“Just surrender! We’re about through,” crowed Ensign Richards.
A plasma cutter splattered molten metal from the freighter’s final bulkhead.
Muffled contralto laughter sounded behind the hatch. “Dear boy, the renowned star pirate Captain Jane Hotchkiss doesn’t surrender.”
“Renowned? Notorious, maybe. You’ve no engines and minimal life support,” said Richards.
“Where could you go?”
The cut bulkhead fell. Eager navy ratings followed their ensign through the still-smoking hole.
“Wherever I please,” came the voice from a comlink in the empty compartment.
Vibrations from released docking clamps echoed in the suddenly still air.
“My notoriety waxes ever brighter. Your pinnace is lovely.”
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alt="Phantom by Liam Dragan"
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sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)"
alt="Neuroluxe Implant no 3Z82M99B64 by Bryanna Botham"
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sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)"
alt="Blindly Following Orders by Chris Tattersall"
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sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)"
alt="Donor by Collette Night"
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