The captain was being escorted across the hangar by Lady Nitrane. Slayed, Sparrow and Goff waited next to the two marines at the elevator that led into the belly of the treasure ship. As the captain approached the camera panned down to see Slayed's hands flex next to a holstered laser pistol.
The captain arrived and asked what Slayed had to say. The admiral suggested that they move to the captain's office to discuss in more privacy which the captain agreed with. They moved to enter the ship but as the elevator door opened First Officer Jagad emerged, much to the surprise of those waiting.
Jagad smiled warmly at Nitrane but then turned to Slayed and said that she wanted a word in private. She then addressed the Marines and ordered that Marine Salvesdes should accompany the captain and his guests up to his office while she spoke to Slayed.
Nitrane, Sparrow and Slayed exchanged glances, not entirely sure how to react. Was there a reason why she picked Salvesdes, the one person they wanted to speak to about the sabotage on the ship, to accompany them? And why did she want to speak to Slayed now, and why him and not Nitrane?
With options being limited the others slowly filed into the elevator and the doors closed.
Jagad walked a little way away from the last marine and turned to Slayed and looked him in the eye. She handed him her communicator and said "I know what you are doing. Take me with you." Slayed was shocked. She nodded at the communicator and said "I've been listening to Nitrane and I know what's happening. I can make this easier for you, but I want 10% of the contents of the vault."
Slayed blustered and tried to haggle down to 3% but Jagad was unmoved and Slayed had no good reason not to give her what she asked for - the travellers could do with the help. She admitted she had no idea what was in the vault, so the outcome could be 10% of nothing. She added "I want to join your crew. You need a proper First Officer." As she interpreted acceptance in Slayed's face she turned and started walking back to the treasure ship, saying over her shoulder "we can discuss my salary later."
Jagad approached the elevator and entered, ushering Slayed in. She told him that she needed to make a quick stop and got out on the crew level and headed to the marine barracks. There she opened the armoury and selected a large weapon, then walked past Slayed back to the elevator. Slayed looked around for a weapon but decided to keep what he had. He drew the pistol.
As they ascended to the top desk Jagad said to Slayed "I hope you don't mind admiral but I would like to take the lead." Slayed nodded. They emerged on the bridge deck and just before turning the corner Jagad lent her weapon against the wall, just within reach.
In the captain's office he captain and Nitrane were engaged in conversation about what his plans were for after the trip. Goff and Sparrow were standing awkwardly nearby and Marine Salvesdes was standing to attention near the door.
Jagad acknowledged the captain but immediately turned to the marine and reprimanded him for carrying such a large weapon. She demanded that he hand it to her and he reluctantly agreed. With the weapon in hand she said "Captain, I charge Marine Salvesdes with treason. He was behind the sabotage." Salvesdes immediately growled and moved towards Jagad but she fired. He stumbled back but kept coming. Sparrow reacted and shot the marine with his laser pistol but unlike Jagad's plasma cannon the laser pistol barely scratched the battle dress. Salvesdes moved towards the first officer again so she fired. Salvesdes fell to the floor dead.
Jagad dropped the gun and turned to the captain who was gawping at the dead marine and seemed unable to move. He made odd noises. Jagad said "Captain I charge you with incompetence. You have taken this ship into unnecessary danger." She reached behind her and produced some restraints. "Admiral, would you please restrain the captain."
The captain did not put up any fight, shocked as he was. Jagad pushed him towards the toilet in his office and pushed him in, after checking him for communicators, weapons or any other item that might prove useful to escape.
Jagad then turned to Slayed and said "Captain the ship is yours" and saluted. Slayed saluted back.
Over the next few minutes she showed the travellers the codes to activate the consoles and the ship, and ensured they were all entered as senior officers. Nitrane went and got some tranquillisers and put the captain to sleep, just to be sure. Slayed informed the Harriers that he had control of the ship and that they should likewise prepare to leave - something they were ready to do.
All crew on board were those that Slayed had hired - Jagad had seen to that - and they were told to make the ship ready to depart immediately. O'Leary and Ilin were contacted and found to be very inebriated, especially Ilin. Talis in the engineering bay was alert and helped Goff start the engines. The other gunner took up station to control the weapons in case they were needed.
Sparrow communicated with his contact and the doors opened and the atmospheric controls made a calm passage for the ships to fly out of the atmosphere. Reaching orbit the Harriers and treasure ship rendezvoused to move more crew over to the larger vessel. Engineers, marines and gunners moved across while Sparrow and Unter swapped places - Sparrow would captain the Harriers for the next leg of the trip while Unter would join Nitrane and Slayed on the treasure ship.
It was agreed that the Harriers would jump to Inurin where they would refuel before heading to Tech-World. The treasure ship, which had jump-3 worth of fuel would jump-2 to empty space before making the single jump to Tech-World, meeting up with the Harriers.
While the ships flew to the 100 diameter limit, Nitrane decided to go with Unter to check that the rest of the ship was clear. While checking out the upper cargo deck some noises got their attention as there should be no other crew on this deck. Deciding to split up to better find the source of the noise, Unter turned a corner and saw someone else in battle dress, who fired a heavy energy weapon at Unter, wounding him. Unter fired back, hitting the assailant, then doubled back and jumped down a hatch to the lower deck.
Meanwhile Nitrane was passing the galley when she heard the shooting cease and herd heavy battle dress steps as someone ran towards her. Rather than wait for the unknown assailant to see her she jumped sideways into the galley and hid under a table.
By this time Slayed on the bridge was made aware of the shooting on the cargo decks and assigned four of his marines to double-time it to that location.
As Unter stood up he saw the other figure jump down the corresponding hatch across the other side of the ship. It was a clear shot along a corridor. If Unter didn't stop this person now even Unter's battle dress wouldn't save him. Unter fired off a desperate shot and luckily did enough damage to kill his attacker.
Cautiously approaching the body it was seen to be Commander Harc. The paranoid marine had decided to stay on the ship rather than visit the party.
With the ship now secure the jump was made to empty space while the Harriers, unaware of the excitement on the treasure ship made their jump to Inurin.
To be continued.
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