(Callie)
From a narrow corridor of the ship, Callie watched as captain Shimmer commander directed her crew. The pilot, a tall thin black furred Tallax named Purdin. He had his fur trimmed short, aside from his fluffy black tail. His white tufted ears were wide at the base, rising into a sharp point.
The navigator was a human named Ned, in charge of both keeping track of sensors and directing weapons. Ned was short around five seven, with a stalky frame and a head so shiny it could be used as a mirror. He looked to be in his early thirties, with the beginning's of a beer gut. Purdin was lying on his pilot's couch, using his implants to nudge the controls smoothly, guiding them away.
The human Ned had no such advantage and merely used his fingers to scroll through the various screens arrayed in front of him. With the clearly inexperienced crew piloting the ship, Callie was watching cautiously to see if she needed to step in and take over, so they didn't crash.
It was a tense five minutes before the Grack Arka was far enough away do be concidered safe. Bonus, Purdin miraculously didn't crash, as the ship separated its docking clamps to maneuver from the cargo ship. Ned, being a smart man, gave updates only when necessary, and Purdin used that information to guide them away. Once they were a safe distance of a hundred miles from the cargo ship, Ned hit a button on the ship's console.
Callie's stomach lurched as the ship hummed noisily, the deck plating vibrating beneath them. That was not supposed to happen! She thought. The power bar, usually green to signify a stable jump, was blinking orange. Callie crossed her fingers, praying to whatever god might be listening that the ship didn't blow up.
The orange power bar, only a quarter full, drained and the Grack Arka created a special distortion. The ship shuddered, telling Callie its primary drive was in poor condition. Her stomach churned from the jarring shift, her silky black hair dancing in front of her bright hazel eyes. Maybe she made a terrible mistake by boarding this flying death trap?
Shimmer glanced over, noting Callie as the rough shift jarred her. Noting the captain's gaze, Callie stepped forward confidently, keeping a neutral expression on her face despite her racing heart.
Callie glanced at the navigator's display, raising an eyebrow. "Are we purposefully heading into a dead world star system?" Callie asked. Their jump, programmed into the ship's computer beforehand, took them a mere light second from a dead star system. The only issue was their momentum would carry them into said star system if they didn't change course over the next few hours.
Shimmer grinned at Callie. " What, do you believe in fairy tales, Commander?" Shimmer asked with a growling laugh. Callie shook her head, a look of introspection crossing her face.
" Of course not, captain Shimmer. However, I am weary of pushing our luck. Even if the stories about Leron are exaggerated, i don't want to ignore them.. Dismissing the stories about the star eater as a myth would be a mistake."Callie said calmly. Shimmer rolled her bright yellow eyes, but she didn't argue.
"Do not worry, commander. We will change course before reaching the outermost planet's orbit of that dead star system. Our route will take us along a path parallel to the dead star system, but we will not enter. "Shimmer said, giving Callie a half smile, revealing needle-like teeth.
" Oh? We are going to travel along the star lanes right next to the dead worlds? That is clever."Callie said, her tone bordering on respectful. Shimmer perked up, standing a little taller with that compliment.
"The Slax, Tallax, and Zrixia navy are too chicken to fly this close to any dead world star systems."Shimmer said proudly. Callie checked the ship's display over Purdin's shoulder again.
They were about a light second from the border of the dead world star system, far too close for comfort. History was rich with stories of brave humans and aliens alike venturing into those areas of space.
Callie's interest was peaked as this was the closest she had ever come to one of these graveyards. However, she wasn't suicidal. She was curious, and interested to see the Star eater for herself, but it was probably for the best that she didn't poke her nose into such things.
Because any sensible being, human or alien, was smart enough to avoid entering a dead world star system. After all, no one wanted to risk waking that thing.....
Even the ambitious, bloodthirsty, power hungry assassin's guild the Hallowed feared exploring the dead worlds. And that guild of assassins was known for its lunatic members. "Do you know how long the beast has been asleep for?" Callie asked, her voices hushed.
"No idea if it's awake or dormant. That's why I'm having the ship avoid getting too close." Shimmer said softly. "Have you done an active sensor sweep of these nearby dead star systems?" Callie asked.
Shimmer gave Callie a look of horror. " Of course not! Everyone knows you do not antagonize that thing!" Shimmer said with a visible shudder.
Callie smiled. That was something to be noted for later. Despite the captain's earlier statement, she believed in the stories of Leron. The stories were farfetched, but there was too much evidence to dismiss them out of hand. Just because the star eater hadn't been active in almost half a century didn't mean it was dead.
Her language instructors being from all over the galaxy, discussed the topic repeatedly, trying to stress it's importants. And despite living in Etria her whole life, Callie learned a thing or two about the outside world.
Like the fact that over five hundred years ago, the Leron people discovered the monster roaming the galaxy. Or rather, it discovered them. It sounded bizarre, but she was wearing off doubting the stories.
After all, how could a living being survive in the vacuum of space? Even more disturbing was the fact that the Leron people went extinct over five hundred years ago. And the beast, the sun eater, was last actively destroying planets and stars a mere fifty years ago. Callie shudder, deciding to push that disturbing topic from her mind for now.
"Captain, how long until our next shift?" Callie asked, examining the familiar displays in front of her.
"We have another four hours before the fusion reactors can supply enough power for another shift."Shimmer said, the fur on her back twitching in annoyance. "That long? How long has it been since your ship last seen a shipyard and heavy maintenance?" Callie asked.
Shimmer winced, her fluffy white ears flattening in annoyance. Shimmer glanced around at the crew in earshot of them. Callie took the hint and gesture to the exit with her chin.
"Captain, let's go to your quarters. I wish to discuss some things."Callie said calmly. Both pirates in the command center looked back, clearly curious about what the captain and the new commander were going to talk about.
The captain led Callie from the command center to her cabin, which was only a few seconds down the hall. The door opened as they approached, unlocking using the captain's implants.
The scent of something sweet, like jasmine and raspberry, wafted from the captain's quarters, filling her nose. It smelled like some sort of high end shampoo and was pleasant. No wonder the captain's white fur looked so glossy.
The door hissed shut behind her, and Shimmer lay down, collapsing onto a comfortable knee high bed. Instead of skirting around the problem at hand, Callie decided to get right to the point.
"Captain, the ship direly needs repairs, resupply, and a major overhaul."Callie stated bluntly. Shimmer nodded. " I was hoping to use our profits from raiding the fuel transport to put the ship through some upgrades. However, with our meager bounty, we won't even be able to afford an overhaul on the ship's main reactors." Shimmer said with a wince.
Callie raised an eyebrow, glancing around the captain's quarters, noting the Zrixian style bedding and Saleian tapestries adorning the walls. One thing was clear, the captain put all of her lagnars into comfort items and not into the ship.. She whistled, her gaze lingering on a painting of Shimmer, the frame lined with several polished red gemstones.
"I can see you have been dumping your lagnars into decorations instead of making your ship flyable. But that is not the core issue, is it? You are in dept?" Callie said her question more of an accusation. Shimmer snarled, for a moment forgetting who was in charge.
"Who told you that?!" Shimmer asked challengingly. Callie actually laughed at that. "Oh please Shimmer, it's so obvious that even a blind person could see it. My guess is, you took out a major loan to bribe some official. And they looked the other way while you stole this retired army frigate."Callie said certainly.
"How could you know that? You have only been on my ship for a half hour!" Shimmer said angrily.
Callie smiled, " I didn't until you just told me." She said sweetly. Shimmer rose from the couch gracefully, bearing her needle-like teeth. She unsheathed her claws threateningly. Callie leaned back on her heels, appearing as though Shimmers' aggression was no more threatening than a toddler holding a stick.
"Shimmer, I am not here to throw blame or shame you. I am merely gathering all the information I need to command My ship. I realize that you are a new captain, and had to go into dept to get a ship. That will not be an issue if you will put in some effort and learn to be a proper thief." Callie said calmly. Shimmer's mood soured even further, and she snarled.
"A proper thief? We are pirates. And as a pirate, whoever has the biggest guns wins."Shimmer said with a snorting scoff. Callie rolled her eyes. "And yet, you had the biggest guns when you attacked that cargo ship. If the biggest gun wins, how did you lose control of your ship?" Callie asked....
Shimmer paused, her eyes seething with anger. When the clearly outraged captain didn't answer, Callie smiled. "I can train the crew in boarding tactics, and even how to shoot. Big guns are only useful if you intend to destroy the enemy ship."Callie said with a smile.
Shimmer visibly grit her teeth, taking deep calming breaths. Callie waited, surprised at the captain's restraint."Do you have a plan?" Shimmer asked finally.
Callie grinned mischievously. "While In Valia I bought passage on that cargo ship. When searching through the lists for a suitable candidate, I learned a cargo ship laden with Zrixian goods will head to the Tallax systems in five days."Callie said. Noting the spark of greed entering Shimmer's yellow eyes.
" I don't mean to dampen your enthusiasm, commander, but it is not wise to raid another ship so soon in the same area. The Tallax will send out warships in search of us after that cargo ship reaches a relay station." Shimmer said.
"That is where you are wrong, captain. Raiding a ship in the same area is only a bad thing if the ship you already robbed can alert the authorities. We are five days from the nearest relay station, and another five days from the nearest military base. I am willing to risk this venture as it's extremely unlikely there is a patrol so far out here, especially in this empty part of the star lanes."Callie said calmly..
Shimmer, ponder that for a few long seconds before nodding hesitantly." Alright, we will wait for our prey. What are you going to be doing for the next five days?" Shimmer asked curiously. Callie grinned, instantly putting the captain on edge.
" With five days of downtime, I have an opportunity for you and all the crew not currently busy."Callie said cheerily.
Shimmer visibly tensed. She was not in the army, but she knew Opportunity, was not a good thing. Especially when their new sadistic commander was involved. An innocent, friendly smile replaced their commander's usual icy glare.
Shimmer followed Callie back to the bridge, wondering what the commander was planning?
Shimmer realized that for a human, their new commander was actually beautiful. Just like the ten legged Arka, the commander was alluring, graceful and deadly. And just like the feared Arka, the commander was a predator.
Inspiration filled her, and a name came to Shimmers' mind. It was fitting and would suit their ruthless commander. On the bridge next to several members of the crew, Shimmer muttered a name, one the entire crew could use for their new commander.
"Lead the way, commander Ark-an." Shimmer said, her voice carrying to the crew despite the deeply insulting name.
Callie paused at that name, giving the captain a sharp glare. That name and insult, reserved for the ancient enemy of the Tallax, was considered taboo. As calling someone that name was like saying they were a monster, the worst scum in existence.
Shimmer gave Callie a weary look. Purdin and Ned both looked on with wide-eyed curiosity, wondering if their captain was about to die. She was not a Tallax, or the hated Arka, but Callie knew the significant of that insult. It was for the ancient enemies of the Tallax, reserved for the worst criminals of the Arka.
Just like a young Tallax, she learned to never trust the sweet words, and even sweeter promises of the Arka. After all, those insufferable arachnids would turn their beautiful yet deadly webs on you when you least expected. These days they didn't weave literal webs, but webs of lies and half truths in the form of political intrigue.
In fact, even the lowliest backstabbing, lying politicians were saints in comparison, and would be offended by the nickname. The command center went a deathly quiet. She let the insult linger in the air; her face a mask of calm. Callie glanced around the command center, noting the tense postures of all three pirates in the room.
She pursed her lips and smiled, nodding her head. The name was insulting, shameful to bear and disturbingly fitting for a lying backstabbing assassin like Callie." I am pleased to receive such a fearsome name."Callie stated calmly. After all, the name was only given to those who were feared, loathed, despised, hated or all of the above.
The collective sigh of relief was audible, and they thanked their lucky stars. Somehow, their new commander didn't know the significant's of the name. After all, if she did, then she would have killed Shimmer immediately for calling her such an insulting name.