This ongoing sci-fi series will contain non-consensual elements.
***
I shielded my eyes from the bright explosion. Then there was nothing. The Calypso was gone. I was heartbroken.
Talia clung to me.
Thankfully, I saw blinking lights of other escape pods nearby. I hoped everyone had gotten out in time.
"You better put your uniform on." I said.
The pod was built for two, but it was still a bit awkward as she squeezed into her coveralls.
I tried the radio. It was just static.
"We should be able to contact the other pods." I said.
Talia just shook her head. She was still in shock.
It could be damaged. I looked out of the viewport to try and see what the problem might be, then I saw it. Another ship. My worst fear had been realized. At first, I suspected that the stricken vessel had exploded and caused too much damage to our own ship, but it was obvious now. It had been an ambush.
The ship was massive. Bigger than the Calypso.
"Who are they." Talia said fearfully.
I gripped my lazer pistol tightly. "Pirates. They must be jamming out communications."
As it loomed closer I could see that its hull was covered in battle scars. Despite its size I reckoned in a fair fight the Calypso could have easily taken it.
I'd never heard of a pirate successfully destroying a UEN ships like ours before. They mostly targetted traders. It was too much trouble for them. We also never carried any cargo of any worth.
Suddenly our pod was bathed in blue light. It was a magnetic tractor beam.
"Hold on." I said, as our small little craft was pulled towards the larger ship.
There wasn't much to fight with. All I had was my lazer pistol.
I fastened the last few brass buttons of my tunic, and tied my hair up with a spare hair band I had in my pocket.
"Remember, name, rank, serial number." I said, with as much confidence as I could muster.
"What do they want with us?" Talia asked.
"Ransom."
Poor Talia wasn't prepared for this. She'd had the basic training for things like this, but her inexperience showed. I needed to keep her close.
Our pod was pulled into what looked like a large hanger bay. It was dark and ominous.
I could see other pods around us. Some of them were opening up.
I took a deep breath and opened the hatch. We climbed out. It was freezing and there was a bad smell of oil and machinery in the air. Not at all like our clean ship. This place looked like a dump. There were heaps of trash dotted around, and a few junked ships pilled on top of each other.
Some of the crew noticed me, and called out to each other saying that the Captain was alive. I didn't see any other officers.
They grouped around me asking what had happened. I was as clueless as them.
Then I saw one other officer, it was an engineer named Dex.
Thankfully he had some information to share. He had been on duty at the time of the explosion.
He told us that they came out from behind the lifeless moon and immediately opened fire. We had no chance to respond. They got lucky too, and managed to damage one of our main engines, causing a catastrophic chain reaction. He said they were probably as surprised as we were.
If we had survived the first assault our return fire would have surely dealt them a heavier blow.
As he told the story, I realized that there was only about fifty of us, out of a crew of five hundred that was a terrible price.
"What will they do with us." Another crew member asked.
I assured them like I did with Talia, that they would want to keep us safe for ransom.
Of course the UEN very rarely negotiated with pirates. It would set a bad precedent. Still there was hope of a rescue mission. They wouldn't face the humiliation of its personnel being held captive.
Suddenly light filled the hanger and there was a booming voice.
"Drop your weapons." It didn't come from a person, instead it came from speakers.
A few of the other crew had sidearms like me. It was pointless keeping them.
"Drop your weapons everyone." I commanded, as I put my pistol on the bare metal floor.
Talia stayed close, I could tell she wanted to hold onto me, but that would be right. Not in this situation. Truth be told I wanted to hold her too. We were in a very dangerous predicament.
Minutes passed and figures appeared. Humans wearing mismatching ballistic armor and carrying lazer rifles. They looked disorganized but deadly.
As they encircled us, we grouped together tightly.
"Who's in charge." One of the barked.
I swallowed hard and stepped forward.
"My name is Captain Emrah Jackson, of the United..."
"Silence." He shouted, cutting me off.
He threw a sack filled with bindings at my feet.
"Put these on, hands behind your backs."
As I handed them out to our crew I tried my best to reassure them. I was the last to attach them to my wrists.
**********
We were led deeper into the ship. Then we were split up. The officers, which comprised myself, Talia and Dex the engineer were taken to the bridge. While the rest of the crew were taken elsewhere.
As we walked I heard two of out captors wondering if their Captain would allow them to have some fun with the female crew members. My blood ran cold at the thought.
The bridge was dark. There were only a few lights, most of them looked burnt out or smashed. The operation consoles looked functional though.
There were piles of weapons on tables. Old food containers scattered everywhere. I could see rust on the walls and there was a strong smell of alcohol and sweat in the air. The bottom of my leather boots were almost sticking to the filthy floor. There was no real discipline here, at least not the kind that I was used to.
We were lined up, and told to wait for the Captain.
Dex seemed quiet and accepting of his fate. Talia on the other hand looked ready to faint. I could see her visibly trembling.
"It will be okay." I whispered.
"My name is Killian. You will address me as, Sir." A loud voice said, behind us.
It must be their Captain, I thought.
I heard him approaching us, I didn't turn.
My body stiffened as I felt his hand on my shoulder, and then something being wrapped around my neck. It was a collar.
