Maniacs The Krittika Conflict

CHAPTER 4



'Alpha Factors'. The shop was just where Kaper said it would be. It was a large warehouse. The lower three metres of the perimeter of the structure couldn't be seen for the mounds of ship parts stacked in the open air around it.

"You remember what we need?" asked Mason.

Felix lifted up his datapad with the list he had made. Hella leaned in to see it for herself.

"That's quite a list."

"We got into a little trouble on our last job. It can be dangerous work what we do."

"Yeah, and what sort of work is that?"

"Don't worry, you'll love it."

Mitchell smiled at Mason's vague response. Hella seemed curious enough to go along with it, and they both got a sense she had little holding her to anything in the universe, not work, family, or money.

They stepped inside and found a man of Kaper's age. He was lying back in a chair and watching the news. A space battle was being reported far from where they were.

"That the kind of work you're in?" Hella asked.

"Sort of, but we get paid better, and owe allegiance to nobody but ourselves."

"Sounds perfect."

Mason nodded in agreement, as the man heard their voices and turned to greet them. He was wiry, with deep blue eyes and wore an old dirty and faded boiler suit.

"Welcome! I'm Avery Ryant."

"Kaper from the Digger sent us."

"Ah, yes, what can I do for you?"

Mason gestured for Mitchell to continue.

"We've got a Leander class transport in a bit of a bad way, hoping you can provide us with some parts.”

"Leander? Oh, yeah, I have parts for 'em. Don't get a lot of call for them anymore, though. Most of the freighters coming in and out of here are a good bit larger. You aren't in the mining business, are you?"

"No, Sir."

"Well, let's see what you need."

He passed the datapad over.

"Shit," Ryant replied in a long drawn out manner, "that's a long list. How'd you even reach this world if you needed all this?"

"Barely," replied Mitchell.

"You're lucky you didn't die up there. Your maintenance not being kept up or something?"

"Nope, we got a good mechanic, but we're in a dangerous business. Some unscrupulous bastards put a few heavy laser shots into our ass not so long ago."

"You're not in some kind of trouble with the authorities are you?"

"Uhhh..."

"Cos it would be okay if you were. Authorities of this world are low life thieving scum. Hell, you come to blows with them, and I'd give you a discount."

Mitchell opened his mouth to spill the beans, but Mason shook his head to stop him.

"Mr Ryant, we're in a bit of a rush to patch up our vessel and get on about our business."

"Yes," he replied dubiously. “I got most of the parts you want here, and you can take 'em now. But the coil you're after, I'll have to source that elsewhere."

"All right, get us a price, and we'll do business."

Ryant turned to his console and tapped in a number of keys as he yelled into the warehouse.

"Cayne! Get your ass up here!"

He finally turned back to Mason.

"Including the coil, which I'm pretty sure I can get for a good price, that'll be forty eight thousand."

Hella took a deep breath, and Mason could see she was expecting the need to find an alternative lift off the world.

"That's fine," he replied, lifted his datapad, and pulled his credit card from the side.

"This going to go through?" Ryant asked, doubtfully.

"Not a whole lot of trust round here, is there?"

"Well, okay."

He fed the card into his console and put the transaction through. His eyes widened when the information displayed on the screen confirmed Mason was a reliable client.

"Gone through fine. Cayne will be up with your stuff in just a few moments. I'll head out now to negotiate for that coil. You want it delivered?"

"That'd be good. We're a few kilometres south of town. You can get my comms number from the card."

"I'll get on it immediately. Good doing business with you."

The components filled out the quadcopter and barely left space for Hella to squeeze into one of the seats.

"Shit load of money for a few pieces of junk metal," she stated.

"Actually, that was a fair price. Surprisingly fair," replied Mitchell.

"And you, Mason. You didn't have to get involved in their troubles back there. Why did you?"

"Maybe because I could see good folks being hustled, and that doesn't sit right with me."

"But you're a gun for hire, aren't you?"

He looked back at her, surprised. "You're a sharp one, aren't you?"

"So why did you help them for free?"

"Well they did pay us in good liquor," he replied, smiling.

"You're not like any mercenary I have ever known."

"And you have known many, have you?"

"Enough."

Her vagueness continued to irritate him, but also fuelled his interest in her. The sun was going down by the time they reached the ship. Liu, Erin and Andrews were sitting at the table Mason had pulled out earlier that day, and they had started a fire beside them. Mitchell pulled up close by and leapt off to find they were enjoying a cup of something warm. He dragged out the crate of beer and dumped it on the table between them.

"Here, we've got some good stuff."

Their attention was quickly drawn to the newcomer. Hella was like a shadow in the dim light, with her black hair and dark coat.

"This is Hella. Looks like she'll be joining us."

Liu looked up. She was nothing like anything he'd expect to see in a colleague.

"Ben Liu," he said as a welcome. Though he wasn't at all convinced Mason hadn't just brought her along because she was a pretty face.

Mason continued to introduce them and then got to Erin.

"Another new face among us. Erin is hitching a lift."

Hella looked down at the rifle that was still resting across her lap.

"Know how to use that?"

The others laughed.

"Went through that earlier today, and she sure can," Liu grinned.

"Well, this crew just keeps getting younger,” Andrews said.

It was true. Mason had been one of the youngest aboard for so many years, and now he was a seasoned veteran among them.

"A bit of new blood can't hurt," he added.

Mitchell ripped open the box and found glass bottles inside. He handed them out one by one.

"Wow, posh stuff," said Liu. "How much this set you back?"

"Nothing at all. It was gift," replied Mason.

Liu looked at him with a suspicious expression.

"And what did you do to receive such a gift?"

"Just helped out where we could."

"Mmm," Liu muttered. "Do I really want to know?"

"Probably not."

They each prised the caps off and clashed the bottles together before slugging them back and appreciating the fine taste. The fire was a nice touch that they all appreciated. It wasn't a cold night, but it was a comfort they rarely got to enjoy.

"So, Hella, where you from?" asked Liu.

"Lots of places."

"Family?"

"Dead."

It lowered the tone to a sombre one that Mason tried to move past.

"You handled yourself like a trained fighter back there. Where did you learn those skills?"

"Fighting? What did you get yourself into?" asked Liu.

"Hey, we just went to a bar for info. We didn't start anything."

"An unknown world and you go to a bar to find info?" asked Andrews. "When will you ever learn? How many times have you got out of a bar without a fight?"

"Yeah, but this was daytime. I didn't expect to find cause for trouble."

"And yet you found it anyway," added Liu.

"What can I say? I seem to attract bad sorts."

Hella nodded in agreement which made Erin laugh.

"You may act like a tough guy, but you have a soft heart Mason," she stated.

Mason looked around in surprise at the crew.

"Back to you," Liu said to Hella. "What are these skills he's talking about?"

"I trained on Melian III."

Liu sat up quickly. "Melian III?"

"What of it?" asked Mason.

"Melian is a world for training assassins, spies, espionage skills. Intelligence operatives. What on earth would you be doing there?"

"Do you tell everyone you meet your life's story?" she asked.

They all went silent. Liu was suspicious of her story, but Mason realised there may be some truth to it after what he’d seen her do.

"So another secretive one aboard. You and Erin should get along just great."

Hella looked over to Erin. The two were eyeing each other up and seemed to have little in common. They looked to be from completely different cultures and walks of life. Hella shrugged her shoulders.

"Whoever said you had to like someone to work with them?"

Liu chuckled, "Amen. I wouldn't be here otherwise. Mason can be a son of a bitch."

"You're a cop?" asked Hella of Liu.

He squinted. "Why would you say that?"

"You are, aren't you?"

"Used to be, how could you tell?"

"Besides the obvious, there's a warrant up for your arrest in VASI territories. Twenty thousand credits being offered for your capture."

He suddenly sat upright and looked over to Mason.

"What the hell are you here for? To collect my head?" he snapped and stood up, kicking his chair back.

"Whoa!" yelled Mason, stepping in between them. He looked around, but Hella still sat in a relaxed manner.

"Well? That why you're here?"

"Wouldn't have said so if I was."

"Yes or no?"

"No."

He turned back to Liu.

"That good enough for you?"

He shrugged, picked up his chair, and sat back down.

"So, a cop wanted by the cops. You are an interesting one," she smiled.

"Hey, there aren't any saints among us."

"Good, because I don't play by anyone's rules, Mason."

Mason knocked back his beer, grabbed another and spoke to Andrews.

"Where are you up to with the work?”

"I've made a solid start. I'll need all of tomorrow to remove the rest of the fried parts, and then we can make a start on the rebuild. You got everything we need?"

"Except for the coil, and that is being delivered to us."

"You paid for that?"

"Yeah."

"And you trust whoever it was to deliver?"

"Got to have some trust in this world," replied Mason. "Otherwise what are we?"

"Cautious,” he replied.

"So, you said about a job?" Hella asked.

"Yeah, five percent take on all jobs while you are aboard and actively working. Plus a room and good company."

"And if that doesn't work for me?"

"Then you are welcome to leave anytime. We take on missions of a dangerous nature. I expect you to follow my orders and be there for the rest of the crew. Do that, and we'll get along just fine."

"Sounds like one big happy family."

"Pretty much. Come on, I'll show you to your room."

He got up and led her back towards the ship. They got to the ramp and found it was still running on auxiliary power, and that meant for low lighting.

"I can't speak much for Erin because she's only just come aboard, but the rest are a good tight crew. You can trust them with your lives, and they will expect the same of you while you take a share of the profit."

She nodded in agreement. They reached one of the doors at the side of the cargo bay. It had nothing more than a large number six inscribed on it. He turned the wheel and slid it open.

"This room will be yours for as long as you continue to serve on the ship."

"And what is it you want me to do as part of this crew?"

"The work we do is pretty varied, but as I said, you can generally expect it to be dangerous. It can range from transport of valuable goods to protection details, rescue missions, and all sorts."

"And you think I am up to that?"

"Aren't you?"

"You tell me, Captain," she replied, throwing off her coat.

She wore a close fitting tank top beneath, and he could now see the extent of her tattoos. He didn't recognise any of them, and several looked like nothing more than artistic swirls to him, but he suspected they held more meaning than he realised. Two knives were attached either side of the buckle of her trousers. They were well concealed so that only someone like him would notice them. Yet there was not a gun in sight. He pulled out his sidearm.

"You know how to use one of these?"

"Yeah, but it's not my preferred weapon of choice."

"Ever killed anyone?"

"Yes."

"With a gun?"

"No."

That’s surprising. She seems far too young to be the trained killer she appears to be, and yet nothing’s giving me any reason to doubt it.

"You're part of this crew now, and I expect you to be capable with a range of common weapons. I already have a pilot, and I have a mechanic. Everyone else is the muscle."

"And Erin, what is she, your girlfriend?"

"She is....she. Actually, I don't know what she is. She's a girl catching a lift till we get to VASI territory."

"You always pick up girls in bars and put them to work?"

He smiled. "I wish. So we good?"

She looked around the room and seemed not accustomed to having her own space.

"So what's next?"

"We get the ship patched up and then look for work."

"Got anything lined up?"

"I got a few ideas."

He walked out of the room but could not help but think about the mysterious nature surrounding the newest crewmember. He got back out to the cargo bay. Liu was waiting for him. He could see the questioning eyes of the former detective.

"Think it's a good idea bringing her in?"

"Not like anyone of us is perfect, Ben. We've all got a past that is far from being that. She is capable and willing to work. We’re down a few good men right now."

"I hope you're right," he said and made to go past.

Mason put out his hand and stopped him.

"Hey, when am I ever wrong?" he asked with a smile.

Liu groaned in disapproval as he continued on. Mason was tired, and it had felt like a hell of a long day. Despite this, he could now rest knowing that everything was in motion to get the Foxy Lady patched up and in the air before long. He walked over to his room and put his hand on the door, forgetting he'd moved. He had taken the Boss’ old room that was marked up as number one. He'd lived in the same room for so many years it felt strange to take his mentor's place.

Room one was only thirty percent bigger than the rest, but it certainly made a difference. It had taken just fifteen minutes to move in, for like the rest of the crew, he had few possessions. He rarely had the need to purchase anything that wasn't for his work. He thought of the Boss finally retiring to another life. He too had amassed a good amount of money over the years, but nothing like Carter.

What will I do when the time comes to give it all up? The very idea of leaving everything I know behind is more than a little disconcerting. I just hope the Boss has gone on to better things.



* * *





The morning came quickly. Mason had slept well after the tiring day. He awoke to the smell of fresh air and coffee; a refreshing start he was unaccustomed to. He pulled on his shirt and gun belt and stepped out to find a fresh pot of coffee and several mugs on a table at the centre of the room. Most of the crew were sitting around it.

"Well, I'll be damned, and who do we have to thank for this?"

"Liu pointed to Erin."

"You gave me a job to do while I'm aboard, and I'm doing it," she stated.

She poured a mug full and passed it to him as he walked over to join them. He took a deep sniff of the aroma arising from the hot drink.

"Ahh," he said and turned to the exit ramp, looking at the daylight creeping in.

"Lot to be said for living in a place like this."

"You mean where the people get extorted by the local authorities?" Mitchell asked.

"Well, not that part."

He looked around and could see all the familiar faces were there, bar Andrews who he knew would already be at work on the engines.

"Who's on watch?"

"Hell."

"Who?"

"You know, the brooding young girl you employed yesterday."

"Ah, yeah. Okay, then."

"Someone is approaching from the north."

He spun around to see Hella on the ramp. He'd not even heard her approach and nearly spilt his coffee in surprise. He thought to mention the fact but didn’t want to play to her ego. He acted cool and calm as if he’d known she was there.

“How many?”

“One truck with two occupants. Ryant’s logo on the side.”

“All right, that should be our coil.”

He turned back to the others.

“This should be the last component which stands between us leaving this rock.”

He quickly paced down the ramp to greet the approaching vehicle. It was indeed Avery and his assistant Cayne. He was surprised to see the boss of the operation along for the ride. They pulled up just a few metres from the ramp of the ship.

“Good morning, Captain!” Avery called out.

He was unusually merry and cheerful which made Mason suspicious.

“Cayne, get the coil unloaded for the Captain!”

His assistant rushed to go about his work. Ryant beckoned for Mason to join him for a personal conversation. He obliged and walked over and away from the truck.

“The parts working okay for you, Captain?”

He was wary of the excessively friendly tone of the man’s voice and could tell he was fishing for something.

“You didn’t need to come here, Ryant. The coil is paid for. So what do you want?”

“Kaper told me about what you did at his place.”

“Yeah, so what?”

“So what? You stood up to the bastards around here that nobody else would.”

Mason moved closer quickly to talk more quietly.

“Hey, I didn’t champion your cause. I gave some scumbags their due. We’re getting out of here as soon as we’re fixed up. I don’t want anything to do with the shit you’re in.”

“You obviously care, or you wouldn’t have stepped in to help Kaper and his daughter.”

Mason sighed. He knew he was digging himself into a deep hole.

“The town traders have assembled and asked me to get you along for a chat. All I ask is you come with me and hear them out.”

He turned away and looked back to the ship. He could see Liu and Erin watching him while the others helped unload the coil. He didn’t want to land them in the sort of trouble he knew they were on the cusp of facing.

“I think you know the kind of troubles we face in this town. I doubt it’s the first time you have seen them. What would you have us do?”

“Arm yourselves and fight back, or pack up and leave.”

“And if fighting back meant us dying? You may be experienced fighters, but none of us are. We’re merchants.”

“We aren’t good Samaritans. We’re merchants too. We’re in business to make money, not give charity.”

“And I wasn’t asking for it. This town has a lot of money to give. We could be more than reasonable in compensating you for your efforts. Please come with me to town and just hear us out.”

“How reasonable are we talking?”

“I’m guessing you’re a crew paid to work jobs where guns are a way of life. How much were you paid for your last job?”

“A million credits.”

“We could offer you that as a down payment.”

His eyes widened in shock, and his concerns for letting his more charitable side overcome him were set aside.

“I’m listening. I’ll come in to town, but I’ll follow you in my own ride.”

“Well, okay, thank you. I really mean it. You don’t know the kind misery we’ve been put through the last few years.”

“I’m not promising anything. I’ll meet with your people, and we’ll take it from there.”

“Thank you, really.”

He walked past Avery towards the crew who were waiting to hear what he had gotten them into.

“What does he want?”

“Looks like he has a job for us.”

“And?”

“I’m gonna follow him into town, Liu, and see what the deal is.”

“Alone?”

“Well, you need to help Wizard with the repairs. Hella can handle guard duty for now. She’s shown she is capable.”

“I’ll go with you,” said Erin.

Mason looked at her and tried to make sense of her sudden interest. She seemed eager to get involved since they had recruited Hella.

“What the hell, a pretty face can’t do any harm. You’re on.”

Liu didn’t look at all impressed.

“Can I speak with you for a moment?” he asked.

“Yeah, sure.”

They paced over the dry ground so they stood a good ten metres away from the ship. Liu looked back and could see Hella looking on. He gestured for Mason to continue on a little further. Hella seemed to have an uncanny ability to hear everything that went on and they knew it. They continued on another ten metres before finally stopping to continue their conservation.

“So what’s up?”

“You really have to ask?”

“Come on, cough it up. I can’t take the silent treatment.”

“I haven’t been to town, but you have. Everything you say would suggest this town is being muscled by some major player, resources, soldiers, weapons, and power. You are thinking of taking a job where we’ll be outnumbered by what, twenty to one?”

“I don’t know.”

“That’s the point. You don’t know. Carter vetted the jobs carefully, as you know. We took what was sensible. We took jobs we could handle. We’re down a few crew and looking at a dangerous situation.”

“I don’t know quite what we are facing here. Only thing I do know is that these people are being walked over, and they’re offering a tonne of cash to give them a hand.”

“No research, no intel, and most importantly, influenced by the client. You feel for them.”

“Don’t you? Don’t tell me as a former cop, you don’t feel like helping these people?”

“Sure, I feel like calling in some help and getting this sorted. But we aren’t the guys to do it.”

Mason shook his head. “How far have you fallen?”

“What?”

“You took a vow to help those in need and uphold the law, have you forgotten?”

“My employers did.”

“And that matters?”

“What do you care? We do jobs for money. We don’t uphold the law. We don’t follow moral code. We don’t serve the people!”

“Really? And you think working as a cop is so much different. You might have liked the feel of ‘doing good’, but in the end it was just a job!”

“And so what, you’re such the f*cking good guy now?”

Liu looked away and ran his hands through his hair as he tried to cool off. Finally, he turned around, but Mason interrupted before he could speak.

“You told me that as a cop your hands were tied from helping those you felt needed it. Now we have the chance to help, and nobody is tying our hands, and we stand to make a lot of money from it. You risked your life all the time for crappy pay. Now you have a chance to be on the right side of your moral standpoint, and make a tonne of money at the same time. What’s not to like?”

Liu took a deep breath and calmed himself.

“I’m not against helping those who need it. But look around. The crew has survived this far because we took the smart jobs at the right price. We can’t save everyone. I learned that.”

“Then let me go and suss this one out. I’ll see what they want, what we face, and what they’re willing to pay. Then I’ll bring it to the table, and we’ll make a decision as a crew.”

“You do that, and definitely take Erin with you. She doesn’t seem to have such a bad influence on you.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“All I’m saying is that if you accept this call for help, you put her life on the line, same as the rest of us.”

“And you think I would do that if it wasn’t an acceptable risk?”

Liu smirked. “You know what I learned on the force. An acceptable risk is one that puts others in danger to meet your own goals. But that isn’t us, and isn’t you. If you commit to something, you put your own ass on the line, same as the rest of us. Remember that. I didn’t sign up to throw my life away for no good reason.”

Mason nodded in agreement.

“I get you. Hold down the fort. We won’t be long.”

“I hope so.”

Mason started to to walk away but stopped after a few paces.

“You know, when you first joined us, you wanted nothing more than to help those in need. Josiah almost died, after we went back for a kid and his mother that you insisted couldn’t be left behind. What happened?”

“Maybe I realised there will always be evil, and I can’t stop it all. We’re in this for ourselves. We can’t save the whole world.”

‘Maybe you’ll have a chance yet.”

Mason took a deep breath and thought about it for a moment.

“I can’t say we’re a beacon of humanity and the pinnacle of moral conduct. But maybe, just maybe you’ll have a time to proof yourself yet. You told me you were fired for trying to do the right thing, you remember?”

“Yeah,” he replied hesitantly.

“So you were a good cop in a bad world?”

“Yeah.”

“Then a chance for redemption is perhaps not impossible.”

“You talk pretty righteously for a man who works solely for money.”

Mason walked away, smiling.

“Erin!” he shouted.

She jumped to attention with Mason’s rifle held across both arms.

“You’re with me. We’re heading into town.”

She jumped to his side and followed him to the quadcopter. Cayne fired up the engine of Ryant’s truck.

“I thought we were setting off this world as soon as we could?”

“Maybe, but we just might have a job here yet, Erin.”

“I thought you worked for money, not charity?”

“True, but maybe we can do one and get the other for free.”

“You’re a real humanitarian.”

“Famous for it,” he replied as they climbed aboard.