Ayame walked with Connor and Anthony by her sides. She couldn't help but notice all the looks that she was getting the crewman of the ship. Some whistled and threw catcalls to her. Others just gave her a look that meant something around the lines of "meet me later." She wasn't exactly comfortable. Fortunately, nobody actually seemed too eager to try anything. They were all probably just joking around or something. They seemed like good enough people.
Soon, their guide stopped at a door and ushered them in. The door slid open as they approached, revealing the large room that served as the Blue Phoenix's bridge. Almost immediately, they were approached by a tall, gangly man with stubble covering his chin. His chocolate brown eyes were bright, wild, and proud. His hair was almost blindingly red. He wore the standard outfit that announced his rank as the ship's captain.
"Don Buck," he introduced himself, sticking his hand out to Anthony. "Cap'n of the Blue Phoenix! Pleasure to meet you, fellas! You too, young lady!"
"Yeah, you, too," Anthony said as he shook Buck's hand. "Anthony Higgs, Galactic Federation, 7th Platoon." He motioned to Ayame and Connor. "This is Ayame Miyamoto, a bounty hunter-in-training, and Private Connor Mercer."
"9th Platoon, sir," Connor stated to Buck as he would a military officer.
"No need to be so formal with me, son," Buck said with a toothy grin. "Y'all can just call me Buck!"
"Excuse me," Ayame said, getting Buck's attention. "If you don't mind me asking, what are you guys doing out here?"
Buck grinned again. "I'm glad ya asked, little lady! We're here minin' the asteroids for dragonium!"
"Dragonium?"
"That's right. Dragonium is a rare mineral that's only found in asteroid fields. We risk our lives every day to get our hands on some. Big rocks like the one we saved y'all from are rich with the stuff."
"Why would you risk your lives for a few rocks?" Connor asked curiously.
Buck chuckled. "Y'see, boy, just one pound of dragonium can buy ya an entire city. A hundred pounds is enough to get ya a whole planet. That's how valuable it is. There's tons o' people who'd do just 'bout anythin' to get their hands on the stuff. It's our job to make sure it dudn't fall into the wrong hands."
"A hundred pounds can buy a planet!?" Ayame said in amazement. She could now see why these people would risk their lives to get the dragonium. "So those smaller ships that came out of this one; they're mining for dragonium right now?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Buck said with a broad, proud grin. "Those're specially customized transports remodeled for minin' in space." He went up to a console a pressed a small button. A hologram of one of the mining ships appeared. The shuttle bore a pair of arms that each ended with either a large scoop or a drill. At the shuttle's bow was what looked like a trough of some sort. "You can prob'ly tell what does what. The drill breaks through the rock, and the shovel picks up promising piles and drops 'em into the trough, where the rocks're then processed to draw out the dragonium. It's a good method, but the fuel efficiency could use some work."
Ayame studied the holographic diagram with a technician's eye. The design was almost perfect. Almost. She could still see a few minor flaws, but they were mostly stuff of little consequence. One imperfection, however, stood out the moment Buck mentioned poor fuel efficiency. "I think I see your problem, Buck."
"Hmm?" The tall man raised an eyebrow at her.
"The fuel rods are subpar for this kind of craft," Ayame said as she pointed out the small rods in the holographic craft's engine room. "Those are Model M-416 rods. They're designed for smaller, faster shuttles. You should consider getting Model T-51 rods. They'll allow not just for better fuel efficiency, but also double the shuttle's speed, thus increasing your chances of finding more dragonium in a standard day."
Buck looked at the teenage girl with his mouth agape. "That's the first time I ever met a woman who corrected me regardin' designs for ships. Any chance you could join my crew?"
"Oh, uh, sorry, but I've already got my hands full with… personal business." She got a curious look from the captain. She wasn't lying, but from that look in his eyes, he could tell that she wasn't telling the whole truth. He soon sighed.
"Well, that's too bad," he said in a disappointed tone. "Ah well. I'm sure there's plenty o' people out in the galaxy who'd be willin' to stick around." He then clapped his hands together. "Oh, yeah! I promised y'all a meal, didn't I? Supper should be ready soon. I'll take ya to the mess hall. Follow me!" Buck then turned and started walking. Ayame, Connor, and Anthony soon followed after him.
-o-
"Dinner," said a gruff, male voice. A tray slid under the small notch at the bottom of the cell door. Samus eyed the gray slop with distaste. This had been the only type of food that she had been allowed since she gave herself up. It had little to no flavor, and was probably lacking in nutrients as well. Regardless, she picked up the tray and set it on her lap. She picked up the dusty spoon on the tray and scooped some of the pale gunk into her mouth. She recoiled at the taste. "Bland as usual," she said as she forced the "food" down. "Good to know that you pirates appreciate consistency."
"Joke while you can, Hunter," the Space Pirate said with an annoyed tone. "You will soon face judgment."
"That reminds me," Samus said as she took a sip from a small glass of water. "Why don't you just kill me now and be done with it? I'm helpless right now. All you'd have to do is aim and shoot."
"As much as many of us would love to see your head roll, it is our policy to give a trial to all those who commit an offense against us. But you should not worry too much. In your case, the trial is merely a formality. Your execution is inevitable."
"Thank you. I'm oh, so comforted by your sincerity. I truly appreciate it."
The pirate growled and stomped away, muttering something about "insolent bounty hunters." Samus sighed as she forced herself to finish the flavorless gruel she had been given. When she was done eating, she slid the tray back under the notch and returned to the hard cot that served as her bed. Images of all her battles against the Space Pirates, and everything she had done up to this point, flashed through her mind. She couldn't think of a single thing to regret or rethink. She certainly didn't regret the decision to allow the pirates to take her prisoner.
When she thought about it though, there was one thing that made her shudder a little. If the pirates don't kill me, Ayame probably will.
-o-
Yet another late chapter. Sorry about that. Anyway, I've no school tomorrow, or for the next two (I think) weeks! Unless something big comes up, I'm sure I'll be able to return to my usual schedule! Here's hoping that the world doesn't blow up tomorrow! (this chapter was uploaded 12/20/2012)