Space 3

[Zorg]

The captain returned to the bridge of the enemy ship, just as Jean was completing his thourough examination of the area.
"Jean! I want their cargo holds cleared out... move it all over to our ship."
Jean hesitantly nodded, and went off to insure that the instructions got carried out.

[Rosencrantz]

After the funeral for the navigation officer Sam, Jean started the ship towards the nearest port station Star Sentinal. Despite being the nearest it was still almost two weeks travel away, and on the way the cargo ship could not help but incounter more pirates. They were all to common in that part of the independent territory. Fortunately there were also all rather unorganized, and the offensive deffense being ordered by the captain continued to work with little harm to the crew of the Nuria. Despite the recent influx of danger into his line of work, with the new means of defence, the captain seemed much more at ease with himself then he had been before.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Captain, we're approaching Star Sentinal now. I've requested docking clearance, and it was been granted at dock 4."
"Good... Jean, dock us up." Edward turned on the intercom. "Crew... we are now arriving at Star Sentinal... you will all be permitted fourty-eight hours of shore leave."

[JoJo the Magic Sheep]

The night shift had long since begun on the Star Sentinel. Those not on duty were sleeping in their quarters, preparing for the next day's work. In the sections where the day-shifters slept, most of the lights had been dimmed and all was relatively quiet. But none slept too easily. Rumors had been passing.
Six women and two men had disappeared without a trace in the last month, and while most believed they had simply jumped a ship and left, there were some who believed quite differently. There was a shadow in the corridors, and a thumping in the vents. And while no one really knew what it was, they were all beginning to have their doubts.
It was here that Laszlo Beckert had finally found his brother.
Flashlight held in his teeth, Lazzy looked down into the storage compartment, straining his eyes to see in the dark. Expecting to find no one there, he jumped when he saw the figure of a young woman in a chair nearby, her back to him. He stared at her for a moment, and when she didn't move, Laszlo made up his mind to jump into the space below.
Once down, he moved silently through the piles of crates and boxes of junk that had been abandoned in this forgotten section of the station. Some had obviously just been emptied, their contents strewn all over the floor. But where had they gone?
"Or did they go anywhere at all?" the man muttered, fingering the edge of one crate. He had, by now, turned off his flashlight, but as he became aware of his surroundings, he suddenly decided that it was probably best to get his gun out, just in case. Oscar could be anywhere, after all.
With sadness and frustration, Lazzy remembered how he had started on this journey. His mother had been dying.
"Lazzy," she had said, not six months earlier, "I've been thinking about your brother..."
So it starts.
"Bring him home. There are people here who can take care of him."
"But Mama, you know what he was like..."
"Which is why you must bring him home. No one else can. Although, if it comes to it, you know what you must do..."
"I know, Mama..."
"But do this... for me, your Mama. An old woman's dying wish."
In the present, Laszlo shook his head. "Such a mama's boy..."
But something, a movement out of the corner of his eye, pulled him out of his thoughts. He jerked his head to the left, just in time to see a shadow duck behind a crate. Could it be...? He'd come so far, yet Oscar, a derranged mutant who somehow shared family ties, had been able to outsmart him at every turn. But not this time...
"Ladislav, Guardian, Sentinel from the Oranges."
Lazzy turned quickly to see his brother, short, hunched, and looking more alive and yet more dead than he'd ever seen him before.
"Oscar. I've been looking for you."
"What for?" the smaller man asked, eyeing his brother's gun. The latter made careful note to put it down immediately.
"Mama... Mama's dead, Oscar."
"You came all this way to tell me that?"
"Yes."
Oscar nodded and began to approach, looking up suspiciously at this intruder. "And she sent you?"
"Yes..."
"NO!"
"I'm sorry?"
"I don't believe you!"
Oscar lunged at Laszlo, who ducked away only just in time. He held out his gun. "Don't move!"
Oscar stayed where he was, emitting a low-pitched gargle. "They sent you, didn't they? I finally, finally get away, and they send you! When did they turn you?"
"No one's turned me, you little sideshow freak! I'm your brother!"
"The oranges don't discriminate!" he cried. Then, with a sly smile, he added, "Nor do I against them."
He glanced over at the form in the chair, now fully visible from its position in the crates. Gun still held high, Laszlo began to move towards it, until it stood between him and his brother. One look at the face, and he knew.
It was a woman, as guessed before, but she was long dead. A rope lay around her neck, loosened just enough so that her head flopped to one side. Her eyes were still open, and in the middle of her forehead, a small circle had been carved into her skin with a slash dividing it through the middle.
"I thought it was you."
"You heard about me?"
"Yes, but I was already in town."
"So they knew all along that I was here!"
"No, I knew all along that you were here! Me, me, me!"
He cocked the gun and aimed it at Oscar's face.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm sick of this, Oscar! Ever since we've been kids, I've been your goddam cleanup crew, your sentinel from the oranges or whatever shit you came up with! There are no oranges, nothing! I came to bring you home, to help you! But you know what I've been thinking, Osky? This is ending right here, right now. Is this getting through to you or do I need to insert random citrus fruits in for nouns?"
"So you confess!" Oscar snarled.
"Yeah, okay. I confess! I'm a fucking orange, Oscar. The Orange Assassin. No, the Grand Poo-Bah of Oranges. It was me, all along! Out to..."
But a strange look had come over his brother's face. It wasn't fear, or anger. It was a wild, frenzied look, as if he knew his moment for glory had come. It frightened Laszlo. He fired and missed.
"And I stand alone..." Oscar began, taking a razor blade out of his left pocket. "I alone against them..."
Laszlo fired again, and struck him in the right arm.
"When all gods forsake me..." he went on, raising the blade to his face. "I have no choice..."
"What are you doing?"
Oscar just smiled broader as the blade came in contact with his forehead.
"They shall not have me!"
He began to slice into his forehead in arcs, making an asymmetrical circle on his brow. Blood began to trickle down his nose and over his eyebrows. He laughed as he made the final incision through the circle.
"What are you doing!"
"Saving myself from you!" Oscar screamed, throwing the razor blade at him. "I did it for them! I loved them!" He gestured to the woman in the chair, and to the crates. "They are safe, as I shall be! But I won't go down without a fight!"
And with that, he lunged at his brother. Terrified, Lazzy shut his eyes and fired, jumping when he heard the decisive thump a few feet in front of him. He opened his eyes and looked down at Oscar, who lay still, but alive.
"Hey, Lazzy?"
"What?"
"They'll think you did it..."
"No, of course not."
"Will they, won't they? My lady might know..."
Laszlo fired another time, and it was over.

[JoJo the Magic Sheep]

Two hours later, Laszlo had already returned to his hotel room and packed all his bags, preparing to leave. But where to? He'd quit his last job and thrown away everything he'd been doing to hunt Oscar down, and now that was over. "Family troubles," he'd told a close friend at the time. Family troubles indeed.
It was late, but not late enough to sleep, so Lazzy put his coat back on and wandered down the street to a bar he'd seen there.
"Something with vodka," he told the bartender. "But not a screwdriver."
The man nodded and went on to perform his task as Laszlo looked at the people around him. Quite against his will, his eyes met with those of a woman two seats down. She was short, thin, and very, very drunk.
"Hello, love!"
"Oh, Jesus..." he muttered under his breath. He had expected her to go away, but to his dismay, she plopped herself down next to him just as his drink arrived. "Thanks," he said to the bartender.
"You look awful sober to be out this late."
"Yes, well..."
The woman held out her hand. "Me mum calls me Penelope, but you can call me Pip. Pip's wha' everyone calls me."
Realizing that this wasn't going to end anythime soon, Laszlo reluctantly took her hand. "Laszlo Beckert."
"That's a funny name."
"Hm."
"I got a buddy 'round here someplace. Must've popped off to use the lavat'ries or somethin'. His names Doddy. That's Doddy to me, but you can call him somethin' else."
She let her eyes wander around the room, as if looking for him. Laszlo took the opportunity to taste his drink, but Pip slapped him on his back just as he raised it to his lips. So he set it down again.
"So wha' brings you here?"
"A funeral."
"We jus' had one of those, didn't we, D...? Oh, yeah. Anyways, we jus' had one of those."
"Is that so?"
"Yep. Navigation Officer, he was. Real quiet fellow..."
"Navigation Officer, did you say?"
"Yep. He got shot, whether by some arsehole on a boat or by the cook, it's hard to tell. Doddy knows but he won't tell me..."
But the wheels were already turning in Lazzy's head.
"So, you'll be, uh... looking for someone soon, won't you? To fill the position?"
"Cap'n hasn't said anyfing, but he doesn't say much to anybody anyway. He usually growls it out!"
She engaged in a deep-felt gut laugh. Laszlo rolled his eyes.
"So what do you do?"
"Oh, me? I'm Assistant Maintenance Technician..."
Ah, a janitor...
"And where are you docked? Just out of curiosity..."
"Oh, yeah, that's... 47B? C? No, 47...D. Yeah. 47D."
"Fantastic. Well, it's been lovely chatting, but I must get back to... um... preparations, and that sort of thing."
"Oh, understood, understood..."
"But you take care."
"I will, Laszly!"
She raised her glass in appreciation as Laszlo paid for his drink.
"Perhaps I'll see you around."
She waved to him as he left.
"Who was that?" Goddard asked as he returned.
"I dunno. Naszly, Laszly..."
"Ah. Well, another drink?"
"Always."

Meanwhile, Laszlo had an idea. It was perfect, especially if he might have to make a quick getaway. He would get on a ship, take a job, and never return to the Star Sentinel... or to Oscar. Chapter Seven and a Half of Laszlo Beckert's life had officially begun. He began to make his way to 47 D.

[Phil The Impaler]

Edward walked slowly off his ship, and onto the station, flanked by both Jean, and Phil. It had taken the captain a while to get Phil out of his room, the lazy rich man wasn't used to taking orders, and didn't do it well at all. Even as they walked he argued about it.
"I let you use my ship, what more do you want out of me."
"I want you to take some damn responsibility like everyone else Phil! That's why I'm putting you in charge of sell off all this stuff we lifted from the attackers. Considering your background you should be able to find a buyer."
"Of course I can! But that doesn't mean I should have to."
"Just do it."
As the two men argued they continued to walk, not really paying any attention. Jean had been and he saw the man about to come around the corner, but he didn't bother to interupt his bickering crewmates as they too were about to make the turn.
The large Mantella collided with the other fellow.
"Watch where your going... Where do you think your going anyway... there isn't anything down this hall exept the dock for my ship."

[JoJo the Magic Sheep]

Laszlo took a second to strighten himself up, then answered casually and formally, though only as confidently as he dared.
"Your ship? So I take it you're the captain of the vessel parked at 47D? Of course, if that's.... Well, anyway, I heard you had a position open, and I've come to see if I could fill it. Laszlo Beckert, at your service. I can give you my full resume, if you'd like, but I figured that it would be better for me to first make sure that there actually was an opening."
There was a slight pause.
"You are looking for a new Navigation Officer, aren't you?"

[Phil The Impaler]

Phil looked up at Edward.
"Technically Eddie, its my ship."
"Don't call me Eddie!"
The captain turned back towards Laszlo. There was something about him that he just didn't like already.
"Well as a matter of fact Mr. Beckert we are looking for a new navigation officer. I'm the captain, Edward Mantella, this is my second in commange Jean Babtiste, and this is Phil Impleza, the owner of the ship."
Edward gestured to the two men in turn.
"Come on in the ship with me, and we'll discuss this matter. And you too... go get our cargo sold."

[JoJo the Magic Sheep]

Lazzy nodded to the men as they were identified, then began to follow the captain onto the ship. There was just something about him that he already didn't like. He was remembering the drunken sailoress' earlier description of the man, and he could see that Captain Mantella was indeed going to be just the sort of rigid person that might be a problem.
Ah, well. I don't have to do it for long, and it is a free ride. Navigation Officer. What a joke. ...Why isn't he talking? Perhaps he's waiting on me. Very well...
"I'm sure you probably want to hear my credentials, Captain. Well, I've worked in a variety of positions, but my official degree was in Space Navigation with minors in Space Management and Alien Biology."
Alyssa...
"After that, I worked briefly with an uncle on a shipping vessel as his lackey..."
Susan...
"Before being recruited for the ISA. Department of Alien Biology. Apparently they were impressed with some paper I write but it took them several months to find me."
Laura, oh Laura...
"I was honorably discharged. From there I've held a variety of positions on a variety of ships. Only three for any notable length of time..."
Sara, Olivia, Jackie...
"...but the end of my service on those ships was never my fault. Money was usually the chief factor to blame, either because of pirates or creditors backing out on deals. Recently I've taken a six month absence from all work for family problems and here you find me. I could go into more detail, if you want me to, but those are the bare facts." He waited for a response and, getting none, asked, "So tell me, what is it that you do on this ship?"

[Edward Mantella]

Edward nodded, it seemed somewhat apparent that he didn't really care about the credentials.
"Yes, that's all well and good... Essensially, this ship is just a freighter, we handle shipping out here border lands... from a variety of sources. If you're interested in this job you should know the pay isn't very good, but pay isn't the reason most people are on this ship. And there is just one rule, you do what I say, and don't question my authority, if you can do that we should get along just fine. Now if you'll excuse me I've got some buisness to attend to."
Edward stood, and gestured for Laszlo to leave with him, not wanting to leace him alone on the ship.
"We leave in about..." He looked down at his watch. ""Fourty-seven hours... if you want the job, be here then."

[JoJo the Magic Sheep]

Forty seven hours later, Medea sat near the main entrance of the ship, for no reason other than to hand out aspirins for all the crew members with a hangover. She had just opened a new bottle of the stuff when someone very odd boarded, dressed nicely and with two suitcases, one in each hand. Another figure passed in front of him towards her, and she stopped this one to ask.
"Hey, Andre, c'mere."
He stopped reluctantly. "Listen, Medea, about last night..."
"Oh, forget that. Who's the man?"
She pointed to the guy who was trying to ask his way around. Andre just shrugged.
"Not sure, but I think he's the new Navigation Officer."
Medea gasped, thinking to herself, Oh, Shit. Sylvia will be so pissed...
"Thanks, Andre. How's your back?"
"Better. Still a little sore."
She nodded. "Okay. Aspirin?"

[Rosencrantz]

Ross sat at his station at the bridge checking out the systems before it was time to leave. He and Gil had returned to the ship a little earlier, and saw no need to sit idlely by when there was work to get down anyway. In his examination of the systems the cyborg came across some odd additions to the ship. Four cannons had been added to the formerly unarmed ship. They were multipurpose cannons and could be used to fire a variety of things, from the simple grappling line to explosive shells to missles. There was also a cloaking device among the ships new systems. Not only were things added but there was also one major subtraction from the ship. The ships registry and identification beacon had been erased. All these things pointed towards one conclusion, and it was a conlcusion easily made by the computer minded Ross. He we need to speak to captain Mantella.
Just as that thought crossed his mind a message came over the intercom.
"All crew report to mess hall for an imporant meeting... now!"
~~~~~~~~~~
As the last of the group filed into the cafeteria Edward could be seen standing atop one of the tables, not that the captain need the extra hight to stand above the crowd. Phil and Jean stood on the floor just below him.
"First I would like to introduce our new navigation officer. Laszlo Beckert." The captain made a brief gesture towards his new officer before continueing. "But there is a more important matter at hand. I have come to the concusion that being a simple courior ship is not very profitable buisness. So I have decided that a more aggessive means of aquiring cargo will be neccessary."
Ross's suspicious were confirmed.
"Anyone who wishes to the leave the ship now, is welcome to do so."

[JoJo the Magic Sheep]

Before the assembly had begun, Medea somehow managed to slip her way next to Sylvia, already in her apron and trying to stay close to the kitchen, keeping an eye on whatever she had going in there.
"Sylvia..."
"Oh, hey, Dee. I heard you had quite a wild night with Mr. Freeman..."
"That's not important. Sylvia, there's something I've got to tell you that's not my fault but that you're still not going to like..."
But then Mantella was on the table, calling for silence. Medea winced as she watched the round, greasy little man worm his way to the front. She then looked over at Sylvia, watching her expression as the Captain began to speak.
"First I would like to introduce our new navigation officer..."
Sylvia gasped, looking from the intruder, to Medea, to the captain, and then back to Sam's replacement. Her absolute sense of anger and loathing over this, over having to admit to soon that Sam was really gone, made it impossible for her to hear anything else. Luckily, Medea paid closer attention.
"I told you 'shipping' wasn't going to last very long."
"What?" Sylvia asked, breaking out of her trance of hatred and self-pity.
"Didn't you hear? We're becoming pirates."
And now Sylvia was more disgusted. Not only was she going to have to admit to this person coming and taking the place of someone whom she really hadn't said goodbye to yet, but she was also going to have to face the idea that now she was going to be doing something illegal, meaning that if she got hurt, no one was going to care, because she would officially be a criminal. Or that's how she saw it.
"Sylvia, are you ok?"
"Yeah, I just... I just need to get back to my potatoes."
But as she turned to go back to the kitchen, she noticed the new man staring at her. She had probably raised her voice a little too loud, but it didn't matter. He was looking at her. So she shot him an incredibly hateful look and, desperately trying to stay upright, hobbled back into the kitchen.
Medea looked back over the crowd, noticing that very few even looked to be on the verge of leaving. She could tell some couldn't really understand the vague language of the captain, but most seemed to grasp it and looked even enthusiastic about the prospect of making more money. The doctor couldn't help but smile.
But then, suddenly, her eyes met with those of the new Navigation Officer. Beckett, was it? Something to that effect. He was looking at her puzzlingly, his eyes darting to the kitchen door as if to ask, "What's with her?" Medea shook her head, motioning to herself, then to her mouth, and then at the man, then to her watch.
"I.. talk... you... later."

[JoJo the Magic Sheep]

"Take a seat, Mr. Beckett."
"It's Beckert."
"Oh. Sorry. But please, do sit."
She gestured to one of the plush living seats in her room, and he awkwardly sat in it, looking around. He wasn't quite sure what this whole thing was about, why they had to have a private conference to discuss why the cook had a stick up her ass. But he obliged this woman, this... who was it? He looked up at her as she stood at the minibar nearby, looking through it.
"I'm sorry, I never caught your name."
"Medea Skellig, ship doctor. Would you like anything to drink?"
"Anything but a screwdriver."
She laughed. "You're in luck. No orange juice anywhere on the premises. You'd have to see Sylvia about that."
She kept it simple, handing him a beer and, with one for herself, sat down in the chair opposite him. "I'd offer you something better, but I usually keep it stowed away for special occasions. You see, the trick is that while the rest of the crew goes out and gets incredibly drunk for a few hours, I stock up for a weeks-long voyage. But don't tell anyone or they'll all be at my door wanting more than what they might've gotten from Sylvia. My stuff's better, anyway."
"You have a lot of trust in me."
"Well, it's not that big of a secret. Goddard probably already knows anyway."
"Goddard?"
"The janitor. He knows everything. It's really amazing."
He nodded, not quite sure how to bring up what he really wanted to say. So he sat in silence as Medea inconspicuously looked over him, noting his nervous habits and twitches. It was her way of fingerprinting.
"You want to ask about the cook," she said at last. "Why she gave you that look and ran out."
"Well... yes."
"It puzzles you. You wonder what you've done wrong so soon. Am I correct?"
"Yes, you're very good."
She smiled at him. "Good answer, Mr. Beckert."
"Please, call me Laszlo."
"And you can call me Medea, if you like." She set her drink down on the table next to her and clasped her hands in her lap for a bit more sincerity. "I like you, Laszlo. I can't think of any good reason so note that it's not your merits that make me trust you, but you seem like a nice guy, so I'll tell you why the cook hates your guts."
Laszlo listened intently as she went on.
"Sylvia is... that's her name, Sylvia, that's who I've been talking about... anyway, she's been through a hard time recently. Your predecessor and she and I were good friends for a long time. And over time they grew a separate affection for one another. Do you see where I'm going with this?"
"I think so."
"I'll continue then. They were something like lovers, though without the sex, I think. At any rate they were close, but I don't think you should ask me to be able to understand it, because I really don't. But I don't think she's really been able to accept yet that he's gone... he died, you see... and now here comes the replacement and you're causing her to have to accept something before she's really ready to. You're the embodiment of change, something abhorrent to Sylvia right now. But give her time. I mean, Christ, she hasn't even met you yet. I'm sure she'll be fine in a few weeks."
"Thank you. I just wondered if I'd... done something wrong."
"Oh, goodness no. But I would try and wean you onto her, if you get my meaning. Don't try to completely force yourself on her, 'Look at me, the new Navigation Officer!' or anything like that. Eventually she'll get over it. I'm sure Sylvie and I will be spending a lot of nights over a glass of wine in here on your behalf."
They shared a laugh, and Medea returned to her bottle.
"I also have a feeling that the two of us will get to know each other every well. Or at least, I hope so."
He smiled. "Me, too."

[JoJo the Magic Sheep]

A couple of weeks went by, and Laszlo learned that his job was, pretty much, to do nothing and look smart. Not that it bothered him too much yet, but he was wondering what was going to happen when he really got bored.
He and Medea were also spending a lot of time together, and although he had heard of her reputation as a slut, she never tried to sleep with him, and he never initiated. He had someone else on his mind.
Sylvia.
He couldn't stop thinking about her. It wasn't because he loved her or anything silly like that, but almost because he wanted to pin her down and scream at her, "It's not going to kill you to talk to me!"
Then, one night, he woke up and decided to take a walk. And, though he didn't know whay, he went straight to the galley.

Sylvia couldn't sleep. She had wandered from her room into the kitchen, gotten out some strawberries, and began to cut them into long sections. She felt like making strawberry shortcake. She was just slicing her last berry when she heard a noise behind her. She turned around slowly, not expecting to see anyone there. It was the new Navigation Officer.
"Hello," she said coldly.
"Good evening," he replied, taking a few steps into the kitchen.
"What brings you to my parlor?" she asked, trying not to be too rude but still wanting to send the message across.
"I dunno. What brings you to be making dessert at two in the morning?"
"I was hungry."
"Well, I couldn't sleep."
He sat down on a stool next to the counter. He watched her finish chopping and then get out a pre-made cake about the size of her fist.
"Would you like one?" she asked.
"Yes, please."
She set another cake down on the counter she was working on. And Laszlo watched her.
"You know, I don't think we've been properly introduced." He got down off his stool and approached her. "I'm Lazzy."
He extended his hand, but she had strawberry on hers and didn't shake it. "Sylvia."
"I know."
"Well, I knew your name, too. Medea's told me a lot about you."
"Really?"
"Well, not a lot. But some."
"Oh."
He took one of the strawberries she hadn't cut up and popped it in his mouth. "I love those things."
"Me, too. Everything the body needs."
He snickered. "Everything?"
She wasn't quite sure where he was going, and it showed. "Well, yes, I suppose. Obviously not everything." She looked at him with a puzzled expression on her face. "What'd you have in mind?"
That was his cue. He grabbed her waist, hard, and kissed her. She slapped him.
"What in the hell are you doing?"
"I'm sorry, that was out of line."
"Out of line? I hate you!"
"You want to do it again?"
No hesitation. "Yeah, okay."
Things led to other things, and the strawberry shortcake still laid untouched on the counter by the next morning. He had tamed his beast.

[Phil The Impaler]

~Back to the present (that series of flashbacks was far to long)~

Phil lounged rather uselessly on the bridge as he so often did, glaring over at Edward until he finally spoke up.
"Ya know Eddie..."
"Don't call me Eddie!"
"...you really ought to fire that guy."
"Laszlo? Yes, I was planning to look for a replacement next time we port. I've disliked him from day one, and as of late he's been challenging my authority far to much for his own good."
"Good, I'm glad you agree he's a threat."
Jean, whom had been listening in added his two sence, "We can only hope his dismissal isn't to upsetting for much of the rest of the crew, its seems a lot of people looked up to him, more so than to you."
"Yes, our cook for one is certain to be upset." He chuckled, but no one else seemed to get the choke. None of them were quite so observant as to know about what he was reffering too.

[JoJo the Magic Sheep]

As Laszlo walked back up to the bridge, he met Medea standing in the door to the sick bay. She wore gloves and an apron, which was spattered in blood.
"What happened?" he asked. She shrugged.
"Had to pull a tooth. The guy didn't like it and landed his hand down on all the dental tools, split his palm open. Had to stitch it back up."
Laszlo managed as much of a smile as was possible, but his anger was still too strong, and Medea sensed it.
"How about you? Mantella on your ass again?"
He nodded.
"Come to my quarters tonight. We'll discuss it over some wine."
"I have to meet Sylvia later on."
"I won't keep you, and it's not like I'm screwing you. She won't mind."
He thought for a second. "Right after dinner?"
"Sure. See you then."

*****

That evening, Laszlo knocked on the doctor's door.
"It's open."
He found her reading a book and sipping on a glass of red wine. She looked up as he entered, marking her book with a piece of paper.
"You didn't go to dinner?" he asked.
She shook her head. "I felt a touch sick to my stomach. Nothing a little alcohol won't cure."
She raised her glass again, finishing it off. "Please, sit," she gestured, standing herself and advancing to the bar. There she refilled her glass and brought out a second for the Navigation Officer, who took it graciously.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it." She sat again. "So Eddie's been giving you more shit, eh?"
"Of course he has. And it's really starting to piss me off."
"Do tell."
"He'll ask my opinion, because it's my job, then do the complete opposite. I don't even think it's because he believes he's right. I think he's just toying with me. Did he do that to Sam?"
Medea shrugged. "Sam never complained, but then Sam wasn't one to complain much. I don't think so. Mantella tolerated Sam, I think, but he hates you. I think you're right; it amuses him to see you suffer."
"I want to kill him."
"You and half the crew."
He saw a flash in her eyes that indicated a latent content to her words. It intrigued Laszlo, but it also frightened him slightly.
"What are you playing at, Medea?" he asked finally, watching the corners of her mouth curve upward as he did so.
"Oh, it wouldn't be play, Lazzy. I'm being completely serious."
"About what?"
"Many of the men are willing to follow you..."
"Follow me? I don't understand..."
"Anything to get that tyrant out of their hair..."
"You don't possibly mean..."
[color=#]"A mutiny?"[/color]
She had leaned forward, but now returned to the relaxed position in her chair. "It's exaclty what I mean, Laszlo. The men are disgruntled, they're angry. And they need a leader and I know, you know they would follow you! All you have to do is say the word!"
"And why do I have to lead it? Why not you, if you're so keen on it?"
"Because you're a better planner, and you have more resolve to follow through. Hell, you tracked your brother halfway across the universe, I'd say that accounts for something."
Laszlo exhaled softly and put his face in his hands. He was tired. He didn't want to think about this tonight. He wanted to find himself in Sylvia's arms, away from thought and strategy and anything that required thinking.
But he was also ready to lead a revolution, if he were called to, which was exactly what Medea was doing. Laszlo hated Mantella. Not just for things that had been done to him, but to all the men. That man was ruthless, authoritarian, and he wouldn't, but Laszlo really wanted to say, evil, if a human being were capable of such a thing. So in that sense, Mister Beckert was in no way reluctant to lead this proposed uprising.
"It's just such a big ordeal," he thought aloud.
"What?"
He looked up at her. "How long have you thought about this, Medea?"
She shrugged. "It crossed my mind once or twice, putting dislocated shoulders back in their sockets or giving some guy stitches on that man's account. But seriously? Just now, when you said you hated him. I thought, 'We can't go on this way, scrounging for pay without so much as a day's rest while he slaps us around like children.' It's not fair, and I'm as sick of it as you are. Now is the time to act."
He nodded. "Now is the time to act. But we'll need time to plan."
"Plan."
"So keep it down low. If we abandon the plan, it'll be better for our credibility, in case we pick it back up later."
"Right."
"Tell no one. Not even Sylvia."
"But why? Surely we can trust Sylvie?"
He was in the middle of taking a swig of wine, so she had to wait until he swallowed it. "Of course we can trust her, but she has nothing immediate to offer, and if we're found out it'd be better just you and me than you and me and her."
"Okay, sure."
"Great. Give me some time, and I'll give you the signal."
He stood to leave. "You take care Medea."
"You too, Lazzy."
He turned to go.
"Hey, Lazzy?"
He stopped.
"Vive la revolucion, eh?"

[Edward Mantella]

There was a knock on the door to Edward's cabin.
"What?!"
"It Jean... I'd like to speak with you about a few things."
"I'll meet you in the conference room."
It was the response Jean had expected, the captain never let anyone into his own quarters.
"Yes sir."

It was not much later that the two men, the oldest on the crew, met in the conference room.
"Sir... its about the crew."
"What about them."
"Their discontent."
"I am well aware Jean. We live a heard life out here, forced to pirating to save our own skinns from raiders. Its the only way to keep everyone fed, and even with pirating its hard... We have enough trouble finding a market where we can sell with out getting found out. Its not easy, and so I have to be hard to... Its the only way we'll survive, and they hate me for it."
It was true that he did need to be hard... although he was perhaps a bit harsher than was truely neccessary.
"I sense trouble among the crew also. And Laszlo isn't helping the situation. I fear the worst, and I take it you do as well. We can trust the brothers... speak with them about this, make sure they are ready for trouble also... But not a word to Phil... He's on our side, but he's not know for keeping secrets... We don't want word out that we're suspicious. We're gonna have to let this things happen.. And then deal with it. It's the only way."