Chapter 3: The Girl With her Lost Ship
Vivian blinked awake, seeing the stinging bright light above her. She felt the cold hard medical table underneath her. Her eyes focused, noticing she was incased in a quarantine room.
"Well good morning sweetheart," Three narrowed his eyes at her as he flipped a utility knife as he sat on a stool in front of the shielding. She slowly got up then swallowed hard at him.
"Where am I?" she asked trying not to show her minor panic.
"You are in our highly sophisticated medical facility," the Android mentioned walking over to stand beside Three.
"Looks like your more trouble than I thought you were. Sneaking around here," Three commented. Vivian looked away from him, staying silent.
"You got guts pulling a gun on the captain like that. You're lucky I convinced her not to space ya," Three winked. Vivian flushed.
"Why do you care if I don't get spaced?"
"We think you might have some answers for us," Android answered.
"Not interested," Vivian objected flatly.
"Well then unfortunately I can only do so much for you darling," Three sighed. Vivian looked around suddenly getting up in alert.
"Where's Bruce?" she asked worriedly. Three looked at her strangely.
"The mutt?"
"My dog," she corrected harshly.
"The canine is with Five. Unfortunately One had to tranquilize him due to his guard dog behavior," Android explained.
Vivian scoffed in disbelief and rubbed her eyes.
"God Corey is going to kill me," she groaned.
"Corey?" Three raised his brows. "Boyfriend?"
Vivian glared at him.
"Bodyguard," she corrected. He stopped flipping his knife. Narrowed his eyes.
"You have a bodyguard? Why?"
"Perhaps she wants stricter security protocols in her life," Android replied.
"That's for her to answer sweet cakes," Three rolled his eyes, looking back at Vivian.
"Bodyguard huh? From your blow hard boss?"
"It's none of your business," Vivian growled.
"Oh it's plenty of my business if you sneak up on our ship," Three objected.
"I don't have time for you asking me a billion questions."
"Okay…you don't get to call the shots in this one darling?" Three smirked, he pointed in her chamber. "Besides you're in there. I'm out here." Pointing out to his section of the med bay.
Vivian stood in her place, arms crossed about her chest, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Let me out now," she growled.
"Ooo sorry can't do that darling," Three blew a fake exaggerated exhale stretching in front of her. "Not unless the boss says so."
"Boss?" Vivian asked.
"Two, the woman you almost shot," Three explained.
"So you do work for her," Vivian growled.
"In a reluctant matter of speaking. If I want to stay on this ship I gotta follow her orders," Three shrugged.
"Just like you did with my ship," Vivian spat quietly. Three hesitated, pointing a finger at her.
That's when the rest of the Raza crew entered the med bay, scattering around the room.
"Well look who's awake," Six greeted.
"The stowaway seems to have recovered her consciousness rather quickly. Perhaps now is a good time to start questioning," Android suggested.
Five sat on the medical bed with Six sitting on a bench across from her. One stood in front of the computers as Four stood behind Two. Perhaps a protection instinct? Or her bodyguard?
Vivian stiffened when Two stood directly in front of her. She held her head high, trying to keep her composure in front of the Raza captain.
"So…let's start with the basics," Two sighed, as Vivian crossed her arms about her chest.
"What makes you think I'm going to answer to you again for the second time in my life?" Vivian asked.
"I'm giving you a chance of survival," Two replied.
"Or a way to get me off guard," Vivian growled. "I know your kind Portia."
"That's captain, to you. I'd suggest you cooperate," Two insisted.
"I only address captain to those I respect," Vivian stated sternly.
The crew looked at each other. Three tried not to be mildly amused by the ordeal.
"You're the girl with the gun shop," Four mentioned. "Although…with your stance, I see that that's not your proper title."
"No…it's not," Vivian agreed.
"So who are you?" Two asked forcefully in a quiet manner.
"Does the Neptune's Dragon ring a bell?" Vivian narrowed her eyes. Two looked at her confused.
"What the hell is a Neptune's Dragon?" Two asked.
Android closed her eyes then opened them.
"The Neptune's Dragon a infamous pirate ship over the course of several generations," Android listed matter-of-factly. "Was owned by Captain Gerald Halvor, passed onto Erik Halvor and now onto the Dragon's first female captain Miss Vivian Halvor."
One almost spit out his water. Everyone stared at Vivian.
"Pirate ship?" Five repeated in disbelief.
"You're a pirate?" Six raised a brow at Vivian. Two looked at the girl with disbelief.
"Captain Vivian Halvor of Neptune's Dragon, or at least former. Thanks to you," Vivian announced with a little more sternness in her voice.
Three whistled, "Well ladies and gentlemen, looks like we have picked up a real pirate."
"A captain no less," Four added.
"Why would we run into your ship?" One asked.
"Don't tell me you don't remember me?" Vivian questioned in disbelief.
"We're having some difficulties recovering data files from the Raza. Any history as of a few weeks ago are still alien to this ship," Android mentioned. Vivian looked throughout the crew in confusion.
"Well my family is definitely someone you should be scared of," Vivian warned.
"Why?" Five asked.
"The Halvor Treasure inheritance is worth 2.3 billion dollars and counting that is all left to Miss Halvor," Android mentioned. Three spit out his water along with One.
"Are you shitting me?" Three asked.
Two looked a little uncomfortable.
"Wait what does that have to do with anything?" Five asked.
"It means we're in deep trouble," Two replied almost lightheaded.
"You made a deal with my family Portia. And you backed out of your contract," Vivian growled. "You're already in trouble."
"Contract?" Two asked.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Three intervened. "What contract?"
Vivian rolled her eyes.
"We scope out of the corporations, give you 30% of your findings, weapons, treasure, Intel and even back up if needed. Oh and on top of some of the bonuses under each project's completion," Vivian explained professionally.
"The bonuses being?" Four's eyes narrowed.
"$10,000 or more depending on the efficiency or stake of the mission," Vivian stated, raising her head.
Three's eyes popped out of his head.
"10,000?!" One exclaimed. Six rubbed his eyes in disbelief as Two shook her head.
"That's enough to buy us real food, and medical supplies!" Five exclaimed, gaping.
"Or adjustments to the ship," Four intervened.
"That's what we thought too," Vivian commented sternly looking at Two. Two looked at her dazed.
"Look you might not believe us but I have absolutely no idea why we would break that contract," Two insisted.
"Neither would I," One agreed.
"I still don't understand how you don't remember blowing up my ship," Vivian growled becoming impatient.
"We don't know either," One insisted.
Vivian looked at them confused.
"Look let's make a deal now," Two introduced. "Captain to Captain."
Vivian straightened up.
"That being?"
"We will renegotiate the contract with you and your family," Two explained. "Your offers?"
"You work with me to put down corporations who are the real mess of this universe. We work with keeping civilians safe. We get Intel, supplies, anything that'll make us ahead of the game. Anything you gather is negotiated between you and me only. Then I will talk to my family to see if I can get you the credit chips you need."
"That much being?" One asked.
"Whatever your captain and I can agree on," Vivian replied, placing her hands behind her back. "Well captain?"
Two looked at her crossing her arms about her chest.
"25,000," Two started.
"15,000," Vivian objected.
"20,000 and your services on this ship," Two offered. Everyone looked at her like she was nuts.
"Are you crazy? She just tried to kill you!" One growled. Vivian looked between them.
"Not to impose but just to clarify," Vivian began smoothly. Two and One looked at her. "If we make this deal, I will not only be of your services but you will be of mine. Which means no killing of each other unless that deal is broken."
"What kind of services do you do?" Four asked.
"Modify Tech, Weapons, Mechanical Tinkering," Vivian smirked. "Also a reputation that'll get you better discounts among the ports."
"Meaning?" Six asked.
"Everyone knows my reputation and my knowledge. I have a lot of people on my side that are willing to work with me," Vivian smiled. "Benefits of being captain."
"I am curious why anyone would object to her staying. She already agreed loyalty yes?" Android asked. The crew watched her as Vivian bowed deeply.
"In the name of the house of Halvor, I and the spirit of Neptune's Dragon will serve under the Raza under our contract."
"Well…you can't get any more clearer than that," Three raised a brow at her looking at Two. "What'll say doll face?"
Two hesitated. She then opened the shields of the quarantine room, leaving a gap as Vivian straightened up. Two took a breath putting a hand out.
"20,000 and your services on this ship," Two repeated. Vivian looked at the rest of the crew.
"Done," she smirked, grabbing a firm hold of her hand. "Do not betray my trust again."
"Just don't put a gun to my back," Two stated matter-of-factly pulling her hand away. "Welcome aboard Halvor."
"Portia," Vivian nodded.
"Actually it's Two," Two corrected. She pointed at each crewmember while introducing them with their very informal names. "All right everyone. Let's get some rest. We still have 24 hours to kill."
Everyone filed out. Two headed back to the bridge with Android. Four stared at Vivian as he left the med bay still not very sure how to take her. Five gave very curious looks at Vivian as Six sternly shook her hand in with a try to be welcoming smile. Vivian nodded as Five tried to smile waving good-bye as she followed Six out. One didn't seem to trust her immediately either, giving her a look of not wanting to be in the same room as her. She relaxed until Three exhaled from all the excitement.
"Well, you're certainly making the knock to the head more worth it," Three teased. "I'm still waiting for that apology. And the I owe you one."
"Not without a drink," Vivian disagreed, Three scoffed.
"Man you don't just give in do you?" Three laughed under his breath.
"Your fault for flirting with a pirate," Vivian insisted.
"All right, fine, let's have that drink," Three smirked, walking past her back to his room.
…
Vivian sat on the couch of Three's bedroom as he grabbed another glass from the mess hall. She fiddled with her card trying to get the nerves out of her hands. Why did she make a deal with the Raza again? What if they were using it as a means to take her family down again? Or maybe they were telling the truth about not remembering. If even the Android of the ship didn't know…maybe they didn't either.
Two bumped into Three as he came down the hall just a few feet away from his bedroom door.
"What's that for?" she asked.
"Just having a little drink with our new recruit," Three smirked.
"Oh for God's sake Three," Two commented. "Does she even want a drink or did you coax her into it?"
"She suggested it. And by the way she's a pirate. I'm sure she's had her share of drunken festivities," Three joked about to go passed Two but she put a hand on his chest.
"Three," she started.
"Geez doll face, you won't let up on me wanting to you know get to know this girl," Three groaned. "I can't even have a drink with her without you getting all weird."
"She's still a stranger," Two mentioned.
"Which also swore her loyalty to the ship remember?" Three reminded.
"How do we know that she didn't betray us?" Two asked.
"She seemed pretty convinced that you started it," Three narrowed his eyes. "Now if you excuse me, I have a rain check I want to keep."
"Just…be careful will you. Last thing I need is you ogling and end up loosing your head over what's important," Two insisted as she went to the mess hall.
"Oh trust me, there's a lot more than ogling I'm restraining," Three muttered as he opened the door to his bedroom.
Vivian stood up instinctively.
"Don't worry just me. Don't have to get all crazy on me again," Three smirked. Vivian rolled her eyes grabbing the glass.
"Thanks," she whispered pouring the liquor into the glass and handing it to him. Three looked at her oddly before taking it. She grabbed the spare and poured some for herself.
"Wouldn't think you'd be a Scotch person," Three commented as he sat himself on the bed.
"Why did you come back to the shop?" Vivian questioned after taking a swig of the Scotch. Three furrowed his brows.
"What?"
"When he…" Vivian shook her head embarrassed, taking another swig. Three looked at her for a moment, then exhaled.
"Oh…" he nodded. He looked at his glass. "I uh…I don't know actually."
"Well thanks anyway," Vivian thanked, trying to show a smile. Three looked at her for a moment and cleared his throat.
"Oh you know that guy was a jack ass. He doesn't deserve to treat ya like that," Three took a swig of the scotch.
"Because of my…status he didn't think he should've treated me any better," Vivian admitted. "It's not the first time he's publically humiliated me."
"What about your bodyguard guy?"
"He knows I can take a hit. I just have him around for back up most of the time. Make sure I can get to one place to another without getting recognized as an actual heiress of a pirate fortune," Vivian explained.
Three scoffed in amusement.
"Well you definitely are a piece of work," he laughed in amusement.
"If you were intimidated you wouldn't be having the drink with me. Especially after pointing a gun at you earlier," Vivian commented.
"And the dagger. Don't forget the dagger," Three added, pointing at her with a smirk. Vivian looked at him curiously as he gave a smug look as he drank his scotch.
"I have to say I do find the pirate more than a little interesting," he flirted with a little bit of no filter.
"Really?" Vivian teased, trying not to laugh. "I would think you'd be scared shitless."
"Well you are right about one thing," he commented as he filled up his glass again.
"That being?" Vivian watched him as he smirked.
"I am a bad boy at heart. Just a little," Three putting up his fingers squeezed together as he winked at her as he took an extra swig of his refilled drink.
Vivian laughed a bit.
"What?" Three laughed.
"Nothing," Vivian shook her head, biting her lip amused before taking a final swig of her glass. "Thanks for the drink."
She got up.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Three laughed, getting up and leaning his arm against his closet door. "You don't want another one?"
"No thanks," Vivian smiled.
"Well you don't have to leave immediately," Three insisted, smirking and motioning to the rest. "It's nice and private."
"It's a little what I'm afraid of," Vivian admitted, eyeing him. Three looked down at her opened his mouth with an "Oh" look.
"I get it," he grinned. "You got the hots for me. Little afraid to get a little bad with the big bad boy?"
"I don't think you'll be able to handle me," Vivian eyed him, trying not to blush.
"Oh I don't need much motivation after hearing pirate and seeing how you handle your weapons darling," Three grinned, "I find it more than a little sexy."
"I think you had too much Scotch thinking a girl like me would just go to bed with you on the first date," Vivian reminded seeing the glass empty for the second time.
"What's it hurt to try to get you to ease into it?" Three smirked. "It might be a little fun."
"If you prove you're interested again, I'll think about it," Vivian rolled her eyes, smiling trying to push by him to the door.
"Why don't we try since I'm interested now?" he asked as he tried to block the door but she pushed him into the side frame keeping a hand on his chest. He sighed in surprise, breathing a little hard from a bit of adrenaline rush. Vivian eyed him and he swallowed. She leaned very close to him seeing his pupils dilate, almost leaning in to close the gap. She traced his lips with her thumb as he stared at her with restraint.
"Oh I can see the struggle," Vivian breathed alluringly. "But sometimes it's all about the chase darling,"
She leaned in.
"And if you're the bad boy you say you are..." Vivian whispered alluringly, tracing a finger along his neck. "…then it'll be so much sweeter with a guy like you caving into what you want now isn't it?"
Three stared at her, breathing hotly as he eyed her.
"It's up to you if you can to handle it," Vivian smirked, opening the door, leaning off of him. "Until next time big guy."
Vivian walked down the hall going towards her spare bedroom as Three stood there on his door frame trying to recompose himself, he watched her with a bit of disbelief and lust in his eyes. One passed by his door seeing him a little off.
"What's with you?" he asked.
"None of your business pretty boy," Three growled, shutting his door. "Need an immensely cold shower."
One looked at Three's door oddly before noticing Vivian walking towards her quarters.
He suddenly got the feeling in his gut that maybe they hired someone who was more than they bargained for…
