Pirates!

            Jackie Razer, captain of the galactic cargo ship the Excelsior, stared blankly out the window separating her from space. She could see the bright stars all around her. She had always dreamed of being here, right where she stood. And somehow it all felt so,

            “Boring,” she said to herself. Though she had longed to sail through the tides of space, it hadn’t added up to exactly what she had hoped for. She stretched and let out a small yawn. Then again, she wondered, whatever did live up to its expectations?

            The ship was empty of cargo at the moment, and headed to the planet Shanx to see just what it could pick up and run. The last shipment they had delivered was nothing but beans. Literal beans. The planet Borgos needed them badly for some reason or another. She didn’t care why they needed the beans, so much as how they got them. And delivered them they had.

            “Jackie,” came a voice through the earpiece she always wore.

            “Kane,” she responded. It was Horace Kane, second in command and weapons expert for the ship.

            “It’s boring, captain. We have to get something going or I’m going to lose my mind.” Kane whined.

            “We’ll be landing on Shanx soon enough.” Jackie responded, rolling her eyes. She cleared her throat. “Vordak, how long until we land?” She asked.

            Up at the front of the ship, the Lizzoid named Vordak sat, his hands hovering above the touch screen controls.

            “Ship says we’ll be landing in ten minutes.” He replied.

            “Alright, good, hear that, Kane?” Jackie asked. “We’ll be down soon, and you can stretch your little legs.” She let out a laugh. Kane was about a head shorter than her. A combination of him being short and her being tall that he despised.

            “Hardy har.” Kane responded.

            Several minutes later, Jackie stood behind Vordak’s chair and pointed toward the screen.

            “Go ahead and signal to tower control that we’re coming in for a landing,” she said. “We don’t want these trigger happy Shanxers to shoot us down. We’re just looking for work.” Vordak nodded and hit a button in the center of the consul. The action caused a pinging noise and after a moment, a tall older man with white hair and angular cheek bones flashed on the screen before Jackie and Vordak.

            “Speak.” He said.

            “This is cargo ship Excelsior, coming in for a landing. We’re looking for work.” The man on the screen looked down.

            “It seems as though there are four life signs aboard?”
            “Four of us and one droid.” Jackie said. After a moment the old man looked back up to Jackie.

            “Very well. Land at docking bay Delta.” And with that, the image cut off.

            “You heard the man, Vordak.” Jackie said, patting the large lizard on the shoulder.

            “Aye aye, captain.” Vordak said as he eased the ship down toward the docking bay.

            Down at the registration station, the old man looked up from his tablet and nodded.

            “Excelsior,” he said.

            “Captain Razer.” Jackie said, extending a hand. But the old man simply stared at her.

            “We’re looking for work,” added Kane gruffly.

            “A cargo ship with a good crew is just what Olo Banford is looking for.” The old man said consulting his tablet.

            “Olo Banford?” Asked Jackie.

            “Yes, he’s a local Baron. We’ll put you in contact if you’d like.” Jackie thought about the emptying fuel tank on the ship and the even emptier wallets of her and her crew.

            “We’d like that, thank you.” Said Jackie, putting her hands in her coat pockets.

            “Very well.” Said the old man. He touched the screen on his wrist and a fat man popped up. A hologram.

            “Baron Banford,” said the old man.

            “Kreeus,” returned the Baron.

            “We have a ship with eager crew here at docking bay Delta. They sound as if they would be wiling to transport your goods.” The Baron thought for a moment.

            “Are they a good crew?” asked the Baron.

            “The Excelsior.” Said Kreeus.

            “Ah, yes, I’ve heard of this ship. Very well. I will send my goods to the docking bay. Thank you very much, Kreeus.”

            “Very well.” The hologram cut off and Kreeus looked back up at Jackie. He nodded.

            “Uh, sounds good,” said Jackie. She pointed her thumb at the ship. “We’ll just be waiting by the ship.”

            “Excellent,” replied Kreeus.

            Jackie walked back toward the ship and leaned against it. Vordak exited the ship and stood next to her.

            “Got the gig?” asked Vordak.

            “Yeah, it was pretty easy. Working for a local Baron.”

            “Oh, that sounds exciting.” Jackie nodded in agreement.

            “Now we just have to wait for him to send the goods,” she said.

            “Cool,” said Vordak. “I’ll go check on Perl and Bernie.” Perl was no doubt running around maintaining this or fixing that. And Bernie, the med droid, was probably busy worrying. Well, it was as close to the human feeling of worrying that a droid could muster. As Vordak walked back into the ship, Horace crossed paths with him.

            “Captain,” he said, nodding toward Jackie.

            “Kane,” she replied.

            “Can we…” he rubbed the back of his bald head, “can we blow something up finally? It’s been ages.”

            “I think we’ll just take a simple cargo job. You know, nice and easy. No need to go shooting anything, Horace.”

            “Well that’s what you think. But all the weapons are primed and ready!” he slammed his fist into his other, open hand.

            “I’ll keep that in mind.” Said Jackie. “Ah, it looks like the Baron has got his cargo on the way already. That was fast.” She said, looking at her watch.

            “Aw man, you mean we have to get back in the sky already?” asked Kane.

            “Well, let’s see what the good Baron has for us to offer, first. Horace. We need the money after all.” Kane rolled his eyes.

            “Fine, fine. You’re the captain, after all.”

            After about twenty minutes, a pair of droids approached Jackie.

            “Captain Razer?” The droids asked.

            “That’s me,” she said with a nod. The droids looked at the ship.

            “This is the ship, sir.” Trudging behind them came the chubby Baron Banford. He smiled a jowly smile.

            “Good afternoon, Captain.” He said, eying Jackie up and down. She glanced at him in return and saluted the Baron.

            “Afternoon. What might we be hauling for you?” She asked.

            “Right to the point, I like that.” Banford said with a grin. “Well, you see, my beloved daughter is off world. She relocated to the planet Praxxus with her lover.” The Baron rolled his eyes at this thought. Jackie realized he disapproved but didn’t care. “And she is to be wed. I wish to hire a cargo ship to carry her wedding gifts.”

            “And what might that be?” Jackie asked, narrowing her eyes.

            “Come now Captain, you don’t strike me as one so suspicious as you seem now.”

            “I just like to know what I’m hauling. That’s all.”

            “Well, in that case, I’ll tell you. I’ll be sending several crates of fine jewelry and gold. It’s her inheritance. I’d rather her get it now, on her wedding day, and while I live, as opposed to waiting until I die. This seems a much more joyous occasion.” Jackie thought for a moment, rubbing her chin.

            “Why hire my ship and not take your own, surely you’re going to the wedding.”  The Baron placed his hands behind his back and chuckled.

            “Well, how can I put this nicely…?” he rubbed one of his chins for a moment, thinking. “I need a less…flashy ship to carry my riches. I’m afraid that my ship is quite nice and might attract unwanted attention.” Jackie scoffed.

            “What are you saying about my ship, sir?” She asked with a snort.

            “I mean no offense; I simply wish to blend in.” The Baron let out a soft chuckle.

            “Does that mean you’d be our cargo, as well?” Jackie asked blinking slowly.

            “Of course! I need a ride to the wedding myself. I’m rather paranoid about travel myself, I prefer to let others do it for me.”

            “Well I think—” Jackie began.

            “Yes, yes, the credits will be far more than worth it.” Jackie’s expression softened. “Yes, that’s what I thought,” said Benford. Jackie rolled her eyes. She was beginning to detest this Baron, but she wouldn’t shrug off his credits.

            “Well, when do we leave?” Jackie asked finally.

            “The wedding is in three days’ time.” Benford replied. “So, we best get going as soon as you and your crew are ready.” Benford clapped and the two droids picked up his traveling equipment.

            “Welcome aboard,” said Jackie, motioning him toward the cargo hold of the ship.

            “Several of my men will be here within the hour to load up the wedding gifts,” said the Baron as he and the droids entered the ship.

            Once inside, he looked from side to side and smiled.

            “Yes, I believe this is shabby enough to work for me.” He set his bags down as the white med droid passed him by. “Take my baggage, would you?” A nervous look flashed across his face display.

            “Yes s-s-sir.” Bernie replied. Stooping over, he picked up the luggage and walked off in the direction of the sleeping quarters.

“Hey, don’t boss my crew around too much, Mr. Baron,” said Jackie, who had crept up behind the pair. The Baron’s droids began to follow Bernie.

“Yes, I’ll—I’ll keep that in mind.” The Baron said as he followed the trio of droids.

Kane came down from the upper deck and positioned himself next to the captain.

“I don’t think I’m going to like this guy.” Kane said with a grimace. Jackie shrugged.

“Me neither, but Kane, you don’t really like anyone.” Kane thought for a moment.

“Fair point.” He slunk off leaving Jackie standing there. After a moment, se closed the back hatch of the ship and walked toward the cockpit where Vordak sat patiently waiting. The Lizzoid heard her footsteps approaching.

“Where to, captain?” he asked, spinning around in his chair.

“Our current cargo wants safe passage to Praxxus.” Jackie said, leaning against the door to the cockpit. She crossed her arms as she did so and closed her eyes. How much longer would she have to be running cargo, both living and none, to make a living?

“Praxxus, that’s a couple days away, we better get out of here as soon as we can.”

“That’s the plan.” Jackie said. With this, Vordak spun back around and began to plot his course for the planet Praxxus.

Within the hour, the Excelsior was back in the air and leaving the atmosphere of planet Shanx. Onboard, the crew sat tight, as leaving the atmosphere could always be a little bumpy for the old cargo ship. Down in the cargo hold, Jackie sat staring at the crates of jewels and riches. All this could be theirs; it wouldn’t be hard. Surly whatever Benford had to offer paled in comparison to all these goods. She shook her head violently. She didn’t get into the flying game to become a wanted thief.

“Thinkin’ hard, boss?” came the voice beside her. Jackie found her way out of her thoughts and saw Ramblin’ Perl standing next to her.

“Just thinking about, you know…” she trailed off. Perl blinked her one giant eye.

“Reckon I do.” She adjusted the Stetson cowboy hat on her head and put her hands in the pockets of her jump suit.

She stared at the captain.

The captain stared back at her. Jackie clasped Perl on the shoulder.

“Always good talking to you, Perl,” she said, finally. Perl went her way, contemplating, no doubt, matters of the universe.

“Admiring my fortune, huh?” Asked Benford, who had snuck up on her.

“Yikes. Don’t do that.” Jackie said, jolting up. She paused for a moment. “It is rather impressive. You’re pretty rich.”

“What’s stopping you from simply taking it all?” Asked Bendford. “I know the thought must have crossed your mind.”

“Sure it did.” Admitted Jackie. She crossed her arms. “But that would make us nothing more than—”

“Pirates!” Vordak’s voice cut her off as it rang out over the PA system wired throughout the ship. Jackie launched herself from her seated position and sprinted up the distance of the ship toward the cockpit, where Vordak awaited her nervously.

“Captain—” he pointed frantically outside to the sleek black ship that had just appeared from nowhere.

“That ship looks like…the Grimm Reaper!” Jackie gasped.

“We’re being hailed.” Vordak said, staring at a screen to his left. Jackie nodded and the screen lit up with the image of a man. A man with long black hair and the stubble to match. He had a square jaw and wore a jagged grin.

“Well, well, well, Jackie Razer,” he said.

“Bulga Grimm.” Jackie replied.

“The Bulga Grimm?” Vordak asked. Once again, Jackie only nodded in response.

“Long time no see, not since you dumped me on Vorga-9.” Grimm spat.

“Well, what can I say, it just wasn’t working out, sweetheart.” Jackie responded. Vordak looked up in amazement at the captain.

“You dated Bulga Grimm?” He asked.

“That’s a long story for another time, Vordak.” Jackie calmly stated. Grimm cut in on the two.

“Now, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Prepare to be boarded and give us your valuables, and we’ll leave you alone. Otherwise…” he drew a finger across his neck with a smile on his face.

By this time, Kane had shuffled his way up to the cockpit. He looked disgusted as he saw Bugla Grimm’s face.

“Grimm!” he spat.

“Oh, my old running mate Horace Kane. What are the odds that you two are together now?” Grimm asked. Then he laughed. “No matter, your job is your cargo. Or it was your cargo. Now it’s mine.” Kane looked up at Jackie with a grimace.

“Let me blast ‘em, come on!”

“I think they’ve got the drop on us, Kane. They could probably blast us out of the sky,” she said, pointing to two menacing looking front facing guns pointed square at the Excelsior. Kane dropped his fists to his side, shaking in anger.

“That brute left me stranded on Booltim! Do you know how cold and desolate that planet is?” Kane asked, his voice rising.

“I hate to interrupt,” Bulga said, motioning to the watch on his wrist, “but your time is about up.”

“What do we do, Captain?” Vordak asked. Jackie puffed out her chest and took a deep breath.

“I evoke the right of Kelnoch!” Kane looked at her, his eyes growing wider by the second.

“Kelnoch! Kelnoch! Are you crazy? Bulga Grimm will tear you apart!”

“You want a sword duel, eh, Razer? Winner takes all, huh?” Asked Grimm with a smirk. “You know as well as I do, I’m deadly with the blade.” Jackie did not hesitate.

“Come and prove it then, darling.”

“I could just shoot you out of space right now.” Grimm said with a laugh.

“But then you’d miss out on all the cargo we’re hauling, and let me tell you, Grimm, you don’t want to lose what we’ve got.” Grimm arched an eyebrow, intrigued. Jackie waited as Grimm seemed to weight the options before him.

“Very well,” he said, standing from his chair. He threw back his black cloak to reveal the saber at his side. “Let’s be civilized about this, shall we?” Grimm laughed. “I’m coming aboard.”

Several minutes later, a bright light appeared in the cargo bay of the Excelsior. Jackie had to shield her eyes for a moment as the form of Bulga Grimm appeared fully formed on her ship. He had ‘ported himself in with three other men.

“Scoid,” he said, gesturing to the man at his right, “as my second in command, it’s your duty to hold my cloak.” He snarled as he removed his black garment and revealed the saber at his side. Opposite him, Jackie removed her long grey coat to reveal the sword at hers.

“Any last words, Grimm?” She asked, taking the sword out of its sheath, and brandishing it in the air.

“I always loved it when we had our sword play.” Grimm replied, blowing a kiss toward Jackie. Kane stepped up, hand on his laspistol, but Jackie waved him off.

“Not now, Kane. I promise when this is all over, I’ll let you blow up whatever you want, ok?” Kane retreated, slinging Jackie’s coat over his shoulder. From behind him, Bernie could be seen readying medical supplies.

“I believe in you, captain.” He said faintly. A flicker of worry crossed the screen that served as his face.

Ramblin’ Perl, for her part, shook her fist at Grimm and said nothing. Benford, who was terrified of everything that was going on, but also angry that his goods were in danger, shook as he shouted with fear.

“What the devil are you doing, Razer? You can’t gamble with my cargo like this! Just let the little bearded man shoot him!”

“Quiet, Benford, this is a matter of honor and pride now.” She said, narrowing her eyes as she looked at Grimm.

“Well, Jackie, I just want to say—” Grimm began, then cut himself short, lunging at her with the saber. Jackie, perceiving his move half a second before he made contact, side stepped the big, dark-haired man. She held her sword up in front of her.

“Now, now, Grimm, you’ve got to be quicker than that.” She grinned as she thrust her sword his way. He parried it with his blade, a harsh metal grating sound rang throughout the cargo bay.

“C’mon captain, gut her like a fish!” Yelled Scoid, raising his fists in the air. Grimm thrust back at her, she blocked him. They circled each other slowly. Jackie cut at Grimm, hoping to wound his sword hand, but he jerked back with a second to spare, and laughed.

“Now who’s got to be faster?” Grimm asked, slashing downward at his opponent. Jackie fell backwards and landed on her knees. Grimm, seeing this as an opportunity to finish her, sliced through the air before him with ferocity.  He had aimed for her head, Jackie thought. So, she realized, he wasn’t going to take it lightly on her. She bobbed her head and the sword made minimal contact with her cheek, still enough to make it to bleed.

“Good one, Grimm,” she said, getting back to her feet and wiping the blood off her face. “But it’s not over yet.” She ran toward Grimm, her blade raised high. Grimm held his at equal height to block her, but he did not anticipate her dexterity. For, to the right, sat an old wooden crate. Jackie, seeing the box before Grimm did, launched herself off the wooden crate and flipped over Grimm’s head like an acrobat at the circus. She landed on her feet, her back to him, and thrust the sword backwards, making contact with something meaty. She heard Grimm let out a little gasp and then the sound of metal hitting the floor. She spun around to see her blade had pierced his side.

Grimm looked down in shock.

“Jackie you…you stabbed me,” he said, shakily. Then he fell to his knees clutching his side.

“Looks like I won.” Jackie said, lowering her blade. “Time for you and your scum to get off my ship.” She said with venom.

“Scoid!” Grimm cried. His backup plan, evidently, was the following:

Scoid, upon hearing his name, threw the black cloak down and drew his laspistol, and, aiming it at Jackie, gave a great grin.

“Aye aye, captain.” Said Scoid. However, before he could pull the trigger, a beam of red light flew across the air and hit him square in the chest. Scoid’s lifeless body went flying back and hit the ground with a thud.

Standing opposite him, Kane’s laspistol was still smoking.

“I think not!” he said.

“Good one, Kane,” said Jackie. Then she turned her attention toward Grimm. “You little weasel. There’s no guns allowed during the sword fight!” She kicked him and, in his weakened state, he fell over. She motioned to the remaining men that served Grimm.

            “Get your boss off my ship. He’s bleeding on the my floor.” Without hesitation, the two pirates hoisted Grimm up from under the arms and dragged him away. Within seconds, they were teleported off the ship.

            “How do you know he won’t retaliate?” Vordak asked.

            “Grimm may be a pirate, but when he’s bested, he knows it,” said Jackie, putting her long gray coat back on. “He’s got other things to worry about, like getting the blood to stop leaving his body. Now he’ll go find weaker prey to stalk.”

            Back in the cockpit, Vordak watched with amazement as the Grimm Reaper retreated into space.

            “You did it, Captain.” Said Bernie as he applied a small white bandage to Jackie’s face.

            “Never doubted you.” Said Perl with a wry smile.

            “And I finally got to shoot someone!” Cried Kane, dancing with happiness.

            “Yes,” said Benford, tapping his foot in anger, “this is all wonderful, but can we please get back on course for the wedding?” Jackie nodded at him. She tapped the communicator in her ear.

            “Let’s go, Vordak,” she commanded.

As the ship continued its path, Jackie looked down at the smear of blood that belonged to the pirate she had defeated. She swallowed and knew, deep in her gut, this wasn’t the last time she’d see Bulga Grimm.