Frenzy & Torch

Chapter 15: Pterodactyls Play Lacrosse

It was half past four in the afternoon, Universal Galactic Time. Xitanker's sister, Tabitha, was reading Even Littler Women in her more-decent-than-expected cell. She wouldn't mind being confined so much if it wasn't for the bleak moonscape staring back at her from the window. The only thing that kept her from flipping her lid was the comfort that this wouldn't last long. It was an intuition. Her brother was a man-child with delusions of grandeur. She sensed he was up to something, and it was written in stone that it would fall apart. He had a habit of overestimating himself, which was the exact reason their parents picked her to be the next heir over him.

The clattering of talons down the hall made her perk her head up. Standing outside the transparent force shield was none other than Xitanker. "Hello, sister."

"Can you call me by my name instead of 'sister?' Fucking weirdass."

"And that attitude is precisely why you're sitting in here and not serving as a member of my council."

"I'd rather be in here than serve under you. Your administration is probably a dumpster fire. I keep seeing reports on the news about these two Outer Reach women ripping you a new asshole, PPF arrest warrant be damned. If an international coalition can't stop them, what makes you think you can?"

"Hey, that's being handled, alright? Quit fussing over that."

"Believe it or not, I actually care about you. These women are dangerous— "

"No shit."

"Look, my point is you've done something to piss these girls off, and they're out for blood. Are you gonna come to your senses and admit you're in over your head before it's impaled on a pike?"

"I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, I'm not some bumbling buffoon like you've always made it out to be!" Xitanker hissed. "You and mom and dad have always embarrassed me in front of our subjects, always making me seem like the little special boy of the family who couldn't rule over a 'Fun Blocks' playset without somebody being there to wipe his ass! I'm sick and fucking tired of you all trying to micromanage everything I do— look at you, you're doing it now even from a fucking prison cell!"

Tabitha flung the book against the wall and rushed over to the barrier. "You wanna know why we have to be behind you every step of the way? How 'bout you tune into the news and see the fruits of your labor?! You've only been in power for the better part of a month yet people are already getting killed!"

"I've got news for you, sister, that's going to come to an end right now, then you'll look like a real dumbass for having doubted me. A good friend of mine— "

"General Itshii? The goddamned war criminal?!"

"Shut the fuck up! He has something that will turn the tide of this little squabble. You tune into the news and watch me rub my balls all over everybody's face."

Tabitha was devoid of all energy at this point. She solemnly shook her head and sat on her bunk.

"The hell's your problem?" Xitanker asked.

Tabitha sniffed and wiped her eye as a bitter tear spilled out of it. "I only ever wanted what's best for you. I guess it came off as tough, and for that, I'm sorry. I don't want to see anything happen to you."

"Save your crocodile tears, you're only sad that it's me wearing this crown instead of you."

"Is it so hard to believe that I actually love and care for you as a sister? That I don't want anybody to hurt my little brother?"

Xitanker was never good at handling emotional confrontations. Before his heart could twinge, he stepped back from the cell and scowled. "I'm going to prove you and the rest of these idiots wrong, you watch me!"