Pirating Bilge Rats
by sacredlilac
Hywel fumbled to hastily ready his pistol before the pirates boarded, then tightened his belt and pressed himself against the panel furthest from the hatch, chest heaving. With a slight hissing sound, his entry hatch was forced open by the ship that had just docked with his.
When a foot appeared in the dark doorway, Hywel squeezed the trigger. The shot hit the frame and fizzled out with a slight pop!
Raucous laughter filled the small chamber as two young men in black clothes and shiny knee-high boots stepped onto his ship.
"Ahoy, old man! Is that the best you've got?" The first man, tall with jet black hair tied in a topknop and a bold purple sash around his waist, moved his cutlass aside as he leaned forward to touch the scorch mark where the shot had landed. "Good thing you hit your own ship. I'd be mighty upset if you'd marred mine. I want my first scars from battle!"
The second shorter man, sporting a tricorn hat, quickly strode the three steps across and snatched the pistol Hywel was trying to prime for another shot. "I think that pistol is as ancient as you! My dad has a whole collection. I thank you on his behalf for adding to it." He snickered and shoved the pistol into the wide black leather belt that held a laser cutlass and the newest ball blaster model, available only from the Academy. He put his fists on his hips and stared menacingly as Hywel cowered before him.
Hywel held his hands up in front of his face. "P-p-please, don't hurt me!"
"We won't...much. Now, what other booty do you have around here?"
Hywel's eyes swiveled to a hatch a few feet away. The young man grunted and grabbed Hywel's collar, dragging him along. With a heave, the pirate hefted Hywel forward and shoved him at the door. The old man hit the closed metal with a thud and slide down it to crumple on the floor.
"Open it!" the young man barked, kicking Hywel swiftly in the stomach.
Hywel doubled over in pain. From the floor, he looked up at the two pirates in hatred. They had crests on their upper right shoulder that he didn't recognise. It was common knowledge this quadrant was controlled by the Red Sea Fleet. Perhaps these two were from a new Captain trying to encroach. Idiot.
With slow movements, Hywel grabbed onto the doorframe and pulled himself to standing. He kept one hand protectively over his sore stomach and pressed his palm to the switch that opened the door.
Mist swirled out bringing the sweet scent of loam, fragrant blossoms and plants. The young men inhaled reflexively. When the mist cleared, they saw a room full of rows upon rows of cacti.
"Well, at least we know we have the right ship," the first one said.
Looking back over his shoulder, Hywel asked, "You were looking for me?"
The second pirate sniffed and wiped his nose on his sleeve. "We're here to relieve you of your haul. Particularly the Federation's new virtual reality training gear. Do you know how much they're worth on the Black Market?"
"We'll be able to retire before we even got started with a load like that." The pirates bumped fists.
Hywel limped into the cacti room. "Still wet behind the ears, huh? What decided ye to try the pirate's life?"
The second one stepped through after Hywel, stopping to look in appreciation around the room that had cacti of every shape and size. Some were covered in spectacularly colored blossoms, while others had spines the length of a man's hand.
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