The supernova arched through the shot, elegance lying in the complexity of the construction of it. Pure destructive force, the most powerful weapon able to be mounted on a bomber, was unleashed on the hull of a Falcata in mid-turn, ripping it asunder and depositing its contents - including an escape pod - into open space. Esther Carson practically screamed in delight: it was a beautiful shot, and the fight had started maybe a minute ago. Add that to the fact that it was Frank Davies, the madman who she had caught once before and who had escaped from jail, and she was ecstatic.
Tractoring in the escape pod, she formed up on Jake Logans, her incidental wingman for the day, and they headed back to Leeds.
The light of the sun covered half the planet, casting a great shadow across the other. Ships twinkled in the docking rings, freighters no doubt, as they made the journey to the landing bay.
"Bounty Hunters Gold 12, this is Planet Leeds, state your intentions."
"This is Bounty Hunters Gold 12, we're here for a refuel and a drink."
"Roger that, docking ring's clear, welcome back."
The Bounty Hunter Bomber began the descent, engines roaring.
The bomber set down on the landing paid on Leeds, just like the hundreds of other times it had. Esther sighed, turned the ship off, and spun the chair 180-degrees, jumping up to her feet. Behind the cockpit was a narrow hallway that led to the cargo bay, as well as a small lavatory and kitchenette. Most spacers that found themselves in their ships for long periods of time simply slept sitting in the pilot chair.
It was only a handful of long strides that took Esther to the cargo bay, which was more spacious than the ship's outer appearance would seem to allow. Inside were crates of supplies, loot, and a couple escape pods. Most ships had a dampening field active in the cargo bay that kept escape pod doors being opened, and definitely all Bounty Hunter ships did, so there was no fear of Frank having escaped.
That is, there was no fear until Esther came to his escape pod and saw the door ajar. Icicles of dread ran down her spine, and her handgun was out of the hip-holster in the blink of an eye.
After his last "visit" to Esther's hold, Frank had to make sure his pod was open-able. In his last trip to Mactan, he'd inquired about it and, to his surprise, was told there was a way ... If he had the money. Typical.
Regardless, it was worth it. Now, it all worked off removing the dampening field for a matter of seconds while unlocking the pod, seemingly simple. Then you took into account the complexity of the device for disabling a localised dampening field without sounding alarms.
One hour earlier
"That should ..." Fzzzt "... Do it." Frank pushed the doors of the pod open with a somewhat loud bang, luckily not loud enough to disturb Esther.
Within minutes, he had grabbed hold of a pistol from the weapons locker and was stood, silently, behind a large missile-filled crate.
"This'll be fun." He beamed at the thought of playing with Esther, the very same bitch that locked him up in Newgate those few weeks before.
Esther gave a cursory yet in-depth scan of the cargo bay with her eyes. A bead of sweat rolled down her face, and a damp strand of hair fell in her field of vision. She quickly swiped it back with her left hand, and then paid special attention to crates large enough to hide a man. It was a Hunter's worst nightmare - when the hunter became the hunted. She was confident in space, she was better than most in that arena. However, close-quarters was something different. She was a small woman, and didn't excel when it came to normal fighting.
Frank was a serial-killing sociopath. Obviously he knew how to fight, since he obviously couldn't fly.
The sound of a gun cocking from behind erased all thought from her mind.
"We've got some unfinished business, I believe." His voice was calm and collected - as always. You could never tell when Frank was serious or not, it was all the same.
He pushed the barrel of the gun into the base of Esther's neck, applying moderate pressure.
"Now then, drop the gun. We don't want any 'accidents' to happen, do we?" A playful tone could be found in his voice, if you listened well enough.
Dropping the gun would mean Frank had total control over her. Not dropping it would most likely end in her death. But then, if Esther submitted to Frank's wishes - she'd most likely die anyway. Thoughts raced through her head as the decision was made.
Esther didn't have to make a decision, for at that moment Jake Logan, her wingman, walked in
A few moments earlier, Jake had made his way into Esthers bomber, intent on checking up on Frank. Oddly, Esther was nowhere to be seen. Jake was a cautious man, something just didnt seem right. He drew his sidearm, and proceeded into the cargo bay.
Soon, Jake came across the opened escape pod, not a good sign. Hearing voices coming from deeper within the cargo bay, Jake moved swiftly between the cargo containers. In the dim light of the cargo hold, he saw Frank Davies, his gun at the base of Esther's neck. Jake quickly brought up his own pistol and aimed it at the larger man.
That's no way to treat a lady Frank. Drop the gun. Youre worth a lot more to us alive than dead
Jake didn't really expect the man to listen. But the distraction might buy Esther the time needed to escape.
"Hah, classic." Frank smirked in the realisation his plan had gone wrong.
"If I drop my gun, I'll spend the rest of my days in Newgate no doubt. They won't risk another extradition." He was pondering now, talking to the room but aiming his speech at himself.
"But then if I don't, you'll most likely kill me. The bounty will be payed regardless, although more'll be given if I'm alive. That is a tricky one." His calm attitude hadn't failed him, he was as in-control as ever.
He withdrew some pressure from Esther's neck, fearing for his own life.
"Well, I guess I've got no choice but to ..." With one swift movement, Frank flicked the gun upwards, forcing the butt of it into the back of Esther's neck. Pivoting his body on the spot, he managed to swing his gun round to point at Jake.
Brilliant! He was in control (sort of) again! Esther was lying on the floor, clutching her neck while Jake and himself stood infront of each other, guns ready.
Well, that didn't work out quite as expected Jake muttered, staring at the pistol pointing right at him.
Jake and Frank stood not 10 feet apart, guns leveled at each other. Esther lay on the ground, still breathing, but on the edge of consciousness. This close, neither person would miss their target. Not wanting to take the risk, Frank Davies started slowly backing up, making his way towards the cockpit escape hatch, towards freedom. Both men kept their guns trained on each other, but neither one fired.
We'll meet again, Esther said Frank, just before he jumped out the open escape hatch.
Jake chased after him, but by the time he got to the exit, Frank was gone, lost in the crowd on Leeds.
Esther slipped into unconsciousness eventually, and awoke to the worried face of Jake hovering over her. Frank was not even on her mind. Everything was a mess of floating colors, nothing in focus.
"You alright? That b------ hit you pretty hard..." Jake said softly.
"Yeah, I'm fine. He get away?" Esther said, trying to leverage herself up. When she failed, he caught her as she started falling back, and gently laid her down.
"Yeah, unfortunately. Next time, eh? I'll... umm... stay here until you can stand, alright?"
"Sounds fine. Next time will be the third. How many times can a man escape? Is anyone so lucky?"