Author's Notes: Hello everyone, sorry that it has been so long since I last updated, probably have too many stories. Anyway, as always, I own my original stuff and GW and FFG own the rest.
The meeting clearly over, Harken and the others turned and left Admiral Rovian's presence and returned to the Prosperity. Once there Harken headed to the bridge. As he exited the elevator the man operating the vox station signaled for his attention.
"Captain, they are signaling us. We are instructed to follow them into the asteroid field." Harken nodded.
"Very well, signal our acknowledgement." He then turned to the man at the helm station.
"Helm, follow them in." He barely noted the man's acknowledgement as he made his way to the command throne.
The journey into the field was a rather tense experience. Before the ship had always made a point to stay far away from asteroids and any other form of navigational hazard whenever possible. It did not help that man at the helm, Strom if Harken's memory served him correctly, was new to his post. He had been a trainee piolet for the lighters and had been the best available. He tried to put on an air of confidence, but Harken wanted to flinch whenever an asteroid came close to them. It seemed that they had been in the field for hours, though the ships chrono said that they had been in for less than half an hour. Then, without any warning, they arrived at their destination.
At first thought Harken did not realize what he was looking at. It was a cluster of asteroids, one the size of a small moon in the middle with smaller ones clustered around it. As he looked closer, he saw pylons and massive chains binding them all together, nor were they the only things made by man in sight. Lights shone from windows in the various asteroids, massive portals opened on docking ports and all around were ships. For the most part these appeared to be small warships, though there were also some freighters among them. It was hard to get a visual count, but Harken was sure that there had to be at least twenty of them. He did not think that they would be a match for the Imperial Navy, but they would be more than a match for any merchantman that would have the misfortune to become their target. A short time ago the sight of these ships would have filled him with fear, now they were his new comrades and he wasn't sure how he felt about that. His thoughts were interrupted by the vox operator again.
"Captain, we are told to enter the largest docking bay." Harken nodded.
"Take us in Strom." The helmsman nodded his acknowledgement set them towards their destination.
Inside, arrayed in a row, were numerous docking bays of various sizes. Some had ships in them, either loading and unloading or undergoing repairs. The whole thing was a hive of activity. Harken was still staring at it when Athena entered the bridge. Without invitation she strode past his throne and placed herself beside Strom's seat. She pointed to a dark bay near the end of the row.
"Aim for that one." Strom looked over at Harken, who turned towards Athena.
"Why that one?" He asked.
"It is dark, that means that it is unclaimed. If you were to try to take one of the claimed ones you would have to fight with its current owners; which would not be wise at this time." Harken saw the wisdom in this and nodded for Strom to make for the unclaimed spot. As Strom eased the ship into the spot Harken braced himself subconsciously, but there was only a slit bump. As a walkway came out to connect to the ship Harken turned to Athena.
"So, what happens now?"
"The Admiral will be sending some of his people to collect your entrance fee, which I would recommend not trying to cheat him on it; the results would be most…unfortunate.
"After that, I would say you should sell the rest of the ore at the Merchant District." Harken stared at her.
"This place has a merchant's district?" He asked in some disbelief. She snorted slightly.
"Of course, though perhaps the name is a little overly grandiose." Turning she took in his expression and hers became a little condescending.
"Come, Captain, did you think that pirates simply stole things and then piled them all up in a heap like the dragons from the myths of ancient Terra? They take them to sell."
"Who do they sell them to?" Harken asked.
"People who publicly condemn the pirates. Rogue Traders, Chartist Captains, members of the Guilds and perhaps more, I am not sure. Other than making sure that I and my fellows get the resources promised for our aid I really do not care." Harken simply nodded, trying to hide his chagrin at missing such an obvious thing. He hoped that the others did not notice it. He really did not want to appear foolish in front of them.
"Captain," the vox operator spoke again; "There is someone here to speak to you."
"Who is it?"
"They said that he is a representative of the Admiral." Harken nodded and made his way to the airlock.
Once this was opened a man in an opulent uniform, though not as elaborate as the ones worn by the Admiral and Captain DeVamart. At the sight of Harken the man drew himself to his full height and gave a salute. It was the first time that Harken had received a salute and it took him a moment to remember to return the salute. The done the man relaxed somewhat.
"Captain Harken, the Admiral has called for a Council of Captains and you are required to attend." He motioned to a second man who had accompanied him.
"My associate is here to collect your entrance fee." Harken nodded and motioned for Kristofer to accompany him and then turned to address Deeann, whom he had called to meet him. The short woman was one of the few free-born members of the crew who had survived the mutiny.
Prior to the uprising she had been apprenticed to the ship's purser and as such was the only one aboard who knew anything about the running of that aspect of the ship. She also was, as far as Harken knew, one of the few people on the ship besides himself who had another skill: she could read and write. That made her valuable and so when he had found her cowering in her quarters, he had protected her from the rest of the mutineers. After that, he had placed her in her old master's position. The crew might resent her, but they were intelligent enough to know not to harm her. She now waited for instructions, stylus at the ready.
"While I am gone have the cargo unloaded, make sure that the Admiral is paid. See to the sale of the rest and make sure that the crew is paid." This last he said loud enough that he ensured that those around heard. Many of them, born as slaves, had never had money of their own. The prospect brought smiles and cheers and several ran off to spread the word. This would keep the crew happy, now to see what the Admiral wanted. He turned back to man.
"Lead on." He said. The man nodded and motioned for Harken to follow. Harken was not sure what to expect when he left the ship and entered the asteroid proper, but what he saw was not it.
Beyond the airlock was a teaming mass of humanity. People were going back and forth. Everywhere he looked there were buildings; some of them prefabs while others had been carved from the rock. Lining the walkway were rows of booths where people were selling all manner of items, everything from cooked food to a variety of weapons. From one garishly decorated building a number of brightly painted women and a few men called and made enticing gestures to those who were walking back. Harken turned to his guide and waved his arm to take in all that was going on around them.
"Who are all these people?" He asked. The man merely shrugged.
"People who live here." He said simply.
"Where do they come from?" The man shrugged again.
"All over." After a moment he elaborated.
"Some, of course, are the crews of the various ships and you know what they say: put men and women together." He paused and smirked slightly.
"Others wound up here because they have nowhere else to go. Outlaws, mutants, people who fell afoul of the Ecclesiarchy and the like. As for the rest, well…
"When we take a ship there are people aboard. If they survive the attack those of value are ransomed back to those willing to pay for their return. While those who are not are given a choice; make themselves useful, or else…" He trailed off, but he had no need to continue.
Harken was not thrilled with it, but he found that it did not bother him so much. Having been a slave his whole life he found nothing unusual about it; a necessity, if an unpleasant one from the slave's perspective, institution, or so he had always been told. He dismissed it from his mind and focused on where they were going. They entered a lift and ascended upwards for several minutes. When they exited, they were on another walkway, though this level was far less crowded and those present moved with greater purpose and their clothing and weapons seemed to be of slightly higher quality.
His guide led him on till they came to a set of doors guarded by two men; however, these seemed to have been expecting them and they were allowed through without incident. Beyond was a hallway lit by lum-globes. They came to another set of doors which opened into a large chamber containing a large amphitheater. It consisted of descending tiered rows of steps, upon which a number of people were sitting. The steps descended until they reached an open space at the bottom. In that space was a raised platform containing a carved wooden table and five chairs, each also of wood with red cushions. Once again, his guide turned towards him.
"Sit where you like; though, if you want my advice, you will sit as high up as you can." With that the man turned and was gone. Slightly puzzled and unsure what to do Harken looked about for a place to sit.
While there was plenty of empty spaces; when he looked at people sitting there he saw that their choice of spots was not as random as he first thought. There were a number of empty spots, with the people clumped up together in groups. He noticed that each group could be divided into two sub-groups; there would be one or two who appeared to be in charge while the rest had the look of hangers-on. Some of the more important-looking ones were looking over at those of other groups, hostility plain on their faces.
"Join meLad and have a seat." A voice to Harken's left sounded.
Turning and looking down Harken saw a man sitting by himself. He was of medium height and clearly far older than Harken by a number of years. His bronze skin was craggy and leathery, with numerous deep lines. He was dressed in a long coat of green fringed with black threadwork, burgundy trousers and tall black boots. The man was filling his pipe and as Harken sat down the man lit it and began to contentedly puff on it. He then offered Harken his hand.
"The name's Gaston, Gaston Digrazia, captain of the Biter." Harken took his hand and shook it.
"Harken, captain of the Glory of Prosperity." Digrazia nodded.
"I heard. Word of a new ship spreads fast around here." Harken waved his arm to take in the gathered people.
"What is going anyway? The man who brought me here said something about a council, but I don't know what that means."
"This is a Council of Captains. Normally we captains do as we please, but there are exceptions.
"Every now and again Old Rovian gets it into his head to try a really big job that needs everyone. When that happens, he calls one of these meetings to hash things out." Just then Harken's attention was drawn to motion down on the platform. A group of people entered and sat down on the chairs.
The Admiral to the middle seat, which was more ornate than the others Harken saw, looking closely at it at last as the Admiral sat down. Captain DeVamart sat down on his right hand while the other three members of the group took the other seats. To DeVamart's right sat a woman, while on the Admiral's left sat two men.
"Who are those three?" He asked Digrazia.
"Those are the three most successful captains here, that's why they get to sit with Rovian at these little get-togethers." Digrazia pointed to each of them as he spoke.
"The woman is Sarina, captain of the Render. The two men are Otho, captain of the Avenger, and Damas, captain of the Glory." Even as he listened Harken looked at each of them in turn in an effort to get a feel for each of them.
Comparing her to the others it was obvious that Sarina a tall woman, taller than anyone else at the table, with heavy black hair and dark dusty brown skin. She wore a simple undershirt over which she had donned flack armor. She also wore a long black trench coat, the sleaves torn off to reveal arms as muscular as Harken's own. There was a third rip; right where the heart would be and there appeared to be a blood stain there. Belted at her waist were a bolt pistol and a chainsword. Her most noticeable feature; however, was her face. A good portion of it was missing on the left side. Her entire cheek on that side was missing, as were her teeth. In their place was a row of steel replacements, giving her a predatory look.
Otho was a short man with black skin, a shaved head and a long thick beard. He wore a deep blue uniform with gold epaulets and braiding and a light green cape. A heavy sword hung from his belt and a laspistol in a tooled leather holster. He seemed to have a look of slight distain on his face which he directed at those gathered before him as a whole.
Damas was of medium height and was even prettier than Cleitus. He had soft, almost feminine features with long blond hair and skin almost as white as a priest's robe and eyes which glittered silver, making Harken wonder if they were artificial. His clothing was bizarre, even by the standards of the standards of those present. Where pretty much everyone else wore pants, shirts and coats Damas wore none of these. Instead, he wore what appeared to be lengths of multi-colored lengths of cloth wrapped around him in a way that left his arms and left breast bare. He wore gilded and jeweled bracers on both wrists and he had rings on almost all of his fingers. Harken's eyebrows raised a fraction when he noticed what a appeared to be a ring in Damas's left nipple. Belted at his waist were a rapier and a plasma pistol.
Harken's observations were interrupted by the Admiral banging something upon the table in an effort to gain the attention of those seated before him. As he continued to do so the conversations had gradually died down and at last there was quiet. Once he saw that he had it, the Admiral rose from his seat and addressed the assembly. As he did so, he swept his gaze over them, giving the impression that he was looking each person in the eyes. While doing this he launched into a speech that he appeared to have prepared in advance.
"It has come to my attention that there have been…grumblings and…complaints. People have apparently been saying that I have lost my nerve; that I fear to hunt rich prizes and have done nothing but seize little but grubby little freighters that yield but a pittance." Though no one said anything, Harken saw more than one member of the audience share looks with those around them. Their gazes returned to the Admiral as he continued to speak.
"I have not, but neither am I a fool, I have been waiting for a target worthy of us." These words caused some muted snorts of derision from some.
"Not to cast derision upon you," Damas drawled in a bored sounding voice; "But, as I have said before, we need not be compelled to such caution if you would but heed my council." The Admiral looked annoyed at being interrupted, but before he could say anything Sarina butted in, her voice harsh and full of scorn.
"We have heard your words, fop. Now shut it." Harken had expected Damas to respond in anger, but he did not. He gave her a condescending smirk and remained silent. His silence seemed to irritate her and she growled at him, contempt and hate clear on her face. The Admiral made a show of ignoring them and resumed speaking.
"As I was about to say, before I was interrupted, that I have a target worthy of us. One that will make us all rich beyond our wildest dreams."
"Which is?" Damas asked in a bored tone, idly grabbing the ring in his nipple and twisting it. The Admiral smiled and drew himself up into a dramatic pose and when he spoke again it was in a tone of great solemnity.
"It is no less than the Zarda Prime tithe fleet." For a moment there was stunned silence, then everyone began to speak at once. For the most part the voices seemed to be raised in derision.
"Fool." Digrazia muttered beside Harken. Harken looked over at him.
"What do you mean?" Digrazia made a derisive sound and gave Harken a look.
"Think boy! This is the bloody Zarda Prime tithe fleet! It'll be guarded by a whole damn fleet! It'll be the death for any who try!" It was clear that Digrazia was far from the only one who held doubts about the undertaking. Even at the table there was surprise on the faces of those there.
Otho shared the look of shock and dismay that many of the people in seats held. Sarina, on the other hand, grinned fiercely; pulling her maimed lips back in a truly gruesome display. Damas dropped his look of indolence and replaced it with one of shrewd calculation. The Admiral had clearly been expecting this reaction and waited until it had died down before he began to speak again, making his tone one of empathy.
"I understand your fears, but they are unwarranted, for the situation has changed." He smiled like one who knows a secret as he began to pace in front of the table.
"A conflict is brewing in the nearby Carpian system; it appears that the Orks are acting up there.
"The Imperial Navy is pouring all the assets that they can get in conflict. As a result, the tithe fleet will only be guarded by the System Defense Fleet." He paused and gave a contemptuous smirk as many assembled there laughed derisively. The Admiral smiled in a similar manner.
"I believe that we are more than a match for that lot. We shall seize the fleet and live like kings! Return to your ships and begin preparations! Wealth and glory await!" This last provoked another cheer from the crowd, which Harken joined in. Yet, as he rose to join the others in departing, he looked over at Digrazia. The old man was looking down at the Admiral and the others at his table with a look of unease on his face, an unease which transferred to Harken.
As soon he returned to the ship he went looking for Alia. He found her in the ship's galley, helping herself to the rations. She looked up as he approached and seemed about to invite him to join her, but seeing his expression gave her pause and she turned fully towards him. As he came up to her she rose to look him full in the face.
"Something wrong?" She demanded; like slaves she had developed a sense for when things were going wrong, which always ended badly for their kind.
"I have a job for you." Harken replied.
Despite the Admiral's words, it was more than a week before the pirates set out. During that time preparations were being made for the coming battle. Ammunition was brought aboard the ships, extra crew were hired from the station's population and a hundred other things to make them ready for what was to come.
Harken was also busy getting his crew ready. This would be the first time in combat for many of them and they were little more than a mob. At least; however, they were a well-armed mob now. As he had feared many of the crew, having money in their hands for the first time, had spend much of it on alcohol and the other pleasures that the station had to offer. Fortunately, most of them wit enough to realize that they were in a dangerous place and needed weapons and still had coin enough to do so. For the most part these were various kinds of autoguns which had been locally manufactured. They had no idea at first what to do with them and several accidently shot themselves and one another, but they were learning, at least Harken hoped so. There were also the changes being made to his ship.
Much of the loading and unloading equipment had been removed from the hanger bay to make room for several more landers. He had been assured that this was necessary for his part in the coming raid. As the Prosperity had little in the way of armament, they would be playing a different role. While the more heavily armed ship were keeping the escorts busy Harken and several other captains with cargo ships would move to the targets and launch the shuttles, which would be full of pirates. These would latch onto the hulls of the targeted ship and then bore into them to allow the pirates to board the ships. Though they would be greatly outnumbered, they would be armed and most of the targeted ships' crews would not be. Thus, in addition to the landers more people were brought on board, pirates who had engaged in such actions before, when they at last set out towards their targets.
Author's Notes: Hello everyone, sorry that it has been so long since I last updated. What did you think? Setting the cast of characters and events to come. Till next time, Happy Halloween and may Jesus bless you.