He was not having a good day.


    “I want an estimated repair time as soon as there is one!”


    Not only could they still have pursuers after them, they now couldn’t move due to an unlucky combination of an unregulated jump and a stray shot that hit the drive. If they had completely lost the ability to get back to an occupied system, they would have to send out a distress call. One that could be tracked by the people that put them into this predicament in the first place. It would be completely random who would show up first. Which meant it was the last thing he wanted.


    Of course, if they took too long to repair the drives they could be caught anyways. Their pursuers would need to check a great many places or spend days analyzing the drive trail, but they would find this place eventually. The only reason it wouldn’t be sooner was the same reason they couldn’t just leave as soon as the drives reset. A blessing and a curse all rolled into one.


    “Sir! Engineering needs your input. They say they can make emergency repairs in an hour or so, but we would only get one more jump and would completely lose them. If we want more than that they would need to tear the drives apart and it could be days before we could move again.”


    Curses. That was a terrible decision to make. How much time could he spare until he was pushing his luck. If only he had a better time..-


    “Sir! Ship on radar!”


    ‘What? How had they been found so fast?’


    “How long until they are in range? Navigation I want jump options, now!”


    If he was only to get one jump, so be it. It would just have to be a very good one. He hoped he had the time at least.


    “Uh, sir? None.”


    “What?!?”


    “The ship is right on top of us sir. We are almost certainly in range.”


    “Why was I not informed of an approaching vessel?! Comms, tell engineering to start the emergency repairs!”


    “I’m sorry sir, there was no approach! They just appeared on top of us. The only reason we even know they are there is the alignment ping on their docking umbilical. Sensors found nothing and the ship is far too close for opticals. It’s almost as if we landed right on top of them!”


    What? What was even happening right now? A ship that didn’t show up on sensors was unheard of. Not to mention that anything in the immediate area of their landing would have been vaporized by the drive wake. That was the whole reason to regulate jumps in the first place! It was possible the other ship had ridden the wake out of the harmful area, but only an A.I. or an insane pilot would even attempt something like that. They had been here long enough to be approached, but that didn’t explain how they hadn’t spotted anything!


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ‘Wait, did he say docking ping?’


    “Prepare for boarders! Someone fetch me my weapons. Sensors, which docking clamp are they attempting. Comms, report anything on any external frequency.”


    “Comms, sir! We are being jammed. Nothing in or out.”


    “Sir! Readings indicate they are near external airlock RN-6 and closing! They aren’t even trying for a docking clamp!”


    ‘Insane. These people were insane! No one attempts a boarding action on an air lock!’


    He shuddered. Whatever was happening was not something he wanted to be a part of.


    “Navigation, find us a way out and jump as soon as engineering gives the ok. I want a defensive position at that air lock now! Anyone that isn’t vitally important grab a weapon and follow me. I want updates if something happens!”


    A chorus of ‘Yes, sir’s followed. He made his way out to the designated air lock and was pleased to see there was at least some attempt to fortify the area.


    “Report!”


    “Sir! There were two loud thumps and –”


    The words were cut off as two thuds hit the air lock door, so strong that they rattled the plating. As if someone was trying to break in with brute force alone.


    “Like that sir!”


    He got behind an improvised emplacement and aimed his weapon at the door. Hopefully it would give them most of the time they needed to get the drives repaired. His hopes didn’t last long though as the air lock gave a happy beep and slid open.


    He didn’t blame his men. He really couldn’t. The scent of fear and anxiety that had lingered in the area started to mix with the distinct scent of wet bottom wear. It was only as the screaming was fading into the distance that he realized he had lowered his weapon.


    What was the point? Nothing he did would matter.


    “You. Send help. Many things. Speak slow.”


    Confusion joined the mix of despair and helplessness as the figure filling the air lock door growled out the words.


    ‘Were they being captured? More valuable that way maybe?’


    “fetc….*cough Fetch one of the younger ones”


    Two of those that had frozen up like him happily scurried off to fulfill the order. There might be a way out of this. If he could take his time sending people, they might still have enough crew left when the drives were back online.


    After what seemed like an eternity being stared down, but was far too short a time in reality, the first sacrifice walked into sight of the air lock and froze. He could understand the sentiment.


    He pointed and barked a quick order, “Go, do what it says.”


    The younger girl looked back at him with utter terror, but a push from one of the men that had fetched her sent her stumbling towards the air lock.


    And her fate.


    He did not expect the girl to faint as soon as the growling started. He expected it even less when a shadow moved and the girl was hauled into the air and disappeared past the air lock. He liked it not at all when the figure gave him a strange look he didn’t understand and then turned and disappeared as well.


    They needed to leave.


    ‘What kind of madman tries to board a ship with more than one of those nightmares!?’