Space Rogue

by Jay Toney

  Space Rogue

  J. A. Toney

  Copyright © 2016

  Introduction

  Captain Nathaniel Roberts of the Queen Anne's Revenge is one of the galaxy's best pilots. He is following the legacy of his father, grand father, great grandfather, and so on. He is a smuggler, a scoundrel, an honest merchant, and on occasion a hero. Women love him. He has a crush on one of his ships officers. A sex bot turned ships Avatar, who loves him. Amber, a madam in charge of a freighter turned brothel, and her estranged sister fighting over him.

  Nathaniel just wants to have fun, making a decent living, skirting and sometimes outright breaking the law and on occasion being a hero. When the Crimson Tide and the Alliance attack, he fights back with the help of his companions.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 1

  "Decelerating to sublight," Natasha, the ships AI announced. The ship gave a slight shudder as the dampers extended grabbing real space and slowing the ship. It would be a few minutes before communications could establish a link with any buoys or that sensor data would become available, as we slowed below light speed.

  Tanya shifted, on her seat, from slouching to alertness, as she studied the long range scan screens. "Captain, we are in the right system, but we have come out of hype space way off course, we are on the wrong side of the system. We'll have to cross a debris field, left over from the Alliance wars, to reach Anaxous IV."

  "Natasha, run a diagnostic check on Navigation systems and check my coordinates. Tanya, scan for high energy emissions."

  "Diagnostics complete captain. There are no system errors, and coordinates are correct."

  With a confused sound to her voice Tanya said, "Captain, there is a sort of energy halo surrounding this sector. It's weird, I have never seen anything like it."

  "I believe it is a hyperspace interdiction field, go to condition yellow. Natasha, run dark, passive scans only."

  "Doc, take a look at the screen and see what you think."

  "...It has been a long time since I've seen anything like this. I think you are right, but I've never seen one this size. Interdiction fields generate a large magnetic field to prevent a ship from escaping to hyperspace. This one is much larger, being able to pull a ship off course, and into sublight speeds."

  "With a field of this size, I doubt anyone is nearby, we should have some time before an attack. We may as well get something to eat and some rest, before the fun begins."

  The officers galley was large being designed for 40 to 60 officers. Additionally the crew galley was enormous, It was designed to serve over 200 crew members. We didn't have nearly that many crewmen or women. Our total ships compliment was currently 46 members, and rarely exceeded 60. I had no need of assault troops or fighter squadrons, and all the equipment and personnel needed to support them. The wars were long over. My family bought this ship as salvage and has used it for pirating, for several generations. With the ship refitted, most systems were automated, requiring only a small crew, leaving me with plenty of space for cargo, passengers, and booty. We also had the luxury of private cabins instead of the need to hot bunk.

  Coffee was always fresh and plentiful. The coffee maker was one of the few original pieces of equipment left on the ship. Whoever designed it was a genius. I am proud to boast that my ship has the best coffee in the galaxy.

  Doc entered and started preparing Dinner. He served as one of the ships doctors, a fantastic cook, and a gunner. He was also a good mechanic and helped out in engineering when needed, a Jack of all trades. Unknown to the rest of the crew he was also my father, (the prior Dread Pirate Roberts), and my chief adviser.

  Grabbing a cup of coffee, I sat down in my usual seat and relaxed. The coffee tasted every bit as good as it smelled. The tension of the last jump starting to fade away. Tanya entered the galley and slunk into the seat next to me. Every movement she made radiated sex appeal and drove me nuts. I've been wanting her since she joined my crew a few years ago.

  The rest of the officers, Randolph and Jane joined us, as Doc started pulling our meal from the oven. The smell of fresh garlic bread was powerful. I started salivating in anticipation as Doc placed a basket of steaming bread on the table, followed by a pan of lasagna. Doc was worth his weight in gold.

  "Everyone dig in," Doc said.

  Being polite, as a captain should be, I waited for the group to serve themselves first. Tanya came back carrying two plates, one of which she handed to me.

  "Tanya, you are an angel," I said taking the offered plate. The meal, as always, was fantastic. It tasted every bit as good as it smelled.

  After the meal, I suggested we all try to get some rest.

  "Tanya, care to join me. I have more than enough room for both of us in my bed."

  "Not in this lifetime Nat. You are a dog. In fact you're worse than a dog. You're a tomcat. There is no telling how much you've strayed, wandering about the galaxy."

  "Purr, I like that. Nat de Tomcat. You know I only stray because I can't have you. Your the best, and the other women are nothing more than a meaningless attempt to compensate for not having you. Admit it, you love de Tomcat."

  "Only in your dreams... and keep dreaming, but not about me."

  "I do dream. I dream about you every night. You have the power within you to make a poor man's dream come true."

  "Nat, I would not dream of getting between you, Rosy Palmer and her five sisters."

  Once in my cabin, unfortunately alone, I opened a comm channel to the ships AI. "Natasha, continue course and passive scans. Aler
t me if their are any changes."

  "Aye, aye Captain."

  A quick shower and into bed, where I hoped to have dreams of Tanya. It had been a long day. Almost instantly my eyes closed and I was asleep.

  My dreams were erotic with Tanya and many others. They started with Tanya and I enjoying a summer picnic, and ended with three or four of in bed together. I continued to dream happily throughout the night, wishing Tanya was truly with me. Having her in my bed with me would be a dream come true, especially with the dream I was having. Damn, I needed a woman now.

  Chapter 2

  "Wakie, wakie Captain," Natasha announced.

  I rolled out bed, my dreams foggy and fading quickly from my mind, and started dressing. I wanted to look impressive to our attackers, so I chose black pants with red piping, black boots, and a ruffled white shirt. I put on a wide belt with a gold buckle and holstered my favorite blaster on my right and a saber on my left.

  Looking presentable I headed to the bridge. Doc intercepted me enroute handing me a large mug of coffee and a package of pastries. "You need to eat, to keep your energy up. Do not skip any meals before a battle, you never know if the meal you last ate will be your last meal."

  I ate the pastries and drank the coffee thanking him.

  "Natasha," I said, as I stepped onto the bridge. "What do you have on long range scan?"

  "I have two targets patrolling near the debris field, on our current course, both are corvette class."

  "Bring up tactical display on the main view screen. Tanya Sound condition red. All hands battle stations."

  "Natasha, do you think they have spotted us yet?"

  "Negative Captain."

  "All bulk head doors are sealed," Tanya announced.

  "Energy reserves at maximum, shields are up," Randolph reported.

  "Weapons are hot," Jane said. "We are in missile range, A few more minutes for energy weapons."

  "Doc and Jane, your needed on guns."

  "I've got dorsal gun controls," Doc said.

  "I've got ventral," Jane announced.

  "Point Defense Cannon, (PDC), online," Natasha reported.

  "Doc and Jane, when we engage concentrate your fire on weapons and engines. I want them intact if possible."

  "Got it Captain. Blind them, pull their teeth, and keep them from running away."

  "Doc and Jane, you are clear on guns, fire when in range."

  "Captain we have been spotted. The two contacts are changing course and heading to intercept us. They are hailing us."

  "Thanks Natasha, bring sensors to active and show our colors."

  "Tanya, open comms."

  "XP 0555 you are ordered to power down and surrender your vessel," said the image on communications screen.

  "That's triple nickle, Queen Anne's Revenge, or simply the Revenge. Why must I surrender? Who are you to demand my surrender?"

  "I am Captain Hunt of the Scorpion 1, we are part of the Crimson Tide organization."

  "Captain Hunt, I am Captain Roberts of the Revenge. You have picked a very bad day to tangle with me. Last night I slept alone. I am not accustomed to that. You are commanded to power down and give me your unconditional surrender."

  "The Revenge. Ha, ha, ha. You have got to be kidding. That old hulk is no match for us."

  "Tanya cut comms. Doc and Jane open fire."

  Nobody laughs at me or my ship, I thought. Bolts of energy burst forth as both dorsal and ventral cannon fired their particle beams, striking both ships with an impressive amount of energy.

  "Shields down on two," Jane announced.

  "Luck shot. Target one returning fire," Doc announced.

  Energy splashed the forward shields. "Forward shields at 85%, no damage," Randolph announced, "stabilizing shields."

  Incoming missiles from target two. Electronic countermeasures, (ECM), engaged. Point Defense Cannons, (PDC), standing by... two missiles spoofed, two still tracking, Natasha said. Fire continued from the particle beam weapons striking their targets.

  "Target one direct hit on their main reactor. The ship is disabled," Doc said.

  "Frak!" screamed Jane as her target blossomed into a fiery ball of plasma and debris.

  "PDC engaging incoming missiles," Natasha said. Hundreds of rounds of 30mm projectiles fired on an intercept course tearing the remaining missiles apart.

  "Natasha, lets get close and friendly with Captain Hunt."

  "Tanya, hail Scorpion 1."

  "Comms are open Captain."

  "Captain Hunt, this is your final chance to surrender. You are at my mercy!"

  "What are my alternatives?"

  "Surrender now, or I will open your ships hull with my PDC and leave it's carcass, as an example."

  "You have my surrender Captain Roberts."

  Chapter 3

  "Natasha, dock with their port airlock. You have the con."

  "Everyone else lets go we have booty to get."

  Moments later Natasha announced, "Docking complete, hull pressure is equalized."

  "All hands this is the captain," I announced over the ships comm system, "Form a boarding party at the port side airlock."

  "Doc, take your team and check cargo and stores. Also check the usual hiding spots for smuggled goods."

  "Tanya and Jane, we need a few more crew members, check for volunteers with your team."

  "Randolph, I need a damage report. Take your team and do a quick damage assessment."

  "We will all meet up in their cargo hold. I am heading to the bridge."

  I drew my saber and headed up the main corridor towards the bridge. The lights were dimmed with the ship being on auxiliary power. The passageway was eerily quiet, I could hear my own footsteps echoing in the empty space.

  As I approached the entrance to the bridge, a lone figure stood guarding the entrance with his saber drawn.

  "Captain Hunt I presume? I warn you not to cross blades with me, as it will surely be your end."

  "I am dead either way, at least this way I die with my honor intact," he replied.

  Captain Hunt attacked giving me a vicious series of slashes and lunges. I side stepped the attack blocking blow after blow with my blade. I found an opening and fainted with a lunge to his chest followed by a back slash.

  "That's first blood," I exclaimed blocking another series of blows.

  Blood flowed freely from his left bicep. His arm was useless to him now, with his blood flowing freely. I waited, a pattern of moves becoming clear as we fought. The sound of steel clashing with steel, echoed in the corridor. He continued swinging wildly, as I parried his attacks waiting for another opening. He dropped his guard ever so slightly, and I took advantage of the opening to lunge at his chest followed by a downward slash, opening up his right thigh.

  "That's second blood, surrender while you can."

  "I'd rather die," roared Captain Hunt, followed by a new series of savage slashes and hacks, trying to dismember me. He fought like a man with nothing left to lose. I continued blocking and evading his blows waiting for another mistake... There it was, he leaned into a downward slash leaving an opening for a thrust from my sword into his chest. The expression on his face changed from pure hatred, to a look of shock, as he slid to the deck dead. I wiped my sword clean on his shirt and returned it to it's scabbard.

  What a waste, I thought. I could have used a man like him. He showed determination, with a willingness to fight to the end, and he had honor. I stepped onto the bridge and told the remaining bridge officers to dispose of Captain Hunts body, then rep
ort to the cargo bay. After securing the bridge, I contacted my crew, using my comlink, to let them know that the bridge was secure and I was on the way to the cargo hold.

  Once we were all assembled I called Doc over.

  "Doc, what cargo is there to liberate?"

  "I found 10,000 credits in the pursers office. Food stores are low grade, I wouldn't touch them if I was starving. Surprisingly their is nothing under the plates. The cargo is mainly spare parts, their ammunition is not compatible with our ship.

  "Okay Doc, add the local credits to our stores, we will put it to good use."

  "How bad is the damage Randolph?"

  "Their is moderate structural damage on decks 4 and 5. Some of the hull plating is buckled and warped, needing replacement. I honestly don't know why the hull didn't breach. The engines appear to be in working order. Weapon systems will need some minor repair. The main power conduit will need to be replaced on deck 5. That was a lucky shot, hitting the conduit. The main reactor is off line with the power leads severed, but it is in good condition."

  "Randolph, you and Jane secure the ship for towing and get back to the Revenge."

  "Tanya, do we have any volunteers?"

  "We have seven volunteers Captain, two Gunners, one engineer, and four general maintenance and cargo handlers."

  "Volunteers stand fast, everyone else follow Doc's team to the escape pods."

  Doc's team escorted the remaining crewmen and women to the escape pods. There he divided the them into three groups. Each group was forced to board an escape pod, then they were jettisoned.

  I spoke to the remaining crewmen and women. "Having volunteered, what I have to offer is this, every member of the crew will either be paid according to his rating, or given a percentage of any captured booty, whichever is greater. Every crewman will be given their own private cabin. If any of you wish to share a cabin, you may. The galley is open for use around the clock. We only provide first rate frozen meals, and fresh food when we can."

  Cheers erupted from the new crewmen and women.