Rimmer's Decision
They wandered off in opposite directions; Kryten, Kochanski and the Cat into the village and Lister and Rimmer out towards the grass plains for some privacy.
How have you been? Lister asked, when they were out of earshot.
Not bad. Rimmer said, in his own voice. It's quite fun this hero lark, once you get into the swing of it.
I bet it is. All fast ships and fast women, is it? Lister asked wistfully.
Well, you're half right. The women haven't been very forthcoming actually. They all seem to be married or betrothed to someone else. I think the last Ace must have snapped up all the single ones.
Well, that at least makes me feel slightly better. Lister admitted. Rimmer looked at him,
I'm sorry about Kriss. he said tentatively. Lister shrugged,
I've not given up yet. he said, At least her boyfriend is an alternate version of me. That's got to count for something. Rimmer said nothing. Of course he hadn't given up. In three million years, with the woman long dead, he'd never given up. He certainly wouldn't do it now, with her finally back in his life again.
Lister changed the subject, What exactly is going on around here? Ethan said something about a war coming. Rimmer frowned,
Right. The Furies. Lister took in his expression,
How bad is it? he asked, not sure that he wanted to know the answer.
It's bad, Listy. They shared a look. I've been over there on a few scouting missions. he continued, They've got guns, they've got ammo, they've got decent body armour. And, more importantly, they've got numbers. We're out-numbered about five to one.
Lister winced. What have we got?
Swords, spears, arrows and home-made armour that would have been amateur even in medieval times.
Smeg. Anything else?
Like Ethan said: They've got Ace Rimmer. And now that you're here, they've got you.
I don't think that counts for a whole lot, Rimmer.
Doesn't it? Rimmer asked, Think about it, Lister. At the very least, and I mean the VERY least, we can use Starbug to get the women and children out of here before the shit really hits the fan. And there are weapons on Starbug. Laser cannons, bazookoids.
Not enough to go round. You know that.
Maybe not. But enough to give the people here some hope. Some confidence.
Lister stopped to look at him. You really think they've got a chance, don't you? he asked seriously. I don't know. But I do know that we have to try. If we don't make a stand now, if we don't stop these things, they're going to swarm over the whole smegging galaxy and beyond, wiping out everything in their path. I know that much. Even if we had enough time and fuel to move everyone off this planet, they'd catch up with us eventually. It has to end here, Lister. One way or another.
Lister couldn't help but grin, Same old Rimsy. he said. Ideal solution is to run for it.
Ha ha. Very funny, Lister. But I've made my point.
You have. Lister nodded, Now I'm going to make mine. If you really think we can win this fight, then I'll believe you. But be honest with me. Because if there's no hope at all and we're just standing our ground for a massacre, then I would rather try and get everyone out on Starbug. Even just to buy some time.
Rimmer took a deep breath and thought for a minute. I believe we can win. he said finally.
Lister asked. Rimmer gave him an uneasy look,
This is going to sound very strange. he said, But I swear it's true.
Go on.
I didn't tell you at the time because...well, for a lot of reasons. But here goes. He looked Lister squarely in the eye. A strange mystical voice told me.
He saw the corners of Lister's mouth start to twitch. Don't laugh!
I'm not laughing!
You bloody are! You're just trying not to!
I'm sorry, Rimmer, but what were you expecting?
Look, will you listen to me for a minute? It was just after Ace died. I was lying in bed and I'd just decided I wasn't going to leave Starbug and take over from him and suddenly this great light filled the room. And a voice...spoke to me. It told me I had to go. That it was my destiny and that if I didn't it would spell doom for the universe. Like there was something important I had to do. He paused to look at Lister. He wasn't smirking anymore, he was apparently listening. Encouraged, Rimmer continued. It said that you had a destiny too, that would interweave with mine and that we would see each other again soon if all went to plan.
Did it say what it was that we were destined to do?
Well...save the universe. But it was a bit vague about the details. But I can't help thinking that so far it all seems to be coming true. And if you're here, and I'm here...maybe it is all true. Maybe this is meant to be.
Lister sighed, This is all a bit hard to believe, Rimmer. Even if it's true, I can't see what we can do to help these people.
I think maybe I can. Rimmer said softly. Lister looked at him expectantly. Right now, Rimmer said, These people have no guidance. Ethan is very good as an advisor but if you asked him to take over, to actually take charge he'd go to pieces. These people need a leader right now. He looked at him solemnly, You are a leader, Lister.
Lister stared at him, You've got to be kidding me. he said simply.
You know it's true, Listy. We pulled through and survived as a crew because of you. You were our captain. No matter how much I bitched and sniped about being a higher-rank, you were always in charge, right from the word go. And let's face it, time and time again you managed to get the most selfish creature and the most cowardly man in existence to follow you into danger. To get both me and the Cat to do what you want when it involves a possible danger to ourselves? That is leadership, Listy. And although I haven't been around for a bit, I wouldn't mind betting that a certain Miss Kochanski, a first-class officer no less, defers to you in the cockpit, if nowhere else. Am I right?
We all work as a team, Rimmer. You know that.
And no team works without a captain. I definately know that. Lister, he stepped towards him, I really think this is it. This is why we were spared when everyone else died. Why we were chosen. Because I think together we can crack this. With my military and tactical know-how and your strength and leadership, I think we can save these people. Our people. Because we're all that's left.
Lister smiled and shook his head, I can't quite believe I'm hearing this. Not from you.
It needed to be said. I should have said it years ago. Rimmer said softly. His words took Lister back to their goodbyes on Starbug eighteen months ago. He'd known what he had to do, just as he knew he'd have to be the one to do it, but as he'd stepped forward to give Rimmer that hug he'd thought almost exactly the same thing. That he had to do it, especially, and perhaps simply,because he knew he should have done it years ago.
he said quietly, with the beginnings of a smile. It would be a shame to miss the opportunity to fight together one last time. Rimmer grinned and went a little red,
It wasn't a lie exactly. He protested, We did used to fight together all the time. I never said we were on the same side. Lister laughed,
Come on. Let's go back. We need to have a talk with the others. And with Ethan, I think.
