An explosion rocketed outward from the site where Rafe had sent the drone. Its soundless mushroom quickly encapsulated the whole view screen in a flash of extremely bright light. In seconds it was gone, replaced again by the eternal blackness that was space. Harper uncovered his eyes to see that a shockwave was rapidly approaching them. It hit the Maru with the intended effect, rocking it back and forth violently. Rafe fell over onto a pile of Sparky cola cans, the cans themselves flying through the air and noisily knocking into things.
Beka steered the Maru through the debris of the explosion carefully. "Rafe," she called through gritted teeth.
He stirred in the pile of cans and sat up slowly. His hair was not unlike that of a child who just woke up. "Yeah booster rocket?" He asked, flashing smile #74, the 'crap I'm dizzy,' smile.
"You gotta tell me what we're looking for!" Beka braced herself on the controls as another large piece of space debris flew towards them. It bounced off of the Maru's shields harmlessly.
"Um…" Rafe mumbled, sounding a lot like a drunken idiot. "A little black box. In space. Its…" He trailed off. He was staring at the view screen. A little box about the size of a shoe box floated past the window slowly. It had gold rimmed edges and looked like it had been through a battle. Which it had. "That one!" He said, rising to his feet, pointing at the box.
"On it boss!" Harper said, manoeuvring a drone to collect it. The small drone propelled itself from the ship on an intercept course with the box.
"Rafe!" Beka yelled from the pilot's chair.
"Cap'n?" He called from his perch behind her. He was leaning on the chair, arms folded and legs crossed.
"What the hell is this thing anyway?" Beka asked. She had heard of it, the Chord of the High Guard, but she didn't actually know what it was.
"It's expensive. And I've got a buyer." Rafe said, flashing smile #81, the 'of course I've planned it out' smile. Beka frowned at him. "Ok, ok. It's like… a music box. Or something. From the lost world of Tarn Vedra." He looked at her proudly. "It's got Vedran technology in it Beka. Genuine Vedran technology." He nodded enthusiastically. "I haven't got the slightest idea what it does, but I know it's got it."
"That's helpful." Beka said sarcastically. "So helpful in fact, that the high guard that's approaching our ship probably knows more about it that I do." She motioned towards the view screen, where a fleet of small High Guard ships was closing in on them.
"Hmm." Rafe screwed his face up and scrutinized the ships. "Yeah, that might be a problem."
"Harper?" Beka called through the communications channel. "Have you got it yet?"
"I'm working on it boss. I'll have it in ten seconds. Nine. Eight. " He paused. "Just kidding. Now I'll have it in ten."
"Harper, problem?" Beka demanded, taking on the role of pushy captain.
"Uh… there might be something wrong with the drone's engines…" Beka sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Harper. I want that box. And I want it now." She looked up to the controls. "I'm being hailed. Stay on the line."
"Will do boss." Harper replied cheerfully as Beka transferred the communication to the view screen. An ugly half-human, half-Nietzschean face peered out at her. She drew in a sharp breath. This was one of the guys who had caught them two months ago, while they were salvaging an old vessel. Let's just say, the Valentine's weren't too happy to be caught, and they made that clear, with a few minor explosions, and lots of major ones.
"Ah, Valentine. We meet again," He smiled, and it crinkled a scar that had recently appeared on the corner of his face. "I don't recall you being so explosive."
"I don't recall you being so ugly." She shot back.
"How charming of you," the Nietzschean said. "Too bad I'll have to kill you. Wouldn't want to waste such a charming young lady." He smiled creepily.
"Ha, ha funny. Too bad you're not going to have a chance to." Beka closed the comm line and collapsed back into the pilot's chair. "Well that was fun. Harper? How you doing?"
"Boss I got the box," You could practically hear his smile. "Warp speed ahead captain!"
"What the hell is- nevermind." Beka said, pushing the control sticks forward to propel the ship faster away from the Nietzscheans.
