Knight�s Pride
By T.F. Kit
Chapter 13: Enough of a Pirate
Again the room seemed to hold their breath waiting for what would be said next. Lillian on the other hand was looking straight at KaLee. Her brown eyes boar into the commanders own blue ones.
�How long?� KaLee voiced the question, her jaw was tight.
�Three months.� Was the clip response.
�Shit.� Spikes voice was barely audible even in the silence.
�It is not something I wish to relive at this point in time. I too have an appointment but mine is Wednesday afternoon.� A slight wired smile came to Lillian�s face.
�How did you escape?� KaLee asked the next question.
�There was a rescue mission. Togle did not know who survived or not so he mounted a private rescue expedition. Then with the help of the Dark Knight we were��
�The what?!� Both Derk and Deida asked the question. Cole was just sitting there in absolute shock and Droe�s fur bristled.
�So he helped you again?� KaLee continued to probe the situation with questions.
Lillian�s body was tense but her face was impassive. �If it wasn�t for him I would not have survived my time there.� KaLee watched as the Corporal continued to talk. �I was put in his cell after the first week. It was meant to be a part of my torture. Put me in the cell with the monster then I�ll talk.�
KaLee noted the venom with which Lillian spat out the words, there was bitterness there a pain KaLee could not quite place. Who are you bitter at Corporal? Your captors, the Dark Knight, or yourself?
�He did not harm me, he protected my mind from what they did.� That almost came out in a whisper. �Then with his help I was able to escape and get to a hidden location before being picked up by Togle�s rescue team.� Lillian clamped her mouth shut and KaLee could see that it was done. Very little that would be asked now would get a descent response.
�How did he help?� Cole asked.
�More importantly who did he help?� Droe�s voice held tension almost anger to it.
�He was able to use his abilities to distract the guards and sneak us out.� Lillian answered. �As for why you would have to ask him.�
KaLee saw Droe�s fur bristle more intently. There was tension there, something that needed to be worked out. Not today� later though. KaLee knew from the posturing of the Kaven that now was not the time for the questions she wanted to ask so instead she said, �Well looks like we are moving on.�
�What happened while you were there?� Cole asked, his own tension growing. �How did he protect your mind?�
�He just did.� She answered. �I do not understand the abilities of the Dark Knights. All I know is that he protected me while I was in his cell.� The pain that was evident in what she was saying seemed to project from her.
�So you just trusted this Dark Knight no questions asked?� Droe�s voice rose slightly a tight growl began forming in his throat.
�Yes.� Her answer was tight as was her body.
�How could you?� It almost came out a roar and his fur shifted down his back.
�To survive I would do what was necessary.� Lillian�s voice never wavered but her own tension slammed hard into the rest of her body.
A slew of barks and growls came from Droe as he rose to his hind legs. Everything was movement. KaLee was between Droe and Lillian as Lillian shot up pushing her chair backwards to the floor. Spike had bolted out of his chair and was pushing Lillian away his back to Droe but keeping an eye on the Kaven. All the others had stood as well, but were staying where they stood waiting to see what would happen next.
�Droe stand down.� KaLee�s voice boomed in the room with as much power as a Kaven.
Droe shifted his positioning to face her. �Don�t you dare.� He growled at her and she felt the rumble in her chest.
�You need to stand down Droe.� Her voice was now normal, but still held command.
�I will not�� He started his fur a mass of movement.
�Droe.� Derk�s voice was soft and hesitant but there.
KaLee risked a glance over to him. He was scared she could tell that much but he was there. He had placed his hand on Droe�s arm and moved up next to him. Droe tilted his head towards Derk and KaLee felt the shift.
Good they trust each other. She allowed herself to relax slightly.
Droe then shifted his attention back in front of him. �This isn�t over Corporal. Nor is it with you Commander.� His tone was dark but his fur lay with relative calm.
�Noted Droe. Noted.� KaLee responded glancing around the rest of the room.
Deida and Cole had moved to block the door but now ere replacing out of their fighting stances. Ryan had managed to maneuver to protect her back and Spike was still protecting Lillian but not as overtly as before.
Most likely Lillian will end up protecting you Spike. KaLee gave a little sigh. But then again you might surprise me on that end.
Every one cautiously sat back down.
�Okay.� Spike said looking around the room. �That was fun. So who�s next?�
KaLee looked at Droe and asked her question before they went on. �Is what just happened going to be a distraction?�
Droe set his head back down on Derk�s lap. �No. As I said this isn�t over and I will be talking to both you and Lillian. But it will not distract me. Will it you Corporal?� KaLee looked to Lillian as Droe asked his question.
�No it will not.� Her tone was clip, something was bothering her but there was nothing KaLee could do, at least not at the moment.
�Okay then.� She said shifting her gaze back to Spike. �It is between you and Cole. Either one of you want to volunteer?� She looked over to the young Cadet. He shifted uncomfortable y in his seat.
�Well,� Spikes voice floated in the room. �Looks like it would be me.�
KaLee looked back towards the pirate. �The question comes as to what story to enthrall you with.� He leaned back in his chair and looked at he ceiling. �Should I tell you about the ruins on Vediox-Nine. Or the space attack in the Storan Nebula or the Slavers heading towards Doom.� He paused dramatically.
Wait for it. KaLee thought. This should be good.
�I know� the race in the Alrign sector, six years ago.� He leveled his gaze on Cole.
�I remember that race.� Cole�s tone was now cautious wary of what might be suggested or said.
�I was sure you would. I raced in it and saw a lot of things.� Spike said a slightly sardonic smile slide into place as he spoke. �Why don�t I start form the beginning.� He took a deep breath and leaned forward on his knees. �It was before I was heavy into pirating and forum at the time good money to be made in racing.�
********
Spike sat with his hands deep into the engine of his racing ship. �Of all the days to have the filter implode.�
He dug around until he found the filter handle. It was going to be tricky pulling it out with out snapping it in half.
�Careful.�
His voice was soft and cautionary.
�Easy.�
He could feel the filter slowly moving up.
�Gently.�
It came free of its holding slip and finally Spike held it in front of him. When the filter had originally gone in it had been a flat piece of mesh curled into its holding position in the engine. Now he was looking at a small crumpled mass of charred and cindering burnt metal. His brow furrowed as he looked at it. This has been the second one since he arrived here twenty-four hours ago.
Sabotage it has to be.
He turned the filter around to look at it from all angels. He let out a long breath directly at the old filter. Half of it crumbled away.
�Well that isn�t very good.� A taunting voice came from behind.
Spike glanced over his shoulder. Standing there were two men and a woman. The two men were in flight suits and the woman clung to one of them, they were all Drule. Their blue skins making them stand out against the sea of faces.
�Hello Leether.� Spike tone was overly pleasant or rather falsely so. �Going well for you?� He turned back to his work. He was going to fix the filter port.
�Well enough.� Was the response heard then there was a snort. �Have you seen the competition Jumper?�
Spike glanced up to see a couple of young boys run across his field of vision.
�Children have no place in the racy arena.� Leether said. �And a woman as the main pilot. Doesn�t she know how dangerous it is to do what we do?�
Spike felt a twitch in the back of his mind. Something about his tone. He thought. Cautiously Spike disconnected the necessary wires and slowly slid the filer port up. Then he moved over to his workbench. Turning on his computer he watched as the screen flickered to life.
�Having some trouble Jumper?� Leether said. �Problems with you filter port?� There was almost humor in his voice.
Spike took it cautiously. �Nothing that I can�t take care of.� He responded. Spike heard the whispering behind him and a slight tittering of laughter form the girl.
�Well I hope you fix everything well enough.� Leether was chuckling now and I will see you in the race.� Spike heard them start to move away but they spoke again. �Tisk tisk tisk. I just hope she is as thorough as you are Jumper.�
It took everything Spike had not to whip around and look at Leether but he did look up at the pilot across the way. She was a tall woman with a lithe build. Her hair was shoulder length and golden blonde kissed by the sun. Spike heard Leether's bootsetps move away and breathed a small sigh of relief. That man made him nervous.
Spike knew him from other races; he had always placed in the top three. And there had always been some type of crash. There was no way to prove it of course the only thing he could do was be vigilant, like with the filter port. If he had been racing and the filter port had not been working right it could have cause this ship to stall and loose flight capability. That could be disastrous depending on where he would be in the race.
Spike debated a moment before returning to work on his filter port. The diagnostic was done.
*Connector wires not charged: recommendation, replace them.*
He read it again and his jaw clenched. Yep tampered with. I just replaced those last race. He thought there was no way that one race could have worn them out that bad. It would not take that long to replace the wires or even run a full check over of the systems. It was the fear of what Leether might have done to other ships. Get enough in a state of instability and you could have a disaster beyond imagination occur. Spike clenched his hands fighting an inner struggle before starting on the wires.
With nibble fingers, Spike did the replacements. The wires were a high capacity gage so when this race ran the engine filer would still work. This race was going to run fast and hot there was no way around it. Now for the filter. He needed to be very careful. Curling a filter took precision, distraction could cause a wrinkle in the filter and possibly for a stall. He pulled out the sealed package that contained the new filter and set it next to the port. He did one final check over the port to make sure there was no debris left form the other filet. Nope� looks clean.
Just as he was about to open the package his communicator went off. Spike involuntarily jumped. It�s fine. I am so glad I wasn�t loading it yet.
He grabbed his communicator and flipped it open. �Hello Jumper here.�
�Hi Spike.� A young girls voice came over the line.
�Hey sunshine. How ya doin�?� A grin lit up Spikes face and he glance around to see if there was anyone around.
�Doin� fine� miss you. When are you comin� home?� Spike could hear the longing in her voice.
No one near by but I am not taking any chances. He stood up and moved to his cockpit. �I don�t know for sure. There is a lot I have to do and I still have two more races.� He closed the cockpit canopy scanning around to see if anyone was watching. Have to stay cheerful don�t want to let on.
�Sister Tor�ne Zair says I have to climb Uluru and do a spiritual quest of remorse.� There was a bit of a whine to her voice now.
Spike sighed. �What happened?�
�I didn�t mean to.� She started to defend.
�Sunny.� His tone held one of authority.
�I broke one of the Uluru urns while running to go play outside.� She said. He could actually hear the remorse in her voice. �And I am not suppose to run in the Abbey.�
He shook his head. An Uluru Urn held records of the Abbey. Some were over three hundred Earth years old. Made out of clay taken from large sacred mounds called Uluru. The sisterhood originated on Earth on the Australian continent near Uluru/Ayers Rock. Spike was not overly familiar with their practices but they were willing to protect his sister and that was all that mattered.
�Other than the running in the Abbey, are you following the sisters� instruction and doing what they tell you?� Spike asked his own question.
�Yes.� She let out an exasperated sigh. �I wish I was with you.�
�I know you do sunshine.� Spike said back. �It�s just not safe.�
�It�s racing what could be so dangerous about racing?� She asked.
Spike looked out the canopy to the surrounding pilots, his eyes landed on Leether�s group. They were lounging together talking laughing, sending occasional glances over to the female pilot. Leether was the only one doing that with grace and elegance. �You�d be surprised.� He responded his tone serious. �I have to get going hon�.�
�Aaww.� She cried. He heard her desire to stay on line with him.
�I know darlin�.� He took a deep bath; this was always the hardest part, saying good-bye. �I will be stopping by in a couple of weeks.� He tried to sound happy.
�You promise?� Her voice sounded hopefully but also skeptical.
�You bet.� He said. It will be tough but I can do it. I need to get them supplies anyway. �I promise I will be there.�
�Okay.� Her voice held a little bit of pain and a slight hitching. �I miss you.�
�I will see you soon.� He said.
�I love you bro.� Her voice wavered and hitched.
�I love you too sis.� Spike felt his own resolve wavering. �Bye.�
�Bye.� She said back with a sniff.
Then the line was quite and Spike sat looking out into the surround area. What we do to protect the ones we love.
********
It took everything KaLee had not to look away when Spike told them the last thought. Toward the end Spike had locked his gaze on her and did not waiver. I understand Spike. I understand.
�You have a sister?� Deida asked.
Spike held his gaze with KaLee a moment longer before turning to Deida. �Depending on who you talk to.� He stated.
�So that was why you wanted to come here.� Derk said in amazement. Spike made no response to Derk�s statement. �What is she like?�
There was a slight cock of his head but he made no response.
�You knew they had sabotaged my mother�s ship and you didn�t do anything.� Cole�s voice was low almost threatening.
�No� I didn�t do enough though.� Spike said shifting his eyes downward.
�What do you mean?� This was from Lillian.
�Well after my communication was done I finished my work.�
�And then?� Cole asked.
�And then�� Spike started. �I tried to help.�
********
Spike finished his diagnostics and looked across the way. The woman was still working on her ship. The children were no longer around and neither was the husband.
Maybe�He turned his gaze to where Leether�s group had been. There was only one guy tending their area.
It was starting to get dark and Spike knew he had to move quickly. Packing up the last of his tools he headed over to where the woman pilot was. He made a cautious approach knowing how he looked and his reputation. He only hoped he could get her to listen.
Listen to what? His mind chided. Possibilities of what? A pirate�s guess.
He moved cautiously among the area he came near enough that he could hear her talking to herself.
�I am going to have to recalibrate the manifold.� Her voice was soft but loud enough. Pulling herself straight she looked into the open compartment and wiped her hands. She was tall for a human woman standing around 5 feet 9 inches. Her shoulder length blonde hair was pulled back into a clip.
Spike shuffled slightly making a little noise and cleared his throat. The woman whipped around to face him, her blue eyes wide and blazing.
�Hello.� Spike kept his tone gentle and non-threatening.
Slowly she backed up. �Hello?� Her voice held caution. �What can I do for you?� She took another step back ward and placed a hand on the worktable there.
�My name is Spike Jumper.� He started to explain, keeping his posture relaxed and eyes focused on her.
Her eyes narrowed. �I know who you are in both jobs.� Another step back and her hand landed on a wrench. �Why are you here?�
Spike sighed. Oh this is going to be fun. He thought before saying. �I think you should run a full diagnostics before you launch tomorrow.� He had to blunt. There was no other way. She needed to do a diagnostic.
�Why?� She asked turning herself slightly and pulling the wrench closer to herself.
�I just know how it goes for unwelcome surprises.� He did not take his eyes off of hers but remained aware of what she was doing.
�Is that a threat?� Her eyes seemed to search his intentions.
�No.� Spike wished he could just come out and tell her but that was suicide with all the connection Leether had. �Just an observation.� He heard her grip the wrench tighter.
Damn it, just do the diagnostic check. His mind screamed. His own body was getting anxious. He wanted her to just take care of her ship to say that I was done that she caught the problem. But you don�t always get what you want.
�When did you make that observation?� She was not going to just say okay and walk off. This was a pirate someone she was not sure she could trust.
�When my filter imploded on startup.� That was about as straight forward as he could get. �Leether happened by to talk to me as I was repairing it. Made some suggestions�� He paused trying to figure out if she was really listening or not. Her face remained impassive but her body and posturing was beginning to take on a different state of being. One of a pissed off woman. Spike had been on the receiving ending of that a few too many times. �I� I thought I would pass them on.�
The tension finally reached her eyes and she swore. �Son of a Bitch.�
She picked up the wrench and pulled it to her chest turning to face the ship giving Spike a clear profile. �That ass wipe.� She heaved a heavy sigh.
�I would recommend starting with�� Spike took a step forward.
She immediately shifted to back to face him; wench gripped tightly in one hand the other held out in front of her warding him off. �Stay right there.� She warned. �Don�t come any closer.�
Spike had forgotten himself. In watching her relax he had forgotten she did not trust him and that he was a pirate. His hands went up in a defensive move.
�Sorry.� He apologized quickly than shot a glance over to Leether�s area. Nope� just one guard. He was glad. Holding off a determined Leether could have proven very difficult and was not something Spike wanted to do.
He took the step back and apologized again. �I am sorry. I forgot myself.� He kept his hands up.
�Not so close Jumper.� She relaxed only slightly as he backed off. �Not so close.� No longer in complete defensive but still defensive. She also glanced up at Leether�s area. �Don�t worry.� Her focus came back to Spike. �A diagnostics is going to be run, but everything has been checking out okay.� She said.
�When was your last diagnostic?� Spike asked.
Her eyes narrowed again. �Don�t worry about it.� Now there was annoyance on her face. �It will be taken care of.�
He heard footsteps approach the area. �I had better leave.� He said beginning to back up.
�Jumper.� Her voice brought his attention to her. �Thanks.� He gave a curt not and moved away out of sight but not earshot.
�Treia darlin� everything okay?� It was her husband.
Spike cringed. Not many of the pilots liked him.
Droughty Asterfeild was a good pilot but he was annoying, arrogant and borderline abusive of his workers. Who happened to be his children and wife.
�Oh yeah� just thought I would run a diagnostics.� She spoke to him and Spike could hear the hesitation in her voice.
What happened to the strong confidant woman who brandished a wrench in my face a few moments ago? He asked himself.
�Why?� Droughty asked.
�Just a hunch.� She said.
�Just a hunch?� He responded back.
�That and� Leether has been watching us all day.� She started gaining back more confidence.
Spike heard the shifting movement of Droughty looking to where Leether�s camp was set up then asked. �You sure?�
�Yup I am sure.� There was another shifting movement.
�Okay.� His voice was a little softer. �I�ll run the diagnostic. You need your sleep.�
�Thank you honey.� Her voice was genuinely happy. �You don�t have to. I can do it.�
There was more movement and sound. �Yeah I do.� His tone was casual unassuming. �You�ve done a lot of t work today and it would be my way of helping out.�
�Oh hon�.� Her tone was soft and loving. There were other sounds and Spike knew that he was intruding.
So he moved away. That should be good. I hope I am wrong and there is nothing wrong. He sighed and made it to his sleeping area just a little ways from his ship.
Settling in Spike managed to let go and fall asleep. The one thought that ran through his head as he drifted away was: Tomorrow is going to be an exciting race.
********
The room was again quite. The group waited a moment but Spike sat not speaking focused on something else.
Then his chair scraped loudly on the floor as he stood. Everyone else jumped and breath entered their lungs again. Spike glanced around as though remembering for the first time there were others here. He walked over to the coffee pot and drained the rest into his cup. He stood there and took a sip.
KaLee could feel the inpatients of the twins.
�So�� Deida drawled out the word and KaLee saw a twitch of a smile pull on Spike�s face. He knew the next question that was coming and it was not one he was looking forward to.
�How was the race?� Deida finished her question.
Spike glanced briefly at KaLee before settling his gaze on Cole. But it was not Spike who spoke.
Cole�s voice was soft but defiantly heard and filled with bitterness. �It was an exciting race.�