Shifting Bounties

Fire flew from the ship’s lasers as Jaris deftly maneuvered away from the attacking fleet. Today would not be the day he would be captured and put to death for a crime that he absolutely needed to commit.

“Come on! Just give me five more seconds!” His hands flew across the command console as he warmed his engine for the jump he needed to escape. The mechanics strained and the ship trembled as it lurched and disappeared through the blackness traveling further into the dark recesses of space.  

Brand new stars twinkled before him as Jaris took a deep breath and relaxed into his chair. This small vessel had taken him through many an adventure. He had set off deciding to see where his ambition and this puddle jumper would take him. He had not been disappointed.

He had been to planets he knew and those he did not. There were friendly natives and others who nicely asked him to move along. The high point had come when he had found a traveling partner in a small creature named Rex. Rex’s actual name was longer and more musical, but Rex was about what Jaris could handle to say and Rex relished the unique moniker he had been gifted. 

Rex’s species were nomads making him a natural guide. He ensured the safe continuance of Jaris’ journey only to be interrupted by the occasional misunderstanding along the way.    

It was not a misunderstanding but a cold betrayal that ended Rex’s life on the planet of Morsai. Rex had an acquaintance who was a trader. A trader who had duped the wrong merchant in a bad deal. His friend absconded leaving Rex in his place to accept the fatal punishment as an alleged co-conspirator. 

Jaris had tried mightily to save his friend but the Morsai people were not known for their vigilance in verifying facts. A corrupt government and passive plebeians didn’t seem to mind one less life on their planet’s surface even if it was an innocent. 

But Jaris did. He mounted a one man rescue of the capital grounds as Rex’s public execution commenced. He succeeded in giving Rex a few more minutes of life before Rex ended his attempt by jumping to his death sacrificing himself to save his friend. 

In the melee, a guard fell victim to friendly fire. Incensed there was now an injury to one of their own, the Morsai jurors decided Jaris would pay for the entire spectacle with his life too. Jaris had no intention of giving them a second sacrifice so he ran. 

He departed the planet and shook the Morsai forces as their lackadaisical pursuit went only to the border of their own space before a bounty request was turned over to the higher galaxian authorities. Jaris had been a hunted male ever since. 

The ship’s proximity alarm blared and Jaris shook his thoughts away. There, illuminated in space, a survival pod floated into view. The flashing yellow beacon meant aid was requested. Black would have indicated a final resting place. 

Jaris cursed under his breath and tractored the pod. He may be a fugitive murderer, but he was a fugitive with a conscience. He pulled the small container on board and secured it to the rear of his ship. Cracking the panel open, he tossed the lid to see what, if any, aid he could render.

A small female humanoid with long red hair and pale skin was curled inside. She was either sleeping or in stasis. Jaris grabbed his medical kit and waved a version of smelling salts under her nose. Her green eyes flew open as she took a deep breath. She coughed and Jaris helped her sit up. 

His eyes scanned her tiny body and the pod looking for anything that may have come with her; insignias, files, personal effects, weapons.    Seeing none, he helped her climb out and sit down on a nearby bench. 

She cleared her throat. “What are you trying to do to me?”

“I’m trying to help you,” Jaris said. “Who are you?”

Her green eyes fluttered as she shook her head from side to side and massaged her neck. “Who are you?”

“What are you doing in an escape pod?”

“Escaping.” She coughed again and brushed her hands down her thin jumpsuit. The green material was shiny and covered her slim body before disappearing into knee high black boots. 

“Escaping from what?” Jaris asked.

She scrutinized his face. “You look familiar.”

Jaris’ heart raced. His face and ship were on several be on the lookout communiques thanks to the debacle on Morsai but he wasn’t about to run from it. “Are you a bounty hunter?”

“A bounty hunter? What did you do?” She tried to stand before catching herself and sitting back down. “Damn stasis. I hate the aftereffects.”

“Difficult, I know.”

“Do you?” She studied him again. “I’ll bet you are a murderer.”

“You would be correct.” He kicked her pod out of the way. “But every once in a while, I decide to mix it up and save a life.”

“You really killed somebody?” She offered him a delicate hand. “Lily. I am glad to have encountered you on a non-homicidal day.”

“The day’s young but you’re welcome, Lily.”

“What is your name?”

Jaris secured the metal pod again. “Where do you come from, Lily?”

“I come from a planet that doesn’t exist anymore.”

“Really? Supernova, hostile invasion, or a new planetary leader you refuse to subscribe to?”

“You’re very bitter.”

“Not really. But what I am not is a cruise line. And you don’t seem to need medical which is good because I don’t have much to offer. I have no idea where we are since I just arrived but the first passenger or cargo ship we come across, you’ll be off ship.”

Lily stood up and braced herself against the ship’s wall. “I really hope you have a better day.”

Jaris considered what looked like sincerity emanating from her face. She appeared as a young adult but her eyes were wise. “Me too. Watch you don’t hit that panel. I like to breathe and the environmental controls are a bit touchy.”

“As are other things around here.” She pulled her hand away. “I hate to impose but I am a bit hungry. Would you have a ration to spare?”

“Sure.” Jaris flipped open a compartment and handed her a small packet. “Utensils are in here. Knock yourself out.”

“I’m afraid I’ve already done that. I’d rather not do it again.” 

Jaris nodded. “If you need anything, let me know.”

“Can I make you something as well?”

“Sure.” He grabbed another packet which she took. “There is a small table up in the cockpit. You can eat there if you’d like.”

“Perfect.” She ripped the bags open and grabbed for plates. A few minutes later, she walked up and placed two dishes on the small table. 

Jaris turned in the command chair. “Scans aren’t picking up much. Are you familiar with this part of space?”

“Yes.” She pushed a plate towards him. “If we are where we should be, then you’ll run across Tamden. Friendly and willing to take in a stray so you can have your solace.”

“I don’t need solace.” He sighed. “I actually prefer company.”

Lily glanced around the small ship. “There are others here? Do you keep them indisposed, locked away, or dead?”

“There was another. Unfortunately, I wasn’t successful in keeping him alive.” He stared a moment before grabbing a plate. “How long until we get to this Tamden?”

 “That sounds like a story to be told.” She waited but Jaris didn’t continue. “Or not.  I guess I’ll leave you be. Dying again after just being revived doesn’t sound like much fun.”  She watched him play with his food. “Is there something wrong with your meal?”

“Yes.” Jaris put the dish down. “Dying again are you? Interesting. Are you a reborn species?   If so, you would be the perfect Trojan horse.” He detected a flutter in her eyelid. “Well, I’ll be damned if that man isn’t going to save my life again. Rex told me about creatures like you.”

Lily put her fork down. “I don’t know who you are talking about.”

“You don’t have any weapons on you which means you must be fairly competent.”

“In?”

“What kind of reborn are you? Do you throw fire? Shoot lasers? Spit venom?”

Lily slowly rose from the table. “Well, I guess that ends our small talk.”

“Does it?” Jaris rose to meet her.

“Let’s get right to business.” 

 “Perfect,” Jaris said. “You collect ransoms. Any kind. You don’t actually care whether or not you are delivering an innocent creature over to be slaughtered, do you?”

“Do I?”

Jaris chuckled. “That’s nice.”

“It’s also temporary.”

Jaris’ hand dipped to his belt where his pistol resided until a forked tongue shot from Lily’s mouth and hit his cheek. Instantly, he felt warmth spread through his face and into his body rendering it hot, prickly, and sluggish. He staggered back and sank down into the chair. 

“That’s just a taste of what I can do,” she said.

“I’ll bet you are one hell of a date,” Jaris gasped. “Your talents are misplaced.”

“Lucrative but boring. I find this line of work much more exciting. So, you want an opportunity to beg for your life? Speak now.”

Jaris choked out the story of Rex and his backstabbing friend. “No creature should pay for the sins of another. The Morsai people were too lazy to gather their facts before they started killing everyone.”

“I’ve heard of the Morsai. They are big on population control.”

“Well murder is not a method of control I subscribe to. And we would have gladly left and not taken another breath of their air had they done the right thing. The person who had wronged them was already gone. Rex’s death didn’t bring anyone back nor did it mete out a proper punishment especially for a financial crime.”

“You must be rich.” Lily stood over him and ran a finger across his face.

As her palm caressed his cheek, Jaris felt the effects of the venom subside a bit. “You want to profit off of my dead body?” he said.

“I can think of other forms of entertainment first.”

“I’ll pass.”

Lily’s green eyes narrowed. “Your loss.” She walked over to the panel and began punching buttons. 

Jaris leaned over and grabbed her arm. He stopped when her face turned and her tongue flickered between her lips. 

“Where are you taking me?” he asked.

“You can stand trial on my world.”

“Your world? You have no jurisdiction over another planet’s alleged crimes.”

 “Sit back and relax.”

“Is Tamden your world?”

Lily completed the sequence.  “It’s a shame you have to be expended.” She picked up his plate and offered it to him again. “Eat your ration. It’s a terrible thing to waste.”

“It’s a terrible thing when it kills too. How much venom did you put in it?”

“My price goes up when you’re delivered DOA. But since you refuse…” The plate clattered on the metal floor as she tossed it aside. “You’re no fun cheap.” 

“You will pick that up,” Jaris said. “I run a clean ship.”

Lily flicked her tongue and walked away.

Jaris rubbed his tingly skin and tried to access the control panels. In addition to changing course, she had also blocked him from countering any of her previous instruction. He cursed and slammed his hand down.

“Problems?” 

“Get off my ship!”

“Gladly but you’ll still be heading to where I need you to be.”

Jaris rose. “I will blow this ship up including you with it before I ever allow that. Computer, begin self destruct!”

The computer panels blinked and resonated with a flurry of colors. “Activating self destruct in sixty seconds.”

Lily hissed and grabbed his shirt. “Turn it off now!”

“Or what? You’ll lick me again?”

Jaris pulled away and sat down in his command chair again. “We’re going down with the ship. You know I always said I wanted to go out in a blaze of glory. I wanted to travel the galaxy, see new sights, and meet new people. And, as a bonus, I’ll see Rex again shortly. And so will you.”   

Lily hissed and ran to the back.

“Better be quick about it,” Jaris yelled. “You don’t have much time!”

Lily struggled with the pod. Unable to manage, she gave up and released the door to space. “I’ll be back!”

Jumping from the small ship, the lack of oxygen quickly depleted her lungs. Her body coalesced and began its reformation. Her final thought before entering the rebirth process for the umpteenth time was that she really needed to step up her assassin skills. Rebirths hurt.