Chapter 1

The Goldensun cargoeship flew faster. It's thrusters were going beyond the recommended limit, and on board, the crew was trying hard to shake off the Slipfighter that was pursuing them. "I can't go any faster! We're lucky not to be already blown up as it is!!"screamed the pilot. The engineers were frantically trying to get the slipstream back online, but the slipfighter still gained. "Captain, I'm telling you! That ship is faster, more maneuverable, and has more firepower than us! There is no way we can outrun it! Our only chance is to fight." The Captain hesitated, then said, "Alright, we're going to have to use our missiles. Hard 180!" "Ay ay captain," said the pilot. The injured Goldensun turned to face its enemy. "Fire!" a missile streamed out of the hold but the target swerved just in time. "Get the second one ready! Fi..." But the captain didn't have time to finish his order. A shot from the slipfighter collided with the hull. ----------------- Hannah crouched between crates in the cargo hold of the Goldensun and tried to be brave. It wasn't working. She wasn't really supposed to be here, but her father had told her to find a place to hide. She bit her lip as another shot hit the ship, and peeked out to see her Dad running through the hallway off the hold she was in, probably looking for her. Good. The ship was still intact and he was alive. So was she. Diving out from her hiding place, she ran to catch up with her Father. She made it to the hallway just as another shot rocked that ship and her dad rounded the corner. Suddenly there was a massive explosion coming from the hold she had just been in. She was thrown to the floor. Her body burnt and she could smell the smell of roasting flesh. Her only thoughts were to crawl forward away from the flames. She desperately tried to get up so she could help. She had been brought up to know what to do in a situation like this. She had only been hiding because she had been ordered by her father to find a safe place. Hannah could remember the argument clearly. -------------------- 'Why can't I help like a normal crewmember?' Hannah demanded. Her father answered patiently 'Because right now you are too young. We've had this discussion before, young lady, and I'm losing my patience,' here Hannah scowled and yet again reminded him that she knew more about running a ship than most of the real crewmembers did. 'I am well aware of that, but we have a real emergency and I want to know you are somewhere safe.' 'But-' 'No but's. Now go find somewhere to hide out before the worst is over. I'll come and find you then.' Hannah scowled but resigned to her fate. ------------- Back in real time someone was lifting her off the ground. She could hear yelling and then remembered that her father had been close to the explosion as well. "Is dad OK?" she managed to ask. The someone didn't appear to hear her. She was taken to Med bay and could see her best friend on board, Dr. Sole. Her face was creased with worry. "Oh God. Hannah." she couldn't bare to see the innocent girl like this. It wasn't her fault the slipfighter was after them, and she probably didn't even know why it was. To her the ship was home, and just a normal cargo ship. Taking food and supplies back and forth between colonies all over the galaxy. An exciting life for a 15 year old, perhaps too exciting. But once in awhile an employer of illicit nature would come along and offer them a job they couldn't refuse. They could never refuse. It was so hard just to make ends meet on the ship that they were forced to take a job that wasn't completely legal. This happened to be one of those jobs. Hannah was carefully never told what was in the hold on such occasions. It was always 'for her own good'. Look at the good it did her now. Quickly Dr. Sole set to work. She was determined to save the girl's life. She managed to hook her up to an apparatus to help her breathe and put some dressing on the burns and when suddenly the Goldensun was shot and the lights went out. --------------------------------------