THE PLANET THAT LOVED PEOPLE (standard:science fiction, 2195 words) [15/15] show all parts
Author: Danny Raven	Added: Mar 10 2016	Views/Reads: 1786/1332	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
PART 2 - CH 14

FOURTEEN 

“Only five of a crew?” the pirate asked, looking round at them from the
Observation Screen. 

“Only five,” Kane confirmed. 

“Right matey, prepare to receive a boarder – I'm comin across. The Bosun
here'll be keepin an eye on ye. Any rash moves an he'll blast ye out 
the skies.” 

The Bosun came on to the Screen and grinned at then with a mouth full of
gold teeth. 

“How did they do it?” Kane asked Muslik as the Android activated the
Teleport Platform. 

“Pure energy,” explained Muslik. “A camouflage screen looking exactly
like space stretching from one Ship to the other. Very ingenious.” 

“Sure,” grunted Kane. “Fucking brilliant.” 

Muslik nodded. “And well-timed too. Just when we had most of the
scanners off because we were recharging everything for the Corridor.” 

Their conversation halted as the pirate appeared on the Teleport
Platform. He stepped off and pointed his laser pistols at them. 

“Pleased to make yer acquaintance,” he said, grinning. “Jack Kydd. Cap'n
of the Hispaniola.” 

He was a tall, well-built man and was dressed like an old fashioned
pirate – a billowing, white shirt with frilled cuffs was tucked into a 
broad leather belt and his wide breeches were shoved into scuffed 
leather boots. 

“Who's the Master?” he asked, walking over to them. 

“Me,” Kane told him. “What are you after? The Ship?” 

Kydd laughed. “No matey, not yer vessel. A parley, that's all. A
parley.” He pointed one of his pistols at Blaze. “If yer lyin to me 
about yer crew I'll kill him now,” he growled. 

“He's not lying,” Muslik said calmly. “We lost some crew on the journey.
There are only five of us left. Well, four plus an Android,” he went 
on. “She's the Pilot.” 

“And a mighty pretty Android at that!” Kydd said, eyeing her up. “I take
yer word then, Cap'n but the cabin boy still dies if ye double cross 
me. Right mateys, on to the Teleport Platform. We'll swing over to the 
Hispaniola an have us a parley.” 

Kane and the others started moving towards the Platform but Kydd pointed
one of his lasers at Muslik. 

“You can hold back,” he told him. “Keep yer Ship steady but remember 
ye'll be watched all the time.” 

Muslik shrugged. “As you wish,” he said. 

Kydd turned to the screen where the Bosun was awaiting his orders.
“Swing ‘em across,” he told him. “Then swing back for me.” 

A few seconds later, Kane and the others shimmered on the Platform and
disappeared. Kydd gave Muslik a warning look then stepped on to the 
Platform and seconds later was beamed across. 

When he appeared on the Bridge of the Hispaniola, Kane, Corthan and
Blaze were being covered in a corner by two of the pirate crew whilst 
some of the others were trying to have fun with the Android. 

Corthan had had enough. He grabbed one of the pirates who were guarding
them and smacked him into the others then strode over to the group with 
the Android. He lifted her bodily and tossed her behind him then 


Click here to read the rest of this story (244 more lines)