as I spent more time away, I thought about them more often. Edan made sure to give me access to his server so I could see the photos and leave comments.

Shopping was, interesting. Edan views himself as someone with great fashion sense so he picked out most of the clothing. I had to veto a lot of things he thought I should wear. But, it was still fun. I asked if we hould be getting the client’s kid back, but he assured me Velphi was taking care of that in his own personal way. I’m sure that involves a lot of Draconian styled beatings.

The museum is somewhat depressing. Being surrounded by history and unique trinkets is always a good time for me. The thing that brings down the atmosphere isn’t the history dedicated to Tortuga Station but the races that populate it. The Meteorians had a civilization that I can only compare to ancient Vikings of Earth, or North American Indiginous People, a hot planet with plentiful wildlife and vegetation. When The Draconian Empire couldn’t conquer them after years of trying, they triggered the explosion of a nearby star which caused damage that has yet to be undone.

The Staiv’al aren’t as bad as I thought. Their entire planet’s water supply was tainted with waste from Revrell experiments. It’s not that the Revrell did this on accident; they had the technology to purify it, they’re that smart. Instead, they wanted to see what would happen. They used to be completely covered in feathers but the waste robbed them of those. Generations later and they still haven’t fully returned. I thought they had massive beaks or shells, and they do have beaks, but the hard mask is religious and only worn by adults. Most aren’t like the criminals we’ve met but they were last to find a home on Tortuga so they are the most are impoverished. They turn to crime for the same reason any species does; it’s a way to survive.

There’s a few Revrell who fled The Revrell Republic because they didn’t like what was going on. They keep the station running, and have a minimum say in the politics. A few humans who have made their way here, like my brother; even fewer have called it home. Civilizations rise and fall, but the way the Revrell Republic and Draconian Empire have treated these people is downright disgusting. There‘s a species called The Acroit, or Acroits. I’ve seen several of them, I even saw one as I checked into the museum. I thought they were robots every time I saw them. The Revrell replaced most of their parts with technology, the way the Revrell treat their own bodies. They were looking to make The Acroits immortal servants. There are thousands of members of the species remaining, but there were once millions. They don’t have the ability to reproduce anymore and have accepted that when they die, the species will come to an end. They wear plain white masks that only have openings for the eyes. They don’t eat, they don’t sleep, and are said to live in constant pain. It’s a miserable existence. There are some hoping to bring back the species through DNA cloning or trying to find old samples of eggs and sperm or find ways to use the remaining portions of the reproductive systems they currently have left.

Glass shatters and people scream before the sound of a gunshot is heard. Instinctively, I rush behind the nearest display case and get down waiting for another shot to come; people shout, objects break and chaos surrounds us. I easily tune it out, and search for Edan. I spot him lying face up, mouth agape and unmoving beyond large shaky breaths. I don’t have a gun, but I don’t hesitate. I’m not losing another brother, espeically one I can save. It's a risky maneuver, and I don’t know if he has any spinal damage but I just need to get him somewhere safe. Sprinting at him full speed, I tuck my head and roll over him, lifting Edan onto my shoulders with a fireman’s carry in one swift movement. I keep running until we’re behind another wall.

“My hero,” Edan struggles to speak as I check him for wounds. “Concussive shot,” he struggles. “No wound,” another deep breath. “Just lost air, maybe broken rib.”

I peak around the wall; no more shots have come and people are finally starting to exit from all different levels of the museum. We can make an escape through the crowd. Edan is clearly the target but if we cover him up, we can go unnoticed. There seems to be one shooter and they’re not coming down.

“Janet, get the ship ready,” Edan speaks over his wrist comp. “Bounty hunters, get everyone on the ship.”

Edan takes my hand and braces himself against the wall to get to his feet. “I thought this place was a safe haven,” I ask.

“First time for everything I guess.”

I snatch a discarded jacket from the floor and toss it over Edan’s shoulder as we make it down the stairs towards the first floor. I’ve felt like an adrenaline junky lately, but my therapist once told me that a lot of anxiety symptoms can be caused by adrenaline. Sweaty palms, increased breathing rate, increased temperature. These are things I notice when I’m coming down after and adrenaline rush; this time they come with an uneasy stomach and sense of danger. Usually in a fight or flight situation, I want to fight. Right now, I just want to protect Edan and that means fighting but I have to flee. It goes against every tendency I have honed for the last two decades. If I find a gun to play with, I can end this. But I just need to keep walking forward right now.

Note: I made some videos about The Olympics on YouTube. They're cool.

1.71 - Ceremony

2024-08-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

I think I’ve worn a robe once before; it was a bathrobe. I thought Nastas looked presentable, in his robe. I think I look insane in it. I might have enjoyed it more last night when I was high out of my mind. The fabric is nice, but I would feel better if I were wearing underwear. Edan is completely fine with it; aapparently,he goes commando if it’s not too hot or too cold. I don’t know why he felt the need to tell me that. I’m more of a commando than he is, and this is the first time I’ve ever left home without underwear.

Nastas has led the two of us to a meeting with other Meterorians. He’s promised that a deal has already been brokered and we only need to eat a meal then participate in a quick ceremony. Edan and I have been sitting in this empty restaurant with Nastas for nearly a half hour. He insisted we sit with our backs toward the door. It goes against everything I’ve been taught and with every passing moment, I grow more anxious.

“If you’re on time, you’re late. Being early is on time. Being late is unacceptable,” Nastas tells Edan as if that’s going to make him any less irritated.

Another fifteen minutes pass before a group of eight Meteorians enter the restaurant carrying large sealed containers. We exchange pleasantries and greetings. The military training on interspecies greetings helps a lot. Four of the Meterorians quickly enter the kitchen and begin cooking. I’m not sure if this is their restaurant or if it has been rented out for the occasion. Nastas exchanges stories with old friends, or maybe they’re new friends. Edan is quick to become friends with others, another skill of his that I envy. I’m relegated to laughing at jokes I don’t find entirely funny and pouring drinks with a smile. I’m just a highly trained member of bottle service who is hyper aware of his balls sticking to his thigh.

Dinner is served, nothing that sets the taste buds into overdrive. The more exciting thing is the story that’s told. The fish that were cooked are from The Meteorian home world. However, The Draconian Empire destroyed their home world when they would not submit. One day a group returned to the remains of the planet. They found an untouched lake. Somehow the fish managed to survive and has become a symbol of Meteorian strength. In reality, someone probably smuggled the fish off planet during the escape. It’s flavorless, and the texture is terrible, but it isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever eaten. I just follow Edan’s lead and pretend it’s great. When the meal is done the laughs continue as we’re served a cake. The cake is the best tasting thing we’ve gotten this evening, more, the only thing with flavor. I’m grateful to taste something.

A large green fruit is brought out along with a red knife. The Meteorians begin to sing a song, as Edan and I sit respectfully. They tell a story of how friendships were formed during wars that lasted for eternities. One by one each stabs the knife into the strange fruit. Blood colored juice leaks out into an ornate silver bowl. When the fruit reaches me I take the knife. The handle is hot and seems to shift in my hand as I hold it. They claimed it was carved from the lava on their home planet but I thought it was just more legend. Holding the actual knife, there seems to be some kind of intense feeling linked to it. Maybe some kind of electrical current running through it, I’m not sure. Nastas and the other Meteorians smile as I hold the knife. I stab it into the fruit and the liquid gushes out. It’s been stabbed six times now, but the juice still flows freely, continuing to fill the bowl. I pass the bowl to Edan, and he continues. When the bowl makes it back to the first Meteorian more nice words are spoken, and another song is started. Each takes a large drink from the bowl, holding the juice in their mouth before passing the bowl. Only after they’ve passed the bowl do they swallow. The bowl arrives in my hand, and I do as the others have, and take a big drink. The juice is metallic, like blood, however it’s much sweeter; sweeter than any fruit I’ve ever tasted. I swallow and a warmth rushes over me, every muscle in my body seems to relax. I catch a glimpse of the others as I fight against sliding down in my chair. Some are laughing and enjoying it but others like me are having some kind of drug trip. Why does it seem like I get drugged every few days on this damn space station? Everyone just acts like drugs are candy around here. I try to focus my eyes and remain awake as the celebration continues but I can barely make out the words as I drift off to sleep.

When I awake, just Edan and Nastas remain in the restaurant. I pull myself up in the chair trying to focus. The place is incredibly clean and while Nastas seems to be in a good mood, Edan is nursing a headache.

“You boys handled that better than I expected,” Nastas seems almost proud. “Most humans sleep for several days, he looks to Edan, “I suppose you have a high tolerance after his years of usage,” he turns to me, “and you’re just too stubborn of a bastard to stay out for long.”

Edan groans and forces himself to stand. “I’m going to eject you from the airlock.”

I dislike Nastas even more now. I’m sitting here with no underwear, trying to recover from being drugged, again. I was amazed that he’d be able to make a deal for so much stolen property so fast but now, I want to take him to prison. I’ve got half the mind to reenlist, just to lock him up.

“Hey Nastas,” I mumble the words.

“What is it? The juice will leave your system in the next half hour, if that’s what you’re wondering,” he seems calm yet smug.

“When it does, I’m going to kick molten your ass.”

“Then I shall take my leave,” Nastas exits, leaving us alone in the restaurant.

“I’ll order a cab, you try to stand up,” Edan says while barley holding himself up.

1.70 - 67 Years Too Young

2024-08-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

I grip the table hard as I attempt to steady myself on the stool of a random hotel. The Pariah crew really knows how to push the limits of what a decent party is. I’m sure I’ve been drugged at least twice and the two are fighting it out for control of my body. Part of me wants to close my eyes and fall backwards into the world of warm colors that fill my head each time I blink. Another part of me, wants to run faster and further than I ever have, just knowing that I can. If I closed my eyes would the colors wrap around me, and slow me down, or would I burst through them, emerging from the other side a new and better me. The urge to sleep takes over my body as I rest my head on the table. Am I the only one feeling like this? A quick glance confirms it.

Nastas is off in the corner conducting what looks to be shady business. He didn’t even participate but he’s always selling the goods. Mae and Janet are dancing with a single man. I’m sure they’ll be fighting over him before the night ends. Edan is near a wall playing some sort of game for money. Each player tosses a coin and whoever gets the closest without going through a glowing ring wins the cash. Enyolo is sitting relaxed in a booth, seemingly on lookout while occasionally pouring shots from a bottle.

I force myself off the stool, gently gripping to any understanding of balance left in my legs. Each step is slow and deliberate. I’m not wobbling like a young child taking their first steps, but my mind forces me to pause after each step and verify the ground is still there beneath me. Each forward motion is like missing a single step on a set of stairs; my heart racing until my foot makes contact with the ground again. I stumble into the booth causing Enyolo to glare at me.

“Hello, tall, dark, gold and brooding,” I smile at her, she rolls her eyes. “sorry, it’s the drugs.”

“You frequently embarrass yourself in front of me. It is not the drugs, although you should not be taking drugs that you are unfamiliar with.”

“I didn’t take drugs. I drank them. No, wait. Someone put drugs into my drink. Someone put drugs,” I sound the words out slowly, “in my drink. Yes, that is what I mean to say.”

“It makes no difference if you’ve ingested the drugs on purpose or were drugged by a third party. You have still embarrassed yourself.”

“If I hadn’t embarrassed myself, would you have given me a chance?”

“A chance at what?”

“A dance, a date, a chance to know you better?”

“Ah,” Enyolo nods her and pours a shot of alcohol for herself. “I would not be able to give you a chance at what you want.”

“What is it that I want?”

“Your species is very driven by sex and attractiveness.”

“All species are. Eat, sleep, fuck and self-defense. That’s how we’re all programed.”

“Yes, but your species puts, fuck,” she mimics me, “in front of everything else.”

“How are Naengi any different?”

“We place emphasis on both self-discovery and community before our genitalia,” I can tell she’s gearing up for a long speech, “Your species has a saying that it takes as village to raise a child. For my people it is a reality. I do not have a mother or father. I have a village that raised me. At the age of 25 each of us will leave that village on a journey of self-discovery. Some may never leave the hemisphere their village is in. Others, like me, will see many planetary systems. The only goal is to is to find who you are as an individual. What do you enjoy? Who do you enjoy? What is your calling in life? Yet, at the age of 75 we shall return to our village. During the next 25 years we will repay the debt owed for raising us. We birth as many children as possible and use what we learned to help mold them for the future. From age 100 on, any time you have remaining is yours.”

“You left out the fuck for fun part,” I stretch out in the booth. “That’s a pretty important part, or do you not do that?”

“We do that, but it does you no good.”

“Why is that?”

“Until it is time for the women to birth children or the men to spread their seed, we only sleep with those of the same gender. Sex is primarily reproductive for us. We have fun, but it’s just fun. There’s no romance to it. Simply a way for us to release pent up desires until the day comes when we must reproduce for the future of our race.”

“If that weren’t the case, would I have a chance?”

“As you are right now, not at all.”

“What can I do to change,” since when do I beg for sex? “Not that I care what you think.”

“You care what I think, if you didn’t you would not have sought me out. I much prefer the calm and calculated version of you. The warrior who carries out his mission without complaint. Yet will abandon that mission if it means saving his comrades. The fact that you have allowed yourself to fall victim to someone else’s trifling acts does you no favors.”

“So, there’s absolutely no chance for us?”

“Survive another 67 years and we’ll see.”

“You’re 33, I learned something new about you.”

Enyolo giggles before taking another shot. “I see that you can still do math.”

“Quick maths,” I laugh.

“I hope you do survive another 67 years. Your brother as well. You are both kind, and unique in your own ways. If I did not have a village to return to, I would be happy to call you both my family.”

“That’s incredibly kind of you.”

“Yes, but you won’t remember it in the morning.”

“Why not?”

“You’ll be passing out soon. You’re barely awake now.”

I lean in and whisper to her, “You’re absolutely right. The colors are going to take me soon. Just don’t let Mae or Janet get me.”

“I will defend your honor with my life,” Enyolo laughs.

“It’s really cute when you make jokes, and you have dimples when you smile. I’ll make sure to survive another 67 years. Just to keep seeing it.”

Enyolo punches me in the arm, before quickly taking a shot. “Just go to sleep.”

“Tell me what your village is like.”

1.69 - The Pound Dogs

2024-07-10T15:37:00.000-07:00

Butterflies in my stomach let me know I’m, still alive. I remember a lot of people would talk about how after a few missions they wouldn’t get nervous. I never pressed them to see if they were lying or telling the truth. If you’re not nervous before a mission, then you’ve given up your reason to live. Every mission, operation or confrontation can be the last. It’s a good reason to be nervous. Tonight, I might be more nervous than ever before, because Edan is with me. I only had to worry about myself and my team before. I cared about my team, and on some level, I even care about myself. More than either of those, I care about Edan. He’s a smuggler, transporter or whatever he calls himself; he gets into plenty of scraps. I shouldn't be worried about him, but that’s my baby brother no matter how old he is.

“Hey,” Edan’s voice comes in clear of the communication system in the chameleon armor.

“Sounds good on my end,” I respond as I approach my target and enter stealth mode.

“Suit just vanished off my radar and out of sight, you’re good to move in,” Enylo chimes in.

“Big bro,” Edan snickers.

“Is now the time for jokes,” I ask in the way only an angry sibling can.

“It’s not a joke, I just wanted to tell you I lied earlier. I do have butterflies, I’m always nervous around you. Not the type of nerves when a pretty girl is around, but I always want to look as cool as you do,” he laughs in my ear.

“You look pretty cool when you do all your martial arts pirating,” I let out a quiet laugh before the mission really starts.

“Focus boys,” Enyolo cuts in on the coms. For a moment it seems like she’s trying to stop herself from laughing.

My job is easy, I just hang around the doorway, unseen and unheard until someone comes along and puts in a code to open the door. I actually feel bad for whoever does it. PIN codes are low tech, but you can tell exactly who did it if you assign different codes. They could have gone with something like a fingerprint or face scan, maybe even saliva for a DNA sample. That would have made it harder for us to get in but I’m sure Tawa would have been able to get in one way or another.

A Straiv’al approaches the door and glances around, unaware that I’m standing right over his shoulder. The code, 1031; I send it to the team via text. Edan sends back a smiley face modeled after himself giving a thumbs up. A few moments after entering the warehouse another smiley face arrives, this one modeled on Enylo with a pulsating vein in her forehead giving a thumbs up as well. They can’t be serious; Edan is rarely serious but Enylo chooses today to grow a sense of humor. Does she want me to die?

The warehouse is what I expected, Tawa laid out the plans for us pretty well. A small map displays in the lower left corner of my helmet’s heads up display. There’s merchandise here, most of it being packaged up as if it were legitimate but everything is clearly stolen. Broken goods tossed aside, Straiv’al pocketing things they want for themselves. The disturbing thing about that is it means they took off their clothes to attack at the docks. Is it a cultural thing or somehting? I put my questions on hold make my way to the control booth slowly, not fully trusting the camouflage elements of this suit. I’ve used some high-tech stuff before and something always seems to go wrong at the worst possible moment so I try to avoid as many people as possible.

The control room is just as empty as Tawa said it was be. I plug in the drive he provided and let it go to work. I look out down to the floor below and wait for something, anything to happen. I’m thinking Tawa gave us a dud. I prepare my rifle to do this the hard way. Slowly the lights start to vanish in the building. Everything except the confused voices go silent, the humming sound of electricity vanishes. I look down the scope of my rifle, the targets glowing blue in the darkness, didn’t know they were cold blooded. Slowly Edan and Enyolo make their way deeper into the building after entering from opposite doors.

I fire the first shot, not a sound is heard beyond the thud of a Straiv’al dropping and the shattering of glass as whatever he held hits the floor. I’ve got a great view and I’m able to see through the darkness. The team is smaller than we expected. Just the three of us, Velphi isn’t built for stealth but he’s watching the outside. Edan and Enyolo were the only others willing to go inside and the idea of hiring help was off the table without Nastas. But it’s working, it’s working well. Enyolo is sprinting through the building causing panic. Bones break and screams of pain fill the darkness. Edan silently snatches people behind merchandise and quickly puts them to sleep before dumping the body. Anytime someone gets too close to either I pick them off with the rifle. They’ll live, but they’ll get some great sleep. Tawa’s program was supposed to give us fifteen minutes of darkness, but we didn’t need it. There were less people than we thought.

“I think we got them all,” I call out.

“Don’t rush, we still need to secure the perimeter,” Enyolo shouts back.

“I’ll get the bay doors and call the pickup crews,” Edan ignores her warning.

I start to zip tie the knocked out Straiv’al; I’ll feel better if they can’t fight back when they wake up. Outside the crews have already arrived and Edan is perfectly directing traffic. It’s actually impressive, almost as impressive as watching him work with tech. I’ve known soldiers who worked logistics for twenty years and couldn’t pull off an operation of this scale at this speed. I’ve never saw an Alpha Draconian before I met Velphi, and I’ve certainly never seen one fly. Velphi circles above us, huge wings expanded further than I ever expected them to, almost as if he were a real dragon gliding through the air, rarely flapping his wings as if the wind was aiding him.

I spot Enyolo off by herself and make my way over, “good job back there,” I smile at her.

“You weren’t so bad yourself, for a military dog,” she smiles.

“Enough that you’d adopt me,” the words leave my mouth before I can ponder on them. Why would I say that?

“Don’t push your luck. I’ve already got a pound puppy to take care of, adding a military dog to that would be a lot,” she rolls her eyes and walks away.

“That’s not a no. We’re littermates, a bonded pair. That means you have to take us both,” I laugh as she walks away shaking her head.

I’m not sure if the adrenaline from a successful mission is just messing with my head, or I really like her. A lot.

Author's Note: I lied, I messed up the biweekly scheduling, but I'm going to get it right. Have faith in me. I dropped a new YouTube video as well. My channel is pretty cool if you like history.

1.68 - Existential

2024-05-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

I follow the coordinates to a different ward of Tortuga. This area looks nothing like the others I’ve been in. Buildings crumbling but still housing people. Trash covering the pathways and no shortage of seedy characters and others packed into tight corners or on staircases. I’ve never been here before but it’s a familiar place. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a mega sized space station, Earth, Mars or anywhere else; there’s always a ghetto. A place where if you’re poor it’s a fight just to survive. A place where criminals can hide amongst good people because they know law enforcement won’t look. I find Edan sitting on a bench, staring off into the artificial night sky.

“Hey,” I take a seat next to him.

“Hey,” he seems upset by something.

“What’s wrong?”

“Just thinking.”

“About,” I ask, he wants me to pry it from him but he’ll tell me right away like when we were kids.

“I owe you an apology,” he doesn’t take his eyes off the sky.

“The kidnapping? I’m over that,” not entirely. “You’ve treated me well, I’ve spent your money, had some interesting food and some good times. I even got a great new wrist comp.”

“No, for the trade going bad because I didn’t research the other party. An apology is owed for dragging out the response as well. I didn’t know how all of this would end, so I just kept dragging it along, not doing any work and making excuses.”

“Stop.”

“No really, I just didn’t know what would come next. I got scared and I froze up because I didn’t know how to continue.”

“Seriously,” I interrupt him. “I don’t care. Let’s just go get this girl,” I stand from the bench and start walking.

“Other way,” he laughs as he rises from the bench and stretches.

The old metal building is covered in grime that hasn’t been wiped off in probably years. Inside is a hologram of a man operating as a check in. The floors are dirty, stained and sticky. There‘s an unrecognizable smell in the air. The place I used P.R.I.D.E. at wasn’t top of the line, but this place is closer to the bottom than the top. It’s the kind of place people go to when they’re running away from problems; Edan didn’t lie about that.

Rows of machines have people hooked in, helmets covering their faces, reclined in chairs. IVs run into their arms; it isn’t hard to tell the IVs are what’s keeping them locked in. Up higher a second level of machines have been placed on what look to be shelves extending from the wall. A quick scan of the bags with my wrist comp tells me they’re full of experimental drugs with names I couldn’t begin to pronounce. The whole place gives me a sick vibe, no decorations, no furniture, just machines. The quiet hum and our footsteps peeling off the floor with each step are the only sounds as we make our way towards the back, looking for an office.

“You said you tried one of these before right,” Edan asks.

“Yeah, it was nice. A little disorienting when I came out but nice,” I leave out the part about my terrible reaction to the drugs.

“I always wanted to try one, but this building makes the whole thing seem,” he pauses for a word, “eerie.”

“I know what you mean, lined up like this, with so many crammed into a tight space. It’s almost like a storage facility.”

“You know we’re shutting this place down right,” Edan asks.

“I don’t have any objections.”

At the end of the building there’s a small office. Inside is a Meteorian man sitting behind a desk staring into a holographic display where a woman is sitting on a couch. I’ve seen enough videos to know he’s into classic pornography. I’m just glad we got here before he reached the good part.

“Wow, is everyone in here trying to get their rocks off,” Edan asks.

The Meteorian fumbles to turn off the hologram, shouting obscenities. It’s not a big deal, we just caught him before he was going to partake in some self-love. He reaches for the desk drawer, and I know he’s going for a gun. I rush forward pushing the desk backwards sandwiching him between the desk and the wall.

“What do you want,” he shouts knowing he’s trapped.

“Not a handshake,” Edan laughs plugging his wrist comp into the terminal at the desk.

“We’re here to free the people you’ve been exploiting,” I answer his question.

“They paid good money to be here,” The Meteorian argues.

“I’m sure they did,” I respond.

“Well, that was easy. No real security at all,” Edan unplugs. “Kids should be waking up. What do we do with him?”

“Take his gun, tie him up and leave him,” I shrug.

“Great idea. Let’s just hope he’s not into bondage,” Edan laughs.

I let Edan work the crowd of people waking up and give instructions. He’s good with people, keeps everyone calm. I might even say he’s charming. I know I couldn’t lead a group of disoriented teenagers to safety. He promises to get them all home safely, one at a time. I follow his lead, helping people regain their balance. Calling transport services, pairing up people headed in the same direction. I’m better with the details but this needs both of us. 43 kids are sent on their way when we’re finished but Edan hangs back with 44, the one we came for.

“I’ll make sure she gets home safely, you go get ready. Hit the shooting range, do some stretches or whatever you military dogs do,” Edan gives me a crooked salute as he gets into the backseat of taxi. I watch as the shuttle slowly lifts into the air before taking off. Once they’re out of view I remove the Meteorian’s gun from my pocket. Poorly made, cheap, and likely to jam. I break off a piece of the firing mechanism and toss the gun in the trash. If I have to shoot someone, I’d rather do it with a gun that isn’t likely to shoot me as well.