Chapter 5 - Pirates

[Getting out of sub-light flight state...]

It was a massive black fortress-like starship when it finally emerged before the soldiers stationed at the Pluto Outpost. upon disengaging from sub-light speeds.

"Whoa, is that… an S-class ship?"

"Wait, hold up, it is not listed in the solar system's database—it's a completely new S-class model!"

"And there are no frigates accompanying it… It's a private ship!"

Such a view of Aether Dominion stunned the soldiers who witnessed it in that outpost. No one had expected such an S-class ship to arrive without warning.

Just as the leaders pondered, Luo Feng, head of the Outpost of Pluto, rushed into the command center. Opening his eyes wide upon looking at the screen, he knew that definitely, it was indeed an S-class ship and did not know that one.

"Ding, the Aether Dominion, ship number 666, is requesting customs clearance."

"Quickly, give them clearance!" Luo Feng ordered.

The staff quickly filled out the particulars of the Aether Dominion and handed over a customs clearance certificate. After all, any S-class vessel would certainly be owned by someone of huge wealth and influence, so questioning such a presence was just not possible.

Not much later, Luo Feng found a document detailing details about the Aether Dominion:

Ship Name: Aether Dominion

Ship Type: Battle Cruiser

Ship Level: Flagship

Ship Class: S Class

Ship Owner: Rodgraim Aragon

Meanwhile, aboard Aether Dominion, Rodgraim sat in his quarters idly waiting for his clearance. He called to his robot assistant,

Marvins, who entered and turned on the autosophistication to make Rodgraim a cocktail.

The Pluto Outpost was a critical checkpoint: any ship wanting to enter or leave the solar system had to pass through it. With no clearance certificate, entering the inner solar system would be an act of aggression.

It was only a short wait before the customs clearance certificate came onto Rodgraim's tech watch.

Rodgraim blinked at himself mildly; it had all been so much faster than he had thought. Vessels streamed through the Outpost by the hundreds each day; he had steeled himself for at least an hour.

He tucked the clearance away. Now he was free to leave the Pluto Outpost.

[Ding, check-in location detected: Pluto Outpost!]

[Check in?]

Rodgraim raised an eyebrow. Check-in from Pluto Outpost?

He confirmed

[Check-in complete! Congratulations, you've obtained 1,000 Predators!]

[1,000 Predators have been placed in the ship's arsenal dormancy pods. They can be activated whenever needed.]

Rodgraim smiled satisfiedly. Thoousand Predators would really give his ship a good defense.

The Marvin robot was able to handle basic tasks, but it was going to need these Predators if anyone tried to board the ship. The Predators would discover and eliminate any invaders in no time.

Just as he was about to activate a few Predators, a message flashed on the communication system of his ship.

[Ding, Pluto Outpost is requesting communication.]

Rodgraim raised an eyebrow in questioning, may be his clearance certificate must have a problem.

He has decided not to ignore it and picked the phone.

"Yes? Is there a problem?"

Luo Feng's voice came over the line, his voice surprisingly that of a young boy- especially on the other end of the call was the captain of an S-class vessel.

After a moment's pause, Luo Feng coughed. "Ah, no, no problem. I was just asking… Where are you headed?"

"I'm an interstellar traveler," Rodgraim snapped back. "I haven't yet decided where to head next."

Rodgraim's tone indicates he did not like the question at all. The outpost didn't really care which way Rodgraim headed next.

Luo Feng felt that annoyance and quickly stammered, "Oh, sorry! I just meant that there have been increased pirate activities along the edge of the solar system. If you are heading further out, would you like an escort from our fleet at Pluto?"

Escort? Ah. Pluto Outpost was being altogether too cooperative of a precedent, Rodgraim thought suspiciously. He turned it down immediately. An escort would just be driving away the interstellar pirates he hoped to attract.

Luo Feng apologized with all haste about the disturbance and was able to end the call and walk away feeling relieved that he didn't make any mistakes in his dealings with someone so high up. He turned to watch as the Aether Dominion disappeared into the distance, dejected but also admiring the magnificent young captain who clearly had powerful family or connections behind him.

Meanwhile, an armada stationed close to the Pluto Outpost had spotted the massive vessel. The Crocodile Pirates looked up at the Aether Dominion with eager eyes.

"Boss, isn't that… an S-class starship?"

The human-reptilian warlord of the Crocodile Pirates sneered. "Of course I can see it! An S-class ship…

Well, he hardly suppressed the desire. This ship he could steal them if he will; there would be no reason in lingering in this corner of the solar system anymore. With such a vessel, he could make a name in the Inner Sea region of space.

"Shall we steal it, boss?" one of his flunkies asked, already sensing his master's thoughts.

The pirates noted that the Aether Dominion was traveling alone; normally an S-class ship would travel escorted by frigates, but this one was alone, as if beckoning them into its horizon. They felt they were being called by a tempting prize.

"Those who hesitate starve!" exclaimed the crocodile man on making his decision. "Get set, everyone!"

"As soon as this ship is out of range of the Pluto Outpost, we'll surround it!" he slapped his thigh in excitement at the prospect of having an S-class ship. Compared to such a prize every other vessel seemed worthless.

He could take control of this ship, and he would finally find his way back to the coveted Inner Sea region. His eyes flared with desire. He almost felt the weight of his future empire in his hands.

Inside the Aether Dominion, Rodgraim felt the faint presence of interstellar pirates that lurked nearby. However, he knew they wouldn't attack this near to the Pluto Outpost. They would stay until he made a space jump and went past the range of the outpost.

They did, however, move on and wait for a response.