I had just killed a sixth member of the Black Sun, but that didn't disturb me one bit. I kept my cool. It didn't take long for sparks to start flying from the destroyed pieces of equipment. Bzzzt!
"Fuck me. There is an intruder! Darrik!", Vrax barked. Even Darrik was surprised to see such a large explosion strike so close to home. But with that, their supply lines were now disrupted. I had accomplished my first part of the mission. Now it was time to either take the rest of the guys out, or potentially take one or two with me as my crew!
Quite literally, all hell broke loose. PEW! PEW!
Seeing where the blast came from, Darrik unleashed his cannon fire down. Sadly, every single shot missed, but it began destroying the metal crate that was nearby.
Rolling to the other side, I took aim again, switching back to my Power Beam. Charging, I fired off two shots in succession. Not at Darrik, but at a couple more guards who were further inside. I aimed for their heads, and just like before, they popped like balloons. Blood splattered onto the ground, and some even managed to splash onto Vrax.
Now Darrik was even more isolated than before, and his arm cannon was still on its five second cooldown.
I had the upper hand here, and I now had a charged Ice Beam releasing its icy glow, pointed right at him. I came out of hiding.
Still, Vrax said not a thing, and simply observed the ongoing destruction I caused. I still did not take the shot.
All Vrax did was simply raise his hand upward, showing initial intent of surrender. But his eyes told a different story.
An eerie moment of silence passed by while listening to sparks flying around. All it took was a moment to blast Darrik's off, as I had caught him off-guard. I had my Ice Beam currently aimed at his head, which was vulnerable. I'm guessing that's why Vrax is now behaving like this. He sure has a quick wit, doesn't he?
"So the phantom decided to show itself.", Vrax said, keeping his voice calm while calling out to me.
"Yeah.", I said, taking a couple steps closer to Darrik. "If I see one movement out of you, I'll blow your prized guard into space dust."
Hearing that, Darrik scoffed, but didn't move an inch. "You picked the wrong nest to raid, hunter."
"Is that right? I think this is a perfect place for me. I take down some baddies. Get paid. Things turn back to normal. Everyone wins. Except you.", I replied, wanting to smack my head for saying that. A bit cringe, but hey, it got the point across.
Hearing this, Vrax sighed after contemplating his next actions. "Stand down. You too, Darrik."
"But boss, this hunter destroyed a part of our squad!", Darrik said, immediately lodging a complaint.
"And that's the problem. This hunter is capable. If you want to live to see another day, lower your weapon, Darrik. Otherwise, you'll end up as those two.", Vrax said, only to point one of his fingers at the two corpses that were stinking up the room. Darrik glanced over and felt his blood run cold. His neck cracked loudly, as if it woke him up from his stupor.
"Good choice.", I replied, seeing Darrik beginning to lower his arm cannon.
"So? What do you want from us? You've already accomplished your mission. Thanks to you our shipment is now delayed and the boss will be very annoyed. Not only will we not get paid, the boss won't either.", Vrax questioned, getting right to the point. Good. Hearing that, I smiled beneath my helmet.
"Simple really. I'm offering you a choice to get out of this dump. I'll fight the big guy one on one, and if I win, you'll join me. You see, I've been operating solo for a while, and it's about time I get some crew. You check off every mark. Hell, I'll even let the big guy join.", I said, declaring my intent.
"I see...", Vrax responded, not immediately rejecting the idea. "I'm not sure if you know how the Black Sun works, but if they find out we've deserted them, we'll have a target on our back for the rest of our lives, or even worse, a bounty. I'm sure you have a plan to get rid of that?", Vrax continued, asking the question at hand.
"I sure do. You see, I may have already tipped off the Reupblic~", I replied, showing honesty this time. "It's only a matter of time they send reinforcements here. They'll likely blow up the entire compound after they recollect what belongs to them. And with that, so are you guys. Your lives will be forfeit either way. Instead of kicking the bucket, join me.", I continued, showing my true intent now.
"We're on a ticking bomb. I take it. If that truly is the case, then you guys are of no more use to me.", Vrax suddenly said, pulling out his custom-made heavy blaster. He didn't point it toward me. Nor to Darrik. Turning around, Vrax actually pointed the blaster at the couple of remaining guards and stationed technicians that were still in shock by the large explosion created by the Super Missile moments earlier. It was then their eyes turned wide.
"B-But commander, you can't just---!?", The nearest guard tried to say, only to not have their sentence finished before Vrax pulled the trigger. Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!
Just like that, Vrax took aim at five individuals that were supposed to be part of his squad. He finished them off right then and there, which only made the command room even more stenched in blood. This time, I saw different colors of blood. It wasn't just red anymore. I really am in Star Wars, aren't I?
"Well, now with that out of the way, I have a proposition. I just don't follow anyone. Unlike others, I see Darrik as part of my own. Take the two of us on, and if you win, consider our allegiance yours. From an outsider's perspective, they'll think we're dead either way.", Vrax said, putting his blaster back into his holster.
"Boss...", Darrik uttered, seeing the clarity in Vrax's eyes, only to shift his gaze back to me. "You heard him, hunter. He calls the shots here. You beat both of us, we're yours."
[Are you sure you're up for this, Samus? I know you could gain strong crewmembers as a result, but you're still at a disadvantage here. They aren't Jedi, but...] Adam said, causing me to smile.
"That's the point, Adam. They AREN'T Jedi. I like my chances~. Samus isn't a one-girl army for nothing.", I whispered back.
[Very well.] Adam replied, cutting his feed off.
To my surprise, I saw Vrax pull out a mechanized blade. A vibrosword. He ignited it and the sword began to vibrate in rapid succession. Now that's a pretty uncommon sight. Didn't think he'd be the one to have experience in close quarters combat.
"So you're the one who's experienced fighting up close and personal. Just so you know, I do the same~", I replied, grinning this time.
I suddenly cut my Power Beam off midcharge, and dashed forward. With an intent to hit Vrax dead on, he actually smiled and charged back at me. Raising the cannon of my Power Beam, I struck out, as did he. A loud screech struck the command room the moment the two impacted. BANG!
And Darrik didn't remain idle either. He lifted his heavy cannon up and started shooting after he jumped back. I started dodging the incoming blaster fire. Pew! Pew!
Just like that, the duel was on!
*
I purposely left Darrik's race out. What race would you readers like him to be?