"What? We're broadcasting? One second. Muahahahahah!" laughed Marika maniacally, "Attention Princess Apricot, the Bentenmaru has completed its electronic attack. All your systems are belong to us! I mean, your systems are now under our control. Resistance is futile! Prepare to be boarded and hand over all your valuables."
The Bentenmaru extended its gangplank and locked into position. Marika led the charge on to the ship with Mary, Orvar, and Schnitzer close behind. The corridor was dark with the only source of light being the green glow of the emergency lights. The boarding party stacked up against a massive door. In the darkness they could feel the detailed engravings and woodwork.
"Nervous?" Marika asked Mary.
"A little" replied Mary, "So we jump in guns blazing?"
"Orvar would like that" said Orvar.
"No need to get too jumpy" said Schnitzer, "Everything should go smoothly."
"Just follow my lead and everything will be fine" said Marika, "Okay, it's time for some piracy!"
Schnitzer kicked open the door. A few shots of blaster fire rang out and harmlessly flew over heads. A couple screams filled the air but they were quickly drowned out by cheers and applause. The room basked beneath the glow of a blue-white light, almost a perfect recreation of moonlight. Along the sides of the room were statues that served as pillars made of a material that resembled marble. Between the pillars were holographic flowers. The pirates stood atop a grand staircase beneath the glass ceiling. Beyond the glass and between the twinkling stars was the one and only Bentenmaru.
"You're up, Mary" said Marika softly.
"R-right. Arrr! Alright you scallywags, have all your valuables at hand. If any of you lot try some funny business, it be the business end of little Bessie here's you'll be dealing with go it? Now, let's form a neat line shall we? Arr!"
The passengers delightedly formed a neat queue whilst pulling out their golden watches, rings, and other jewelry. Others wanted to express their gratitude and pulled out several credit chits worth hundreds.
"Wait. Stop it" said a man's voice.
Stepping out of the crowd was a man dressed in a lowly sailor's uniform. The immaculate white of his uniform was stained with some oil and grease. He brandished a small pistol, capable of only a single shot and a shoddy sword.
"I won't let this happen on my ship" he said, "The rest of the crew might be scared shitless, but I won't go down without a fight."
The small gun popped, it's bullet drove itself into a pillar knocking the nose off one of the statues. The man looked shocked that he accidentally wasted his only shot. He put on a brave face and pointed his sword.
"You there," he called out, "Come face me!"
"Mary" said Marika arrogantly, "Deal with him, a captain shouldn't waste her time with some lowly seaman."
"Love to," replied Mary, "But I think we should let our mutual friend deal with him."
"Mutual friend?"
Orvar cracked his knuckles and stretched his neck with a devilish smile. The giant laughed as he approached the little sailor. The sailor slashed with his blade. The metal cut Orvar's shirt making the smile disappear. Orvar growled, making the sailor wince and drop his sword.
"Puny man is brave to ruin Orvar's favourite shirt."
The sailor turned tail, "To hell with this!"
"Come back" shouted Orvar giving chase, "Orvar not done having fun yet!"
"You were supposed to duel him" Marika whispered to Mary, "Should we go after them?"
"Nah, it'll be fine," she replied, "So, what next?"
"You're champion is quite the coward" said Marika, "Now, unless anyone else wants to challenge us, let us continue in a civilized manner."
The crowd was abeam with smiles and laughter. All sorts of shiny objects filled small chests and bags. The pirates thanked their patrons and continued with their duties. The lights returned and there was time for some relaxation. The aristocrats and nobles grabbed their drinks and hor d'oevres before talking freely with the pirates. Even the captain paid a visit.
"Another splendid show" said the captain, "I must apologize for the actions of that sailor however. Please forgive him, he's new and eager."
"Oh, don't worry about it," said Marika, "He's actually one of us."
"Fumbling Hans is one of yours? Well then I must thank you doubly when you take him away. He's been making a right mess of the ship for a past two weeks."
"Two weeks?"
"Why yes. He filled out an application form and everything. I must say you were quite thorough in hiding a pirate on our ship. I applaud you."
"But we didn't –"
"Please forgive me, I must get back to my post. And I believe you need to rescue one of your crew mates," the captain pointed.
Mary had been surrounded by high class men. She had been drinking rather freely and her red cheeks showed it.
"So, you come here often?"
"Really? That's all you could come up with?" Mary laughed, "How about you. Take your shot."
"You ever been to the edge of the galaxy? It's absolutely marvelous. If you'd like I can take you on my personal starship."
"Better, but I think you've forgotten something" Mary pulled out her gun, "I'm a pirate on her own ship. Nice try."
It seems like she can handle herself.
Marika began rallying her crew to prepare to disembark.
"So did you hear?" said a passenger, "Pirates have attacked the Luxor system."
"Well, lucky them. It must be their first time seeing such an amazing show."
"No, not these pirates. Real ones. They landed on the settlement and took everything that wasn't nailed down."
"Oh dear. Dear Sir, your corporation has operations near the Luxor system does it not? I hope all is well."
"I haven't received any reports of anything dangerous, but I believe caution is warranted. Perhaps the Pinkertons can provide some security."
"Surely these fine pirates can provide security as well. They're ship is mostly certainly battle ready."
"Perhaps, but I'd rather not trust something vital to… If I dare say, actors."
"Oh, you have me intrigued now. What could be so important so far away? Surely you could give us a little hint."
"Well I cannot say much, but let us say I've found some real pirates of my own."
"Hmm… some real pirates. Perchance hast thou found the shell of an ancient pirate ship? If you have, thou wouldst have come across a fortune much greater than one would have ever amassed through his enterprise."
"And how did you come to that conclusion?"
"Well, as you said these pirates are mere actors, and they rarely venture beyond the core. And since your little mining operation has not been raided, it cannot be the wreck of the new breed of brigands. So, the only real pirates that can possibly be are from an age long gone. Am I not mistaken?"
"I have said too much, I see."
"Perchance I am simply too clever."
The crew stacked crates and bags in the cargo bay. Clipboards and datapad slowly appeared as they took a tally of everything they collected. Marika stood proudly in the doorway admiring another job well done. Something was irking her however, what those passengers said, could it possibly be true?
"That was more difficult than I expected," Mary let out a breath, "But it looks like we got a good haul out of it."
"Yeah" said Marika, "Orvar got a little too into it though. I hope Hans is alright."
"Oh don't worry, I'm sure Hans and Orvar had a great time running around the ship."
"I guess."
"So did you hear any rumours?" asked Mary cutting to the chase.
"A small one," said Marika, "We'll meet up in an hour."
Everyone gathered in the office just outside the captain's quarters. Hans was dressed in his Princess Apricot uniform giving Orvar hard looks. Apparently Mary's little prank gave Hans a few more bruises than he bargained for. A holographic projector had been prepared and sat in the centre of the table.
"So, what's the word?" asked Tina.
"It's just a rumour" said Marika nervously.
"A rumour got us this far," said Hans, "And it's better than going on nothing."
"Go ahead, captain" said Misa.
"Well, while we were on the Princess Apricot a couple of passengers were talking about a mining operation near the Luxor system," Marika activated the hologram, "They said that they found the wreck of an old pirate ship. Er, or so they say. It might be one of the Original Seven if we're lucky."
"That asteroid field is massive" said Kane, "And far too dense for the Bentenmaru to enter."
"Das Boot could get through that, no problem" said Hans, "Once we're through the field we'll need to find out where the ship is."
"The usual?" asked Mary.
"The usual would probably work," said Hans, "But what exactly would we be looking for?"
"Ideally, we'd want to get our hands on the main computer core," said Coorie, "But if that fails, a memory storage unit would suffice."
"You'll need some top notch engineers to grab those units" said San-daime, "One bad crossed wire and the entire system can fry."
"So that's where you and Tina come in" said Marika, "Hans, what exactly is the usual?"
"Well, it's what I did on the Odette II and what Mary did on Ceti Alpha" said Hans.
"We're going undercover?"
"Yes, but without any more details we'll have to play this by ear" said Mary, "Business as usual."
"But what will the Bentenmaru be doing while you're tracking down the ship?" asked Misa, "I don't think we can all fit in your little ship."
Marika thought for a few moments recalling all the adventures she has had. She was searching for anything that was similar to this. The Grand Cross, the Hakuoh Pirates and Jenny Dolittle, the Nebula Cup, anything that could help.
"Lightning 11," she muttered, "The Bentenmaru will wait on the edge of the asteroid field here. If there's an emergency Das Boot will escape the field and the Bentenmaru will deal with any threats while we make a quick escape. It's not much, but it's better than nothing."
"Cypher's destroyers won't be able to get into the field either," said Hyakume, "And I'm betting he's already heard this rumour too. With the Bentenmaru waiting on the edge we can also warn you if he shows up."
"That's good since every second counts" said Mary, "Speaking of, if we find the core, how long will it take you to salvage it?"
"All things are variable" said Tina, "But I can guarantee it will take at least fifteen minutes."
"Agreed" said San-daime.
"Then we'll have to do this when the least number of people are active," Marika thought aloud, "Which means we'll move near midnight."
"She's a quick learner" said Mary.
"Alright, everything is set" said Hans, "We set out immediately."
"What? Right now?" asked Marika.
"It's a week's journey from here" said Misa, "Better sooner than later. Good luck!"
Marika's eyes opened lazily letting in white light from the fluorescent bulbs. Her long hair floated in and out of view. She stretched out her arms and legs. She hit the button holding all the chords together, releasing them slowly to retract back into the wall. Changing in zero gravity was a hassle when clothing refused to maintain its shape in addition to floating around the room. Marika grabbed onto whatever hand holds she could to propel herself around Das Boot. The ship seemed to get larger the longer she was on it.
"Morning" said Orvar floating by, "Captain not in cockpit. All going to eat, you come with Orvar."
The giant Orvar had long adapted to life on the little freighter. Like Schnitzer he could barely stand fully upright, so he spent all his time horizontal. Orvar led Marika down the circular hallway to a medium sized square room. In the centre of the room was a small circular table with a checkerboard pattern. Utensils and bottles of condiments were tied to chairs and the table with long strings. Hans, Mary, and Tina were munching away on a breakfast served in small tin foil parcels and tubes.
"Morning," said Hans, "Grab a packet and start eating. We've got tons of choices."
"Oh yeah" said Mary taking a spoonful of paste, "There's Soylent Green, and Tasty Wheat, and Soylent Green, and Tasty Wheat. Oh! And don't forget Soylent Wheat and Tasty Green."
"Soylent Green is people" said Tina enjoying her Tasty Wheat.
"Look if you're that desperate for something different, grab a lunch parcel and eat one of those."
"Then what will I have for lunch?"
"You just listed all your options, eat one of those," said Hans with a smile, "So Marika, what'll it be?"
"Tasty Wheat sounds tasty" said Marika floating to the table, "Mind if I grab something to drink too?"
"Tang incoming" said Orvar tossing a juice packet.
Marika jumped up to grab the drink. The silver packet tumbled and flipped through the air. Her fingers grazed the corner spurring the juice away. A pair of scissors, tethered to the wall, pointed to the package. Everyone's eyes widened as the package approached the sharp edge. The package neatly cut open spilling its contents. Orange liquid poured out and formed into droplets and beautiful shapeless fluids. In an instant Hans and his crew grabbed the nearest straw and launched themselves at the fluid.
"Mine, mine, mine" hollered Tina.
"Not if I get there first" said Hans.
"It's Orvar's!"
A white straw punctured the surface of the liquid sucking it all in.
"Sorry, but it was mine this time" said Mary.
The crew of Das Boot laughed merrily as they returned to their places. Marika opened her Tasty Wheat and took small portions of the tasteless paste.
"So how many days until we reach the Luxor asteroid field?" asked Marika between bites.
"About five days" said Hans.
"So get comfortable" said Mary.
"Hey, since we've been here I haven't been able to check out your engines or systems because a certain someone won't let me" said San-daime, "Captain Hans, I request permission to enter your engine room and work on your systems. Maybe I can get this rust bucket into a sense of working condition."
"First of all, it's not a rust bucket" said Hans, "Second, it's up to Tina. So Tina, what do you say? Will you let poor San-daime here look at your precious engines? I'm sure you could teach him something."
San-daime tried his best to sway her with his puppy dog eyes.
"Fine," groaned Tina, "But you're not allowed to touch anything, or go anywhere near my work without my supervision. Got it?"
"I wouldn't dream of destroying your work" said San-daime, "We engineers have a bond you know."
"Right…"
The engine room was far more cramped than any other place on the ship. Three medium sized reactors stood as a single mass in the centre. Along the walls were all sorts of gauges and screen and indicators. Wires and conduits were exposed with tools and instruments nearby for quick repairs and adjustments. Tucked away in the corner was Tina's workstation where she managed the energy output and, where Maika assumed, she engaged in electronic warfare. As limited and sloppy as it may be. The room was filled clank and clatter and buzz and rumble of the engines. San-daime was practically drooling at the chance to see how Das Boot performed its micro-warp jumps. One object caught his eye however.
"Oh my god" said San-daime in astonishment, "That's how they do it."
Tina smiled and nodded proudly, "Yup, that's the pride and joy of Das Boot right there."
Marika looked in the direction they were but all she could see was a large black block.
"What are we looking at?"
"They got rid of their articifial gravity generator and replaced it with an Opteric Mark IX Signal Augmented Sensor Jammer" exclaimed San-daime, "These things practically make the ship impossible to detect by sensors. But why could we still detect you?"
"We've been holding back" said Tina smugly, "We only use its full power when we really need it. It's so good it actually jams our own sensors."
The day was filled with mundane activities. Hans and Mary sat in the cockpit inputting minor adjustments in the navicomputer. Orvar stayed in a small room cleaning and maintaining the ships' and their personal weapons. Tina was getting rather irate as San-daime examined every little part and tried to take apart their systems in order to "improve" them. Marika wandered about trying to lend a hand where she could. Time went by slowly when you could traverse and entire ship in five minutes, but midnight arrived in its due time and it was time to retire.
The crash of metal panels and a hushed shout of a curse broke Marika's slumber. A shadowy figure glided past the door. As quietly as she could Marika unfastened herself and floated around to follow. They slowly moved down the corridor toward the front of the ship.
"Vinnie, that payment covers the last month and a half" said Hans' voice, "That's got to give me a little more time."
"You're behind a full year in payments. If you think thirty thousand is going to make everything better than you've got another thing coming. Perhaps if you spend less on that little hunk of junk's modifications, you wouldn't be in this mess."
"I had to make these mods because of the work you and the rest of Starburst keep giving us."
"That's your problem. We're repossessing the ship."
"You got to get it first."
"Don't worry, we will. Starburst out."
"God damn it!"
The shadow entered into the dim light of the cockpit.
Mary.
Marika hid just beyond the doorway.
"Don't worry, it'll all be fine after this" comforted Mary.
"Mary, you should be asleep. It's way passed your shift" said Hans rubbing his eyes.
"Thanks for the reminder, dad" teased Mary, "Guess I'll head back then. It's a shame; I was hoping to share this bottle of rum with you."
"Wait," Hans held out his hand, "Let's drink."
"Well, I don't have the bottle here you see."
"You're really conning your way into staying up late, eh? Well, then go on and get it."
"Oh, Marika, what are you doing up?"
"Uhh… nothing," smiled Marika.
"Well, want to join us?"
A bottle of rum drifted around the cockpit from pair of hands to pair of hands. They had to be careful however. A single stray droplet could severely damage the archaic electronics. Mary and Marika sat in the seats while Hans floated behind. The stars streaked across the black canvas creating a swirl of blue and white and red and yellow. It was a sight beyond description. Around the speeding stars Marika could briefly make out a few of the planets. Specs of swirling gas giants amid marbles of blue.
"So this is what hyperspace looks like" said Marika in awe.
"It never gets old does it" said Hans taking a swig.
"No, it never does" said Mary.
"So, what's it like being a pirate with your dad?" asked Marika.
Hans spit out his rum and desperately tried to clean it up.
"Tina's going to kill you!" said Mary trying to capture the wayward droplets, "And where did you get that idea?"
"Oh, I heard you mention that he was your father and –"
"She was kidding" said Hans, "We're not related."
"But you did teach me everything I know. Heck you might as well be my father," said Mary, "I'll give you the short version. Hans here picked me up off some backwater planet when I was fifteen and we've been together ever since."
Alarms began to blare and the ship was bathed in a dim red light. Orvar and Tina bolted from their rooms to the cockpit with San-daime close behind. The bottle of rum bounced off the walls pouring its contents as it went. Hans and Mary paid it no attention as they fastened themselves in and tried to figure out what was going on.
"Emergency?" asked Orvar.
"What's the word, captain?" asked Tina, "Why is there rum floating around?! You know what that will do to our systems!"
"What's going on?" shouted Marika over the racket.
"Proximity alarm" said Mary, "But there's only supposed to be empty space here."
"We're going to need to drop out of FTL" said Hans, "Orvar, Tina, you know what to do. San-daime, see if you can give her a hand."
"What about me?" asked Marika.
"Stay here" said Mary, "We might need you."
A flashing light caught Marika's eye. Beside the light was a headset with two large bulbous phones that went over the ears. A faint voice could be heard. Marika fiddled with the controls around the headset trying to increase the volume.
"S.O.S. Need assistance… S.O.S Need assistance…" said a voice, "Our coordinates are…"
"There's a distress call" said Marika.
Das Boot dropped out of hyperspace and ground to a halt. Like Hans said, the place was completely empty; no stars, no planets, no asteroids, or meteors. However, large fragments surrounded the ship, bouncing off its thick hull while the shields rose. They were metal shards and the source was right before them. Haplessly drifting in the empty void was a long hulk of a ship. It was roughly two hundred meters long, painted tan and dark brown and shaped as a triangular prism.
"That must be the source of the call. It looks like a freighter" said Marika, "Does a trade route pass through here?"
"No, nothing is supposed to be here" said Mary, "So the question is what is it doing out here."
Das Boot carefully approached the vessel and shone its lights on the hull.
Marika pointed at a section of the hull, "Those are cannon blasts."
"They must've jumped here to escape whatever attacked them" said San-daime, "Pirates Guild probably tried to take their cargo."
"They didn't try" said Hans guiding the ship, "They did. Mary, reset the navicomputer. Alright folks, nothing to see here, let's head on out to Luxor."
"There might be survivors" said Marika.
"Not our problem" said Hans.
"Of course it's our problem!" protested Marika, "Everyone is alone in space, which gives us all the more reason to help those in need."
"Take a look at that hull breach" said Hans, "There ain't no way someone survived that."
"But the distress call –"
"It could have been automated," Hans prepared the ship to jump, "There's nothing for us here."
Marika glanced around the room. San-daime nodded in agreement, but there was little they could do.
"There might be cargo left behind" said Mary, "We might get lucky. If not, I'm sure we can salvage some of the ship. Right, Tina?"
"Yeah, we can take the cores, dismantle their engine if we have the time. And we could always use more spare parts."
"How much do you think that salvage will be worth?" asked Hans, practically drooling over the opportunity.
"We won't know until we board" said Mary.
"Alright. Orvar, suit up and check it out" said Hans, "Radio in if it's all clear."
"Understood."
Marika caught Mary's eye and whispered a thank you. Mary winked and smiled in return.
Everyone had gathered outside a thick metal door with a steel wheel as a door knob. Hans, Mary, Marika were getting suited up. Marika brought her own suit, it was simple suit made of a comfortable, flexible material. It was coloured grey and trimmed in red. Mary and Hans had a much more simple set up. The gear their used for extra vehicular activities could scarcely be called gear at all. A simple plastic mask connected to a thick coat and large pair of oxygen tanks stood between them and the harsh conditions of space. Orvar had greater protection. The giant was surrounded in a massive suit made of plastic polymers and covered in cloth. His helmet was a large glass dome and his hands had been replaced with a four pronged claw. Beyond the door the hard blunt thump of his steps echoed through the ship.
"Those are some interesting EVA suits" said San-daime.
"Sorry we don't got fancy ones like the little captain there" said Mary.
"He doesn't mean anything by it" said Marika.
"Orvar, how's it look over there" said Hans over his communicator.
"Is dark, no gravity" his voice was breaking through static.
"How's life support?" asked Mary.
"Instruments say room temperature. Not sure about air," reported Orvar, "I think you be okay."
"Alright, all ashore who's going ashore" said Hans.
San-daime and Tina left the airlock and sealed the room.
"Hey Tina, make sure he doesn't mess anything up" said Marika.
"Not you too!"
A gust of wind pushed them a forward. Hans and Mary pressed a button on their shoes and stuck to the ground. Flashlights shone on floating shrapnel and drifting electronics. Exposed wires sparked and fuel splattered. Small flames drifted through the darkness like fireflies. Deep, coarse breathing whispered through the comms like a ghost. The flashlight flickered threatening to die.
"Mary, take Marika and head up to the bridge. Orvar, we're headed to the cargo bay."
"Roger."
Marika pulled herself through the ship. Mary pulled hard to raise her foot and dropped it with a stomp. The two carefully walked down the corridors passing empty rooms. Photos, game pieces, data novels sat perfectly in their place. Blaster scorch marks and bullet holes riddled the walls. On the floor were drag marks and as they drew closer to the more populated areas, the droplets started to turn red. Marika's heart beat filled her ears.
"Hey!"
Marika jumped.
"Easy there," said Mary, "You alright?"
"Yeah, yeah" said Marika catching her breath, "Say, where can I get shoes like yours?"
"Magnetic shoes? You can make them yourself. Just need an electromagnet, a switch, and some adhesive. Real easy."
"If you two are done swapping fashion advice, Orvar and I need something from you."
"Go ahead."
"We've reached the cargo hold, but the blast doors are down and locked up tight."
"Have you tried the old fashioned way?" asked Mary.
"If it worked I wouldn't have called you."
"We'll try to find the security office and open it from there" said Marika, "Over. Hey, Mary, what's the old fashioned way?"
"If we come across a locked door, I'll show you."
The girls continued toward the bridge. Their flashlights flickered and promptly died, leaving them only the sporadic sparks and demonic glow of red buttons.
"That looks like it" said Marika.
The double door to the room was locked shut. There were no hinges and the console had been destroyed. The girls pushed their fingers into the space between the doors getting only as far as the first knuckle. They strained and grunted, pulling with all their might. The fingers stretched and strained and felt like they would pop off. The heavy doors wouldn't budge. Mary kicked the door making a loud gong noise.
"We need more leverage" said Marika.
"Think this'll do?" Mary held up a long pipe with a jagged end.
They jammed the rod into the slot. Marika positioned herself to push off the wall while Mary pulled. They strained and grunted while the door creaked and rattled. The pipe bent but it forced the door open. Not fully open, but wide enough that one person could step through side faced.
"After you" said Mary.
Marika sucked in as much of her as possible and squeezed through the narrow passage. Her hand reached for anything to help her pull into the room. What she found was large, had a soft shell and a hard rigid core. She pulled and it drifted and became taut like a rope. With each jerk a gentle thud followed. Mary rolled her eyes and shoved Marika through. The captain flew forward and crashed into the strange object.
"Ahhh!"
Icy blue eyes glared back at here through dark blue skin. Serpent hair wrapped around her, brushing her cheeks. Frozen blood covered talon hands. Frost grew like spider webs from bullet holes and torn flesh. Marika leaped back. Her elbow slammed against the wall to an electronic chime.
"Hey you found a friend" said Mary through the opening door.
"Go fuck yourself" said Marika catching her breath from the shock.
"Well ain't that out of character" smirked Mary as she pushed the body away.
"What happened to her?"
"Looks like she got wounded and locked herself in to wait for help. Maybe she was the one to send the distress call."
"No, it was a man's voice."
"There's the security console. It looks like it still works."
A desk, surrounded by notes, was tucked away in a corner with the back to the wall. A closer look revealed the desk was actually a very large screen. When Mary took the seat the screen automatically angled itself for her comfort. Images and keys came out of the darkness in shades of red bathing Mary in a hellish glow.
Mary pressed a few buttons, "Looks like some of the cameras still work."
Marika reached over Mary's shoulder and flipped through the ten new windows that appeared. Most were corridor cameras showing only the empty blackness and the entrances to private quarters. She found one recording Hans and Orvar waiting outside a large blast door, bored out of their minds. The camera to the cargo bay was swallowed by darkness.
"What the? The bridge's camera is nothing but static."
"Must've shot it out" Mary searched the keys and icons, "Hey Hans, did that work?"
"Yeah," Hans let out an impressed whisper, "I wish you could see what we do."
"We can."
The hold was thirty meters wide and twenty long. Cargo nets held back piles and piles materiel. Massive metal crates refused to budge in zero gravity. Three yellow dolphin like creatures were painted on the plasteel crates. The three creatures arranged themselves in a circle like they were chasing each other's tale. In the middle of the dolphins was a simple red dot. Hans and Orvar walked through the rows of cargo, disappearing and reappearing from the camera's view.
"This place will keep us busy for a while" said Hans, "Whoever attacked these guys barely took anything."
"They weren't brigands then" Marika said to Mary, "But why would you just attack a freighter if you weren't going to take its cargo."
"Because they were after something else" said Mary, "Come on, I'll bet the bridge logs have some answers."
The bridge was only a few more meters beyond the security room. The blast door bulkhead and slammed shut and no amount of physical strength or leverage would open it. Green, red, and yellow buttons flickered on a hand-sized console on the left wall.
Marika examined the console, "It's a simple number pad with the letters A through D. Given enough time I could hack this. Hey, San-daime, any advice?"
"Not really" he said, "Without a camera link or the special equipment we use, I can't guide you. Try pushing some numbers."
"Okay," Marika pressed buttons at random, "Okay, so it's four characters long. 1111! 1112! 1113..."
"Move."
"What? Why?"
Mary's pistol was pointed right at her. A red blaster bolt soared in silence hitting the console. Sparks sprayed in every direction, bouncing off the walls and Marika's suit. Arcs of electricity jumped from the exposed wires with a distinctive mechanical buzz. The blast door slowly rose with creaks and groans.
"The old fashioned way" said Mary walking in.
The bridge was a cramped space and flat. Five stations surrounded the captain's chair, which itself was further enclosed by a computerized desk on three sides. Large, paper thin glass panes hovered above the desks as monitors. Many of the monitors had been shattered, but a couple were in fair condition with their cursors blinking against nothingness. Marika immediately took the captain's seat and began accessing files and folders.
"The captain didn't get a chance to lock the system" said Marika, "Should be easy enough to find the logs. Where did the captain go, though?"
"Uhh… don't look down" said Mary.
Like being told not to think about elephants, Marika immediately looked down and yelped. Red eyes stared back at her from an old wrinkled face with a wispy white beard. The body from the security office gave Marika a great shock, but this absolutely terrified her. Her foot kicked the dead captain making him float toward her. The ghoulish glare got closer and closer. The two heads were centimeters apart. Two heads, one without a body.
