Conquest

Chapter one

It was time for us to set out on a new journey. A new conquest for the stars.

     "What'll we do, captain?"

     I leaned back in my leather seat and gazed at the ceiling with a sigh. I hadn't considered this, no one had. We had thought it a brilliant plan; to steal the ship, to steal the gold. It was just sitting there, ready for the taking. He had made it seem so easy. Now his name made sense. We were so wrong. I hadn't considered that we might be caught this time, that we might have to face the consequences of our actions after all. I was so used to winning, my ego all puffed up by that tyrant. I was desperate enough to believe that no one would come chasing us. But it was too late to turn back. We had to fight.

     "Captain?"

     "Man your posts and prepare for battle." I said with as much confidence as I could muster. "We're not going to just stand by and let these fools win. I'd rather die than be captured by Algorian garbage."

     "Yes sir!"

      What had I gotten us into?

      The first hit was the worst. The ship rocked from side to side and we lost all lighting on the bridge. The second hit burned out the left thrusters, the third the right; then the weapon systems went out. We hadn't even gotten the chance to fight back before we were completely disarmed. Ah, well, at least we wouldn't be blown to pieces- our cargo was too valuable to them for that and I hadn't really wanted to die anyway.

      "Surrender and prepare to be boarded." Those fateful words blasted through the loudspeaker as if sealing our fate. I could feel the crews' eyes on me- hoping I had some last minute plan or trick up my sleeve like I always did, but there was nothing. I had nothing this time. We couldn't run and we couldn't fight back. Surrender. Just the thought of it left a bad taste in my mouth. Heh, maybe if we had taken some time to read the instruction manual we'd be familiar enough with the ship to get outta here, maybe if... but no. we had bitten off more than we could chew and had to pay the consequences. I would anyway.

     "Well crew..." I began with as much of a laugh as I could manage, but nothing came after. I just gave a sigh and an awkward nod of acceptance. It was over.