C59 Blood-lust
Blood-lust.
Anthony watched the Brawler approach, until he could say with certainty that it was headed for the port side’s dock, one of only two docking options. They were connected through a V shaped passage in the ships lower deck, which would give access to the stairs to the next level, and from there, to the lift that led to the bridge.
“ Go and cover the port airlock. “ Anthony ordered the Androids, watching them rise from their position on the bridge to approach the lift.
The ship had a few options of cover that could be pulled from the hallways walls. But those were accessible to either side, if they were familiar with the ship design. It could possibly help Anthony to buy enough time for the second ship to dock, after which he just needed to get rid of their crews.
He could just open their airlock once the second ship docked. Just to space these bastards. But that would still leave the crew of the first ship. Then again, he was controlling a modified android, so what was he worried about ? He could open all passages and let them suffocate and turn into icicles.
And, looking down to the weapon at his hip, one that Ludwig gifted to him, he also had about 36 rounds of arguments that may just keep the crew at bay. Which was sadly more then he could say about the Security models.
Hope’s Security models never were numerous. They had ten of them initially. Four of which got lost back when the crew seemed to have encountered Ina. But nowadays Anthony had increase the number to 40.
Sadly, he did not consider their current armament as that was, like the firearm he had back when he woke, based on Ceramic bullets. Blunt and extremely painful if they hit, deadly even in some cases. But killing, that was never the design-choice for these units.
Their primary armament were ranged electro shockers, launched from their hands, and they could be reused as long as the Android manages to retract them after each use. And they had a launching mechanism in each arm, made specifically to fire those ceramic bullets, with about 30 rounds in each arm. But if the Pirates had protective gear, well, it would be no more then a painful nuisance to them.
Still, if used sparingly, and with a well placed shot from Ludwig’s gun thrown into the mix, he could perhaps hold them at bay. And Unlike the Hope, the hallways used Steel paneling, so using actual bullets in this case should be of lesser concern.
It was a bit of a hassle for maintenance, and added extra weight. But this was a former Pirate ship, and a military vessel before that. Who knew if this was standard or a Pirate modification.
“ Yeah, who am I kidding. “ Anthony uttered to himself, moving to use the lift to the lower level now.
He was guessing that he could probably keep them to scared to move, but he wasn’t that good of a shot. He had some training with the issued gun, before the Hope begun it’s journey, but that was on stationary targets.
His aim then was, mediocre. Hitting a moving target was a whole different game, so he could only hope Sovereign’s targeting mechanism would help him here. He needed to be a threat to them to make them move carefully.
“ Let’s just get this over with. “ He finally relented when stepping out of the lift.
He could already hear how the other ship was closing it’s docking clamps to the Pride’s port. And he was probably just over-thinking anyway. It wasn’t like he was going to die here, he just had to do his best.
And if things went sideways, well, he could just space this group early, repair both ships, and gun the other down. Considering they already lost their primary drive system, they were sitting ducks against another brawler.
“ Take positions. “ He ordered the Androids in his mind, and watch then as they pulled one of the barricade from the wall, to get in cover behind it. And just in time too, as he could hear the airlock being opened, which was his cue to reach out and take control over the brawler.
“ Hope, I got control, make it seem like they can’t handle it alone, they need the other ships team to flank us. “ Anthony ordered, hearing how the Pirates started moving.
“ Understood. “ Hope responded.
“ Oy, Jeff. Ya made da father pretty mad ya know. Ain’t likin it one bit dat one of his sheep run of with da goods. “ One of the pirates then called out from down the hallway, likely to be standing around the corner.
“ Jeff ? “ Anthony wondered.
“ I think your mistaking me for someone else. “ He responded then.
“ Ah, it be Andrew now, aint it ? “ The other called out.
Then Anthony could hear the clanking of something followed by a hiss, while the Androids each released a shot from behind their cover. The hissing that followed sounded a lot like they were using a smoke grenade, which he could confirm when he switched briefly from Sovereign to one of the Androids.
That was a surprisingly tactical approach, for what should have been a ragtag band of Pirates. Then again, they probably haven't been doing this for the first time.
“ And what’s with da fancy talk, ya being ta good for us now ?! “ The other asked.
“ I told you, you got the wrong guy. “ Anthony responded.
A response was seemingly all the other was hoping to hear, as shortly after Anthony had spoken, a small metal object would fly past the androids and land at Anthony’s feet. Then Anthony just felt a sudden shock-wave as the world briefly went black for him.
He realized quickly though, Sovereign was damaged. A Quick repair, and the damage was taken care off, allowing him to see that the Security models also had been struck rather hard, as only two of the four remained partially functional.
“ Ey, Jeff, ya still breathin ? “ The pirate called out at that point.
Anthony remained silent however, if they thought he was dead, he could use that to surprise them. That was, unless they checked for life-signs, considering the Siren’s skin on Sovereign. And looking down on himself, he was glad to see that it had reformed, though the black robe was near completely destroyed now.
Still, Anthony was seething on the inside. This situation, it was nothing like he had expected. They were organized to the point of Military efficiency, far as he could tell anyway. And obviously, they had no intention to get this, Jeff, whoever that was, alive.
It seemed like this had not been about his resource transport at all. Whoever owned the Pride before, he was not in good standing with these guys, and they were out to collect on whatever bad blood there was between them.
“ Salvation be thine, ya stinkin rat ! “ The pirate called out.
“ Salvation ? “ Anthony found himself wondering.
But that wonder quickly dissipated, as the Androids opened fire when the Pirates started moving. And by the sound of someone snarling out in pain, they obviously hit, but as feared, not to the effect of really stopping them.
“ Fuckin hell ! Bastard been playin with toy soldiers. “ Anthony could hear the Pirate curse, just before another grenade was being tossed.
This time Anthony stepped further behind the corner, where he was left unharmed by the explosive. The Androids were less fortunate, and Anthony would have to repair them, which he refrained from for the moment, intending to let them come closer first.
And when he heard steps carefully approaching, he would lean around the corner and fire his gun at the first person he saw. The bullet struck a man in the chest, though aside from a gurgling sound, Anthony could not see the effect of his hit as he leaned back.
And with good reason, as he seen three men in total approaching, and at least two of them opened fire from some kind of rifle.
“ Bastard be breathin still. “ One of them called out, pulling the wounded Pirate back with him.
“ That ain’t Jeff. “ The other announced, covering the other.
“ Well duh. I told you, didn’t I ? “ Anthony called out, though he was surprised that they did not seem to realize they were facing an Android.
“ Buddy, ya better give it up. Ya can still make it out with yer hide intact. Just give us da ship, and we be on our separate ways. “ The pirate from before called out.
At least this time his words were not followed by a grenade, but Anthony would take a step back anyway, just to be save.
“ Sorry, ship’s mine. And If you guys don’t want to have an unfortunate end, I suggest you make your way to the escape pods and make a run for it. “ Anthony responded.
“ End us ? You and what army, lad ? “ The pirate mocked.
At this point, Anthony wasn’t just seething anymore. He did not know where it came from, or why it was bugging him so much. But there was a simple argument that grew louder in his mind.
If you want someone to never lay a hand on what is yours, you made them fear the repercussions. You infuse them with so much Terror of what happens after, they will make damn sure no one dared to even consider it a valid option.
And worse, that argument was winning, because, what ruler would he be, if he allowed others to play their games with him ? Think him weak, or something to exploit ?
“ You really want to find out, do you ? “ Anthony responded to the man, looking at the wall panel besides him, thinking of how nice it would be for there to be a spike, which promptly jutted out until it nearly struck the opposite wall.
Anthony looked at it with fascination, considering the panel the spike grew from, as he first intended to repair it again. But then the other option came to mind, restore. The panel wasn’t damaged, it was deformed to suit a new purpose, so he tried insisting for it to be, restored.
“ So that’s how it’s used. “ He uttered to himself, satisfied with the result as the panel returned to it’s former shape.
Then another grenade came flying, and this time it tore his legs off, leaving him to fall forward onto the floor. And at that point, he had no more patience for this game, as he simply insisted for the floor by the port to be peppered with spikes.
“ Da fuck ? “ Anthony heard from one Pirate, alongside panicked, gurgling sounds, and the scream of another man that was clearly in pain.
“ Restore. “ Anthony then instructed while at the same time, repairing the Sovereign android.
“ Ya fuckin Bastard ! “ One of the pirates screamed, trying to toss another grenade towards Anthony.
But this time, Anthony could see it as he had just come around the corner. He reacted by creating a wall to block the flight path, forcing the explosive to bounce off of it and land right back at their feet. There was just a brief cuss to be heard, next to the whimpering and the gurgling that came from around the corner, before the next explosion finally ceased the noise from being made.
Removing the wall, Anthony would then just enjoy this silence, looking around to see the wall panels damaged, warped and torn in places due to the explosives these Idiots had thrown around. And looking over to where blood was now staining walls and floor, he felt only a burning rage for them to dare do this to his ship.
“ Test, one two three. Can you gentlemen hear me ? “ Anthony’s voice would then be broadcast across the docked Brawler, much to the confusion of it’s remaining crew.
“ Good. Just so you folks know. I am in control of your ship. And since you guys so kindly tried to unalive me, I think it’s only fair if I repay the favor, right ? “ Anthony spoke.
“ Quick, get da weapons. “ Anthony could hear coming from the brawler as he approached the bloody mess that was once the boarding crew, watching the blood flow from the dead pirates with a strange fascination.
“ Fair warning, your boarding crew is now paint on my walls, and I will be coming for you next.
I will be tearing you, limp from limp.
So, here is a tip for you. Go to the next escape pod while you have the chance.
And while you hear your mate’s screaming for mercy. Remember one thing. You do not steal from Sovereign ! “ Anthony promised, and he strangely felt, satisfaction ?
Then he simply leaned down, grabbing hold of a rifle that still seemed functional. And after a brief test to assure, he stepped through the mess of dead flesh into the Brawler where he begun to open fire at anything that moved.
And once the bullets run out, and he grew tired of repairing Sovereign over and over again, he simply started to use his ability to impale the enemy crew. Often to assure they remained alive, yet mutilated. Just so that the others could hear their screams and Terror.
By the time the other brawler docked to the Pride, they would find Sovereign standing there, drenched in blood, greeting them with a widening smile, and the sound of the other crews misery. His arms now having blades attached to them, meaning to assure his victims would share with their crew, of what was coming their way.
“ Time to play, is it ? “ He would address the first Pirate that stood there, looking at him in horror, only for the symphony of agony to be replayed.
And Anthony, he finally understood that sensation of boiling anger within him. It wasn’t just anger, it was rage, hatred. And it was so unbridled, it was the perfect weapon to show these ants their place.
That feeling would hold him captive until the last of the Pirate’s either succumbed to their injury, or had fled the ship and the horror that was being played out on it. And it only faded when Anthony withdrew from Sovereign.
“ What the-, “ He uttered then, seeing how Ina was sitting besides him now, looking at him with a worried expression.
Anthony was, for a moment, simply confused.
But then he grew pale as the scene’s played out before his inner eye. The blood, the screams, the lifeless bodies, cruelly cut apart, slowly to suffer in excruciating pain, just so no one would dare forget the consequence of crossing him.
“ The, fuck did I do ? “ He uttered in disbelieve, feeling a sudden onset of nausea.
Then he felt the bile rising in his throat, forcing him to get off the bed and just barely make it to the bathroom, where he’d throw up at the images replaying in his mind. Of blood, guts, dismembered limbs. And worse, the satisfaction he felt then, when assuring that a quick death was not an option he would grant.
“ Why, the hell. “ He wondered, only to have another bloody image in his mind that forced him to vomit out his disbelieve for the act he committed.