A Memory of Violence

by Percival Arbogast

  “The peas,” replied Rand, smoothing back his hair and replacing his white cap. “Saw him sneeze in them earlier.”

  “Ugh, thanks for the tip.” Gene stepped out of the pantry and exited the kitchen in search of the Bosun.

  Grabbing up a sack of white rice, Rand followed behind, but found one of the other cooks in the doorway. “They're looking for you up on the bridge,” he said, pulling the rice from his grasp.

  “Wha-? Me?” Rand straightened his glasses. “What do they want me for?”

  The cook shrugged and sauntered off, handing off the sack to Horace. The old head cook peered at the rice and scratched his head. “Now, why are you bringing me this rice, fella?”

  Gene sighed. There was no telling what awaited him on the bridge, but whatever it was, it would almost certainly be less infuriating than working with Horace. He took off his apron and set it aside. “I'll be back,” he called out to no one in particular. All around him the other cooks were busy dashing around, deep into their work. None noticed as he walked out.

  ***

  Wiping her hands off on a rag, Cleo shook her head. “Poor thing's shot, babe. I'ma have to take 'er apart and give it a more thorough inspection. Needs a new plug, I think.” She stepped away from the Scrambler and gave one of her assistants an order. “We're goin' through these generator plugs like mad. Fetch one of 'em for Red-Five here, yeah? When we stop in Medeiro, make sure to remind me that we need more, yeah?” Cleo turned back to Mika, who was leaning against one of the other starfighters, grinning.

  “Why don't we head on into your office for a consultation. I'm thinkin' there are a few things you could stand to inspect,” said Mika, raising a brow.

  Cleo laughed. “Too much work at the moment, babe. I'll let you know when I'm free. Captain's really breathin' down my neck to get everything squared away, though. I can't afford to take it easy right now like you pilots!”

  “Oh?” snorted Mika. “Well, I'll catch you later then. Say, have you seen Jack skulkin' around anywhere? I haven't hardly seen him since we left Anvil Station.”

  The mechanic shrugged, taking the plug from her assistant and crouching beneath the Scrambler. “Can't say I have. He's been shut up in his quarters more or less the entire time. Y'know how he is. Broodin' and serious and all that. One uh two things is gonna happen,” she continued, taking a wrench from her overall pocket and grunting as she worked loose a bolt, “he's either gonna come around and get back to business, er he's gonna end up ditchin' this ship. Hope I'm wrong bout the latter, of course.”

  “You're probably right,” said Mika, turning to leave. “Y'know he went up and had words with the Captain, right? After the fight, I mean.”

  Cleo laughed, almost bumping her head on the Scrambler engine. “He's gonna get his ass kicked if he keeps getting' fresh with Cap'n Faust.” She stepped away from the scrambler and slapped Mika's behind, leaving a black, oily handprint on the seat of her shorts.

  “Hey!” cried Mika, peering over at the mark. “That's gonna leave a stain!”

  “Don't say I never gave ya nothin', babe. Think of it as a souvenir,” replied Cleo with a wink.

  Mika's transmitter went off before she could reply. A message from the bridge. “Yes?” she answered. “This is Mika.”

  One of the mates in the command center spoke. “Mika Thomas, the Captain would like to see you in the command center. If possible, please bring along Mr. Savage as well. We've tried to reach him, but it looks as though his transmitter is switched off.”

  “Uhh,” she fumbled, “yeah, sure. But I haven't seen him in a while. It might take me a bit to find him.”

  There was no reply from the bridge. They'd cut the line.

  Mika sighed.

  “What's the matter?” asked Cleo.

  “Guess I'ma go and find Jack,” she said, waving lazily as she turned and left the hangar.

  ***

  Jack Savage sat in his bunk and leaned against the wall, the bedclothes drawn up around him. The lights were dimmed, and he kept his gaze low, studying the small bag he had packed. It was sitting on the floor across from his bed and contained what few items he'd brought with him. He didn't have much to take with him when he left Methuselah. The bulk of his baggage was in bad memories.

  I'm through with this ship, he thought to himself for what must've been the hundredth time since waking. No longer was he going to concern himself with the struggles of the ship or her irresponsible captain. He couldn't take the strain anymore. Friends of his, more than he wished to count, had lost their lives in service to Methuselah and her careless captain, and Jack could no longer bear the thought of contributing to the bloodshed. For too long he'd tried to work with Faust, attempting to train the pilots as best he could and defend their lives in battle. But no more. All he'd done, he realized, was facilitate their mistreatment. I'm not going to stick around here and give this my blessing any longer. If he wants to keep sending people to their deaths, then he's going to have to do it without my involvement.

  Every time he closed his eyes, he found his mind filled with brilliant lights, visions of explosions long-since passed. His ears tingled with the sounds of gunfire and the final screams of comrades through the comm line. Jack's mind felt heavy with horror and loss. Where he had once joined up with Methuselah to sharpen his skills and serve a reputable, wealthy captain, his time on her had been marked only with tragedy. And now, after their hollow victory at Anvil Station, their numbers were fewer. Many of the crew had been left behind on the doomed station, a few pilots among them, and the fight itself had seen Tom perish, too.

  His stomach growled. He hadn't left his room but a few times over the last few days, choosing to remain inside until sleep finally overcame him. Stretching out across the bed, he groaned. A knock at his door saw him sit upright, however.

  “Jack, it's Mika. If you're in there, open up,” came the voice from the hall.

  He sat silently, hoping she'd move on. When the pounding persisted however, he replied. “Yeah, just a minute.” He switched on the light and smoothed over his hair, ambling to the door and opening it a crack. “What?” he asked through the opening.

  Mika gave the door a shove and Jack stepped back with it. She started into the room and looked him up and down with a smirk. “What you got goin' on in here? Been sleeping all this time, have ya?”

  The lights hurt his eyes. Jack narrowed his gaze and shrugged. “I guess.”

  “Well, wakey wakey. The Captain wants to see the two of us on the bridge.”

  Jack chortled. “No kidding. What for?”

  “Dunno.”

  “Well, you can tell him to go fuck himself,” he replied flatly, sauntering back towards his bed.

  Mika cracked a smile. “That's a lovely sentiment, but I think it's something you'd better tell him yourself. Anyway, they're expecting us, Jack. Let's get a move on. Sitting around all moody like this ain't gonna help anyone, and it sure as hell won't bring Tom back.”

  “Or Alton. Or Therese. Or John and Roger. Need I continue?” he asked, slumping against a wall. “Just how many of my friends have to die? How long do I have to stay on this ship and pretend that what Faust is doing is responsible?”

  Mika ran a hand through her short hair and sniffed the air quizzically. “What do you want from me, chief? You think your leaving is going to make things magically improve round here? What's more likely is that, without you looking out for us, we're all gonna get screwed. Each and every one of us, myself included. I can fly with the best of them, but after what we saw out there...” Mika paused. “We need every pilot we can get our hands on. We've lost some of our better guys and we're winging it here against these Zhoiri pricks. If you leave, that's well and fine for you, but everyone else on this ship will suffer for it.”

  “Oh, great!” shouted Jack. “So what, I'm the glue holding this ship together? I'm the lynchpin, am I? Without me Methuselah and everyone on it is done for? Give me a damn break!”

  Mika shook her h
ead. “That ain't what I said. Look, Jack. We're hanging in a delicate balance here. We need all the help we can get, and anyone who deserts, be it a janitor or the Quartermaster, is gonna hurt the ship as a whole. If we lose you, then maybe we'll still get by. But I doubt it. Everybody on the ship right now is going to have to step up to face the challenge, and if you leave us... there's no replacing ya.”

  “Yeah, well maybe I'm tired of towing the line,” he replied.

  “That's what happens when you're talented, Jack. People come to rely on you.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Flattery won't get you anywhere.”

  “Yeah, well,” she said, rolling up her sleeves and folding her arms, “I just need to get you to the bridge, as a matter of fact. So if flattery ain't gonna work, I guess I could wrestle your ass to the command center.”

  “Christ,” he said, smirking. “I'll come with you, but I tell you what. If that asshole starts spouting nonsense, I'm liable to crack him one in the face.”

  Mika laughed. “I won't hold you back, but I won't pick you up off the floor when the Captain's through with ya, either.”

  Jack threw on a jacket and boots. Switching off the lights, he followed Mika out into the hall and to the command center, his hands stuffed into his pockets.

  ***

  Faust paced about the command center as the last of the crew arrived. Jack and Mika were present, as were Gene, Rand and a custodian by the name of Wade. The latter three, in particular, looked on nervously as Faust appraised them with a sly grin.

  “I've called the three of you here,” he said, pointing to the cabin boy, the cook and the janitor, “because you've expressed interest in becoming pilots in the past. Is that correct?”

  Jack's eyes grew wide. What the hell is he going on about?

  The three young fellows gave a nod.

  “You're in luck,” continued Faust. “We've some openings. Our encounter at Anvil Station saw one of our pilots die in battle and a few others left behind in the station. We're in need of some replacements, so if you're equal the task, I'm prepared to make you Scrambler pilots.”

  Their eyes lit up and each agreed at once.

  “Thanks, Captain!” said Gene. “I'd love to fly!”

  “Yeah!” cried Rand, tossing his white cap aside. “I've always wanted to get in the air. Hell of a lot better than the kitchen,” he said, grinning.

  “Do ya really mean it, Captain?” asked Wade, his navy-blue uniform sagging over his stick-thin frame.

  “I do,” said Faust, pointing towards Jack and Mika. “Mr. Savage and Miss Thomas here will see to it that the three of you are trained at once. Congratulations, gentlemen. You are Blue Squadron pilots starting today.”

  Jack furrowed his brow. “Now wait just a goddamn minute!” he blurted. “What are you trying to do? Get these guys killed?”

  The new pilots paused in their celebration, eyeing Jack nervously as he stepped forward.

  “They're too young and they have absolutely no experience! How do you expect me to get them battle ready? This is a joke, right?”

  Mika nodded. “I... I agree, sir. It's kinda risky, I think, to put these fellas in Scramblers seeing as how we're at war. Not the best time to become a new pilot, ya know?”

  Faust leaned against the helm and chuckled. “Goodness, you're right! What was I thinking. Let me just rustle up a few veteran pilots out of thin air. Mr. Kanpei, we've got a few of those in the supply room, yes? Battle-ready aces?”

  Kanpei smiled and lowered his gaze. He clearly didn't want to get involved.

  “Damn it, Captain. You know I'm right. This is reckless!” shouted Jack.

  Faust waved his hand and nodded. “Yes, yes. Which is why I'm putting them in your capable hands. They're assigned to Blue Squadron, so they won't see battle if we're lucky. Moreover, I'm giving you complete control over their training. Feel free to run as many training missions or simulations as you like. Just get them trained as fast as you can.”

  Jack laughed. “So you're giving me the authority to train them the right way now? A little late, don't you think?”

  “Better late than ever, no? And you've got Mika here to help you. Together, the two of you can turn them into capable pilots, I imagine,” said the Captain, tracing the edge of the command chair with his finger. “Unless you're refusing?”

  Jack was about to shout back a response, but Mika began before he could reply. “Of course we will, Captain. Desperate times call for desperate measures, after all. We'll be happy to do it if it'll help the crew. Right Jack?” she asked, shoving one of her elbows into his side.

  “Geeze,” Jack said with a wince. He weighed the proposition for a time, his gaze traveling between the expectant Mika, the three new pilots, and the Captain, who bore a cocky grin. I can't believe Mika's on board with this. But if I don't help to train them... who will? Faust is going to make them pilots even if I leave the ship. He eyed the young men once more, each of them half his age and clearly enthusiastic at the prospect. He gave in with a sigh. “Fine,” he said. “As long as I have complete control and they're willing to submit to my training, I'll do it.”

  Faust clapped. “Glad to hear it, Mr. Savage! A man of great skill and character you are!”

  “Spare me,” mumbled Jack.

  “We are nearing Medeiro,” said Faust, pointing to the main display. “Though our engine is damaged, we should be there within the next two days. We've had great luck so far, not having encountered any hostiles on the way. If we can make it to Medeiro safely, then perhaps you can all run a training flight while we're stationed there, yes? At any rate, take the new pilots for a tour of the hangar, would you Mr. Savage? You and Mika can show them the ropes and let them get acquainted with the Scramblers. I'll make an announcement when we've arrived at the station.”

  “Yessir,” said Mika, shoving Jack out of the command center and waving over the three pilots. “We'll get on it right away.”

  The group left the bridge and began down the hall. Jack led the group, ambling towards the hangar with a grimace. The three pilots all chattered exuberantly about starfighters and the like. “I hope you know what you just signed us up for,” he said to Mika quietly as they went.

  She clicked her tongue. “You know, I don't like this damn attitude. Just cool it and learn to go with the flow, Jack!”

  Jack held his breath a moment. It's not me we have to worry about. We're responsible for these guys now. I don't see this ending well... They started into the hangar, where the three pilots marveled at the Scramblers lined up at the center.

  “Whoa!” declared Wade, sprinting towards one and running his hand against one of its wings. “The only time I've been able to see one of these up close is the time I had to come in here and mop puke outta one of the cockpits!”

  The others laughed.

  “Say,” asked Gene, peering into one of the cockpits. “What do you wanna teach us first, Mr. Savage?”

  “What indeed?” replied Jack, pursing his lips.

  CHAPTER 9

  Mika and Jack led the young pilots from the hangar to a narrow hallway. As they went, the young men chattered excitedly, gushing over the prospect of flying Scramblers. Jack couldn't help but smile. He remembered what it was like to be young, to have dreams of flying a starfighter of his own.

  “Just you wait and see,” said Rand, “I'm going to be an ace. Those aliens won't know what hit 'em when I get out there.”

  “Oh yeah?” replied Mika, jabbing him in the ribs playfully. “Well we're just gonna see about that, ace.”

  “Where are he headed now?” asked Wade.

  Jack paused and unlocked one of the many doors along the hall. As the door swung open, the pilots peered inside. The room was dark.

  “It's pitch black in there,” said Rand. “What're we doing here?”

  “It's the simulation room,” replied Jack. “Come on in, fellas. It's a little cramped.”

  The group filed in and Mika closed the door behind them, making the
darkness almost complete, save for some beady green lights in the corner. Jack reached out and, after a bit of fumbling, managed to flip a set of switches. A dull light filled the room. At the room's center was a massive metallic pod. A narrow opening in the pod, an entrance, revealed the cockpit inside. A helmet and harness were propped up on the seat, which was flanked with a number of control panels.

  “This is our simulator,” began Jack, leaning against the wall. The new pilots looked on curiously, squeezed into the opposite corner. “If you look there, you'll see it's set up sort of like one of the Scramblers. Not exactly, but close enough to give a similar feel.” He pointed to the opening. “One of you go in there and put on the harness. The helmet, too. We're going to run each of you through a simulation. I want you to know what flight is like before I actually stick you in one of these things. Understand? We'll go through a number of scenarios; maneuverability, obstacles and bogeys. Who's going first?”

  Wade stepped up before the other two could reply. “I'ma go first!” he declared, making a beeline for the cockpit.

  Mika stood beside Jack, leaning against the console. “We're gonna be watching the simulation unfold on this display here,” she said, pointing to the holographic display at the console. “Don't go doing anything dumb in there, else your buddies out here are gonna see.”

  Wade pulled on the harness and struggled for a bit to tighten it around his bony chest. “I think I got it tight enough,” he said, putting on the bulky helmet.”

  “Good. You ready?” asked Jack.

  Wade gave the thumbs up.

  Switching on the simulator, the door to the cockpit slowly closed, sealing Wade inside. Jack adjusted the microphone at his console and explained what was happening. “It's going to take just a few minutes to warm up. What it's going to do now is create an environment similar to what you'll encounter in space. You'll be subjected to artificial G-forces, you'll feel every bump and turn, got that? Any second now, the cockpit display in there should be filled with a space scene.”