Chapter 32

Taken prisoner by a captain of the Galactic Federation, Gabriel found himself confined within their ship hurtling at lightning speed through the cosmos.

Inside the ship's confines, Gabriel locked eyes with his captor, a swirl of thoughts churning within his mind. Outwardly composed, his internal turmoil raged on.

"What is your name?" the captain inquired. Rather than responding directly, Gabriel countered with his own question, "What do you want from me?" Despite the apparent impertinence, the captain's demeanor remained unaltered. "I posed a question," the captain stated with an emotionless gaze. "Gabriel," he offered in return.

"Gabriel, you've landed yourself quite the predicament," the captain remarked, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I'm not a criminal," Gabriel protested, the deeds of the pirates he had been found with not of his making. "I'm aware of that. But your association led you to the pirates. By surrendering, you've become my prisoner, and a solitary path lies before you," the captain revealed, a cryptic edge to his words.

Perplexed, Gabriel probed, "What do you mean?" Retaking his captain's seat, the captain leaned back, his gaze unwavering on Gabriel. "The sole escape from this bind is to serve the Galactic Federation," he declared. A sigh escaped Gabriel; the truth was stark. His options were clear—join the federation or navigate an ominous fate he could hardly fathom.

The ship's crew, privy to this exchange, exchanged glances. Captain Ivan, a one-star captain within the Galactic Federation, wielded privileges that included his own ship, a dedicated crew, and coveted perks. Achieving such a rank required victory in a once-every-500-years trial. The captain's proposition hinted at an extraordinary opportunity—captains of his caliber were entitled to sponsor one individual to undertake the challenging trial. In a decisive move, Ivan had chosen Gabriel to be that singular candidate.