Wishes (Malik's Tales - 10)

The medic stood up and returned his hands to his rifle, assessment easily complete. ‘Dead sir, maybe 30 minutes. Clean kill, well executed.’

Dran seethed at the news but made no comment. The rooms intended guest had left an empty trolley and a corpse to mark her exit, and he did not have the time to hunt through the tunnels and air ducts to find her again.

‘That’s it.’ he barked ‘Standard fall back down this corridor to the hanger. Ships prepped and entrance covered. Let’s bleed them down as they follow then hope they are dumb enough to enter the hanger before we clear…..show them what a ships blasters can do to meat.’

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‘What the hells do you think you are doing!?’

Vic froze at the sound of his sister’s voice, his hands half way through stuffing a pair of her smalls into the plastic bag he held.

‘I….it’s not how it looks!’ he stammered in surprise at Tish stormed across the room to snatch her clothes from the startled boy

‘What were you going to do? Sell them? Wear them……gods, have we been on Gallente turf so long that it’s come to that?’

‘What?’ Vic mumbled in his confusion, eyes downcast to avoid her scowl. ‘Not stealing Tish, never stealing….just needed to borrow them for…..for someone.’

‘Who the hell needs to borrow my bed t-shirt, skirt and my boots?

‘Just someone….’

‘Fine…..if it’s so important lets both go right now’ Tish replied, intending to call her brothers bluff and find out what he really wanted her things for.
‘This had better be good.’

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She squeezed her eyes tight as the other girl paced the small room that was their sanctuary
‘I can hear someone coming’
Frustration at their lack of activity briefly forgotten the other girl seemed to be concentrating on the faint sound echoing towards them
'Don’t fret, it’s just a mouse and its kin.'

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‘Oh fuck.’

Vic winced at his sisters words. After nearly an hour of her first berating him for touching her things and then her complaints as the corridors gave way to access tunnels and finally air ducts her silence for the last minute or so having arrived at their destination was tell enough to her thoughts.

‘What the fuck are we going to do?’

Tish stood and regarded the motionless form. A smeared blood trail had lead them to this small maintenance room from which three air conduits branched off to feed the smaller runs on these levels. Overhead the motion of the fans blades chopped the light into flashes, giving the impression that all was happening at slow speed. The room acted as a sump into which air blown litter had gathered and now formed the mattress on which the unconscious capsuleer that had once visited their home now lay. Half buried in trash it was almost impossible to match the figure from her memory with the reality curled up on the floor below.
Vic started as, mind made up, Tish dropped from the duct to land amongst the paper scraps next to Malik. 'Vic, I need water, a big bottle. Clean as you can find, do you think you can do that for me?'

‘Yes but…’

‘No buts, go now and make sure no one see’s you. I need a little girl time here to sort her out ok?’

‘Gods what a mess’ Tish thought as she got started. It looked like the egger had been in a war since they had last met, and from the look of the wounds this one had lost. The sterile dressing covering the nasty looking scalp wound was loose and crusted. Carefully working to pull the ripped white surgical gown away she uncovered more dressings bound around her chest and upper legs. Bruises were fading from red through to purple with edges of yellow green ‘A few days old then’ Tish remarked to herself….she was bitterly familiar with the rainbow hues healing bruises painted on the skin. Scarlet blood on the feet showed she had walked over something sharp recently. A brown stained bandage and a stump replaced the thick furred tail she had once born.

By the time Vic returned things were looking better. The thin cotton of the medical shift had torn easily so Tish had no trouble binding up the cuts on Malik’s feet. The head wound looked nasty but it seemed whatever medical attention had been provided was of a decent quality. The synth skin was holding nicely though it still looked angry and sore. Getting her dressed had been a struggle but now at least her nakedness was covered by the oversized t-shirt which came so far below the knee that the pleated skirt beneath was largely redundant.

The wires troubled her though. Whilst struggling to get the t-shirt on Tish had found wires dangling from the silver spinal implants that were the mark of a capsuleer. The ends were torn with the copper coloured cores exposed, suggesting Malik had pulled away from something on her journey from wherever to here.

The wires troubled her, but not as much as the small blood bubbles that appeared with each breath. Their brief existence ending with a pop which added to the red brown tint of the woman’s pale lips. Tish guessed something was broken inside, and that was not good.

‘Is she ok?’ came the innocent question.

Tish soaked a piece of fabric and used it to wipe away the worst of the dried blood from Malik’s face.
‘I don’t know Vic, I’m not a doctor am I?’ she replied a little harshly, her anxiety giving edge to her words. ‘Whatever happened I’d say she came off badly. How did you find her?’

‘I noticed people and boxes being moved into bits of the maintenance sections where no one but me normally goes. Then I heard gunfire one day and I followed the echo’s till I found my way round the gangers and the mercs to a space that used to be empty but now has lots of things in it. I came back after the shooting but most of the stuff was broken. Then I found an open vent.’

‘Most people don’t follow blood trails into small tunnels Vic, it’s a poor survival decision mostly.’

‘I was just curious cos the duct was so small that I knew it could be a ganger or one of those armoured mercs. Will she wake up?’

‘I don’t know. She’s hurt pretty bad, maybe inside too.’
‘What we gonna do?’

‘There medical stuff, palm scanner, septic spray…things like that at the club for when things get heated…maybe if I go…..’
‘You can’t tell Jax!’

‘What you think I’m dumb? I tell I get a beating and our gift horse here vanishes. No…figure if we patch her up till she comes round maybe we can make a deal…..capsuleers have more money than anyone, bet she’d be grateful. And if not there are other ways we can play this out.’
‘Stay with her case she comes round, I’ve got work but after I’ll come back with food and anything else I can scav ok?’

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Minerva sat quietly and starred at her table’s grubby plastic surface. Eyes hidden behind dark glasses, face expressionless she could almost have been asleep. It had only taken a handful of sharp words and a broken finger for the bars other denizens to regard her as one of their own and to leave her alone, and for that she was grateful. Not for the missed opportunity for violence, No, more because she was busy on a thousand imperceptible levels and the distraction would have been off putting. After trailing around the station for hours she decided on a better course of action. Thugs and ganger like bars and brothels she reasoned. Chances are that one of those involved in Mal’s disappearance or injury would come by eventually. She preferred the role of spider anyway so she wrought her web around this space. Cybernetic brain connected to the stations primary computer system making it her eyes and ears. Adapted nanites coursed from her body, invisible examining everybody that passed through here looking for genetic markers matching those she had found around the battle scarred hanger bay. She had all bases covered bar one….patience was not her strong point and, a more time lapsed the worse Mal’s situation and the progressively angrier Min became.

There

The first thread of her web vibrated as the nanites found a match.

Another

A group had noisily entered the bar from the busy concourse outside. Feeling secure in their usual haunt they pushed their way to the bar. Lifting her head a fraction she scanned the men to identify the connection
There. The skinny guy leaning over the bar had a grey pistol tucked in his belt. The green fabric of its grip impregnated with sweat not from his hand.

Now noticed the web went crazy. A splash of dried blood on the sole of a boot, a red hair on a sleeve…
The table top squeaked in protest as she crushed the edge without noticing.

Jackpot. Her nanites detected blood, bone fragments and hair combined with gunshot residue on the ugly male at the centre of the group. The tiny machines input was not really needed however as her eyes had already settled on the thick red fox tail the doomed guy had casually attached to his belt as some kind of trophy.

Before her chair had fully slid back she had the guy’s name, criminal history, treatment files, transaction records, known associates….even his shoes size downloaded, collated and reviewed. ‘Oh honey’ she grinned to herself and she prepped her synthetic form for its combat role ‘you made one hell of an error wearing parts of my friend’.

So intent on bloody revenge she missed the dark haired girl as she slipped in through the doors and streaked towards the back. The nanites chorused alarms though forced her to slow her advance though and take heed. Genetic match….fresh blood signature and pleural fluids…not a good sign.

She hesitated for a moment, torn between revenge and prudent patience….then resumed her seat and waited.

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It had been a long shift. Now changed from her stage gear she rushed to get back to her brother. One hand tried to convince her hair to stay up in the twist while the other clutched her bag full of stolen supplies.
As she stepped out onto the concourse her path was blocked by a smiling woman in black leathers and shades. The same one who had been sitting in the corner of the bar her entire shift nursing the same drink. Deadbeat she thought as she tried to step around.

‘Hey, I enjoyed you’re show.’

‘Err thanks?’ The woman reached out suddenly to grasp hold of her elbow.

‘I have a friend that can dance, perhaps she could give you some tips?’

‘Whatever, look I have to go…’

The dark skinned ladies smile did not slip for an instant as she continued as if Tish had not been there. ‘I think you know her already. Intaki, about this big. White tats on her face. Used to have a big red tail above her fine tight ass? Ring a bell?’
Tish tried to twist out of grasp whilst shooting a look back to the bar. ‘Fucking let go of me or….’ she hissed through clenched teeth as the grip on her arm tightened.

‘Or you’ll what? Scream for help? Get those guys there to step in? I’d like that, I really would. But unless you want me to pull this arm from its socket and use it to beat those men to death with your going to be nice and quiet and take me to Malik right now ok hon?’

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The confines of the duct gave way to some kind of antechamber as Minerva carefully but firmly propelled her guide into the space before her.

Landing precisely she glanced at the frightened boy huddled by Malik before ensuring the cursing Tish who was slowly getting back onto her feet was not truly hurt from the small fall.

‘Hello kid. You’re the one Mal bought lunch for yes? She likes you, I can tell. You too Tish…you remind me of her actually…..full of venom and spunk…ha! One of two anyway.’

‘What are you?’ Tish asked, rubbing her bruised elbow.

Min removed her shades and fixed her orange tinted stare on the concerned girl ‘I’m Malik’s friend, so today I’m your friend as well.’

Vic circled away from the scary newcomer to join his sister as Minerva dropped to her knees to scan over her unconscious friend, hands outstretched as she assessed the damage.

‘I once heard a story about a beautiful princess in a sleep so deep that she could only be awoken by a kiss…..’

Tish and Vic looked on baffled as suddenly the injured capsuleer was gathered up by synthetic arms as if she was no more than a doll. Hugging her close Minerva sighed audibly before kissing her deeply on the mouth.

To the onlookers it was simply an inappropriate lingering kiss, unaware of the hordes of nanites expelled from their mistress and into the injured body. As they watched cuts closed, bones knitted together, tears healed. Finally breaking away Minerva rocked back onto her heels and watched as Malik’s breathing became easier. A few mooments passed and colour colour returned to her cheeks. A few more skipped by before blue eyes opened, focussed and fixed themselves on the rapidly growing grin. She lifted a hand and smeared the dark coloured lipstick away.

‘Hello Minerva…..so that’s what you taste of?.... we think perhaps you have wanted to do that ever since we met yes?’

‘And then some hon. Before those nanites expire is there anything else you’d like changing? Minerva developed a wicked glint to her odd coloured eyes ‘a couple of cup sizes perhaps..or that old scar erasing?’

‘The scar stays, and I’m fine thanks.’

‘That you are.’

Propping herself up on her elbows she scanned around the room before settling on the two still quiet figures stood together ‘Hello mouse. Tish. Still want off this station?’

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Vic gripped his sister’s hand as they followed the strange robotic lady and Malik down the corridor towards the hanger bays. Once Malik had finally convinced Minerva that she neither needed nor wanted to be carried to her ship the pouting cyborg had ranged ahead a few yards and seemed content to check their path for danger as they made their way.
It took what seemed like just a few minutes before the group stood in front of the gleaming hull of a small but vicious looking starship. A starship! Vic could hardly contain his excitement as even Tish’s usual jaded expression was replaced with wide eyed wonder. A few words from their host and a heavy set pressure door opened in the ships green tinted side to let its mistress board.

‘Best get yourself and these two away and clear of the system hon, whilst things are quiet.’

Minerva’s suggestion went unanswered as Malik moved around the gawping siblings stood together in her cargo hold to reach a set of lockers recessed into the wall. A light touch and door panels slid open to reveal a treasure trove of expensive looking equipment.

Minerva looked on, lust barely contained as her fellow pilot quickly shed the borrowed clothing, replacing the garments with soft green trousers and black long sleeved shirt.

‘The lockers over there contain fresh clothing and rations mouse’ Malik gestured to her right as she opened a small case and began pressing the contained nail covers into place on her fingers.

‘Are…..are we not leaving now then?’ Tish asked to an accompanied raised eyebrow from the cyborg.

Green leather gloves swiftly hid the venomous emerald tint of the nails as Malik dropped a couple of grenades into a canvas shoulder bag. The clips of the armoured body vest made a loud click as they closed around the red haired capsuleers slim form. She shifted uncomfortable for a second as the ceramite plates settled into place, before reaching into the locker to retrieve a compact automatic weapon.
‘Soon kaintra’ she whispered as she secured the weapons straps to her vest. ‘Put first I have a promise to keep.’


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Epilogue

‘You’re sure?’

‘Ship departed ten minutes ago. Station sensors had it briefly before it cloaked up. Gate comms shows its heading out of Intaki space back into Fed heartlands’

‘I assumed that bitch Aleena and her dog had scooped up their prize when they fled….and I also assumed you had secreted its ship away securely. Seems I was incorrect on both counts…..’

The man fidgeted under his employer’s corpulent gaze.

‘No matter. Something for another time. Salvage of the equipment left behind covers by costs this far, it’s a relief to be done. Capsuleers, have no dealing with them.’

Safe back in his quarters Jaz slung the goblet at the wall 'A pox on their cursed kind!' he screamed in frustration.

‘Now now, such a temper’

The speaker moved out from the shadow of the curtained bedpost, pistol in hand. ‘Time to pay your dues to the Sani Sabik….. Omir Sarikusa send his regards.’

The bolt of energy should have ended him right there. Even as the warm stream flowed down his legs he stood rooted and stared as the flash built in front of his eyes, only to be reflected from something right in front of him, like light from a mirror.

Cloak disrupted Minerva grinned at the startled blood raider whose attack she had deflected with her body. Skin blistered black, a burnt hole evident in her jacket, she seemed more amused than injured. Neither man was quick enough to see the blade she threw across the room, their brains only registering the impact as one ceased to function as the other stared ahead in horror

‘You…you saved me!’ Jax stammered as his knees gave way leaving him kneeling in a puddle of his own urine.

‘Saved you?’ Minerva laughed as she walked to the door of his quarters and opened the lock. ‘Sweetie I did no such thing.’

Malik stepped into the room. Her grim set expression instantly recognised as the capsuleer he had bargained to acquire. The silenced muzzle of the machine pistol she levelly held glowed with a dull orange heat and made soft plinking noises as it cooled. The tailored combat jacket she wore was scuffed in place and bloody, though unfortunately none seemed to belong to her. From her belt hung a long red furred tail. A glance behind her showed no aid would be coming from his security team tonight….the soles of their boots clearly visible as their owners stared sightless at the ceiling.

She placed the gun on a side table before methodically stripping off the bright green leather gloves she wore….placing them beside the weapon.

‘Come in you two’

His face twisted into a sneer as he looked on. That’s where the little whore had been! Oh, he would deal with her after this….working for him would seem like sweet heaven compared to the hell he would sell her into for this betrayal. And the whelp brother too…..he’d find a use for him equally as pleasant.

‘Minerva, if you please?’ Malik’s request hung in the air for just a second.

Inhumanly fast she grabbed his hair and dragged him backwards off his knees until he lay sprawled on his back.

‘Wait wait! I can pay you…what do you want, name your price!’

The red one whose name he had forgotten kicked out a leg and sat down straddling his chest, her small hands either side of his jowls.

‘Hush. The Sani there just killed you, this is just a brief interlude before you assuredly burn in whatever hell you p'vrevaghar and your Empress believe in.’

‘Ow!’ he yelped as she opened a long slice across his cheek with a flick of her hand.

‘We’ll see you burn for this heresy!’ The threat turned to a slur and then silence as paralysis took hold quickly.

‘Vic, its time I kept my promise to you.’ She drew a combat knife from its sheath on her armour and handed the black serrated blade to the pale boy. The blades motion tracked by the bulging eyes of his former ‘employer’

Shaking he held the blade as she had shown him, the tip over the bloated man’s throat.

‘Push little mouse and its done.’

‘I..... I cant. I can’t do it. I’m not like you.’

Minerva expression seemed to soften for a moment as the plea was recognised, before she returning to pace around the room as her combat high receded.

‘That’s ok gentle mouse, I think no less of you….why don’t you go and have a look around the back yes for anything shiny we should rehome yes?’

‘Wait….let me.’

Tish took the blade quickly from her brother who moved aside and looked away. She leant forward to make sure Jax could see her. ‘For every time you stuck me, this is for you’. He could not scream, but the toxin did nothing to mask the agony as she plunged the blade into his belly and twisted. The second blow went deeper than the fist and hit bone, the third and fourth sent crimson lines of colour up the wall to her right. Malik and Minerva watched in silence as the debt was repaid in full.

Minerva moved up to stand behind Malik as the gory spectacle unfurled, her arms quickly encircling her waist.
“She’s adorable” the cyborg marked with obvious approval. “Please tell me I get to keep her?