2 Days Later. May 1st, 2267. 11:38 Xu’s Tea and China Shop
John looked out of place. Everything in the store looked like something he was going to break. He wanted to touch nothing and was overly aware of where he was stepping. It was incredibly important to him not to give Alice ammunition to use against him. Especially in this store because he didn’t want to hear bull in a China shop for the remainder of his life.
“John, how do you like this set?” Alice asked.
“Sure. It’s fine,” John said as he scanned his immediate surroundings.
“You need to look at it,” Alice’s tone was annoyed.
John carefully turned and looked at the tea set she was asking for his opinion on. He quickly nodded. Alice rolled her eyes at his response but giggled quietly at seeing how uncomfortable he was in the store.
“You’re not speeding up this trip. I want to know which one you like the most.”
“One shelf up and to your left. Blue and yellow set,” John said nervously.
“When…” Alice stopped when she looked at the other set, “When did you see that?”
“This store isn’t that big. I kinda skimmed it as I looked around when we walked in. It’s the nicest set for the money,” John shrugged, “Photographic memory, remember?”
“Fine, that is a good selection,” Alice turned to pick up the set but missed John walking out of the store.
He was not that guy and broke nothing in the store. John exhaled deeply as he sat down on the bench. He could see Alice shaking her head as she paid for the set. That was simply a store John wanted nothing to do with.
John looked down at his watch, they had been shopping for odds and ends for about three hours. He’d been up for six hours. Thanks in no small part to Andern for waking him up on his day off. News had gotten to his friends that not only was he newly promoted but he had earned another Navy Cross.
For as boisterous as John is, he was unusually quiet about receiving promotions and medals. His newfound modesty annoyed his old friend. It was important to Andern that John let him know about these things. To John though, his accolades and rise through the ranks were a result of the crews under him, he doesn’t get promoted if he can’t inspire them to reach new heights.
Alice smirked, “Congratulations, you avoided being that guy in that store.”
“You purposefully brought me here in the hopes I’d be that guy,” John looked up at his smirking wife.
“Admit it, it would’ve been funny.”
John stood up and stretched, “To you maybe, not so much to me.”
“You are such a fuddy-duddy in your old age,” Alice smiled as she sighed, “Where too next?”
“I could go for a light lunch.”
“Always thinking with your stomach,” Alice handed the small package to John to carry.
“I suppose that’s a step above thinking with my dick,” John grinned, “Where too?”
“Ughhh…” Alice shook her head as the couple began to walk, “Well, there is a new café up on the third level that I’d like to try.”
“Sounds good, lead the way, my dear.”
Alice smirked, “So how did you get off with a wrist slap for blowing up a ship that surrendered? That seems a bit far-fetched.”
“The admirals seemed to agree with my logic, even if they found what I did to be utterly repugnant. They did make a note in my record, and I was explicitly told to never do it again.”
Alice nodded and thought for a moment before she spoke, “John, you know I love you and you also know that I don’t really know what all goes on between your ears. But you have to understand, or at the very least appreciate, the very fine line you walk. When most people fall down, they can dust themselves off and stand up. But you?”
“I know, I’m falling off into an abyss if I stumble.”
Alice paused and let John catch up to her and intertwined her arm with his, “That’s why I’m worried about you. I’d be perfectly OK if we live a quiet and boring life together.”
“I’m sorry for worrying you,” John tried to sound sincere, but his delivery was awkward.
Alice caught that but let it slide, “What’s next for you?”
“I’m sure they’ll make me be a paperwork automaton for the next nine months until my ship is repaired. Then I’ll be able to build a new crew again. At least I have a chief engineer at least.”
“Lieutenant Commanders don’t often get battle cruisers, do they?”
“I asked, because of course I did, but I think it’s a stretch to get a new one,” John shrugged, “If I keep the Waukesha that’ll be fine by me. She’s a fine ship. If I get transferred to a heavy or super-heavy cruiser that’ll be fine too. How’s being a doctor treating you?”
“I like it. Sometimes it gets to be a little much though. But helping people is so rewarding.”
John smiled at hearing that. At least she was helping build up others. His specialty was quite the opposite. In fact, he wondered to himself often whether or not that would ever change. Or if he’d pass on his more destructive side to any children the pair may have.
“So, I know you don’t like this topic, but I’ve been doing some reading on kids. I want you to read a couple of medical journals. I think there might be a new treatment that may speed up our timeline. I’m not exactly keen on waiting another decade to decade and a half.”
John smiled as they continued to walk. He didn’t know how to respond, if he answered wrong Alice would get furious with him. It is true that he wanted children, but his inability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and politely on this delicate subject earned him doghouse honors on more than one occasion.
“Sure, I clearly have some free time to read up on the research materials.”
“You do want kids though, right?” Alice’s voice quivered a bit.
John shrugged, “Honestly, there’s a significant, but minority part of me that is concerned with having kids. But overall, yes, I would enjoy being a father.”
Alice smiled as she looked back at John, “I appreciate that. Oh, did you hear? Paul is having kid number two.”
“I did not hear that. By the way, have you found out when Marky’s wedding is? He was messaging me about it and then it’s been radio silence since.”
Alice let go of John and stepped on the escalator, “No date as of yet, but I’d guess early next year. Andrew and his fiancé decided to part ways. She wasn’t supportive of his desire to sign on for another ten years.”
“It’s unfortunate, but he had an easy office job and that would get him a pension for life. Was that all that went on between them?”
“He was being moved from the Tau Ceti system to Procyon. The colony and station there are…” Alice paused and looked up for a moment, “Well, a complete and total shithole in comparison to their current digs.”
“Who’d he piss off to get sent there?”
Alice giggled, “It’s a six-to-twelve-month gig to fix some issues they were having there. She just didn’t want to go with him.”
John shook his head, “That’s too bad, but at least he found out how things would be before getting married.”
“His words were that he dodged a bullet,” Alice smiled as she pointed ahead, “There it is, Velma’s Doughy Goodness!”
John stepped off the escalator, “What a name that is. I wonder if they sell baked goods,” John’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“John, you’re being a dick. Don’t be yourself right now,” Alice stared at John sternly.
“It’s just an observation,” John grinned as he walked by his wife.
Moments later the pair were inside and were being guided to their booth. John set the tea set on the table and the rest of the bags on the bench near the wall. He loved Alice but loathed shopping with her. Carrying everything was never any fun.
“Chicken and waffles,” John smiled, “That is a combo that shouldn’t work at all.”
“Says the guy that thinks eggs belong on burgers.”
“That’s because they…”
“No, we are not having this argument again,” Alice put a finger up to shush him.
“Well,” John shrugged, “It’s more of a conversation…”
John wasn’t able to finish his comment. A young man slid into the booth next to Alice and pushed her over. He was about to react when he saw the firearm aimed at Alice.
“Young man, if you keep pointing that thing at her I guarantee you that I will separate your head from your fucking body,” John’s tone was as calm as it was dangerous.
“You are in…”
“I’m not going to ask you again. Point that thing at me if you want, but if that gun stays pointing at her we’re going to have issues that will only be resolved by me violently separating your head from your fucking body.”
“John, what…” Alice stared at John.
“It’s alright Alice,” John said calmly, “He’s not here for you.”
The man moved the gun away from Alice and pointed it at John under the table. John was running several scenarios through his head to see how to avoid being neutered while eliminating the threat. He cocked his head and looked at the young assailant.
“I didn’t expect you to be the one to confront me. Your older brother was the one Naval Intelligence was concerned with doing something rash,” John said.
“You don’t know anything about me.”
“On the contrary,” John replied immediately, “I know a good deal more about you than you’d like to admit. In fact, I might even know you better than you know yourself.”
“Then who am I?”
“Adrian Russo, youngest son of Alyssa Russo, Rene’s third wife, now a widow.”
Alice’s eyes grew large instantly. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. John knew this exact situation was a possibility, but he had ranked it as a low probability. He looked up at the mirrors in the corners to see around the café and noticed a pair of unusual characters.
John shook his head as he sighed, “The two-bit help that was trailing you did a wonderful job observing you. Who got you the gun here?”
“Look, I’m the one in charge…”
“Answer the damn question. You aren’t even eighteen yet, you aren’t in any position to order me to do a bloody fucking thing.”
“I have a gun…”
“Having a gun doesn’t mean you have power or authority,” John spat back politely, “You’ve never killed. I can see the innocence in your eyes. Take a look at mine, you’ll be staring down a stone-cold killer. If I were you, I’d choose my words carefully.”
Adrian was having a hard time processing the situation. He knew guns were supposed to intimidate and threaten people. But this man sitting across from him was unusually belligerent. It wasn’t supposed to be this way.
“A family acquaintance was able to sneak it onboard and hide it in a store.”
John shook his head, “Fucking hell, the standards of agents these days are too damned low. We’re not even in enemy territory. Why are you here and not Anthony?”
“What kind of question is that?” Adrian said angrily.
“A question,” John took a sip of water calmly after answering.
“My older brother is an embarrassment to the family. Would you care to guess what his response to your murder of our father was?”
John grinned, “I’d probably go with ‘good riddance,’ or something along those lines.”
The directness of John’s answer cut at Adrian deeply. He squeezed the gun harder under the table. Adrian grits his teeth together and stared at John.
Alice was uncomfortable, but in these situations, she knew to follow John’s lead. He had a knack for getting out of them, though it usually ended up with him being bloodied. She was hoping this wouldn’t get out of hand, especially because they were out in public.
Their waitress then swung by the table, “Oh my goodness, I didn’t know you were expecting another.”
John smiled as he looked up at her, “We were unexpectedly joined by the son of a family friend. He can use my menu, but we’ll need a few minutes to catch up before we order anything.
“Just grab my attention when you sweeties are ready to order.”
“Yes,” Adrian said when the waitress was out of earshot, “That’s exactly what he said. He even went so far as to say we’re better off without him looming over us anymore,” Adrian shook his head in disgust, “My sisters said the same. No one but me is willing or able to mourn his murder.”
“He didn’t want his lifestyle for any of you. Surely you know why?” John asked.
Adrian looked confused, “What do you mean?”
“Your mother was his third wife. His first was a fellow pirate. She laid low while she raised the kids but when they got to about sixteen, she stole a ship and got back into the pirate lifestyle. Ended up getting herself and their youngest killed. Their oldest, his firstborn, was captured and is serving a thirty-year hard labor sentence. He’ll be out in sixteen years if he’s lucky.”
“What?”
“He had four kids before you and your siblings you shit for brains,” John’s tone had shifted, “Jesus Christ, you rushed to act without comprehending or knowing anything at all. His second wife, along with his two children with her, was killed by an enemy pirate. This lifestyle was not what he wanted for you and your siblings.”
“How would you know this?” Adrian paused to try and compose himself as the volume of his voice increased.
“Because he told me in a conversation before the pirate war began. He enjoyed the lifestyle he had, even his position in the pirate pantheon, but he didn’t want that for you and your siblings. For obvious reasons.”
“No, that isn’t right. That isn’t right at all,” Adrian said.
“Think what you want, it doesn’t matter to me what kind of fantasy world you live in. I’ve no reason to lie to you.”
Adrian balled his left hand into a fist and leered at John, “He should be alive.”
“Let’s say I didn’t do the merciful thing and end him. What happens then? He goes to jail for the remainder of his life. It wouldn’t be a minimum-security joint. It’d be a supermax. No interaction with anyone, not you, not your siblings, and not your mom. No one at all communicates with him,” John snorted, “He might even get special treatment. This means they give you special food laced with healthy shit making you live longer. It’s a special kind of ‘fuck you’ they make you stay in jail longer. I imagine they’d keep him in that state for at least forty years. Would you want that for yourself?”
“You didn’t need to be his executioner, why do you get to go free?”
“Because I saved the military and civvies from themselves by ending him. I don’t regret what I did, it had to be done. And for what it’s worth, I’m glad his threat is now gone,” John sipped on some water, “Now we come to the end of this conversation. You can either try to kill me and ultimately end up dead, or you can accept reality for what it is and hand me the gun and walk out of here.”
“You think you are in any position to bargain with me?” Adrian’s left hand slammed on the table.
John shook his head but then flew into action. With his left hand, he grabbed the steak knife and slammed it into Adrian’s fist. The tip was rounded so it sawed at his hand more than it tried to pierce it. John stood up as much as he could in the booth and laid a haymaker on the young man with his right hand.
Adrian’s head snapped back onto a wooden post behind him. His body went limp, he was knocked out. His left hand was bleeding. Thankfully the pistol was dropped and left unfired.
John slid himself out of the booth and looked down at Adrian in anger. He grabbed him around the upper arm and pulled him out of the booth. Then dragged him out of the café where he unceremoniously threw him on the ground.
He calmly walked back to the booth where Alice handed the gun to him. John cleared the handgun and shook his head. A deep breath was taken before he finally looked at one of the Naval Intelligence agents that were trailing him.
“Nice work, seriously nice work. To add insult to injury, the shit-for-brains didn’t rack the slide, it was harmless,” John slid the magazine back into the gun and tossed it over to the lone agent, “He’s not an adult, don’t ruin his future for this.”
The agent nodded and ran out of the café. John walked over to a service station near the door to the kitchen and grabbed a bucket of sanitizer. He quickly cleaned the table and floor where Adrian bled before putting the gear away. He tugged, poorly from Alice’s perspective, at the paper towel dispenser before turning and walking back to their booth.
“Only you can switch off and on so quickly,” Alice grinned, “I do appreciate you getting him to point the gun at you. But I also know how much you hate having a gun pointed at you.”
“Little shit didn’t know the difference between his head and his ass,” John said as he slid back into his seat, “Would you look at that, I didn’t even spill my water.”
“Wow, that was something else,” their waiter walked over.
“Right?” John said with a dumb look on his face, “Crazy shit. Anyways, I’m going to have the chicken and waffles.”
Alice started to giggle. The giggling turned into uncontrolled laughter. After a few uncomfortable moments with the waiter later, she regained her composure.
“Caesar salad,” Alice handed the waiter their menus, “There’s never a dull day around this guy.”
“For better or worse…” John said before taking another sip of water.
The couple would finish their lunch without any further issues. Unfortunately for John their day of shopping would not end. Alice would not let him go near any of the watch stores at the station. They did however acquire several new nick-knacks and random things to ‘spruce’ up a couple of their rooms.
John went along with it, and although he wouldn’t verbally say this, he didn’t care what was in their rooms. If Alice was happy or if she wanted something he was happy to buy it for her. That’s what mattered to him, though he would appreciate it if she would stop making him the bag carrier.
Things were good for the couple. Alice enjoyed being a psychiatrist. Her career was moving forward at an acceptable pace. From her perspective, she’d appreciate him being home more often, though that was going to be an issue until he became an admiral. She also desperately wanted to have children. With any luck though, maybe something would change in the future.
John was simply himself, for better or worse. He was an ascendant officer in the First Fleet. That came with many risks though. The political game, for which he would openly admit he plays poorly, would get significantly more complicated and difficult at this level.
As he sat there in the diner, reflecting on the past six years, so much had occurred. He took the time and properly smiled. Sure, there were curveballs thrown in from time to time, but that’s life. The future was unknown and the opportunities in front of both he and Alice were as varied as they were vast.
He was now known to be a ruthless bastard of a captain to both his allies and enemies. Stories, most of them exaggerated, were told of his exploits onboard the Waukesha against the pirates. It was almost as if he was a folk hero of sorts. That sort of aura would help him, more than it hurt, both when interacting with pirates and other Naval personnel. Except of course if the pirates captured him, but thankfully that wasn’t likely.
John didn’t know where he was going next. Nine months, if the estimates were accurate, was a long time not being in command of his ship. That made him uncomfortable about what the Navy may need him to do. Whatever it was though, he’d pursue it with the vigor and gusto he was known for.
“Lieutenant Commander Lief,” John said as he smiled to Alice, “One step closer honey. One step closer.”