Now that they'd escaped again and could finally catch their breath a little, Carter needed to think up some way to change the current state of affairs. Why was this pirate boss so obsessed with them? The amount of resources he was pouring into capturing them made absolutely no sense. Even if he were to capture their ship perfectly intact, he'd only make back a fraction of what he'd spent hunting them. It was clear that picking off the occasional pirate ship would only put a dent in his powerbase, so it wasn't out of necessity. Was it just vanity? If so, why hadn't his subordinates rebelled as of yet? All Carter had at this point were questions, and he needed answers. Luckily, one of their more recent guests should be softened up by now and ready to talk. A pirate captain who'd been instrumental in organizing an ambush that had nearly killed them.

That decided, Carter turned and started the long walk toward the end of the ship where their less willing guests were kept, but he stopped and called out. "Sybil, you got a moment? The uh... red-haired one, I mean."

The vixen appeared in front of him. "It's not often you call for me. What can I do for our esteemed Captain Cockroach?"

Carter actually grinned a little at her new pet name for him. As much as he didn't appreciate being looked down on, seeing the vixen back to her old self was a relief. After she'd gone off ship mid-battle a while ago, she'd been quieter and more reserved, but here she was, as cold and condescending as ever. It was enough of a relief that he decided to let this particular shot go rather than argue back in his customary way. "Yeah, I wanted to see our second pirate captain you've been keeping company. What was his name again?"

The vixen smiled as if remembering some recent fun times. While she was undoubtedly attractive, Carter couldn't help but be more disturbed than attracted as she spoke. "Elias. And yes, that can be arranged. You won't be taking my toy from me this time, will you? The restrictions you placed on what I can or can't do to our other guest really took a lot of the sting out of my torments."

Carter shook his head. "Well, as loath as I am to let you get bored while the kid and I are still on the ship, our survival is more important than your entertainment."

The vixen rolled her eyes and sighed. "I don't think the others would let me torment the two of you even if I wanted to. John has really taken a liking to that kid, and my other counterpart insists that I shouldn't drive another captain insane while we're in the middle of a fight for our lives."

That surprised Carter. "Really? Why's John so interested in the kid?"

The vixen held up a hand indicating indifference as she shook her head and explained. "I don't know. I think the kid reminds him of himself when he was still alive or something. I don't really want to ask for details or sort through his memories to find out more."

That was even more surprising. "The kid reminds John of himself? I know the kid was onboard a pirate ship, but I didn't get the impression he was really a pirate, certainly not some swashbuckling daredevil like John."

The vixen snorted like he'd said something funny. "If you want to know more, ask John. It's none of my business, and I'm not in the habit of sharing my counterpart's secrets with every short-lived mayfly that plays the role of our Captain."

Cater laughed. "Upgraded from cockroach to mayfly, huh? I'm really moving up in your esteem! At this rate, I'll be a rat by next month!"

The vixen rolled her eyes again. "Only someone as dimwitted as you could think being called a mayfly was somehow an upgrade. Now, is there anything else you need from me? Or can I return to waiting for the day we get a more deserving Captain?"

Carter shook his head. "Nope, I'm good...unless you've thought of a name for yourself, so I can stop calling you the vixen, red-haired one, or whatever else comes to mind at the moment."

The vixen looked at Carter as if deciding something. "I'll tell you my name when you've earned it."

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

As the vixen disappeared, Carter shrugged. "Fair enough, I suppose."

Elias was running through the corridors. Was he running away from the laughter or toward it? It didn't matter; it always ended the same way. But if he could run just a little longer, a little faster, perhaps he could put off what awaited him for another few moments. A few precious moments...

The shadows were gaining on him. Their cries for mercy were cruel jokes, and his suffering was the punchline. As their shadowy-clawed fingers stretched toward him, Elias' feet were suddenly mired by mud. He was no longer running through the halls of the ship but through an open field. The one from his childhood. The one from his childhood. The one he could never escape. How had that sadistic monster found out about it? How had she brought him here?

Just over that hill would be the old farmhouse. Elias never wanted to see it again, not after what happened there the last time. He turned and ran, but there again was the hill, somehow in front of him again. Once more, he turned, and once more, the hill rose in front of him. How was this happening? He could hear her shrill voice even now, echoing through the fields. "Elias? Elias, where are you?" No, that's not right. She couldn't shout. Not since... Wait, was her voice changing? It sounded more and more like the monster. The lady in red. She was here! She was coming for him!

His thoughts were interrupted by a blinding light. Elias shot bolt upright in bed, his heart pounding so fast it felt like he'd actually been running. This place was hell! Even in his dreams, he couldn't escape torment! Then, as he covered his eyes to blot out the blinding light, a voice spoke to him. An unfamiliar voice. "Hey, Elias, right? I got some questions for you. If you tell me what I want, then maybe I can get you a brief reprieve."

This was just another trick, but the longer he played along, the longer it would be before she got bored of this new game and started tormenting him like usual. "Yeah? Who's asking?"

Someone crouched in front of the lights. Through his watery eyes, Elias could make out some guy who looked like he was in his mid-thirties. Though there was a layer of flab around his belly, it was clear there was plenty of muscle there as well. This one was new, but it wasn't fooling anyone. Her illusions were always so well done.

As the older man spoke, his expression indicated disgust and maybe sympathy. Probably a way to make Elias let down his guard. "Name's Carter. I'm kinda the Captain of this ship, but only kinda. As you know all too well, the ghosts who haunt this place pretty much do as they please. However, if you give me what I want, and you tell the truth, I could get you a week of rest, free from the lady in red's fun and games. How's that sound?"

It was an obvious lie, but the game must go on. Elias laughed. "Hell, I'd sell out my mother for a single day off. Ask your questions."

The man paused as if measuring Elais' answer before continuing. "So, back when you set up that ambush, you and your AI friend both mentioned something about the Boss running everything. Tell me about him. Who is he? How'd he get so many pirates to play by his rules? Where'd he get all the tech and AIs?"

Elias laughed again, but this time from actual amusement. "The only one who knows who the Boss is...is the Boss! The dude literally came out of nowhere and started offering top-of-the-line ships and weapons to those who'd serve him. Anyone who betrayed him, he killed, messily and publicly. At first, there was a lot of pushback. People who become pirates don't usually work well with others. But eventually, those who weren't working for him got edged out of their own territories by those who did. Besides, who can say no to a top-of-the-line warship and a bunch of shiny new guns? Now, as to where he got them? You'd have to ask him. If I knew how to pull a bunch of warships out of my ass, you think I'd still be a pirate?"

The supposed Captain Carter was silent momentarily as he contemplated what he'd been told. "Well, you haven't really told us anything we don't know. You'll have to give us something more if you want a reprieve. For instance, where's his base of operations?"

Elias shook his head. "Where do you think a pirate's 'base of operations' is? It's a ship. A big one. Called something fancy, like Cervo Redites or something. Though, as big as it is, the place is oddly empty. Maybe he just likes putting on a show. After all, what's more valuable in the void than empty space on a ship? Hell, he's even got a room of windows that makes you feel like you're walking through the void itself! One thing I can say about the old man, he's got style. He's always wearing a nice suit, complete with a fancy walking cane, and acts all high and mighty like he's some sort of posh rich guy rather than the head of a pirate armada that would put most militaries to shame! I would have tried to rob him if I didn't know who he was the first time I met the guy!"

The guy calling himself Carter stood up and turned to leave. He knew it was a trap, but Elias couldn't help himself. "Hey! What about that week you offered me? Do I still get a break?"

The guy looked back. The pity was more clearly visible this time as he answered. "I'll see what I can do." Then he left, and the room went dark again.

Once again, Elias sat alone in the dark, waiting for the voices to start while wondering how long before exhaustion made him pass out again.