The Bridge: Cayden III
The bridge was quiet as I leaned back
into my captain's chair and swivelled to overlook the bridge. Stone
was finally up and getting to work on repairing one of the terminals
that had been acting up. I was glad he was here, I needed to talk to
him about Jason.
After he packed his tools he approached
me in my chair with an arrogant swagger that I was more than used to.
“Terminal's all good now Cap'n Tirrg” he said with a smirk, as he
always did when he referred to me by my title.
“That's great, Stone” I begin,
“Listen, there's something I need to talk to you about,” I say as
I take from my chair to throw an arm around Stone's shoulder. “It's
about our new crew member, Jason.”
His eyes light up, “Oh yeah, Jecks
was tellin' me about this kid. Sounds like a cute little piece!”
Stone says with a snicker.
I shake my head and put some pressure
of his shoulder. “Look,” I say as I move to make eye contact with
the big idiot. “I'm telling you what I told the others, and that's
to lay-off the kid for a while. He just went through some real shit
and he doesn't need to be scarred even more by one of you big
meatheads.” I tell him with a sternness.
He laughs, “And what's that supposed
to mean?” he asks folding him arms.
I fold mine, “You know what it
means,” I say unblinking as we stare at each other for a moment.
“Stone I... “ I sigh. “Look, I just know how you are and don't
get me wrong I don't have a problem with it, I never have. Just,
please. I'm asking you as a friend.” I plead with him.
He looks at me and pauses while he
chews his cheek, “You don't need to worry about me.” he answers
with a smile before moving to pass me.
I smile back, “Thank you, Ryk” I
tell him as I turn to watch him go.
That's when I find myself surprised but
also relieved as I watch both Kitch and Jason enter the bridge. Both
laughing and seeming to be getting along quite well. Good. The last
thing I need is even more of Kitch's attitude.
“Am I hearing the sounds of a
new-formed friendship?” I call over to the pair as they walk over
to me, I glance at Stone who I can see eyeing Jason like it's no
tomorrow. I roll my eyes as I move to meet them.
Kitch gives me a face and turns to
Stone and pats him on the shoulder, “Hey buddy where were you last
night? Don't tell me, I already know!” he snickers before motioning
to Jason, “Have you met our newest sailor? Hawk here's my super
cool new roommate, and WE just got back from Python!” Kitch blurts
enthusiastically while he throws an arm around Jason and shakes him.
It doesn't surprise me that Kitch dragged him to a strip joint. The
kid's mind seems to only focus on two things; dick and food. Its a
good thing he knows as much about engines as he does sucking cock.
“No I... I haven't” Stone murmurs
cooly as I watch him throw his bedroom eyes over at Jason, who's face
starts to redden, and why wouldn't it? Stone was practically a kid
like Jason's walking wet dream. “I used to work at Python, once
upon a time. Before I met this old goon” he says with a nod in my
direction, “Ryk Reeves, but everyone here calls me Stone,” he
says before reaching out his hand, “pleased to meet you.”
“Jason Hawk.” the teen says in a
raspy tone as he reaches to shake with Stone, who doesn't blink or
lose eye contact with him for long drawn out moment before I
forcefully clear my throat.
Jason snaps his head to me immediately
while I catch Stone smirk while still eyeing the kid before turning
to me, “Well I'll be off,” he says with raised eyebrows, “See
you around, Hawk” he says with a nod as he turns towards the exit.
I let out a huff as I turn to the two
boys in front of me, “I take it the trip was successful?” I ask
with a grin that masks my growing annoyance with Kitch. The idea that
Jason was exposed to such a sexual environment so soon after his
incident last night worried me. Then again, the Hurricane was also a
pretty sexual environment, amongst the crew. Which is why I told them
all to keep their hands to themselves.
“Oh yeah, VERY” Kitch replies as he
starts unrolling what appears to be poster, “Look at this pice of
man-candy Jason had in his room! Now it's goin' in ours!” Kitch
says with a wide smile.
I look over to Jason who's started to
redden and I laugh. The poster is of Prestigo, the joke of a singer
that everyone seems to like now a days. “Well I'm... glad you two
found something in common,” I say with a chuckle.
Kitch turns to Jason, “I'm gonna go
put this up, you want me to take your bag too?” he asks with a
friendly expression.
Jason grins, “Sure!” he replies as
he hands it over, “Thanks!” He says as Kitch runs off through the
sliding doors.
I look at Jason, who's hair has
returned to its former glory and smile. As annoyed as I was with
Kitch, I was proud he was getting along with Jason so well. “Well
you two really hit it off.” I say as I fold my arms and move
backwards to lean against a rail.
He looks at me still grinning, “Yeah
I guess we did. It seems we uh...” he paused and let out a laugh,
“have a lot in common.”
“Not too much I hope” I tease. “His
attitude can be a real pain to deal with sometimes” I tell him with
a smile to which he chuckles.
“Yeah I can see how that would
happen. Don't worry about me though” Jason says before his eyes
wander to my bandage. “How's the arm?” He asks as he moves closer
to lean on the rail beside me.
I glance down at the bandage and shrug
“To be honest I actually forgot I was even clipped,” I say with a
smirk. “Guess I'm used to it.” I tell him as I look forward.
He pauses for a moment, “That's...
good I guess.” he says as he fidgets with one of his stockings.
I laugh before turning to look him
over. I've gotta admit he's a pretty good looking kid. Maybe a little
scrawny but we'll fix that in no time.
“So uh... I talked to Ossapa. He says
he'd be able to teach you some hand-to-hand if you were willing to
train with him.” I tell Jason and I literally see his ears perk up.
He turns to me, “Really? That would
be awesome!” Jason beams as he turns to look down again, when I
notice the start of a dark splotch poking out of the sleeve on his
arm.
“What's this?” I say concerned as I
reach over and start to pull down the sleeve, revealing a whole bunch
of deep blue, purple and yellowed bruises over his bicep. He
immediately pulls away with a wince as he grabs his arm to try and
conceal it.
“Gah! It's nothing, don't worry!”
he lies to me as he turns away, but I gently pull him back to face me
before I pull off my glove and place my palm over the hand protecting
his arm.
“Jason, just let me see it. Please”
I say as I look into his wide and slightly frightened green eyes.
He bites his lip before tentatively
removing his hand and I quiver as I once more continue pulling down
the sleeve before pulling the large glove from Jason's hand. His arm
is almost all bruises and I feel my temperature start to rise.
“Did one of those Tempest bastards do
this to you?” I sneer with a growl as I gently place my hand over
Jason's arm.
I see he makes a fist as he looks down
again, but he doesn't say anything.
I breath deeply as I unawarely start to
trace circles over his arm with my thumb. He seems to notice however,
when he turns sharply to look at my hand, yet he doesn't wince, nor
does he pull away.
When I notice though, I gently pull
back and push myself forward. “I'm calling Uric to check that out,”
I tell him as I make my way over to the nearest holo terminal. Jason
doesn't say anything while I push in some commands to connect me with
the ship's doctor. “Uric? I need you to come to the bridge, Jason's
got some major bruising on his arm and I'd like you to make sure he's
ok.” I say to the terminal.
“Right away, sir.” Uric's voice
replies.
“Thank you.” I say as I deactivate
the terminal and turn back to Jason, who's still looking down holding
his glove and sleeve.
He doesn't say anything as I move to
return leaning next to him until finally after a few moments he
utters, “Two.”
I turn to him, “Two?” I ask.
“Two Tempest bastards did this to me”
he says before looking up at me.
I don't say anything as I start to
imagine just what went on with Jason at the concert last night, but I
shook my head of those thoughts as I hear the door to the bridge
slide open, in walking Uric with kit in hand.
“Hello again Jason, Tirrg” he says
as he nods to each of us.
I notice Jason seem to perk up as he
greets him back.
“Oh wow,” Uric says as he glances
over Jason, “what happened here?” he asksJason as he moved to
gently hold his arm.
I got up, “Don't ask him how it
happened, just tell us if there's anything we should be worrying
about.” I say in slight agitation as I fold my arms over and watch
as Uric inspects Jason's arm.
Jason winces as Uric starts to massage
the bruising, feeling for anything out of the ordinary. “Nope” he
says as he pats Jason's knee, which had started to bounce. “Nothing's
damaged and there are no lumps” he decrees as he turns to Jason,
“You can keep the arm” he jokes as he takes to his feet. “Now
is there anything else?” he asks.
I raise my eyebrows and look at Jason.
“Jason?”
He looks at me and then to Uric until
returning his gaze to the floor with a shake of his head. “No” he
utters quietly before looking back up at Uric, “Thank you.” he
says with a smile and starts to put his glove and sleeve back on.
“That's what I'm here for!” Uric
says with a grin before turning away, he come's up to me and leans
into my ear, “Did you talk to uh-” he starts, but I cut him off
as I know exactly who he's referring to.
“Yes I did” I say, “Stone's been
well informed.”
Uric nods and turns to continue on his
way, back to his lab no doubt.
I move back to stand in front of Jason
as he finishes redressing his arm. “You know,” I begin with a
pause, “If you ever need to talk about things, you can come to me.
My cabin door's always open.” I say with a smile. “Well, actually
its not but if you knock I'm sure I'll let you in!” I tease with a
chuckle.
Jason laughs before smiling brightly at
me. “Thanks... Captain.” he says as he lifts himself to sit on
the rail and swing his legs back and forth. “So uh... When do we
leave Firmus?” he asks.
I turn to go over and inspect the
terminal Stone repaired, “Tomorrow,” I call as I activate it.
“We're heading to Muspar first. I know somebody there who may be
able to point us in the right direction.” I tell him as I type some
commands. Everything seems to be working so I turn back to Jason.
“Ever been?” I ask.
Jason shakes his head. “Nope,” he
replies, “but I hear its pretty awesome.” he says with a smirk.
I grin, “Yep it is. But it's also
pretty dangerous if you aren't careful.” I tell him. “Machotta's
from there too. I expect we'd be paying his family a visit as well.
Jason looks up “I knew he was from
Muspar!” he says with a grin.
I moved closer to him “Do you have a
guess for where I'm from?” I ask with a grin.
He cocks his head and raises your
eyebrow. “I know who you are remember? You're like a celebrity,
born and raised in Firmus,” he says cheerfully “But if I didn't
know any better and you had the accent, I'd say you were from
Topezka.”
I smile widely, “As a matter of fact
that's where my mother was from there,” I say as I once again lean
on the rail next to him. “You're good at this”
“Thanks,” he says as he looks
forward, “I have a thing for people I guess,” he tells me and I
can't help but chuckle. He swings his legs back and forth some more
as we sit in silence.
“Jason, If uh, any of the other guys
give you a hard time just let me know and I'll talk to them, ok?” I
tell Jason as my thoughts drift to Stone again.
He looks at me confused, “What do you
mean?”
I let out a nervous laugh, “Well
uh... you know how the new guy gets treated sometimes,” I tell him
as my thoughts drift back to Kitch when he first joined the crew.
Jason nods and hops from the rail.
“Alright,” he says before facing me, “will do, Captain!” he
says with a grin before turning to walk away.
I call after him before he leaves “Oh,
and a shuttle is coming to pick us all up for the party at 19:00,
better be ready.” I say with a tease.
“I won't!” he smiles before turning
away and exiting the bridge, and I can't help but grin as I watch
that cute little ass scamper off.
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