[center][color=aba000][h2][b]Act I: Let there be light…[/b][/h2][/color]
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is captain Batrok. We have just cleared out of Sector 17. The imminent danger of the Rarian rebellion is over. Our escort ships have returned and we are clear to continue our journey towards Sector 13. Ladies and gentlemen you are now clear to release your belts and walk around in the ship. And on a personal note, I must say the observation deck is a stunner.” With that, the public system announcement cut short. Lyra and Bek, a couple who had settled on Raria with there then 5 year old daughter were rather relieved that they could flee so quickly off planet. The EoM had ensured that the evacuation went as smoothly as possible. Though still, she heard rumors that sometimes a Rarian did break through the line. Andromeda, their daughter, was already going towards the observation deck. Unlike her parents, she had never been in deep space before. Both of her parents look with tired but satisfied smiles at their teenage daughter.

Maybe rebuilding a life in Sector 13 wouldn’t be so bad? The EoM had promised support for all evacuated citizens and the Empire never broke their promise. “Dear, maybe you should just sit for a little while?” Bek said to his wife. She knew he was right. Lyra had worked as a doctor, specialized in both human and xeno-biology. In past few months she was increasingly busy tending to both. Carefully she sat down again in her seat and setup a holo-movie to distract herself. But not before she said: “Do go and watch out for our daughter.” Bek smiled and did as asked.[hr]The plan was madness made shape. Captain Oborus felt like it could come straight from a Shadow Stalker. But the truth was that she had come up with the plan. The only Shadowstalker in her fleet, she didn’t even know his name, was suspiciously silent. Only when she told him her plan did he speak, only to pledge his support. “Sir, a pack just jumped in.” Oborus nodded and took the helm. It was payback time.[hr]“Does the EoM track celestial weather in here?” the co-pilot of Batrok asked as he flipped through several screens. “No, they don’t. It’s an empty system. Just a few gas giants and barren planets. Nothing worth to track. How’s the jump charge?” The co-pilot kept his eyes on the three screens in front of him. “At 24%. In about half an hour we can jump again. Also I’m asking it because I feel there is some unusual cloud movement going on here.” The co-pilot passed Batrok the screen. He was right. The cloud his co-pilot was tracking had an unusual flight pattern. That and it was coming incredibily fast at them.

Most captains would have disregarded the information. The galaxy was full of strange phenomenon. But they never interfered with normal functioning. They’d simply file a report when they came back. Maybe some Astro-physics student would visit the sector to observe the phenomenon. But Batrok was no ordinary captain. He had stood in the bridge of an EoM navy cruiser before. In fact, the fast moving cloud made him realize something thoroughly frightening. The problem was, it was already too late.[hr]~23 minutes later~[hr]“Please, my daughter!” Lyra begged one of the pirates. She was only met with a slap. Throwing her on the ground. All the humans in the seating area were taken and lined up behind in the cargo bay. The little belongs they could salvage had been jettisoned after the valuables were taken. To make a point, one civilian was taken and pushed through the airlock. A scare tactic, Lyra knew. But also a clear message: ‘we have no issue with killing you.’ There was no news from the observation deck. But it was the weakest spot of the cruiser. From out the window she had seen how one cruiser’s observation deck was shattered and the people sucked out.

“Humans.” The PA system cracked on. But behind it was not the voice of their captain. “You are now all prisoners of war. I suggest that you remain calm and do as you are told. My men and I do not take kindly to heroes. That would be all.” And so it happened. Half an hour ago the small group of civilian cruisers was safe and bound for a new, bright future. Now they were hostages in their own ship. Bound for a fate they did not know.[/center]