with a slightly indulgent smile. “Our way is not as fast as your gene splicing and DNA manipulation, but our results speak for themselves. Galvetic warriors are the most feared fighters throughout the known worlds.” Lucky, who had been resting a hand on the table, began ticking his index finger loudly against the composite surface.
“We are aware of your kind, battlesynth, but we do not subscribe to the theory that a warrior can be manufactured,” Connimon said.
“Perhaps a demonstration some time,” Lucky said politely. “When you have more warriors available, that is.” He looked pointedly at the Reddix brothers after his last comment, causing Jason to hide a smile behind his hand and the two warriors to look at each other with apprehension. Being so openly challenged was apparently something they were unaccustomed to.
“Let’s try and stay focused,” Jason said. “You’ve explained how you found us, sort of, but not why. Staying on that shithole station for over half a year … it’s got to be something important.”
“Yes, Captain,” Connimon said quietly, “it is quite important. Your people need you, Felex. Galvetor is on the brink of civil war and the warrior caste is no longer willing to stay neutral. Your return would—”
“There will be no going back for me,” Crusher snarled, coming forward so quickly that Mazer and Morakar braced themselves. “I was banished from my home! Sent away like some beggar only to be captured, sold into slavery, and almost killed! I was told then that the only way to save my people was to accept disgrace and never come back!” His voice had risen to a deafening roar and Jason was becoming seriously concerned. He was about to signal to Lucky to be ready, but Crusher wasn’t finished.
“Now you tell me to save them I must return? I have no people! I’m a renegade, damned to wander the galaxy with no home. You’ve wasted your time, Caretaker,” Crusher thundered. “There is nothing here for you!” As his last words left his mouth, he swung his massive fist down in a savage overhead strike into the table right between where Jason and Kage were sitting. Predictably, the table exploded into shards of hard composite, and drinking glasses went flying. Ignoring the blood flowing from the wound the sharp edges of the broken table had caused, Crusher stormed out of the galley towards the armory, snarling a challenge at the other two warriors as he did so.
Twingo and Doc had wide-eyed, startled expressions as they looked at each other. Kage’s face, on the other hand, was frozen into a visage of absolute terror.
“Captain,” Twingo said in a cracking voice. “Shouldn’t you check on Kage? He looks like he’s locked up.”
“In a moment,” Jason said calmly. “I’m currently trying to keep from pissing myself.”
Chapter 7
After Crusher broke the galley table in half, Jason had the other geltens confined in starboard berthing while he tried to regain control of the situation, if he ever even had it in the first place. It had taken them a moment to get Kage sorted out, and then Jason ordered the others up to the bridge to keep them busy while Lucky stayed on the main deck to head off any potential issues with their unwanted guests.
He was currently in a heated discussion with Lucky. Heated on his part, of course. Lucky remained predictably stoic.
“Why should I go in there? You’re his closest friend.”
“And you are his captain,” Lucky countered. “He will want to know that you are still backing him up.”
“That goes without saying,” Jason said with a dismissive wave.
“But he may not realize that,” Lucky pressed. “That was an uncharacteristically violent display of emotion from Crusher. He will want your assurances.”
“Great,” Jason grumbled. “If you hear a loud, girlish scream that is suddenly cut short, don’t bother running in. Just come and get what’s left of me and toss the remains out an
“We are aware of your kind, battlesynth, but we do not subscribe to the theory that a warrior can be manufactured,” Connimon said.
“Perhaps a demonstration some time,” Lucky said politely. “When you have more warriors available, that is.” He looked pointedly at the Reddix brothers after his last comment, causing Jason to hide a smile behind his hand and the two warriors to look at each other with apprehension. Being so openly challenged was apparently something they were unaccustomed to.
“Let’s try and stay focused,” Jason said. “You’ve explained how you found us, sort of, but not why. Staying on that shithole station for over half a year … it’s got to be something important.”
“Yes, Captain,” Connimon said quietly, “it is quite important. Your people need you, Felex. Galvetor is on the brink of civil war and the warrior caste is no longer willing to stay neutral. Your return would—”
“There will be no going back for me,” Crusher snarled, coming forward so quickly that Mazer and Morakar braced themselves. “I was banished from my home! Sent away like some beggar only to be captured, sold into slavery, and almost killed! I was told then that the only way to save my people was to accept disgrace and never come back!” His voice had risen to a deafening roar and Jason was becoming seriously concerned. He was about to signal to Lucky to be ready, but Crusher wasn’t finished.
“Now you tell me to save them I must return? I have no people! I’m a renegade, damned to wander the galaxy with no home. You’ve wasted your time, Caretaker,” Crusher thundered. “There is nothing here for you!” As his last words left his mouth, he swung his massive fist down in a savage overhead strike into the table right between where Jason and Kage were sitting. Predictably, the table exploded into shards of hard composite, and drinking glasses went flying. Ignoring the blood flowing from the wound the sharp edges of the broken table had caused, Crusher stormed out of the galley towards the armory, snarling a challenge at the other two warriors as he did so.
Twingo and Doc had wide-eyed, startled expressions as they looked at each other. Kage’s face, on the other hand, was frozen into a visage of absolute terror.
“Captain,” Twingo said in a cracking voice. “Shouldn’t you check on Kage? He looks like he’s locked up.”
“In a moment,” Jason said calmly. “I’m currently trying to keep from pissing myself.”
Chapter 7
After Crusher broke the galley table in half, Jason had the other geltens confined in starboard berthing while he tried to regain control of the situation, if he ever even had it in the first place. It had taken them a moment to get Kage sorted out, and then Jason ordered the others up to the bridge to keep them busy while Lucky stayed on the main deck to head off any potential issues with their unwanted guests.
He was currently in a heated discussion with Lucky. Heated on his part, of course. Lucky remained predictably stoic.
“Why should I go in there? You’re his closest friend.”
“And you are his captain,” Lucky countered. “He will want to know that you are still backing him up.”
“That goes without saying,” Jason said with a dismissive wave.
“But he may not realize that,” Lucky pressed. “That was an uncharacteristically violent display of emotion from Crusher. He will want your assurances.”
“Great,” Jason grumbled. “If you hear a loud, girlish scream that is suddenly cut short, don’t bother running in. Just come and get what’s left of me and toss the remains out an
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