Book II: Brinus Helios - From Criminal to Hero

Brinus and an assistant smoothed the welds Brinus made on an alloy support truss for the deflector dish with a rotor blade. One of his assistants had just spent four hours building a rebar system for a spacewalk. He filled in for a fourth year who was taking his lieutenant's exams. The workshop bustled with activity as everyone prepared for the spacewalk. The rebar system was completed, and a robotics technician and two robotics engineers retrofitted an android to work alongside the five human repair technicians. Two welders created a new deflector dish with unique alloys to this solar system. A 3D printing tech created spare parts in case anything was damaged, as required by regulation.

A Lieutenant came up to Brinus and tapped him on the shoulder. He jumped and then looked at the officer.

He stood at attention and saluted.

"Smokestack, did you finish the mini support for the deflector dish?"

He took off his ear and eye protection. "Sir, yes, sir. Just smoothing out the welds now."

The lieutenant jammed his finger into Brinus's chest. "I want it delivered now, Smokestack! I don't care about the welds!"

Brinus took off his gear and frowned, "Sir, yes, sir!"

Smokestack pressed a button on his TriQuarter, which called a smoke break. However, as the smokers left, He pointed at three of the crewmen and one crewwoman and flicked his head. They groaned but saluted as he approached, and saluted them back.

He barked, "I want y'all to carry this here truss to the couriers outside."

One of the male crewmen crossed his arms. "Sir, it's been two months now. When does our probation end?"

Brinus sighed and then shouted, getting into the face of the crewman, "Y'all were put on final notice fer three months. In fact, y'all lucky y'all were even still in service! Now follow your damn orders and do as you're fucking told! I cleared out most of the people out of the workshop, so it should be easy fer y'all to move this here, truss! I am going to vape outside! I'll be back in 15 minutes!"

He left to go outside but got a ping on his phone. He looked at it, and it was the auto grader. The Sentient AI programming class, he had gotten a 98; Warp Bubble Calculus III, he'd gotten a 95; it said he made some mistakes in the work he showed; IT neural network systems 101, he made a 95. There was a programming error in the last problem, which he got wrong and failed to fill out the bonus question, a 99 in Civic AI Systems 101. It turns out that on one of the homework assignments, he was ten minutes late on turning it in, and the professor docked half marks.

After the smoke break ended, he returned inside, and the truss was gone. The courier stood outside the door waiting. Brinus didn't trust the crewmates, so he began looking around the room for the truss, and it was gone, along with the four kids. Whatever, I ain't got no time for this here bullshit. I'll chastise them later.

After an hour, the four crewmates still weren't back. He decided to message his direct superior when the crewmates came into the workshop laughing. Brinus cussed, deleted the message, and went onto the catwalk holding a megaphone.

"Mo! Curly! Jo! Rey! What the Fuck!? Were y'all butfuckign my husband in the ladies' bathroom or having orgies in the mess hall?!"

The entire workshop fell silent.

The kids stood at attention as Brinus screamed through the workshop megaphone on the catwalk beside his office. "What the fuck is y'all' malfunction!? WHERE DID Y'ALL GO!?! SOUND OF OR DROP DOWN AND GIVE ME FIFTY!"

The four teenagers were frozen in place with looks of embarrassment and horror on their faces.

After a moment or two, Brinus yelled, "DROP DOWN AND GIVE ME FIFTY!"

Mo, Curly, Jo, and Rey began doing pushups as Brinus walked past them.

Brinus returned to his post and saw a text from his shift supervisor named Danili.

Brinus: What's this about you having pneumonia?

Danili: Apparently, a pack-a-day habit causes lung irritation and pneumonia.

Brinus rolled his eyes but was in no position to criticize. Brinus: Okay, how much time do you need?

Danili: Two weeks. The doctor put me on ZYN pouches and said no smoking.

Brinus: I will put you down for two weeks of personal leave so you don't use medical leave. Deal?

Danili: Thank you, sir! You're amazing!

Brinus: *Thumbs up Emoji*

He cleared two weeks of the petty officer's calendar for "Personal reasons." Brinus knew what he did was against regulation, but he didn't care. This was Danili's second bout of Pneumonia, and he didn't want to get his petty officer in trouble.

The crewwoman came up to the office door for their assignment after Brinus finished the paperwork.

"Enter."

"Sir, Crewwoman Rey Skywal0ker is reporting for duty, sir."

Brinus growled and then began twirling his vape pen between his fingers really fast. "We got an order to cast ten moonstone pipes for the reconstruction efforts below. I need you to use brass rings around them."

"Yes, sir. I want that order in writing, sir."

He could tell, based on her posture and the smug look on her face, that she planned something In a wry smile and a high voice, Smokestack said, "You will get your orders within twenty minutes."

Brinus made an email on his computer terminal, CC'ing Commander Theodore and his Direct superior. The exact instructions of what he wanted were in 4-point font at the bottom, and the order was in 12-point font in Navy format exactly as an official Navy order should be.

His TriQuarter pinged in a group chat involving both the commander and his direct superior.

Commander Theodore: What are you doing?

Brinus: I think some of my crewmates are planning to fuck me, sir.

Commander Theodore: I know you! You're planning something, so out with it?

Brinus: You'll see.

Commander Theodore: Do I need to send ship's security to your workshop to remove the four crewmates?

Brinus: For what? They just gave me the creeps and wanted a verbal order in writing. The law doesn't cover thought crimes.

Commander Theodore: I am going to call ship's security and tell them to keep a few officers close to your workshop.

Brinus: Technically, we could remove them for being A.W.O.L. They were gone for an hour and came back laughing.

The direct supervisor joins the conversation

Danili: Sir, might I add that I saw these four crewmates hanging by the torpedo room, taking selfies in front of the bombs while coming back from the bathroom?

Commander Theodore: I am calling Ship's security. I am going to have a bomb squad sweep the workshop. Brinus, you're under orders to evacuate the workshop now!

Brinus pressed a button on his TriQuarter to end the work shift early. He then pressed another button to lock the doors where the four crewmates were located.

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The four crewmates mixed the moonstone cement a few minutes later with soil from satellite moons when an alarm sounded signaling the end of the workday.

Mo looked at Curly. "I guess we get off early?"

Rey walked up to the double doors in the cement room, and they were locked. "What the fuck?"

"Do they know?" Implored Jo.

"It is our duty to die for Pattaban. Rather, they know or not," said Rey

"For Pattaban," said all four teenagers.

Rey pulled out a blasting cap she had stolen from the torpedo room and put it on something she had stolen from the workshop's explosive material room two months earlier. She then attached the blasting cap to the item and slammed it against the workbench.

A fireball engulfed the room, incinerating everything. Its burning heat could be felt throughout the entire workshop. The blast doors were closed and locked, so the cement room was completely destroyed. Three layers of metal walls melted, and the drywall vaporized. The equipment was gone, and the fire quickly ran out of oxygen.

The fire crews responded and entered the workshop. They forced open the blast door to the cement room, and the smoke flashed over in a second fireball. The fire engulfed two firefighters; they screamed in pain, but were dead before the other firefighters could respond. It took an hour to get the flames under control.

The fire crew's master chief came up to Brinus once the fire was out. He saluted Brinus, and Brinus saluted him back.

The master chief began speaking. "You'll get a damage report in the morning. Also, we'll need to analyze the explosive material used, which'll take a couple of days. But based on an initial visual assessment, it looks like we'll need a dry dock to refit."

Brinus sighed and crossed his arms. "I will take it up with the captain."

Commander Theodore came to the workshop, where Brinus was outside talking with the fire inspector and giving his statement. He approached Brinus and then jabbed his finger into his chest. "What are the names of spies?!"

Brinus took a step back and crossed his arms. "Mo, Culy, Jo, and Rey, sir."

Commander Theodore went into Brinus' face, "If you say the fourth one was Rey Skywalker, I will slap you silly!"

"She was. Why does that matter, sir?"

Commander Theodore slapped him across the face, leaving a red handprint. "You idiot! The names of the three male recruits were the stooges from 20th Century Earth, and the woman was named after the worst character in a corporate franchise called Star Wars."

Brinus pinched the bridge of his nose and rolled his eyes. "Who were the three stooges, sir?"

Commander Theodore put his mouth into his left ear and screamed, "They were famous slapstick comedians from the 1920s to the 1960s! Seriously?! You didn't look up their names?! WHO THE FUCK NAMES THEIR KID REY SKYWALKER!?"

Brinus said nothing. He stood at attention and looked straight ahead. I was so stupid! How did I miss this!?

"I'm glad you saved most of the workshop, but I think you need remedial training in detecting covert operations. I am going to sign you up for a six-week counterintelligence course. Dismissed, Smokestack!"

30 minutes later, Brinus stood before Captain Plato in his office after dealing with Captain Plato. The Captain had his paws behind his back, looking out of the window.

"I told your commander you weren't ready for command. I understand he's sending you on a specialized course at the Saffron Admiralty on counter espionage while we're in the dry dock."

"Yes, sir."

"And you have two fights while on saffron. Correct?"

Brinus nodded but said nothing.

Captain Plato sighed and crossed his arms. "I will be taking the money you earned from both fights to pay for the damage. Also, whatever isn't covered will be added to your debt. Just note this incident will be added to your permanent academic record."

Brinus clenched his fists and his jaw but said nothing.

He saw Brinus's reflection in the force field. "What is it, Smokestack?"

Brinus thought carefully about his words and then said, "Sir, I wasn't negligent or directly responsible for sabotage."

He turned and faced him with a snarl in his voice and dilated pupils. "No, you weren't, but you were the officer in charge, and your failure to stop the plot resulted from inexperience and lack of training. You are liable. You have been in the military for two years, so you should know by now that the credit stops with the commander in charge."

"With respect, what will happen to Commander Theodore, sir?"

He approached Brinus and extended his claws, running his index claw over Brinus's left cheek. "I think you need some further training in counterespionage. I just want you to know we don't hold you to the same standard as a commissioned officer, but don't mess up on this scale again." Captain Plato scratched Brinus, leaving a claw mark on his left cheek.

Brinus didn't flinch or gasp.

"Are you familiar with the Terra Station Research Base?"

Brinus shook his head.

Captain Plato flicked his tail side-to-side slowly and then snapped, "They need help with one of their projects. Since the damage to the workshop will take five months to repair, I volunteered you as punishment. When we dock, you will report to the base. One of their marines will take you there, and you will receive your orders. Dismissed Smokestack."

Brinus saluted and left.

***

That Friday night, Brinus was playing his Game with his gaming buddies. He had his medical vape in his mouth and was in a boss battle. His bare back and chest felt cold with the air conditioning as Godfrick sat beside him. Godfrick had just recently joined the guild and would spend 6 hours gaming with Brinus and his guild every Friday. They both stared at the screen and screamed into the mics. The ice dragon's tail hit Godfrick, and Brinus stepped in just as the ice dragon launched a second attack. It sprayed everyone on the team with deadly ice, and then on the screen appeared: "You died."

He cussed and threw his controller against the wall, smashing it into bits. Godfrick pulled out his cigarettes and lighter and then slapped Brinus on the back. "Maybe you should lay off the Vape?"

Brinus pulled from his vape and laughed. "What?"

"Bro, you've been suckin' on that thing for thirty minutes. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Brinus rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Like you're one to talk. I'll get us some beers. What do you want?"

"You got any of that pink ice?"

"Simmie got it yesterday. When you get back from the smoking area, there's a six-pack in the fridge fer ya'."

Godfrick and Brinus slapped their hands together, and then Godfrick left.

The raid leader spoke over the mic. "You realize you were hot-miking, right?"

"So? Did I say anything?"

One of the teammates teased, "How the fuck do you afford to replicate four controllers?! What the fuck, bruh?!"

Brinus laughed and joked, "I'm in the Navy, dumbass."

A third raid member spoke, "Come to think of it, your voice sounds familiar. I think I heard it on the sports streamers before. You wouldn't be Smokestack Helios, would you?"

The raid leader changed the subject. "We're gonna take a 15-minute break and then return for a different boss."

"Cool. Fish! Pause the mic for 15 minutes."

"Command accepted."

Brinus entered the kitchen and prepared a cheese sandwich. He also replicated a new controller and a glass of whole milk.

The next boss battle began, and Brinus had his vape in his mouth. Brinus grew increasingly frustrated with the boss battle. He used so much over the course of the next hour that he got nauseous and dizzy and felt the euphoric rush of AA nicotine. This high threw off his aim. He missed the giant worm's mouth with his missile and hit the ground. The worm sprayed acid at the enemies, scoring a second team-kill.

Brinus cussed even louder, throwing his controller at the TV and smashing both of them. He then walked over to the replicator and replicated another controller and then smashed the second one against the marble kitchen floors, screaming cuss words at the controller.

Godfrick put his controller down, put on his shoes and socks, and left his quarters without a word. Everyone on the gaming team was stunned into silence.

Finally, the raid leader spoke. "Mind explaining what that outburst was about?"

"Not in public."

There was a moment of silence, and then the raid leader said, "I am going to call the raid for tonight. Brinus, I want you to stay behind."

One by one, everyone left until it was just Brinus and the guild leader.

"Okay, Brinus, what the fuck? I have never known you to act like this."

After a moment of silence, he said, "My workshop was sabotaged today, and I'm bein' held responsible. I'm being fined hundreds of thousands of credits and given a punishment assignment. I'm disputin' it now but it don't look good."

There was a pause and then a sigh. "There is something else, though."

Brinus paced through the room as the AA nicotine made him energetic and euphoric. "It'll be on the news tomorrow, and most of the podcasters'll likely cover it. I'll likely be put on probation and could have my parole revoked by the admiral if I screw up again during the probation period."

There was a nervous laugh on the other end. "The sabotage of a workshop on a command ship? That's a pretty big deal. Will you lose command?"

Brinus sighed as he paced through the room. "More than likely. I made an offerin' to the fire spirits that I won't be put on probation at the fire temple." Brinus laughed and noticed a large cut on his hand oozing blood. "I just realized I doxxed myself."

The Guild leader laughed. "Don't worry, kid, everyone knows who you are. You're quite a famous fighter."

A knock came on the door

"Ship's security! Open up, or we are coming in!"

"I have to go. The cops are at my door."

They opened the door with a universal code, and two cops stood in the foyer. "Mind if we come in?"

"No."

They entered the kitchen without Brinus's permission and saw him with a bleeding hand. He was shirtless and had gym shorts on.

The first cop stood behind Brinus, and the second approached him with his hand on his shock stick. "Do you have a first aid kit?"

"It is under the sink to the left," snapped Brinus.

The first cop reached under the sink and pulled out a dermal regenerator, some Medi Honey gauze, surgical tape, and sterile saline.

The second cop crossed his arms as the first cop tended to the wound on his hand. "Is everything okay? We got multiple calls about a noise disturbance, and then your friend called for us to do a welfare check."

"It's been a long day."

The cop tending Brinus's wound asked, "Can I see your ID?"

Brinus produced his wrist, and the cop scanned his microchip, reviewing his information.

"I heard about the sabotage of the workshop. For the record, it says in your file that you're being put on a formal reprimand for negligence and remedial training and are being made financially responsible for the cost of repairs. You're not on probation. Is there someone you need us to call?"

"No, officer. I can manage."

The cop who stood in front of him crossed his arms. "If we get any further calls, I will call your therapist for a psychiatric assessment and a 51/50 72 hold. I'm gonna give you a warning for now, but no more disturbances. Have a good night and stay safe."

The cop finished wrapping Brinus's hand after washing out the cut with the saline and applying the regenerator. He put the leftover supplies back under the sink, and both cops left.