CHAPTER 10
FACE OFF
The Crimson Binome was calm.
Not to say that he hadn't gone from one emotional extreme to the other. He had worried about his crew as he lay there watching them sleep. He had worried about the Enzo's as he listened to their conversation. He hadn't had much of a choice in the matter but he had a feeling, by Matrix's tone that he would indeed look after Enzo.
He had spoken to his crew briefly, telling them to obey the Skull if by chance their first escape attempt failed. They had protested, vehemently, but Gavin had allowed no argument. He didn't want to see any of his crew deleted. He told them to wait for the right time before seeking vengeance and to listen to Matrix if they needed guidance.
He had only one regret. Maiandra. His lovely bride. He'd never see her again. He did know that if the Skull tried to touch her, the scurvy dog would be singing soprano for the rest of his processing. Gavin allowed himself a grim smile. He wished he could be there to see it.
Gavin managed to sleep for a little while.
They came from him at dawn, which was what he expected. Before they took him away, he muttered to Matrix, "I'll give ye a sign."
Gavin was marched ahead of his men, between two of the Skull's men and climbed the steps topside into the morning sun. He squinted his eye against the sudden light. Despite the discomfort he was still suffering from his injuries, he moved forward.
Gathered near the starboard rail were the crews of both the Mare and the Skull. When Gavin had stepped on deck, a drummer began to play a somber beat.
"My ye do have a flare for melodrama don't ye, Gates?" Gavin muttered to himself.
Fortune stood near the railing where the gap opened up for the plank. Var stood a little off to his right. The Matrix's and Gavin's crew were shuffled off to join his men where they stood in a tight knot. Gavin was marched to stand before Var.
"So it be walking the plank for me, eh, Gates? Nothing like the classics."
"I've enjoyed our game, Gavin," Fortune said, as though Gavin hadn't spoken. "But now it's time to end it. Your death will be the closing of the final log. I'll be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor."
Fortune nodded to Var, who motioned to the two guards. They drew their swords.
"There be no need for that," Gavin said. The Crimson Binome walked forward.
"Any last words Gavin?" Fortune said.
"Aye," Gavin said, "Treat me crew well and they will serve ye well."
"They will obey or be deleted," Var said.
"Then ye will loose the finest crew in the net," Gavin said, then to his crew he said, "Obey the Skull as ye would me, me fine matey's. Our time will come."
His crew cheered, shouting out their support and admiration of him and their hate and loathing of Fortune. Gavin nodded his appreciation. He turned to Fortune and was satisfied to see the man sweating.
Var stepped forward, "Quiet!"
It did little good. The men continued on, until Gavin nodded. Only then did they cease.
"Are you quite finished?" Fortune hissed.
"One last thing," Gavin smiled. "Ye are a coward Gates Fortune."
Var made a menacing movement towards Gavin, "How dare you?"
"No, Var, let him speak," Fortune seemed to regain some of his smugness, "He's about to die anyway. It may be amusing to hear."
"I say ye are a coward," Gavin said, "Because ye don't have the circuits ta face me in a fair fight. Put a sword in me hand and I'd carve ye up like a Christmas goose. I tell these men gathered here this second that ye fear me. Yer captain fears an old binome like me."
"Is that what you think, you pathetic, gutless binome?" Fortune's hands fisted, "I could delete you slowly and painfully if I were inclined to do so."
"Then why don't ye? Why don't ye fight me like a real sprite? Because if ye don't, when yer men look at ye, they'll remember me words and ponder them second by second until they rise against ye." Gavin smirked at him, twisting the knife, he said, "So prove ye are not frightened of me. Fight me – or look a coward."
Even as he spoke the last word, there was already a discontented muttering through the men gathered. Gavin knew his plan had worked. Fortune knew it to. If Fortune backed down, he'd be dead within two minutes.
"I certainly don't need to prove my fighting skill to you or anyone, Gavin," Fortune smiled stiffly, "However, I find it necessary to wipe that self-satisfied smirk off your face."
Gavin nodded to Fortune then turned and looked at Matrix, "Protect me crew," Gavin said.
Matrix nodded his understanding.
"Release him," Fortune growled, "Bring him a sword."
Gavin's shackles were removed. One of Fortune's crew brought him a cutlass.
"Just ye and I, Gates. None of yer men are ta get into the middle of this. And neither will mine."
"Agreed," Fortune said. "Take a moment to prepare yourself."
Gavin tested the sword. Making certain it was correctly balanced and made of good steel. The blade was honed to perfection. Then he took a moment to study Fortune.
Gavin well remembered Fortune's fighting style. The problem was when a binome fought a sprite; there was always the problem of body makeup. As much as Gavin hated to admit it, sprites tended have a much broader range of movement than binomes did. Not that a binome couldn't beat a sprite, it was just that the binome had to be especially skilled. And Gavin knew overconfidence would be his downfall.
But he was better than Fortune. For his friends and crew and especially for Maiandra, he had to be.
"Are you ready, Gavin?"
"I be ready, scurvy dog!" Gavin went into a fighting stance.
A very different kind of murmuring began amidst the gathered men. Bets were taken odds against Gavin. Now why didn't I think of that? Gavin smiled inwardly. Could have turned a tidy profit bettin' against Fortune.
The two opponents circled each other. The air was filled with the raucous cries of the gathered men and the scent of brine but neither man noticed. Each was intently focused on the other.
Fortune struck first, lunging at Gavin and the old binome barely had a changed to parry the downward swing. The first sound of metal on metal increased the noises of bloodlust from the spectators.
Fortune drove him back, relentless in his quest to destroy him. Gavin, parried, blocked, and searched desperately for an opening. It was almost impossible, without depth perception, to gauge how the Skull might move.
He had to concentrate. He had to block out the sounds of the men screaming, the sounds of the mournful gulls crying and even the waves against the side of the ship.
There! The opening came, when Gates, becoming too assured of his victory, lowered his sword for a brief instance when he could no longer hold it in his sweaty grasp. Gavin lunged, Gates blocked and Gavin's blade slid along Gates'. It wasn't the score Gavin wanted but the side of his blade sliced over flesh, not enough to seriously injure Gates, but it gave Gavin first blood.
"You miserable binome!" Gates' rage flared and Gavin smiled.
"Now, I'll have ye." Gavin muttered as Gates went for him in a blood-incensed lunge. Gavin brought his sword up, blocked the second downward swing and slashed out with his hook. His reach fell short and Gates used the forward momentum to push Gavin down, his sword flew from his grasp.
Gavin grabbed onto Gate's wrist, knowing what it would mean if his opponent got his sword hand free. The two were struggling, wrestling on the hard deck. For one nano, Gavin's body makeup was an advantage. He twisted Gate's wrist hard and managed to throw him off. Gavin crawled for his sword, his hand closing around it as Gates came for him again. On his back, Gavin raised his sword, blocking Gate's merciless downward swings.
The Red Skull was taken by battle-lust. His eyes blazed with madness and sweat ran in rivulets down his face. Gavin saw this and knew he had to use Gate's anger against him. On another downward swing, Gavin executed a clumsy roll (almost impossible because of his blasted shape) came up as Gates turned, but the Crimson Binome wasn't fast enough. Gates plunged his sword into Gavin's shoulder.
The Crimson Binome gave a harsh cry of pain and his own battle rage flared. With every ounce of will he possessed, Gavin wrenched his body back and the blade slid out.
Gates laughed manically, "I have you now, Gavin, will you surrender to me?"
"When the web freeze's over, ye scurvy dog!"
Gates, screamed in fury and went for him again, Gavin twisted out of the way, reached out with his hook and snagged it on the back of Fortune's belt.
Fortune's momentum almost dragged Gavin with him, but the Crimson Binome held his ground. He pulled Gates back then dropped, pulling the sprite down with him, using his own weight as leverage. Gates hit the deck hard. Gavin could hear the air rushing from his opponent's lungs. Gavin was up and was on Gates before the man could move. One foot planted on his enemy's throat.
Gavin raised his hooked hand, "Declare me the victor, or delete."
"Never!" Gates cried, "Var, delete him!"
Gavin looked up and saw Var step forward and raise his laser.
"Cheating dog!" Gavin yelled.
Around him, the men went into a violent frenzy. Then Matrix was there, throwing himself between Gavin and Var. He raised his hands.
"Don't!" Matrix cried.
"Shoot them both!" Fortune gave the strangled order.
But Var didn't obey. Gavin saw his dive to the right and there was an explosion of fire.
Gavin smiled with grim satisfaction as Matrix turned, Gun in hand.
Gavin felt the tug on his leg too late, as Fortune twisted, throwing Gavin off. Fortune was on his feet, the look of pure random fury in his eyes, "Delete them! Delete them all!"
All hell broke loose.
Fortune's men took up arms. Gavin saw his own crew grossly outnumbered, unless a miracle happened. They were all deleted.
Then a new sound came.
Cries of rebellion filled the air and the sound of dozens of rushing feet from the hold drew the attention of all on deck. Men came pouring from the opening armed and ready for battle. Women followed, their arms full of weapons. The hunters from the isle.
"No!" Gates turned to him. Gavin raised his sword.
"Another time, Crimson, Binome!" Gates smiled and turned and ran.
"Coward!" Gavin cried and was in hot pursuit.
***
Matrix watched as Gavin did battle with his hated enemy.
"Come on, Gavin, you can beat this sorry son of a null!" Matrix yelled.
Everyone was so busy concentrating on the fight, no one saw Enzo slip away, no one that is, except Matrix. Matrix hoped whatever the Kid planned that it was good or else they were all dead.
Gavin drew first blood and his men cheered in response. Matrix could see that enraged Gates. To take first blood was proof of who was the better fighter. Now with Gates' anger stoked, he gave Gavin an even greater chance at victory. Matrix watched and could see the mental calculating Gavin was doing.
For a time, the men fought, and Matrix could see they paid little heed to what went on around them. Gavin dodged and parried and although Gates drove him back, Matrix could see the determination on Gavin's face.
Then Gates made a poorly executed move and Gavin had him. Down, with Gavin's booted foot on his throat, Gates revealed what a true coward he was.
"Var, delete him!"
Matrix knew they'd never get another chance. He broke through the line of Gates' men and threw himself between Var and Gavin, "Don't!"
Var hesitated, knowing how much his captain wanted Matrix alive.
Matrix closed his eyes and concentrated. No one heard the imperceptible whirring of his mechanical eye. Even from the distance, he could sense his weapon, and with a single word he called her to him.
"Shoot them both!" Gates screamed.
Gun came to him, the cool familiar metal molding perfectly to his grip. Var jumped a nano before Matrix fired.
All hell broke loose.
***
Enzo watched with growing apprehension as the battle continued and the bloodlust cries of the men increased. No one was paying any attention to him. Enzo moved back through the crowd. The men surged around him, trying to get a better look at the fight. Bets were being taken, odds shouted out. Enzo used all the techniques of stealth learned under Mouse's tutelage and slipped away from the scene, into the hold below.
He wasted no time in dashing for the cargo hold; his organizer was out even before he hit the bottom step. He ignored the many shadowed corridors, knowing that was an unsafe practice but he had little time. The door was open in under a nano. He smiled. A new record, Mouse would be proud. Enzo dashed for the first containment chambers. This was a little more difficult. The chambers were calibrated differently for each prisoner. Enzo had to make the proper adjustments according to the generic coding of each person and how it was input into the machine before he could free them. If his calculations were off, the person could delete.
"Well Enzo," he said aloud, "You wanted to be a scientist." The young sprite knelt and began to work. It was an agonizingly slow process as he hacked into the control panel of each chamber. The first opened, the stasis field dissolved and the young sprite man tumbled to the floor.
"What happened?" He asked, barely coherent.
"Can you stand? Gavin is in trouble."
It was all he needed to say.
"Can you free the others?" The man asked.
"Yes," Enzo said, "I'm going to open the weapons trunks, gather what you can while I work."
"You got it – um sir – who are you?"
Enzo smiled, "A friend, now get to those crates."
Enzo freed the remaining villagers. All he needed to say was Gavin needed help and he had their attention instantly. At first the men tried to make the women stay below, but they refused. Gathering as many weapons as they could carry, Enzo led them all topside.
On deck all hell had broken loose.
***
"Fortune!" Gavin saw his hated enemy as he made a run for below decks, only to be stopped by the waves of furious men coming through the entrance. As Gavin started forward, Var stepped into his path.
"You have caused my captain enough grief," Var raised his laser.
Then Matrix was there, his fist lashed out, catching Var on the jaw.
"Go, I've got him!" Matrix called.
But it wasn't that simple. Gavin had to fight his way through the melee, careful not to injure one of his own people. He met with challenge and was forced to once again do battle. It was difficult. He was tired, his shoulder was on fire, and he had to watch from all sides to avoid injury.
He saw Gates slip through the door and to his horror Enzo pursued him.
"Enzo, lad, no!" Gavin cried. He had to get to the boy before it was too late.
***
Matrix holstered Gun when the men had poured up on deck, not wanting anyone to accidentally get caught in the crossfire. A lost sword lay a few feet from him and Matrix made a desperate dive for it. His fingers closed around the hilt as he was set upon by one of Fortune's men. Matrix was up and had blocked the strike and run the man through before he could blink.
Matrix looked around for the next man to engage. The deck was thick with fighting men and the sound of clanging steel and death cries. He searched, caught sight of Gavin facing Fortune. Then he saw Enzo, fighting barehanded, with another one of Fortune's men who had either lost a sword or was choosing to fight without one. Indecision claimed him. He wanted to go to Enzo's aide, but to be quite honest, the Kid seemed to be holding his own. Matrix had almost forgotten Enzo knew that Tai Kwon Dos stuff.
Another man came to fight with him and Matrix cut him down after a brief sparring. Then he fought his way over to Gavin, just as Gates Fortune turned and ran.
"Coward," Matrix muttered and started to pursue the evil captain, when he saw Var, step before Gavin with a laser.
Matrix gave a cry and barreled through the fighting bodies, not caring whose side they were on, his one objective in sight. When Matrix was close enough, he swung and Var went down hard.
He turned to Gavin, "Go, I've got him!"
Gavin nodded and fought his way thought the crowd again.
Matrix turned to Var, "Get up."
Var did so, wiping blood from his mouth, a grim smile on his lips, "We will not fight today."
Then Var turned and dashed for the railing. Gun was in his hand and Matrix fired three times, blowing away a good portion of the starboard side. He went forward to make certain Var was dead, when he heard Gavin's cry.
"Enzo, lad, no!"
Enzo?
Matrix turned in time enough to see Enzo disappear down the hold. He started forward and another of Var's men stepped in his path, "
"Unless you want to die, get out of my way!" Matrix snarled.
The man looked at Matrix, looked at his sword, then threw his weapon down and ran towards the railing, following Var overboard.
Throwing the sword aside Matrix ran.
***
"Coward," Enzo muttered as he saw Fortune escaping down below. Enzo sprinted across the deck, dodging fighting men and swinging swords. He slipped through the door to below decks and heard Fortune ahead of him. Enzo leapt, and landed nimbly at the bottom. Knowing there would be only one place Fortune could go. The cargo hold. Enzo ran.
The doors to the hold were closed and locked again. Surely Fortune couldn't have changed the password in so short a time? Enzo tried the original password but the door failed to open. Frowning, Enzo was about to activate his organizer when he noticed movement in the shadows to his left. Before he had time to react there was the flash of a laser. White-hot pain set every nerve on fire, and then he was tumbling down a dark hole.
***
"Got him sir!" Fisher smiled as he stepped from the shadows.
Directly opposite him, Fortune stepped out from his own cover of shadow, "Very good, Fisher."
"Can I kill him now, sir?"
"In a nano, Fisher," Fortune said, "But answer me one question, where were you?"
"Sir?"
"When the fighting started, where were you?"
For the first time, Fisher looked nervous. Sweat beaded on his forehead, "Um --,"
"You were hiding down here, weren't you?"
"Um – well – um – it's a good thing I did, sir! We wouldn't have this little prize to do with what we want, eh?"
"We?" Fortune said, "Come now, Fisher, you know I don't allow cowardice on my crew."
Fisher stepped back, knowing what was coming. He grinned, "I wasn't the only one who was a coward this second, sir."
Fortune drew his laser and deleted him.
The Red Skull looked down at where Enzo lay unconscious at his feet. He looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps. Fortune grabbed Enzo by the collar, opened the doors, dragged the young sprite inside and closed them after him.
***
Gavin descended the stairs into the dimness. His sword drawn and out before him. The only sound was the distant hum of machinery and his own labored breathing.
Then a new sound shattered the silence. That of a man's dying scream.
For a horrified nano, Gavin thought, by gar, no!
Then he was down the stairs and running down the corridor. Corridors branched off left and right, but were all in shadow, Gavin didn't spare them a glance, knowing that was dangerous and not caring. The cargo hold doors were just closing when Gavin came before them. The lock clicked and Gavin muttered, "Fortune."
Gavin wasn't expecting what happened next. The explosion rocked the ship and it lurched violently to the left, throwing Gavin down. The Crimson Binome managed to keep a hand on his sword. What lights remained flickered and went out.
"By the code, what happened?" Gavin said aloud.
A second explosion came, causing the timbers and steel to shudder and to Gavin's amazement, the cargo bay doors opened. The Crimson Binome was on his feet in a nano. He rushed, through and halted at the sight that met his eye, a mixture of fury and relief ran through him.
There was Fortune on the far end of the room, dragging an unconscious Enzo. Gavin breathed a sigh of relief that it hadn't been Enzo's scream he had heard and at the same time was furious that Fortune had injured the boy.
"Fortune!"
The captain froze, and then turned, drawing a laser, "Stay where you are, Gavin!"
But Gavin kept coming, "Ye are the worst kind of coward. First ye betray yer vow when we fight, now ye use more innocents to cover yer deeds."
Fortune lowered the barrel of the laser to rest against Enzo's temple, "One more step and I delete this boy."
"And I'd delete ye," Gavin felt the calm settle over him again, "Either way, Gates, this second I will delete ye. Ye were right. I tire of this game as well, time to end it."
Running footsteps distracted both men. Gavin didn't need to turn to know it was Matrix.
"Gavin, they sabotage the – Gun – command line – full delete!"
"No!" Gavin raised a hand.
"Gavin!"
"Listen to me, Matrix," Gavin said, "I'll settle this with the Skull." And to his enemy, Gavin said, "What say ye, Skull? Shall we finish what we began? Or will ye hide behind the boy and confirm what a coward ye are? Are ye so frightened of me that ye can't face me?"
Even from where he stood Gavin could see Fortune's whole body shaking with fury.
He released his grip on Enzo, "Come to me Gavin. Come to your deletion."
"Matrix," Gavin said, "Take the boy and get ye out."
"Gavin, no, they sabotaged the --,"
"Didn't ye hear me? Take yer brother and go!"
Matrix hesitated for a nano, before crossing the room quickly. His eyes never leaving Fortune, Matrix lifted Enzo up and draped his brother's arm around his shoulders, "I'll be back for you, Gavin."
Gavin doubted Matrix had time, but he nodded.
Then Gavin Capacitor was alone with Gates Fortune.
"I'm assuming," Gates walked forward, "That Matrix was trying to tell you they sabotaged the engine room. It's a safe bet that this ship will explode very soon. If there's a fire and it reaches the cooling cells, well --."
Gavin drew his sword.
"There's still time for you to escape, Gavin, why should we both delete?"
"Shut up and fight." Gavin growled.
"I know you're hurt Gavin," Fortune said, "I know you want to give up. Why don't you? Just lay down your sword and I'll --,"
The sound of a third explosion cut him off, the ship listed violently to the left. Gavin lost his balance and his sword flew from his grasp.
The Skull's cry was the only warning Gavin had as the man came for him; Gavin rolled a second before the sword strike. He was up, crawling, his sword within his grasp.
"That's right, crawl like the worm you are!" He heard Gates coming for him.
Gavin's hand closed around the hilt of his sword just as Gates came upon him. Gavin blocked the swung and kicked out with his peg leg, catching Gates on the knee, the pirate stumbled back and Gavin wretched himself up with a cry and threw himself at Fortune. Now it was Fortune who rolled, Gavin made a wild swing, which Fortune blocked. Fortune's fist lashed out catching Gavin in the mouth. The crimson binome tasted his own blood.
"Old fool, give up now! Maybe I'll keep you around as my personal servant."
"Ye know I'd pay good units if ye'd just shut up!"
Fortune's anger waxed hot. Gavin held his ground, waiting, watching the murderous look in Fortune's eyes and the sweat running down his forehead.
"This ends now," Fortune muttered.
"Aye, it does,"
The ship lurched again, and they heard several small explosion. Gavin was down and sliding across the floor. There was sound of circuitry overloading and suddenly the hold was flooding with light as the main cargo bay doors ponderously opened. Gavin stared out into the open space as the scent of the data sea filled the room.
That time the ship didn't right itself. Everything that wasn't secure inexorably began to slide towards the open bay doors. Gavin scrambled for purchase, even as he saw the Skull half-crawling towards him.
"I've lost everything, Gavin," Fortune said, "So be it, but you will delete with me, no one will leave this ship alive."
Fortune stood over him. Gavin let himself slid back further and forced himself to stand. Fortune was on him almost immediately. Unable to keep his balance, Gavin could only defend himself. It would end now, he knew as Fortune drove him towards the open door.
So this is me choice, Gavin thought. Death by the blackguard's blade, or death by the sea.
The sea then, he would not delete by Fortune's hand.
But by gar, he was going to take Fortune with him.
Behind them the only other exit, was suddenly filled with a cloud of smoke and fire. Gavin lunged as Gates was distracted. The pirate, turned, his sword swinging in a deadly arc – the same way the time Fortune had taken his hand, but this time, there was no hand to take. Only the hook and the blade deflected off of it slightly, but not enough to completely halt Fortune's swing. Because of this Fortune scored his first true hit. The blade cut diagonally across Gavin's chest, slicing though clothes and flesh and the captain couldn't stop the scream of agony that burst from his lips.
Gates laughed viciously and brought his sword around again.
Time slowed. Gavin saw the swing that would undoubtedly delete him. Gavin dropped and rammed his fist into Fortune's groin. The man screamed a high shrill sound and the sword dropped from his hands. Gavin reached for it and Fortune somehow managed to retain enough strength to kick him in the side. Gavin went down as Fortune reached for him his face a mask of murderous hate. Gavin rolled. Took hold of Fortune's wrist with one hand and with his last ounce of strength slashed his hook across Fortune's stomach, the tip slashing deep.
Gates gave a strangled cry almost of surprise. He looked down at his intestines spilling. Then he looked Gavin in the eye and smiled slightly, before pitching over. Gavin was pinned by his weight
Gavin gave a cry of disgust, "No last words Fortune?"
The Crimson Binome shoved with all his strength but couldn't move the inert body. Why wasn't the blackguard fragmenting?
"Gavin," the voice so close to his ear, with its almost amiable tone, sickened him, "I'll see you in the Ethernet."
"Ye first," Gavin said.
The Red Skull died.
Gavin pushed himself to his knees. Flames blocked his one escape route. Thick smoke filled the hold and spilled out of the cargo doors.
"So it be the sea," Gavin said. "So be it."
He assessed his injuries. The slash across his chest, the hole in his arm, the many cuts and bruises. Maybe he didn't have much a chance, but by gar, he was going to try. With a parting thought of his sweet Maiandra, Gavin turned and pushed, sliding down the length of the room, through the cargo doors and fell out into open space.