Commander Reid was watching over the new hires as they checked in while Alen was holding a welcoming gathering for Captain Olson and his officers over dinner. Alen wasn't really comfortable with the formal aspect of his job yet, but thankfully, Captain Olson seemed comfortable with a more relaxed atmosphere, so that wasn't a problem. As everyone was being served, Alen lifted his glass in a toast. "To new partnerships and profitable tomorrows!"

  The various officers present echoed their sentiments, and then people started to dig in. For a while, they focused on eating, with the occasional small talk along the lines of "How was your flight over?" or "Any complications with the sale of your old vessel?" punctuating the meal; however, then Alen asked one question that got a lot more attention from the various attendees than the rest. "So, any questions for me?"

  A couple of Olsen's officers looked back and forth between each other, then to Captain Olsen, who suddenly seemed mildly uncomfortable as he answered. "Well, since our last meeting, there has been the occasional question about your...uh...partner ship, the Sybil. For the most part, we've assumed that given its performance in that one engagement we witnessed, it's a new experimental model that you're keeping under wraps rather than the old ghost ship out of legend... But, well, I guess what I'm asking is, what is it really?"

  Alen chuckled and took another bite of his meal, savoring it while his officers gave each other meaningful looks while Olson's waited with bated breath. Finally, he answered. "Well, the story there is a complicated one, but I'm afraid your assumption is incorrect. The Sybil, our backer and supporter in this endeavor, is the very same ghost ship from all those legends. Moreover, many of those stories are probably true and maybe even understated to an extent."

  As he took another bite, Alen grinned as Olson's officers expressed their confusion and disbelief. Olsen himself finally spoke up. "But that doesn't make any sense! How could such an aged ship stand up to any modern ship, let alone an entire fleet like we witnessed before? It's not of... non-human origin, is it?"

  Alen chuckled at that last question and answered, the table falling silent again as everyone wanted to know the answer. "No, the ship is not of 'non-human- origin. It was made by and for humans, though far longer ago than even most of the myths would place it. However, I suppose you could say it's been modified by non-humans. You see, while the ship has a flesh and blood Captain, like you or I, a role that has changed hands over the ages, at the core of the ship are a trio of AI, or something similar at least, that have been around far longer than the AI we know. Hundreds of years at least, though I would not be surprised to learn it's been thousands. Personally, I never had the gall to ask. They can be somewhat...temperamental, but they are honorable and will keep to their word and reward respect and loyalty with more of the same."

  Alen paused a moment, then added somewhat sardonically, "That being said, I wouldn't try to board the ship without getting their permission first. Uninvited guests often have a more extended and...unpleasant stay than they'd like. That being said, I and all of my officers have spent time on board the ship, and while it was not entirely without incident, we all emerged as healthy and hale as when we boarded it, and a few of us have returned a time or two to meet or dine with the Captain and crew with no ill effects. In fact, the AI aboard the ship even treated me when I lost my foot, I likely wouldn't have survived without their intervention."

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Just as Captain Olson was about to say something in response, one of the backup officers currently watching the bridge contacted Alen remotely, sounding somewhat unsure of himself as he spoke. "Uh, Captain, sir...there's a bit of a problem that requires your attention...sir..."

  That surprised Alen a little as he turned to Captain Olson. "Well, I guess I'd better see what that's about. Feel free to continue in my absence, but I'll try to come back and answer any more of your questions."

  Olson nodded his acknowledgment and muttered, "Of course," as Alen left. Walking down the hall, he couldn't help but wonder what could have shaken the man on the bridge.

  Stepping onto the bridge, Alen walked into a chaotic mess. The man he'd left in charge looked up like he'd just been thrown into an escape pod on a failing ship. "Sir, thank goodness you're here! We had no idea what to do about it!"

  Alen furrowed his brows. "About what?"

  The man pointed to a video whose audio had been muted. It appeared to be an older gentleman leaning on a walking cane as he spoke calmly to the recording device. The video seemed to be on a loop. Alen nodded toward the recording. "Let me hear what he's saying."

  The video was reset, and the older gentleman smiled into the camera. "Greetings to all those in the outer reaches of human territory. Like me, you have probably noticed life has been getting steadily more difficult lately. Pirates are running amok, our local enforcement has been totally overwhelmed, and even ancient ghost ships are once again haunting the void! Through it all, the central government has done little, if anything, to alleviate the problem, choosing instead to shore up their own defenses and leave those of us on the fringes to fend for ourselves!"

  The gentleman took a moment to let that sink in. Alen imagined it would be deathly quiet on many ship bridges as they listened to this. "Well, I, for one, have had enough. It is time for us to stand up against those who would oppress us, those who would hunt us, and those who would abandon us! To that end, I am willing to put my money where my mouth is. I am announcing a new alliance of traders, local governments, and any individuals who have had enough of sitting back and watching as our galaxy falls to pieces."

  Once again, the gentleman paused for dramatic effect before leaning forward on his cane to look into the camera with a piercing gaze. "While I cannot do this alone, I will supply over one hundred warships to the cause, ranging from small combat vessels to full-sized battleships, all augmented by their own AI. But as I stated, I cannot do this alone. I will require people willing to crew these ships. People tired of sitting back and watching as their livelihoods are taken from them, people who have lost friends and families to the void, and people who just want to make the galaxy a better place."

  The older man leaned back and smiled affably as if he'd just invited everyone to a dinner party. "Join me, and together we can finally make a difference! We can and will take back the stars!"

  As the video started to replay, Alen muted it. A part of him wanted to believe what he'd just seen, but another part remembered the descriptions he'd heard about the man behind the unifications of the pirates. If they were one and the same the way he feared, things had just gone from bad to worse.

  Of Men and Spiders book 1 is now available to order on Amazon in all formats! *PLEASE,* if you enjoy my stories and want to help me get back to releasing chapters more regularly, take the time to stop and leave a review.

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