Chapter 11 (Michael Garibaldi)
News spread fast about what happened to Talia Winters and Michael soon heard of it. Over the years he had developed a personal bond with the blonde-haired beauty and he protected her as much as he could.
But this incident was something he could not forgive, nor could he allow it to pass as if nothing happened. Elvis's behavior was unacceptable and there was nothing anyone could do about it. Garibaldi knew that, so what could he do?
Chased by Zack's problem and the incidents that seemed to spiral out of control, he wished that someone else would take over his responsibilities so he could sit on an alien planet and drink in the sunlight. But he was second in command and his job was to keep everything running.
Concerned about Talia, Garibaldi searched for her high and low throughout the complex. He had a close bond with her and often tried to pursue a relationship with her in the past, often leaving him red-faced in public. Deliberate run-ins and skilled chat up lines had finally scored him some dates, which had improved their relationship during the entire year they'd known each other.
But when he finally found her, he was unprepared for the scale of the incident. "Talia, what's happened to you?"
"That bastard Elvis raped me." She held Garibaldi tight. "Again!"
"Again?" He gently moved her back, to face her. "You mean this happened before?"
"Yes, when I got here a year ago, as part of his job interview, he, he…"
Michel pulled her into his arms. He didn't know what to say. It was a delicate situation, but his anger churned inside him, like lava in a magma chamber.
Garibaldi changed position with Talia still clinging on for support. He placed a supportive hand around her back and held her tight. Talia was contaminated by Elvis's smell.
He moved her backward so he could get a clear view of her face. Her makeup was smudged and she had tearstains all over her face.
"Come with me. I'll take you to my quarters and you'll be safe. I'm going to sort this Elvis out." His tone carried a hint of fury as he escorted her out of the side office and away from the complex.
The corridors were eerily quiet, but Michel knew that everybody was either hiding, or concentrating on their work. The fury that was about to erupt would see any bystander in the crosshairs.
When he reached the boardroom, Garibaldi marched right in, ignoring anyone that got in his way. He tossed aside the assistant who tried to block his entrance and barged through the huge wooden doors that were welded to the asteroid walls.
Members of the board all stared, as if they could not believe someone would be crazy enough to barge in to one of Elvis's board meetings. Anyone who dared would end up spaced. But Garibaldi had gone supernova and Elvis was going to get spaced himself.
"What the fuck have you done, you pig." he roared down the room.
Elvis stood in his impeccable uniform in front of the projections of profits and city status reports. He placed his laser pen on the table and smiled at his associates.
"Please, gentlemen, if you would excuse us, we will continue this meeting shortly." He raised a professional hand. "Please follow my assistant who will offer you refreshments and some entertainment. This shouldn't take long."
His voice carried such calm and professionalism that Garibaldi was even more insulted.
Elvis did not falter under Garibaldi's sudden outburst, not even a drop of sweat could be seen on his face.
As if he were going to present another board meeting, Elvis placed his papers on his desk in a neat pile and deactivated the wall imaging screen. "So, Garibaldi, what can I do for you?"
His question was insultingly calm. Garibaldi could not detect any worry in his body language; it was as if the ordeal did not happen for him.
He marched up to the black man. "You know what this is about. You raped Talia! You fucking bastard." He grabbed Elvis's suit, not caring about the consequences.
"I must warn you, Garibaldi. My guards are outside. All I need to do is call them and you will be dead… Watch yourself."
"Not if I kill you first."
Garibaldi stared into Elvis's eyes. He wanted to see fear, or regret. But he only saw a cool, calm businessman.
"Just try it. Then your little Talia pet will be the next death statistic." The words tugged at Garibaldi's heart. He'd forgotten that Elvis could threaten her life. He was pure evil and would carry out the threat easily. Rumors had spread around the complex about someone losing a whole family because they opposed Elvis. He needed to find another way.
He backed away, leaving Elvis to straighten his uniform.
"I must say Mr. Garibaldi, your Talia girl…she has a real tight body. I must make a note to add her into my sex log for more sessions. Perhaps I can break her in for you, she's very tight." He gave Garibaldi a sly smile; his ice-white teeth glowed in the low-lit background.
Garibaldi could not hold his anger anymore. He imagined himself leaping forward, grinding Elvis's head and his brain matter into the white carpet. But it was just a thought, something he couldn't do.
Instead, in a fit of rage, Garibaldi grabbed the nearest chair and threw it at his portrait that hung on the wall. It fell to the floor and shattered into many pieces. Garibaldi felt a satisfying thrill but Elvis was not amused.
Elvis walked forward and like stirring the pot, he said, "Get out of my sight and resume your work, otherwise you'll be the next one to be fired. You don't scare me Michael. Get out."
Garibaldi could only stare. He knew Elvis had the power; but that inbred bastard would need authorization from higher up to sack the second in command. Garibaldi knew this and was able to slip the line from time to time and not pay the price. But that could only last for so long. Elvis was sly and would eventually find a way. As he turned to walk out, he swallowed the knot in his throat and planned his revenge.
That bastard called me Michael!