Conflicting Viewpoints

[Zapp]

The sirens sounded, breaking Debs and Gompers out of their quiet introspection.

"Captain, we got a live one!" came the voice of Terence Powderly, helmsman and acting commanding officer while Eugene was on break.

"A live one? Here?" he asked, incredulously. They were returning from Montezuma to Alcatraz, in open space. Near the sun, if he was correct. As he came to the bridge, the shaking of guns hitting the hull made him stumble into the open doorway. In the viewscreen was a slave liner opening fire.

"Have you made any demands?" he asked of Powderly, who shook his head.

"Nay sir. Cruise disrupted him and he opened fire right up."

Righteous indignation filled Debs as he responded to the wordless engagement and break with gentlemanly rules, also ordering the gunners to respond in kind.

It was a long chase on thrusters. The slave liner's gunners were cross-eyed, and their turrets were weak besides. Barely scratching the shields of La Villa Strangiato, the gunboat's turrets began a battle of attrition, chipping away at the impressive armor of the massive liner.

Eventually, after jumping to Cortez, it was destroyed. Debs lamented at being reduced to such barbarianism, but knew that it had to be done.

They returned to Alcatraz without incident and moored for the night, freeing what slaves they had been able to pick up.

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