"Michael, are you there?"
'The soft lull of the ocean came to my ear, the gentle motion of the wave moving back and forth on the beach. I stood there, in awe at the sight. The beach was a calm and soothing experience, and the warmth around the golden sand seemed to-'
"Michael, targets incoming!"
The A.I. of the ship began to scream madly into the ship, taking random action to avoid whatever the sensors picked up. I raised my head quickly from the digital pad that I was typing on, noting several ships in the distance.
"Cassandra, calm down! Take evasive action!"
"What do you think I've been doing here!"
Cassandra was the name of my A.I., which I programmed myself. Her voice was frantic from what her sensors were picking up. I looked at the radars and sonars, which were flashing red and green just below the glass window that kept space outside.
From what I could tell, there were three fighters in front of me, their weapons ready for an assault. A missile had already been fired towards me, though it was far from accurate. I wondered who could have shot so poorly was a missile like that, as most made these days had a heat seeking lock-on system for safety measures.
"Cassandra, can you identify who the enemy is?"
"There are three Space Pirate star fighters. There weapons are drawn, and their communication systems are currently offline. Michael, what should we do?"
"No radio, huh? They must be trying to do some sort of mission out here, or they wouldn't even bother with a ship like mine." I paused for a moment, checking my radar, as well as glimpsing through the window every few seconds. The ships seemed out of formation, and the lack of fighters showed that they must have been a rookie patrol. Usually, most Space Pirate patrols would have at least five fighters, and would usually find cover behind asteroids and floating debris from other ships. "Cassandra, put the ship into manual."
"If you say so." Responded a somewhat relieved A.I.
A joystick rose from underneath my legs, nestling itself in the position I preferred it to be. The design was that of one from an airplane from earth, and it was simple color wise, black all around with a red trigger and missile button. A black knob on both sides cycled the several missile type weapons I had on the ship, allowing me easy access to the dangerous payload of explosives I had gathered through the years. Large metallic pedals also rose beneath my feet, which I used as my yaw control.
"So, uh, what's the plan?"
"Don't sound so worried, Cassandra. I have everything under control."
"Great," Cassandra said sarcastically. I could understand why. The last time I said that, I ended up taking a pulse laser in the right wing. I only had enough time to backup Cassandra to a small PDA that I had with me in the escape pod. "Were going to die."
"No we're not. I'm just going to fly by the space pirates. If they fire, I'll take them out."
"Michael, I understand that you were a great fighter pilot from the war 20 years ago. But right now, it is not a great idea for you to go and piss off a patrol of Space Pirates, who could just order for more troops."
"Point taken. But still, I have a feeling today will be different. It's in my bones."
"Yep. We're going to die."
"Have some faith in me, Cassandra."
"I did once. Then the ship got blown up… for the first time."
"Yeah, yeah, I know." Some beeps and flashes came from the radar before me, showing signs of another missile being launched at me. "Great, no time for peace."
"Here we go again."
Slowly, I began to notice to trail left by the missile, which grew larger in my vision as it got closer. Soon, I could easily make it out. It was little more then a photon charge, which is strong enough to put a small ding in my ship, as well as tear off some paint. Just as I came to it, I tugged at the joystick and the yaw pedals at my feet, causing the ship to go into a barrel roll. The cloud of exhaust from the missile trailed across my window, though it lingered for a mere second. As for the missile, I passed it easily, and then continued forward to the space pirates.
"Cassandra, 65 thrust, please."
"No problem."
I could feel the extra thrust from the rear of the ship, the new pressure forcing me against the chair. Most people would find the pressure intolerable, but I simply endured it, forcing my body to pay attention to the visual art that was the galaxy.
Another photon charge was fired towards me, but the distance between them and myself allowed me to simply weave around it. The pirates' ships soon came into focus, and soon enough the radio silence was broken. "Surrender Immediately" was their message, and my response was shown through my disregard for their ships.
A fly by was in order, and I was glad to oblige the pirates with one. I flew just a yard or so above one of the three, my window over shadowing his own. Though the moment went quickly, I could see shock on the pirate's expression. The three immediately turned around and began to fire at me, though little came of it. I dodged their fire, and then turned and fired upon them.
I took these ships out easily. Two went down by missile fire, while the other I simply dismantled their weapons. I fired two heat-seekers to obliterate the two, which was simply overpowering. They ejected from the soon to be crispy space crafts, leaving only moments before their ships were destroyed. As for the other, I placed myself in a position were I could easily hit the ships laser weaponry. Once in the position, I gave Cassandra the word, and little more then a second later, two white beams shot forth, piercing the armor of the pirate's laser cannons.
After the simple battle, I continued onwards to my destination. Cassandra took over once again, and I went to type onto my digital pad once.
"You think they will be o.k. out there?" Asked a worried Cassandra.
My response was simple and short. There was no need for me to say more then necessary, as I was trying to write my story. "Yeah, they'll be fine."
"Aren't you even the slightest bit worried about them?"
"Well, I am sure the other pirate will pick up his comrades. Besides, why should I care, they attacked us, remember."
"I know, but still…"
"Cassandra…"
"Yes?"
"You worry too much."
"Well you're the one that made me."
"I know… Maybe I made you too well."
"Hey, don't say that!"
"Oh, don't be so offended. I was just kidding."
"Well don't say things like that."
"Alright. Well, I'm going back to my writing, ok."
"Ok."
Silence filled the ship once more, and the soft and gentle lull of my dreams came to my mind. My imagination raced as I recalled the thoughts I had earlier, and my writing continued at the pace I preferred, slow and steady. This was bliss in my mind, able to write and imagine all that I aspired to be, and all that I could ever imagine continued through my head.
"Michael?"
Cassandra's voice pierced my thoughts and brought me back to reality. "Yes," I said, responding to her asking question.
"Why is it that we are heading to Terra Firma?"
"I have a meeting with a client there. He wants to speak with me personally, instead of posting a bounty on the net."
"I wonder why he asked for you."
"No idea, but I'm taking you along, so you have some say in this one."
"Really, and how do you plan to do that one?"
"I'm taking you in my PDA. This way, you can hear the conversation live, and maintain the ships status while we are away."
"I see. Well then, I suppose you should get some sleep. We still have ten hours before we get there."
"Alright then, 'night Cassandra."
I rose from my chair and made my way to my quarters, which was just a short walk away. My bed was comfortable, and a shower was well equipped for enough showers to suit six people for two months, considering two showers a day, everyday.
Carefully, I sat down onto my bed, the dark velvet covers giving much ease to my aging body. I saw the electronic notice that came in the mail the other day. The packing was as inexpensive as the message itself, considering the price of most goods these days. I looked it over quickly once more, finding nothing different from the last time I checked it.
Afterwards, I began my daily ritual of changing out of my clothing. My night robes would soon come on, and once that was done, I would head to bed and get to sleep. This was the same every night, and the uniformity of it all seemed to fit right in this un-uniform ship. Tonight was no exception, and the sleep I soon acquired would bring joy to most people.