“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.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzWVC2ylUL
“3, 2, 1, dropout,” the helmsman said and the vortex disappeared, giving way to the darkness of space with a rumble.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCONoOLQI6y
“Entered realspace, sir.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNsm07b2BA
“Adjust course and jump again as quickly as possible.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fiiRIvVq3
“Yes, sir.” 896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoow6ZTNza6
“Sir, IF Tracy informed. They detect the same. They dropped out not far from us and should be here within the minute.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoTbthwFZ5
“Thank you. We should --”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCZ2nAcBwU
“Contact, right on top of us!”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwjOGhEqrR
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.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtFCb2spJr
“How many ships, sensor officer?” Sarah asked, having to shout to make herself be heard.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuT0ZERZ6l
“Three ships at least. Two large ones. Sensors are damaged, we can't get a clear reading.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV9KgXkU3R
“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 --”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl9iMycz3H
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.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6j34Y3rvq
“Captain. We’re being boarded,” she said. 896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAc1Jb3Ol5
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.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26QNG7R6lr
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.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXgnLuOkgI
Sarah and Captain Konev exchanged looks.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7a8z7BoWn
“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.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKFzzBqEZt
“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.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzr8obIB7Y
“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.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPZngO7EGB
“No, governor. I should surrender instead,” the captain said.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizDbp9CK8Y
“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.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wqiIH59L9
The Captain first shook his head, then switched to nodding slowly.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFMiPAMbJf
“Fine. With protest.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRfHkeTblV
Sarah nodded.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2PIhG8Sxx
“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.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1GCORL0Wd
“Smart decision,” he said. “You know what's good for you.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmU1FXh67m
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.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEFm3Kmuz3
“What do you want?” Sarah asked.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYMR9r6eZL
“You. I thought that was clear. We have something to discuss, or better, my boss does. So we must ask you to accompany us.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUHvwUPDjx
“You're strangely polite. Where’s my husband? I wanna see him.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHSmjjgBxn
“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.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Qy8Em4ObZ
Sarah nodded and shouted back towards the bridge: “Hey, put down the weapons. We’re going with them.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeejSxz87rf
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.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY52Lc5EVO
“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.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSyBGL4c3G
“What are we going to do?” Ishaan asked telepathically.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQJ3yN1qgr
“Their leader wants me. We’re going to see what that is.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4hmIZVYpa
“No chance of getting out of here?” 896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqhFLk7NxU
“Not right now. We have to wait for help, but we can't stall here until someone comes to investigate the distress call.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXDm1kFtBS
The Asian man beckoned them to take seats in the boarding drone and soon after, they undocked. Sarah looked at Ishaan.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQokmGP0xvC
“I’ll see what the pirate has to say. I want to gather all the information I can before we try anything.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJCcKvGgzi
“Okay,” Ishaan said. 896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP1iAV2Sv7
“We’re going to be fine. Don't worry. I love you.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeRZDBYnFb
“I love you, too.” 896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMFyW7U5Jp
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.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r3JyWduJ1
“Hello, I’m Casper Green. Who are you?”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdUVH1Wekx
“I’m sure you know. Surely you watch the news.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT4RSMtRvL
He chuckled.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegzoaIaa6V
“Courtesy must be upheld in these trying times, doesn't it?”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg0Chxw8KD
“Perhaps. What do you want?” Sarah asked, crossing her arms before her chest.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ay68l7ODf
“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.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWJ5JUpQph
“Why do you think I will agree?” 896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf3Ac93BJv
“We both have much to gain from it.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYffLmEOCDg
“Like?”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuXV9e7QjM
“You like your family, don't you? Your friends? Nieces and nephews? Your employees? You wouldn't like anything happen to them.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hFtjZKmaK
“Possibly.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIulNPmsnA
“If you don't comply, accidents could happen.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhok4n5KfWx
“Accidents? I see. What if I kill you first?”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd3GPd1Psw
“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.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqHTC7bYOO
“So are mine.” She stared at him. “But I do see reason. What's the exact deal?” 896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcm7hZbl3K
Caspar Green leaned forward, elbows on the table.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImHmhKrZ4h
“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.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHGL7aUcsD
Sarah scoffed. “And why should I agree to what amounts to betraying my country?” 896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce3gXN8c6n
“Because if you don't, there won't be a country to betray anymore.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc6DeE4JtY
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.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WFMmkIRoQ
“Fine, I’ll do it.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxNdLJErkL
“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.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJK2sC5xgx
“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.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvf34rXkQ3
“You’ll find your possessions in those bags over there and the rest is still on your ships. Ask the salvage teams.” 896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhu0IFXHVv
He laughed as if he had never heard anything funnier. Sarah sighed. Morons.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3DMIzHZgD
“Let’s not talk until we're home, Ish” she said telepathically.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93IGjSdIdB
“Why not?” 896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv0wKk6BHi
“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.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkof3cD2nJ
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.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchsHKcGD8W
“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?” 896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDoNZ44P7Q
“Stay calm, Henry. There's no need to flip out.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhaMkcVT7T
“No need? The damage that was done!” 896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLkp5YEUgy
“It doesn't matter.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWoLOM2J4h
“It doesn't?” 896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnMXOWtVye
“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.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8wfBDnAlM
Henry’s dark face brightened immensely.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF2gbItaDI
“That sounds more like it. But won't the press statement be against the agreement?”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR1XzjbnRC
“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.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE8Djdc4ho
Sarah smiled. Not powerless, but they didn't have to know that.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4qOhVMYTX
“Now, if you could come back later, I’d like to talk to my husband alone.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowL5KL8Hlv
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.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV0piun0M4
“I’m so sorry that happened,” she said, hugging him harder. He kissed her on the lips in return.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAfliMT9dS
“I understand. You did admirably.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC5JKmKmwn
“You did, too. I like seeing your brave side.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylh8lzD2oi
Ishaan smirked.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e3I6fpfBI
“Well, you know me. Always good for a surprise.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJwVXh4a2S
Sarah chuckled.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT3FzWSAZj
“Just why I love you.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVXShBHtfA
“It's all going to work out. I believe in you, despite my fearfulness. You can do it.”896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAktqqstNqU
“We can do it,” Sarah said.896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7LvuXUsT0
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. 896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuO3ruSY9t
896Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6ZI7ef2OL
8964 copyright protection892ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzwjSvNAdu 維尼

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