The Damocles Run

1

(Story prototype. Rogue Traders)

Jabesh Grayson grunted with annoyance as the control panel sparked at him. Every time he managed to get his ship flying steady something went wrong. It was predictable enough to set a clock to. The lights around the bridge went out and he smacked the now familiar spot on the wall with the back of his hand. The lights blinked back to life and he lounged back in his chair with a sigh.

"You know I could fix that for ya, right?" asked Elsie, wiping her four-fingered hands on her grease rag. The young gearhead was an odd sort, a bug-eyed alien with wild red hair and light blue skin. She lounged against the entryway, grinning at him with her usual mischievous look.

"I know," replied Jabesh. "But there's more important things to fix around the Chickadee right now."

"Isn't there always?" Elsie's eyes narrowed and she shoved his shoulder. "This old bucket practically runs on Ork magic."

Jabesh chuckled and held up a finger. "I prefer to think of it as 'prayers to the Emperor.'"

Elsie rolled her eyes and snorted. "You don't actually believe that stuff, do you?"

"Hey, if it keeps my ship void-capable, then I'll believe just about anything."

Elsie sighed. "Well, anyway I got the Beltway links working again. You can execute a transit whenever you want, assuming the hull maintains its integrity. That said, I recommend we dock soon. The Chickadee needs some love and I'm almost out of patches. That last blockade run you did really banged things up, and the bolt turrets are gonna stay jammed until I can actually walk outside the ship to see what's got 'em all clogged up."

Jabesh swiveled his chair around to face the young engineer. "How's the crew holding up?"

Elsie rubbed at her forehead. "Well, Sammi's still a bit shook up after the shrapnel he took to his knee. Lirye's been sittin' with him tryin' to get him calmed back down. Guess he never figured on a desk job leadin' to physical injury."

"How is Lirye doing?"

Elsie's eyes widened a bit. "You know her, Boss. She's pissed. Losing that shipment means losing a paycheck, and you know how that girl likes to shop. Kept mumblin' about how she won't be able to get that dress she wanted back on Ilada XII."

"Half our storage space is taken up by her wardrobe," said Jabesh with a scowl. "I'm sure she can find something to wear in the meantime. What about Gun Show?"

Elsie shrugged. "He hasn't said anything, yet. Honestly, I don't think he cares. Knowing what a big softie he is I'd bet that he's just happy everyone's still alive."

Jabesh sighed and rose from his chair. "I guess I should probably go talk to them. Come on." He left the bridge and walked slowly down the Chickadee's narrow corridors, Elsie following close behind.

The Chickadee's lounge was located a few compartments aft of the bridge, between the bunks and the hangar. The gravity in the room was present, but noticeably less potent than in the other sections. One could float through the air with ease, but still have enough weight to sit comfortably in one of the many worn-in sofas that surrounded a central recaf table. It was a cozy place with pleasant amber lighting. Posters and stolen paintings decorated the walls, displaying everything from sexy pinup girls and boys to advertisements for antigrav racing circuits. It smelled like cigar smoke and various alcoholic beverages, a strong odor that permeated the air like a haze.

Sammi was seated on the longest sofa, hugging himself as his mechanical body shuddered. The cyborg datapriest had always been the twitchy sort, but with the injury to one of his few remaining biological components he had descended further into a neurotic fit. Lirye sat beside him, gently stroking his shoulders. His mechadendrites swayed back and forth in time with her movements. Her touch was having some effect, but the exact nature of it was unclear. Lirye was staring blankly ahead with an expression of despair on her beautiful face. Elvine were known for their attractive features, but Lirye was stunning even for their kind. Pouty lips, impossibly green eyes, golden hair, chestnut brown skin, and a flawless figure all combined to make her appearance positively breathtaking. She glared at Jabesh as he approached.