The Reunion

[|Scarecrow|]

Marcus "Scarecrow" Scarman, Tyrant of the Black Flag Corsairs sat in his cockpit, casually observing the readouts before him. The small group of ships he and his war band were following definitely seemed lost. A battered Liberty Dreadnought, a medical ship and a science ship. Marcus had no idea why they were out here and what significance they had. But considering everything that had happened to him since he had followed those Freedom Fighters, he was ready to believe anything.

Robert Merlow was the man's name, Fleet Admiral Robert Merlow. He had been there when Marcus had accidentally shot the previous Fleet Admiral. Victoria Wade had not been his target, but her selfless act had saved that bastard Freedom Fighter and smudged out her own existence. Oh what he would have given to have taken her with him and had his way with her. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on, and now she was dead because of him. No, it was Merlow's fault, not his own. Robert Merlow was the cause of her death, the reason Scarecrow had been denied his prize. When Marcus had sworn to kill the Fleet Admiral however, he had not taken into account what exactly that would entail.

They had been quite literally dragged across the space / time continuum in an effort to keep up with the Freedom Fighter ships. When the fleet had first jumped, Marcus had ordered his wingmen to stealthily engage one of the Liberty ships. Like barnacles to a whale, they had been transported across warp space along with the Freedom Fighters in unanimated zero-tau status. Once they had finally arrived in a universe that didn't seem hostile, they had detached from the FF vessels and floated adrift, some engaging stealth modes, others blending in with clouds of garbage discarded from the careless Liberty ships. Once Merlow and his fleet had jumped out, Marcus had revived his crew of pirates and set about searching for the nearest colony or outpost.

Unfortunately for the Black Flag Corsairs however, they seemed to have exited voidspace in a completely remote area of space. The FF had used their jump drives to get away, but Marcus and his comrades had no such means to their aid and had been forced to roam unchartered space, searching for signs of civilization. By chance they had happened across the three beaten ships now before them and had been following ever since.

The Liberty ship had to be trying to regroup with its own, so Marcus had ordered his men to follow, keeping as quiet as they could. For several days now they had been trailing the Dreadnought and her escort and Marcus was getting worried. They would be discovered sooner or later, and at the current rate of progress, it would be long before they managed to arrive at any civilized colonies. For the moment, Marcus had placed his personal agenda on hold and intended to dock for supplies at the first sign of human colonization. Robert Merlow would have to wait.

***

Victoria sat alone in astrometrics, absent mindedly observing the small gaggle of ships following their trail several light years behind in their wake. She had marked each of the ships and had been unable to match them with anything in the database. They definitely looked like trouble to her however, especially the lead ship. A jet black Sabre? Followed by other ships bearing skulls, lightning bolts and other such markings. She was looking at a pirate war band and she knew it.

The door behind her clicked back into its berth. She turned around just in time to see Marcus enter and walk over to one of the adjacent consoles. There seemed to be an awkward air about him as he tapped away at the console. He looked over at her and gave her a curt smile before turning his attention back to his console.
"Alright, what is it?" Victoria turned away from her readouts and looked directly at the Admiral. "You've been funny with me all day, what is going on."
Marcus turned to her, looking quite sheepish. He said nothing.
"Marcus, have I offended you? Please speak to me, we are practically best friends."
Marcus opened his mouth as if to speak, but thought better of it and turned back to his console.
"Its nothing Captain," He finally replied, "Don't concern yourself, I've just been preoccupied..."
"Don't give me that," She interjected, "For the past few weeks we've been attacked by wraith like creatures that shouldn't exist, encountered parallel versions of ourselves, thrown them all back into their own dimensions and almost lost the ship. You cant be seriously thinking that all of that has finally got to you today."

Marcus remained silent, tapping away at the keypad. A galaxy map flickered to life on the wide circular holo-pad before him and a purple line stretched out from a blue triangular mark, arcing its way across the hologram.
"I am sorry Victoria," He began, "I am preoccupied, but perhaps not with the events this ship and her crew have run into recently."
"Then what," Victoria asked, leaving her station and walking over to him. Marcus silently noted that there was no one else on the deck.
She came to a stop beside him and placed her hand on his, stopping him from using the console. She slowly turned him to face her and ran her hand up the length of his arm. He closed his eyes and slowly placed his hands about her waist. He opened his eyes again and found himself confronted by her deep blue sapphires. He gripped her waist and took a deep breath.
"This is the problem Victoria," He said apologetically, "I have a wife and a son,"

With that, he slowly let go of her and backed away. Her gaze followed him, her face not showing any emotion.
"But you are attracted to me," She said, her voice nothing but a whisper.
"Nothing can happen," Marcus said, trying to sound as resolute as he could. "Please, return to your duties."
Victoria looked at him for a moment longer before turning slowly and walking back over to her console. The door to Marcus' left clicked open and Lucas stepped into the room.
"Admiral, I have the latest sensor data report," He trailed off towards the end and followed Marcus' gaze. He felt his stomach twinge slightly and he stepped a little closer to Marcus. "What happened?"
"Nothing Lucas, I'll explain later," Marcus looked away from Captain Wade and took the data slate from his old friend, "Let me see that report,"
"You go review it on the bridge sir; I can finish up here,"
"Okay, thank you Lucas," Marcus smiled at Anderson before swiftly leaving the room. Lucas watched him go before turning to Victoria, he gave her turned back a sour look before turning his attention to the console Marcus had been working at.

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| S C A R E C R O W |

"See you space cowboy..."