Before Rift Apart (Complete)

Pirate Extraordinaire

Ardolis, Pirate Base, Cerullean Sector
Rivet's POV

I looked over at Phantom, who was piloting a ship, which made me nervous. Not because he was a bad pilot. Phantom is actually pretty good. I just never cared for the idea of someone else having my life in their hands. I think what made me more nervous in all reality was our course and heading, Ardolis. A planet ravaged by drunken pirates, and even worse... Robotic drunken pirates. The Pirates of Ardolis are told to everyone as a warning since they plunder everything. Even allies of theirs claimed that they would be stolen from. My gaze never left Phantom. Instead of being the silent awkward one, I went for conversation. "So why Adorlis? Why pirates?" I asked him. Skidd only responded with the fact that her and him will need allies if they plan to survive. "So why not find allies on Corson V? Ones we could actually count on no less..." Phantom gave a little chuckle to himself. "That'd be ideal, but off-world allies, especially these pirates are alot better of an option than you'd think. They have supplies." I groaned in frustration. "STOLEN supplies! How many of those working to survive or even killed by pirates need to be stolen from and killed to keep us alive?!" Phantom smiled, proudly as a matter of fact. "Your brother had the same concern..." I looked at him. There wasn't much to say to that.

It made sense. The whole point was to help the Liberation Front, along with everyone else. I knew as well as anyone that when things fail, rules change and other rules are broken... But working with pirates? Layden would be fuming at us.. And me? He'd he so disapointed in me. I sank in my seat at the thought of me disapointing him. As soon as we landed I jumped out I stretched and sighed in relief. "Finally! My tail feels like it was being shoved right up my-" Phantom covered my mouth and looked at me disaprovingly, and then let me speak. "For the record... I was gonna say suit..." I assured him. I was trying really hard to keep in a giggle though. I wasn't lying in the least though. This suit of mine wasn't exactly designed for someone with a tail in mind, and sitting hurt quit a bit after a few hours of travel. Phantom clearly didn't believe me though and was most likely going to keep an eye on me.

As soon as me and him stepped into the pirate's tavern, I was lifted on the wall by a rather large pirate and pinned. "Aye, who let the mangey mutt in here?! Ye all were told to keep yer dogs outdoors!" I kicked him straight in his robot pirate groin and he dropped me instantly. "Arr! Me wee cannon balls..." I smirked for a moment, but it disapeared as another pirate looked over me, alot less menacing, but he was still a robot. "Oh mon ami!~ look at this petite one. I am sorry my dear, but alas, my heart is taken in case you were trying to impress moi.." I looked at him confused and weirded out. "I'm.. Not interested. I never was. Name's Rivet, if you wondering about that though." I smiled a bit proudly, crossing my arms as the other pirate looked offended. "What?! You were not interested in moi?! I am pierre le fer! Pirate Extraordinare!" I giggled to myself. "Seriously??" I asked.

"Mon petite Rivet, you read like a sauce label..." I glare at him. "Excuse me?" I asked, none too amused, though clearly Phantom was having a good time. "Yes, Rivet. That label says... 'Chaud' and it is a very clear label." I tilt my head, not understanding what he meant at all, and I shake my head. "Can we talk to the leader of you guys or what? We have a deal for him." And as fate would have it, of course the robot pirate flirting with me ended up being the First Mate of the Pirates. "Oh my sweet Rivet, it's like fate has intertwined us forever. Our Capitaine is very busy. But I, Pierre le Fer, first mate! Am at your service." I groan and look at Phantom, who's smirk seemed so wide I needed a starship to smack it off... "Help me here!" I said to him, seriously wishing I had a weapon on me. After I realize I'm on my own with this, I look at Pierre... "We want an alliance with you, the Pirates.." Pierre gives me an odd, back-stabbing grin. "Who is... We?"

I sigh and humor him. "Me and Phantom.. We're.. Making a new resistance against Emperor Nefarious. Are you in, or not?" He seems to be actually thinking about it, and puts out his hand. "My petite Rivet~ we, are in! Out with the Emperor!" I smile, taking his hand and shaking it, Phantom couldn't possibly look more proud, and the whole rook is filled with pirate cheering, followed by drinking, and the songs of sea-shanties. Me, Phantom and Pierre spent over half the night talking, and planning the overthrow of the Emperor's reign. I didn't partake in the drinking, but the laughing happend all the same. I hadn't felt myself laugh like that for.. A long time. Too many years. For better or worse, this alliance with the Pirates was the start of something greater.

Despite many of them being drunks and morons, I looked around and saw something else. They take care of their own. Which means they'll take care of the Resistance. As I laid down to rest, my thoughts drifted to wether or not Layden would've been disapointed again. The situation with Nefarious had indeed gotten desperate, but did we have to go to the pirates? Would he have done the same? I gave it thought, and in the end I decided the answer was yes. Phantom's argument made sense, we would've needed allies off-world eventually. I slowly closed my eyes, and drifted to sleep, content with the decision that was made as well as what may lie ahead in terms of our future. All our futures.