Judas
Being the second book in
The Life of Judas Rimmer
Introduction
Hopefully, you've all read Floor 13: Hero. If so, then you're probably wondering if Judas Rimmer survived and if this is a sequel. Let me assure you, he didn't and this isn't. The aim of this book is to give more depth to the early life of Judas Rimmer. In particular, ten years before he arrives on Starbug 1 in Floor 13: Hero.
Book 2 was originally going to center around Judas and an alternate Kerry Shayne. However, Floor 13 was not my work to begin and I think I've raped Scavenger's character's enough. This point was pushed home further when I read Story Hour on her website and realised just how more in tune she was with Shayne. So, to make it clear, in respect of the original author, this is not a Floor 13 spin off. However, I'm sure Scavenger will allow me the slightest of references in certain chapters.
There's no real plot to this… It's just a bunch of memories either in third or first person belonging to Judas.
This story will contain numerous references to themes that some people may find offensive. To combat this, I will try and give some indication as what you can expect before each chapter.
In regards to this chapter, there is nothing more then a little bloodletting. Also, if you read The Difference-3, then this chapter will be very familiar. Ooo, should point out that I nicked a few lines from Backwards, so I really should say that 65 of the following chapter belongs to Rob Grant.
Hopefully, you'll enjoy this and if not, go fuck yourself.
With respect,
Tyler
Dedicated to everyone at RDSS.
-i-
Arnold J. Rimmer, aged seven and almost five-sevenths, is crouched at the starting line for the Junior C two hundred yards dash.
His original sports kit, handed down from his brother, Howard, was two sizes too big. But Arnold has stolen this new kit from Smelly Noonan's satchel two days ago. He can see Smelly sat with his mother eyeing him suspiciously. Arnold knows he won't say anything. No one would dare.
There are seven other boys at the starting line, and there's no doubt in his mind that he will beat them all. He'll cheat and the other boys will let him. While the rest of his class have been moved up to Junior B, young Arnold Rimmer has been deemed scholastically unsuitable to join them.
He's been kept down a year.
He is a good foot taller then the rest of the kid's and he loves it. At first they use to call him Arnold 'Judy' Rimmer, in a reference to his ill-conceived middle name, Judas. In the space of one break time they were eating out of his hands.
He feels he is better then everyone and he goes out of his way to prove it. He excels in everything. Particularly mathematics and English. If he finds anything to hard to do, he enlists the help from any number of children in Junior C who tip toe from here to there just to please him. Arnold is no longer scholastically unsuitable for anything anymore. He could have moved up again within three months of the new year. However, he's having too much fun.
He looks down to the finishing line and spies his mother and brothers. They do not seem to want to be there and Arnold would prefer them to leave. He doesn't need their apathy anymore then a fish needs a bicycle. They never believed him when he needed them the most.
And suddenly, Rimmer's aware that the boy on his right is mumbling. He turns. It's Bobby Darroch. Darroch's parents split up before Christmas and now he mopes around expecting sympathy. If Darroch could understand the pain Rimmer had been through in his short life then he'd shut his fat face. God bless Darroch, because Rimmer won't.
And the whistle blows, and Rimmer hoists off his front legs instinctively. He is a good distance in front of everyone, when, before he knows what's happening, he feels a sharp pain in his ankle. As he falls to the ground, Rimmer turns to see that Darroch has caught up with him and stabbed his running spikes into Rimmer's ankle. Darroch had pulled a trick Dicky Duckworth would have done. Darroch runs past and shouts down to Rimmer.
"Sorry about that Judy!"
Rimmer throws out an arm and pulls on the nearest leg he can find. Darroch comes crashing down. He smacks his chin on the ground and bites his lips. Blood trickles down Darroch's chin as Arnold picks himself up and runs back past him. As he goes past, he slams a foot on Darroch's back, not caring whether he breaks his back. Rimmer's eyes are set firmly on the goal. With little effort, he makes his way clear past the other five boys and his chest is the first to burst the finishing tape.
It's only after he's crossed the finishing line, that Rimmer thinks to check his ankle. It's a mess. Blood has already begun to congeal onto his socks. Rimmer makes a note to make sure these are left in Darroch's satchel before the end of the day.
His mother stares at him and purses her lips. Arnold's brothers are looking at him in shock. How can their little brother end up like this? First, the lying and now this. They shake their heads and walk away. His mother touches Arnold's shoulder briefly with a gloved hand and then makes her way to the refreshment tent.
Little Arnold clenches his fists and shouts out to his retreating family. Shouts until his lungs feel like they've been given a rub down with lemon juice and sand paper.
"Winning may not be everything; but losing is nothing!"