It’s been a busy few weeks for the valiant crew of The Bleeding Rose. Many of battle have been fought, many a ship have been destroyed and much loot has been plundered. Captain Ga’len rests in his quarters, weary from the long journey. As he drifts off to sleep, his mind lazily relives the battles of the past weeks.
“Sir, we have arrived in the Oipo system. Scanners report a Drake is nearby. Possibly that slippery dog Banglord. He’s been one of our most elusive targets”.
“Mr. Jemelson, let’s see if we can track this ship down. Intel says that he may be at station 3, head for it.” Captain Ga’len begins to savor the battle that is to come, “Red alert, all crew to battle stations, ready all weapons!”
As they close in on the station, it become clear that the assumption was correct, there is a target here and he is in fact in the dreaded Drake class battle cruiser.
“Wonderful, we just got the paint job finished.”
Captain Ga’len raises his eyebrows in surprise, “Mr. Hamlin, you know how much I have always appreciated your hard work, but a shiny ship makes too good of a target. We may have scratched paint, we may have dents and dings on our hull, but that’s a ship that has been lived in. That’s a ship that has seen battle and lived to tell the tale. That’s a pirate ship, scruffy and battle worn, ready to take everyone on. That’s our ship Mr. Hamlin. Remember, the chics really dig the scars, YYYHHHAAAAARRRRR!!!!”
Ceres laughs as she continues to jab a poking finger into Captain Ga’len’s ribs. “Captain, mind you get off that soap box and stow your poetic license. We have a ship to be shooting, don’t we”.
“Get me a drink wench and meet me in my quarters, I’ll show you how to do some poking”, Captain Ga’len says with a playful grin.
“I’d rather shoot the guns and poke some holes in that Drake out there sir.”
Captain Ga’len’s grin widens into a full on smile, “YOU HEARD HER YOU DOGS, ATTACK THAT SHIP!!!!!”
So, as it would be, they let loose the volleys, one after another. The return file of missile after missile slams into their hull. Soon, the paint is all gone and there are many dents and dings, just the way Captain Ga’len likes it. As luck would have it, Ceres finds a visible weak spot in the Drake’s hull and it’s all over, the flash fills the viewer and the cheers roar through out the ship. The fight was over quickly and even though it was a victory, there is just something missing. All this tracking and hunting and it was over so fast. Fortunately, there is an escape pod floating near the wreck. Yes, it’s the captain’s pod, the only survivor.
“Tractor that pod into the cargo bay, let’s see the look on that coward’s face”, orders Captain Ga’len.
Slowly, the pod moves into the cargo hold. Air hisses as the exterior hull doors close and the area is again, alive with precious atmosphere.
“Interface with the comms system on that pod, I want to talk to him. You think I was waxing poetic, wait until you see this Ceres.” Captain Ga’len has a truly evil look in his eyes, he has something special planned.
“Comms interface ready sir.”
“Thank you Mr. Hamlin. Cargo team, move that pod close to the exterior hold door and put that old wooden plank that’s laying against the wall under the pod and then everyone clear the cargo bay.” Yes, thinks Captain Ga’len, I am going to make this poor fellow walk the plank, just like in the ancient stories of our ancestors did, so many milena ago on the oceans of a long forgotten world.
Everyone looks at the captain, not sure of what’s going to happen next. Captain Ga’len activates the ship’s intercom, “Mr. Jemelson, set course for the central star of this system and engage. Put us in a position above the star and align the exterior doors of the cargo bay directly to that star. Cargo team, standby to jettison that pod into the star on my command.”
As The Bleeding Rose moves into position, Captain Ga’len engages the comms interface with the pod.
“Ahoy there, you in the pod. You are now my prisoner. A merry hunt you have led us on, but at last, you have been found. You have been weighed and measured in battle and you have been found wanting, you scury dog.”
Everyone looks at the captain as if he has gone mad, but Ceres just smiles as she too knows of the ancestral histories of the pirates of old. She too sees the spectacle that has unfolded and with delight, she listens on to her captain.
“You fought well and for that I will give you a choice. Either join my crew, provide us with intelligence of your corporation, location and strengths of your fleet and you will be rewarded. However, if you wish to remain the cowardly dog you are, I will be more than happy to leave you adrift in space, subject to the perils that await you. The choice is yours, decide now, you have 1 minute.”
Tick…….
Tick…….
Tick…….
Tick…….
“Times up, what’s you decision!!!”
Captain Ga’len waits for Banglord’s response, then, the alarms go off.
“SIR!!!, He’s engaged the self destruct on his pod!!!”
“Calm down crewman”, Captain Ga’len reassuringly says, “He’s made his decision, he chooses the perils of space. Open the outer doors, jettison that pod!”
The outer doors open and a road of air escapes out into the vacuum of space. The blinding light of the star fills the cargo hold. Captain Ga’len grins and watches the pod bounce along the plank into the void, bouncing as if it had legs shaking in fear, walking the plank to fall into certain oblivion.
Then, out of no where, a shot fires from one of the ships guns and the pod is vaporized.
“Ceres, what is the meaning of this!!!” Yells the captain.
“Well sir, with the star and it’s gravity well, being stuck in a pod and with all the pirates that roam the system, it seemed to me that a splinter in that pod’s butt would not be the kind of peril you were looking to loose him into. So, I shot out the wooden plank. I am sorry, I guess I missed.”
Captain Ga’len’s face relaxes and he lets out a laugh. “Don’t drink and fire the guns next time. Alright!!! Resume course, we have targets to hunt!!!”
More of The Bleeding Rose
