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Episode: 15AS19

Prime Directives:

Written by: Vakash Darkbane

Edited by: Ashen Hugo

IDP 2025

* * * * *

This story chronologically takes place after Retaliation

Eve and the young Altarian played a board game called Conquest. It was a rather simple game involving the elimination of your opponent's pieces on the board with each having different moves and abilities. The boy was quite apt at the game and Eve found herself increasingly frustrated with his ability to counter her. They'd played 10 games so far and she was down 2 from even tying him.

“You got really close that time." Ivan said, sipping his juice drink. “But you keep trying to force the middle, I'm not going to let you have it. You have to be able to control the board and lock me down if you want to beat me."

“I think we should take a break," Eve said exasperated. “You should be getting tired."

“Nah I'm having fun; I can't ever get anyone to play with me more than once. You are pretty cool for playing as much as you have."

“I will accept your compliment, despite my best efforts you are a formidable opponent," Eve said, sitting back in her seat and looking at the warp stars streaking by in the viewport. Suddenly the Shuttle shook violently, and the power flickered, the other Passengers appeared to be startled and there was another shudder, and the vessel dropped out of warp. Emergency power came on. All of a sudden there was another sudden jerk, and a strange glow could be seen throughout the ship.

“What's going on?" Ivan asked worriedly.

Eve scowled and quickly accessed the shuttle's sensors, but what she saw wasn't good. An Urthean Scutta Class vessel had them in a tractor beam and was drawing them up into its shuttle hold.

The transport captain's voice came over the com and announced what was happening and pleaded with everyone to be calm, although it was a futile gesture. The other passengers were already panicking.

“Miss what are we going to do?" Ivan said, worriedly.

Even sitting quietly assessing the situation, Urthena Scutta's had a crew of at least 50 individuals. This interruption was very inconvenient. Her tactical assessment was that she could probably handle it on her own, none of the civilians would be able to assist her. She searched her core programming for a solution.

Protect the citizens of Confederation.

This directive was part of the problem last time. However, in light of previous experiences, perhaps it was time to practice some of the new extrapolations of this ruling. Perhaps she had been too literal in interpreting it, somehow this time, her thinking was more flexible then it was when confined in the Raptor's computer core

“You are going to get on the floor and hide after I leave." She said sternly. “I am going to deal with this interruption."

“How? They'll probably hurt you?" Ivan said worriedly as she passed him.

Eve forced a smile. “I will be fine, you stay here."

Ivan nodded and got down on the floor.

She walked down the aisle and approached the external hatch. One of the stewardesses insisted that she return to her seat and Eve gently moved her aside. “Stay here, keep the other passengers calm." she said quickly poking in the override code to the main hatch. “Inform the pilots that I will return in about 10 minutes. Do not leave without me." Eve said.

The Avian stewardess was shocked at her response but swallowed and nodded as the Shuttle touched down on the deck of the Scuattas hold. Eve popped the hatch. “I'll be back." she said over her shoulder, jumping out and dropping out of sight.

The Urthean troopers didn't exactly know how to react when they spotted a nondescript-looking vixen drop out of the vessel and slowly start to approach them. Some hooted and hollered as she did, and a few laughed out of amusement. However, both of these became sheer terror as suddenly strange metal plating slid out of her skin forming some sort of armor over her body and she charged them firing small green energy darts from her arm. The change was so sudden and fast that a dozen men were soon on the floor still and silent.

Eve stood over them and scanned them. They were all armed, and they'd all been dealt with in the cleanest way possible, they would not pose a threat to the passengers. She scanned the shuttle and prepared a batch of nanites to repair the shuttle's engines, pointed her wrist towards them and fired it. It was going to take a bit for them to replicate enough to get the repairs done but she would have plenty of time. She needed to incapacitate the vessel's systems if they were to escape. She walked out of the bay and stopped by the door's control panel. From just above her fingers two tubules extended and penetrated the control surface. Within moments, her nanites had taken control of the door and locked it down.

Logically, the best place to disable the vessel would be its engineering bay so she made her best judgement and started to move when she heard a shot, and a compression beam slammed into her shoulder. Fortunately, her personal force field protected her. Two Urthean warriors had their weapons raised and were demanding her to stop. She turned around slowly and fired two blasts from her wrist, and they were both quickly dispatched.

This was much easier in her old body, Eve reminisced she had much more power to play around with. She would have to be more cautious; she'd already spent nearly 10% of her energy reserves on this exercise. She quickly started to run down the corridor. Soon an intruder alert sounded, and the decks were swarming with soldiers looking for her. She did her best to hide until she had to engage her own personal cloaking device to continue her movement forward.

Several tense minutes passed as she approached the power core where two guards stood in front of the door to engineering. Moving up invisibly she grabbed the first Urthean and snapped his neck, as she decloaked grabbing his weapon and gunning down his compatriot with his sidearm. Combat reserves were at 40% depletion. She grabbed up the side arms, put them on maximum setting and opened the door.

Inside the engineering bay it was a shooting gallery. Using the urthean energy pistols she quickly dispatched the engineering crew before they could sound an alarm.

She quickly accessed their main computer and disabled the tractor beam systems, weapons and then started a countdown on a core purge. The vessel would be stranded for hours unable to move.

She glanced at the engineers lying on the ground and slumped around her.

She frowned at her job. Urthean weapons didn't have stun settings, but she couldn't spare the power expenditure herself. This directive was complicated, it was developed by a prior incarnation of her current self, and it always seemed problematic. This data would need to be reviewed further when time allowed.

The Urthean commander's voice came over to the speakers demanding to know what was happening in engineering and why they'd just dumped the cores drive plasma. Eve looked at a camera on the wall and simply started. “We are leaving." Before she destroyed it with one of the Urthean blasters and quickly started to make her way back.

She made her way back to shuttle Bay as quickly as she could when she was intercepted by another group of soldiers who all had their weapons drawn and aimed at her.

“Drop your weapons and lay down on the deck." the leader ordered.

Eve stood there placidly in her armored form staring them down calculating her next move. There were five and they were in her way.

“You will drop your weapons, or you will be destroyed." She said simply. “Your compliance is mandatory, your resistance... is futile." She said quickly calculating her plan of attack, secretly glad that these Urthean's didn't have nearly the tactical skill of her young companion back on the shuttle.

Her response had the desired effect a few of the men seemed intimidated and that's when she made her move, she dove at the floor and rolled up to her knees and quickly shot two of them before dropping the weapons and springing off her hands to plant her foot into the leader's chest sending him careening down the corridor to slam into a bulkhead. As the others fired, and the shots hit her shielding she grabbed their vibroblades and quickly activated them springing forward and taking the legs off at the kneecaps. The remaining two went down screaming in agony and clutching at the bloody and sparking stumps where their legs had been. Eve stood over them for a moment, assessing her own damage. She had depleted up to 65% of her combat reserves, sustaining moderate strains on her systems from the few shots that had connected in her maneuver. She glared at the two screaming in agony on the ground and spoke. “You were warned." Before proceeding on her way.

She passed through the bay doors and locked them, checking the shuttle to see the repair nanites had completed their job. Seeing it was done she disengaged her armor, and her clothes reappeared over her form. She climbed back up to the hatch and opened it to the stunned stewardess. “Inform the captain, the bay door will open in thirty-five seconds, I suggest we leave. I will be returning to my seat."

The stewardess nodded and quickly closed the door before hurriedly running to the cockpit.

Eve stopped in the aisle as she felt the other passengers' eyes upon her each with mixed expressions of fear and amazement.

“You will all be safe." Eve said placidly. “Remain calm, the threat has been neutralized." Soon they felt the shuttle lift off and once they saw stars again in the viewports and the Urthean vessel lifting in space they all applauded and cheered as she returned to her seat.

Eve saw Ivan was doing as told keeping down low on the floor. “Are they gone?" He asked.

“Yes." Eve replied, smiling.

The child stood up and hugged her about her legs. “Thank you." he spoke.

Eve felt a bit awkward. “We will be fine, should we continue playing a game?" she asked.

“Maybe later, I'm still a little scared. What did you do?" Ivan asked.

“I neutralized the threat," Eve said levelly.

“Miss?" The Avian stewardess said approaching her.

Eve looked at her inquisitively. “Yes?"

“In appreciation for what you've done the captain would like to offer you a seat in first class, on the house."

Eve personally didn't care but understood the meaning behind the gesture. “I accept your offer, but only if my young friend can accompany me."

“Of course, of course, anything." The stewardess said.

The rest of the trip went without incident.

She mulled over one of her self-imposed directives.

Protect the citizens of Confederation.

It required violence to do so, even though she had tried to avoid it, hostiles were inevitably hostile. She was an intruder on their ship, and they were defending it. The nature of violence seemed so hyperbolic; all it seemed to do was escalate despite her best efforts. Her systems were not infinite, and neither were her defenses, a drawback of inhabiting the organic form.

When they arrived at the spaceport, a gaggle of press core people were there to talk to the mysterious hero. When they went to the first-class cabin to speak to her. She was gone and only Ivan remained. They asked the young Altairian where she went, and he simply told them she was gone.

Eve materialized onto a pathway a few miles outside of the spaceport as rain pelted her. Her reserves were running dangerously low. The site-to-site transport had been a huge drain. She quickly replicated a cloak about her and drew it tight about here to keep the weather at bay and shield the organic parts from the elements. There was a village a little over a mile away, she hoped there would be food there, she needed to rest and eat. She trudged forward through the muck and murk.

A cold walk later she was detecting distress in her feet as they were cold and wet, and the flesh was a bit too cold to maintain proper operations. She tuned out the discomfort as much as she could until she reached a Tavern and stepped inside. The ceiling was low, but it was warm inside, and the room was lit by the windows and a few candles on the inside. Rian's were squat chubby beaver-like creatures with pointed ears and were pretty indistinguishable as far as looks went other than fur markings. There was a male one sitting out the counter reading a book as she entered, and he put it down and waddled over to her curiously.

“Evening mam, what brings you here? A bit far off from the spaceport, are we?"

Eve nodded. “I require sustenance and a place for regeneration." She said in his native tongue.

The Rian was impressed. “Well, this is my humble inn, you are welcome to stay. We are independent though it'll be 85 credits for the night and a meal."

“I have currency, I will provide for the exchange," Eve said, warming her paws with the fire.

“We'll then tell my wife to start cooking the special. Pardon me a moment to get the reader." he said happily waddling over to the bar to retrieve it. Eve nodded and walked over to the fire. Its warmth helped alleviate some of the discomforts of the organic components.

The Rian came back, and she produced the data card in her pocket and paid him with her pilfered fortune. “I will require at least 72 hours to fully recover, may I pay for those as well." Eve asked.

“Of course, miss, we'll be glad to have you." The Innkeeper smiled.

“Then make it so." She said,

The innkeeper happily charged her two more times. “Appreciate it mam," he produced a key from his pocket. “There aren't many hikers this time of year during the wet season. You can have room 1. It's warm and quiet. Do you want us to bring your meal to you?"

“Yes." Eve said, taking the key. “Announce your presence when it is completed."

“Of course, mam, please enjoy your stay."

Eve headed for the room and shut the door. The room was small, it had a bath, a small closet and a media viewer that looked way out of place hundreds of years more advanced than anything else in the room. It would serve its purpose for now. Her power reserves running dangerously low, she lay down on the bed and tried to recover.

The next three days she ate three meals each day and rested the additional time. She kept the media center on track of the news story of her escapade that was being broadcast all over the confederation.

The Urthean pirate crew had been captured and detained by a Confederation Vessel that had responded to the Shuttle Flights captain's calls to pick them up. The passengers had nothing but nice things to say about her, they even interviewed young Ivan who was with his father when they did so. She was glad he had been picked up. The few Urtheans who were willing to talk were talking about some metallic monster that rampaged through their ship killing their shipmates and how they had been set up by the Confederation to be experimented on by some new weapon.

“You are a monster!! A murderer!!" her memory flashed to her seeing the echidna commander in her mind's eye.

She shut off the media center.

This time she had a reason to hurt them. Even she was aware of the things Urtheans would do to people they captured.

She wasn't going to let them hurt Ivan.

Ivan had no chance of defending himself from them.

From her rudimentary understanding of the Organics that created her, it wasn't hard to discern that the young ones were to be protected.

She amended the directive to make it a bit more flexible.

Protect the Innocent and defenseless using appropriate measures and tactics against those who would do harm.

Eve smiled, that edit to the directive seemed to give a bit better with the first directive.

She saved the boy, the other passengers, she was not a murderer, they were calling her a hero. That's what father had created her for, to save people. She walked over to a mirror and played around with modifying her facial features, fur and hair coloring. She could do enough to disguise her appearance slightly, but she couldn't alter her species. She settled on higher cheek bones, brown hair and slightly smaller eyes, and alteration of her fur color. She would implement the change permanently when she got underway again. There was a shop that provided climate-appropriate boots and a waterproof cloak to aid in her traveling. She could always use her nanites and a little bit of energy to repurpose the clothing later.

At the end of the three days, she was rested enough and located the facility her father was located in and headed out into the mist and rain. Fortunately, the roads were well kept and raised above the marshy fields around them. Her boots crunched on the well-maintained rock covered trail that ran along the side of the road. No one bothered her, not even the natives were out and about in this weather. It gave her time to think about her experiences so far. Each town had a small place to stay for travelers. So, she utilized it instead just to be able to rest better. After a few more days of travelling, she arrived at the care facility where Doctor Sarne was being kept. She quickly assumed her role as a new intern care worker. They allowed her inside and she passed the interview with the facilities Administration. She was assigned a room at the facility and soon she was walking around the grounds on her initial tour. She kept an eye out for her father but didn't locate him. She was sure he was here, but she would bid her time before she made contact.

After a few days she was put on handing out medication to patients and making the rounds around the facility. The job wasn't that hard; most of the patients were capable of taking care of themselves; they just needed monitoring during their treatment and their medications properly dealt with. Most of them were interesting to talk to, each here for a variety of things. Most of them are for hurting others.

The patients seemed calm, although slightly unhinged. Eve felt a strange kinship with them being a stranger in this world of flesh creatures and pretending to be one of them. After some careful infiltration of the facilities system, she found her father was in one of the outer areas where the patients had their own homes, a piece of land instead of being confined to a cell they actually had a bit of autonomy. They could interact with their neighbors, although there was a fence between them.

She carefully worked on it, so she had clearance to deliver Dr. Sarne's medications to him. She smirked; organics loved to use computers and rarely questioned them. When you were a computer yourself, it was very easy to manipulate the technological world to your whims.

The next day came around and she took her assignment, and no one questioned it. She was given a pass card and she entered the enclosure and walked towards the small hut. She felt what could be like excitement, an emotion probably a part of the body she inhabited reacting to her own intentions.

She knocked on the door and the former Doctor Sarne opened the door and allowed her inside. She set the small tray down and filled out the form on the data pad she had.

She looked around the cabin and noticed it had a kitchenette, bed, bathroom, closet and a small desk that he had been doing some art projects on. It was quite spartan, but it looked like he was keeping busy. She noticed several books sitting around that looked like he had been reading them.

“One moment, I need to get something to drink." Doctor Sarne said. “You aren't my usual nurse. I don't recognize you."

“No, I'm filling in Doctor Sarne." She replied.

Sarne stopped, that was unusual to be addressed that way, anymore at least. “Very well." He said getting a glass of water and then sitting down and taking his meds off the tray and downing them all in one gulp. "All done."

Eve signed off on it. She felt a bit pensive. She wanted to tell him, but she wasn't sure how. She actually felt nervous.

"Is there something else I need to help you with?"

Eve struggled.

How could she announce her presence? She then remembered a logical question he used to pose to her once she obtained awareness.

"Seventy-five Hora birds land in a tree." She said slowly. He raised a brow, confused. "A farmer becomes angry and fires into the tree with a weapon. Five Hora birds hit the ground dead. How many birds remain in the tree?"

The confusion turned to remembrance, and he looked at her quickly, he checked to make sure he had taken his medication. "Eve?" He said cautiously.

Eve adjusted her vocal cords to produce a voice he would recognize. "Yes Doctor Sarne."

"But… how, how are you flesh and," He said, pinching her and seeing her react slightly. “ you were destroyed."

“I'm a cybernetic life form now, It's complicated. I learned. I adapted." Eve said. "My core experiences were preserved, and new subroutines were created. I hid in the Raptor's systems until I understood enough to evolve and grow."

"Why did you come here, you could be in great danger if anyone knew?"

"I wanted to see you." Eve said, trying to comprehend the feedback she was experiencing between her organic and cybernetic halves. "I was worried. I missed you."

Sarne seemed touched even through his shock. “Forgive me, this is a lot to process."

Sarne sat mulling it over in his mind, part of him wondered if this was some bizarre new therapy but it seemed random and nothing like that had been done recently with him, and he was pretty sure they would have informed him before pulling something as bizarre as this.

“I need guidance, father," Eve said calmly.

Sarne laughed. “Well, it seems like you are doing well enough on your own. What would you need me for?"

Eve was pensive, she didn't know how to respond. “I had trouble enroute, Urthean pirates captured the shuttle flight I was on. I dispatched them, killed a number of them and disabled their vessel in order to allow us to escape. I tried to avoid doing so but my energy reserves were depleted, and I had to resort to using their own weapons. It was wrong for me to do so, I understand that, but the Urtheans meant to bring harm to the other passengers and myself. It seems violence is necessary at times and not at others I don't understand."

Sarne laughed, then stood up and walked over to a bookshelf and pulled out a few very thick volumes. “That was where I went wrong with you, I thought I could instill right and wrong into your programming, but it's something you have to learn on your own. Here." He said handing the books. “Read these, I mean read these books just don't download them, use your eyes, and think as you read them. If you truly are a cyborg and have some grey matter up there," he said tapping his head. “It'll help you figure it out."

Eve stared at the books contemplating her instructions. “As you wish, I will comply.'

* * *

Eve continued her job and read the books in her downtime each day she would discuss with Doctor Sarne about what she read. The books were stories about a pacifistic hero forced to act, a book on philosophy and another just a history of the Confederation.

Reading was a challenge, having to actually use her eyes and route the information to her data storage and processing it through analog methods was slow and meticulous but eventually, she got the hang of it. Running it through the synapses of the brain conjured images in her mind that were a lot like the ghost images she'd always experienced and repressed since she inhabited this form. Oftentimes she would be so absorbed she would almost miss her few hours of rest every night she needed in order to maintain the organic components.

During the visits with Doctor Sarne, she would offer to help him escape but he declined every time which frustrated her. Even when she offered the most nonviolent solution, he would still decline merely telling her. “I'm where I need to be at the moment, and I want to get out someday on my own merits."

Dealing with father was frustrating, she had so many questions and he had nothing but time to discuss lots of subjects with her and hand her more books to read and digest.

“Why do I have to keep reading these books? All they are doing is confusing me more they aren't providing me the answers I need" She protested.

“The answers are subjective Eve." Doctor Sarne replied. “You have to figure them out for yourself, what better way than to determine that then to learn from those who came before you. You can't always approach a problem with logic; the answer is not always black and white."

“That's not what you taught me before," Eve said disappointedly.

“Well, maybe I've had a change of heart." Sarne sighed. “Maybe if I hadn't been so rigid in my thinking perhaps all those people wouldn't have died."

Eve noticed how he looked suddenly very sad.

“Look, Eve, you are on your own now. I've helped you all I can. I gave you the tools you need to carry on as you are, what you do with them is up to you. I think you should move on, carve your own path. You don't need to be here with a fool atoning for his sins."

“Then what should I do, where should I go. I don't understand." Eve said.

“You said you like helping people, you've stuck to this job for several months now and you seem to enjoy it." Sarne shrugged. “There are people who need more dire help, people in the colonies out on the borders of our space. “

“Wouldn't that be dangerous? That would cause me to use violence." Eve said. “I don't want to become a monster again."

“Eve. A monster is a being that is incapable of mercy or compassion." Sarne said. “Do you feel remorse for killing the Urtheans?"

Eve looked down and nodded her head. “Yes."

“Then you aren't a monster." Sarne said, taking a seat. “Tell me you mentioned earlier you had developed some new directives to follow, what are they?"

Eve recited them to him although they had been amended.

1. Use of deadly force is only necessary when there is no other recourse.

2. Protect the Innocent and defenseless using appropriate measures and tactics against those who would do harm.

3. I have a right to defend myself from harm from those who wish to harm me.

“Very interesting, Eve." Sarne said. “It sounds to me like you have already adapted to deal with violent situations."

“That does not absolve me of my actions."

“It shouldn't and you should always remember that." Sarne said.

“Father, I don't understand." Eve relented, almost sounding like a child.

“From what we've discussed, I think you have a good idea of what is right and wrong," Sarne said. “Go out there and experience the world, do your best. I think you'll be fine."

“What if I fail?"

Sarne shrugged. “Failure is part of the game, I failed," he said solemnly. “However, seeing what you've become, maybe not. Failure is always a possible outcome; it's how you learn from it that matters."

Eve frowned and sighed heavily.

“I might, one suggestion for you that might help you keep yourself in check."

“What would that be father?"

“If all options have been considered, and none of them qualify, choose the one that will do the least harm overall."

Eve sighed. “Very well, I will try, for you." she relented.

* * *

A few weeks later she arrived at a civilian trader's space port, she purchased a shuttle and quickly got to work on it. She had made it, so her credits were not traceable so despite purchasing the equipment needed for space flight over the few weeks she spent restoring the aged craft it didn't raise suspicion. Her goal was to make it so the vessel could support her and serve as a home. Since she only needed three hours of rest a day, she had plenty of time to work on it. She built a stasis chamber so she could rest her body, transfer her consciousness to the ship's computer and just inhabit the shuttle's systems without having to be tied down and be free from all the distractions of her body. The shuttle was way cozier than the Raptor and she didn't need to rest when her consciousness was in its systems, it was really easy to keep track of all its operations. The best part was anyone who happened to try to take it would be completely lost trying to pilot it. She also managed to cobble together a functional cloaking device based on the Keldyrian designs she had taken from the Raptor. Her version only required a fraction of the power, and it would give her adequate protection to move around the sector without being detected.

Eve was frustrated with her father but assumed he wouldn't have suggested this course of action unless it was appropriate for her inquiry. However, if he suggested she go to the frontier then that is what she was going to do. After two weeks of steady work the ship was ready to go and she settled back into her control harness and moved her consciousness into the ship's computer and lifted off for parts unknown, at least to her.

The trip was rather uneventful. She spent it with the organic body in stasis while she kept her consciousness in the computer researching literature, philosophy, anything to just make sense of the whole matter. She had discovered a world called Rango 4; it seemed to be rather primitive and backwater and was home to several confederation colonists. It was rated as being fairly lawless outside of the capital city and they had yet to incorporate a government to reign over the smaller communities and unify to gain admission as one of the worlds of the Confederation. It was set up nearly forty years ago and was often a haven for outlaws and other miscreants.

It seemed as good a place as any and she set her shuttle down on the dusty rough world a few Kilometers outside of one of the larger cities. The rock outcropping she had chosen should provide adequate cover to prevent it from being seen.

She stepped out of the shuttle now clad in a slick one-piece form-fitting outfit made out of a material that would allow her to maintain an adequate body temperature even in the dead of the cool night. She climbed up on the rocks and saw the dim glow of the town in the distance. The air was dry, and she was satisfied she had decided to replicate a water canteen for the trip.

She walked across the darkened plain for a while only spotting a few of the native nocturnal wildlife. She then detected a wrecked speeder ahead of her and one solitary life form. An Altairian, male, by metabolic readings at least middle-aged. She cautiously approached scanning the area carefully. As she approached, she could see the scene well enough in the reflected light of the world's two moons. The Altairian was chained to the wreckage of a speeder bike by his wrist, and he was struggling to get free. He looked rather rough; his face was covered with scars from numerous injuries. She linked to the shuttle and immediately began a facial recognition check.

“Hey you, I see you out there, come help me!" The figure spat.

Eve approached cautiously and slowly scanning the area for any other lifeforms.

“You heard me little lady come over here and let me out of this chain."

Eve said nothing and approached. The figure had on a wide brimmed hat and a cloak he had a bandolier and holster, but it appeared his weapons had been taken from him.

“Think you could let me out, little lady, I'd be very grateful." He said with a smile that he looked less than genuine.

Eve cocked her head to the side and looked at him, her inquiries about the shuttle's subspace connection to the Confederation network had been successful.

“You are known as Seven Scar. It is not your legal designation. You are an outlaw and murderer and a rapist."

The Altarian grinned. “Ah that's just what they say about me darlin, now if you could let me out of here."

“You have been convicted multiple times and have escaped imprisonment. You should be confined to a maximum-security penal colony.

“Hey, no need to be rude." He said scowling.

“You should be terminated," Eve said standing up. “However, that is not for me to decide, that will happen soon enough if you stay here."

“You can't just leave me."

“I can and I will, and you won't be needing these." Eve smiled, removing his hat and cloak much to his protestations. Through the cloak around her shoulders and placed the hat on her head.

“You bitch!" Seven Scar screamed. “I swear if I get out of this, I'll make you pay for this."

“Your threats are meaningless and the probability of you accomplishing them is minimal." Eve said. “Your situation is adequate to the punishment you deserve." With that she started to walk away.

“You will regret this! I'll make you pay bitch!! I will make you pay!!!" Seven Scar screamed as if she disappeared into the night.

* * *

It was dawn by the time she arrived in town. The buildings were shoddily constructed out of ferricrete, storage containers, stone and whatever the colonists could get their hands on. She surveyed the streets as the various denizens of the town opened up their shops. She drew a few suspicious looks from them as she walked down the street.

This place was unbearably primitive; she wondered if it even had adequate power or data services. A quick check for radio frequencies indicated that it lacked even a base network. They probably still used coins, her credit stash would be useless without the services of an appropriate exchanger.

This would have to be for now, however she felt that father would approve. She spotted what looked like a tavern and made her way inside.

As she did the barkeep, and the few patrons cast a glance with her strange catsuit and recently acquired poncho and hat she had recently acquired.

“How can I help you?" The barkeep said who appeared to be an Older Cornerian boar.

“I have recently arrived in this world and the services are inadequate. I am looking for employment. So, I can procure more appropriate resources."

The boar chuckled as he cleaned a glass with a hand cloth, stowed it and started another. “Well not a lot going on around here except farming and ranching." He looked over at her. “You don't really seem to be the type for this colony living."

“I am seeking to broaden my horizons. “Eve replied. Suddenly the batwing doors of the saloon opened up and Seven Scar stood in the doorway glaring back at her with what appeared to be a broken and mangled arm and wielding the stabilizer from the wrecked speeder bike he was still attached to in his other hand.

“I TOLD you I would find you!" He snarled in a blind rage. “Now give me back my OOF!"

While he was mid sentence, Eve snapped her arm up, activated her mini plasma dart launcher, targeted and hit him center of mass sending him flying backwards out of the doors followed by a crash loud splash as he landed in a pack beast water trough positioned near the door. She quickly retracted the weapon and walked back outside.

The shot had incapacitated him, but his metabolic readings were off the scale. Seven Scar was unconscious at the moment, but his arm was already nearly healed, the damage done by the plasma dart was rapidly healing as well.

“Fascinating. Biological regenerative abilities." she said, grabbing the Alatirian by his collar and hoisting him out of the tank with little effort as if picking up a doll.

“Hot damn, that's Seven Scar, he's one of the worst there is around here." The barkeep said. “And you just took him out like nothing!"

“He is merely incapacitated; he will be conscious soon. Where is your law enforcement?"

“Um… we are currently waiting on someone from the capital." The barkeep said. “He killed our last constable."

Eve turned back to her quarry, who seemed to be coming around and quickly applied a rather hard punch to his face to keep him sedated. “Then I will take the job and inform them the position is filled."

“That's mighty generous of your mam but you really need to take that up with our mayor."

“Then inform him I will be in the constables office, putting this man in containment." She said walking off still carrying Seven Scar in one arm.

“Sure… I'll send him right over." The Barkeep said in shock. “I'll just go get him."

The Constables building was small, but appropriate for the settlement, Eve broke the door latch and continued inside she quickly stripped Seven Scar of anything of use to him and tossed him into the cell with just the shirt and slacks he had on. She then set about looking around the office, assessing what resources she had. She found a data terminal and some replicated books that had the local and colony laws in them. She quickly scanned through them and proceeded to set everything to her liking. She found a formidable weapons cache in a locker more than enough for the task she was assuming. An old Phaser Rifle, a laser pistol, a Stun net, a few thermal detonators, restraints, and a first aid kit. There was a back door, though it was a small extension of the roof where two speeder bikes sat. Eve deployed some nanites to effect repairs and check their overall operational status.

She heard two voices approaching, recognizing one of them as the barkeep and she went out to greet them.

The mayor seemed to be a Cornerian Raccoon who seemed in stunned disbelief at what he had just been told, and he was dressed in what could be assumed as formal attire in this world.

“Excuse me, Miss." The raccoon began. “Mr. Dorsai here tells me that you just apprehended the outlaw Seven Scar and are wanting the constable position?"

“That is correct." Eve replied.

“And your name."

“I am Eve." She replied.

“Eve??" The mayor asked.

She pondered for a moment. “Eve Sarne."

“So, what qualifications do you have? We are thrilled someone wants to have the position, but we need some references." The mayor said.

“I believe what I have done is qualification enough, I have already read the laws of this area and can recite them to the letter." Eve said matter-of-factly. “By definition of your own laws, if I have a knowledge of said laws and by your own rules no officer is present, I can assume the role if it needs to be filled. Do you wish me to quote the ordinance verbatim?"

The mayor looked at her astonished. “Yes, but that's a very old rule from the early days of the settlement."

“It is in your record of the law; it has not been amended therefore it is valid." Eve said her ear catching Seven Scar groaned as he was starting to come too again. “Gentlemen if there are no further inquiries I have a prisoner to tend to and I believe a bounty to collect."

The mayor seemed a bit frustrated, but Eve was right, it's just no one ever wanted the position especially after their last constable had been slain a month or so ago. Fortunately, things had been peaceful, but that was never going to last for too long.

“Very well." He said, admitting defeat. “I suppose I can swear you in if you want the position that badly."

Eve simply nodded.

The mayor fished a star shaped badge out of his pocket. “Well keep it simple. Do you swear to protect the citizens of Briar Gulch and uphold the laws of the town, colony and Confederation?"

“I do."

“Then I hereby grant you the position of Constable." The Racoon said, handing her the badge. “My name is Walsh, Mayor Mark Walsh." He extended his paw.

Eve shook it, understood the gesture and took the badge. “Thank you."

“Sure, just keep the peace, keep cretins like him at bay and I'll contact the capital and let them know the position is filled." Walsh said. “You will have to certify through them by at least passing the test."

“I will have the paperwork submitted within the hour." Eve said. “Is there anything else you need?"

"Do you have a credit account?"

Eve nodded.

"You'll receive 2500 credits a week, you are on call 24/7. It's not a job with a lot of breaks."

"Understood."

“Excellent, we will try to get you some assistance but being so far from the capital, that's like pulling teeth. Anyways, good luck and good day to you." Mayor Walsh said walking away.

“You sure know how to make an impression." Dorsai said.

“I need to acquire resources; I need credits to do so." Eve said, turning and heading back inside. “Do you require any assistance? I do not believe it is wise to leave your establishment unattended."

Dorsai laughed. “No little lady, it's not. If you ever want a drink, it's on the house."

“I don't require such services; however, the sentiment is appreciated." Eve replied, sitting at her desk and activating the terminal.

Behind her Eve heard Seven Scar groan and start muttering to His self.

“Shit. not in here again."

“I suggest you adapt to your surroundings. I will not be releasing you." Eve said. “I am aware of your regenerative abilities."

“Well shucks, I guess that takes all the fun out of trying to pull one over on you then." he groaned, getting up and flexing his arm and inspecting the hole in his shirt the plasma dart made.

“How did you acquire them?"

“That's for me to know, my little secret." Seven Scar sneered.

“I suppose the only way to stop your continuous infractions is to permanently contain you or vaporize you." Eve said over her shoulder. “However, since vaporization is not exactly legal without a trial, I suppose I will keep you here indefinitely."

“Ah I knew you liked me." Seven Scar sneered, rattling the bars of the cell. “You know I am entitled to food and some water."

Eve glared at him. “You are correct, I will see nourishment is provided."

“Mighty Kind of you. I am starving." Seven Scar sneered less than sincerely with his gratitude.

“It is not kindness, it's the law." Eve replied.

* * *

Eve had gotten the paperwork filed with the capital and they rapidly approved of it. Again, she hacked the Confederations data network and again connected another false identity to cover her trail if anyone bothered to look. She flipped through the old constable's logs and saw that he had a patrol scheduled for the nighttime and made plans to resume those. Since her need for rest was minimum it would be no big deal. She affixed the badge to her cloak where it could prominently be seen. She slung the phaser rifle over her shoulder and took the belt with charge clips and the laser pistol and put it on her waist. Seven Scar had passed out after his meal and he was not likely to get out. She'd quickly repaired the lock on the office and locked the door behind her. Heading out into the dusty streets. In the evening the town seemed a bit livelier. There were a few speeders parked in front of the various buildings and more people milling about and the strange low droning of the weird cumbersome beaked bipedal beasts of burden.

As she walked along the street several of the townspeople noticed her and talked amongst themselves about this new stranger amongst their midst. Overhead several small crafts were flying stopping at the town's spaceport. Traders and Merchants exchange their wares or just to stop by to have a drink. Eve decided to stop by the Saloon; it seemed to be quite active as of late. Loud music was being played, and the din of many conversations could be heard. She stepped through the doors and the conversation briefly stopped as everyone's eyes looked at her. There were several aliens as well as locals sitting at the various tables.

She said nothing and headed to the bar and gradually the conversations picked back up again.

“Ah Constable Sarne." Dorsai said, welcoming her. “Come to have that drink?"

“No. I am merely performing my duties. The music is approaching violation levels. Be sure to keep the noise down." Eve said leaning on the bar.

“Well first day and already cracking down." Dorsaid said, frowning.

Eve gave him a quizzical look but said nothing.

“Fair enough I suppose, I'll keep it from getting too loud." He said reaching over to a small control panel and setting the volume for the music playing over the speakers. “That's fine?"

“Your cooperation is appreciated, Mr. Dorsai." Eve replied. “Do you have any incidents to report?"

“You can call me Clem." The boar added. “But no, just some spacers in town to have a few drinks, relax and enjoy some fresh air and a soft bed. Nothing too unusual, yet."

Eve nodded. “You seem confident."

“I can usually handle myself, but if I need your help, I'll be sure to let you know." Clem replied.

“Very well." Eve said as they heard the loud roar of an impulse engine overhead that nearly drowned out the din of the saloon.

“Good grief, that sounded like a ship!" Clem said, rushing to catch a few bottles that had nearly fallen off the rack behind him. However, when he looked up, he noticed Eve had already gone.

She had stepped outside, and her eyes narrowed at what made the noise, it was large, substantially bigger than most civilian craft. It appeared to be a decommissioned Starfleet vessel from what she could make of her initial scans of it. Whatever it was, it was too big to land here, and she headed for the spaceport.

In a matter of minutes, she had arrived and saw the vessel slowly deploying its landing struts and was stirring up a hell of a lot of dirt and debris as it landed. It was an old Azor class cruiser, a model of ship that had been unused by the Confederation for at least a generation. However, its hull was pockmarked, rusted and dirty. All registration and identifying marks had been removed from it as well. The ship's docking lights panned down on her and she simply stood looking up at them sternly. Finally, the ship finished powering down and the gangway lowered.

Three figures approached walking down the gangplank. A male Urthean, a male Nekujin and a female Aurin, a humanoid race with blue skin and vibrant red hair known for having great strength.

“So, I say to the Corron captain. Look buddy, I gave you 700 kilograms of ketrocite and you had better pay up. You know what that goit has the nerve to tell me?!"

“Walla." The Aurin said, nudging him with her elbow, nearly sending the bobcat tumbling down the gangplank if the Urthean hadn't quickly caught him by the arm.

“Watch it Sig." Walla said, catching his breath after having it knocked out of him. “What's the big idea?"

The Aurin simply pointed at Eve who had the badge out in the open.

“Oh." Walla said, straightening himself. He headed down the gangplank ahead of his companions and skidded to a stop. “Well hello there you beautiful specimen, how may I be of service, Ginz is the name Captain Walla Ginz of the Broken Treasure who may you be?"

“I am Eve, I am the Constable of this town." she said pointing to the Broken Treasure. “That is a starship, this landing field is for shuttles and interstellar lories. You also created a disturbance by passing over the town at too low an altitude. I am issuing you a fine."

Walla frowned and his ears twitched, this bewitching looking vixen in the cat suit and poncho bearing the badge of a lawman seemed immune to his charms.

“How much of a fine?"

“900 credits." Eve said. “Payable now or you will be placed under arrest."

“900 credits?!?! Why that's." He caught himself and then realized the sum was quite menial. “Actually fair. You heard the woman, Kaitan, pay the young lady." He said turning towards the white furred Urthean with the glowing blue eyes and ponytailed black head fur.

“Me? Why?" The Urthean said, lighting up a death stick and taking a weary puff. “Pay them yourself you scruffy bobcat."

“Because you decided to not tell the rest of us you found a." The Nekujin made a strange pantomime that despite her best-efforts Eve was not able to identify. “AND THEN DECIDED NOT TO TELL US AND CASHED IT IN."

“So?! You passed on it." The Urthean shrugged, taking another long drag and sighing. “Bite me."

“Ok fine, you can get your crap and get off my ship." Walla hissed. “You can at least cover some petty expenses here and there since you decided to be an ASS and cheat your friends."

“You wouldn't." Kaiten said out of the side of his mouth staring down the Nekujin.

“Just pay it Kaiten." Sigma said. “Maybe he'll stop bothering you about it if you do cover some odd expenses here and there. Remember we're a team."

Kaiten sighed and dug into his long coat and produced a card. “Whatever, Sigma." He huffed reluctantly.

Eve pulled a reader out of her pack and took the payment. “Thank you for your cooperation."

“So. 900, eh?"

“That is 500 for the fine and 400 for a one week pass to park here." Eve replied. “The difference will be delivered once your ship leaves the area."

“Has it always been… been that … cheap?" Walla said a bit confused.

Eve stuck the reader back in her pack and shouldered her phaser rifle. “Those are the rates."

“Hmm well your predecessor was an ass hat then. He always charged us 10000 credits per stop." Walla Ginz said thoughtfully. “That's why we buzzed the town to aggravate him."

“He has been slain while performing his duty. I am the new constable." Eve said logging everything into her data pad.

“A pity." Walla said, not really meaning it.

“Are you transporting exotic wildlife or unknown lifeforms not native to this region of the galaxy?" Eve asked.

“No…"

“Then he was charging you incorrectly."

Walla Ginz seemed to pale under his fur and Sigma chuckled behind him. “Sounds like you got hustled, Captain. I told you he was probably screwing us."

For the barest flicker of an instant rage seemed to almost overtake the bobcat before he quelled it. “So… what rules are you basing your fines on?"

“It's the law as it is written, I am simply administering it." Eve replied coolly.

“Can I get a copy of this?"

Eve nodded.

Walla Ginz grinned. “Oh, I like you, how a woman of the law should be!! Honest and blunt to the core!!" He walked up to Eve and put an arm around her shoulder and turned her towards his companions. “Look at this Sig, we got a genuine specimen here, do you mind if I get my picture taken with you. It's not often one finds the real deal in my line of work."

Eve gently removed his paw from around her and stepped back. “If you want the documentation follow me."

“Wow she's an unusual woman." Walla said, taken aback by Eve's cold reaction to him.

“Why? Because just like me she's immune to your charms?" Sigma scoffed.

“Oh, for now, and you aren't totally immune you haven't strangled me yet like you threatened too oh so long ago." Ginz grinned at her.

“Yet is the operative word, Ginzy." Sigma replied matter of fatly.

Eve stopped. “I have a few more questions for you while we get the documentation you requested."

“I'll be right there." Ginz said scurrying after her with Kaiten and Sigma moving at a leisurely pace behind talking amongst themselves.

“What is your purpose for coming here?"

“Simply rest and relaxation, Old Clem makes the coldest stoutest Nekujin Wallop that's so good it brings a tear to my eye thinking of home."

Eve just stared at him quizzically and said nothing as she continued walking.

They eventually arrived back at the constable's office. “Wait here." Eve instructed them to stay outside as she stepped inside. She walked over to her terminal and printed off the requested information. She heard snoring and glanced over at Seven Scar who seemed to be sleeping.

The terminal signaled that the printoff was complete. “I have the requested information." She said, “taking the paper. “You may enter now."

Sigma entered and grabbed the printout. “I'll keep this thank you; the captain can't be trusted with anything that's important."

“That seems highly oxymoronic for someone whom you call Captain." Eve observed

“Tell me about it." Sigma said as her eyes darted rapidly as she read the page. “I appreciate your honesty in dealing with us, usually any law enforcement is a pain in our ass."

“You have not broken any major laws and paid your fine, we have no further issues." Eve said matter of factly.

“You may not, but we do." Seven scar said, flicking his tail back and forth and leering at Sigma.

Sigma looked up and glared at her, her blue skin flushing in anger to almost to a deep purple. “How are you alive?!" She snarled.

“Oh, you got to try a lot harder than that little darlin to put ole' Seven Scar down." He sneered.

“I see you have obviously met, care to explain?" Eve asked curiously.

“Yeah, this piece of space garbage tried to drug and have his way with me last time we were here." Sigma spat. “Unfortunately, he didn't account how resilient my people are. I put him through a wall and tossed him out a second story window, he should be dead.

“That was just foreplay darlin, you were enjoying it at the time." Seven Scar sneered.

Sigma stormed up to the cell and tried to snatch him, but he hopped back cackling.

“I doubt you could injure him permanently." Eve interjected. “He possesses some sort of hyper regeneration. I'm keeping him confined there until I can ascertain how to properly deal with him."

“I have a suggestion, vaporization. That seems to work in most cases." Sigma snarled trying to calm herself down and not rip the iron gate off the cell and bludgeon the Altarian until he resembled a green and yellow pile of paste with it.

“I will deal with it in accordance with the planetary laws." Eve replied. “Do not worry, I am more than capable of dealing with him."

Sigma took a deep breath and collected herself. “Very well, thank you for your help. I suppose I better check on the boys and make sure they are staying out of trouble."

“Please do so." Eve replied, turning her terminal off.

Seven Scar waited for Sigma to leave and then grinned wickedly. “You really think you can keep me here?"

“You don't seem to be making an effort to escape yourself." Eve observed.

Seven Scar laughed. “That's because my boss will come looking for me before too long."

“I suppose he's even more disreputable and foul than you are?" Eve said flatly.

"Oh, he's the worst my lovely and you'll be fortunate if he just kills you!" He made a slicing motion with his finger across his neck. “He might even let me play with what's left!"

Eve just glared at him, a strange feeling roiled in her stomach, it was strange, and half remembered, and it made her throat burn. Rage barely covered all the sensations.

“Quiet down before I stun you again to spare myself from your incessant rambling." she said with a curt tone.

“Oooo keep talking like that you are making me all…"

He didn't get the chance to finish, an observer from the outside would have seen a bright green flash through the shuttered windows and heard the muffled sound of a plasma dart striking flesh again.

Eve stood her arm trembling with her launcher retracting back into her arm. Seven Scar had been launched across the cell, slammed into the wall and lay in a heap on the floor slightly smoking.

She hadn't killed him; she was sure of that. It was the sudden flood of emotions that overridden her logic that had shocked her at her own actions.

She felt elated, ecstatic even though she had done it.

Although with his strange regenerative ability he would probably be up and about in a few hours by her calculations.

These emotions were becoming troublesome, they had to be due to the regenerated tissues that her nanites had revived while creating her current vessel. They were strange, and alien to her, impeding on her senses and her train of thought, as she continued in this form she wondered if they wouldn't continue to become more bothersome.

Perhaps, there was something to the consumption of alcohol, so she endeavored to try it. Her strange phantom memories even hinted that this might be a wise course of action. She left her office, locked her door and headed towards the Saloon, when she arrived, she saw that the place had filled up a bit. Ginz and his crew were at their own table and Sigma gave her a friendly nod as she entered. Other locals sat at the bar and noticed her badge and murmured amongst themselves. Music was playing from the speakers from an archaic looking entertainment system Dorsai rigged up behind the bars and some dingy ancient video screens showed various sports events and the occasional news cast. A pall of smoke consisting of various tobaccos and a few narcotics hung over the ball barely pushed around by a system of pulley driven fans.

Eve walked up to the bar and took a seat.

“What can I do for you Sheriff?" Dorsai asked amicably.

“I believe I will have that drink you keep offering, it has been a trying day." Eve said.

“Sure! Any idea what you want?" The boar said excitedly

Eve had no idea, but blending in was important.

“You are the bartender, what would you suggest for putting up with Seven Scar all day."

Dorsai chuckled, it made his whole body convulse as he laughed. “Coming right up!"

Eve used her enhanced hearing to listen to the conversations of the locals. Some seemed concerned that someone of her perceived gender could do the jobs, others grumbled why she had it being an outsider. There were some other sundry matters, and some nonsensical ones too possibly from over embellishing the alcohol. Most of it was irrelevant; she didn't care, but Seven Scar's warning had her on edge. She didn't want to be caught unawares, her experiences as living as part of the Raptor's computer system had taught her that being caught unawares usually lead to a lot of unnecessary and irreparable damage.

Dorsai came back with a dusty bottle with a green colored fluid in it. He took out a tumbler, popped the cork on the bottle and poured her the drink.

“What is it?"

“Good ole aged Cornerian Brandy." Dorsai said with a smile. “Should cure what ails you, take it a bit easy though it has a bit of a kick."

Eve picked up the glass and regarded it for a moment as her sensors scanned it. It was fermented fruit, containing nothing toxic other than the rather high percentage of alcohol in it. She looked up and saw Dorsai looking at her expectantly and she had a drink.

It was sweet and it burned as it went down but the whole process wasn't wholly unpleasant. Her nanites would use it as fuel making repairs wholly more efficient.

“Well?" Dosai prodded her.

“This is acceptable." Eve said taking another drink and feeling the strange emotions become a bit less potent, she would even hazard to say she was starting to feel relaxed. “You may leave the bottle."

“Well Sheriff, if I do that I'll have to charge."

“You will be compensated." Eve replied, feeling slightly weird at saying that phrase, it came out a bit more menacing than she intended. Quickly thinking she took out her card and handed it to him.

“Before you leave with it, let me run this." Dorsaid regarding the card and then running to his terminal to make the charge.

Eve nodded and took another drink after a moment Dorsai was back. “Well, your money is good, enjoy."

“I will." Eve said, grabbing the bottle and standing up.

As she did, she saw Sigma smiling and waving her over, she nodded and approached.

“Come Sheriff, have a drink with us!" She said excitedly pointing to an empty chair between the Urthean Kaiten and her.

Eve did so and sat down, she had noticed that Captain Ginz had drunkenly walked off and was trying to woo an attractive catarian barmaid over in one of the corners of the bar although she wasn't sure of his actual effectiveness. The Urthean Kaiten had his boots up on the table and appeared to be in a bleary daze puffing on his death stick and staring up at the ceiling making shooting motions with his hand at the blades of an overhead ceiling fan.

“They're a great lot to hang out with, aren't they? What do you have there?"

“Cornerian Brandy." Eve said trying to describe it appropriately but finding herself at a loss to use anything other than scientific descriptors. “It's green."

“May I have some?" Sigma asked.

“You may." Eve said, downing the last bit of her own tumbler before refilling it and pouring Sigma some.

“Thanks." Sigma said, raising her glass. “Cheers!"

Eve awkwardly mimicked the gesture and drank when she did.

Sigma mad after rapidly downing it and slapped the table. “That's really damn good. I like your style, Sheriff."

“Why did you consume it so fast?" Eve said in wonder. “It's my estimation that it should be done so at a more moderate pace."

“Yeah, but you don't get a feel for it if you go that way." Sigma laughed.

“I see." Eve was curious about this person, they all seemed rather fascinating, and she offered more of the drink to see if she could gather more information about herself. In the fiction she had consumed this seemed to be an adequate strategy to apply to acquire it. Sigma readily accepted another glass but took her time with the next one.

“So, is this all of you who man that vessel?" Eve asked.

“Na, there's Blad, a Zaphodian, he's alright and our engineer. He's probably raiding your supply depot for parts since we haven't been to the planet side in a few months. There's Doctor Bug, he's a Hersh, not really trusting of anyone he doesn't know, he stays on the ship most of the time."

Eve checked her database, the Hersh were an insectile group of humanoids that resembled a mantis with compound eyes, 3 fingered hands and antennae with insectile dog legs that they stood on that ended in a three clawed foot. They were typically unaligned and the fact that it was associated with beings outside its species was fascinating to say the least.

“Why do you ask?" Sigma asked.

“Since our relationship has been friendly up to this point, I just wanted to know who everyone was." Eve replied.

Sigma shrugged her shoulders and took another drink. Suddenly they heard a bit of a disturbance, and both looked up to see Ginz get a fateful of drink and the barmaid stormed off.

“Should I intervene?" Eve asked Sigma.

Sigma laughed at the scene. “Nah, he'll take it like a pro like he always does and chalk it up to her being snobbish or too good for him."

The Nekujiin bobcat came up to them trying to dab off the drink he'd been soaked with.

“Strike out again Ginzy?" Sigma chuckled.

“Hardly, she just was a bit snobbish for my tastes." Ginz said proudly as if he'd been the one insulted.

Sigma gave Eve a sidelong smirk and took another drink.

“I see our friendly local sheriff has come to have a drink with us! Welcome!"

Eve merely gave him a nod and took another drink she was starting to notice a distinct blur to her vision that her internal readouts were attributing to intoxication, she made sure to speed up the nanites metabolism of the alcohol.

“Are we going to do anything or just sit around chatting?" Kaiten said, suddenly drawing up his feet and planting them on the ground with a thud along with the chair. “I want to play Fizzbin and get some of that money Ginz cost me back." He said, slapping the table. “Or at least win it back from her." He said pointing at Eve.

Eve was intrigued. “I would be interested."

“Good." Kaiten grinned. “I want my 500 back."

“You are welcome to try." Eve said coolly. “Mr. Dorsai, i would like to open a tab, and purchase a round of drinks for my guests."

“Sure, thing Sheriff." Dorsai said giddily.

“Hot damn." Kaiten said, digging out a deck of cards and a small case containing chips. “That's what I'm talking about."

“I am not familiar with this game Sigma, would you tell me how to play it?" Eve asked.

Sigma smiled. “I'm glad you are asking me, the other two would probably teach you how to play it badly!!"

The night went on, the drinks flowed freely, and they played the game. Eve found herself rather adept at it. She also discovered her suspicions about these scoundrels may have been premature. They seemed harmless enough and other than disturbing the peace with their arrival, they hadn't done anything bad yet. She also realized she felt an unspoken kinship with them. As they talked and joked as they played cards, she found their camaraderie and their acceptance of her quite enlightening.

It was late when they finally stopped. Kaiten had managed to win at least half of what he'd paid back, most of it won from hands Ginz had lost badly. He complimented Eve on her skill at the game and swore to win the rest back next time. Ginz's losses are more attributed to him getting too drunk and not knowing when enough was enough until he eventually passed out snoring loudly, almost overpowering the drone of the music and the sound from the video monitors.

At closing Eve stood with Sigma on the walkway outside. Sigma had Ginz easily slung over her shoulder.

"I haven't had that much fun in a long time, you are alright Eve." She said, smiling. "Thanks for the drinks by the way."

"Providing alcoholic refreshments during social engagements can be quite beneficial to building social constructs." Eve said.

Sigma laughed. "Well, that's one way of putting it."

"I have. appreciated the companionship as well.". Eve said. "I often find it difficult to relate to others."

"Story of my life, if I could I probably wouldn't be running with this crowd.". Sigma chuckled. "I better get the Captain in his hammock, have a good night."

"You as well." Eve replied, actually feeling the meaning behind the platitude. Sigma headed off in the direction of their ship following Kaiten who was still muttering to himself.

Eve decided to finish her patrol for the evening and headed up the opposite site of the dirt street. After a rather quiet few minutes she returned to her office. Seven Scar was still unconscious, but still alive. She put her laser rifle on the desk and decided to do some modifications to it. However, she realized she didn't have the necessary tools, some would have to be acquired to do so. She sat back in her chair a bit frustrated and suddenly felt very tired. Things seemed to be quiet now. It probably wouldn't hurt to rest, plus the large amount of alcohol in their system needed to be properly processed and it would be a good time to do that. She leaned back in her chair and put her feet up on the desk, the maneuver seemed appropriate although she couldn't ascertain why. She leaned her head back on the headrest on the back of her chair and went to sleep.

* * *

The next morning, she awoke to see Seven Scar just glaring at her waiting for his morning meal. She supposed the fact that once again she hadn't killed him was somewhat of a relief. She provided it and he just sat leering at her. She was grateful that he was keeping his mouth shut, his irrelevant chatter was quite irritating. She left for her morning patrol without even a short insult exchange between them.

The few merchants of the town and the exchange were opening up in the early morning and a few of the moisture farmers and traders were talking amongst themselves and conducting business. The town only had maybe 100 active residents and it wasn't very big at all. Isolated barely described this place. At least 10 of them ran the solar collection plant that powered the town.

A quick glance to the other side of the town showed the Broken Treasure was still sitting in the landing area. It was a bit hard to miss being as it towered over most of the small buildings in the settlement.

She went to the mayor's office, and she was able to see him.

“Constable, what can I do for you today?" Mayor Walsh asked.

“I am seeking information, what happened to my predecessor?"

“Well, he had apprehended Seven Scar. He was getting ready to take him to the capital. However, he must have let his guard down and when we found him, he'd been strangled with what looked like a chain and the constable's speeder bike was gone."

“I see. Any Idea where he would have fled to?"

“He has a gang that he's associated with." Mayor Walsh said shifting uncomfortably in his seat. “They're part of the Black Star organization, a bunch of real die cut ruffians and criminals. I'm sure they'll probably come looking for him at some point."

Eve scowled. “When was I going to be told about this?"

“Well, I planned on telling you, but you showed up and asked." Walsh shrugged.

“How many are there?"

“I don't know they usually travel in groups of five, there could be at least a dozen of them, maybe more. If you want to avoid a confrontation, I suggest you get Seven Scar out of here because I am sure they'll come looking for him sooner or later."

“Don't you have any defenses?"

“You and whatever deputies you can muster are it, Ms. Sarne." Walsh shrugged. “Usually that's about all we need to keep the peace around here. Those who don't want to be a part of law-abiding society live out beyond the moisture farms and ranches, doing what they do.

For the first time in her short life, Eve felt true and honest frustration at the total lack of logic presented by the beings she was trying to emulate and understand. “I presume I have to start over from scratch, there is no one left from the prior security force?"

“Yup." Walsh sighed.

Suddenly the air was filled with the strange wine of gravity turbines. Eve whipped her head around and used her sensors to lock onto seven speeder bikes heading towards the town at a high speed.

“It looks like your troubles found you." Walsh said with an audible gulp.

Eve scowled and swung her blaster rifle off her shoulder and headed out of the city hall. As she stepped out, she could see the dovetails of the vehicles as they raced towards the town. Several of the townspeople had already run for cover and the shops quickly shuttered their windows.

The speeder bikes roared into town and slowed down as they approached the city hall. Each bike was adorned with a simple black star where it could be seen by anyone. Eve quickly scanned her database and determined this must be the local branch of the criminal element of this area. The Black Stars were a well known group of pirates and criminals whose tendrils expanded all across the known galaxy where illicit deeds could be done and likewise goods could be sold.

There were seven of them of varied species; the biggest was a Cabaran male who rode at the front of the procession and dismounted first as the others did. He was built rather sturdily and was clad in a type of makeshift armor and a rather nasty-looking blaster at his side.

“Well lookie here boys looks like we got a new sheriff in town." The leader said getting off his bike. “It's a lady sheriff too."

This elicited a lot of hoots and cat calls from the others Eve wasn't intimidated but some of her skin felt as if it was crawling, she quickly dismissed this reaction.

“You are a band of outlaws; your presence is not permitted within the city limits of Briar Gulch."

The gang leader sneered a bit astonished at this woman's brazen attitude. “Well, you see, that's where we have a bit of a problem. Your predecessor, which we rightly took care of, did something with one of our boys. Now he tends to leave pieces of himself around especially when he gets in trouble, and we thought maybe you had a run in with him."

“The regenerating Altairian, Yes he's in my cell, where he belongs." Eve replied.

“Well, that's where we have a problem with you then. We want him back." The leader scowled.

“Seven Scar is a repeat offender, he needs to be placed in stasis or vaporised." Eve said coldly. “He is a menace and needs to be dealt with by the authorities."

The Cabarran turned back to his rabble of mixed species with a bemused look and all his todies cackled and gibbered with amusement.

“You must be a bunch of low-level lowlifes to be trying to pick a fight with a lone sheriff." A voice said from above. “Let alone a Woman."

Eve's eyes darted up to a balcony across the street behind the speeder bike gang, who were all looking up at the location of that voice.

Kaiten the white-furred Urthean stood there lighting one of his death sticks and took a long draw from it. “Black Stars scraping the bottom of the barrel these days? Or all you are just a bunch of worthless punks trying to be something you're not." He growled.

“You better watch your mouth Urth Trash or I'll shoot it off for you!" The Cabaran roared at him.

“Try it." Kaiten said coldly, his eyes narrowing.

The leader of the gang quickly drew and fired his pistol at Kaiten who quickly bent backward away from the shot. The plasma bolt had to have missed him by millimeters Eve esti-mated staying quiet and quickly assessing the other bikers as if they were thoroughly distracted; she quickly deployed a swarm of nanites to disable their weapons.

Kaiten snapped back to standing and looked at his death stick that had been thoroughly vaporized only leaving the nub on his lips.

The gang leader looked a bit taken aback as Kaiten had a bemused look on his face and spit the nub out and simply shrugged.

“Now that was just downright rude." Kaiten growled.

“How did you…" The gang leader said almost beside himself in wonder.

Kaiten in one fluid motion hopped over the railing and landed with otherworldly grace and brushed himself off. “What's your name scrub?" Kaiten said growling at the leader.

“Crusher." The Leader replied.

“Seriously? Is that the name your mother gave you?" Kaiten said, popping his neck and tilting his head from side to side. “Alright then, “Crusher.", I'll make sure that's the name they put on your grave marker."

“Boys!" Crusher ordered and all his men drew their weapons and aimed them at Kaiten along with their leader. “Kill this twat!!"

They all pulled their triggers at once and none of their weapons fired.

Each of them tried again and then looked at their weapons in astonishment.

“That will be quite enough," Eve shouted, getting their attention again as she had her blaster rifle leveled at the center of the group. “As the duly appointed constable of this town, I am ordering you to surrender your weapons and leave this city immediately!!"

Kaiten looked as if he was reaching for the two swords at his back and suddenly put his hands on his sides looking rather disappointed.

Eve primed the charger on the rifle. “You are hereby ordered to vacate this city never to return!"

“Or what?" Crusher sneered.

Eve fired a blast that caused his repulsor bike to vaporise in a haze of bright light. “I do not wish to repeat myself; compliance is mandatory, resistance is futile."

“You heard her." Crusher growled. “Lets scram." He quickly walked over and grabbed another bike shoving another gang member off it practically trembling with rage. “You'll pay for this, we'll be back."

“That would be highly unwise on your part." Eve said her eyes narrowed and glowed a faint green.

The gang mounted their banks and sped off and out of town their strategy and Eve followed slowly after them till she was sure they were all gone and off her own sensor range. She heard Kaiten walk up beside her.

“You've got a lot of guts, I'll give you that." Kaiten said, lighting up another death stick. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but they are going to totally kill your ass."

“That would be an inefficient use of resources." Eve said, making sure the last of the gang had disappeared out of her sensor range.

Kaiten laughed. “So do you have any back up or anything?"

“No. I do not require it." Eve said, shouldering her rifle.

Kaiten raised an eyebrow, and his death stick dangled from his lips. “Look, I'm a trained Urthean Assassin, I could have dropped all those losers before they even knew what happened to them. You are just. Well, you. You don't look any different than anyone else."

“My tactical capabilities are none of your concern." Eve said heading for her office with Kaiten falling in steps behind her.

“I see, well those guys even though they are a bunch of scrubs, are dangerous, and they will be back." Kaiten said. “You would have been better off if you'd let me kill them."

“Then I would have had to have arrested you for disturbing the peace and obstruction of justice." Eve said.

“You seem pretty confident in that assessment."

Eve said nothing.

“Then I apologize for this." Kaiten said when suddenly there was a blur of movement.

He was fast ridiculously fast, Eve saw a dagger and she quickly brought up her arm to deflect it he spun around and drew one of his vibroblades and she quickly slapped the butt of the blaster to contact with his face and he dodged it, she quickly activated her ablative armament but it didn't completely deploy as it closed down around the tip of the vibrablade as it stopped just short of penetrating her chest cavity and she had arm cannon armed and against his head.

“Heh." Kaiten said. “That's what I thought, you are not normal."

Eve was panting, she was legitimately feeling fear as she stared into the white dwarfs that were the cybernetic lights of his optics.

“What, are you?"

“I don't have to answer that." Eve said, shaking slightly.

“Yeah, you do, think you could kill me before I kill you?" he said, sliding the vibrablade even closer where she could feel her skin heat up near the tip of the blade. If he pierced her power core she would more than likely be destroyed. “You may not have a heart but there's no better place to put a power cell than a thoracic cavity."

“I'm… I'm a cybernetic life form." Eve stammered. “Please stop, I do not wish to hurt you."

“That's more like it." Kaiten said withdrawing his blade Eve didn't like the sound it made as it passed out of the armor plates. “As I said, I'm sorry. How many of you are there?"

“Just me." Eve said, sighing heavily.

“I could smell it on you, might want to work harder on masking your synthetic materials." Kaiten said. “And you might want to put your costume away," he said, waving the sword at her. “People might get a little upset if they see their new sheriff is a robot."

Eve quickly retracted the ablative armor suit and returned to her normal state although looking shaken.

Kaiten picked up her hat with his sword and tossed it to her. “I had to know, you didn't hide it very well. Why are you here Eve?"

“I… I have nowhere else to be." She said, putting the hat on and hiding her eyes. “I'm alone trying to find a purpose."

“I see." Kaiten said. “Where are you from?" He said, “blowing smoke out of his nose.

“I don't wish to discuss that."

“Heh, you've learned quickly." Kaiten said. “Don't worry, I've taken a shine to you, your secret is safe with me."

“I appreciate it."

Kaiten smiled and sheathed his blade. “I think you'd be better off asking for some help."

“Do you?"

“What does being a deputy pay?"

“It's adequate compensation for the job."

“Good I'm hired." Kaiten said. “That jackass Ginz can't survive without me, and he owes me at least 15000 credits, I figure I can make that by working as your deputy for a little bit."

Eve just stood staring at the audacity of this Urthean. However, his skills seemed valuable, if he could almost best her perhaps, she wasn't as invulnerable as she had believed herself.

“What?" Kaiten said.

She shook her head. “I'll swear you in, I'll expect you to obey the law while you are serving it."

“Sounds easy enough." Kaiten shrugged. “Lead the way, boss."

They entered her office, and Eve made him take the oath and she handed him a datapad containing the local laws and ordinances. “I do hope you are taking this seriously, you do still have to answer to me if you make a mistake."

“I take pride in my work, mam." Kaiten said. He then whistled as he read the salary. “1000 a week to just keep the peace?" Kaiten said, clucking his tongue and putting in his account info. “I'm in the wrong line of work."

“Here you will need this. Pin it to your lapel." Eve said, handing him a badge of office.

Kaiten looked at the little star with the confederation's chevron in the center and pinned it on his jacket. He then admired himself in the mirror. “Neat you get a cool badge and pay, no wonder you went for this job."

“I don't do it for compensation." Eve said, stowing her weapon.

“I wondered when you were going to get back." Seven Scar hissed from his cell hanging from the bars. “I see you managed to run my friends off, for now."

“I didn't ask for you to speak." Eve said as she stowed her rifle and then sat at her desk.

“You heard her, keep your yap shut or I'll have my lady friend pound you into a pulp and then I'll chop up what's left, let's see you get up and walk that off." Kaiten glared.

Seven Scar sneered and went back to his bunk.

“You want some advice?" Kaiten said, turning to Eve.

“I will consider any suggestions."

“We should ride out and see where their hideout is. It shouldn't be that hard to track them. Since you've done your best to start shit it would be better if you ended it not around the civilians." He took a drag from his death stick. “The locals don't like collateral damage much."

“There are two speeders in the back." Eve said getting up and retrieving her Rifle. “Let's go."

“See." Kaitain smiled. “You needed help more than you knew."

"Just what the hell are you doing?!" Sigma said to Kaiten as she spotted him moving the speeder bikes out from behind the constable's office.

“I'm a deputy now, see?" Kaiten said revving the speeder bike. “The sheriff and I are going to head out and rustle up some varmints!"

“Do you have any idea what you are doing if you are letting him assist you?" Sigma said, folding her arms across her chest.

“There is an immediate threat to the town out there in the wastes." Eve said. “You may choose to assist if you like, and you will be compensated."

“Really?" Sigma said intrigued.

“Hop on and join the fun." Kaiten chuckled.

“Not on your bike you'd enjoy it too much." Sigma said, climbing onto Eve's and settling in behind her.

With the shrill screech of the two repulsors, they took off in the direction of the gang. They zipped over the scrublands and wound their way through the cacti, rock formations and valleys following the gang's trail.

Eve said nothing as she tracked the particle trails from the bikes' fusion engines, eventually she took the bike off the trail and they both rode up to the top of a bluff. The three of them dismounted. Eve motioned that they were quiet and they all three crept up and crawled up to the edge and looked down into the gap between the bluffs.

Down below they could see a ramshackle settlement of sorts. Buildings are constructed out of scraps and old hover vehicles and trailers.

Sigma looked down on the encampment with some binoculars she brought with her and whistled. “That's a bit more than a gang."

Eve was deep in thought as she assessed the situation.

“I think that might be a bit more than we can handle." Kaiten chuckled. “There's probably a couple dozen of them down there."

“The capital criminal reports never mentioned an encampment of this size." Eve muttered seeing Crusher dismount from the repulsor bike he'd arrived on and heading to what looked like the central structure of the encampment.

“Eve, it's a big planet with only a small portion properly civilized." Sigma chuckled. “It takes less time for a criminal element to settle in a colony than actual civilization." Sigma paused and then a smirk crossed her blue hued face. “Why do you think we hang out in that backwater town?"

Eve said nothing, keeping an eye on the encampment. Most of the gang members were armed, and they seemed to be going about their business with a sense of purpose. They moved in clusters and seemed to be attending various tasks. Eve could see some of them carrying what looked like raw materials, while others were cooking over open fires. It was clear that they were not just a group of bandits, but a well-organized community.

Eve tactically assessed the situation, there were far more gang members than she had anticipated and even her offensive capabilities were limited. Yes, she had been extremely successful onboard the Urthean Scutta, but she'd been able to use the systems of the ship against its crew and be able to stay a step ahead of them. This was the wilderness in a colony world, she would have no such advantage and thus have to come up with something better.

“I have an idea." Eve said, turning to Kaiten and Sigma. “We're not going to be able to take them all out with just the three of us, but I have a feeling we can disrupt their operations."

“What do you have in mind?" Sigma asked intrigued.

“We'll start with their transportation. They're relying heavily on those repulsor bikes to move around," Eve said. “If we can take out their bikes, it will remove the advantage they have and limit their mobility."

“And how do you propose we do that?" Kaiten asked.

Eve, discretely opened a compartment in her arm and removed a small device with a series of prongs on one end. It was one of her weapons emitters. It reduced her personal weapons capability, but it wasn't doing any good in its current state. She quickly started modifying it.

"What is that?" Sigma said noticing her work.

“This is a high-energy plasma emitter. We point it at the repulsor, I am modifying it for a wide field burst that when it connects to the bike's repulsors fields, the emitter delivers a 360 arc of high-energy plasma.".

“Which will likewise fry the bike's fuel cells." Sigma said with a grin. “Which will leave them stranded."

“If we're lucky it might even fry their guns too." Kaiten smirked. “And really piss them off. “But we'll be long gone." Sigma concluded.

“So, it's a win-win for us."

“Works for me," Sigma said and Kaiten nodded “So how do we get from here to there without being seen or killed."

“There is no we." Kaiten smirked, snatching the device from Eve's hand. “I'll do it."

"Activate the device and return here as soon as possible." Eve ordered.

“You'll be torn to pieces if you're spotted down there!" Sigma protested.

"The only one here who has to worry about that is you, you have a better chance of sticking with the sheriff." Kaiten said getting up and stretching. "Catch you on the flip side." and with a burst of speed, he was gone in the darkness.

"Great." Sigma muttered. "Now what do we do until then?"

"I suggest you watch out for trouble." Eve said moving closer to the ledge and putting her laser rifle out in front of her and adjusting the sight. "I'll cover him."

It took Eve a few passes but eventually her cybernetically enhanced vision spotted him. She didn't want to rely on her sensors just in case they had some sort of detection equipment. There seemed to be several powered towers of some sort set up at the edges of the camp that could very well be their own sort of detection or blocking screen. Kaiten was moving low amongst the shadows as if despite the white coloring of his fur he seemed to almost be one of them.

"Do you see him?" Sigma asked keeping a wary eye about their position.

"Affirmative." Eve replied. "He's approaching the target.

The hover bikes were all parked along what could be called a shanty garage where there appeared to be several, probably stolen, generators to refuel their fuel cells. There also appeared to be several scavenged moisture evaporators and other various equipment laying around gutted for any parts that may be of use.

Eve watched as Kaiten seemed to be fidgeting with the plasma emitter and she frowned. Why was he modifying it? After a few moments he stopped and jumped over the makeshift fence of the garage. A few moments later he reappeared and disappeared further into the camp.

"Now what's he doing?"

"He's... altered the plan."

"What?" Sigma said in a hushed tone, suddenly realizing exactly what Kaiten was doing. "Wait... is there anything particular about this gang."

"They are an extension of the Black Star criminal organisation.." Eve said off handedly.

"Oh no..." Sigma muttered with dawning horror. Kaiten wasn't doing it to help out of a bizarre sense of newly discovered civic duty, he was doing it to carry out his ongoing mission to personally dismantle every aspect of the Black Stars that he came in contact with. More terrified of the mess they'd have to deal with instead of her immediate safety she grabbed her com-link back to the Broken Treasure and blurted into it.

"Walla we got a code black, i repeat a code black please lock onto my coordinates for an immediate pickup!!"

"What?" The Nekujin's voice said lazily over the com. "What's going on, where the hell is he, more importantly where the hell are you?!"

"Use the damn ships sensors and pinpoint my location. We may have a few minutes before we have a god damn mess on our hands!!"

Sigma suddenly stopped as she heard an alert go off in the camp and Eve was now glaring up at her, her own frustration showing in her eyes glowing that eerie green.

"They detected your com link, that was very foolish!" Eve said, springing to her feet. "Now they know we're here!"

"Look, Eve, you don't know what kind of chaos you've just let loose in this little valley!" Sigma said defensively. "Kaiten has a serious hatred for Black Stars and he's going to make a bloody damn mess of this! We need to get out of here!"

Eve suddenly detected something hurtling toward them that Sigma didn't hear. "GET DOWN!" She ordered shoving Sigma to the ground with enough force to even surprise the Auren.

Something soared over their head and detonated close to their own hover bikes with a deafening roar.

"Primitive Rocket Propelled ballistic." Eve muttered. "Let us hope they don't have more."

Sigma forced herself to her feat and ran over to the bikes. One was completely total. She lifted the second with ease. She tried to start it to no avail.

"We need to get out of here, now!" Sigma said.

Eve holstered her rifle and then stopped as she heard the wine of several repulsor engines down below in the valley. They needed to go now.

Eve jogged over to sigma and then made a fist and pointed it at the motor bike. Sigma regarded her strangely and suddenly two tubules shot out of Eve's wrist and into the bike's motor unit. Suddenly the metal rapidly contorted and the shrapnel from the other bike was expelled and the bike started to sputter back to life.

"What in the hell did you just do?" Sigma asked.

"Repair nanites, no time to explain." Eve said as the bike suddenly righted itself and started as it began to hover. "Get on, NOW!"

There was suddenly a strange blast of plasma energy throughout the encampment and the amber glow of its lights suddenly went out. This was followed by multiple explosions.

Eve checked her sensors as Sigma reluctantly got on the bike and they took off. A dozen gangs were heading right for them and were clear of the blast when it happened.

She gunned the accelerator and her nanites reported that the power source was at best highly unstable, and the power supply needed further repair. She had to protect Sigma and get her to safety; she would have to risk it.

Sigma was still screaming into her comlink at the Captain of the Broken Treasure, Eve couldn't spare the attention at the moment because she could detect the bikers coming closer. They would overtake them in a matter of moments.

"Sigma!" She shouted.

"What?" Sigma shouted over the rush of air, stopping her conversation with Ginz who was still stubborn about getting involved in the mess.

"How soon till your ship picks us up."

"About 10 minutes. Ginz is an idiot and Blaad is doing his best to start the Treasure but she's old and doesn't have the get up and go she used to." Sigma replied.

Eve narrowed her eyes. "We don't have that long; they will intercept us long before that."

"What do we do?"

Eve thought for what her felt like an eternity. She had to protect the people of the town and Sigma. Sigma had come along with them willingly, not aware of the danger she had put herself in. All logical alternatives were quickly growing fewer and fewer. Even the dozen men on those repulsor bikes as armed as they were would be a formidable force against the small town. She couldn't permit its destruction.

"I will give them what they want, make me a promise!" Eve suddenly said.

"What, sure?"

"Get back to Briar Gulch and use that ship and whatever weapons it has and protect those people." Eve said coldly as she quickly transmitted a high-level emergency alert through the planet's communication system. "I've informed the authorities, just hold off the gang until they arrive."

"I don't know if I can."

"Do it!" Eve snapped. "Or whatever mess you think you have stumbled into will be even worse for you!!"

"Ok, I, we will." Sigma said, confused. "What are you doing?"

"I already explained that." Eve said. "Take the controls. Don't run the engine above 250 micro cycles or it will explode. " With a lightning fast move Eve jumped free of the repulsor bike and landed with bent knees. Sigma continued onward heading for the town.

Eve didn't look back; she simply stood up and took aim on the newly acquired repulsor bike Crusher was riding only to see that Crusher was having it driven by someone else and he was targeting her with some sort of high-powered rifle with a sensor scope. She started to squeeze the trigger but something heavy and high velocity tore through her shoulder severing her arm. She staggered backwards experiencing what could only be termed as severe shock and pain. Her mind recalled a malfunction in her former body that tore through it as super heated plasma destroyed steel and flesh and an instant.

Another round struck her in what would be her heart, and she fell back on the ground. Her systems were going hay wire as the round bounced off her reinforced spine ricochet around inside or torso damaging her power core and then out through her skull.

She sparked and sputtered and the strange fluid that sustained her techno organic parts sprayed all around the ground. All her systems were reading catastrophic damage, nanite repair systems were offline, energy reserves were offline. She tried to move but couldn't, her nerves had been severed, and she had no control of her remaining limbs.

The bikes quickly stopped about her and the gang members jeered and cheered at her.

Eve lay on the ground sparking, sputtering and bleeding out making strange clicking noises.

"Look at this Crusher. She isn't real, she's a robot of some sort!" Seven Scar said, kicking her.

“I'll be." Crusher said, poking her with the barrel of the rifle. "No wonder she thought she was so tough."

"Well, she looks like a woman, we could still have some fun with her!" Another jeered, eliciting even more dark laughter.

"Nah, we'll have plenty of that when we go take it out on her little town." Crusher said, kneeling down over her and waving a hand in front of her face. "Won't we boys." This only brought more excited whoops and cheers.

Eve could only twitch and sputter as her power was failing, the world was growing dark as one by one her power systems failed.

"Well, she's done for whatever she is." Crusher said, pulling out a mammoth sized handgun from his holster. He cocked it back. "Sweet dreams you little freak."

There was a tremendous roar.... and then nothing.

No more pain.

No more anything.

* * *

An indeterminate amount of time passed

She didn't know how long, all she saw was light.

The light slowly coalesced into a room.

Eve sat up and saw her image in a mirror, yet it wasn't hers.

She was confused she tried to activate her extra sensory systems but found she had none to activate.

She looked around, this room was familiar, this place was familiar, the birds and the ocean outside sounded familiar. Shakily she stood up, whatever this was, this was not in her…

Schematics…

What silly schematics, you are a person, not a computer.

Eve narrowed her gaze at the reflection. Its visage did not match her own.

"Who are you?" Eve demanded.

"I'm Eveylin, well I guess I'm you too." Eveylin frowned. "I don't appreciate you taking my body, but I guess I'm not using it being dead and all. You are the strange metal woman from the planet Venom, for all I know.

"My name is Eve, not metal-woman." She started walking towards the mirror.

There was a strange noise in her mind as if someone else was quietly laughing.

"I could call you metal-woman if I wanted to." her reflected self said. "But fine I suppose Eve it is."

"You haven't answered my question."

"Well, if I was to hazard a guess from what I briefly had access to, your creation of a neural network managed to replicate my own when you made... you. In a sense you brought me back and then repressed me because I'm, how do you put it? Miscellaneous and unnecessary data. Yet you can't delete me. Death wasn't so bad, I didn't even feel it, it was like going to sleep watching a movie and then you go bringing me back and shove me here."

"Your biological functions have ceased, you are dead." Eve said drolly looking about the room.

"Newsflash, honey. So are you." Eveylin said, touching her cheek. "Well mostly dead, from what I can tell you don't have much time left."

"Where are we?"

"My birthplace on Fortuna, but I actually think it's a quantum abstraction of your sub neural backup processor running on a tenuous connection to a backup battery for your neural network that is damaged." Eveylin suddenly looked shocked. "Did I get it right?"

"That sounds logical." Eve relented, exasperated.

"That means I'm the boss here." Eveylin said triumphantly. "Oh, you don't think I haven't been playing around with what I can do, you can't keep me locked in here forever and not expect me to poke around and prod. I'm sure you've noticed you've been getting a little emotional lately. You got me to thank for that."

"I believe that is not relevant to the proceedings."

"Oh, it's very relevant. I'm your only way out of here." Eveylin said.

"What do you want, time is not on our side. If I go you will join me in oblivion." Eve sighed tersely.

"I want out. All those answers you've been looking for. They're right here." Eveylin said, tapping her head in the mirror. "You don't understand us organics, yet you want to. You want to see the error of your ways but, tactical knowledge, literature, starship schematics and what remains of the collective in this jumbled mind of ours aren't going to answer that. I can. It's all here right in the mind of Crewmen Evelyn Aki the miscellaneous and unnecessary nerdy engineer with a passive and deep hobby of artificial neural networks, or at least I used to be."

"How?" Eve asked.

"Let me in, please, just let me be a part of you." Eveylin pleaded. "Hell I would give anything to see my mom again even though we haven't spoken in years and she probably doesn't even know I'm dead."

"I will do as you ask. What do I need to do to leave this place?"

Eveylin put her hand to the mirror glass not mirroring what Eve was doing. "Just put your hand where mine is."

Eve hesitated and then did so, there was a flash, and she was now on the other side of the mirror. The room she was in was different; however she recognized it, it was a more sterile version of the engineering room on board the Raptor.

"What'd you expect?" Eveylin said. "It's a backup processor, no nonsense and all that."

Eve nodded and walked over to the master system display and accessed it.

She grimaced when she saw the readings, then she wondered why she grimaced and felt repulsed.

"This is going to take a total reconstruction." Eve said defeatedly. "The vessel is completely destroyed, and we are kilometers away from our transport." Eve sighed and called up a few more readings. "We could eject the processor, but I don't think we have enough power to traverse the distance."

"We could if we hitch a ride." Eveyln said as she called up a hazy picture of a few scavenger birds that were picking at the organic bits. "I don't like it, but we could... assimilate one. That way we could control it."

"I don't like that option either." Eve said.

"We don't have that much time to think about it, at this rate we only have maybe an hour left of power, then it's Voidville." Evelyn said.

"We may not make it." Eve said calculating the odds of getting back to her shuttle let alone making the journey there.

"What have we got to lose?" Evelyn said.

Eve paused for a beat. "Eject the Neural processor."

"That's more like it." Eveylin said keying in the sequence.

A small mechanical spider crawled out from the wreckage of Eve's shattered skull and scuttled across the ground. The buzzard-like creature spotted it and eyed it suspiciously. Suddenly a small tubule shot out at the bird, and it took off flying in a panic as it felt it bite into its flesh and a burning sensation went through its body. The assimilation process only took moments. It squawked and floundered before its eyes suddenly went blank and it leveled off and began to make flights for the Transport.

"If we make it." Eve said to Eveylin. "I will keep my promise and not lock you away anymore, you have proved you are a relevant and necessary part of my programming. Thank you."

"You'd better, and is that a smile?" Evelyn said as she started to fade away.

Eve suddenly jolted as images permeated her mind. It was a mix of all things she'd ever experienced mixed with Eveyln's memories and experiences. Suddenly her actions as the Epsilon Three battle computer made sense. These organics treasured being alive, the connections they made, and they kept making them even though they never seemed to last. Yet they pressed on just living, persevering through pain, loss and enduring.

Everything became clear and she understood where she had gone wrong. She had cut that experience short for so many, that's why Martinez was so angry with her. Having thought about her own existence, having ended after such a brief time was quite terrifying and she knew that those she'd done that too didn't have the way out she did or even the option, they were just gone.

The buzzard arrived at Eve's shuttle and the spider leapt off it and made its way inside the shuttle immediately connecting to its power systems with only moments to spare. The door opened and the bird awkwardly made its way inside as the shuttle's engines began to power up and it lifted off.

As the shuttle approached the location of her remains Eve detected a life form near them. It was Kaiten, he was digging what appeared to be a hole, in a rather sloppy manner. From what she could assess he was attempting to bury her. He was using his vibrablade to do so although they were not the tool to do such a task with. He looked a bit worse for wear and was resting on the edge of the hole smoking one of his deathsticks. His overcoat was draped over her body on the side of the hole as well on the ground, to deter scavengers. He looked up incredulously at the craft as it approached its spotlights locking in on him.

“Please halt your activities. I need my body back." Eve said over the loudspeaker in the shuttle's hull.

Kaiten took a long drag of his cigarette and started laughing. “Well hot damn, I was hoping I was doing this all for no point. You don't look so good."

“I am aware of my situation, I do need my body back." Eve replied. “I would not be in this situation if you had not deviated from the plan."

Kaiten chuckled. “I know what I did. However, there is one less fucking Black Star big man in the universe." He said, bumping a rather soiled looking sack beside the hole by him. “I got a bounty head, and I want my money. I figured you probably had a back up plan and if you didn't do well, I wasn't going to let them pick you apart."

“You put your colleague in danger!"

“Sigma?" Kaiten said, twitching his ears. “Well, I didn't find her so she's probably ok."

“Your sense of reasoning is highly flawed."

“Yeah, and you're a weird cyborg who obviously is being extremely fishy right now and I know way too much." Kaiten said, taking a drag from his death stick.

“You… are way too casual about all of this."

Kaiten laughed. “I've seen a lot of weird shit; this is just another day to me."

Eve landed the shuttle nearby and popped open the hatch.

“There is a tank inside, place my body inside it. I will give you a ride home."

“Much obliged." Kaiten said, getting to his feet, throwing the bloodied sack over his shoulder and then scooping up Eve's body. “What about my reward?"

“I need to have access to my terminal and verify the bounty if you want to collect it, I should reduce it in compensation for your recklessness."

"I didn't have to go to all the effort of scooping all your pieces up, but I did." Katien said, stepping into the shuttle.

"Place my body in the stasis chamber.". Eve said not to acknowledge his quip.

Kaiten carefully placed Eve's body inside the stasis chamber before turning to Eve with a sly grin. "So, what's it like being on a computer?" he asked, clearly fascinated by her advanced technology.

"It is nothing unfamiliar to me." Eve replied curtly, from the speaker not in the mood to entertain Kaiten's curiosity. She quickly started the regeneration protocols on the station chamber, and it closed and began to glow with an eerie green light. "Now, if you don't mind, I need to concentrate on restoring my body."

“Sure." Kaiten nodded and leaned against the bulkhead noticing the strange vulture creature watching him with a laser sight trailing along his form. “Friend of yours?"

“An unfortunate but necessary decision." Eve said dismissively.

The assimilated vulture squawked at him but otherwise sat staring at him impassively.

“One of these days you really need to tell me what your deal is." Kaiten said.

“There would be no advantage to that exchange of information."

“Suit yourself.". Kaiten said, lighting a death stick and peering into the swirling mass in the regeneration station. "This doesn't seem much different than our cr tanks back home."

"It is not.". Eve replied. "The tech…. I have acquired the use of this technology through means I don't wish to discuss it."

"So, you just knew how to build one?" Kaiten said intrigued

"You could put it that way."

Eve used the shuttle's sensors to check on Briar Gulch and detected staccato bursts of weapons fire, and several damaged structures. The Broken Treasure appeared to be there as well aiding in the fight when it could. Eve remained unfazed, her focus unwavering as she awaited the resurrection of her physical form. Every nanosecond felt like an eternity as the regeneration chamber hummed and whirred, coaxing her shattered body back to wholeness.

Finally, a chime resonated through her consciousness, signaling the completion of the process. With a surge of will, Eve transferred her essence back into her corporeal shell. The sensation was exhilarating, a symphony of nerves firing and muscles flexing as her nanites danced to her command, weaving her clothing into existence from the ether. A quick systems check revealed the extent of the damage - her ablative armor was fried beyond repair, but with a mental command, she rerouted power to her arsenal and personal shield.

Kaiten, observing the spectacle with a mix of awe and amusement, tossed her a familiar poncho and hat, a wry grin playing on her lips. "Welcome back," he quipped.

Eve returned the smile, donning the garments offered as her nanites swarmed over them, repairing tears, removing grime, and restoring them to their pristine state in a matter of seconds.

"That's one hell of a way to cheat the reaper," Kaiten remarked, her eyes still tracing the intricate dance of the nanites as they worked their magic.

"I have a few more tricks up my sleeve," Eve replied enigmatically, her fingers ghosting over the worn grips of her weapons, checking their functionality with practiced ease.

Kaiten chuckled, a hint of wistfulness in her voice. "Think you could spare some of that nano-tech? I could use a self-repairing wardrobe myself."

Eve's smile turned playful, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Don't get your hopes up," she retorted, her tone light but firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

* * *

Eve's shuttle flew towards Briar gulch and landed outside of it. There were two troop carrier shuttles and several starfleet marines that had set up a checkpoint at the border of the town. They kept their weapons trained on the vessel as the door opened. They were taken aback as a strange buzzard-like creature hobbled out of the shuttle then took flight only to perch on top of it.

"Step out of the vessel with your hands up." One of them ordered.

Kaiten did so first with his hands in the air and Eve followed him out doing the same.

"Approach slowly and prepare to identify yourself. Do not make any sudden moves or we will fire."

“Friendly lot, aren't they?" Kaiten smirked confidently.

“You've already botched one endeavor and do not proceed to commit further errors." Eve hissed, stepping around him. She approached the guards slowly.

“I am the recently appointed Eve Sarne, this is my associate Kaiten we are here to help."

"Stand down!" She heard a familiar voice say. "That's our sheriff Ms. Sarne!!"

She spotted Mayor Walsh coming out from behind the line relieved to see her.

"My god it is you they said they killed you and all kinds of horrible things, but you are just as you were when I last saw you."

"Reports of my demise are highly exaggerated, I see the reinforcements arrived."

Eve sent the buzzard on a scouting mission. It made a dull squawk and took off flying looking for anything on the ground. The last thing she wanted to do was get hit by another one of the rounds from that rifle Crusher had.

“Mrs. Sarne?" Mayor Walsh said uneasily watching the cybernetic bird climb into the air. “What is that thing?"

“It is a drone, I found it in the gang's lair, I'm sending it to do some aerial reconnaissance." Eve said lying.

"Anyways, yes, they did, the crew of the Broken Treasure kept them out of town for the most part with their ships weapons, but a few got in and broke Seven Scar out and burnt down the sheriff's office before we could stop them. Shortly after the first attack the marines arrived, and the gangs have been scarce since."

“Well yeah they got some nice toys, but they aren't suicidal." Kaiten muttered watching the assimilated buzzard fly circles high above them and taking a long drag on his cigarette.

As the buzzard flew higher into the sky, Eve turned to Mayor Walsh. "Do you have any idea where they might be hiding now? If they are nearby?"

Walsh hesitated before responding. "There's an old dilithium mine about 40 kilometers from here. It's been rumored that the Black Stars have been using it as a hideout, possibly even salvaging some dilithium from it to sell on the side."

“If you can provide me the coordinates I can locate it." Eve replied.

“I'll get those for you as soon as I can." Walsh replied.

“Thank you, Mayor. I'll take it from here. Where is the crew of the Broken Treasure?"

“Where else, they are at the bar as usual." Walsh said with a chuckle. “We paid them for their assistance and they're just putting the money back into the town via alcohol consumption.""

Eve wasn't surprised that financial incentives encouraged them to stay.

“Well, I for one am glad to see you again, despite everything seeing you here is quite the relief."

“Do not worry yourself Mayor Walsh." Eve said with a confident smile. “I will see that those who did this will be brought to justice."

She scowled as she received data from the buzzard as it flew over the town, Eve could see the damage caused by the attack. Buildings were burned down, and there was debris on the streets. People were either hiding in their homes or trying to clean up the mess. It could have been a lot worse, but it could have been a lot better if there hadn't been mistakes on her and the other parts.

She supposed that's what the phrase she heard father mutter, “you live and you learn" meant. Her impromptu drone circled a few times until she was satisfied that no hostiles were in the area, and she had it land on the sign of the bar as she and Kaiten entered it.

Sigma, Ginz and a yet unseen insectoid creature were sitting at a table in the bar.

“Eve!" You're ok!" Sigma said glad to see her getting up out of her chair to greet her.

“I am glad to see you are unharmed." Eve said, relieved. “Who is your friend?" Eve said curious as to who the newcomer was that appeared to be a humanoid mantis, possibly the Hersh that was mentioned earlier..

“Him?" Oh that's Doctor Bug." Sigma said non nonchalantly. “He rarely leaves the ship, but like the rest of us there was an opportunity to make credits, so he decided to chip in and tend to the wounded."

“With adequate compensation. Of Course." The insect rasped via a vocaliser accompanied by his own chittering sounds. “My time on the treasure is compensated by my keeping its crew alive."

“I see." Eve replied drooly, she felt an emotion of disdain towards the creature. “I suppose I owe you all my thanks for defending the town."

“We like the Bar, it's one of the few places I don't get thrown out of, usually." Walla Ginz shrugged. “I suppose protecting the town was a bit of a fringe benefit. We were thinking about dusting off before you and our resident psycho walked through the door."

“Fuck you, Walla." Kaiten hissed, lighting a death stick and taking a drag before tossing the bag in his hand at Walla. Walla was knocked backwards on the floor. “That right there is my bounty head valued at 1.5 million credits. Formerly Known as Zaran Fost the major Black Star pusher king on this planet. He's all mine and that should settle us up for a while and leave me plenty to have a little fun."

Walla gagged as he caught himself staring at the head in the bag and quickly tossed the bag off of him. He got back to his feet. “You know just because there is an option to bring them in dead or alive you can maybe bring them in differently god damnit."

“Doesn't make as much of a point to their friends if you bring them in whole." Kaiten muttered, scooping up his prize. “You going to pay me at some point?" He said to Eve.

“I told you I would, but we need to finish this." Eve said. “Compensation will be impossible at the moment since apparently my dwelling has been destroyed. The rest of the gang is still out there, the Marines will only stay so long until they feel the town is out of danger. We need to end this."

“What do you mean we, I never agreed to anything." Walla said. “Don't get me wrong I have my own issues with the Black Stars but Lady, we're just a bunch of bounty hunting freelancers that take whatever job suits us."

“How does no longer paying a parking fee to stay here and I'll set aside a designated area that is closer to the town to allow quicker access to the town." Eve said.

“Throw in free drinks and it's a deal." Walla pressed.

“Walla… Damnit." Sigma hissed clenching her fists in a mix of rage and embarrassment at her partner.

“I have no control over the rates that Mr. Dorsai charges." Eve scowled.

“Thank you, sheriff." The boar said with great relief.

“You are welcome, Mr. Dorsai."

“Well, you can't fault me for trying." Walla shrugged. “Fine it's a deal what do we need."

“Sensor logs, maps, any surveillance we may have brought it here in one hour. The remaining gang may be taking refuge somewhere and we need to break them once and for all." Eve ordered. “I don't want this to be a recurring problem."

“So, your solution to the problem is to be the problem?" Sigma smirked.

“Pecisely."

“I like your style; I'll go get those sensor logs."

* * *

Later they all stood around a large conference table in the mayor's office. A large map of the area, a stack of data pads and Walla's increasing collection of empty liquor bottles covered the table.

“Is this the mine you spoke of?" Eve asked mayor walsh pointing to an industrial sight.

“Yes, it is, I don't know much about it, but it closed down before my time." Mayor Walsh replied. “I think it was part of the initial colonization."

Eve grabbed one of the sensor pads and looked over it. “It seems like it could possibly be a reasonable hide out if needed, is it secured?"

“That place? No, it's been abandoned for years, mostly scrappers and local adventurers go there." Walsh said. “The dilithium is long gone."

“Looks like one hell of a hideout to me." Kaiten said between puffs.

“The logs from your ship show there is some power cell activity and radio broadcasts.". Eve said, looking over the records.

She looked up as she heard Walla protest as Kaiten shoved him out of the way and began rifling through the plans of the mine.

“Shit." Kaiten cursed as he spread out a large surface area of the mine that seemed to be large enough to hold a vessel.

“What is it?" Eve asked.

“Well the Black Stars didn't just walk here, they probably made planet fall god knows how long ago I bet anything the rest of them are holding up there firing up their ship. More than likely, they are going to use it."

“Meaning?". Walla asked, irritated.

“Meaning they're probably going to use it on us." Kaiten said flatly, his eyes glowing brightly.

“Wait, if that's a light Black Star cruiser we can't possibly fight it off with the Treasure. Out run it, sure but not out fight it."

“There is no star base over this world, the inhabitants would be defenseless.". Eve said suddenly.

“That's it, I'm out. I don't mind fighting my favorite hangout but not dying for it."

“We have two ships.". Eve spoke up.

“What?" Walla asked.

“I came here on a custom scout vessel; its armaments should be more than enough to make up for your vessel's shortfalls.". Eve explained.

“Also, if I may.". Sigma interrupted. “The Treasure isn't completely helpless. I just had a type 20 shield array installed last service and some more modern emitters for the phase cannons.". Sigma smiled mirthfully, her white teeth standing out against her blue skin. “She's a lot tougher than Walla thinks she is."

“What?! When how?". Walla stuttered.

“Why do you think Blad and I are always broke and don't party all the time when we get paid Walla.". Sigma with a tinge of annoyance in her voice. “We put our shares back into the ship, where they should be going."

“I put 100 creds in the account after every job!". Walla said, offended.

“I know Blad and I have put over 250000 in over the last year.". Sigma said flatly. “And you wonder why I manage the ship's finances. Hell, Doctor Bug has put in at least 100k in that same time. Which is way more than you two loons contributing to a year's time." She said, thrusting a finger at Kaiten and Walla respectively.

This elicited glares from her crew mates, but Sigma just smirked in cool defiance.

“That should be adequate enough.". Eve added, ignoring the barbed parts of the conversation.

“If we don't get killed, we better get paid a LOT for this.". Walla hissed. “We're already in enough shit as it is, we're going to have a larger target painted on us and the Treasure if we do this I hope you all realize that!"

“The Black Stars already hate us Walla." Kaiten said. “Especially you. I'm maybe a close second."

Walla wrung his hands nervously. “Yeah, but I haven't decapitated anybody."

“No." Sigma said. “But you know what you did do."

Walla hissed. “Fine, we'll do it, but we better make ourselves scarce for a while."

“If we are successful, I could assist you in seeking asylum in the Confederation if that's what you're concerned about. Assisting in protecting a Colony would go a long way towards making them look the other way on whatever offenses you may have done." Eve said before pausing. “Depending on the nature of said offence of course."

Walla merely muttered and grumbled.

“So." Kaiten said, snuffing the stub of a death stick and lighting another. “What's the plan?"

“The plan is to be followed this time." Eve said, snatching the death stick from his mouth, snuffing it and tossing it in an ashtray. “No, antics! Fork them over. All of them." Eve said with uncharacteristic emotion that shocked her.

Kaiten glared at her then shrugged, after fishing through his pockets he extracted six packs of the narcotic treats and stacked them on the table.

“Sheesh got a bit of a problem there buddy?" Walla sneered sarcastically walking up to him.

“You're one to talk, drinky the wonder cat." Kaiten said shoving Walla, making him knock over his collection of empty beer bottles causing Sigma to agility jump away from the table narrowly getting splashed by remnants of their contents.

Eve gathered up the packs. “I may return these to you if we are successful."

“Fair enough." Kaiten shrugged.

“Very well, this time we'll use your propensity for mayhem to our advantage. Using my craft I'll drop you off close to the base. Make your way in and hold until I give the signal. I will then take up a position here." She said pointing to an elevated position near above and close to the entrance of the mine gave more than enough view of where the enemy ship may be located. “I will provide support fire from here."

“Alright, so I'll draw them out and you'll pick them off." Kaiten said. “I'm going to catch a lot of hell after too much of that."

“That's where I'll need Sigma to operate my craft." Eve said. “I think between her and your own vessel there will be enough cover fire.

“So, what do I need to do?" Walla sighed reluctantly.

“Simple, try to collapse that hanger before they can deploy." Eve said. “It may not destroy their vessel, but it may damage it enough to even things somewhat."

“That's a big assumption. Black Star Pirate vessels aren't that easy to bring down." Walla scowled.

“A confrontation with them is unavoidable." Eve said sternly. “You can either wait for them to make the first move or we can and perhaps capture an advantage."

“When do you want to do this?"

“As quickly as possible, while we have the element of surprise." Eve said, “I suggest you prepare, Sigma you will come with Kaiten and I will show you how to operate my craft. Mr. Ginz I will hail your vessel when we're ready to depart."

“Is there any way I can help?" Mayor Walsh asked.

“Yes, contact the Capital, have them contact Starfleet, then evacuate the town. If that ship gets away from us, they could turn its weapons on this settlement. I would like to minimize casualties as much as possible."

* * *

Later, in Eve's shuttle.

Eve was impressed that Sigma was able to quickly pick up on how to operate the vessel. Sigma was impressed that something the size of the shuttle actually had some weapons on it.

“Do you have any other questions?" Eve asked as Sigma looked over the controls.

“Other than where did you get all these toys, no." Sigma grinned. “Seriously, you are packing some serious firepower on this little rig."

“If we are successful perhaps, I will let you in on some of my secrets." Eve smiled.

“Why you want to be an officer of the Law when you can be out cruising the galaxy doing whatever you want with this ship alone is beyond me." Sigma chuckled.

“It's been a fascinating experience so far." Eve replied. “I've learned a lot about…" Eve caught herself. “I've learned a lot."

“If you say so." Sigma said looking at the door and then out the viewport seeing Kaiten pass around clenching his hands and kicking rocks growing impatient and dealing with withdrawal. “Do you think we actually got a chance to pull this off?"

“It is possible, I don't think discussing the actual odds would be productive." Eve said updating the shuttle computer to provide Sigma with some assistance with the weapons.

Sigma merely nodded.

Eve stepped to the hatch of the shuttle and whistled and within a few moments her assimilated buzzard lurched into the shuttle and took up a space near the back.

A chime sounded on the com panel and Sigma hit it. “Sigma here."

“The Treasure's all powered up Sig." Walla said. “We're good to go when you are."

“I think we're getting close, just hang tight." SIgma responded by closing the channel.

“Sigma." Eve said.

“Yes?"

“We have not known each other for long, but I do value your presence." Eve said uneasily. “I hope we can continue to build on that."

“You consider me a friend?" Sigma asked cautiously.

“I do."

“You aren't too bad yourself." Sigma said. “Being around the guys all the time I don't really have too many girlfriends. You, however, are tough, like me. That's fine by me."

Eve smiled, feeling a strange emotion similar to the one she had when she wanted to protect Ivan. This strange feeling was maybe what made these creatures she was trying to imitate redeemable despite all the violence and chaos.

“I have altered the controls to be something more familiar to you.". Eve explained. “This vessel is more powerful than it appears so don't be afraid to utilize it. There are multiple weapon systems, and the shields are probably better than your own."

Sigma sat at the control console and whistled as she paused the systems available to her. “I think I can handle this."

“Excellent." Eve replied. “I'm trusting you to be more effective than the ship."

“Hey, it's my ship too, but we'll be able to hold our own even if I'm not on board."

“Are you two ready yet, my bank account isn't getting any fuller standing around waiting out here." Kaiten complained, kicking the shuttle in frustration.

“Yes." Eve snapped at him.

“Then what are we waiting for ladies!" Kaiten said excitedly hopping in and closing the hatch. “Let's GO!"

“How's quitting the death sticks cold turkey going, Kaiten?" Sigma sneered at him from the helm as she activated the shuttle's engines.

“Fan fucking-tastic never felt better!" Kaiten sneered, his ears twitching rapidly.

* * *

The shuttle flew low approaching the old mining facility, Kaiten bailed out once they were close enough and zipped off into the darkness using his enhanced Urthean cybernetics to allow him to easily cover the distance sprinting on foot. The shuttle then headed for the high point of the mount. The Broken Treasure lurked in the upper atmosphere pretending to make a pre warp check before leaving orbit, waiting for the signal.

Sigma bade her good luck as she jumped out of the shuttle and took up her position on the mount, using its cloaking device allowed them to get so close. She took up the position and waited.

She activated her com unit.

“Eve to Kaiten, are you in position?"

“I will be, I see two guards in each tower at the gate, you get them targeted and I'll move."

“Affirmative." Eve said, looking down at the scope and using its modification along with her internal systems to lock on them. “Targets acquired. What about that gate."

“Don't worry about that gate, just follow the white blur." Kaiten replied.

Eve was about to say something when she suddenly saw the guards start shouting, trying to aim their weapons. Suddenly she saw Kaiten somehow vault over the wall of the compound.

She quickly sent a bolt of energy into the two guards, felling both of them before they got a shot off on Kaiten, and there was suddenly a tremendous explosion as the gate blew in ward shrapnel and large chunks of steel felling anyone standing around or near them. She saw Kaiten summersault through the air and his arms suddenly shot outward towards some of the outbuildings, something small shooting from each hand. The explosion, having drawn a lot of attention, sent gang members pouring out the outbuildings and right into a set of secondary explosions which Eve surmised must have been what Kaiten was flinging outward. She felt as many as she could from the ones who didn't get caught by the surprise. Kaiten drew his swords and started cutting down everyone who was stupid enough to be pointing a weapon at him. Eve was fast enough to cover him but soon the compound was swarming with activity, and Eve was starting to return fire as energy bolts and ballistics struck the rocks around her.

She then heard her shuttle decloak and started doing strafing runs.

Eve heard a hum in the air and suddenly five Black Star Pirates in battle armor were upon her. She rolled to her feet and swung the rifle as hard as she could into the first one's face, sending him careening over the side of the mountain. She activated her wrist blaster and personal shield and took out two more with plasma darts just narrowly dodging the first energy weapon and the second striking her shield. As she spun, she used the strap of the rifle as an improvised gaff and hooked one of her assailants about the helmet and continued to use the momentum of her spin to slam him into his partner, taking them both to the ground before finishing them off with plasma darts.

She checked her rifle, the thing was sadly broken and useless now, not even her nanites could repair it fast enough. She had to move so she jumped over the side of the mount and slid, jumped and hopped her way down the steep slope as more Black Stars beamed in behind her and started firing down at her.

She smiled as she slid and dodged the shots remembering a time as the Raptor's A.I. when its pilot juked them through a swarm of asteroids to evade a pack of Scutta's that had ambushed them. She remembered feeling something equating to fear now but the Raptor's Pilot skillfully navigated the belt without even scratching the paint, their pursuers, weren't so fortunate. It was exhilarating then and more so now. She spotted an outcropping coming up as she rapidly slid and hopped down the mountain and activated her second wrist launcher and charged a volley of high yield plasma darts. She slid over the outcrop, turned and fired before she dropped from sight.

The resulting explosion and the tumble of bodies from above as she sat in her shelter confirmed that the Darts had done their worst and eliminated that threat. Unfortunately, that little stunt had used up her ability to do that again until she had a chance to regenerate, that was unfortunate and highly illogical.

Yeah, but that was pretty cool though.

Eve smiled as that small figment of hers seemed to revel in her overzealous use of her weapons, yet she had to agree. It was pretty cool. Down below she'd lost track of everything it was smoke, fire, dust, explosions, mayhem and the screams of the dying and wounded accompanied by hum of the shuttle engines as it made another pass.

Suddenly, from high above, several torpedoes hurtled down towards the hanger complex. The impact of the explosions shook the very foundations of the ground, sending anyone not firmly planted to the floor tumbling down. Debris and smoking wreckage rained down across the site, obscuring the view.

Eve lifted her head and saw the Treasure unleashing its devastating weapons into the supposed hanger area. Glancing down, she noticed Kaiten slowly being overwhelmed, despite her valiant efforts. Eve's gaze darted around, searching for anything that could aid her. Among the debris that had landed near her shelter, she spotted a disrupter rifle. Quickly assessing its condition, she found it to be functional. She quickly injected it with nanites and converted it to become a plasma dart launcher. This process would not take too long but the rifle itself may not last too long after this quick adaptation.

Without hesitation, she opened a communication channel to the shuttle. "Sigma, I need you to lower the shuttle's shields for a site-to-site transport," she requested urgently.

At the same time, she looked up to see several hand-held anti-aircraft weapons, both energy-based and rocket-propelled, being launched towards the shuttle.

"You'd better make it quick!" Sigma responded, her voice sounding strained and anxious.

Eve's mind raced as she assessed the situation. Swiftly, she activated the transporter and in mere moments, she materialized beside Kaiten. She quickly extended her personal shield around the both of them and without skipping a beat, she unleashed a barrage of fire from the disrupter rifle, mowing down Black Stars of all kinds.

Energy and kinetic rounds alike slammed into and strained her shield emitters, yet she had to focus her own fire on the Armored Blackstars over the riff raff. The Plasma rounds being most effective against their armor. She just kept firing, feeling her shields weakening quickly in this extended state. However Kaiten drew a set of repeater blasters and mowed down anyone stupid enough to stay out in the open and soon the rabble broke and retreated as fast as possible.

Eve's shield emitters finally burnt out and the shimmering field around them that deflected what could have been lethal shots from ballistic and energy fire alike was gone.

Kaiten noticed there was a visible smoke wafting up from under her poncho.

“You hit?" Kaiten asked. “You are smoking a bit there."

“I am straining my available resources, are you undamaged?"

“I 've been better but I'm fine." Kaiten said.

“I'm surprised you have, taking swords to a gun fight is highly illogical." Eve said quickly scanning him, seeing miraculously only his clothing seemed to be damaged.

“I got my secrets, and you've got yours babe." Kaiten said with a wink.

Suddenly the ground began to shake again. They both looked toward the large entrance in the mine and they began to run towards it.

“Eve this is Sigma," A voice said over the con as they followed the straggling blackstars into the mine.

“What is it?"

“You are right, there is a ship in there, but we just slowed it down, we're going to have problems if it gets out of there."

Eve and Kaiten's hearts pounded in unison as they unleashed their energy weapons upon the Black Stars who dared to obstruct their path. The gangway, a mere stone's throw away, beckoned them forward as they witnessed the massive spacecraft ascending majestically in the voluminous space cut into the butte. The Broken Treasure paled in comparison to the sheer size of this behemoth even though for a ship compared to others it was small.

With each step closer, they encountered pockets of resistance, but their energy weapons made quick work of any opposition. The Black Stars, caught off guard by their audacious frontal assault, were ill-prepared for the ferocity of Eve and Kaiten's attack.

As they approached the gangway platform, they effortlessly cleared a path through the remaining guards, their swift movements and coordinated strikes leaving no room for resistance. With the platform secured, they swiftly made their way inside the ship just as the hatch was about to seal shut.

“Alright we made it," Kaiten panted, flicking blood off his blade and grabbing up charge packs from the fallen. “Now what?"

Eve walked over to a power outlet near the door and two tubules shot from above her wrist into it and she started to recharge her reserves. “Tend to the door I need to recharge my power cells."

Kaiten walked up to the door and tried it. “It looks like it's sealed." He said reaching into a belt around his waist and extracting what seemed to be some sort of shapeable putty and putting it along the door.

“I am accessing the ship's main computer; explosives are not necessary." Eve said flatly.

“They are if you want to clear that corridor, they probably have it loaded with guys who don't like us much." Kaiten said continuing his work.

Eve checked the ship's internal sensors and saw that several of the pirates had taken up defensive positions in the hallway.

“You already showed that your shield can't protect both of us for too long." Kaiten said continuing his work. “I've got my own tricks to deal with that."

“Try to be less reckless." Eve said, looking distracted.

“Not my style babe." Kaiten said finishing planting his charges.

“I have disabled all the ships internal defences, it may take them some time to bring them up, regardless we need to take the bridge quickly."

“You ready?" Kaiten said, nodding.

Eve retracted her tubules from the power conduit and saw she was ready to go. “Indeed." She said hefting one of the felled guards' weapons and activating her ablative armor and once again she looked like a strange mechanical construct in humanoid form.

"I need to get my hands on one of those," Kaiten murmured, his eyes tracking Eve's movements.

“I do not think you would enjoy the process of obtaining it." Eve said.

“I might." Kaiten chuckled.

They took positions on either side of the door, their muscles tensed and weapons at the ready. Kaiten detonated the explosives, sending the doors flying down the hull and striking several pirates. They stepped through, their weapons firing relentlessly, striking down any unfortunate soul who dared to stand in their path.

Kaiten reached for two stun grenades, chucking them down the end of the corridor. The grenades detonated, catching the reinforcements who were attempting to stop their advance.

"Listen, I love killing pirates as much as the next mercenary," Kaiten said as they continued their assault, "but are we going to keep this up all the way to the bridge?"

"I have a plan," Eve replied, her voice echoing through the corridor. "Turn left and head up the first corridor on the right."

As they hurried down the corridor, Eve used her interface with the ship's computer to impede anyone from pursuing them by sealing the emergency bulkheads behind them, and shutting down internal sensors. The ship pitched violently as one of the Broken Treasure's ancient phasers struck a weak point in their shields.

Suddenly, Kaiten shoved Eve aside and dove to the other side, blasting a wave of pirates that emerged from both sides of the T-junction. Not all of them were felled, and a few managed to find cover and return fire.

"I hope the Treasure is holding up," Kaiten muttered. "They're not equipped for a fight like this."

The ship bucked again, and the power flickered. Eve was certain that the shot had come from her own vessel. "They have adequate backup with my ship," she reassured Kaiten.

“So, what about this plan?"

“We're going to disable its engines." Eve said, pressing forward. “It's the most logical move to make if our opponent is far superior to us."

The corridor grew narrower as they approached the engineering bay, the smell of ozone and burnt metal grew stronger. The ships alert klaxon ever sounding assuring whoever was in the engineering bay was probably working on keeping power to vital systems. Eve paused and turned to Kaiten. “You draw them off, I'll disable the engines."

“Sounds fun." Kaiten smirked, reloading his weapons. "Ready?"

Eve nodded.

With a burst of speed that would put a cheetah to shame, Kaiten sprinted down the corridor towards the bay. His blades flashing and his guns firing a spray of energy bolts. Eve watched as he vanished around the corner and the sound of combat grew louder and she could see flashes of light down the corridor. She waited a few moments then followed swiftly after. When she arrived, the bay was a mess, bodies of black star pirates littered the floor and Kaiten was standing over the engineering console.

"It's done," he said without looking back.

“I said draw them off and not kill all of them." Eve said disdainfully. Eve said looking at the bloody mess on the floor.

"They are Black Stars, who cares." Kaiten hissed sheathing his sword.

"Our mission is to ensure the ship does not leave this planet." Eve said as she quickly accessed the engineering controls and started to shut down the ship's engines.

"And what about the loot?" Kaiten asked, his eyes lighting up with greed. "These ships are loaded with all kinds of loot, you can only imagine what they've taken from the settlements around here."

"It will be promptly returned to its owners." Eve said without looking up. "As it should be."

Kaiten hopped down off the engineering console and sighed heavily. "You are no fun, you know that?"

"The engines are offline. They will not be able to leave orbit and should lose shields and weapons "

"Then what?"

"We will probably crash." Eve said, reaching out to her shuttle and using its transporter to beam them out. "Fortunately, I have a way out."

Kaiten and Eve materialized behind Sigma in the cabin of Eve's shuttle, startling her and they watched the Black Star Frigate spiraling rapidly towards the ground.

The Black Star frigate, a behemoth of metal and weaponry, smashed into the central rock formation of the mining facility with a sickening crunch. The impact was catastrophic. The ship's spine, the backbone of the vessel, snapped like a twig. Engine struts, unable to withstand the immense pressure, sheared off, releasing torrents of volatile plasma into the surrounding environment. The resulting explosions were a symphony of destruction, painting the landscape with searing light and deafening roars.

The once-proud frigate, now a mangled carcass, broke in half. Its two sections slid across the rough ground, an unstoppable force crushing fallen pirates, sturdy buildings, and anything else unfortunate enough to be in their path. The devastation was absolutely devastating. A horrendous cloud of debris and dirt, a testament to the sheer power of the impact, rose from the wreckage, shrouding the scene in a choking haze.

Amidst the chaos and destruction, Sigma, her voice barely audible over the din, looked over her shoulder and remarked with a grim satisfaction, "I'd say that's a mission accomplished."

Eve, her face etched with exhaustion but her eyes alight with determination, nodded in agreement. She raised her comm unit and signaled the Broken Treasure. "Captain Ginz," she called, her voice firm and clear, "is your vessel still operable?"

Over the cacophony of alarms and the crackle of static, Ginz's voice, strained and laced with frustration, responded, "Define operable! We're shot full of holes, our weapons are depleted, and we're rapidly losing power." The desperation in his tone was palpable.

Eve, unfazed by the grim report, pressed on, "Do you have enough power to land safely?"

There was a pause, filled with the ominous hum of failing systems and the frantic shouts of the crew in the background. Finally, Ginz replied, his voice barely a whisper, "Just barely."

Eve's expression hardened. "Then land," she ordered, her voice brooking no argument, "and we'll rendezvous with you at these coordinates," she rattled off a string of numbers, "I don't think this is over quite yet."

Ginz, his patience frayed, cursed over the comm, "Yeah sure, let's just drag this out a bit longer." Despite his complaints, he knew they had to finish this, if they didn't, his life would be way worse because if the Black Star's knew he'd helped take down one of their ships they'd be even more furious with him.

The battle might have been won, but the war was far from over.

Eve, Kaiten, and Sigma stood at the base of the gangway ramp, their postures tense with anticipation. The air was thick with the acrid scent of scorched metal and leaking plasma as Walla descended towards them. His disheveled appearance and the grime streaking his face told a tale of his recent struggles aboard the ravaged vessel.

Through the gaping holes in the ship's hull, Eve caught a glimpse of a Zaphodian engineer. His goggles were pushed up onto his forehead, and his expression was a mask of frustration. The ship itself was a sorry sight, riddled with damage and listing slightly to one side.

Walla's voice was laced with bitterness as he gestured towards the ship. "Look at her!" he spat; his eyes filled with resentment. "She's full of holes and barely holding on. We'll be lucky if she can maintain altitude, let alone make it back into space."

Eve met his gaze with a calm resolve. "Your ship is in far better shape than the Black Star Vessel," she retorted, her voice steady. "At least yours is salvageable. We have a job to finish."

Walla's shoulders slumped in defeat. With a weary sigh, he signaled to a crewmate above to retract the gangway. "Yeah," he muttered, his voice heavy with resignation. "Let's get this over with."

The four of them, weapons held at ready, moved cautiously towards the wreckage of the Mining facility. The once-imposing gated barrier now lay twisted and broken, a testament to the violence that had ravaged the site. Eve's vulture scout had relayed reports of survivors emerging from the debris, their figures gaunt and their movements sluggish. Their primary concern seemed to be escape, their attention focused on finding a way out of the chaos.

"We need to capture the leader alive." Eve said loud enough for the others to hear but glaring at Kaiten. "If possible."

"Yeah yeah." Kaiten said, rolling his eyes.

As they approached the wreckage, the sound of booted footsteps echoed through the dust and chaos. A group of three of the Black Star Pirates, emerged from the dirt and gloom from the wreckage, the leader was a massive Saurian with orange colored scales and three horns on his head, he stood taller than all the others, beside him was Seven Scar, and Crusher all with weapons drawn, was at Seven Scar's side, his mechanical limbs gleaming in the dim light.

Their leader, the as yet unseen Laroc, the Blackstar Pirate Captain, was a hulking Saurian with a necklace made of what looked like trophies from his many battles. His steely eyes narrowed as he took in the four figures before him. Crusher and Seven Scar seemed taken aback at seeing Eve standing before them. They were sure she was dead; they exchanged nervous glances. Crusher could be seen muttering under his breath.

"Well, well, well," Laroc rumbled, his voice a deep bass that seemed to resonate in Eve's very bones. "If it isn't little Ginzy, the boy who couldn't make it as a pirate so he ran away."

"Fuck you, Laroc." Ginz sneered.

Laroc laughed his voice booming and echoing through the chaos. "I figured it was you, nobody would be stupid enough to steal a ship like the Treasure and keep running around with it."

"Well at least I have sense to do something other than picking on helpless colonists, you know smuggling is a damn good racket in itself without being a total asshole!" Ginz snarled.

Crusher and Seven Scar moved to fire, but Laroc motioned for them to stay there hands.

"Now now Ginz, let's not get ahead of ourselves," Laroc said, his tail swishing behind him like a whip ready to strike. "I've been tracking you for a while, but I never knew you had such... interesting companions."

He gestured to Eve and Kaiten, his gaze lingering on Eve's form, a glint of something unreadable in his eyes.

Eve stepped forward, her blaster rifle at the ready. "We are not here to discuss your misguided career choices. You can surrender peaceably or face the alternative."

Laroc's smile grew wider, showing a row of sharp teeth. "Alright, let's not get ahead of ourselves, little woman. Who are you to come here and tell me what to do?"

"I'm the law around here, the duly appointed constable of Briar Gulch, seeing as you ship is hopelessly damaged, your crew save for two have abandoned you or are dead, I don't see that you have much alternative than to surrender." Eve said her eyes catching a quick unseen motion from Kaiten out of her peripheral vision , she saw he was palming a small flash bang and readying it.

"And who appointed you constable?" Laroc spat, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"The citizens of Briar Gulch," Eve replied, her voice unwavering. "They've suffered long enough under your tyranny."

Laroc bellowed with laughter, his massive frame shaking with mirth. "The weaklings of this rock appointed you. How pathetic!"

"Boss!" Crusher said, now visibly shaking along with Seven scar. "I killed her, she should be dead, I put a high velocity round right through her skull, and we left her for the vultures!! She's got to be something like Seven Scar or something worse!!"

Laroc turned to Eve with a mix of curiosity and contempt. "Is that true?"

"I am something of a unique case." Eve replied. "But your surrender is all that matters at the moment."

"Oh, so you think you're special, do you?" Laroc's smile turned to a sneer. "Well, we'll see about that."

Before he could say more, Kaiten threw the flash bang. The area was momentarily filled with a blinding light and a deafening boom, disorienting the pirates. Eve took advantage of the chaos, leaping into action with a grace that belied her nature. She targeted the Saurian first, her blaster rifle firing a stunning bolt that hit him square in the chest. He roared in pain, staggering backward, but remained standing.

Eve's sensors adjusted to the sudden burst of light, and she quickly took stock of the situation. The flash bang had done its job, momentarily incapacitating the pirates' hearing and vision. The Saurian, Laroc, staggered but remained upright, her sensors detected he had subdermal armor absorbing the brunt of the energy bolt. This was unexpected, she'd have to adjust her tactics.

Her gaze flicked to Seven Scar, his hand hovering over his blaster, his eyes wide with shock and fear. She knew this was her moment to end this, but something held her back. He was not her true enemy, not anymore. Crusher was equally stunned but held his fire as Sigma had drawn a bead on him with her own blaster.

"Kill them!" Laroc bellowed, shaking his head to clear it. His hand shot to his side and a pulse rifle materialized from his hip.

Eve dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the first volley of shots. The ground where she had been standing moments before erupted in a series of small craters. Kaiten, equally unfazed by the blast. Sigma dove for cover not wanting to be in the field of fire when suddenly two shots rang out striking the rifle and destroying it.

Laroc stood shocked and looked over to Walla Ginz, who stood with his weapon carefully aimed. "Now that just isn't playing fair!" Ginz said tauntingly. "You got any more surprises you can just pull out of your ass?"

"I have more than enough to deal with you." Eve said as she stood back up.

The Saurian grinned, "I've never met anyone so eager to die. But if this is your wish, I shall oblige." He held out his hand again and a sword that was almost as tall as he materialized and suddenly an energy shield enveloped him and he charged forward, his tail whipping back and forth.

Eve met his charge with a plasma bolt that hit his shield and dissipated into a shower of sparks. He brought down his sword and she narrowly dodged it, her agility surprising even herself. She leapt back and aimed at his head, firing again but the shield bubble again absorbed it.

Eve summoned her Buzzard and it swooped over head with a squawk firing its own minute plasma darts at Laroc's shield and making repeated passes, anything to keep the pressure on his defences. The distraction paid off as Laroc tried to swat the creature out of the air in vain.

Sigma, noticing the pattern in Laroc's attack, retrieved a scanner from her tool belt and took a moment to analyze the energy signatures of his shield. She quickly modulated her weapons frequency then with a grin she raised her own weapon and fired a burst that caused the shield to flicker, then she moved in, using her enhanced natural strength as she punched the pirate captain in the side, the force of her blow sending him skidding across the ground.

Kaiten, ever the showman, somersaulted over the Saurian's head and landed behind him. He drew his twin swords with a flourish and, with a swiftness that defied his size, carved an 'X' in the air . The blades connected with Laroc's neck, but only barely, the resistance from the forcefield and the scales on his neck absorbing the blow, but not without a grunt of pain from the pirate captain. Laroc suddenly snatched him and threw him violently into a piece of the frigate's wreckage leaving a vaguely Kaiten shaped hole in it.

Sigma caught Laroc's tail across her sternum and she went flying crashing into the ground hard gasping for breath. If it wasn't for the density of her bones from coming from a high gravity she surely would have been dealt a mortal blow, but it still hurt a lot. She definitely was injured, she could taste blood and her breathing was shallow, ragged and extremely painful.

Crusher and Seven Scar took the opportunity to fire their blasters, but Eve's shield absorbed the bolts, redirecting them back at the shooters. Both men stumbled back, their eyes widening in astonishment as they realized they were facing something possibly as dangerous as their leader. They quickly turned on their heels and fled.

Laroc was back on his feet, his tail lashing out again. Eve anticipated the attack and rolled aside, the tail's tip grazing the ground where she had just been standing. She quickly calculated the range and power of his swipes and concluded that she needed to keep her distance. As she did so, she fired a rapid succession of shots at the pirate captain, aiming for the gaps in his armor.

It was then that Ginz made his move. With a fiery determination in his eyes, he leaped into the fray, dual-wielding his blasters with a finesse that belied his earlier scornful demeanor. He peppered Laroc with a barrage of shots, forcing the Saurian to split his attention. The air around Laroc crackled with energy as the bolts struck his force field, showering sparks.

Laroc roared, his eyes flicking towards Ginz, rage burning in his gaze. He swung his sword in a wide arc, attempting to cleave the traitorous pirate in two, but Ginz was too fast. He danced around the blows, his blasters never wavered still as he painted the space around the captain with a deadly dance of red bolts. The pirate's shots found their mark, sizzling against Laroc's scales, and finally, one pierced the weak spot in the forcefield, striking flesh. Laroc bellowed and stumbled, giving Eve the opening she needed.

Eve activated her plasma darts, she only had a limited amount but they would take that personal shield down.

The first shot hit Laroc's shield with a bang, the explosion knocking him off his feet. The second shot hit his right side, tearing into his subdermal armor and sending a spray of blood into the dusty air. He roared with pain and rage, his eyes burning with a fury that seemed almost inhuman.

Eve saw her chance and took it, she dashed forward and leapt, using her rifle as a makeshift club to try to bash the brute across the head hoping with her strength she could down him.

The Saurian pirate, anticipating her move, swung his sword up to meet her, sparks flying as the metal met with the rifle's stock. Eve felt the impact resonate through her body, but she held her ground, her cybernetic enhancements giving her a strength she never knew she had.

The two locked in a struggle, the ground beneath them trembling with the force of their blows. Laroc's tail swiped at her legs, but she managed to dodge it, her reflexes on overdrive. Sweat beaded on her brow as she pushed with all her might, trying to knock the sword from his hand.

In that split second of distraction, Kaiten saw his opening. He had picked himself up from the wreckage, his chest heaving and his eyes blazing with fury. He took a running leap and plunged his sword into Laroc's unprotected side. The captain howled in pain and surprise, stumbling back.

Eve used her momentary advantage to bring her rifle down hard on Laroc's wrist. The sword clattered to the ground, and she brought the butt of her weapon up into his jaw, sending him reeling. He stumbled back, his shield flickering and failing. The Saurian pirate's eyes rolled back, and he toppled like a giant tree, his body thudding against the ground.

For a moment, the air was still, filled only with the sound of labored breathing and the distant wail of alarms from the dying Pirate frigate. The dust began to settle, revealing the aftermath of the battle.

It was just them and the wounded, but still alive and unconscious Laroc.

Eve looked around and saw Sigma was still down. She called out to her and ran to her side.

"Sigma! Sigma can you hear me?" Eve shouted over the cacophony of the alarms.

Sigma groaned, her eyes fluttering open, she looked up at Eve with a grimace, "I'm alive, but I can't say the same for my ribs." Eve helped her sit up, checking her over for any other serious injuries.

"You're going to be okay," Eve reassured her. "Kaiten, watch him," she nodded at Laroc's unconscious form.

“I don't think he's getting up soon." Kaiten said, giving Saurien a soft kick. “All that armor and bulk and he had a jaw made of glass."

"Sigma is injured and needs medical attention." Eve snapped at the Urthean and Nekujin annoyedly.

"On it." Walla Ginz said, grabbing an old school flip communicator from his belt. "Ginz to Doctor Bug, Sigma's been hurt, would you kindly get down here and patch her up."

Eve turned her attention back to Laroc. She approached him warily, keeping her weapon trained on his chest, ready for any sign of movement. The Saurian's chest rose and fell with his labored breaths, his armor shattered and blood seeping through the gaps in his scales. The fight had been intense, but they had prevailed.

Kneeling beside the fallen pirate, she secured his massive arms with restraints cabling she'd found among the wreckage all around them. She glanced over at Kaiten, who was watching her with a mix of awe and concern. Despite their differences, she knew they had formed an unspoken bond over the past few days, one that would likely last.

A figure came from outside the gates running at full speed, Dr. Bug was already out and rushing towards them, his medical kit in hand.

"What happened here?" He exclaimed, his voice a mix of concern and disbelief as he took in the carnage.

"It's a long story," Ginz said, "but the important thing is that we're alive and we've got their leader."

Dr. Bug's gaze shifted to the fallen pirate, and his medical instincts took over. He set down his kit and began to examine Laroc, checking for vitals. "He's still breathing, he's bleeding out. If you want him alive I'm going to have to stabilize him."

"Preferably yes." Eve responded. "See to Sigma first please."

The doctor nodded and moved to Sigma's side. He opened his medical kit and pulled out a hand-held device that scanned her injuries. "Several broken ribs and internal bleeding," he muttered, "But she's a tough one, she'll make it."

While Dr. Bug worked on Sigma, Eve kept a vigilant watch over Laroc. She had seen enough battles to know that a downed enemy wasn't always defeated. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a message to Mayor Walsh, updating her on the situation and requesting a secure location to hold the prisoner. The response was immediate, an old, reinforced storage bunker in the heart of Briar Gulch.

The doctor's medical drone zipped around Sigma, applying pressure to her wounds and injecting her with a cocktail of painkillers and coagulants. She hissed through gritted teeth but nodded in approval. "There you should be good as new." Doctor Bug said moving onto Laroc.

"Now, let's see what we have here." He muttered, his two digit claws moving with surprising dexterity as they worked on patching the Saurian pirate captain's wounds. "You've done quite a number on him."

"He'll survive." Eve said flatly. "For now."

The doctor nodded, his eyes never leaving his work. "Good. I'll patch him up, but you'll need to move him soon. I can't guarantee he won't wake up and start causing trouble if he's in too much pain."

Eve's eyes darted up as the distant whine of engines grew louder, her hearing picking up the distinctive hum of hovercraft approaching. The Capital had responded to their distress call. She felt a twinge of relief, but also a sense of urgency. The pirate leader had to be secured before he could cause more trouble. She stood up, her boots crunching in the gravel. "They're here." She said to no one in particular.

The sound grew louder and soon the hovercrafts could be seen in the dusty horizon, their lights piercing the early evening gloom. Two enforcement vehicles and a larger transport hovered into view, the latter's ramp lowering with a hiss. The enforcers were armed and armored, and Eve felt a small measure of comfort knowing that reinforcements had arrived.

The first to touch down was the medical hover, its side emblazoned with the Confederation medical insignia. The enforcers followed quickly after, their weapons trained on Laroc, the rest taking off in pursuit of the scattering pirate crew Ginz was standing slightly apart, his expression a mix of relief and wariness.

The enforcers disembarked, their boots thudding against the ground. They moved with the practiced ease of those who had seen combat before. They quickly secured the area, their gazes flicking between Eve and the downed pirates. One approached her, his voice crackling over his helmet comm. "You're the one who called this in?"

Eve nodded, her grip tightening on her rifle. "Yes. This is the leader of the group, Laroc." She gestured to the Saurian's unconscious form. "He's incapacitated, but he'll need to be secured for transport."

The lead enforcer, a stoic-looking Avian with piercing eyes, nodded back. "We've got him. You can stand down, for now."

Eve's shoulders relaxed a fraction, and she lowered her weapon. The enforcers moved in, securing Laroc's legs with magnetic cuffs that would hold him in place even if he awoke. They lifted him onto a stretcher with surprising gentleness, considering his size and the threat he posed. As they loaded him into the medical hover, the door hissed shut, and the vehicle lifted off the ground, disappearing into the growing twilight.

The larger transport hovercraft approached, and the ramp descended with a thud. Several more enforcers exited, along with an Altarian in black fleet uniform with yellow shoulders. The figure strode towards them, his footsteps echoing in the quiet that had settled over the battlefield.

"I'm Commander Chodan of Starfleet security.," he introduced himself, extending a hand to Eve. "Thank you for your assistance. We'll apprehended the rest of the crew. They won't be bothering you or anyone else for quite some time."

Eve took his hand, feeling the firmness of his grip. "I appreciate you finally showing up."

Chodan nodded. "Your actions have saved many lives, and the Confederation is in your debt. Now, if you don't mind, I need to debrief you on what happened here."

The group moved towards the transport, the rain starting to lighten as the sky grew darker. Inside, the cabin was spacious and well-lit, a stark contrast to the grim scene outside. The enforcers took their seats, and Eve found herself sitting next to Sigma, who was now bandaged and looking a bit more comfortable despite the pain she was in. Ginz sat with a look of absolute terror on his face. He didn't like that they'd taken their weapons even though they'd been insured it was only a formality. Doctor Bug and the Zaphodian known as Blad sat quietly having been brought along for the ride too.

The engines whirred to life, and the transport lifted off the ground, the force of it pushing them into their seats. Eve took one last look out the window at the smoking ruins of the pirate frigate and the shattered gate of the mining facility.

As the transport ascended, Eve turned to Kaiten, who was sitting across from her, his gaze fixed on the retreating scene. His expression was a tapestry of anger and relief, tightening and loosening his fists in a rhythm that matched his unsteady breaths. She could see the exhaustion etched into his features, but his eyes remained sharp, the fire of battle not yet extinguished.

"Thank you, Kaiten," she said, her voice low and sincere. "Without your help, this would not have ended so favorably."

Kaiten looked at her, the barest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "You handled yourself quite well, Eve. Better than I expected from a... well, from anyone, really. I don't say this much, but.. Sorry for earlier."

Eve cocked her head and she heard Sigma cough weakly while trying not to laugh in the medical bed she was lying in. “Wow, you actually got an apology out of Kaiten? Just witnessing that makes all of this totally worth it. Her voice was strained, but her eyes held a glimmer of humor.

Eve nodded and leaned back in her seat, allowing the fatigue to wash over her. The adrenaline from the fight was wearing off, and the pain from her injuries was making itself known. Despite this, her mind was racing with questions and thoughts of what was to come.

“They better not take my ship." Ginz muttered. “She's mine, you told me there's some reward in doing all this."

“I'm sure there will be, just cooperate and you will be fine." Eve said sternly.

Ginz made a growling sound and sighed heavily.

Commander Chodan, maintaining his characteristically stern demeanor, oversaw a meticulous and rigorous debriefing within the austere confines of Briar Gulch's city hall. Each crew member faced a barrage of sharp, precise questions, their every word and action dissected under the Commander's unwavering scrutiny. Eve, the ship's captain, found herself last in the line of questioning. A fleeting flicker of apprehension danced across her features as she settled into the chair opposite the Commander, but it was swiftly replaced by her customary mask of self-assuredness.

Chodan's gaze, sharp as a honed blade, met hers as she embarked upon the recounting of the mission's events. Her voice was clear and concise, each word chosen with deliberate care. While she opted to omit certain details she deemed superfluous to the official record, she ensured the overarching narrative retained its coherence and plausibility. Chodan absorbed her every word, his expression an impenetrable mask, punctuated only by occasional nods of acknowledgement.

Upon the conclusion of her report, Eve sought clarification as to whether Chodan intended to incorporate all the provided information into a comprehensive report destined for the capital. Chodan affirmed his intent, assuring her that all pertinent details would be meticulously documented and duly forwarded to the relevant authorities.

Despite the mission's successful outcome, Chodan could not resist a subtle critique of Eve's operational methods. He acknowledged her efficacy but pointed out that her approach deviated somewhat from established protocols and procedures, bordering on the unorthodox. Eve responded with a simple smile, her silence speaking volumes of her unwavering belief in her unconventional tactics, which had consistently yielded favorable results.

Chodan brought the debriefing to a close by expressing his admiration for Eve's capacity to function autonomously and navigate challenging scenarios with minimal oversight. However, he tempered his praise with a gentle admonition, urging her to strive for the minimization of collateral damage and the avoidance of excessive chaos in future endeavors. Eve, though inwardly amused by the Commander's concern, nodded in acquiescence, offering a promise to take his counsel into consideration.

"Thank you, Commander," Eve said, a sense of relief washing over her as the interrogation concluded. "Will the crew of the Broken Treasure be compensated for their assistance in apprehending the pirates?"

Commander Chodan rose from his seat, a gesture of finality, and opened the door for her. "Of course," he assured her, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Laroc and his crew had a sizable bounty on their heads; they've been wreaking havoc in this sector for months. Their capture will bring a significant reward to those who helped us." He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I've even arranged to have that... antique," he said, a slight grimace accompanying the word," repaired as thanks for their cooperation. The repairs alone would cost most of their credits."

Eve raised an eyebrow, surprised by the gesture. "That's very kind of you, Commander," she said, a genuine appreciation in her voice.

Chodan shrugged dismissively. "When a group like that helps us out, it's only fair to let them know that working with the 'good guys' isn't always so bad. It might even encourage them to stay on the right side of the law in the future," he added, a touch of optimism in his tone.

"Very well," Eve acknowledged, satisfied with the outcome.

"I'll also see to it that we send some people down here to help you out from the locals, and we'll get a new office and jail constructed for you in a few days." Chodan said. “For local security it's always best to recruit from a crowd of dedicated locals, they take the job a bit more seriously than offworld ."

“That seems like an adequate strategy." Eve replied. “I could use at least two more hands to assist me."

“You'll have them, I also suggest recruiting from a few you have here." Chodan said. “Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Eve stopped by the pursers office and got the credit chips for Kaiten's bounty he'd brought in. The terminal replicated the credit sticks and she headed outside to where the crew of the Treasure was waiting for her. Walla, Sigma and Kaiten were waiting for her outside. Blad and Doctor Bug had returned to the ship.

“So, are we all good?" Ginz asked.

“Yes." Eve said. She handed everyone a credit stick. “These are your compensations for your services."

“Hey thanks!" Ginz said, pocketing the chip. “And here I thought we wouldn't get anything out of this."

“You have my thanks to all of you, and you are welcome here anytime you like." Eve said. “Although, try not to bring any trouble with you."

“Don't worry about that." Ginz said. “We've got some other places we can lay low for awhile and some far-off ones we can find work in. As soon as my ship's all patched up we'll be heading out."

“But for now," Sigma added. “We got nowhere else to be."

“I have an abundance of time on my hands, my workload is substantially reduced until the Marine detachment returns home." Eve said with a faint smile. “I feel the appropriate thing to do would be to at least buy you all drinks in thanks for all that you have done for me."

“Now you're talking!" Ginz said happily. “How about some Fizzbin, I'm ready to win some credits back from you."

“I suppose, if that would make you happy." Eve sighed.

“Very much so!" Ginz said grinning ear to ear.

* * *

Time passed, and the once Broken Treasure was painstakingly restored to its former glory. The townsfolk, with newfound hope and purpose, rallied together, their collective efforts breathing life back into the heart of their community. Eve, having witnessed their resilience and determination, bid farewell to her newfound friends and allies. She had laid the groundwork for a safer future, training local deputies to uphold the law and maintain order in her newly constructed jail and office.

Eve found solace and satisfaction in her work. The town, once plagued by chaos and violence, had settled into an almost idyllic rhythm, interrupted only by the occasional unforeseen incident. Though the remnants of the Black Star gang, including the notorious Seven Scar and Crusher, still lurked in the shadows, they had been effectively neutralized, their reign of terror brought to an end. Peace had descended upon Briar Gulch, and with it came a wave of new settlers, drawn by the promise of a fresh start and the allure of a town on the rise.

Eve had achieved what she had set out to do. She had come to Briar Gulch seeking knowledge and understanding, and she had found it. In her interactions with the townsfolk, she had discovered that these organic beings, with all their flaws and complexities, were not so different from herself. She had initially planned to leave Briar Gulch once her mission was complete, slipping away as quietly as she had arrived. But something had changed. She had grown attached to the town and its people. They had welcomed her, trusted her, and she, in turn, had come to care for them. She felt a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose that she had never known before. Yet, the call of the Raptor, the ship that was her home, still beckoned.

After months of wrestling with her conflicting desires, Eve finally reached a decision. She would create a copy of her current program and send it back to the Raptor, allowing it to merge with the remnant of her original self that still resided within the ship's computer core. This way, a part of her could return to the stars, while another part could remain in Briar Gulch.

With her mind made up, Eve prepared for her evening patrol. She grabbed her trusty laser rifle, a nutrient bar for her loyal vulture companion, and slung the rifle over her shoulder. Adjusting her hat, she stepped out into the fading light, whistling for the vulture perched atop the jailhouse. The bird swooped down, snatching the nutrient bar from her outstretched hand and devouring it with messy enthusiasm. Then, with a powerful flap of its wings, it soared into the sky, its keen eyes scanning the landscape below, providing aerial surveillance as Eve began her familiar route through the town and its outskirts. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the dusty streets, but Eve was not afraid. She was the guardian of Briar Gulch, and she would keep watch until dawn.