Chapter XX: A Pirate's life for me!

Rick flipped out of Blackcoat's path, and perched himself on a crossbeam as the erscan pirate flew by. Z-gee combat was second nature to Rick, his training still fresh from four years of academy training. Blackcoat, on the other hand, for all his meanness and blustery talk, was not in the prime of shape, being more of a leader than a front-line fighter the past few years. Rick smiled to himself as Blackcoat caught a support cable and came to rest against the wall.

Blackcoat glared at him. Rick smiled down at him. "Look, Blackcoat, face it. She's human… well, more or less human, I'm human, you're not. Did you really expect her to remain committed to you?"

"Shaddup, terran," growled Blackcoat. With that, he launched himself at Rick again. Rick dodged out of the way, but the pirate grabbed the support to halt his flight, and slashed out at the human. Rick felt the erscan's claws rake his side, tearing his jumpsuit.

Rick pushed himself off the support towards a beam ten meters away. Just as he got to the beam, he spun around so that his feet would touch the beam, ready for another attack. Blackcoat was right behind him, claws and fangs bared. Rick let his legs soak up his momentum. As the pirate bared down on him, Rick grabbed Blackcoat's arms and twisted, causing the erscan to crash into a pillar.

Rick backed off, watching the pirate closely. Blackcoat wasn't moving. Rick hoped that he hadn't killed the erscan. Rick moved a little closer to see if Blackcoat was still breathing, then squeaked out a "Eerk" noise as a claw shot out and grabbed him around the neck. Blackcoat's face split in a wide grin to show a double row of fangs.

"Now you die, pathetic earther." Blackcoat put his face into Rick's, his hot, foul smelling breath washing over him.

"Gakk, don't you ever brush your teeth? How did Red stand it?" This comment only enraged the pirate more. Rick felt the claws dig deeper into his throat as Blackcoat growled in anger and Rick gasped for breath. Rick gagged, then pushed off the beam with his legs, carrying them into the open area of the corridor. He followed this with a sudden knee to the erscan's groin.

Blackcoat released Rick in a howl of pain, then Rick tucked his legs up to his chest and rolled until his feet were even with Blackcoat's head. He kicked out, striking Blackcoat in the head, rocketing the erscan into the wall with a loud thump. Rick's momentum brought him back to a crossbeam, where he took a moment to catch his breath and watch the limp form of the pirate floating next to the wall.

Rick watched him for a few moments, convinced this time that Blackcoat was not faking it, and saw that he was still breathing. Satisfied, he headed back to the hatchway, leaving Blackcoat floating in the corridor.

As Rick re-entered the humanoid section of the ship, he met Visky in the hallway. Visky just stood there and stared at him. Rick grinned up at him. "You better go and fish what's left of that fur rug out of there," said Rick, jerking a thumb behind him towards the airlock passage, "before you switch back the atmosphere." Visky didn't reply, continuing to just stare at Rick as he walked back to the main cabin he was sharing with Red.

When Rick came back out of the main cabin, his scratches tended and a new uniform on, he saw Visky helping Blackcoat through the airlock. Blackcoat was limping, and the fur on his head was matted down. He glared at Rick through pain-filled eyes. "You should have killed me, earther."

Rick marched up to him, and grabbing the front of Blackcoat's uniform, pushed the erscan against the wall. "Listen to me, you hairy idiot. The only reason I didn't kill you in there was because Red needs you. This operation is far more important than your stupid jealousy. Why she keeps you around I have no idea. So you watch yourself. Red isn't your woman, she isn't my woman. She is her own woman, and she will do as she wants. Understand?" He pushed Blackcoat back into the wall for emphasis.

Slowly and painfully, Blackcoat nodded. Rick released him and watched him slump against the wall. "Now, go get yourself cleaned up before she sees what an idiot you made of yourself," ordered Rick. Blackcoat nodded again, and with Visky's help, made it to the small cabin where he was sleeping. Rick watched until the pair were out of sight, then made his way to the bridge.

The main display on the forward wall indicated their position as they closed with The Blood Fever, Red's flagship. Red herself was reclining back in her chair, lazily watching the screens, giving Rick a smile as he entered but her eyes narrowed as she spotted scratches on his neck. Rick returned her smile, and turned to watch the display. They were only a few hours from meeting up with Blood Fever.

A while later Blackcoat appeared. Rick caught a glimpse of Red looking over at him. Blackcoat wasn't limping, but there was no mistaking the bandage on his head. Rick remained impassive as Red looked from Blackcoat to Rick and back to Blackcoat, but he thought he noticed a smile curl her lips.

When Rick departed the bridge to hunt down some food, Red motioned Blackcoat over, and addressed him in a quiet voice. "So, how are you and our boy scout over there getting along?"

Blackcoat's eyes narrowed as he glared at her. "We have come to an understanding. I still don't trust him."

One of Red's eyebrows arched up. "Really. I see." Her eyes flitted to the bandage on his head, then made eye contact again. "I don't trust him yet either. He's not what he claims to be, yet, He doesn't appear to be anything he claimed to be. I doubt that he was ever associated with the Space Patrol. Pity you were not able to snag that ship of his. It's quite spectacular." Red became silent as she pondered the few days she spent with Rick on the Star Ghost.

A low growl emerged from Blackcoat. "You didn't assign me enough resources to get the ship as well as that boy scout. Why did you want me to kidnap him anyway?"

"Because he is a mystery. An unknown, and I hate having unknown elements getting in the way of my carefully laid plans. Soon, I shall be able to determine what he is, and then will decide what his fate will be. Until then, I don't want him out of my sight. Things are much too delicate at the moment.

Blackcoat snorted. "He's SP. I can smell 'em." He tapped his snout with one claw. "Trust me."

Red gave him a rueful smile. "Trust you? I trust no one, my dear friend. Not even you."

Blackcoat gave her a broad grin, revealing rows of his razor-sharp teeth. "Smart lady. I'm right about that boy scout though. You'll see. And then it will be too late."

"You worry about getting to the rendezvous on time, let me worry about Rick. He will be either with us, or dead. In either case, we won't have to worry about him long."

Blackcoat snorted. "I'll be there. Don't be late." He glanced at the hatchway that exited the bridge. "Dead's the only way I will ever trust him."

"What? You or him?"

Blackcoat glared at Red again, noting her expression of amusement giving her face an almost pixie-like quality. At first her comment didn't make sense to him, but after pondering it a moment, he though he understood her question. He smiled. "Either way. I have no intentions of being the dead one, I assure you."

Red reached out and patted Blackcoat hirsute arm. "That's good. I would miss you."

Blackcoat's expression of surprise was quickly hidden as Rick rejoined them on the bridge.

The Blood Fever was a huge ship. Hundreds of meters long, and styled in the same fashion as a SP cruiser, hyperdynamically streamlined for efficient entry and exit from hyperspace. There were many airlocks and cargo bay doors dotting the hull, and at least one very large hatch that appeared to be big enough to accommodate a small ship. Weapon pods studded the exterior ship. It looked to Rick like there was at least one and a half times the firepower on the Blood Fever than on a comparable Stellar Patrol cruiser.

Being familiar with the power systems on SP cruisers, Rick wondered how they would be able to power up all those weapons. SP ships have as many weapons as logistics allowed, both to use, and as backup. However, it appeared that he would have a chance to check it out.

The garasian ship slowly moved in next to the Blood Fever. Finally, a docking tunnel emerged from one of the many ports on the large pirate ship, and made its way to the smaller ship. The docking clamps rang softly as they made contact with the hull, and formed an air-tight seal.

Rick and Red were the only two that were transferring to the Blood Fever. Visky was with them, a case in three of his arms, and a small pile balanced precariously on top of his body, another arm trying to keep the pile from falling over. Red glanced at Rick. "Don't worry, Rick. My ship has plenty of amenities for us humanoids."

Rick gave her a small smile and a shrug. "I've been learning to travel light." Red returned his smile, then led the way through the docking tube.

As they reached the end, the port opened, and a trim blond woman in a uniform that matched Red's saluted as they came aboard. With a start, Rick recognized the woman as Helen O'Rorke, first mate of the Vegan Queen!

To Be Continued...