“We've got her on radar.” The voice of the ship's pilot, Sam Hutchins, sounded through Caiden's headset. With a slight nod to Micaea, Caiden raised himself from his seat, making his way from the crew's quarters to the command deck. The title was perhaps a little bit grand for what it truly was: A small cockpit from where Sam flew the ship. There was a second seat for a co-pilot, though there was no official occupant for it. 

“There you are.” Sam spoke by way of greeting as Caiden entered the area. He barely even glanced up from his screens as Caiden took a seat beside him. 

“Right. What do you have to show me?” Caiden spoke, eyes scanning over the radar before him.

“I still don't see how this is a good idea, Caiden.” Sam spoke up. Caiden stifled a groan. His crew of three all seemed to share the same thought, and apparently only Zilantia had managed to keep her thoughts to herself. Sam, his pilot, only seemed to picking up where Micraea had left off.

“Don't care, Sam. I hired you to be my pilot, not my judge.” Caiden shut the man down. Though the two went a long way back, Caiden had no desire to listen to any more judgements upon his judgements. He could tell his snippy response wasn't received too well. 

“So, I'm not supposed to say anything about the fact that we are stalking a naval ship?” The man shot back sarcastically, a single red brow arched. “I don't know what you're planning, Caiden, but if it involves meddling with enforcers of the law, I'm out.”

“We're not.”

“Well, that's what it looks like.” Sam muttered. “So, what is it that we are doing that requires us to closely follow a thief that is already in custody?”

“I'm not the first officer she screwed. I doubt I'll be the last.” Caiden spoke dryly. “She's a slippery one. And when. Not if. When she slips away, we'll get her.”

“That's just pathetic, Caiden. She's in official custody. There's no way she's getting out. Sh- FUCK”

Sam's sentence was abruptly cut short by his surprised yelp. Before his very own eyes, an explosion tore through the very ship they had been following, shredding the metal into a thousand razorsharp pieces, hurling through space at lethal speed. 

Hurtling right towards them.