Caring is Sharing
14 Aug 2020Tharik Otoli
The Adventures of Prince Tharik Otoli: Space PirateFollow this link for the full anthology!
AREKLICI
AREKLICI I
Deep within Federation space, under the sway of the Federal Liberal Command - the de jure corporate entity by which Shadow President Felicia Winters imposes her will across the Galaxy - we find the Areklici system. Here, due to a strong industrial and military presence, coupled with the private enterprise and investments of new colonists, one would note the highest prices offered in the Galaxy for Painite ore. So, with that distinction, ever since the end of the Diamond Rush of Borann, the system has become a galactic magnet for miners, pirates, and bounty hunters alike. This is where we join our heroes, in pursuit of a lumbering mining ship, the Nostromo, laden with 215 tons of freshly mined Painite.
"Oi Captain, one more volley o' the cannons should do it," shouted Bill Redbeard, First Mate of the Justicar. Tharik nodded silently and squeezed the trigger, the ship's high yield cannons erupted instantly and a moment later, the shells smashed into the wayward T-9's drives rendering them useless. Redbeard threw a clenched first into the air exclaiming, "Aye! That did it! Thar be plenty o' Lavian Brandy and wenches tonight, I tells ye!"
The formidable Lord Jubei Himura of the Hattori clan, Quartermaster and most lethal member of the Justicar's crew, was quick to maintain discipline on the bridge, "Steady Mr. Redbeard, we are not out of the woods yet." He turned to Tharik, "the boarding party is prepped Tharik, just give the word."
Imperial Corsair Captain Commander Prince Tharik Otoli - The Bane of Maia, The Scrouge of Borann, The Gentleman Pirate of Colonia, and Deciat's Plague - nodded just as Commander Rei Hino, aka Mars, of the infamous Spice Smugglers took note of the comms indicator, "Tharik, the T-9 is hailing us, voice only."
Tharik motioned toward the speakers installed in the overhead and they crackled to life, "I, Uhhh... Lieutenant Commander Arthur Dallas of the Federal Mining ship Nostromo, we... we surrender. Repeat, we surrender! Cease fire!"
A boisterous rogue standing in the back of the bridge called out, "Oi! Th' Federation dog 'tis surely singing a different melody now he is!"
Jubei smirked, "Indeed," he turned to Tharik, "What was it he called you once we interdicted him?" Jubei paused for some measure of dramatic effect, "I believe it was, 'A self-absorbed ego-maniac whose actions barely, if at all, qualify as legal in the eyes of any authority.'" Jubei continued, "as well as, 'An honorless man-child who derives pleasure from tormenting others.'" Jubei, to be sure, was not finished, "...and finally, 'a feckless pirate with a complete lack of a moral compass who surely deserves to be spaced following a brief trial and ample torture.'"
Tharik's disapproval was noticeable in his unseemly scowl, "Aye, that he did and I expect he regrets those words now! How terribly rude! Certainly he has heard of my exploits and must know I won't kill him and his crew if he simply heaves to and complies." Tharik shrugged and pivoted toward Mars, "Send our reply, 'Attention Federal Mining Ship, this is Imperial Corsair Captain Commander Prince Tharik Otoli, avast, power down and prepare to discuss the terms of your surrender.'" Mars dipped her head in approval and activated comm controls. Moments later she proclaimed, "Reply coming through now... 'Aye Justicar, powering down.'"
At that moment the ship's sensors registered another contact as a third ship dropped out of supercruise and attempted to way-lay our infamous corsairs, "I see the rumors are true. I'm glad I found you first," could barely be made out through the audio's distortion.
The bridge of the Justicar exploded into a flurry of activity. Lord Himura deftly directed power to shields while Mars called out the manufacturer and model of the attacker, a Lakon Spaceways T-10 Defender, a monstrous ship possessing more firepower than the Justicar, but even less maneuverable and lacking the nigh impenetrable shielding typical of Imperial Cutters such as the Justicar. The two beastly vessels lurched into position, only a few hundred meters apart from one another bearing directly down on each other. Tharik smiled, "He is a fool if he thinks he can stand toe to toe against the Justicar, I'll not let him steal away our prize and I'll certainly not be captured. Firing all cannons!"
A torrent of fire spilled across the shields of the two spacecraft, the crushing blows obscuring the view of one's enemy on the bridges of both ships. The crippled Nostromo continued to drift away as the battle raged, her Captain, Lieutenant Commander Dallas, frantically broadcasted distress signals on all channels, "Its the Bane of Maia! Send help immediately!"
The T-10 faltered and began to list, its rotational thrusters rendered inoperable, her shields down and many of her systems damaged. "Captain, you've done it! They are breaking up," exclaimed Mars as secondary explosions started to appear all across the T-10, and seconds later, the bounty hunters erupted in a massive fireball.
In due course, Federation Security did arrive. By that time, our heroes were long gone and the Nostromo was robbed of all her cargo. However, her crew was left very much unharmed as Tharik promised, which was fortunate for the galaxy at large as Lieutenant Commander Arthur Koblenz Dallas and Chief Petty Officer Ellen Ripley went on to become heroes in the war against the aliens, but that's another story...