by Reiter
“Of that, I have no doubt,” Freund said as he closed the aperture through which he had dispatched his lady love. “And with that matter seen to, I must make a visitation.” Freund walked toward the balcony and allowed his clothes to change to more of a common attire amongst mortals. “Perhaps it would be better for the both of us if I do not take my blade!”
Don’t lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality.
Ralph Martson
(Rims Time: XII-4203.15)
Going against the directive she received while entering the atmosphere, Jocasta set her lander-shuttle down and lowered the gangplank. Interceptors had been scrambled, but they were not expecting a ship to have heat shields that could survive a dive into the atmosphere at flank speeds. Jocasta’s boots were clomping down the plank; the closest star-fighter was still three minutes out, and they were probably tracking the signal rocket she had launched into the valley to the south.
“Bring them along,” she commanded and a drone, carrying three drugged bodies that had been passengers aboard her ship, floated behind the pirate captain. “Do let them breathe, CeCe,” she said calmly as she walked by Cilrus who had a guard’s neck in either hand. “...we don’t need any fatalities… not just yet, anyways.”
“Aye, Captain,” Cilrus said, releasing the choking woman and the unconscious man. They were the last two of the five that had been sent to the site where Jocasta had chosen to land her ship.
“Definitely have to make a mental note,” Jocasta thought. “… I should be made aware of the projects the Brain Trust have taken upon themselves to work out. Looks like they took a clue from those frames we collected from the Jockeys and dreamed up those gauntlets. And is that a piton launcher on the left-hand glove? Damn, that’s freakishly fast work! Z, you better get back and prove your love!
“And here comes the Lady of the estate now,” Jocasta said with added fervor in her voice. “Lady Oedelorana, top of the morning to y–”
“You are over two days early!” the widow of Gulfrim Sylgarr snapped in a soft voice as she came to a stop from her quick, albeit stately, strides.
“What can I say, I caught a generous tailwind,” Jocasta said as she flashed a very bright smile. She stepped forward and embraced the woman. “And allow me to say, Lorana, you are an even more striking vision in person!” Surprisingly, the woman leaned into the embrace, taking a gentle but genuine hold of Jocasta’s arms.
“You are incorrigible!” she whispered into Jocasta’s ear. Suddenly the way she had reacted to the pirate made sense. They were being watched, and certain appearances had to be maintained. “And while you might have delighted yourself with that entrance, you have only managed to place yourself in an eye-line I believe you would have preferred to avoid.”
“My Lady!” Jocasta said, feigning shock. She could hear footfalls approaching from around the corner of the estate and caught Cilrus’ eyes long enough to make sure he was prepared for their arrival. His head barely moved, but the acknowledging nod was received. “… you cut me to the quick. What would be the point of dropping in early if not to see what you wanted me to miss?!”
“Perhaps all of our future exchanges will be carried out through written messages,” Oedelorana said softly, doing her best to suppress a smile. There was something very charming about this woman. Lady Sylgarr was reminded of a time when her handsome Gulfrim was every bit the rascal as the woman she had just embraced. That was a time before they were married, when he had said things such as name and station mattered little to him. How easy it had been to make such a declaration without the experience of either. Over the years, she had seen a change in the man she had dared to love. By the time the children were born, Gulfrim was too much at home at the Royal Courts, always searching for a means to justify his ascension – as if her love had not been enough.
“Doing that is only going to make me more curious, milady,” Jocasta countered, circling so that her back faced the path the approaching group was using. Her ladyship’s lovely green eyes made wonderful viewing ports. “I am, after all, a pirate.”
“And I find that admission to be very interesting,” Maradothia Primuson said, announcing her arrival. Jocasta was only slightly impressed; the young girl insisted on walking in front of her two guards. “As proclaiming oneself a pirate is a crime.” The young girl took in a breath and lifted her right hand, about to issue an order to her men. The large bald-headed man took a step toward her position, his eyes locked on hers.
“I’d have a care there, girlie,” Cilrus said confidently. “We’d need to be on Imperial grounds for it to be a crime. While the estate is held by a noted family of the Inner Rim Empire, this property no longer holds the status of an embassy, due to the passing of its former Lord.” Jocasta’s eyebrows found a new height as she leaned to look around the Lady Sylgarr. “You send those little snails forward, don’t be too mad when all you get back are their pretty little shells!” Jocasta straightened up and looked to Oedelorana for verification. The comely lady gave a slight shrug as she smiled with pressed lips. She stepped to the side to address the Princess directly.
“I’m afraid that the…” Oedelorana looked to Jocasta for assistance.
“Brute,” Jocasta said, nodding. “You can use brute. The rest of us do.”
“I am afraid the… brute… speaks the truth, Your Majesty.”
“Your majesty?!” Jocasta and Cilrus said simultaneously as the self-proclaimed pirate turned to get a better look at the young woman.
“Captain JoJo Starblazer, allow me to introduce you to the Princess Maradothia Primuson.”
“Captain,” Maradothia said softly.
“Your Majesty,” Jocasta said, touching the top of her cane to her forehead.
“You are to bow to the Princess!” one of the guards snapped, taking a very authoritative stride toward Jocasta. “And as for matter of law and record, the ground upon which she stands is considered Imperial dominion!”
“To a radius of ten meters, yes,” Cilrus agreed. “But that standpoint can’t be assumed when she’s the one who came walking over to us!”
“Who the hell are you?!” Jocasta barked, turning to look at Cilrus. His eyes flared and Jocasta looked the man over, seeing that his brace-com was active. “Oh, that’s who the hell you are. Good work, Brute.” Jocasta turned again to face the assertive guard and she smiled. “Of course, that means you can pull and die, or be a sweet crapstack and get flushed!”
“Guard,” Maradothia quickly said to keep her guards from making what appeared to be the wrong decision. “That will be all for the moment. Please enter the estate and avail yourself of the Sylgarr Family hospitality.”
“Your Majesty,” the guards said before bowing and taking their leave. One of the two looked back at Jocasta before resuming his exit.
“Boy is he going to be miffed when he finds that scan inconclusive,” Jocasta ribbed before facing the Princess. “And aren’t you the little diplomat!”
“Captain!” Oedelorana stressed.
“No, Lady Sylgarr,” Maradothia spoke calmly, “please… allow the… captain to speak as she wishes.”
“Well, now that I have your permission, I just don’t know what I’m going to do with myself.”
“I’m sure you’ll manage,” the Princess replied.
“Bet on it,” Jocasta said before looking back at her hostess. “I brought you gifts, please forgive their current condition. My Ripper never saw a syringe he didn’t like. And, oh my, the things he thinks up when none of us are wounded.”
“I am sure we can find accommodations for them,” Oedelorana said, looking at the younger two. They were unconscious, but they did not seem to be injured in any physical manner.
“Much obliged,” Jocasta nodded. “Drone, follow the guards.” With only a couple of bleeping noises, the drone floated past the three women who watched
the machine hover after the departed guards.
“I’m curious,” Princess Maradothia spoke, watching the machine move out of sight. “Those three: circumstantial passersby, or recent victims?”
“Both,” Jocasta quickly advised as she looked off, considering her answer. “Definitely both! It seems there’s never enough of either. It’s like you can’t throw a stone without hitting one or the other.”
“And which are you, Captain?” Maradothia inquired, turning to look again at the mysterious and uninvited guest.
“That depends on who’s throwin’ the stone, Your Majesty,” Jocasta fenced.
“That seems shortsighted.”
“Depends on the eyes you’re looking through,” Jocasta returned as an explosion erupted in the sky to the west of the estate. Jocasta looked up for a moment, wearing a look of surprise and fascination. “You have a very impressive way of announcing when meals are served, milady.”
“That did not come from this property,” Oedelorana stated. “That came from grounds of our neighbors, the DuLankratti Family.” The sound of engines roared through the sky as the vehicle responsible for the rumbling was above the clouds.
“Gesundheit!” Jocasta said, frowning at the sound of the name. Her face quickly relaxed however as she rubbed her stomach. “But still, I am simply famished! What have you got in the way of grub around here?”
“Right this way, Captain,” Oedelorana said with a slight smile. Apparently the Captain was not yet done having her fun. The Lady of Court had serious doubts the event would come to a harmonious closure, but it seemed like a better play to invite Starblazer to the breakfast table rather than try to have her escorted from the grounds or, worse yet, apprehended. She looked at the Princess who seemed as if she was about to protest the gesture, but calming eyes engaged agitated ones and, to her increasing credit, the Princess followed the lead of an elder she trusted.
Cilrus shook his head as he fell in behind the three women and had to keep from laughing when Jocasta took Oedelorana’s arm, leaning her head on the Lady’s shoulder. “I think I know why Llaz looked at me with pity in his eyes,” the man whispered as he walked.
** b *** t *** o *** r **
“Talk to me, Shotgun!” Llaz called out as he paced behind Silnee who was seated at the helm of the Xara-Mansura.
“What’s he going to say?” Silnee asked at just above a whisper. “Yes, Boss, we took several sets of readings. You are fucking mad!” She flinched after Llaz walked by and struck the lobe of her right ear with his middle finger. “Ow! Well, you are!”
“Maybe, but I don’t need to hear it right now,” Llaz said softly before clearing his throat. “Shotgun?!”
“This is Tank,” Mel answered. “Shotgun’s got his hands full at the moment. But Thom and Scamps made it to the checkpoint. They boarded the shuttle, and they are now aloft with six star-fighters bearing down on them.”
“Make that five,” Bruveia announced as she linked up to the channel. “Scratch that. There’s only three left. Way to go, baby!”
“Just doing our part, doll,” Hennix replied, sounding slightly winded. “We’re back aboard our ship and making dust! Go for it, D!”
“You don’t have to tell me twice!” Deolun replied as he entered commands into his control console. “Trident is gone!”
“And Cruel Intentions is on the job,” Agatha radioed.
“Sil, bring me up a tactical, please,” Llaz requested. Silnee quickly keyed up a display and Llaz could see three red triangles chasing a golden dot. A black asterisk appeared on his screen behind the middle triangle. “Whoa, I thought Cruel Intentions was heavy.”
“She is,” Silnee informed. “But that doesn’t mean she’s slow!”
“No shit!” Llaz said softly as the middle triangle flashed before it started to lose altitude. It had not yet dropped one hundred meters when the other triangles also started flashing.
“I count three chasers with serious technical difficulties,” Agatha reported. “Thom, you’re clear for your rendezvous.”
“Roger that, Murder,” Thomasine said, sounding relieved. “Thanks for the cover.”
“Boss, we’ve got a priority communication beaming directly for the estate where the Captain is,” Mel reported. “I only mention it because of the power of the signal and its origin. It’s Imperial!”
“Can you block it, Tank?” Llaz asked.
“Block it?!”
“Tank, can you do it or not?!” Llaz barked.
“Roger that,” Mel replied. “Scrambling the signal now.” Mel keyed in several commands before speaking again. “Intercepted the initial transmission and I’ve gummed up the closest relay satellite. They’ll have to go baronial to get around it and that will give me time to set up a virtual receptor.”
“A what?!” Llaz asked.
“Remember the lessons of JoJo and Z,” Silnee warned.
“Oh, right.” Llaz said, quickly collecting himself. He leaned toward the control console. “Just let me know if you can get it done, Tank.”
“There you go,” Silnee smiled.
“Thanks for the reminder. Now I know how the woman feels.”
“No you don’t, but you’ve got an inkling,” Silnee giggled. “I’m reading Cupid and Feldspar meeting up with Thom and Scamps. We should see them drop off the screen in under ten.” Seven seconds later, the golden dot fell from Llaz’s display. “I’d say that confirms a solid connection. Stealth field is active and just in the nick of time. I’m reading three squadrons on an intercept course. Eighteen seconds out.”
“If they follow the flight plan they’ll lower their altitude and wait them out before trying to leave the mo’sphere,” Llaz stated. “The power unit on Deolun’s ship is good for four hours at maximum field strength. I doubt those ships will be remain in the area for more than thirty minutes.”
“That would be convenient,” Silnee said.
“Tell me about it,” Llaz agreed as he thought about the possibly growing predicament. After a few moments, his eyes squinted tight. He looked at the mountain range again and then turned to talk to Silnee. “The moment Cruel Intentions puts down, tell Murder and Mayhem to keep their seats.” Llaz turned for the door as Silnee got up out of her chair.
“What for?” Silnee asked.
“Because if push comes to shove, I’m going to have them make a run on those fighters,” Llaz explained.
“One fighter against three squadrons?!” Silnee protested. “How about ‘if push comes to shove’, Thom and Scamps dump that thing, climb aboard Deolun’s ship, and make it back to the Xara-Mansura?”
“Your suggestion is noted, Flight Leader,” Llaz said calmly as he stopped walking. He turned around to face Silnee. He knew he could simply pull rank, but that was JoJo’s way. She possessed the swagger to make it work. Llaz needed the crew to work with him, so rank had to come second. “And please know I respect and appreciate your position. But above any of our stations is our reason for being. No one ever said piracy is easy, Tolip. What you suggested will still be an option if Murder says it’s too much for the Tandem to handle. And that is if we come to that bridge. Now, if you please, let’s get the Xara-Mansura to the rendezvous point.”
“Aye aye,” Silnee said softly, slowly returning to the helm. She took hold of the controls, weighing what Llaz had said.
The young woman’s soft, blue eyes looked down at her wrist at a lock of dirty blonde hair that had been braided and turned into a bracelet. Her meeting with Olkin had not gone nearly as bad as she had feared. Olkin had gone from being the overly-authoritative slug to a very thoughtful young man; yet another accolade for Annsura. He had stated he was not in a place to return her feelings, not fully. It would have been only a physical act and she was too important to him for that. Floored by the depth of thought Olkin had shared with her, Silnee respected his response and the two of them stood in the middle of the range together, holding one another, until Mel had come into the room. Silnee chuckled. They had spent
more time and energy convincing Tank he had not intruded on anything and that there had been no hurt feelings.
Playing with the makeshift bracelet for a few more seconds, Silnee finally released it and turned the Xara-Mansura, increasing velocity as she guided the ship to the rendezvous point. “Piracy. How could I forget? It was the first thing she said to us back in the Mess Hall. But you didn’t forget, did you, Llaz? No, you didn’t, and despite the fact that I argued your decision, you’re still the coolest customer on this ship… especially with the Captain on the planet surface.” She took a breath and opened a line to her Tandem. “Murder, Mayhem? How are you, ladies?”
“Uh, a little surprised that you’re breaking silence, there, Flight Leader,” Agatha answered. “The sky is getting thick around here.”
“You care to thin the mix?” Silnee asked. “By my account, you’re only light two missiles.”
“Negative on that count, Flight Leader,” Agatha replied, “… missiles won’t cut through their shields like these lancinators can. Those long-range hits were courtesy of Mayhem.”
“Two simultaneous, long-range shots that hit dead on?!” Silnee exclaimed.
“That’s a big affirmative, Tolip,” Agatha replied, and Silnee could clearly hear the smile in the pilot’s voice.
“Now I wonder if this is how the Captain feels around Z,” Silnee thought.
“Roger that, Cruel Intentions,” Silnee acknowledged. “Well power up whatever you need to, and make a run. Cut a path for our prize to come home. If it’s not too much for you; no time for bravado though.”
“Then you should have saved that for when she wasn’t in the chair,” Marlene snapped. “Cruel Intentions is already in position and we’re beginning our run. Mind if we shut down this transmission line?”
“Tolip out,” Silnee said before disconnecting the channel. The doors to the Bridge opened and Llaz walked into the room along with Pristacia, and both looked to be very concerned with Silnee.
