The Stolen Ship

Six months had passed since Michael Briggs and the crew of the *Crimson Void* had made their mark on the galaxy. In that time, the crew had grown stronger, their ship had become a well-oiled machine, and their reputation had spread far and wide. Pirates, thieves, and even a few governments had learned the name of the *Void*, but no one had yet managed to catch them.

The *Crimson Void* had become more than just a pirate vessel—it was a fortress, a floating kingdom of stolen technology and plundered riches. The ship's outer hull had been reinforced with parts from battleships, its weapons were a blend of salvaged disruptors and torpedo launchers, and its engines had been modified with components from an entire fleet of wrecked vessels. Michael and his crew were riding high on their success, with a pile of credits waiting to be spent at the nearest black market.

Today, the crew was making their way to a known pirate trading post in the Vortan Nebula. It was a place where smugglers, mercenaries, and pirates alike could offload their plundered goods without worrying about prying eyes—or the long reach of Starfleet. 

"All systems are running at optimal levels," Vela reported from the communications console. "Our next stop is just ahead. Black market's got a fresh crop of buyers for our *treasures*."

Michael nodded, his hands resting lightly on the console. "We've earned a good payday, but don't get too comfortable. It's a big galaxy out there, and we've made more than our share of enemies."

Shai, ever the optimist, grinned. "If anyone's coming for us, they'll have to deal with the *Void* first."

"*I'd say they'd be a fool to try,*" Sovan added, his calm demeanor betraying a sense of certainty. "*We've proven our superiority in every confrontation.*"

Michael's lips curled into a confident smile. "We'll see how true that is."

As they neared the nebula, the faint stars around them dimmed, the misty clouds of the Vortan Nebula swallowing all light from distant systems. It was the perfect place for their operations—isolated and dangerous, with enough cover to hide a thousand ships. The crew moved efficiently through their routines, making final adjustments to their haul, ready for a quick sell.

But as the *Void* crossed into the heart of the nebula, a strange sensor reading caught Vela's attention.

"Captain, something's coming up on our scanners," she said, her voice tight. "It's large. It matches the *NX*-class specifications."

Michael's brow furrowed as he turned to the screen. The unmistakable silhouette of a starship—tall, sleek, and unmistakably Earth-designed—loomed ahead. The shape of a ship he knew all too well.

"Is that…" Michael's voice trailed off as he narrowed his eyes.

Vela confirmed the information. "Yes, Captain. It's the *NX-02*. The *Columbia*."

Michael cursed under his breath. "Damn it, they found us."

The *NX-02* was one of Starfleet's most advanced ships, a sister vessel to the *Enterprise NX-01*, but with more modern enhancements. Its sleek, formidable design, paired with its advanced technology, made it a deadly adversary. If Starfleet had sent the *Columbia* after them, they weren't taking any chances.

"*Prepare for battle,*" Michael barked. "*Shai, arm the weapons! T'Lan, Sovan—get to the bridge! Vela, keep an eye on their comms. Let's see what they've got in mind.*"

The *Void* had become a ship capable of matching anything Starfleet threw at it, but the *NX-02* was still a heavy hitter, with a full crew and cutting-edge technology. Michael wasn't about to underestimate them. The ship had caught them off-guard, but now that they were on equal footing, it was time to show just what the *Crimson Void* could do.

"On my mark," Michael called, his eyes fixed on the viewscreen. "When we engage, hit them with everything we've got. We'll cripple their engines first, then board."

---

The battle began with a sudden burst of fire. The *NX-02* unleashed a volley of powerful phaser blasts, the green beams streaking toward the *Void* with deadly accuracy. The *Void*'s shields flared in response, crackling and sparking under the pressure, but they held—barely.

"Shields holding at 75%," Vela reported, her voice steady but with a trace of urgency.

"Return fire!" Michael ordered, gripping the armrests of his chair. "All forward disruptors, full power."

The *Void*'s disruptor banks roared to life, lashing out at the *NX-02*. The *Void*'s weapons, salvaged and retrofitted from a dozen different ships, were unpredictable but deadly. The first shot hit the *NX-02* dead center, rocking the Starfleet ship on its axis. Sparks flew from its outer hull, and a warning klaxon sounded as the ship's defensive systems scrambled to react.

"Direct hit on their forward shields!" Shai yelled from weapons. "We've got them rattled!"

But the *NX-02* wasn't about to go down without a fight. The Earth ship retaliated with a series of phaser bursts, one of which tore through the *Void*'s port side. The ship groaned as the shields buckled under the strain.

"Shields at 50%!" Vela called out.

Michael's eyes flashed with determination. "We're not stopping now. T'Lan, get us into a firing position! We need to disable their engines—then we'll board!"

The *Void* maneuvered sharply, evading another barrage of fire from the *NX-02*. Their advanced sensors had a lock on the *Void*'s movements, but the *Void*'s improved stealth systems and unpredictable course threw off their targeting. 

"Engines at 30% power!" Shai shouted, a grin on his face. "We've got them!"

With a precise strike, Michael commanded another round of fire, this time hitting the *NX-02*'s engine core. The *NX-02*'s forward thrusters sputtered and cut out, leaving the massive ship drifting helplessly in space.

"Target their weapons systems," Michael ordered. "Don't let them fight back."

Another well-placed shot severed the *NX-02*'s weapons array, rendering it defenseless. Michael watched with cold satisfaction as the *NX-02* was no longer a threat. 

"Boarding team, prepare!" he barked. "Sovan, Shai—you're with me. Let's make sure we leave them nothing but debris."

The *Void*'s boarding pods launched with precision, striking the side of the *NX-02* with a resounding thud. The crew poured in, quickly taking control of key areas and neutralizing any resistance. The *NX-02*'s crew—battle-worn but still loyal—fought bravely, but they were outmatched by the superior firepower and tactics of the *Void* crew.

Minutes later, the *NX-02* was a wreck, its crew taken prisoner and placed into containment cells aboard the *Crimson Void*. Michael had ensured that the officers, engineers, and anyone else of value would be secured for future dealings.

With the *NX-02* rendered helpless, Michael gave the order: "Strip it to the bones."

Shai and T'Lan led the effort to scavenge the *NX-02*, stripping the ship of its valuable systems, components, and tech. Its engines were removed and integrated into the *Void*'s systems. The phaser banks, though advanced, were dismantled and stored for later use, and the rest of the ship's valuable materials were meticulously looted.

When the *Void* finally broke away from the *NX-02*, it was little more than a husk, a shell of a once-proud warship.

"Let's move," Michael said, his voice cold. "We've got what we came for. And they'll be remembered as just another failed attempt to catch us."

The *Crimson Void* turned back toward the open void of space, its crew now richer, stronger, and more notorious than ever. With the *NX-02* stripped to its bones, the *Void* had cemented its place as the apex predator of the stars.

As they disappeared into the darkness of space, Michael couldn't help but smile. "They'll never learn."

The hunt for the *Void* had only just begun.