"The Raven" By;FJM''

I sighed. It looked like I’d never leave this miserable station. I gazed down, at the planet I was now beginning to loathe, tapping the metal fingers of my replacement hand. Just one job! That’s all I needed to leave!
"Is your name Kiandra?" A voice asks.
I jump. Raising my replacement hand. The woman wore the ubiquitous ship suit of a pilot. Her hair was glossy black and unusually long, which obscured her face. Relaxing, I nod. She wove gracefully through the bar and sat at my table. She appears to be very young, no more than eighteen at the most.
"I hear you’re looking for work." She adds.
Her brown eyes regard mine, studying me. I straightened my own ship suit, knowing full well what she saw. Brown hair, cut militaristically short, my replacement hand and my impossibly blue eye implants, much better than the organic kind.
"I am Kiandra." I said. "My friends call me Kia."
I looked back at her face, returning her scrutiny. Pity flooded me. Her face was beautiful, but a scar ran down the right side of her face. It ran from her temple, though her eyebrow, just missing her eye and down her cheek to her jaw.
"Kiandra," she said, all business like, "what’s your training?"
"Twenty years with the galactic police, seven as an officer. Honourably discharged due to injury." I waggled my right hand, displaying the replacement. "Two years as an independent. Mostly escort duty. My enforced stay here is due to the fact my last ship was destroyed by a stupid drunk idiot."
"Why didn’t you buy another ship?"
"Non of the models here are good enough, or they belonged to undesirables and the cost of a repaint is more then I have, had." I corrected. "I don’t want to be chased by every bounty hunters that have the markings in their computers."
"Have you ever been in a trading partnership, as a second?"
"Twice, both partnerships ended when our ship was destroyed."
"Would you care to try again?" She asked.
Throughout our conversation she’d been disinterested. I considered it. Frankly, I wasn’t interested. Partnerships lasted at least a year, and I liked my indifferent travels with no need to profit. Traders always had to profit it was an obsession for them, a drug. This midnight haired woman had piqued my curiosity though. There was an obscure pain in her eyes I couldn’t understand in one so young. Then again, there was the fact I’d almost run out of money. I held out my hand.
"I accept." I said. She clasped my hand.
"I’m known as Raven, my ship is in bay 2714. Be there at 0800. I want to leave early."
She finished her drink, and left. I watched her leave, wondering what could have scarred her soul.
I arrived promptly at 0750, my one bag under my arm, and admired the ship. It looked like a standard trader, but the configuration was slightly different. It gave the ship a sleeker shape and looked like it could hold more cargo. It was an old ship, probably been a pirate by the look of it, but the paint was still bright blue, the top decorated with a raven.
"What do you think?" Raven asked from behind me. "She’s the Raven."
"You named her after yourself?" I asked. Raven’s lips curled into a bitter smile.
"Oh no, my ship named me. Come aboard."
She took me through the cargo bay, which was half-empty. That surprised me.
"You have tractors?" I asked.
"Oh yes Kiandra, and much more." Raven smiled the same bitter smile.
Next, she showed me the living area, a combination of galley, living room and bedroom. Some would call it cosy, I called it cramped. She gestured in the general direction of the tiny shower room, before leading me up into the cockpit.
The cockpit was spectacular. All four walls had viewer screens, each with a console, and independent laser sights. All in all, this had to be the best-equipped ship I’d ever been on.
"You will take the rear view." Raven said. "Buckle down, we leave immediately."
I marvelled at the equipment, I even marvelled at my chair, which moulded itself to my body for maximum comfort. Raven slid us out of the dock easily, getting clearance to leave immediately. Once we’d left the atmosphere containing force field, we exited the station's safety area and hyperspaced to our destination, just a days flight away.
"I wish we’d just arrive at the planet." I complained.
"Why wish for the impossible?" Raven asked. "You did escort duty, and do you think a police force would be needed otherwise? No one is likely to invent what you want. It would cost too many people their livelihoods."
A pirate band did attack us. Raven, though, was a superb shot. I then discovered a few of her surprises. The cargo canisters spewed when a ship exploded could be identified, so only the choicest goods could be tractored aboard. Then I was sent to check those canisters. I wasn’t surprised to find a few things secreted within them, ranging from the odd gem or cigar to illegal narcotics. Raven kept these in a small container in the cockpit. Once docked, Raven sold everything, except for the drugs, which she turned in for the small fee they brought.
"Better than getting a record." Raven shrugged, paid me and told me to be back by morning.
I didn’t mind the younger woman bossing me about; she was the ship's owner and therefore her captain. What got to me was the fact she never left her ship! She flatly refused, before making a number of excuses about work needed, very lame excuses. Raven wasn’t agoraphobic, she found me ok, but she’d stayed only as long as she needed. I shrugged it of, as I spent my wages.
We followed this pattern for two months. I discovered a few more surprises. Raven’s lasers were the latest model, which could be reconfigured at the touch of a button for mining asteroids for only the choicest minerals or disabling ships, so it’d be one hit from destruction. I could even scan a ship’s shields to see how much power was needed to destroy it; I’d never seen anything like it. I don’t even pretend to understand how her shields work, and I’d scored highly for practical mechanics! Somehow, Raven’s shields absorbed laser energy, making them stronger. I will admit that Raven’s attitude frustrated me. We found a merchant and his escort under attack, and Raven wouldn’t get involved until one of the pirates took a pot shot at us! Then she destroyed every single ship, salvaged some goods and continued as if nothing had happened! Naturally, I protested.
"I find it is better not to get involved Kiandra." She told me. "Unless they involve me."
"What if we get an SOS?" I demanded.
"I wouldn’t involve us." Raven said, "unless it was a mission of mercy." She added thoughtfully.
"Do you have any idea how rare those are?" I demanded.
"Yes, no one does anything for their fellows anymore. The Universe is a mean place, everyone caring for themselves alone." She said, before returning to her screen.
I seethed, not understanding her one little bit. And she never laughed! Any joke went down hill faster then a retrorocket. I honestly felt like jumping ship, but I was still curious by my captain.
I found out a year later, and I wished I hadn’t. My contract had ended, and Raven asked if I’d like to stay on, as a permanent partnership. I said yes and bought a bottle to celebrate. Raven told me I needed the whole truth, and spilled everything.
Her parents had been traders, who’d taken their daughter everywhere with them. One day they’d answered a distress signal; it had cost them their lives. The call had been a fake. They’d placed Raven -who was eight at the time- in their escape capsule and jettisoned her. Those pirates had picked up her pod, and she was made a slave. Raven vividly remembered their leader. He’d won her at dice. He used her, abused her and eventually gave her the scar. He always laughed at her, tormenting her. He would have done worse, but the police found their base and attacked. Raven’s owner had fled first, leaving his slave to die.
Instead one of the policemen had found her, and took her with him. Eventually, he adopted her, but Raven was not comfortable. At the school provided for the children of police officers, Raven had been laughed at because of her scar and remained an outsider, even when she got her pilot licence on her first trial. When she reached eighteen, she had bought the Raven with what money had been left by her parents and outfitted it with the latest technology, willingly provided by her adoptive father, as well as a few things she’d kept from the pirates base. Her adoptive father had advised on the paint job, he’d even given Raven my name, saying I was his captain when he was a lieutenant.
"Yes, I remember him." I said, "he mentioned that he’d adopted a daughter. He called you his mystery lady because you never told anyone your name. He said they called you April, because that was the month they found you in."
"I told him, before I left to find you Kia." Raven said, "he earned my trust, as have you. My name’s Tetyana, but keep calling me Raven."
"As you wish, Raven." I said, thrilled that she trusted me and considered me her friend. "How old were you when the police found you?"
"Thirteen." Raven said.
"What? But you said he, he…" I spluttered.
"It’s why I hide my name." Raven explained. "He escaped and I don’t want him finding me again. This," she fingered her scar in distaste, "is his mark of ownership."
For a few moments a scared, lonely child looked at me. Then her cold indifference reappeared.
"I will not allow myself to be caught again." She said, before turning in for the night.
I find it ironic that Raven chose to open herself to me the day before we’d die. The shield generator chose to fail as the largest band of pirates I’d ever seen attacked us. As our shields slowly failed I turned to Raven.
"I’ll miss you." I said.
"And I’ll miss you, and your groundless optimism." Raven flashed the first smile I’d ever seen.
Then out of nowhere, a ship appeared. With its help the pirates were defeated. Our saviour then disappeared, not bothering with salvage. Raven appeared startled.
"Why would anyone help us?" She demanded.
"Maybe the pilot is an optimist, with goodness in his heart." I said. "Very recognisable ship, a bird of prey on a white background." I frowned. "Another odd thing, that ship was one hundred percent new. Not a single piece was recycled."
"At least I’ll be able to pay him back." Raven said at last. I burst out laughing.
"You haven’t got a romantic bone in your body." I accused her. "Can’t you imagine a knight in white armour coming to the rescue of two damsels in distress?"
"You’re no damsel." Raven retorted, "you’re more of a dame, and you would rescue the knight."
I laughed again. Raven flushed, before a wry smile touched her lips. I approved, now if only she’d laugh.
"And why do you assume our saviour is male?" She added. "It could be female."
"Because I’m an incurable romantic." I declared, "and always will be."
"I really wish I could pay them back." Raven muttered to herself, when she though I wasn’t listening.
Raven got her wish a month later. We were travelling to a starving planet, carrying food and some medication. An act of pure charity, when we received a distress call.
"If anyone can hear this, HELP!" A male voice screamed. "This is a mission of mercy, repeat a mission of mercy. We are under attack, repeat attack. Again help!"
I looked at Raven.
"Well?" I asked.
"Well what?" Raven said.
"I seem to recall you saying that you would get involved with a mission of mercy." I drawled.
Raven scowled at me, before homing in on the transmission. We joined the battle and soon sent them packing.
"Well I’ll be." I said when we’d finished, "it’s our knight in white armour." Raven looked startled.
"Thanks," the voice said, "who do we owe the pleasure?"
Raven turned to me, clearly asking what to do.
"Well? It’s your ship. Answer the man." I told her.
"This is the Raven, whom are we addressing?" Raven said, rather primly. I rolled my eyes.
"Well, if you want to be formal, we’re the Bird of Prey." He said, somewhat taken aback I’d say. "Now, who are we talking to milady?"
"I am Raven, my second is Kiandra." Raven replied.
"Pleased to meet you." I butted in.
"If your Raven, then I’m Falcon." He said. "My second is Cassias."
"We will escort you," Raven said, "as you are on a mission of mercy."
"Thanks," Falcon replied.
"We owe you." Cassias, I assume, added.
"Actually, you pulled us out of a sticky situation about a month back." I said.
"Yes, I remember." Falcon said. "Seems we found two damsels in distress."
"I told you we should have stayed and checked them." Cassias complained. I laughed.
"Gentlemen please." Raven spoke coolly. "This is no joke."
"Always so serious, lady Raven?" Falcon asked. "Live a little, laugh it’s fun. Why, if I didn’t laugh, I’d be crying."
I happened to see Raven’s face; she wore a smile and looked ready to giggle like a schoolgirl. I was elated.
As we travelled, Falcon kept cracking jokes. I laughed, Raven merely smiled. Well, it was a start. Once we were docked, Falcon invited us to join them at the local bar after we’d done our respective jobs. Raven made her lame excuses about work, but I met them.
Falcon was a youngish man, with brown hair and blue eyes in a handsome face. Unfortunately -for me- he was closer to Raven’s age then mine. Cassias, on the other hand, was much closer to my age. His hair was black with brown eyes in a more rugged face. He seemed quite taken with me. I found myself blushing like a maiden. I was smitten. I could have spent all night staring into Cassias’s eyes. Eventually, it had to happen. Falcon leaned back nonchalantly and asked casually where Raven was.
"Still on board." I said.
"Why would she Kia?" Falcon asked, frustrated.
I looked at him closely. Though He’d never seen Raven, he was quite taken with her.
"She’s terrified." I said at last.
I must have had too much to drink, because I spilled. I told them everything Raven had told me –apart from her real name. I wasn’t that drunk. A few moments after I’d spilled, I realised what I’d done.
"Oh Lord!" I exclaimed. "What have I done?"
"Explained everything." Falcon said. "She had a terrible life, no wonder she never laughs. Don’t worry, we won’t tell Raven you spilled." He studied the ceiling. "Do you have your schedule for the next month or so?"
"Thought you’d never ask." I withdrew my slim-line comp. "Worried you weren’t serious."
"When it comes to the lady, I’m always serious." Falcon replied, studying his comp. "Here," he tapped an entry. "We’ll be there at the same time."
"And in time for the masked ball." Cassias grinned. "Raven needn’t worry about her face."
"That raises another question. Why hasn’t Raven used an epidermis repairer? It’ll fix the damage no problem." Falcon asked.
I stared at him incredulously. He noticed and frowned.
"What did I say?"
"Have you any idea how expensive it is?" I mocked. "By the time we can afford it, we’ll be old, old women."
Falcon flushed scarlet before laughing sheepishly; we chatted for the rest of the night.
"How did your date go?" Raven asked in a neutral voice the next day.
"Fine, Cassias really likes me. Enough to ask for my box number." I said as I watched her reflection in my viewer carefully.
"What about… Falcon?" Her tone was still cool, but her eyes were wistful. I smiled to myself
"He was only interest in you." I said, "insisted on calling you ‘lady Raven’." Raven’s reflection smiled. "You know Falcon is his given name? Seems his parents breed birds of prey." I prattled on.
Raven didn’t complain, as long as I stayed on the subject of Falcon. She didn’t even complain when I said -apologetically- that I’d given Falcon her box number. I wanted to laugh. They hadn’t met and they were infatuated. I’ve heard of love at first sight, but at first word? Ridiculous!
When we finally docked Raven accessed her e-mail box and found a letter from Falcon. She disappeared to read in private. Cassias had sent me a letter too. Apparently all Falcon could talk about was Raven, wondering what she looked liked. He found the situation just as ridiculous. Cassias also said that they were on schedule.
Two weeks later, we ‘happened’ to run into the Bird of Prey again. They jumped into a battle –we were handling by ourselves just fine incidentally- and helped defeat the pirates.
"Well lady Raven, will you talk to me today?" Falcon’s cheerful voice called.
"I might." Raven said in her usual indifferent tone. "Or I might not."
"I hope you do, since we’re going to escort you." Falcon said cheerfully.
"And why would you do that?" Raven asked.
"The main reason is to hear your wonderful voice again." Falcon said, "but also because dear Cassias misses the sweet, seductive charms of sweet, seductive Kiandra."
We clearly heard Cassias’s spluttering protest. Raven though, was laughing. She had a wonderful, rich, musical laugh. It was marvellous to hear.
"Don’t you think I’m seductive?" I demanded, trying to be indignant and failing badly.
"If Cassias wasn’t interested, but you were, you’d do him physical damage." Raven drawled. "He had to be interested, or loose his health."
"Very good milady." Falcon called, chuckling.
They continued to banter as we travelled. When we docked, Falcon invited Raven to the station wide party tomorrow. Raven made the same lame work excuses. I rolled my eyes. Would nothing get her out of this ship? Fortunately, I hadn’t counted on Falcons sneakiness.
"Didn’t you know milady?" Falcon asked, feigning surprise, "the station’s closed all day tomorrow."
"What?" Raven, I must admit, squawked.
"Local planetary tradition." Falcon explained. "So you can attend after all. We’ll pick you up at 2000 hours."
With that, he signed off.
"You need a dress Raven." I explained patiently. "All you have are those ship suits. Practical, but not that becoming."
"I can’t." She stammered, gazing out of the ship.
"Why not?" I protested. "You found me ok. You buy and sell cargo."
"That’s easy." Raven said. "I don’t have to leave the dock, or go too far to find what I want."
"You’ve never bought clothing, have you?" I asked shrewdly. "And I don’t mean ship suits, you got those from the dock. You’ve never, ever, been in a clothing mall."
"I’ve never entered." Raven admitted. "Never needed to go, and they don’t want me anyway." Unconsciously she brushed her scar.
"Are you terrified of discovery?" I asked gently. Raven nodded wordlessly. "You weren’t worried when you met me because that station is a police base. So the only pirates there would’ve been in custody." Again, she nodded. "Well, this is also a police base, so no worries there. We can shop in peace. You have to look spectacular to meet Falcon."
"I don’t want him to see me." Raven said miserably. Again, she caressed her scar "He’ll be disgusted."
"If he is, then he doesn’t deserve you." I said firmly. "Anyway, it’s a masked ball."
"No mask can conceal all of my scar." Raven almost wailed.
"Ever saw ‘The Phantom of the Opera’?" I asked. Raven shook her head. "Great musical, anyway, the Phantom’s mask covered the side of his face, not both eyes. Come on Tetyana." Raven looked startled at the use of her real name. "It’s time to put your nightmares to rest."
I dragged my reluctant friend around various boutiques and I mean ‘dragged’ literally. Eventually, we both found frocks and masks that suited our tastes, and needs. That night I waited for our dates on the dock. Raven stayed inside, making final adjustments. Me, I wore a becoming gown of blue with matching mask.
Cassias was handsomely dressed in red, which I whole heartily approved of. Falcon looked a bit like a bird, his mask had a fierce beck while his sleeves made impressive wings. He bowed gallantly.
"Good evening gentles all, but where is the lady Raven? For I invited her specifically."
"Raven, Falcon’s here!" I called.
Shyly, she stepped out. She took Falcons breath away. Her sleeveless gown was of black velvet, held in place by three silver strands, which travelled over one shoulder, starting a waterfall of silver that fell and followed her slanted hem. Her silver edged black mask concealed the right side of her face, but not her luminous eyes.
"Lady, your beauty does take my breath." Falcon bowed again. "May I escort you to our place of revelry?"
He offered Raven his arm. Raven took it and allowed herself to be taken to the ‘place of revelry’. We danced all night, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I think I fell in love. I know Falcon did, as did Raven.
After that, we’d run into each other almost every other week or so. We’d banter, then have a drink at the station. Raven grew self confident in public, though she would hide her scar with her hair. It took six months for her to show Falcon. He didn’t react with horror or pity, but with sorrow. I thanked god for his good sense, genuine emotions and discretion. Three months later Raven told Falcon the whole story, and her true name. His reactions were almost exactly like mine.
Our respective passions progressed, we became closer each and everyday. Four months later, Falcon gave Raven an epidermis repairer.
"I can’t except this." She protested.
"How can you afford it?" I wanted to know. Falcon actually blushed.
"Ever heard of Hawk Enterprises?" He asked.
"Heard of it?" I scorned. "They hold every patent on almost every piece of equipment in this station, police ships and a lot of commercial ships."
"My parents own Hawk Enterprises." Falcon said. "I’m a rich kid."
"Then why…" I gestured at his ship.
"I wanted to make my own money, not continually take handouts." Falcon explained. He grinned roguishly. "It impressed the board, I’m to take over."
"You asked for this." Raven pointed to the epidermis repairer.
"Yes, but once I explained my parents were happy to help." Falcon smiled.
"Did you know?" I accused Cassias.
"Yes, I’m supposed to be his bodyguard." Cassias admitted, "but Falcon can take care of himself, most of the time."
"Let us digest this, then we’ll talk." Raven said.
"Fine, but I told you the whole truth out of love and respect." Falcon said firmly. "I don’t want to loose you ‘Yana." He used his pet name for her.
Raven softened up a bit, enough to take the epidermis repairer anyway.
We put them out of their misery a few days later. We forgave them and got promises from them to be always truthful, though I doubt it’ll last long. Raven used the epidermis repairer. Her scar had faded dramatically in just two weeks and was gone in four. Naturally, she was delighted. She was finally changing into a self-possessed young woman. Nothing could possibly go wrong.
That last statement -naturally- jinxed it. A few days later we came across an escape pod, drifting aimlessly. Raven had lightened up a bit on the subject of SOS’s and we tractored it aboard. It contained Cassias. There was no sign of Falcon.
"Where is he?" Raven demanded, starting to get slightly hysterical.
I think I’m starting to miss the coldly clinical Raven.
"Pirates… got him." Cassias groaned.
Blood dribbled down his face, mixing with dried blood, sweat and dirt. He winced as I cleaned his face and head wound. We half supported Cassias into the living area.
"What happened?" I asked, giving him some water.
Cassias gulped the water gratefully.
"We were attacked by the biggest band of pirates this side of Rosoor. We fought back, but it was clear we’d loose. We jettisoned, but got tractored by one of them. He recognised Falcon and said he’d be worth something for a ransom. I was ‘surplus to requirements’. I tried to protect Falcon, but some one knocked me out. I woke in the pod; the engines had been damaged, I don’t know if it’s deliberate or not. That was two days ago and I was running low on food and water, so I’m glad you two showed up."
"Did the ships have any identifying marks?" Raven asked.
"Yes, a blue cat, like a panther." Cassias replied. "Why?"
"We can find them, and follow them." Raven said decisively. "It’ll be easy."
"How?" Cassias demanded. "We’ll end up as slaves."
"My ship has a few surprises." Raven said grimly, climbing into the cockpit.
We followed. Cassias whistled his appreciation of the cockpit.
"A very nice piece of machinery, but it won’t stop you being spotted." He said.
"I have a stealth device." Raven said with a slight smile. "A little souvenir of my slavery, like the blue panther."
"You know them?" I asked, not sure whether to be shocked or surprised.
"Oh yes." Raven said grimly. "My ‘owner’ was their leader, I don’t know if he still is. It’s time I evened the score."
"Your crazy." Cassias retorted. "You should inform the police."
"While I was there, they held others for ransom. As soon as the ransom was paid, the captive was sent back in one piece. If the police was involved, they still sent the captive back in one piece, but in a coffin." Raven said grimly. "And before you ask, one of my duties was to care for the prisoners. One was a girl, the ransom was paid, but my ‘owner’ still defiled her. It provoked me. I sent out a signal, guiding the police to the base."
"You really know what you’re talking about, don’t you?" Cassias said at last.
"Yes." Raven acknowledged. "I can drop you at a station if you wish. I have made my choice."
"Permission to join you captain?" Cassias asked.
"Permission or not, I’m joining you." I said, somewhat tartly.
Raven smiled as she plotted our course.
We searched for two days solid before finding a pirate band with the required markings. We followed discreetly, even though we were invisible to their sensors, it pays to be prudent. They led us to a monstrous asteroid, obviously it had been hollowed out.
"I don’t believe it." Raven muttered. "That’s where I was kept."
"The police wouldn’t think to look here, unless they had reason to." I said. "They’re resources are always stretched and it’s just too obvious."
We tailed them into the hanger -going through the force field at the same time as the pirate ships- and parked in the most disused area we could find. I bought in another of Ravens improved ‘souvenirs’. She called them chameleon shields. When strapped to your waist they made you invisible by projecting a light-bending field around your body.
"I’m worried about this one." I tapped one of the belts. "It hasn’t recharged fully."
"I’ll take it." Raven said. "If it fails, Cassias could be recognised and Kia would be recognised as police. Those eyes are just too distinctive."
"What about you?" I demanded. "Couldn’t someone recognise you?"
"The Tetyana they’ll remember was thirteen, with cropped hair and a scar. I am Raven." She said. She turned to business. "We’ll be able to see each other because the shields have the same frequency. You’ll know your invisible by a tingling sensation and a blue cast on others shielded by the same frequency."
We armed ourselves and proceeded into enemy territory. We were forced to wait for pirates to operate doors, allowing us to enter and search each new area. I was getting impatient. Then Raven uttered an oath. I whirled. The blue faded from her skin. Raven was visible. My worst fears confirmed. We continued more cautiously. Cassias or me scouted ahead.
At one junction I saw a band of pirates that had obviously been drinking. We flattened ourselves against a wall. Raven slid into an alcove. It was going well, when one of the pirates lurched into Raven’s hiding place. He couldn’t help finding her. He dragged her out.
"What’ve you got there?" One asked.
"An intruder by the look of it." Raven’s captor said. "Pretty mind." He shook Raven. "What’re you doing girl?"
"Looking for my fiancé." Raven said coldly, not showing any fear. "His name’s Falcon."
"She means our hostage." One of the others said.
"What’s your name?" Another demanded.
"Raven." She said.
"Let’s reunite the love birds." Her captor crowed.
I slid into the alcove and retrieved Raven’s weapon, before following the drunks to a holding cell. The door’s force field was lowered.
"Falcon! Here’s your fiancée!" They shoved Raven in.
Cassias managed to slip in before the force field was raised. The drunks wondered off, leaving the guard.
As soon as they were gone, I bashed the guard’s head and propped him in place. Inside Raven set explosives with Cassias’s help. I heard someone coming and hissed a warning. Raven sat by Falcon, holding his hand.
The pirate was tall, well built with piecing eyes in a handsome face. He gazed through the force field at Raven.
"Well if it isn’t little Tetyana." He drawled. "My how you’ve changed. All for the better."
"You know him?" I heard Falcon asked.
"Of course." He drawled. "I gave her, her scar. My mark of ownership."
I edged closer, so I could also see in. Raven lifted her head, displaying her face.
"What scar?" She challenged. He frowned then shrugged.
"I can give you another. Come here." He brandished his gun.
Raven stepped forward. I felt my blood boil. This was the man that had ruined Raven’s life. The field was lowered.
"Time I had my slave back." He sneered.
That was the last straw. I shot him at point blank range. He looked surprised as he fell to the floor, well, what was left of him looked surprised.
I don’t remember all that much of our flight. We avoided roving bands of pirates and got to the Raven. We blasted out as the charges exploded, contacted the police and waited. They came, stormed and left. After that, we went to the nearest station where a very large reward was waiting for us. Enough, when combined, to buy a small fleet. Falcon contacted his parents; assured them he was fine and promised to visit ASAP. We had drinks in the bar to discuss this.
"Well, I’ve got to find a transport." Falcon said.
"We’ll take you." Raven offered.
"There’s no need." Falcon said.
"I want to." Raven said. "Kia wants time with Cassias and I’d like time with you." She added shyly.
"We’ll need a new ship." Cassias mused.
"Raven’s built for four." I said. "It’ll take you two easily."
"And it’s possible to convert the cockpit into an extra room, for sleeping in anyway." Raven said. "We’ll have privacy."
"Done then." Falcon said. "My parents want to meet you two." He added. "How will I introduce you?"
Raven smiled. "As Tetyana." She said.