Chapter 4:
Old Friends
“Rocky?” Alicia called for him, her voice echoing far off into the distance.
“Where are you Alicia?” Rocket called back to her, he was lost in the darkness.
No matter how fast he ran he couldn't catch her, he couldn't see her. “Rocky!” She called again, this time her voice sounded urgent.
“Alicia, please! Tell me where you are.” Rocky called back, he could feel his heart racing in his chest.
Just then in the distance, he could see a hot green light flash along the horizon. It was followed by a blood curdling scream. Not a scream, his name being called out...
“Rocket, wake the hell up! The tram is going to leave and we'll be stuck riding on it for the rest of the day.” Aisha shook him so hard it felt as if his neck was going to snap.
Rocket leaned forward with a start, as he scrambled to his feet tiredly. His eyes were all gummy from the deep sleep that he'd fallen into. It was so hard to see mere inches in front of him. As his vision cleared he could see Aisha looking at him. She could see in his face that he had no idea where he was or what was going on. Rocket rubbed his eyes and stretched heavily. Aisha had already took it upon herself to retrieve his bag from under the seat, and rolled up his poncho from the back of the seat. Aisha forced the items into Rockets hands, moving his fingers to grip them.
“Come on boy we gotta go!” Aisha hollered out, grabbing his arm and pulling him along.
“I'm coming, I'm coming. I'm just a little groggy is all.” Rocket moaned out as he was pulled off of the tram and down onto the dirt path that lead up to the front door.
Everything looked the same as it always did in the midday sun. There were a few cosmetic changes here or there, but for the most part it was exactly the same as he remembered it. Large birds glided through the cloudless sky. A warm smell of sweet tobacco was being carried on the breeze. It was every bit the home he remembered. Rocket slowly started up the dirt path, but he could hear Aisha stopped behind him. Rocket turned around to look at her. The sadness had returned, it was a paralyzing look that washed over her face.
“Are you alright Aisha?” Rocket asked, his dark brown eyes trying to find hers.
“Yeah, everything fine. I'm just old and emotional. This is something I was trying to prepare myself for and it's just too much. You go on, while I try to compose myself please.” Her voice cracked ever so slightly from the emotions. “Go on, get!”
Rocket nodded and turned back around. He could hear her softly crying into her hands. It must have been the feeling of seeing him home on the farm once again. One step closer to having the family back together he supposed. Rocket made it to the front door only to be greeted by Arty. Age had changed the youth's face, for the better. He looked a lot like Artemis did when he was younger. The same stern look in his face. There was only one difference that Rocket could see, there was no friendly glimmer in his face, there was no emotion at all for that matter.
“Well, well if it isn't Rocket Raccoon. Long time no see.” Arty's voice was even more lifeless than his eyes were, he spit on to the dirt path at Rocket's feet, wiped his mouth with a pair of denim overalls.
“A little bit too long if you ask me. Oh I see Artemis is letting you wear denim now, mighty comfortable, huh?” Rocket joked uneasily.
“You're a funny one, I'd almost forgot how funny you were.” Arty let out a mock chuckle.
The air between them was getting tense. Rocket realized the time for small talk was over. Whatever business he had here needed to be dealt with so he could leave as soon as possible.
“I know I'm probably not welcome here, but I came as soon as you told me about your father.” Rocket said, doing his best to be civil.
“Nope you're not welcome here you thug. But the old man's been asking about you. I thought it would be best to grant any of his wishes he has left, you never know which one will be his last.” Arty smirked, it was easy to see that there was no love between them, even harder to believe if there every was any.
“How's business been?” Rocket asked, trying as hard as he could to make some conversation until Aisha caught up.
“I'm a very busy person so let's cut the shit raccoonoid. I'm just going to take you to my father so we can get on with our lives.” Arty opened the door and stepped inside.
Rocket craned his neck around surprised to see that Aisha was gone. She may have not had the fortitude to see her family being at odds. Rocket followed him into the entryway. He watched as Arty's lanky frame climbed the stairs. Rocket didn't know what to expect, but he'd kind of hoped that things inside had remained the same as much as the outside had. Instead it was hollow inside as if it hadn't been lived in for a long time. The old home feel had been updated with modern appliances, something that a young man would want, not the things that Artemis wanted. It was difficult to see if the other rooms were in the same state as the entryway, but all the lights were turned down so it was dark. There was a strange smell in the air as well. The smell of dust, the smell of death. Rocket was starting to wish he'd waited longer for Aisha to meet up with him.
Arty lead him through the upstairs to the room that used to be Artemis's study. He opened the door and stepped in beckoning Rocket closer. Rocket's pace was slow so he could work through everything he was going to say. Arty's cold eyes watched as he walked into the room. The room was pitch black, and quiet. He'd expected to at least hear someone sleeping, or the sound of machines humming, but there was nothing. At that moment a voice in the back of his mind screamed for him to get out now. Something was wrong, something was very wrong. Just then the door slammed behind him enveloping him into darkness. Suddenly there were arms all around him, prying and pulling him in different ways. They were craning his arms around, forcing them behind him, and then the hot burn of laser cuffs rolling across his wrists casting the room in a dull blue light.
The lights came on, blinding him. Rocket was down on his knees, they were cutting into the hard wooden floor. The study had changed a great deal. It looked more like a war room. Pictures of Rocket were plastered all over the wall. To his right was a giant map of the galaxy that had red push pins all over it. No doubt they represented locations Rocket had been lately.
When Rocket looked up, he felt his heart tighten. There were two glass display cases set against the wall. In one was Artemis's favorite robes draped all over a plastic mannequin. There was a plaque underneath that stated. “Father of mine, whom we love. Your will be done.” In the other display case was sharp looking military dress uniform. It too had been draped on a mannequin. As the first it too bore a plaque that stated. “For a sister and a daughter wronged, vengeance shall send you to your rest.” Between the two display stand stood a man as stoic as he'd seen the man's father being before was Arty...except now he was more of an Artemis Jr than he'd ever been before. He looked much more dignified than he had on the porch. It was a night and day difference. The coldness in his eyes was even harsher than before though.
“What the hell is going on here Arty?” Rocket yelled, struggling against the handcuffs.
The only reward he received was a solid kick to his side, pushing the air from his lungs. “Stop, you will not harm a hair on his head!” Arty yelled, his voice was more shrill than his father's had.
“Wait a minute boy. I don't think you know who your dealing with here. We had a deal, I pay you to get this puke here. Then I pay you a fraction of the reward money. You didn't put any stipulations on whether or not I can smack him around.” A tall figure called from behind Rocket', his voice was muffled behind a mask.
“We did have an agreement Du'Vok. But this is still my house, and if anyone is going to be man handling the raccoon, it's going to be me. Do you understand?” Arty growled as reached out, picking up a long cane that was leaning against one of the display cases.
“As you wish Mr. Dagon.” The figure said quietly.
“Easy slugger, there isn't a man alive that's allowed to man handle me. The last one that tried is missing his wang right now.” Rocket said sharply, a goading tone in his voice.
“Shut up!” Arty yelled, bringing down the cane across Rocket's back.
Rocket flexed and gritted his teeth against the pain, not wanting to show any sign of weakness. “So Du'Vok, it seems you finally managed to catch me. How does it feel to know that you had to get help to bring me down?” Rocket chuckled softly, feeling the pain in his side slowly dwindling.
“Shut up, you rat bastard.” Du'Vok hissed through his mask taking a step forward.
“Both of you shut up.” Arty groaned before pulling up a chair in front of Rocket and sitting down.
“Listen closely Rocky. These will be the last words you ever hear, before I cut you ears off. What you did to my family is unforgivable. Not only did you break my dad's heart, but you broke Alicia's heart too.” Arty started hissing against Rocket's ear.
“So much of the man my father was, died when Alicia did. Leaving me the only person that could take care of this farm. I didn't have any god damned guidance. I had to give up so much just to keep it afloat at first. If you only knew the terrible shit I had to do.” Arty growled and grabbed Rocket's ear, pulling it hard.
Rocket grunted, but made no other sound of pain. “I couldn't have been anymore terrible than shit I've had to do to survive.”
“You have no idea!” Arty yelled, shoving Rocket's head to the floor.
“I'll bet.” Rocket rose up on his knees again shaking his head. “So where's Artemis now?”
Arty lashed out, striking Rocket again, this time at the back of his head. “You don't mention his name! You gave that right up when you left.”
Rocket's ears were ringing and his vision was blurred. “Where is your father now, dead?”
“No, worse. I sold his body to experimentation. They needed live specimens. All he ever did was lay around and sleep anyway. I thought he would have been proud that I would go to such lengths to save the farm.” Arty said, his voice was growing lower, there was finally a hint of humanity there.
Rocket had to take this opportunity to get the upper hand. “You're a monster, buddy! How could you do that to your own father. He always knew that you'd be a disappointment. That's why he was so heartbroken about Alicia leaving. You could never live up to her.”
“I said shut up!” Arty flew into a rage and started hammering down on Rocket with the cane, the lashes were clumsy and inconsistent.
Rocket counted three, four, five, each time he fortified his body against the attack. “Sir stop it, he's worthless if he's dead or too damaged.” Du'Vok stepped forward grabbing Arty's arm.
“Fine, just fine. Just take him away, if he doesn't want to talk about the past, that's fine. I'll find closure in knowing that his last days alive will be spent in suffering.” Arty said trying to regain his composure.
Du'Vok stepped away speaking into his comm link. “Alright Officer Lax, Biggs you're presence is requested at the Thoke Farm. I have fugitive Rocket Raccoon in custody.”
Arty slowly stepped forward, grabbing Rocket by his collar and lifted him up, he slipped a sleek looking device out of his pocket, forcing it into Rocket's breast pocket. “I have something for you Rocket. You can have it, it's a gift. One that will help you find the closure you deserve.”
“Closure? What kind of effeminate bullshit is that?” Rocket laughed out loud, his laughing turned to a cough. “You were always a pussy, you know that Arty? A big man, so strong when you have a stick and I'm all tied up.”
Arty's face twisted into a rage, his footsteps were heavy, but uneven. Rocket could almost hear Arty's quaking heart over his labored breathing. This was it, he had to time everything perfectly. If we off by just a second, Arty would surely beat him to death. Rocket counted in his head as much as allowed. Three, two,...one. The whistle of the cane filled the air above Rocket. He rolled to the side, hearing the cane striking the floor hard, sending up a cloud of splinters and dust. Now Rocket's mind uttered, he planted his foot on the cane smashing Arty's fingers against the floor. Rocket jumped up, the top of his head smashing Arty square in the face. The tiny cracking of Arty's nose was reward enough.
Arty let go of the can and flailed back, both of his hands gripping his face. Blood poured down the man's gaunt face as he choked to breath. Rocket used this opened as a chance to drive home his point. No one messed with him, his friends, and family, ever.
Rocket launched himself forward moving fast, he sunk his teeth deeply into Arty's shoulder. A pained scream filled the room. But the scream wasn't loud enough to drown out the sound of his ripping flesh that echoed in the back of Rocket head. Arty was lucky that he'd been flailing to get way, or he'd have gotten his throat for sure. The warm blood washing over Rocket's bottom jaw, he pulled away sharply taking a chuck of flesh with him. Blood sprayed out in a crimson fountain. Even Du'Vok stumbled back before he could react.
Rocket turned his head and spit the chunk of flesh into Du'Vok's face. “Hey Arty. You've got red on you.”
Rocket's cackle sounded more hysterical than crazed. Du'Vok moved up behind him sending an electric jolt through the cuffs. Rocket's laughter didn't die down much even though he'd been shocked. Du'Vok grabbed Rocket by his arm and pulled him out the door. The tall man in black had no problem moving his small frame.
Du'Vok pushed Rocket through the door into the sunlight. Rocket cringed and tried his best to blink the brightness away. Two EMTs pushed their way passed Rocket and Du'Vok. Aisha stood down on the lawn wailing into her hands. Rocket wasn't entirely sure if she was crying because of how bad she looked, or because she'd betrayed him. Either way, she was dead to him now. There were two officers walking up the dirt path. One was a tall middle aged man, with a thick brush mustache. The other officer was a rather tall woman of a busty nature. Her long black hair was neatly pulled back into a bun. Rocket would have had something derogatory to say if the situation weren't what they were.
Du'Vok started to move, pushing Rocket lightly in front of him. “Lax, Biggs, thank you for your swift arrival.”
Rocket looked rugged to say the least, it was evident by how Biggs recoiled at the sight of him as she got closer. Officer Lax didn't seen to care one way or the other, he just turned his attention to the masked figure. The door behind them burst open and Arty's shrill screaming could be heard getting louder as he stepped out of the house. The two EMTs were doing what they could to patch him up while he was on the move.
Du'Vok produced a holo card reader for his pocket and pushed the button. It had all of his information and permits required to bounty hunt in this region. Officer Lax watched closely, since bounty hunting laws had been increased the past few years. Nothing worse then having some gun nut bouncing around the galaxy killing whoever they wanted. Failure to follow those laws usually carried steeper fines and punishment than the target did. Officer Lax was obviously not going to let himself be dragged into that kind of situation.
“I will need you to house Rocket Raccoon in the Convogue Penal Colony for two week, while I push my paperwork through. After that two weeks, I will go to the prison and retrieve hm. Any damages he causes while he's there will be paid back in full by my employer.” Du'Vok said, his voice sounding more gravely the quieter he spoke.
“Sounds good. He will be there as and unlisted prisoner so when you come to get him, tell the person at the front desk to call me asap.” Officer Lax said, tucking his thumbs into his belt.
Rocket chuckled and nudged Du'Vok. “There's never been prison that can hold me Du'Vok. I'll escape and be gone faster than you can say. “Shit I lost my meal ticket”.”
“Shut up Ringtail.” Du'Vok thought on this for a long moment before speaking again. “Now I know I don't have to tell you this, but Rocket is a very dangerous criminal. He's sly and not to be trusted in the least. Make sure your men know, that he's not to enter prison with anything. Anything at all.”
“Except the recorder I gave him. You make sure he takes that recorder. It's important, it's my revenge.” Arty cackled from the porch.
Officer Lax nodded slowly. “So do we let him keep the recorder?”
“I don't see why not, there's nothing dangerous he could do with it.” Du'Vok spoke as he thought about the prospects of bodily harm from a recorder.
“Rocket I will make sure you suffer for what you've done to me, what you done to my family.” Arty was coming off the porch now, the lunacy of blood loss swimming in his head.
“Shut up you pansy, so help me god if when I escape. And make no mistake I will escape, I'm going to kill you. I am going to fucking kill you for what you did to Artemis.” Rocket yelled back, starting to pull against Du'Vok's grip.
Du'Vok stumbled against the new rabid pulling from Rocket. At one point he was sure that Rocket would have escaped. Officer Lax was not taking any chances with this one. In a quick rush he electrocuted Rocket with a stun baton. The first shock only slowed him down, but the second shock put the little runt on his knees. Rocket could feel his head getting heavier, he was blacking out. The third shock put him face down on the ground in the dirt.
The last thing he heard, was Du'Vok yelling. “That's enough, he's not to be critically harmed...my boss w...have... r head...w get...m up...” Everything went black.
