Parts of a larger Whole
20 Apr 2024Ryuko Ntsikana
Parts of a larger Whole
Colonia Region
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Ryuko stood in awe in the front room of his quarters. Each wall, alive with pleasing patterns, displayed different holographic images. Glancing down at his magnetic boots pressed into the soft carpeted deck, he tried to understand his new reality. He had seen such luxury only in holographic videos; even the plush offices of mining barons and planetary administrators he'd raided in his earlier pirating days paled in comparison.
Meanwhile, Tara moved methodically through the rooms, her sensors on alert. “I detect only basic environmental sensors. If they are monitoring us, they are using methods I cannot detect.”
The sudden door chime made Ryuko startle. Instinctively, his hand went to his hip where his laser pistol would normally be. As Tara reentered the room and moved to the door, activating it, Aby appeared in the doorway, his head cocked to one side, his gaze sweeping the spacious expanse.
“Ah, the luxury suite. The central AI mentioned it had prepared this for you per your benefactor’s wishes.”
Tara blocked the doorway, eyeing Aby critically. “There is much you need to explain before I decide to scrap you where you stand.”
Aby met her gaze with a neutral expression. “While your design is indeed capable of that, it won’t be necessary. Ryuko is safer here than anywhere else in the galaxy.”
Ryuko spun around to face Aby. “And how’s that? I feel more like a captive in a ship I couldn’t hope to escape.”
“No, you are not a captive," Aby reassured. "You are free to come and go as you please. You could even have me scrapped if that were your wish. No harm will come to you here.”
Tara’s grip tightened as she shoved Aby into the corridor, pinning him against the far side bulkhead. Ryuko followed cautiously.
“Explain the danger he is in,” she hissed, “before you run out of circuits.”
Aby remained calm, his eyes inches from Tara’s. “If you wish a location not associated with this ship, you are free to choose its location.”
Ryuko, now standing in the corridor, noticed the guards at either end. They watched but made no move to intervene.
“Explain all of this then.”
“As has been explained before. You are to train those selected, or who have volunteered, in your craft. They, in turn, will use that knowledge to safeguard ships carrying the products.”
“To put it another way, it will be like fighting fire with fire,” Zaria's voice echoed down the corridor as she approached. Tara kept Aby pinned against the bulkhead but turned to see Zaria.
“I see you two are staying active,” Zaria commented with a chuckle.
A chill ran through Ryuko as Zaria smiled at him.
“At what point during this empire building do we get spaced?”
“You’re missing the larger picture,” Zaria chuckled. “We don’t space assets … it’s bad for business.”
Tara released Aby, only to quickly grab Zaria, who immediately countered by grabbing Tara’s shoulders, dropping to the deck, and rolling backward, flipping Tara over her head to land a meter away.
Zaria was already back on her feet, squared up, still smiling. “If we need to test your design to clear out all this mistrust, I’m ready for that.”
Tara stood, facing a still-smiling Zaria. “Your design is strong and quick, but we need to work on your combat programming. We can get you where you should be.”
Ryuko stepped between them, his muscles tensed, ready for the guards to start firing, but they remained still.
“They’re here for your protection, not mine,” Zaria said casually as Aby straightened up, watching Ryuko. “Rest assured, your benefactor does not waste resources, not before, not after.”
“Why all this expense and resource for a simple pirate turned bounty hunter, who acted too soon? The core systems are teeming with thousands like me.”
“Exactly,” Ryuko pressed, stepping closer to Zaria. “So, why me?”
“None of this makes sense, neither monetarily nor statistically,” Tara added, maintaining her stance.
“There are others,” Aby interjected. “As I’ve stated from the beginning, you are not the only ones out here.”
Zaria continued, her smile unwavering. “Humans look for patterns in complexity. What makes this difficult to understand is its simplicity.”
“There are others, not much unlike yourself, who are not as morally centered. Their usage, euphemistically, is to bleed those who bleed others.”
Ryuko narrowed his eyes. “Thought you said you didn’t know about the others?”
Aby turned to address Ryuko. “Incorrect. I said I did not know who or where they were, which is correct. I never said I didn’t know what each of them was.”
“How many … pirates, has my benefactor planted in his garden?”
“There were eight, varying in moral fiber. Six remain. Two have joined other factions, letting their greed and lesser natures consume them. You know the type. Those you train should be prepared for them.”
Ryuko smirked, all too familiar with such types.
“And the others?” Tara inquired.
“Several, of different attributes, who were rescued and sought new lives. Most are listed as deceased, now with new identities, rescued from organizations all too familiar to you.”
Ryuko laughed, understanding the larger game. “This isn’t charity. You’re extracting talent from the rim worlds, crippling their advancements to bolster the Empire.”
“Most were captives, not volunteers. They were forced to produce for others' benefit, to cause more harm, not just to the Empire.”
Leaning against the bulkhead by the open door to his quarters, Ryuko nodded. “True enough. But I bet the Federation and Alliance aren’t kicking in any fees for the repatriation of their lost treasures?”
Aby nodded. “Correct. While we have operatives from previous governments, they chose freely, under no duress.”
Tara relaxed, stepping closer to Ryuko. “As if you would have sent them back if they’d asked.”
Zaria faced them both. “Yes, we would have. Their funding could significantly boost our operations. It's no secret to them, nor to the rim systems, though, for their own reasons, they’ve raised no objections.”
Ryuko chuckled, a realization dawning. “Snatch and grab is common. Everyone does it. There are even small groups that specialize in it and turn a tidy profit, but nothing on this scale.”
Zaria returned his chuckle. “While we aren’t directly steered by Imperial forces, we benefit from their markets, and your benefactor, along with his associates, are well-embedded at various levels.”
Ryuko gestured around them. “And all this out here—is it just more of the same, but on a grander scale?”
“Partly,” Zaria conceded. “Your benefactor seeks to expand his legitimate animal protein ventures to this sector, repatriating those who wish for different lives, just as he has done elsewhere. This strategy not only frees those forced to labor here but also repatriates them.”
“This all makes sense now. That’s why it was so easy for him to convince the courts to release me into his custody and why I was shipped off to this frontier. It also explains the Imperial hunter on board.”
“Yes,” Zaria affirmed. “And soon, the courts will acknowledge that you’ve satisfied their conditions, clearing your charges. You’re free to go anywhere, which is why you’re offered a contractor role, not just employment—offering you the freedom you desire. Here, you can start anew, build a career, and grow.”
Tara glanced at Ryuko as Zaria smiled at her. “We’re keen to see how you both develop, especially Tara. We have specialists excited to work with you if you choose.”
Tara looked at Ryuko, a strange new sensation swirling within her, a mix of apprehension and anticipation, as Aby watched them both, nodding in agreement.