by Sarah Noffke
Eddie looked down the bar at Julianna, and she indicated Lars with a nod of her head. “Why don’t you ask the Kezzin here? He can speak firsthand.”
Lars coughed suddenly, as if flustered to be put on the spot. “Um…uh… The captain is… Well, our missions are good.”
“Who are you to talk?” Logan asked, her chest held high.
“I’m Lieutenant Malseen, a pilot for Ghost Squadron,” Lars stated, and his voice steadily grew more confident as he spoke. “When these two found me, I was a Brotherhood soldier who had been taken away from my family and forced to do whatever I was ordered. Since joining Ghost Squadron, I’ve helped free my people, brought vengeance against their abusers, and been reunited with my family.”
Liesel stepped around Logan, who was again blocking her. “Wow, that’s amazing.”
“And it could be a bit fat lie,” Logan said stubbornly.
Liesel shot her a measured glare. “How often do you see a Kezzin hanging around like this with humans?”
Logan let out an exasperated sigh. “Well, never, but it could still be a trap.”
“It could,” Liesel said simply.
“Do you even want your old job back?” Logan asked her friend, really grilling her.
Looking up at her with passion brimming in her eyes, Liesel said, “I hated working for Felix, but I loved my work. I’ve missed it. The only thing I’ve wanted more was Sebastian back.”
Logan seemed to struggle internally with this news, then a sort of smile twitched at her mouth. “Then you better get out of here before I change my mind and make you stay.”
The door to the bar burst open and two Kezzin filed through, staggering as if already drunk. “Someone in here is in trouble,” the first Kezzin yelled.
“There’s a horde of Trids outside asking about a human and looking angry enough to split this place in half,” the other Kezzin said.
Eddie whipped around to Lars, and Julianna was already on her feet. “Looks like those fucking shark-heads aren’t so dumb after all. They tracked us here.”
Julianna grabbed Lars by the arm. “Take Liesel through the back to the Q-Ship. The captain and I will take care of these fuckers.”
“You seem like a good hard-working person,” Eddie said to Logan, who was still staring at the drunks who’d announced the arrival of the Trids. “That’s why we’re going to take this fight away from your bar.”
“Just keep Liesel safe or this momma wolf is going to rip your throat out,” Logan said.
“You’ve got our word.” Julianna pulled her pistol from her holster, giving Eddie the “let’s do this” look.
He returned it with a wink.
One of the Kezzin from the back strode over, seeking to cut Julianna and Eddie off as they rushed for the door “What’s going on?” he called to Logan.
“Some Trids are looking for Liesel,” she yelled back. “These two are going to take care of it, though.”
The Kezzin, who astoundingly was taller than Lars, appraised Julianna and Eddie. He laughed. “These horrid humans, you mean? What are they going to do, stomp on the Trids’ toes and kick them in the shins?”
“I’ll show you what I plan on doing, if you’d like,” Julianna said, lowering her chin and regarding the half-drunk Kezzin with contempt. His buddies ambled up beside him.
“Why don’t we take care of the Trids for you, little ones? We could use a good fight,” the Kezzin said.
“You do owe it to Liesel,” Logan said from behind the bar.
“Why don’t we do it together,” Eddie offered. “We might surprise you in how efficient we can be at kicking ass.”
The Kezzin leader considered this, then nodded. “Yeah, watching puny humans duking it out will make me laugh for days. I’ll play on your team, if you want.”
“Then let’s do it!” Julianna took the lead, storming out into the bright Kezzan sun. The brown desert spread as far as anyone could see, which made it easy to spot the approaching Trids. They were headed straight for the bar. The problem with that was the Q-Ship sat cloaked to the right of them. It was too likely that a brawler would knock into it. And how was Lars supposed to get Liesel into it if the fight took place right beside the ship?
There was only one solution. Julianna looked at Eddie and he read her expression. They had to bring the fight to the Trids. They both sprinted to the left and drew the Trids after them. The Kezzin, who seemed in the mood for a good fight no matter who it was with, followed obediently. As Julianna expected, the Trid diverted their straight path and launched in their direction.
Because this was a no-fly zone since the Brotherhood had been disbanded, the Trids’d had to park their Stingrays on the other side of the border. That was what happened when you didn’t have cloaks, Julianna thought, eyeing the Stingrays in the distance.
Ten Trids, as big as the four Kezzin behind them, stalked in their direction. Before they were close enough for a solid assault, they pulled their weapons and began firing. Bullets hit the ground, spraying dirt into the air.
Julianna dropped and rolled, firing back at the Trids, who made gigantic targets. She hit two, and they stumbled forward and fell hard.
Crouched beside her, Eddie fired several times. He hit two before having to reload.
“Guns are fancy, but fists are more fun,” the leader of the Kezzin group said, not at all fazed by the bullets whizzing past him.
One of his men took a bullet to the arm and yelped loudly. This seemed to incite the Kezzin even more and they bounded forward, moving at a speed that Julianna hadn’t seen from their species before. Their long legs propelled them rapidly to the Trids. Julianna darted to the side and fired to provide cover for the Kezzin. They closed in on the Trids, and the battle became a melee of fists and feet.
The Kezzin laughed as they fought. “You think you can come onto my planet and start trouble?” one of them yelled, and slammed his fist into the nearest Trid’s face. The alien wavered before falling to the side. To the Kezzin’s credit, they were making quick work of the Trids.
Julianna stood on the sidelines, a bit amazed by how well the two teams had worked together to take out a common enemy.
“And this should teach you to never pick on a lady,” a Kezzin said, hopping into the air before slamming his foot into the abdomen of a fallen Trid.
Eddie tugged on Julianna’s jacket. “I daresay they have this handled.”
Julianna looked back to where the Q-Ship was hidden and parked. “Yeah, so we better make our exit before reinforcements arrive.”
“I think these guys will demolish them if they do,” Eddie said, laughing as the last Trid fell to the dusty ground.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Hatch’s Lab, Ricky Bobby, Tangki System
“So you didn’t screw it up,” Hatch said, waddling over with the goggles he’d been working on.
“I know you had every expectation that we would, but this time we pulled through,” Eddie said, standing proudly beside Liesel. Her ferret had perched on her shoulder and was sniffing the air wildly.
“You’re Doctor A’Din Hatcherik,” she said, looking him over in awe.
“Hatch,” the Londil said, not giving her much attention. Most of his focus was on the goggles in his tentacles. “A’Din Hatcherik was my father, and although I’m a fine Londil I’m not him. Not even close.” Hatch’s eyes skipped briefly to the pair on the other side of his lab. Cheng and Knox sat across from each other on crates and exchanged nervous glances. It couldn’t be easy for them, Eddie thought. Obviously they both wanted to get together again more than anything, but it would be a while until things felt normal, unlike for Liesel and Sebastian.
“The ship has changed a lot since I was Chief Engineer,” Liesel said as she stared around at the cars in the lab area. “Is that a DeLorean?”
“That?” Hatch said, his tone a bit more sour than usual. “No, no. Don’t you worry about that.”
Liesel clasped her hands behind her back, chewing on her l
ip as she suppressed a smirk. “And I guess that’s also not a Dodge Charger 440 Magnum, am I right?”
Hatch cast a quick glance over his shoulder at the yellow car. “Oh, no. That’s definitely a Dodge Charger.”
“You know, Hatch,” Liesel began, “I wasn’t born yesterday.”
“I’ve read your file,” Hatch said, tinkering with the goggles. “You practically were.”
Liesel turned to Eddie and Julianna, who stood to the side. “Do you want me to resume my duties as before?”
Eddie shook his head. “No, not really. What we need you to do is get Ricky Bobby up to Federation standards. After that, you’ll fall back into maintenance procedures. Hatch here can advise you on what we need, but his time has been monopolized by special projects, as you can see.”
“Huh? Are you talking to me?” Hatch looked up, like he had been absorbed in his work. He was making a great show of being disinterested.
“I’d be honored to be advised by you, Hatch,” Liesel said sweetly.
“Once you’ve had a chance to settle in, of course,” Julianna added. “I’m guessing you might want to rest up and change.”
Liesel looked down at her outfit. She was still wearing the flowing pants and jewelry from before. She shrugged. “Some rest and maybe a stretch would be good, and I’ve got a hankering for a smoothie, but I’m good in these clothes. It’s how I’m used to dressing, although I daresay I’ll need some new threads.”
“We can get you outfitted with a jumpsuit,” Eddie stated, referring to the uniform most of the crew wore. Not Hatch, for obvious reasons, and Knox preferred his threadbare jeans and t-shirt.
“Uhhh…I’d prefer something more flexible and light. I‘m used to working in boho pants or yoga leggings,” Liesel said.
“Right, well, I’m sure we can pick up something like that,” Julianna said, her tone uncertain.
“And you must be starving. Hatch can show you where the cafeteria is. That will give him a chance to orient you,” Eddie stated.
“I can’t, actually. I’m busy.” Hatch didn’t look up from the goggles, his mouth hardly parting for the words.
“It’s fine,” Liesel said lightheartedly. “I remember where it is. That much couldn’t have changed since I was aboard.”
“Oh, that’s right. Almost forgot that was why Hatch picked you for the position,” Eddie said.
“Yes, and thank you, Hatch. I’m really honored that you wanted me for this position,” Liesel said.
“It’s nothing,” Hatch muttered. “It’s only because you know the inner workings of the ship so well, and that will make the upgrades go a bit faster.”
“Right, that makes sense.” Liesel said, pulling Sebastian from her shoulder. “We’re ready to get to work, aren’t we, my little buddy?”
The ferret pawed Liesel’s nose, and Eddie noticed that Hatch did look up now with curiosity in his eyes. He’d watched those video logs of Liesel and had obviously seen something in her. Eddie guessed there was more to it than that she had previous knowledge of the ship. Even he had to admit that there was something about Liesel. She had a light about her, and Eddie was confident that she’d add to the good mood of the ship.
“Oh, before we forget,” Julianna began. “We should introduce you to the ship’s AI.”
Liesel’s mouth fell open. “No way. You have an AI?”
Julianna smiled. “Meet Ricky Bobby. He will help you with upgrades.”
A squeal popped out of Liesel’s mouth. “That’s totally gnarly.”
“Hello, Liesel. It’s nice to meet you,” Ricky Bobby said.
“Ricky Bobby, the honor is all mine!” Liesel spun in a circle as if trying to find him. “Hatch and an AI—it’s like it’s summer solstice!”
“Summer what?” Julianna whispered to Eddie.
He shook his head. “I don’t understand half of what she’s saying. Just smile and nod.”
“Based on what I’ve deduced from watching your video logs, I’ve already alerted the kitchen staff to your dietary needs,” Ricky Bobby said.
“Wow, that was very perceptive of you,” Liesel said admiringly.
“I pride myself on my observational skills,” Ricky Bobby said.
“Dietary needs?” Julianna asked.
Liesel smiled widely. “I’m a vegetarian.”
“See!” Pip boomed overhead. “Someone who will finally understand me.”
“Who is that?” Liesel asked, looking around again.
“That is the Commander’s AI, Pip,” Eddie explained, indicating Julianna. “Hatch has him interfaced so that he can communicate inside his lab.”
“Two AIs? You’ve got to be kidding me,” Liesel sang.
“I’m pleased to make your acquaintance too, Liesel,” Pip said. “It’s nice to have another level-headed person aboard.”
“Did he just…” Eddie’s voice trailed away as Julianna nodded.
“Yes, he likes to make those jokes,” she said.
“I’ve been telling Julianna about all the health benefits of going vegan,” Pip continued.
“Oh, well, I don’t take it that far. I’m only a vegetarian,” Liesel stated.
“We all have room to grow,” Pip told her. “I’ve noticed an increase in energy and mental focus since adopting a vegan lifestyle.”
Liesel turned to Julianna, a look of confusion on her face. “Isn’t he...”
“Yes, but he likes to pretend,” Julianna said.
“Don’t you find that the brain fog has lifted since you’ve cut animal protein from your diet?” Pip asked.
“Uhhhh…yeah,” Liesel agreed, suppressing a grin.
Julianna turned to Eddie with a look of mock seriousness on her face. “Do you know how you can tell if someone is a vegan?”
“How?” he asked.
“They’ll tell you,” she replied.
Knox sat on the edge of the metal crate, his gaze skirting the floor. There were some dust bunnies scattered around the boxes. Footprints covered the area, most of them Knox’s. The sweep marks on the ground were most definitely from Hatch.
“C-c-can I say again how very sorry I am?” his father asked.
Knox forced himself to look up at the man, who sat across from him on a similar crate. His father now looked more as he remembered him, hair cut close to his head and freshly shaven. The wrinkles around his slanted eyes were deeper than Knox remembered, though, and the button-up shirt and slacks hung loosely on his bony frame. More disturbing than that was how he was sometimes there and then not, like he’d lost a part of himself.
“You don’t have to keep apologizing,” Knox stated, kicking his feet against the box. The action reminded him of being a child, but he’d lost his innocence long ago. One moment he had been his father’s son and the next an orphan, left to fend for himself.
“B-b-but I knew better,” Knox’s father said, raw conviction in his voice. “If I hadn’t used the Tangle Thief on myself I wouldn’t have disappeared. I wouldn’t have been abducted.”
“The thing is, Dad, you don’t know that.”
Cheng looked up at his son, startled. “What do you mean?”
“I remember you constantly checking over your shoulder in those days,” Knox began. “The Saverus were after you, and they might have gotten to you another way. Maybe you accelerated the process by using the Tangle Thief on yourself, but maybe it was inevitable that you’d disappear.”
“Dom, you know that as a scientist I can’t endorse the concept of fate. It’s blasphemous to everything I believe in.”
“’Knox,’” he corrected.
Cheng’s forehead wrinkled like horizontal window blinds.
“’Knox’ is my name now. I know it’s strange for you, but will you call me that? Please?”
His father nodded, not looking entirely sure about the idea.
Knox ran his hand over his Mohawk, flattening it absentmindedly. “I know it’s strange, but you have to realize that I’ve lived almost half my life withou
t you. I’m not Dom anymore. That was the boy you knew, but you’re going to have to…we’re going to have to get to know each other all over again.”
“Yes, I realize that, but I don’t even know where to start,” Cheng said.
“I think you’re going to have to start by forgiving yourself for your mistake,” Knox began, sounding older suddenly. “You deserted me. You didn’t mean to, and I know if you could have made it back to me you would have. Dad, I don’t blame you. I lived on the streets. I was hungry. Cold. Alone.”
Cheng’s face constricted oddly as he sought to hold back emotion.
“But you know what?” Knox asked, trying to suppress his own swelling feelings.
His father’s eyebrows lifted as if to say, “What?”
“It made me who I am. I refuse to regret the past, because it made me who I am. It’s taken me a hell of a long time to be proud of who I became.” Knox blanched, not believing he’d cursed in front of his dad, but he swallowed the nervousness and continued, “Whether it’s fate that took you away or a strange force that’s brought us together, we should be grateful that we have the present moment. You have to stop living with regret.”
“You’ve grown quite wise in these years,” Cheng said, looking impressed.
“Dad, I survived out there because you raised me to be intelligent, resourceful, and hardworking. The things you taught me kept me going. You should be proud of yourself.”
A pained smile spread across Cheng’s face, and he looked out at the lab. Hatch was bustling around and talking to himself, as he often did. “Proud of myself? I think that’s misplacing the credit. You endured out there in a cruel and unforgiving world. You found your way here, and earned an apprenticeship with the most talented scientist I’ve ever known. You’ve grown into a strong and capable young man.” Cheng paused, and his gaze drifted back to his son’s face. “I’ve never been prouder of anyone in my entire life, Knox.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
