Galaxy of Empires- Space Pirates Episode #1 (6 page)

“Next!”

“Che Chizital wanted by Wolfkins, Katlin,
Elemental Empire, and The Hive for assassinations, piracy, and
kidnapping. Reward: 20,000 bars.”

“Next!”

“Chad Wick wanted by Wolfkins, Katlin, and
Elemental Empire for piracy, murder, and kidnapping. Reward: 9,000
bars.”

“Python wanted by Reptilian Conglomerate,
Wolfkin, Elemental Empire for murder, kidnapping, piracy. Reward:
13,000 bars.”

“Caleb Cogg wanted by Reptilian Conglomerate,
Wolfkins, Elemental Empire, and Katin for computer hacking,
information theft, cat burglary, general theft. Reward: 15,000
bars.”

“Shawn Belgarion wanted by Katin for
political violations. Reward: 10,000 bars.”

Che says, “Yes! Still on top!”

Chad wick says rather annoyed, “What the
hell? I dropped down to 9,000 bars.”

“Shawn, the doctor is higher than you now,
ha-ha,” Python says in an irritating manner.

Chad Wick shoots the finger rod at
Python.

Meek says, “Low man pays for the drinks.”

Shawn says, “For once, I don’t have to by the
drinks.”

The compter scanner continures,“Gothica
wanted by Elemental Empire for murder. Reward: 10,000 bars.

“Evella Noctu wanted by The Supreme Council
of the Elemental Empire for destruction of property on a planetary
scale, mass genocide, destruction of the 4th and 24th Navy Fleets,
murder of a High Council member. Reward: 100,000,000 platinum
bars.”

Che says, “I am having feelings of inadequacy
about now.”

Eve remarks to the listed computer
information, “That is stretching it a bit, but when do governments
tell the whole truth?”

Eve hears scores of weapons activate behind
her.

“Now, Retards, what part of mass genocide did
you not understand?” Eve turns around and grabs all hundred or so
in line using telekinesis and starts choking them. Weapons fall to
the ground followed by dead bodies as she releases them. Even for
pirates, that was a gruesome scene. The guards pull their big guns
out but the foreman puts his hand up waving them off and whispers,
“What? Are you idiots? Do you want to get us all killed?”

Eve says, “Geez, planet killers can’t even
get any respect around here. What kind of dump is this?”

Eve turns back around and says to the foreman
as she motions to Capt. Meek and the crew to come over. “This is
Capt. Meek. If you have your big strapping guards over there help
him and his crew load all the bodies into the cargo bay of his
ship, you and your people can keep all their guns and other stuff
they have on them as a tip. If any of them own ships, sell them to
Lord Cos and add it to my account here. Keep 5% as a commission for
you and your boys.”

The foreman says with utter excitement, “Yes,
Lady Eve. No problem, we are here to serve. If you need anything
else, the boys and I will jump on it.” The guards head over to
begin moving the bodies.

She looks at Meek and says, “Well, you
actually have some cargo now. That is at least a million or so bars
worth of bounties laying over there. I will get Doc to collect them
for you because she is legit if you split it evenly between her and
your crew.”

Capt. Meek says, “Thank you, Lady Eve. This
run will be more profitable than I thought. You are truly
awesome.”

“Finally, jackpot!” Python yells with
excitement as the rest of the crew begin dragging bodies.

Che adds, “This has to be the nastiest cargo
we have had, but I am all about the money. Hope Doc can freeze
these or they will be pretty ripe in the ship.”

The huge video monitor that towers way above
the spaceport activates as a big Wolfkin appears in fine clothes on
the screen.

Lord Cos says, “Well, hello Lady Eve. We
don’t get many people of your stature visiting my humble little
planet. I see you have changed quite a bit since that last time we
spoke. I have sent my valet down to fetch you and bring you to my
palace. Since this is your first visit to the surface, I want to
show you around if you like.”

Eve responds, “Certainly, My stepdaughter is
with me.”

Lord Cos says, “Even better. I await your
arrival.” The screen goes back to running advertisements.

Che says to Meek, “She is not only powerful
but also has powerful friends and enemies. I think we should stay
in the friend category, as I think we could benefit a lot from
it.”

Meek says with concern, “Yeah, but what
happens when her enemies come looking for her or us and she isn’t
around?”

“Oh, crap! I never thought of that,” Che says
with thoughts of being murdered.

“Too late now. We will just have to deal with
whatever comes along,” Meek frowns. “Having god-like personal
powers doesn’t protect your assets or friends and love ones when
they are not around—it is a weakness. Eve will come to realize it
the hard way when someone she loves gets killed.”

“Yep.”

***

After arriving at Lord Cos’s main palace, Eve
and Gothica get out of the hover limo and see a massive palace with
all the signs of true wealth anyone could possibly imagine. Very
fancy structures with extravagant paintings cover most surfaces.
The beautiful stained-glass glass artwork is in the windows, and
carefully attended gardens surround the entire area. They began
walking down a red carpet that has huge gold pillars on both sides
of the walkway. A beautiful feline female in silk clothes standing
at the door says, “Greetings. I am Tala. Welcome to the main
palace. Please follow me. Lord Cos is waiting in the private
study.”

They walk down halls with impressive artwork
hanging on the walls, as well as statues and other glamorous items.
They turn several times as they continue down corridors with very
high vaulted ceilings. Guards stand in pairs along the sides of
each corridor.

They come up to a small door that a guard
opens as they approach it. Inside is a small library with a few
small expensive silken sofas and big-pillowed chairs. Sitting in
one of the chairs is Lord Cos, a rather large Wolfkin with black
hair, smoking a scented pipe. He is wearing silk robes and a lot of
jewelry. He has two electronic bracers, one on each forearm. Lord
Cos gets up and says,” I like the new you. Bet that must be a
fascinating story.” He leans to kiss Eve on her claw.

“You have no idea. I wouldn’t recommend this
type of makeover to anyone,” Eve jests.

Lord Cos laughs, “I bet. I must ask what kind
of creature are you exactly?”

“I am a Rainbow-Colored Morphic Space
Dragon,” Eve says flatly.

“I thought those were a myth, but I guess
not. May I get some photos with you? No one will be believe
me.”

“No one believes you anyway. You’re a
pirate.”

“Touché. Aren’t you the cleaver one?” He
chuckles.

“I don’t mind photos. But it will cost you
some dinnerware, as I am starving.”

“Oh, I am so sorry that I am being a rude
host. Do either of you care for food or drink?”

Gothica says, “I could eat some raw meat and
some water with that.”

“No problem. What do you eat, Eve?”

“I saw some silver and gold plates on one of
those fancy tables we passed and they smell awesome. I don’t drink
unless it is melted metal. A glass of melted rare metal would be
nice. No copper, though, as it tastes like day-old coffee. Don’t
you worry about platinum and I am not talking about bars either.
More like loaves. I crap pure platinum, in the purest form. I don’t
eat platinum, as that is like eating my own crap. Spaceships are my
favorite food as they have all kinds of nice metals.”

“Ha-ha. That is too funny. I am sure my
blacksmith can melt you some silver and gold,” Lord Cos says with a
smile. He waves to Tala to fetch the items.

“Yeah, but it isn’t funny when I get
constipated or worse get the squirts and all that liquid platinum
goes squirting everywhere.”

“Oh, gross, Mom!” Gothica squeaks.

“Anyway, I actually came here to talk
business with you, Cos.”

“Really? Sounds intriguing. What can I do for
you?”

“I would like to buy some information from
you. You did make your millions selling information first before
you began a zillionaire.”

“You have done your homework. Yes, I am still
in the information business. What would you like to know?”

“I need the schematics for every naval fleet
vessel for all of the empires in this region of space. Also,
information on all the current government structures and current
governmental officials for those same empires.”

“That is a tall order. The second part, I
have now. The schematics will take some time. I have many of them,
just not all of them. The ones I have are what is currently being
used for the most part in each navy.”

“That should be okay.”

“Not to pry, but it sounds like the lines on
the map are going to be changing soon,” Lord Cos says, trying to
squeeze Eve for more information.

“Perhaps or perhaps not,” Eve says slyly,
without giving anything away.

“Sounds like a politician in the making,” he
says, still trying to get something out of her.

“Politicians are like mercury to me: they
both give me gas,” Eve replies with sarcasm not give him an
inch.

“I will give you the information for free.
Just don’t forget who your friends are.”

“Indeed. You have always done fair business
with me, Cos. I will never forget that.”

Tala comes in the room and says, “Master, the
table is ready for your guests and you.”

“Excellent!”

They all move out of the room and go down the
hall to the large dinner chamber they passed coming in. They sit at
the table that has food of all different types and expensive plates
with polished goblets neatly sat in rows. The table is centered in
a chamber that has pictures of pirate ships attacking merchant
vessels, as well as various pictures of famous outlaws. A big
chandelier hangs above the long table that is made of gold and
diamonds.

Eve drinks some of the liquid metal in the
stone cup in front of her. The metal is gold and silver mixed
together. It tastes wonderful to her. Gothica is eating the raw
fish that appears to be the main course. Cos is also eating the
fish and some other meaty creature parts.

“Do you do the like fish, Gothica? It is
Gurba and comes from a lake here,” Cos says.

“Yes, it is magnificent. Thank you for
letting me try it.”

“How is you metal mix, Lady Eve?”

“Very tasty. You’re a wondering host,” Eve
says with honesty. “So what is your story, Cos? I know you are one
of the few Pirate Lords who gain power with wit and charm, which is
unusual, as most of them use magic or telepathy. I hear you are
more into tech gadgets and stuff.”

“You’re not misinformed. ‘Tis true I don’t
use magic or telepathy as, unfortunately, I was not gifted with
those abilities. I have always been fascinated by technology, and
thus have a nice collection of high-tech toys. I am always on the
lookout for the latest in tech or design. I also fund talented
people who don’t have any money. That is only if their work has
potential,” Cos explains.

“You would like my two daughters. They are
very gifted engineers. They are doing some designs for the
Consortium right now,” Eve brags.

“Wow! Well, they are in the right place for
high-tech stuff. Unfortunately, they don’t do business with
outlaws,” Cos says in a disappointed tone.

Eve continues, “That is the life of an
outlaw, but there is more money in the black market anyway. I have
always been enamored with the whole pirate thing. Never came true
though, my eye-patch and parrot are still in the proverbial closet.
Thanks to you, I have done well in the black market as a
merchant.”

“Oh, I think you give me too much credit.
Most of that was your doing. To be a successful merchant in any
market requires a head for it. I started as a regular merchant, and
then slowly the black-market items became more and more the focus
of my business. I am probably one of the few Pirate Lords who made
my bones strictly from working the black market. I am a Pirate Lord
who has never done any actual pirating,” Cos says as he is
recalling his climb up the success ladder.

“Well, as long as you reach your goals, it
doesn’t matter what method you use.”

“Interesting philosophy.”

Tala enters the chamber and announces, “Gax
and Trished are here, Master.”

“Excellent, the painter and photographer.
Would you ladies mind coming to the painting room for a sitting? I
will like to get photos and a painting made of you two,” Cos
says.

“Um...sure,” Eve says as she looks at Gothic.
They both get up and go into a room that is a short distance from
the main dining room.

“Greetings. I am Gax, the painter, and this
is Trished, the image creator,” a plain-looking male Snakekin
dressed in painters’ clothes says in a humble manner. Trished is a
female human in fine silk clothes and expensive jewelry. Eve senses
both of them are sorcerers and powerful ones at that.

“Sorcerers,” Eve says without any
thought.

Gax and Trished both look at Eve with
surprise.

Gax says, “Why yes. Is that an issue?”

“Since when do sorcerers paint and take
pictures instead of out getting more powerful or killing innocent
telepaths?” Eve asks with hostility and suspicion.

Gax begins to get nervous, “I meant no
offense, My Lady. Painting is a hobby of mine.”

Cos interjects, “They are not from the
Elemental Empire, My Lady. Not all sorcerers are like those
ingrates.”

Eve scans their minds and sees they are
telling the truth.

“There is no deception here, Lady Eve. I know
you are a telepath you can simply read people’s minds, hence that
would be rather foolhardy to try something sinister on you,” Cos
says trying to keep the situation under control.