Gabatrix: The Pirates of Palora

Chapter 15: The Ambush of Paradiso Two Part 2

Inside the rotating ring of the Lifen, Doctor English, a marine, a crew member, and Iz'tre were armed up. The crewmember was wearing her Meclevar vest while carrying her military rifle. Iz'tre was in her wrap armor, carrying a single Itrean pistol in her hand, her glowing green and red sheen reflecting the bright lights around her. Isandro, the marine medic, was in his power armor, carrying a UHN rifle on a swivel mount. English wore his white uniform and vest underneath it; his handgun was at the ready. All four had assumed positions behind the sealable bulkhead strips.

"I was really hoping that the pirates wouldn't reach this spot," Seaman Hua said as she grew nervous. She stood behind the marine as the lights in the passageway powered up.

"Relax," Isandro told her.

"But, you heard the Master Sergeant.....ten....heading this way. I'm just a seaman....I work in logistics."

"You were chosen for this, right?"

"Yeah....Because I won the volunteer lottery....."

"You passed the rifle quals," Isandro turned his head lightly. "Don't worry, we'll be alright."

"You fight for ship," Iz'tre told her.

"Yeah....didn't have a choice," Hua shook a little bit.

"I....no had choice to fight. Enemies choose for us."

"I know. I was just hoping that it wouldn't turn into this."

English turned to look at her. For a moment, he looked down before looking back ahead of him. Iz'tre gestured her hand in her direction.

"You fight to protect ship," Iz'tre tried to say with a few clicks in her voice. "You fight to protect nursery. Gersa's blessing shines upon you."

"G...Gersa?" Hua questioned.

"She's her goddess," English calmly told her. "Gersin believe in protecting the offspring in war."

"She knows you are scared," Iz'tre continued. "I no choice. Aksren force me to fight. Now, I fight for ship.....fight for future as Gersa wills it. Gersa will protect us."

Hua only seemed partially convinced by the statement, but the armored metal oviraptor was trying to make a point to her that even she had to acknowledge. The seaman rechecked her rifle, ensuring it was good to go. She took a deep breath and braced herself.

"I would not be so concerned," English assured her. "We must focus on protecting this part of the ship."

"I'm picking up nine....ten signatures closing in on us," Isandro said as he looked at his hand scanner. "They're on the other side.....above us, exiting the elevator access hatch."

"Damn....," Hua said.

"Master Sergeant," Isandro said in his comms. "Security team reports ten heading to our area."

"Take them out, soldier," Stone responded.

"Ummm.....we wait for them to approach us before we open fire on them," Isandro explained to the others.

"......What?" English said. Isandro turned to look at him. In the doctor's hand was a small comms unit in his gloved hand. English seemed distracted by something that was being told to him.

"What is it?" Isandro asked.

"......You can't lock your door? Understood. Hide and stay out of sight." English broke the comms and looked at English. "Chef Bransen is unable to lock the mess hall doors. The power reset or the EMP blast on the ship might be the cause...."