#batbinspace

The disapproving gaze of Commander Lethe flickered into focus on the screen.  In spite of knowing full-well that she was half his size, if that, Orrin instantly felt his stomach clench at her image, particularly when her gaze darted over him and she frowned with displeasure.

“Have I caught you at a bad time?” she asked in a clipped voice.  Orrin half-reached to close the open clasp at his throat, like a guilty child, but snapped his hand back to his waist before he could embarrass himself.

“Not at all.  This is a surprise, Commander.  We - I thought you were out of range.”

“Yes, I suppose it must be.  Plans changed.”

They stared at one another in awkward silence for a beat or two, painfully waiting for the other to speak.  Orrin did first.  “...You want to talk to Crewman Ergon, I suppose?”

“No.  My business is with you.”

“Oh?”  Orrin arched a brow, glancing over his shoulder, even though he knew perfectly well that Eriel was down in the workshop.  “What kind of business?”

“The only kind you should ever expect from me or any GEARI vessel.  I want to end our association as quickly and completely as possible.”

 Orrin blinked, taken aback, but irritation gave him wits enough to speak, at least.  “Is that so?  Well,  if you’ve lost count, you’ve got about eighteen months left.”

“I haven’t lost count.  That’s why I’ve contacted you.  I can offer you a hundred thousand credits in exchange for Eriel’s - for Crewman Ergon’s immediate return.  Considering the time she has already spent in - under contract - I feel my offer is more than fair.”

For a long second, Orrin was too shocked even to respond.  Until this moment, it had never occurred to him that Lethe might try to buy off some part of Eriel’s contract.  A chilly sensation pooled in his gut.  A hundred thousand credits?  It was half his original demand, but from what Eriel had told him, there was no way Lethe could drum up that much cash.  Could she?  “...Wh...we discussed this at some length, Commander,” he said, finally.  “As I recall you told me - insisted - my demands were impossible.”

“They still are.  But so is our present arrangement.  I can’t allow things to stand as they are any longer.”  Lethe’s mouth twitched a little; she seemed to be having a hard time keeping her composure.  “Securing my crewman is my highest priority.”

“Even if it means scratching your mission?”

“Yes.”  

Lethe spoke without hesitation, and Orrin stared at her, reeling.  Was there any chance Lethe would try to bluff?  No.  That little piece of shit Jerrac might, but not Lethe.  Even without Eriel’s description of the commander, he had his own experience with her.  “That …i-it’s Eri-” his voice cracked, and he cleared his throat.  “...Crewman Ergon ought to have a say in this, don’t you think?”

“I don’t want Eriel brought into this!”  The vehemence in her voice surprised him, and he watched as she struggled visibly to find her next sentence.  When she spoke, it came slowly.  

“Captain Agapao… I don’t expect you to understand this and I won’t ask you to try.  But Eriel isn’t just my subordinate.  My crew is a family.  Eriel is one of us.  Her wellbeing is more important than even the success of our mission.”  Lethe’s voice shook, and he half expected tears next - but when she looked up, and their eyes met through the screen, he realized it was anger.  “...We care about one another.  I never should have let her go to you.  It betrayed everything I believe in and I’m ashamed of myself.  But this mission, this crew, means everything to her and she’d sacrifice anything to protect it.  She has sacrificed everything to protect it.  She’d never willingly break her agreement with you if she knew what was at stake, and I won’t ask her to shoulder that burden too - she’s suffered enough!”  Lethe’s eyes burned.  “If I was thinking clearly then, I never would’ve entertained your demands, but … well, you see where I stand.  If you have any shred of - of - decency at all, let her go!”

He knew it was wrong, but it stung him anyway.  Eriel would’ve seen it in his eyes, would’ve reached out and touched his arm and said ‘hey’ in that open-ended way of hers.  She would’ve sensed the exchange teetering on the brink.  But Eriel wasn’t here.  He lifted his chin a notch or two and spoke through his teeth.  “With all due respect -” 

Your ‘family’ raided my ship, then you acted like I was some kind of criminal.  He bit the words back with an effort that made his neck pulse.

“...With all due respect, Crewman Ergon agreed to my terms and I don’t see any reason why -”

“For god’s sake, let her go!”  Lethe slammed her fist down on a surface he couldn’t see.  “Let her go!  She’s done nothing to you, nothing!  And nothing can justify holding her prisoner, no matter what you think you’re so entitled to!  It’s barbaric, can’t you see that?  We made a mistake!  Take the money, if that’s the only language you can understand, or if all you want is your pound of flesh, then let me take her place!  It can’t make any difference to you - but Eriel has a future in GEARI, she’s bright, she’s talented - she doesn’t deserve to be punished like this, two years of her life squandered, for her gifts to be wasted by some - ” she checked herself with a great effort, pulled her shoulders back, although she was trembling with rage.  “...Forgive my temper.  I’m... sure you’re not so unreasonable.  After all, you preferred money over a hostage in the first place, so.  Please allow me to accommodate you.  Just send me the details for the transfer and let’s be done with it.”  

It took even longer for him to speak this time, but not because he was angry, although he was.  Lethe was quiet too, and he could hear her breathing hard after that outburst.  “...I’ll consider your offer,” he managed at last.