Rennek
The ship is under attack. This is a strange development, considering we are in protected space. I assume this attack is either linked to the females or there are some very bold pirates attempting to raid our cargo holds.
“All hands to the bridge, I repeat, all hands to the bridge.” Various voices reply on the comms and when we reach the bridge Da’vi and Kellen are still at their posts and Bossan and Dax come running in.
I put Kate in the captain’s chair and turn to my crew, “What have we got?”
“Multiple crafts. Unmarked. Three, four… I count five, sir.” Kellen tells me.
“Confirmed. Five crafts. I’m scanning their weaponry now. I’m seeing moderate fire power.” Da’vi punches the control panels. “Correction, the big one’s a fighter ship...it’s got big guns. The other crafts are the ship’s pods and drones.”
“What are the weapon systems on a fighter?”
“The main ship is going to have the majority of the power, the pods and drones won’t be as much of a threat, but they will try and keep us busy so the fighter can do its damage. The good news is we still outgun them thanks to all our mods,” Dax informs us.
“Have they tried to send any comms?” I ask.
“No sir, just came out of nowhere and started firing. Our shields are on full. I began evasive procedures immediately.”
“Dax, get on navigation,” I want my best pilot at the controls.
“Yes sir!” Dax leaps into the main nav seat and starts to work his magic.
“Da’vi, Bossan, artillery!” But Da’vi ignores me, working his screens furiously. Suddenly he curses and leaps to his feet, running out of the room.
“What the hell,” Kate says, holding the armrests tightly as the ship leans heavily from side to side.
Bossan, Kellen and I stare after him. What the hell, indeed.
“Kellen, take his place.” Bossan and Kellen are on artillery now. “Keep eyes on the fighter.” They begin to return fire. I go to the comm.
“This is Captain Rennek. Identify yourselves!” I set the message to repeat.
I hear hollering down the corridor coming our way, Kate whips her head around. I recognize that it is her language we are hearing. Da’vi runs into the room with the one called Allison over his shoulder, flailing her arms wildly and trying desperately to kick at my friend--a pointless effort. Her small form is not likely to do much damage to his massive one.
“Da’vi?!” I am in shock.
“This one was going into cargo hold three!”
“Secure her,” I tell him and he moves her to one of the seats against the wall and begins to buckle her in.
“What the hell’s going on here?” Kate cries as the ship rattles from another blow.
“I’ll tell you what’s going on!” Allison fumes. “These fuckers have tigers in their cargo hold! These lying sacks of shit said they have never been to Earth! They’re in on it! The whole ship is probably full of stolen Earth stuff!”
“What?” Kate looks from Allison to me. “Is this true Rennek?”
“Everyone hold on!” Dax calls as the ship lurches hard. I hang on to a control panel to keep myself upright.
“Sweet Kate, I do not know what tigers are,” I try to keep patience in my tone, but we have much more important concerns than whatever this Allison is angry about.
“Yeah, and I bet you don’t know what humans are either you fuck. We’re probably just animal research in your eyes! Is this some fucked up test to see how we respond?” Allison shouts accusingly.
“Tigers are big cats Rennek. Orange. Black stripes. Sharp teeth?” Kate explains hastily, a question in her eyes. I know we have only just met but I hate that she doubts me.
“We have many cats in our cargo hold,” I tell her, exasperated by this ill-timed conversation.
“From the Ju’tup, Rennek,” Bossan yells to me. Ah yes, I had nearly forgotten.
“Yes, yes, yes. We have these tigers, we bought them from the Ju’tup and loaded them to our ship before we realized you and your people were aboard. They were going to sell them to fight rings--we bought them so they would be protected.” Allison shuts her mouth and crosses her arms. Kate looks to her, but she refuses to make eye contact. When her eyes find mine, she seems to be appeased by my explanation.
“Rennek, are the other girls… er females okay? Can we let them know what is going on?” She asks.
I engage the comm. “You may speak to them.”
“Like out loud?” She asks confused. Da’vi clicks his tongue impatiently at her. I growl in his direction. I do not appreciate this strange attitude he is taking on. He has never ignored an order before and his rude behavior towards the females does not match what I know of him.
“I turned on the comms, they can hear you now.” I explain. “Da’vi, take over artillery for Bossan. Bossan, try and force a comm link with the main ship.” My crew moves fluidly to their stations. I shake the pain of Kate’s mistrust away as I focus on protecting my ship and all those on board. I will earn her trust in time with my actions, I vow.