The Starbird Hunt (1-9) (8) “She’s a woman,” the pilot said, pompously. “It’s, like, in her DNA to give mixed signals.” “Yep, girls are a mystery,” Luciem added. Tor blinked. Seth grinned. “Don’t take this the wrong way, dude, but what’s your experience in the ‘girl’ field?” “I’ve parked next to many a female computer system over the course of the mission. Take this fine lady in PF-19.” The screen in the corner of the dining room turned on and the image of a very fuchsia starship appeared. “Look at the ship on her,” Luciem purred. Tor whistled. “Nice plating.” Seth nodded. “I wouldn’t mind driving her.” The men realized they were checking out a starship and tried to keep quiet from that point on. “Now, I’ve been communicating with her in Blink code,” Luciem continued. And, in fact, the ViperX’s headlights could be seen flashing on the camera in a rhythmic fashion. The other ship flashed back. “I’ve narrowed her responses to two languages. If it’s the one I’m hoping for, then she wants my frequency number.” “And if it isn’t?” Seth asked. “Then she has some nasty words in her verbal database.” Luciem tried flashing again. There was a pause. Then, the end of the fuchsia ship’s small laser guns began to glow. Luciem screamed in terror as the shield absorbed the shots, without effort. The screen shut off. “Well, I think we figured out the language,” Seth said. There was a longer pause. Luciem broke in. “Who likes show tunes?” ***** Faytan woke up and found himself on the floor of his in-laws’ living room. He groaned and looked up at the lumpy couch where he had spent the night. The groan became a growl deep within his throat. The “guest bed” where his wife had spent the night was a single and so, the Megosis had *gladly* let him sleep on the couch. His fur mangy and unsightly, the half-conscious Takanori walked toward the bathroom. Stripping off his pajamas and reaching into the shower, he fumbled for the dial he was accustomed to on the ViperX. Finding a knob, he was brought back to reality and set the shower to hot. He entered, muttering things that would’ve made nonsense to anyone who wasn’t Lortien. The water felt good on Faytan’s fur and began to ease away his discomfort. Five minutes later, he was brutally reminded by a blast of frigid water. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHH!” The Takanori jumped and fell through the curtain and onto the hard bathroom tiles. The bathroom door flew open and Tordo Megosi stood there, brandishing a fork. “What’s the matter? Who died?” “I wish I did,” Faytan growled. Juma appeared and pushed her father aside, “What happened? Faytan, are you okay?” “Ask me when my skull heals.” Wok got to his clawed feet and rubbed the back of his head, where the beginnings of a lump could be felt. “Oh, honey, you didn’t shower right when my mother began cooking?” The shapely Aleen female put a hand on the tender spot and stroked it softly. “This isn’t the ship, Faytan. My parents have to conserve power. You can’t have hot water and a food processor on at the same time.” “We have bills to pay, you know,” Tordo pointed out. Faytan gritted his sharp teeth. “You’re telling me your parents can’t tell when their own shower is on?” Burma’s yell echoed from the outside hallway. “It’s a very quiet shower! Doesn’t make a peep!” “Sure.” Eyes narrowed, Faytan Wok wrapped a towel around himself and headed for his room. Tordo began to laugh. Juma slapped his shoulder softly. “Daddy, it’s not funny.” “It would’ve been if he fell in the toilet!” ***** “Same to you, buddy!” Faytan made a rude gesture outside the window of his father-in-law’s ‘52 Roadcomet. Someone else honked at him loudly. “It doesn’t handle well, moron!” he explained to the speeding motorist, claw still extended. Faytan berated himself for just remembering that the Roadcomet was notorious for being involved in the most car accidents in history, only weeks after it came out. Add twenty years of aging to the machine and it was a death trap. Of course, that was why Tordo was so eager to let his son-in-law borrow it. Somehow, he survived the morning traffic and parked in front of the Morciz & Wok building. The large red logo, M&W, stood atop the building and looked down upon the city. The Takanori, dressed in the best business suit he had delivered from the ViperX, walked into the main lobby of the building. At the reception desk, a four-armed secretary typed rapidly, her high, nasal voice relaying messages across the building. Faytan walked up and cleared his throat. The secretary took several seconds to look up, but when she did, her fingers became skill and her eyes widened. “Mr. Wok, how good to see you!” “Same here, Jamie, how have you been?” “Oh, wonderful. I’m engaged.” She showed off brilliant, diamond rings on all four of her ring fingers. “To how many men?” “Just one, but he’s loaded.” She giggled. “How’s outer space treating you? Found any new business?” Faytan sighed. “No, not as much as I expected. But don’t tell Morciz that, I’ve figured out how to tell him.” Jamie blinked. “Him?” “Yeah, Dermaine Morciz, your OTHER boss.” “Why would you have to tell him?” “Well, he’s the co-owner, he needs to know. Is he in his office right now?” The secretary looked genuinely confused. “No, he’s at Jalvall National Cemetery.” “What’s he doing there?” “Um…nothing much.” Faytan frowned and licked his lips. “Are we on the same page here?” “I’m not sure.” “Listen, just call Morciz and tell him I want to speak to him.” “Mr. Wok, I don’t have an extension to the afterlife.” “The after--” Faytan stopped, realization creeping into his face. “Ohhhh. He’s dead.” “Pretty dead, yeah. You didn’t know?” “This is news to me.” “Two days ago. Poor guy, sick for just a week and then he keels over. We all had a day off in mourning. That’s when I was proposed to.” “So, who took his place?” “His daughter, Dergana.” “Sweet little Dergana? She can barely reach my knee!” “Seventeen, Mr. Wok. The last company party you went to was ten years ago. I believe she can reach your shoulder by now.” Faytan sighed. “All right, then, let her know I’m here, then.” “Will do, Mr. Wok.” The secretary connected to the appropriate office and waited for an answer. “Dergana Morciz,” came the voice over the speakerphone. “Ms. Morciz, Mr. Faytan Wok is here, and he would like to speak to you.” “I’m busy, Miss Cochran.” Faytan frowned. “Tell her it’s urgent.” “He says it’s urgent, Ms. Morciz.” “He’ll have to attend the board meeting this afternoon.” Faytan’s voice rose. “What is so important that she can’t meet with her PARTNER?” “Mr. Wok, I’m having some me time,” Dergana, who had obviously heard, said. “You’ve had almost three straight years of it, so I think I’m entitled to two hours a day. See you at the meeting.” The connection was closed. “‘Me time?’” Faytan growled. “What the hell does she mean by that?” “New company policy,” Jamie explained. “Every employee must have me time to relax from work. Mine’s in three hours, which is when the board meets.” “So, I’m supposed to just stay here for three hours?” “We have some magazines.” The secretary pointed at a media reader in front of the waiting chairs with her upper right arm. “Would you like some coffee?” “Yes, please,” Faytan sighed. He sat down and looked for a Navigator’s Weekly or Popular Warp Mechanics. But all he found was Self Enlightenment and Fickle Female. He sighed and decided to wait for his coffee. Jamie came in carrying a tray on her lower left arm with a small cup resting on it. She placed it down on the table next to Faytan’s chair. The Takanori thanked her and took a sip. He almost choked on it. The secretary, alarmed at her boss’s sudden coughing fit, asked, “What’s the matter, Mr. Wok?” Faytan took several deep breaths and said hoarsely, “Jamie, this tastes like Supernova Spirit. You know, the stuff that kills millions of people yearly with just one shot?” “Oh, dear. I mixed up the drinks. I’m horrible at serving stuff, remember? I’m so sorry, Mr. Wok. Do you need me to call a doctor?” “Nah, I’ll be fine.” Faytan cleared his throat. “I just won’t be able to taste anything for a while.” ***** Dergana Morciz looked out her window overlooking the city and pondered, brushing the dark hair out of her eyes. She pondered on matters past, present, and future. She pondered on social and financial matters. She pondered on matters of the self. There was still much to do in M&W and taking the “W” out of the name was supposed to come later. But, lo and behold, here was the great Faytan Wok, space explorer extraordinaire. Her *partner* had shown up at her doorstep and this rearranged her schedule some. Wok would be taken care of. Dergana had worked too hard at achieving her position to let a meddlesome Takanori bother her affairs. She had sacrificed her own soul to see the company flourish from the inside out and that was something she didn’t take likely. The company needed a woman’s touch, and that was why her papa had to go. Under the patriarchal tyranny of her father and Faytan Wok, the employees had been performing mediocre work and that was something she couldn’t stand. An efficient machine was kept well-oiled and as simple as possible. Her father had been an obstruction in the path to greatness, and that was why she poisoned him. The board had been taken care of, just a decoration to satisfy the Jalvall company standards. The one female member had come to her side happily. For the males, she had done several professional and sometimes *personal* favors. Now the only kink in her machine was Faytan Wok and he was practically begging to be disposed of. The question was, how would this be accomplished? It would be too suspicious if both Morciz *and* Wok turned up dead. But something deep within her creamy blue skin and golden irises whispered “Kill him. Kill him. Kill him.” Whatever had replaced her soul wasn’t satisfied with the death of a solitary businessman. It wanted more. ***** Mornaa Bit was the last of the twelve board members to greet Faytan. The female Takanori shook his hand solemnly and took her seat without giving him a second look. Faytan found that a little odd. At least the others had feigned happiness at seeing him back. He shrugged inwardly at sat at his regular seat, the one he used to occupy daily when he was an active co-owner. Dergana Morciz entered and the board members stood, as if they were at attention. Surprised at their collective action, Faytan got up too and studied his new partner. She had changed a *lot* since she he last her. For one thing tears weren’t streaming down her face and she wasn’t screaming “I want cake!” But she had also grown into quite the attractive young woman, her business suit showing off every single curve of her body. Her skin was creamy and smooth. Her golden eyes were currently in a no-nonsense glare, but the slight upward turn of her full lips seemed to invite a kiss. Next to his wife, this could have been the most beautiful woman Faytan had ever seen. “We are honored today by the presence of Mr. Faytan Wok, co-owner of our fine company,” Dergana said, as if she were a queen addressing her court. “Tell us, Mr. Wok, to what do we owe your unexpected and *unscheduled* visit?” “Uh…” Faytan adjusted himself in his chair. “Well, my crew is actually here on business of their own, but I decided to update you on the expansion project.” “How is it going?” Dergana asked, staring intently at her partner. “Well, I’ve made a couple of contracts with two races in the Diamin and Livanon galaxies. It gives them indefinite time to make an order. There haven’t been any shipments made to a Chief Big Man or Shaman Holy Guy, have there?” “No,” Dergana said, dryly. “Oh, well. I’m sure those deals will prove fruitful once they discover electricity. So, anyway, we’re hard at work looking for these possible customers in the far reaches of space and I expect a tremendous success by the end of our mission.” “Three years?” Dergana asked. “Right. As a matter of fact, we’re meeting with President Jordan to receive special permission to cross the Spetnant border after we leave Takanor.” “Well, well, I suppose you have been busy, then, Mr. Wok. However, I’m sure you’ve gathered from our latest reports that we are currently having decreases in sales at home. Sharp ones as a matter of fact. You’ve been co-owner longer, what do you propose?” Faytan blinked. “Decreases? I wasn’t aware of this. See, recently there’s been a lot of…chaos aboard my ship and it really hasn’t left me any time to look over the reports.” Dergana raised an eyebrow. She opened her mouth to say something when Jamie Cochran came in, pushing a tea cart. “Tea, ladies and gentlemen?” “Who votes for tea?” Dergana asked the board. The board raised their hands, murmuring agreement. Faytan blinked. His partner glanced at him. “You don’t want tea, Mr. Wok?” “Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, sure.” Jamie gave him a smile that said, “I know” and served four cups at a time. Faytan sipped his. It was delightfully sweet, a nice contrast to the burning Supernova Spirit. When she was done, she stood straight and bowed. “May I leave now?” she asked softly. “Who votes that Ms. Cochran can leave?” Dergana asked the board. The board raised their hands, murmuring agreement. Jamie thanked them and left. Faytan scratched his head. “Are you comfortable, Mr. Wok?” Dergana asked, sipping some tea. “Yeah, *I’m* fine.” “I wish I could say the same about Morciz & Wok. Faytan, how much money do you get from the company when you’re abroad?” Faytan drank some more tea. “One fifty grand a year. Why?” “We’ve been thinking about making some cuts. I am sad to say you are on that list.” “The cut list?” “Yes.” “I’m being cut?” “Well, it depends on what the board says. Who votes that Faytan should be cut?” The board raised their hands, murmuring agreement. Faytan sputtered in confusion. “What the hell is this?” Dergana blinked innocently. “We voted, you’re out.” “You can’t do that! It’s against company standards! Decisions like that cannot be made unless BOTH co-owners consent--” Dergana sighed and give him a pitying look. “Don’t be ridiculous, Faytan, how would we ever fire you if we had to consent with you?” “Why would you ever fire me at all?!” Dergana‘s voice rose. “Where were you when my father fell fatally ill? Where were you when our stock plunged below Pedro’s Adult Entertainment? Where were you when Mornaa got pregnant or when Jamie got engaged?” “You’re pregnant?” Faytan asked the female Takanori. She nodded. “Congratulations.” “Thank you.” “Mr. Wok,” Dergana continued. “The fact of the matter is, you have not been a satisfying parent to this company. When we needed you the most, you bailed on us, off to all the prostitutes in the Intergalactic Union and beyond!” “I’M MARRIED!” “THAT MAKES IT WORSE!” There was a tense pause. Several slurps of tea could be heard. Hallner Bleige, an old Vokner with no stomach, asked to be excused for the bathroom. “Who votes that Hallner should take a bathroom break?” Most of the board rose their hands. One man, however, Edron Xavior, kept both hands still. He didn’t like Hallner Bleige all that much. “I’m sorry, Hallner, it’s not unanimous.” “That’s all right, it’s too late anyway.” “THIS IS RIDICULOUS!” Faytan screamed. “Now, now, don’t lose your temper,” Morciz said calmly. “It’s not good for the soul.” “You were just screaming your lungs out!” “I’ll report that to the company therapist, thank you for reminding me.” Wok roared and slammed the table, spilling some tea and startling the board. One man began to cry. “Now look what you did, you big bully. I was considering taking you back, but you’ve proven you don’t have the self-control to be part of the Morciz Warp Vehicles family.” “Forget this! I always knew you cooks were out of it, but you are light years away from your rocker, bitch!” Faytan headed for the door. “Faytan!” He turned. “You never finished your tea.” Faytan growled and stormed out. Jamie Cochran saw him exit the conference room and speed out the building. She would have asked what was wrong but it was me time, and she was focused on her needs and her needs alone. ***** When Dergana dismissed the board, she went straight home, getting ready for a date with the mayor. She felt slightly queasy, but a couple of antacid pills took care of that. It was probably just pressure. Most of the things she had done with the company were only questionable according to Jalvall company standards, but this was outright illegal. Still, she had no reason to worry. Mayor Quinn would be in her pocket by the following morning. Besides, Wok wouldn’t file any lawsuits. He’d be dead within three days. The first sip of tea he took guaranteed that. She had done research on how much poison was necessary to kill a full-grown Takanori male, but it wasn’t much at all. Just to be safe, she had used a stronger version of the one that killed her father. The stomach pains came back again right before she opened the door. It wasn’t until she was doubled over in a bathroom stall, retching the dinner she’d had with the mayor, that she remembered how frequently Jamie Cochran confused plates at board meetings.
Copyright © 2002 Phil V Infinite |