by R. E. Graham
“Bah!” Hern blurted out. “I wish.”
“Why we are in this precarious situation of stealin’ is none of your concern my friend. You need to stay focused on the issue. Where’s the medical supplies?” Mikhail asked getting angrier.
Time is running out. We need to start loadin’ up…
“Cap, we found the target,” Rhonda said over the radio.
“Where at?”
“Back right corner.”
Mikhail looked up to Hern, and the other pirate nodded.
The other man though not hearing the conversation since he wasn't wearing an earpiece thought he was about to be shot.
“You stupid raiders must not know.”
“Know about what?” the ship’s gunner asked defiantly.
“Your days of piracy are coming to an end.”
“Why?” Mikhail asked as he stood up and holstered his pistol.
“Be…because, some dumb pirate thought it smart to go and kill a Republic senator.”
Mikhail glanced back at Hern.
The man continued, “Now the Pirate Hunter is after you.”
“The who?” Hern asked sounding surprisingly nervous.
“The Pirate Hunter. He’s an inquisitor that has killed hundreds of pirates. He’ll be coming for the likes of you soon enough.”
“And how would you on some backwater planet like Marie know anything about this?” the Captain asked. He needed to know how widely this information was out there.
“It’s all over the stream. There’s word that a flotilla cluster was attacked not too far from here and was entirely destroyed. He…he was there.”
“And how would you know about a covert operation?” the pirate Captain asked as he crossed his arms.
“There was a couple of survivors that made it out alive and came to Marie for refuge. Word spread pretty quickly after that.”
Mikhail took all of the information in but figured most of it was just rumors. “Do you know where he is heading then?”
The man shook his head.
“Okay then, night, night.” In a flash Mikhail grabbed the man’s hair and punched him so hard he went out cold.
The pirate released the man, and he fell to the floor.
“Cap?” Hern asked.
Mikhail tried to ignore him and instead flexed his hand. “Youch.”
“Captain?”
“Yes Hern?” he said as he looked back at his gunner.
“Do you think it’s true?”
“I doubt it. Probably mostly rumors. Come on let’s be on our way.”
Mikhail started to walk off, but he quickly realized that his fellow raider wasn’t behind him. He looked back to see Hern standing still. “Come on, we got work to do.”
“Cap, I didn’t sign up for no inquisitor to be on my tail.”
“What are you sayin’?” Mikhail asked as he took several steps toward Hern.
“I…I’ve seen what they do. They aren’t someone you want followin’ your path.”
“We are on a run. This can wait.”
“No. No, this is serious.”
Mikhail placed his hand on the grip of his pistol. “What are you sayin’ then? Speak plainly.”
“I’m sayin’ that I don’t want no damned lawman on my tail.” Hern looked incredibly uneasy as he looked back at the unconscious man by his boots.
Another explosion sounded off in the distance and rocked the warehouse windows. Several small streams of dirt fell from the ceiling to the floor below.
“Are you bailing on us Troy?”
“I need to get clear of all this…”
The Captain didn’t wait for him to finish the sentence. He drew his pistol and the gunner started to do the same but stopped when he saw how seriously angry his Captain looked. He knew it was likely that Mikhail was prepared to pull the trigger if he raised his own gun too.
“What are you doin’?” Hern asked as he kept his hand on his rifle’s grip but kept it pointed downward.
“I ain’t going to have any of my crew enact a mutiny. You want off, that’s fine. But you will complete this run. You hear me?”
The two men angrily stared one another down.
“Captain, where are you two?” Jax asked over the radio. “We got the door open, but we could use some help loading up the crates.”
Reluctantly Hern released his gun and allowed it to dangle from his chest rig by the strap attached to his rifle.
Neither exchanged any words, but they had come to an agreement through their gestures. Mikhail lowered his pistol but remained ready to spring into action if Hern lost his mind. Thankfully, he didn't. He rolled his head and then went off for the rest of the team.
The Captain looked down at the other man and exhaled deeply through his nose.
This isn’t good. They are really serious about finding us. Damn you Lenny…damn you and your dad.
Chapter 27
Cycle: 434 Month: 2 Rotation: 22
Corre Republic Space
Prefecture: Colonial
Planet: Marie
Location: Hyssop
Riko had stomped his way up near the warehouse. He used his radar to survey the surrounding area for any other hostiles.
“Looks clear ground team.”
“Roger that,” Mikhail replied.
A few seconds later the pirate pilot spotted the raiders truck pull out of the warehouse’s property and onto the main road. It was heavily overloaded with many crates which made it difficult for Hernando and Rhonda to ride in the back, but they managed.
The pirate mech moved up behind the vehicle and throttled up to maintain the same speed. Its hooved feet causing heavy vibrations with every step. Considering how much commotion there was a short time ago, no one else attempted to challenge the pirates.
“Joker, we are ready for pick up,” the Captain said over the radio. He started to think about what the employee said back in the warehouse.
There’s no time for that right now.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts. While it seemed like they were in the clear, he had been on enough runs to know that things could change within a moment’s notice.
The Only Hope swooped in at the edges of the town and gently landed. The loading ramp while slow was fully deployed by the time the ground team arrived. Riko turned to assess the situation one more time to give the truck time to load up properly.
“Captain, someone managed to get a signal out. I am detecting multiple Republic fighters inbound on our position,” Nina said from the bridge.
“We’ll be long gone by then,” Mikhail said as the truck came to a stop and he opened the door. He slammed the truck’s door shut while Riko piloted the Goblin in through the large hangar door and moved up to its repair station.
The Captain took a moment to assess if the machine had been damaged, from what he could see there were some scorch marks, but other than its normal dents and patchwork, that was about it. Each of the other ground team members exited the truck and got to work. Hern hopped down from the bed and pressed the button for the door to close while Jax and Rhonda secured the pirate vehicle. Jaymes assisted Poli to get the Goblin hooked back up.
“Hey Poli,” Riko said over his external speakers. “I need to be refueled first. Just in case we need the Goblin soon.”
She gave a quick thumbs up and got to work.
Mikhail climbed the metal stairs up to the second level then made his way deeper in the ship to go to the next set of stairs that led to the bridge.
Before he had made it to the second stairwell, the Only Hope lifted off and began to ascend at an angle and to escape Marie. The rest of the crew found seats to harness up while the Captain finished his jog to the bridge. When the door slid into the wall, he was greeted by a smiling Nina.
“Good job Cap,” she said as he got to his seat and began clicking his buckles together.
“We aren’t in the clear just yet,” Joker said as he pointed to his own hologram display on his left. “
I count three Republic Ospreys heading for us.”
“Do you think we can break atmosphere in time to outrun them?” Mikhail asked as he finished tightening his harness.
“No. I don’t think so.”
The Captain reached over and picked up a microphone attached to his chair. “We have bogeys chasing us. Drop the decoys.”
His voice echoed through the ship, but Poli and Jax in the hangar bay knew what that meant. They quickly undid the straps and got to work while Hern charged up the stairs and headed for the bridge as well.
A large metal crate sat in the corner of the bay with "Food Goods" stenciled on the sides. The two raiders began pushing the container, but someone had shoved a work desk too close, and it got caught.
“For frick’s sake!” Jaymes grumbled as he released himself from his own seat and ran over to help.
Together they were able to push the container free and push it onto a large red square on the floor of the hangar. Jax pushed a button on his gauntlet, and the crate was lowered into a loading zone beneath the floor. As the door slid shut again, he pressed a different key, and the metal crate was jettisoned out of the bottom of the pirate ship as it continued its ascent.
The overrider pulled up a hologram screen from his gauntlet and pulled it in front of him so he could use both hands to work. He pressed several keys and activated several beacons that were within the crate. As he pressed one final red button the container burst open and the beacons launched in different directions.
On the bridge, the Captain watched as the beacons created a false signal that perfectly mimicked the one the Only Hope gave off and that they were launching off in various directions. It was only a few more moments before the fighters started to split up and pursue different targets. None of which was the pirate ship.
Joker let out a sigh of relief as the Only Hope sped up and they were on their way to putting some serious distance between them and Marie. Before the fighters could figure out that they had been tricked, the pirate ship had already hopped away.
Chapter 28
Cycle: 434 Month: 2 Rotation: 24
Corre Republic Space
Prefecture: Siimon
Planet: Destiny
Location: In the system
The pirate vessel finished its hop and appeared in the trade point for Destiny.
“Report,” Mikhail said to the bridge crew.
They each analyzed their station and its readouts to see if anything had gone wrong in the jump.
“Everything looks good Cap,” Joker said.
“Clear,” Hern responded.
Nina finished looking over each of her screens. “All green sir.”
During a hop from one point to another, there was always a certain level of risk. Long ago when humanity began expanding from their original home world, they had to develop the means to travel faster than what a ship's thrusters could provide. A scientist had discovered a method where a vessel could go to a destination much quicker than by traditional means. By creating a doorway into the Nth dimension, a ship was able to move about the stars unlike any other technology could provide. Without it, the domain of men would not even be a third of what it was now.
A warmth came over the Captain as he saw the distant dust ball world through the thick plasti-glass on the bridge. Ever since he had spoken with the man back in the warehouse, he had felt a constant unease thinking about all that could happen while he was away.
They had stolen a small fortune in medical supplies. The inner worlds usually were short on how much was distributed to them as the border worlds needed to be fully stocked in case war broke out. Even though it had been a long time since the last armed conflict between nations had erupted, it was still standard procedure. This however created a need in the market on inner worlds that generated a hefty sum for anyone who had supplies available for sale.
In its current form the supplies weren't worth much, but if they had to, they could sell it to bring back cash to barter with the mercenaries. They really should have been heading for a buyer, but if the Inquisitor were able to figure out who they were then his family and the rest of the town would be in terrible danger. The crew understood this and knew what they needed to take care of first.
“Sir…” Nina started to say with a confused tone.
“Yes?” Mikhail asked as he looked over to her.
“I…I’m detecting a fleet of five ships and a smaller craft. Probably a fighter.”
“Are they the Republic?”
Oh no, we’re too late…
“No, but they are heading to intercept us,” she said as she worked on her display.
Mikhail pulled up the microphone and set it to sound through the ship. “Everyone get to your stations, we may have company. Riko, get to the Goblin.”
The pilot cursed as he dashed for the hangar and his mech.
“Hern, don’t flip the weapons out just yet, we don’t know if they are friendlies or not, but be on standby.”
“Aye,” the gunner said as he eyed the incoming ships.
“Course sir?” Joker asked as he too watched the inbound fleet.
“Stay on course but slow our speed.”
The pirate pilot eased back on his joysticks which caused the Goto freighter to use mini jets on the front to burst to slow their glide towards Destiny.
“Sir, they want to speak with you,” Nina said as she looked up concerned.
Hern glanced at his Captain with a serious look on his face.
Mikhail took a deep breath. “Put them through the speakers Nina.”
A moment later there was an audible click signaling the communication between the Only Hope and the lead ship of the fleet was linked.
“Captain Tarvus and the crew of the Only Hope, you are to follow us immediately to Ko ‘Bac,” came a deep voice.
“Who is this?” Mikhail asked as he sat forward in his captain’s chair.
"I am Deimos the Slayer, of Onyx. Follow us, or you will be destroyed."
The Captain looked over at Nina but spoke clearly to Deimos. “Who are you to demand my crew do anythin’?”
“I was sent by Lord Horsh himself, he wishes to speak with you.”
Joker’s eyes grew wide. Yondo Horsh was the man behind Onyx.
Guess we are in trouble for something. I don’t think we can take them all.
“What assurance do I have that we won’t be walking into a trap?” Mikhail asked as he assessed the Onyx pirate ships.
“None.”
The fleet consisted of three freighters, one heavy transport, one transport, and one long-range Volt fighter. He couldn't be sure, but the spacecraft probably carried WarMechs of their own. Maybe even additional fighters. They wouldn't stand much chance in a straight up battle even with the Goblin.
Reluctantly the Captain agreed. “Alright, lead the way.”
The signal was cut abruptly.
“Lovely fella,” Mikhail said trying to lighten the mood of the bridge somewhat.
“Captain, we can’t be seriously following them out into the Outer Rim?” Hern asked with an uncomfortable look on his face. “I say we fight ‘em.”
“And risk the ship? Not a chance. We have no idea what this is about, and we should play nice until we do.”
A moment later Nina received coordinates for their destination and flung them to the pilot. “Sir, we have our destination.”
Mikhail nodded. “Joker, fall in line.”
The pilot didn’t respond. He was really looking forward to getting back but knew speaking up would only result in a fight he didn’t want to be in. Best follow orders, at least for now. The large transport ship accelerated out of the group and Joker got the hint. Once the Only Hope followed behind the transport ship, the others moved up as well. The three freighters, which were armed with ballistic cannons, fell in behind them while the fighter flew as an additional escort with the last transport behind it.
Mikhail picked up the microphone and again had it set to speak with th
e entire ship. “Everyone, we had a bit of a situation come up. We were intercepted by a fleet from Onyx. We have been requested to follow them to Ko ‘Bac to meet with Yondo Horsh. I feel that following them is in our best interest, so we are falling in line with their fleet as I speak. I will update everyone soon.”
The Captain didn’t want to, but he couldn’t hide how irritated he was at the situation they found themselves in. However, he was not going to voice that concern with his crew. Some things had to be kept on the captain’s shoulders, it came with the rank.
Suddenly he got an idea. “Nina, send an encrypted message to Patrix that we are following Onyx to Ko ‘Bac. And tell them to be on alert in case that inquisitor rolls on back before we return.”
“Aye Cap,” she said as she got to work typing.
I don’t know what all of this nonsense is for, but I doubt it is good news. On the other hand, maybe Yondo wants to begin his own smuggling operations on Destiny and he wants to involve us. Guess we’ll find out soon enough…
Chapter 29
Cycle: 434 Month: 2 Rotation: 24
Corre Republic Space
Prefecture: Siimon
Planet: Destiny
Location: In the system
As the 12th Deep Strike Shock Troopers fleet hopped back into Destiny's system at its military point, it raced toward the inhabited planet. Cyrus had brooded on his choice to leave the inner world the past couple of rotations, and his disdain had not wavered. He didn't feel like he made a bad decision, but that it apparently hadn't been the best either.
He stomped up onto the bridge, and the crew near the door stiffened at the sight of the excited inquisitor. Aries glanced over at him and nodded. "We are several hours away from being on the surface. What is your plan for deployment? Are we to meet with Colonel Felix?"
"The mercenary can wait, but his turn certainly will be coming soon. I have assembled all of the information I could obtain about Mikhail Tarvus and his crew." He typed enthusiastically on the holotable keyboard, and the pirate's profile pulled up along with a projected display of Destiny.