Caspian's Fortune

by Eric Warren

  “That’s enough,” a female voice announced from somewhere off to his left. Veena recoiled as if she’d been bitten; the smirk on her face transforming into a visage of loathing.

  Stepping out from behind the same wall Veena had appeared from earlier was none other than Evie, arms crossed and a smug look on her face.

  8

  “What are you doing here?” Cas said, stiffening.

  “And here I was hoping it was all a bad dream,” Veena said, examining her long nails.

  “What is going on?” Cas asked, unsure of anything at this point. Why would Evie be conferring with Veena? Her story about being in the Coalition hadn’t been a ploy, Box confirmed that much. Which meant she had either gone rogue or was more determined than Cas gave her credit for.

  “This…mercenary,” Veena said, distain dripping from the word, “has purchased your contract.” She put her hand down.

  “What?” Cas took a step back, broaching the edge of the stairs. He righted himself just in time before tumbling backward. “You allowed that?” He glanced from Veena to Evie and back again.

  “It wasn’t an easy decision, I assure you,” Veena said, her chin higher than before. “But it was too good of a deal. Though upon reexamination…I think I might have been cheated.” She narrowed her eyes at Evie.

  “We have a deal,” Evie replied.

  Veena scoffed, flitting her fingers. “So we do.”

  Cas’s comm unit beeped. He checked quickly to see it was Box on the other end. “Problems?” he asked.

  “A team of Veena’s people are here,” Box replied. “They want access to the ship.” Cas caught Veena’s gaze.

  “I have to get my goods from your hold if you’re no longer going to be in my employ,” she said. “I can’t allow you to walk away with two million in untraceable equipment, now can I?”

  “Two million?” Cas yelled. “That’s how much I was carrying?”

  Veena’s smile stretched wide as she sunk back into her throne. “Don’t blame me if you don’t know what you’re carrying. Weren’t you the one who—how did you put it? Didn’t give two shits about what’s in your cargo hold as long as you didn’t have to deal with it? Maybe I’m paraphrasing.”

  “Box, let them on. They’re going to lighten our load.” Cas said, tapping the comm unit to cut the line. He couldn’t believe she’d put that much on his ship. It was possible she just did it to goad him. Had he actually looked at any point during the journey he would have realized he’d had more than enough to trade for all the parts he needed to fix his ship and then some. With a couple million he could have stayed in deep space for a few years, just cruising. And all he’d needed to do was take it and run.

  “How long will it take to unload?” Evie asked, her arms still crossed.

  “An hour or so,” Veena replied, no longer interested.

  Cas watched Evie. The answer seemed to satisfy her as she still wore that smug look on her face. She knew she’d won. Veena no longer had any vested interest in him. How much had Evie paid? By purchasing his contract, she’d eliminated any protection he could have expected from the Sargans when the Coalition came calling. Evie would be able to drag him back into the Coalition one way or the other now.

  Unless he blew her cover. If Veena found out she’d been paid off by the Coalition she’d lose her mind; it was the one organization she refused to do business with, no matter how good the money was. He respected that about her. It was what drew him to her in the first place and had been the one thing they shared in common. He’d never gotten the whole story but from what he’d put together through the years her hatred of the Coalition had something to do with how her parents were treated while citizens.

  Cas took stock of the room. Rasp was right behind Evie. Kort was down the hall and Veena had two other guards whose names he didn’t know standing off to the left and the right of the throne. If he did blow Evie’s cover Veena would have no qualms about dropping her into the pit. Even with the sword she didn’t stand a chance against four of Veena’s guards. Veena would probably even order Cas to help them which was unacceptable.

  “Wait, you can’t just let some stranger purchase all my debt from you,” Cas protested, trying to think of a way out of this. “I don’t even know this person.”

  Veena stood and took two steps toward him, placing her hand gently on his shoulder. Even through his jacket he could sense her skin was bitterly cold. “I don’t care,” she said, her voice soft. “All I know is I’ve lost a good asset today, but the price to keep you was just too high. Contrary to what this mercenary thinks, you’re not worth that much.” She gave him a brief smile before dropping her hand.

  He couldn’t exactly protest. He’d wanted a way out, though preferably one that didn’t lead straight back to the Coalition. Although, there might still be a way he could turn this to his advantage. “What about the repairs to my ship?” Cas asked, indignant. He thought he caught Evie’s smile falter. “I can’t exactly do any jobs for anyone without an operational ship.”

  Veena turned to Evie. “I can of course repair his…ship.” Even when he was helping her she couldn’t keep the revulsion out of her voice. Though standing in this room it was obvious Veena only liked the best. “For a price.”

  “I don’t think that will be necessary,” Evie said.

  “What?” Veena said with mock concern. “Who spends so much money on a courier who can’t transport anything? Or perhaps your interest is in something other than his skills delivering goods back and forth.” She drew her long fingers down through Cas’s hair to the base of his neck, making him shudder. He didn’t dare face her.

  “Thank you, but we’ll find repairs at the next port over,” Evie said.

  Cas brushed Veena’s hand away as she chuckled. “It won’t make it that far,” he replied. Evie snapped a look at him with fire in her eyes. “I doubt I can even open an undercurrent in the state its in.”

  “You won’t find anyone else on this station with the appropriate parts either,” Veena sneered at Evie. “But don’t worry. I’d be happy to give you…a five percent discount.”

  “How generous,” Evie said through clenched teeth.

  “It’s my pleasure,” Veena replied. “After all, you did give me a once-in-a-lifetime deal.” She’d lost any trace of her earlier anger. And that made Cas nervous. “Rasp,” Veena called out. “See to it repairs begin immediately. We don’t want to keep our new friend waiting too long. Though,” she turned back to Evie, “I’m sure you can find something to do with him for a few hours.”

  “Yes, Mum,” Rasp replied, turning and disappearing behind the wall.

  Evie clenched her fists, dropping her arms. “I’ll transfer the second payment to your account as soon as we leave.”

  Veena grinned, nodding but not responding. All of a sudden she’d reverted back into the collected, regal woman Cas had always known. She resumed her place on the throne and tented her long fingers together as Evie approached Cas. “Let’s go,” she ordered, marching past him and onto the red carpet for the long walk.

  Cas took one last look at Veena who seemed content now and turned to follow.

  ***

  “What the hell was that?” Evie whispered as soon as they were beyond the outer doors and back in the main corridors of the station. Cas had made sure to check his ammunition when he retrieved his boomcannon from Kort. He couldn’t afford sabotage now.

  “What?” Cas said, feigning ignorance. He needed a drink. Badly.

  “That crap about repairing your ship. You could have put my life in danger,” she said.

  “You did that the moment you stepped on this station,” he replied. “It’s not my fault you went to one of the most dangerous people in the sector to accomplish your mission.”

  “Well, it doesn’t matter. She can keep your ship for all I care. You and I are going back to Coalition space and we’re leaving right now. And in case you haven’t noticed, you’re all out of excuses.” She picked up her pace
and Cas took longer steps to keep up with her.

  “Well, actually, we’re not,” he said.

  She stopped cold. “Look. Unless you want a battalion of Coalition marines on this station tomorrow dragging your ass out of here I suggest you cooperate. And don’t think I can’t do it. I told you this was a priority one order which means you don’t get to say no.”

  “What I mean is, we’re not going anywhere because I disabled your shuttle.” Cas smirked. “And it looks like my ship is getting the repairs it needs so in a couple hours I’ll be saying adios and you can just wait for rescue.”

  Her jaw hung open slightly but her eyes burned into his. “You…how could…only a Coalition—”

  “I told you, I’m an engineer. I know how stuff works.” He turned and made his way down the hallway, leaving her standing there. “But thanks again for getting me out of my contract and for the repairs.” He tickled the air with his fingers at her as he sauntered off in search of the nearest bar.

  9

  “Why is it seventy-five percent of the times I’ve seen you it’s been in or near a bar?” Evie strolled up to the counter inside The Pit.

  Cas moaned and took another gulp of his rank, relishing the fizz going down his throat. “Give it up already, you’ve lost. In a couple hours I’m leaving this station once and for all and you’ll never see me again,” he said.

  She sat on the stool next to him, unhooking her sword and laying it on the bar beside her. The robot bartender glided over. “Yes?”

  “What he’s having,” she said. The bartender turned to the taps. “You’re absolutely right,” she said to Cas. He arched an eyebrow at her. “You’ve got me. There is not a thing I can do to make you come back to the Coalition.”

  He took another sip as the bartender set her glass in front of her. “Why do I feel like there’s a but coming on?” he asked.

  “No buts. No more tricks. Here’s to you, as clever as they said you were. You’ve bested me.” She held up her glass. He furrowed his brow but lifted his own and clinked it with hers before taking another draw.

  “I thought you didn’t drink,” he said.

  “Now is the perfect time to start, don’t you think? Every good failure needs a pick-me-up.”

  “What does this mean for you?” He couldn’t help but wonder what the failure of a priority one mission would mean for her. “Going back empty-handed?”

  She shrugged. “Who knows. They’ll probably reassign me. Or maybe even demote me. Doesn’t matter though.”

  “If you’re trying to guilt me into coming it isn’t going to work.” Cas finished the rank. “I’ll take another,” he said to the bartender.

  “Guilt you? Ha! I’m not sure that’s an emotion you’re capable of,” she said. “I envy you. You have this uncanny ability to put yourself at the top of this little pyramid and everyone else around you just slides down to the bottom.” She made a sliding motion with her hand. “But hey, you get to stay there at the top so no harm done, am I right? I’d just like to know how you do it.” She tipped the glass back and drank half the liquid in one move.

  The bartender set the second glass in front of him. “That’s not how it is,” he said, taking a large gulp himself. She was steering him into treacherous territory.

  “Whatever you have to tell yourself.” She finished off the rank and set the glass down. “Another,” she said to the bartender. Cas glanced at his own glass. “Maybe I’ll be like you,” she said. “I’ll just stay here on Devil’s Gate. Pick up some work here and there. Earn myself a ship. I’m not going anywhere for a while so I might as well make use of my time.” She yanked the second glass out of the bartender’s hands before he had a chance to set it down. “Cheers.” Evie raised it slightly before downing half of it again in one gulp.

  “By Kor, slow down. If you really haven’t had anything to drink before you’re gonna topple off that stool.”

  “What’s that?” Evie asked, sitting up straight. “Was that concern I heard?” She glanced around like she hadn’t known who it had come from, making a small spectacle of herself. “Did someone just express concern about my well-being? Nah, not here. Not in Sargan space.”

  Cas shushed her. “Keep your voice down unless you want people to start asking questions.”

  “You know what I can’t figure out,” Evie said, slamming the glass down on the counter and staring him directly in the eye. Her eyes wavered slightly. If she wasn’t careful she’d end up on her ass before she managed to finish her second drink. “I can’t understand why you didn’t just out me to Veena. Why not tell her my true identity? It would have been a lot easier than sabotaging my ship. Which you did a magnificent job on by the way. I can’t even figure out how to make the shower work anymore.”

  “It was necessary,” Cas said. “I didn’t have a choice.”

  “Answer the question.”

  He hesitated, staring into his drink. “You said you don’t know who I am or what I did.”

  “No, and I don’t care. If I’d needed to know they would have told me. It can’t be that important. Either that or it’s too important. But to me it doesn’t matter. I just have my orders.” She took another drink.

  “And you don’t know why they want me back so badly?”

  She shook her head, rolling her eyes. “Above my pay grade.”

  “You don’t get paid,” he said.

  “That’s where you’re wrong,” she said, sticking her finger in his chest. “I do get paid. I don’t need money to be happy. I get paid in fulfillment from helping my fellow life form, whether it be human or other. I get paid in the life experience I earn through my actions. I get paid in the access to the virtually unlimited resources of the Coalition. Why anyone would choose this life over one there is beyond me.”

  “It’s because you haven’t seen the seedy underbelly of the Coalition yet,” Cas said, draining his drink and motioning for another. “But don’t worry. One day it will all be clear. Then you’ll think back to this moment and say to yourself ‘Cas was right after all’.”

  Evie scoffed. “Doubtful.” She’d finished her drink as well. The bartender brought them both a refill at the same time. She didn’t bother toasting him this time, instead she greedily began drinking.

  “Evie, seriously, slow down. That’s a good way to knock yourself out.”

  “Just doing what you do,” she said between sips. “Numb the world so it can’t hurt anymore. It’s all part of my new mission to understand alien life such as yourself.”

  “We’re the same species.”

  “We definitely are not,” she said, sadness reaching her eyes as she took another drink.

  Cas cursed himself. No, he didn’t need this. He was home free. In a few short hours he and Box would be off in the ship to some distant star, no longer concerned with the Sargans or the Coalition or any of this. Maybe he’d even discover a new civilization. Something no human had ever seen before. All he had to do was get past Evie.

  All he had to do was leave her here.

  He watched as she drained the rest of the third glass. He’d barely even touched his. “I didn’t tell Veena because I didn’t want to see you killed. You might be a pain in my ass but you don’t deserve to die just because you were ordered to retrieve me.”

  She eyed him, rocking back and forth on the stool. “How generous,” she spat.

  “If I go,” he said, testing the waters. “I want it in writing I will not be jailed.” She stared at him, probably looking for any signs of deception. “And I will only stay in Coalition space for two days. After that I’m gone.”

  Evie stared at the empty glass in front of her. “I need certain concessions.”

  “Such as?”

  “Such as your guarantee you won’t run when we reach the border. That you’ll cooperate with whatever it is they need you for.” She turned to him. “I need to know you won’t break your word.” Cas stared at her in amazement. All traces of inebriation were gone; it was as if she were stone so
ber. Was her tolerance really that high? Even he felt the effects of the rank by now.

  “If you can give me yours…I can give you mine,” Cas said, not believing what he was saying. Why was he willing to go out on a limb for this woman? Probably because he would always wonder what would have happened to her if he left her here, alone. Not to mention he’d be looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life. The Coalition would keep sending people after him. At least if he went in now he could finally close this book. Because there was only one reason they could want him so badly.

  “You won’t run,” she said.

  “You’ll keep me out of prison,” he replied.

  She stuck out her hand. He glanced at it, weighing the alternatives one last time. He grabbed his glass and drained it in one go then grabbed her hand and gave it a quick shake before he changed his mind.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  10

  Cas stumbled down the main thoroughfare toward the hangar bay. Box had needed to move the ship from the parking area to one of the repair garages on the outer edge of the ring itself. The walk seemed to take forever but it was probably hampered by the fact he’s had another two ranks at the bar after agreeing to return to the Coalition.

  Evie walked beside him, completely sober.

  “Either you were lying about never having a drink before, or you’re a sorcerer,” Cas said, putting his hand up against the wall. The hallway stopped rotating around him as he did.

  “Some people just tolerate it better,” she said. They’d agreed since her ship had been disabled and his was in the process of being repaired they would take the Reasonable Excuse back to Coalition space. Evie argued it allowed her to keep a better eye on him and Cas had tried to argue back but when the urge to retaste the rank entered his throat he shut up. He didn’t like the idea of her on his ship but he didn’t see a better alternative. If he wanted this over quickly it was better to take her back now. And frankly he was in a hurry to get away from Veena. He still couldn’t quite believe it was real, that he no longer owed her a cent. Which brought up something he’d been pondering.