Chapter 55

　　A row of prisoners knelt on the cold metallic floor of the storage hold, their hands shackled behind their backs while guards pointed their firearms at them in case they tried to escape or attack the crew.

　　They were a motley collection of men and women from all parts of the galaxy by their appearance and clothing, and they looked as if they had been living rough for years.

　　"Milord, this one says he`s their leader. Samson, we`re running his name and image through the Imperial database now." A veteran stepped forward, saluting the Baron as he approached. Kal focused on the leader as Talha and Samuel flanked him.

　　Older and noticeably experienced, he had long, unwashed and lanky black hair and a scruffy beard. His clothing was dirty and torn as if it had seen too many years of hard use. Kal saw a few Mechs the Pirates used already stored by the walls of the hold. They matched the appearance of the people in front of him, ill-maintained and broken down.

　　"I`ll keep this short and simple. You have been caught in the act of Piracy, which carries a weighty sentence in the Empire, a lifetime of hard labour in a prison colony. But I will make you a deal. The first person who can tell me the coordinates of your compatriots will be granted mercy." Kal addressed the prisoners.

　　Some scoffed or spat at the offer, while a few looked at him with hope, quickly hidden as they glanced at the others around them. The silence dragged on for nearly a minute before one of the prisoners shouted.

　　"Mercy Milord! I`ll tell you everything I know!" The man called out, his young face terrified at imprisonment. His companions began to shout and ridicule him, cursing the young man. They likely would have assaulted the traitor if they weren`t handcuffed.

　　Nodding, Kal had one of the veterans take the man away for debriefing. While they waited for the data to be downloaded from the Starship and corroborated by the prisoner, Kal approached the Pirate leader.

　　"It was a fine little trap you sprung on us, Milord." Samson greeted him, leaning back in his restraints and looking the tall noble in the eye. He seemed relaxed and comfortable in his bonds.

　　"I commend you for surrendering before you cost the lives of more of your people. But I must admit I`m confused. You`re obviously a skilled Pilot. Why resort to piracy? You and your crew could have been successful mercenaries or contractors." Kal asked.

　　"Maybe, but we would have to give up our freedom. Sometimes, that`s worth more than anything." Samson replied.

　　Kal studied the man`s face carefully, searching his expression and eyes for every scrap of information about his motives. Despite his ragged appearance, he didn`t seem like a desperate, starving pirate.

　　There was an intelligence there and a slight hint of something. What was it? Mockery? Contempt?

　　"And your compatriots, are they all so equally skilled? We estimated you had many more Mechs and Starships than this. Where are they?" Kal asked.

　　Before Samson could answer, the thin shield protecting the open back of the hold was pierced by Rise,` the massive machine floated gently into the Starship before settling onto the ground.

　　The cockpit opened, and Tamara exited, immediately walking toward Kal and the prisoners once she saw him. Dressed in a House Guard bodysuit, the older woman`s hair was plastered to her face with sweat, but it didn`t bother her as she reported to Kal.

　　"We`ve secured all their Mechs. I`ve had most transferred to one of the other ships. What have you found?" Tamara asked.

　　"Talha is reviewing the data from their ship, and one of their members is willing to talk to us," Kal explained while gesturing towards Samson.

　　"If you would allow me?" Tamara asked, taking over the interrogation of Samson. While she questioned him, Kal assessed his responses while watching Samuel. The questions she asked were insightful and direct, things that an experienced combat commander would prioritize.

　　The Imperial Herald hadn`t said much since the operation began, simply staying by Kal`s side and evaluating his actions. He wouldn`t offer any insight and refused to answer questions. The ease of their success had done nothing to alleviate Kal`s concerns. If anything, they were growing worse.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

　　Kal felt anxious and trapped, the same way he felt when he first stepped into an Exosuit. He was waiting for it to close around him, sealing him inside. His heartbeat increased, his palms were sweaty, and his breath shallow. But he couldn`t figure out why he felt this way.

　　His instincts screamed at him that something wasn`t right.

　　Kal`s mind spun as he focused on their faces, searching for a hint or hidden meaning. Was it the lack of answers from Samson? Or the calm demeanour of Samuel, or even his very presence here?

　　"We have their coordinates, and their Jump logs repeatedly return to a single point. Imperial records show it`s an abandoned orbital outpost. An old mining colony on the frontiers that hasn`t been inhabited in centuries. We`re computing the coordinates for a jump as we speak." Talha said as she walked swiftly toward them.

　　To Kal, time slowed to a crawl as she spoke, the same feeling he would have in a life-or-death situation in a Mech.

　　Each word crept from her mouth, and the world around him became hyper-focused. At the mention of the coordinates, Samson`s face twitched. Kal wouldn`t have noticed it without looking for a response from the pirate.

　　Beside him, there was a slight tension in the corner of Samuel`s eye as Talha said, old mining colony.`

　　Kal interpreted Samson`s response as almost anticipatory like he was quelling his excitement. While Samuel knew there was significance to the location Talha had discovered, but refused to inform Kal of why it was notable.

　　"Excellent. What about the corroborator? What has he said about their forces?" Tamara asked, looking to Talha and ignoring Samson kneeling before her.

　　"They have a few hundred Mechs, all outdated retrofits for space operations. We should be able to catch all their Starships at the outpost." Talha confirmed. From what they faced here, the logs from the Starship, and the statement by the young Pirate willing to help them, everything confirmed that fact.

　　"Then let`s head out. Secure the prisoners. Three ships should be enough to end this with Rise` leading them. I want crews ready for combat as soon as we arriv-" Tamara began giving orders before Kal cut her off.

　　"Belay that order!" Kal said sternly, his voice hard and flat to his ears.

　　Everything stopped around him. His unfamiliar tone instantly cut off the noise. His expression was severe, his blue eyes hard as he stared at Samson. All movement halted as everyone stared at Kal cautiously.

　　No one else caught it in the commotion, but there was a look on the man`s face and in his eyes. He was excited!

　　Why would a pirate facing imprisonment be excited about the enemy arriving at their home base? Unless&

　　Kal stepped forward, crouching and putting his face right in front of Samson`s, focusing all his attention on the pirate`s face. The sudden action took the man aback, and he instinctively tried to pull back, but Kal grabbed his greasy hair, locking him in place. The Pirate may have been an experienced Pilot, but a Noble physically outclassed him.

　　"What`s truly waiting for us there?" Kal whispered harshly, his quiet voice easily heard in the silence. Not letting the pirate move, he continued.

　　"Something doesn`t add up. Why would you attack trade ships all over the sector if you only had this small force with outdated and inadequate equipment? You knew someone would eventually come looking for you." Kal stated, staring Samson in the eyes.

　　That amusement he saw in the Pirate was quickly replaced by worry and traces of fear.

　　"What are you hiding?" Kal finished, knowing he wouldn`t get anything out of Samson. Releasing him, Kal let the pirate recoil from him. Standing, Kal absentmindedly wiped his hand on his pant leg, his thoughts in turmoil. He ignored the voices around him, Tamara and Talha asking what he meant, what was happening.

　　He felt like he was back in the Stasis chamber, his body frozen while his mind was active. He kept getting flashes of insight, bits and pieces that seemed random but painted a picture. Tan and his conspiracy that someone wanted to lure him off Caledon. Petitions from worlds and increased Piracy. Samuel`s presence and the Emperor`s sudden interest in his development.

　　Kal turned to look at Samuel, and still, the Herald was calm and composed while those around him thought he had lost his mind. Time`s slow crawl froze entirely as his mind tried to fit the puzzle pieces together.

　　"They lied to us," Kal stated, and finally, that claustrophobic feeling faded. Like a bubble bursting, time resumed with a sudden pop` as the last piece fell into place. He could breathe again.

　　"What do you mean?" Talha asked, confused at Kal`s behaviour.

　　"It`s a lie. I don`t know what`s waiting for us at those coordinates, but it`s certainly not a few hundred outdated Mechs." Kal replied, looking at Tamara.

　　"I want all our available forces gathered here immediately, every starship and Mech in the House Guard," Kal ordered. Tamara watched him for a moment, assessing Kal, before nodding.

　　"That`s over a dozen Starships and thousands of Mechs. Kal, that`s insane! It`s only a few pirates!" Talha sputtered, shocked. That was enough force to assault and secure a heavily populated system. Was he planning on waging war?!

　　"Hopefully, it`s enough," Kal stated, looking back to the clearly panicking Samson. The man`s eyes were wide in shock, his face pale.

　　"Send word to the Imperial Guard. Provide them with the coordinates we were given, and inform them that I will lead a force against the criminals harbouring there. I`m formally requesting their assistance as soon as it is available." Kal ordered Talha while watching Samuel out of the corner of his eye.

　　"The Emperor may not look favourable on this action, Baron Caledon. This was a task he assigned to you, not the Guard." Samuel spoke for the first time.

　　"And my priority is the safety and well-being of the people under my command. We will assault these Pirates first, but the Guard will send reinforcements as soon as possible." Kal replied. Samuel shrugged at the statement, but his body language suggested he was pleased with Kal`s forethought.

　　"Talha, have all our forces ready for battle."