"Captain Ryder," The unexpected, monotone vocalization of Felixx, a small AI drone, rang out from the ship's speakers causing Juno to jump. Due to superstition AI's were scare, even among the most fanatic technophiles of the galaxy. Many claimed there was an inevitable chance of instability, though Juno had always dismissed this caution; unwilling to a waste it's recourses.

Felixx was white on black, and barely larger than a dinner plate. Blue lights lined the underside of it's wings, painting a modern design disrupted only by the long scratches that riddled it's top and bottom frame. The battle scars from the junkyard Juno found it on. Though it was idly nestled in its charging port, it's main programming was uplinked to the Voyagers systems. This made it useful both inside and out, letting it attend to the ship's needs while doubling as a scout on the field.  

"We are receiving intelligence from the incoming TROY vessel. Playing now." The artificial tone was replaced with a human one, "We are maneuvering to provide you assistance, stand by to receive boarders, ETA two one minutes." The message ended. There was a brief pause, followed by "How would you like to respond?"

Every eye fell on her, eagerly awaiting orders. After four years, Juno thought she would no longer feel the weight of their gaze, but it still settled upon her shoulders like a ton of bricks as if it were her first day. Even her time as sergeant within her home world did not prepare her of the pressure of leading others. One wrong judgment call and she could put their lives at risk.
She swallowed down the large knot caught in her throat, and painted on her usual self-confidence and bravado. A smirk found its way to her lips, her hands lightly placed on her hips, "I say we give the TAS Cartagena one hell of a welcome party." This earned the lighthearted smiles of the crew, now a sea of nodded responses. 

"Maia," Juno addressed the taller girl, six years her junior. She sported a short pixy cut, styled in sharp spikes. Her brilliant apricot hair was impossible to miss. Maia had a small pointed face, further affirming her adolescence, and pale ocean eyes. She hadn't change much from the the three years prior to Juno finding her fighting off raiders in Eros. Since then, the sister Gaean had become a close friend and played a pivot role in many of Juno's operations. It was rare to meet another Gaean outside of their home planet, considering the stratocracy's distaste towards outsiders.

"You'll be leading the infiltration team. Do not leave until we have the hostages subdued. You know the plan." 

"Dug, I need you here with me," She glanced towards a man one would expect to see on a body building holo rather than a pirate ship."You have the most firepower. The group they send will only be a fraction of their numbers on board. If anything goes sideways, get yourself to safety first." The sternness of her voice was only contradicted by the desperate plea that nothing would go wrong. A lot was riding on their success, and obtaining the cargo was of upmost importance. Still, Juno could never sacrifice her posses safety for it. They had been her family for years.

"You got it boss," The mid-thirties man replied. Dug was the very image of a leatherneck marine. He had steely grey eyes and a long scar starting at his temple and traveling down his cheek. Still, Juno could have imagined a much younger, more attractive man at one time.

Together they descended down the dark hallways towards the lower level of the ship. Stopping just before the metallic doors that led into the shuttle bay. Her dainty face reflected off the smooth exit, which she stared at like a stranger. Her long chocolate curls were contained in a loose, messy braid which was pulled over her should and hung just above her rib cage. The crew members behind her easily overshadowed her small frame. Her plain black and sage clothes hugged her figure tightly, following the gentle curves of her body, and disrupted only by the holster at her side containing a pistol. A small, unknown constellation carved haphazardly into the hilt, revealing the owners fondness of the fire arm. 

"Felixx, open the hangar and prepare to be boarded"