by Kyle Mata
“Have you been back to Shardonilia?”
“No. I planned to go back, but shortly after the Outer Belt War began and I found myself fighting with a Coalition special operations unit. Then the rift opened and…”
“I get it, Karr, life gets in the way sometimes, but you saved nine hundred and twenty-three people and helped them start new. You gave doomed people a second chance.”
“If they are still alive…” Karr said, thinking about the massive rexils on Shardonilia.
“I’m sure they are, and when this all blows over, we’ll go visit them.”
“Okay.” Karr stopped in front of a door nestled in the labyrinth of alleys at the center of the city. “Here it is.”
“Mory must really like his solidarity.”
“He does,” Karr said with a smile beneath his visor. He pushed a series of unseen buttons on the door in an intricate pattern.
“All that to get in?” Daena asked.
“All that to hail him.” Karr replied.
“Who’s there?” A heavy modulated voice asked from seemingly nowhere.
“Karr, and a friend, Daena.”
“A friend of yours or a friend of ours?” the voice asked. Karr looked at Daena for a moment.
“Ours.” He replied. The door slid open and Karr and Daena stepped in. The door promptly closed after they crossed the threshold into a dark room. Karr’s helmet adjusted immediately. The room was an antechamber to Mory’s modest living arrangements. Off the antechamber was a bedroom, a kitchen, a cleanser-room and his intel station. A tall lanky man with white hair stepped into the room to greet them, a light came on.
“Karr!” Mory said cheerfully. He came and gave Karr a hug only two great friends could share. “It’s so good to see you. It’s been ages since we’ve seen each other in person, hasn’t it?”
The list of people giving Karr hugs was growing at an exponential rate.
“It has,” Karr said, as he removed his helmet and attached it to his belt.
“And hello, Mory Wolfprin, at your service,” Mory said with a slight bow, offering his hand to Daena. She accepted it and shook.
“Daena Staal,” She said introducing herself. Mory was not what she was expecting. She figured he’d be a rough warrior like Karr, despite knowing he was formerly military intelligence.
“Any friend of Karr’s is a friend of mine,” He said, ushering them into the back room, which had two full walls covered in monitors, screens, and projectors. “Though I must admit, you’re the first I’ve met in a very long time.” Mory added with a chuckle. He unfolded two chairs for them before taking a seat himself, making it apparent he didn’t entertain guests often.
“I feel as though I could say the same,” Daena said. “How did you two become such good friends, anyway? Karr said you’d tell the story better.”
“Ah, yes, Karr has always been the epitome of the ‘deeds not words’ philosophy. Have a seat, and I’ll explain.”
Karr and Daena sat.
“At the start of the Outer Belt War I was a young MI, or military intelligence, Lieutenant in the Coalition fleet, fresh out of training. I was assigned to the CFPS King Cobra, a special operations corvette. I was to gather information on the Nyrotsi and assign targets and missions for the special operations teams on board. Karr was hired by the Coalition government to work with Lambda team. To make a long story short, time after time Karr and Lambda team succeeded like no other team I had ever heard of. I could always depend on them. After the war, I separated because…” he hesitated, “Well, that’s a different story. Anyway, I became a stock broker for extremely wealthy clientele. I’m the best broker there is, because I watch the entire galaxy and what’s happening in it. I can predict most major events long before they happen. And the raumies lag even slower. It’s almost too easy for me. Anyway, not too long ago I needed some help as some folks were not too happy with me hacking into their servers. I gave Karr a call; he came and, well let’s say he lended a hand, and I’ve been looking out for his raumgeld ever since. I also give him tips for jobs when I can, and he gives me intel when he can. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. Plus, he’s a real great guy and he respects my privacy, which I appreciate.” Karr nodded in acknowledgment. “So, my friend, what brings you to Fordia?”
“Ship upgrades,” Karr said.
“Ah, this is certainly a fine place for that. But I mean here. You’ve never exactly been the type to simply drop by and visit an old friend.”
“Have you heard about the Rae?” Karr asked. Mory became wide eyed.
“Oh, oh dear, no… who, or what, are they?”
Karr explained the Rae, their forces, their fleet, and their recent and planned involvement with humanity. He and Daena also talked about the happenings on Fortshione. Karr showed Mory his helmet cam recordings, which Mory took copies of, with permission, of course.
“Karr, this is huge,” Mory said finally. “I knew something was off about this new war breaking out, because I had not seen it coming. Not enough added up.”
“Yes, it is serious. Too bad no one will take us seriously,” Daena said, answering for Karr. “Humanity will be in chains and my ghost will look back and yell, ‘I told you so!’”
“I have some things I need you to look into,” Karr said to Mory.
“Whatever you need, bud. I also have something I need to tell you. But you go first.”
“I need you to try and track down the Rae. If we can find their base of operations, it will make this impending war a little easier on us.”
“I’ll see what I can do, but the simple fact I hadn’t even heard of them before you told me means they are good at covering their tracks. What else do you need?”
“See if you can track down the Nyrotsi Dominar. My friend Thomas seems to have ties with him. If we can find out where he is, or prove his death, then we can start dealing with Tavington,” Karr explained.
“Now, these are the challenges I was made for!” Mory said excitedly. Karr gave him the Athena’s Owl’s code in case he couldn’t reach Karr’s armor directly. Daena also gave him her comm code.
“Get me whatever updates you can as you can, and we will do the same.”
“Look at us, on a mission to save humanity!”
“Now you.”
“Me? Oh yes, I had been meaning to contact you but I wanted to be sure first. You have something stuck to your boot.” Mory said. Daena noticed that neither Mory nor Karr looked down at Karr’s boots, meaning they were using some sort of code.
“Who?” Karr asked.
“I’m not sure. They’re good. Not better than me, but good. I’ve been doing some digging since I picked up the scent; they seem to have been interested in you since your stunt on Tique.”
“When you find out...” Karr said, not finishing his statement.
“I’ve added it to my list of things to do, I’d tell you to look out for yourself, but I know better.”
“We need to meet Roux and Thomas. Mory, would you like to get a drink with us?” Daena asked.
“A drink? At a time like this? I have so much to do. Thank you for the invite, though. Take care of Karr for me, Daena Staal.”
Daena smiled. “I will.”
Karr stood to leave and Daena and Mory followed him to the exit. Karr put on his helmet before stepping through the door as it slid open for him. Mory stopped Daena quickly before she, too, left.
“He likes you, you know,” Mory said with a coy smile.
“Wha—how can you tell?”
“I’ve known Karr for a little while now. While he doesn’t say much, he expresses himself in plenty of other ways. I’m sure you’ll catch on to them soon enough. Treat him well and you’ll have made the best ally in the galaxy, I can assure you of that,” Mory said in hushed tones. Daena didn’t know what to say but thought about how Karr had saved her life at least twice now. “It was nice meeting you, Miss Staal,” Mory said louder and ushered her out. The door slid closed quickly, as soon as she
had passed the threshold once more.
Karr had heard everything Mory had said; he had even watched their conversation via his three hundred and sixty degree HUD. He just didn’t really know what to do about it, so he walked at a slower pace with Daena toward the bar.
“You referred to Thomas as your friend, but me as our friend. What was all the cryptic talk about?” Daena asked. Karr smiled inside his helmet, impressed that she caught on.
“A friend of mine is someone who is good with me, but you would not necessarily trust with your life. A friend of ours is someone I vouch for that is good with both Mory and I, a friend of ours is vouched for.”
“So, you’re saying you trust me with your life?” Daena interpreted with a cunning smile.
“Yes,” Karr said flatly. “Do you have family on Gardenia?” He asked abruptly.
“Yes. My father lives there; my mother died a few years ago. They were farmers, surprising… I know,” Daena said. It was common knowledge that Gardenia alone produced approximately twenty percent of the food for the entire galaxy.
“I am sorry about your mother. I have always liked the idea of farming,” Karr said.
“Thank you. What about farming could appeal to someone like you?”
“Farming is pure and ancient; it is as old and as necessary as combat.”
“Well, I’m not sure if it is as pure as it was back on Earth with the way technology is today. But don’t you think combat is something we would all be better without?” Daena looked up at him.
“There will always be evil. And evil does not destroy itself, and it cannot be wished away. Combat is necessary to keep evil in check,” Karr said while continuing to look straight forward.
“I don’t think there will always be evil. Look at the Coalition, so many planets working together in harmony.” Daena suggested.
“Evil is a product of free will—even the Coalition has evil in it.”
“You are saying in order to rid the galaxy of evil, we would also need to get rid of free will?” Daena asked. Karr stopped and turned his entire body to face her.
“Yes.”
“Meaning you are okay with evil existing in the universe, because you are a proponent of free will, right?”
“I acknowledge that evil will exist as long as we have free will. People like us should keep it in check.”
“…and that’s why you think combat is just as necessary as farming, because combat is how evil is kept in check,” Daena said, finishing his thought for him. Karr gave a nod and continued walking.
CHAPTER 15
THE BAR SCENE
Karr and Daena made it to the front of the Grease Bucket Bar, the loud music inside leaked out the front of the dark red building. The bouncer was a thick man who looked like he ate rocks for breakfast, but he was incredibly polite when the armored Shadowri approached him with a beautiful girl at his side. With a smile, Daena asked if he had seen their friends.
The bouncer opened the door for Karr and Daena and pointed them toward a booth in the back. Roux and Thomas were sitting there waiting for them. Roux waved as they approached.
“Karr, did you find your friend?” Roux asked with a bright smile.
“Yes, he is going to help find the Dominar, Thomas,” Karr said.
“Your friend on Fordia is going to help find the Nyrotsi Dominar?” Thomas asked incredulously, with one eyebrow raised.
“Yes,” Karr replied flatly.
“Oh, why not, that’s not the craziest thing I’ve heard lately,” Thomas said and he slid drinks in front of Karr and Daena. They glowed a light orange and fizzled at the top. Thomas held up his drink in toast. “To Karr’s friend.” Karr removed his helmet and attached it to the side of his armor.
“Mory.” Daena added quickly.
“To Mory, and may he have good luck.” Thomas corrected.
“And to new friends,” Roux added with a big grin. Everyone raised their vessels and clanked them in toast. It was an old tradition that had died out in the Mason’s Guild hundreds of years ago, but Roux had heard other civilizations still did it regularly and was excited to partake. They all downed the orange fluid. It popped and fizzled on the way down.
“So how is the Athena’s Owl?” Daena asked after putting down her empty vessel. The aftertaste of the fizzy drink tickled her mouth and tongue.
“Better than ever,” Thomas said proudly.
“I have to admit, he’s right. She has enough weapons and flight control upgrades to go toe-to-toe with heavy fighters.” Roux conceded.
“Which means when we go to Grainor we can actually stick around a while and won’t be run off like feral wolf-dogs.”
“I will get the next round,” Karr said, more stating than offering. He put his helmet back on and headed toward the bar on the far side of the loud and crowded establishment. He walked right across the busy dance floor; a few dancers had to move a bit to avoid him—some wanted to give him a piece of their mind, but with a second glance at Karr, they must have decided they were not inebriated enough for such courage.
Karr has always been conscious of the fact that a layer of strong armor is almost always between him and everyone else, for better or worse. In his life of danger, this constant was beneficial; his armor kept him protected from the ill intent of others. But there were times like now when tipsy women would brush against him on the dance floor, or on the ship when Daena hugged him, which he wished he was not constantly a human battlecruiser. But for the most part he was thankful, and still alive, because of the armor. He cut through the dancing occupants like a stone through a river and headed toward the bar.
The last time Karr was at the Grease Bucket Bar was a few years ago for Liberation Day, a Coalition holiday celebrating the founding of the Coalition of Freed Planets (from the remnants of the former Lazorus Federation.) He was with Mory, and their friend Molly, a Coalition Special Forces operative. They each had several delicious blue drinks called a Mustang. Karr intended to introduce the Mustang to his new colleagues, and silently toast Molly, who had died a few months prior while scouting a Nomen. In Karr’s line of work, he was too used to burying friends. Mory was his only real connection to his military days, and his only long-term friend—aside from his sister—who was still alive. It was busy around the bar and Karr would likely have to wait to bump his way forward to get the attention of the tender.
“Okay, Daena, who is this guy, Mory?” Thomas asked while they waited for Karr to return.
“He was former Coalition military intelligence and claims to be a stock broker, but I think he’s actually an information broker. He knew a lot about the happenings around the galaxy yet he hadn’t heard of the Rae at all.”
“Well they are doing their best to keep the tiger in the bag. I don’t think they counted on a group like us showing up though!” Roux said with enthusiasm. Daena and Thomas noticed that Roux was probably not very accustomed to drinking.
“You really think he can track down the Dominar?” Thomas said, partially dismissing Roux’s inebriation after one drink with a laugh.
“I didn’t get to know him very well, but my guess is yes. He seems like a good ally to have.”
“Well, it seems our list of allies is short these days… and our list of enemies gets longer and longer…” Thomas said, gesturing toward the front door.
A small, pale angry looking woman with a facial tattoo and an eye patch was approaching their booth with determination, flanked on either side by two massive men that could be exploball players. The bar began to clear in their wake as, upon seeing the trio, people started subtly making their way for the exit.
“Chu got alotta guts coming in here, no brains, but alotta guts,” The woman said as she stood at the edge of the group’s table. The large men stood on either side of her preventing their exit, were they to attempt it.
“Hello, I’m Thomas. I must have missed your name,” Thomas said, extending a friendly hand with a smile.
“I know who you are, Thomas Wincheste
r. You’ve got a pretty big price on your head, and I intend to collect.”
“Winchester? Never heard the name in my life,” Thomas said coolly. “Look, can’t you see I have the audience of the two most beautiful women in the bar? I hope you find your Winchester fellow.”
“You think I’m beautiful?” Roux remarked with a slight hiccup.
The bounty hunter woman pounded wrapped fists on the table. Her skin was abnormally pale, which was accented further by her dark tattoos. Daena noted the henchmen had large pistols strapped to their belts. She thought she might be able to grab the one nearest her if she was quick about it.
“Listen, palbert, price is much higher if I takes chu in alive. So, let’s just be civilizated ‘bout this. Chu come wit me, and these ladies ‘ere can go on wit they night.”
“I’m not your palbert,” Thomas said with a bit of venom in his voice. “I shall tell you what, bounty hunter. You leave here now, and I won’t incapacitate you and your friends for the rest of your pathetic lives,” Thomas said, looking the woman square in her uncovered eye.
“Who does chu thinkin’ chu—” The bounty hunter stopped suddenly when she found herself staring down the barrel of a gun, held by Roux. Her henchmen went for theirs, but one found Daena had already plucked his off his leg and now shoved it in his face. The other one was missing his, too. He turned to find a Shadowri stomping it into scrap. The henchman swung and hit the Shadowri’s helmet. Karr stood like a statue as the man cursed and clutched his fist in agony. Karr sent a quick jab to the man’s gut which put him on the ground. Everyone who was left at the bar suddenly stopped; the music fell silent.
“I told you to leave,” Thomas said feigning regret.
Karr picked up the two large henchmen by their collars and carried them to the door, as one tried to kick the Shadowri in the shin, likely breaking his foot. The bouncer, who had been paid off, coincidentally looked the other way once more. The bounty hunter put her hands up and stepped back slowly from the table.
