Main - Chapter 7.2: Neptunia

Peter will do his duty by aiming the sand thrower at the cockpit of the pirate ship, so that if he has to shoot he will do in a way to confuse the pilot and try and gain a edge in escaping.

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Not giving up yet, Douklan tries to shake the pursuers.

The Celestial Voyager hurtled through the void, every thruster straining to keep the ship ahead of the pirate vessel looming behind. Douklan’s knuckles were white as he gripped the controls, his mind racing for any possible maneuver that could throw off their relentless pursuers. On the bridge, the tension was a living thing, coiled and ready to strike.

"Captain, they’re closing in again," Douklan warned, his voice taut with the strain of the chase. The pirate ship had recovered from their last maneuver faster than they’d hoped, and the distance between them was shrinking.

"Maintain course and speed," Captain Valeria Zaytsev ordered, her voice steady despite the pressure bearing down on them. "Corbin, I need everything those engines have. We have to stay ahead of them."

Corbin’s voice crackled over the comms from the engineering room, the background noise of whirring machinery and the frantic clatter of tools filling the bridge. "I’m giving you all I’ve got, Captain, but the engines are overheating. We’re pushing them to the brink."

Before Valeria could respond, the ship shuddered violently, throwing everyone off balance. The harsh screech of tearing metal filled the bridge, followed by a series of warning alarms that blared in deafening succession.

"Direct hit to the engines!" Douklan shouted, frantically trying to stabilize the ship as it listed to one side. His heart pounded as he fought to regain control, but the damage was severe—too severe.

Valeria grabbed onto the nearest console, steadying herself as the Celestial Voyager bucked beneath her. The bridge lights flickered, casting eerie shadows across the tense faces of her crew.

"Report!" she demanded, her voice cutting through the chaos.

"The main engines are down, Captain," Corbin said, his voice grim. "We’re losing power fast. The secondary systems are still online, but we’re dead in the water, unless I can fix this."

A cold knot of dread twisted in Valeria’s stomach. Without their engines, they were defenseless, a sitting duck for the pirate ship that now loomed ever closer.

Suddenly, the ship’s communication systems crackled to life, filling the bridge with the rough, sneering voice of the pirate captain. "This is Captain Drellan of the Raven’s Claw. You’ve run long enough, Celestial Voyager. Open your doors and prepare to be boarded. Surrender your cargo, and we will let you live. We’re not assassins. We don’t kill for sport. We’re taking goods that belong to the People of Draco I, not some corporate fat cats or military brass. You’re just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Douklan glanced at Valeria, his face resolute. The bridge was silent, the crew holding their breath as they waited for their captain’s response.

Valeria’s eyes hardened, a cold fire burning in their depths. She knew what was at stake—the lives of her crew, the guns they were carrying, and the pride of her ship. Surrendering to pirates and terrorists meant more than just losing their cargo and millions of credits; it meant abandoning everything they stood for.

"We don’t want unnecessary bloodshed," Drellan continued. "But we will do what we must to take what’s ours. You’ve put up a good fight, but it’s over, Captain. Hand over the cargo, and no one needs to get hurt."

She straightened, her voice firm and unwavering as she addressed the pirate captain. "This is Captain Valeria Zaytsev of the Celestial Voyager. You speak of justice, but your actions are nothing more than theft. These goods are ours or were entrusted to us, and we will not abandon them—or our ship—to satisfy your twisted sense of righteousness. If you truly value life as you claim, you’ll let us go. Otherwise, prepare for a fight. We will not surrender. If you want our ship, you’ll have to take it by force."

There was a pause, and then a harsh, guttural laugh echoed over the comms. "Brave words, Captain, but bravery won’t save you now. We’ll tear your ship apart from within if we have to. This is your last chance—surrender, or face the consequences."

Valeria cut the comms, her expression fierce as she turned to Douklan.

"Battle stations," she ordered. "We will not give up. Everyone who can is to don powered armor. We may be out of engines for now, but we're not out of the fight. Lieutenant Paravides, choose 3 from our crew, wait for the pirates to board us and give them hell. Mercer and Peter, I want you to split and lead the remaining people. Protect our crew, our ship and our cargo. I will grab a gun and stay at the helm. Corbin, gimme that engine back!"

Valeria took a deep breath, her hands steady on the command console. They were outgunned, outmaneuvered, and now, without engines. But as long as they had breath, they would fight. The pirate ship might think them easy prey, but they would soon learn that the Celestial Voyager was not so easily broken.

"Captain, we should let them dock at least, that will let us choose the place we encounter them. We might need that edge."

Mercer takes a breath and links into the comm system. "Captain Drellan of the Raven’s Claw, this is Mercer Furio of the Celestial Voyager. The crew has elected to allow you to dock. We will make everything ready for you at the Port Airlocks. Will this be acceptable?"

Corbin puts on his powered armor and connects his laser rifle's power cable. Once equipped, he heads back towards the engines for repairs.

Clicking his comms, "Gui, send the synths towards the engines. Suit up and meet me there." Dragging the Tool chest along behind him, Corbin moves from section D to E. Triggering the comms again "Bridge, I assume whatever ever Mercer's doing is a ploy, but if these frakkers don't bite, I vote we start shooting at their cargo ship."

Hank sends out a broadcast to the crew, "Our drives have been disabled. Everyone needs to get suited up in the best suits they can handle and arm yourselves. Everyone should be prepared for vacuum." Hank will put on his armored vacc suit and get his laser rifle and pistol. I assume Hank will have to DYD as there really isn't anything else his position can do at this time. He asks Corbin if he can let Erin and the two new porters move the cargo around. I assume Corbin needs GUI and the synths. He asks Jil to help the Professor and Maya get into vacc suits and start setting up a stronghold in the ship that is away from the outer hull and the cargo hold. Or is the bridge that stronghold? We're gonna need to make sure we have a plan for that starting now.

Douklan keeps his call on the intercom brief. "Jil, Erin, and, uh...Appius...suit up, arm yourselves, and join me in 5." He sees the scan of the approaching ship. "...make it 3." Then he begins donning the familiar power armor and weapons he used on/in Zyronis.

Hank Does His Duty by monitoring to see if he can pick up the communication between the opposing ships.

Trade Era 1235, Day 167. 16:00 UTC
"Acknowledged, Celestial Voyager. Stand by for cargo transfer. All your crew should be unarmed and unarmored at the Port Airlocks. Power down all your non essential systems and do no repair your engines. We are sending an armored squad with stunner rifles." - the pirate's captain answers Mercer

Hank, in the meantime, you think there is a lot of direct communication, probably using lasers, between the ships. The Free Merchant is approaching the airlocks that Mercer talked about (Section 2E, port side).

But the Attack Frigate is getting closer to your hull as well. Starboard side, you dont know the deck yet. Maybe they will board simultaneously?

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