"Surfacing in realspace in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1!"

Reality coalesced on the screen, spreading from the center of their view out, and before them lay the colony world of Cyphon IV.

Small glints, mere chips of light against the stars beyond, were in orbit around the world.

"Unknown vessels detected," Cenz said. "98% matches for our pirate vessels."

"Launch all combat drones," Brooks ordered. "Give me everything you can about what they are doing. Eboh, message them to surrender. If we're lucky, we can end this without violence."

"There are cargo craft en route from the surface," Cenz said. "We have some still lifting out of the atmosphere, and others already in orbit, heading towards the pirate vessels."

"Close the gap and launch micro-missiles," Brooks ordered. "I want those cargo ships disabled before they get to the pirate ship."

"Missiles away," Jaya said. "Ninety seconds until impact. We should knock out the cargo ships before they can get within the safety perimeter of the pirate fleet."

"We are getting no response to our demands, Captain," Eboh called out.

"A pity," Jaya said. "I suppose we'll have to destroy them."

"Not quite yet," Brooks said. "They may have hostages aboard. Send forward some of our defensive drones, put them around the shuttles."

"We are receiving a message," Eboh said. "It is pre-recorded."

"Put it up," Brooks ordered.

A three-dimensional image appeared of a Greggan. The view was terribly close, showing every detail of its head.

It appeared large, even for a Delta, but unhealthy. Strips of skin dangled from the sides of its face as if it had been tearing at its own flesh - or something else had. The wounds had congealed, but were still relatively fresh. Its eyes had a greenish pallor that Brooks knew was a sign of poor health in the species, and its lips were unkempt, swollen to the point where its own teeth pierced them, pale blood dribbling from the wounds.

Its eyes twitched, at times the pupils in one or two darting off to peer away, and it leaned even closer to the camera, the edges of its head clipping out of view.

"Vessel unwisely opposing us," the Greggan spoke in its deep, croaking language. "You trespass in holy space, sanctified by the presence of the Free Star Company led by Feared Captain Tarsota. We are privateers in service to a higher power, on glorious purpose. You will not impede us. You will not stop us. You will surrender, or you will die."

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

The transmission ended.

"There is a simple virus encoded in the message," Eboh noted. "It was picked up immediately. Deeper scans reveal some other malicious code, but nothing that poses a threat to our system."

Jaya shook her head. "I recommend we send a full missile barrage at their fleet, Captain. Aim for surgical strikes to disable their vessels."

Brooks was quiet a moment before answering.

"Status of missiles headed towards their cargo transports?"

"Hitting in ten seconds," Cenz said.

"Prepare a larger barrage as you suggest, Jaya, but do not launch yet. They have to see the first missiles by now - are they doing anything?"

"Negative," Cenz said. "We have hits on the cargo ships. All appear disabled." A pause. "We are seeing activity now, they appear to be preparing to launch their own missiles."

Brooks sighed. "Then we're in it now. Launch our full barrage, aim to disable their zerodrives and weapons systems."

An image of the Craton appeared in his HUD, showing the launch of missiles, spat out by their launchers, waiting, and once all out, firing off their thrusters and speeding away.

"All missiles launched. Two-minutes-thirty until impact," Jaya said.

Apollonia, who had been quiet, leaned forward. "What happens if we disable them and they still won't surrender?" she asked.

"Then," Brooks replied. "We will have to board them and take their ships by force."

Cenz turned suddenly. "Captain, the pirate ships have fired on their cargo carriers!"

Brooks looked back to the screen. Missile streaks had indeed started off from the pirate vessels, heading towards the disabled carriers.

"How long until our missiles get there?" Brooks asked.

"Still two minutes. Their missiles will hit in thirty-seven seconds."

"And our drones?" Jaya asked.

"Still a minute out," Cenz continued. "We cannot intercept their barrage."

"Tell me what's on those ships! Any indications that there are hostages aboard?"

Cenz was silent a moment. The seconds ticked away.

"I'm sorry, Captain," Cenz finally replied. "I cannot tell from this distance."

They could only watch helplessly as the pirate missiles slammed into the disabled ships, blasting their hulls open and ripping them apart.

"All cargo carriers destroyed," Cenz said. "I am still unsure as to what they were carrying."

Brooks took a deep breath and looked at the timer. Just over a minute until their own missiles hit the pirate ships.

"Put our drones into a holding formation," Jaya ordered. "Over the colony. We want to prevent the pirates from attacking it."

"Full defense protocol," Brooks added. "If they launch so much as a single missile - especially if they launch a single missile - I want all effort made to intercept it."

"The lead pirate vessel is activating a zerodrive, Captain," Cenz said. "The portal is big enough for all of their ships."

"They had to have jumped in here just a few hours ago!" Jaya said. "There's no way they can have enough charge to jump again already."

"This has to be some kind of trick. How stable is their portal?" Brooks asked.

Cenz slumped slightly. "Stable enough, it seems. I'm sorry, Captain, but they are already gone."