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Stellar Dust 2 - Meet the Pirates by Isaac Orr


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SUMMARY: Stryler meets the crew of the cruiser and it's captain.

"All hands prepare to be boarded," Stryler joked aloud to himself as the hopper was guided into the docking bay of the cruiser and came to rest. An insistent low buzzing tone accompanied by a flash in his display informed him that someone wanted to talk. He gestured appropriately into the three dimensional array of readouts and other screens and the forefront of them became dominated by a view of a young blonde-haired man, who smiled insincerely.

"Welcome aboard the Anomaly. Thanks for disabling your weapon systems. Please disembark." The man smirked. "And uh... leave your weapons behind to avoid any misunderstandings." The display shut off before Styler could answer.

He sat for a moment before lifting himself out of his seat. This would be interesting. At least so far whoever these people were, they were showing sensible caution rather than open hostility. Just because neither of them were on great terms with the local enforcement, it didn't mean that there was any reason for them to trust one another. He opened the hatchway and climbed down out of the hopper.

At the bottom of the ladder he was met by two men in a mismatching array of combat armor, topped off by helmets with tinted visors. They both carried force rifles, again of different types. None of the components of their armor sets were new, and both sets bore the scars of heavy use. Still, it was decent equipment and if everyone else on this ship had access to similar gear then that made them a force to be reckoned with. Stryler scanned them for insignia or any other hint of what organization they may represent, but there was none. One of the two, dressed in predominately red armor, stepped towards him, reaching to his belt to take hold of a scanner.

"Scuse me sire, mind if I...?"

"Do I have a choice?" Stryler asked as he lifted his arms over his head and moved so his legs were slightly apart.

The guard, or solider, or paramilitary, or whatever he was, just grunted and quickly scanned him for weapons or other potentially harmful devices. He stepped back when the scan was complete, returning the unit to his utility belt. "Ok sir, please come with us." He turned his back and began to walk.

"Polite, aren't you?" Stryler responded deadpan as he followed, with the other guard bringing up the rear. The only reaction was a grunt.

They led him out of the docking bay hangar into a hallway and then to a ladderway. The lead guard climbed up to the next deck followed next by Stryler and then the other guard. No one else was in the hallways and Stryler suspected they'd been cleared for his arrival to avoid him getting too much of an idea who he was dealing with and where he was.

A short way along the metallic corridor they stopped at a door which opened at the first guard's verbal request. "Step inside please." He gestured to the open door and Stryler entered the room, looking around. Bed, shelving and other amenities. It was a basic small accommodation unit. The door on the far side of the room probably led to the facilities.

 

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