The Void

Part 5

“What is your name?”

It was the middle of the night. I woke up on the floor instead of my cot: it was more comfortable. I looked across to my neighbors, who were both standing close to their cell door. The knock-off’s eerie eyes glowed a faint red, illuminating the dark corridor.

“What is your name?” The stranger asked again, his voice muffled by his silk bandana.

I got up, rubbing my eyes. “What’s yours?”

“My name isn’t important.”

“Funny. Neither is mine.”

“You are one of them. A space pirate.”

“Yeah, so?”

The stranger sat back on his cot and folded his arms. “Names are not important. But trust is. If you wish to escape, I must know your name.” He nodded to his knock-off friend. “This is Ef-Zero-Ex.

“You can call me Fox.” The knock-off said gleefully.

The stranger nodded. “He is my servant and my partner. We’ve come to Saga Prime on an important mission that your fellows have rudely interrupted.”

So I’m on Saga Prime. That’s a far ways away from home. I stood up, stretching my aching muscles. “You say trust is important, but names aren’t.” I grinned. “If you want my trust, I’m going to need a name too.”

The stranger stayed silent. I had met a dead end. This guy wasn’t giving up.

I decided to surrender instead. I couldn’t bother faking my name at this point. “My name is Tommy Crookstar. I was a pirate of this brigade, but, as you can see, I’ve been enjoying life more… fully.”

“Excellent. You should be pleased that you will not have to deal with your father soon enough. He’s made a grave mistake in taking me captive.”

“Y-you’ve met my father?” I was stunned, until I realize I had made the mistake of giving up my last name. Stupid, stupid me. I tried my best to recover.

“Of course.” The stranger leaned forward, and his facelessness became showered with the glittering of red glow. “And sincerely I hope you’re not as stupid as he is.”