Just a day in the life...

[Neronian]

[color=#999999]--About 2 Months Later--

"Oh Zechs!" The buxom and slender figure of Maria Suez came out from the kitchen of the interestingly built house, somewhat reminiscent of Ancient earth desert mud-and-clay houses. As Zechs walked in he was greeted by the site of a full platter of food, and all with Hispanic names.

A little less then two months ago, Zechs abandoned his Mandalorian occupation for a more peaceful life on Malta. Say what you want about Outcasts, but they're really just that... Outcasts. People abandoned by society and made out as bad guys by every official whenever it profits them. Not to say that all Outcasts are angels, but when the only ones who step into House space are pirates and smugglers, you can't judge the entire people as that. Zechs had used his friendly reputation as a Mandalorian to get him 'citizenship' of sorts. Since then he has spent his days doing odd jobs; Bodyguard, Repairman, Hell, even a Receptionist. But his break came when he found a flyer for a Pilot instructor, and not some military combat training, but just regular piloting, meant for regular people. Zechs happily took this job, and with some inherent business sense, manage to take the money he made, and triple it with the Sirius Stock Exchange, then triple it again, until he had amassed an impressive amount of money, and without any illegal or underhanded deals as well. He even started a fund to try and encourage the youth of the poorer parts to keep up with classes and make an honest living for themselves. Everything was going great, and to make things better, His comm has just found a familiar receiver...

In a moment of excitement and eagerness he quickly spoke out a quick message calling for this friend of youth to come over and stay for a while. The reply interested him even more as a quizzical and somewhat content voice simply said, "Sure." Now, a Havoc landing on Malta is no surprise; Many mercs come and go taking odd jobs and meager hunts. But the insignia labeled on the side of the ship brought out a pretty considerable crowd. And now everyone was waiting to see what man would come out of this ship with a Bretonian banner and the strange connection of sharp angles and fading lines that made up the Czan family crest. A slight gasp came out of the crowd and muttered conversations began as the man hopes down from his ship with a Bretonian Armed Forces jacket on, and a slight smirk at the crowd. But that smirk was really just aimed at one man, who slowly stepped forward somewhat chuckling. Then, as if this has been buried and waiting to be said for years and years, the slender but toned man said, "It's been a while Zechs... About what? 10, 15 years since I've seen you..." Zechs then slowly stepped up and slapped the hand that was extended towards him out and gave the man a bear hug. "It's been a while indeed Sipher! You don't expect your brother to go shake your hand do you?!" They both laughed as they start walking out towards Zechs' car; The crowd parting before them like an ocean.

There sat two brothers, long separated, talking away over some drinks, reminiscing and updating each other. "Then we just settled down here. She's an amazing cook too, you'll have to wait till dinner to see though. Speaking of which what is for dinner sweetie?" And with the usual grace and her sultry and silken voice, She was able to turn those two on just by saying a meal. In fact that was usually how it went. It didn't matter what she even said, but all she had to do to get her way was talk in that sexy way of hers, maybe whisper it in Zechs' ear if she needed to, and he was butter. The day went as if it was Paradise. A fantastic dinner, followed by drinks... then more drinks, then drinking Games, which entitled drinking naturally. By the end of the day Body shots had been done, four bottles of vodka and five of tequila have been gone through, and three people were now passed out on the floor. The next day was pretty uneventful as they recovered from the prior nights party. The next few days went by pretty quickly as Zechs introduced Sipher to his job, his friends... and his plan..

"So, by the end of the week, The deal will be done.. I've already brought together a crew, with complete trust in me, and the ship will be mine. Sipher... I'll be a Captain by Saturday!" The glasses clinked together and were downed by the two smiling men on the balcony. "I got to hand it to ya Zechs.. You've managed to keep yourself together at least.. I've been through time and time again when I wonder 'why am I fighting? And who am I really fighting?" A hard pat on the back brought the smile to his face again as Zechs spoke again of his plan in increasing detail. By the end of that day, Sipher could probably recite it by memory alone.

It was finally the day. Zechs looked as official as ever in his specially made Captain's suit, which looked anything but normal. The crew of five trusted friends, all in their own casual outfits, were mingling about with each other and the people there to witness the takeoff. Not everyday that a brand new Gunboat takes off. And as the minutes ticked down, more and more people came to watch. Sipher was now saying his farewells to Zechs and Maria, and it seemed like it would be another 10 years or so before they would see each other again. Zechs was having as much fun as anyone else, but he was as alert as ever, and once that shaded man started weaving his way through the crowd he became a little concerned, but as he looked towards Sipher to tell him... He saw for the first time not as a brother, the little Sipher he once knew.. But a hardened Soldier. That was why instead of a warning, he gave his praise, and said, "Sipher, I'm truly proud of you, Take care of everyone for me, especially Maria, Don't Go Dying on M-" And with a smile on his face, Zechs' took a bullet straight into his neck, And as the crowd panicked from the gunshot, Maria's eye turned to disbelief, and Sipher drew his own gun in a reflex to take vicious revenge, Zechs fell gracefully with a smirk on his face and a thumbs up. By the moment he hit the ground, Zechs Czan was dead.

The next three days involved Maria crying endlessly, and Sipher sitting in a chair with his head resting on his arms laying on his legs. For three days the house that just a few days earlier was Paradise, was now a vague resemblance of Hell. For three days Sipher lived that moment over and over again... "Don't Go Dying on M-" and every time the nightmare became worse, blood started to splash out as the bullet hit the vein dead center this time. Sometimes the bullet would go through without breaking his nervous system, putting him in agonizing pain for minutes as he writhed in his own blood. Worse and worse they became, and during this Sipher was planning a just as gruesome death for the murderer. On the third day Maria was somewhat better, and brought Sipher an article from the news about a psychotic man who was found dead, hung from a tree. The report said this man was the criminal involved in the murder a few days ago, and has been dead for at least two days. The case ended there, and Zechs' name was lost in the public mind. Sipher eventually got himself into more control after a few more days, and swore that he'd carry on his brother's dream and his final wish. The next day the Selethinia was launched, fully crewed, and fully operational. Sipher keeps his brother's suit in the closet in his quarters, as one of the few keepsakes left. The crew mourned Zechs' in their own ways, and acted as if he was still there sometimes, pushing them on to work as hard as they could. Maria said her prayers and tried to push him out of her memories, but still flinches and even tears up at the sound of his name. Selethinia was the name of Zechs' favorite novel, about a man who goes on an adventure, loses all his friends, gets nearly killed time and time again, but keeps going, saying "If I give up now, what would their deaths have accomplished?" And when he found his treasure, he took it back with it, took none for himself, and buried each man and woman with their share. "You are the reason I found this treasure, that was your destiny, and you have served me better than I have deserved. Rest in peace comrades." The story ends with the man learning a critical lesson about life; That everyone has their purpose, and to weep and cry about it and let them go in vain is the biggest insult you can give. That is why Sipher pulled himself together that Wednesday afternoon and is now flying his brother's ship, with his brother's crew, and his brother's name. Zechs' will not be forgotten, and each day that becomes ever more assured...

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"The pen is mightier than the sword." -Edward Bulwer-Lytton.
"Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword never encountered automatic weapons." -General Douglas MacArthur