“Red alert!” Captain Konev, sitting down in the captain’s chair and strapping himself in. Sarah hurried to an empty seat and strapped herself in, too. She looked out the panoramic bridge window, where the colorful vortex started to light up.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz2sxTdrwa
“3, 2, 1, dropout,” the helmsman said and the vortex disappeared, giving way to the darkness of space with a rumble.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCoT66Vi3q
“Entered realspace, sir.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZfaRlTMSm
“Adjust course and jump again as quickly as possible.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLaZM26Mte
“Yes, sir.” 776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3TEcMik1S
“Sir, IF Tracy informed. They detect the same. They dropped out not far from us and should be here within the minute.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwerbLRIR1X
“Thank you. We should --”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwddi7sqYYi
“Contact, right on top of us!”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrEF6KLHJ5
The Ulysses suddenly rocked and muffled impacts could be heard. Sarah knew they were plasma guns hitting the energy shield. The captain ordered his crew to fight back. Glancing at a status monitor, Sarah saw the shields weakening. The Ulysses had not been built to withstand much of a beating. Sarah could do nothing but wait until the frigate busted them out of this mess. Orders were screamed left and right and the ship rocked badly under the bombardment.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7XBmaibkQ
“How many ships, sensor officer?” Sarah asked, having to shout to make herself be heard.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkC3mioMl55
“Three ships at least. Two large ones. Sensors are damaged, we can't get a clear reading.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNJLiQO0fu
“IF Tracy signals they are under attack. Enemy forces are overwhelming her defenses. She says it’s two destroyers and a boarding drone. Transponders are switched off. We’re --”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktZgGh663x
Sarah almost fell out of her chair despite the straps. The comms officer was bleeding from the head. She must have hit it on her console whose display was broken and bloody. Something big must have hit the ship. The boarding drone? Sarah unstrapped herself and stood up, falling down when another hit shook the ship.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1R8SyL7ge
“Captain. We’re being boarded,” she said. 776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUajRKdRi7
Captain Konev nodded and spoke into the intercom: “Attention all personnel. We are being boarded. I repeat: We are being boarded. Seek shelter immediately. Security, repel boarders. We can't let them take the ship.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGjVo0BeVc
Sarah ran to a wall locker and began distributing plasma rifles. The bridge door had been locked and the two security officers guarding it were giving instructions for positioning and what to do should the boarders break through. Sarah in the meantime tended to the drowsy comms officer, who was bleeding profusely from her head. She bandaged the wound and gave her painkillers. Sarah’s gloved hands full of blood when she grabbed her rifle again. The blood slowly seeped through the gloves onto her hands. The one time she should have brought the leather combat gloves. 30 minutes went past with no further shaking or rumbling. The bridge officers exchanged nervous looks. None of them were navy personnel. They worked for the Government Transportation Service. They knew how to shoot but didn't do it for a living. What had happened to the Tracy? Had she been boarded, too? Had they sent a distress signal? The Ulysses own distress signal had been activated automatically when the first shots impacted. Where was Ishaan? Sarah felt his presence, faint in the distance. Had he been captured? She tried contacting him through telepathy but there was no answer. The Ulysses was more than 100 meters long and their quarters were in the bow. The bridge was in the back of the ship, above the engine section. Suddenly, metallic clanging cut through the silence. They were here. Security had failed. Sarah made sure the gun was activated and the safety was off, then the door flew out of its frame with a hammering bang. Sarah gripped the gun tightly and aimed at the door, but no one came through. For a whole minute, nothing happened. Then, a booming voice sounded: Crew of the Ulysses, surrender to the Free Business Alliance! You will be treated well. We know the governor Sarah Tanas is with you. We want her. Give her to us and be spared. If she doesn't agree in five minutes, we will kill her husband.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpwCZDLVEr
Sarah and Captain Konev exchanged looks.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hiIEGmcNv
“They’re bluffing,” Sarah whispered. “They can't kill him. They must know I would never surrender if he’s dead. And he can defend himself.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcUBG26WLI
“Fighting has stopped around the ship. We haven't had a sign of resistance for half an hour. We must assume he is captured or…dead.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeSPD7hqdf
“Yes, I know. We don't know their forces and composition. We might have remaining friendlies across the ship in the shelters. I will surrender and see what happens. Maybe I can get a deal.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa9g6VD86A
“No, governor. I should surrender instead,” the captain said.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMmLrNLQUg
“Captain. No disrespect, but I am trained and capable of magic, like my husband. We are the safest bet to place on us getting out of here. They can't have jumped us by chance. This must have been planned, so they want me.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCE1k1ahGP
The Captain first shook his head, then switched to nodding slowly.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi223FRtMj
“Fine. With protest.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmRh6jH9Vj
Sarah nodded.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxmtSM3iam
“1 minute!” the pirate said. Sarah still couldn't see anyone. Slowly, she unbent and walked up to the door, whose frame was smoldering from the heat of the explosion. Passing through the door, she dropped the weapon and seconds later looked straight into the barrel of a rifle. Its wielder was a tall, black-haired man of Asian descent. His brown eyes pierced right into Sarah’s soul.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjre5auqRj
“Smart decision,” he said. “You know what's good for you.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTykCrNBhNP
There were at least seven pirates with rifles trained on Sarah. Their positioning indicated experience with arresting magic users. Sarah wouldn't be able to neutralise them all fast enough to not be shot in the process.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFsKS6xg6n
“What do you want?” Sarah asked.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F7btP8BdF
“You. I thought that was clear. We have something to discuss, or better, my boss does. So we must ask you to accompany us.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhK60yD5f4
“You're strangely polite. Where’s my husband? I wanna see him.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIwqnMbste
“Just following my orders. Be patient. Your husband is fine. He surrendered to us peacefully. Smart of him. Now move, you’re coming with us.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuGmzDB82m
Sarah nodded and shouted back towards the bridge: “Hey, put down the weapons. We’re going with them.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbpUCiaBBM
Shortly after, the bridge crew came trudging into the corridor, Captain Konev at the helm. Two other officers were supporting the comms officer, who was still drowsy.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv8CguVCX0
“Good. Let's go,” the Asian man said. They followed him down the corridor. The pirates followed them, guns trained. They were led to the boarding drone, where they met up with other crew members, among them Ishaan.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yTq7g9q3u
“What are we going to do?” Ishaan asked telepathically.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcdFWbfTaC
“Their leader wants me. We’re going to see what that is.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya1toEmjGk
“No chance of getting out of here?” 776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4gmMKFdQi
“Not right now. We have to wait for help, but we can't stall here until someone comes to investigate the distress call.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwqlo8Y5Jg
The Asian man beckoned them to take seats in the boarding drone and soon after, they undocked. Sarah looked at Ishaan.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXCOWWABsS
“I’ll see what the pirate has to say. I want to gather all the information I can before we try anything.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3voavB8u5D
“Okay,” Ishaan said. 776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwltlUkX6xn
“We’re going to be fine. Don't worry. I love you.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuindduFiu
“I love you, too.” 776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrex4fW950
The boarding drone docked with one of the destroyers and Sarah and the prisoners were brought to guarded quarters. She and Ishaan were put into different ones. Then began a three hour journey into uncertainty. For three hours, Sarah saw and heard nothing but the humming of the engine. The room was simple. A bed. A chair. A table. No bathroom. Sarah lay down on the bed and breathed calmly. This was just a hostage situation. Normal, unremarkable. She was trained for this. She held her breath, released it and held it again. If Ishaan and the crew weren't treated well, they would pay. She felt him. He was afraid. A few rooms down the corridor. Close enough to talk. She comforted him. Her beloved teacher. This wasn't teaching. This wasn't what he wanted for himself. Nor was it what Sarah wanted. She got out of the bed and started pacing the room. The journey seemed endless. Since when did three hours feel like nine? Then the ship left FTL-Space and shortly after, Sarah was brought to the pirates’ main base. She could only get glances of it. A large space station with at least three frigate sized ships docked on it. Small in absolute terms, but huge for what pirates usually had to contend with. Sarah found herself in a brightly lit room with a table in the middle. There was no other furniture except for two chairs. An interrogation room. An older man joined her. Grey, light hair. Simple trousers, a blue shirt. A belt to fasten the trousers. An ordinary man. He sat down opposite Sarah.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg79QbkVnuY
“Hello, I’m Casper Green. Who are you?”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8RFKMmXk8
“I’m sure you know. Surely you watch the news.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uruzDQLAt
He chuckled.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVLCJPhMhQ
“Courtesy must be upheld in these trying times, doesn't it?”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8lvgtjBS3
“Perhaps. What do you want?” Sarah asked, crossing her arms before her chest.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZF7krloua
“Okay, if you want it more directly: Your Anti-Piracy campaign isn't to my liking. I want you to back off. Failure to do so might hurt.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtzjYU5PN0
“Why do you think I will agree?” 776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSxe7MQnwu
“We both have much to gain from it.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmzxZtjjcQ
“Like?”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6akycHjlEQ
“You like your family, don't you? Your friends? Nieces and nephews? Your employees? You wouldn't like anything happen to them.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jm7DXt8t8
“Possibly.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs1NIXbC6O
“If you don't comply, accidents could happen.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SK9Icjeuo
“Accidents? I see. What if I kill you first?”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMtEaAhG48
“Then my associates will do the job for me. You can't win. You would do best to respect my wishes. You wouldn't want your whole fancy project imploding. Trust me, my men are everywhere.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7t0A4qcC9
“So are mine.” She stared at him. “But I do see reason. What's the exact deal?” 776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBaWcjTJI0
Caspar Green leaned forward, elbows on the table.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYbIVyBRlj
“You return to the previous Anti-Piracy tactics used against us. You do not implement your new ideas. You will stay in contact with one of my associates and supply them with accurate information. And you don't make any moves to betray us.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4fm87qczw
Sarah scoffed. “And why should I agree to what amounts to betraying my country?” 776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB64ZA1bphX
“Because if you don't, there won't be a country to betray anymore.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCmyM2whgO
He grinned and leant back again. Sarah ran it through in her mind. There was no way she could accept this extortion. But she also didn't have a chance if she wanted to get out of here again with all of her people unharmed.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpOWBirBlJ
“Fine, I’ll do it.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5ylKVCeF1
“Good. We will provide you with transportation to get back home. Don't bother finding this installation. You will be transported as guests by one of my pilots.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWAicvtJ2Q
“Very well,” Sarah said. Caspar Green stood up and smiled at her like a loving father, then he left. One of his henchmen entered the room and beckoned Sarah to follow. He didn't waste any time and escorted Sarah to the hangar, where a large shuttle was parked. Inside, the crew of the Ulysses and Ishaan sat bound to their seats. Sarah was nudged to take a seat and was also bound to it.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqBeh6WKr8
“You’ll find your possessions in those bags over there and the rest is still on your ships. Ask the salvage teams.” 776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv3njo3hbA
He laughed as if he had never heard anything funnier. Sarah sighed. Morons.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuonRrfVei4
“Let’s not talk until we're home, Ish” she said telepathically.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFttg7TAKxi
“Why not?” 776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4WjH9OrDQ
“I don't want to make any mistakes. We’ll be home in a few hours and then talk about what happened. Ishaan grumbled mentally, but was fine with it. Sarah closed her eyes and soon after, she dosed off for a while.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc2Y3OIMUC
After approximately seven hours, they were all back on Ayonar and the pirate pilot left again. There hadn't been any talking during the flight. Times flowed like honey. Sarah was exhausted and had a headache from the horrible sleep she had had on the shuttle. What had happened today could only happen to her. So typical. She enjoyed the sun warming her face and sniffed at the flowers before going inside with Ishaan. The crew of the Ulysses was taken care of by local hospital personnel and police. The incident was to be kept completely quiet. The attack on two ships with the governor on board would cause enough uproar without being fueled any more. In her office, Henry was furious.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQiiYOS6BV
“They can't do this! Who do they think they are? And you! Accepting their terms. What has become of you all of a sudden?” 776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObBWWPJlHx
“Stay calm, Henry. There's no need to flip out.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqD4thSWqZ
“No need? The damage that was done!” 776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZn8X7rvhh
“It doesn't matter.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUHLdpcyek
“It doesn't?” 776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzRVFcts4R
“Yes. I told them yes and I thought no. They outmaneuvered us today, but that only means it is our turn now. They have revealed their advanced capabilities. They must receive funding in money and material from outside. Further evidence pointing towards the URS. I’ll tell my parents and additional security for my family will be arranged. We have more leverage than them. I’ll play along, but in secret, we will prepare a counter-offensive that will leave their fancy bases vaporised. A gas cloud in space I will make out of their ‘Free Business Alliance’. We just need to let the military aspects be worked out by another regional command while we do business as usual. We need to gather intelligence and plan our strike. I won't be stopped by a band of pirates. The incident will show the people I am here to help them. Public support will rise high for me. Piracy hurts us all and if pirates hurt me, that means I am their enemy. Prepare a press statement for in a few days. Let's say Thursday. Everyone will be quite riled up then. The perfect time for us to strike back.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35046rsuot
Henry’s dark face brightened immensely.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKNcWY2Coh
“That sounds more like it. But won't the press statement be against the agreement?”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw6KWz4c0G
“Not quite and I will need it to keep my cover. I’m due to be contacted by them on Wednesday. I will tell them why I will speak to the public and explain why it would be very bad for them if I didn't. I can control my military, but if the public rises up against piracy, I am powerless.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaZNDWC5v5
Sarah smiled. Not powerless, but they didn't have to know that.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7tXzWj5yP
“Now, if you could come back later, I’d like to talk to my husband alone.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fouAXbmdq
Henry nodded and left. Sarah and Ishaan simultaneously stood up and instantly hugged each other hard. Sarah’s eyes moistened. Finally alone, finally she could let herself feel her emotions.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZPa7xJrxo
“I’m so sorry that happened,” she said, hugging him harder. He kissed her on the lips in return.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYUP5G1t2G
“I understand. You did admirably.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgcmUR9ARw
“You did, too. I like seeing your brave side.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtCuOtSz27
Ishaan smirked.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19w2TrkoLR
“Well, you know me. Always good for a surprise.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCskCmF6FJ0
Sarah chuckled.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl1TIEqKPt
“Just why I love you.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9M21V3zee
“It's all going to work out. I believe in you, despite my fearfulness. You can do it.”776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQJBrVgAoW
“We can do it,” Sarah said.776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRAH84LCWP
Outside, the sun was setting and orange light fell into the office. Sarah and Ishaan looked outside, seeing a spaceship leave the atmosphere in the distance. Space, the realm of inexplicable vastness. The battlegrounds on which Sarah’s great crusade would be fought. All the odds were in her favor. She just needed a little luck and could soon go home again. Just a little luck. And no villain to steal it. 776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCdOgBQUQF
776Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxSjdACbb5
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