CHAPTER 7
SUBTLE PERSUASION
Gavin awoke at the sound of the immense door opening ponderously. He stood, automatically reaching for his sword, then silently cursing when he remembered it wasn't there.
It was only Verdana. The old woman pushed a cart before her and Gavin could just make out several bowls of something that smelled suspiciously like oatmeal. Gavin hated oatmeal.
"Verdana?"
"Gavin!" She said a little too loudly and some of his sleeping men stirred. "I didn't know you were awake."
"Can't get much sleep, considering my position."
"I'm so sorry, Gavin," Verdana said. "I wanted to warn you. I wanted to tell you that night in the study but --,"
"They have all the young men and boys prisoner."
"Yes," Verdana sighed and picked up one of the bowls, "Oatmeal."
"Ye know I hate that stuff."
"Yes," Verdana sighed, "I'm sorry Gavin."
Gavin took her hand, "Now don't ye be sorry. There was nary ye could have done. If anyone's ta blame, it be I."
"You?"
"Aye," Gavin shook his head, "Had I not stayed away for so long --,"
"How could you have known?" Verdana glanced behind her as the door came open again and a young girl wheeled another cart in.
"Why be they getting us up so early?"
"They didn't say," Verdana said. "My guess is their captain will try to press your crew into service with him."
"They'll never do it," Gavin said, "But I'll order them to if I have to. I'll not see any of me crew perish at the hands of the Skull."
"Gavin?"
Gavin turned at the voice, "Ah, I'm glad yer up lad."
"What's going on?"
"Feeding time for the zoo animals, lad."
"Enzo isn't here, is he?"
"He's all right," Verdana nodded to the young girl, "Page saw him, didn't you?"
The girl nodded quickly, "He was nice to me."
"That's my brother," Matrix smiled slightly.
"What happened to you, young man?" Verdana approached Matrix and motioned to the bandage on his arm.
"Had a little altercation with some of the Skull's men," Matrix said. "I just lost an armband, but they lost some teeth."
"Ye might as well get all the crew up, Matrix lad," Gavin said.
"All right, Gavin."
"Verdana, I need all the information ye can give me about The Skull and his men. I know ye, lass, ye have much ta tell me."
"I'll tell you everything I know Gavin."
"Good lass," Gavin said. "There may be a way out of this cage yet."
***
Later that morning, after the men were fed and anyone with serious wounds were examined Var came again, with two guards accompanying him. Without preamble he said, "You will come with us now," as he nodded to Matrix.
"Where is my brother?" Matrix demanded.
"Safe for now, but he won't be for long if you don't do as your told."
"You don't have a deletion wish," Matrix said. He walked forward.
They took Matrix to the study where they had sat talking with Gavin. The room was stifling and Matrix wondered why anyone would light a fire as warm as it was outside.
"Sir, we've brought him as you commanded."
There was silence, then a tall shadowed form rose from the chair before the hearth. And the Red Skull faced the colonel. Matrix masked his reaction with the ease of his hours of experience. He remembered immediately what Gavin had told him about the Skull's false charm. The handsome man that stood before him radiated such charisma, but behind it, Matrix could sense the malevolence.
"A pleasure to meet such an exceptional warrior," the Skull held out his hand, "Captain Gates Fortune."
Matrix looked at the outstretched hand with disgust, then raised his eyes to glare hatefully at Fortune, "Where is my brother?"
"Perfectly safe, and waiting for you," Fortune said. "He's already agreed to join us."
Again, Matrix let nothing show in his face, "He'd never willingly join you." Matrix's hands fisted, "What did you do to him?"
Fortune held his hands out in a gesture of perfect innocence, "I asked him. I told him of the benefits of joining me and the wealth and power he would realize. You know the young. Such things appeal to them."
Matrix cocked an eyebrow then burst out laughing, "That is the biggest load of shit I've ever heard."
The changes in Fortune's features were barely perceptible, from amiable to dangerous in a nano. "You don't believe me?"
"Hell no," Matrix said. "Take my word for it, Fortune. No one knows my brother better than I do."
"Perhaps you don't know him as well as you'd like to believe," Fortune said. He turned away, and lifted a bottle that had been sitting on the table, "Pomegranate juice?"
"No."
Fortune shrugged and poured himself a glass, "Very rare drink. Only the best for Gavin and only the best for me. I want you to join my crew. I can definitely use you. The alternative of course is most unpleasant."
"Bring it on," Matrix grunted.
Fortune looked thoughtfully at him, "I said your brother was fine. He doesn't have to remain as such. Have you ever heard a man scream as his skin is being stripped from his links?"
"Yes," Matrix grunted.
For the first time, Fortune was stunned, "You have?"
Matrix smiled evilly, "Yes, I have."
Fortune gave him a long assessing look. Matrix returned it, his mouth curling in a smirk. Let him process that for a nano, the former renegade thought.
"Var."
"Sir?"
"Take him upstairs."
"Yes sir."
"What?" Matrix said, "Did I make the infamous Red Skull nervous?"
"On the contrary," Fortune said, "You've impressed me a great deal. In fact, our man Fisher is becoming somewhat of a bother as of late. He has a very unique position which I would much rather have you undertake."
"In other words you want me to be your executioner?"
"It's a little more than that," Fortune said, "Fisher tends to be very creative in his work but I have a feeling you'll be downright artistic."
"I'm not doing anything for you, pixel-brain."
"Don't!" Fortune held up his hand.
Matrix had heard Var move and was ready for him, but relaxed at Fortune's words.
"I believe I made my position clear," Fortune said, "You join me, or your brother dies a painful death."
"You touch him, I'll delete you."
"We will be leaving this system as soon as everything is secure," Fortune went on as though Matrix hadn't even spoken. "Your first duty will be to relieve Fisher of his. Var take him upstairs. And I'd suggest you not try anything or the boy will suffer."
Matrix shook his head, "Trust me Fortune, you're going to delete very soon. That's a promise from me."
"Yes, yes," Fortune took his seat again, ending the conversation.
"Move," Var said.
Matrix allowed himself to be led up the grand staircase.
"I would suggest you continue to behave in the proper manner," Var commented as they walked down the carpeted hallway, "A variety of things can happen to the boy. I'm sure you've seen Fisher's interest in him."
Matrix grunted, "You do have a deletion wish don't you?"
Var motioned to the door and the guard opened it, "Make yourself comfortable while you can. You won't be here for long."
Matrix stepped inside, "You got that right." And the door closed behind him.
***
Enzo came awake abruptly as he heard a noise outside of his room. He practically leapt from the bed and was crouching near the door within a few nanos. He heard footsteps outside, but they passed by without stopping. Enzo sighed as he relaxed his stance, then he walked back to the bed sat down and buried his face in his hands.