The Miracle

By: EntreriRose

Water trickled down from the fixture overhead over her curvaceous yet lithe body. Long honey brown hair draped and clung damply to her form, ending at her slender hips. Kira closed her deep green eyes, taking in the warmth as the suds were rinsed away by the spray. A soft sigh escaped her full pink lips; she was too tense lately. The Starshower Hawk, a starship from the military of the villainous Tientsu Empire, had come too close to catching her and her crew.

Kira Hireoshi was a space pirate, known throughout the galaxy for her cunning and wild antics against Tientsu. Thievery was her vocation, yet chivalry was her passion. Despite the negative reputation space pirates often received Kira only kept a small fraction of what she pilfered, the remaining spoils going to the oppressed colonies of the tyrannical empire. The citizens there called her the Miracle, and her ship, The Scarlet Wench, was welcomed in every free port.

Turning the handle of synthetic pearl, Kira shut off the water flow and stepped out of the shower. Another day of danger she thought wryly. Atae and his crew of pathetic policemen are probably on their way right now.

*****

Tetsuya Atae paced anxiously in front of his large chair situated on a raised platform in the center of command. Uniformed crewmen made themselves busy all around him, controlling certain functions of the large battle cruiser. They had sensed his nervousness and had done all they could to keep out of the captain's way.

The captain was a young man, no older than twenty-five, his tight fitting uniform only accentuating the beauty of his tall, lean body. He wore his long golden hair in a neat tail at the nape of his neck, his icy blue eyes absent of any shimmer. Everything about the man spoke of control, from his neat appearance to the way his long legs kept even strides ass he continued to walk back and forth. He seemed like a lost prince puzzling over his stolen throne.

"How much longer?" he asked, his rich tenor voice saturated with impatience.

"Twenty minute, sir!" came the expected call. "We can expect to engage the vagabonds in combat then sir."

Atae shook his head. Damn that girl, he thought acidly. His whole career had been dedicated to capturing her, to bringing the Wench and her infamous captain to justice. He continued to pace unendingly. Blue eyes, gleaming with excitement, constantly darted to take in the myriad screens, hoping to catch a glimpse of his nemesis. "Twenty minutes," he swore, tossing the neat, long, golden ponytail over his shoulder to hang down to the center of his back.

*****

Kira pulled her extremely long and thick hair back from her face. Turning her nose up in disgust at how her shimmering golden-brown tresses seemed in the full-length gilded mirror, she let it fall back into place about her hips. She smiled, making half turns to check the way her sides and back looked in the form-fitting leather pants and the short ruby halter that she sported.

"You are one good looking space pirate," she giggled, winking at her own reflection.

Kira was suddenly pressed against that mirror as the bright, bluish light momentarily flickered out in her large but sparse chamber. Something had impacted the ship, sending shockwaves through all the cabins. She swore under her breath as she pried herself off the polished glass and stormed down the bare hall, the hard heels of her thigh-high boots clicked off the solid cold floor.

"What now?" her tone was acrimonious. Shaking violently, the Scarlet Wench's hull was struck again.

"The Starshower Hawk is attacking. Shields are down to only seventy percent. We can't hold out against many more hits without taking damage."

"Well, bring them up and fire back, you fools!" Kira shook her head in exasperation. Could they not think for themselves?

"A transmission is coming through," a timorous little fellow stuttered. Glared glasses stared at the young woman expectantly.

"Put it up on the main screen. Geeze!"

Atae's finely featured, aristocratic face appeared on the large hologramic screen. No emotion shone through on his creamy white skinned face. He was stoic as usual.

"Well, Atae, you policing dog, to what do I owe the pleasure?" She grinned affably, reclining in the command chair.

There was a moment of prolonged silence and Kira's jovial expression vanished as she was locked in an icy blue stare.

"We have you, Scarlet Wench," he said firmly, controlled as always. "In the name of Byakko, Emperor of the Tientsu Empire, I place you all under my arrest. Come quietly and I can assure you all a fair trial."

All eyes turned questioningly to Kira for some inkling as to what they were to do next. Calmly, she came forward in her chair, almost with and analogous air of dignity that Atae possessed. Slow and steady, the wild pirate stood erect, staring in to the patient eyes of her enemy.

Laughter erupted from her crew as Kira pulled down her bottom right eyelid and blew a raspberry at the young captain in a ridiculous and presumptuous gesture. Atae's snowy white complexion rouged slowly with suppressed rage. He turned slowly from the screen to his own waiting crew.

"Attack them," he commanded, his voice trembling. "Make sure you take their obstinate leader alive. The wide screen vanished as the signal was cut.

"What do we do Kira?" a man asked. "Our shields are going to fail soon."
"Are there any missiles left?" was her aloof response.

"Y-yes, but we only have ten."

"They're already loaded and ready to go," one of the two gunners yelled.

"Ten should created enough of a diversion." Kira smiled. So this would be the final showdown. "Guys, it's do or die. Give those imperial bastards all you've got, eh?"

A rousing cry sounded in reply

"FIRE!"

*****

The energy shields of the Starshower Hawk flared brightly as the screaming missiles slammed home against them.

"Corren, what's our status?" Atae clenched at the leather-upholstered arms of his chair.

"Shields remain at maximum, sir. The enemy will run out of ammunition shortly."

"Good," Atae whispered, sitting forward. His heart pounded elatedly in his chest, it had finally come, the moment the young officer had dedicated the last half a decade of his life to. The Miracle, Kira Hireoshi, his prized prey would soon be apprehended for the glory of the Tientsu Empire. Sententious Tetsuya Atae genuinely smiled at that thought.

"Sir!" Corren called, pulling the cold officer from his fantasies. "They have ceased fire. Would you like us to attempt to board them now?"

"No. I want you to maim their ship. They will not slip away from us again." Atae started for the large round door. "I'm going after them myself. Kira is my catch."

*****

"All engines to maximum!" She looked over her navigator's shoulder, bouncing nervously. "It's time to start running boys!"

"Aye!"

The whole of the Scarlet Wench shook violently. Kira toppled over as she lost her balance and landed less than gracefully onto her rump.

"What the hell was that?"

"Massive damage has been sustained to the starboard hull. Engines one through five have failed, six and seven can only run at half power and eight is in danger of an explosion." Every face in the large, dark hall became a ghostly pallid white.

"A small patrol cruiser is approaching our docks," the navigator continued his ominous news. "They no doubt intend to board and capture you, Kira."

She stood tall, dusting off her leather pants. "Let them," the young pirate said calmly. "I want to see how long they think they can hold onto the Miracle."

Several hands grabbed her roughly from either side. Kira looked around her in awe. Mutiny was the very last thing she would have ever expected. "We can't let that happen. Sorry Kira, but there's only one functioning escape vessel and you're going on it."

She screamed and kicked as they dragged her across the floor. "I won't abandon you! Let go of me! I said let go!"

All of her efforts were in vain; these men were so much stronger than she was. Like a cry of doom, the hydraulic door of the tiny pod was slammed shut, and Kira Hireoshi was propelled into empty space.

*****

"Captain Atae, we've located the escape module and have already taken the appropriate steps to it's recovery."

The tall man only nodded, clenching his fists tight at his sides. Three days, he thought. It took me three more days, but now I have you. His golden tail swaying across his back with every step, the youth made his quick and eager way toward the docking bay. He was met with joyful smiles and encouraging words from every crewmember he passed. It truly was a glorious day.

Then her saw her in person for the first time. Pictures and transmissions did her no justice. Atae paused in his tracks, transfixed by the girl being bound before him. Tiny as she was, Kira still fought her captors as best she could. A light gleamed in the deep green eyes, promising pain to the two men who even now handled her so roughly.

"Enough," Atae commanded, closing the scant distance. Even as she stood, he towered above her five-foot height. Such a small creature with such ferocity, he mused. How ironic.

"I'd wipe that smirk off your face if I were you, Atae," the Miracle hissed.

"Oh?" he arched his blond eyebrows curiously. "You know, there is going to be a message to all the Tientsu ships shortly. I think you would do well to see it." He turned from the wild-eyed pirate, his smile all the wider. "Come along."

When he had returned to command with his prize in tow, the screen was already up. An older gentleman in his late fifties stood proud and tall dressed in the full decorum of a seasoned general, behind a mahogany podium. He seemed like a normal man, with salt and pepper hair meticulously cut and styled. Cold grey eyes and the deep creases at their corners, however, gave him a sinister air upon second glance.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," he said in a controlled baritone. "Today is a great day in the history of our empire. The Scarlet Wench and her thieving, murderous crew have been apprehended. By the will of Lord Byakko Tientsu himself, there will be no trial for these infidels. Their crime is treason in its highest form. The sentence shall be carried out immediately."

The image changed then; the screen divided into many smaller sections. Kira gasped aloud, seeing her glistening, violet starship rigged with a seemingly infinite number of nuclear explosives, and every member of her beloved crew tied down inside. She sank to her knees in despair.

"Three . . ." the general's voice echoed darkly. "Two . . . One!!!"

Simultaneously, every bomb detonated, pulling the magnificent ship apart in a matter of moments. The screams of the men could only be heard for a fraction of a second, a short, agonizing sound as they were incinerated with their home. Only scattered, charred debris drifted among the stars when the blinding flashes of the gigantic fireball disappeared.

Atae turned around toward his prisoner, even more perplexed by her reaction. The small, thin body shook with each sob and a trail of tears lined both of her high boned cheeks. It seemed that she would have beaten upon the floor were it not for the cuffs that bound her elegant hands behind her back.

"Let this be a lesson to all of us," the grim general continued. "Treason will not be tolerated in the realm of Tientsu!" the image on the screen flickered out of existence.

"How does it feel?" Atae blinked, looking down at Kira blankly.

"Well? Tell me," she demanded as she slowly and painstakingly climbed to her feet. "Or do you feel at all, you bastard? Did you enjoy that so much?" Her volume increased with each successive accusation. "Did you revel in the death of my comrades? Took pleasure in their dying screams, all for the glory of your damned fucking empire!"

The slender young woman gave a wild cry and hurled her body at him in an attempt to bring her enemy to the ground. Atae caught and held her to his chest, gazing down into those damp, deep emerald pools. He shook his head, as close as he would ever come to admitting his helplessness to her. "Just as I thought," she growled, spitting up into his eyes. "You're just a puppet for the pleasure of Tientsu. A damned unfeeling puppet!"

*****

" . . . just a puppet . . ."

Those three simple words plagued the rest of Atae that night as the Starshower Hawk sped it's way to the frontier station. Over and over, he saw the Scarlet Wench blown apart and heard Kira's words condemning him. His golden tresses clung damply to his sweat drenched face, and he could not seem to find a comfortable position in the lush bed. Giving up on sleep, Atae pushed the covers away and sat up to watch the stars slipping by outside the small round window. The pitch-black backdrop behind the tempered glass reflected his pale, beleaguered expression to him.

"Maybe I am just a puppet," he mumbled, dropping his head into his hands.

*****

Kira gave a deep, throaty growl as the pushy guard prodded her in the small of her back yet again. If only her hands weren't tied so tightly, she could have split that fool in two.

Atae followed behind them, his face an unreadable mask. How can I faze an unfeeling robot? Kira wondered. This is so unfair.

The drab, grey painted hall seemed to stretch on into eternity; all the myriad, unadorned doors appeared identical to its predecessor. After many strides in silence, the end of the hall appeared as unremarkable as any other areas. Its single door swung inward; a tall, older man with salt and pepper hair occupied the area inside the frame. Kira felt her blood begin to boil slowly when her gaze met that of the murderous general. White knuckled hands clenched and unclenched behind her, trying to squeeze away her rising ire.

"Captain Atae," he said, a mirror image of the younger man's composure. "Do come in; won't you, young hero?" I can assure you a great promotion for accomplishing this feat we had all once thought of as impossible."

"Thank you, sire," Atae murmured, making a slight bow of his head. Dismissing the guard, he ushered Kira into the opulently decorated office. Cream colored carpeting covered the whole of the floor and rich tapestries of ancient knights from Earth and their great deeds of valor left no visible area of walls.

The general made a slight wave of his large, thick hand, and the slender space pirate was forcefully seated in one of the three, overstuffed, velvet chairs. She hissed briefly at Atae's back, sending every ounce of contempt she held for him into the low, airy sound. A quick slap across her left cheek ceased the insult. The general with sinister eyes loomed over her like and angel of death.

"I do not suggest that you continue with your impudence, girl. You do not want to be in any more trouble than you already are."

Smiling wryly, Kira simply replied, "what worse trouble? I know you plan on not giving me the trial I deserve, you murdering leech."

His face turned several shades of bright, angry reds within the span of a moment. Trembling, his large knotted hands inched toward the blaster on his hip. "I was going to be kind to you, my dear, and plead for a life sentence on your behalf. Do not press me further and perhaps I shall hold that position still." Grinning wickedly, the general leaned in close and whisper, "but now you owe me a few favors, of course."

He drew in a sharp breath of air and danced away in pain as her knee slammed in against his groin. "I am not your dear, nor your harlot," Kira growled venemously.

In a swift move, the older, sinister man's gun flew out of its holster and was aimed toward the center of her forehead. He slowly eased it into a firing position. Feeling the end of her short, yet fruitful years rapidly drawing to its tragic end, the Miracle closed her emerald jewels and heard the report as the deadly weapon was fired.

*****

Lost in the swirl of his own tumultuous emotions, Tetsuya Atae hardly registered the events in the room around him. "Puppet" played over in his mind, and he could not bear to face the girl he had so ruined. He did, however, hear the draw of the gun. Somewhere in the recesses of his consciousness, the youth knew what he must do. He had to or else the girl's damning words would plague him as long as he would live. As if driven by some primal instinct, Atae drew his own blaster.

*****

It shouldn't have taken this long for the bullet to enter her skull. Kira timidly half opened one eye for a moment. Then they both flew wide open in stunned amazement. The creamy carpet was stained red with the fallen general's blood and brain-matter. Shaking and staring forward into empty space was Atae, still aiming his weapon toward an imagined foe. He slowly lowered the blaster, turning his, cold, icy blue gaze on Kira.

"Am I a puppet now, Miracle?" he asked in his tacit tone.

Over come with a mixture of relief and shock, the young woman was speechless as her archenemy, of all people, undid her bonds.

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