Living The Life Of Riley

[Riley Mackenzie]

The laughter that exploded through the Erinloch's cockpit speakers was deafening as Riley began to realize what he had said, & felt his panic come close to critical mass.

"--HAHAHAHAHA! Zoner, you've got a real pair of eggs on you...I'll tell you what: 500k for giving me such a good laugh."

"That's not what my demands are, Squire." replied the habitually suicidal Discordian.

'What the hell is wrong with you?!' his inner voice screamed.

"Think about it mate," Riley continued out loud, "do you think it's wise to judge a book by it's cover?...Do you honestly believe I would be stupid enough fly an underpowered ship such as this, without direct access to protection?"

'Yes, I AM exactly that stupid!' he replied in his head.

I have contact to people VERY closeby that put the 'shadow' in 'shadow ops' & I have the power to grease the wheels that pull the type of strings that ultimately determine the length of your life.

Riley, you lying bas*ard!

"..........Heh!... listen up you crazy Zon--"

"--NO!! YOU LISTEN UP!!" he interupted both angrily & fearfully desperate to maintain the momentum of control that has, at least for the moment, swung in his favor. "When you marked me as a target, did you honstley think it through?!"

"Who's REALLY the crazy one here?!...PAY ME OR DIE!!"

At this point, Riley's mind has just completely snapped, given up trying to be the voice of reason, & doesn't even bother anymore as he hears himself begin to rant into the console...

---