Captain Emrah Jackson Ch. 29

I smiled thinly and asked where Diona was.

"She got a call from the shipyard, they needed to see her about something."

After we had eaten, Diona came back with a strange smile on her face.

"I just got an offer to fly someone off the planet."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"A businessman from the new town, that's not the odd part. He was willing to pay me triple the current rate."

"Are you going to go?" Shaya asked with a disappointed tone.

She shook her head and told us that she had never seen the yards so quiet. "I wasn't the only pilot getting those types of offers."

I wondered if it had something to do with the riots and the recent supply issues. Why else would people want off the planet so badly?

As the evening drew in, Diona suggested a game of cards. I didn't want a repeat of last night and excused myself early. Neither of them made any attempt to stop me from going to bed. I knew I would be sleeping alone.

*********

Voices woke me. Loud ones. It was still dark and at first, I thought they were coming from outside. They weren't and I could hear the distinct noises of men's voices. Had Diona invited some friends over, I wondered.

A cold shiver went down my spine as I heard the sound of heavy boots coming up the stairs. I was naked under the silk sheets, and I knew the door was unlocked. I hoped it was just a friend of hers looking for the bathroom. My pistol was in the cabinet on the other side of the room, and I knew I could not reach it in time.

The door was flung open suddenly and in the door frame stood a man of about six feet.

"Get out," I screeched and pulled the sheets tightly to my body.

He didn't and with the heavy sounds of his boots on the floor, he strode over to me. Where was Diona, who was this, was all I could think as everything was happening so fast. Without a word, he snatched the sheet and pulled it away from my naked body. I covered my body with my arms the best I could as he stood there for a few moments watching me. I was shaking and was barely able to hold it together.

"Come here," he grunted and reached out and grabbed a handful of my hair. I screamed as he dragged me off the bed. He was too strong for me to fight off and he pulled me upright. With one hand holding my head and his other on my shoulder he marched me out of the room and down the stairs.

My heart was pounding hard in my chest and was only made worse by the scene in the living area.

There were two more men in there, just as fierce-looking as the one that had hold of me. Diona was on her knees with one of the men pointing a laser pistol at her head. There was a nasty gash on the side of her face. Shaya was there, but on the floor curled up into a ball with the last man standing over her.

"Leave her alone," Diona said angrily as I was brought in. My heart wrenched as she was struck in the side of the face by the pistol.

"Did I say you could speak," the man said. He then pressed the muzzle against her temple and asked her if she was going to comply.

I didn't know what was going on, but I was starting to get an idea.

"You have to promise not to hurt them."

"If you do as your told, nothing will happen to them."

They weren't after us they were after Diona's ship. The man explained to the others that he was going to take Diona to the shipyard. Together they would unlock the ship and once they had done that Shaya and myself would be let go.

"You will be okay," Diona mouthed to me as she was hauled to her feet and ushered out of the room. I was dumped into the easy chair. There was a throw blanket over the back which I used to cover my nakedness. Shaya was still curled up on the floor and looked to be weeping.

"No trouble now girls," one of the men said as they kept their pistols trained on us.

I was thankful for the moment to collect my thoughts. My main concern now was whether these men once they got what they wanted would keep their word or just shoot us. They didn't look like pirates, and killing a pregnant woman might be a step too far for them. Diona was probably in the most danger.

"Shaya, come here, darling," I whispered.

"No talking," one of the men snapped.

She had heard me, and very carefully crawled to me. Neither man stopped her which I was thankful for. I took her hand and found she was trembling. I had to think what the best thing to do. I was unarmed and vulnerable, but waiting and hoping might prove very unwise. It would take hours for Diona to take the man to the yards so I had time to spare.

They didn't look nervous as they watched us. I had to test them.

"May I have some water?" I asked.

"Shut up," one snapped.

Shaya squeezed my hand. She wanted me to be quiet, but that was a bad move.

"I'm Emrah," I said.

"Speak again and I will gag you." the older one said. He had been the one to enter my room. Out of the two I guessed he was the one with the natural leadership.

"You should get Diona to land the shuttle on the roof here, it will be easier for you to escape."

He didn't say anything and with his gun in hand, he approached us. He was just trying to intimidate me. Shaya let out a fresh sob.

"If you take me with you, I can pay."

This stopped him and he asked me why I wanted to go with them.

"The same reason you do, it's why I'm here, for the ship."

He didn't look like he believed me and then asked where my credits were.

"Not without a guarantee of my safety, " I said.

"How about this, you give them to me, and we won't hurt your friend."

Shaya looked distressed and tried to cling tighter to me. Then she whimpered as I pushed her away.

"Do what you want to her, I just want passage off Ferrin."

"Emrah," she wailed, "why?"

"I have to think about my baby," I said, coldly.

The man laughed and turned to his friend asking him if he thought I was telling the truth. He shrugged and told him they better not risk it.

To further my case I showed him the tattoo on the inside of my arm.

"You are a pirate."

I nodded and told him I had been waiting for my ship.

"What are we gonna do with a pregnant pirate," he said, with a chuckle.

"I can pilot," I said.

"We can fly that ship," he said and told me they just needed Diona to get passed the security and unlock the ship.

"Bring her along too," I said, gesturing at the cowering girl. "She will fetch a good price at a slave market."

"We're not slavers," the other man said suddenly.

"Shut up," the older one said and then turned back to me. "You are a cold woman, Emrah."

"If you are abandoning Ferrin you are going to need money to start again, aren't you."

He nodded.

"I have fifty thousand credits, you can have half."

"No, I want it all."

I shook my head.

"I take the credits, you sell the girl as you said, she would fetch a good price."

"Fine," I said. I doubted he would have kept up his part of the arrangement but I wanted him to think I did. I just wanted to get him back to my bedroom with my pistol.

I wrapped the blanket around my body and as I stood up I told him would show him the credits. He lowered the gun to his waist but still kept it trained on me. I knew he had it pointed at the small of my back as we made our way back up the stairs.

"So you know what been happening here lately," he said.

"Of course," I replied. I had no clue, but it was better if he thought I did.

As we stepped inside I asked him if I minded putting some clothes on. My gown was on top of the cabinet that contained my small gun.

"Wait," he muttered and stopped me with one of his large hands on my shoulder. "Fifty thousand is enough to buy a ship if you wanted," he said and pressed the muzzle of the gun into the small of my back.

"It is," I said quietly. "but I wanted both."

"Nah, something doesn't feel right here. You are living here and now you are willing to sell your friend out."

I swore internally. It had been worth a shot. Credits were usually enough to blind people but this man had easily seen through my simple ruse.

"There are no credits, are there?"

Even if I pointed him in the wrong direction and tried to go for my gun, his guard was well and truly up now.

I shook my head.

"Crafty bitch," he muttered.

Was he just going to shoot me in the back I wondered. I tensed up for the pain that was about to follow but it didn't come.

"You are lucky we are just after the ship."

With his gun still pressed into my flesh he walked me over to the bed and told me to get on. I sat on my legs with the blanket covering me and I watched as he began searching the room.

"Was this what you were hoping to retrieve?" he asked, as he held up my compact pistol.

I nodded, silently.

He pocketed it and continued searching.

"Very kinky," he muttered, as he opened Diona's cabinet with her sex toys. He took out a pair of leather restraints and came over to the bed. "Nothing personal," he said and told me to put my wrists against the bed frame. He secured them tightly and then went back to the cabinet. This time he had a ball gag. Talking my way out of this was impossible so I opened my mouth and let him shove the rubber ball in there, and tie it around my head.

He stepped back and laughed with a sigh. "You could have got yourself killed."

***********

I was tied to the bed and gagged. Thankfully the blanket was keeping my naked body warm. I tried to wriggle my wrists free but it was no use. Diona's restraints held fast. My plan had failed, but I thought my chances of survival were good at least. It looked like they were just after the ship.

As I waited I listened. It was all quiet. I hoped Shaya was okay, I shouldn't have left her down there, I knew that now. They didn't seem to be interested in her though.

After what seemed like an age the man returned this time with a comms device in his hands.

"You need to tell your friend you are okay," he said.

I nodded and he fished out my gag.

I could hear Diona's voice on the scratchy line.

With a very dry mouth, I told her I was fine. He didn't give me a chance to say anything else and shoved the gag back in. He talked to her for a few moments and then there was a big smile on his face.

"You are a lucky woman Emrah, if that had been me, I would have kept the ship."

This was the moment he was going to kill me, but he didn't and instead stalked out of the room. My only concerns now are here for Diona and Shaya. I prayed that they would both be safe.

A wave of relief washed over me as Shaya appeared at the door. She was still clothed and unhurt. The men must have left, I thought. Then I saw it. She had my compact pistol in her hand.

"Sweet Emrah," she said, with a grin, and my heart dropped.

It made total sense now. She had been in on it. This was probably not the first scam she had pulled and wouldn't be the last. They had wanted Diona's shuttle and more importantly her co-operation all this time.

"Telling them to sell me into slavery was a nice touch," she said, and sat on the bed next to me. I was angry and felt my cheeks burning with rage. All I wanted to do though was ask about Diona. I couldn't with the gag though.

"Shaya, hurry up," a voice called from downstairs.

"One second," she called back, then turned back to me. "When you see Diona again tell her she was a great fuck."

She laughed loudly and stood up. She wasn't finished though, with a grin on her lips she pulled the blanket away from my body.

"I'll leave the front door open, let's hope some homeless men aren't looking for a warm bed tonight."

***********

I could feel the cold draft from the front door making its way up to the bedroom as I lay naked and bound on the bed. I had to hope that Diona was still alive and that she was on her way back. It was going to be a long and tense wait, as I had to stay strong and alert.

Time seemed to slow and I was aware of every noise and creak in the house. I felt very alone and vulnerable. My mind went to dark places as I couldn't help but imagine all the worst scenarios that might happen. Maybe Diona was dead, or maybe Shaya would tell a group of men where I was. It was the last one that truly worried me. They wouldn't just rob the house but also fuck me.

The hairs on the back of my neck suddenly stood up as I became aware of deep male voices. They were laughing and joking I heard shrill laughter. It was coming from outside and was getting closer. Just pass by I thought. Thankfully that's what they did and I heard the voices drifting away.

It seemed like hours had passed, but I doubted it had been so much time. I couldn't worry forever and started to wonder just why Shaya and those men would do something so risky to acquire a ship. Why were people trying to get off Ferrin? The only reason I could come up with was the recent supply issues, but then things had been odd here since I arrived. There were the men that like me were waiting at the pirate yards for word of their ship. It was odd.

Suddenly there was a creak of flexing wood. It sent my heart into overdrive and I tensed up. It was from the stairs, someone was on them and creeping up them. I was only breathing through my nose and I held my breath trying to hear better. The footsteps were getting closer.

"Emrah," Diona said, appearing at the door. The relief was like a warm friend as she rushed over to me.

"Thank god," she said as she untied me. As soon as I was free she asked where Shaya was.

"She betrayed you," I said. I didn't feel any satisfaction about revealing my rival's deception. Diona didn't believe me at first, but the truth soon sank in.

"I'm sorry," she said and tried to hug me. I didn't want that and brushed her off. What I wanted was my gown and water.

I told her what had happened, and her story was just as how I expected. She still had the gash on her head and looked exhausted. She wasn't the confident strong woman anymore. There was defeat in her eyes and pain from her foolishness.

"Come here, Emrah," she said holding her arms out. I think deep down she wanted the comfort for herself.

"I will get something for your head," I said instead.

**********

I fixed the front door the best I could. Diona had sunk into her easy chair and was smoking her pipe. She still looked shaken, but the smoking would ease that.

"Why are people leaving the planet?" I asked.

"There's a lot of rumours, something is going on." She told me that people were massing outside the shipyards. That's why the man had to use her to get through. Security was very tight.

"Are there even any ships left?"

"Quite a few, most don't seem to want to make the journey, there's a rumour of something out there, some invisible ship destroying anything it comes across."

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I remembered the attack on the waystation.

I was about to tell her about it when there was a sudden flash of light from the courtyard. Seconds later there was a rumbling that shook the entire house.

"What was that?" Diona asked, sitting up.

"An explosion far away."

The best place to see was the roof, and that's where I was heading. Diona was following.

"Careful, Emrah," she said as I made my way up the small ladder to the top of the building, I ignored her.

The roof was flat and gave me a good view of the surrounding area. I could see something burning fiercely in the distance. It was at the public shipyard.

"It looks like the fuel store," Diona said, as she joined me.

"Rioters?" I asked.

"Must be," she said.

Then there was another flash this time coming from the pirate yards. The rumbling followed soon after. This time it was their fuel store that had gone up in an orange cloud of flames. This wasn't rioters.

I saw the first indication of what was happening when I saw a pencil line of light come from the sky directly into the shipyard. An explosion followed when it touched. More lights appeared crisscrossing each other. Both shipyards were being illuminated by them, and the fires grew beneath them.

This was an orbital bombardment.

"We've gotta get out of here," Diona said and grabbed my arm.

"No," I snapped and pushed her hand away.

There was a ship rising from the pirate yard. It was twice the size of the Siren's Kiss and looked like it was trying to escape the carnage. It gained a lot of height but it was too slow though, and I watched as one of the lines of light pierced its side. It didn't crash back down to the surface, instead it twisted and rolled to the side and slammed into the gladiator area. It was a dreadful scene as the ship took half the stadium with it. the whole building was soon on fire.

The thick beams of laser fire started to move away from the shipyards and were now targeting the old town.

"Are there air defences in the city?" I asked Diona quickly who was cowering by my side.

She said she didn't know and tried again to pull me away.

"Diona, go and get your things together, we have to go to the desert."

"Emrah," she pleaded, but I practically kicked her down the ladder and snarled at her telling her to do as I said.

An explosion ripped a building apart not far from my position and I felt the warmth of the shockwave pass over me. Attacking the shipyards was tactical, but it was now turning into something more indiscriminate. I could see shuttles trying to escape from the surface like the pirate ship, but as they rose they were hit by lasers and exploded. One flew low over the city heading towards me. It had made the wise choice of not trying to get into orbit. It wasn't so lucky as it was hit by what looked to me like rapid cannon fire coming from a trailing ship. It lost height immediately and crashed nose-first into one of the public courtyards. I didn't have much time to appreciate the scene, because as soon as it happened three ships in a tight formation streaked over my head. They had shot it down and I knew what they were. They were zip fighters. I had flown something similar earlier in my career.

This attack wasn't coming from pirates, this was the United Earth Navy.

***********

"It's the UEN," I said to Diona as I quickly grabbed a dress and a pair of boots.

"What?" she asked with a slack jaw. The UEN never came into the free systems, and certainly not as far as Ferrin. "Are you sure?"

I told her to leave the bag and follow me now. Everyone in the old town had a similar idea and was spilling out onto the streets. With my clothes in one hand and Diona in the other, we made our way through the throngs of people. The smell of burning fuel and fire was thick in the air. The percussive noise of distant explosions was constant.

The crowds were moving in the same direction and there was chaos as people bumped and crashed into each other. They were trying to keep an eye on the skies and that caused mass chaos. I held Diona firmly but with my baby to think about I had to let go of her, and use my hand to protect my stomach. I hoped she would follow but I lost her as with a group of equally frantic townsfolk as we rounded a corner. A building exploded in front of me, sending burning wreckage over the crowd. There were screams as clothes and hair caught fire. I ran hard and discarded my boots and dress. I cradled my stomach with both arms now. It was a run for survival as the UEN rained fire and death upon Ferrin.

I knew why they were doing it. The UEN Denmark or at least the skeletal remains of it were in the pirate yards. Alissia would have made it to Earth with Antoinette and told them the story of its demise and the cruel treatment of the crew. For whatever reason the UEN hadn't brushed it aside and was now bringing its full force of vengeance upon this pirate stronghold. They didn't know I was here, it wouldn't matter if they did.

The buildings started to thin out and instead of compacted dusty dirt I was now running out of sand. The sounds of screaming and explosions diminished as I made my way further into the dunes. I wasn't alone, stragglers were leaving the city in droves.