Phantom Star

I dropped into the Captain's chair with a sigh of relief. Looking out the window I could see UNK-L.

It was nice to be back, but there was also the problem of everyone wanting some of my time to hear about my travels.

It hadn't even been two months! I wasn't telling them about my adventure on Starks Point! That was embarrassing!

I ran a hand over my face and hit the comms unit. I'd set up a connection to the comm array on UNK-L and it was time to make a call I felt… Complicated about.

But I'd sent out a request, and gotten a time for the call.

I sent it out and only a minute after the channel opened.

"Captain Katherine. A pleasant surprise, to be sure." Baron Cyger Ritz offered with a smile. The man to my surprise was hatless showing off his coiffed back hair, as he lounged in a chair with all sorts of trophies and things behind him.

"Baron. Thank you for taking my comm."

"Oh it's nothing. When I was moved away I feared it might be some time before our paths crossed again. Tell me, how were your travels?" He asked, switching to small talk which surprised me.

"Oh, uh, it was eye opening."

"I see. Profitable?"

"Oh yes. I just delivered a ship to UNK-L for scrapping. I'm doing well."

"Excellent! I'm glad to hear it! My own time has been mostly travel so far, but things are becoming quite exciting, but I don't wish to hold you in suspense. You wished to speak to me about a private matter?"

I nodded, a bit uncomfortable, but… This was for Hammond, and Sin of course. "While dealing with some pirates, I ran into a situation. One of the pirates was… Well she assisted me in taking over both ships from within. She's on the pirate registry though."

"Ah, I see your problem clearly. You need someone with a Noble Rank in order to clear her name?"

"Yes. That's why I'm calling you. I don't know the sort of price it would be, but you're the only Noble I know."

"Easily done." He said, waving his hand as if it was nothing to be concerned with. "Send over her data, and I'll have Artemis take care of it." He offered with a wave of his hand.

"That's it?"

"It's a simple matter for someone that I consider an important friend." He said, and his words were matched with an open smile.

Unfortunately it only made me more uncomfortable, because I knew what he really meant was someone he wanted working for him.

"Thank you." Was all I could say though.

"Good! Then that matter is resolved. There is another matter, are you interested in future work?" He asked and I felt the trap close in on me.

"I'm in between jobs. Right now." I had to admit, which earned me a smile, that reminded me far too much of a cat catching the canary.

"It will be some time. I can't say much over an unsecured line, but the Octavius has been moved closer to the front lines. There is something coming up in the future. Something big, something that could earn us both a much brighter future. Can I at least be confident you'll hear me out when the time comes?"

I swallowed a little dryly. Of course I could refuse. If he was moved closer to the front line, then he was definitely talking about a wartime action…

"I'd… I'd like to hear what you have in mind. I have to worry about my ship of course. I don't like the idea of getting close to the front lines."

"I understand. I'll send you a meeting time and location, when plans solidify. I promise you Katherine, you won't regret joining me for this. I would also consider it a favor, even for simply hearing me out."

"I understand." I said, not entirely agreeing, but… I would hear him out.

"Excellent! Send over that Pirate's data and her status will be restored as a normal citizen, and I look forward to speaking to you again face to face."

"Thank you again." I offered and the comm line was cut after the Baron offered a Kenish Salute.

Well… That was a thing.

I quickly sent Sinclairs data through the comm and just… That was it.

—--

Sinclair Kirkbride

At least the room was big. Sin wasn't about to head off the ship while still registered as a pirate, that was asking for someone to do an ID scan and suddenly everyone is shooting to kill.

Instead she was wasting time away watching stupid videos on her Tab. One benefit to being at a normal station was access to the Subspace Relay. It had been a long time since Sin had been able to just browse and update everything.

Huh. A new season dropped. Nice.

The sound of a knock startled her and she sat up glaring.

"I'm not playing hide and seek you-!" She cut herself off. Don't call the insanely terrifying free AI names Sin.

There was quiet for a moment.

"I'm glad, cause I'm not really looking for a game either." The voice on the other side of the door wasn't those terrifying little shits.

She sat up and rose for the door opening it to see the large form of the Captain. Looking up she met her eyes and quirked her eyebrow as the big woman sort of glanced away.

"Sorry to bother you." She suddenly said, refusing to look anywhere at her. Sin looked down. She was wearing a fucking bra, and panties, the fuck was wrong?

"It's fine I was just downloading some shit… You need something?"

"No, actually." She pulled out her Tab and then hesitated. "You have your Tab?"

"Yeah." Sin grumbled walking back to the bed and grabbing it waving it up in the air. A moment later it chirped as the Captain flicked her Tab.

What was going on? She looked at the Tab at the updated file. Rolling her eyes at the complete lack of security, as if she would just open some random ass fi- Was that a Citizen Registry file?

She opened it instantly, and then stilled.

"Bullshit."

"No?"

Sin stared at the registry file, her registry file. The complete file no longer had Pirate, and the massive warning on top of it. That data was still there, but… It had her listed as a Citizen.

Sin looked up. She'd honestly sort of bet that it would't work, and she'd end up either bailing to go dirt humping again, or be trapped on board the ship working for this crazy obviously hidden noble. No matter that Grandpa had mentioned meeting her totally normal spacer parents.

Sin wasn't going to stop thinking she was the love child of someone no matter what 'evidence' the woman gave.

But…

"Fuck." She whispered as it hit her, this random ass woman had just given her back her life. "This is real?"

"Yep. I reached out to the noble I know, and he agreed to clear you… I might also have been offered a job closer to the front lines in the future, but that's a future problem." She added, but Sin was just in awe at what she was looking at. This was…

"Whoa!" The Captain… No, Sin might need to actually start calling her Katherine. It wasn't very often that someone literally fixes your entire lifes fuck up in one action. But Sin was more focused on leaving. Her scramble past Katherine earning her shout was just pure need to move.

But then she stopped, turned and rushed back into her room, probably better to throw on some actual clothes, wouldn't want to freak out the poor innocent station folk.

—--

Sin stepping onto UNK-L was a bit of a trip. I'd headed to the airlock and then over to the station… Mostly because I was really curious how everyone would react, and the answer was funnily.

Sin dripping sex appeal and dangerous pirate attitude, with her spiked red hair, and artistically torn clothes drew the eye of every man and woman that was hanging around the floor.

Seeing me, Sin sauntered over and then as she opened her mouth seemed to hesitate for a second.

"Hey… Uh, Katherine?"

"You can call me Kat. What's up?" I asked, enjoying the way everyone was reacting to her appearance.

She was… Fucking super pretty and it was kinda annoying, but subjecting my family to her was also gonna be loads of fun.

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"This place got a hab level? I want a drink, and some place that isn't just another square box."

"Yeah, check the elevator, we have grass and stuff too. Talk to my Uncle Henry, he runs the burger place. He has some beers and stuff behind the bar if you ask nicely." I said with a wink.

"Thanks… Kat." She turned and headed towards the elevator, and so I just chuckled as I watched her casually saunter away. She had like the sexy hip swing too. It made me jealous cause I could not hope to have that level of appeal. I looked down over my own body. Sure my chest was alright, but I was still built like a bull and even with protective gloves my hands had lots of nicks and old cuts scattered across them.

I shook off the melancholy, at least I could enjoy the single men on station freaking out over Sin.

Oh yeah I think Hammond was up there too. Heh. Wonder how he'll react to seeing Sin off the ship?

—--

"C'mon, just a little introduction!"

"First off, no. Second off, ew!" I told Carter as I looked up from my meal to give him a look.

"It's just an introduction."

"She's older than you."

"Most people are." He said almost smirking and I just rolled my eyes as I went back to my burger. Uncle Henry really did something special to the protein, or maybe it was just the best spice, nostalgia.

"Leave off Carter." Marie said, suddenly appearing. "What is it with you boys and Kat's new crewmate?"

"She's hot." Uncle Henry of all people added as he flipped a burger.

"Super hot." Carter agreed.

"Boys!" Heather added as she came up from behind Marie and joined the group. "Kat!"

"Hey Heather." I greeted back as I put down my burger, I think I knew what was coming.

"Soo… Can I get a tour of your ship?" She asked hands brought up to her chest, as her dark brown hair haloed her innocent face as she pouted cutely at me.

I couldn't help but chuff out a laugh as I nodded. "Sure Heather, I'll take you around, after I finish."

"Me too!" Marie said, winking at me, and I just glared at her.

"You've already been on board."

"Barely! I still want to see your bridge!" Marie added cheerfully, and I just rolled my eyes.

"Yeah you can come too." I waved her off to finish eating. It was… Weird being back on UNK-L. I'd slept in my old bed last night. In my old room, with my old stuff, what little I hadn't packed onto the Phantom Star.

It felt like… Coming back home after college. Or spending the night at the childhood home after going out on your own. Nostalgic, but things were just that little bit off.

But I guess having a place to return to where there was family wasn't a bad feeling. Having people you could trust was.. Nice.

Speaking of people I could trust.

"Hey Carter?"

"Yeah?"

"You have any work crews open in the next cycle?"

"Oh?" He said, leaning in from where he had been teasing Heather to focus on me. "Is this Kat asking for help?"

"Not help, this is Kat asking station UNK-L if they have any open work crews." I repeated, and his teasing smile became more serious.

"We do. Even with that ship you brought in, things have still been slow. I suppose you'll have the Creds considering you just dropped off a ship. What do you need?"

"I have a lot of salvage I need to go through and clear out before I head out again. That and a lot of new equipment to install. I could do it myself, but I've discovered it's pretty hard to do a lot of work while traveling. Subspace isn't exactly hospitable. So I figure I could use some extra hands I trust to clear some of the backlogged work before I leave."

"Because you fought the pirates right?" Heather asked practically sparkling. "I heard from Mama who heard from Uncle, that you fought more pirates!"

"Yeah… It was an interesting adventure. We grabbed a lot of equipment from the pirate ships, and I've been putting off installing the missile racks, and a new sensor system. Could probably do some extra lasers as well now, since I have a bunch, and I need to check all the Shield emitters, we didn't take a lot of hits, but-"

"Okay okay." Carter interrupted, hands up and stopping my rambling. "I'll talk to the work crews and get everyone ready. Installing some missile racks you said?"

"Yeah, I can prep the install locations, and stuff, but I need the hands. If I'm going to get it done soon, and I don't want to stick around for months."

"That I can help with." Carter agreed, rising up "Finish your meal, I'll go get things prepared."

"I… Thanks Carter."

"Sure." He said smiling as he stood up and headed away.

"Does that mean I won't get my tour?" Heather asked, and I just shook my head.

"Course not. You can come with me once I finish eating. I'll show you around while I get everything ready." I looked at the Crabbits hovering around my shoulder. "Can you tell the others to pull out the missile racks from the storage?"

"Yes yes! We'll do it!" She cheered and I couldn't help but smile at how pleased she was.

I smiled as that solved one problem. I bit into my burger to quickly finish it off.

—--

"Coming through!" I nodded quickly pushing up against the wall, where I'd been digging through the wiring to add another attachment for the rockets.

The large attachment piece for the missile rack floated past me, guided by Crabbits and Aunt Sheila.

"Any issues?" I called out once she was past and I could refocus on my wiring.

"Not really. This ship's a bit weird, and we're usually tearing things apart, but we're getting the hang of it." She added and I nodded pleased. It was…

Kind of exhilarating to have so many people on board the Phantom Star.

Everyone that came on board while working on the ship looked around with a certain amount of awe, and I'd gotten tons of back slaps from passing family members as we all worked.

And there weren't any hanging cables, or missing floor and wall panels this time! So I wasn't worried about what they'd think!

I was quite pleased with how things were going, I finished the connection, which would provide more power to the launcher controls and give a more direct connection between the sensors and the missiles.

Ugh. I took off my gloves to rub my face. Missiles were powerful, useful, and effective, but they were also a pain in the butt.

I needed to upgrade the sensors, upgrade the tactical console, upgrade the power system, install the missile rack, and set it all up. Without even talking about the installation of the new sensor system for Sin's electronic warfare setup.

It was a lot of work, and while I wasn't exactly on a time limit, the longer I sat around… I was starting to feel antsy oddly enough. I wanted to get back out moving again.

I shook it off, and decided to do a walk around to check things out.

The side rooms that held the lasers were where the missile racks would be installed so I headed to the port side of the ship and peeked inside.

"How's things?" I asked, and Carter looked up, to my surprise the boy had led the work crew that'd decided to help.

"Got most of the release system finished. Want to take a look Captain Kat?" He said, turning and offering me a teasing smile. I would have snapped at him, but he was sweating a little and it was obvious he and my cousins in the room were actually working hard.

"Sure. Crabbit?"

"Scans!"

My shoulder Crabbit offered, as I walked in, and I pulled out my Tab to take a look, taking a moment to smile at the floating Babbit around Carter before checking it over.

"Looks good." I admitted happily and offered an honest smile down at Carter.

"Good, because I don't want to have to reinstall this thing again." He added simply and I just chuckled, considering they had to install the outer hatch, which meant they'd been out of the ship for a while and not everyone was as happy in the void as I was, I wasn't surprised.

"I'll buy you dinner if you can finish it up before then." I offered and that perked up Carter and my cousin Sam, he was a good bit older but he perked up with a smile.

"You paying for drinks too?" He cajoled, even rolling his eyebrows at me.

"I'll buy some drinks, some!" I informed him with a pointed finger.

"Heh, nice."

"What's this about drinks?" A new voice called and suddenly Sam who'd been half under the massive square rack for the missiles jerked and bonked his head, and Carter jumped up, before leaning against it trying to look casual.

"I offered to buy the crew some drinks if they finish before dinner." I explained, watching as Sin's eyes lit up. The Pirate woman leaned against the doorway and every boy's eye in the room was on her.

"Well, free drinks sounds good." She said and I rolled my eyes, obviously I meant the workers, but instead of just denying her I waved her at the missile racks.

"Well grab a tool, the Crabbit can tell you what needs doing." I offered and she instantly soured a bit.

"Oh."

"Hey, she can join up with us." Carter said, smiling charmingly. "We're nearly done here, Sam! Why don't you go help out the other crew?"

"Not a chance Carter." Sam offered the older boy smiled winningly, and I just wanted to roll my eyes. She was way too old for Carter.

"Well well." Sin said, suddenly sauntering in, bypassing me, and Carter and leaning against the missile rack as she sort of hovered over Sam. "Maybe someone will be kind enough to buy me a drink instead?"

"Oh yeah, that I can do." Sam added smiling dopily up at the pirate girl.

Ugh. Gag me with a spoon. I looked over and saw Carter not taking it well.

"Alright! No drinks until the work is done!" I called out and reached over and grabbed Sin by the back of her stupid tattered jacket that made her look so cool and suddenly she yelped as I pulled her out of the room.

"H-hey!"

"Flirt with my workers once they're done with the work." I told her firmly as she turned on me and then realized she had to look up to meet my face.

There was a moment of tension before Sin seemed to ease up shoulders lowering.

"Yeah that's fair. Sorry, just figured it would be fun to get a drink." She offered and I eased up too.

"Well you'll make Sam's day if you do find him after." I added with a bit of a sigh.

"Sam huh? Heh. It's been a while since I was free to walk around on a station and flirt with boys and stuff… It's been a long time." She said a little airly, and I realized that Sin for all her confidence was actually…

Probably pretty lonely.

"They really had you locked away huh?" I asked, and she looked at me, to the open door and jerked her head.

Yeah probably a good idea, considering I could see two shadows on the other side of the door obviously listening in.

Boys.

I took her to the one place on the ship where we could get some privacy up to the bridge.

I even shut the hatch behind me as I climbed up, giving us all the privacy we'd need.

"It wasn't that bad." She finally said, as we settled into chairs on the bridge.

"Really?"

"Really. You'd think the whole pirate thing… Listen, you only really get two types of pirates. Real evil fucks, and yeah those suck, and the ones that just want to do what they want. Sometimes they were criminals beforehand, sometimes they're running from something… I was running, from home, but well. I joined because of a boy."

I blinked at the admittance from the older woman and my expression must have said something because she laughed.

"You think that's weird?"

"Isn't it?"

"Not really. Lots of girls join pirate crews to be with their rough and tumble man… It was… At first, a real adventure. Trent… He was gruff and strong, but kind enough. Until he wasn't. Eventually it got bad enough I went to the captain. I'd been doing the electronic warfare side of things for a while. I didn't have any history as a soldier or anything, but I learned that to be useful, and because I was useful." She trailed off for a moment her eyes far away.

"He stepped in?"

"Yep. Trent didn't take it well, but I wasn't in his bunk anymore… But that's when the issues started. You ever had a jealous ex?"

"Nope." I admitted freely. I had to admit, I was kinda… Real stories of a space pirate right from the source? This was fascinating.

"Well it sucked. I flirted with a guy at a bar once a few months after the breakup, and I was never allowed to go on planet again. Trent killed the poor guy, and burned the bar down. Really fucked us over too."

"Charming."

"Eh." She shrugged. "Like I said, it lost the shine… I don't regret it, you know? To be clear. Joining, going off world and becoming a pirate. It sucked sometimes, but it let me escape from just being a broodmare to some farmer on some dustball. I have a skill that's valuable, and I got to see amazing things." She said, sounding almost nostalgic.

"And kill a lot of people that didn't deserve it." I bit out a bit harshly. Pointedly.

"Less than you'd think." She admitted, but there was no apology. We stared at each other for a while before she sighed. "This is still kinda awkward. You're so… Young. Even if you ripped us a new port with this ship. I talked to some of your family, still shocking you aren't some noble kid. You're a new captain, newer than I realized."

"Yeah." I agreed, I knew at some point it would come out. How new to all this I was.

"Listen. You're fucking weird, and I still don't entirely believe you aren't some nobles bastard that no wants to admit to… But you came through for me, so I'll work for you for a while. I'll be straight. You won't have to worry about a knife in the dark from me."

Which I hadn't worried about until now that she brought it up! Was I going to have to set guard Crabbits!?

"Thanks?"

"Alright, well I'm going to enjoy my freedom for a bit." She offered as she rose up and stretched and then just walked away…

What a weird woman.