Cristobal Cortez was always dreaming. He wasn't simple Corsair. He wasn't so..cruel. He didn't ever pirated, they say.
I guess he was borned in pueblo del Cortez, their familia's city. Corsairs were always fighting for land, and Cortez familia wasn't exclusive. They fought off few familias who were trying to increase their food fields...
One day, Cortez and Soto familias, who were big friends, won all familias in sector. They forced everyone to pay quite big fine in food.
Because of that, Cortez familia started big fiesta. Everyone was getting drunk. And then, Enrique Cortez married Esmeralda Soto. After wedding, they've got kid quite soon. They name him Cristobalo. Most of locals were intrested in him, and relied big hopes on him.
In 5 years, he became quite found of stars. Then, he learnt Aztec mythology... They say he was present even on bloody sacrifices to the Huizilipochtli. And what's the most strange, he wasn't affected by it. He didn't feel much when he saw dying Maltese... He've been told a lot of bad things about those.
Mum, I don't want to sleep!
Sleep, vamos, or angry Maltese,nomad amigo, will come for you!
He shook a bit, and went to sleep. Madre smiled and turned off light.
-
Padre, who are those 'Outcasts'?
Caramba, I can't say for sure! They're just.. narcomen who want to infect everyone with their poison! A-and, I'm sure they killed a lot of famous people from our nation.
-
...and then, I killed them, crashing my Titan into their transport loaded with cardamine! I felt so bad, I'd never say it was good! - father sighed and looked to Crissie's eyes. - Son, never get infected with this poison - or I'll have to kill you myself.
At 15, Cristobal felt he's good enough to try flying space ship. In fact, he wanted to surprise one amiga whom he liked a lot. After few polite words to padre, he decided to steal one of the 'Leggionares' which were collecting dust nearby.
He jumped in one of those, pressed few buttons and launched that piece of junk! However, in few meters he noticed 'fuel leak' message on screen, he landed as fast as he could, and eventually crashed into the kitchen, injuiring his cat and scaring his parents.
Son, the hell did you do this! I told you I'll teach you later!
But padre, I want to see stars once! I can't all the time at home, caramba!
Very well, let's see... I'll give you a few lessons.
Enrique indeed had given him few lessons, and Crissie performed very well in those. Then, padre decided to give Cristobal his old "Centurion", but... not to give him any other money. He didn't want son to come away too far, as he felt he won't live as long as his son...
Unfortunately, Enrique was right. Few years after, strange decease infected everyone in pueblo del Cortez, and most of present people died, including Cristobal's parents. He was nearly lone now, exept his old grandma, who lived on another side of planet. With time, however, he made her resettling at his city.
Now, as rich muchacho, he could afford another ship to fly, and he became more and more found of those. He consumed alcohol, to keep in line with famous ship builders and scrappers on Crete.
Later, he joined the Brotherhood. Corsair Brotherhood, yes, that's it. He was quite famous there, for skill and..his money. He had a lot of money...
Later, he was introduced to the one who called himself Montezuma. They became big friends, ironnically.
According to old Earth's story, they'd rather become blood enemies.
Once, Cristobal met some Bretonian-looking girl. He felt so well while speaking to her... He decided to invite her to his villa.
Hi, I'm Luxuria, and you?
Cristobal, Cristobal Cortez...- he smiled.
Si, that was great time. They were visiting parties, clubs. They were traveling on Crete, observing artifacts. Cristobal felt like she should become his wife once. After one week, though, she was called back to space. He was never sure what she was, what purpose did she serve. As true gentleman, he decided to give final dinner.
She came down to see dinner, which consisted of luxury food, as for Crete... Pizza, pasta, delicious meshkal.
Dinner was uneventfull, Crissie was drunk at the end. They spoken about different subjects silently, enjoying Crete's moon shining. Luxuria got call on neural net and went to Arthur, for launch.
Cris sighed bowed:
Adios, seniorita, I hope to see you again! Contact me later, pleeeease!
Of course. Laters, Crissie. - she answered and smiled
He felt down, and felt into dream... He saw something coming slowly to him, but he was already too sleepy to prevent it from coming... He saw blue-eyed cat, and closed his eyes...
***.. the Chosen One...*(weakness)***
***{Person in Aztec suit waved him: "Do you want to meet Quetzalcoatl?"}***
M-Montezuma? In the name of Huitzilipochtli, where am I?
***{He grins: "In the Temple! Welcome, amigo! So, do you..?"}***
***{Aztec pyramide}..{Sight of sacrifice; screams}..***
C-Childhood... Si, I accept it, Montezuma. I'd like to bow, senior, but I'm too weak right now... Such religion brings our Empire to sunrise!
***..*agreement*...{He grinned: "Welcome to the Community"}***
He got up, enjoying sunrise... Something purple crossed his mind accidentally, however he thought that was due to getting too much meshkal yesterday. His eyes were looking for somebody.
Luuuuxuria!
Grandma Alexandra looked out of window enjoying wind, despite wind was filled by dust. She yawned and told Crissie Luxuria departed yesterday to her.. superiors. He shook after those words, they reminded him something... Bright flash again crossed through his eyes. He blinked few times, surprised.
Cris? Are you allright, caramba?
Si, thank you.. I guess it's due to alcoholic poison
He laid on chair, sighed and looked to the rising sun again.
What happened, Crissie? I never saw you so angry!
Caramba! Alexa, just imagine, I saw Gentle, from Sparta's familia...
Alexa yawned. Crissie sipped a drink and continued.
Believe or not, but he went... phantom. He murdered his wife! I couldn't stand that.. Ahh...Believe me, it's pain to look. Something whispered me to announce vendetta on him. He answered by muttering about the Brotherhood and Phantom relations, not sure why. Anyway, for now I'm on hunt for him.
Huh? What about your girl there, she's calling herself Luxuria?
N-not sure what she'll say... We should meet at Freeport 9 tomorrow. But I won't take my words back. At least, because of familia pride... - he relaxed and looked to skies. - What confuses me, Gentle was using Maltese technology on our gunboat... Or at least I think saw. I met him near Etna, I was speaking with him... - He was counting fingers. - Then some flash... Maybe part of my fury, huh? Then, I chased him nearly to Omicron Alpha jumphole. But why Outcasts were defending him? Caramba, I have enough evidence for Council of Elders to declare him traitor. But... no. I'll finish my vendetta, we'll see how should it turn out.
He was looking to stars while trying to figure out his chances to stay alive. Something inside him made sure he'll survive. He stood up and...
"Approaching ships, this is Freeport Nine, identify yourself." - voice loudly hailed incoming ships.
Freeport Nine. Maybe center of Omicrons commerce? Capitol of trade in Omicrons? Anyway, Crissie hailed administrator and received permission to dock... Through station you can meet different merchants, in bars, in biodomes, even in ship sales deck.
"Cris!" - pretty girl turned to him. - "Finnally I found you! Where were you, fool?"
He blinked few times, a bit stunned, while she kissed him. He didn't expect such reaction. He smiles and kissed her lips. She didn't resist at all. Looks like she loves me indeed... They were going through decks, speaking and speaking... Yellow banner flashed in the end of corridor... Hudson Foods, Inc. "Ah, vamos, how're you doing there? I didn't meet you in ages! Why don't you visit our villa?" "Busy, buuusy. Don't be angry, Cris - that doesn't look good for your face! I plan to visit your villa... later". We need to talk. Somewhere in..silent place". "Luxxie, don't get angry in return!" - He chukled and pointed to banner. - "Hmm, maybe there?" "Yay, that's I was thinking of! Stop reading my mind!" - She smiled and sighed.
They entered bar and took sit in corner. Soft light and calm, old music filled bar. People around were talking silently. Hologram appeared at table, with choice of food and drinks. Crissie grinned, he got quite many ideas to choose from. Luxxie sighed, she didn't really want to eat, so she ordered synthetic coffee. He looked at her and calmed down, ordering coffee as well. "So, what's up? What did you want to talk about, vamos?" "Uhmm, I won't say! Try to guess.." "About little murderers in your bed?" "How did you guess?" - she raised her eyebrow, chukling. "That's true indeed. Luxxie waked up few days ago with some girl around... err. She told Luxxie she wanted to kill her. I can't get why... Luckily, my friends on Freeport XV can hold her for some time. Buuut.. I don't feel safe lone anymore.. Crissie, will you save me?" "Si, my love". "Buuut, think what did I want to talk about?" "Obviliously, about Gentle. He's your.. 'comrade', huh? I can't imagine such wonder of this world working with that scum, though..." "Crissie!" - she waved in front of him. - "Why did you offer vendetta him? Are you crazy? He'll kill you, that'll make me very sad... Boo!" "Familia pride. I can't take my word back, aand, I'd not even think about. He murdered his wife! Caramba, I can't look at such corsairs!" "Crissiiiiiie... Luxxie will stop you or Gentle, through lethal force! Luxxie can't afford myself to loose you, do you understand?"
She sighed and closed her eyes. He moved closer to her and kissed her. "I will win".