Disclaimer: This chapter is also going to get pretty violent. If you're quick to have a queasy stomach I suggest skipping this chapter. You know what? You might as well just stop reading this story all together… lol.
Chapter 10: Truth & Grief Go Hand in Hand
Alex was tackling a stack of dishes that could put the masts to shame, so to speak. The stench of Samuel's latest dish; a platter of exotic worm-like creatures, melted to the chipped dishware and smelling it, let alone the thought of physically touching it made her stomach churn. It was at moments like this that her mind wandered and much to her despair her thoughts were about the brunette Commander. She'd been around men all her life, she knew the ins and out's, the inner workings and thoughts. It almost hurt her to think that Jim could be covered under such a broad umbrella. Yet it was true, in the end it would always come down to sex. Yet dish after dish as the names and faces of men once smitten grew longer she began to see some truth to his words. Was there not a man she hadn't coerced?
Well there was Max. The man had practically proposed to her and she was stealing a passionate embrace with a man she barely knew and tolerated, in a steamy bathroom, naked- She slapped a palm against her forehead and groaned at the water and all matter of Flint knows what sliding down her face. "Great." She muttered icily.
"Alex?" Her attention traveled to the shadow leaning against the door jam.
"Yeah, Sam?"
"Go grab yourself a drink. You've got a lot of work ahead of you." Drying her hands on her nearly soaked dish rag her fangs gleamed in the moonlight. She wasn't about to complain. Beer was beer and she'd take anything to get her mind off her latest drama fest. Heading into the congested mess hall she poured herself a mug of ale from the keg and took a seat at an empty bench. Still not on the best of speaking terms with the others Alex passed her time eavesdropping on the slurred conversations. Maybe she'd get lucky and they'd get interesting or better yet, start a scuffle.
"What 'appened after tat?"
"Well we raided tis pretty little house on Proteus 1." Alex's ears perked slightly. "We, uh 'commandeered' one of the lasses there if ye catch me drift." Orion winked in excess from the alcohol in his system.
"Was she worth her luster?" Kein interrogated, nudging the look-out.
"Oh she was a beaut. Hair as black as twilight and oh, those eyes. They were as big as saucers when we burst through the door. But she 'ad dis little chit that kept interfering."
"What'd you do about her?"
"Cut her in the side. That little bitch was a feisty one, wouldn't stay still."
"What'd ye do to the mother?" Orion flashed a lecher's smile of yellow, cigar stained teeth.
"You mean after we took turns havin' a go at her?" Kein and a deckhand slapped the table, further boasting Orion's ego. "Had to slit her pretty little throat, pity it was. Ain't never 'ad a woman like tat before." Setting down her mug Alex slipped to Orion's side.
"Did you get off with anything that sparkled?" She questioned with genuine curiosity.
"Sure did." Unmasking a necklace from beneath his shirt he flashed it around the table. "Got it from the lass." Handing her the silver key on a chain she gazed at the trinket with hollow eyes, memory engulfing her better judgment. Nodding as if to commend the raid the hybrid stuffed the necklace into her pocket much to Orion's surprise. "That's mine girl!" Being laden with alcohol didn't make him the greatest of negotiators.
"Actually it belongs to my mother." She lifted her shirt to reveal the faint four inch scar along with the butt of a large knife she'd slipped from the kitchen in the waist of her pants. "The feisty lil' bitch?" The fear in his eyes was unlike any she'd seen- and it only made her grin. He stumbled over the bench as he rose.
"Oh so- so tat was your ma eh?" She edged closer to the man crawling along the floor. "Now, now can't we talk about this?" Trying to even the score he pulled his cutlass free only to have it kicked from his grasp and a solid kick to the face delivered. With no regard to any watching Alex brandished her weapon testing its weight in her hand. Orion silently pleaded with his fellow crewmen to help him yet one after another they avoided his gaze. Revenge of this caliber was best left without interference.
"Last time I checked we weren't on speaking terms but sure if you're in the talking mood. Did ya know-" She overturned an empty bench in her path. "While ya raped my mom I could hear her screamin'? You know, I still hear it when I go ta sleep? Did ya know when ya slit her throat I was hiding under my bed, watchin' everything ya were doin'?" Losing restraint she gave him a rib breaking kick to the chest. "She bled to death on the rug we used ta play on," Alex jammed a foot into his side. "Just think about how much that can fuck a kid up." Now devoid of a conscious the girl delivered a round of kicks to Orion's face, chest, and groin. Strung out on top of a table Orion was still anxious about meeting a certain end; tears streamed down his pitted cheeks, leaving streaks on his grimy face. "She begged for you to stop until she choked on her own blood." Twisting the helm of the blade between her fingers she climbed atop Orion's bruised and certainly beaten body, knees embedded on the table at either side of his hips.
"Have…mercy."
"Mercy? Let me tell ya somethin', there's no such thing." Her ears rose in peak interest, her tail bristled, and unwittingly she barred her fangs. Alex dug the knife hard against the flesh of his leathery neck digging in just enough to draw blood. Steadying the old fashioned knife Alex brought it high above her head, ensuring him that this would be the last thing he'd ever see. "You don't deserve mercy." She drove down with a death blow one that was capable of breaking through the skull- the blade just missed his ear and lay embedded in the table. "You don't deserve it but my mother would've advocated." Those were the last words he heard before she delivered a powerful enough punch to the face to knock him unconsciousness.