Star-Pirates of the Golden Moon: Chapter 5

The She-Devil of Space!

The Baroness Allura Bontecou Von Dering; blood niece of the mad emperor, stood before the Star-Pirates. Kesh was tempted to call her beautiful but thought better of it. Although her hair was soft and golden and her womanly figure had indeed struck an agreeable compromise with the battle-scarred armor she wore, there was an unmistakable air of cruelty to the Baroness. Cruelty and the cold air of command.

It's a shame I caught you so easily Starlock. You didn't even let me shoot at you!

No, not this time Baroness. I'd hate for you to think I was being nostalgic.

Not nostalgic my dear, predictable, and yet you are. Dreadfully. A shame I won't be the one who gets to punish you for it. You're to be Aurams' toy, but don't fret, I'm sure he won't make your death last longer than your life.

Indeed he won't Baroness, for this conversation has taken up what seems an eternity and all his chirugeons couldn't match it for torture.

The face of the Baroness became a mask of anger and she took another step forward as if to strike Starlock with her pistol. The blow never landed. Blade crossed barrel as Starlocks saber flew from its hilt. The edge of the sword severed the gun in two and stopped a hairs thickness from the Baroness' throat. She froze, but her eyes blazed malevolently as Kesh retrieved the Ship-Chip and smashed the freighter's computer brain. Starlock took the now useless weapon from the woman's hand.

Now Baroness, I believe there is an escape pod you need to be going to?

My men will be here any second! The Baroness sputtered.

Ship: Deactivate all non-essential personnel. Kesh spoke into the Ship-Chip, an eyebrow arched at the Baroness. At the doorway a squad of newly arriving soldiers fell inert.

Impeccable timing Kesh, said Starlock, his eyes not leaving the Baroness. Impeccable. Now let's use that thing to march them into the escape pods and be out of here with our prize. I too miss the deck of the Archer.

You'll pay for this Starlock! I'll...I'll grind your bones! I'll make candles from your eyes! I'll.. The baroness wailed as the two Star-Pirates placed her, hands bound, in the escape shuttle with the remnants of her men.

Now then Baroness, it shouldn't take you too long to slip those bonds and pilot the shuttle manually back to Auram.

Starlock then closed the hatch on the still cursing Baroness. When the Captain and his Aleph had again reached the exterior of the freighter the shuttle could still be seen, falling gently toward the blue planet Apsu. Starlock turned then to Kesh.

Let's get out of here.

They both donned dark lensed goggles and activated controls on their belts. Flames leapt from their feet as their jump-boot jets engaged. Together they sped back to the distant deck of the Archer.