Nowhere/Chapter 6

CHAPTER VI: MADNESS IN NOWHERE
“He’s a lunatic.” Serenity proclaimed. Reemo, Anders, Nok, Larak and Marius sat in silence in the mess hall. Trying to shake away the memory of the dead quartermaster. Anders could scarcely believe that the captain went his way to shoot and kill his own pilot and quartermaster. But he said he was the traitor – so it should’ve been the right choice to make. Why then did it still feel so wrong? “Quiet, Serenity.” Marius urged. “I’m not staying quiet!” Serenity declared. “He shot Mr. Briggs! They were veterans of the Clone Wars! And she just shot him? He wasn’t the traitor. No way.” Serenity shook her head.

“He was the last one to have seen the hyperdrive. He was an obvious candidate.” Reemo shrugged. The other crewmembers nodded in agreement. “Consider the facts.” Serenity spoke. “Let’s say he was the traitor – what motive would he have to betray his best friend? Trying to sabotage this ship would yield no strategic value! If we perished right here and now, the Alliance would not suffer for it. Expendables, remember?” Serenity spoke, making the others think. “The traitor is still among us. It’s someone who hates the captain or otherwise does not have any emotional attachment to him.” She surmised. Reemo chuckled in response. “That could be anyone of us. We all hate the bastard. Now more than ever, I’d assume.”

“I never should have come here.” Marius spoke, arms crossed on his knees. His thick black hair covered his eyes, his green scarf nearly covering his mouth. “Marius? You alright?” Reemo asked. Anders looked on silently – and wary. “The Alliance is a damn farce. Everything was fine until they came along.” He sneered. “Hey, no offense Mar, but this seems like an inopportune time to discuss politics.” Reemo intervened. “If the Alliance never existed we would not be in this situation! Our family members would still live and we would be protected, in – in a stable environment! The Alliance destroyed it all!” He argued.

“The Empire is a tyrannical government that oppresses us! They killed the Jedi! How is that protection?” Serenity asked, frowning. “But we lived in peace! With no war!” Marius argued. “You know, pal.” Reemo noticed as he stood up. “That really does sound awfully like something a traitor would say.” He spoke in suspicion. “No – don’t you dare accuse me of that!” Marius protested. “Criticism is not treason!” He argued. “Hey, guys, can we cool down a minute?” Anders tried to intervene, but his voice was drowned down.

“Come to think of it – he does kinda fit the description, doesn’t he Serenity?” Reemo asked. “Hatred for the Captain. Hatred for the Alliance. Silent and rarely conversive. Yeah, sounds about right.” Serenity answered, walking towards Marius. “Get away from me! I’m not a traitor! I – I just wanted to live in peace!” He continued. “What did you do to the hyperdrive, Marius? Who did you contact?” Reemo continued.

“This is getting out of hand…” Larak spoke. Nok nodded in agreement. “Reemo! Serenity! Please! Stop this!” Anders pleaded. “Get outta here, Fish. We’re just weeding out the rotten fruit.” Reemo declared stoically. “Leave me alone! Leave me alone!” Marius yelled as he grabbed his blaster and shot Reemo, who fell back down in pain. “Reemo!” Serenity yelled as he grabbed him. The wound was not fatal, instead Marius hit the giant Nikto in the shoulder. “He shot me! That bastard shot me!” Nikto yelled. “Reemo – I’m – I’m sorry – I…” Marius stuttered. Nok, Larak and Anders looked at him in surprise and almost fear. Serenity scowled, anger marring her eyes. “I – I have to do this… For the ship… I’m sorry…” Marius continued to stutter as he stormed up the stairs. Anders held his hands in his hair, pacing around the mess hall. “What’s that idiot doing?” Reemo asked, groaning because of the pain.

“The captain… he’s going after the captain…” Anders fretted. “Are you gonna be alright?” Serenity asked Reemo, who gave her a nod. “I’ll be fine. Scaly skin, remember?” Reemo stood up, clasping at his shoulder. “We gotta go after him. Bastard or no – no one else should die today.”