The Living and the Damned - Part XIV
12 Jan 2018Jellicoe
High Intensity Combat Zone, Wongo SystemConfirmation of the 56,000 credit combat bond flashed up on the HUD as the Python exploded in a flash of vivid colour against the blackness of space.
"How much does that bring us to?" Stannis Jellicoe asked tonelessly across the strained silence of the Resolution's bridge.
"Five million seventeen thousand." Vik replied from tactical exactly matching his commanders tone.
"That's that then," Jellicoe answered, "Set course for Claire Dock and tell McKinley I want to see him."
"Be as quick as you can please, I need a long shower." Vik said pointedly.
"Look we always knew they might want something from us and that a powerful ship is one of the strongest cards we have," Jellicoe replied as the hyperdrive counted down.
"Taking down other pirates I could live with, but we just helped stamp on a genuine cry for freedom in this galaxy."
"The Galactic Railroad are a bunch of naive dreamers, you don't surely think they'll ever achieve anything?"
"People used to say the that about the Children of Raxxla, back in the days when you used to believe in doing the right thing." Vik said sharply.
"We had a job to do, or do you want to leave that girl to rot in a whore house?"
"And how many others have we just helped to put there? Or is it all worth it just so you can get back in Kira's knickers?" Vik replied, his deep voice rising as his anger grew.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," Jellicoe growled through gritted teeth.
"Pretend whatever you like, just remember that we held our noses and followed you in this because we trust you and we love you but I warn you now, don't go to that well again for a very long time." Vik said before stalking off the bridge.
Jellicoe looked at Claude Marsaud, his oldest friend, spreading his hands, an appealing look on his face.
"Don't expect me to back you up, he's right." Claude replied quietly, not taking his eyes off his console, "I just hope you think it's worth it."
Claire Dock, Tjakiri System
Jellicoe knew that something was wrong as soon as he saw Carlton McKinley. The usually oil smooth exec looked shifty and ill at ease, fidgeting, restless and unable to make eye contact, constantly playing with a gold bracelet he wore.
"So where's the girl Carlton?"
"Plan's changed," McKinley mumbled almost inaudibly.
"What do you mean the plan's changed? We had an agreement Mr McKinley, I held up my end so where's the girl?"
"I erm, we... we need something else from you," Carlton muttered, "War's not going as we'd hoped."
"What's that supposed to mean? Five million in bonds for the girl, we shook on it so hand her over."
"Look pal it doesn't work like that," McKinley snapped, anger flaring to cover his discomfort, "We need to know we can trust you, you've made a start but we need more."
"There are plenty of other places we can take our money you know."
"No there aren't," McKinley roared, "if there were you wouldn't be looking at this shit hole. You need us more than we need you, and the price just went up. We need this Daman guy dead, take him out and you can have the girl and the labs for free."
"Daman?" Jellicoe asked, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach,
"Galactic Railroad leader, they're hitting us hard, too hard, you used to be one of the best reapers in the Federation so find him and kill him."
Jellicoe sat back as McKinley stormed off, the truth settling on him like a cape of solid lead; he had sold his soul to the devil, and the devil had taken it and laughed at him.