Fighting Back

Chapter Five: Explanation & Departure

Everything was black, & eerily quiet. Blitz scrunched his eyes tighter as he felt at first a severe pain & then it dulled. Then he felt numbness in his extremities followed by an annoying tingling sensation. Next his body felt warm. Then his 'sixth sense' as it were kicked in, & it felt as if he were being watched… Wait a moment, this was a good feeling. He was being guarded, watched over; worried about. He tried to open his eyes, but didn't have the strength. He couldn't move anything. He could only breathe…& hear.

"Do you think he'll be okay?" This was a young girl's voice.

"I don't know. He was badly hurt. I do hope he will though." A woman's voice.

"He'll pull through, he has to! He's a hero! Heroes can't die!" A young man.

"I wouldn't say that. I've known plenty who've passed on." An older gentleman.

"Let's not delve too far into the negative, lest we lose hope." Another old gent.

"He's right. We must hope for the best." A middle-aged man.

"Yet also must be prepared for the worst." Another middle-aged man.

"Let's just not plan his funeral yet." Another old gent, and a young girl's sobs. At hearing this, Blitz found enough energy to speak, but still couldn't open his eyes.

"Damn right you're not gonna plan my funeral. I'm not dead yet." Blitz groaned.

"Blitz!" It was the girl.

"He's alright!" The woman said. He recognized their voices. Who were they?

"Told you he'd pull through! Just to let you know, you could warn a guy before you try to light up his neck with gunpowder!" He heard this & his eyes snapped open, everything came rushing back. He was on the Graza! He'd just killed Ferriman, right?

"Katie, Greg, Francesca! You're all alright! Where's Ferriman, did I kill him? Is he dead? Don't tell me I lost!" Blitz spoke before anyone could answer.

"Yes we're alright. All thanks to you." Francesca answered.

"And Ferriman?" Blitz asked, sitting up, now realizing he was on a medical bed.

"Up in smoke." Greg smirked with a wink.

"Good." Blitz let out a sigh.

"You jerk! You had all of us worried sick!" Katie berated him.

"Sorry… I was just a little…tired…I guess…?" Blitz shrugged.

"Don't you ever worry us like that again." Katie ordered, hugging Blitz around the waist. Blitz looked at her, & couldn't help it.

"I won't, I swear." He said, & patted her on her head, then rubbed her upper back as she began to tear up. "Don't cry Katie. I'm here; alive & well." Blitz smiled.

"But what if you weren't? What if you had died?" Katie retorted, hugging tighter.

"Then… I would have died doing what my duty called for, & my honor commanded. Even if I had died though, I would have taken Ferriman with me. There's no way I would have left him here to hurt any of you. Now then, buck up. I didn't die, & Ferriman's gone. We're all safe now." Blitz said, taking Katie's chin in his hand, & tilting her head to look at him. "Cheer up. Can you do that, for me?" He smiled.

"Yes." She said with a nod, & quickly hugged him again before letting go.

"Now who may I ask, are you gentlemen?" Blitz said, not quite recognizing the men that stood at the edge of the room.

"You rescued us from the firing squad at the pool, remember?" a middle-aged man said, "You had us collect the weapons & stay there."

"After you left we all stayed as you said for some time." Another spoke.

"Then these three came running in with your body telling us it was over, but you needed medical attention. So we brought you here to the infirmary." Said an older man.

"Once we got here I took a look at you. I was a Corpsman in the Pacific during the war. You're damn lucky. Those daggers missed your heart & lungs by centimeters."

"Would I be correct in assuming you pulled them out & patched me up then?"

"You would."

"Then you have my undying gratitude."

"We're even."

"That works too." Blitz said with a shrug, & got a sharp pain in his right hand. "Damn, forgot about that." He mumbled to himself as he looked at the scorch on his hand. He gave a dissatisfied grunt & then the scorch began to become a mist as it rose from his hand & was then replaced by another one in the shape of a lightening bolt. He gave an approving smile at the change & looked to the others in the room. "So how many are dead?" was his question.

"Actually, we don't know. After Ferriman disappeared, so did all the bodies." Greg answered, looking slightly unnerved.

"Heh, looks like my work is never done." Blitz sighed.

"What do you mean your 'work'? Jack referred to the both of you as a Collector & a Ferrier right before you killed him & passed out. What did he mean?" Katie asked.

"That's a good question. He mentioned the same thing in the storage room. What's going on here?" Francesca questioned, her eyes, not glaring, but scanning his lips & eyes to see if he was lying to them. If Jack & he were similar in any way, she wasn't about to trust him after what just happened. Even if he did save them all. Why risk it?

"Well, I suppose I should explain to you that much at least." Blitz sighed. "Ferriman was what's called a Soul Collector. I am a Soul Ferrier. Our jobs are similar, yet are also on the opposite sides of the same spectrum." Blitz began, thinking of how he could explain it to them. "A 'Collector' is more or less like a pirate. He finds a ship, starts a mutiny somehow, & has the crew kill everyone they can. What sets him aside from a normal pirate is that he finds a way to kill his crew after their task is complete, & he has no interest in what the average person considers to be treasure. He only cares about how many souls he can lay his Mark on in order to claim them. However, if he's defeated, or in some way captured, his Mark is easily erased, even fading over time on its own, & the bodies of his victims disappear, their souls left behind for a Ferrier to retrieve."

"So what's a Ferrier?" Katie asked.

"A 'Ferrier' is like a Captain or Admiral in the old Royal Navy. We have our own ships. They're actually old sunken ships that are enchanted, & some Captains, such as myself, even go so far as to overhaul them with more modern equipment. Our job it to transport the souls of those that die at sea or on the coast to the Elysian port of Fiddler's Green. Heaven pretty much. Another task of ours is to transport the souls that a 'Collector' tried to take, but was unable to for whatever reason. We also each have our own individual style Marks, but ours don't usually just damn you to Hell, some can even guarantee entrance to Fiddler's Green or Heaven if you die inland. Sometimes though, our usual job is changed in some way, say for instance if we're given a Field Mission. That's what this was for me, even though St. Peter told me I was to be on 'vacation'. Anyway, the short of it is: Collectors are bad & take you to Hell; Ferriers are good & take you to Heaven." Blitz explained.

"In other words, you're both Grim Reapers, just one's good & the other bad?" Greg asked, & got a laugh out of Blitz. "What?"

"Nothing, I just never thought of it that way." Blitz shrugged & smiled.

"Boys…" Francesca sighed, shaking here head, Katie silently agreeing.

"Francesca?" Blitz questioned.

"Yes?"

"Might I have a word with you, in private?" Blitz asked.

"I suppose." Francesca agreed, following Blitz into another room, Blitz closing the door behind her after she entered.

"I know you were helping Ferriman." Blitz said calmly, his criticizing gaze upon her as she tried to avert her eyes & look elsewhere.

"I…I…" She couldn't gather her thoughts. Yes she'd tried to help him, & she felt horrible for it now, realizing what she had helped with. "I did." Was all she could say.

"It's alright. Experienced Soul Collectors such as Ferriman are easily able to bring out the worst in a person, usually in the form of greed. What happened to you was no different, but, I believe I need to give you something." Blitz said.

"Give me what?" Francesca asked, looking half frightened.

"Just take off the glove of your right hand & shake mine." Blitz said, & while she still looked uneasy, she slid off her glove & they grabbed hands. As soon as her hand touched his it felt for a moment as though she was touching a glacier, then the cold subsided & he released her hand. Francesca looked down at her palm & saw a lightning bolt shape on her hand. As she looked at it, it began to fade into her hand.

"What was that?" Francesca asked, looking from her palm, to Blitz, & back.

"That was my Mark." Blitz said, & her eyes widened in fear at the statement.

"Does this mean that I'm going to…to…" She could form the words, so she just pointed down with her other hand as she stared at him.

"No, no. Remember, I'm a Ferrier…"

"But you said…"

"Only some of us damn people. My Mark is a moral guide to help people. It lets you know with a prick of pain if something you're doing is bad, or with a very light tickling sensation if it's good. It can't decide your fate, but it can help you make better decisions. Hopefully you won't get in this type of situation again. I also would like a favor from you. I know we don't know each other well… Hell, nobody out there knows anyone else all that well, but I would ask that once this ship reaches New York, you take care of Katie & Greg. I can't tell you what I know, but they'll need you." Blitz said.

"Take care of them how?"

"You'll find out when the time comes Francesca, but, please, will you?"

"I can try." Francesca finally accepted, though it didn't show on his features, she could hear the pleading in his voice. Then she felt a tickling sensation in her hand as she slipped her glove back on.

"Thank you." Blitz said as he opened the door. "Ladies first." He smiled.

"Grazie." Francesca smiled, a genuine smile as she walked out the door.

Blitz & Francesca rejoined the group a moment later, Francesca walking to stand behind Katie & Greg as she winked at Blitz, who gave her a slight nod in return. Nobody noticed this exchange for Greg had spoken up.

"What is our course of action Sir?" Greg asked, seeing Blitz as the man in charge.

"Well, we were headed for New York, correct?" He replied.

"Yes Sir."

"Then let's get back on course." Blitz smiled as they all headed for the Bridge.

Upon entering the Bridge it was easily told that it was noon; Blitz immediately headed to a side room, knowing that these ships had a room for the captain attached to the Bridge, should he wish to say near the controls at night. He went in, found two insignia pins, & returned just in time to hear a bell tolling off their port side. He looked out the windows, & saw the bow of a sailing ship, the bell tolled again & he recognized the bell's sound & the ship's bow. Without saying anything he walked past everyone, back out of the Bridge, & down to the deck across the now clean dance floor. Everything appeared to have never happened. No bodies, & no damage were left from the attack. As everyone followed him, the sailing ship came into view, the forecastle level with the Graza's deck.

"Ahoy, Captain! Did we miss it all? We came as quick as we could!" Shouted the first mate as they all came near.

"Sorry bro, everything's taken care of here." Blitz shrugged.

"Ready to go then, Blitz?"

"Not quite Donner. Get some men & escort our passengers aboard for our return trip." Was Blitz's replied as he turned around.

"Aye, aye, Sir!" was the reply from behind.

"What's that?" Greg asked.

"That's my ship & crew." Was Blitz's reply.

"Does this mean you're leaving?" Katie asked.

"Unfortunately, yes. But I'm leaving you all in good hands. Greg, come here." Blitz said, & Greg came up to him.

"Yes?"

"Do you know how this ship works?"

"Yes."

"Could you pilot her?"

"Yes."

"Make repairs?"

"Could try."

"Good enough. Let all here be witness, that on this day, May…uh…" Blitz began, & Francesca held up two fingers, then changed them to three. "Ah, right, May Twenty-third, Nineteen Sixty-two, that I, Captain Blitz Von Krieg, award you, Gregory…uh…" Blitz began again, then whispered. "What's your surname?"

"Thompson." Greg whispered back, Katie laughing to herself at the obviously impromptu speech.

"Okay." Blitz whispered & began again. "You, Gregory Thompson, a commission as Captain of the Antonia Graza. Congratulations." Blitz said as he put the captain insignia on Greg's collar, & shook his hand.

"I approve." Came a voice. Everyone looked at who it was, & it was the Captain's ghost, nodding his head.

"Thank you sir!" Greg shouted as the Captain headed for the gangplank that had been run across between the ships. The Captain gave a single wave as he crossed the gangplank. "So does that mean I'm really the Graza's Captain now?"

"Looks that way." Katie said as she came to stand next to him. "Congratulations."

"Thanks." Greg smiled down at her.

"Now one last thing before I go." Blitz said, looking about his person.

"What is it?" Francesca asked.

"Uh… Heh… Anybody seen m' sword?" Blitz asked.

"I've got it. Along with you guns & everything thing else we found as we went through the ship. Now let's get a move-on! All passengers are aboard! Let's try for a new record time!" Donner shouted from the forecastle.

"Alright, I'm coming!" Blitz shouted back, & Donner stepped from the forecastle, shouting orders to the crew to prepare the ship to set-sail. "Safe journey." He said, & as he turned around, he noticed something: his ship was pulling away!

"You may want to hurry." Katie chuckled as Blitz bolted for the railing.

"What do you think I'm doing?!" He shouted over his shoulder.

"Not running fast enough!" Greg called out.

"Smart ass!" Blitz replied, running along the railing, toward the bow. "Donner! Stop the ship! I'm not on yet!"

"Just jump!" Donner shouted with a laugh.

"Oh to hell with it!" Blitz shouted to himself as he leapt onto the railing, & then coiled his legs & sprang forward, just barely grabbing onto the railing. "Pull me up!"

"Ha-ha! I knew you could do it." Donner said as he hauled Blitz onto the deck.

"Anyone ever tell you that you can be a real ass at times?"

"Many people, but I just tune them out."

"You ass."

"What was that?" Donner chuckled as Blitz slapped his forehead.

"I can't believe you're my brother." Blitz shook his head as he walked over to the wheel & grasped it. "But, it's good to be back." He smiled as energy surged through the ship & it took on a light gold color; the underside becoming surrounded by a light green mist as the ship rose from the water. Blitz turned the wheel to starboard & it turned around. Headed toward the starboard side of the Graza, the ship's name now just above the Graza's deck as it passed by, the sails coming completely unfurled, & the ship's armaments began showing themselves. Everyone on the Graza's deck turned to watch the ship pass. Katie, Greg, & Francesca reading the name.

"The H.M.S. Immortal." The three said to themselves, though everyone heard them say it as the ship flew by. Just before it left completely, it leaned to its starboard side just long enough for everyone to spot Blitz give a jaunty salute & for them to wave, or in Greg's case salute, back before it righted itself & headed higher into the sky before disappearing from view completely, a sonic-boom echoing after it was gone.

"Think we'll ever see him again?" Katie asked as the all watched the spot the Immortal had last been.

"Yeah, I do." Greg said.

"So, shall we head for New York, Captain?" Francesca asked.

"Indeed madam, I believe we shall." Greg smiled. Steward to Captain in one day. If it weren't for the circumstances this would be completely awesome. Due to the circumstances though, it's just awesome. 'My neck still hurts though.'

Elsewhere, deep in the bowls of a fortress surrounded by a moat of fire, another man sat & watched through a crystal pane he held as the scene unfolded before him.

"Lesson one Krieg: Cross me; Get burned." Said Jack Ferriman to himself as he sat on the stone chair in the deserted room. He looked at the pane of crystal as it now showed the H.M.S. Immortal soaring through the cosmos, headed for Fiddler's Green. "This isn't the last you've seen of me, not by a long shot." He smirked at the crystal pane as it began to crack. The pane shattered as he stood, the pieces igniting like paper as they neared the floor & were gone by the time they would have touched it. Jack walked to a double door that lead to a balcony, opened the door, & stepped out, resting his hands on the railing & inhaling the smell of sulfur as if it were the sweetest aroma. Then he was brought from his revelry when another man's voice broke the silence.

"Ferriman, I have a proposition for you." The man said as he stepped into the light. He was as tall as Jack, had crimson eyes, black hair, looked about thirty, & wore a red fifties' mob-style suit with a gold watch & chain tucked into his pocket, brown fedora with a royal blue feather sticking out of the band, a pistol holster at his hip, white & black shiny leather shoes, & a Mob-Thompson slung over his shoulder.

"I'm listening, Lucifer." Jack said without turning, his lips curving into a feral grin, & his eyes gleaming as he looked down at the moat of fire. "So what is it, old friend?"