Seeds of the Pirate Rebels Read online

  “I'll be fine. You should be more careful. Next time, you should communicate with your fellow cadets before you lead them into another trap. You did well in saving the Valient Knights, I commend you on that. You lead them very well. I knew there was hope for you, Commander Xanatos,” said the lead Wind Elf.

  “Captain Kinwan? You are Captain Braskah Kinwan?” Xanatos asked shocked to see the real captain of the Plunder Trainer standing in front of him.

  “In the flesh. My friendship with Grand Admiral Limwin is shaky as it is. So, Cadet Limwin, please don't let your mother learn about my Second Officer's actions. He told me that he was going to Argon to retrieve a family artifact and pray to Yahweh for guidance and luck for the PRA. I had no idea what his true intentions were,” Kinwan replied as he bowed to the cadet. “If the Commander wishes to return home, he may,”

  “Thank you, Captain Kinwan. My eyes are open and… I would be honored to become the first Argoni to enter the Pirate Rebel Allegiance,” Xanatos replied honorably to the captain.

  “Thank you, Commander. Please, I would be honored to have you aboard my ship. There is one PRA vessel that has been missing for decades and has destroyed many United Alliance vessels off the record of the WLE. The United Alliance is still trying to locate her, but she vanishes as quickly as she appears,” Captain Kinwan replied.

  “The Pale Dragon, it was a legendary ghost ship. The vessel is supposed to have ruthless captain. The captain killed his own first mate and is looking for a new one,” Xanatos gasped, “Is that why you gave me a Commander's position so quickly?”

  “Yes, how did you know about that? It was supposed to be a ship carrying magical box that holds a power like that of Yahweh himself. The box holds secrets of Yahweh and the locations of some His sacred temples and all their strongholds,” Kinwan replied as he called the captain of the Pale Dragon. “Captain Sqiidas, do you still need a First Mate, that is faithful to you and will not question your orders,” he said over the wrist comm-unit.

  “Yes, Captain Kinwan. I am still searching for a loyal First Mate. I would like to have that Argoni as my new First Mate.” The voice on Kinwan's wrist comm-unit.

  “Thank you, Captain Sqiidas. I would request that my second in command join me on board the Pale Dragon,” Xanatos requested.

  “Fair enough, who is your second in command, Commander Xanatos?” Captain Sqiidas asked.

  “Karen Kingsley of Dragonia, she helped me come to my senses,” Xanatos replied. Kingsley was honored by his honesty of her and glad that he didn't refer her as a half-breed this time. “Would you like that, Karen?”

  “I would like that Xanatos, very much,” Kingsley obliged with a blush.

  “I will be there in two days, Commander. Captain Kinwan, I am glad to have you at your word. Your debt to me is paid.” The wrist comm-unit went silent.

  “Would you like a proper tour of my ship, Commander?” Kinwan requested.

  “I would like that,” Xanatos replied.

  Aboard Plunder Trainer, Main Bridge

  The Plunder Trainer was a massive and powerful pirate training vessel by the time they came to the bridge. The Plunder Trainer was even more impressive on the bridge. The controls looked primitive for a space vessel that the PRA commandeered since the start of the United Alliance. Suddenly, they spotted the body of the First Mate that introduced himself to Commander Xanatos as the captain of the Plunder Trainer. The body was leaning against the tactical station wall.

  “Captain...” the dying body started to say. “I... failed.... you.... my... friend,” the body said, as it slumped over dying.

  “Who did this to my First Mate?” Kinwan asked as he scanned the area for any ships. There was one vessel leaving the sector that matched the Knight Carrier's zotonic signature. The Knight Carrier was too far out of range to find out how many were on board.

  “Captain Kinwan, look at this. Someone left you a message for you on your First Mate,” Xanatos reported as he spotted an orange button blinking on the First Mate's chest. Kinwan pushed it and a hologram of Valient Sword appeared.

  “Captain Kinwan, your deceit of having your First Mate appear as yourself was clever. I knew it wasn't you. Your profiles on the United Alliance and EBG shows you as a Wind Elf. Your Xana Anti First Mate paid for your betrayal to the WLE, United Alliance, and EBG. The next time we meet you will die.”

  “You worked for the War Lord Empire?” asked Xanatos.

  “Yes, that was twelve years ago. I was also a commander in United Alliance Air Strike Force. I was the ambassador for my planet when I worked for the War Lord Empire,” Kinwan replied sadly.

  “What is the EBG?” Xanatos asked curiously.

  “The Elemental Benders' Guild,” Kinwan replied. “The Pale Dragon will be here in 36 hours, Commander Xanatos I would recommend you get your affairs in order before you meet with Captain Sqiidas. He is a Chi- Koss. They are a rival race from my homeworld of Niw- Chi. The Chi- Koss look nothing like my people, thankfully.”

  “How did Captain Sqiidas find the Pale Dragon? No Argoni has ever located the legendary ghost ship of Valient, or her sister ship the Firenox,” Xanatos replied.

  “The Chi- Koss have unique technology to find that which was once lost throughout the ages, or forgotten by the gods,” Kinwan stated.

  “Did they ever find the Firenox? I hope you don't find Valient's Everlasting Light Force Fleet or its flagship,” Xanatos said concerned.

  “They haven't had a reason to search for the Firenox, no bidder on the finder's fee. As for the Everlasting Light Force Fleet; they have been searching for that missing Fleet of Valient's for years. They looked for that legendary fleet everywhere,” Kinwan replied.

  “So, the Chi- Koss are like universal scavengers of unique technologies, and they only salvage when they get paid for the job,” Xanatos noted.

  “Only, Captain Sqiidas is working on his own instinct, rather than by his people's government and trading system. Now, you two must prepare yourselves for Captain Sqiidas isn't a very patient Chi- Koss,” Kinwan ordered as he looked at Kingsley and Xanatos.

  “Yes, Captain Kinwan. I will be in my room,” Kingsley replied as she turned to go to her chambers. Xanatos remained at Kinwan's side like a good First Mate would. Xanatos knew that the best way to prepare yourself is to learn all you can about your new captain is from a man that knows him. Gathering intelligence wasn't one of Xanatos' strongest points.

  “Why isn't Captain Sqiidas as patient as most Pirate Rebel Allegiance captains?” asked Xanatos.

  “He's patient like most Pirate Rebel Allegiance captains. He isn't very patient with me, so he will take it out on the recruits that I send him. Apparently, I might be seeing a Court Martial in the next month or so. If my patience factor with the other captains reaches the High Grand Admiral's ears, I will be replaced by one of you,” Kinwan stated truthfully.

  The two of them talked about Captain Sqiidas and the Pirate Rebel Allegiance's benefits. They talked while they were on the Main Bridge of the Plunder Trainer. They both noticed that the vessel wasn't cloaked. Xanatos responded by running toward the Tactical Station to cloak the vessel, when Kinwan placed a hand on Xanatos' shoulder and shook his head. He only pointed at the blinking light on the Tactical Station's screen.

  “What is it?” Xanatos asked, as Kinwan pressed a combination of buttons on the keypad. The Tactical Station screen revealed a bug was inactive on the Main Bridge of the ship. They looked under the body of his dead First Mate and found the bug. It was an advanced digital bug.

  “If we cloak, we're dead when this bug activates itself. The bug can tell if we're cloaked,” Kinwan replied as he placed the bug in a special bag for the device.

  “How do you know that you were looking at the device?” Xanatos asked curiously.

  “Didn't you feel that faint pulse when you first walked in the bridge?” Kinwan asked, with an all-knowing smile.

  “No, I noticed the pulse when you turned over his body,” Xanatos replied, as
he noticed a distortion in the stars.

  4 – In the Elemental Sector, Main Bridge of the Uniqueness

  Sir, the Main Engine Room is on fire, the weapons gon, and shields useless. I hop EMperor Malsvir sends assistance or we will los the control in this sector. The Elemental Sector will undoubtedly join those destructive Pirates and their lovely Democracy of Freedom Fighter," the Tactical Office of the Uniquesness replied to her captain.

  Suddenly, the War Shadow jumped out of Phantom Space in front of the PRA vessel Crimson Hand. The War Shadow looked like it went through hell.

  “Captain, the War Shadow is hailing us,” the Communications Officer reported as the view screen was on before the captain could protest.

  Captain Helfere, this is your Emperor. Where is the rest of my fleet in this Sector? I ordered the Dargonix Fleet here two months ago. Malsvir looked angry at the Nogra Captain.

  “I am all that the Crimson Hand left behind for dead. The Pale Dragon was here sixteen hours ago, my Emperor,” the Nogra Captain replied with fear in his eyes.

  You're lying to your Emperor. There is no zoton or zotium trail in this Universal Sector to verify your story. Malsvir replied coldly.

  “I am not lying to you, my Emperor. The Pale Dragon is the only vessel found by the Chi- Koss that is from Yahweh's personal fleet of ships. We don't even know the type of power source that Pale Dragon uses. It was here, I assure you, my Emperor,” Helfere replied to Malsvir.

  The Chi- Koss will pay for deceiving the War Lord Empire. They were supposed to report to me of all of their findings. I do believe I will have to teach them a lesson in showing The War Lord Empire some respect.

  The War Shadow fired zotonic torpedoes at the Crimson Hand, as the Uniqueness tried to fire zoton beams at the same time. The Crimson Hand fired at the Uniqueness' main engine. The Crimson Hand was ignoring the War Shadow's attacks. The Crimson Hand focused on the weaker War Lord Empire vessel. The Uniqueness was rendered powerless from the blast to its main engine.

  “Sir, we lost main power. The shields and weapons are down,” The Tactical Officer reported.

  “Auxiliary power to weapon systems,” Helfere ordered the Helmsman.

  “Yes, Sir,” the Helmsman replied as she pressed some buttons and pushed a lever forward. “Power is restored to the weapon systems. Zotonic power cells are at 50 percent in the Back-up Fuel Core. The Main Fuel Core is offline and its gauge is reading empty,” the Helmsman added.

  “How are we going to get to the nearest Fueling Depot? The Main Fuel Core runs from the Main Engine Room,” the Tactical Officer requested.

  “Do you have weapons' control, Lt. Zedren?” asked Helfere.

  “Yes,” the Tactical Officer reported.

  “Then, fire torpedoes and zotonic beams at the Crimson Hand, and let me worry about the power systems. That is an order, Zedren!” Helfere said crisply.

  “Yes, Sir,” the Xana Anti replied, as he fired torpedoes only at the Crimson Hand.

  “Are you deaf, Zedren? I said the zotonic beams, as well,” Helfere ordered angrily.

  “But, Sir if the Back-up Fuel Core gets to 15 percent the remaining energy will be diverted the Destruction Core to start the Self- Disassemble System,” Zedren reported, as stood up to his captain.

  “Then we will destroy them and our sacrifice will be recorded by the War Shadow. Do it now!” Captain Helfere ordered.

  “Long live the War Lord Empire!” the crew said together. Zedren sat down and rerouted the power to the zotonic beams. The weapons' council reported to Zedren that they have exhausted its complement of torpedoes and the zotonic beams are down to 74 percent. Zedren reported this find to his captain.

  “What if we could found a way to penetrate the Crimson Hand's shields?” Helfere asked Zedren.

  “Sensors show the Crimson Hand has full shields like of an Argon Battle Cruiser that the United Alliance uses. That would mean they still have a Back-up Shield Generator that could still be operational or is operating right at the moment,” Zedren reported.

  The captain ordered to put 54 percent power from the zotonic beams to the forward shields. Zedren did as he was ordered. The Uniqueness prepared to ram the Crimson Hand with full engine power aimed at the enemy vessel's starboard side. The Crimson Hand started firing at the Uniqueness in defense. The War Shadow fired at the Crimson Hand's Main Engines, as the Uniqueness impacted the bridge and part of the Main Engine Room.

  The Crimson Hand was sliced in two from the impact of the Uniqueness and zotonic torpedoes from the War Shadow. The Uniqueness was hit from one of the torpedoes from the War Shadow. The Uniqueness was hit on the port engine core. The Uniqueness started drifting as if it lost power. The Crimson Hand exploded on its Engineering half. The front half of the Crimson Hand disintegrated from the explosion.

  The War Shadow was hit from a piece of the hull of the Crimson Hand's Engineering Section. The Uniqueness was drifting toward the nearest planet. The planet was the massive green world of Mesoplodon. The War Shadow was turning toward the Dargonix System.

  “Sir, the War Shadow is returning home. What are we going to do? The ship is lost and is heading for the nearest gravity well,” Zedren reported.

  “What is the nearest gravity well? Is it a planet or star?” asked Helfere.

  “The planet Mesoplodon. It is an A-Class planet only five times the size of Argon.”

  “Try to restore the power for us to land on that rock called Mesoplodon.”

  “The Self Disassemble Unit has activated,” Zedren reported.

  Helfere ordered as he nodded, “All hands abandon ship!”

  5 - In the Elemental Sector, aboard the War Shadow

  The crew watched in horror, as the Uniqueness exploded halfway through the atmosphere of Mesoplodon from their sensors. Malsvir took the War Shadow to the Dargonix Sector for the debriefing of the Chess Tribe of Argon. They reported one of their own children was kidnapped by the PRA. Malsvir needed to see the evidence for himself. The War Shadow left the Element Sector and headed for Argon.

  “Sir, what about survivors from the wreckage?” War Spy 325 asked Corvet`e.

  “What 'survivors?' You saw the Uniqueness, it was destroyed. There is no chance of anyone surviving that explosion. The retreat pods would have either disintegrated or crashed on the surface from the shock wave of the explosion,” Malsvir replied darkly.

  “Yes, Sir,” said War Spy 325.

  “Long live Basilisk!” Malsvir chanted.

  “Long live Basilisk!” The crew chanted together in harmony.

  The War Shadow entered Phantom Space and vanished from the sensors of any ship in the area. The War Shadow entered a state of light-speed travel.

  “The estimated time to arrival of the Dargonix Sector is two days,” War Spy 325 reported to Malsvir.

  “The Pirate Rebel Allegiance thinks they can convert one of the War Lord Empire's own people. We will see how well they cope with one of our own in the heart of their Allegiance. War Spy 313, as part of your rise to becoming a War Lord, you must infiltrate the PRA. That is your final mission as a War Spy. If you infiltrate without defying your orders and joining them,” Malsvir ordered, as Corvet`e approached Malsvir with concern and anger in his face. “Do you have something to add, Lord Corvet`e?”

  “Yes, I feel that War Spy 313 isn't ready for this kind of an assignment, yet. Furthermore, if she were to be discovered, it would mean her death,” Corvet`e replied to Malsvir.

  “If she doesn't complete her task, as her Emperor commands, I will execute her myself,” Malsvir said darkly.

  “Yes, Emperor Malsvir, I will do as you command,” War Spy 313 replied confidently.

  “Thank you, War Spy 313,” Malsvir nodded to her and scolded at Corvet`e. “War Spy 313, you have planning and packing to do,” Malsvir smiled.

  “Yes, Emperor Malsvir,” War Spy 313 replied as she walked to her chambers. The bridge door sealed behind her as she left. “That was close. I hope Daniel becomes the next Emperor of this
old War Lord Empire. He will at least be able to rule better than his Master.”

  War Spy 313 walked down the corridor toward her chambers, when she spotted Valient Sword sitting cross-legged in the corner of the crossing hall. She stared at him with curiosity.

  “You know it's rude to stare,” Valient Sword said coldly.

  “What are you doing on this ship?” asked War Spy 313.

  “I thought I lived on this ship. I thought War Spies were suppose to be loyal to their Emperor and Masters,” Valient Sword stated crisply.

  “Look, change is on the horizon. The Emperor is weakening and Daniel Sjach is the perfect man for the next in line,” War Spy 313 said boldly.

  “You know he was humane, once,” Valient Sword replied back.

  “Who are talking about, now?” asked War Spy 313.

  “Your current Emperor. He was a man of great power named John Sjach. The power corrupted him and he wanted more power. He even murdered the King of Argon, so he could become Emperor of all of the nations of Argon. He eventually became Emperor of all the universe,” Valient Sword paused. “He wishes to overthrow Yahweh Himself and become a god.”

  “Why are you telling me this? Do you want me to report you to our Emperor Malsvir?” War Spy 313 asked.

  “Report me to your Emperor. I serve the only true God, Yahweh,” Valient Sword replied boldly, as he leaned on his right arm. War Spy 313 looked at his wrist comm-unit, but it was missing. She looked in shock. “Why so shocked, Violet Star? I am stronger than your inhibitor could handle,” he smiled evilly at her.

  “It's War Spy 313 to you, and how did you withstand the pain, Valient Sword?” War Spy 313 replied calmly.

  “I am Valient Sword. I can handle all sorts pain,” Valient Sword replied, as he vanished from sight in a puff of smoke.

  6 - On the bridge of the Plunder Trainer

  The distortion in the stars was the Pale Dragon decloaking off their starboard bow. The Pale Dragon came along the Plunder Trainer's starboard to begin docking procedures.