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The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/mikeromeokilo on 2025-05-16 14:34:58+00:00.
Chapter 17
*****
Gordon slapped Scott on the shoulder, downing the last of his drink and leaving the empty mug on the bar.
“A’ight - I’m gon’ step out for some air,” he said loudly.
Scott nodded. “Aye - catch’ya in a bit.”
Gordon pushed his way through the throng of drunken patrons and out into the cool, recycled air of the main concourse. The stuffy, sweat-slick bar still pounded behind him, his ears ringing faintly from the noise. He took a deep, cleansing breath.
It wasn’t the same as the crisp, cold, night air that you’d find on Earth or any other colonised world, but it still cleared his head. He glanced around, looking for a quiet direction to take.
Shoving his hands in his pockets, he started a slow lap of the concourse.
The station was winding down for the evening. Restaurants were closing their doors, and families had long since returned to their homes. It wasn’t the welcoming atmosphere of their last system - more like a tolerance of their existence. There were comments about his race, what his culture was doing, how he should go back to where he came from - he just ignored them. It happened in some places.
Scott was an expert at brushing them off with a joke and a smile - it didn’t seem to faze him at all. Gordon respected that about him.
He ambled down the concourse, spotting a bench he could use for a quick break. Sitting with a sigh, he leaned back and idly watched the mix of customers coming and going from the nearby bar.
One group of Rellins caught his eye. One - obviously drunk - being supported by two friends. All staggering clumsily out of the doorway, laughing as they turned his way. Gordon recognised the equipment - comm units, one wearing a loose jacket with a ship’s logo. His smile turned to a grimace when he realised the drunk one had vomited down its front.
His smile returned, reminded of the time he’d gotten into a drinking contest with Scott - right at the start of his employment.
He let his head flop back and stared at the high ceiling, thinking about that night. He’d been the one covered in his own vomit, that time.
It had only been a year or so, but so much had happened in that time. He’d made some good friends, and some good memories, and his life was slowly coming together.
But deep down, he knew it wouldn’t last.
All good things must come to an end.
He couldn’t remember where he’d heard it, but it summed up his career perfectly. Hopping between ships, joining new crews, seeing new parts of the galaxy - making friends, losing them again. It was part of the life he’d chosen.
Luke had noticed something today. Probably some mistake he’d made, or lie he’d told. It was bound to happen sooner or later - always did. He should get out before things came to a head - find another crew to sign on with. That would be tough, though - not many Rellin ships were looking to take on Human engineers these days.
He blinked, realising he was starting to nod off, then stood up wearily.
Still, it’d be a real shame. He’d just gotten clear of his debt, and he honestly did like The Eventide, even if Melanie was a bit of a hardass. He’d gotten close with Scott - maybe a little too close - and Katie had been genuinely nice to him. Even Luke seemed like he cared sometimes.
He took a deep breath, giving up on his lap of the concourse, and heading straight back to the bar instead.
Okay - just one more drink. That’s it.
***
“Are you sure you want to do this now?” Melanie sighed.
“Yes.” Luke answered, not taking his eyes off the dock entrance.
Mel nodded, pacing slowly along the bottom of The Eventide’s rear ramp. Luke was usually pretty objective about things, but this was clearly more than just a terms of employment violation. The sidearm on his hip was evidence of that.
She tilted her head at him. “Might be better to wait for the morning, when everyone’s a bit…calmer? And sober.”
Luke shook his head slowly.
They’d seen off the inspection team, and let Gordon and Scott go ashore. Luke had wasted no time - he and Mel had pulled apart the comms unit and gone over every inch of the engineering compartment.
She’d only just stopped him from tearing Gordon’s cabin apart, clinging to the outside chance there was still some unlikely, innocent explanation.
At some point in the search, he’d stopped asking about what else Gordon had done.
For the past hour, it had just been why.
She glanced at him as she paced back again. Gone was the man who’d meticulously trawled through the comms logs, looking for a reason - a chance, a hope that he was wrong. He’d already hung his head in disappointment. When he’d thrown the pad across the compartment, she knew - now he was just angry at being betrayed.
Angry that Gordon had betrayed all of them. That he could’ve put them all in danger. That Gordon might’ve been responsible for all those deaths - and he’d just ridden along with them like it was nothing. She knew, because she felt the same way.
Now, all she could see on his face was thinly suppressed rage.
Come back, and bring Gordon with you.
That was the message she’d sent to Scott.
Any minute now.
Luke’s jaw tightened. His hand drifted to his sidearm, eyes narrowing.
Mel turned to the dock entrance.
Gordon and Scott were staggering towards them in a haphazard fashion - Scott looked cheerful, almost refreshed. Gordon looked like he was ready to fall asleep on his feet.
Mel almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
As they came closer, Scott caught sight of Luke’s face - and seemed to sober up. He gently elbowed Gordon in the ribs.
Gordon blinked, slow and dazed. He lifted his head and forced his eyes open wide, focusing on Luke.
He swayed gently, blinking again as he turned to Melanie.
Nobody said anything.
Scott drew in a breath - and seemed to hold it.
Gordon’s gaze dropped to Luke’s hand hovering near his sidearm.
“Oh.” He clenched his jaw, swallowing. “Right.”
Mel waited for Luke to speak.
She glanced at him, watching the quickening rise and fall of his chest.
Her eyes flicked to his hand.
Just as she opened her mouth-
“What did you do.”
Luke didn’t ask. It was like he already knew. Like he just needed Gordon to say it out loud.
Scott frowned, confused. He turned to Gordon, taking a small step back.
Gordon straightened himself. His eyes met Luke’s. He said nothing - just stood there, head tilted slightly back, like he was looking down his nose.
Scott shifted uneasily. “Gord-”
“-Stay out of it,” Mel cut in.
Gordon took a deep breath - almost reluctantly.
He peered at Luke through foggy eyes.
“I ‘on’t think it matters.”
The words rolled out of him, like a man already dead.
Mel stood stock still. Her jaw clenched tight, eyes flicking between Luke and Gordon - laser focused.
She heard Luke’s breathing quicken, pulling air like he was running - even though he hadn’t moved.
She saw the veins in his neck.
And then - as his weight shifted-
“Gordon!” She barked.
Gordon flinched, blinking like he’d just woken up.
He looked between them, then dropped his gaze to the floor - swaying slightly.
“Ugh…”
He lifted his eyes again, unfocused. “I owed someon’ a favour,” he muttered.
“Said I could pay ’em back by puttin’ a…by…smuggling somethin’.”
The words came out slow. He looked tired, bored - almost irritated that he had to explain it. Like he hadn’t done something unthinkable.
Scott’s eyes grew wide, his head turning slowly in disbelief.
Mel glanced at Luke. His head was lowered, nodding slightly. The hand near his sidearm was drifting to his face.
She watched him take a slow breath, staring at Gordon with something between pity and disappointment.
“For what…” he said quietly. “…why?”
Gordon tilted his head, eyes filled with defeat. “…Debts, mostly. Gambling…family…y’know how ‘tis.”
Mel watched him, feeling like she was seeing him for the first time.
She genuinely felt sorry for him.
Not for what he’d done, but for the position he’d put himself in. It was hard not to.
She shook her head.
“…How many times?” Luke asked.
She watched as Gordon blinked a few times, drawing a deep breath.
He just shrugged, raising his hands like he’d given up counting.
Ouch.
She turned to Luke. His eyes were closed, like the answer was worse than he’d expected. She grimaced.
Nobody saw Scott move.
But they all heard the crunch of Gordon’s nose break, followed by the thud of his head hitting the deck.
“What the fuck’s wrong wi’you!” Scott yelled.
He leaned over Gordon, grabbed his collar and wound his arm back for another go.
Mel took a full heartbeat to decide whether to stop him or not.
“Scott-”
Thud.
“Ohhhkay - woah, hang on-” Mel reached to pull him off, grabbing his shoulder.
Thud.
She looked to Luke for help - but he just stood there. His internal debate was taking longer.
She hooked her arm around Scott’s neck and pulled - only to be lifted clean off her feet.
Splat.
She glanced at Gordon’s face.
His nose was off to one side. Blood covered his open mouth. His eyes rolled halfway back in his limp head.
“Jesus, Scott, stop!” she shouted, kicking at the backs of his legs.
He did stop - but only because they both heard the high-pitched whine from the ramp.
Katie stood there, covering her mouth in horror. Luke was already p…
Content cut off. Read original on https://old.reddit.com/r/HFY/comments/1ko2emm/the_ships_cat_chapter_17/
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