Page 43 of My Alien Pirate

I frowned, piecing together the fragments of information. We were in some kind of nebula that was interfering with the ship's systems. And it sounded like the pirates were having trouble navigating without their captain. Had Zharrox actually managed to...?

A spark of hope flared in my chest. If the pirates were this disorganized, it might give Zharrox and the others a chance to catch up.

The argument outside continued, voices rising in pitch and intensity.

"We never should have come this way!" A third voice, deep and resonant. "The Zenobia Nebula is a deathtrap!"

"It was the only way to throw off any pursuit," Krothar growled. "Unless you'd rather take your chances with that tentacled demon and his crew?"

"I'd rather take my chances anywhere but here! We're going to tear the ship apart if we keep this up!"

"Enough!" Krothar roared. "I am in command now, and I say we press on. We've come too far to turn back. Once we're through the nebula, we'll be home free. Now get back to your stations and figure out a way to keep us in one piece!"

I heard the sound of retreating footsteps and muttered curses. So, we were in the Zenobia Nebula. I wracked my brain, trying to recall if I'd heard anything about it during my time aboard the Stryker. The name was vaguely familiar, but I couldn't place it.

What I did know was that it was buying us time. If the nebula was as dangerous as it sounded, the pirates would have to proceed slowly and cautiously. That meant more time for Zharrox to find me.

Please, Zharrox, I thought fiercely. I'm here. I'm alive. Just follow the trail.

29

New Possibilities

Hours passed, or maybe days - who knew. The Crimson Claw continued its erratic journey, shuddering and groaning as if in pain. I'd given up trying to sleep, instead spending my time pacing, exercising as best I could in the confined space, and listening intently for any snippets of information from passing crew members.

From what I could gather, the situation aboard the pirate ship was growing increasingly desperate. The Zenobia Nebula was living up to its reputation as a navigational nightmare. Intense gravity shears threatened to tear the ship apart, while unpredictable pockets of radiation played havoc with their sensors and shields.

But it was the effect on the crew that fascinated me most. With their captain gone - and I was now certain Zharrox had killed him during the attack on the Stryker - the chain of command had fractured. Krothar had seized control, but his authoritywas tenuous at best. Arguments and even physical fights were breaking out with increasing frequency.

I was pondering this when my cell door suddenly slid open again. I tensed, expecting Krothar's hulking form, but instead found myself facing a new alien.

This one was shorter, probably only about five feet tall, with a body covered in iridescent scales that shifted color as it moved. Huge, luminous black eyes regarded me with undisguised curiosity. Long black lashes fanned across the cheek with every blink. It was almost pretty.

"So, you're the alien everyone's been arguing about," the newcomer said, its voice a melodious, and definitely feminine trill. "I must say, you don't look like much."

I bristled at the casual dismissal. "Sorry to disappoint. I left my 'exotic alien' costume in my other cell."

The scaled alien's eyes widened, then she let out a chittering sound that I realized was laughter. "Oh, you've got spirit! I like that. It's Shara, by the way."

I blinked, taken aback by the unexpected friendliness. "I'm Nova," I said cautiously. "Why are you here?"

Shara glanced over her shoulder, then stepped further into my cell, allowing the door to slide shut behind her. "Officially? I'm supposed to be checking on you, making sure our 'valuable cargo' is still in good condition." Her scales rippled in what I was beginning to recognize as amusement. "Unofficially? I was curious. We don't often get new species out this way, let alone ones that cause this much trouble."

I raised an eyebrow. "Trouble? Me? I've been locked in this cell since you brought me aboard."

"Oh, not you personally," Shara waved a hand dismissively. "But ever since we took you, everything's gone to gumpta shit. Vex'kar is dead, we're stuck in this void-cursed nebula, and half the crew is ready to mutiny against Kothar." She fixed meintently with her bottomless void of a gaze. "Some are saying you're cursed. That we should space you and be done with it."

A chill ran down my spine. "Space me? What does that mean? Throw me out of the airlock?"

Shara's scales darkened as she nodded. "Yes, but I think that's nonsense. But I also think there's more to you than meets the eye. Where did you come from and how did that pirate vessel get hold of you?" She gave a disgusted snort. "It wasn't smart of Krothar to grab you."

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something in Shara's manner made me want to trust her. Maybe it was just desperation for some kind of friendly contact after days of isolation.

"No," I said, trying to figure out what I could tell her that would help me in this situation. "It wasn't. The captain, Zharrox - he's... important. Powerful. And he's not going to stop looking for me."

Shara's scales paled to a light green. "I was afraid of that. Krothar's a fool if he thinks we can outrun someone like that, especially in our current state." She sighed, her shoulders slumping. "This whole thing was a mistake. We never should have attacked your ship."

I leaned forward, sensing an opportunity. "Then help me. Help me get a message to Zharrox. I'm sure he'd be willing to negotiate for my safe return."

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