The fact that I had not a glimmer of an idea was troublesome. I wasn't the kind of individual who rolled over and declared it was all destiny's doing. The life I led was a creation of my own, no outside forces necessary. I now felt myself wondering if this could be the notorious fate everyone seemed to talk about.

In a twisted sort of way, I knew this would happen, or at least I'd known the Yarmeran would get their greedy fingers on me. Even if Isaac swore that wouldn't happen.

Useless spoke up, his panicked timber breaking the hazed state of psyche I'd sunk myself deep into.

"You're the Han Solo of this tech-driven cosmos. If you don't have anything you better hope you're not allergic to daisies."

It was the last thing I felt like doing but somehow his words brought a smile to my face. "Han Solo eh?"

"Yeah, of tech. You're quick on your feet and always have some sort of trump card in that bun of yours."

This time I chuckled at his logic. While I didn't agree with his declaration of our death I did have to agree with the prior. In the past, I always had a plan and a back-up plan to that plan. So maybe this was the plan all along.

"How bout we just get captured?"

The words left my lips in a thoughtful suggestion. Being held captive wasn't the worst thing in the world, at least not for me. I was worth more alive than dead after all. Useless was a different story.

"You know they won't hesitate to riddle me with holes, right?

I wave my hand at my friend in dismissal. "That's why you won't be coming," I stated firmly, my head now snapped up to the camera stationed in the far corner of the deck.

Bingo. Winner winner chicken dinner.

"I know you're watching, " I declare into the blank space. "Let him go and I'll cooperate."

The expression on Useless's face contorted from panic into confusion and then onto worry. "You're acting like a schizo."

I didn't dare look at him. I needed whoever was watching to know I meant business. If they knew me so well then I'm sure they anticipated my cooperation a shot in the dark. This was a chance to get a fraction of it.

The words came as a disembodied voice, echoing from nowhere in particular yet filling the space entirely. It sent chills through my bones and not because it lacked a body. It seemed void of all emotion.

"It has been done. Ted Conner, you may exit the spacecraft."

Useless snorted. "Like hell I'm leaving now," he gritted out through a clenched jaw.

Typical Ted, defiant in the face of authority. It didn't matter to him if he'd face certain ruin or not, it came down to the principle of it. Something I admired about him.

"Ted Conner, if you do not exit the spacecraft we cannot guarantee your safety once in our possession."

Useless cringed ever-so-slightly at the disembodied voice. The message was grave and with no face or body attached it left an ominous veil to fall in the cabin we occupied.

"Ted, you should take the pod and go." My voice flat and quiet.

His eyes snapped over to where I stood blankly staring out the front pain of the ship. I didn't care about many things in this universe, many things didn't deserve the thought. Useless wasn't particularly meaningful to me, not in a way where I'd take a bullet for the meathead. It came down to my pride, my ability to take care of myself as I always had. Just because he was volunteering his assistance didn't mean I had to allow it. Fate? Ha! It could go fuck itself.

"Logan?"

"Listen, you helped me when you had zero reason to. You help me take Isaac's ship. You're right, I do always have a plan and right now you leaving is part of it. So take the pod and pray dear uncle Isaac doesn't shoot you when he sees you."

A hard glint took hold of his muddy eyes at my proclamation but whatever retort that rattled around inside his head was never spoken. Instead, he extended his forearm towards me almost as if he meant to pin an enemy against the wall.

I smirked and mimicked his action, bumping my own forearm against his. "I got this," I assured him. I almost believed it myself.

"Damn straight nerd solo."

My eyes rolled of their own accord at the nickname he created on the fly. "That better not stick."

He shrugged as he stepped back. "If I could get stuck with Useless there's no reason you can't be straddled with nerd solo."

Our eyes locked for a moment before I forced myself to look away with a subtle nod in the direction of the lone escape pod.

"Ted Connor, it is our understanding that you intend to escape using the evacuation pod."

"It's a strategic withdrawal, " Useless grumbled before he turned and stormed off the command deck.

A heavy silence filled the space, the kind that had the ability to crush your soul. The kind that destroyed your aspirations by infecting them with horrible, what-if, scenarios. It was also the type of silence that fell when both parties knew how things would ultimately end.

"Ted Connor has been released. We expect your full cooperation, Miss Smith."

"Of course you do."

Relief rushed over me before the lingering dread sunk its fangs deeper. Cooperation was my bargaining chip, something they knew I wouldn't just give up. To save my friend I had sold my soul to the devil.

"There is no escape Miss Smith. We will get what we seek. The outcome has been pre-determined. There is no alternative."

I was well aware of the kind of situation I found myself in but I also didn't believe that anything could be "pre-determined". Sure you could devise a plan and manipulate reality into giving you what you sought, but there were always two variables. You and the other party. The only way anything could be guaranteed was if one party didn't participate.

I wasn't that type of party member.

words - 1044
total words - 12872
written - 04/10/2020
last edited - 04/25/2020