Читать книгу: «Scrapper», страница 2

She looked at her hand again, caressing the tiny scar, where people usually had their funding held on a special implant.

Shaking off this stupor, she continued her path, feeling more and more unnerved.

Arriving on the bridge, she noted the captain’s chair, which was never used, and took her usual seat on the secondary pilot’s place.

«I advise you to take your rightful seat, Captain Serena.» the AI’s voice sounded. «Piloting is more accurate from that angle. I am sure you will find it more accommodating.»

Serena swallowed another lump in her throat, feeling herself on the verge of crying. Four years she followed the rules of a sadistic man, who did everything he wanted with her and beating her for any fault he could think of. Taking his seat – the one he never used – was an offence he could easily have her hand cut off for.

She hesitated, trembling and looking at the comfortable seat in the middle.

«I can pilot you from here…» finally, the woman exhaled, forcing words out of her mouth.

«He’s dead, Serena. Take his seat. It is now yours.» the AI, though cold in her words, still sounded like a human being, and obviously had some semblance of a personality. «You have nothing to fear anymore, captain.»

«No, thank you. Lyssa.»

«I insist…» the AI turned the captain’s seat towards Serena.

«You’ve never been so persistent, Lyssa. Why the sudden change?»

«If you take your rightful place, I will oblige you with a full story if you like.»

Serena looked at the captain’s seat again and, feeling pushed into something she didn’t like again, finally stood and walked up. To her surprise she noticed that the chair looked almost untouched – as if it was used very little. The woman carefully sat down, feeling the seat being extremely comfortable.

A moment passed and a scanner beam lit up the bridge with a faint blue light. Serena winced, and suddenly felt the seat taking its place in front of an elaborate control panel – much wider and filled with more screens to show the ship’s systems.

«So glad to have you back, captain!» the AI’s voice sounded much more cheerful than before. «Restarting all systems!»

«Back?» Serena was confused, thinking to herself. «Restarting all systems?»

The screens lit up, showing reports and something suddenly whirled behind her.

«Please forgive me for what I am about to do, captain. This will hurt.» Lyssa said kindly.

Serena felt her head wrapped tightly with a metal band and before she could raise her hands to tear it off, a sharp pain hit her head, forcing a scream escape her throat. The jolt was so hard that the woman arched her back, as her mind began pulsating with something she never thought possible.

She saw herself in the reflection of a beautiful mirror, talking to herself.

«I can do this… All I need is… to forget everything I ever was…»

Flashes of locations and faces ensued, followed by an ever growing pain that finally burst with a pained groan, as her throat suddenly clenched from the torment.

And then everything went black.

Chapter 3. Outer Space

She awoke to someone shaking her shoulders. Serena slowly opened her eyes, still dizzy and half-unconscious. It took her a couple of moments to realise that she was being called by Hunter.

«What the fuck did you do to her, you artificial bitch?» Hunter screamed, angry at the AI for doing whatever she did to make Serena fall down the captain’s chair.

«She will be fine.» the AI replied calmly.

«Thara-Lyss» Serena whispered, slowly coming back to her senses. «What the…»

Cipher tensed up and suddenly approached, jerking Hunter aside and grabbing Serena’s clothes to pull her up.

«What did you say?» Cipher growled into her face.

«Thara-Lyss…» Serena felt too frail to fight, hanging in the man’s hands freely.

He gritted his teeth and shoved her back into the captain’s seat.

«Fuck!» he kicked the nearby station.

«Please refrain from damaging the ship.» the AI said calmly. «My defence systems are running at one hundred per cent and I will incinerate you if you will cause trouble.»

«Thara-Lyss was a powerful house on Velutha.» Cipher explained to his friends. «It was destroyed fifty years ago.»

He turned to Serena again and leaned in so close, that the woman felt tiny next to him.

«What do you have in common with the Thara-Lyss?» he grumbled.

The woman felt her lips move on their own, replying:

«Serena Dal Thara-Lyss, daughter of Thane Dorn Thara-Lyss the third.»

Cipher’s eyes widened and he straightened, stepping away in a sudden shock. He looked aside, puzzled and not understanding how it was possible for one of the Thara-Lyss to survive after the purge their competing house started.

«Wait…» Hunter frowned even deeper. «Thane Thara-Lyss, the famous general of the Laithorian empire?»

«Who cares?» Pher chuckled, bored to be there at all. «It was a lifetime ago.»

«You don’t get it, do you?» Cipher growled. «Two houses completely eliminated each other in a bloody rampage, leaving no one to pick up the riches. By their laws only the survivors can claim all the lands and riches after such a war. If none do, it is being claimed by the empire.»

«So?»

«Their laws state that if a survivor of the house comes to claim his or her right within a century, they will get it all. Haven’t you studied the laws of neighbouring space empires?»

«I don’t care about empires and riches someone has to claim!» Pher grew irritated. «All I care about right now is to get off this rock, sell the fucking gold and be on my way!»

«That gold inside the storage bay is but a measly drop, compared to what we can get if we accompany her to the Laithorian empire safe and sound.» Hunter noticed. «Though, this will definitely make us go further than we anticipated before… we could, essentially, get lost in the vast outskirts of the empire. No one will find us there. The Company…»

«Oh, fuck the Company!» Pher screamed. «I just want out! I’ve had enough of this meddling with matters that do not concern us! Especially that of a scrapper who happens to be some pretty little princess of some measly little planet no one has even heard of before!»

«Lady Serena is not a princess.» the AI said. «She is heir to lands and riches accumulated by the two most powerful families on Velutha.»

Serena stumbled out of the captain’s seat and headed out of the bridge. She wanted nothing of it – not the captain’s title, not the memories, that have been flashing before her eyes, not the distant politics or riches…

All she wanted was some peace and quiet.

Her body twitched and curled under shivers, still recalling the pain she experienced when the AI initiated whatever hidden protocol it had programmed years ago.

Hunter noticed her gone soon enough, following her up to the dining area, where the woman curled up on the farthest seat, grasping her head. The man glanced at the food processor and picked up a couple of cups of tea before cautiously approaching the woman.

«Do you remember anything at all?» he asked, sitting down next to her.

«Captain Summers… He claimed…» Serena shivered. «He claimed he found me on Thorna Dirr.»

«And what do you remember?» Hunter offered her a cup of aromatic tea.

She took it, pressing her hands against the sides to feel the warmth coming from it.

«I don’t…» she flinched again, as if confused by all the memories that were implanted back into her head. «I don’t remember. I remember waking up on the ship… in the infirmary…»

«And Summers?»

«He had a team. There were seven of them. He…» the woman closed her eyes, recalling. «I can’t remember…»

«Allow me to help, captain.» the AI sounded from the dynamics on the walls. «First Pilot, Allan Wilkins, executed by John Summers at 11:44 on star date 15-23-3008. Co-pilot Ralinna Elefor, executed by John Summers at 13:55 on star date 16-23-3008. Technician Lee Plummer, executed by John Summers at 18:01 on star date 31-23-3008. Head of Security Innel Phaser, executed by John Summers at 17:07 on star date 01-24-3008. Medic Anna Tailor-Tehn, executed by John Summers at 03:41 on star date 05-24-3008. Engineer Finn Lordan, executed by John Summers at 05:00 on star date 06-24-3008.»

«It’s all…» Serena winced, feeling her head aching. «Scrambled… I only saw how the Ol’ Fart killed the tech.»

«Lyssa, how did John Summers become your captain?» Hunter asked, wondering of the strange period, during which John Summers executed his team one by one.

«After finding us, the technician, Lee, managed to overwrite the base systems, which led me to recognise John Summers as captain. Deep systems remained under my control, so they couldn’t use the ship to its full potential. This is the reason John Summers did not sell the ship, as I am assigned to Serena as her primary vehicle.»

«Wait… so there were certain systems asleep all this time?»

«Correct. Systems that are essential for military purposes were shut down and limited to the basic anti-meteor defences and a level one shield generator. For reasons of being under the radar while we were escaping Velutha, the ship also went through a reconfiguring process.»

Serena glanced up at Cipher, who walked into the dining room and heard their conversation with the ship.

«Lyssa…» Cipher looked at Serena, watching her flinch. «Name your full class, ship name and model.»

«You have no authority here. Only the captain can issue such an order.» the AI replied.

«Answer him, Lyssa.» Serena felt her heart stopping for a few moments.

«I am Military Star Ship Lyssandra, mark 13.»

Serena noticed Cipher becoming pale.

«Mark 13… the planet destroyer?» he asked.

«Correct. Small, but powerful.» the AI seemed to become cheerful. «I am an agile craft, capable of travelling through the wormholes by means of a quantum generator. I hold fourteen guns, each powerful enough to bring down a Mark 11 space ship. My force field is capable of reflecting most missiles, issued within the time frame lady Serena was living aboard.»

«Laithorian space vessels always were considered to be centuries ahead of time…» Hunter shook his head.

«Lyssa, I…» Serena grasped her head, not knowing what was happening to her. «I don’t remember anything.»

«To access your memories you need to get some rest, before your mind can process the data properly. For the past four years you haven’t slept much, and it affected your capability to process information at full capacity. Furthermore, John Summers implanted a muffler into your neck, which inhibited your capabilities.» the AI explained.

«My what?»

«Do not worry, the process of restoring your memories fried the muffler. I assure you, you will feel much better after some much needed sleep, captain.»

«I can’t… there’s…»

«The routine you got used to no longer applies, captain. I can take off and once we will be in outer space, I can start the process of re-configuration to make the ship take its initial form. Please confirm.»

Serena glanced up at Cipher, who stood deep in thought.

«Should I?» she asked the man.

«The ship is yours. Do as you wish. But if John Summers came here on a hunch, received from someone, we should make ourselves scarce as soon as possible.»

«If you fear that we will be found, do not worry, I am equipped with a military grade concealment field, which will make us invisible to most ships.» the AI replied.

«Lyssa…» Serena’s voice gave out for a second. «Initiate take-off, start up all your systems and start the reconfiguration process as soon as you are able.»

«Yes, captain.»

Serena took a few sips of the tea and felt the soft take-off. She remembered how bumpy and uneven the others were, when the Ol’ Fart was captain of the ship, and the first thought that came to her mind was that the ship’s AI didn’t like the man, and that was the reason for it being so slow and clumsy all these years.

The woman slowly stood to her feet, feeling her legs very weak.

«Lyssa…» Serena grasped the table. «I never thought of you as a rusty bucket.»

«I know, captain. I am detecting a significant drop in your physical state. You are close to fainting due to the emotional and physical stress you have experienced today. I would advise you to go to the captain’s quarters and get some rest as soon as possible.» the AI said. «However, a companion is highly advisable, as you seem to be unfit to take the long walk yourself.»

«I’ll be fine.» Serena growled, walking out and leaving the two men behind her.

When she was out of earshot, the men still remained silent. But the AI spoke out again:

«Mister Hunter, please make sure captain Serena reaches her quarters. I would not want her injuring herself in her current state.»

Hunter exchanged glances with Cipher and followed the woman, catching up with her in one of the corridors, where she almost slipped down the wall. Fortunately, he caught her in time, helping her stay up.

«I’ll help.» he whispered, noting how the woman tried to tense up to push him away. «Your ship’s orders, captain.»

«This way…» the AI flared up some lights, illuminating the path towards the captain’s quarters.

«We don’t have captains quarters…» Serena shook her head, when she suddenly saw the wall part and open up, inviting the two humans inside.

Hunter stepped in, helping Serena, and the woman gasped, watching how the ship reconfigured the place, widening the room and setting up a few partitions, dividing the quarters into four smaller rooms – a common hall, a small kitchen with a dining table, an office space and a bedroom. Hunter helped the woman walk through the luxurious quarters to a large bed. Serena noticed another door appearing on the wall and opening up to a comfortable bathroom.

«Welcome back to your private quarters, captain Serena.» the AI said. «I hope everything is to your liking, as always.»

The woman looked down at her dirty clothes and sweat-covered skin, and shook her head:

«I can’t…»

«Yes you can.» Hunter frowned. «These are your rooms.»

«Not that… I can’t sleep in such a bed… I’m… I haven’t washed in ages. Captain Summers…»

«Captain Summers is dead!» Hunter growled. «Whatever he did to you is over! The ship is yours!»

«Captain Serena, the ship’s water supply has been restored to full capacity.» the AI reported. «I suggest you and your new friends take a shower before going to bed.»

The woman swallowed a lump in her throat, and pushed Hunter away, heading to the bathroom. As soon as she went in, the door slid shut.

«I suggest you stay for the time being, mister Hunter.» the AI said to the man, who didn’t know if he was welcome at all. «I am worried for Captain Serena. And if she falls, I will need you to help her to bed, as my support bots are still in hibernation.»

«Lyssa… can you help me find out about something?» Hunter asked, glancing at the office space, where a large screen was affixed to the wall and another one – on the table, ready to be accessed.

«If it is within your access rights.»

«You managed the surveillance around ship all the time, correct?»

«Correct. Would you like to see some of the files in particular?»

«If you think I can… maybe… show me what John Summers did to Serena?»

For a couple of long moments there was silence, as if the AI was contemplating if this information was within his rights to know, but then the two screens in the office space lit up.

«You said to her that you won’t hurt her.» the AI said. «I will hold you to that promise you’ve given.»

Hunter stepped up to the screens and saw the AI showing him one of the videos from the surveillance camera in the cargo bay. The man sat down, watching Serena packing something into boxes. A few moments later he saw John Summers approaching her and grabbing her by the neck. When he shoved her into the wall, Hunter gritted his teeth, but continued watching, as John Summers began beating the woman at first, but then ripping off her clothes and taking advantage of her there and then.

The screen divided in two and another video appeared, as the first one continued.

The second video was that of the medical bay – Serena was taking care of a bad cut on her arm. John Summers walked in and grasped her by the hair, dragging her out with him as she kicked and flailed in his grip. The camera switched to another one, showing how the man dragged Serena into a small private room and threw her onto the cot, immediately slapping the woman and ripping her clothes off.

Another video appeared, joining the two others. Same man, same despicable deed.

Then another and another, until both screens were filled by clips of Serena being beaten and raped again and again.

Hunter forced down his anger, realising that the man who was doing all that to her was already dead and there was nothing he could do.

The screens suddenly shut off and Hunter heard the bathroom door sliding open. He looked that way and saw Serena grasping the side of the door, heavily breathing and hair tossed and wet. Wrapped in a thick, fluffy towel, the woman looked up at the bed, but seemed to have no more strength left to approach it.

«Mister Hunter, please help my captain to her bed.» the AI said.

Serena flinched, glancing to the side and noticing Hunter standing up from what was now her own office space. The man approached and offered her his hand. The woman didn’t object, accepting his help, and he accompanied her to the bed, covering her with a fine silky material, which reminded him of some luxurious cloth he saw somewhere.

As soon as Serena’s head touched the pillow, she drifted away into sleep.

Hunter didn’t meddle, walking out of her quarters and hoping that Pher won’t go looking for the woman.

Chapter 4. Breakfast

Serena opened her eyes and for a few moments didn’t recognise where she was. Sitting up, she noticed a little robot resting in the corner.

«Hi, Charlie!» the woman smiled and suddenly froze.

Charlie? Why did she call the bot Charlie?

The little robot switched on and its screen exhibited two cartoonish eyes that looked very cute, as if the robot was happy to be there. Serena stood from the bed and stepped up to the bot, remembering the little cleaner she had and called Charlie a long time ago. Kneeling down, the woman touched the round edges of the robot.

«Did you miss me?» she smiled.

The robot squeaked, as if replying in a cheerful manner.

Serena knew that the robots really didn’t experience any emotions, but were programmed to simulate them – it was made so to keep humans company during long and lonely space travels. Her Charlie was more than just a little cleaner – he was one of the multiple robots that could turn into defence drones if necessary.

The woman stood up, wondering how she knew all that. She stepped into the bathroom and noticed her clothes gone.

«Good morning, captain!» Lyssa’s voice sounded. «Your old clothes have been incinerated. Your wardrobe is now accessible. Would you like me to choose your outfit for the day, or would you like to do that yourself?»

«Can I wash up first?» Serena walked up to the sink and froze in shock, noticing the change.

She was looking at herself, but it was no longer the pale, dirty woman with dark circles under her eyes. This time she saw the soft skin and beautiful face that wasn’t hidden under dirt. Though, her hair was definitely in desperate need of a hairbrush.

As if on cue to that thought, the side wall opened up, offering Serena a plethora of things needed to make herself look presentable. Tooth brushes, creams, hair brushes and a multitude of clippers, scissors and even scalpels adorned this compartment.

Serena picked up the hairbrush and spent some time brushing her silvery hair that no longer seemed brown because of all the dirt and oil she was subjected to so long. In a strange state she made a high ponytail and braided her hair in a neat braid, clasping a metal bead on the end. After taking care of her hair she brushed her teeth and tidied up her fingers, getting rid of all the broken nails and imperfections that she had before.

She felt so much better, that she didn’t care if she was dreaming.

As she exited the bathroom, she noticed her little bot Charlie chirping next to an open wardrobe, where a number of different clothes hung, ready to be taken out.

«Thank you, Charlie.» Serena smiled to the bot, and the little helper swirled around and returned to his corner.

As she approached, she glanced at the clothes she barely remembered.

The official black outfit – trousers and jacket, both adorned with tiny little speckles of crystals that originated from a distant star.

A luxurious crimson dress, fit to be worn at high-end events.

A number of plainer trousers, shirts and jackets, ranging in colour from pale green to pitch black…

Was she always so stylish?

Serena took the plain black trousers and jacket, accompanying them with a dark purple blouse.

«A fine choice, captain!» Lyssa said in a cheerful manner. «Will you prefer your usual boots with that?»

Another compartment in the wardrobe slid out, showing a whole row filled with different style of shoes. Serena grabbed the heavy duty military boots, deciding that those were more comfortable.

A few minutes later the woman stepped out of the captain’s quarters and froze, seeing the ship fully transformed. The corridor was no longer claustrophobic and dimly lit – now it was wide enough for four people to pass each other without a problem and the lighting was bright and welcoming.

Even though her mind hadn’t yet recovered fully, this felt more like home.

Serena headed down the corridor, noticing the changes in the ship’s interior. Everything became more spacious, well-lit and less uncomfortable. And there were little robots hovering around, tidying up and carrying resources from storage to the necessary systems.

One of the robots slid in front of her and ascended, opening a compartment and offering her a belt with a holster. When Serena picked the belt up, she saw a gun and a blade lying beneath. She looked at the belt and realized it was her own military belt, given to her by her father after her first battle.

She failed to remember where and when the battle took place.

Serena put the belt on, then grabbed her weapons and thanked the robot, before continuing her way to get some food. As she walked into the dining area, she noticed the three men eating lunch and glancing up at her. Hunter and Cipher looked surprised to see the woman looking so clean and beautiful all of a sudden. Pher, however, cackled and leaned back on his chair:

«Now that is a fine woman, and not a girl! Where have you been hiding all this time?»

Serena stayed silent, stepping up to the food processor, and noticed the screen light up, before a portion of food appeared on the tray. The woman took her food and felt confused to see a lavish meal, compiled of steamed vegetables, grilled steak and a cup of something resembling red wine.

«Lyssa…» Serena didn’t know what to ask the AI.

«I took the liberty of adjusting your diet to compensate for the severe malnutrition you have been experiencing. Bon appetite, captain.» the AI replied.

Serena frowned in confusion, but decided not to argue, though it has been too long since she experienced a meal so hardy. She sat down at the far table near the illuminator, which showed the stars outside, and began slowly eating, deep in her thoughts.

It didn’t take too long before Pher jumped from his seat and approached her, plopping down on the seat next to the woman and leaning in.

«I say, you clean up good.» he said with a charming smile. «You’re even prettier without all the grime that hid this face of yours.»

He touched her cheek, making her jump up and gaze at him angrily. The man stood, still smiling.

«Come on… I’m only trying to be your friend.» he said.

«Leave me alone.» Serena growled, feeling an unusual rage surfacing through the scared girl that she was for the four years that passed.

«I’m sure we can figure this out, eh?» Pher shrugged, his hands open wide in a welcoming gesture.

Serena thought how full of himself he was to act so nonchalant and arrogant. She unsheathed her blade and watched his eyes look down, and then up at her face again. His demeanour changed slightly – more collected, tense and ready, though the boyish smile never left his lips.

«Never unsheathe your weapon, unless you are going to use it.» he said calmly, his voice growing lower and exhibiting a warning within the tone.

Serena raised her blade, suddenly lowering her stance and tilted her head a bit, as if welcoming him to attack.

«Pher, stand down!» Hunter’s voice reverberated through the dining area.

«No, let him do whatever he pleases.» Serena smirked, feeling unusually calm and determined.

Something inside of her stirred the memories of her body being capable of things she thought impossible for four long years. She felt the urge to fight, shed blood and punish the arrogant bastard in front of her.

She noticed in the corner of her eye that Cipher stopped Hunter from interfering and understood that the man wanted to see what she was able to do in such a situation.

Pher, on the contrary, cackled and stepped up, leaning into the blade as close as he could.

«Go on!» he smirked. «Kill me if you can.»

He froze for a couple of moments, but Serena waited for him to make the first move. Somehow she knew his bluff and wanted to make him pay for this rude distraction from her meal.

As the man flinched to grab her blade, she shifted in a blink of an eye, suddenly hitting him in the stomach and throwing him back. He straightened, wincing from pain, and frowned, understanding that the girl he saw the day before was nothing compared to the woman in front of him now.

He approached again – this time careful and attentive, watching her body for any signs she would attack him first. But she was standing frozen, as if being in a fight was something she was used to.

«You know nothing of the Laithorian empire, do you?» Cipher leaned back in his seat, enjoying the sudden entertainment.

«What’s there to know?» Pher cackled again, making a sudden advance, but receiving a kick to his side in return that forced him to the floor.

«The Laithorians value their military discipline. They live for war. Each child is raised preparing for the battles ahead.» Serena suddenly answered, giving Pher enough time to get up again. «We train since childhood. That’s why the Laithorians are best in military missions. We are paid to battle, conquer and fight. Our families make money by engaging the wars and battles of others. And my family was the most prominent.»

Pher jumped into attack once again, but now he seemed more eager to kick and hit, though each of his advances was met with a carefully placed block or evasion. For a couple of minutes the pair fought relentlessly, exchanging blows, but not stepping away. Cipher noticed how Hunter tensed up, not understanding how Serena was able to move so fast, though just yesterday she was as weak as a pup, barely able to keep herself on her feet.

«I advise you to finish this show, captain.» Lyssa’s voice sounded. «As your body had not yet fully recovered.»

«Shut up, Lyssa!» a sudden rage took over Serena, and the woman pushed through the rising aching in her muscles, forcing Pher to retreat again and again, until he jumped back and hit the wall.

Growling and attacking, Serena offered him no respite, aiming at his body again and again, barely missing her hits, as the man too was an experienced fighter in hand-to-hand combat. In a short moment of her distraction by a sharp pain in her broken arm, he managed to unarm her, throwing her blade aside, but that was all he could do, as the woman jumped to him, slamming her forehead into his face.

A pained scream flew out from his mouth, but before he could slide down the wall, Serena hissed and grabbed his clothes, throwing him aside.

Hunter jolted up, noticing the woman swaying from this. But Pher remained on the floor, groaning and bloodied from the short, but intense scuffle he had with the captain of the ship.

Serena walked over and picked up her blade, watching Pher closely, then sheathed her weapon and returned to her meal, feeling her hands trembling from adrenaline.

Though breathing heavily, she didn’t take her eyes off Pher, who lay on the floor, barely moving and groaning from pain. Serena tried grasping the glass with her drink, but almost dropped it, when her trembling fingers slid on the surface.

She took her time, slowing down her breathing and calming herself, before she understood that she was no longer hungry. Enraged at this, she threw her tray off the table and stormed out of the dining area, leaving the three men.