“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.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFh7iuW2OW
“3, 2, 1, dropout,” the helmsman said and the vortex disappeared, giving way to the darkness of space with a rumble.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDNHy9fACm
“Entered realspace, sir.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74jK3tFUUU
“Adjust course and jump again as quickly as possible.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarQ5Xd9IXO
“Yes, sir.” 864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeblaPdQ8uI
“Sir, IF Tracy informed. They detect the same. They dropped out not far from us and should be here within the minute.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKI93Qi28k
“Thank you. We should --”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBRCvdJXVD
“Contact, right on top of us!”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGPrVd70kG
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.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOpmt1DM1D
“How many ships, sensor officer?” Sarah asked, having to shout to make herself be heard.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYz6YNabHQ
“Three ships at least. Two large ones. Sensors are damaged, we can't get a clear reading.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpSShtMEcq
“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 --”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvodHNAWs5z
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.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zAu1rxR86
“Captain. We’re being boarded,” she said. 864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSgrurCt8c
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.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZUoKbaHKl
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.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK2idLzkvP
Sarah and Captain Konev exchanged looks.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmfooEkb1v
“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.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e8pceRWmr
“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.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMKl2nVnWW
“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.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZklJ2oBSk
“No, governor. I should surrender instead,” the captain said.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa17CmzRnT
“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.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9biSxMd23
The Captain first shook his head, then switched to nodding slowly.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgjMupuynV
“Fine. With protest.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdZ0p93d9v
Sarah nodded.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FbR4xb8Nx
“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.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UJARbgEYB
“Smart decision,” he said. “You know what's good for you.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvT11REv6w
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.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJEphqWHVQ
“What do you want?” Sarah asked.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYnHde6koP
“You. I thought that was clear. We have something to discuss, or better, my boss does. So we must ask you to accompany us.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpAqg1WJgl
“You're strangely polite. Where’s my husband? I wanna see him.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xrmQ1ePuK
“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.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSq2bnRVib
Sarah nodded and shouted back towards the bridge: “Hey, put down the weapons. We’re going with them.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMQKdsLqql
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.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TIetS2DXV
“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.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DmfYTivHl
“What are we going to do?” Ishaan asked telepathically.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIKYwytucS
“Their leader wants me. We’re going to see what that is.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxPOfKD12P
“No chance of getting out of here?” 864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3euvSaRPH
“Not right now. We have to wait for help, but we can't stall here until someone comes to investigate the distress call.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaYIvSbsbl
The Asian man beckoned them to take seats in the boarding drone and soon after, they undocked. Sarah looked at Ishaan.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XhPVp30RI
“I’ll see what the pirate has to say. I want to gather all the information I can before we try anything.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr7WZWGOBK
“Okay,” Ishaan said. 864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw42DbzWZID
“We’re going to be fine. Don't worry. I love you.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkYc90784o
“I love you, too.” 864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZRafRcSsS
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.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteQd85FFjW
“Hello, I’m Casper Green. Who are you?”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZx268m8QH
“I’m sure you know. Surely you watch the news.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t1eBDdONK
He chuckled.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9qJi2HOhb
“Courtesy must be upheld in these trying times, doesn't it?”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbgEyd54aK
“Perhaps. What do you want?” Sarah asked, crossing her arms before her chest.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPQEb67PKm
“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.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iIUJDVp42
“Why do you think I will agree?” 864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51G1oP8WWK
“We both have much to gain from it.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR82Cl3U15
“Like?”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBD11KT4ux
“You like your family, don't you? Your friends? Nieces and nephews? Your employees? You wouldn't like anything happen to them.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrUsxoqchl
“Possibly.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkOlnCrUIQ
“If you don't comply, accidents could happen.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3McnB7laa
“Accidents? I see. What if I kill you first?”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBPo6Iz5u3
“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.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYisEp350kW
“So are mine.” She stared at him. “But I do see reason. What's the exact deal?” 864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07z0rM3l4H
Caspar Green leaned forward, elbows on the table.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGiu64rdzq
“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.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPvNn5wSpp
Sarah scoffed. “And why should I agree to what amounts to betraying my country?” 864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNHFj7UYSv
“Because if you don't, there won't be a country to betray anymore.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol7ct7fDQs
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.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljZIjIPi0G
“Fine, I’ll do it.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU4xN1FPpH
“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.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCKlmcqCVC
“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.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzDthtkBxz
“You’ll find your possessions in those bags over there and the rest is still on your ships. Ask the salvage teams.” 864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODkG6V0EzR
He laughed as if he had never heard anything funnier. Sarah sighed. Morons.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeBIhPiK1e
“Let’s not talk until we're home, Ish” she said telepathically.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSGrNZkxMM
“Why not?” 864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXBRJN0FmP
“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.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzgx9m8t0c
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.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX411LKDKs
“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?” 864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevC0Q3EzTh
“Stay calm, Henry. There's no need to flip out.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J6xtVqI3T
“No need? The damage that was done!” 864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkKtkASw9w
“It doesn't matter.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhphQrKPc6z
“It doesn't?” 864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44SeKNlPxp
“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.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL1QjllKzI
Henry’s dark face brightened immensely.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUEOoMiSMy
“That sounds more like it. But won't the press statement be against the agreement?”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrkRwGx0b1
“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.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvA4b81SlA
Sarah smiled. Not powerless, but they didn't have to know that.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOfZNs5MT7
“Now, if you could come back later, I’d like to talk to my husband alone.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tj1SCssLI
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.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEnIMg5tmw
“I’m so sorry that happened,” she said, hugging him harder. He kissed her on the lips in return.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnQi2rCcGr
“I understand. You did admirably.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBSPQpEIQZ
“You did, too. I like seeing your brave side.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSlq0Cdye2
Ishaan smirked.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkumZUUjts0
“Well, you know me. Always good for a surprise.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqotIZTr5a
Sarah chuckled.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhTn1osUKZ
“Just why I love you.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z3tZA9wsD
“It's all going to work out. I believe in you, despite my fearfulness. You can do it.”864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbX6Y1uLgI
“We can do it,” Sarah said.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuIX8MFLH9
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. 864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBITdkIvTeR
864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5I3BEgPXZ
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