A Pirates Life for Me

Sentrius was dragged through corridors of red light, passing by more cargo bays, ammunition storage, and the occasional sleeping quarters. After ascending a few levels in an elevator and winding through a few more passages, they came into a large room with a table in the center where a holograph of the galaxy flickered above it. Along the walls of the room were computers and control panels with blinking lights dotted along them. A few grimy pirates hung around these, pushing buttons and deciphering data flashed on the screens, too busy to look up.

He was dragged past this room through another door on the opposite side which had more control panels and computers tucked in the corners. The walls near the far end were transparent, providing a view over the rest of the ship and its surroundings. The ship was massive, stretching forward out into space before him. On its surface, He noticed runways dotted with small fighters from several different corporations and groups. Pirates scurried about like little ants, repairing a thing here, detaching a hose and plugging it in somewhere else, and talking with other pirates nearby. Sentrius recognized the layout to be a cruiser from the Austreaus Corporation. If he was remembering his studies right, these pirates must be good if they can get their hands on a ship like this. A few smaller frigates and transports floated nearby, little pirates hovered about each of them, repairing spots with equipment blown off, patching holes air was leaking from, or inspecting for any unknown damage.

In the center of the room, there was a large table with chairs that surrounded it, one at the head and the foot with many more lining the sides in between. A holograph of the fleet floated above the table. The cruiser was in the center with many more smaller ships surrounding it. A man stood at the far end of the room, staring out of the view ports into space. He had a scratchy looking beard, a large leather coat that came down past his knees, and a steel pole replacing one leg. "Here is te precious cargo as promised sir." Greasy said as he pushed Sentrius forward, who stumbled and fell with his hands and feet still tied along with his sore muscles from the attack earlier.

"Very good my boys." The man said as he turned, facing them. He had a long scar that stretched from his forehead, across the bridge of his nose, and ending just past his cheekbone. He looked intently down at Sentrius as Greasy and Junior walked away. He then squatted down and looked Sentrius in the eyes. His own eyes were a cold, unmoving, steel that seemed to chill Sentrius with their gaze. "Do ye know why ye not be with the other prisners?" He said as he stood back up and returned to gazing out the view port. Sentrius sat there and attempted to wiggle out a no. The man didn't appear to give much attention to this and continued. "Here, we take prisoners. At least them prisners that could be of use to us. Most, we sell to them corporations that are always hungry for more workers. But some, like ye, have specific talents and skills we need." He turned again and looked at Sentrius. "The bag ye used to take out poor Billy's tooth told us all we needed to know about ye. Ye are an escapee from the Sol system. Ye were studying to be a propulsion expert for yer special little group. Building and designing engines to propel its fleet faster and better than all the others. But a life of books and papers wasn't enough for ye. Ye longed for the stars, to explore and adventure."

Sentrius' heart skipped a beat. How had this man figured out so much about him already? His journal was in his bag. Of course. The man continued, "During a trip to a mining freighter, ye managed to escape on a cargo transport and find ye way onto a light tram headed to the Novusterra system. That's when we got ye." The man squatted down and looked him in the eyes again, "I can give ye that life of adventure ye crave. I can give ye the freedom of the stars. I can even make ye rich." Sentrius stared back into those steel eyes, but they didn't appear so cold. They appeared to have a spark in them that seemed to beg him to take the offer, whatever its conditions may be, to follow his heart and live the exciting life he always dreamed of.

"Become a pirate with the crew." Sentrius furrowed his brow. Sol sure wouldn't help him with this. If he had to beg Sol for forgiveness every ten days for occasionally killing those miserable pesky flies back home, Sol would certainly not approve of becoming a pirate, and he needed his help. The man continued, Join me crew and I, and help us build better means of flying. See what the universe hides from all the books and air lovers." The spark in his eyes grew more intense and compelling as he removed Sentrius' gag. "So, what'll it be?"

"No"

The spark in the mans eyes flickered out, Replaced by that cold unmoving steel again. "I'm sorry we couldn't go bout this in a nicer way, but I'll get my way whether you want it or not." He said as he stood up and pushed a button on a control panel. "Take our proud ungrateful prisoner to his cell." As two pirates came from the door and grabbed Sentrius by his arms and dragged him out of the room. He could feel the mans eyes boring holes in his back as he left. He needed Sol's help more than ever.

To be continued...