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Lacuna Blue

By Mantrid Brizon

Chapter Twenty-Two: Falling Out

“And here I thought you were another Slaver fanboy.” Michael remarks.

“Absolutely not, I-”

“Hey!” Kirsten interrupts, gasping for breath.

“Hello. And you are?” Michael raises a brow.

“I... I’m...” She pants.

“She works on James’ ship.” Garin answers.

“Yeah. Have you seen George? It’s really important!” She asks.

“Check the armory.” Michael answers.

“Thanks!”

Kristen scampers away, leaving the two to watch her for a moment.

“Do you think she wants to fuck him too?” Michael snickers.

“Who knows, or cares. As I was saying, I can’t stand my crew.” Garin continues.

“And why is that?” Michael raises a brow.

“They’re all imbeciles; Kira is a dimwitted and impulsive bisexual who spends most of her time daydreaming about a threesome with George and May... Disgusting... Rakshasa and Colette are credit-bought mercenaries with literally no feeling whatsoever; anyone bought like that I don’t consider to be hard enough. Prat is an overgrown man-child who dotes on a woman he owns. Instead of raping and breeding her to within an inch of her life, he kisses her ass like it was made of candy. Donovan is just... Not very mean... He’s far too polite for this line of work, despite his talents.” Garin begins.

“I see...”

“If only. Then there’s Ein. Sure, he’s a competent pilot, but he’s as soft as sponge cake; the way he jokes about everything, you can tell he wouldn’t last a minute under real pressure. It’s only a matter of time before he’s a liability. Not even George is good enough. I assumed that he would be a real skin-peeling monster, but he’s too calm, and not bloodthirsty enough. I just can’t respect him anymore. And then, of course, there’s May... Damn... She is hot enough to have any Voeldahn man, yet she picks George. Poor taste from such a fine creature... Fucking George doesn’t know how lucky he truly is...” Garin grumbles.

Looking over the scrawny Voeldahn as he complains about the very crew he serves, Michael can’t help but grin. The seething anger that radiates from the young man with inadequacy issues could serve his purpose. He decides not to tell George, but instead drapes an arm over Garin.

“I think you have potential.” Michael begins.

“I know I do.” Garin chirps.

“Shut up and listen; I’m not trying to measure dicks here. I think that we can be friends, and as my new friend, I want to show you something. Follow me...”

Walking through the hall and toward the docking bay, they climb into the Governor Parr. Moving through the hall, they reach a room that serves as the medical bay. Pressing his hand to the plate, it slides open. Garin stands in awe.

“James is a weakling, and George coddles him like a mother hen. When James burned down my lab, I was inches away from a great discovery. It isn’t what I would call ‘adequate’, but it’s served its purpose.” Michael comments.

“What is this wonderful place?!” Garin gasps.

“My lab. Would you like to see my latest experiment? I’m pretty sure he’s still alive... You can watch him think.” Michael grins sinisterly.

Stepping inside of the small medical bay, Garin looks at two tables, each containing a strapped down victim. Writhing atop the table in obvious pain, their scalps are peeled back and their skullcaps removed, brains visible and with probes sticking out of them. The psychotic Garin, who has long desired the chance to torment other creatures, especially humans, is immediately converted into Michael’s agent, whether Michael knows it or not. A sudden beeping on Michael’s V.I. bracelet draws his attention.

Lifting his arm, he presses several buttons to check the notification. Though Garin is clearly more interested in the anguished test subjects, Michael begins to speak.

“I’ve used a special Lane Jacker program that searches news articles for keywords. Anything with a Slaver captain’s name, a ship name, or reference to our group is automatically flagged so that I may save it, for posterity.” Michael explains.

“Mhm...” Garin replies.

“Huh... Apparently James’ children, estranged wife, and two others were murdered.” Michael chuckles.

“Really.” Garin remarks with disinterest, peering at a brain probe.

“I wonder if that’s related to the annoying Voeldahn woman who wanted to speak to George?” Michael thinks aloud.

“Who cares?” Garin sighs.

“Would you like to see what I’ve learned?” Michael asks.

“Would I!” Garin excitedly chirps.

George’s long brown hair flows with each step, marching down the hallway toward the docking bay with a detachment of guards. Kira wanders aimlessly into the hall. Spotting the human and his feline companion, May, she is eager to follow. May, however, quickly shuts her down; none are certain what will happen when they confront James, Erica and the Zebrina’s crew. With the cargo lift lowered and partially loaded with sky dust for an upcoming run, George turns to the crew and immediately orders them to cease.

Boarding the ship without notice and using the lift to bring the entire guard detachment with him, as a precaution, he marches down the hall.

“What the hell?” Bradley exclaims in surprise.

“Get your brother and the girls and wait in the cargo bay. You’re being reassigned.” George says calmly.

“What for?”

Slowly turning his head, George glares at Bradley. With an audible gulp, Bradley mere nods and walks down the hall, sidestepping past the guards who don’t even bother to move for him. Continuing their walk, the guards fan out and search the ship. Finding several of Zebrina’s crew, they move them to the cargo hold. They find James in the galley as he prepares food for his new lover, Erica, who sits at the dinner table. George stands in the doorway for a moment.

“Hello George.” Erica says, waving her hand once.

“Oh, hi!” James exclaims, turning around and waving a spatula.

George glances down at his effeminate, pink apron, closing his eyes and shaking his head.

“Where’s your shadow?” James teases.

“I’m right here!” May exclaims, peeking over George’s shoulder as she stands just beyond the doorway.

“Figured.” James laughs. “Did you two want some lunch? I’m making omelets.”

“Are you alright?” George asks with narrowed eyes.

“Me?! I’m fine!” James answers.

Kristen was very detailed in her description of what happened. James’ erratic behavior and inconsistent mood bothers him. He knows all too well that it’s a telltale sign. Stepping into the room, George takes a seat across from Erica, who sits at the head of the table as if she were a queen. May sits to George’s right, choosing that space carefully; as George is a left-handed gunman, she wants to steer clear, should anything happen. The guards enter the room, wrapping around and facing toward the table, their backs to the wall.

With their black and purple military style uniforms, their elongated, Voeldahn respirators and purple tinted plexiglass eye windows, they are a frightening sight. With GS-2 rifles and JV-8 submachine guns, held at low-ready, they are prepared for a fight. James looks at the warriors, knowing that something is amiss. He’s placed further on edge by his brother’s own reputation, as well as the fact that the Slaver’s Union soldiers are loyal only to George; they would kill him and Erica without a second thought, should George give the order.

“What’s going on?” James asks.

“I’m taking you off of the run and giving your crew some R&R.” George answers.

“Why?” James raises a brow.

“Why?!” George chuckles in surprise.

“We can do that run, no problem!”

“James... You’ve suffered a terrible loss.”

“I know!” James exclaims.

“So, take some time off. I can do the run for you.”

“George...”

“This is not negotiable...”

Sitting down between May and Erica, James sets the spatula atop the table. With a sorrowful sigh, he stares at the rectangular table with an onyx granite top. His eyes gloss over as he seems to relive the horror, which is not even several hours old.

“Why are you doing this, George?”

“You need time to grieve.”

“No, I don’t! I-I... Everything’s fine.” James assures him.

“No, it isn’t.” George shakes his head. “Your wife and children are dead. You saw it. You need to recover.”

Growing angry, an indignant James lurches from his chair, startling both women as it flies backward and topples over. The Slaver’s Union soldiers reflexively raise their weapons, while an unphased George sits like a statue at the table.

“Why the fuck do I have to listen to you anyway?! Why are you the boss?!” James growls.

“Because I started it?” George raises a brow.

“I’m just as smart! Smarter, even! I can handle this! I’m handling the loss, and I damn sure handled my fucking bitch of a wife!” James snarls.

“So I’ve noticed...”

“I’m happy now, for once in my miserable life! No Kelly bitching at me for having everything and still being unhappy! No bullshit desk job to drag me down and make me drink the pain away! No responsibilities besides delivering meat and dope to stupid fucks! I even have a woman who gets me! Just like you, I found my soulmate!”

“Did you?” George asks.

“What?” James blinks in disbelief.

“You don’t really know much about this woman. I had time to get to know May before I fell in love with her. How do you know she isn’t using you?” George casually speaks as Erica sits across from him.

“Use... What would she use me for?!”

“Power? Wealth? ... Freedom?” May suggests.

James blinks in shock, while Erica gasps in offense.

“Who asked you, bitch?” James snaps.

“Hey!” George quickly stands to his feet.

James looks around at the guards, then back at George. His stare seems distant and he sniffs, wiping his nose. Long-term irritation is yet another side effect, and George grows even more suspicious.

“Let’s speak in another room... May, you and a few guards should keep Erica company.” George speaks calmly.

“Alright.” She nods.

Walking up to James, George rests one hand on his shoulder, using the other to draw James’ blaster, disarming him. Handing the weapon to the nearest guard, George waves one half of the room full of guards to follow him. Exiting the dining room, they march until George feels that they are a sufficient distance. Entering the nearest room, which was Brooke’s quarters, George leaves all but two guards outside. Suddenly, and without warning, he grabs James by the shoulders and slams his back against the wall.

“Ow! Hey!”

“I know you’ve been using, you stupid little shit! Don’t think I don’t recognize your symptoms.” George barks.

“Using what?” James feigns ignorance.

“Sky dust, you son of a bitch! Don’t play stupid with me!”

“Fine! What of it?!” James snaps.

George smacks James across the temple, pointing a finger in his face.

“You’re a human, you idiot! Once is enough for humans! Was it more than once?”

“Well...” James hesitates.

“Don’t fucking lie to me...” George growls.

“Twice.” James shrugs. “It was only twice.”

“God damn you...” George slowly steps back from his brother. “You haven’t been right for a while. Was that when you started?”

“I haven’t been right since I heard Michael raping a cop! Someone’s mother!” James cries, tears streaming down his face. “And that’s what made me use it... But it didn’t help, okay? Nothing helps, except Erica. She’s all I have... She’s what keeps me from blowing my brains out.”

George can’t believe his ears. With wide eyes, he stares as James crumbles before him like rotted wood. He’s clearly not mentally well, and the stresses of this line of work have taken their toll. Feeling immeasurable guilt, George only wants to protect his younger brother.

“I’m pulling you from this run until you can be checked out. We won’t know just how much it’s affected you until Rakshasa has run some tests.” George says calmly, a soft and caring tone in his often cold voice.

“But I can handle it!” James proclaims.

“You’re staying here and that’s final!”

“I have my crew, and Erica.”

“No, you don’t. Did you already forget? I’m pulling your crew. You can keep that fucking psycho.” George retorts, his patience wearing thin.

“What are you talking about? She’s a good person!”

“Is she? You’re downstairs killing your wife and her lover and Erica is upstairs to find your kids, only for Marsha to murder them? To do what. Protect them from you?! She loved those kids. I loved those kids! Does that make any kind of sense to you?!” George yells with tear-filled eyes.

“I loved them too...” James murmurs.

“Did you? Because you sure aren’t acting like it!”

James lunges forward and shoves George hard. His guards raise their weapons as their leader stumbles back, but George swiftly orders them to stand down.

“Those were MY KIDS!!! HOW FUCKING DARE YOU!!!” James screams at the top of his lungs.

Pressing his back against the wall, he slides down toward the ground, sitting upright in the fetal position. Crying loudly and uncontrollably, he falls apart in front of the three men. Stepping up to him, George’s long, black overcoat sways. James eyes race from his black boots and up to his face. Visibly pained from the loss, George kneels down, resting a hand on his brother’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry. I’m just trying to look after you. Part of that is warning you about things... Bad people.” George speaks to James as if he were a child.

“What are you saying?” James sniffles.

“I’m saying that I know your heart hurts, and probably your head too; the sky dust has confused you, but Erica’s story doesn’t make sense.”

“Fuck you, and get out...” James grumbles.

Sighing in frustration, George closes his eyes and fights back the tears. He doesn’t want his guards to see him breaking at the sight of the pitiful James. He motions to his guards before leaving the room. James sits on the floor, weeping. Marching through the hall, George returns to the dining room to collect May and his remaining guards.

“Come on, babe. Let’s go.”

“Alright, little bear.” She nods.

“See you around!” Erica smugly remarks.

“I hope not...” George grumbles.

“And why is that? Can’t we be friends?” Erica says in a mockingly sweet tone, as if trying to rub salt in his wounds.

“I know what you did. You can brainwash my brother, the drug using feeb that’s become, but you can’t fool me. The second he’s wised up... I’ll kill you.” He sternly warns.

“Oh really?” She grins.

“Really... I can’t prove it, but I think you murdered my niece and nephew.”

“He and I can make new ones.” She shrugs.

George and May are flabbergasted by her coldness; silently chuckling at her sheer audacity.

“The only reason you aren’t dead already is because my brother needs you, so go fucking tend to him.”

“Okay. Bye-bye now!” She chirps with an arrogant wave.

Storming off and taking his guards with him, George departs the Zebrina. Confused by the sudden show of force, but fearful of speaking to the distraught George, the Zebrina’s crew remain silent. Riding the cargo lift down, he tells them simply to return to their quarters and to expect reassignment. Marching down the hall and away from the docking bay, George dismisses his guards; they return to their former duties around the station. Now walking only with May, she can’t help but pry.

“Little bear? Baby? What’s wrong?” She asks.

George stops and turns to her. He looks left and right to see if anyone is nearby. Taking his girlfriend by the hand, he enters the nearest room in the hallway, which is an unused office, still partially under construction. With no one inside, he locks the door and turns to her.

“I love you, May.”

“I love you too.”

“I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you.”

“Really?!” She exclaims, her eyes wide and mouth agape.

“Really.” George answers, taking her into his arms.

“Yes, George!” She answers, jumping up onto him, her tail whipping through the air.

“But this life... I don’t want it.”

With his grip loosening, May slides down and stands before her lover. Gazing up at him, she can see the sorrow in his eyes. Her heart breaks from the sight of his pain.

“This is getting to be too much. This fucking gang... The Slaver’s Union.” He snickers. “I don’t know how this got to be so big. I was just trying to carve out a financial future for us with the only skills I have, but my heart can’t take it, and my mind is tired of lying. I’ve done awful things, and it’s catching up to me.” He says, sitting down atop a nearby desk.

“I don’t like this either, but I stand by you.” She replies.

“So, you’d want to get out with me?” He turns his head to her.

May steps up to him, standing before him and taking both of his hands in hers. Leaning forward, she kisses his lips lovingly.

“Of course! I’m here for you, little bear; where you go, I go.” She answers.

“You’re the best, cupcake.” He says, wrapping his arms around her. “If you hated this as much as I did, you could have just said so. I’d have left this all behind as soon as you asked me too.”

“Really?!” She asks, her heart pleasantly burning and her hands resting on his shoulder blades. “You love me that much?”

“Do you know how many wives I’ve had?”

“None.”

“Yeah.” He nods. “You’re the first, and the last. That should say it all.”

“When do you want to leave?” She asks.

“Very soon, but I need to come up a plan first. Maybe in a week or two. I just want to make sure we can escape without becoming destitute, and I don’t want to lose James or Kira.”

“Kira has a crush on you.” May remarks.

“She has a crush on you too, but I promised her dad I’d watch over her.” George says.

“A man of your word.”

“Yeah. It’d be nice to get the rest of the crew out too; I don’t want them to be left behind to die or go to prison because of me.” George adds.

“We do kind of need them to fly the ship, anyway.” She grins.

“True.”

“Alright, little bear. We can come up with a plan together.” She coos, kissing him lovingly.

“Good, but first I need to rescind James’ docking rights. I don’t trust him to listen to me in his state of mind.”

“Has he really been using sky dust?” She asks.

“He admitted it. I just hope whatever damage he’s done to his brain isn’t permanent.” George sighs sorrowfully.

Taking up his V.I. bracelet, George calls the control room, communicating directly with the Slaver’s Union traffic control.

“Hello, Sir!” The female voice chirps.

“Hey. I need you to cancel the docking codes for captain #103, James Woods. Drop everything you’re doing and erase them right away.”

“Uh... He just left.” The woman replies.

“... WHAT?!”

“Yeah, he launched exactly seventy-three seconds ago.”

Turning to his fiancée, George’s heart sinks. During their walk and brief conversation, James made his escape. Sitting in his captain’s chair with a temporary crew, he glances back at Lagos Depot from a window of the pilothouse. He holds up a middle finger to the station, which serves as a totem of his brother, in his mind. Erica rests her hand upon his shoulder. A call comes through from the base, which James promptly answers.

“James, you fucking idiot! Get back in here!” George’s voice barks.

“Hello, to you too. I said I could do the run, so that’s what I’m doing. I’ll be back in about a week.”

“JAMES!!!”

“Bye.” James says before terminating the line.

Looking to his new crew, collected from Slaver’s Union minions with adequate experience who were working in the docking bay, he orders that they fly the Zebrina to Earth. With the sky dust still in his cargo bay, he is determined to prove himself to his older brother; he is less interested in earning George’s praise as he is showing off his own competence, and silencing the over-protective George. With the hyper drive charged, they activate the warp bubble. George watches in horror, staring at the control room radar as the Zebrina disappears into a singularity, flying at breakneck speed back to Earth.