by Martin Perry
Beta Crew arrived at the end of the gangway, taking one of the many vacant spectator seats. Vanral, not recognisable to Champion’s subordinates, stood in the centre of the spotlighted debating space arguing with two other Council members. Around them they could see a few additional officials in the dark, one side of their cube turned transparent to give them a viewing balcony. Some were hovering closer and you could see the outlines of their features, others were too far back and appeared only as silhouettes.
They listened idly, not really paying attention to whatever triviality was being discussed. It wasn’t long before they were called down by an unseen speaker, a voice announcing Marzy’s hearing from the ether.
“Agenda addendum reference four-two-six, hearing to grant or deny the exit pass request of one Yazram Marzy. The applicant and his sponsors should make their way to the floor,” it said.
Nervously they walked down to the brightly lit area, down the sets of stairs that lined the rows of seats, running their hands over the cold grey concrete of the stands. Thom and Charles had had to release their grip slightly, as to not look suspicious, but Marzy was still being impossibly kinetic, a bundle of movement who was difficult to manage. The substance in his nose was forcing out heady sneezes that he had to be kicked into stifling.
Vanral stood still, watching as they stepped into the light. He had decided not to play his cards early, and would only support the motion when some contrarian decided to assert their dominance by disagreeing with the inevitably negative reaction to Champion’s request. Beta Crew were positioned a few feet away, and Lin Ramwa made the first comment. She was young, only recently entering the ranks of the Moderate Council following a successful early career within the policy and research department.
“You will be aware Yazram,” she said, “that we grant very few exit passes. Relative to our planet’s population I mean. What makes you think that we would wish to grant you one? Especially given your low contribution to our society. I can sense from here that your mind is a chaotic one, and not in any way committed to the furthering of the seetan peace agenda. What could we possibly gain from sending you out into the universe?”
“Well lady...” Marzy said, quickly interrupted but continuing to sneeze.
“Ahem, with due respect, as the sponsors for this hearing we would like to make the case on Yazram’s behalf,” Kerra said, causing further twitches from Marzy’s mind, “perhaps I should introduce us.”
“We are representatives of the Jump Cannon, a ship,” she said, careful not to use the word mercenary, “which is currently suffering diminished ranks following an unprovoked attack by a lunark named Josia 24, and armed aggressors called Los Piratas de Elsevern.”
“I have heard of this attack. Most unfortunate,” offered an entitled yet cowardly voice from one of the nearby floating balconies.
“Absolutely, a tragedy that we may never recover from,” replied Kerra, “but we are attempting to rebuild our crew and make a difference along the way. As you have said, Yazram Marzy is a troubled individual, but you may not know that he is also a man prone to violence. We are attempting to gather lost souls like this dangerous man and reform them as valuable members of a useful ship’s crew.”
“Are you not bound to recruit locally on Earth?” Lin Ramwa said.
“We have a contracted recruiter who will be able to process an non-native recruit. He has been given adequate funds to cover such an eventuality,” replied Kerra. This was only partly true, but she would leave it for Champion to deal with the financials of hiring from outside Earth’s population.
“Your only argument that this man should be allowed to leave is that he is violent and untrustworthy. Should we not try him and lock him away rather than allow you to take him off into the sunset with his freedom intact?” Lin Ramwa said with disbelief.
“I can assure you that he will not see a life of freedom, he will be worked hard and given only the most basic of comforts until he has proven himself.” Kerra responded, getting slightly irked at the silence of her comrades. In truth, all three were wrapped around Marzy in such a way as to inflict negative reinforcement should he attempt to utter something stupid.
“We’re selling him into slavery then?”
“Not at all, all I intended to say was that his life would not be one of leisure. He will work, he will be rehabilitated. I’m not sure what more I can say to convince you,” said Kerra.
“You might think to give me a decent reason beyond some claim of charity,” Lin Ramwa replied.
“Can you give me any good reason why he should not be allowed to leave?” Kerra said with some venom. “If you have not been able to jail him for his transgressions then why are you allowed to imprison him on this planet?”
“No seetan is imprisoned on their planet. They stay here gladly and seek to help us reform and rebuild!” Lin Ramwa shouted.
“I don’t,” Marzy said, speaking for himself with an air of innocence in his voice.
There was silence in the room, and Lin Ramwa glared down at Marzy. She did not look defeated, but instead disgusted and vengeful.
“I think we’ve heard enough, this hearing has already caused this meeting to over-run, I call the vote,” Vanral said, his first words of the exchange sounding dismissive, causing Lin to grin. “Those not in favour of granting the pass, say so.”
“Not in favour,” said Lin, more confidently than the even silence that followed her statement warranted.
“Not in favour,” said another voice from the ether.
“Those in favour, say so.” Vanral continued.
“In favour,” came a voice from above, the same that had shown understanding of the Jump Cannon’s predicament.
“In favour,” said Vanral, to the shock of Lin. She retained her composure, but was visibly grinding her teeth.
“There are no other votes?” she asked.
No answer came. Anybody else in the chamber capable of influencing the decision either didn’t care enough to vote, or was snoozing in their cube.
“In favour.” A final, unexpected call from within the blackness rescued the vote.
“The vote is called to a close, motion passed, your exit pass is granted and the appropriate bodies will be notified. Good day ladies and gentlemen,” said Vanral, closing proceedings and sending them on their way.
Exiting the chambers, and the Council dome entirely, Beta Crew remained calm until they reached the interior of Hypatia. There, they celebrated their victory with jubilation. It wasn’t that they were all happy to have Yazram Marzy on Annie’s crew, but more the fact that they had fooled the Moderate Council of Seeon. They slapped each others hands together, even Marzy was included, and spoke in a rabble of success.
“That was an impressive bit of bullshit Kerra,” said Maur.
“Bullshit? Maur, Marzy here is going to be cleaning out my cabin for the rest of his life. Isn’t that right?”
“Sure babe,” Marzy replied to Kerra, receiving an acute glare in return.
“Captain, we are on out way back up to Annie. Mission accomplished. Roger?” said Charles over the audio channel, trying to cover it up.
“Roger that Charles, well done and hurry home.” Champion’s voice responded.
Charles set off, Maur and the rest of the crew staying in the back of Hypatia to discuss their victory. They passed through the border control with ease, Marzy’s face visible on the panels housed inside the guard’s offices. Exiting Seeon’s atmosphere they each felt relief, the empty black air on the way out much easier to enjoy than the oppressive party.
Yazram Marzy was now part of the team, for better or worse.
‘The Game’ Rules
For the purposes of ‘The Game’ you will require one set of playing cards and multiple bottles of liquor. The more the better. The deck is split evenly among all players, and everybody takes turns, starting with the person deemed most unable to hold their drink. ‘The Game’ should be played hastily. You are required to take a drink when
the following happens:
1. The card you draw is off less value than the card drawn by the person before you.
2. The card drawn after yours is of a higher value than the card that you have just drawn.
3. Aces are low, but both the current, preceding and next player must drink if one is drawn.
4. In games of only two players, the person who draws the card must drink twice.
5. Kings are the highest value cards, and as such if one is drawn the preceding player must drink twice.
6. If both the current and preceding player draw cards of the same value, they both must drink.
7. If a Joker is drawn, then all players drink.
8. Once all cards are drawn, the game restarts until last man standing.
The rules of a simple drinking game established by the old crew of the Jump Cannon. The winner is last man standing, the last victor being Dr. Beat.
Chapter Fifteen
With Hypatia docked and cleaned, Beta Crew, still including Marzy and not Yazram, made their way to the command deck. The newest member of the team struggled to maintain his excitement, the floor changing from green grass to rough cobble stones as he stared down at his feet and focused on the idea of different surfaces with glee. His fingers were in everything, examining every accoutrement of the Jump Cannon’s passageways and rooms.
“This is some crib you’ve got here brothers, real smooth. I bet this set old Champion back a fair bit,” he jumbled excitedly. “Shame it cost you so many friends. Way too many friends...”
Kerra shot Marzy a look, trying to scold him for his lack of sensitivity. Instead the man merely continued in his hyper tirade, waxing on at length about the different ships he had been on and the various weapons systems he had been allowed to play with. Maur stood blankly, he was learning to just block him out, letting the never-ending bullshit float over his head.
“Ooh, this must be the Captain’s bit huh?” he said as they entered the deck.
“Yes. Yes it is. Welcome aboard.” Champion replied, opening his arms to welcome him, but not prompting any physical contact.
“Champion bro!” Marzy said, wrapping himself around the Captain’s thick chest, almost seeming to snuggle in a little. “Thanks for having me Cap, I can’t say that enough, it means so much to me bro, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, I mean that, I mean that...”
Earnest Champion looked extremely uncomfortable as Marzy continued this spiel, gazing over in Maur’s direction for suggestion.
Marzy held the grip, mewing a little in between words, until the Captain grabbed him by his cold seetan shoulders and pushed him away with a forced chuckle. It wasn’t enough to sever the joining entirely, the new crewman’s hands resting on the Captain’s hips as if they were at a teenage dance.
“Well, we can't have you just standing here,” Maur said, stepping in and wrapping a hand around his shoulders. He squeezed hard enough to prompt Marzy to clutch at Maur’s wrists, and the Captain stepped back rubbing his hand, embarrassed. “Let’s get you some quarters.”
“What? You’re going to give me my own digs? Guys, guys, guys – this is too much!”
“You need somewhere to sleep don’t you?” Kerra offered, acting the part of mother with her concern, but secretly just happy that she might soon be able to free herself of the prattle. The story about Charles was funny, but Marzy had now lost his appeal.
“Yeah, totally, but I would have been happy to cot in the maintenance bay...”
“No no no,” Maur intervened, he didn’t like the idea one bit. “We need to get you a decent bed. The maintenance bay is no place for you! You’re our new secret weapon, our new buddy, our new crew member!”
“Exactly Marzy,” Champion added, his hands on his hips directing only his eyes towards Maur, keeping his head still, cutting straight through the fake hospitality with a knowing stare.
“You need to make yourself welcome. Crewman, switch to near-quantum, head for Earth,” he said in the direction of one of the men on deck.
“Excellent guys, totally excellent,” said Marzy.
He returned the arm slung around his shoulders with one placed joyfully around Maur’s. Everybody stood in silence for a moment while he patted away between the shoulder blades, Marzy’s smile the only honest one in the room. Maur was designated to show him his new space. Despite hopeful gesticulation he was unable to convince Kerra to come with them.
Led to his cabin on the port side of the ship, in with all the other men, Marzy seemed genuinely taken aback by the generosity. He ran his hands across the clean bed sheets, turned the taps on and off and flicked the light switch a few times, all as if these were entirely new concepts to him.
“You never seen a light switch before?” Maur asked.
“It’s just been a long time since I had one of my own bro. I’ve been crashing wherever I can for a long time, not always under a roof either. You guys taking me in is a big deal, even if I am acting cool about it,” he said, the suggestion startling Maur, “I really can’t thank you enough. Can. Not. Thank you. Enough!”
“Hey, it’s no big deal,” Maur replied. “We’re happy to have you. Besides, you’ll be working for your keep, just like the rest of us. We need to make as much cash as we can, and apparently you’re the man for it, especially with these supposed telepathy skills...”
It took a moment for him to realise why the response that came was so delayed. Marzy stood twitching, although his other regular fidgeting was halted, as his mind struggled with the comment. Maur would either have to get used to this or stop confusing the two personalities.
“Yeah man,” he said eventually. “I’m totally getting my hands dirty. I can do a bit of mechanical stuff, a bit of cooking, a bit of everything. I’ll make sure to pull my weight bro.”
“Yeah... right.” Maur replied.
They milled around for a few minutes. Maur gave instruction on the slightly complicated shower system and told him about the eating schedule. He went as far as to introduced a few of the other crew-members by name. Perhaps he would annoy them instead.
A disturbing announcement broke their informality.
“Marzy, this is Champion speaking,” came the audio, pumped directly into the cabin. “Have you brought somebody else on board?”
“Eh, can he hear me if I talk back?”
“Yes, Marzy, I can hear you. Since you came aboard we’ve had scanner scrambling to deal with. Last functional report says we have an extra heat signature in the starboard engine room. We’re in orbit Marzy, there’s no staff in there, what have you brought aboard? I’m getting worried...”
Marzy set off like a bolt, startling Maur into freezing on the spot.
The running man was well out of the door before he started after him. The crazed seetan was bundling along the corridor, fleeing it seemed, but unsure of where to go. He crashed into the walls, the floor beneath him changing rapidly, showing his panic. Maur’s suspicions were bearing fruit, and he was terrified of what might be coming. He gave pursuit as best he could, shoving aside those who poked their heads out of doorways in reply to the chaos. His target was fast though, and around the curve of the main corridor it became difficult to keep him in sight.
Champion shouted after them both as they rumbled past the command deck, crying out for answers to questions that were immediately forgotten about in the race.
Maur had Marzy in sight, the seetan running directly into the starboard engine room before stopping dead. Tired, Maur stopped to rest and evaluate the situation. He puffed, having sprinted almost the full perimeter of a large vessel, but tried to question through his own panting. The efforts were feeble, resulting in nothing better than frustrated grasps at query.
In front of Marzy sat a glass dome, no bigger than an upturned fruit bowl. Through the crisp blue material he could see the explosives, black and pock-marked with the extruding pin of a red light blinking as it counted down to an indeterminable deadline. He immediately assessed the situatio
n as sabotage, and knew that he would be the first suspect. That was if the entire ship wasn’t torn apart before the accusers could have their say. He made a brash decision.
“Maur, bro! You better get back!” he shouted, trying to warn away his new friend. The noise from his lips never reached Maur’s ears, blocked out by the newly sounding alarm.
Marzy got down to the floor, his kneecaps touching either side of the bomb, before wrapping his torso over the top and clutching the deadly item to his chest. He held it as if it were precious, closing his eyes.
The explosion occurred just as Kerra, Charles and Thom caught up with Maur, his arms flung backwards to halt them, freeing shouts of warning from his mouth, sending them screaming into the air. Time slowed as crew-mates and friends looked onto the seetan. The blast hit his body in full, a blinding light of fatal energy bursting around his stalwart being. It mixed with Annie’s own interior radiance creating multi-coloured wisps of smoke as equipment, structure and dust fractured. Marzy slumped to the floor.
Almost simultaneously, but on the other side of the ship, a second explosion met no heroic resistance. Ripping through the engine equipment in a fortunately vacant room it was powerful enough to disable the port navigation and thrust control systems. As a residual effect the walls and floor flickered through random settings, and the alarm ruptured its steady blare with squealing breaks and fretful stutters. Annie was screaming, her internal organs suffering brutal punishment.
Her crew were fleeing toward the front of the ship as she spun out of control, the near-quantum engines fluttering her forward in no set direction. Beta Crew followed the rest, grabbing each other and shoving forward through the dust and terror to the place least likely to be affected by the blast. Annie rocked and jutted, throwing them off balance and shaking off the confidence to adequately handle the shock of the scene that met them upon arrival.
