Intercosmic

2.10 - Blockbuster Night

March 10, 2026 Darrell S.

I got word from Creed that there was going to be a raid on the casino tonight. I took up some space in the parking lot across the street to watch it all go down. I'm not sure what I expected but police officers with a warrant wasn't it. Then again, if Creed or whoever informed them that they would be doing a raid, the police may have tried to be one step ahead just to save face. For now, I'm just trusting the process and hoping everything goes well.

That idea vanishes from my mind as white smoke starts to pour out of the casino. It's not a fire, it's for crowd control. Soon people start pouring out of the casino in chaos. Police officers are grabbing random people and slamming them to the ground. It's gotten way too far out of hand and they don't even know if they have someone from the gang or just a random casino visitor.

People flee to the parking lot I'm standing in looking for a safe haven or a way to escape but police have begun to follow. An officer grabs at my wrist and attempts to place it behind my back before I yank my arm away from him and stare back with a look that lets him know he'll be in for a fight if he presses the issue anymore. He runs off to chase after some other person as more officers rush past me. The whole thing is getting worse by the moment. People who weren't even in the casino are getting swept up in the chaos.

"Help," a woman shouts, she's fallen, about to be trampled at this pace. I make my way to her, moving people out of the way as I go. She takes my hand, and I'm able to pull her up from the ground but as we move to safety, she's limping. I lean her against a car and help her slide down to take a seat away from the chaos. The first aid refresher with Martin comes in handy as I'm able to tell that she just has a sprained ankle. She'll be fine with some rest, ice, compression and elevation of that ankle.

There's not really any time to rest, as police officers go after an old man on a cane. Against my better judgement I intercept the officer with a shoulder check that stumbles him. I direct the old man to the same car the woman is resting at. As I watch him hobble away the pain of a baton slams into my side. Before I realize what I’m doing, reflexes have taken over and my fist slams into the officer’s face. As he scurries away, I direct more people to the car, hoping to keep them safe and out of the fray.

For a moment, things begin to calm down and I haven’t seen anyone who looks like they could be Creed’s men. I contemplate running away as punching a cop isn’t going to go over well. They’re vindictive and even if I was just reacting the way I would for anyone, they’ll plaster my face on the news and say it was targeted violence.

More smoke is released by the officers, hiding their movements. I don’t see the officer who fired the shot but the beanbag that slams into my left shoulder lets me know they’re out there. I feel arms wrap around me from behind in a bear hug. I bend my arms up at the elbow to get some room before struggling to step to the side. I get my right arm around the officer’s torso, and with my legs to the side, I throw myself to the ground. I land first, but he lands harder and it’s enough to break his grip. My older brother Evan’s favorite move was a bearhug. Learning how to escape was part of my childhood. I resist the urge to slam my fist into the cop’s face. Another beanbag slams into my back as I get off the ground. The first cop holds onto my ankle; I brace myself as another cop tries to tackle me at full speed. Some of the air is knocked out of me, but I don’t fall. I’m able to wrap my arms around his waist and slam him to the ground.

The three of us fight for position on the ground. There’s two of them, but police officers are just marines who couldn’t pass the fitness test and washed up high school athletes. They also don’t have any real hand to hand training, never fought bounty hunters and most certainly never sparred with an Alpha Draconian. I’m different from the people they’ve been manhandling.

The thought vanishes from my head as the boot of a third cop slams into my jaw. That’s all the room the others needed to pin me down with knees on my back and neck. They’re confused when I start to laugh. I know I’m beaten and I’m going to jail tonight, but the situation is funny. I trusted Creed again, and I’m in the same position that I was last time, with a boot on my neck. I don’t know why I expected anything else. For a moment, I don’t hear anything but my laughter, it’s slowly drowned out by the chaos still unfolding around me.

More surprisingly, the sound of thrusters silence everyone and blows the smoke away. From the corner of my eye, I can see a black shuttle coming into view. I guess Creed was just waiting to make a grand entrance.

***

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Book 2

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2.09 - Negotiations

February 11, 2026 Darrell S.

I could do it, raid the casino. Take out the leaders and disappear into the night. Probably wouldn’t go as smoothly as a movie, but I could do it. Yet everyone and everything around me seems to be yelling for me to not go through with that idea. Still, I need to do something. At least that’s what I kept thinking. Then I came to the conclusion that the casino is just a crutch. It’s something I can lean on instead of taking care of the actual issues that I’m facing. I need to put an end to this marines thing. Even if it involves me going to do time for desertion or whatever. I’m never going to be able to move on with my life the way that I want to if I’m stuck here mentally avoiding it. I just need to let the Casino go and move on.

That doesn’t mean I can’t make the casino someone else’s problem. I’ve worked with Creed enough that I can manipulate him. He’s not as smart as he thinks he is. I’m also not above throwing myself at his feet as a sacrifice for this community to have something better.

Creed answers right away when I make the call, and soon his smiling face is on my wrist comp. “I knew you’d be calling back.”

“Yeah, absence makes the heart grow fonder, what else can I say?”

“Don’t try to sweet talk me Gray, I know you’re a free agent, but I know what team I play for,” Creed laughs and I fake a laugh trying to stay on his good side.

“I’m not trying to sweet talk you. Just wanted to ask what happened to you after the mission on Xhosha.”

“Ah,” Creed pauses. “In short, nothing came from that mission for me. I walked out unscathed, at least as much as you can be. I dislocated my shoulder at some point, but who hasn’t done that in our line of work.”

“Well, I only have to worry about dislocating one shoulder now,” I joke.

“I heard about your arm. I’m sure you got the best prosthetic that money could buy.”

“No, they actually gave me the cheapest option available, only thing they’ll pay for. Haven’t gotten around to looking at the high end stuff.”

“Well that sucks, but I’m sure you didn’t call to catch up.”

“You’re right I just wanted you to understand why I ran. I wasn’t scared, but I was a new person. I can’t ever be the person I was before. I had to learn to use a new arm, but I had to adjust to the fact that I had been through something traumatic and that was hard. I always planned to come back, but I just needed time. I had a new view on life, and going from planet to planet for murder murder and kill kill, just wasn’t working for me. I couldn’t be just a weapon anymore.”

“But you’re calling me, so you want to be a weapon again,” there it is. Creed’s trademark arrogance. “Everyone can use a secret weapon that others don’t expect. It’s a nice offer. But unfortunately, I just don’t think you have it anymore,” this is Creed’s way of playing on people’s emotions. He wants me to get upset.

“I have it, I’m just not running into burning buildings without asking questions and without getting something in return now.”

“Okay, I get the game, what do you want?”

“There’s a casino where I am,” I know he’s already tracking my location, but I’ll play like I don’t know. “It’s being run by a pretty organized gang. I need you to send some guys and make some arrests. Special prosecutor can’t be from here. They’re getting paid for silence. So this takedown needs to be off the books.”

“Sounds like you’re in a real jam,” Creed responds sarcastically. “I don’t see how that helps me.”

“You get what you want,” I argue.

“What is it that I want?”

“Me,” I pause. “You know I’m the best soldier you’ve ever seen and you’re probably struggling without my efficiency. I’m willing to come back and do what needs to be done. Just as long as you take care of this casino thing for me.”

“You’re really confident in your skills for someone who got an arm blown off and ran away from his service. I was joking earlier, but now I’m serious. You might not have it in you anymore.”

“I got it.”

“Then I need you to show me something before I take action.”

“Oh,” I pause. “You want me to take care of an issue for you so you can renege on our deal. I told you, I’m not the same guy anymore and I’m not going to fall for that anymore.”

“People can pretend but can never really change who they are.”

“Maybe we just go through things to really reveal who we are.”

“I’ll think it over and be in contact.”

“Thanks.”

“One more thing,” Creed gives me a stern look. “I liked you better when you didn’t talk and just did what you were told. Since you’re a new person, let me give you some new advice. Everyone doesn’t like being backed into a corner.”

Creed hangs up the phone before I get the chance to respond, and I can’t help but feel as if I just made a deal with the devil. I may get what I asked for, but I’m going to get more than I bargained for in return. I still feel somewhat confident after that conversation. I was never afraid of Creed, and I argued with him frequently, but there was always a limit. A limit that came from my years of service telling me not to question orders from a higher up. That limit is gone now, and even if I re-enlist, it’s not coming back. I’m my own man now, and nobody can take that from me. Not Creed, not the government, and not even threats of death if it comes to that.

If you're interested in history, I just released a video about the Black Panther Party.

Book 2

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2.08 - Role Model

January 20, 2026 Darrell S.

“Mr. Efrem,” a few of the kids shouted when I showed up with Martin. I didn’t want to come, but he insisted.

The Galactic Groundbreakers, Troup 491; Martin’s branch of a scout organization. I haven’t seen the kids since we took the camping trip which was over a year ago at this point. They’ve gotten bigger and there’s some new faces but a few of the kids were excited to see me. I didn’t think I made a lasting impression on them, but Martin was right. They did remember me and they did have a lot of fun. It’s surprising since I was basically just his side kick.

He thought it would be a good idea and a better opportunity to free my mind from the casino and everything else. I put up a good fight; found stuff to do around the ranch, pretended Pauline needed help, and I didn’t want to be around kids. But in the end, I gave up. You can’t fight against Pauline because she hits hard, but Martin knows exactly which heart strings to pull. He called one of the kids and told him I couldn’t come, right in front of me. I’ve never thought of Martin as a manipulator, but that was some textbook manipulation. I couldn’t take the disappointment in the kid’s voice so I had no choice but to come along.

I was expecting another camping trip but Martin drove us out to the community center. The building isn’t run down, but it needs some love. There was a mural on the wall outside but the paint is so faded I can’t tell what it used to be. Still, the building is full of life. Kids playing basketball, others playing some kind of virtual reality game, elders playing bingo. It's the kind of place every community should have, but they're so rare now. Time moves slow here, and relics of the past are easy to find. I'm just glad this place is still around. It’s one of those things from the past that should have never fallen out of favor.

"This week, we're going to learn a little bit about first aid," Martin starts once the kids have settled down a little. "Does anyone know anything about first aid?" A few kids put their hands up eager to tell Martin and I what they already know. All they know is the basics; scrape your knee, clean it and apply a bandage.

"Are we going to learn how to pull a bullet out and seal the wound with just a knife like the new Angel Granger film," one of the kids asks.

"No," Martin answers with confusion. "We're going to learn some life altering stuff here today. We're going to learn about torniquets and how they can save a limb or even a life in a bad situation," Martin tries to lean in and make it sound exciting.

“But there’s machines for that,” one of the kids responds causing the others to laugh.

“Machines won’t always be around especially if you’re out in the wilderness or somewhere far away from hospitals,” Martin tries to argue.

A few of the kids I’ve met before pay attention, but some of the new kids think Martin is joking. First aid basics are important. Accidents happen every day, and if you’re in the armed forces, or protesting those skills become way more important. Even if you’re not the designated medic, basic first aid is important. I can do CPR, apply a tourniquet, a splint, poor stitches as well as treat and know when someone has a concussion.

Martin turns to me with a sigh, “Can I get a little help here Efrem?”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Show the new kids what happens if first aid isn’t rendered in time.”

“I actually got great first aid. I probably should have bled out.”

“Get to the point,” an impatient boy shouts.

“Give him a second,” a kid I recognize as Phillip from my last meeting with the troop shouts back causing me to chuckle a little. He’s gotten taller but he’s missing his two sidekicks David and Jacob.

I take my hands out of my pocket and eyes are immediately drawn to my hand. I pull my arm through the sleeve of my shirt revealing to them that the entire arm is a shiny turquoise prosthetic. A few of the kids are surprised, some think it’s cool and others recoil.

“Does it hurt,” one of the kids asks quietly.

Martin’s face seems shocked before I answer the kid, “No, it doesn’t hurt.”

“Can you feel it,” another kid asks.

“I can’t feel it in the same way that I feel my other hand arm, but I’m aware of it. I know when I’m being touched and I know if I’m holding something tightly or loosely, but I can’t really tell if something is hot, cold or soft.”

“Now kids,” Martin interrupts, “it’s not nice or polite to ask questions like this and it can make people uncomfortable. We’re all different and special in our own ways. His arm is just another way he’s different,” he’s flustered.

“Hey,” I put a hand on Martin’s shoulder. “It’s okay, I’d rather them ask me than bother some random person on the street.” Martin relaxes but his trademark smile still doesn’t come back. “Go ahead, anyone else got questions,” the kids put their hands up high.

“How do you control it?”

“I’m not a doctor but in short, they used what was left of my arm’s tendons and nerves to this one. It took time and a lot of rehab, but eventually it started responding to my brain signals like my original arm did.”

“Is it electric?”

“Sort of. It has a battery, a really small battery and eventually I’ll have to replace it, but they tell me it should be good for almost twenty years.”

“How did you lose your arm?”

“I got blown up. But luckily, we had a medic with us. His name is Casey, and he made sure I didn’t die even while people were still shooting at us. He made sure I didn’t bleed out or go into shock. That’s why it’s first aid is important.”

Martin interrupts, “that’s why it’s good for you all to learn some basics.”

The lesson gets under way without any more interruptions. I’m able to catch up with Phillip just turned 16 so he’s got a few more years with the Galactic Groundbreakers. David has gone off to university and Jacob is working at the casino. Martin probably didn’t know that or he wouldn’t have thought this was a good way for me to put it out of my mind.

“Thanks for your help today,” Martin says to me once all the kids have left.

“I thought the camping trip was supposed to be your retirement.”

“Well, it was, but I couldn’t find anyone else to take over. I figured since we were going to be running the ranch a little longer, I could stick around. I just couldn’t leave the kids behind.”

“Well, we’ll need to make sure that you have something else good for your retirement.”

“Maybe I’ll stick around until you’re ready to take over for me.”

“I think I’ll pass.”

“You sure,” Martin tilts his head and lifts an eyebrow.

“I’m sure”

“I don’t think so. The kids really like you. I’ve seen it twice, you connect with them and they feel safe with you.”

“No, I think the kids like the arm,” I laugh.

“But you like the kids too.”

“Not at all.”

“Phillip told me about you going out into the forest with him when he was scared to use the bathroom. He won’t say it, but he looks up to you now. Asks me about you all the time.”

“That’s one kid.”

“That you don’t really know, but went out of your way to make sure he felt safe. That made a big difference in his life, and in turn he’s going to make a difference in someone else’s life. He’s not wrong to look up to you.”

“Kids have terrible judgement,” I laugh.

“No, kids are actually pretty good judges of character because they’re still honest, and they don’t feel safe around everyone.”

“I’ll take your word for it, but I’m still not taking your role here,” I laugh.

Martin lets out a loud laugh, “you got me; but I’ll get you sooner rather than later.”

Book 2 / intercosmic

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2.07 - Closing Costs

January 06, 2026 Darrell S.

I've been sitting with Pauline for the last two hours as she talks about nothing in particular. Usually Martin is the talkative one, but today she's going nonstop. I came by to sign documents to make the sale of the ranch official; even if they'll be taking care of it while I go away. We've barely gotten any of the papers signed but she's got a lot to say about each piece of paper.

"Now, you've got a pretty good idea of the proper boundaries but let's say you wanted to expand. Beyond the tree line at the back end of the property is a lake with a few abandoned houses and shops. Was supposed to be the start of new development but it never got finished. Developer ran out of money then went to prison.

"Why did they go to prison," I interrupt

"He was playing with dirty money, owed a cartel, mob or something. Chose prison over whatever they had in store for him

"That's crazy," I laugh.

"Well, they offered to sell it to us for dirt cheap but we're old and don't have the energy for it. It's back there if you want it. Maybe some vacation homes around the lake or something. Could make a lot of money on it" Pauline shrugs away the idea, but I know it's her way of suggesting that I do it. She'll never force you to do anything but she'll lean on your rather hard. I barely know anything about ranching, so I’ll need a whole staff to do vacation rentals.

"One thing at a time, I got lot to do before I start thinking lake house expansions," I throw up my hands in a defensive manner

"Well, I won't fight you on it. Some fights just aren't worth the trouble," she stares deeply into my eyes with a look I've only seen from my mother.

"You're talking about the casino, aren't you?”

"Well, since you brought it up," Pauline waves her hand and takes a sip of tea. "I don't want you going down there and throwing your life away. Those folks basically got a whole army down there. I don't want you running into a fight, that isn't yours and then getting killed by overwhelming opposition," she takes another sip of tea.

"I know it's not my fight, but someone has to fight for those people. There's not a lot of people fighting to make sure drug addicts have safe access to their vices. There's nobody at all fighting for people being ripped off by shady gambling practices."

"But that somebody doesn't need to be you."

"Then who?"

"Sometimes, you don't need to fight, you just need to stand firm on what you believe in and that gives inspiration to others to fight. Those people will just have to learn to fight for themselves.”

"When has that ever happened?”

"Martin told you about the war against supremacy, right?”

"Yeah, he was in a human supremacist organization, and people across the planet fought back to make sure anyone could live peacefully on Nyame. He and many others realized they were wrong and switched sides."

"Yes, that's his side of the story, but do you know why people fought back so hard?"

"No, but I have a feeling you're going to tell me."

"When the supremacist were vandalizing businesses that would welcome non humans, there was a shop owner. Her name was Audre Rudolph. Everyone time they would destroy her shop, she'd take the insurance money and build a new one. Time and time again she did this, never raising a fist to fight. But she did inspire others to fight. All she had to do was maintain her principals. You can send a lot of messages with words and even violence. But sometimes the best message is sent by how you live your life."

“You two are really against me doing anything to the people running the casino,” I chuckle.

“Yes, we thought you died you idiot,” Pauline raises her voice. “We thought you were buried in some unmarked grave,” there’s a heavy sadness in her voice I’d never heard from her. “Do you think we wanted that? To see someone like you dying because you’re fighting some battle to save people who don’t want to be saved. They walk into that casino, knowing it’s a trap. You can’t save someone blinded by vice until they’re ready to be saved," Pauline slams her hand on the table as she fights back tears.

My mother didn't cry for me like this when I joined the marines. My father never worried if I was going to die in some pointless battle. Pauline and Martin have been good to me, better than I ever could have ever imagined and I'm putting them through hell right now. They just can't say it to me. I make my way to the other side of the table where Pauline is sitting and wrap her in my arms as she rocks back and forth.

"I can't sit around and do nothing, but I'll do it in a way that you won't have to worry about me. That's all I can promise you," I speak the words gently as she releases me.

"You're an adult, and you're going to do whatever you want to do. Not risking your life over this is all I can ask of you.”

Book 2

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