Soup Is For The Soul, What Whiskey Is For The Pain

Nameless studied her face. All the stress, the loss, the pain, the approaching cruel dismemberment, and she was still being so nice. How? Her face didn't show any despair, just kindness. A warm, beautiful smile. Resolve filled the Nameless as they made their way into the kitchen to warm greetings; he was going to make their enemies pay. Dearly.

This was personal for him now. Yes, he still only wanted to get paid, and everyone besides Aj and Julia didn’t really matter. This wasn’t about them; it was about territory. Nameless had spent his whole life protecting Julia. Doing jobs, getting money, fighting off drunks who tried putting their hands on her. And now she was hurt, because of him. No amount of cash could fix that.

The three sat down at the kitchen table. Sammy had a pot of soup steaming in the center of the table and filled each member's bowls.

Carla and Hera sat together, arguing over something. Aj was greedily eyeing the pot, waiting for seconds. Nameless and Julia sat beside each other as Spider grabbed a stool. A full circle, all places seated.

Nameless took in the group, taking a mental picture.

Aj, six foot two inches tall, his long dreads hanging from his shoulders to the small of his back. His muscular arms the size of most people’s legs. He had a broad, stoic face, yet it was warm, constantly smiling despite the heavy layering of scars.

Julia, the goddess of the Wastes. Her perfect face, her grey eyes, pronounced cheekbones, tall body for a girl. Her long flowing blonde hair twisting in a ponytail that ran down her left side. Her perfect alluring figure always concealed by baggy clothing and tactical gear. She had always had a sharp, piercing look as she seemed to mother everyone around her.

Sammy, her short, stout body, with brunette hair tucked under a hood. Her freckled face, green eyes, brown freckles that polka dotted her upper face. She had a conserved body posture, always clutching her hands, with a sad look. Like a mouse in human form.

Hera stood out from them all, her permanent scowl piercing everyone. Her eyes seemed dead, as there was no light in them. Her bald, shaven head inlaid with beautiful koi fish tattoos; her bare arms also heavily decorated with color tattoos. She always seemed to have a knife on her, either cleaning her fingernails with it, or stabbing the table in between her spread fingers. She was always bickering and jabbing at Carla.

Carla, with her olive skin, jet black hair, and brown eyes. She was more withdrawn than Julia, but more outspoken than Sammy. She seemed to gravitate off of Hera, always checking her, blocking her, policing her. When Carla ever spoke of her own account, her sweet sing song voice was as captivating as her looks. Yet, there was cunning in her eyes; Nameless judged she was not to be underestimated.

Captain Spider, the small, skinny, Japanese Earth decent ten-year-old boy. With his greasy skin, shaved head, darting brown eyes. A mechanical arm jutted out from each shoulder blade, with two more protruding from the left and right rib cage. He had a contorted, grim posture, always leaning forward, never looking anyone in the eye.

Julia gripped Nameless 's hand, seeing him lost in thought.

“It's gonna be okay.”

Nameless nodded, releasing her hand and taking his soup from Sammy.

“Sorry, guys, it's the best I could do, not really a cook,” Sammy said nervously.

Aj gulped down the broth nosily, to which Hera made a face while Carla chuckled.

“It looks amazing, Sammy,” Julia chirped, delicately using her good hand to take a spoonful.

Sammy blushed and sat down, being the last to take a portion. The group slurped their meal in peace, the hum of the ship filling the atmosphere. It was a glorious, peaceful moment. Not a soul saying a word. Time passed as each finished their meal.

“I-i-it's a n-night's s-s-s-sail to O-oasis,” Spider reminded.

“Right, about that,” Aj sputtered, putting the empty bowl down. “What is the actual plan? And what are we doing with them?”

Carla looked at Aj instantly while Sammy fidgeted. Hera didn't blink, piercing Aj with her glare.

“They're staying,” Nameless said.

“Why?” Aj asked. “I can see saving them, but we're not really going to bring them the whole way, are we?

“Because they helped us. We wouldn't know about Jockus's scheme,” Julia defended.

“But you were their boss, right? How come you didn't know?”

Carla cleared her throat.

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“She's not, ahem, wasn't exactly that kind of camp girl. Mama always had her on the books and interacting with the customers. We did all the—” Carla blushed.

“Fucking,” Hera said, gripping her spoon tightly.

“We won't get in the way,” Sammy said nervously.

“Of course, you won't; we're all sticking together,” Julia proclaimed.

Aj raised an eyebrow, looking at Nameless.

“They're staying,” he confirmed.

Aj shrugged.

“Do we have a buyer yet?” Carla asked nervously, anxious to change the subject.

“Not yet, but I know some of Jockus's old contacts in Oasis; we can sell it through them,” Nameless said.

“And what makes you think they won't sell us out to her?” Hera asked.

“Because,” Nameless sighed, “We'll break their kneecaps if they try anything like that. And take their shit to boot.”

“I like it,” Aj smiled.

“Bit excessive, don't you think?” Sammy asked quietly.

“Says the runaway slave being chased by half of Mars. Remind me, darling, what was your plan of escape again?” Hera jabbed.

“Leave her alone!” Carla barked.

“We're going to sell the vial,” Nameless proclaimed loudly to snag back the attention. “We're gonna sell the damn thing, then it's off-world to whatever colony will take us.”

“I-I have f-friends at t-t-the d-docks. T-they know p-people,” Spider piped up.

“Do you have any idea how expensive a charter off-world is? Especially through the blockade,” Hera seethed.

“Blockade?” Julia asked, surprised.

“Yeah, some old-world nonsense, I dunno. There's a big fuss about the mining corporations and Earth,” Hera said nonchalantly.

“How do you know this?” Carla asked, puzzled.

“Rich men love their pillow talk,” Hera rolled her eyes. “What, you guys seriously haven't noticed the giant blobs in the sky blocking out the stars at night the last few days?”

“Been a little busy,” Aj said.

“Welp, there's big ass ships in orbit, gonna be expensive.”

“We'll find a way,” Nameless said confidently. “It's not like we can stay on Mars anyway; everyone's after us.”

Hera nodded.

“What about the temple? I'm sure the priests might know some people,” Carla offered.

“True. They got their grubby little fingers in almost everything,” Julia said.

“I'm sure I can find somebody at the bars,” Aj said.

“Just keep this one away from the brothels,” Julia teased.

“I can go with him,” Sammy said shyly.

“Yeah, Hera and I can go eavesdropping in the markets, too,” Carla said.

“Great, we'll all disguise up. Aj's got the bars, Carla and Hera will survey the Markets, Julia will head to the temple, Spider can see about his friends, and I'll go and meet the contacts. We sell the vial, find a ship, get out of here,” Nameless said.

“Let's just hope our luck doesn't run out,” Aj sighed, reaching over the table and grabbing thirds.

“It's gonna be a big day tomorrow; everyone needs to get some sleep,” Julia said.

“Heh. I remember what happened after the last time I heard that,” Aj joked.

Julia nudged him in the ribs with her bad arm, making her face grimace with instant regret.

“Everyone's tired; pick a bunk and rack out. I'll take the first watch,” Nameless said.

“No, I'll take it; you need to sleep the most out of all of us,” Julia argued.

“Says you!” Nameless retorted.

“Urgh! Just get a room, you two,” Hera groaned.

Sammy and Carla giggled while Nameless gave an indignant look. Julia didn't show any expression while Aj ignored them, plowing through his third bowl. Spider was innocently picking at a frayed wire on his middle-left arm.

“Everyone good?” Nameless asked.

The group nodded, and one by one got up, stowing their bowls in the sink, and drifting off to the crew bunks. Spider scuttled off to the Cabin while Sammy started cleaning the bowls. Julia came beside her and started helping while Nameless went topside.

Out on the deck of the Magnolia, the night sky was filled with stars. Nameless shivered and crossed his arms to consolidate his warmth. The young bounty hunter went to the very end of the ship and leaned on the deck well, staring at the boat's wake in the polluted water.

His mind drifted away to memories, guilt, as he went over situation again and again. What if he had done things differently? Could he have prevented Julia's injury, or was it inevitable?

As Nameless leaned on the deck well, a sound caught his attention from behind. He turned around to see the very last person he would expect. It was Hera.

Her figure swayed with the boat, her eyes studying Nameless.

Nameless 's body stiffened as she made her way to him.

She stood beside him in silence, then offered him a blanket.

He hesitantly took the blanket and wrapped it around his shoulders. “Thanks,” Nameless said.

Hera nodded and leaned on the deck well, looking at the stars.

She pointed. “See?”

Nameless looked up and saw a small patch of stars had been blocked out by something in the sky.

“They say those ships are as big as cities,” she said with reserved wonder.

Nameless looked with fascination, every fiber of his being yearning to be on that vessel.

“Why do you think they're here?” he asked.

“No one knows,” she sighed. “Some say it's a trade dispute, some say it's another war, others say it's something else entirely.”

“Something else?”

“Why else would the fleet be here?”

“Yeah, but what else would draw them here.”

“I dunno, I'm just a dumb camp girl.”

The two stood in silence.

“What's your code?” Hera asked finally.

“What?”

“What are your numbers?”

Nameless hesitated. ”8-0-1-9-7-8”

Hera chuckled.

“What?”

“Mine are 8-0-1-9-9-9.”

“No way!”

Hera laughed. “Guess that witch really did buy all of us from the same city block.”

“I always thought it was a bio farm.”

Hera shrugged, still looking at the stars. “Why do they call you Nameless?”

Nameless pondered, should he really tell her? “You remember the stories?” he asked, “About the twelve?”

“I'm familiar with our entire religion, yes,” she responded sarcastically.

“Yeah, but the old one, about the thirteenth?”

Hera looked into his eyes. “You arrogant son of a bitch. You really took the Nameless god’s mantle?”

“He's supposed to be Justice. I thought it was cool.”

“I can't believe this,” Hera laughed. “Do you have even an inkling of how much bad luck that is? He's Nameless for a reason! The unlucky one, the forgotten soldier, the abandoned god, the one who never received glory despite saving Mars.” She stopped realization dawning. Hera sighed. “At least it fits.”

“Aren't you named after an old-world god?”

“Mhm. It sounded sweet, plus she looked cool on the holos.”

The two drifted back into silence.

Hera bit her lip.

“Please … please don't fuck us over. Especially Sammy, I'll murder you if you ever hurt her.”

“Same to you,” Nameless said.

The two looked at each other, forming a silent pact from one friend group leader to another.

“Have a good night, oh Nameless one,” Hera said sarcastically, drifting off the deck well and back toward the cabin.

“You, too,” Nameless called back, tightening the blanket.

He looked back up toward the stars, wondering what it was like up there, as the night dragged onward toward the bright new future.