A military transport coated in a mottled green and brown docked in the twenty-second terminal of the Dofu station. Metal rails descended to the walkway. A voice over the transport’s intercom advised passengers to exit calmly. Fade and the others were delayed at the security checkpoint and sent to a holding room. They met Colonel Soel there and entered the station under his supervision.
“You’re looking well,” Soel said.
“I have what you asked for.”
“Great, where is it?”
“What about Destiny?”
“She’s in excellent condition, unharmed and untouched. The MER in her system dissolved rather early, so we’ve kept her with us. I’ve treated her with extreme generosity. She’s already been informed of your failure to save her father. She believes she’s here for safe keeping. It would be best for everyone if she keeps believing.”
“You’re a good liar.”
“One of my many talents. When do you intend to give me the crystal?”
“I want to see Destiny first.”
“Do you really want her to think we’re exchanging her for an object? That wouldn’t be good for her self-image.”
“I’ll tell you what.” said Bert, “We’ll give you the crystal once Miss Payson is with us, and if you give us some cash then it’ll look like a fair exchange.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll transfer one haricon to your card for appearance’s sake.”
“Cheap bastard!”
They stopped at a cafeteria.
“She’s not far away. Should I have Lieutenant Forgisom bring her?”
“Just bring her,” Fade said.
Soel pulled his phone to his ear, “You can bring Miss Payson now.”
After a few minutes, Lieutenant Forgisom approached with Destiny at his side. She hesitated and looked down to the floor when she saw Fade.
“I told you there might be a pleasant surprise if you were patient,” Soel said to her.
Destiny saluted as she looked into Fade’s eyes. Fade shifted slightly before regaining a cold composure. She failed to hold back her tears as she broke down and rushed into him. The shoulder of Fade’s trench coat became slightly moist as she wiped her face.
“I was too late to help your father.”
“It wasn’t our fault. We can’t blame ourselves. If it was anybody’s fault it was my own.”
“No, that’s...”
Her breathing became heavy as she wiped away tears with the back of her hand.
“Are you all right Miss Payson?” asked Soel.
“I’m perfectly fine. Justice was served, that’s more than I could have ever expected on my own.”
“Before we go any further, I would like my payment for providing you the supplies you needed for your mission on Hakkut. Remember, I gave you the transport and its supplies in return for the promise of an item.”
Bert lifted a case and popped open the latches. Inside was a spherical crystal of a light blue shade. that caught Destiny’s eye. She swore it was the most beautiful jewel she had ever seen. The case was closed and almost handed to Soel, but Fade pulled the case from Bert’s hands.
“Then you don’t intend to keep your part of the bargain? I’ll have you hanged for a traitor!”
“I intend to keep my word, but Sergeant Payson is a member of my crew and deserves to hear the truth straight from the source. I don’t even want money, so spit it out.”
“Very well. Miss Payson, you were collateral to make sure the mercenary kept his promise.”
“What?”
“He kept you as a hostage using micro-robots to put you in a coma. I’m giving him the crystal in exchange for your life. He would have done something else entirely otherwise.”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“Is that true?”
“In brutish terms, yes. You’ve been quite the handicap for everyone you’ve been involved with, including mercenary Defacto. Pity. Now give me the payment.”
Fade tossed him the case.
“Very good,” Soel handed them special pass cards. “The gala celebrating the Niemun’s capture is mandatory. Don’t cause a scene or draw attention to yourself. I’ve arranged sleeping quarters for your crew. It looks like you could use a light hearted event before we discuss your next assignment.”
“I’m not interested in any more of your assignments. I hope you’ll excuse us if we’re too tired to stick around.”
“No, it’s understandable, but you won’t be leaving freely until I clear you. You’re now officially under my command. And my first command is that you will quietly attend the gala without making a scene. I’ll have Lieutenant Forgisom escort you to your rooms.”
-----
The beds were comfortable and the room was dark; Bert snored peacefully. Fade’s eyes adjusted to the darkness. The outline of the ceiling panels came into view by the small lights of electronic devices and the dim red bulb of the television indicator. Fade’s boots hung over the footboard; he never bothered to remove them, his trench coat, or his revolver. His hat sat on the floor by the bed. An hour of Bert’s snoring passed before the door slid open. Clear white light from the halls pushed away the shadows. Fade pushed himself up and sat on the footboard as Destiny entered. Her shadow stretched to the toe of his boot.
“Can we talk?”
“Sure, I don’t have anything better to do.”
The bright lights in the station halls forced his eyes to adjust quickly as he followed her outside. The halls were not as insulated as the rooms. The rumble of airlocks, the swift bang of the docking bay attachments, or even footsteps from many directions could be easily heard. Destiny walked ahead; Fade followed. They reached the cafeteria and found an empty table at a small snack station. Soldiers purchased ready-to-eat meals from machines mounted on the walls. Fade stretched his arms before leaning back into his chair.
“I’d offer you a cup of coffee, but I don’t have any credits,” Destiny said.
“I don’t want coffee,” Fade placed both his hands flat on the table, “I’m sorry about your father. He was a good guy. I considered him as one of my few friends. He was always honest.”
“I couldn’t sleep tonight. Guess that’s to be expected.”
“I’m putting up the money to send you to a technical school on Imperial Harn. You need to hone your skills, and it’s the best school in the empire.”
“I know. I always wanted to go the Imperial Technical Academy.”
“Good,” Fade said, “You’ll be leaving for Ganymede within a week, you’ll catch a transport for the Imperial Capitol from there.”
“No!”
“You can’t say no! This is a huge opportunity.”
“I’m a member of your crew. I can’t afford to be absent for four years. I’m not going.”
“You’re mental. Maybe you don’t realize what a liability you’ve been. You’re not cut out for this type of work!”
“I’m not going to be any safer in the Imperial Capital! I can die no matter where I go! So Why?! Why won’t you stop trying to protect me? This is my risk to take!”
Fade leaned back slightly.
“When I decided to be a mercenary I made a commitment. I’m not backing down! If I haven’t proven my worth to you, I’ll do something even more dangerous and stupid.”
Fade’s face shifted as eyes narrowed; he stared her down.
“You can’t just back out of your contract, I have the right to kill anyone who mutinies. If you stick with me, you’ll follow orders, or you’ll die.”
Fade pulled out his revolver, put a single bullet in the chamber, and spun it twice.
“Who killed my father?”
“Stick with me and you could end up just like him.”
“You’re not scaring me with this routine.”
Fade pressed his gun against his forehead and fired. The trigger clicked. The hammer snapped against an empty chamber. He spun the cylinder again.
“Wha- what are you doing?” Destiny stammered as he handed her the gun.
“I want to see how much you value your life. Put the end of the barrel against your head and fire. If you’re crazy enough to do it, then you can work for me.”
Her hands shook as she stared at the bluish silver glint of the gun’s polished hue.
“This is crazy. What’s wrong with you!?”
“That’s my revolver you’re holding. Don’t disrespect it. Now, you either do it, or you don’t.”
She put the gun to her head, closed her eyes, and squeezed the trigger gently. Unable to follow through, she laid the gun on the table.
“This is senseless. It doesn’t solve anything!”
“You’re going to get a lot of senseless orders. If you can’t be expected to follow them, then make sure you’re on the next shuttle to Ganyemede.”
“What about thinking for myself? Isn’t that important?”
“Certainly, but not as important as the Defacto principle.”
“And what would that be?” she asked.
“I’m the boss, anyone who follows me follow my orders.”
“I thought this group functioned as a team.”
Fade stared forward without offering another word.
“Fine, I can do this,” she said.
Destiny put the gun to her head and pulled the trigger. Fade tapped his fingers lightly as the hammer clicked against the empty chamber.
“Your turn,” she said with a nervous smile.
He took his gun and spun the chamber.
“Mercenaries are dealers of war and death. You can’t be afraid to die.”
“I’m not.”
A gentle squeeze of the trigger. He spun the chamber again and relinquished his revolver. A man stood to protest. Fade threw him a hostile glance. All opposition to the initiation faded to soft murmurs. A few soldiers at the other tables watched anxiously as she placed the gun against her head and pulled the trigger. Click. She sighed as she handed the weapon back. Fade slid the revolver into its holster.
“I’m not afraid to die,” Destiny said. “I’m determined to fight, now more than ever. It’s just, I want to make bad people pay.”
“Did it ever occur to you that I might be a bad person? This is a working contract, not a friendship pact, so don’t come crying to me when you get hurt. You might want to make arrangements for your funeral. I’ll make sure you have a sidearm, so learn how to use it.”
“Thanks for giving me a chance,” she took his hand, “You won’t regret it!”
He pulled his hand away, stood, and pushed his chair underneath the table.
“Tomorrow I have to meet with Soel,” Fade put a single Haricon credit on the table, “Don’t interfere. Why don’t you get yourself a cup of coffee?”