[Faith]

Sai spoke through the bridge overhead speaker. "Sir, the pirate ship has adjusted course, turning toward our approach vector."

Moon raised an eyebrow. "So, they've noticed us. Time to intercept?"

"Two-minutes-and-forty-seconds, sir."

New telemetry data appeared on a display panel. Moon mumbled, "Looks like an old survey cruiser, probably upgraded." He looked up. "Okay, Sai. Let's overshoot. Come out of quantum space behind them and below. Try to get close, within a kilometer if you can, and match speed. Enable the point defense cannons and load a couple of stingers in case they don't see things our way."

A targeting and weapon status display appeared on the panel to Moon's right.

Moon turned toward his daughter. "Because of the fusion thruster configuration, that kind of ship has a weapons system blind spot. That's where we will try to be. Better buckle up, just in case."

Faith gulped as she fastened down the seat restraints. "Dad, how do you know so much about all this?"

"From being an engineer in the Commonwealth Military for a while. Served on a cruiser and then a frigate. And saw some action on my old hauler, the Phoenix Star, before and when you were born. I have a few more stories I could tell you."

Sai joined the conversation. "Yes, Faith. There was the time when Captain Moon outran a quantum torpedo and--"

Moon interrupted. "Not now, Sai! Story time later. Time to intercept?"

"Thirty-four seconds, sir."

"The moment we drop out of quantum space, hail the pirate ship."

"Yes, sir."

An apprehension tightened in Faith's chest, stealing away a breath. Her hand traced the outline of the inhaler in her pants cargo pocket.

Moon reached across and put a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "We've got this. Sai and I have faced much worse threats before. Actually, so have you."

She took a deep breath. At least he didn't say no worries. Not literally, anyway.

Sai announced. "Coming out of quantum space now, sir. We are seven-hundred meters astern and thirty-two degrees down angle from the pirate ship."

A visual image appeared on a display panel. Even with optical enhancement, the dark boxy shape of the pirate ship was difficult to make out against the black of space, except for a faint blue glow emanating from the cylindrical fusion thrusters.

Moon smiled. "Awesome flying, Sai!"

"Thank you, sir. They have accepted our hail."

"Enable visual."

A scarred face with a scruffy short beard and greasy brown hair tied back in a short ponytail appeared on a display screen. Moon narrowed his eyes, but spoke in an measured voice. "Unknown pirate ship, you are requested to cease hostilities and withdraw."

The man snarled, baring yellowed teeth. "Fuck off! You made a big mistake interfering with us."

The transmission terminated.

Moon tilted his head toward his wide-eyed daughter. He shrugged. "I did ask nicely."

Sai said, "Sir, the pirate ship has launched drones from starboard and port sides."

Moon spread his hands, magnifying the ship on the visual display. Two rounded objects mounted with three tubes flew out from the ship. He frowned. "Remote missile platforms. Sai, target them with the point defense cannons. Take them out!"

Red target icon overlays appeared over the drones, tracking with them.

"Permission to fire, sir." Sai said casually, as if an everyday occurrence.

"Fire!"

Faith held her breath as a sudden chill crawled down her spine. This is really happening!

A low pitch hum vibrated the Firebird Rise as a swarm of orange plasma streaks slashed out from the point defense cannons, pummeling the drones. Bright white flashes lit up their shredded metal remains.

A blue glow came from the pirate ship fusion thrusters, and a gas plume shot out from the port side.

Sai said, "Sir, they are coming around."

Moon nodded. "I see it, Sai. They are trying to bring their cannons to bear. Enable the stingers. Target the power couplings, they are the two nodes just underneath the fusion thruster exhaust cones." He turned toward Faith, who now gripped her chair arms, tight enough to whiten her knuckles. He explained. "The coupling exposure is a vulnerability in that type of the ship design. Should be easy to disable them."

Two targeting icons traced the underside of the enemy ship, coming to a rest on rounded objects extending from the hull.

"That's them, Sai. Fire!"

Two missiles streaked out like fire arrows, converging on their target. Faith held her breath again. Two expanding flares of yellow light erupted from beneath the pirate ship where the missiles found their mark. The explosions caused the ship to pitch forward, tumbling slowly end-over-end.

Moon smiled. "Good shooting, Sai!"

The AI responded. "Thank you, sir!" The glowing blue exhaust faded from the fusion thruster. A series of numbers appeared in a text box next to the holographic tactical image. "Sir, I am detecting a ship wide power failure."

"Move in closer, Sai. Let's finish this."

Horrified, Faith grabbed her father's arm. "Dad, no! They are disabled. Killing them is not necessary!"

His hand covered her hand. "You are right, daughter. I have no intention of killing those pirates, even as much as they deserve it. But they are still a danger. Even in a power failure, they might manually launch a missile." He turned his head up. "Sai, did you find the launch tubes?"

"Yes, sir. Mid-ship on the underside."

"I see them." Moon watched as the pirate ship slowly tumbled end-over-end on the visual image. "Use a pulse cannon to take them out. But limit the power-load to avoid a hull breech. Fire when ready."

Two orange plasma pulses streaked across the void, striking the cylindrical tubes mounted on the pirate vessel hull. A white flash erupted at the point of impact, leaving behind twisted metal.

Sai said, "The missile delivery system was neutralized, sir."

Moon smiled. "Very good, Sai. Take us to the Aquila for docking."

"Yes, sir."

A sour flush of regret washed over Faith. She dipped her head. "I'm sorry. I thought... I should have known that you would not kill them."

"It's okay." Moon turned a gentle face to his daughter. "In situations like that, you should speak up if you have any doubt about the appropriate level of engagement. Far too easy can a battle turn into atrocity. Do you remember what the Writings say about codes of conduct in war?"

"Yes. A military action should be necessary, proportionate, and discriminatory." She paused. "I have so much to learn if I am to do this Empress thing."

"And you shall, my daughter. And you've got me to help."

Faith grinned. "So... No worries?"

Laughing, he replied, "Exactly!"

*****

Marquis appeared bigger in person as he emerged from the docking door than on the display screen. Wrapping Moon in a bear hug, he easily lifted Faith's father from the floor. A rolling series of hearty whoops erupted from deep within the man's chest, passing by a wide toothy grin on his dark face. Holding her breath, Faith backed up a step as Marquis approached her, but he was much gentler in greeting her.

Imani entered next, hefting Malik in her arms. She set him down at the doorway. The boy grasped his mother's leg and hid behind her, gazing up at Faith with shy eyes.

Faith kneeled before the boy. She pointed at the stuffed toy tucked in the crook of his arm. "Is that Steggy? Is he okay now?"

A smile crept onto the boy's face, and he nodded, holding up the stuffed dinosaur.

Grinning in return, Faith said, "Good. That must have been very scary."

A full head of curly black hair bounced as Imani tilted her head and nudged her son forward.

Malik held up a piece of paper, crumpled at one end. He spoke in a small voice. "Thank you." Stepping forward, he presented his gift. "I made this."

"For me?" Faith's heart warmed as she examined the handmade drawing. It showed two space ships among the stars, one with a happy family of three and the other with two equally happy stick people. Moon beamed down at his daughter and the boy. Standing up, she said, "Thank you, Malik. I think I will hang this in my bedroom."

"And thank you both." Imani wiped a tear from her eye and bowed her head. "By your bravery and compassion, we stand, alive and well."

Moon said, "Your ship is not so well. Let us tow you to Augeus. Speaking of which, we should leave soon in case the pirates have any friends nearby." He looked up. "Sai, let's get going with the Aquila in tow. Standard relative velocity."

Sai answered through an overhead speaker. "Yes, sir. Initiating the quantum displacement drive."

Marquis said, "What of the pirates?"

Moon responded. "I informed the Confederacy Security Force. They will send a ship and deal with them."

Marquis nodded, then bowed his head. "I thank you as well, sir. You took a risk to help us. We are indebted to you and the Firebird Rise."

Joy spread through Faith, filling her with warmth. She said, paraphrasing the Writings of the Sol Empress, "Acts of compassion always carry risk, but its benefits come to both the given and the giver."