Jamming with Kavinsky

[Capt. Paul Kavinsky]

I have posted some various fiction already. This is just a fan fiction on being a fuel rat slash galactic pain in the butt.
Paul Kavinsky is a fuel rat and pirate currently flying an Asp nameD Sena. I am posting my big works of fictions here but my more routine smaller stuff will remain on the Fuel rat meg thread.

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Paul looked around the rather deserted landing pad. The landing pad was unlike any pad Paul had landed on. Instead of the hustle and bustle of a busy star port there was a solitary figure standing near some Roman columns. The Pad was silent the bright afternoon sun beating down on them. “Uh why the heck was I pulled over by half the Imperial Navy, Hey buddy you there with the silk shirt I’m talkin to ya”. He looked over his shoulder he could still see the two imperial eagles that had escorted him down. He walked up to the figure “hey man you hard of hearing or something”? “Please honored guest can you follow me this way” The loud screeching sound of an Asp Explorer de accelerating drowned out any other attempts at communicating with the man. Paul looked up and saw Watar maneuvering his ship HMS Nezumi into final approach. The man just started walking down the stone pathway. Paul looked around realizing that he landed on a stone pier in the middle of a bay. He looked ahead of him there was a large ornate structure jutting out of the mountain side. The wind was gusting the fresh cool breeze from the sea was refreshing as he walked. Paul followed the man because he had no choice running was not an option in the Cubeo system. The Thirteenth Legion and many other groups would turn him into space dust before he even managed to align Sena to another system. Paul figured the man leading him was a servant of some type. The Imperials were never big on doing things themselves Paul thought. The servant led him through a grand foyer. He noticed two guards join them as they walked through the large circular foyer. Paul took a moment to take in the Foyer. Everything was white and gold. The design was very sleek and modern.

The house had a grand majestic open feel to it. Paul felt the cool breeze from the bay enter the house carrying with the smell of the sea. The servant turned to a long hallway and continued walking. The Guards had their rifles pointed at him. Paul’s footfalls echoed as he walked down the hallway his leather boots scuffing the marble as he walked. The servant made a turn at a large door with a family crest of some sorts and a Latin inscription. He put his hand into the biometric scanner. The door slid open noiselessly. A large study stood before him the shelves lined with paper books. “Quite a collection you have here”. A well-built man with patrician features rose out of his suspensor chair and made the Imperial gesture of greeting. The man’s age had to be no less then forty Paul thought. “Greeting Fuel Rat, I am glad that someone appreciates the finer things in life. I am Baron Gaius Severous” he made a sweeping gesture to all the books on the shelves. Paul scowled “it isn’t very polite to interdict Fuel Rats for a discussion you could of just raised me on radio”. “Have a seat Fuel Rat it is uncivilized to talk matters of importance while standing if you want to be a stickler for manners” Paul walked over and sat in a suspensor chair facing the Baron. “Paul Kavinsky you are a hard man to catch I have been trying to bring you to the monthly The Jansen Freigbek Ball. Ever since you saved that commander thirty one thousand lightyears out we have been trying to track you down and invite you to the ball”. Paul shifted uneasily in his seat feeling the sonic pulses massage his back “I didn’t want to come here. And why do you want me to come to your social function anyways? You could have just gotten some one much more entertaining. How did you track me down anyways I ain’t too happy about that”? The Baron motioned to the servant. The servant walked behind some of the shelves and brought out an older gentleman standing five foot three wearing tux and a blonde woman with green eyes wearing a dress that fit with the current Imperial fashion trends. “They let my forces listen to your radio chatter we heard that there was a rescue in Cubeo we felt it was an opportune time to invite you” Paul sat there with a furious at the same time transfixed look on his face “hey I didn’t sign up for this I am going to my ship see you guys later. Aitken how the heck are you in on this thought I could trust you mate”? Aitken laughed "Sorry mate. They insisted I stay for a few days after rescuing an Imp pilot out near Fehu. They paid me as they said they wanted to hear how the Fuel Rats operated. I had no idea that they wanted to fool you into coming here. I think you can relax my friend as I have been treated with nothing but friendship since I got here." Olivia walked over and stood behind the baron “Paul the Fuel Rats operate on having good relations with all the powers we need to do publicity events such as this. The Baron here needs to firm up his humanitarian credentials in front of Aisling Duval. Inviting the Fuel Rat heroes was an easy way to generate good press. We are here simply to fly the mischief flag. While making the Baron here look good in front of Aisling” Paul ran his hands through his black wavy hair “no choice I can’t get outta this? Where Watar is you guys better not be drowning him in Imperial hospitality”. Gaius smiled and handed Paul a tablet “your friend is currently waiting on the landing pad we wanted to make sure that you would not slip away and knew that this is official. Here is the capitals coordinates I hope to see you there in three hours”.


Paul stood in front of a large building with rounded roofs. It reminded him of a growth of mushrooms. He leaned on a railing taking in the coast. The sun was setting light reflecting off the waves, the sky a dark vermillion. He started walking towards the checkpoint the entrance to the grounds of the ballroom. The crowd of people around the ballroom was eclectic. The gaudiness of Imperial Fashion was on full display here Paul thought to himself. Women with flowing dresses and men with military uniforms or wearing silk robes flowed around Paul as he made his way towards the entrance. Everything felt rather dreamy and unreal to Paul. The whole event seemed not grounded in reality to him. “An illusion to make us feel better about ourselves” Paul thought to himself. He had managed to slip away from Aitken and the rest on the flight over. Some Imperial is not going to be happy with his summer cottage being flattened Paul reckoned. He slowly walked towards the entrance following the rest of Imperial high society in. He walked through a large booth in front of the entrance. Alarms and suddenly everyone around Paul was pointing various ceremonial weapons at him. Two guards ran over to him “outsider please disarm yourself and give your weapons to us then step through the scanner again”. Great Paul thought clones as he looked at the blank faces of the guards as their implants pumped them full of combat stims “look guys I am licensed by the Pilots Federation I have a competent ranking”. “We do not recognize that. This is Imperial tradition you will hand over your weapons, only weapons signifying office or rank is allowed” the guard yelled. Paul lowered his left hand and took off his leather gun belt and handed it to the guards. He then proceeded to walk through the booth again. The booth made a loud noise again. The guards charged their weapons “hey hey don’t blow him away I know he’s a jerk but he would be a waste of energy” Watar out of breath rushed up and tried to defuse the situation. “Alright I’ll just go in all defenseless and vulnerable” Paul took an old single edged combat knife with a wooden handle out of his vest. He then proceeded to take out a small laser pistol out from his ankle. He took out a stiletto knife hidden in the waistband of his pants. He then took out a sawed off shot gun from a shoulder holster, he then took apart his belt buckle taking out another knife. He then pulled out a small .38 revolver from his sleeve. He then took out some grenades from his vest pockets and magazines, loose thirty eight rounds and shotgun shells. He clumped on a tray that an attendant had brought over to collect his weapons. He then walked through the booth again and the alarms went off again. Paul sighed and took out a pair of brass knuckles and Watar looked at him in shock. “Paul this is a social gathering not a warzone”. Watar walked with him through the crowd of Imperials staring and laughing at Paul.


They entered the lobby of the ballroom. It had the same white modernist design as the mansion. They queued up behind the various people trying to enter the ballroom proper. A small foppish looking man with a pencil mustache was announcing titles and ancestry. Paul walked up to the threshold of the room and handed the man his Pilot’s license “Fuel Rat commander wanted in-. I can’t say this here “the man cut it short and motioned for him to enter. Paul looked around the ballroom he was simply astounded by the size of it. Blue imperial banners hung from the ceiling. The fading sunlight of the day filtered in through skylights. The room was lit by some ornate floaty chandeliers. The floor was mosaics depicting the colonization of Achenar. Paul meandered into the ballroom feeling rather lost. “How did he end up here” he wondered himself as he walked past couples dancing. There was ivy growing up some of the columns and walls. Paul looked at all the bright colors and jewels and rubies from across the galaxy he felt rather under dressed. He stopped and looked at various statues that were made out of panite. Most of the statues were in the shapes of the various ancient Roman gods and goddesses. He passed a woman with green hair wearing a strapless line skirt and made out of black taffeta fabric. The music was some grand symphony or something played by live musicians. He definitely stood out here it made him uncomfortable. “Paul good, I finally found you, where’s your date”? Olivia walked to him her dress reflecting the sunlight filtering through the skylights. “What date, great you arranged me to get married too” Paul scowled at Olivia. “No stupid I got you and the guys dates to make you guys fit into imperial society. It’s just odd for people in imperial society not to have dates at these events like this oh there she is”. Paul did not catch the rest of it. He managed to slip behind a rather corpulent man on a hover sled gliding by. The sled led him to the buffet. It was overflowing with food from across the galaxy. Paul grabbed a plate and began to stuff his plate with some food. He suddenly lurched forward as Aitken swung his arm around him “hahaha knew I would find you here. Come join us and the rest of the rats and some admirers”. Aitken steered Paul to a crowd of people.

He saw Watar and his date and various Imperial officials. “I think slavery is a barbaric and unseemly practice we must abolish it” he was a young rather handsome Imperial official probably scion of some wealthy family. “The Federation is ahead of us significantly in technology. The Federals have a much more diverse military then our clones they can call upon millions of conscripts who bring much more versatility to the battlefield then our clones. The fact that we cannot use imperial slaves in war significantly cuts the available manpower” another young officer blustered. A short plump merchant chimed in “the free labor force the Federals has much more flexibility in adapting to market conditions”. The young scion turned to Paul “what do you think Commander? A well-traveled man such as yourself must have an opinion” Paul looked at all the faces expecting him to say something “The Federations free labor force is no better than your slaves. The Mega corporations often times do not pay their workers a wage to feed and clothe themselves. None in the Federation would really care less if half their work force can’t feed and clothe themselves. They normally justify it by saying if their workers had good spending habits they would not be hungry. The Feds conscript children sometimes to fight in their wars against various Imperial factions. Federation conscripts are often men and women given the bare minimum of training and sent to a battlefield far from home to die for a cause they have no knowledge of”. The Imperials look at Paul and some clap. The young scion smirked smugly “Hear this citizens we are superior to the Federation we have the best linages the best traits that mankind can offer. An Imperial officer is a volunteer ready to defend the honor and dignity of his bloodline. A commoner cannot defeat a man of worthy lineage. Our workers are well cared for given honorable work instead of being exploited by the corrupt oligarchs of the Federation”. Paul looked down at his boots and muttered “sure you guys do that’s why you want to abolish slavery so you don’t have to feed and clothe them and look dishonorable for not doing that” The young scion walked up to Paul and stared him down “you shut your mouth outsider or I will gut you”! Paul stared right back at the hothead “stinking spoiled imp ill-““enough there you are”! Olivia shouted. “Paul I need you to come with me they are going to start honoring the Fuel Rats in half hour I need you and Watar, Aitken to be seen conversing with the Baron and the Princess. For once Paul can you not try to upset the locals.”. “No it’s alright you all go I am not into the spotlight much enjoy your rewards congrats” Aitken disappeared back into the crowd before Olivia could stop him.


Olivia led Paul and Watar through the revelers at the ball. Paul noticed that even the smell of the entire room was managed it was a light perfume that was meant to remind guests of a warm summer evening. Olivia brought the Rats to a crowd of rather important Imperials along with the Baron. They stood next to a large raised platform. Paul nodded at the Baron and the various officials there. “Commander why do you have such antique weaponry, I could not help to notice most of the weapons you had were ballistic based. Surely Federals are able to afford the latest in laser and magnetic accelerator guns” A skinny older gentleman in an Imperial Commodores uniform asked him. Paul fought the urge to give out a smart remark “Because those weapons still require power sources the basic slug thrower has definitely seen better days. The Slug thrower still has better range than some of your laser weapons”. The commodore continued to eye Paul measuring him up as a threat “but your slug throwers require a supply of ammunition that would run out. You would be at a great disadvantage of someone armed with laser weaponry”. Paul shrugged “Ammunition is still plentiful on most planets I can get ammo for my guns in any outpost”. Paul looked and saw a small figure clad in a tight fitting dress. Her hair was an unnatural dark blue. She had delicate features and green eyes. She moved into the group with the practiced ease of a professional socialite. She greeted the various officials from highest standing then to lowest standing. She then turned her attention to the Rats. “I take it these the heroes who many of our commanders owe their lives to”? Baron Severous said while making the Imperial sign of deference “yes they are your highness”. “Hello Fuel Rats I am Princess Aisling Duval daughter of Prince Harold Duval”. Paul was almost completely hypnotized by her beauty and poise if it was not for being a cynic he would have been hypnotized. Paul glanced over he saw Watar was mesmerized and Oliva had already drank the Imperial cool aid. Both Watar and Olivia bowed and greeted the princess. “What is with this Rat is he a mute or something and why is he not following the theme for tonight” She eyed Paul with cold eyes. Paul stared back with equally hard eyes. He thought back to when he had just gotten a type 6 named Stars End. He was given a job to move Aisling Duval media materials. He was ambushed by two Fer De Lances and barely escaped with his life. It turned out that Aisling supporters had hired two mercenary Fer De Lances to kill Paul to make him an unwilling martyr. They wanted him dead to get good press and create a martyr for the cause. “I am not mute I just do not like events like this or the Empire” he warily eyed his opponent. “I am sorry to hear that but I seek to create a better Empire and the money raised here will go to freeing thousands of slaves kept in bondage” a small round of applause was heard from the officials gathered. She then moved off to talk with the Baron avoiding to have a confrontation with Paul.

“That was not so nice Paul” Olivia sternly told him. “We are trying to get publicity here the more people hear of us the more lives we save” convenient Paul thought. “Why do you support the Imperial cause Olivia”? Olivia turned her head to face Paul “the Federation is hopelessly corrupt. I have a bad history with them. Let’s just say they shot at me a few times. The Empire stands for something where as the Federation is just about getting rich”. Paul smirked “I don’t really see that difference considering the food here probably eclipses some planets annual GDP”. “Smart alec” she scowled at him “Do you know how much damage control I have already had to do tonight for your actions”? Paul tried not to break out laughing “I’m sure all of it can be solved with some matrona experience jelly”. “Paul I had to comfort your date and tell her friends that you did not think of her as some ugly beast that you did not want to be seen with, even for a simple social gathering” Paul shrugged “not my problem I don’t particularly want to be here or parade around some socialite as if she is my property or something for just simple tradition and social standing” Olivia raised her voice “Real convenient time for a pirate like you to suddenly have morals. Considering what I have heard what you told Rebecca to do with the stowaway on her ship. Isn’t it a bit hypocritical of you to suddenly care about exploitation? For once Paul just act like a hero enjoy it. You will not die from it”. “I ain’t trying to be on some moral high horse I am what I am Olivia and I am fine with it. Don’t like others running around believing that they are infallible because no one is” Olivia frowned “Paul the difference between you and me is that I do what I have to for the benefit of society. You do what you do for your own selfish gain”. Olivia turned away from Paul and went to talk with Watar. Paul stood there listening to the idle conversations. Suddenly the room went quiet when Aisling walked up the stage to the podium “like I need you to judge me” Paul thought.


“Nobles, Patrons, Cliens, citizens and outsiders I thank you for coming to this ball and supporting our noble cause to help those who are not as fortunate as us. Slavery is a barbaric practice that was abolished long ago by our ancestors. Yet the Empire still practices it as a way to restore honor. There is no honor in selling you mind and body to pay a debt. It is a degrading practice and should be outlawed in Imperial space. We will do our best to help these unfortunates and lead them into prosperity through our morality and honor. Tonight Baron Gaius Severous wants to honor some heroes who have saved a commander who ran out of fuel here in the Cubeo system. The Fuel Rats have been saving commanders over the past year we would like honor their contributions to Imperial space and recognize their humanitarian efforts” Aisling backed away from the platform to give Baron Severous the podium. Olivia motioned to Paul and Watar to get up on the platform. Paul walked up the platform hesitantly his stage fright was starting to get to him. “Greetings my fellow citizens I have invited the Fuel Rats to our celebration to honor their achievements. I am personally committed to helping anyone who is in need. I am devoted Imperial and I believe in Aisling’s cause. I have personally invited the Fuel Rats to this event and even used some of my own wealth to make it possible to have this event. I pledge my support and my family’s support of the noble Aisling Duval. Who would have made an excellent Empress in my opinion”. Aisling took a tray of medals from an attendant and walked up to Olivia “I present you with the Order of the Azure Falcon for your contributions to Imperial society and your current work within the Fuel Rats”. She pinned a medal to Olivia’s dress and walked up to Watar. “I present you with the Order of the Azure Falcon for you Watar for saving a commander in Cubeo and putting your life on the line for others time and time again”. Paul looked ahead seeing mass of people who would soon have their eyes on him. Aisling glided over to Paul “Paul Kavinsky this has been long overdue of all the pilots who went thirty thousand light years and beyond to save a pilot. You have not been honored yet for your actions. I present you with the order of Azure Falcon for your bravery in saving the stranded explorer and saving a pilot here in Cubeo. She pinned the Medal on Paul’s vest. “Stooop. This man is a criminal I challenge him to a duel to the death for insulting our Empire and smuggling narcotics into our society! If I remember this crime is punishable by death. Most of all he has dishonored the princess”! Paul looked at the crowd and saw a very familiar Imperial scion. Aisling turned away from Paul “there is no need to take the law into your own hands Paul will answer for his crimes after the ceremony”. The man responds “By Imperial law I challenge him if he kills me his crimes shall be forgiven. If I kill him he will have paid his debt to society”. An individual walked up to Aisling and whispered into her ear “yes the dual can happen if Paul agrees to it”. Olivia walks up to Paul “sorry for dragging you into this I did not think you were wanted”. Paul scowled “no problem I have managed to stay alive this long I’ll get out of this somehow”. Paul walked towards the front of the platform “I accept I want my weapons back if this is ok with you”. The man smirked “yes should make no difference I will kill you anyways”.


Paul found himself standing on a field. A cool gust of wind whips his hair across his face as Paul stood sizing up his enemy. An attendant sets the storage box with all his weapons down. He eyes his opponent who had finally learned that his name was James Maroni. His opponent had killed fifty men in such duals. He was genetically modified he had twice the intelligence and ability of a normal man. This was not counting the combat implants that he had. He was armed with an exotic saber. Paul thought that the man let him have his arsenal to at least make it entertaining for him. Olivia briefly walked up to him “this is stupid Paul and it is putting at risk all the good work we have done. You have eluded them this long surely a prison escape attempt is feasible” Paul shrugged “I am dead either way better to end it here than being executed on my knees. I either win and walk away or I lose and die simple as that” Paul looked around noting that there was a small crowd. Paul did not like his odds or duals like this. He thought Duals like this were stupid and most of the time no one kept their word. He looked across the field his body was paralyzed with fear as he thought of the many rather bad ways this could end. His mind raced he kept thinking of all the ways he could die. The iron grip of fear began to strangle Paul’s mind. Paul wondered where Aitken was he could use the man’s advice right now. He began to get in control of his fear not thinking about how this will end always helped.

The second walked up “this is a dual to the death any means to kill your opponent is allowed. Gentlemen you can start anytime”. His heart racing Paul reached into his pocket and grabbed a grenade and pulled the pin. James was already charging at him as Paul pulled out his pistol and began to fire. The sharp and loud report of Paul’s nine millimeter pistol echoing throughout the still night as he frantically fired. James managed to deflect the lead with is sword the ones he could not deflect hitting his armored body suite underneath his fashionable coat. He rapidly closed the distance between him and Paul sparks bouncing off his sword. Paul was down to the fifth round in his magazine holding the spoon of the hand grenade. Paul sidestepped into his opponents stab. Shooting the last of his magazine into James who stumbled backwards not expecting Paul to be able to avoid him. Paul quickly back pedaled while holstering his pistol to grab the snub nose revolver he kept. He continued to fire his revolver feelings its reassuring kick as he tried to keep the sights on his target. James kept deflecting his shots. James went for a slash this time trying to bisect Paul. He bent backwards to dodge falling on his back while grabbing the knife in his belt stabbing James in the foot. James howled in pain as Paul rolled away dodging a sloppy downward stab. Paul got up to his feet as James took the knife out of his foot. Paul backpedaled trying to get more distance between him. In holding the fuse of the grenade Paul was forcing his opponent to not kill him. If he was killed James would have four seconds to get out of the blast range and take his chances on not having shrapnel shredding him. James smiled at Paul “you truly are stupid”. He threw his sword at Paul hitting him in the arm carrying the grenade. Paul felt a sharp pain as cold steel went through skin and bone. He dropped the grenade. Paul started to run as panic began to overtake him. There was a loud sharp boom. Shrapnel went everywhere. Paul felt an intense burning pain in his back and legs he collapsed as he cried out. Paul’s body had now hit the hilt of the sword as he fell burying the sword deeper into his body. His fear was now threatening to overtake his control. Thoughts of death cloud his mind as it races. James kicks Paul over and removes his sword from his arm. “Now I am going to teach you to respect your betters and the laws of society” He kicks Paul swiftly in the ribs breaking them. Paul screams in agony.

James then starts to break Paul’s various bones and periodically stabs him at certain nerve centers. Paul was now barely able to breathe every breath sent sharp pain through him. Paul’s mind is now engulfed by pain. He desperately tries to think. His mind suddenly blanks out knowing that he must act now. In desperation he moves his broken arm and grabbed the holstered sawed off shotgun shooting James in the face with hundreds of iron pellets. The recoil of the shotgun mangling his arm as bone breaks from the skin. James keels over dead with half his face missing. Paul heard a sharp crack a sharpshooter had missed his mark Paul was not getting out of here alive. The loud scream of engines engulfs the field. An Asp landed and a familiar man came out grabbing Paul by the vest dragging him up the ramp as a round went right into Paul’s shoulder burying itself into his torso. At this point Paul was unable to feel he was already starting to get very cold and dizzy. “Sorry mate I tried to get here as fast as I could to get you out of this whole thing. Getting the when and where and just getting here took ages” Aitken kept talking Paul tried to listen as he was hoisted up onto a bed. “Hang in there don’t leave us yet. You are bleeding out and have many internal injuries. The med scanner is still trying to figure out if you have organ damage. I’m going to get you to Fuelum if I can” with that Paul blacked out.

 

[Capt. Paul Kavinsky]

The warm and fresh spring breeze blew across the court yard. Paul heard the distinct yelling of his Capo, than his maniacal laughter. Paul was sitting on a fountain with graffiti everywhere. The Fountain had long stopped working. He was waiting for his Capo to let him into the offices because he had summoned Paul for some kind of errand. Right now there was a big meeting or something going on. His skinny black tie fluttered in the breeze as he sat on the fountain. He readjusted his ray ban sunglasses and patiently waited for his boss. The afternoon sun was beginning to beat down on him as he sat there waiting.
The hustle and bustle of the Garden city on Cupis 7 continued on as he sat there waiting for his orders. “Hey Paul still waiting for Austin huh”? Paul rapidly reached under his suit jacket for his pistol. “Relax Paul I am not going to rob you blind yet. You were so jumpy remember when we first met”.
A beautiful redhead with green eyes walked around to be in front of him. “Yes I do you grabbed me in a headlock from behind and pretended that your finger was a gun and demanded me to hand over my wallet. You’re lucky I did not punch you in the face” Paul frowned and decided to try and ignore her.
She giggled “that was hilarious you were terrified and froze up”.
“Why are you here anyways Catherine”? She sat down next to him she was wearing her usual shorts and a t shirt. “I am here to see Marcus”. Paul felt a bit of surprise wash over him “strange for Marcus to be at a meeting with the higher up, he was an animal” Paul thought. “Why do you need to meet Marcus”? The tension around the conversation heightened. “He said he had some good news for me like he wanted to give me a gift” she looked rather pleased with herself. Michael a short kid, rather stupid popped out of the door “Austin wants you both in here now”.


Paul walked into a rather barebones conference room. The walls were a neutral white. The ceiling was a false ceiling. The place was a mess with cheap metal and plastic furniture. Catherine walked up to Marcus kissing him. She sat next to Marcus. The room was dingy.There was four women in the room and three men. Paul looked around he saw Austin a man with medium build and short dirty blonde hair snorting a white powdery substance on the table. His face was round but was chiseled many of the local women had a crush on the guy. Paul had known him since he was five. When he got into the syndicate he took in Paul in gave him a purpose gave him family.
“I want you to do something for me” he said slurring his speech.
There were many empty bottles of alcohol and various narcotics everywhere. The rooms was dark sunlight filtering through the blinds. There was a skinny half naked brunette passed out on the couch. “What is it Austin, say the word it’s done”? Paul said while standing at ease. He sat there looking dazed the dark skinned girl sitting with him on the same chair ran her hands through his hair.
“Actually it’s for me mop head”. Paul looked to the right he saw Marcus a heavy set man with tan skin. His face had chubby cheeks it gave the man a rather jolly appearance at times with his short black slicked back hair. “Why the frack should I do what you tell me Marcus last time I checked Austin ran the operation here” he glared into the man’s deep set dark eyes. Austin came out of his stupor “I need you to help yourself and our mutual friend over here. He pointed to the man in the shadows his face obscured by smoke. Remember Colin Wallace the junky. Crackhead hasn’t paid us or you all the money he owes us I want you to go find him and make an example of him. I don’t care if you have to his sister just go over there and mess him up and get our money”. Paul adjusted his suit “why now he hasn’t paid us squat for weeks”?
He glanced over to Catherine she had a concerned look on his face. “Cause he’s a crackhead who still think Catherine is his” Marcus shouted at Paul. “You know what shut up Marcus I ain’t your errand boy go do it yourself” Paul said rather stormily. “I don’t care what you think Paul go over there and make an example unless you no longer follow the rules” Austin was now sitting up.
“Paul go over there and take everything he owns and I expect you to use your imagination in punishing him no weak stuff like just breaking his bones go for the people he cares about” Marcus said in a matter fact way.
“don’t do it Paul just don’t you two idiots knew he would never get the money back in the first place, Marcus you don’t have to prove you have me, you already do” Marcus did not let her finish. “Shut up you dumb bust down I’m sick of you telling me what I should and shouldn’t do” he threw her off the chair and began to beat her with his fists.
“Go get it done Paul I know I can always rely on you to get things done” Austin said in a dazed manor. “Yeah sure thing no problem”. Paul looked over at Catherine who was now crying and still being beaten she screamed at him “Paul help me stop him”. “Your problem not mine”. He turned and began to walk out of the room noticing the third man in the room the one wearing a dark coat. Paul did not ask who he was asking questions around here was not good less you knew the better.
Paul groggily woke up. There were figures all around him but he was unable to determine if the figures were human. He was definitely lying down on a medical bed. He tried to raise himself to a sitting position. He was unable to do so. His vision began to sharpen and the shapes began to take form. He was looking at two out worldly alien shapes. Thargoids he thought but as the shapes began to focus they began to take a more human form. There was a doctor and a familiar Commander standing at his medical bed.
“You are still with us mate was not going to let you check out on us. You are at Wolheim in Fuelum.” Aitken smiled as Paul began to gain more of his faculties. The Doctor faced him “Paul you came here with shrapnel wounds, heavy internal bleeding, you were paralyzed a piece of fragmentation grenade severed your spine at the waist. You had multiple broken bones and fractures. The rifle round had punctured your lung barely missing your heart. Paul you have been here for a week in coma we had to put you in one the regenerate your spine. You should be dead you were lucky that Aitken was able to stabilize you.” Paul began to panic he began to keep trying to get up but he could not. He wanted to escape the hospital he hated hospitals. “We have fixed your spine and most of your broken bones have been set. We took the bullet out of you. The Shrapnel will be with you the rest of your life until it emerges. You will be with us for a few weeks most of your body is still healing and we have a few more operations that must be done” the Doctor began to change his status as conscious on the tablet that hung off the bed.
“That was the good news the bad news is that the Imperials have impounded Sena on Cubeo. The family of said imperial you killed wants you dead I would lay low or avoid Imperial space for a while. They want you dead because they claim you fought dirty thus voiding your agreement in getting off. Get better soon mate I miss flying with you, need anything you know how to contact me”. Aitken gave Paul a reassuring look. “Yeah I will work on getting better” Paul replied. Aitken smiled and left the ward with the doctor. Paul drifted off again into unconsciousness. Paul spent the next week drifting in and out of consciousness as he healed up and went to various operations. He kept revisiting his past during these episodes


Paul drove his battered sedan through the night. Catherine was seated in the passenger side. The stark shadows streaked across her face hiding the bruises. Her eye was swollen along with her jaw that just looked as if it was bent out of shape. It was a dark and dreary late night as Paul drove the old sedan through empty streets. He rolled down the window turning a hand crank to alleviate the stuffiness of the car. Paul was frustrated because Marcus had effectively reduced him to errand boy status by making him drive Catherine home. He was a grizzled senior foot soldier not some errand boy in the organization. This was the kind of work associates would normally handle.
“Paul why didn’t you stop him”? Julia asked wearily. Paul sat there a moment the faint white light of the dashboard reflecting off his sunglasses. “Because I don’t owe you anything, you are his problem not mine” Paul explained in a detached voice.
She glared at him “I know that is a load of malarkey Paul”. Paul drove over a pothole the soft suspension of the car allowed them to just float over it.
Paul turned the vinyl steering wheel “I may or may not care about your wellbeing but you got yourself involved with Marcus. I told you what he is like but you ignored me”.
She continued to look frustrated “well when he is not like this he is gentleman and he buys me stuff. He is funny charming and charismatic and a social person”.
Paul stepped on the accelerator the old electric motor began to make a grinding mechanical noise. “I told you Catherine the guy makes sure the local pimps pay up and runs that end of the business. He also helps them get girls by luring them with money or work".
Paul continued to drive the bright orange of the streetlights casting stark shadows in the vinyl and false wood interior of the sedan. “You still should of stopped him Paul” she pulled out the cars lighter and lit up a roll up cigarette tossing the lighter out the window.
Paul stopped at the light behind a squat orange car the slim LED tail lights looking like cat eyes glaring at Paul. “Will you stop throwing the lighter out the window”! She laughed “you get frustrated so easily Paul, I just do that to you off”. Paul accelerated “yeah cause you get under my skin”. She took a long drag on the cigarette the noxious fumes of a narcotic filled the car “so there are some things that bother you”. Paul put his arm on the windows edge “more things then you think”.
“How was your night Catherine”? Catherine flicked some ashes into the ashtray “other than the beat down this afternoon it was a good day. Marcus bought me some stuff promised never to hit me again”.
Paul doubted that “I’m still looking for your ex-boyfriend, he has made himself hard to find”. Catherine smiled coyly “hope you can’t find him”. Paul glanced to his passenger “so do I if he’s smart he is off world by now.
But Colin was never smart but he was a capable burglar, when he was sober. He also has many contacts in the syndicate someone probably tipped him off”. Paul turned the car into a one way street. She looked at him as smoke curled around her face “I would like some of the old earth music you borrowed from me back”. Paul pulled the car up to the curb. He moved the column mounted shifter into park “yeah I’ll give your vinyl back”. She reached over and snatched Paul’s sunglasses from his face “you look better without them”.


Paul was lying in his bed feeling bored out of his mind. A gal net news update scrolled across the screen of his pad. “Notorious pirate Paul Kavinsky’s ship Sena is going to be blown up in Cubeo as an example to all pirates that even Fuel Ratting does not excuse you from not paying your debt to Imperial society”.
“Screw it” he thought, He sat up pain shooting through his body immediately as he began to try to get out of the bed. He needed to find clothing that was not a hospital gown. He looked down at the floor his bare feet hanging off the bed.
He gulped “if I can conquer myself the imps don’t stand a chance” he said to himself. He pushed himself onto his feet. He immediately bit his tongue to stop screaming in pain as he collapsed. A sharp pain went up through his legs as he collapsed onto the floor.
He looked at the bare white celling as he began to pull himself together. Through the haze of the medicine “Paul get up and go kick them in the face again” the voice of his mentor Shawn was heard through his drug induced haze.
He reached for the bed and began to pull himself up. He leaned on the bed a sharp pain shot through his legs. He used the bed to keep himself up mind engulfed in pain. He wanted to give up and just crawl back into bed. He pushed those thoughts aside as he lunged towards the wall and used that to support himself. He began to limp towards the door. He pressed the control panel and the door slid open. The hustle and bustle of the Fuel Rat med ward greeted him as he figured out his next move. He began to limp away from his room as fast as he can before the nurses realized that he was gone. He suddenly saw sedatives on a push cart he grabbed the injector and limped down the hall past another hospital room. He saw Randy Savages tall silhouette at a vending machine. Randy appeared to Paul as if he was trying to figure out whether he wanted to buy a slim Jim or a snickers bar. He limped behind the man and injected him with sedatives in the neck. “what th-“ Paul injected him again with sedatives he finally keeled over. Paul began to drag him down the hall to the men’s room where he stripped him of his clothes and put them on. Paul walked out of the men’s room Savages getup of rainbow zebra striped hat and matching leather vest with tassels and Alpina sunglasses that glint MACHO when the light hits them. His arms barely came out of the sleeves and he had to make sure his pants did not fall off if he ran.


He made it to the star port without anyone noticing. He was using a rifle as a crutch he had borrowed it out of the Fuel Rat locker storage area. The pain had become a dull pain. It still hurt to breathe and his fingers hurt every time he clenched them. Paul entered the storage area of the port. He walked past dozens of stalls. There were many Asp Explorers and Diamondback explorers. He stopped at an Orange Asp. It was Captain Shinobis Asp he limped to the aft portion of the ship and put in an emergency override into the panel. The ramp lowered and Paul walked into the ship. He sat in the cockpit noting the difference between a newer Asp and Sena. No Analogue controls everything was holographic except the flight stick and throttle and pedals. He put in a request for takeoff in his borrowed Asp.


Paul entered the Cubeo system he was barely keeping conscious with the pain. He looked out of the cockpit looking at many bright dots of light streaking across his screen. He then put in a course for Medupe city. Paul knew that this is where Sena was most likely stored. Aisling’s supporters had a vast impound yard where they stored seized ships that were suspected of hauling imperial slaves or regular slaves. He remembered visiting the yard when he first signed up just to see if some boastful Aisling Angel was lying about the scope of Aisling’s operations against the slave trade. He dropped out of super cruise the large bulk of the station in front of him. He put in a request to dock. The Imperials immediately accepted. The reason for the borrowing of Shinobi’s ship was because he was a long time Imperial loyalist it was not likely they would suspect that his ship was borrowed. His sense of up and down was tenuous at best as he aligned the ship to the station. Painkillers were clouding his sense of direction. He desperately tried to put the ship back on course as he drifted to port heavily. Almost running into the side of the station he entered the airlock and began to land the ship. With a screeching metal on metal sound had landed the ship on the pad. He then lowered the ship into the hangar. He limped out of the cockpit and off the ship.


Paul limped into a novelty shop and purchased a fake mustache. He put it on he was now officially disguised and began to limp towards the impound yard. He needed a plan he was at this point improvising as he went along. He continued to limp through the station passing pilots and locals as he made his way through the steel and composite labyrinth. He pressed the access panel and the metal door slid open with the hissing of hydraulics. A bored looking functionary was sitting behind an ornate desk surrounded by guards.
Paul gulped “Hi I was wondering if I can get the Zong out of impound I have the hundred thousand credit payment”. The clerk handed him a pad to transfer the funds “good thing you got here we were going to melt her down.”
Paul took the pad and sat down transferring the funds from a fake bank account. After a half hour of paper work Paul handed the pad back to the clerk. The pain meds kept the pain to a dull ache but his brain was muddled.
“Alright if you follow me I will lead you to ship”. Paul knew the Zong because it was a ship that he pirated once he knew that it was in this yard for hauling slaves in Aisling territory because of the infamous incident where the owners vented out three hundred tons of slaves to collect the insurance.”gotta love insurance fraud” he thought to himself.
Paul had stolen the ship’s owner Id codes to sell stolen cargo to cover his tracks”. He was now using them to prove that he owned the Zong. The functionary gave Paul the lot location the Zong was parked.Paul walked through the large security door and into the massive yard. He began to limp past rows of cargo ships and Anaconda’s. He knew that the Zong was near his ship the yard tended to keep ships slated for destruction in the same area. After a long period of time limping he saw his ship. He limped over to her and lowered the boarding ramp. He limped through his ship. His possessions were littered all over the ship. The furniture was broken and ripped up. His cat walked up to him. Relief flooded through Paul as he saw her. The Imperials probably gave up trying to extract her from the ship given the difficulty he has of extracting her from his bunk when he wants to sleep he was not surprised. He made his way to the cockpit and sat in his battered pilot’s seat. He flips some switches turning on the avionics and glances to the holographic display of his fuel.
“Arrogant Imperials, I guess they wanted a show” Paul thought.
Instead of defueling her they had kept her with a full tank. He started flipping switches activating the reactor. He enabled her systems.


He set the throttle up and took off he heard over the radio “you idiot that is the wrong ship cut your engines now or be destroyed”
He took off flying the ship through the rows of ships. He strafed the ship upwards through a passage the led to the main star port what he was doing was suicide typically ships were brought to the hangar by lifts. These passages were never meant for a ship to fly through them. Paul juked his ship past many conduits and obstructions. Sena’s space frame groaned in protest as he pulled off maneuvers. Through the dull haze of pain meds and pain Paul fought to keep himself oriented right. He kept turning and ducking trying to find an exit. He suddenly caught a glimmer of the star port above. He used the lower thrusters to propel Sena upwards. Sena barely missing the empty pad that was coming up to replace the pad that was carrying a clipper rushed underneath Sena as Paul struggled to win the race up.



Sena shot out of the hangar Paul struggled to deaccelerate her climb as he noticed a Lakon type nine that was on a collision course with Sena. Paul managed to beat the type nine it passed under Sena harmlessly. For a brief moment Sena hovered in the star port unmolested until the shock wore off. Suddenly Sena violently shook as rounds hit her shields. Paul wasted no time he set that throttle to boost and set course to the mail slot. An Orca took up his windshield, Paul immediately strafed left turning Sena so her lower thrusters were facing the station wall. He strafed up using the lower thrusters to kill momentum while accelerating out again bringing her again on the same plane as the mail slot. He then accelerated to full Speed the acceleration pushing him back into his seat. Suddenly panic started to creep into Paul’s dazed system as a massive type nine was moving through the mail slot. Paul pressed boost right into the type nine and angled Sena forward using her sloped fore section as a wedge to push her under the type nine. Sena’s space frame shrieked in pain as she slid under the ship triple her tonnage. Paul managed to get past the type nine and before him was open space than his heart sank right into his stomach. In front of Sena an Imperial man of war lazily drifted through space. Paul began to feel surreal as this was a nightmare he could not get out of. He vaguely heard through the radio calls for him to surrender.
“Commander submit to the Imperial Navy failure to comply will result in death”. Paul sank into his pilot’s seat as search lights began to pierce the gloom of space casting dark shadows in his cockpit. Paul looked at his shields that were almost gone. His mind was barely keeping up with the situation he could not grasp the rapidly unfolding situation through the haze of his pain meds.


He looked down at the gold pocket watch wrapped around his throttle. He grabbed it and opened the watch looking at a worn piece of paper that was kept inside of it. It had been with him since Cupis. Just looking at it now reminded him of the cold harsh winters of his home planet. He remembered the things he had done. Paul looked up at the Imperial warship in front of him which did not look so big anymore. Paul pushed the throttle forward back into boost towards the Imperial warship. Sena took off the G forces slamming Paul into his seat. His internal injuries were not healed. The space around him erupted as laser fire and tracer lit up the space around him in an angry display of firepower. The stations fire began to hit the Imperial warship. The nasty crossfire ripping into the mighty ships shields. Sena’s shields slowly began to evaporate as Paul frantically looked for a system to jump to. Sena’s shields failed rounds began to shred through her metallic hide. His Nav computer froze again as he tried to select a local system to jump to. Paul focused on evasive maneuvers. He began to use the scissors maneuver shaking Sena left to right rapidly. He ejected some chaff as he kept putting her into boost each time she recharged. He charged right at amid ship of the massive warship. The gunners of the Imperial warship began to miss Sena much more often as she came to a few meters away. The gunners were unable to train their guns on such a small target at that range. The station was now in the crossfire and fighters pursuing Paul began to be shredded by friendly fire. Sparks were now flying all over the cockpit her instruments flickering on and off. His fake mustache began to burn slightly as it ignited. Paul raised Senas’s nose last moment boosting upwards to avoid hitting the Imperial warship. His ribs now compressed badly the G forces re breaking his ribs puncturing his lungs. Barely able to breath he put Sena into silent mode and began boosting away from the warship as fast as he could. He looked down at his instruments and saw that the starboard main thruster was overheating melting its internals because its coolant reservoir had drained out. His nav computer beeped indicating it finally locked a system Paul put Sena in the direction and activated the Frame shift drive.


Barely conscious Paul saw the welcome sight of Wolheim vision in front of him. He was barely controlling Sena now. Her starboard main thruster was dead. Before it melted itself it had fried the control bus for governing the entire starboard side thrusters. He was cleared for landing he haphazardly landed her on the landing pad. He was barely conscious now the world now seemed to him as one surreal dream as he felt light headed. He opened the boarding ramp after ten minutes some rats led by Surely Badger along with Rusitcolus carried Paul back to the med wing. Paul vaguely heard some lecturing about it’s only a ship and that there is insurance. The consensus between the rats was the Prismatic Empire would not forget nor will it forgive Paul for this latest incident.

Meanwhile back in Cubeo. Capt. Shinobi woke up groggily as soon as his eyes focused on the muzzle of a laser rifle he jumped out of bed with a fright. “What is this madness”!! The trooper replied “sir you are under arrest on suspicion of assisting with terrorist activities”. With that they subdue Shinobi and carried him out of his ship. Shinobi spent two days explaining to the Imperials that he was asleep and had no idea that Paul had even left from Fuelum. They released him on account of his good record with the Imperial Navy. They promptly added another million to Paul’s bounty.