Chapter 36: Dive Deep

Benja rolled his shoulders, loosening them up for the fight ahead.

"Here they come."

Malcolm lost his blunderbuss during their escape, so he was also down to fists. He looked only mildly chagrined. Benja got the distinct impression the pirate had done more with less.

They stared out the escape pod's window at the approaching patrol ship. The squat, angular craft swiveled its spotlights.

Harsh light flooded the escape pod's interior.

Ducking back, Benja and Malcolm shaded their eyes.

"You get a good look at that boat?" Malcolm asked.

"Just for a second," Benja admitted.

"How many crew do you think's aboard?"

"Hard to tell," said Benja. "Under normal circumstances, I'd say no more than a dozen, no less than four. But we know these guys can copy themselves over and over. So let's say between one and one hundred."

Malcolm snorted. "About what I figured. Screw it. I've faced worse odds."

Benja blinked. "You have?"