Post by Ghostly on Mar 25, 2023 10:17:56 GMT
Pirates.
He should’ve expected as much, the Bootstrap Lanes were rife with their type, but they never hassled small fries - especially anyone heading to the open jaws of Sargasso. These guys were either real stupid or real desperate.
Kaz gripped the seat hard as the blast shook the ship. Desperate or stupid didn’t matter, they still had the guns and hardware they needed to make their attack. On her word he spun out of the cockpit and rushed back to the cargo hold. “I’m on it, boss!” He called back at the pilot. As he made his way, he passed two others heading to the cockpit - smart move, the emergency door could prove a good defense if he couldn’t hold off the raiders.
“We’ve got pirates, folks! Either hunker down or grab a weapon, I’ve got a spare.” Kaz came into the cargo bay and opened the crate that held his duffle bag. His submachine gun would punch holes in armored combatants, but he’d need armor of his own - especially if the ship ended up vented. Reaching further back into the crate, he pulled out a secured case and began to unlock it. As his fingers pressed the touchpad, a heavy clunk echoed through the cargo bay.
~ ~ ~
Callum’s mag-boots locked in against the shuttle, Siobhan might’ve been slowing down the ships but taking a tumble off the edge was still a death-sentence.
He’d been hesitant when Siobhan had ordered him to fire upon the Starskipper, losing a mark this deep would’ve pissed her off worse than his disobedience, but his hand acted without his mind. Now his feet were firmly planted and she wasn’t leaking, good luck? Callum would call it luck.
He looked back to the airlock where his crew stood waiting anxiously for the go ahead. He banged his fists against one another, and slowly the umbilical tunnel began to extend towards him.
The magnetic locks of the tunnel drummed hard against the hull, taking shape around the hole he’d blasted already. Once they were in place and airflow was confirmed, Callum and his lieutenant sparked their torches and got to work.
~ ~ ~
THUMP-THUMP-THUMP.
Already pulled in with vultures picking at the hull. Kaz wouldn’t have time for a full suit, he’d have to make due with his flak jacket and sharp wit. As he zipped up the olive drab vest and secured the buckles, he tried to track the footsteps across the hull - trying to gauge their numbers. Eight? A dozen maybe? He thought of their numbers versus his own. Holly and Six were packing and seemed pretty tough, the fella' in the hat seemed pretty dangerous in his own way. Kaz's main concern was the less dangerous members of the crew and what defenses they had.
THOOM!
Without warning, a hollow blast came from the bunks followed by waves of smoke that billowed out the door and vents to the room. Kaz drew his sidearm and moved to take cover by the doorway. Through the smoke he could see figures moving. Taking a shot was too risky, there was no way to know who he’d be hitting until they were out in the open.
~ ~ ~
Callum was first through the breach. He frowned at the empty bunks - did he expect to catch them napping? Not really, but now he’d have to play hide and go seek with a dozen bums on their way to Sargasso. What a lucky fucking day.
Jupiter followed behind the quartermaster, her hands alright with blue flame even through the gloves of her EVA suit. “Gonna stand around all fucking day, boss?” She spat her words at him. She hated him, and he liked that.
Callum shot her a smirk back. “If you’re so eager, why don’t you take point, Jup? Put those mutations to good use.” He spun his pistol around his finger and pointed her way with its barrel.
The girl’s lips curled into a scowl as she stepped past, pressing down her boot on his toes as she did. “Get shot, fuckface.” She said before disappearing into the smoke.
With her out of the way, Callum stepped out of the bunkroom and down towards cargo - a pair of armored pirates at his back. They expected some iron, but nothing too hot to handle - these bozos were flying Starskipper, how stacked could they be?
Their silhouettes came through first, then blasts of energy into the cargo bay. The first blast flew past Grim's head, and scorched the shutters behind him. More followed, aimed for Laurel and Kaz as well. The pirates pressed this advantage, and moved into the open, looking to press their prey back. Only three stood so far.
~ ~ ~
From beneath the smoky tables in the mess hall, Sunny and Isre could see a pair of large, canine-like feet step through the door. "Anyone hiding here? You could make it easy for me, but where's the fun in that?" His voice was smooth as oil, with a predatory bite behind the words. He stepped in, and began searching.
~ ~ ~
As the pirates found their way in, so did Voraan. An airlock located on the port side. Waste Disposal, the writing on the doors said. Still, a door was a door and Voraan was running out of air.
He should’ve expected as much, the Bootstrap Lanes were rife with their type, but they never hassled small fries - especially anyone heading to the open jaws of Sargasso. These guys were either real stupid or real desperate.
Kaz gripped the seat hard as the blast shook the ship. Desperate or stupid didn’t matter, they still had the guns and hardware they needed to make their attack. On her word he spun out of the cockpit and rushed back to the cargo hold. “I’m on it, boss!” He called back at the pilot. As he made his way, he passed two others heading to the cockpit - smart move, the emergency door could prove a good defense if he couldn’t hold off the raiders.
“We’ve got pirates, folks! Either hunker down or grab a weapon, I’ve got a spare.” Kaz came into the cargo bay and opened the crate that held his duffle bag. His submachine gun would punch holes in armored combatants, but he’d need armor of his own - especially if the ship ended up vented. Reaching further back into the crate, he pulled out a secured case and began to unlock it. As his fingers pressed the touchpad, a heavy clunk echoed through the cargo bay.
~ ~ ~
Callum’s mag-boots locked in against the shuttle, Siobhan might’ve been slowing down the ships but taking a tumble off the edge was still a death-sentence.
He’d been hesitant when Siobhan had ordered him to fire upon the Starskipper, losing a mark this deep would’ve pissed her off worse than his disobedience, but his hand acted without his mind. Now his feet were firmly planted and she wasn’t leaking, good luck? Callum would call it luck.
He looked back to the airlock where his crew stood waiting anxiously for the go ahead. He banged his fists against one another, and slowly the umbilical tunnel began to extend towards him.
The magnetic locks of the tunnel drummed hard against the hull, taking shape around the hole he’d blasted already. Once they were in place and airflow was confirmed, Callum and his lieutenant sparked their torches and got to work.
~ ~ ~
THUMP-THUMP-THUMP.
Already pulled in with vultures picking at the hull. Kaz wouldn’t have time for a full suit, he’d have to make due with his flak jacket and sharp wit. As he zipped up the olive drab vest and secured the buckles, he tried to track the footsteps across the hull - trying to gauge their numbers. Eight? A dozen maybe? He thought of their numbers versus his own. Holly and Six were packing and seemed pretty tough, the fella' in the hat seemed pretty dangerous in his own way. Kaz's main concern was the less dangerous members of the crew and what defenses they had.
THOOM!
Without warning, a hollow blast came from the bunks followed by waves of smoke that billowed out the door and vents to the room. Kaz drew his sidearm and moved to take cover by the doorway. Through the smoke he could see figures moving. Taking a shot was too risky, there was no way to know who he’d be hitting until they were out in the open.
~ ~ ~
Callum was first through the breach. He frowned at the empty bunks - did he expect to catch them napping? Not really, but now he’d have to play hide and go seek with a dozen bums on their way to Sargasso. What a lucky fucking day.
Jupiter followed behind the quartermaster, her hands alright with blue flame even through the gloves of her EVA suit. “Gonna stand around all fucking day, boss?” She spat her words at him. She hated him, and he liked that.
Callum shot her a smirk back. “If you’re so eager, why don’t you take point, Jup? Put those mutations to good use.” He spun his pistol around his finger and pointed her way with its barrel.
The girl’s lips curled into a scowl as she stepped past, pressing down her boot on his toes as she did. “Get shot, fuckface.” She said before disappearing into the smoke.
With her out of the way, Callum stepped out of the bunkroom and down towards cargo - a pair of armored pirates at his back. They expected some iron, but nothing too hot to handle - these bozos were flying Starskipper, how stacked could they be?
Their silhouettes came through first, then blasts of energy into the cargo bay. The first blast flew past Grim's head, and scorched the shutters behind him. More followed, aimed for Laurel and Kaz as well. The pirates pressed this advantage, and moved into the open, looking to press their prey back. Only three stood so far.
~ ~ ~
From beneath the smoky tables in the mess hall, Sunny and Isre could see a pair of large, canine-like feet step through the door. "Anyone hiding here? You could make it easy for me, but where's the fun in that?" His voice was smooth as oil, with a predatory bite behind the words. He stepped in, and began searching.
~ ~ ~
As the pirates found their way in, so did Voraan. An airlock located on the port side. Waste Disposal, the writing on the doors said. Still, a door was a door and Voraan was running out of air.