This time, they were not alone on the bridge.

Kade found himself on his knees, two metal poles crossing in front of and behind his neck, forcing him into this position.

It had only been a day since he'd last been here. He'd read all night and through the morning, then spent the last few hours writing feverishly. Sleep was impossible after all he'd read in the Captain's journals.

He didn't feel his writings were nearly ready enough, and they weren't much, but the words were there.

"There is not much time left," Tarsota had told him.

The words were said with a normality and acceptance that threw him off. Even the guards shifted uncomfortably, but Tarsota did not seem to notice.

Kade reasoned that he had done just what Tarsota had told him to do; write the truth. Now he'd find out if the pirate really wanted that and if he had done a good enough job writing it.

The pirate was slumped in his chair, casually holding a large pistol in his hand. It was covered in elabroate gold and copper designs, with gems set into it that seemed to sparkle with an inner light.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

His hand holding it occasionally twitched, the finger on the trigger nearly setting it off several times.

They all just waited. There was still no crew in here, only the two guards, Kade, and Tarsota.

Tarsota had fallen into a stillness for some time, all except his twitching hand. If not for that he might have been asleep. Or dead.

He moved suddenly, so sharply that the guards jumped.

"Go," he croaked to the guards.

They hesitated. "Captain, lots of questions going 'round . . ." one began. "Just wanna know what the plan is."

Tarsota shot them both.

The handgun was even deadlier than it looked. Both guards had most of their heads gone from a single shot.

First the one who spoke, then in a heartbeat the one next to him, who barely had time to move - but clearly preparing to charge.

Kade screamed as they died, throwing himself down. Tarsota did not shoot him, but pointed the gun at him.

"Are you next?" he yelled.

"No! Nonono!" Kade screamed.

"Traitors all around me. They want what I have. They think they can take what I've got?" Tarsota laughed, a horrible gagging sound. He stood, raising his arms and turning around to look across the bridge. "Let them try! None are worthy!"

He cringed back then, as if stung by his own words.

"None are able," he said more quietly, slumping back into his chair.

His eyes moved back to Kade. "You wrote good words. Better than I deserve. You stay here. Maybe you survive. Maybe just your words. Just don't let it take you next."

Kade did not know what to say to that. He was still cowering on the floor, but Captain Tarsota had already turned away to look towards the main screen. It had turned on, showing stars beyond the vessel.

"Not long now," he croaked.