Broken Stars Page 5

  Joy overcame me. Not only was I in space, but I was kicking ass and had cool new abilities. Now I was saving a damsel in distress, and yes I was ignoring that I put her in that distress, and doing a good job of it. That excitement was enough for my focus to slip just a little. My right foot stuck when it should have lifted.

  I fell face first onto the deck with a clang as my helmet hit the grate floor of the catwalk. Worse, my grip on the woman came loose and she flew away from me. I reached out with cat like reflexes and got a good handful of hair. The woman snapped back to consciousness as she opened her mouth and let out a … wheeze? Right, no air.

  simultaneously, I stood and pulled the woman closer to me. My other hand grabbed the edge of her shoulder armor and got her wrapped around my torso once more. Then I went back to jogging and stayed focused.

  From where I fell I as able to get to the hatch in a few short minutes. That was when I learned physics were still a bitch in space. I couldn’t get the door to open.

  “You know what? No! I’ve come too far and kicked too much ass to stop now! You can do this Marine! Get your ass in gear!” I shouted.

  With my real arm I held the woman tight to my chest. I shifted her over a little so I could move my other arm around easier. Then with a little willpower my arm shifted into a blade. I plunged the tip into the metal door and it sunk in a good four inches. Using all my might, both natural and augmented, I pushed down against the metal. The blade cut through at a painfully slow pace, but it was working. I made a line straight down and three feet long.

  I cut two more line creating a triangle. The blade joined the last corner of the tringle and the metal was torn free by the air escaping into the vacuum. I dodged to the side but still was hit in the shoulder and my mechanical arm was torn open.

  Pain surged through me from my new wound but I ignored it. Instead of fretting over the damage and pain I pushed the woman through the hole. Then I climbed through and fell onto the floor with one foot stuck to the hatch. The woman lifted off the floor and the whipping wind tried to claim her again. I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her close to me.

  “Tom, you have to move your foot so we can close the emergency hatch,” Bridget said.

  “Copy that. Move foot so space door can close. On it.”

  I planted my right foot on the ground and activated mag-boot. Then I removed my left from the hatch. A soon as it was off, a group of pointed metal plates closed like an iris sealing off the engine room. The relief from the pressure was immediate.

  The woman and I dropped to the floor next to one another. I breathed in deep and let out a long slow breath. The Death Knight turned captive gasped and breathed shallow quick breaths.

  “Take it ease. Deep breath to slow your heart and get back in control,” I said.

  She did as I instructed and a moment later her breathing evened out. She let out a shuddering gasp before looking my way. “What now? Will you ravage me like the savage you are?”

  Her words threw me for a loop and it took a second for a response to make it from my brain housing group to my mouth.

  “What the fuck? Hell no! I don’t know who you think I am but that ain’t happening, Lady,” I snapped.

  “Oh sure,” she said. “I know what your kind think. I know about the rumors that my kind fuck like thoroughbred race Gulps and how you covet a ride. I will have you know that a ride on me will … hey, where are you going?”

  “I don’t have time for the crazy you are selling, lady,” I said over my shoulder.

  “You can’t leave her,” Bridget said over my comms. “I need you to get her to the brig. I know the shit she said is crazy, but there are those among the crew that will kill her out of revenge. We need her too much to let that happen.”

  I let out a long sigh. “You are going to have to figure out a way to make this up to me,” I said. “I don’t much like dealing with her kind of crazy.”

  “Okay, I tell you what. Once you finish destroying the enemy ship, I will wash you in the shower then, to use the words of your crazy friend there, I will ride you like a thoroughbred gulp.”

  “I think I’m good with that. I have no clue what a gulp is but … wait. Did you say I was going to destroy the enemy ship?” I asked.

  “Oh yeah, I was going to get to that. I kept it a surprise and I still am. I don’t think you would believe it if you didn’t see it at any rate. Just follow the map to the brig and I will meet you there.” Her tone went from serious to joking. “Bridget over and out.”

  “Roger that,” I chuckled. “Out.”

  “... honestly think one of my station should rut with a baser creature? Well?” The woman next to me asked.

  I stopped and looked at fruit loops. “Were you talking this hole time?” I asked.

  Her eyes went wide. “You were not even listening to me?”

  “Sorry, my ears tend to block out crazy.”

  Her surprised expression morphed into one of rage. She screamed as she threw herself at me with her hands curled into claws. That was when I noticed how wicked looking the tips of her fingers were in the armor gauntlets she wore.

  Side stepping, I slapped my hand against her back shoving her into the wall. Before she could rebound off I was on her. My body pressed against her pinning her to the wall.

  “Look here, I am more than happy to be civil with you. I get that you are a combatant in a war and that you were following orders. I’m kind of in the same boat with you there, but I will not tolerate you trying to attack me. Right now you are a my prisoner and I would rather not hurt you. If you try again you move back to the enemy combatant column and I will fuck you up. Am I clear?”

  “I knew. It. You just. Want to. Accost. Me.”

  “You have got to be fucking kidding me,” I snarled.

  “I. Will not. Submit. Willingly. You will. Have. To. Force me. Brute.”

  Another sigh left me. Deciding it best to ignore her I grabbed her left gauntlet and tore it off. She gasped. I shifted to keep her pinned and get my left hand over to her right. I grabbed that gauntlet and she made a fist in an attempt to stop me. I snarled as I ripped that one off.

  The woman screamed. I stepped back unsure of what happened then I saw the blood. She clutched her bleeding hand and pulled it out of sight.

  “Are you okay?” I spun her around by her shoulder. “Let me see.” Without waiting for her permission I pulled her injured hand out of her grasp which elicited a gasp from her. “Sorry, but I need to check this.”

  My fear was that a finger or two would still be in the discarded armor. What I found were a couple knuckles with the skin torn off. That was something I could manage. I took her free left hand and put it over the scrapes.

  “Hold on with some pressure. The damage is not bad so some pressure should stop the bleeding until we can get you cleaned and bandaged.” I ordered. Giving orders came easy and was comforting.

  “You wish me to be whole when you take me, is that it.” She asked.

  “Think what you want. I’m done giving in to your crazy. You ready to get moving?” I asked.

  “I’m not crazy.” Her bottom lip stuck out like she was pouting. I had to admit that even with the black veins and all her crazy, it was cute.

  “Fine, I’m sorry for calling you crazy,” I grumbled. “Are you ready to go now?”

  “Why do you give your captive an option?” She asked.

  “For one, I told you I don’t want to hurt you. Second, we apparently need your help. Torture is an exorcise in futility, so I am treating you the way I would want to be treated if I were in your shoes.”

  “And this?” She held up her hands and her meaning was clear.

  “I already apologized for that. I had no intention of hurting you, but I couldn’t leave you a weapon to hurt others, or yourself. Understand?” I asked.

  She nodded. “I do, but will not talk.”

  Chapter 8

  Bridget paced back and forth in the brig as I escorted my prisoner in
. “Finally,” she said coming to a stop. “What took so long?”

  “We had a few complications. All good now though. What’s next?” I asked.

  “Next we take this bitch and torture the shit out of her,” A tall man in Alliance grey said as he walked up. “I’m gunna make her talk, then I’m gunna make her squeal.”

  “The fuck you are,” I said. I turned to Bridget. “You brought me here because you need me. I will not tolerate torture or worse. If that is a problem feel free to take back your scrap metal and drop me and my prisoner off on earth.”

  “It’s okay, Tom. I knew how you would feel and I agree. I will not allow her to be harmed and this crew better forget all about that gulp bullshit.” She turned to the newcomer. “You hear me, Sergeant?’

  “Yes ma’am,” He snapped to attention with his heels together and his right arm down at his side. His left arm came up and stuck straight out with his fingers extended forward in what I took to be a salute.

  “Good. Now go and make sure the entire crew knows how I feel about it,” Bridget said. The Sergeant ran off without comment.

  “That was some fucked up shit,” I said.

  “Look, Tom, I know the Alliance is far from perfect. I also know you well enough to know how you would feel about some of our standard operating procedures, but I have already implemented changes and will continue to do so as situations arise.”

  “Why would you go through the trouble?” I asked.

  “You are right about us needing you. What’s more important is all the trouble we went through to get you here. Hell, this whole ship is here for you, Tom. The sole purpose of the Liberator is to support you on this mission.”

  “The Liberator is this ship?” I asked.

  “Correct. And when you see what I have for you. I think you might propose marriage right then. It is that good.”

  “That remains to be seen. So what did you have in mind for our guest here?” I pointed at the Death Knight.

  “Well, I can’t say that I know. As you may have heard our normal methods are harsh and probably ineffective. So. I don’t really know, Tom. Any thoughts?” Bridget asked.

  “Well, first we need to see about the scrapes on her hand. First aid kit?” I asked.

  “Oh yeah, let me get it for you,” Bridget said. She left the room to retrieve the med kit for me.

  “Okay, so why don’t we see about getting you comfortable … uh. What do I call you?” I asked the captive Death Knight.

  “I am Dominar Francine Plorathe. Head of the fifth platoon of the fifth regiment,” She said as she puffed out her chest and stuck out her chin.

  “You can call me Tom,” I said. “It is a pleasure to meet you. May I call you Francine?” I asked.

  The Death Knight looked down at her blood soaked hands. “I am a captive here. I am at your mercy, Tom. If you wish to call me Francine then I have no right to stop you.” Her voice held none of the confidence she had when she told me her name.

  I stepped up to the woman and grabbed her chin then tilted her face up. She was barley a woman and couldn’t have been polder than nineteen. Somethings seemed to be universal, like the wealthy sending the kids of the poor off to fight and die. “I know this looks bad, but it doesn’t have to be. You must know now that I am not going to hurt you. Do you believe that I am being truthful?” I asked.

  “I want to believe, but I have never seen such things. Prisoners are tortured and their lifeless husks are discarded. That is how it is done and this could be part of some new form of torture.”

  “I understand. Nothing reveals the truth like time. Unfortunately I am going to have to lock you up in a cell. I will ensure you are fed and all your needs are met. One day you will see the sincerity in my words and maybe feel comfortable enough to see me as an ally.”

  “I suppose we shall see,” Francine said.

  Bridget walked in with a small white and red soft sided case. “I have it.” She set it on the Sergeant’s desk and opened the top. “What do you need?” She looked up and met my eyes as she asked.

  “I need bandages and something to disinfect the wounds,” I said.

  “Done and done.” Bridget pulled out a small aerosol can and a pack of bandages.

  “I would like to have her checked out to see what the deal is with those black veins,” I said. I want to know it that is going to cause her harm and what the hell it is.”

  “I am gifted with nano-machines that make me stronger and faster,” Francine said. “The marks on my skin are the symbol of my blessings.”

  “I see,” I said as I turned back to Bridget. “I still want her checked. Bridget nodded to me.

  I looked around the room for a place to set Francine down. There was the desk, but the closest cell had a bed and she had to go in one anyway. “Come with me,” I said as I took her by the hand.

  I lead Francine to the small bed in the cell and had her sit. Then I knelt in front of her and gently took her hand in mine. I realized that I had forgotten to ask for something to clean the wound with. Bridget brought me a two towels, one moist and one dry.

  “Thank you,” I said. She nodded then left the cell.

  I took the moist towel and dabbed at the wounds then wiped the blood from her skin. Then I patted her hand dry. With that done I sprayed her wounds with the disinfectant then wrapped her hand in the bandages.

  “How is that?” I asked. Francine smiled at me and nodded. “Great. Can I help you out of the remnants of your armor? I’m afraid it is going to have to come off. You understand, right?” I asked.

  “Yes please, I would like that,” Francine said.

  “I’m new to this tech so I’ll need your guidance. Where do we start?”

  “Well, with the armor in the state it is in there isn’t much to it. We just need to slide off the arm and leg armor the problems is going to be this piece around my neck.”

  “So how do we deal with that?”

  “It will have to be cut off, I’m afraid,” Francine said.

  I shifted my left arm into the badass blade of awesome. “I don’t think that is going to be a problem.” As I spoke Francine’s dark eyes went wide and she looked a shade paler. “I know this is a lot to ask, but trust me to remove it without hurting you.”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  The blade shrank back to an arm and hand. I sat back on my heels and studied the woman in front of me. Where was the fire and crazy from before. Could it be that things were so different from what she expected that she didn’t know how to respond?

  “Can I tell you a story?” I asked.

  “This is your ship,” she said. “You may do whatever pleases you.” And then she gave me a small coy smile. She had me all kinds of confused.

  I sat next to her on the bed and she slide over so our legs were touching. Since she still had on the armor it didn’t have the effect I think she was going for.

  “I served in the military where I come from. In service to my country I fought in a war in one of the harshest climates my world has to offer. I was young and naive when I shipped out to the desert warzone for the first time. There was a lot of talk slandering the people who lived there, people I had to fight.” I paused for a moment to look into Francine’s soulful eyes.

  “As a young Marine I was gung-ho and more then ready to start collecting kills. Part of our training and culture was the killing. It was what we did so it made sense to train us to want to do it. And I really wanted to.

  One of my first duties was to stand guard at the gates to the enemy compound our forces had commandeered. One hot and miserable day I stood my post when a group of men came over the hill not far from the compound.

  Understand that I suffered from serious boredom and I wanted to see action. Training to become a Marine instills the desire in you, makes the thought of combat thrilling.”

  “Yes, our training does the same,” Francine said. “I understand that feeling well. A mixture of eager anticipation and fear.”

  I smiled
but didn’t turn to look at her. My mind was elsewhere as I told my story. “So when I saw those men, all armed except for one, I knew my time had come. In a few short moments I would join the brotherhood of Marines that had seen combat. Of course there are procedures for dealing with situations like that. I put my rifle to my shoulder and challenged the newcomers.

  My shouts were answered with weapons fire. And as ready as I thought I was, turns out I was wrong. I hit the ground and sought cover. The Marine on duty with me returned fire. He laid down a steady stream of fire while he moved to cover. I cowered behind a barricade as my fight or flight instincts told me to run and hide.

  If not for that Marine I would have stayed there waiting for death to come claim me.”

  “Did he talk you out of your fear?” Francine asked.

  “No,” I chuckled. “He kicked me and yelled at me to pull my head out of my ass. It was enough. I raised my rifle and shot the first guy I saw, which turned out to be the last armed man. But there was one other. He jumped up and ran at us.

  Maybe it was because I was scared or that I didn’t want to let the marine next to me down but I shot without assessing the situation. The man running toward us with his hands behind his back fell on his face and didn’t move. We moved up to investigate when it was clear no more people were coming.

  I found the one guy I shot with his hands bound behind his back and a gag in his mouth. He turned out to be on our side. His family had gathered and shared information with us leading to many successful operations. We figured the enemy had captured him and made a wrong turn, ending up at our base. Do you know what I learned that day?” I asked.

  “That bravery sometimes requires sacrifice,” She said with a smile.

  “Uh, no. I learned not to judge other by appearances and as a result, met a lot of great people in that horrid desert. I also learned to take the shot only when I was sure it was the right thing to do, as much as can be expected, at least.”

  “I do not understand?” Francine said with a scowl that combined with the black veins made her look horrific.