The pirate ship loomed before Ash, its armour plated with an unknown material that defied all expectations. Even with the Laser Blade, slicing through the hull was a gruelling task. Beads of sweat trickled down Ash’s brow as the bright glow of the blade illuminated the void of space. Time was of the essence; if someone spotted him, the mission would be jeopardised.
His other hand gripped the fibre rope tethered to Sandstormer’s Scorpion Tail, the mech’s magnetic clamp system. Ash silently hoped the clamps wouldn’t fail him now. He carefully worked his way through the dense plating, inch by inch, the Laser Blade cutting into the ship’s belly.
The armour was thicker than anticipated. The blade sank in, yet the lack of breakthrough was disheartening. Ash grimaced and switched tactics, carving out chunks of the hull instead. This wasn’t ideal—using a tool meant for precision as an improvised excavator—but he joked to himself that a Laser Shovel would be much more convenient. He let out a small chuckle, easing the tension gripping his nerves. Years of survival on Garbage Planet 12 had taught him the importance of staying calm, even when death loomed.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the blade broke through. Ash exhaled in relief and carefully widened the hole until it was just large enough for him to squeeze through. With a deft motion, he recalled Sandstormer to the Sub-space Compartment. Its mission was complete.
Sliding into the pirate ship, Ash immediately felt the shift. His body grew heavier, and he stumbled forward, nearly dropping the Laser Blade. The Gravity Matrix here was fully operational. Regaining his balance, Ash held the blade steady and scanned his surroundings. The dim corridor stretched ahead, shadows cast by the flickering overhead lights.
Meanwhile, deep within the command bridge of the pirate ship, the one-eyed captain, Ferdinand, reclined lazily in a luxurious command chair. A cigar dangled from his lips, and a satisfied grin spread across his face. Standing behind him was his gaunt advisor, Malcolm, his bony frame almost swallowed by the shadows.
“Hah! Look at them fight!” Ferdinand laughed heartily, his voice reverberating in the room. “That brute Iron Fang’s doing a decent job. Not bad for one of my lieutenants! But this haul—” He paused, eyes gleaming as he gazed at the enormous merchant ship displayed on the holographic screen. “This one’s a rare prize. We hit the jackpot this time, Malcolm. Imagine the fortune waiting to be claimed!”
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Malcolm’s skeletal face broke into a grin, his pale complexion turning a faint shade of pink. “All thanks to your brilliance, Captain. This haul will keep us living like kings for months. But Captain, there’s more—rumours from the Black Fang relay suggest that Black Nook’s supplies are critically low. The elders have put out word: anyone delivering goods to them will earn not only sky-high prices but also Black Nook Points.”
At the mention of Black Nook, Ferdinand’s single eye widened, and his posture straightened. “Black Nook Points, you say?”
Black Nook—the infamous hub of the galaxy’s underworld. A haven for outlaws, a paradise for hedonists, and the ultimate centre of power for the galaxy’s criminal elite. It was a place where the unimaginable became reality. Luxuries from across the Farr Quadrant flowed through its veins: the finest women, the richest wines, the most advanced mechs, and the most exotic beasts. Yet access to its inner sanctum required the elusive currency—Black Nook Points.
Unlike the universal currencies of the five major systems, Black Nook Points couldn’t be bought or traded. They were awarded for completing the Black Nook Elders' perilous assignments or by working within the exclusive inner circle. Each point was a symbol of achievement, a gateway to unparalleled power and influence.
Ferdinand’s mind raced. He had long yearned to replace his aging fleet with cutting-edge tech from Black Nook, but he lacked the means to amass the required points. “Is this information reliable?” he asked, his voice low and serious.
“It came from Jason,” Malcolm replied reverently. “And I’ve overheard others talking about it too.”
“Jason,” Ferdinand mused, tapping the armrest of his chair. Jason was a legendary figure among pirates, a lone wolf no one dared to cross. His reputation was enough to silence even the most ruthless crews. If Jason believed this to be true, it almost certainly was.
“But Captain,” Malcolm ventured cautiously, “transporting such a large haul to Black Nook will attract attention. Plenty of scavengers will come sniffing for a share.”
Ferdinand barked a laugh. “Let them try! With me leading this mission, they wouldn’t dare challenge us. Besides, this is an opportunity we can’t afford to miss. The risk is worth it. A few more points, and I’ll finally have enough to overhaul our fleet. The galaxy will bow before us!”
“Wise decision, Captain!” Malcolm enthused, his sycophantic smile returning. “With you at the helm, our enemies won’t stand a chance!”
Ferdinand clapped Malcolm on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, Malcolm. When I feast, my crew will drink their fill!”
Lost in their dreams of wealth and power, neither man noticed the faint ripple of movement on the holographic screen.