A Shaving of the Horn That Speared You

He did not fully remember his father, not at least beyond the impression of his cruelty, the shape of him as he delivered blow after blow, the weight of his fists. Perhaps if he tried, he might have been able to remember more, but what was the point, the resentment was fuel enough to keep him going.

Basco ta Jolokia had never known what species his father had been, never known from where in the universe he hailed, all he knew was that he had never encountered another being like him—save for in those moments when he cast off the sham of his humanity and caught a glimpse of his true face, the features as cruel as anything left in the impression of dim memory.

"You've grown, I see," the older man announced, standing with his back to him, looking out towards the stars.

His lips twitched.

"I'm surprised you noticed."

He saw the other's shoulders stiffen, and this, he knew, had got under his skin, this was what caused him to turn, to regard him with the cool glow of his eyes.

"There is seldom little I do not notice, I am sure you are aware of that by now," Damarasu said, his words heavy with the unspoken threat.

Basco held his gaze, and then, in a show of deference, smiled and looked away.

"Don't be hurt, old man. You act like I'm not grateful."

"And you act like I am a fool," Damarasu continued, his voice firm yet betraying no sense of his anger. "I was under the impression that your pardon by His Highness, Waruzu Giru, might have humbled you somewhat. I can see now that I was in error."

He was unable to keep the smile upon his lips, unable to maintain the appearance of nonchalance.

This, he thought bitterly, was the difference between men like his father and men like Damarasu. His father had been quick to anger, quick to lash out, to hurt those who were powerless to fight back. Men like Damarasu, however, convinced you that it was in your best interests that they hurt you, that they were only meting out pain in order to teach you something of yourself.

The anger, the resentment boiled within him, and he struggled to keep it down, to conceal that other face, to maintain the mask of civility that had, thus far, served him greater than any weapon.

"Old man, it sounds like you're being to doubt the judgement of your leaders."

That got a reaction, although for a brief moment, Basco thought he might have gone too far. Whilst the sword at his side was never drawn, the heavy coat he wore was thrown back and his hand was on its hilt, eyes blazing with fury.

"You would do well to watch your tongue, boy. My patience has its limits."

Playfully, Basco lifted his hands in a gesture of apology.

"Relax, relax," he said, smiling once more, knowing he had the upper hand again. "What's a joke between comrades?"

Damarasu withdrew his hand from his weapon and turned away once more, regarding the distant stars, the unbroken formation of the Zangyack star fleet, the small, defiant shape of the blue planet beyond.

"We are not comrades, Basco," the older man said darkly. "I serve a higher purpose. You serve only money."

Basco affected a mock bow.

"And long may His Majesty reign."

Damarasu let that one go, angered, Basco assumed, with his previous lack of control, the way in which the younger man had provoked him. His father would not have thought twice about beating him for such insolence, he thought. Yet his father also would not have needed a reason to hit him, and if he had, anything could have been used as justification—perhaps he might have given him the wrong sort of look, perhaps he might have said the wrong thing, perhaps he might have held himself the wrong way, perhaps he might have been breathing too loudly.

When he had met AkaRed, when he had joined the Akai Pirates, had he been looking for a man to replace his father, he asked himself with stark honesty; when he had betrayed AkaRed, when he had sold out the Akai Pirates, had it been, in some way, out of spite that AkaRed had proved to be nothing like his father? Certainly, he was more comfortable with Damarasu's sternness, and yet, in truth, neither man was enough to truly overshadow the brutality of the man his mother had always insisted she loved, even long after he had left.

"There are rumours amidst the worlds of the Outer Rim, a backwater planet gaining in influence, industrialising at an impossibly fast rate, converting the local stars into Dyson spheres. I would investigate myself but needs must that I remain by His Highness's side, thus it is imperative that things be wrapped up here as soon as possible."

Basco raised an eyebrow, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"The Outer Rim, you say? And just what world would this be? Maybe I'll join you there once this is over."

Damarasu was silent, and for a moment, Basco thought he might not be willing to share further details.

"Kikaitopia," the chief of staff said at once. "Up until recently, a world of little significance, and now suddenly it is completely different, home to such advanced technology that it could pose a threat to the Empire."

Basco said nothing, waiting to see if the other man would venture any further details. Sure enough, a moment later, Damarasu continued.

"It is almost as if the world has been swallowed up, colonised by a more advanced version of itself."

"You mean it's been invaded?" Basco asked.

"That is what I wish to find out," Damarasu answered, turning slowly, holding the younger man in his steady gaze. "You understand now why I wish to resolve matters here swiftly."

Thoughtfully, Basco nodded.

"This technology your sources are reporting on Kikaitopia, does it look expensive?"

"Yes," Damarasu growled, unhappy at the young man's desire to put a price on the threat. "Expensive and dangerous."

With another smile, Basco brought his hands together in a loud clap.

"Well then, old man, we best put things to bed here post haste, hadn't we? Can't have a threat growing in the Outer Rim, can we?"

"That is precisely what I have been telling you," Damarasu replied, his impatience clear in the tone of his voice.

Still smiling, Basco reached into the pocket of his jacket, drawing out the glittering shape of five Ranger Keys, white, red, black, and two in shimmering green.

"Luckily, I have just the ticket to speed things up." He reached into his other pocket, drawing out a further five keys. "And a lot more where they came from too."

Damarasu grunted and turned away once more.

"I hope so. For your sake, I would hate to be disappointed."

The light of the stars seemed to catch the gold and chrome of the older man's armour, and with no one to look upon him, Basco's smile faded. In his heart, burnt a resentment for all men such as the one before him, yet it was a rage which belonged truly to his father.

If the older man noted his displeasure, he gave no sign of it.

Before them both, the blue planet continued to turn, unaware of either man's schemes.