This ongoing sci-fi series will contain non-consensual elements.
My name was Megan Flack. I was a deputy chairwoman of the Lavel chemical company. At forty years old, I was unmarried, with no children, and enough money to pay for a cruise through the cosmos once in a while. I often took these cruises solo as it was a chance to unwind from my hectic lifestyle. At least that was the story I was going to tell when I boarded the star liner, Eden.
My real name was Emrah Jackson, and I was a pirate from the ship, the Siren's Kiss. Her Captain, Berta had saved me from the detention facility on Ferrin, and hired me as her second in command. My first mission was stealing a shipment of copper from a mining outpost. Now my task was to infiltrate this star liner, disable its security defenses, and allow Berta and the crew to capture as many high value hostages as they could.
I was staying in a hotel on a planet called Arzan. The previous night, I spent my time with a girl called Roki, who was an engineer on the Siren's Kiss. It had been more than a quick fumble. The truth be told, I was really falling for the quick talking girl. I had wanted to spend more time with her, but she had to depart early in the morning.
I watched from my balcony as the sun rose over the city. It looked like a beautiful planet. There were large skyscrapers of gleaming glass, and ornate spires of all descriptions. It would have been a wonderful place to explore.
I checked out of the hotel with a big smile on my face. Things were looking up. I still had to focus on the job at hand, but my confidence in what I was doing was high.
A shuttle was waiting for me at the entrance and was going to take me to the Eden. As it rose into the sky I got my first glimpse of the ship I would be traveling on. It was truly a massive ship, about the size of a UEN battle cruiser. The sides were covered in black glass, which gave the whole thing a stylish and modern look. The battle cruisers I was familiar with were never designed to land on a planet, and this was the largest ship I had even seen do that.
As we landed, the pilot told me that my bags would be waiting in my cabin for me after I checked in.
I had changed into a long flowing summery dress, and chose to keep my small computer and comms device with me in a small hand bag. The check in procedure was fairly straight forward, and I was given a bracelet which would act as a key, and also give me access to the facilities. There were three classes on board, I was in third which was the lowest. It suited me just fine.
I was given a small map and was wished a happy voyage. As I made my way through the corridors I was taken aback by the sheer scale of everything. It felt more like I was walking through a small city. Everything was gleaming white and clean. Stewards greeted me as I passed by. They all wore uniforms that were smartly tailored and with a mustard coloring. I stopped one to ask the capacity of the ship.
"Twenty thousand, Ma'am," he said, with a polite smile. I would certainly have no trouble disappearing into the crowd. "If you want to know anymore about the ship, please check out the information portal in your room," I thanked him and made a note of that.
Eventually I found my cabin. It was large and nicely decorated, with carpets and other soft furnishings. I didn't have a view port though, and instead there was a digital screen that showed a camera feed from the front of the vessel. My luggage was already in the room.
Better get to work, I thought. I took the stewards advice and activated the information portal. It was a type of interactive computer, although limited in its uses. It listed the events and facilities available to passengers. They had basic things like yoga and massages to more interesting things like an onboard aquarium and a small zoo. It also informed me of the various stops the ship would be making and details about sightseeing adventures that would become available as the Eden made its course.
It took me an hour to go through everything. There was a layout of the ship, which I tired to memorize. Unfortunate information about the ships systems wasn't provided, so I would have to figure out a way to get that knowledge.
There was an announcement on the comms system that the ship was about to depart. It suggested that the passengers might like to go to one of the viewing platforms for a better view. I decided not to bother and requested that a meal be delivered to my room.
What I really needed was the schematics, but they weren't going to give those out to passengers. More than anything I needed access to a data point. I could plug my small computer into that I get real access to the ships internal systems. When Berta made her attack I would have to disable the Eden's defense systems. That was our plan, and my main goal.
The food they sent arrived promptly and was very delicious. A far cry from the dry rations on the Siren's Kiss. Afterwards I jumped into the shower to have better think about things.
Instead of focusing on my task I instead started to wonder when was the last time I'd had such a nice shower. It was long before my ordeal on Ferrin that was for sure. In fact this was the first time in a long time that I felt comfortable and settled. It was a nice feeling and I felt very free. I examined myself in the mirrored panel. My body was in excellent shape, especially for a woman my age. My stomach was flat, and very toned. Keeping my enhanced breasts had been a wise decision. They were perfectly round and very perky. Larger than the ones I had been born with. Of course, they were designed to be perfect. My skin was still a deep bronze color from my time on Ferrin. Sadly my age was showing some signs. There were a few grey hairs in my should length brown locks. Not many to be noticeable from a distance, but they were there.
Then I realised I was being stupid. I didn't have an open data point in my room, but that didn't mean there wasn't one. The information portal was most likely connected to one. It was built into the wall, and looked solidly made. If only I had some tools, I thought, then I came up with a hasty plan. I wrapped a towel around my wet body. I then took a glass of water and poured it into one of the vents at the back of the portal. It fizzed, and sparked and the screen went blank.
I used the internal comms device and informed a steward that my portal had gone down and could they send someone to fix it.
Fifteen minutes later a young man appeared at my door.
"There's a problem with your information portal, Ma'am?" he asked, politely. He was wearing a pair of spotless coveralls.
"There is, it just stopped working."
He smiled and told me he check it out. He seemed very professional, but I did detect him taking a quick glance at my bare legs.
He worked quickly and pulled away the main housing with a multi tool.
"There's water inside of it," he said, peering into the wall. I could see the data point inside, my instincts had been right.
"That's odd," I said, and peered in alongside him. He stiffened up as I placed my hand on his back. "Maybe it was from my shower?" I only wanted to fluster and distract him. It seemed to be working as all he could manage was a mumbled response. I had the feeling there were strict rules about fraternizing with the guests, and that would play into my advantage.
As he began to mop up the water with a rag, I palmed the multi tool and took it back to the bed. I tucked it into one of the folds and sat down.
"That seems to be it," he said, and pushed it back into its housing.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, as he began to search for his missing tool.
"Lost something," he muttered.
"Is it important?"
