Warhawk's Amnesty - Ch. 14 - An Unwelcome Arrival - Beta (Patreon)

The first night on the ship was easy, thanks to the copious amounts of alcohol. Seb didn’t even remember falling asleep in his own bed. It wasn’t until he lay awake the second and third night that he realized there was a problem.

He cleaned his quarters from top to bottom and designated the right corner of the room for his backpack. He didn’t really own any furniture or decoration to make the room his own. But at this time, he didn’t really feel like it was necessary. Everyone on board knew the room was his. The frequent passersby helped reinforce that feeling.

However, the problems came when he attempted to sleep. Even after a strenuous calisthenics workout in the cargo room with the others and a hot shower, he lay awake for hours staring out the side window. The foam bed was comfortable, but there was something about it that prevented him from relaxing. It wasn’t until that third night that he shifted his blanket and pillow to the hard surface of the metal floor that he was finally able to get some rest.

It was Nalla’s light tapping on his door that awoke him. “Seb, are you awake?”

“I am now,” he said, rolling over on the floor. He winced as his naked back brushed up against the cool ground surface.

“Can I come in? I brought you breakfast.”

“Yeah, the doors open.”

Seb sat up as the door sprang open. Nalla was carrying two trays with steaming food in each hand. She was wearing a new outfit that he hadn’t seen before. It was a long white shirt with a cartoon character on it paired with fuzzy sleep pants and slippers.

“Are you sleeping on the floor?” Nalla asked.

“Yeah, it’s been the only way I can get a good night’s sleep,” Seb chuckled.

“Do you not find the bed comfortable? We could get you a different mattress when we stop.”

“I don’t think that’s it. I think I’ve just been used to sleeping on a rock-hard surface for so long that my body is just used to it.”

Nalla twisted her body and pulled her tail in before shutting the door behind her. She handed Seb a tray and joined him on the floor, leaning her back up against the lower wall of his recessed bed. Her tail wrapped underneath her, creating a sort of makeshift chair to help her lean at an angle. She took a bite out of her eggs before pointing her spoon at him. “As the ship’s doctor, I’m going to suggest you try to sleep on the mattress. It’s better for your body from a structural standpoint. Speaking of, we should probably do a physical so I can check you out.”

“Oh, I had one like six months ago.”

“By the prison’s doctors? Yeah, something tells me you weren’t getting the best care there by all those scars on you.”

“You’re probably right,” Seb said with a mouth full of food. “Wouldn’t the stims have taken care of any issues?”

Nalla shook her head. “Those only work up until a point. They enhance the body’s natural healing process. So, if you were to lose a limb, all it would do is seal the wound. It’s not going to grow you another arm.”

“That kind of defeats the purpose of calling a stim ‘regen’.”

“Some corporations can be rather deceiving about their products.”

“Oh, that’s been abundantly clear since I’ve been out,” Seb laughed. “You’ve sold me on the exam. Just let me know when and where and I’ll be there.”

Nalla giggled. “What’s that from? That was cute.”

“What was?”

“What you just said, it was a little rhyme.”

“I must just be naturally gifted,” Seb said, leaning back on his hands, having finished his meal. Nalla rolled her eyes and pushed her foot into Seb’s knee. The two shared a laugh while Nalla continued to eat her food.

“Sorry I am a slow eater,” she said.

“I don’t think that’s the case,” Seb said. “It’s probably more like I am a fast eater. Back in prison, we only got thirty minutes to get through the line, get food, and eat before they shut everything down. Sometimes if you were in the back of the line, you didn’t have that meal.”

“That sounds awful.”

“It wasn’t like that all the time. Mostly just in the transfer zones, where they were moving prisons for location to location. They don’t tend to be staffed for the influx of prisoners they get when they have multiple ships docked. So, you have entire ships full of prisoners all sandwiched together in these holding areas while they prepare and coordinate all the transfers.”

“I think you may be the first person I have met in a long time that shared experiences similar to my own.”

“I can’t imagine, Nalla. I’ve . . . heard stories about people in your position.”

“It really came down to the owner. Some were nice, like Captain Francisca. Others were…” Seb watched as Nalla’s eyes stared off into the distance. He knew she had likely been through a worse hell than he had and regretted speaking of his past. The last thing he wanted was to bring up painful memories for her. Nalla gasped and jerked away when he touched her shoulder.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

He could see through the fake smile she gave him. “Yeah sorry. I… just got lost in thought there for a second.”

“I’m sorry if I said anything wrong. I didn’t mean to turn a wonderful breakfast into something sour.”

“No, don’t worry about it,” Nalla said, reaching out and touching his arm. “We’re both just damaged goods.”

Seb smiled and scooted himself over to the bed next to Nalla, letting out a sharp breath when his back grazed the metal frame. He pulled his blanket around him and Nalla and she leaned into his chest. Her body felt warm to the touch, making him want to wrap himself around her to protect himself from the ship’s cool temperature.

“Thanks for all you’ve helped me with these last few days. I really appreciate it. Trying to run tests on everyone from downstairs . . . it’s nice to have a second pair of hands.”

“Of course. I’m happy to help you when I can. One of the nice things about engines is once you get them running, they don’t require much attention. Since ours are old and kind of patched together, I’m checking them more often, but everything seems to be working fine for now.”

“That’s kind of like people,” Nalla said, leaning back up. “They take care of themselves and only need someone like me if they get hurt or injured. You apply the correct care plan whether that’s something as simple as rest or something as invasive as surgery.”

“That makes a lot of sense,” Seb said, turning his head. Inches from Nalla’s face, Seb felt himself become absorbed in your black-and-pink gaze. It was like being pulled into a swirling black hole, one he didn’t fight but instead welcomed. He wanted to let himself go and be swept away.

At the moment when their lips touched, the bedroom door whisked open, causing them both to yank away. Toros stood in the doorway with a scorn on his face.

“Don’t you know how to knock, Toros?” Nalla asked.

Toros’s lip curled. “Watch your tone, doc. Don’t forget your place on this ship.”

“Don’t talk to her like that,” Seb said. “She’s just as part of this crew as the rest of us, or did you forget she saved your ass just a few days ago?”

“That’s because it’s her job. She may get away with that casual conversation with the captain, but I won’t tolerate that insolence.”

“Can you be any more of an asshole?”

“What was that?” Toros said, taking a step into the bedroom.

Seb jumped up to his feet, throwing the blankets off of his body. “I said you’re an asshole.”

Toros growled and pointed at Seb. “Look here. I don’t know what the captain sees in you, but I’ve been around here a lot longer than you. You better start showing me some respect.”

Seb smirked. “Oh, I could have told you that. See, she needs someone around that has both brains and brawn. Not just a muscle puppet who can pull a trigger.” Seb pulled up his fist as Toros pulled back his arm. The two men froze at the sound of the captain’s shout.

“What the fuck is going on here?” Captain Francisca asked. “Toros, I ask you to get the crew ready and you’re starting the morning off with a barroom brawl?”

“He called me an asshole,” Toros said.

“Probably because you were being an asshole. That doesn’t excuse you from hitting someone. Ugh… you’re making me sound like my mother.” The captain shivered before pointing at Seb and Nalla. “And you two, what are you two doing? Starting the morning off with the horizontal tango?”

“We were just having breakfast.” Seb said.

“Maybe I’m not aware of prison etiquette, but breakfast doesn’t involve you being naked.”

Seb looked down at his body, realizing he was, in fact, standing naked. He looked down at Nalla, whose flush face turned away, but occasionally, he caught glances of her looking at him. Bending over, Seb scooped up an edge of the blanket and covered himself with it.

“I’ll be the first to admit that I can appreciate a good body, but we can’t have you walking around here swinging that thing around. It’s just going to cause problems.”

“Yeah, I got it. I plan on getting some new clothes as soon as we stop.”

“Good. Speaking of, we’re almost at Pyrus Station. Which is what I wanted Toros here to tell you.” Captain Francisca side-eyed the four-armed brute, who just shrugged. She crossed her arms before looking down at Nalla. “Doc, get dressed and go with Toros down to the cargo room. I want you both to prepare the survivors for departure.”

“But—” The captain’s glare silenced Nalla’s rebuttal. She grabbed her arm and lowered her head. “Yes, ma’am.”

The captain looked at Seb and pointed her thumb over her shoulder. “You need to get dressed and meet me on the bridge. I want to speak with you before we land.”

“Will do.”

The captain slapped her hands together and everyone moved. Seb reached out his hand and helped Nalla to her feet. She waved before exiting his room.

Seb grabbed his skinsleeve and pulled it on, before putting on the rest of his gear. He was looking forward to some new clothes. Even though the disinfector removed the putrid smells from his clothes, he was still looking forward to a day of shopping for his own gear. His holster was the last thing to put on, signaling his completed ensemble.

Seb walked out of his room and walked to the bridge. He sat in the copilot’s chair, looking out the front window just as Pyrus Station came into view. The gray exterior managed to be both boxy and cylindrical thanks to the various protrusions along its surface. The saucer-shaped structure curved upward into a central point with several towers, like a squashed raindrop. Blue and red lights coated the exterior, illuminating the station like a dim star. Along the outside ring, atmospheric barriers gave view to the many docks that allowed for thousands of ships to dock. Those too large to fit in the station’s hangers waited patiently along the outskirts in designated holding areas, thanks to the station’s tractor beams.

“So, what really happened back there? Captain Francisca asked.

“Exactly what I said,” Seb said, turning in his chair. “Nalla and I were having breakfast. Toros barged in and started being an asshole.”

The captain chuckled. “That sounds like him. Are you and Nalla?”

“What?”

“Fucking?”

“No, we’re just friends.”

“Just friends who bring breakfast to each other and sit around naked?”

“I’m being straight with you. Nothing happened.”

“But you like her.”

Seb hesitated before he responded. “Sure, we have a lot in common.”

The captain laughed. “You don’t have to be coy. She’s beautiful. I would have bought her contract without knowing she was a doctor.”

“So, there’s no problem?”

“If you and her go at it? Not really, as long as you recognize her position among the crew. She’s hired help. If your relationship starts to compromise the stability of our crew, then you’re out. Got it?”

“I’m not looking to start any trouble.”

“Good,” Captain Francisca said, pointing to the central console. “Now, open up comms with the station. We should be close enough. Let them know we’re coming in under GRC bounty id, B-4827394. We’re supposed to be meeting with station security.”

Seb nodded and opened the ship’s communications with the station. “Pyrus Station docks this is the Andalusian. How copy?”

“Andalusian, this is Pyrus Station, go ahead.”

“Requesting permission to dock under GRC bounty id, BFD-4827394. We’ve got twenty survivors from the WCC Redeemer. Most are in good shape, but we’re lacking needed supplies. Several likely need further medical treatment.”

“Copy Andalusian, please hold for ship id scan and wait for further instructions.”

As the minutes went by, Seb looked over at the captain. Her leg hadn’t stopped bouncing since he hailed the station. He watched her open a nearby bottle and take a swig before setting it back down.

“A little early to be drinking, don’t you think?” Seb asked.

“No one asked you,” Captain Francisca said.

Seb turned his chair toward her and smirked. “You’re sweating.”

Captain Francisca tapped the top of her forehead and looked down at her hand. She wiped her head on her sleeve before pointing out the window. “Stop looking at me and pay attention to what you’re doing.”

“What are you worried about?”

“Stop asking stupid questions!” the captain snapped.

Seb whistled and turned his chair. “Okay.”

“They’re taking too long. It shouldn’t take this long to get us docked. Something’s wrong.”

“They probably just need time to get the emergency crews together. Twenty people is a lot of emergency shuttles.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

The two sat in silence for a few more minutes until the dock comm operator echoed across their intercom. “Andalusian, this is Pyrus Station. How copy?”

“I can hear you loud and clear Pyrus Station, go ahead.”

“Docking procedures sent. Proceed to docking bay three-forty-seven. Emergency medical services will be on standby as well as station security and WCC personnel.”

“Proceeding to docking bay three-forty-seven as instructed. Thanks, Pyrus Station.” Seb turned off the transmission, turned to look at the captain, and raised his brow. “WCC personnel are here? If they had personnel here, why didn’t they send a rescue crew from here?”

“This whole thing stinks,” Captain Francisca said. “We should have never come here.”

“Yeah, I’m starting to think you’re right, but it’s a little late for that now. Let’s just get this over with and get paid.”

The captain flew them along the lanes designated to them by the docks. When they pierced the atmospheric barrier of the docking bay, they could see the flashing lights of the dozen medical shuttles nearby. Several groups of emergency crew and security forces gathered in front of the yellow box designated for the docking bay. Holographic yellow emergency strips spanned across pylons that prevented the gathered spectators from moving forward.

The ship shook as it settled onto its landing gear. Seb noticed that the captain didn’t initiate the turndown procedures, leaving the ship ready for takeoff at a moment’s notice. Before he could ask her about it, the captain jumped to her feet and motioned him to follow.

“Let’s see how this plays out,” she said.

Seb followed the captain until they reached the door. Something in the back of his mind told him to take everything he needed. He picked up his pack and rushed to the engine room. He yanked the datapad off the engine and shoved it in his bag.

Seb caught up with the captain, jumping down the stairs that descended into the cargo bay. Toros started lowering the ramp by the time they reached the floor. The survivors of the Redeemer were laughing and hugging, a stark contrast to the stern exterior of the captain.

When the ramp touched the ground, emergency services sprinted into the back with hovering gurneys and started examining the crew. Two men approached the edge of the ramp. Seb recognized the man from the holovid call with Lieutenant Dover. Major Barris wore his traditional WCC uniform in taught gray. The second man was decorated in a blue and yellow uniform and was accompanied by several armed officers behind him.

“Captain Francisca Ortiz, I presume?” Major Barris asked.

“Yeah, that’s me.” the captain responded, glaring down at the man.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Major Barris of the Williams Correctional Corporation. On behalf of the WCC, I want to thank you for—”

“Let’s do away with the pleasantries, Major. We’ve had a long flight and gone through hell to get your people here. We’re just here looking to get paid.”

Major Barris looked at the dressed officer next to him, giving him a signal to take over.

“Francisca Ortiz and Toros N’yetta, you’re both under arrest for grand theft of this Orion class freighter,” the uniformed officer said. He instructed his men to surround Toros and Captain Francisca and place them in electronic bindings. The uniformed officer read the two their rights while the officers worked. Captain Francisca and Toros shouted and struggled before getting hit with electric batons.

As everything unfolded, Seb hung back behind them. His mind raced with indecision on whether to get involved. It wasn’t until one officer grabbed onto Nalla’s arm that Seb approached the group.

“Whoa, what’s going on here?” Seb asked, approaching the officer.

“Stand back, Sir,” the officer said. “These people are wanted criminals for the theft of this ship.

What are you doing, you idiot? Seb thought. This is so stupid.He pushed the thoughts aside and pointed down at Francisca and Toros. “Well, these two owe me a bunch of money. They said if I helped them fix their ship, they’d cut me in on this job.”

The uniform officer and Major Barris both looked at each other before looking over at Seb. Major Barris pulled up a hologram and the two officers spoke in private while looking over at Seb.

Seb watched as the uniformed officer nodded to one of the security personnel and the man placed Seb in binders. He turned to his left when he heard the sound of approaching running footsteps. It was Thompson.

“Major Barris, why are you arresting this man?” Thompson asked.

“Sergeant Thompson, it’s good to see you, son,” Major Barris said, approaching and shaking his hand. “This man is involved with this crew somehow. Until we can be sure he wasn’t an accomplice in the stealing of this vehicle, we’ll need to take him in for questioning.”

“I know that’s impossible, sir.”

“Oh, would you mind sharing what you know then?”

“I’ve overheard many conversations between the captain and Seb here, sir. Seb is not part of the crew.”

“Is that true?” Major Barris asked, looking at Seb.

“That’s right,” Seb said. “I was a mechanic on Inoi 3. These folks landed looking for some repairs. I helped them repair their ship, and they agreed to cut me in on a job they had. I jumped at the chance to get out of that frozen hellhole.”

“Seb, you mother—” The shock from a nearby officer’s baton silenced Captain Francisca’s voice.

“Not to mention sir,” Thompson continued, “Seb saved my life and many of the others here.”

Major Barris rubbed his chin and nodded. “If what you say is true, then Commander Atticus I think we can let him go for now. However, Seb, we would appreciate it if you stayed on Pyrus Station until we can finish our investigation.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem.”

Commander Atticus nodded at the security guard behind Seb, who immediately uncuffed him. Seb rubbed his wrists before looking up at Thompson. He smiled and nodded at the man that Seb was certain just saved his life. The four men stood and watched as security personnel led Francisca, Toros, and Nalla away into individual shuttles.

“How did you all find out that the ship was stolen?” Seb asked. “Back on Inoi 3, it was showing the registration to Captain Francisca.”

“Oh, we had a warrant for them from Tethys,” Commander Atticus said, chuckling. “These idiots stole the thing in broad daylight. We’ve got a recording of them doing it.”

“What about Nalla? Was she involved?”

“Is she the pink one?”

“Yeah, she’s on an indentured contract to Captain Francisca.”

“Oof, tough luck for her. She wasn’t recorded, so as long as we can tell she wasn’t involved, then we won’t have to deal with those charges. However, since she’s on contract, she’s technically the property of Captain Francisca. We’ll hold her in impound until we’re finished with her as part of the investigation. Once that’s completed, she’ll be handed over for processing and auctioned off.”

Seb’s eyes went wide. “How long does that take?”

“A few days, maybe a week at most? We do auctions every fifteen days. Why do you ask? Are you sweet on her?”

“I was planning on taking over her contract.”

“A looker like that is going to fetch quite the credits. I hope you’ve got some savings.”

“On that point,” Seb said, turning to Major Barris. “Where’s my cut for the job?”

Major Barris let out a whistle and shook his head. “I’m sorry son, but there’s no money for you here.”

“What?!” Seb shouted. “What the hell are you talking about, there’s no money?

“Rules are rules.”

“What fucking rules? I rescued over twenty of your crew, and the job was twenty thousand per person.”

“Damn, is that all we’re worth?” Thompson asked, lowering his head.

“Now don’t you start too,” Major Barris said, pointing at Thompson. “This is strictly how much insurance pays out. And you . . .” he said, swinging his finger to Seb, “your problem is with your employer, not with me. They are the ones that fucked you.”

“You’re the one who makes the call. You could easily initiate the payout, but you’re trying to cut me out.”

“Francisca Ortiz was the one who took the contract. Payment can be only issued to her. GRC regulation states that payouts cannot be issued to active criminals. Since Ms. Ortiz has an active warrant, the payout cannot be issued.”

“Can’t I just take the job?”

“Do you have a guild freelance id?”

“No.”

“Then no.”

“Fuck!” Seb screamed. “I hate this fucking corporate bullshit!” Seb stormed off when he looked at Major Barris’s smug smile. If he didn’t get away, he was worried about what he would do to the man. The more he thought about it, the more he understood that they orchestrated the whole thing. The way Commander Atticus responded to Major Barris was more like a subordinate than a colleague. The corporations had their hands in every pocket and likely knew about Francisca and Toros’s warrant as soon as they took the job.

They planned this from the beginning, Seb thought. But I can’t think about that now. I’ve got to move. Nalla needs me. I’ve got to figure out a way to get her out of there. He tightened the straps of his bag and raced to the shuttle that held Nalla. He tapped into the glass. Her tear-filled eyes nearly broke him. The thrust of the shuttle blasted nearby dust all around him.

“Don’t worry, Nalla!” Seb shouted. “I’m going to get you out of there, okay?”

The pink haired beauty wiped the eyes with the back of her hand and smiled. Seb watched as the shuttle lifted off. He waited until he couldn’t see it any further. He didn’t know what he was going to do next, only that he was going to do everything in his power to keep his word.