In the story so far: The spaceship is captured by pirates who run out of control. Vikki is a young passenger trapped on board and is fleeing a gang drunken pirates. A fire caused by a blaster tripped the ship's safety systems locking down a service corridor in sections trapping her with her pursuers trapped in beyond a barrier. Whitey is a mercenary duped into collaborating with the pirates but has his own agenda.
Besides the hall having no light or gravity it seemed the heat was offline as well. Vikki's thermal controlled suit would be out of power soon since she was also using the collar lights to see in the gloom of the enclosed passage. She could hear noises beyond the far partition door that separated her from Crow and the pirates, only temporarily barring them from getting her for their "fun."
The slight victory did not help her fear. She shoved piles of shelves and debris against the closed partition. Without gravity, it was easy to send tables, crockery, kitchen supplies and shelving down the narrow corridor.
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Chapter 40
Vikki Plays Along
Besides the hall having no light or gravity it seemed the heat was offline as well. Vikki's thermal controlled suit would be out of power soon since she was also using the collar lights to see in the gloom of the enclosed passage. She could hear noises beyond the far partition door that separated her from Crow and the pirates, only temporarily barring them from getting her for their "fun."
The slight victory did not help her fear. She shoved piles of shelves and debris against the closed partition. Without gravity, it was easy to send tables, crockery, kitchen supplies and shelving down the narrow corridor.
Without warning the gravity and lights both came on. She fell to the metal floor and slipped on sacks of flower. She heard cursing beyond the locked partition door. The pirates must have had the same fall as she did.
"O.K. Maybe the gravity came back so now the doors will unlock." She scrambled over the fallen boxes and supplies to reach the exit door. The opening pad still did not respond.
She found a short paring knife and pried off the touchpad that controlled the door. Inside were wires and circuits and blinking things.
"Crap, I wish I had paid attention in electronics class." Vikki hoped to short-circuit the door or something to make it open. "Weren't these doors supposed to have a manual crank to open them? This ship is so dumb."
A green light appeared above the door. Taking a deep breath Vikki readied herself to lunge through and make a dash for it. With a whine the door started to slide open. A quick look toward the partition confirmed that it was opening at the same time. A dozen pirates would be after her as soon as they could get over the barricade she piled against it.
Vikki was shocked at the blackened and bloodied faces of the men who were tearing at the barricade she built.
"Damn you, Girly." Growled Crow as he raised his blaster.
"Crow! No, you fool." Voices behind yelled. "Don't you learn nothin'."
BAMB!
Without waiting to see what happened next Vikki sprang through the exit like a panther. Behind her, she heard the BAMB, BAMB, of the blaster tearing up the barricade.
She bounded through the back prep room of a coffee shop and slammed through the spring doors to the serving area. Taking two strides she jumped over the counter knocking copper urns of cold coffee onto the floor. Scattered tables, chairs and the spilled remains of dinners made running through the cafeteria slow. She sensed that in a flat-out foot race she would have the better of the older, out of shape men, who were encumbered with armor. Beyond the expanse of the cafeteria was a wide portal leading to the main street. Vikki bounded for it with all the strength she had.
Whitey walked in front of his two bodyguards who knew better than to try to tell him protocol; they were to walk in front, meaning they would be hit by any attacker's first shot. Whitey was driven to lead, and he would lead; if the shooting started he would not only take first damage he would be first to deal it out.
Alert, Whitey stopped still and slightly crouched as his upraised closed hand ordered halt; the other hand already warming the grip of a blaster. He sensed something. It was a moment later that he could hear the faint quick steps of a runner in soft shoes.
The two bodyguards tried to get in front of Whitey but his hand signal told them where he wanted them to be. The three of them spread in a line across the corridor weapons ready.
Vikki burst into the corridor and began to sprint toward them. She took three bounds before skidding to a stop at the sight of the three military men.
"Are you guys Rangers or with the Space Service?"
"No, Miss." Whitey was wary; she was wearing red, not a good sign. "We are soldiers for hire. Who are you?"
Vikki looked over her shoulder at the portal behind her. She could hear Crow and his gang coming.
"Are you pirates?"
"No. we are an independent force." Whitey saw it all now; this girl was being pursued. He felt contempt for those who took advantage of someone weaker for any reason, especially for their own pleasure. "How many are after you? How are they armed? Are they pirates. Do they have a leader?"
"About a dozen. The have hand weapons; blasters, lasers, and tasers. They are pirates. Their leader is a big man named Crow"
Whitey pointed to a spot on the floor next to him. "Stand there."
"What?"
"Do as you're ordered!" He snapped. "I'm sorry miss, I'm used to giving orders. Put that kitchen knife in your boot and take this." He reached behind his back and brought out a gun. "It is loaded and the safety is off. We are going to face them. We don't kill unless we have to. If we have to shoot then point just below the chest of the biggest ones, just point, it is self-aiming. That blaster wants to hop up over your head when you shoot so keep holding it down and keep shooting until it is out."
She stared at him open mouthed. "Do as I say." His commanding tone gave her no choice. She stood in line with Whitey and his men.
"They will stop and wait in confusion. Then you take control. Talk to them like you are talking down to children. Tell them that you are done playing with them. Tell them you are an officer of the security arm of the Red Hand Brotherhood. Then order them to report back to Captain Stone for orders. But don't shoot unless they make a clear move first."
"I can't."
"Do it. Or I will let them have you."
The pirates stumbled into the street-like corridor. The sight of the four standing with cold grim confidence was unnerving. The rabble stood uncertainly. Crow pushed to the front. His face was bloodied, blistered, and blackened with soot. The rest of his gang was not much better off.
"So, Girly, you got some friends. I see."
Whitey whispered through clenched teeth. "Chin up, Red. Take a step forward and give em their orders."
Even a whisper from this man had command. She raised her head high and took a step toward the men. As a group, they matched her by taking a step backward- even Crow. She felt the blaster in her hand she saw their reaction to her stance.
"Listen to me, Crow, I'm through playing games with you. Now, get out of here and go report to Captain Stoner."
The look of confusion on the men's faces was entering new regions of doubt and uncertainty.
"Oh," Said Crow, "you think you are somebody now that you have friends and a gun."
Whitey's whisper was almost a hiss. "Tell them you are an officer of the security arm of the Red Hand Brotherhood."
"Look, Crow. I am somebody and I don't need a gun. I am an officer of the security arm of the Red Hand Brotherhood."
The men behind Crow began to back away. "Crow, you ass. You got us in trouble with security."
"Oh man." One of the pirates said. "Didn't you guys hear me when I said don't mess with a red suit. That is the color of the security arm. They all wear red."
"Crow," another man whined, "She has been playing us."
Another spoke up. "Miss, it was dark. We didn't see you were with security. We thought you were part of some special ranger combat tech force since you took out that death-bot."
The men were nodding. "Yes, an honest mistake. You know a battle is confusing."
Vikki was beginning to draw on her own anger. "Shit, what do you know about the battle? You, cowards, spent it chasing me and drinking booze."
Whitey spoke loud enough for the men to hear. "Officer Red, if that is true then they are deserters and derelict in their duty. The Supreme Commander will have to be told in your report."
"Damn, Crow," The men complained. "The Supreme Commander! She is going to throw us out an airlock."
Crow took two steps forward and leaned toward the slender curvy girl with the gun. Lust never quite out of his hate-filled eyes. "Girly, if you are with the Security Arm why didn't you just say so before?"
The gun and the three men gave Vikki boldness. She took a step toward Crow and pointed the gun in his face. "I told you everything I am going to tell you. I gave you an order. Do I have to repeat it?"
Crow turned. "This is not over girly. I am not finished with you and your mercenary yes men. He pushed his way back through the group of pirates. "Common boys. Let's go find Stonebutt." They disappeared back through the door to the cafeteria.
The four held their positions as the footsteps receded through the large eating hall.
Vikki spun around raising the gun toward Whitey's face but it never reached more than half way before Whitey snatched it from her hand. The two bodyguards tackled her to the floor. She struggled and twisted beneath their grasp.
"Red," Whitey leaned over and spoke softly, "You need to learn who your friends are. We are your friends."
She relaxed visibly. "I want my daddy and my mommy."
Whitey smiled. "The girl who just held off a gang of pirates wants her mommy and daddy." He sighed. "Let her up boys."
She stood up and looked for the first time at the man. He was old but not old, he was hard and quick with restless eyes. "I want my parents. Take me to them. Please."
"Miss, they were evacuated with the crew and rangers. They are not on board. We are your family now."
(c) Adron
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