Chapter 1 - The Theft (2/2)
”In that case, do you really need to go?” asked Dave.
”Hey, it is protocol. Failure to be there would raise questions, we don't need people looking into. Right?”
”Hmm”
”Third.” Balthazar continued undisturbed. ”I have caused a substantial damage to your agenda and I know that there isn't much that can be done to mitigate it. I have killed your finance guy, the Banker. I and Sophia killed enough to push back your plans for a considerable period. Why, the assassination of the Banker itself put you back for at least 5 years.”
”I am sure that we will not be allowed to let go. Doing that would be detrimental to the faith, confidence of your confederates.”
”I told you, he wouldn't be giving it up after a few words. Men like him need to be trussed up a bit before to inspire them. Let me and Max have a few rounds with him. We can loosen him up for you.” said Dave as he walked toward Balthazar and threw a punch to his liver.
”Wow.” Balthazar coughed. ”The stuff, I read through isn't worth all this. You would just put a bullet through my head and consider it handled. Now, I wish to know what the drive has that makes you guys so desperate.”
”This is getting us nowhere, Raymond. Let Dave and Max have a go at him. They might be more successful.”
”As you can see Mr. Blyth, my companions are a bit anxious. If you continue this way, I would be forced to consider doing this the bloody way.”
”Oh please! You guys need to up your game. What is this supposed to be ”Good Thug, Bad Thug”?” laughed Balthazar. ”Honestly, you guys, when is the last time you interrogated someone? Seem to be a tad rusty.”
”In that case, Bel, I will leave you in their capable hands. Dave?”
Dave dragged the chair along with Balthazar into the ship's bathhouse. ”Ever drank soap, Bel? Don't worry, we will wash it out with water. Can't have you poisoned.” said Max smirking.
After a long time, Bel found himself on a cold wet floor, injured, drenched in water, his throat burning like it was being corroded. His eyes smarted and vision was cloudy as slowly came to look upon the wet injured body of a woman, hands and legs tied-up. It is Sophia. She is currently, a lieutenant colonel under Jane and had always been a good friend. She was the only one, who considered him innocent despite the evidence.
He was aching all over, could hardly move but slowly pushed himself beside her. He gently pulled her towards him and checked her for pulse. ”I am not down, yet” she giggled weakly. Her face was pale, eyes beaten black, blood dried and caked on her face.
”Looks like we got the short end of the stick.” she said as they started to hear people coming towards the bath house. ”Don't worry.” he comforted her. ”The rescue is on the way. We are going to be safe.” It was a long time since he cared for someone other than himself. For the first time, since he was 8, he prayed for a path to survive with his friends.
”So, any word from Jane.” said Dave.
”None. Unable to reach her. Seems that emergency is a credible one or she is being held at the fort.”
”I suspect it might be the later. Best we move the ship immediately, somewhere secure, some place Jane has no knowledge of.” said Max.
”I understand the need for cause but let us not be hasty here.”
”I would rather err on the side of caution than risk staying here.”
”There is a high chance that the drive is on the planet PK-170, she is posted on. She is the best chance, we got for retrieving the drive.” Raymond calmed them down.
”Another ten minutes, then we will move towards the nearest warp station.”
”So, any progress?” Raymond asked. ”I will have a chat with him. If it fails, it is time we use the girl.”
He walked into the washroom and calmly crouched before Bel and Sophia. Just as he opened his mouth, the speaker rang. ”Mr. Rowley. The captain requests your presence at his cabin.”
”I am busy. What's the matter Mr. Kimbley?”
”It seems to be some issue with stranding the ship in this position. Apparently, it is in a no parking space. We have been hailed by a defence vessel and it is requesting a preliminary scan.”
”Show them, the merchant license and tell insist that the Rowley Trading Firm cannot accept a scan of the ship on account of volatile materials,” replied Raymond disgruntled.
”Sir, we already have but their Captain boarded over, looked over the shipping manifest and is requesting to meet you.”
”He doesn't care about annoying your family, Rowley. That is either one tactless captain or they suspect something.” said Dave.
”Don't worry, I will clear it up. Dave come with me. Max you stay here.” said Raymond and they both walked away.
Dave came back in a minute and calmly pulled both Bel and Sophia and seated them against the bath house wall. He crouched in front of Bel, took out his gun and said, ”I have a surprise for you.”
He quickly turned around and shot Max in the head. ”He has lived long past his use. The original deal with him was to kill John Blyth, wife and their kid. But the idiot decided to spare your life. Had a soft spot for children this one.” said Dave as he retrieved a gun from Max's body. He started to feel dizzy. He braced himself against the wall with a hand and tried to aim the gun.
His vision felt foggy as he noticed Sophia fainted. He could hear someone running towards him from behind. He took a shot at Balthazar. Dark red matter splattered the wall behind Bel as he fell to his side.
The bullet struck the wall behind Balthazar knocking the shrapnel into the back of his head.
Bel felt a sharp pain as he realized what happened. He wouldn't survive much less feel pain, if he was shot in head at such a close distance. He fell to his side, waiting for the rescue to arrive. He had waited a long time for a second chance. He lay bleeding from his head, waiting in hope against all reason that he would be alive and finally, get a chance to do right by his grandfather, friends and Sophia.