As Cait entered the bridge after hastily wiping herself down and pulling her shorts and singlet back on, Rhys was hunched over the comms console arguing with someone.

“You said I had six hours!”

“I lied, Nichols.” It was unmistakeably the voice of Montague, the captain of the pirate vessel that had hailed them earlier. “I don’t know why you’re shocked, or what difference it makes. Maintain course while we approach and dock. And I remind you, this ship is armed.”

Rhys cut the transmission and turned to Cait, anger written across his face. The sensor screen had pulled up a profile of the Erebus: it was a sleek vessel, not dissimilar in design to the crablike appearance of the Chariot, but had more powerful engines and was clearly built for speed. The sensor detected several apertures which were likely missile launchers and at least one protrusion that was probably a flak cannon, but it was the computer’s best guess based on a Doppler-rendering of the shape that was now just minutes away from docking with them.

“No wonder the sensors didn’t tell us when it was within range, look at that sleek profile.” Rhys spat. “It’s like looking at a knife edge on compared to most objects.”

“How many crew, do you think?”

“I’m guessing they’ve got room for ten but are probably carrying fewer if they’re expecting prisoners. I assume two of them will take over the ship.” Rhys looked at Cait helplessly, looking like she felt.

“What now?” Cait asked.

“I guess we wait.” Rhys shrugged. “Unless you’ve rethought putting up a fight.”

“I haven’t. It’s not like we have weapons.” Cait said, drifting over to her seat. “Company policy in the event of a hijacking is to cooperate, they’re insured for ransom. That seemed reassuring… but now…”

“Well your dad is a pretty good insurance policy, assuming Fleet comes looking for us.”

“Rhys, make sure you don’t mention that. If they know Fleet is looking for them, it could create an issue, and might put us both in danger.”

“I won’t.”

“Swear to me.”

“I swear.”

“And don’t let them know we’ve been involved.” Cait sighed. “They’ll only use that information against us both.”

“I won’t let them hurt you.” Rhys said bitterly.

“Rhys you’re not going to have much of a choice. Don’t be a hero. Our objective is survival.”

Before Rhys could respond the proximity alarm triggered again and there was a bump of turbulence followed my metallic scraping somewhere above.”

“Docking clamps. They’ll be coming in through the top hatch.” Rhys commented. He moved over to the captain’s chair and buckled in, while Cait buckled into her own station. They stared at each other, resigned to just wait, when the comms lit up again. Cait answered.

“Chariot, we are about to board.” Came an unfamiliar voice. “We are armed. This is your final warning not to attempt resistance. Wait for us on the bridge.”

Off in the distance there was the hiss of equalising pressure as the hatch opened and met theirs, then the airlock cycling. Before long, three armed men in pseudo-military uniforms entered gracelessly in th Wait for us on the bridge.”

Off in the distance there was the hiss of equalising pressure as the hatch opened and met theirs, then the airlock cycling. Before long, three armed men in pseudo-military uniforms and masks entered gracelessly in the zero-G, two of them awkwardly holding small pistols. Cait inhaled sharply as the weapons passed over her as the holders scanned the bridge. The unarmed man, apparently the leader glanced from her to Rhys.

“Does this thing have gravity?”

“No.” Cait answered, playing the role of engineer.