S1, 18 Separate Paths (FB) (February 4, 2015)

Corresponding text underneath each picture.

**20th February 2094**

It took us a little while longer than we had expected but it wasn’t long before both Jarred and I had reached the relative safety of our cave.

Jarred: “GI on Iapra, ‘ey! Wonder what they’re doing here.”

Tank: “I don’t know, but it can’t be good.”

Jarred: “Agreed.”

Tank: “From now on we’ll just have to be extra cautious.”

Jarred: “As if we weren’t already. Now come on, let’s crack these things open and see what we’ve got!”

 We both levered open the crates that we had stolen and after checking for breakables, poured the contents onto the table.

Jarred: “Hmm, nothing amazing.”

Tank: “But still, this stuff’s worth something! And it’s more than we had this morning!”

We spent about 10 minutes sorting through the stolen goods, which turned out to be roughly half ration packs, quarter ammo and then the rest was some sort of fuel supply. We put aside and stored a small amount for ourselves and then jammed the rest into a wooden crate, ready to be taken into market the next day.

We took it in turns to keep watch that night, just in case the GI had realised that a couple of their supply crates were missing and came looking for them, but we had nothing to worry about.

When morning came, we rose early and set off with our goods, ready to trade in the local market town.

We entered the town, which we still had no idea the name of, and headed towards the centre. Once there, we wandered around browsing the wares, seeing if there was anything we needed or fancied.

Just a short time later, we had swapped nearly all of our goods for other things that we required, such as real food and also a couple of bottles of imported water, which was hard to come by here.

We headed into one of the back alleys, aiming for a little store that we often frequented, hoping to exchange the last of our goods.

However, before we reached the shop we became distracted.

Voice: “Psst!”

We both stopped and looked at each other, frowning.

Voice: “*PSSST*!”

We looked around and spotted, lurking in the shadows of an adjoining alley, a rather shady looking alien, beckoning us over.

I glanced at Jarred, who frowned and shrugged his shoulders and then together we made our way over to the creature.

Alien: “Hello there.” The alien appeared to be male and spoke with a very heavy hiss to his accent. I was surprised he spoke English at all!

Tank: “Who are you? And how do you already know English?”

Alien: “I am Vuls’aar. In my line of work, change means profit. I learn your language quick when you first arrive.”

Tank: “And what exactly is your line of work?”

Vuls’aar: “Now, now, let’s not be jumpy.”

Tank: “What do you want from us?”

Vuls’aar: “I merely offer you work. A job.” He replied with a glint in his eye and a slight curl at the corner of his lips.

Tank: “Doing what?”

Vuls’aar: “I need some items…. acquiring.” He smirked.

Tank: “You want us to steal for you? Is that it?”

Vuls’aar: “Steal is such a… strong, word.” He grinned. “I prefer the word ‘acquire’.”

Tank: “But you mean steal?” When, after waiting for a few moments and receiving no reply, I added, “Forget it. I won’t do it.”

I began to walk away but then the alien spoke again.

Vuls’aar: “I saw you stealing from that GI shipment.”

I froze in shock and then turned back to both Jarred and he.

Jarred: “What? How?”

Vuls’aar: “I was out scouting the area and spotted the dropship lowering through the atmosphere. I followed it to the Imperial base but before I could move in, you two showed up and got there first. I didn’t want to risk stealing anything more from them after you took your share because the more that became missing, the more likely it was that the GI would realise, therefore jeopardizing any future attempts at theft from them.”

Tank: “So what is this? Blackmail?” I asked, walking back towards them both.

Vuls’aar: “No my friend! Not at all! I am merely offering you a job! Acquire the items I request and keep half of whatever you manage to obtain!” he smiled and I considered his offer.

Vuls’aar: “Or I will inform the GI that I know who stole from their shipment.” He added with a snarl.

I glared at him. So he *was* blackmailing us!

Tank: “Forget it.” I replied after thinking it through for a minute. “I won’t do it.”

Vuls’aar: “Very well, then I shall have to inform the Imperium of what you have done.”

Tank: “Fine, go ahead.” I dared. “Because as soon as you show up at their base to tell on us, they will arrest you, take you away and you will never been seen again, just because you know the location of their ‘secret’ base.” I allowed myself a smirk as the alien’s face dropped as he realised I spoke the truth.

Vuls’aar: “Very well.” He growled.

Jarred: “I’ll do it.”

Tank: “*What*?!”

Vuls’aar’s face lit up again as he looked at Jarred.

Vuls’aar: “Yes! There’s a good man!”

Tank: “What are you doing?” I protested.

Jarred: “Since when did you suddenly become the good guy?” he countered. “We just stole two crates from the Imperials, what’s your issue with stealing again?”

Tank: “Because that was from the Imperials! This is from, some… innocent shopkeeper!”

Jarred: “I doubt anyone around her is truly innocent.”

Tank: “But still! I hate the Imperium! That’s why I’m fine with stealing from them. I have nothing against this shopkeeper!”

Jarred: “Come on Tank, we could get so much!”

Tank: “Forget it! No, I won’t.”

And with that I stormed away, taking the wares that we had already traded with us. I glanced back over my shoulder as I went and just caught sight of Jarred disappearing into the adjoining alley with the scumbag alien.

I shook my head in frustration as I headed back to our cave. I knew what Jarred had said was true. Yes we could gain so much by stealing, but I had to stand by my principles! If I didn’t hold on to those values then I really would have nothing left. Yes, stealing from the Imperium is, I suppose, just as bad as stealing from anyone else, but the Imperium are evil and deserve every blow against them that comes their way.

No, I would not go back. Jarred could do what he liked, but I would not steal from the innocent. I would stick to my principles and remain loyal to myself.

BONUS PICTURES:

The market moc.

As my series is going to be jumping around though time, I will include a date on each episode and add it to the timeline at the end of each episode so that you can follow it.

TIMELINE