Rise the Renegade (Rork Sollix Book 1) (23 page)

The MORF-9 fell the last meter to the ground with a thump and the hatch slid open.

Thryk doesn’t deserve this. But neither does Zero.
Rork rolled the possibilities around in his mind. Which would it be? Would the shooters kill him? Would Dad finally come around? Would—

The shooter swiveled his rifle to the MORF-9’s hatch. Thryk stepped out, a wide smile on his face.

“No!” Rork reached for the muzzle of the laser rifle. It fired and the heat soaked through Rork’s hand. He ripped it off, skin left behind.

Thryk looked down at his chest, a thumb-sized hole blown straight though his heart. Black blood spilled out and he collapsed, his face shock and confusion.

“W
E
CAN
take them, brother.”

Rork looked up at Jord, his hands bound behind his back in the cargo hold of his own MORF-9.

Jord looked toward the bridge through the open cargo bay door. He ran his hands through his hair and sighed. He shook his head and walked back to the bridge. He stopped in the doorway and shot a glance back at Rork.

“I have a plan.” Mankin bumped his knee against Rork’s right leg, his eyes wide.

“I don’t want anybody else getting killed.”

“What do you think Barbary is going to do to us? What? You’re special? He’s a monster.”

“For once,” Zero said from Rork’s left, “we are in agreement.”

“Me too,” said Mary Ellen from across the room.

“I have a knife.” Mankin bumped him again. “You’re going to try something. You’re Rork Sollix, aren’t you? You’re going to try something, so we might as well plan it.”

Rork met the emaciated man’s eyes out of the corner of his own.

“I’ll cut us out. Your brother joins us. We kill the shooters. Your dad doesn’t want to kill you.”

“I’m not so sure.”

“You gonna man up or what?” Mankin nodded his head at Zero.

Zero looked away.

“He’s a pacifist,” Rork said. “Respect it.”

Mankin laughed. “There are no pacifists out here. There’s no peace with Barbary. You’re either in his organization or you’re floating out there for all eternity. We have to fight!”

“Jord will help us.”

“Those goons are worth three men each,” Mankin said. “What about your girl?”

Rork met Mankin’s eyes full on. “What do you know about that?”

Mankin looked away and shrugged. “You hear things. I know a lot of people who want Barbary dead. Most of them are gone but I knew them.”

“And?”

Mankin looked back at him. “Barbary is public enemy number one for you, right?”

“Rork!” Jord strode towards his brother, grabbed his elbow and pulled him up.

Rork found his brother’s ear. “You with me or what, brother? We can be a family again.”

Jord tightened his mouth into a straight line. He kneeled down and cut the cables around Rork’s ankles, then the ones binding his wrists.

“What are we doing, brother?”

Jord jammed his nose against Rork’s. His lips trembled and his eyelids hung low. “Stuff it. Old Man Barbary is waiting to talk to you.” He pushed Rork forward.

Rork looked down at Zero and the little girl sleeping balled up on the floor next to him.
He’s a good man.
Better than Rork’s own family.

Zero met his eyes and nodded to him, radiating a dark intensity. “We’re screwed,” he seemed to say, “but in the end none of it matters, except what we do right now.”

Rork stepped into the bridge, rubbing his hands together. “Got my ham sandwich yet, gentlemen?” The shooters stood guard, one on either side of the cargo bay door. He searched their eyes but found nothing human. Rork shivered.

“Step this way, son.” His father moved to the side and guided Rork towards the control panel viewscreen.

Barbary’s face blinked into view. A superior sneer crossed it and dread filled Rork’s bones.

“Impressive. I thought you’d be at least a week in the mine. I guess you had some help from these incompetent nubs.”

The men around Rork stiffened and cleared their throats.

Rork smiled to himself.

“Funny, eh? Let’s see if—” Barbary started.

“Let them go, Barbary. I’ll keep coming for you. You know that. I’m getting closer. I’m closer now than I’ve ever been. You can’t keep me down, old man.”

“Indeed, I am an old man, but fitter and stronger than you, boy. And the closer you get to me, the greater the forces arrayed against you. If I could turn your own family against you, what do you think I have guarding my inner sanctum?”

“Release Lala and Mary Ellen. Let the rest of us go. I’ll take my ship and give you six weeks to regroup before I come for you.”

Barbary’s gold-plated teeth danced as he laughed, his mouth wide open. “You’ll... give... me?” He closed his mouth. “You raised a real jack here, Band.”

Rork’s father stepped forward and nodded.

“What does he have on you,” Rork asked, turning to his father, “that you bow and please for him like that?”

“Go ahead and tell him.” Barbary’s eyes sparkled.

Rork’s father tightened his face and looked away.

“Stop toying, Barbary. What do you want!” Rork yelled.

“Ah, but you are all my toys, one way or another. I have toy soldiers, toy servants, fetchers, bringers, girls, baby dolls. Even my enemies are my toys.”

Such a windbag. When I have him, it will be one shot to the head. Done and done. No time in this life for hot air with snoofs.
“Give me a gun and I’ll off myself right now.”

“Oh, no, Rork, that is not your fate.”

Rork punched the viewscreen. “Tell me what you want!”

Arms grabbed Rork’s and pinned them tight behind his back, his shoulders pushed up and aching.

“But this is exactly what I want, thank you very much. So good doing business with you. So predictable. You’re a straight line, Rork Sollix. I couldn’t ask for a better adversary. Honest, true, incorruptible — a straight line in all senses of the word. You’re everything that is dull, boring and repetitive about humanity. Except you have that spark. But we’ll soon take care of that.”

“Shove it up your nose!”

“Your precious blue-hair is inside my airlock.”

The viewscreen changed. Lala sat, legs crossed, on the floor of a small white room. Behind her was a round door, a round porthole in the middle of it. There was only blackness beyond it.

“I’ll rip your teeth out one by one, you fat piece of brax!” Rork screamed.

“Far more likely that you, Lala and your friends there end up drifting in space for all eternity. After we pass her around, of course. Can’t toss a fine one like that without a taste test. We’ve restrained ourselves till now.”

Something heavy clawed at Rork’s chest. He struggled for the words.
When will this be over?

“Or, you can save her. Come in now without any further resistance, and I mean any. You become a level one trader, represent Barbary to all your old clients. You’ll have to meet the normal profit targets.”

“I’ll kill you.”

“Not if you want your precious girl to live. You can marry her, keep her to yourself, for now at least. We believe in marriage, Rork. You’ll find a home here.”

Rork’s father turned and looked at him, his eyes questioning.

“Have your father’s approval. Your brother’s camaraderie. It will be lovely.” Barbary smiled wide.

“Forget it,” Rork mumbled. His legs shook and he stared at Lala’s image.

“You will be expected, of course, to impregnate one female per month. You’re a hearty buck, strong-willed, a real alpha. This is going to be right up your alley. Lala’s children can stay with the two of you until I need them. The rest belong to Barbary and Sons.”

“You’re sick, Barbary. Sick!”

“I’m a healthy human male, Rork. That is the goal of any male, to procreate, to control other men, to build something that will last forever. You’ll take my name someday, son, and all this could be yours.”

“You’re an animal, Barbary. A gorilla. I’m not like you.”

His father grabbed his arm. “Take the deal, boy. You won’t get another one like it.”

The corner of Rork’s mouth inched up. His stomach rose and he shrank from the man’s touch. “How dare you.”

“Every man is like me,” Barbary continued. “Some paint over it with honey and milk. You pretend you’re not an alpha male. Or you only wish you could be. I am the pinnacle of masculinity. I mate when I like, with whomever I like. I eat what I like. I control men. I use them to control even more men. I grow my empire and satiate my personal needs with impunity. I am subject to no law, to no other man’s limits or demands. Look inside yourself, Rork. It’s what you want. It’s what every man wants.”

No. One woman, a good one. A good life, with friends, helping people.
A wave of pity and fear overtook Rork. This man was a beast. There was no telling what torture he would subject Rork to. He had to fight him with every gram of will left to him. “You must be so lonely.”

Barbary narrowed his eyes. “I’m not the one who needs pity right now.”

“I refuse your deal.”

“One nod from me and your beautiful girl is gone forever, into the deep reaches of space, alone, forever. The same for your friends there. You speak of loneliness but you haven’t thought this through. You have five seconds.”

Jord grabbed Rork’s shoulder and shook him. Their father mumbled to Rork but the vibrations stopped in his ear. Inside him, his principles and his compassion fought a battle for his will.

“I accept your deal, Barbary, with the proviso that I will kill you and destroy your empire the first chance I get.”

“I would expect nothing less.”

“You have to let my friends go. They pose no threat to you.”

Barbary’s face hardened. “You’re in no position to negotiate. But as an act of good faith, I offer you a direct vox connection to your girl. My men will now take you to the induction facility. I’ll see you soon, Rork.”
 

Rork’s knees buckled and he found himself on the deck.

“W
HAT
DID
he say?”

Mary Ellen kneeled in front of Rork, her frizzy black hair bouncing behind her ears, her deep brown eyes strained.

Rork looked away.

“Did they hurt you?” She ran her hands over his face, neck and torso. “No one laid a hand on you. I would have heard it.”

Zero gripped his shoulder. “Give him a minute.”

“I don’t have a minute! You don’t know what he’ll do to me,” she said.

“Who?” Zero asked.

“Barbary! I’m a runaway. He’s my father. And my grandfather. And my betrothed.”

“What?” Zero asked. “How—?”

Rork buried his head in his hands. “Listen, we have to—”

“What did you do?” she asked.

Mankin and Zero leaned in. It comforted Rork, those three heads so close to his. They were a team. Four strong wills working towards a common goal. He felt safe. A kernel of strength returned to him. This was the time to fight, not wallow.
So help me, Jupiter!

“I agreed to join him.”

Mankin’s expression remained neutral. Mary Ellen shook her head.

“What do you mean by that?” Zero asked.

“I tried for you guys, but he was about to kill Lala.”

“Who’s Lala?” Mankin asked.

“The love of his life.” Mary Ellen rolled her eyes.

Zero flashed her a dark look.

“I need to know to know the layout.” Rork questioned Mary Ellen with his eyes.

“Of the Cylinder? So we can get your girl and get out? You got it.”

“Good. Now—” Rork turned to Mankin.

“But you’ll need the location, too.”

“They’re taking us there.”

“No. Induction happens at the medical station. Totally different,” she said.

“You know it, right?” Rork asked.

“No, it’s always moving.”

Rork deflated.

“But I might be able to get it if I can make a call.”

“Okay.”

“And I need something in return,” she said.

All eyes fixed on the Barbary woman.

“You get to live, and not be a prisoner.” Rork’s wrist vibrated and a low tone sounded in his ear. He rotated it. “Hello?” He held up an index finger to the group.

A low sobbing echoed across the line.

“It’s okay, baby. I’m getting you out of there,” Rork said.

“They said you’re joining him?” she shrieked. “What the hell are they talking about?”

Mary Ellen leaned in. “What I need is—”

Rork silenced her with a wave of his hand. “What am I supposed to do? Let them blow you out an airlock? We’re going to be together—”

“I thought Rork Sollix was strong. I expected Rork Sollix to resist. I don’t know you. I’m nothing. What happens to me doesn’t matter. How could you be so stupid?” Lala sobbed.

He sighed and rolled his eyes.

“What I need,” Mary Ellen tried again, “is for us to get married.”

Rork shot her a suspicious glance. “You’re not talking to me.”

Mary Ellen nodded. “We have to get married otherwise he’ll force me to marry him. As first husband, and I as your first wife, nobody else can take me from you.”

“Who is that woman?” Lala asked.

“No.” Rork shook his head slowly and frowned.

“What do you mean, no?” Lala asked. “Who are you talking to?”

“Barbary is polygamous,” Mary Ellen continued. “You can still marry Lala. She’ll just be your second wife.”

“Excuse me!” Lala’s scream scraped like a razor across Rork’s eardrum. “Nobody’s marrying Rork Sollix but me and I’m not polygamous! And I won’t be second wife to anyone, anyway!”

“I’m not quite sure I’m ready to marry anyone, period, right now.”

Zero grinned at him. “Your time has come, my friend. You can’t stay free forever.”

Rork glared at Zero. He hit the conference button on his wrist. “I can’t believe I’m doing this but, Lala, I’m here with Mary Ellen. She knows the layout of the Cylinder and says she can get the coordinates so we can rescue you. Maybe you ladies can work this out.” Rork looked at Zero and cringed.

Zero shook his head ominously. “Bad idea.”

“Can we use that thing to call for help?” Mankin asked.

“Who would you call?” Zero asked.

Mankin shrugged.

“Lala, is that your name? This is Mary Ellen, look, I know this is hard but—”