Sullivan Saga 1: Sullivan's War by Michael Rose Page A

heart-shaped tattoo on the side of the neck enclosed a single word: “Mother.”
     
    IT WASN’T UNTIL he awoke that Sullivan noticed the matching tattoo on the other side of man’s neck. This heart enclosed the word “Fucker.” Sullivan was bound to a chair, and the burly redhead was sitting across from him, a gun resting on one knee. When he saw Sullivan stir, the man looked past Sullivan and shouted a gruff, “Hey!”
    Footsteps approached from behind him. Sullivan turned his head. A tall, dark-haired man in a reflective blue suit smiled as his eyes met Sullivan’s.
    “Your friend is awake, Jones,” he said.
    Jones came around and stood behind the tall man. He briefly looked Sullivan in the eyes then looked away. “Nothing personal, Rick.”
    Sullivan struggled against his restraints. “What is this, Jones?”
    “Like I said, nothing personal, but you’re worth money.”
    “To who?”
    “You think I’m stupid, Rick? You think I don’t watch the news? I knew who you were the minute I first laid eyes on you. I know the Assembly doesn’t pay rewards except to licensed bounty hunters, but I figured Edaline’s authorities wouldn’t be as particular.”
    “And Mr. Jones,” said the tall man, “has convinced me of that as well. I’ve bought you from him.”
    Sullivan narrowed his eyes at the freight captain. “God damn you, Jones!”
    “Nothing personal,” Jones mumbled again. “I’ll take my leave.”
    Jones stepped out of Sullivan’s sight. A moment later, he heard a door open then close.
    The tall man smiled. “So what do you think Edaline will pay for the return of their prodigal son?”
    “Nothing,” said Sullivan. “As soon as we set foot on Edaline, we’re both as good as dead.”
    “Oh, I think they’d show a little more gratitude than that. I have a great deal of influence on these planets outside the purview of the Assembly, and I’m a useful man for a corrupt government to have on the payroll. Anyway, I’ve already sent a message to an acquaintance who happens to be a member of Edaline’s parliament. I’ll hear back in a few months. Until then, welcome to your new home.”
    Sullivan scanned the room. It was about three meters wide and, based on how the door sounded when Jones had closed it, he guessed four to five meters deep. There were no windows and no furniture save the two chairs that he and Red were currently occupying. A few filthy-looking blankets were piled in one corner. The other corner held a bucket. My bed and bath , Sullivan thought to himself.
    Red got up and produced a syringe. The tall man crouched down to Sullivan’s eye level. “I apologize, but we’re going to have to put you out again. When you wake up, you will be unrestrained, and these chairs will be gone. When you see the door, you’ll notice that there is a hinged access hatch in it just large enough for that bucket. Each morning you will place your waste bucket on the ledge outside of that hatch. Your waste will be disposed of for you, and in return you will be given food and drinking water as well as a wash bucket and rag. When you are finished, you will place the wash bucket on the ledge, and it will be exchanged for your waste bucket.”
    The tall man gestured to the room. “There is space enough to exercise and move around. The lights will be turned out at night so you may sleep, and during the day you may, if you behave, be given a tablet so you can read or watch movies.”
    The tall man leaned in closer. “You will find that I am not a cruel man, Mr. Sullivan. I am simply a business man. Wilson, however,” he said, indicating the redhead, “is a very cruel man indeed. Do not test that assertion.”
    Wilson leaned in and injected the syringe into Sullivan’s neck. Sullivan tried to speak before he lost consciousness, but “mother” was the only word he managed to get out.
     
    8
     
    THE PLANET OF Calandra was a member of the Stellar Assembly. Despite this, Allen found out soon after