creative. This is a long one Log
Entry : Daughters of the Moons and Stars. Okay
so Artemis and I talked liked l promised, I told her about Jenny and my attempt to set
things right by having my brother fight me for the ruler ship of the
clan. The part with Jenny asking me to marry her, seem to make things
worse. So I decided on different approach.
“Let
go out on a date?” I said putting on the charm.
“A
date?”, Artemis replied with a distrustful look on her face.
“Sure,
I’ll rent a car. We put on our finest, no weapons and we'll drive
to the capitol dome. Have dinner, go dancing. Just like normal
people.”
Doubt
still played across her face, “Sound like trouble.”
“No
trouble, we really never got to do any of those things. I like to try
something new. Okay?” My smile widen as I tried my best to put her
at ease.
“Okay,
but I still have my knife.” She smiled making a cutting gesture.
What is it with knives and my genitals?
So
I went out and got myself the finest suit I could find, and as I was
trying it on I through that I would need to find a gift, something
sentimental that would tug at the heart strings, and then I noticed
around my neck, the three spin coins that were the last gift my
mother gave me.
When
I arrived back at my new quarters I searched my remaining
possessions, and I found the old cooking pot that I used with them.
Burnt and scorched, it survived the fire that the Blue Boys set at my
old bedroom. All I had to do was to find some wrapping paper.
I
arrived that night at the Valkyries' Headquarter, I existed the
rented car with a small crowd of the warrior maidens staring on.
There were cat calls and whistles and I made a small bow and entered
the building. Of cause Blue was there, she looked at me and the
package cradled under my arm.
“Artemis
is still getting ready. She said to search you!” she smiled. “What
that?” she asked pointing at the package.
“A
gift,” I answered as I handed her the bundle.
She
torn the wrapping revealing the bowl and the three coins, looking
perplexed she said. “ I think Artemis would be more impressed by
some jewelry, not this junk lover boy.”
“This
junk is responsible for the creation of the Valkyries.” Blue wasn’t
around four years ago and was not part of the events that would lead
to the Valkyries birth, a few of the older members stared at her and
bowl in her hands with awe. The newer girls looked at the both of us
trying to understand the bowl and coins important.
“Look
we have a moment so let me explained how it all began.” I said
ripping the bowl and coins from her. I set the bowl on the floor and
toss the coins spinning into the bowl and began the tale.
“ Three
moons, you lose.” I announce as Stephen
finished his tossed.
“ You’re
cheating.” He cried as he picked up the coins, “Another game.”
“ Hey
I never touched the coins, and if you want another chance then
you’re….”, I never got to finish as Stephen mother entered the
apartment. She looked a little fluster, “What are you two up too?”
“ Just
a children game that we play among the clans, we call it Stars and
Moons.” I replied.
“ It
not gambling?” she asked examining the coins.
“ No,
it just a game.” I told a little white lie, as many adults have a
version of the game where they could bet on the outcome of the coins’
toss.
She
place the coins on the table, her face still wore a worried look.
“ Is
something wrong Diana?” I probed.
“ Some
of Big Henry’s men have been asking questions around the
neighborhood, looking for Artemis. I barely managed to avoid them.”
She sighed.
“ Why,
your brother is dead. What more can they want?” I was perplexed.
“ They
have his marker, we his family is responsible for the debt. If we
cannot pay it, Henry will grab Artemis and make her work as one of
his girls, servicing the spacers down at the space port.” She
practically was in tears.
“ I’ll
pay off your brother’s marker.” Still confuse over the matter.
Diana
looked at me, and then ran her eyes over me from head to toe, “Son,
my brother owed at least twenty thousand Stryigia. You don’t look
like you have a credit to your name.”
I
began unzipping my Skein suit, exposing my skin suit that I wore
underneath. I reach into the pocket of my skin suit and began
removing credit sticks. “I don’t have Stryigia, but I do have
Standard credits, drawn from the bank of Lossend. A little over
hundred thousand credits.”
Diana
made a sign of infinity for the goddess and looked at the stack of
credit sticks. “Are you crazy carrying that kind of money on your
person? Give me.” She grab the sticks and took them toward the
kitchen, she lifted a tile on the floor which revealed a floor safe.
“Are you serious about what you said about paying off my brother's
debt?”
“ Yes.
It the least I can do.” I answered.
She
placed all but three sticks into the safe. “Look, we will need to
do this right. I am going to get you someone that can take you to Big
Henry. You will need to be careful. Only give him two of these two
sticks, twenty thousand standard credits should be more than enough
to cover my brother’s debts. I am going to find someone to convert
one of these sticks to Styrigia so you have some carrying around
money. In the morning we are going to take the rest of the credits to
the University and have them bank it against your education.”
She
left and returned an hour later with a Yazirian, “Rodworth this is
Yash. He will take you to Henry compound and back.
“ Yash,
you don’t get paid till Rodworth get back safely. So boys good
luck.” She hugged me and slipped me a loaded auto pistol. “Just
in case. Remember don’t mention the fact you have more than these
two sticks, Big Henry will bargain.”
Yash,
looked me over as we went over to the old battered ground car. “So
you’re going to Big Henry to buy Stamo's marker. Look you got to
play it cool. If he ask you why, make it sound that you have some
kind of beef with the old captain. Tell him that you want his
daughter as a kind of payback. Big Henry loves that kind of stuff.
Diana is a good woman, so don’t mess this up!” and he continue to
coach me the entire trip to Henry Compound.
We
arrived in at Henry’s compound in Newport Dome, the building was
actually surrounded by a four meter high wall topped with a laser
security grid. The gate was manned by a squad of muscular thugs
wearing skein suits and screens. As we pulled up they had weapons out
tracking the cars moment. Yaz slowed down and open the driver side
window. “Cool it guys, my passenger has business with big Henry.”
“ Boss
man don’t handle loans directly fur face. Have him check with Doug
down at the port.” One of the thugs spat backed.
“ Boys
here to buy up a marker. Means big credits for the boss man.” Yaz
countered.
The
thug that had answered us, turn his back and talked into a chronocomm
strapped on his wrist. And after what appear to be a short debate,
turn back to us. “Leave any weapons in the car, and he said as he
pointed at me, “ and follow me!”
I
placed Diana auto pistol on the car seat and started to get out. Yaz
grabbed my arm. “ You got a chronocomm.” I pulled up the right
sleeve of the skein suit revealing my chronocomm. He punched in his
number into my set. “ Let keep an open line. Henry going to be less
likely to pull anything if he knows that I’m listening and word get
out that he not on the straight up, no one going to deal with a loan
shark that won’t let them get out of their debts.”
“ Thanks.”
I said, glad for Yaz’s street wisdom.
I
followed the guard into the compound; I notice a lot of guards
roaming the court yard. Suddenly from the building a girl no older
than Artemis came bolting out. A single guard tackled her. He got up
and dragged back into the building with other guards hooting and
jeering.
We
entered through the same door and travel down the hall to a metal
door that had a single warbot guarding it. As the guard approached
the door opened. we entered the room and I was greeted the sight of
Big Henry, he appear to be a human version of the Malthar. At his
feet were two scantly dress ladies, flanking him was a human body
guard and a Warbot. Off in one corner of the room was a vrusk
operating a computer.
Big
Henry gesture to a chair facing a table. I sat and he turned to me,
“So you here to buy some one marker? Whose marker are you looking
to buy?”
“ Captain
Stamo’s.” I blurted.
“ You
know Stamo is dead? Why would you want his marker?” He asked.
I
remember what Yaz said, “Well Captain Stamo did my family wrong, so
now that he out of the picture, I would like seek my revenge on his
family. I heard that he has a daughter. So..” I never got to finish
as I was interrupted by the booming laughter from Big Henry.
“ Oh
a boy after my own heart!” He managed to say. “Thirty thousand
Styrigia.”
“ Ten!”
I countered
“ Twenty
five!”
I
pulled out the credit sticks and placed them on the table, “Twenty
thousand standard credits, and not a credit more.”
He
stared at the sticks and the human guard reached for them, I grabbed
his thumb and push it back driving him to his knees. “Do we have a
deal?” I push the guard thumb back further causing him to groan.
Henry
started laughing again,” Deal! Sizzing give the boy Captain Stamo’s
marker.”
The
Vrush reached into a file cabinet and after a short search, he pulled
out a crumple piece of paper. He skittle to the table and placed the
paper on it. I released the guard’s thumb and picked examine the
paper. It was a note bearing Stamo's Signature, an IOU for eighteen
thousand Stryrigia.
Big
Henry smiled, “Had to make a profit boy, no hard feelings.”
“ None
taken, thanks you for your cooperation.” I rose and head to door.
The door open and there was first guard who escorted me back to Yaz
and the waiting ground car.
Yaz
got me back to the University dome and Diana's apartment. As I enter
the Apartment Diana was waiting and rush to me. “Did you do it?”
“ Yes.”
“ Thank
the goddess.” She cried and turned to Yaz. As she and Yaz were
talking I caught the view of Artemis sitting at the kitchen table
with Stephen,
it looked like they were in the middle of playing a game of moons and
stars. I enter the kitchen and she looked up.
“ Stephen,
can you leave me and Rodworth alone for a few minutes.” Artemis
told her cousin as I enter the room.
Stephen
rose and left, staring over his shoulder at us as he disappeared into
the living room. When he was gone Artemis turn to me.
“ What
do you want?”
“ I
not sure what you mean Artemis.”
She
stared at me, and it was hard to tell but she looked angry, “No one
pays twenty thousand credits, and not want something in return. Do
you think that I going to throw myself at you and let you have your
way with me?”
“ No,
I wasn’t thinking that at all.” I answered.
She
looked at me, her eyes drilling into me. “So I not good enough for
you? What your problem, don’t you find me desirable?”
While
I may not have been as experience with women as I am now, even then I
knew that I was heading into a no win situation. I took a breath and
replied. “ Look you are lovely, I stare at you and my heart beat so
loud that I can feel it bursting out of my chest, but I did not buy
your father’s marker to get you. I did it because you father was my
friend, and your aunt took care of me when I was injured.
If
I knew you better, and I was sure that you felt the way I feel for
you, I would offer you a bride gift, a gesture to show my love. I
would look at you and ask, “What do you desire?” and if you feel
the same, you would ask me for something that it easy for me to
obtain for you.”
She
looked at me, “The only thing I can think of is to avenge my
father, but I want to kill Big Henry myself.”
“ I’ll
help you; you’re going to need a plan. He's heavily guarded and to
get to him will take patient and careful planning. I want you to
survive so I can ask you that question.”
She
blushed and we stared at each other, maybe we would have kissed if it
wasn’t for the Diana interrupting. “So young man, what is your
plan? If you get Artemis hurt, I will personally cut off your
manhood!”
To
get to Big Henry we would need to find someone on the inside, someone
who hated him and then I remember the girl I saw being dragged. Henry
had girls working the space port, if we could turn them we would have
our chance. It would require us to get close to them without
attracting suspicion and then I noticed the bowl with the spin coins.
I found our in.
“ Actually
I have an idea.” And I explained it to Artemis and Diana.
It
took an hour, I covered all the details. Artemis looked me in the
eyes. “What do you want me to do? How do I fit in your scheme?”
“ Easy,
I’m going need you to dress in the most alluring manner possible. I
need you to attract spacers who are mostly men to our little game.
You’re the pull.”
Diana
shook her head, “I through you said that the game wasn’t
gambling.”
“ Well
we get people to bet on the number of stars that come out of each
toss. The odd generally will insure that house wins, but a good
spinner can control the odds.” And I demonstrated, by tossing the
coins into the bowl. They eventual spun down, and before they came to
a stop I shouted, “Three moons.” And the coins came up moons.
“ If
we attract enough business, it will get Big Henry attention, and with
his blessing will get to stay on the streets long enough to turn his
girls to our cause, which will also be your job Artemis.”
Artemis
nodded, “okay, why don’t you give me and my aunt some time. Let
us see what we could come up with.” And they disappeared into the
bedroom.
I
actually fell asleep waiting, and I was awaken by Artemis' musical
voice, “Rod wake up.”
As
I open my eyes, I was greeted to a sight that set my passion afire.
Artemis had dyed her hair blood red. The color highlighted the skimpy
outfit she was wearing, what fabric that covered her left little to
imagine what was underneath.
“ How
do I look ?” she asked as I found myself lost in the sight of her.
“ Like
I am still dreaming.” I replied and watch her smile. “Where did
you get the outfit?” I had to ask.
Diana
spoke up and blushed, “it my old show girl outfit, from before I
was married.”
“ So
when do we start?” Artemis inquired
“ Tomorrow.”
We
arrived at the space port around noon; there were already a small
army of vendors, hustlers and call girls lining the avenue leading to
the space port entry. We found a spot around a block away. Eventual a
group of spacers exited the port and made their way past the waiting
crowd, just as they got to Artemis, she removed her cloak revealing
her scantly clad form. They stopped as they ran into a wall. They
moved closer and Artemis made her pitched.
At
first the Spacer played along, gambling a few credits a throw, more
just to flirt and hang around , basking in Artemis presence. After a
few toss, the spacers got into the spirit of the game. Credits flowed
back and forth. The collection of spacers attracted a few onlookers,
including a heavy armed and skein suit clad gentleman who began
playing, and he started a winning streak that cause other in the
crowd to join in.
I
was tempted to throw a few spins to negate his luck, but there were
more people betting against him, so the flow of credits were still in
the house favor. It was then a young gentleman accompanied by a pair
of body guards stop to observed the game. I smell trouble especially
at the way his eyes kept turning to Artemis.
He
finally reached into his pocket and drew out a wallet and waited. I
had already toss two coins and they both came up moons, he plugged
down twenty thousand Styrigia on a single star. The odds were eight
to one, if he hit that would easily break the house.
“ I
cannot cover that sir.” I told him
“ If
I win, I get a turn with the lady.” He sneered.
Artemis
looked at me and nodded.
“ Okay,
sir.” And I went to toss the final coin.
“ Wait
I want the lady to toss.” He said as he grabbed my arm.
I
was about to remove his hand, but Artemis scooped the coin from my
hand. She tossed the coin and I held my breath as it spun down.
Moon!!!
As
I went to scoop up the credits, he started to reach over to stop me
and his body guards appear to be reaching for their weapons. It was
then that the skein suit clad gentleman drew a sonic disruptor and
cover them.
“ I
hate people that attempt to get out of paying for their mistakes. You
made your bet and loss. The lady's toss was pure chance and the
goddess was with her. So I would just turn around and thank the
goddess that you are leaving with your life.” He said motioning
with the disruptor.
The
young gentleman and his bodyguard turn and started walking away.
He
turn his head and spoke to me, “If I was you, I call it a night.”
“ Thanks
sir.” And I motion to Artemis to gather the credits.
We
hurried to the first ground cab we could find and jumped in. The
Driver, a Vrusk, chitter at us, his polybox blared, “Where to?”
“ Do
you know the University Dome?” Artemis asked. He nodded. “ Well
take us to the best love motel that you know of in that dome.”
I
looked at her, “ are you sure ?” and she answered me by pushing
me back into the seat and locking her lips with mines......
We
returned the next night, a small crowd was there to meet us. Many had
heard about what happen the night before and was curious. The same
crowd of spacers were there, and greeted Artemis hoping to find the
right words or deed that could win her heart. They started the action
just as with the night before and soon the coins were flowing.
Couldn't have been more than an hour and the crowd started to part.
As I scooped the last credits from the floor I saw why. An armor
ground car had pulled up and being help out of the back seat was Big
Henry.
I
went behind Artemis and wrapped my arms around her. “Take it easy,
he too heavily guarded. We will have our chance soon.” I whispered
in her ear.
As
he approached, Big Henry eyes lit with recognition. “Ahh if not the
young gentleman that brought Stamo's marker. Oh I can see why!” His
voice was filled with lust as he saw Artemis.
“ Girl
why don't you take a break, the men have business to talk.” I said
as I pushed her in the direction of public restroom. Artemis look at
us, her eyes filled with rage, I wasn't sure if it was for me or
Henry but she did walk away.
“ Oh.
I see why I like you. You're smart and ruthless like myself.” Henry
commented with a chuckle. A guard open a portal chair and Henry
plopped himself into it.
“ Okay
if I reach in my jacket?” I uttered to Henry and his guard, “I
have your cut from yesterday. I was just waiting for you to show up
to collect.” When Henry nodded, I reach into my skein suit pocket
and placed on the floor in front of Henry seven thousand Stryrigia.
“A third of what I made yesterday.”
One
of the guards reach down and scoop up the credits and handed it to
Henry.
“ Ahh
and you know your place. So many of these hustlers and small time
operators would try to cheat me or whine. Normally I would take half,
but I really like you. I don't recognize the game. What it's called.”
Henry smiled
“ Stars
and Moons.” I answered
“ And
the girl, do you farm her out?” Henry said with a leer.
“ No
she the gimmick, the unobtainable prize that keep them coming back.
And occasionally some tries to win her like yesterday and fatten the
bank.” I lied trying to make what happen yesterday seem like part
of the game.
“ Ho
ho ho, you are a sly one. Tell you what I going to do. I going to
have a few of my girls work the crowd, to help out those poor souls
that cannot get what they want. I also have one of my men stick
around to keep an eye on the girls and to help if you get another
unhappy customer.” Henry smiled widen, his offer was one I couldn't
refuse and exactly what I was hoping for. I extended my hand, Henry
and I shook hands. “May our business arrangement be a long and
prosperous one.” I lied, hoping that the plan panned out as quickly
as possible.
The
next couple of weeks we continue our attempts to recruit, a spy
within Big Henry girls. We took it slow, Artemis probed and hinted.
The girls Henry had placed with us were all too scare, but our chance
came. One day Henry's men brought the girl I saw attempting to flee
to work the crowd. I pointed her out to Artemis, and when the girl
went to rest room, Artemis took a break and went joined her. The
girl, Kali, story mirrored Artemis, her father was a spacer that fell
in to debt and when he couldn't keep up payment, Henry took her to
make good on her dad's marker. Kindred spirit, Artemis offer her an
out. She explained and cautioned Kali that for the plan to work, they
would need to be careful and take their time finding others among the
ranks of Henry's girl.
From
there the plan began taking shape. With Kali on the inside, she found
additional allies. Soon almost a third of Henry's stable were with
us, passing information on defense, guards and possible routes into
and out of the compound. I began planning how we would strike, and
after I came up with a way, I started to wait on the perfect time,
but Henry took that decision from me. One day when we got to our spot
and started setting up, I notice that with the arrival of Henry's man
and the girls, a new face. He was not a typical muscle bound goon,
instead of keeping an eye on the girls, I found that he was keeping
an eye on me. Observing every toss of the coins, studying their
flight, and the motions of my hand. I knew then that Henry was
already eyeing an replacement.
When
meal time came and I called a break and motion to Artemis to join me
at a small diner near the port. The place was dimly lit and I lead
her to isolate booth in the back. “Artemis we going need to move
tomorrow on taking Henry out.”
“ Why
so soon?” she asked.
“ Cause
it look like Henry going to be changing the deal, he brought in
someone to study the operation.”
“ But
how, the girls are not armed. They can never take out the guards?”
she whispered
“ With
this.” I placed twenty small red vials and four blue vials on the
table.
“ What
this?” Artemis inquired.
“ The
red vials are a drug similar to Doze, when place in food and drink it
tasteless and odorless, but ten minute later it's lights out. In a
pitch, you can shake up the vial and shatter it and it will release a
vapor that can fill a room. The Blue is an antitoxin, take a tiny
sip and it will protect from effect of red liquid for several hours.”
“ Where
did you get that from ?” Artemis asks as she handle the vials
“ Well
I found a pharmacist with a shop near the space port. Apparently he
fell into debt with Big Henry and for years Henry been upping his
payment. Man was desperate and trying to find a way to poison him.
So I got him to whip up this. I tried it out on a few strays, and it
works.” hoping Artemis would be impress with my resourcefulness.
“ Yaz
found him, right?” Artemis asked. I had to nod a positive, “How
do the girls smuggle this into the compound?”.
I looked
downward, “Well the vials are small and pretty durable, the girl
could...” Artemis stop me, “I did not think that you were that
devious, remind me to keep and eye on you. She scooped up the vials
and placed them in her purse. “There is still a small problem with
the Warbot.” I added.
Artemis
winked. “ That not an issue, one of the girl managed to seduce the
robotist that maintain the warbot for Big Henry. She managed to get
the override codes, so she could sneak out to see him. Nice boy, but
he works for the pirate clans. So what your plans.”
“ Simple.
Tomorrow is the ten day, so the girls will not be sent out till after
the evening meal. The girls working for us will slip the red liquid
into the food and drink. Get the guards to eat or drink it and when
every one of them is down, they let us into the compound and you can
deal with Big Henry.”
“ Sound
simple enough!” Artemis exclaimed, and then she kissed me. “For
luck..”
So the
next night we waited across the street from Big Henry compound. We
sat in an alley and watch through a pair of magnigoggle Henry's Goon
squad. A little after meal time a pair of girls open the gate bearing
a tray of drinks. The girls flirted and chatted with the guards
till they all down the drinks. The guard dropped one by one until the
girls were the only one standing. I started for the gate and Artemis
stopped me.
“ Rod,
it's better if you stay here. A lot of those girls are really mad,
they have been abused by men and they may not make the distinction
between you and their tormentors. I'll handle this, you wait for me
my love.” and she kissed me.
I watch
as she joined the two at the gate. I waited, and as I waited, I heard
gunshots. Not the kind that come from a fire fight, instead there was
single shots spaced over long intervals. The girls were executing
their tormentors, and Artemis did not want me to witness their
revenge. It felt like hours but finally the gates open. A flood of
girls pour out, some ran out into the neighborhood of the port but
rest stayed together carrying weapons taken from the guards and items
from the compound. Finally Artemis emerged holding in at arm length
the severe head of Big Henry, blood still dripping from the stump
that was his neck. I got up and headed toward her, a few of the girls
raised their weapons, but Artemis motion to them to drop their
weapons. Artemis strolled forward.
“ Oh
Rod we did it.” She cried wrapping her arms around me, the head of
Henry still in her right hand. “Look baby meet me at the usual
place. Wait please, I got help these girls find somewhere to stay.
Many of them have no where to go honey and I'm responsible.” She
pleaded and all I could do was nod.
She
smiled and went back to her girls, and I headed for the Love Shack,
the motel we have been going to every night since we began our quest.
I waited
in the darken room for four hours, I was about to get dress and leave
when the door open and Artemis entered. She dragged me to the shower,
and as we showered together as she shared what happen with her girls
and how they found an old abandon tenement on the lower levels of the
dome, any squatter fled when they spotted the mob of blood covered
wild women, and all Artemis could do was laugh about how they ran.
“ Of
course they ran honey, who wouldn't after spotting you and your horde
of bloody Valkyries!' I muttered
as I kissed her back.
“ Valkyries,
I like the sound of that.” she uttered as she turn around and
covered my lips with hers.....
The
girls mumble and started talking among themselves, one girl
commented, “That not how I remember it.” but before I could reply
the crowd parted and there was Artemis in the dress that her aunt had
lend her so long ago.
“Too
much?”she asked as I stared.
“Too
little.” I replied as she smiled. “What that?” she said as she
pointed at the bowl.
“ A
gift.” I said as I handed the bowl with the coins to her. She
looked at the bowl, and seem a bit misty eyed and as she handed it to
Blue, she smiled and said, “ Honey if you really wanted to impress
me you should have brought me jewelry .”
