Chapter 2

Pirates for the Overthrow of Galactic Independence

Sargent Pantheos was standing in a corner of a large construction garage. He wasn't much different in appearance from the other space pirate foot soldiers: five feet tall and bipedal, the space pirate soldiers were insect-like in their appearance, with large eyes that saw far more than what was in front of them, and a pair of deadly pincers for their hands. However, being of a high rank, Sgt. Pantheos wore a grey, full-metal suit over his skin. This armor was strong enough to endure almost any firepower.

At the other end of the garage, there was a mass quantity of activity around what was slowly becoming a very large space ship. With the ore and materials they had recently acquired, the space pirates were nearing completion of their new Grand Mothership.

As Pantheos watched, his eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he imagined the things they would do in this ship upon its completion; they had slain nobody in the effort to acquire these goods, because the first step they'd take towards galactic domination would be a shock-and-awe destruction sweep, thanks to the power of their new ship. And then, of course, would come Phase 2…

"Sir!" called a voice at Pantheos's side, and the metal-clad officer turned and found another senior officer, named Krulak, standing there.

"What is it?"

"Bad news, I'm afraid," Krulak hissed, snapping his pincers once or twice. "The Federation just opened a trade route with nearby TC-322."

Pantheos cocked his head to the side. "So? That's over a kilomark away."

"Yes, and it would not be a problem, except that one of the Federation ships got lost on its way there, and came into our orbit."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying, sir, that they probably know we're here! They orbited the planet for almost an hour. They probably scanned the entire surface!"

"Damn it!" Pantheos swore, "I knew we shouldn't have built an above-ground base!"

"If I may ask, weren't you the one who suggest to Lord Ridley that we set up underground?"

"Of course I was!" Pantheos screamed, the small wings on his back fluttering madly. "He didn't listen because he's an ignorant fool."

Krulak took a step back. "I've never heard you speak so about the boss," he said.

"Well it would have happened sooner or later," Pantheos buzzed, as he turned his gaze back to the construction. "Ridley may be invincible in battle, but he's altogether brainless and he's going to wind up being a detriment to this organization."

"I wouldn't say he's brainless, sir," Krulak said. "He did build the Mother Brain."

Pantheos spat. "The Mother Brain only does what its programmed to do. At least, for now. Any fool can build a bloody computer. But once that organic part of it starts learning to refuse orders from Ridley, he'll be powerless," Pantheos punctuated this statement with a laugh, a rough, grinding sound. "Besides, we know the true purpose of the Mother Brain."

Krulak chuckled. "Yes, we do. Oh, about that, Srek-10 wanted to know what we're going to do with the… er, specimens."

"Tell him he'll know when I know," Pantheos snapped. "Although I agree, we can't keep them in containment for much longer. They must be getting, how we should say, hungry."

A small, round, green light on the side of Krulak's head began flashing. "I'm needed in another sector," Krulak said after a moment.

"Then go," Pantheos said. "I need to warn Lord Ridley about the Federation."

The two officers turned their backs to one another, and walked in separate directions. In the meantime, several space pirate foot soldiers began carrying a huge laser cannon over to the unfinished hull of the Grand Mothership.