The Sands Chapter 5

Chapter 5 

-Where things explode-

Cee stood in the bridge of the ship wringing her hands. Mora stood towering next to her watching the target ship on the large monitor that acted as the ships viewport. It was her first raid, Cee was feeling a little nervous, she didn’t know if she could do it. Whether she could do it or not it was happening. She had to prove to Mora that she was worth having around. Cee had convinced Mora to keep her on board for now. Somehow Mora didn’t strike her as the kind of person to keep around deadweight out of sentimentality. The freight ship turned pirate ship let off the first wave of bombs, most of which were makeshift things concocted by someone on the crew. Mora had assured her that the whole thing would be quick and relatively bloodless.
“It’s mostly a recruitment mission, see. Of course we’ll take anything of value they might have. As it stands though  we don’t have enough people to sail the ship, we need hands. Mora said.
“You did kill a lot of crew when you took over.” Cee said.
“Exactly, I knew you’d get it! If everything goes well the only person we’ll have to kill will be the captain of this junk.” Cee nodded, not questioning the necessity of killing the captain. Cee was beginning to suspect that Mora just didn’t care for authority figures very much. The crew let off a sonic blast that left Cee on the floor clutching her head. Leaving their victim dead in the sands. “Oh yeah, should have used a pair of these.” Mora pulled a wad out of her ear. “Next time you’ll know better.”
“If we could just knock out the ship, why did we need to drop bombs on it first?” Cee picked herself up.
“Because it’s more fun that way.” said Mora in a perfectly calm tone that suggested Cee was the crazy one for not seeing the bombs as absolutely necessary. The pair watched as a few of the braver crew members dropped down onto the immobilised ship. Cutting they’re way through the reinforced hull with condensed fire.
“Let’s get down to the cargo hold, we can drop down from there.” said Mora. “Also makes bringing up the loot easier.” she added.

The sands tore at her clothes as she hung beneath the ship, exposed to the elements. Cee looked out to the endless expanse of sand that surrounded them on all sides. Knowing that if she were to fall the ravenous sands below would happily claim her. Cee was dangling from a homemade elevator, which consisted of a hover cart suspended by ropes to be lowered onto the immobilised ship below.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Cee repeated her mantra of profanity. The man next to her laughed.
“Oh come on now it’s not that bad!” he said.
“And who the fuck are you to tell me that’s it’s not that fucking bad. Who gave you the fucking right?” Cee clung to the rather flimsy railing of the hovercraft.
“I’m Skaught,” the man said matter of factly. “The genius behind the sonic disruptor, and the bombs, the bombs are my personal favourite.” Skaught was a tall thin man. He struck her as what a bundle of sticks in the shape of a person would look like. His head was shaved bald and his face was adorned with a thick bushy moustache. He wore a wide manic grin that Cee suspected was on his face the majority of the time.
“Nobody cares about your fucking bombs!” Cee spat, “fuck!” She added for good measure.
“I’m going to assume this attitude is coming from the stress and anxiety you are clearly experiencing and not take the slander of my bombs seriously.” said Skaught.
The homemade elevator set down on the relative firmness of the ship. Hovering just above it’s solid metal hull. Cee threw herself onto the frigid iron out of relief. Skaught stepped over her casually. He looked down at the hole their predecessors had cut then looked back at Cee who was still hugging the exterior of the ship. 
“I’m excited, you excited?” he asked with a wide grin.
“No, I’m not fucking excited!” she spat.
The cargo ship's security emerged from the small hatch that led below deck. Each of them wildly flailing a weapon as they spun to where the pair crowded the small hole. Seconds after their heroic appearance they lay bleeding out on the dark iron hull. Skaught stood above her holding a smoking weapon of his own.
“Is that all of them?” asked Cee, now trembling on the hull.
“Well these ships usually aren’t too heavily armed,” said Skaught. “Still, this is a surprisingly small number of security. Budget cuts I suspect. You got one of these, yeah?” Skaught knocked on the weapon, which looked like a pile of scrap with a hollow tube protruding from it. Cee just shook her head. “Then take this one,” he tossed it to her. Cee had to scramble for it before it skidded over the edge.
“What about you?” she asked.
“Oh don’t worry about me, I got lots.” He pulled out another even more confusingly arranged object.
 That could be a trigger, maybe. she thought.
“Umm, thanks.” She shakily brought herself into a standing position.
“No problem I made em!” He grinned wildly, dropping abruptly through the hole.
“Of course you did.” Cee said to herself. She tentatively put one foot into the hole before pulling back. She stood there breathing heavily as the elevator behind hed began it’s assent back to the pirate ship.
“Hurry up and get moving!” Mora called from above.
Cee jumped in alarm at Mora’s voice causing her to fall, quite ungracefully, through the hole. Pain shot through her rear as she fell straight into the canteen of the transport ship. Cee stood with a groan. She could barely see her hands in front of her face. The sonic pulse had wiped out anything electronic and traditional glass windows couldn’t stand up to the constant barrage of sand.The only light came from a faint green flare in the far corner of the room. She blinked, letting her eyes adjusted enough to see a lone madman holding a large group of sailors hostage. 
“Oh Cee, good I need your help!” Skaught said through a mouthful of homemade explosive. Large red numbers slowly clicked down to zero. “Can you take these guys over to the bridge for me. Mora wants them all in one place.
“Umm, yeah sure, umm, Skaught…” Cee pointed at the bomb in his mouth.
“You see, the numbers tell me how long it is until it explodes.” He mumbled around the mechanical death.
“Yes I understand that but,” the numbers clicked dangerously close to zero.
“That’s enough about the bomb.” He removed it from his mouth. Tossing it in the direction of the hostages. The bomb exploded above their heads destroying much of the interior and injuring several people. The crew screamed and tried to get away before several shots sounded from Skaught’s weapon.
“Now don’t do anything stupid. It won’t end well for you.” said Skaught, he sounded almost bored. “Can you take them?” He asked Cee again.
“Yeah sure, I can do that.” She pointed her weapon half heartedly at the group.
Mora dropped down from the hole in the ceiling, landing smoothly next to Cee. “You all still here?” she asked.
“Yeah, just cleaning up. Cee’s going to take these guys down to the control room.”
“Alright good,” said Mora, nodding. “We’re going down to the cargo hold. We’ll meet you up there when we’re done checking out what they’ve got.” Cee adjusted her grip on her weapon. Trying to appear more confident than she felt. She motioned the hostages to move, not trusting her voice to actually say anything.The group obediently stood and began plodding down the long corridor to where the bridge would be. 
 You need to do better.
 I’m doing what I need to do.
 You’re weak and a coward and they can see it.
 Mora doesn’t think that.
 Really, you were cowering on the way down here. You think she didn’t see that, I’m surprised she left you alone for this job.
 Maybe she trusts me.
 Or maybe she’s just waiting for you to fuck up. Cee tightened her grip on the weapon. Even these people aren’t scared of you.
 They must be terrified.
 Look at them, they’re planning their escape. They’ll stab you in the back first chance they get.
 Could they just be acting scared? She asked herself.
 Of course, came her reply. Luring you into a false sense of security so you lower your guard. Cee scanned the people she was leading at gunpoint. They did look like they were planning something. 
“Don’t you try anything!” She tried her best to sound intimidating. “Nice and easy now!”
“We aren’t-” a man tried to speak up only to be interrupted by a shot finding its mark between his feet. Leaving the ground smouldering.
“Shut up!” said Cee. “Next person to say anything and I won’t miss!” The prisoners raised their hands cautiously and quietly continued to the bridge.

There were already a few of her crew milling about the bridge. As well as a larger quantity of hostages in the centre of the room.
“Hey newbie’s got more people, good work new girl.” one of Mora’s crew said. 
“Umm, thanks,” said Cee.
 They’re being sarcastic.
 Why would they do that?
 Obviously they’re making fun of you.
“Shut up!” The exclamation escaped her lips. Everyone stared at her. “Sorry,” she mumbled.
 Look what you did now.
 It’s not a big deal.
 Everyone thinks you’re crazy.
 They don’t.
 They’re right.
“Hey Cee you alright?” Cee jumped as Mora placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Mora, yeah I’m ok, I’m ok. Guess I didn’t notice you.” Cee said, trying to recover her composure. Mora turned towards the captives in the centre of the room.
“Thank you for gathering here today!” Mora’s voice boomed through the small room. “I’m sorry to say that your goods have been liberated from your possession. May I ask who the captain of this vessel is?”
“I’m the captain here.” said a rather muscular man with white thining hair. “You can do whatever you wish with the crew, just allow me-” the man’s offer was interrupted when a bullet passed through his skull.
“Well that’s done,” said Mora, a wave of fear passing through the room. “I apologise for that, I would like to ask the rest of you to accompany us back to our ship. I guarantee all of your safety. Any of you who wish it will be dropped off in the nearest scrap city. Or, if you would like, our crew is in need of some new blood. You will be compensated fairly based on your skills and talents.”
With that offer the hostages were shepherded through the growing pool of the late captain's blood. They were led up into Mora’s pirate ship, waiting above.

*******

Frytir careened across the canteen as the ship was rocked by the explosion. Screams of pain and panic filled the enclosed space.
“What was that?” Roui asked, helping Frytir to his feet. Another explosion deafened the occupants.
“Roui!” Frytir yelled, unable to hear himself. Frytir found Roui lying prone on the canteen floor. Which was littered with remnants of food and drink, as well as a hefty amount of broken glass.  Roui was clutching the leg of one of the tables, muttering vigorously to himself. It was then that everything went dark. Frytir felt as though he’d been plunged into a pitch black cave. Worst of all he couldn’t see Roui, and that meant that he had no lifeline, no one to hold on to. The darkness had brought a silence to the room that had been screaming moments before. Next came a fight sizzling sound, it was coming from the roof. It sounded like a hoard of angry insects tunnelling through the thick exterior of the ship.  Light flooded the room as a section of the ceiling was removed. It wasn’t much light, just enough light to make out the terrified expressions of everyone in the room.
 Are they here to save us?’ He briefly occupied the naive thought. His short glimmer of hope was quickly replaced with despair as his brain accepted the reality of the situation.  No of course not, they're here to kill us. A figure dropped through the hole, landing heavily in the centre of the room. An eerie green light exploded into life. Several shots sounded out in the greenish darkness.
“Alright everyone, nice and easy, let’s all get together, over, there.” The figure pointed to a wall away from any exit. Nobody moved, more shots rang out. They all hurried to the indicated spot like rats scurrying from a loud noise. Frytir found Roui amidst the scurry.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
“I’m fine, I’m not the one who got tossed across the room. Are you ok?”
“I’m alright,” a pain shot through his leg. “Mostly,” he added.
“That’s enough talking.” The invader warned. “You don’t want me to think you’re planning anything do you?” Frytir and Roui continued their way to the specified wall in silence. “There we go, isn’t that better.”
Another intruder dropped from the ceiling. “How ya doing there bud?” The new invader said.
“How am I doing?” The first one said, sounding confused. “I’m holding a loaded weapon to a group of people, that's how I’m doing.”
“So good overall then? I can take over for you here if ya want.”
“Take over for me? Why don’t you go… you know what, you watch these I’ll go secure the bridge.”
“Sounds good mate.” Their original tormentor shook his head and left the room.
“How are you all, rough day?” The man sat on the ground in front of them.
Roui and Frytir shared a glance and shrugged. “We’ve been better.” said Roui.
“That’s too bad.” The man said. “But we can’t have you talking, sorry just for a little while.”
“But you asked the question,” said Roui.
“Now what did I just say?” The man took what looked like a pile of congealed junk out of his jacket. He hit a button, red numbers flashed into life. They steadily clicked down. “Look what you made me do now. No helping it I guess.” he shrugged.
“What the hell is that?” asked Roui.
“Do you like it? I made it myself!” The man said proudly. He looked between the weapon and the contraception, one in either hand. Seemed to realise he couldn’t handle both simultaneously and placed the pile of junk between his teeth, numbers out.
A third figure fell clumsily from the hole. Frytir flinched as they landed on their ass. This one was smaller in stature and frame than the others. They staggered to their feet, looking to be in quite a lot of pain.
“Oh Cee, good I need your help!” The man said, his words squeezing their way around the large chunk of metal in his jaw.
“He’s definitely odd.” Roui whispered to Frytir.
“He’s a heavily armed madman, should probably not be talking.” said Frytir
“Those numbers are getting awfully low.” Roui worried.
“That’s enough about the bomb.”the man tossed the gadget towards them as the number hit zero, exploding in mid air.
Everyone scattered desperately trying to avoid the flying shards of metal. Frytir dove to the floor taking Roui with him. The two lay here listening to their crew mates scream in pain and fear. Small fires burned around them. Roui and Frytir sat up briefly before shots rang out from the man’s weapon. Roui screamed a hot ball of lead embedding itself in his thigh.
“Now don’t do anything stupid. It won’t end well for you..” The man said dryly. 
“Roui are you ok?” Frytir panicky applied pressure to the wound. Someone moved him aside to wrap a, less than clean, piece of fabric around his wound. Frytir didn’t know who helped them or what the fabric was, all his attention was on Roui’s face contorting in pain.
His concentration was torn from Roui as yet another person dropped from the hole in the ceiling. This one was massive, not wide, but giant. It landed between the two others gracefully, with authority. If it was possible to drop from somewhere with authority.
“You guys still here?” they asked.
“Yeah, just cleaning up. Cee’s going to take these ones down to the control room.”
“Alright, good, we’re going down to the cargo hold. We’ll meet you up there when we’re done checking out what they’ve got.” The smallest of the three brandished their weapon rather clumsily, motioning for the group to move. They all stood and walked, like a herd of cattle. Not that Frytir had ever seen a herd of cattle anywhere but on television. Roui leaned heavily on Frytir for support as they made their way down the hall. They trudged along the corridor for a time. Frytir was still terrified but beginning to feel like things would turn out alright. Completely unprompted, the girl named Cee yelled out,
 “Don’t you try anything, nice and easy now!”
“We aren’t-“ someone next to him began. He was cut off by the girl firing her weapon at the crew.
“Shut up!” said Cee. “Next person to say anything and I won’t miss!”
 I can see her shaking from here.’ Frytir thought. Everyone raised their hands and continued to the bridge. 
They filed obediently into the bridge of the ship. The first man to invade their ship stood near the door holding more of their crew mates at gunpoint.
“Hey newbie’s got more people, good job new girl.” He said.
“Umm, thanks.” Cee said as she shepherded them into the centre of the room with the others. Scanning the people already in the room Frytir spotted Ray in the centre of the crowd. Slowly, trying to not be noticed Frytir moved towards the centre of the group, still supporting Roui.
“Ray are you alright?” Frytir asked.
“Frytir, you’re still alive.” Ray said under her breath. “What happened to him?” Ray asked.
“He got shot by some nut job with a bomb.”
“They’re all insane.” Ray knelt down and carefully examined the wound. “Looks like it’s still in there, he’ll need surgery to remove it.”
“We’ll if we make it through this I’ll come see you about that.” Roui said. The formerly automatic door shook as it was flung open. The giant woman stepped into the bridge, dimly lit by emergency flood lights. Frytir saw the woman place her hand on the shoulder of the girl that had brought them in. She spoke briefly with the girl named Cee then stepped further into the room.
“I’m sorry to say that your goods have been liberated from your possession!” she addressed them. Her voice practically shook the, now useless, equipment that lined the walls. “May I ask who the captain of this vessel is?”
“Even he wouldn’t be stupid enough to answer.” Roui whispered in his ear.
“I’m the captain here.” Their fearless leader answered. “You can do whatever you wish with the crew, just allow me-”  The woman fired and their cowardly captain hit the floor. A crimson pool forming around his head. Frytir watched as the puddle expanded. He tried to shuffle away but couldn’t get far enough through the crowd to avoid the warm wet from seeping into his shoes.
“Well that’s done.” The woman said with the casual tone one would take after killing a cockroach. “I apologise for that, I would like to ask the rest of you to accompany us back to our ship. I guarantee all of your safety. Any of you who wish it will be dropped off in the nearest scrap city. Or, if you would like, our crew is in need of some new blood. You will be compensated fairly based on your skills and talents.” With that the pirates took them from the bridge out to the deck. Standing in the cool night air they were ushered in small groups onto the makeshift elevator that led up to the pirate ship.
“I guess we’re pirates now,” said Roui.
“What are you talking about? Why would we join them? They're insane.” Frytir said.
“We can’t be left stranded in a scrap city.” Roui said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Why not?” I would rather be left in a city than have to sail with them.”
“You don’t understand, I’ve heard stories. Being stranded in a scrap city with nothing is basically a death sentence, or worse.”
“It can’t be that bad.”
“Listen to him.” Ray said. “The only chance we have of making it out of this is to join their crew.”
“I won’t do it.” Frytir said.
“Just play along, we’ll get away as soon as we get a chance, but being dropped in a scrap city isn’t the answer.” Rouisaid giving Frytir a kiss, which calmed him down somewhat. “You just have to go along for a little while.”
“I… alright,” Frytir relented. “I’ll play along.” The trio boarded the elevator and were lifted into the ship that had upended their lives. Ready to start their new careers as pirates.