Three Kings: Firesetter, #3

Chapter 1

Lance

It broke my heart to watch my daughter salute the Lt. Commander.  Dressed in her green spandex Plebe uniform, her dark red hair pulled back tightly in a SpaceForce regulation bun, I stared at the airlock until her shadow was long gone.  My heart was swollen with pride, but at the same time, I wanted to cry.

Goodbye Sandy, Wen whimpered, enough tears dripping down his cheeks to bathe the both of us.

Nood’s eyes were wet, too.  Jerry was sniffling, but then, he always did.  I didn’t know if he was going to miss Sandy, or merely had a sinus condition. 

Only Taul appeared unfazed.  This, I could understand.  Taul and Sandy had gotten along well, but there was nothing more to that relationship beyond a casual friendship.  Like everyone, he had hugged her goodbye, accepted her peck upon his cheek, and then went on to check out all the other SpaceForce Academy girls.

Amyr, on the other hand, I would have liked to punch in the nose, a feeling that tended to pervade my body whenever he was around.  Although I did my best to assign him to odd shifts, keep him confined to the bilges and cargo bays, occasionally, like today, I had to let him up into the simulated daylight.

She really likes him, Wen had remarked, as we stood there watching him embrace Sandy far too tightly, and far too long. 

Hey hey hey! I interrupted, breaking up what started out as a totally inappropriate goodbye kiss.  Get your tongue out of my daughter’s mouth, and get back to the ship!

Dad! Sandy cried.  Let us say goodbye.

Get your hands off of her uniform, Spaceman, or you’ll be mopping the bilge floors from now until the end of time.

I am already doing as much, Amyr replied, a statement that was entirely true, but I had run out of punishments to threaten beyond firing. 

I couldn’t fire him, though.  He wasn’t that bad of an employee, and I figured by having him around, I could keep a watchful eye on what he did with my daughter.  Which, was nothing.  Nope.  They were chaperoned all the time.  Between myself, Wen, Nood, and Taul, I made sure they were never alone. 

Jerry wouldn’t help out with this, though.  Whenever I asked, he made excuses, or ran off.  The rest of us ended up watching endless games of chess, angsty and boring teenage movies, and Galactic Space Conquest tournaments on the vid. 

Needless to say, I was a little surprised when Amyr and Sandy engaged in that lip-locking business at the spaceport.  From what I could tell, they were quite proficient at it, leading me to believe that my chaperoning plan had failed.

Dad, Amyr and I are just going to go over here for a few minutes, Sandy announced, neither asking nor requesting my permission.  Instead, she pulled the alien creep to a corner behind a potted plant. 

What are they doing over there? I asked Wen.

He shrugged and raised his eyebrows as if he had no clue, while I tried to see around the Lyrian fern, a mass of dark blue thorny foliage that was covered in orange flowers.  At night, the flowers turned purple and let off a tremendous stink, but it made a pretty plant for a space terminal where the lights were always on. 

What are they doing over there? I repeated now to Nood, who had wandered in front of the fern.  He blocked my already limited view of Sandy’s hair as it shone through the foliage.  For all I could tell, Sandy might be naked by now, and Amyr might be doing something unthinkable.  Nood!

Nood either ignored me, or pretended to.  In any case, he didn’t respond.  That was fine as all he could do was make an odd screeching noise.  However, a nod would have been nice.  A casual wave to indicate that there was nothing to worry about, might have been even better.  Eventually, he shrugged, and glanced behind the fern as if warning those two that I was on their tail.

Amyr understood Nood, but Amyr had a way of pulling thoughts from everyone’s brains.  To that end, I focused my own thoughts on my fist connecting with his face, if he continued to stick his tongue down my daughter’s throat. 

After what seemed an interminable amount of time, enough for my daughter to not only get pregnant, but be well into the gestational phase, a voice announced that all Academy cadets must form up in a queue.  Just in the nick of time.  Only a millisecond more, and I would have marched over to the plant to plant my knuckles in Amyr’s jaw. 

Sandy emerged from their hiding place, her SpaceForce regulation bun already falling apart, her face and lips swollen a little too puffy.  She quickly waved goodbye to the cocky alien kid, who lit a cigarette and sauntered back to my side, as if challenging me to follow through with my threats. 

Bilge, I informed him.  And, when you’re done with that, you can don a spacesuit and wash the windows from outside.

Okay, Lance, he said, that annoying smirking smile on his lips.

Aye Aye, Captain.  How many times do I have to remind you of the proper protocol?

Okay, Captain, he repeated, smugly flashing his white teeth, and exhaling a cloud of minty gray smoke into my air. 

I was about to reprimand him again.  I was about to inform him that the entire hull of the Flying Mule needed a new paint job and he was just the guy to do it.  In addition, I was about to advise him that this moon terminal was a no-smoking facility, and that by breaking the rules, asshole alien dudes might sometimes end up in jail. 

Unfortunately, before all this happened, we were interrupted by a familiar shrieking voice.

What do you mean the airlock is sealed? a woman shouted.  I can see the plane sitting right there. 

It was Jill, Captain Jill, Jill, Sandy’s mother, and my one-time ex, as well as Jerry’s one-time ex, and probably one-time ex to a bunch of other guys in this terminal.

I’m out of here, Jerry squeaked, and disappeared into the nearest lift, an action I was inclined to follow, but my curiosity got the best of me.

Do you know who I am? Jill continued, berating the poor Lt. Commander, who had pulled the unfortunate task of guarding the airlock door.  Jill’s hands were fisted at her waist, right next to the guns she wore on either side. 

No, Ma’am.

Do you know what my rank is?  Jill leaned over so the Lt. Commander could get a good look at the bars on her collar. 

Yes, Captain, but the plane has been locked and sealed.  Even a captain can’t change our flight schedules.

Jill stomped her foot, throwing a typical Jill-like temper tantrum, something both Jerry and I had witnessed on more than one occasion. 

My ship flew all the way here from Sector XII just so I could see my daughter off.

I’m sorry, Captain, the door officer repeated, and nodding politely, she strolled around Jill to return to wherever she belonged.

Well, damn! 

Turning on heel, Jill glared at the crowd, as if all the other parents were at fault, while I stupidly stood in place, instead of bolting.  That was when she spied me, and her fierce expression turned into one of bloodlust, the venom already pooling on her viperous tongue. 

She scanned my entire crew, her eyes momentarily resting on each one of us.  At Wen and Noodnick, Jill’s teeth turned up in a snarl.  At Taul, she rolled her eyes, and at Amyr, she stopped and stared, her mouth falling open in surprise. 

This is going to be interesting, Wen murmured, as Jill headed in our direction, her lips tipping upward, almost into a smile.  Her eyes were busy surveying the alien kid, resting just a moment too long on his biceps, and other important places.

Lance! she purred, blowing an air-kiss in my direction, her eyes still locked on Amyr, or parts of him.  Did Sandy get off alright?

Of course, Jill.  We were here on time.  How much did it cost the Alliance to reroute your ship just so you could miss seeing Sandy depart for college?

Oh, you’re so funny, Lance.  Jill sneered briefly, just long enough so I would get her point.  Then, she turned her gaze back to the alien kid, and smiled in a way that I once found seductive.  That was long ago.  Very long ago.  So long ago it felt like it never happened.

I’m not trying to be funny, I replied.  I was just considering the bill the Allied taxpayer will have to pay.  It can’t be cheap to move a Starship with a crew of eight hundred solely on the captain’s whim.

Shut up, Lance.  Jill sidled closer to Amyr, holding out her hand as if to shake.  He glanced at it, while taking a long drag on his cigarette.  Who is this, Lance?  I don’t think we’ve met before.  I would have remembered.  I would always remember a guy who looks like this.

Wen giggled and Noodnick rolled his eyes, while I considered how best to respond.  As much as it pained me to say it, I would greatly enjoy informing Jill that Amyr was her daughter’s boyfriend.  No.  Actually, I wouldn’t.  I couldn’t say it.  Just the thought of it caused bile to rise in my throat.  Instead, I envisioned a shotgun loaded full of ammo and aimed at the alien kid’s head. 

This is Amyr, I somehow managed to choke out, waving my hand vaguely in the kid’s direction.  He’s a crewman on my ship.  He’s in charge of janitorial duties.

I bet your freightplane is very clean.

Amyr smiled, and exhaled another cloud of smoke.

It is, Wen agreed.  Amyr does good work.

Jill made a purring noise, one that she was far too old to make.  She reached out and ran a finger down the kid’s forearm.  All that scrubbing takes a lot of strength.  I can see you are well equipped for that.  Have you ever thought of joining SpaceForce?  I have some vacancies in my crew.  I’m Captain of the S/S Asteroid.  My recommendation can get you a job practically overnight.

I could.  Amyr frowned as if he was actually considering the thought.  I would like to be on Sandy’s ship.

No, you wouldn’t, I declared, grabbing his arm and pulling him away.  Good seeing you, Jill, but we’ve got to get moving.  Wen, are we ready to shove off?

I think our debarkation slot is at noon, Wen replied. 

Lance, he wants to join SpaceForce, Jill protested, reaching for Amyr’s other arm, and pulling him in her direction.

No, he doesn’t, I insisted as the two of us played a tug of war with the alien guy.  Really, Amyr, you won’t like it.  Spandex uniforms, crappy cafeteria food, and cabins shared with at least three other guys.  The Flying Mule is a luxury cruise ship compared to the Asteroid.  Trust me, I’ve been there.  I know.

Actually, I think I can get you a dispensation, Jill continued, practically wrapping her body around his right side.  Because I have an immediate need for a crewman with your...uh...skill, I can probably hire you today.  I bet our pay scale is better than Lance’s, and SpaceForce employment includes all sorts of other...shall we say...benefits.  Does he give you medical, Amyr?  We’ve got dental coverage, too, room and board, a uniform allowance, and paid vacations.

I’ve been meaning to give you a raise, Amyr, I declared.  You’ve become a tremendous asset to our crew.  Nood, make a note that Amyr gets more money, and his teeth are fine, Jill.  It’s the optical insurance that he really needs.

How much money? Wen mumbled.  I could use optical coverage, too.

I could have said, double Amyr’s pay, or triple it even, whatever it took to keep the kid out of SpaceForce and away from Sandy’s ship.  I didn’t have any illusions that he would stay on the Asteroid for very long.  In fact, I fully expected him to transfer immediately to wherever Sandy would be assigned.

Whatever.  Amyr shrugged us off and walked away.  He strode over to the window to finish smoking his cigarette.

I want him, Jill murmured under her breath.

He's Sandy's boyfriend, I reluctantly announced.  Sorry, Jill, but the dude is taken by our daughter.  Unless something odd happens, chances are that alien freak is going to be your son-in-law.

Chapter 2

Rekah

HAVE YOU CAUGHT ANYTHING? Ronan asked, joining me on the bridge and peering into my bucket, which remained forlorn and empty.  Apparently, not.

I reeled up my line, and removed a large clump of branches and leaves, set another worm to the hook, and cast out again.  It hit the water with a satisfying thunk, quickly disappearing beneath the river’s current, while Ronan leaned over the bridge’s railing, a hand on his glasses.  I think you lost it.  Yes.  I see your hook bobbing on the water, bereft of both worm and fish.  Then, he chuckled, annoying me even more.

Would you like to try, since you fancy yourself an expert in all manner of things?  Let us see what great salmon you may snare on your hook.  I held out both rod and reel, as well as a large worm to be attached.  Perhaps, the Holy Books have given you the secret to catching fish?

No, they speak nothing of fish, my brother laughed, and emphatically shook his head.  I have always found fishing to be a boring and fruitless endeavor.  There is a skill to it, I am certain, but whatever it is remains elusive to me.  I applaud your efforts, dear King-brother.  You are indeed a multi-talented fellow.  If you fail at this challenge, do not fear, you shall be successful in another.

Is that right?  Do the Holy Books say this, too?  Now, I dumped the entire bucket of worms into the rapids, whereupon they quickly disappeared, snatched by the jaws of the very fish I had sought to snare.  Infuriated, I nearly sent my rod and reel after the bait.  It was only my brother’s hand which stayed them from joining the river’s current. 

No, they do not, Ronan said, taking my arm and guiding me from the bridge.  You are angry these days from all manner of things.  Come, let us purchase a fish from the market, and present it to the serving woman to prepare.  If it would please you, I shall tell her you caught it with your bare hands.  Not even a hook or net was needed by our hunter-king.  He jumped into the water, and reached down to the river bed, wrestling and conquering the knife-edged fins of the river salmon.  Ronan thought this funny, so much so,