Starblazer- Through the Black Gate

by Reiter

  “Then you should look closer at the mirror, Captain,” Silnee said, walking out of the room.

  ** b *** t *** o *** r **

  “What the… gods help me, it’s a damn convention!” Persephone thought as the doors to the Mess Hall opened. Annsura took in a breath to announce the arrival of the Captain, but Persephone quickly waved her off as she walked into the Mess Hall. She walked directly to the young woman to whisper in her ear.

  “We’ll get to drills and the like once we know what we’re keeping, Cutter. Besides–” Persephone stopped herself and realized a point. “You know what, I need to broadcast this part.

  “Let me tell everyone so that we’re all on the same page from this point onward,” Persephone announced. “I do not like it when new people know who I am before I know who they are! If you must speak of the captain of this boat, please do so in ambiguous terms.” Thomasine put her hand to her mouth as her eyes got big. “For instance, the best response to the question of ‘what’s the captain like’ is simply ‘you’ll have to see for yourself’; replace personal pronouns with either ‘it’ or ‘the captain’. I will grant you, it’s not an easy art to take up at first, but one that’s easily mastered.

  “And you have nothing to worry about,” Persephone said to Thomasine, giving her a wink. “But since you all already know who and what I am, let’s get to the particulars. Cutter!”

  “Aye, Captain!” Annsura said as she stepped forward.

  “I think we’ve overlooked your efforts long enough, don’t you?”

  “My Captain has been about the business of being Captain,” Annsura quickly replied. “She gave a task to her Cutter and it has been done. Med-tech Applicants, please step forward!”

  “Applicants?” Persephone repeated as three people stepped forward. “Z, why did that word sound plural?”

  “Because Cutter was not going to make a final decision for this ship,” Dungias explained.

  “But I was just getting to like the idea of having a body-shredder with the initials JC!” Persephone pointed out.

  “I am missing your point,” Dungias stated, looking confused.

  “Hello, Old Earth religion,” Persephone stressed. “One of the shows they were working when everything went to shit. You know, the reason for Christmas! Are you saying I know more about this than you do?!”

  “There are several points to be made,” Dungias returned. “You spoke of initials. You do realize that his last name was not Christ, do you not?” Persephone closed her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Not to mention there was a very prevalent celebratory festival at that point in the yearly cycle long before the reported birth of the entity.”

  “What?!” Persephone barked, shocked at the words she was hearing. She was by no means devout, but she had seen many things in her time that science could not explain. She wondered if she had been asking the wrong scientist.

  “Captain, this is a tangent that–”

  “Screw that,” she snapped. “You’re screwing up JC’s chances over here. Explain.”

  “You recall the statement about the victor and the spoils, Captain?” Dungias asked. “The boundaries of what can and cannot be those spoils has always been determined by the aforementioned victor; be it loved ones, precious artifacts, or even religion.” Dungias looked into Persephone’s face and felt for her confusion. “Did you notice that the Roman gods are simply the Greek gods with a change of names?”

  “No, you see, that was in the third semester of I don’t give a fuck!” Persephone yelled. “Are you shitting me right now?!”

  “The spring and winter festivals of the ancient nature-based religions coincide with Easter and Christmas from the religion which came well after the establishment of the festivals,” Dungias stated. “… which is how a rabbit and a specific tree remain symbols of the respective holidays despite having nothing to do with the newer religion.”

  “That’s just depressing,” Persephone sighed before turning to face the three people who were patiently waiting for her to finish her conversation. “Let’s have it, people. Someone needs to tell me why I need to bring them along with me.”

  Annsura started to call one of the three names, but Jovasor Cole leaned forward with a very perplexed look on his face. “I’m sorry, did you say someone?!”

  “Yes I did.”

  Jovasor looked around the room and then looked at the floor as he placed his hands behind his back. “Perhaps I can save you some time, Captain. How many are you right now?”

  “Upwards of twenty,” Persephone answered. “Why?”

  “Because you’re mad if you think one medical technician is enough to see to so many people!”

  “Mad?!” Persephone snorted. “Did you really just use that word?! How old are you Jovasor?” Taking in a deep breath and pressing his lips together, Jovasor glared at Persephone who was quick to step forward and match his stare. “And whether you stay or go, you put those kinds of eyes to me again on my ship, and the very first organ replacement patient you will have will be you! Now tell me you understand!”

  Jovasor softened quickly and lowered his eyes. “Then perhaps my decision has already been made,” he replied. “Because while you are Captain of the ship, as a ship’s physician, my job is to keep your most precious resource operational.” Jovasor lifted his head with very same glare that made Persephone warn him. “…and, quite frankly, that means a lot of glaring between us!”

  Persephone put her eyes on the other two and they both quickly looked away. The woman laughed, slapping JC hard across the face. “You’ve got some balls on you, kid! I like that in a shredder. As for the two of you, I can get your names later if you decide to stay on under junior-weight over here. Next!”

  “Dat would be me, ” a very large man said as he got up from one of the tables. Had the chair been able to speak, it would have thanked Persephone for calling the behemoth to her.

  “We had five applicants for the position of the cook, Captain,” Annsura relayed. “While they were all good at providing samples of their cooking, the flavor of their dishes dwindled when I asked them to make samples for the entire crew. That is, everyone save Roc, spelled without the ‘k’. He’s–”

  “Pazibred,” Persephone smiled. Her smile both surprised and comforted the large man. “And by that I mean mostly Ropazior. Like, one of his parents was a half-breed but the other was lock, stock, and barrel all giant!” She said a few words in the language called Grod and the large figure smiled, responding in the same language and speaking more quickly. Persephone held up her hands and apologized for not knowing more of his native tongue.

  “We have, as you can see, a growing crew. Think you can keep hot slop in their bodies?”

  “I am not sure, but you cannot kick me off this ship until I get to use that stove!” Roc replied. Persephone shrugged her shoulders and looked at Dungias questioningly.

  “After our last celebration at the estate, I made some changes to the kitchen,” Dungias explained. Persephone chuckled and shook her head.

  “You request is received and understood,” Persephone said, patting the large man on the arm. “Welcome to the ranks.

  “Thom, it looks like the bulk of the bone and bod in this room is courtesy of your efforts.”

  “Aye, Captain,” Thomasine replied with a very proud smile. “When reports started coming in of what you did to the Bricks and Imps, I lost all but one of the five I had gathered. By the time I was ready to secure transportation off-planet, I got those back and one more.”

  “So it would seem,” Persephone said, rubbing the palm of her right hand. “First rule, we’re pirates!” she started as she directed the hopefuls to stand abreast of one another. She paced as she waited for them to get into formation. “Second rule, piracy is exercised upon those that are not of this ship and crew… and only those entities! Third rule, this is not a democracy! I know there is an old saying about highways... that is an option open to you now. The moment you become crew, you are cr
ew. You want the highway, you ask for it. Doesn’t mean you’re going to get it, though, and probably not immediately. So, take a moment and think it over. If any of the first three rules rubs you the wrong way, step out of line. Mister Llaz and Mister Cupid will escort you to the hangar, and we will summon a ferry that will take you to Black Gate and that will be on the house.”

  “Cupid?!” one of the men in line giggled.

  “Cupid!” Persephone spoke in a beckoning tone. Olkin whispered something as he stepped forward, his goggles forming over his eyes. He slapped his belt and drew his nocked bow seemingly from nowhere. He fired an arrow that cut the man’s right earlobe before it lodged in the wall, beeped and generated a graviton field that snatched the man off his feet and slammed him against the wall. “Well, someone’s been prepping and practicing! Sweet shot… Cupid.”

  “Thank you, Captain.”

  “Depsite what you think you are, we have a basic training program you will need to take.” Persephone looked at the man with a bleeding ear and smirked. “One of the things you’ll learn is how to be ready at a moment’s notice.”

  “Okay, after this, we need to talk,” Annsura said softly to her boyfriend. Llaz slapped Olkin’s shoulder, congratulating his fellow crewman. Persephone smiled at Olkin before returning her attention to the people lined up in front of her. She scratched the back of her neck with her left hand as her brow crinkled.

  “By my count, that leaves you ten, three of which are here just because you’re being lumped in with the rest.”

  “The hell with that!” Bantar said as he stepped forward and started waving his hand. “What do I have to do to sign up?!”

  Persephone stopped scratching her neck and turned to look at Dungias. “Is that the one with the dangerous ambitions?”

  “I am afraid so, Captain,” Dungias sighed.

  “Hey!” Bantar spoke up, not liking the tone of how he was being discussed.

  “It’s all right, kid,” Persephone waved him off. “What irks the blue man makes the rest of us smile! The two you’re with, however, I have my concerns.”

  “Captain,” Dungias said softly. She turned, looking somewhat inquisitive.

  “Hmmm? Oh, was I not supposed to say that out loud? I am so sorry!” Persephone turned back to Teela and Amosse and cupped one side of her mouth. “Sorry!” she said in an amusing whisper. “Just disregard that last line. Move over to the side here for me.” She winked at both of them before taking a step back and gesturing for the three to join the young medical technician. “That leaves the Gulmar Group. I see some hearty hearts here. Z, can you outfit them all?”

  “Even if I were to repair the damaged units, we do not have enough to arm everyone equally,” Dungias reported.

  “Cutter, mark this day down: Z is not prepared. And use bold print because it will be some time before that ever happens again. Okay, we use what we have and let’s initiate training. I’ve got a formal dinner to attend. Tolip, Siekor, see Z about getting some formal attire; you’re going with me.”

  “Excuse me,” Dungias said, looking confused as his eyes darted from the captain to the hopefuls. “You do not want me to attend the gala with you… Captain?”

  “Z, you said it yourself,” Persephone said, tapping her fingers into Dungias’ chest. “… you are grossly unprepared for the crew that I’ve been talking about bringing aboard since before we got to Gulmar! I suggest that you and Tank find your way down to Fabrications and lock it down until you are prepared for my crew. Am I understood here?” Dungias lowered his head and took a step back from Persephone.

  “Quite, Captain. Do I have your permission to be excused?”

  “What’s the matter, Z? You can make me look bad, but you’re too proud to walk in the same boots? Get out of my sight, alien! Cutter, Thom, damn fine work, the both of you. Let’s spare Roc the exercise of cooking tonight and order a meal for my people. That is all for now,” she said, walking for the door. “You two have an hour to get dressed. Goldie, you’re with me.”

  “Aye, Captain!” Siekor and Silnee said in unison before looking at each other.

  “With Z headed toward Fabrications, I doubt the man can receive your requests from that heartfelt stare you’re sharing,” Annsura said as she walked away from where the standing crew had assembled themselves. “Tank, do these two a favor and get the process started.”

  “You got it, Cutter,” Mel said before grabbing the control for his hoverchair and piloting his way out of the room.

  “Permission to assist,” Kryltane requested.

  “Granted, Shotgun,” Annsura responded. “I get the feeling they’re going to need all the help they can get.

  “Thom,” Annsura called, waving the woman over to her. “… if you would be so kind as to present each person by name and detail their best trait for a placement in this crew.”

  “Sure, Cutter, no problem” Thomasine said as she excused herself from a conversation she had started having with Llaz and Ephaliun. Apparently everyone was a bit surprised at the way the Captain had addressed her First Mate. “The one closest to you is Nielsen Feldspar.”

  Annsura looked over the tanned man with his dirty blonde hair in a tight ponytail, taking into account the way he stood with his arms folded and a slight lean. She found a gleam of cockiness in his light brown eyes, and Annsura made her approach. “You give yourself that name?”

  “A very proud and hopeful mother,” the man replied. “Neither one of them got her too far in the world, but she was never unhappy. The last bastard at least taught her how to shoot before he left us.”

  “Did she pass that on to you?” Annsura asked.

  “I guess you could say there were some things he didn’t have a choice in leaving behind,” Nielsen replied. “I guess he had damn good eyesight too, because the old lady was blind as a bat!”

  “Good to know,” Annsura smiled. “And on a personal note, we’re not in the guessing business. You repeat ‘I guess’ to the Captain and she’ll make you sure whether you want to be or not. Well met, Feldspar. Thom?”

  “This is one of the tried and true, Cutter,” Thomasine reported, gesturing at a pale, short, and slender young man with long, flowing red hair. With his gleaming yellow eyes, it was clear to see he was Vohlbred. “He and I have made a couple of runs together.”

  “Runs?”

  “Appropriating vehicles,” Thomasine clarified and Annsura nodded. “The only name he’s ever used is Scamps.”

  “How are you liking it so far, Scamps?”

  “Definitely worth the ride and the wait,” Scamps said without looking at Annsura.

  “Do you mind if I ask what you’re looking at?”

  “Just getting a lay of the land, ma’am,” Scamps replied. “The layout of the electricity in this place it is outtasight!”

  “Needless to say, he’d get me in the ride and I’d drive it,” Thomasine inserted.

  “I was coming around to that,” Annsura stated, nodding at the man before moving to the next. “And who do we have here?” she asked, looking up at a towering Adonis of a bald man.

  “Cilrus Cliye,” the large, muscular, and well-scarred man said after taking a good step forward. “I was given the name Ga in the arena.”

  “Ga?”

  “I was the middle fighter of threesome called Gilgamesh,” he replied. “They’re dead now, and I think the owners were eyeing me to go next. I heard about what happened at Oasis City and figured I’d take my chances.”

  “Good to have you aboard, Cliye,” Annsura replied. She went on to meet the recently quieted Olreye Seaton. If he survived the orientation process, Annsura was pretty sure his name would involve something about his newly-altered ear. She had hopes for the man though, as he looked to be more inclined to not be seen than to glare at the person who had cut his ear. After that was Daevo Treece, who was very eager to get to being a pirate, and Rahneece K’Saar, the only female Thomasine had brought, who was very reserved of action and speech.

 
Annsura’s interest, however, was mostly fixed on a man named Synh Dayami who also kept to himself as much as he could. He was slender and relatively short, but his strides were metered and he seldom made noise when he walked. Annsura set Murder and Mayhem to start the training of the hopefuls as she made her way to Fabrications. Before she could reach the room, she saw Dungias coming from the chamber carrying clothes for Silnee and Siekor.

  “First Mate,” she said respectfully as she turned to walk with him.

  “Cutter.”

  “Sir, I can’t help but feel that something is not quite right.”

  “Then do not remove your goggles, even when you are on board ship,” Dungias directed.

  “Which means the problem is already on board,” Annsura concluded as she showed she was still wearing her them in a thick necklace format.

  “It would be wrong of me to agree with that statement,” Dungias said, taking a moment to stop and look at Annsura. “You might then presume that there is only one problem at present.”

  “How many problems are there?!” Annsura said, putting her hand to her blade.

  “I will say this, Cutter, you continue to impress me. Keep at your studies, trust your instincts, and eventually everything will become quite clear. Until then, try not to anticipate the unexpected. Oft times, you will come to find that the trek-path is as wide as you need it to be. But if you turn before you even see the obstacle, you limit your potential reactions simply because you moved too soon.

  “But since I am told often I should make things simpler,” Dungias continued as he resumed walking. “… do not safety yourself into a corner!”

  Creating problems is easy. We do it all the time. Finding solutions, ones that last and produce good results, requires guts and care.

  Henry Rollins

  (XII)