Jesper was having a sandwich in the cantina. It was one of the few luxuries he allowed himself when they were deployed in one way or another. When they were docked with vacation time, he had no issue rolling around in a haze of booze, drugs, and loose women. But when he was at work, a non-regulation sandwich was about as far as he would deviate from the Terran military standard. He knew that the men in his department of the ship saw him as weird, cold, and dangerous, but that was by his own design.
He disliked bonding with the people he worked with. Life in security was, at the very best of times, only a minor danger to your life. No reason to get attached to people if you risk seeing them dead a few months down the line. Eirik and the other members of the command staff were a different story. He had worked with Eirik for many years, the first 2 of them he treated Eirik like everybody else, kept him at a distance, and displayed his more eccentric character traits to discourage him.
It only pushed Eirik to pursue a friendship even more. When he had finally given in and accepted the offer of a few drinks after work with Eirik and one of his friends, David, he had discovered that Eirik was even more eccentric than himself. His work record spoke for itself and he had stayed alive so far, even earned a few promotions. He had enjoyed that night, learning that David and Eirik had stuck together since they could walk. Went to the same school, had the same hobbies, and joined the army together. Only within those last few years had they served in different parts of the military, David working with navigation and Eirik slowly working his way up the ranks.
The 3 of them slowly integrated into a trio, as inseparable on the battlefield as they were in their off-time. He had been surprised when Eirik came to him to ask for his help in creating a new fighting unit with... advanced... privileges in carrying out their duties. From there, everything had just...grown. Jesper didn't mind, especially, since he became the new empire's security advisor. He was earning more money than he could spend with more free time than ever. Life was good, for a change.
He was ripped out of his thoughts when the door to the cantina was kicked open by David who shouted into the room "EIRIK IS SPARRING WITH FREJA AND LAS'TAI." before he took off running again. Not wanting the waste such an opportunity, Jesper grabbed his sandwich and started running after David. what a day, dinner, AND a show!
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Eirik was on the defensive, being pushed back on his heels. "When did the 2 of them start training their teamwork?" he wondered to himself as he managed to squirm away from one of Freja's kicks, only to catch a blow to the ribs from Las'Tai. It was not enough to throw him off balance, but it still hurt.
He needed room and the girls would not let him claim the smallest bit of ground. They had been fighting for several minutes already, sweat pouring off of Eirik and Freja while Las'Tai panted heavily as the fight dragged on. As the 2 girls lined up for another combined attack, Eirik dove in between them, trying to swipe Freja's leg in the process. She dodged away while Las'Tai moved in for another attack.
The threat from Freja was removed for a second, Eirik Gave Las'Tai just enough time to begin her attack before he moved in for a grapple Expecting him to jump back, Las'Tai did not have time to react and for a short moment they were locked together before the Terran natural strength advantage took over and she felt her feet leave the floor. She braced for the impact on the ground, but his grip loosened and he bent down to one knee with a loud curse.
Freja had come from behind and planted her foot in the back of his knee, driving it into the ground and forcing him to let go of Las'Tai. From the disadvantageous position, Eirik was quickly overpowered and ended up tapping out.
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5 minutes later he was still grumbling as he was drinking water and stretching out. Las'Tai and Freja were loudly discussing all the potential places they could shoot him when the payment was due. Jesper and David that had entered shortly after the fight started had quickly been told about the bet so Eirik had no way of excusing himself. Jesper had proudly proclaimed that they had enough paintball guns on board to arm the entire crew. He liked to use them for surprise combat drills when Eirik was not on board.
As they tend to do in a limited environment such as a spaceship, news traveled fast and by the next meal, the entire crew was informed and eagerly awaiting the announcement of the hunt and Eirik lamented the fact that he hadn't gotten it over with right away.
He finally rose from his seat, and the cantina fell silent immediately "I know you are all excited for me to cash in on my bet. And I will... In time." A collective groan rang through the cantina and Eirik gave them a moment to get it out, "BUT! I promise in front of you all that it WILL happen before we return home. I have no plans of letting the entire empire in on this"
They all laughed at this, the sour mood that had slowly begun creeping around, dissipating with the light joke.
Eirik waited for the laughter to die down before he continued. "I just ask that this little event and any stories of said event, stay on this ship. Consider participating a privileged bonus of being on my crew. Carry on" With that, he sat back down to continue his meal but was interrupted by Knud coming up to the table.
"May I speak, Captain?" He said as silence once again fell over the cantina. The crew had been wondering about the conflict in the inner circle and their love for gossip was insatiable.
"You may, Knud," Eirik said as he leaned back, holding a cup of coffee.
"I overstepped. As a doctor, as a person, and as a friend. What I said was out of line, and while I cannot take back the words I can express my deepest regret that I allowed myself to speak them." Knud was looking Eirik in the eyes as he spoke but there was no challenge, only honesty. "I have served by your side for many years, but these last few of them have been... different. And will need for me to adapt, if you will still have my services.
I am prepared to accept a change station as a consequence of my actions if that is what you desire. Just know, that I am sorry for what I said. I do not consider what I said to be true. I was speaking out of frustration." With that, Knud folded his hands in front of him and waited.
Eirik had been listening patiently while sipping his coffee and now he put down the cup before he stood up from his seat and moved around the table. Standing in front of Knud Eirik began speaking, "Knud, I am not going to lie, what was said was about as far out of line as it can get. Your words cut me deep. You know where my interests are. Better than most, considering you special... Situation." Eirik chose his words carefully. There was no need to serve Knud up to the crew. Besides, He had his reasons.
Knud was not blind to this as he sent a thankful look to Eirik for the kindness. The moment was lost on everyone except the command staff who picked up on the silent order. We wash our clothes privately.
"But I have no wish for you to change station. Old bonds have suffered damage, and in my opinion, they need to be mended before I can consider letting you go if you still desire to leave at that point. As for now, I accept your apology. Know that I appreciate your apology and will take it to heart." Eirik extended a hand and Knud shook it. "Join me for dinner later. We have things to discuss, Knud." Eirik added in a low tone so only the 2 of them could hear it clearly. Knud nodded and smiled, relieved that things had gone smooth. He could handle a private conversation, Eirik was still young.
Eirik sat back down and the usual chatter soon returned to the cantina.
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Jimmie was staring out of the window of the cell. he had entered a rhythm of staring out of the window and sharing news with the changing guards every 8 hours. They kept offering him things to distract his mind but he refused. What was the point?? He was looking at life in prison anyway, why not seek out insanity in advance and get it over with.
It was yet another day of waiting to go insane when the guard exclaimed a sentence he had not expected to hear until this trip was done, "Hello Captain."