The Diary of a Space Scoundrel: Inside the Lion's Mouth
30 Mar 2020Seth Bradwell
"DAMN! Why didn't Marlon tell us he had a daughter! I bet Heenan had a role in this, the Camorra have on the back ropes for months, and suddenly they are able to do this!" I ranted at Morgan as I downed a second double measure of Harma Silver Sea Rum. Since the news broke, Milah and Nate had tried to prop Marlon up and stop him from completely losing his mind, all the while without any idea of how to best approach the sudden twist in our situation. Anastasia had supposedly gone back to her ship but was last seen heading towards some of the less salubrious parts of Birkhoff Ring. Morgan and I had gone to his stateroom on the Revenge since all the bars were out of bounds to him, and we didn't want anyone to overhear us."We weren't to know he was in danger when we left Moon Dock to investigate the Brothers of HR 5473. You can't account for every variable, Seth. Nonetheless Heenan will use this as leverage to try and oust Chairman Willows, who can be blamed for failing to adequately tackle the Camorra problem. It may not have been planned, but a crisis like this is just the thing the plotters have been waiting for. If this hadn't happened then something else would have been allowed to happen." said Morgan.
"And what about Selina Briggs? Is her life forfeit? How does Marlon fit into this?" I ask despondently, helping myself to a third measure.
"As far as we know Selina just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, I wouldn't put it past Heenan to ensure she was one of those who got caught in the crossfire when they storm the outpost to supposedly rescue the hostages, if only as a way of hurting Marlon beyond measure. He may even call on Marlon to exchange his life for hers, or at least renounce his role in the Partnership and go into exile from Partnership space." explained Morgan.
"You can be so reassuring sometimes, Morgan!" I snarked, pouring a fourth double measure.
"Go easy on that stuff, it has a habit of really sneaking up on you... and I supposed this isn't the time to say that's the my last bottle bar one." said Morgan, starting to show concern. "Nate and Marlon are trying their best, Marlon's judgement may be compromised but didn't become head of security by letting his emotions get the better of him. Also Milah Love, as much as I despise her, is one tough woman and knows her stuff. If anyone can find out a way of rescuing her and the other hostages, it's them three."
"The Partnership won't let anyone near Cauchy Horizons whilst this hostage crisis is ongoing, and there is has been a complete blackout of any news from there since the that initial report. Heenan has us in a vice, and he is slowly tightening it. Short of kidnapping Yates and delivering him to the Camorra myself, which I would seriously think of doing if it was even remotely possible to do, we are halfway to Colonia without a fuel scoop." I said sadly.
"Try not to lose faith. Remember, stare too deeply into the Void, and the Void will stare into you." said Morgan, trying desperately to reassure me.
"The Void has been staring long and deep into me for a very long time, my dear Captain. I just want to know if there is any kind of plan that is just a tiny chance above being absolutely futile." I said, my head in my hands.
"I suggest you get some rest. We have all had a long day here -" Morgan was interrupted by a bleep on the comm system. "Who is it?"
"It's Anastasia - permission to come abroad."
"Permission granted, unlocking entrance hatch now." said Morgan.
Anastasia walked up into the entrance ramp where Morgan showed her to the stateroom. "Well what gives me the pleasure of you coming aboard my humble vessel?" asked Morgan. "Sorry, but don't have your usual tipple but help yourself to a measure of Harma Silver Sea."
"Not right now, thanks. Anyway, I have information you will find very useful, something that gives us an edge. It's about that boy in the Camorra that you and Marlon rescued from Yates."
"Go on." I said.
"Turns out he is the favourite nephew of the Camorra's Big Boss. When news got back to him about what happened he went absolutely ballistic, announcing a vendetta against the Partnership, and a three million credit bounty on Yates." Anastasia continued.
"I didn't even know the Camorra had three million credits." Morgan replied.
"It's a lot of money for them for sure. But the Big Boss is determined to exact his revenge on Yates." said Anastasia.
I stood up. "That's it! That's how we rescue her! And if I play my cards right, we may have got ourselves another temporary ally." I announced before making my way to the entrance ramp.
"Wait! What do you think your doing?" cried Morgan as he ran after me.
"I'm going to go in there, offer my life in exchange for Selina's, and when I am in there, I will explain who I am and ask to contact this 'favourite nephew' of theirs." I replied.
"Seth, stop! This is madness! Save the heroic plans until after you have rested and sobered up!"
"There's no time to lose, Morgan!" I exclaimed as I made my way across the hanger. "The lives of Selina Briggs and eleven other hostages is counting on this!"
"Friend, you're tired, and drunk! This is beyond suicide!" cried Morgan frantically.
"That's why the Galaxy came up with performance enhancers and combat stabilisers! I bid ye farewell, Captain Morgan, and may we see each other before too long!"
I punch in the access code for my hanger, and close and lock it before Morgan can follow me, and then make my way up to the Edge of Sanity.
"Seth, don't do this! There must be a better plan than this." pleaded Morgan over comms as I entered the cockpit.
"See you in a few hours." I replied, as I launched and boosted though the mail slot into the black.
"Seth's done what???"
"Took off to '931. Plans to exchange himself for Selina Briggs, and then negotiate with the Camorra." Morgan sadly explained to Marlon.
"So I now have another person's blood on my hands." said Marlon, his head sunk in despair.
"You don't know that for sure. None of us does until the final pieces are put into place." said Anastasia as she emerged into Marlon's guest quarters.
"Some people just cannot handle drinking on the job. Why didn't I stun him? These past few days have taken its toll on him, and now he's lost it." said Morgan, looking as despondent as Marlon.
"It takes more than a drop of your Kumo grog to drive someone to such lengths, Morgan. He obviously has some plan and, impaired judgement or not, has calculated his risks to a degree." said Anastasia.
"So what do we do then?" asked Morgan glumly.
"What we do is all that we could do anyway." answered Marlon. "We watch and wait..."
Cauchy Horizons appears in my view as I disengage supercruise. Immediately I switch on silent running to avoid detection by the Partnership security vessels, and boost towards the outpost. As I closed to within a kilometre of the outpost, one of the Camorra who on guard hailed me over comms.
"Be on your way, unknown vessel. This outpost is closed until further notice."
I switch off silent running. "Camorra hostage takers, this is Seth Bradwell. I mean you no ill will. I wish to exchange myself for one of your hostages, and to offer negotiations. Requesting permission to dock." I announce.
"You must think we are real stupid! You have ten seconds to leave this area or we shall open fire!" snarled the Carmorra guard.
"Please, listen. I know why you want Yates. I can't personally give you him, but I understand your anger, I saw what he did to your comrade, and I want to ensure that Yates faces justice. Besides, you are falling into a trap, there are people in the Partnership who are using you for an ulterior motive."
"Do not insult my intelligence. Oh yes?" the Camorra becomes inaudible as they discuss among each other. "Right, you want to try and be a hero? The medium landing pad is now free. You are to walk out with no weapons on you. One false move and you are dead, OK?"
Morgan, Marlon, Nate, Anastasia and Milah were glued to the holoscreen in Milah's office. "Reports have just come in of an unknown Python that has just docked in Cauchy Horizons. No report regarding whether this is an official negotiation team. The Social Partnership of HIP 71931 have so far refused to comment." the reporter announced.
"Jeez Seth, I really do hope you know what you are doing." said Morgan worryingly.
"He got inside. I didn't think he would even get fifty light seconds away from the star." said Marlon. "The odds are beginning to even."
"It's a highly unorthodox plan, and I wish he had cleared it with the rest of us, but it's not like any of us could think of anything better." said Nate.
"It looks rash, but it's not like we had much time." added Milah. "Sometimes caution can be a hindrance."
"Shame you didn't think that three years ago, huh Milah?" retorted Morgan.
"Bring that up another time, Morgan. All I can say is, so far, so good." responded Milah. "What's your opinion, Anastasia?"
"I can't say for certain whether his plan is going to work or not. So many unknown factors at play. It all depends on whether he can build a dialogue with the hostage takers." said Anastasia.
"Right, hero boy, just walk forward and no tricks." the average sized but heavily built Camorra guard snarled at me, his plasma rifle pointing at my head. His skin was pale, some may say sickly looking, and he had short, blonde hair, and a vicious scowl on his face. My hands were soon bound and I was forced to sit with the other hostages. "Boss, I wonder how those Partnership dolts will feel now that we have the feared Seth Bradwell among their hostages?" the guard said.
"Believe me, at present they want me dead as much as you do." I replied.
The guard gave me a vicious slap. "You will speak when you are spoken to! We are in charge here now. You made a huge mistake coming here. Now your life is as forfeit as theirs. You and your Partnership friends should have thought about this before you let your dog Yates brutally torture our esteemed captain, Huey Leighton."
Huey Leighton, so that's his name..."Please, let me talk to him, I can explain..." I started.
"Silence!" yelled the guard.
The boss, an olive-skinned woman, short but again well built, and with closely-shaven hair came up to me. "One question," the boss asked, "what was the name of this hostage you wanted to exchange yourself for?"
"Selina Briggs." I answered. Maybe I should have bluffed, but honesty may still be my saviour...
"Then you are a fool, Bradwell. We do not make fair exchange with our enemies, and certainly not ones as dishonourable as you! What is it you mercs love to say? Ah yes, nobody is totally innocent in these parts. In fact, should your friends not give us Yates in the next 20 hours, you will be the first to die. However, to show I am not totally unmoved by your misguided compassion I will guarantee that Marlon Briggs' precious daughter will be the last to die."
"That's what they want you to do! Listen, why do you think it was so easy..."
"Be silent, hostage!" shouted the guard, giving me another slap. "You will learn that you do not set the terms for negotiation here. What are your plans, boss?"
"Stand guard over them. I will decide what to do later."
Time moved desperately slowly in the darkness. It was hard to tell whether hours, days, or just minutes had passed.
"Just to let you know, your friends now have 18 hours. Funny how they haven't mentioned on the news that we now have an extra hostage." said the guard.
"That's because they don't care." I replied.
"You really think we are that stupid?" he asked.
"No, I do not think you are stupid, that is a mistake the Partnership make. I do not think you are stupid at all. I think you are desperate. Desperate and scared. I can still help, you know..."
"Silence. We know all too well what happens when we trust your kind. Better start saying your prayers to whatever deities you believe in, Imp. You should have stayed back in that Empire of yours, basking in your Emperor's decadent glory as a dozen slaves tend to your every whim."
I wisely say nothing.
"Right, hostages, allow me to introduce you to your new guard for the next six hours, Rita Maldini. Don't let her looks deceive you though, she is even less forgiving than me. Whilst I just like to give you a little slap to keep you in line," he said, grinning as I wince when he swipes his hand at me, "Rita likes to give her unruly charges a nice little slash, don't you Rita?"
Rita was somewhat taller than the boss but shared the same skin tone, and had long, dark, shoulder-length hair, and a face I would consider attractive in spite of the facial tattoos that were ubiquitous among criminal gangs throughout the galaxy. A lump stuck in my throat as she unsheathed a vicious looking dagger. "Time you got your beauty sleep, Liam." she said. That's an Imperial accent, someone born and bred on Capitol too by the sound of it! "Oh and by the way, she said, holding her dagger to my throat, "don't let the way I sound think you can make nice with me by appealing to my Imperial background. I have long turned away from serving them, and now despise the Empire and all it stands for," she continued, lifting my head up with her dagger to face hers, so I had no choice but to see the look of pure hatred in her eyes, "especially slavers."
"By the way, Imp, 16 hours remaining!" mocked Liam.
Another hour, or at least I think another hour passes. I am exhausted, and try and find a weak spot in my captors' psyche. If Maldini hates slavers, why is she involved with criminals? Very few criminals do the honourable thing when it comes to the slave trade, and I doubt the Camorra would be much better. Maybe in her warped mind she finds actual slavery more honest than the indentured labour that holds the Empire together? Maybe she was one of the unfortunate Imperial slaves who was badly mistreated, something which I will admit happens far more often in the Empire than most other Imperials would. I say nothing for a long while, hoping that I can exploit a sudden change in the situation. Eventually she pushes a glass of water, or at least, I hope that's all it is, to my lips.
"Drink." she commanded. I comply without question. "So, my fellow Imperial outcast, how does it feel to have to be the one having to plead for freedom?"
"Humbling." I say. "But I have never owned any slaves -"
"Quiet. I did warn you that trying to appeal to my Imperial roots is a waste of time. So you didn't own any slaves, you say? But a trader like you has traded in them, have you not?"
I nod wearily. "So then, for that moment when they were in your ship, you owned them, and what's more, you profited from them! Oh but it's an essential part of the Empire, so you will say! Well keep believing that all you like, but if you dare utter that in my presence..." she said, unsheathing her dagger, "may whatever gods or goddesses you believe in have mercy on you!"
I suddenly take a gambit. "You want to know where most of those slaves went?"
Rita glares at me fiercely, brandishing her dagger. "Pray tell me."
"D'Arrest Station, in Uibuth, as part of Asling Duval's drive to create a new colony of liberated slaves that took place four years ago last month." I answer.
Rita pauses to consider her answer, and slowly sheaths her dagger. "So, one of the few Imperials, and one of the fewer mercs with a conscience. But don't think that has caused me to soften my heart towards you. The Big Boss has been gravely dishonoured, and those that wronged him must pay."
"I know Yates hurt his nephew. If you would just allow me to explain -"
"Silence, slaver! I have been unusually lenient on you up till now. Don't push me any further." warned Rita. "By the way, you and your friends now have 13 hours to convince us to let you go."
I stay silent. In spite of how she said her Imperial origins meant nothing I think I found a chink in her armour, her demeanour did change the moment I mentioned how I once brought Imperial slaves to Uibuth to be liberated as part of Alsling Duval's new colony. Of course she didn't need to know the fate of most of the former slaves since then, or indeed of most liberated slaves in Asling space....
Liam relieved Rita three hours later - I know that because he smugly informs me that I have 10 hours left before I am shoved out of an airlock. I keep quiet, feeling that trying to reason with him is futile unless I can too find some common ground to appeal. I try and rest, but realise that time is running out, and I do not know if Rita will change places with him before the time of my proposed execution. I am woken by the sounds of the Boss arguing with Liam and Rita.
"They are trying to board the outpost! A security vessel - they mean to raid us - what do we do?" cried Liam.
"Activate the main station gun. Fire a warning shot. Rita, inform the Partnership that any further foolishness on their part will mean the execution of all the hostages. Oh and the deadline has been brought forward to one hour from now." ordered the Boss.
"As you command, Boss." responded Rita. Silence engulfs the outpost again. Two minutes later Liam and Rita return. "Boss, it's Captain Leighton on the comms. What do I say to him?" asked Liam.
"Tell them that the Partnership are being stubborn, but we shall execute Bradwell in less than an hour if we don't deliver Yates."
I seized my chance. "Listen!" I yelled. "The Partnership do not care if we live or die. Don't you think they would have been more forthcoming in their negotiations if I was not considered dispensable? Please, I beg of you, let me talk to Leighton, if he is angered by all means throw me out of the airlock, as you say that's my fate in an hour's time anyway. What have you got to lose?"
"He's right!" cried a female voice among the hostages. "My father tried to keep Yates in check, and nearly paid with his own life! He disappeared two days ago, and I have heard nothing from him since!"
The Boss walked up to me. "Rita, cut him free."
Rita proceeded to cut my bonds. "But I am warning you, Bradwell," the Boss said, menacingly, "anger him, or try any funny business, and your death is certain." She then walked up to the source of the female voice. "I assume you are Selina, then? Well you may still live yet..."
I am escorted by Liam and Rita to the holoscreen where I look upon the face of the Camorra boy solider I rescued from the clutches of Yates. "Captain Huey Leighton, it's an honour to see you again, last time you weren't in such great shape. I hope you are better."
Leighton looked at me with intense scrutiny. "Who are - wait, you are one of the pilots who rescued me from Yates!"
I nod my head. "Glad to meet again. What seems to be the problem?"
An indignant look briefly spread across Leighton's face. "Don't play dumb, pilot. You know our demands. But what possessed you to come here?"
"I wanted to plead for the lives of the hostages, particularly one particular hostage who just happens to be the daughter of Yates' deputy, who put an end to your ordeal, and in addition ensured you could be properly rehabilitated at a decent medical facility in HIP 75446. Unfortunately he, myself, and my partner Morgan, who also helped rescue you are in big trouble with the Partnership, there's a rogue element that wants to take control, and they are partly responsible for the disproportionate responses to your actions in the system."
Leighton raised an eyebrow. "Your story sounds very intriguing, and I would be tempted to dismiss it as just a story, if only had I not seen you all face to face when you saved me from Yates. So what you propose?"
"Well it's time to be pragmatic. You want Yates? Well I am sorry, but for now you won't get him. The Partnership do not, quote unquote, deal with terrorists, and all our lives are dispensable in the eyes of this rogue faction regardless of what you do. If you were to release us all we will do everything in our power to ensure that Yates is brought to justice."
Leighton thought for a brief moment. "Cameron - release all the hostages - and prepare to escape. We shall find another way to deal with Yates."
"As you command, Boss." Cameron replied. "You heard that, Liam and Rita? Release the hostages, and prepare our ship for launch!"
"Wait, Cameron. I know, and deep down you know, that the Partnership aren't going to take any prisoners. I don't know what ship you came here on but the moment you launch they will blow you into a million pieces.
"Death does not hold any fear for us. But if you want to help us survive, what would you have us do?" asked Cameron.
"I have a plan..."
I watched as all the liberated hostages walked up the entrance ramp of the Edge of Sanity. "Okay," I said to the three Camorra soldiers, "It's your turn to surrender your weapons."
They obliged, even though Liam objected that no Camorra would willingly surrender their weapon, but reluctantly complying when his boss Cameron cooperated. Rita was the last to give her weapons up, handing me both her gun and her dagger. "I want that back, Bradwell. It is of great sentiment to me."
"You will have it back when we part ways, Maldini. Now I am afraid you will be confined to your quarters for the duration of the journey, sorry but I don't like having your kind of people having a free run of my ship. I am sure you understand. However I shall take you to neutral space when you can find your way back to your homes. However, before we set off, I need to do this for me..."
A Cobra in vivid Camorra markings emerged from one of the docking pads of Cauchy Horizons and took off. As I predicted it did not get 50 metres from the station before being destroyed by the Partnership forces. Whilst they were checking for escape pods and bodies, I launched from the outpost, where I briefly appeared and then disappeared from the view of any passing sensors as I engaged silent running. I then boosted away from mass lock and headed for HIP 73321.
"DeLacy Python Echo-Delta-Golf to Traffic Control, this is Commander Seth Bradwell. Permission to land."
"Permission granted." the Traffic Control attendant said with thinly veiled excitement. "Proceed to landing pad three-seven. Welcome back, Commander."
"This is Traffic Control to Love. He's back, and due to arrive on pad 37."
Milah's office erupted with cheers.
The whole gang stood to welcome me back as I touched back down in Birkhoff Ring. Selina ran across and leaped into Marlon's arms as father and daughter were reunited. Medics escorted the eleven other hostages to the station's infirmary for a precautionary check-up. Morgan cheered and gave me a huge bear hug, much to my personal discomfort, and promised I could have his last bottle of Harma Silver Sea Rum as a gift. Nate congratulated me on my uncanny ability to analyse a situation and keep calm during a crisis, whilst Milah talked about giving me the freedom of the station. Even Anastasia came to offer her congratulations and I saw her smile for the first time ever.
"You do realise we are going have to act faster than ever?" said Morgan, as everyone left the hanger. "Heenan was always going to use the opportunity to exploit this situation, and whilst it isn't the opportunity that a dozen dead hostages would have given him, the fact that you, a fugitive from the Partnership were able to sneak in, successfully negotiate their release, and escape from under the very noses of the Partnership's security vessels with no causalities is going to be a huge embarrassment that he will not allow to be swept aside."
"Don't worry about it. We shall expose him before then." I replied. But anyway, these performance enhancers are stating to wear off, and I have two nights of rest I need to cram into one. So we shall discuss this all in the morning."
"It's about time you got some shuteye. Anna and I have our own tale to tell you, but it can wait. Get some rest, you have most certainly earned it. Oh, and I meant it about the rum, by the way." he smiled.
"Welcome to HIP 73321. Sorry for the wait but I am sure you realise it would be unwise for people of your reputation to disembark when there was a welcoming party around. I hope the rest of your stay here is as comfortable as possible, regardless of how long or short it is." I announced to the three Camorra soldiers, as I returned their weapons as they left the Edge of Sanity.
"You chose well. Don't think the Partnership will be letting any Camorra onto transports back to '931 but we have allies in the local Silver Raiders faction here, so we should be fine. By the way, nice work with that holo-presence trick, which of course means that the Partnership think we are dead! Boy are they in for a surprise when we get back to '931!" said Cameron, grinning.
"It's a shame you are on the side of our enemies. The Camorra would value someone with your abilities, not to mention your impeccable negotiating skills." laughed Liam.
Last was Rita. "Whilst we were on our way here, I took a look at the records of all those that were involved in the effort to create a colony of liberated slaves in Uibuth, and I confirmed your story about being involved with the effort there. I now realise you really are a man of honourable intent. Anyway, now we are all free people for the moment, was it true what you said about slavery?"
I sighed. "It is true what I said, I was involved in making a contribution to the liberated slave's colony in Uibuth. But I became far less naive during the following years, and I will just say that... it's complicated."
Rita frowned. "So you are an apologist then. Typical Imp..."
"Listen Rita. I would rather slavery didn't exist anywhere in the galaxy, be it full on slavery as practised by Archon Delaine and his ilk or indeed the Imperial variety for that matter. But if you are ever in the Empire again, go to Uibuth, go around the poorer districts of Cubeo and other parts of Asling Duval's sphere of influence, and you will see for yourself that slavery cannot be abolished tomorrow. Not in the Empire, at least."
Rita smiled. "See you around, slaver boy."
I smiled back. "See you around, pirate scum." I watch as the trio exited the hanger and disappeared into the depths of the station, on their way to seek shelter and assistance from their friends in the underworld.
I walk into my ship's quarters, trying to take in the events of the last few days. So much to absorb, and in spite of all the danger I have never felt this good for a very long time. I think about the people I have gotten close to in the past week, Morgan, Marlon, Milah, Nate, Anastasia, and even those three Camorra soldiers proved to be capable of humanity when the chips were down. It just takes a few pinpricks of light to make the darkness less terrifying, I realised as sleep deprivation overcame the last lingering effects of the performance enhancers and my own adrenalin and I drifted deeply into well deserved slumber.