Family Affairs, Epilogue
06 Jun 2017Stryker Aune
Clair Dock, Tjakiri.The flight back had been, for the most part, uneventful. This gave Stryker time to think about things. About what he had done and, like most men, he didn’t deal with it. Instead he buried it down in the deep recesses of his slowly blackening heart. He felt cold and embittered, and strangely aloof. As if he couldn’t relate to people. Or people on the outside. He couldn’t quite identify what that meant. It was more of a feeling.
The large Federal Drop Ship touched down on its designated pad, with a hiss of the hydraulics taking the weight. He powered the ship down and heard the reactor spin to a stop. Hefting the bag with the bloody remains of his brother-in-law’s head, the large man slowly walked through the rebuilt ship. He lightly dragged the sharp talons of his claw along a bulkhead. The silence was punctured by a soft, high pitched squeal of metal on metal. A pang of guilt racked his gut. Quickly it dissolved into anger. His ears were accosted by the sound of twisting metal. He saw his claw had dug a rough deep gouge into the metal. He broke away and strode down the ramp.
There to greet him was Martin. The tall skinny man from before. He had taken enjoyment in the past by antagonizing the large man, And this time was no different. He had dropped his tool, stood up and faced Stryker, cleaning his hands off on a dirty rag.
“So, look who returned. I was sure you would bite the big one.” He took a breath. “Seeing how much of a fuck up you are. Bit….”
There was a smash, followed by a sickening crunch. As fast as lightning, Stryker’s hand seized the man by the back of the head and smashed his face into the bulkhead. He let it go just as quickly and continued walking, without so much as a look back, Leaving the man to flop onto the deck wailing in pain. This grabbed the attention of the other dock workers. Stunned, they stood watching the broad back of the man as he strode off through the swirling mists of atmosphere. He found his way to an immaculate hall. Wood paneled, potted plants, with fine pictures adorning the walls. At the end was a sliding door which led to the office of Marra Morgan. He walked to it, and paused as it slid up revealing a simple yet well decorated space. Apollonia was sitting behind a desk. She wore a tight form fitting dress of almond white, and Her hair was tied neatly in a bun on the top of her head.
“Bonjour, Monsieur Aune.” She looked up from her work, folding her hands. “Mademoiselle Morgan has been expecting you, oui.” Her hands worked over a holo-display, and another set of doors clicked, opening up. Stryker nodded and strode into the inner sanctum. Marra sat behind her desk, framed by the large picture window facing the violent upheavals and flares of the giant ball of burning gasses. An orange glow cast upon the surfaces of the office desk, and features of both people. She stood, her red lips turned up into a smile, her eyes as cold as ever. Her petite frame was adorned in a smart, crisp business suit.
“Ah, Mister Aune. P’nawn da. I am glad to see you made it back safe.”
Stryker walked up to her, cold fury burning through his being. He slid the ruck-sack over his broad shoulder and set it down on the ground. Stooping, he opened it and pulled out Hideki’s head by the black hair. He tossed the mess upon her desk with a thud. Stryker saw that she gave it a moment's glance and then noticed that Locke was standing behind him. Where he came from was a complete surprise.
“You knew…” he said in a cold, quiet, yet deadly whisper. Marra had never heard the large man talk in such a way. Her eyes narrowed for a moment. Then her smirk turned upward, and her cold glare grew deeper.
“Of course I knew. You fucked up with that Federation bitch. I had to test you. I had to make sure I knew where your loyalty belonged.” She paused for a moment. “Remember this; if you ever cross me, I will see to it that you, and everything you love will be condemned to the void.” She paused again; “Let bygones be bygones, because we have work to do, and it’s counterproductive to dwell on the past.” Stryker stood there. His mind and thoughts were dull.
“Ogiltig Haxa…”
Ignoring him, Marra turned to gaze out the large window, folding her hands behind her back.“We have had a shipment of materials that need to be loaded on the Seren Du.” She paused again. “And as my engineer, you will oversee the modifications needed on my ship to deliver these materials from orbital bombardment. Speak one word of this to anyone, and I will personally gut you. Oh, and take that garbage with you on your way out.” She turned slightly and nodded to the head listing slightly on the desk.
Stryker flexed his claw, then picked up the severed head and slipped it back into the bag. He turned to leave.
“Mr. Aune...”
Stryker paused for a moment.
“Welcome to the Family.”
Special Thanks to the talented Jemine Caeser and Marra Morgan for their edits and suggestions!