HUMBLE SPACER 4 FEB 3307 (a busted traitor)
04 Feb 2021Igli
With relief I took off my military uniform, put it into a locker and dressed in civil clothes. I earned a whole day of a long overdue leave of absence and intended to get the most out of it. Almost a week of intense fighting in Kerebaei system brought much fatigue, both physical and mental. My simple three-stage plan was to go to a nice club usually frequented by feminine medical personnel from a nearby military hospital, find some cute and witty company and then ... try to conclude the evening to a mutual satisfaction.That plan went awry even before the first stage. I was walking unhurriedly past some warehouses by a space dock when three men barred my path. One of them glanced at a holo-image flickering in the palm of his hand: "This is the target," - he said, - "Tie him up." Before I could react two big guys held me tight by the arms and the third punched me hard in the belly. Although he was significantly shorter than the other two he was obviously very strong and held himself with clear authority. "Aisling Duval sends her regards," - the shorty laughed, - "And invites you to an educational seminar in how we deal with traitors." Gasping for air I could only groan faintly in reply. "Primary role is all yours, ha-ha-ha..." - evidently this emperial inquisitor liked to mock helpless victims.
Bent over with pain I didn't have a clear view of the surroundings and only when I heard a merry voice say: "Need help, friends?" - I relized that somebody joined the party. "Move along," - snarled my captor. "Have you caught a thief? We can aid you in beating him up!" - the voice offered eagerly. "Get lost," - the emperial hissed and ordered his two minions: "Haul him there," - pointing to a dark and scary alley. They lifted me up and I manged to raise my head at last.
I saw a company of two space cadets and two girls with a colouful make-up leaning on them and clearly having fun of the adventure. "Hey!" - said one of the young men. I recognized him: we met from time to time in our barrack's cantina. We were not friends, just greeted each other, and I didn't even know his name, but a nodding acquaintance saved my life that day. "I know you!" - he exclamied and shouted to my adversaries: "Let him go at once!"
The shorty didn't say anything, but glared at him and tried to reach in his jacket with the right hand. I noticed a laser pistol there - he almost had it in his hand - and in a split second decision I rushed forward. My two escorts had lowered their guard over me being slightly distracted by unexpected factors and I tore myself from their grip. I struck the inquisitor heavily in the chest with my head and we both fell to the ground. While we were rolling trying to get hold of the weapon the cadets took up entertaining their ladies with unarmed combat performance.
I noticed one of them having wrapped his army belt around a fist pounding a big guy like a punch bag during an exercise. The girls were screaming in horror or maybe joy - I didn't get it. The other cadet was making masterful series of kick attacks upon another guard: on a knee, then neck, then liver, a drop kick - the ladies howled in admiration - that was a kick on the nuts. I almost took pity on the man. My enemy was getting the upper hand, he sat on my chest and was about to hit me on the nose, when a body of one of his companions dropped on him and I wrought myself free.
Together we prevailed, and having made a picturesque street-art-style installation of the three groaning bodies by a gutter, went to a bar to celebrate our victory. There I met a shapely and amiable nurse with large and beautiful