One month after promising Vanessa to track down Zahara, Dorian finally had a solid lead.
Floating at the edge of the Oturn system, he neared his target: an asteroid mine. His source claimed that The Nightfall was planning to attack the mine, and Dorian wanted to get there first.
Since he left The Chimera in the hands of Vanessa so that it could be repaired, he was currently flying a small fighter that he had purchased. It wasn't the fastest, or even the prettiest, but it had to do.
"So..what's the plan here master?" His AI Hex asked, still stuffed in the patched up backpack.
In response, Dorian patted the container sitting between his legs. "This is the plan."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You'll see. We just need to get onboard the ship when it gets here and this'll do the rest."
"If you say so..." Hex replied sarcastically as the fighter approached the mining station.
The station consisted of several buildings resting on a large metal platform on the surface of the asteroid, protected by an energy dome that held in oxygen. Dorian located the landing pad and touched down gently, passing through the shield.
Dorian could see workers wandering around aimlessly, seemingly drunk or bored. He had wondered why no one questioned his reason for landing over the communicator, but he was beginning to understand.
"Well, now we wait." Hex said.
***
Dorian was beginning to doubt his contact's information until, after two hours, his fighter's radar loudly informed him that a large ship was approaching. The Nightfall had arrived.
The massive ship leered over the station, drifting closer. The workers didn't seem to care until it's front passed through the shield and a large cargo ramp lowered to the surface. A large group of pirates came storming down the ramp, rushing towards the workers.
"That's our cue!" Dorian said as he jumped out of the fighter and onto the metal ground. Setting down the container, he opened the top and pulled out a vest with several devices attached to it.
"What is that? I can't see inside this stupid bag!" Hex asked.
"It's a bomb vest." He said as he put it on.
"What?!?"
"Don't worry, it's fake. But the pirates don't know that."
He took off towards The Nightfall, moving quickly but careful to stay out of sight. He passed from building to building, only stopping to let terrified miners or angry pirates run passed.
He reached the large ramp and began sprinting up it.
"Hey! The hell are you doing!" One of the pirates yelled when he noticed him. Several more saw him, and began firing their blasters at him.
Dorian reached the top and dove into the large cargo hold at the top. The pirates caught up with him, and he put his hands up.
They all aimed their weapons at him, and immediately froze when they saw the bomb vest.
"Hold on!" Dorian yelled, gesturing to the fake detonator in his hand. "I don't think you're going to want to shoot me."
They all stood there hesitantly aiming at him until a woman with dyed green and black hair pushed her way through the pirates.
"Zahara." He said, recognizing her instantly.
"Dorian. What the fuck are you doing here? I told you that I'd kill you if I ever saw you again." The woman replied.
"That might be a little hard to do, especially if you want to make it out of here in one piece."
She put her hands on her hips, choosing her words carefully. "I'm guessing you're here to take The Nightfall back, right? How much is Vanessa paying you?"
"You're right, but this doesn't need to be bloody. Just follow my commands and we'll all get out of this alive."
"You know I can pay you a lot more than she can. The pirating business has been VERY good to me and my crew." Zahara said, grinning.
"I know, which is why all of your stolen wealth is going to Vanessa."
Her grin dropped. "Don't be like that, haven't I been fair to you? I let you keep your broken ship, and I didn't even kidnap your daughter when I had the chance to. Sure, I tied you up and had a little fun with you, but you definitely enjoyed that more than you admit!"
"Zahara, it's over. You betrayed your captain, and now you have to face the consequences. Tell your crew to stand down." Dorian commanded.
"But..." she began, a hint of desperation in her voice. "Fine! I surrender." She had her doubts if he actually would blow himself up, but she decided that she didn't want to find out. She could always figure a way out of the situation later.
The crew lowered their weapons, defeated.
"Good choice. Now tell them to set course for the Sotania system." Dorian said, putting his arms back down.
***
Dorian sat in a chair across from Zahara, aiming his blaster at her. He had tied her hands together with wire and locked himself in the captain's quarters with her, holding her hostage while the crew piloted the ship.
The bomb vest was sitting on the desk, and Dorian had caught her looking at it several times.
"Don't get any ideas. I still have the detonator." He said.
"Isn't it ironic that you were my captive only a month ago? Except I was nice enough to have Vanessa ride you. Are you going to return the favor?" Zahara asked, biting her lower lip.
Dorian rolled his eyes. "Knock it off."
"Aww why not? You have a beautiful prisoner completely at your mercy and you're not going to use her? You're crazy." She replied. She tugged on the wires that held her wrists together. He would certainly see if she was trying to untie herself, but if she could distract him, she might be able to gain the upper hand. "I've been thinking...you seem like you've never had a boobjob before."
Dorian straightened your slightly. "What makes you say that?"
