"Captain Merxi, this was his brainchild," the admiral declared, casting a glance back at the suddenly bashful soldier. "You learn things about your men when they sign up for certain endeavors," he added with a touch of regret.
Curiosity piqued, Captain Merxi leaned forward, her eyes fixed on the admiral. "And what information does he bring that warrants deploying my entire crew against them?"
"Commander Brook will provide you with the details. This first assignment is non-negotiable," the admiral stated firmly. He motioned for Commander Brook to approach, who handed him a briefcase. Opening it, the admiral revealed a contract, placing it between them. "To be one of ours, you must sign this. It grants you a writ of piracy, ensuring that if any other human vessel were to apprehend you and your crew, you can present this document and secure your release. Even if circumstances change and I am no longer in command, this contract shall safeguard your interests."
Captain Merxi's narrowed her eyes, suspicion lacing her voice. "Should this contract bear any hidden clauses, I shall consider it a trap and expose you as sponsors of piracy to the galaxy."
"I understand your caution," the admiral replied calmly. Captain Merxi returned her attention to the contract, scrutinizing the concise legal language it contained. It appeared straightforward and legitimate, but the admiral's mention of effectively holding her crew hostage weighed heavily on her mind.
"What is it you demand of me first?" she asked, her voice direct. "This is the deal-breaker. What do you seek?"
"We want you to turn against your sponsor, the one who sought to kidnap and sell our people. We desire her abduction from her residence, to be handed over to our interrogators. We wish for her business to be raided and its assets seized. Take everything that isn't nailed down, uncover what lies beneath, and leave destruction in your wake. In return, we shall pay a premium price for every item stolen, and you shall have the liberty to name your price for the capture of your sponsor," the admiral explained. Captain Merxi's jaw dropped in astonishment.
"What is the catch?" she questioned, her voice laced with suspicion.
"We have less than an hour to load everything onto your ship and get settled before commencing the operation. Only after you sign the contract will we begin," the admiral replied. Captain Merxi focused intently, rapidly scanning the contract before affixing her signature to it. The admiral followed suit, closing the case and extending it to her. "My men are now under your command, Captain. We are pleased to have you on board," he saluted, his tone respectful. With that, he turned away, bellowing orders to his men. "Move out, men! We should have had that ship loaded and prepared twenty minutes ago! GO, GO, GO!"
"What, pray tell, are you placing on my ship?" Captain Merxi demanded. The admiral turned back to face her.
"Two months' worth of food supplies, three weeks of solid-state fuel, and two weeks of liquid fuel. We will provide the materials and tools necessary for a gunsmithing laboratory, enabling my men to maintain and enhance their weapons, even produce new ones upon request. They will also bring their personal belongings and additional training materials."
"Additional training?" Captain Merxi inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"Make no mistake, all ten of them are exceptional combatants. They endured rigorous training in languages, combat skills, ship navigation, and maintenance. The program had a ninety-five percent failure rate over two and a half years, yet each of them persevered and succeeded. However, their training focused primarily on local languages, combat techniques, and ship operations. Given the opportunity, they can wreak havoc on enemy positions with unrivaled efficiency."
"Yes, the one we captured proved that," Captain Merxi remarked, recalling the display of prowess she witnessed.
"Regal Brook barely passed the training by a slim margin," the admiral disclosed. "He teetered on the edge of failure, but he possesses an admirable tenacity and an unwavering determination to complete any task, even if it means sacrificing parts of himself. While he may be one of the weakest links on our ship, he is a commendably stubborn individual. Nonetheless, a pass is a pass. Along with the others, he will now receive instruction in leadership, logistics, diplomacy, galactic politics, and the lessons we learned during our own age of piracy. These ten individuals will not burden your crew, but if they prove troublesome, contact me, and they shall be replaced."
"I understand," Captain Merxi acknowledged. "What about shore leave and such? Forcing specific crewmembers to remain onboard often leads to acts of sabotage."
"Our cover story will be that you have seduced them, and officially, they will be denounced as criminals," the admiral explained. "Therefore, feel free to take them ashore and showcase their presence if you wish."
Captain Merxi's realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. "These men are sacrificing everything for this audacious plan."
"Almost everything. There is a way back for them, but it will not be ready for several years—five years at minimum, potentially ten to twenty," the admiral divulged.
"Five years of unwavering loyalty, with the possibility of twenty years before they find a new purpose. Military drafts scarcely extract such commitment from their recruits," Captain Merxi mused, her smirk growing. "Five years to seduce those men to my heart's content. Perfect..."
Glancing around, Captain Merxi's eyes blazed with determination. "What are you all doing, sitting idle? Return to the ship! We have loot to seize and a villain to deliver to our newfound allies here. We shall go wherever the money leads us! Spin up the engines, activate the shields, and initiate the bafflers! We have a raid ahead!"
The crew sprang into action, spurred by Captain Merxi's commanding words. They swiftly dispersed, each member knowing their role and responsibilities. Excitement filled the air as the ship's engines hummed to life, vibrations coursing through the vessel. The shields powered up, encasing the ship in a protective barrier, while the bafflers activated, masking their presence from prying eyes.
Captain Merxi stood tall, her gaze fixed on the horizon of possibilities that lay before them. The admiral observed her with a hint of admiration, appreciating her determination and resourcefulness. He saw in her a kindred spirit—a captain unafraid to navigate treacherous waters for the sake of her crew and their shared goals.
As the crew hustled and bustled, preparing for their forthcoming raid, Captain Merxi's mind buzzed with plans and strategies. She felt a renewed sense of purpose, fueled by the promise of adventure and the prospects of wealth and retribution. Her ship, once on the brink of despair, now bore the mark of hope and opportunity.
With the briefcase clasped firmly in her hands, containing the contract and the rights of piracy bestowed upon her, Captain Merxi took a deep breath. She had signed her name in ink, binding her fate to that of Admiral Eigier and his cause. It was a leap of faith, a gamble she was willing to take.
The future loomed before her like an uncharted galaxy, full of risks and rewards. But one thing was certain—Captain Merxi and her crew were embarking on a journey that would test their mettle, challenge their wits, and shape their destinies. The alliances forged, the battles fought, and the secrets unraveled would become the chapters of their shared tale.
As the ship prepared to set sail, Captain Merxi's eyes glinted with a mix of determination and anticipation. She had a crew of capable misfits at her side, and now, with the ten soldiers from Admiral Eigier's ranks joining their ranks, their strength grew tenfold.
"Set a course for adventure, my friends," Captain Merxi declared, her voice carrying a blend of confidence and excitement. "Our path may be treacherous, but together, we shall conquer the stars and leave our mark upon the galaxy!"
The crew cheered in unison, their spirits lifted by their captain's words. With the promise of riches, freedom, and justice beckoning them onward, they embarked on their daring journey—a voyage that would test their bonds, their resolve, and their very essence.
Her voice reverberated through the ship, cutting through the lingering haze of conversation with the admiral. The crew, awakened from their momentary stupor, scurried and hurried, their footsteps echoing on the deck. Captain Merxi watched with a hint of amusement as they hurriedly made their way back to the airlock, their movements resembling a chaotic dance.
Returning to the familiar surroundings of her ship, she observed the whirlwind of activity unfolding around her. A nearby terminal provided her with a glimpse of the situation—a storage room, once forgotten, now abuzz with feverish energy. Her ten recruits, under the swift guidance of Brook, had wasted no time in getting to work. They were diligently setting up various machines, bolting them to the floor, and working towards a common purpose.
As she entered the room, a shout rang out, alerting everyone to her presence. The commotion ceased instantly, and each soldier stood at attention, saluting her in unison. Captain Merxi scoffed at the gesture, recognizing the earnestness but seeing it as unnecessary. She wasted no time in asserting her expectations.
"This is a pirate ship, not a military vessel. I care more about actions than formalities," she remarked, and all but Brook hurried back to their tasks.
"Fair enough, Captain. Allow me to be the one to provide explanations," Brook spoke up, assuming a position with his feet planted firmly and hands clasped behind his back.
She responded with a salacious grin, relishing the thought of the explanations he would provide later. But for now, her focus was on the setup in her storage room.
"What kind of chaos are you creating in my storage room?" she inquired, her tone laced with intrigue.
"This, Captain, is a Gunsmithing Workshop and Laboratory. Here, we shall craft long-range kinetic weaponry, experiment with improvements and customizations, manufacture ammunition, and perform maintenance on damaged weapons. We have a 3D printer for plastic parts, along with a multi-bit drill, a metal press, a lathe for metal and wood, a belt sander, and a grinder. Additionally, we have a bullet press and a small chemical workstation. The foundry and scrap recycling chambers on this deck will prove invaluable to our endeavors," Brook explained, his words laced with a sense of purpose.
Captain Merxi absorbed the information, contemplating the possibilities that lay before them. She then inquired about the immediate needs.
"What can you start producing first?"
"The quickest and easiest option is to utilize the 3D printer for plastic weapons. While they may be more fragile than their metal counterparts, we can produce them in large quantities within a short period," Brook answered, and the captain nodded, contemplating the practicality of the suggestion.
"We can commence with cheap handguns if you desire. Proper rifles are too time-consuming, and a plastic shotgun is out of the question. However, we can churn out standard handguns at a rate of approximately one every half hour," he further explained, sensing her confusion.
She accepted the offered handgun, examining it briefly before returning it.
"Metal, you say?"
"Yes, Captain. They make for more durable weapons, requiring regular maintenance and cleaning compared to plastic ones that warp and malfunction over time," Brook clarified, securing the weapon back into its concealed holster.
Captain Merxi contemplated the possibilities, likening the assortment of weapons to the various types of plasma casters.
"Handgun to automatic to rifle, I presume?"
"Indeed, Captain. We will be producing all three categories," Brook confirmed.
Before further discussion could ensue, a voice crackled through the comms above her—a call from the comms officer, Tury, summoning her to the helm.
"We're ready to set sail, Captain. We need you on the bridge," Tury's voice resonated through the ship's communication system.
Acknowledging the urgency in Tury's voice, Captain Merxi nodded in response. Turning away from the bustling storage room, she allowed herself a momentary sigh of relief. The scent of so many fertile and virile males in such close proximity had begun to cloud her senses. She couldn't deny the allure of having them all under her command, devoted to her and her crew. However, she swiftly regained her composure, refocusing on the task at hand.
