Book II: Brinus Helios - From Criminal to Hero

Three days after the shocking defeat of the Federation at the Battle of the Caliver System, The Big 7 held an emergency meeting at Saffron. The Federation question must be answered. The disorganization in the Interstellar Navy is the number one topic.

Three humans, a catperson, and a Vendalfi sat in a circle around a marble compass rose. The circle was surrounded by white marble columns, and the humans sat in egg-shaped chairs.

There was a foggy rain outside as the moisture mixed with the Tarken Tea smoke. Inside of Confederate buildings and on their ships, there was always smoke in the atmosphere. Two lamps shone in the dim light. The building was designed to be lit by natural light.

The Venalfi diplomat spoke first after the group was fully assembled. "The Fed situation is spiraling out of control. Their Navy has lost multiple significant battles it should have won. A weaker foe has turned back their invasion. Their military lost the biggest battle yet. Hell, recently, they outnumbered the Confederacy five to one, had them encircled, and had fighter superiority. Spirits' sake, they had an opportunity to capture a duke. There are mass executions every day, which has led to a loss of confidence in the current junta. We cannot support the Feds at the current time and will be declaring neutrality."

One of the humans spoke. He was an ambassador for the Commonwealth. "We have a commitment to remain neutral in this war. However, we will tell the Merchant Guild not to supply war material to the Federation. We will leave what war material is up to interpretation." The diplomat smiled, and everyone snickered. "We will also expand trade with the Confederacy and protect neutral worlds."

The catperson spoke. "The Caligori Imperium'll be p-pulling sup-p-port fer the Feds. What about you, Counselor Talnori?"

Counselor Talnori said in a harsh, raspy voice typical of a smoker. He shifted in his seat and crossed his legs. "We've already declared one hundred percent neutrality and want no part in this conflict. We would support the Federation, but they've gone too far."

A third human spoke after leaning forward in his seat and crossing his hands. "The Zolo Empire is in the process of closing our embassy in the Federation capital. We have just opened one in Saffron and are staffing it now. The Confederation is the new superpower, and we want in." The other diplomats nodded in agreement.

A human to the right shifted in her seat. "Let the Feds burn. Their time is over."

All seven of them were silent when the Commonwealth diplomat said, "My people have a prayer for times like this, 'May the spirits help guide us and may the new leader be better than the last'."

"Meeting adjourned," said a footman after one of the diplomats gave the signal. A gong sounded, and everyone rose from their seats.

The gong echoed through the room as they exited one by one.

During the following hours, the Big 7 watched as footage of the Federation's retreat from Sector 22 spread throughout the galaxy. Without their strongest allies, the loss of a quarter of their navy, and the endless purges, the Feds were finished. A new galactic order would begin with the Confederacy at the helm. Would it be better? Hopefully. For the first time in a long time, hope filled the air.

Brinus stood at the computer console and looked at some graphs projected out in front of him. Radon-44 Gas leaked out of the primary valve and filled the glass dome surrounding the reactor. The dome had microfractures from the electrocution incident and would need an overhaul. The engineering bay was cleaner than it had been two days ago. The blood stains in the carpet were gone; all but two of the computer consoles worked. Most of the lights were replaced as they had been burnt out or were stuck on yellow alert. The smell of burnt sandwich meat and ozone was gone and replaced with orange-scented cleaning fluid. Finally, the air conditioning in the Engineering bay was functional again, so the climate was nice and cool for everyone else but way too cold for Brinus.

A moment ago, he called a meeting of the shift supervisors, as it was 2:30 in the morning, so Brinus needed to give his officers some time.

He checked his watch again. Damnit! What's taking so long! I'm fixin' to just send a text and say fuck it!

Mikitia showed up in pajamas, and Marchella was in a radiation suit. They saluted Brinus, and he nodded.

"Petty officers." Brinus nodded in acknowledgment. "The microfractures in the plexiglass dome are causin' a crack, which is disruptin' magnetic cohesion in the fusion reaction chamber. Without magnetic cohesion, it'll flood the entire ship with Radon-44 gas in twelve hours, which will kill everyone on board, so I made a judgment call and set a course for Exon Station in the next system over. It's run by the Vendalfi, so it's a neutral station. I want y'all to draw up repair schedules fer your shifts. That's an order. Dismissed."

Within a few minutes, Commander Toz was at the engineering bay.

He jammed his finger into Brinus' chest and screamed, "You're just a midshipman who hasn't even completed his first semester at the naval academy yet. If you want to make a call like this in the future, you go through me, understood!?"

Brinus stood at attention but had a sly grin on his face. Oh, bless your heart, my sweet summer child. I'm totally not gonna follow that there order, you prick.

Commander Toz snapped and began screaming in Brinus' face, "Stinkball, do not smirk at me! You will inform me when you make emergency course corrections in the future! Do you fucking understand me?!"

"Sir, yes, sir!" Brinus saluted, removing the smug grin from his face.

"Dismissed!" Commander Toz gave him the Side eye.

Brinus turned and left. I ain't got not time fer an ego trippin idoit. Brinus began clicking his lighter as he walked down the hallway. I need to get the cargo manifest. I need to get a list of repairs that are needed done. I need to audit engineering supplies. Shit. He came up to the chief engineer's office and smiled at the picture of him and his boyfriend at a fishing trip as he sat down and began typing. I've got so much to do! I gotta make a schedule for the techs to work with the ground crew. I've got to make a droid schedule. He began typing on his computer terminal. I got 8 hours. Now I need to remember how they want this here shit like they taught in basic trainin'.

At the airlock, the chief of operations and a security officer greeted them. Brinus and the commander came into the space ring. The airlock was stuffy and claustrophobic. It was attached to the dry dock and was more of an access port for personnel and droids than It was anything else. The loading zone was on the other side of the dry dock.

All of the men shook hands, and then Brinus handed over a datapad. "This here is the list of repairs that need doin'. They're in order from urgent to would be nice." He handed a second datapad, "This here is the list of supplies needed. We've got a budget of 30,000 creds fer supplies and repairs."

Just as Brinus handed the harbormaster a suitcase of credit chips, a security officer put Brinus in handcuffs.

"What the fuck?" Brinus yelled as he was slammed against the wall and frisked.

He pulled out of Brinus' pockets four packs of cigarettes, three lighters, a sonic screwdriver, a TriQuarter, a credit chip bag, and his wallet.

The security officer spoke in an assertive voice. "You are under arrest for the burglary of quarters two-A, underage possession of Tarken Tea products, as the smoking age is 21 in the Vendalfi Federation, and resisting arrest. Come with me."

As Brinus was put into the cuffs, he began screaming, "I have never been on this here fucking station! What the fuck are you talking about?" Brinus fought the cop until he was tased which did nothing. He was tased again and then pepper-sprayed.

"I don't care if you didn't rob the quarters or not, you still have four packs of cigarettes and three lighters in your possession, and you resisted arrest," yelled the security officer as he dragged Brinus down the hall.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Commander Toz rolled his eyes and went back onto the ship. He would have to call Brinus's mom and her sort this out. He couldn't afford to have him jailed over something as petty as cigarettes, especially since most of the crew smoked. Brinus was dragged into the brig and locked into a cell. Brinus, however, lay on the bench.

The book sergeant came into the jail room and looked up the charges Brinus was booked under. "Really? Another officer? You've been told not to arrest these guys for underage smoking! We have orders not to arrest confederation officials for smoking or alcohol possession charges! When I come back in an hour, he'd better be gone!"

The sergeant left cursing about overzealous cops.

Brinus looked the security officer in the eyes, "What is this here bulls shit really about? You didn't read me my rights, process me, interrogate me, or strip-search me. And I've never been on this here station before. And, like your sergeant said, you ain't no probable cause to arrest me."

The officer laughed and then said, getting up to the plasma bars. "I know you're going to be released in 30 minutes once the paperwork goes into the system. The Federation'll have you by then. Think! The Feds capture the Duke of District Twelve! Haha! They will win this war, and are paying me well for you! I can finally retire to that beachside home I always wanted."

He sneered and made a screw-you smile. "I always had an uncanny heat resistance. I've been able to arc weld shirtless. When I was a teenager I would put my hand on a stove 'cause it felt good. I see you have plasma bars. I wonder…"

The security officer laughed and went into Brinus' face. "You're lying! No one can arc weld shirtless! Magic only exists in fairy tales!"

Brinus walked up to the plasma field and then saw the emitter. Plasma emitters were designed to burn flesh by running at 1800 degrees Celsius. He had never gotten a burn before, so he decided to take a chance. He then walked through the plasma bars. The lights on the brig short-circuited, screamed, and then popped. Brinus felt a wave of energy overcome him. Bull shit! It should've set me on fire!

Brinus screamed and lunged out of the cell, "Because I wanted out."

The officer was caught off guard and yelled, "What the hell!? What are you?!"

He drew His pistol and tried shooting Brinus with stun rounds. However, Brinus did a series of forward rolls and then performed a technical stand-up. Going behind the man, and then put one arm around his neck and his hand on the back of his head.

The officer was dead in one and a half minutes. Brinus looked and saw the booking sergeant holding the arm of a man in an orange jumpsuit. The room was dark, but the emergency lights lit just enough to see everything.

The officer said with a blank look on his face, "Me and the prisoner will take care of the body. I saw the whole thing on video, which I deleted. If this gets out, our status as a neutral port will be terminated. Go."

Brinus took a deep calming breath and regained composure as he walked over to where the ship was located. The commander was on his TriQuarter with Brinus's mother.

He heard a screeching woman on a TriQuarter, "Why was he arrested? I want to speak to him NOW!

"Oh wait, here he is." Commander Toz exchanged puppy dog eyes with Brinus, who had dilated pupils and hair like he'd stuck his finger in an electrical socket.

Brinus clenched his teeth, and his right hand balled up into a fist after his commander handed him the comms device. "I did not rob that spaceport, Marci," he growled, barely containing his irritation.

Before he could say anything else, the call terminated.

He let out an exasperated sigh, running a hand through his hair, looking at Captain Toz, and muttered, "Spirits, I wish I could have Simmie right now."

"You must love Simmie. I've seen pictures of him you downloaded from social media in your office. I can tell by the look in your eyes. Take the afternoon shift off. Be back by the dinner bell. You must be deader than a rampig."

A rampig was similar to an earth sloth. When sleeping, they entered into a state similar to clinical death. They lived on the forest moons surrounding Otis Datis.

Brinus smiled and went back to his quarters.

Four hours later, Brinus was at a bar with ornate oak wood paneling, barstools all across the front, and bar chairs at tables around the room. The bar extended was the size of a large single-family house. The actual bar had mirror paneling inside the eight-block paneling. The floors were stained wood and looked hundreds of years old. Behind the Counter was a short green alien with toad-like ears. Brinus took another shot of drink as two Federation Crewmen and a petty officer were eying him like a piece of meat ready to be eaten.

The bartender spoke to Brinus as he sat at the bar. "You wanna talk about it?"

Brinus looked at his bartender as he handed him a double whisky. "I just killed someone an' don't even feel anythin'. In fact, I wonna go into battle again."

He shrugged and began picking up glasses. "I know there was a big battle five systems from here. We have been getting a lot of naval personnel from both sides over the last few days. Are you saying you want to go back to battle?"

Brinus checked himself before talking about the murder he committed. He said, "Yes, sir. I want the adrenaline. I don't miss the syndicate, but I want some action. I know what I felt after they killed my first boyfriend, but I want the rush of combat."

The bartender looked revolted and poured Brinus another drink. "If you enjoy killing, maybe you should see a therapist."

Brinus took a shot of whisky. "I wouldn't say I enjoy the act of killin'. Hell, I don't even think anyone enjoys killin' unless there's somethin' wrong with them."

The bartender put a computer chip on the bar and smiled. "You're what? Nineteen? Twenty? You have to have been a pirate from the age of eight or nine to have that reaction to battle. This program might fill your needs, and it automatically comes with safety protocols disabled. If you want war, this program, 'The Battle of Teloni 5,' would be perfect for you. Like I said, the safety protocols are disabled, and you must agree to a TOS and sign a waiver."

Brinus put a twenty-credit chip on the bar and came up from his stool. "I have to be on duty after the Dinner bell. I don't think my commander would like it if I got injured in a battle sim." He laughed nervously.

The bartender smiled and started wiping Brinus's shot glass. "Not the real thing, is it?"

Brinus put a five-credit chip on the table. "Battle sims are never as good as the real thing. Here's a tip for the service and the conversation."

The conversation in the bar began to pick up as People started paying attention to the news on the TV.

Someone in the bar shouted as soon as a Vendalfi in a suit and tie stepped up, "Hey! turn up that TV! What is that guy saying?"

A waiter reached for his remote control and turned up the holovision as the bar became silent.

A Vendalfi diplomat stood at a podium in front of a microphone. "…furthermore, these are the reasons why the Vendalfi Federation is officially declaring its military neutrality and will also be expanding trade relations with the Confederacy. The Federation has suffered over a dozen defeats it should have won due to disorganization and poor recruiting. The Junta, which has taken over from the elected democracy, put in power by the people, is purging disloyal elements in the most brutal and public fashion possible. Mass executions of innocents because of social media posts from 10 or even 20 years ago are unacceptable in our eyes. Purges have also targeted groups they deemed undesirable for extermination. Third, the Federation of today is no longer the Federation we remember. The last 20 years have seen a radicalization of the population and an ultimate takeover of radical elements. Thank you, that is all." A flurry of camera flashes and questions followed as the press agent walked off the stage.

Brinus took a swig from a drink on a random table and walked out of the bar. The Federation just lost the war. Brinus realized at this point that it was a waiting game. The Confederacy would need to inflict enough damage on them to force them to surrender, or they would collapse.

Brinus grabbed a half-empty glass from a nearby table, draining it in one giant gulp as he walked to the entrance. The news replayed in his mind: the Federation's defeat was now certain. It was only a matter of time before the Confederacy delivered the death nail.

The four enemy soldiers sitting at the table in the bar came up to Brinus with the petty officer offering a hand for him to shake. "We wish to surrender. Take us to your captain."

A few minutes later, Brinus walked down the hall with his prisoners. They were outside the frigate's star dock, which was big enough to hold a small ship that was as wide as two football fields and 16 decks tall. The star dock had sandy floors, and the ship's landing gear was engaged. The frigate was cigar-shaped with three thrusters in the back.

"What's life like in the federation?" Brinus asked as he approached the cargo bay of the frigate.

The petty officer shrugged. "It is awful; millions in the military are starving. There's been a breakdown in supply chains in the Navy because of the supply shortages. We're defecting because we haven't eaten in three days."

"Y'all defectin' fer a hot meal?"

The four men nodded.

One of the men said, "Our officers eat big while we starve, and I'm tired. If the war's lost, I don't want to die for this organization."

Brinus nodded and then clucked his tongue. "Wait out here while I talk with my captain."

Brinus went into the airlock and then onto the ship. A few minutes later, Commander Toz came out with Brinus. "Hello! Welcome to the Confederacy. You will have to excuse the state of our ship. We're getting battle damage repaired."

Brinus and Commander Toz sat the four men down in the mess hall. Four replicated hot meals designed by the ship's doctor for chronic starvation sat on the table.

Commander Toz asked in a calm voice, "I was wondering if you could tell me about your job in the enemy navy? What are your names and ranks?"

"I'm squad leader Saul — your equivalent to a petty officer 3rd class. these are my men. They're all crewmen. We're from the ship Sobar, it's a star destroyer of about 800 men and women. we're with the repair crew."

Commander Toz waved his hand to dismiss Brinus as the interrogation went underway.

Twenty minutes later, the four men were taken to the brig as POWs. Brinus was called to Command Toz's office. The office was plain and had bare wooden walls painted white. The desk was made of oak and two chairs in neo-imperial style sat in front of it. The wood floor was polished and had a Persian-style rug in the center of the room. On his desk was a computer terminal and an ashtray with five cigarette butts of a different brand than what Brinus smoked. The office had a slight stale haze.

He leaned back in his office chair and sighed. "What happened?"

"Sir?"

"You were arrested on trumped-up charges and released. I heard on the radio three hours later, they found the body of a security officer in the incinerator with your DNA on it. The chief security office is refusing to talk about it. He was ordered to bring you in for questioning and told the Station's DA to get lost. Never, in my life, has a cop refused to enforce the law without a reason. The interesting thing was the backup copy of the video they found."

"Sir…"

Commander Toz held up his hand and made a shushing sound. "Before you lie, you'd better have a damn good reason for murdering that officer."

"Yes, sir. They tried to kidnap me and turn me over to the Federation."

"Thank you, Midshipman. Dismissed."

"Yes, Sir!"

Brinus saluted and left.