Seas of the Red Star

by Andrew Gates

  “Damn, that’s a lot to take in,” Dave said.

  “I understand. Take your time,” Ryan replied, trying to sound reassuring.

  This news was a shock, but in some ways, Ellen felt relieved. If someone from their world was still around, that meant there was a way to get back to it. She just had to find out how.

  “Thank you for sharing your story with us,” Ellen said. “I know, as a man of secrets, it must be hard for you to share this with others.”

  “Indeed it is, Corporal. That is why I hope I don’t need to remind the two of you that this information is to be kept to yourselves. Should any of it get out, I’m afraid our friendship will have run its course.”

  “You have my word,” Ellen said.

  “And mine,” Dave agreed.

  We already told Captain Azzorro that we came from another world. What if he tells? Yuri asked, privately.

  Let’s hope he doesn’t.

  That doesn’t sound reassuring at all.

  Ryan smiled and walked around his desk again. He sighed as he moved across the room.

  “Well… I have held up my end of the bargain. You now know what happened here. It is your turn to help me,” he said.

  “What would you have us do?” Ellen asked, nervous about how he would respond.

  “I want you two to help me on a mission. If you are successful, I will repay you with FTLT transport back to Mateo, provided you maintain my secret even when you return, of course.”

  “Of course,” both Ellen and Dave replied in unison.

  “Captain Yasso tells me you were found aboard a sea scorger ship. Is this correct?”

  “It is,” Ellen confirmed.

  “So you know the scorgers? You know their ways? Their routines?”

  “Not necessarily. We were not aboard their ship for long. We learned a few names, but not much else,” Ellen answered. She knew this was probably not the answer Ryan was hoping for, though it was the truth.

  “Still,” he said, seemingly unfazed, “your time with them must give you some sort of advantages.”

  “I suppose so,” Ellen replied, not sure where he was going with this.

  Ryan slowly looked down to floor for a few seconds, as if lost in his own thoughts. When he looked up again, his expression was stern.

  “The sea scorgers have been a thorn in my side since the beginning. Those nasty pirates disrupt trade to the point that entire fleets have arrived at their destinations with a mere fraction of cargo remaining. The scorgers need to be destroyed once and for all, and you two are going to help me do it.”

  Ellen gulped. She felt her heart beat a bit faster.

  Damn, that’s asking a lot, Yuri commented to Ellen.

  Somehow I knew this wasn’t going to be easy.

  He’s the only one capable of getting us off Taspansa. It doesn’t sound like we really have a choice.

  Unfortunately, I think you’re right.

  “My spies tell me the sea scorgers are getting desperate. The Navy’s new warships are no match for their old wooden boats. The various pirate captains are planning a secret meeting to discuss a retaliation strategy against me and the Navy.”

  “And you want to attack during this secret assembly, I take it?” Ellen asked.

  “I do. Imagine all the crews gathered in once place at the same time. We may never get a chance like this again.”

  Ellen could not help but think of the young man, Russell, caught up in a deadly crossfire. In many ways, that boy reminded her of her own son. Did she really want to help the Governor kill these pirates?

  Dave let out a deep breath. Ellen guessed he had the same reservations as her.

  “I can tell you are hesitant,” Ryan observed. “I understand you may have grown fond of the sea scorgers during your brief time aboard their boat, but whatever feelings you have for them, I urge you to cast them aside. Their kind is not meant to live much longer on this world.”

  Ellen looked down to the floor. She closed her eyes and imagined Russell, the young boy who only wanted to be part of a family. He did not deserve to die, especially by Ellen’s own hand.

  We have no choice, Yuri said to her. Do you want to stay on this world forever?

  No. I can’t do that.

  Then we must go through with the Governor’s plan.

  Ellen sighed. Though she hated to admit it, she knew Yuri was right. She looked up at Ryan again and locked eyes with him.

  “You promise you can get us off world?” she asked.

  “I do.” Ryan nodded in confirmation.

  “Very well,” she agreed. “We’ll do it.”

  Interlude

  Earth Date (Revised Julian Calendar): 01.28.5673

  Location: The Governor’s Manor, Brown Sanctum, Taspansa, The Governor’s Dominion

  “I don’t get it,” Dave said as they stepped into the rain. The handmaidens closed the manor door behind them. “Things didn’t add up back there.”

  “A lot of things didn’t add up,” Ellen agreed.

  Guards kept their eyes locked on the two of them as they made their way down the path back to the docks. Thankfully, they kept their distance.

  “For one, how has he stayed this young for this long? Rejuvs do a lot of good, but they’re not supposed to make you live for over a millennium,” Ellen said, keeping her voice quiet so none of the guards could hear. “Secondly, if he’s got all this tech, how come I didn’t see anything back there? I didn’t even get a connection the ATG. Where is he keeping all his stuff?”

  “I don’t know,” Dave replied, trying to stay just as quiet. “Also, did you hear that stuff he said about Vexa Corp and the Crosshair Pirates wanting to find him? What was that all about?”

  “I heard.”

  “Who are the Crosshair Pirates anyway? Have you ever heard of that group?”

  “No,” Ellen replied, shaking her head. “I haven’t. But there is definitely more to that man than he was letting on.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Let’s hope he will uphold his end of the deal.”

  “I think he will,” Dave said with a tone of optimism. “He doesn’t want us as his enemies. I think he knows that.”

  Ellen did not respond.

  Scabbard’s Inn

  Earth Date (Revised Julian Calendar): 01.29.5673

  Location: Scabbard’s Inn, Coral Cove, Taspansa, The Governor’s Dominion

  “The captain says you have a bottle for him!” Russell shouted to the barman through the loud sounds of music and drunken revelry.

  The barman nodded to Russell and handed him a glass bottle. He accepted it and felt how cold it was in his grip. Russell kindly nodded back to the scruffy man and turned to face the inside of the room.

  Scabbard’s Inn. Russell could not believe he was finally seeing this place for himself. He had heard tales of this legendary sea scorger hideaway, founded by two of the most notorious former scorgers in Taspansa: Captain Rager and Captain Spectre. Both were once feared pirates and used their stolen fortune to finance this sanctum.

  Captain Azzorro and the rest of the crew arrived four days ago. It took some negotiating, but the captain managed to get them all places to stay here at the inn. The crew would not stay for free, of course. Rager and Spectre kept meticulous track of debt. One day the captain would have to pay up, lest he find his head displayed on the outer gates.

  Russell did not worry about that though. Captain Azzorro was an honest man, especially when it came to dealing with his fellow sea scorgers. He would pay his debt when he could. Russell was sure of it.

  “You just gonna stare at the room all day?” a voice asked from behind, pulling the boy’s attention back to the present.

  Russell turned to face the speaker behind the bar. Sure enough, it was the barman, scrubbing some dirty glasses.

  “The captain is in no hurry,” the boy replied.

  “Be this your first time at Scabbard’s Inn, boy?”

  “It is.” Russell nodded.

 
; “I hope you’ve found your accommodations pleasurable.”

  “Indeed, I have. We are all very grateful to stay here.”

  “Polite words for a sea scorger. Tell me, how come you don’t partake in the revelry?” the barman asked. He pointed to the nearby partiers.

  “I don’t have a taste for that kind of thing,” Russell replied, not sure how else to answer the question.

  “Ha! Yer too young. You’ll grow into it.”

  “Is it like this every night?”

  “Every night, every day, only the mornings be quiet here,” the man responded.

  “Don’t you ever get sick of it?”

  The barman grinned and shook his head in amusement. He put the glassware down and tossed the rag over his shoulder.

  “When ye’ see this kind of gaiety daily, it becomes part of you. You should know how that is, spending yer days on a sea scorger ship of all places.”

  “I’m still new to the crew,” Russell admitted. “But I think I know what you mean.”

  “You like this crew? Azzorro being good to you?”

  “He is,” Russell replied with a smile. “They’ve been the best to me. A true family.”

  “You best be watching out then, lad. Rumours have been coming around that the Governor is revolutionizing his anti-piracy agenda. Some say there’ll be an extermination. Your days as a scorger may be short.”

  Those words hit him hard. Russell knew that the Navy had built their new warships and were upping their hunt, but hearing the bartender use the word extermination made him shiver with dread. Losing the sea scorgers would mean losing those closest to him forever. He could not imagine a direr fate.

  “That’s what the captain hopes to prevent. That’s why he’s gathering the other captains.”

  “Gathering the captains,” he repeated. The barman leaned down over the counter and lowered his voice. “Aye, if you ask me, a war is coming, lad. This won’t be like those little skirmishes you’ve seen before. If Captain Azzorro gets his assembly like he plans, there’ll be a full-scale war for control of the seas.”

  “You really think so?”

  “Aye, I do,” the barman replied. He paused for a moment, then stood straight behind the bar again. He slowly reached for another glass and started scrubbing. “Sorry, I realize I’m scaring you. That wasn’t my intent. Now why don’t you send up that bottle now? The captain’ll be waiting for you.”

  Without saying another word, Russell gripped the bottle in his left hand and ran up the nearby staircase. The sound of music and drunken cheering faded away with every step. When he reached the top floor, he found his way to the captain’s room at the end of the long hall. He pressed onto the door, not wanting to sneak up on anyone.

  “Ah yes, cabin boy, come in!” Captain Azzorro said as the door slowly opened.

  Russell walked inside. Briggs and Ellis were both with the captain, smoking while studying maps.

  “Set ‘er down right there, boy,” Captain Azzorro ordered, motioning to a nearby table.

  Russell set the rum on the table. It seemed there were already empty glasses set up for them.

  “Do you need anything else?” he asked.

  “Don’t be so hasty to leave just yet. You may find this interesting,” the captain said. He pointed to an empty chair in the corner of the room.

  Russell nodded and sat down as the captain opened the rum and began pouring four cups.

  “Oh, I don’t want any,” Russell said.

  “Nonsense. This’ll do you some good. The innkeepers have been nice enough to lend us this bottle. We might as well share it,” Captain Azzorro replied as he handed Russell a glass.

  The boy accepted it and took a whiff. Just the smell of it made him grimace. He could not understand what the others saw in such a revolting drink.

  “To the Red God’s Gleam, wherever she may be now!” the captain said, holding the drink high.

  “Here, here!” Ellis said.

  They brought their glasses together and downed the drink in a single sip. Russell was not as fast as the others. He took a few small sips at a time before finishing it all.

  They each set their empty glasses down on the table next to the bottle.

  “Aah, that’s the stuff. Now, where were we?” the captain asked, getting back on track.

  “You were discussing the birds, sir,” Briggs replied.

  “Ah yes!” Captain Azzorro adjusted in his chair and removed the hat from his head. He held it still for a few seconds before placing it down on the chair’s arm.

  Russell had rarely ever seen the captain without his hat. Seeing him this way was a strange sight.

  “Pigeons have been arriving at the inn all day. The captains are getting my encoded message. I’ve already heard from Captain Galbrix of the Wave Rider, Captain Reaster of the Mermaid’s Scorn, Captain Jarkins of the Pearl, all of them willing and able to meet.”

  “That is only three captains. We were expecting more!” Briggs said. There was a tone of worry in his voice.

  “And I imagine more shall come. It is still early, Briggs,” the captain replied, reassuringly. He sounded confident. “A pigeon may carry a message far, but he cannot do so instantaneously.”

  “I am glad to hear that the encoded message is working, but I have my worries,” Ellis said.

  The captain turned to face him.

  “The other captains all have ships,” Ellis continued. “Ours was taken by the Navy. We’re all that’s left. How do you expect us to rally the other captains without a ship?”

  “They will hear my story, for I have quite a tale to tell. When they learn about the Navy’s new boats, the captains will sympathize with our cause. I am sure of this,” Azzorro explained.

  “You sound confident, sir,” Briggs said.

  “I am. This will work, lads.” He stood up now and walked to the nearest window. He pulled the curtains aside and stared out. “The Navy is hunting us to the end of Taspansa. They kill without remorse or hesitation. The way I see it, we have nothing more to lose.”

  “The other sea scorgers-” Ellis began.

  “Are on their own right now,” Captain Azzorro interrupted. “Alone, they will fare just as well as us against the Navy’s steel ships. Alone, the sea scorgers are doomed. This meeting will finally unite our forces. It will finally give us a fighting chance.” The captain turned around to face the inside of the room again. “Trust me,” he said. “It will work.”

  Russell could not help but recall the barman’s words in this moment. If Captain Azzorro gets his assembly like he plans, there’ll be a full-scale war for control of the seas. The boy shivered. It seemed the barman may have been right.

  Reflection

  Earth Date (Revised Julian Calendar): 01.29.5673

  Location: North Docks, Brown Sanctum, Taspansa, The Governor’s Dominion

  Ellen peered out the window as rainwater splashed against the glass. Boat masts stood straight up on the horizon like trees in a thick forest. The docks had been bustling with action all day long in preparation for the Governor’s attack.

  Ellen turned away from the sight and studied the inside of the small wooden cabin where she and Dave had spent the night. It was closely monitored by armed guards outside, though the two of them got their own privacy inside.

  Dave sat on the floor of the cabin, picking away at his fingernails. Ellen wondered if this was a nervous twitch or if he was just bored.

  “I feel like we’ve been in this stupid room for days,” Dave said, looking up at Ellen.

  “It’s been about one day,” Ellen replied.

  Technically it’s been 18 hours, 54 minutes and 34 seconds, 35 seconds, 36 seconds… Yuri corrected.

  “Oh, that’s just great!” Dave retorted. “How about next time, you keep that info to yourself?”

  Sorry. I forget the sensitivity of you humans sometimes.

  “I can’t even piss alone! I have to have that guard escort me to a goddamn outhouse!” Dave said. He flailed
his arms around like a child.

  Ellen leaned down and patted him on the shoulder, trying to calm him. She knew he was acting irrationally, but she could not blame him. There was a lot on both of their minds. Being locked up like this did not help put those thoughts at ease. Dave closed his eyes and let out a deep breath.

  “Thanks,” he said, seemingly calmer.

  “Feel better?”

  “Slightly.”

  His heart is still beating faster than normal, Yuri reported, privately.

  “Let’s talk about something to get your mind off what’s going on,” Ellen proposed. “I know it’s not an easy time right now.”

  Dave slowly nodded his head. Ellen sat down before him and smiled.

  “Okay,” Dave finally said. Ellen was glad to see that he was willing to comply. “What… uh… what do you want to talk about?”

  “I don’t know. How about life back home?”

  “Life back home.” Dave snickered as he tossed a piece of broken fingernail across the room. His expression slowly transformed from one of calmness to one of sorrow. He lowered his head to the floor. “Life back home was never all that exciting.”

  “No? Weren’t you living in the city? There’s a lot to do in Neu Taargus.”

  “I was living there, yes, but I never really felt… you know… fulfilled.”

  “I thought you were successful back on Mateo. Weren’t you the top pilot in Vexa Corp?”

  Dave sighed and shook his head. He turned away from Ellen, as if he dared not look her in the eye.

  “No,” he admitted as he let out a deep breath. “That was never true. I just made that up to get you to fly with me again.”

  “You made it up?” Ellen was astonished. She knew Dave was childish at times, but she never believed he would stoop so low. “But I saw the data. Yuri confirmed it.”

  Dave had me forge a lot of that data you saw, Gloria said. We had it staged just for you. I’m sorry.

  That’s a serious crime. You two could be in a lot trouble for that! Yuri explained. Ellen could tell he was mad.

  “I know, I know. Gloria said the same thing,” Dave replied. He put his hands in the air and finally met Ellen’s eyes again. “I regret it now, but it seemed like the only way to get you to agree to come.”