Titanium Texicans (17 page)

People coming and going packed the main elevators. He turned down a side corridor to a secondary set of elevators. He turned the last corner and stopped cold. There waiting for him was Cruz, Ivan, Eber and Flacco. None of the four looked pleased with him, but they seemed to be pleased to see him.

CHAPTER 15

THE FOUR BOYS looked as healthy as they had before the shower room fight. They all wore cowboy hats, jeans, and boots with matching shirts and bola ties. Their belt buckles were the only individual item about them. Each wore a large distinctive silver buckle, although all were in a horse motif.

Tasso remembered hearing Cruz’s nose had been broken. If so, the doctors had fixed him up. The others didn’t look as if they’d been touched, or so it looked at first glance. He noticed Cruz’s eyes were a bit puffy and starting to look a bit bruised. It looked like Flacco wasn’t putting much weight on his left foot. Tasso couldn’t remember whether he’d heard if Eber or Ivan’s hand had been broken, but both boys were standing with one arm behind them as if protecting an injured hand.

Tasso smiled and said, “Gentlemen, how’re you? I heard about your earlier injuries. I’m sorry about that.”

Cruz said, “You aren’t sorry now, but I promise you’re going to be.”

Tasso’s smile tightened, but he kept it on his face. “Really, I am sorry. I’m sure you’re a man of your word and will keep your promise. If I promise to be sorrier later, can we call this even? I have somewhere I need to be.”

Ivan brought his hidden hand into the open. He held a three-foot length of what looked like a broken broom handle. He slapped it into his other hand.

Tasso had never seen the gesture, but he understood the message. “Are we going to do this one at a time or are you girls going to try four on one again?”

Ivan said, “You attack one of us you attack us all.”

Tasso let out a whoosh of air, as if in great relief, “That’s real good news, because I have no intention of attacking any of you, either singly or in a group.”

Cruz said loudly, “Yeah, well you jumped all four of us this morning in the showers.”

Tasso laughed when he realized Cruz was speaking to the La Dueña Dunstan’s overhead security camera. “Well, it seems we have a different recollection of that little event. However, if it’d make you feel better, I apologize for being naked in the shower when the four of you tried to beat me up. I’ll accept you won. It took four of you, but you won. Why do this again?”

Cruz’s voice dropped to a whisper so quiet Tasso figured it wouldn’t carry to the microphone pickups. “I also told you to stay off the promenade and to keep away from my girlfriend.”

Tasso realized the forward pitch of Cruz’s cowboy hat would prevent security from seeing that the older boy said anything at all. Moreover, not everyone in security liked him. Tasso thought it would be long odds if Security was watching. After all, how much of the ship could they really watch at any one time? Still, he seemed to be videotaped for the net every time he screwed up or fell down. If they were watching his screw-ups in real time and not on a later playback, maybe he could talk long enough that Security would send someone down to give him a hand.

“I do recall you warned me to stay off the promenade. I’ve tried to follow those instructions and I’ll readily admit I failed. I’m sorry. I like it there and I don’t think I want to avoid it any more. However, I don’t recall you telling me to stay away from your girlfriend. I don’t even know who you’re talking about.”

Cruz said, “You know.”

Tasso smiled and shrugged, “Sorry, Mr. Cruz. I’m sure she’s a fortunate young girl, but I don’t know who your girlfriend is.”

Flacco snapped, “Everyone knows Anisa Rojo-Graham is his girlfriend.”

Tasso was surprised. “Really? Does she know?”

Cruz clenched both fists and stepped up close to Tasso. They were standing nose-to-nose.

Tasso was shocked to realize he was as tall as the other boy. He thought Cruz was taller by a few inches. He clearly remembered Cruz being taller the first time the boy confronted him.

Cruz whispered, “Come on, faggot. Let’s do this.”

Tasso smiled and spoke in a normal voice. “I’m sorry, Mister Cruz. I don’t know what you mean by ‘let’s do this.’ And I don’t know what a faggot is. If I am one and if being one upsets you perhaps you could explain it to me and I’ll try to change.”

Cruz cursed at Tasso, but Tasso was so unfamiliar with cursing he didn’t know how he was being insulted. He knew the insult by the tone, but not the meaning.

Tasso smiled, realizing Cruz was deliberately pushing him so he would throw the first punch so his story about Tasso attacking first would have some validity. Tasso shook his head, he had no plans of starting a public brawl. “Sorry, I don’t understand. Perhaps if you spoke in English it might help?” Tasso offered.

Cruz said, “That was English. Are you retarded or something?”

Tasso smiled. “Not that I know of, no. This morning you attacked me for being a smart ass. Now you’re going to attack me for being a dumb ass.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “And I’ll stay away from Anisa when she tells me to, not you.
Comprende
, amigo?”

Cruz spat out, “Your mother is a frakking whore—”

Before the boy could finish the insult, Tasso’s fist crushed into his mouth. Blood splattered. He hit Cruz four times before the older boy crashed to the deck. He was ready to fly into the other three boys, but before he could move, a huge hand grabbed his shoulder.

“Afternoon, amigos,” Gordo said. His massive fist held the back of Tasso’s coverall, so he couldn’t move.

Eber said, “This doesn’t concern you, pendejo. Move on.”

Gordo said, “Really? I don’t know what this is that I’m not supposed to be concerned about. I am confident that I don’t like to be called an a-hole by a snot-nosed little trainee who needs a lesson in manners.”

“You don’t know who I am, do you?” Eber said. “My dad can get you reassigned to waste management, and I’m the quarterback on the trainee football team. You’d better not mess with me, old man. Coach Gonzalez will have your head if you don’t leave us alone.”

Gordo laughed. “Gonzo will have my head? Imagine that.”

Flacco slapped the broomstick in his hand. “I have an uncle in Security. You’d better back off, old man. Go about your business elsewhere.

Gordo said. “That’s the perfect size dowel rod for a project I have in maintenance.” His hand shot out and twisted the improvised weapon out of Flacco’s hands. “Mira, you’re never going to make a grownup’s football team if you can’t hang onto a ball better than that.”

Flacco said, “Hey! I need that. It’s a walking cane.” He pointed a finger at Tasso. “He broke my foot this morning and it’ll keep me from playing in Friday’s game.”

“That’s nonsense,” another voice bellowed from behind Tasso. “Your ankle was twisted. The doctor told you to stay off it, not to use a cane. Wait a minute! The report you filed for Security said you slipped in the shower. Are you saying Tasso Menzies attacked you and you lied about it?”

Tasso wasn’t able to turn and see who was behind him because Gordo still held him firmly. Slowly, he was able to breathe again. He didn’t remember holding his breathe, but he must have. He didn’t remember hitting Cruz, but he knew he had. He could see the older boy struggling to get to his feet. His lips were split and bleeding. His nose was twisted sideways and gushing blood.

“Dios!” said Security Sergeant Rodriguez. He spoke into his dataport. “This is Security. Please have a med team standing by. We’re bringing in an injured trainee. Armando Cruz looks like he has severe facial damage. His nose is a bit more than broken this time.”

Gordo looked at the Security sergeant and said, “I haven’t seen a nose that bad since you got kicked in the face by a bull. Remember that? Funniest thing I ever saw. You almost killed the bull when you got up off the ground.”

Rodriguez nodded. “Yeah, I remember, Gordo. I also remember you’re the one who let the bull out of the pen before I was ready. So, what happened here? Who threw the first punch?”

Cruz pointed at Tasso. All three of the other boys pointed at Tasso.

Gordo lifted Tasso off the deck, setting him in front of the sergeant. He turned Tasso loose. “He did. I saw him swinging.”

Tasso nodded. “Yes, sir. I mean, si, señor. I hit him.” He almost choked on the Spanish words, but he didn’t figure this was time to be stubborn about being Scottish.

Rodriguez said, “More than once from the looks of it.” He motioned to two other officers, gesturing them to take Cruz away. “Did Cruz get in any hits? Did he fight back?”

Tasso shrugged. He really didn’t remember Cruz even trying to swing.

Gordo said, “Not that I saw. He was out on his feet from Tasso’s first punch. Sorry, but this boy has fast hands. I didn’t get here in time to stop it. And by the way, where were you and your guys?”

Rodriguez shook his head. “Why we weren’t here quicker is a Security issue I’m going to have to take up with powers who have more reach than I do.” He looked up at the security camera. “And whoever ducked out on calling this altercation to my attention had better be happy others will be handling it and not me.” The sergeant looked at the crowd gathering around. He motioned to another two officers. “Take these three down to the Security Office.”

“Hey!” Eber said. “We didn’t do nothing.”

Rodriguez said, “I should take you in for bad grammar, if nothing else. You’re witness to a felonious assault. I’ll need your complete statements. Get these boys out of here and make sure they don’t talk amongst themselves.”

Flacco said, “Why aren’t you arresting him?” He hooked a thumb at Tasso. “He started this whole thing. He threw the first punch.”

Rodriguez said, “Oh, he’ll be along directly. I’ll take him in myself. Señor Flacco, do you have doubts about my ability to control one trainee?”

Eber shouted, “No, but he followed us here and tried to jump us—”

“Shut up, all of you,” Rodriguez said. ‘That is exactly what I do not want you discussing until you give your complete and honest answers.” He pointed at his security officers. “And I want them to give independent reports. Got me? I don’t want any collaboration between them. I see anything that looks like collusion and you’ll be in the same cell with them and this boy.”

He grabbed Tasso’s wrists and twisted his arms behind his back. Before anyone could protest, the security sergeant slid wrist restraints on, binding Tasso’s hands tight. The man spun the lock and depressed the override key. “There,” Rodriguez said, “those are for everyone’s safety. These handcuffs cannot be taken off anywhere on the ship except in the Security Office. You’re now officially under arrest for assault. Please be aware other charges may be pending or may be filed at a later time.”

Tasso started to speak, but Rodriguez said, “This is a precaution. I don’t think you started this. You haven’t given me the impression you’re stupid, and no matter how fast you are and how hard you hit, only a stupid man starts a war with four to one odds. However, just in case you’re some kind of psychopath, these restraints will keep me from having to hurt you if you try something with me.”

Tasso started to speak again, but Rodriguez interrupted him once again. “I don’t have to tell you this, but I’m advising you to keep your mouth shut. As a trainee, you’ll have a responsible adult with you during all phases of questioning. That would normally be your supervisor, but since your straw boss is Tio Gabe, I’m sure FO Graham will assign someone to help you.”

Tasso started to speak again, but Rodriguez interrupted him a third time. “Seriously, boy? Shut up already and don’t say anything until you get help. I can see why you piss Cruz off so much. Don’t you listen?”

Tasso said, “I will shut up, but I need to say one thing first. Record what I say and use it against me. I don’t care. I need to tell you I was on my way to A-0015 before I ran into those four. I was responding to a call to go see the captain. I need you to call A-0015 and tell her I’m not coming.”

Rodriguez looked skeptical. “Yeah, right! A trainee being called up to see the captain. Like that happens everyday!”

Gordo nodded. “I doesn’t happen every day, but I heard the call myself. That’s where Tasso was going. And it didn’t sound like the call was one of those things that’d be easily put off while you security types take a week’s worth of statements and compare them to the videos.”

Rodriguez’s face went from skeptical to stricken, “The captain? Are you sure she was calling to see him?”

Tasso shrugged. How was he to know?

Gordo laughed, “Sorry you two, but this situation is kind of funny. All we know is Tasso got a call to report to A-0015. Do you know anyone else who uses the captain’s office? I never heard about it if someone does. And you went and arrested the boy, slapping your magic cuffs on him. Now what? Are you going to drag him down to Security, get him uncuffed, unarrested, and then let him go see the captain? Man, those four young
gamberros
already delayed him long enough to be late. How’s he going to explain that you made him make the captain wait longer for him?”

Rodriguez shook his head. “I can’t hear you call those four young trainees hooligans. You’re a witness to this assault and I need you to go to the Security Office and fill out an official statement.”

Gordo laughed, “Not on a Saturday night when I have a date with the prettiest blonde on the ship.”

“You do not have a date with the prettiest blonde on the ship. Why would Cherry Chisholm go out with you?”