by

Yanick Champoux (38%)

Lee Watts (18%)

Josip Nað (17%)

Michel Lacombe (16%)

Dorian (4%)

goldkngt55 (3%)

Andrew Avila (2%)

Marten (1%)

Oliver (1%)

Part 49

Josip Nað (8/6/2002)

"Okay, Decados, I've stopped the door, now get talking or I'm gonna squish you like a bug." started Demuel.

"Well," replied Sergei, "it's all very simple, really. I don't actually have anything against you, it's the boy that I want."

"What boy?" replied Demuel, confused for a moment. And then it dawned on him. "Toast? You tried to kill us because you want Toast?"

"Err, yes, that's right. Even though he behaves like an eggplant, he is actually very important."

"Eggggplaaaaannt!" chimed Toast, eliciting a confused look from Demuel.

"Important? Look at him! How can he possibly be important?" snarled Demuel impatiently. "You had better be straight with me, or else..."

Sergei opened his mouth to speak, and then a tactical update flashed across his vision. He froze for a moment, and then a large grin spread across his face. Raising his hands, he pointed his fingertips towards the airlock door and activated the cutting lasers.

"Lima!" shouted Demuel. "Increase pressure on the airlock door!"

It was too late. The finger-mounted lasers had already done their job and a strong punch sent the door flying out of their frame. Demuel avoided them easily, swinging the bodymates' body into a combat position, but he already knew it wouldn't help much. If that weirdo really had cutting lasers in all his fingers...

Still grinning, Sergei stepped out of the door, pointing a negligent finger at the bodymates. "it's amazing how a couple of cybernetic upgrades can really make your day." he said.

"Anyway, I really ought to kill you, just on general principles, you understand, but since this ship really isn't fast enough to outrun that Void Kraken outside, and since it might so happen that I'll need a bit of help running that Galliot once I toss our dear boyard Atanasov out of the nearest airlock, I'm ready to let you live for now. Unless I'm really mistaken, there is a hull breach that those Marauders had made just behind the nearest bulkhead. It should lead directly to the Galliot that has attacked this ship. Once we get in that ship, we take it over and run away as fast as we can. Once we get near Vera Cruz, I might even let you board an escape pod. If you behave like a really good girl. Or boy. Or whatever."

Seeing their dangerous expression, Sergei stopped grinning, "Walk." he said, motioning them forward with his hand.