Or well, somebody did argue…
"You can't expect us to just go along with your bullshit!"
I almost sigh, but really, I should have expected it. I was also warned this may happen. A room full of rich people and they don't complain? You're better off leaving your package on the doorstep for the weekend. You're less likely to get porch pirates than have a rich person complain.
"Rather, why should we even listen to you? You're just a single woman and even if you have our ship surrounded that means nothing if we team up to take you down! Especially since you're the only one with a weapon, and I doubt that handgun on your waist is enough to kill all of us!"
Ah, fair points. Normally they would be at least. I could also see some of the staff and even the other stupid rich people getting spines. The captain looked concerned. He obviously knew just how badly outclassed they were, and also how vicious pirates can be. Even if I was weak, well, I doubt they'd hesitate to space this ship if they fought back. I doubt the rich people entirely understood that point.
"Well, it's not like I dislike assertive men." I start carefully, the man glares back without backing off. The first idiot that talked back was still catatonic. I had to admit though, the timing was nice.
"If I had to be honest with you. None of you are worth the effort. Just the cost of fuel to get here with a CHET super carrier is worth far more than those bits and ends in the form of jewelry we took, and we would barely break even, even if we managed to take every single dollar in your accounts. At least I suspect as much, especially with how many munitions we consumed to destroy your escort.
Which is why, what do you suggest then? For jolly cooperation and all that shit."
He seems momentarily taken aback. His eyes glance around a bit for courage before straightening himself out.
"Well, I believe it would be prudent for you to disarm yourself first."
Ah… Figures. I could see the glints in the staff members' eyes. Even some of the rich people and the younger types look raring to go. Clearly everyone wants to play the hero. I grab my weapon and pull it out. The whole crowd flinching back, but I could feel the anticipation, the coming confrontation.
"This weapon?" I waved it casually to the horror of the captain and a few of the people in the closest rows to the stage. Even my own pirates flinched when the muzzle pointed in their general direction. The man flinched but stood his ground. Interesting…
"How about I do you one better."
He looked confused.
"Why don't you choose one among you to be, The Hero as our first game."
I then chuck the gun to the man. It hits him, making him fall over.
"Choose amongst yourselves your best sharpshooter and have away at me. If you do manage to kill me, I can guarantee my subordinates would likely flee in terror."
All eyes fell on the gun, but my audacity of just handing it over terrified them enough to keep them in line.
"Ah, Captain, I suggest you move to the side. I'd hate for a misfire to hit you."
The captain jolts before fleeing the stage. He looks both mystified and terrified. It doesn't help that the pirates guarding the entrances are still stock still, even if they were leaning forward a bit. After all, they likely understood how much of a monster that thing was. I wouldn't put it past armorer to brag about it.
Looking back at the crowd I can see them talking around the gun before handing it to one of the bulkier staff members. His arms were at least mostly mechanical, which is why he was chosen probably. That gun does have some serious kick. Conveniently, it also did a good job of proving how strong I was.
"So, have you chosen your hero?"
My words seem to silence them as they back off from the guard. He takes a stance, holding his gun out and pointing at me with it.
"I'll kill you with the first shot."
The hero declares.
"Go on then, Hero. Shoot wherever you want." I sit straight and move my cape to show off my full body. Eyes gaze at me lustfully as I reveal my full curves. Even the hero seems to pause for a moment, his lips move. I smirk.
'What a shame.' He mouthed. The first shot rocked out and passed me. Slamming into the wall behind me.
"You missed." The hero shakes. He hid it, but I could see his pain. His eyes slightly widened, his teeth showing in a silent hiss as he brought the gun back forward readjusting his glance.
"Care for a second round, oh hero?" My mocking words do it, once more he fires. This time I feel a slight punch in my chest. I almost shudder. Right on the fucking nip… Luckily, I had armor, or I might have curled up a little. Glancing down I saw the massive shell imbedded into the armor. Saiyan physiology or not sensitive spots were still sensitive. Like getting my tail grabbed was still excruciating. I could manage in a fight since I seem to get more worked up the greater the pain I feel. This though, pain is just pain. There's nothing fun about it outside a fight.
The silent chatter stops as the embedded bullet slowly falls out of my armor as I bend forward.
"That it, hero?"
Two more shots ring out. One in the stomach, the other just below the ribs where my armor stops. Both barely hurt as I tense my muscles in preparation from the blow. It hits like a heavy punch, but nothing really harmful. The staff member seems frozen unsure, his one bionic eye dimming as he loses focus.
"She must have a personal shield or something!" Some idiot yells out. "That's cheating!"
I almost laughed, but the slight pain in my breast ruined any good mood I had.
"A shield? Really?"
I ask, my voice filled with venom. Just the sound made those close to me pale.
"Of course!" The staff member blurts out. "There's no way a human can take a monster like this!"
I stand, the whole crowd stepping back. I grab at my helm and with a loud crack I twist it pulling it off. The whole crowd cries as I slam it onto the table at my side. The helmet was stuffy which made me inwardly glad I now had an excuse to ditch it. Helmet off I could see their eyes changing as I stepped forward. The whole crowd backed off with every step I took.
"Care to try again hero!?" I cry out. Stepping on the edge of the stage and kneeling. He hesitates, unsure. I don't let him recover as I jump down and storm over to him with stomping steps. The crowd parts before me leaving me a direct path to the hero. I stop right before him as he levels the pistol at me.
"Here. Shoot right, the fuck, here! And then tell me I'm using a fucking shield!"
I pointed at my forehead. The whole crowd stops bewildered.
"What am I too far? DO I need to get closer!?" I stepped in even more, just a half step from the muzzle of the gun. The hero's eyes waver for a moment.
"Well? You wanted to be the big damn hero! BLOW MY BRAINS OUT!"
Gunfire rings out. I tense my form, and just in case I cycle my ki, focusing on my head. The bullet slams into my forehead with a crack, crumpling in on itself before falling to the ground. The air stills. The hero froze and on instinct fires two more. One in the cheek, the other aiming for my eye. I closed that eye reflexively as I didn't want metal in my eye nor was, I going to try and tempt fate. I had faith in the thickness of my skull, not my eye. It slams into both and fails to penetrate, though my eye is a little sore from the hit.
Seeing him ready to pull the trigger again I dash forward. A shot in my shoulder, followed by one more in the stomach and a final one is shot wide as I grab his hand and jerk the weapon away. With a loud crinkling noise, I crumple his arm, and with a twist and jerk I detach the hand from his arm.
The man barely has a moment to process what happened as a blood spurts out along with a strange whitish fluid. He stares at his stump in shock as I rip his hand off the gun, then back to me as I level it at him.
"Congratulations." I tell him. "You're now a big damn hero." I state loud and clear. His mouth opens as I pull the trigger. His final words or scream silenced by the loud clap of the bullet exiting the gun. It hits him in his chest and then, he bursts. Bits of metal, meat, and blood are sprayed all over in a cone behind him. The bottom half stands still for a good few moments with blood spurting before it too falls over. I lift my pistol up and walk back to the stage, ignoring the stairs and screams, and the sounds of vomiting.
On the way back to the stage I handed the weapon to a passing pirate handle first.
"Make sure Armorer gets this back."
"A-aye, Captain!" I take my seat on my chair on the stand.
"Now, since I killed the hero and showed just how outclassed you are, how about those games!"
Nobody questions me now. I guess the whole saying about killing the chicken to scare the monkeys makes sense. I sit back and motion for the pirate next to me.
Nobody moves, but I can see their questioning gazes, especially when a couple pirates come in with a piano and set it up.
"Now, some of you may be wondering and rightfully so. What do we get? I mean what's a game without prizes right!?"
Some of them glance at the staff members' corpse.
"Well, let's make this simple, shall we? Beat me at something and I will return the jewelry we stole from you."
I get astonished gazes and odd mutters.
"I mean, it's not like I need those baubles anyway. And as the one to propose those rules. Let's start with something simple." I stand, the crowd flinching. I move the table and pull up the piano. I played it a bit in my previous life, well nothing good. Simple things really.
I started and stopped a few times as I familiarized myself with it. A few snorts and coughs echoed out as I did so. I imagine they were thinking there was no way a pirate would know how to play. I only remember maybe one or two songs really. I didn't practice for long, but those song notes were branded into my brain by an almost abusive piano teacher. And as I played, the coughs, snorts, and those silent cackles brought those emotions back into play as my spine straightened, and I played. It happened shortly before Mother's death, I'd taken the lessons under a questionable teacher and kept up with it for a few years. I ended up stopping due to personal reasons.
The song I picked was "Für Elise" I knew it exceedingly well, but I think I managed to do it just before I stopped. First part was a breeze, which helped silence the spectators. Second and third part were harder, but easily performable. The problem came at the last part. Even if I remembered the melody and even with my enhanced speed and reflexes it did nothing to help me, if anything it hindered me from playing at just the right speed as the tempo picked up until I came to a stuttering stop.
Maybe I did try a bit too hard, and it made me think I should probably refocus on this. Doc has been telling me I needed a hobby, so why not relearn? I stand and a few people shockingly clap. A few muttered words of, acceptable for a pirate. Which I suppose was a win.
A woman stands up near the back, somewhat old looking. Definitely has that stern instructor look.
"I think I'll take you up on that challenge." she said with a huff. Nobody made to stop her as she stormed up to the stage, I stepped aside for her to sit at the piano. I didn't know what she played, but… I was shocked when she began playing the same song, except better. She even managed to blitz the part I failed at as the whole auditorium went silent. Especially as she continued past where I failed and ended up close to what I remember the original ending to be.
The crowd clapped. It was an anemic clapping. Lacking in substance, but I could see the fear in their eyes. It only faded as I clapped. The woman gave me a piercing glare which I responded to by motioning for the pirate with our ill-gotten booty. He places the bag before her, and she fishes out a pair of earrings and pockets them.
As she leaves though, she looks at me.
"Whoever your teacher is, they failed."
I winced a little.
"And by that, I mean it's clear she didn't teach you the passion in music, or the ability to feel the author's intent behind a song."
Then steps down… Bravo… A win for the hostages. Not just because she played better, she also did some serious emotional damage… ouch…
"Alright, who's next?" I pressed on.
A silence follows as they look at the woman. She glares at them before somebody speaks up.
"You're serious then?"
"I'm very serious when it comes to games. Now, who's next?" A shared glance.
"Can you sing?" A man steps up.
"Ho? I'd say I'm fairly decent."
"Then how about that?"
"Sounds good."
I snap my hand and a microphone is brought forward. I could hear speakers clipping on. I test it and stand, remembering the words of a song they sang every year. A song that I forever wanted to be able to sing with the same ability as its singer. Mariah Carey's song that sticks in your head like a brain parasite.
I practiced singing a few times. Usually when I'm dead bored and have the mind for it. Just enough so that I didn't make a fool of myself as I received polite applause. Naturally, I lost again when the man stepped up, his voice smooth like Michael Bublé. I clapped once he ended and reclaimed his treasure.
"How about a saxophone? You play?"
"Unfortunately, no, but if you play well I don't mind giving your items back." Free entertainment and all.
The speaker, a younger man hopped up even as I saw an older gentleman give him the stink eye. His chosen instrument was found and soon enough he was playing smooth jazz. Halfway through another pair of people came up and played the bass and some drums. I wasn't stingy, handing them each of their items.
I'd like to say this was my plan entirely. Perhaps I could claim so, but truly this was a joint effort. It wasn't a good idea to kill these people. Even fit hey weren't that rich by universal standards, they were rich enough or knew enough people that they could be an issue if we killed them. More people came up to play instruments, until someone had an interesting request. Though, the whole takes their stuff thing was a bit adlibbed. The plan wasn't concrete, more like keeping the crowd busy so they don't do the stupid. And when I told them I'd get them to play games with me I got odd looks.
As if I'd fail. Honestly. I mean look at this roaring success!
"How about a dance?" I gave the man a strange look as he took his wife's hand.
"Only if someone doesn't mind me being their partner." At my words at least a dozen younger men volunteered. Whelp, I should have figured. I went ahead and took off my cloak and chose the man least likely to grope me. Which was harder to do than I had to admit. I mean, my ass was just such an enticing thing.
The man I chose happened to be an older gentleman as we did a nice slow dance. Nowhere good enough to beat the pair of lovebirds. It was clear he was leading me. I never learned to dance all that much. By the time it was done, three more people had their items back. Before leaving the man asked me a shocking question. Or rather, I shouldn't have been shocked.
"You're a lot more delicate than you appear miss." He said with a slight smile. Mm… A picture-perfect dashing rogues. A perfect Silver Fox.
"Compliments would just about get you anywhere."
I say in response.
"Then would it be possible for a rendezvous? After this is settled?"
"I'm afraid you won't be able to keep up. I'd prefer a man that can push me down." A knowing grin.
"I understand that perfectly miss." He bows and leaves. More people step up, all the while I'm keeping my eyes clear looking for who the terrorist maybe. I lose more than win, but I am being entertained for free essentially so it's not a loss.
Then I got an odd request.
"I believe in my luck! Why don't we play a game of cards?"
I stare for a moment, not sure if I actually heard before I grin. It scares a few of them, but the one to suggest the idea doesn't back down.
"Oh? Then why don't I sweeten the pot." I reach into my pocket and pull something out.
"A platinum chit, worth a good amount of money from what I know. Winner gets it, how about that?"
Suddenly I have a full table as they get emboldened at the thought of taking my money. An official dealer takes up the position. What follows is a total loss on my part.
"I Call." I say with my face unmoving like stone.
He stares at me. It's just us two.
"All in." My face doesn't move. "Call." I place everything into the pile, including my platinum chip. The cards flip…
"Three of a kind." I state with confidence.
"Royal Flush." He lays out his card. I frown. He wasn't cheating. Everyone watches me curiously. I wave them off.
"Take it, but how did you know? I have a perfect poker face." At least, I think I did. The man before me was like a solid brick too. A worthy opponent.
"Ah, you're tail's rather expressive miss pirate." He said with a grin. I look back to my tail twitching… Huh… I still had my cloak off. I take a breath… Right, should have rolled it around my waist!
"Whatever, I lost… What's next…" I think we made it through a good portion of the customers here…
"Bingo!" I groan, the whole auditorium groans.
"I am the Bingo GOD! HAHAHA!" Uh-huh…
"Whatever… fine." I get the ship captain to get the bingo cards and have my pirates drag out the bingo ball machine…
I end up as the caller.
"Alright, calling, number… 69…"
"BINGO!" People slump over and groan. I understand perfectly. As the bingo god steps forward for his prize, the ship shakes lightly. The bingo god almost slips, but I manage to save him at the last second. My senses flare out as ki signatures begin to appear in the hold. I could sense our pirates inside battling those signatures.
The hostages look concerned, the jovial mood suddenly gone. All eyes fall on a singular pirate as they step up to me.
"Captain." They say, but I don't let them finish. I can already feel them.
"I know. I'm heading to the biggest signature, get them somewhere out of the way., oh and set aside the piano. We're taking it." They don't flinch at my odd request.
"Aye aye captain." Then they salute me as I make my final announcement.
"It appears we located the terrorist plot! Please make your way to the designated safe area while we deal with it and then get out of your hair!"
Nobody argues, but I do get a few glances as they're led away.
"Not worried about the terrorists in the group?"
"I highly doubt their going to act up now. Rather, they may just keep quiet and report what they can about us."
My subordinate nods. "Makes sense, we'll start evacuating."
"Good." I had no idea what those things were, it was supposed to be a virus or something. Not, whatever this is. Maybe it's a black ops group in the hold? No, their numbers are too many for that. I don't think long before making my way over.
I locate the largest ki signature and uncaring for the ship infrastructure I blast forward. Slamming through walls and wires. The path of least resistance as they say. I broke into a large staircase. A pair of pirates were beating back an almost familiar alien species. One wields a blade, the other is punching and kicking as they lead the way.
The moment I blast in is also the moment a rather large xeno blasts through the stairs, its maw threatening to eat the sword wielding pirate. With my momentum I slam into it. My force carries it through and smashes into the engine portion of the ship. I could tell at a glance, or maybe its instinct that I know, but these things were resistant to ki attacks to an extent.
"C-captain!" The one in the back says as the sword wielding pirate collapses.
"We started the evacuation. Get back to the ship."
""YES!"" They both reply, the sword wielding pirate is helped up before they both limp off. A loud screaming growl echoes from the engine block as I glance into the hole. I stretched, letting my muscles loosen.
"A little after entertainment brawl sounds perfect."
I mutter as I step forward.