Whispers
Fraeia sits at their bunk preparing themselves for the task at hand. Piracy, they think, never thought I would fall so far. Their eyes give a subtle twitch at a new but familiar sound. They hear whispers. They're soft and quiet, yet the whispers echo down every corridor of the ship.
Fraeia shakes their head as if to force the sound out. They stand and open the door to their quarters, intent on following the sound. When they step into the common area, a shiver runs up their spine. The whispers are louder here, almost deafening despite the fact that they don't seem to be saying anything at all.
Amber's voice somehow rises above the whispers. As soon as she speaks, the whispers disappear. "Fray?"
Fraeia narrows their eyes but only for a moment. They didn't even notice Amber sitting at the kitchen table. "I'm ready. Are we close?"
"What's wrong," Amber asks. "You looked really concerned just now."
"It's nothing."
"It's the piracy isn't it? We can find another way. We don't-"
Fraeia lies and it leaves a sour taste in their mouth. "It's fine. I'll get over it."
Amber shakes her head. "I don't know why. I've already ripped your life apart. This has been rough for you."
"Amber, no."
"Are you with me?" Amber looks up from the table and into Fraeia's eyes.
"Yes? I'm right here. I don't understand." Fraeia replied.
"No, I mean…" Amber takes a moment to form the words then continues, "Is this what you want? Like, no promise is worth what you've been through. Why are you still here?"
"I-" Fraeia pauses, suddenly unsure of how to answer. After all this time, they hadn't bothered to think about it. "Did it ever occur to you that I might actually enjoy it here?"
Amber laughs then replies in a flat tone, "No."
Fraeia sighs and nods, turning away to retrieve their rifle before speaking. "For now, yes. I'm with you."
They expected a reply, but silence followed. The whispers begin again, and if they didn't know better, Fraeia would say they came from within their own mind. "Do you hear whispers?" They ask, turning back to amber.
Amber stares vacantly at an empty patch of metal hull. She doesn't respond.
"Amber?" Fraeia inches forward, tapping on the table to get her attention. "Am-"
Amber's head turns, her voice not entirely her own. She speaks in Fraeia's language as if a native speaker, "Has it happened yet?"
Fraeia scowls at it, this beast who refuses to leave well enough alone. "You. Why? Why her and why now? Why can't you leave the girl be. She's been through enough."
Her eyes go wide, though it's clear it isn't Amber experiencing the shock. "It did, didn't it?" She pauses, her breathing rapid and shallow before speaking in a long drawn out sigh. "Finally." Tears form in Amber's eyes. Is Gibraltar getting emotional?
"Answer me," Fraeia screams.
"Be ready. This is it. You must keep her safe."
"Why?"
Amber breaks eye contact, a first when dealing with Gibraltar. "Because I won't be able to."
"You're her enemy."
Amber shrugs. "That's what she says but no." Amber toys with her fingers, looking up and leaning forward as if telling a deep secret. "I love her dearly."
"You what?"
Amber covers her mouth, fighting the tears that now stream down her face. "I've waited so long. You don't understand it now, but you will. Bring your missiles. We clash at the fever Breach."
In moments, Amber returns to her normal self. Her expression softens and she cocks her head. "What were we talking about?"
Fraeia responds in seconds, eager to put the encounter behind them, "We were discussing the plan. How are we going to do this?"
Piracy is an economic certainty in the void. The closer you get to the galactic community, the more likely you are to encounter it. Pirates are feared, hated, and hunted for their crimes, but more than anything else: pirates are misunderstood.
I've had a few run-ins with pirates over the years. They're some of the only times being my mother's daughter actually helped. Pirates have been the best business partners I've ever dealt with. They pay better than anyone for salvage, used to both upgrade and patch up their vessels.
Warfare is an occupational hazard. Death in battle or at the hands of the law should one be captured is just as much of a risk. The rewards are definitely tempting. The crew of a pirate vessel divide their profit evenly, making significantly more than one would on a military or merchant ship. You may wonder why someone would take such a risk. It's simple. Nowadays, Pirates rarely need to lift a finger.
So glad you got this one out, I've been missing your stories! "This is Captain Deidre 'Invicta' Hurst of The Sea of Names." Oh, the irony! I can't imagine how Amber felt saying that