"Not a Chosen One" - The full story from Sci-Fi's New-Classic series from the Lighter Side, by Trevor Watts

"Well, he wouldn't have been my first choice to remember from all that time ago..."

Okay, so I didn’t actually loathe Korfy as much as most of the other students did. He was rather slimy and odious, yes, but he never did anything to me. Don’t think he ever acknowledged my existence. Snooty like that, him and some of the other off-planeters; not shy, just considered themselves to be above us common herd.

Lot of students picked on him. Just little things. A comment, a flick, back-hander, poke. Just to show him he wasn’t so great. I think that was why, anyway. It just happened.

He was definitely not likeable. Something about him that turned even the decent students vaguely against him, especially the girls. They didn’t get on at him or ridicule his pathetic drooling, his whining accent, or over-smooth skin. No, they mostly acted as though he wasn’t there. One or two had a delicious put-down routine. They’re the ones I never went near, in case they gave me the works, too.

He was never the one to be chosen first for anything when we needed to have a partner. It never bothered me – there was always someone willing, probably because I was keen, knew my stuff, and didn’t brag about it and show off, like some of the swatties did when it came to working in pairs or threes on projects, assignments, courses.

He was simply not a chosen one, ever. Something about him. He was simply ignored, as one of the minority sections from one of the outer planets.

Just about all the others – the incomers – were fine. They got on okay with us homies. Not often the best of friends, but we’d sometimes drink together; same parties; sports events – supporting different lots, usually, but nothing nasty in the rivalry.

Except him, Korfy. For some reason, he was not like the others. Not likeable in any way. All the off-putting little aspects of any of them rolled into him. He personified all the off-planet negatives, and none of the positives.

**

As I said, I had little to do with him. Same study groups, but the other side of the room. Didn’t mix. Ignored each other.

Except. Just once, I clouted him. For no reason. Not drunk or anything – it was morning. Class-time. I happened to feel like it in passing. I must have been in a good mood, or a foul one, I can’t recall. I just happened to feel like doing it. But I chanced to catch him worse than I meant. Much harder. It was the only time I ever knew him to retaliate against anyone who picked on him. And it was me who’d provoked it. Not as intentionally as it must have seemed.

I fended him off. Snarled at each other. Calmed down.

Avoided him for a couple of days over the weekend, then sought him out. I apologised, really sincerely, asked if I could make up for it. I’d apologise in front of the class, if he wanted. Entirely my fault. I was genuinely regretful. ‘I’m just not like that,’ I told him.

He didn’t want to know. That made me sorrier. He’d taken it really badly and didn’t care whether or not I’d meant it.

‘Truly,’ I said, ‘it was a daft thing for me to do. Totally wrong of me.’

But it had backfired on me. I saw what I’d done – joined the bullying section of the rat pack. I felt guilty as Brady Chu about it. But Korfy was apparently not the forgiving kind, so I reckon I became his number one hate – all the dislike he felt for everyone, and that most folk felt for him, was focused through me.

I dunno, I only did it in passing, just the once. A momentary impulse. Kinda changed me, a little thing like that. Never did it again. I stopped a couple of the others bullying him. Pasted one’s mouth with an accidental backhand.

Asked Korfy to partner me on a trials weekend. He turned me down; quite snotty and resentful about it. I half-expected that, so I was a bit limpy-dicked, but not shattered. All I did was nod and wonder who else I might invite – Daizy Hoxha was looking my way, and put on a hopeful look, so she was it for the weekend. Quite a bit longer, too – she’s still partnering me, seven years later. So it’s thanks to Korfy for that, I suppose.

Just the same, his increased sneery stance towards me thereafter made me slightly disliking of him. Who does he think he is, to look down on me? Only faintly, but it meant we each disdained the other. Sure – my fault for triggering it; his fault for having that slightly loathsome demeanour in the first place. Hi-ho.

**

Now. Unseen and unheard-of for six years since Uni-coll, here he is. I looked and studied. No doubt about it, ‘Oh my Lord, it’s him again. Korfy.’

The latest pause in the fighting, meeting the enemy representatives for discussions and negotiations; opposite sides more than ever.

I was the third-rank delegate on our side. He was leader of their side, and he looked the part, too. Just as odious in face and posture, but resplendent in uniform and arrogant in demeanour. They had us by the danglies. Or, more specifically, he had, being their spokesman and senior negotiator. He certainly didn’t look like the trod-down student wimp now. Has he ever been, really? Surely it hadn’t just been an act for two years?

Whatever – we were pretty much going to have to agree to their terms. He didn’t look to be in any kind of a forgiving mood. Not just me – lot of us had been un-good to him – and the other minos. So they probably had a lot of scores to settle here in the terms they’d offer.

Yes, looking round, this lot looked like they were going to take every opportunity to take revenge. Our forces had been outmanoeuvred and overwhelmed – on a neutral planet – neither side should have been there – exploiting yet another population. Us through arrogance born of experience, and they through brash ambition – plus numbers, closeness to their home planets, and a determined focus on flexing their muscles.

Our delegations met in the centre of the hall, on a slightly raised circle with a pair of long desks for each side to sit at.

He recognised me alright. A slight smirk; happy revenge written all over that fleeting look.

**

We sat and settled; went through the introductory speeches, agreeing the parameters and setting of purposes.

Hmm, yes, he was fixed on me. Maybe it wasn’t just me being there, but I gained the impression that my presence was making him even more abrupt, arrogant and demanding than I’d heard he was.

My high boss, Commodore Altezza was out of his depth and his comfort pool here, floundering in the face of our relative weakness, and their waves of super-confidence and belligerence.

What do I do? Ha – what can I do? I’m only third in seniority. No real authority to take decisions or alter directions, make specific concessions. Just a support on points of order, background information and details of occurrences.

My immediate senior, Ainst Oinya, took up the stick, trying her tough-girl act, which never worked even with her own underlings. Today, she was especially nervous, and clearly didn’t believe any of it herself, with all her wittering and twitching.

She sat, sagging. Flicked for me to stand and introduce myself. Then, presumably, state the order of business… make the official introduction to our position in the negotiations… all the rest of it.

So up I raised myself, and was called forward. beckoned to step towards their line of officials. Korfy looking almost regal in the centre of the group. Truly, I was expecting a vengeful smack across the face, at least, or some other humiliation.

But, as I approached, he didn’t seem that grandiose. There was a spot on the side of his nose – I could see the makeup that tried to hide it. Had to smile. And it was you who wet yourself when that bee-rat got loose in the lab, wasn’t it? Permitted myself an inner chuckle. For all your cream-and-gold uniform, you’re still a finger-length shorter than me, aren’t you? I stepped another pace forward, and greeted him with great positivity.

‘Okay. Are we going to do this right, Korfy you little creep? Or do you want another clout round the ear, you fucking wimp?’

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