Pirate Legacy

-3rd Draft-

"Cadet Murdoc, report to Commandant Vasor's office immediately." Announced the mobile COM link on the bedside table.

"Damn it!" Pushing Arlie's arm off her belly Willa sat up on the edge of bed. Pausing for a moment to wipe the evidence of her love making from between her legs with the edge of sheet.

"Where are you going?" Arlie's voice was heavy with sleep and spent lust.

"Vasor's office, didn't you hear?"

"No, what does he want?"

"How should I know? I'll let you know when I get back."

Playfully Arlie reached around her waist and pulled Willa back into bed. "Let him find his own woman, your mine."

"Cut it out! If they send someone looking for me and find us together, I'll get kicked out of the academy and you will lose your officer's commission."

"I know... I don't want you to leave. I want to worship your beautiful body again."

"I'll come back, I want some more of this." Rubbing his crotch before untangling herself from his hands and headed for the shower.

Lavishing in the hot water Willa washed away the sweat and fluids from her body taking a moment to enjoy the feel of water hitting her skin. She missed water-showers, the cadet barracks only had beam-showers. It wasn't the same turning around under a disinfecting beam of light. Stepping out the drying beam switched on, standing under it she let the moisture evaporate from her skin and hair. She missed home. It was true she didn't have much growing up. Most people that lived planet side in the Republic didn't have much if anything. One thing that even the poorest ex-slave had on Onga was a water-shower, something that was considered a luxury on a space stations.

Willa returned to Arlie's bedroom and retrieved her uniform from the floor where it had been tossed in the heat of passion. Arlie was propped up in bed with his hands tucked behind his head smiling as he watched Willa dress. She didn't mind, he liked watching her transformation, from a sultry lover into a respectable trainee. Willa watched his reflection in the mirror as she dressed and fashioned her long red hair into a tight bun at the base of her neck. Smiling at his reflection, Willa slipped on her light blue jacket with the high tight collar that made her feel confined and trussed up. "Do you approve?"

"I like the other Willa better. But yeah, you look fine."

"Thanks, remember you promised could fly your ship. Before this uniform comes off again, I want a chance to see how fast I can make that Firetail go."

"Damn Willa, nice way to make a man feel wanted. Sometimes I think you love my ship more than me."

"Don't kid yourself Arlie, I do love your ship more than you. But I can't make love to an attack frigate so I use your body as a surrogate." Laughing, she grinned at him in the mirror. He wasn't very quick to smile back, he seemed uncertain if she was really joking. She wasn't but he didn't need to know that. "Whatever this is about, shouldn't take long. I'll meet you at the hanger in an hour. Then we'll come back here and I'll show you how thankful I am Captain Aurilius."

Turning towards him she clinched her hand into a fist and snapped it to her chest over her heart, saluting him before answering her summons by the Commandant.

With eyes focused straight ahead her long legs moved her rapidly through the crowded corridor to the track cab stop that would take Willa to the other side of the station and up eighteen levels. Years of martial arts training had given her the ability to dodge through the crowd without losing her stride or run into anyone. Although Willa was tall, a full two meters, she was also agile and graceful in her movements, never a motion wasted or misstep. With a soft hiss the pneumatic door of the cab opened and she slid into the seat in the small cabin. The door closed hissed close and a AI voice asked, "Destination?"

"Command level one." With a lurch the cab was set into motion as Willa watched the station interior glide past. The station's structure always fascinated her. The varied shades and colors of materials from which it had been built her wonder about the ships that had been recycled for the materials. The common joke about Matari stations and ships was, "In rust we trust. Made from only the finest wrecks."

The Minmatar Republic was new, compared to the other states in the galaxy. Only a few hundred years old and peoples with what remained of seven tribes. Nine hundred years of enslavement had set the Minmatar back technologically, economically and socially. Willa's people were a proud race and with the exception of a few they all would rather die fight over the last station scrap heap, then fall back under the yoke of the Empire. Looking out, blue, gold, green and brown patches of metal flashed past the window. She knew the bronze-brown metal came from their own ships and the shiny golden from Empire built ships, green from the Federation and silvery-blue from the Caldari State. Sometimes the station reminded her of a big crazy quilt like Grandma Ebony made from bits of old clothes.

"Command level one." Chimed the AI voice as the cab lurched to a stop and the door hissed open.

Sliding out of the cab, Willa continued her rapid walk to the Commandant's office. The corridors were less crowded on this level with fewer people to dodge. Entering the office a secretary in a Lieutenant's uniform quickly looked up at her sudden presence.

"Cadet Murdoc, have a seat." She pointed to a row of chairs by the wall, "The Commandant will be with you shortly."

Taking a seat Willa waited. It had only been a few months since her second term had started at the academy. The commandant's request that she report to his office had her recounting all the possible rules infractions which she may be guilty. Fraternizing with navy pilots stationed at the academy was the worst, Arlie and others. Willa wasn't interested in the fresh faced boys that where her classmates. She was attracted to men, battle hardened with experience. Men of this caliber loved the attention of a beautiful young woman that would look up at them in awe as they told their war stories. It didn't matter to them she was only pretended to be enthralled by them. Willa was after information that would make her a better pilot, they loved her attention all the same. Going over the possible consequences of having her dalliance discovered frightened Willa.

From the time she could walk Willa had trained to be a warrior, first trained by her mother then by her Aunt Jaxx after Willa's mother disappeared when she was thirteen. The prospect of being expelled from the academy didn't appeal to her at all. If she was expelled, it would bring great shame her and dishonor to her clan. Willa was only the second person from the Blackfox Clan to be accepted for pilot training, Jaxx having been the first. Acceptance into the Republic Military Academy had been an incredible honor for Willa. If she was kicked out because of sleeping with a few NCOs and a Captain, it would make it nearly impossible to returning home. Willa would be shunned by her entire clan.

"You may go in now." Willa's thoughts where interrupted by the secretary which had put her in a sour mood.

Willa entered Commandant Vasor's office and closed the door behind her. She stood at attention and saluted her commanding officer. Commandant Vasor sat behind a large communications terminal with several holographic monitors and data stream projectors. He didn't move from his seat. His large bulky body filled the large chair fitted with bio-jell cushions and neural implant connectors. He quickly saluted back then pointed to the chair beside his desk with a nod. Willa seated herself in the chair that faced two officers seated in chairs facing the commandant. "Cadet, these gentlemen have some questions for you."

Willa looked carefully at the two men in front of her. One was a Federation naval officer with light golden hair, pale blue eyes, round face and a broad build. He had an air of superiority that hung about him like an odor that made her instantly dislike and distrust him. The other officer wore a Republic Internal Security uniform he was light complexioned with dark brown eyes and brown hair that was slightly graying at the temples. He also had a tall slender build, he was Minmatar but not Brutor like the Commandant and herself. Which of the other tribes he came from Willa was unsure. He seemed a little more likable to her but Willa knew better then to trust either one. From a very early age Grandma Ebony had drilled into Willa the first rule of the clan, only trust family.

The looks on the faces of the men gathered before her and beside her made the back of her neck tingle. She knew what ever this was about it wasn't going to end well. The RIS officer was the first to speak, as the commandant's auto-transcriber hummed to life and recorded the events.

"Is your name Willa Murdoc of Clan Blackfox from the Brutor Tribe?"

"Yes, sir."

"Is your father Taskill Murdoc of the Brutor's and mother Willamena Blackfox of Clan Blackfox?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Is your maternal aunt Jaxx Blackfox of Clan Blackfox?"

"Yes, Sir." Willa hesitated for a second and gave the officer a closer look. His face was as neutral as a Caldari arms dealer's and didn't give her any clue as to where these questions were headed. Why do RIS and the Federation Navy want to know about my family?

The officer continued. "Have you had any contact with Jaxx in the last year?"

"No, Sir."

"Has anyone in your family had contact with Jaxx in the last year?"

"Yes, Sir. My grandmother, sir. She receives five thousand ISK and a voice message from my aunt once a month, sir."

"Where is your aunt now, cadet?"

"I don't know, sir."

"This would go better for you if you told us everything you know about your aunt. Are you aware your aunt is a pirate?"

"THAT'S A LIE! My aunt is a bounty hunter and business woman. JAXX IS NOT A PIRATE!"

"Cadet Murdoc! Sit down!" Willa could feel the booming bass of Commandant Vasor voice in her bones. She hadn't realized till that moment that she had stood up and screamed her answer at the man. She attempted to regain her composure and sat down.

"Jaxx Blackfox is known to have committed at least fifty acts of piracy and murder in the Gusandall system alone. She is a know associate and member of the deadliest gang of outlaws in the Republic. It would serve you well to start telling us all you know about her and her friends. If you don't cooperate, I have the authority to charge youself and Ebony Blackfox with aiding and abetting a wanted criminal."

"What! You're going to charge my grandmother with piracy, if I don't turn over my aunt?"

A dismissive wave from the Federation officer's hand, interrupted the answer as he rose and quickly stepped close to Willa. His chubby hand gripped Willa's chin and he jerked her face close to his. Hate filled the man's eyes as she locked her own hateful stare back at him.

"I want the names of Jaxx's contacts and last known location. You are going to tell me everything you know about her and you are going to tell me right now!" His face turned bright red with anger as a fine mist of spittle hit Willa's face.

"No I won't, sir. I don't have that information." Calmly she wiped her face with the back of her hand.

"You lying Brutor bitch..." He drew his hand back to strike he, she lost control of her temper. In one fluid motion she grabbed the officer by the throat, stood up, drew a knife from under her jacket, and threw him to his back on the Commandant's terminal. In an instant he was pinned to the terminal with a wickedly sharp knife at his throat. Two conflicting thoughts raced through her mind in an instant. Kill him! No man treats me like a slave. Don't kill him, you'll go to prison.

Shaking with rage she stood there staring into the terrorized eyes of the helpless officer. Vasor's serpent-like reflexes prevented Willa's life-long imprisonment. His huge hand caught her wrist and twisted the knife away before shoving her back toward her seat. "Sit down Cadet."

Commandant Vasor's anger was evident as he slammed his hand down on the controls embedded in the armrest of his seat. A sickening ring of the metal probe withdrawing from his brain filled the room as the ocular implant over his left eye changed from a calming green to a frightening red. Standing to full height his nano-tattoos blazed to life covering his dark chocolate-colored face with fierce tribal designs intended to intimidate his enemies. Willa knew what her tribal brothers were capable of when angered. She immediately sat down. Vasor yanked the Federation officer off his terminal and flung him in the direction of his own chair.

"Captain Yaruard, you owe Cadet Murdoc an apology!" Vasor's voice boomed through the room as he glared down at the Federation officer.

"She is a liar. I want her arrested!"

"No one comes in my office and treats my Cadets like slaves. Apologize!" In this solar system and on this station Vasor's word was final according to the Republic's law. Commandant Vasor had a full naval fleet and five-hundred overly eager cadets under his command. Anyone that wanted to leave the system with their ship intact, was not wise to anger him.

Vasor is on my side! Willa shot Captain Yaruard a taunting grin as he straightened his uniform with a few quick strokes.

"I apologize to Cadet Murdoc, for both my words and actions that have caused offense." Grudgingly he lowered his chin in a gesture of respect. Willa's triumph was too short lived for her to savor.

"Attention!" Willa sprang to her feet and faced Vasor at attention. Nervously she tried not to watch him pace across the office with his arms folded behind his back. Turning his attention back toward her, she noticed that his war tattoos had begun to fade, indicating that he was calming down.

"What we have is a failure to communicate. I don't know what your personal are with Jaxx sir, but it is obvious you have many. Taking them out on my cadet will cause you more grief than you know what to do with." Turned his attention to Willa, "Cadet do you have any information that you wish to give these officers?"

"No Sir."

"Would you give this information if so order Cadet?"

"No Sir, I would rather rot in prison that betray a member of my family." Willa looked up at him to her surprise there was a broad smile on his face.

"You are a lot like her."

"Who, sir?"

"Jaxx, she flew in my squadron when I was a Lieutenant. I recall she also had a hard time controlling her temper and had a tendency to be unpredictable."

"Thank you, sir."

"Cadet Murdoc, or should I say Miss Murdoc, that is not a complement or quality I want in my trainees."

"Sir?"

"I have been scanning Jaxx's file, she is a pirate. A very good one at that. Currently she is listed as one of the top twenty most wanted criminals in New Eden and has a CONCORD bounty of one hundred eighty million ISK on her head. I am not going to waste my time and the Republic's precious resources to train another pirate."

"Sir, I'm being expelled? I don't want to be a pirate. I want to fight the Empire and help free my people that are still held in bondage."

"Sorry Miss Murdoc, I'm sure Jaxx would have said the same thing to her commandant when she was your age. However, because your record was clean until this little scuffle on my desk and your marks indicate that you have the potential to be an asset to the Republic someday. I'm going to make it possible for you to continue your training."

"Thank you, sir."

"Don't thank me yet. To give you an honorable discharge and keep civilian law enforcement from doing as these gentlemen threatened. I have to charge you with the crime they suggested."

Willa's knees buckled as her mind screamed. Twenty-five years for aiding a pirate!

"Cadet Murdoc, you are being charged with; assaulting a superior allied officer, aiding the wanted criminal Jaxx Blackfox, and carrying a concealed weapon while in the presence of your Commanding officer. For these crimes I am sentencing you to three months hard labor at that Ral'fonar military work camp. If you maintain a spotless record, upon your release, you will be granted an honorable discharge from the Republic Navy and a recommendation that you continue your pilot's training at one of the civilian tribal schools."

Now it was Captain Yaruard's turn to gloat, "Ha, three months in prison isn't near long enough, but it is still prison where you belong."

Vasor turned on Captain Yaruard, "Shut up and get out of my office before I rip your arms off and beat you with them."

"Come on Captain, it is time to go." Said the RIS officer as he escorted Yaruard out of the Commandant's office.

Releasing a sigh Willa relaxed and considered her situation, while the Commandant ordered two military security officers to report to his office. She was shocked at how well it had went, all things considered. Her sentence was short, he could have easily sent her away for life and no one would have questioned it. Willa was going to prison for three months, what was three months hard labor compared to having grown up in poverty as a farmer's child on Onga. Sadly, she wouldn't receive the prestigious Republic Military Diploma and naval commission as an attack frigate pilot. She doubted that she would ever fly a magnificent Republic Fleet Fire-tail.

Civilian pilot school, the though of what future that held for her sent a shudder down Willa's spine. Picturing herself as an over worked, under paid independent or corporate freighter pilot disgusted her. Worse yet was the idea of ending up as a miner. A bad one at that since she was severally allergic to veldspar dust. None the less she was not going to return home in shame and bring dishonor to her clan. It would take her longer to learn what she needed to know and a miracle or two to keep from becoming fresh meat for the kill mill out in low security space but one day Willa would be a pilot.

Hands bound behind her in steel binders, Willa was escorted to the barracks to retrieve her personal effects before boarding the transport ship that would take her to Ral'fonar. While in her quarters Willa was given a prison uniform by one of the guards and her hands where freed long enough to strip out of her cherished light blue cadet's uniform and put on the shapeless red jumpsuit. Both guards looked on as she changed their only noticeable reaction was to the fact that Willa wore no undergarments. They suddenly seemed uncomfortable with her nudity. Taking a second Willa caressed the tattoo on her upper arm of a black fox that her grandmother had placed there. In this moment with everything she had planned her whole life for having been striped away. Willa knew now what it meant to be a member of Clan Blackfox. They adapted and survived, no tears, protests or struggles, they just dug down deep within themselves and went on. Quickly Willa put on the red prison uniform and offered her hands back to the guard so he could reattach the binders.

Walking through the hanger escorted by two armed guards, Willa noticed Arlie waiting for her near his Fire-tail. She didn't bother to look at him. She calmly followed her escort to the waiting ship. Seeing her like this Willa hoped he understood that it was good-bye. In a few months he would forget her and find someone new. Stepping onto the boarding lift, Willa looked across the hanger at the patch work walls and thought, maybe life is like those crazy designs, totally random and unpredictable.

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