Chapter 10

The Hammer of Astaroth shuddered violently, metal groaning in protest as it struggled to escape the anomaly’s relentless gravitational pull. Captain Quan’s voice cracked with tension over the intercom: “Report, Lieutenant Vashin – NOW. Damage assessment and anomaly departure status?”

Lieutenant Vashin’s response was laced with caution: “Aye, Captain ... Systems failing across decks 3 and 5. Gravity compensators overheating. We’re experiencing intense interference from the anomaly, sir.”

Alarm klaxons blared throughout the ship as consoles exploded in sparks around Lieutenant Vashin’s station.

Quan’s anxiety spiked: “Override safety protocols, Lieutenant! Divert all power to engines and hyperdrive. We must escape this anomaly – NOW!”

Lieutenant Vashin’s fingers flew across smoking controls:

“Aye, Captain ... Power diverted. Hyperdrive charging... 74%... 82% ... Engines straining, sir!”

The ship lurched violently once more before Lieutenant Vashin exclaimed: “We’ve reached critical escape velocity, Captain! Anomaly’s pull weakening, entering hyperspace, Sir.

Quan poured another glass of Black Imperial Eclipse, swirling the liquid before taking a sip.

“Ahah, Lieutenant Vashin ... this mission’s success will flood my accounts with credits. Duke Birsha’s initial offer alone – 5 million credits – merely a starting point.”

He drank again, leaning back in his chair.

“I’ll negotiate upwards, easily doubling that amount. 10 million credits ... enough to purchase my own planetoid estate.”

Lieutenant Vashin nodded outwardly, expression neutral, but internally: He really believes Birsha will renegotiate in his favor? Duke Birsha doesn’t renegotiate – he dictates. Captain Quan will be lucky to receive the initial 5 million credits and still have a pulse to spend it with.

Quan continued, oblivious to Vashin’s silent skepticism:

“But credits are merely the beginning for the truly ambitious, Lieutenant. I bet that Duke Birsha will be so ecstatic that he will grant me influence – a seat on the Norbos Trade Council...”

Vashin’s internal monologue persisted: Birsha grants influence only to those he controls utterly. Quan’s title will likely be ‘Former Captain’ – preceded by ‘Deceased.’ Xeridia-IV? Quan might get a grave there, courtesy of Birsha’s hospitality.

Quan slammed his fist on the armrest, concluding: “With Xeridia-IV and these titles, I’ll be unstoppable – nearly equal to Duke Birsha himself! Lieutenant Vashin, our humble mission has forged my destiny.”

Vashin nodded again outwardly, thinking inwardly: Quan’s destiny might be shorter than he anticipated.

Quan, drunk and feeling like he’d been humiliated by Alliyanna, decided that he needed to have some compensation for his long chase. He knew that the Duke requested her “untouched”, but he could blame it on the captain she was with, and most likely get away with it.

Quan stumbled into Alliyanna’s cell, Black Imperial Eclipse slurring his words: “You’ve been a costly prize, Baron’s daughter ... Time to claim my reward ... personally.”

Alliyanna backed away slowly, heart racing, eyes fixed on Quan’s menacing grin:

“Captain Quan, stop this. You’re drunk and mistaken.”

Quan chuckled low in his throat, advancing, “Mistaken? I’ve chased you across galaxies. You owe me—some kind of compensation. And I want it now. “He reached out, grasping her arm, pulling her close. Alliyanna tried to wrench free, but Quan’s grip tightened, “You’re not leaving this cell until I’ve collected my due.”

Fear spiked her adrenaline as Quan’s breath reeked of scotch on her face. His free hand rose, grasping her tunic –Ripping fabric, tearing buttons loose, Alliyanna’s mind exploded into defensive action: A blistering psychic burst – like electrified fear – shot from her mind into Quan’s Quan’s eyes widened, his body jerking back as if struck by lightning. He screamed, releasing her arm, stumbling backward:

“AAAGH ... MY MIND ... BURNING!”

He crashed into the passageway wall, sliding down to collapse onto the cold metal floor, writhing in agony, finally passing out.

Alliyanna stood panting, torn tunic clinging to her trembling frame, eyes fixed on Quan’s unmoving form: That was close, she thought. He wanted to rape me. I could hear him coming from his stateroom. It was an ugly feeling and sickening. I could feel what he planned to do by just “hearing” his thoughts. She bent over and vomited. She was still shivering in the corner of the cramped cell.

The intercom crackled again – Lieutenant Vashin’s urgent voice:

“Captain Quan, report ... we’re entering Norbos orbit. Captain Quan, RESPOND IMMEDIATELY!

Lieutenant Vashin rushed towards Quan’s last known location, according to his locator badge. Concern etched on his face, “Captain Quan, respond!” he called out, turning the corner into the passageway. He found Quan crumpled, unconscious, and pale. Vashin knelt beside him, checking vital signs.

“Captain’s alive ... barely. What happened here?”

He noticed Alliyanna sitting in the corner of the cell, torn tunic and fearful eyes telling a story. Vashin’s expression turned grim:

“Did he...?”

Alliyanna nodded slightly, still shaken. Vashin helped Quan into a sitting position, pouring water from his canteen onto Quan’s face:

“We’re arriving at Norbos. This incident stays between us ... for now. Let me handle it. I promise you it will not go unpunished.”

The Hammer of Astaroth dropped out of hyperspace near Norbos’s orbit. Lieutenant Vashin’s voice came over the intercom, “All hands, prepare for landing protocols. Destination: Duke Birsha’s estate on planet Norbos.” Still groggy but upright, Quan leaned against Vashin, “What ... happened?”

Vashin filled him in briefly, omitting Alliyanna’s involvement:

“You passed out drunk in the passageway, Captain. We’re arriving at Norbos. Focus.”

Quan rubbed his temples, wincing at the memory of intense pain: “Right ... Birsha. Our prize ... Alliyanna Kar’Jan.”

The ship landed smoothly on Norbos’s estate grounds. Duke Birsha’s majordomo, Lord Lyra, awaited them outside, “Greetings, Captain Quan. Duke Birsha expects prompt delivery of your ... guest.

As Alliyanna stepped into Duke Birsha’s throne room, his piercing gaze sliced through her like a razor’s edge. Captain Quan and Lieutenant Vashin flanked her, their faces tense with unspoken secrets. Duke Birsha’s eyes narrowed, his voice low and menacing:

“Welcome, my dear Alliyanna. Your arrival makes me happy, your home at last. Captain Quan has assured me of your cooperative nature during transit.”

His gaze dropped, lingering on Alliyanna’s disheveled appearance – her torn tunic, tangled hair, and smudged make-up. His expression darkened:

“Yet, I observe discrepancies. Your attire suggests that something untoward may have befallen you. Explain this state, Alliyanna.”