"Have you heard? The Divine Emperor's dead!"

"What? How come? Father said the Galaxy Navy division missioned to battle him still hasn't been deployed yet!"

"No, Imi, they say it was the pirates – Captain Sinbad fought the Divine Emperor, and they both died. Rumours claim that Planet Earth has become a new central battleground. Even the Pirate Empire aims at it now, not just our government or the Reptiloids".

"Captain Sinbad – the last Herminoid – has died?"

Imijenia wan Buetter, who was now working in a bakery cafe where she was employed, looked at her boss Hilda with the utmost stupefaction. This latter also happened to be a nurse to have brought her up since her birth when she lost her mother. She was a chubby woman of shorter size, a pure Radenoid, and a good friend of her late Dionoid mother.

"Yes, dear child, but there's more than that – it has turned out that Captain Sinbad and the Divine Emperor were actually twin brothers, so it was not just one but two last Herminoids and both of them are now gone. You know what this means?"

"That the Galaxy Navy will finally get their hands on Planet Earth because the Reptiloids, without the Divine Emperor, are no match against us?"

"Yes, naturally, but the rumours about these outrageous pirates still scare me..."

"Come on, Auntie Hilda! What can be so bad about them? They're fighting for justice and freedom".

"Killing our people from the Galaxy Navy is fighting for justice and freedom? Open your eyes, Imi! You are no more a little child to think with such naivety. Your own father serves as one of the admirals, and you've still got the nerve to praise pirates? Have you never seen their emperor's posters or images? He is a monster no less horrible than the late Divine Emperor!"

Imi, hearing these remarks of her nurse, glanced at a wall where the hologram-device was hung, showing the portraits of some outrageous criminals devastating the Raden Universe. One of the most distinguishable among those pictures was an image of a short-black-haired black-eyed vicious young man with an impish grin beneath his slouch hat, while his bloodied hands were well visible under the black coat he had hung on his red-shirted shoulders – the well-known Galaxy Pirate Emperor, Young Captain Blood Diamond. He was so notorious that no one could ever dare confront him directly anymore, him holding a whole empire within his crimson clutches. Opposing him was like opposing a whole another country – a third force added to the Imperial Government of the Reptiloids and the Intergalactic Government of the Radenoids. A whole criminal empire was indeed a terrible power to fight against, so the rumours about the infamous Shark Tooth Pirates noted by the blue-sailed ships and the Cyber Sammy flags brought horror to every citizen of the Intergalactic Government.

"Auntie Hilda, I wonder... how could a horrible man such as that create such a powerful empire?"

"Hmph, he has bewitched everyone around him, I gather! He is a pathetic off-spring of three cruel races, what else could you expect from him? He and the likes of him should be hanged!"

Hilda fussed around the kitchen, helping Imi prepare cookies which she would then deliver to the customers sitting at tables in the bakery cafe. Among this elegant bunch, there were several quite unusual figures gathered at a single table in the darkest corner of the room so that their faces were completely hidden, added that all of them had wrapped themselves in dark coats and cloaks. One of them, whom every other looked at with apparent respect and submission, sat in his armchair in truly a strange manner – reclined to an armrest, his feet rested onto the other one – and smoked an expensive cigar found only in distant galaxies, filling the chamber with ecstatic scent. Presently they heard a mild cough and looked up at Imi, who had just brought their order – five cups of hot muku juice and a plate of cookies native to Planet Raden.

"There you go, sirs! Enjoy!"

She tried to blow the smoke away with a swing of her feeble hand. It was quite apparent she was having a hard time tolerating such scents, but the customer didn't seem to bother – he continued smoking as if nothing.

"You've zero tolerance for the jirin dust, young one? Such a strange fact for a Radenoid..."

Jirin dust?! Can anyone even smoke that thing? I hear jirin leaves can kill the Dionoids!

"I... I'm not a pure-blooded Radenoid, sir. My mother was a Dionoid, so_"

"Ah, my apologies, dear child!" the man sprang from the armchair and extinguished his cigar immediately. Under his hood, Imi could notice some golden curls of otherworldly brilliance. "Should've said so from the beginning, I nearly poisoned you!"

"It's nothing, sir! I... I'm sorry to have so bothered you..."

"Nay, the apology's mine," he slightly bowed to express the sincerity of his words. "By the way, young one – until when is your cafe open?"

"Oh, we close at ten o'clock, local time!"

"Alright. We'll stay until the closure, then. You have my thanks".

"As you wish, sir!"

Imi and Hilda worked until night fell. Only the said mysterious men remained seated at their tables. Other customers had all gone. Once realised everyone had left, the said guests stood too, but in a menacing manner. Three of them blocked the passage to the door, while the blond-curled man – the one to have smoked the cigar – pronounced in a low voice:

"Balal, Seht".

The whole cafe got engulfed in strange green smoke that began to suffocate both Hilda and Imi, who had by now grown quite frightened. While Imi had begun to gasp for air and even fell to her knees holding her throat, Hilda screamed:

"Help! We're under attack_"

"Balal, Suhr!"

The blond man blasted a yellow flash out of his finger and pierced the poor woman's chest, dropping her dead.

"Auntie!"

Imi shrilled in dread, but before she would give any further voice, the cloaked bandits bound her mouth, hands, and feet, to completely silence her and bring an end to her struggles. With another strange incantation, the blond man teleported them into the harbour, aboard a giant wooden-and-metal ship of blue sails, on whose masts grey and black flags flaunted: the infamous Cyber Sammy and the horrendous Thunder Raddy – the symbol of Captain Yellow Thunder the Lord of Raden, one of the Seven Captain Lords, the direct subordinates of the Galaxy Pirate Emperor. Only now did Imi realise how great a calamity had befallen her – she was aboard the Shark Tooth of Captain Yellow Thunder, that great Daluman bandit to have been imprisoned in the Star-Rover Prison of elder days!

Once the men took their hoods off, she could well behold their glittering eyes full of bloodthirstiness. The blond man to have so heartlessly disposed of her beloved auntie had covered his right eye with part of his hair as well as an eye-patch. Presently an eerie grin flickered on his lips as he put another cigar in his mouth:

"Welcome aboard, Imijenia wan Buetter. I am the captain of this ship – Richder Mahut, or, as you might more know me, Captain Yellow Thunder. You are now officially the Shark Tooth Pirates' hostage. As much as I hate treating my captives with respect on my own ship, I am to resume my smoking here. You, however, will be locked away in a remote cell down on the fourth floor, because my emperor wishes you to be brought to him alive and I cannot afford to suffocate you as I give in to this little pleasure of mine. I wish you'd enjoy this voyage of ours because it is going to be quite long towards Planet Cyberia in the Balal Universe. I'd also like you to be content with the miserly treatment we shall provide because I've no desire or obligation to keep you tenderly. I'm not a god, unlike Lord Captain, so even if you hate me as a host, I couldn't care less. Lock her away, lads!"

Imi was taken down to the fourth floor, disregarding her struggles and hysteric sobs, and thrown into a cold, damp cell locked from the outside. There was a single tiny window to let in some light, and scarcely any food or drink to be provided. There she sat shivering in the cold and sobbing for the cruel fate that had befallen her. Be delivered to the Galaxy Pirate Emperor alive as a hostage? It had most likely to do with her father the admiral! What would he think? And Auntie Hilda? Oh, poor woman, to be killed all because of her! Yes, these vile bandits wanted nothing with Hilda – they were aiming at her from the very beginning, auntie was just caught in the mess! Realising it was she to have brought such calamity upon her beloved caretaker, more tears gushed down her cheeks. She sank her face into her hands, giving in to her horror and sorrow.

***

It was some Radenese days since Captain Sinbad's and the Divine Emperor's deaths. Pirate Emperor Arubah Arruroe was smoking a pipe in his office in the Cyberia Palace, had laid out a mini-world of his own creation on the table, and was contemplating little figurines of his Shark Tooth fleet as well as the enemy Green Snakes and the Galaxy Navy ships. He had even created small crystal figures of the major political entities. Among them was a purple crystal of Admiral Zenon placed near the Galaxy Navy Headquarters, and himself as a red crystal figure right inside the Cyberia Palace. The yellow crystal of the Divine Emperor and the purple one of Sinbad were put down dead.

The Pirate Emperor was working on his new plans, or so it appeared to Doctor Dohta Vaagard – the new Captain Lord of Mordhor after Sinbad's death – who had long been present in the chamber, come to alert him of certain news, but now completely immersed into his friend's interesting endeavours.

"Working out new strategies?"

"Yes. Quite some undesirable changes came to pass, so... Not that I hadn't foreseen them, but I would certainly never wish my uncle die so out of the blue".

"You say you knew it was going to happen, yet you still went to Bakhassa?"

"I could not prevent this tragic event. I had warned him many times to not face his brother alone, but even back then he was already beyond my reasoning. I also alerted my mother of the said possibilities, but she, even though fully realising my words held a bean of truth, refused to believe in such horrendous premonitions... Well, it can't be helped now. The Herminoids had long become history, anyway. The new world needs just one ruler".

"You truly are a weird one, Arubah".

"Oh, Dohta, brother... this world belongs to the weird ones, and the weird ones become kings".

Dohta watched for a while as Arubah heartily cackled, and then interrupted him:

"I've received a word from Captain Richder the Lord of Raden – Imijenia wan Buetter is in their hands. They're coming here now, and will arrive tomorrow".

"Oh, goodie! The child's well, I must assume?"

"Your friend's not treating her all that well, but for now she's fine".

"Yeah, Richder was always a bit harsh when it came to women... No matter. When they arrive she'll be in my hands. Now then, I guess it is time to contact the father? Call your brother and Bax, too. Zehu's got a good crystal device for contacting other universes".

The two other mates of the Captain Emperor – Baxus and Zehu – gathered in the room upon the summoning. Zehu had indeed brought the green crystal device as asked. Soon, despaired Admiral Zenon wan Buetter received the signal and his illusion appeared in the chamber:

"Give my daughter back to me!"

"Oh, don't fret, Admiral, everything has its proper time..." Young Captain Arubah Arruroe idly exhaled some blue smoke as he sat in his scarlet armchair, his feet onto the writing-table. "For now, your daughter's in perfect health, and I'll see to it that she enjoys her time in our humble abode. As for you, you are to fulfill certain demands of ours, if you wish I treat your daughter with my greatest kindness".

"You fiend! Imi has nothing to do with this!" Zenon's eyes flashed with fury and rage while he trembled with the utmost fear that he might lose his dearest treasure, "I swear if you even touch her hair then_"

"Then what? Know your position, Admiral. Do not make me send you your daughter's eye right now. I am a patient man, but I will not tolerate some Radenese dogs barking around whenever they please".

Hearing his daughter might lose an eye if he did not zip his mouth, Zenon acquiesced to quiet down and obey to the pirates' requests:

"W... What is it you demand of me?"

"Goodie, seems you've finally understood the circumstances! I do not demand anything that you might not be able to accomplish. I am not a tyrannical villain, for Great Hermin's sake! Nay, what I request should be quite simple for you – tell the Galaxy Navy officials, your precious colleagues, to not interfere with my plans in the Raden Universe".

"So that you would take over the Milky Way Galaxy and imprison humans? That is unspeakable! You are telling me that I should cooperate with you, pirates, to lose one of our best galaxies to your cruel rule? We do not strive there for our selfish purposes – we need to save humans from the clutches of the Reptiloids! You might've disposed of the Divine Emperor, but the war is not over!"

"Save humans? Which official has brainwashed your mind, Admiral? Because, thanks to my abilities, I can easily distinguish your words are sincere, and I hardly hold myself not to laugh at your naivety".

"Brainwashed?! That is why I serve in the Navy – to help people of all sorts, not butcher them and squash their freedom under black boots as you do!"

Diabolic laughter resonated in the room – the laughter of the Pirate Emperor:

"How pure and uplifting, truly the speech of an honest, kind-hearted man, who's lost in his illusionary visions! Save humans? Ridiculous! Humans are beyond salvation now that I've set my eyes on their planet, my friend. As for calling my rule 'cruel' – they often say an idea is not as important as its execution, and that the judgment comes according to perspectives. I confess this be the truth of life. Well then, I should also calculate, that if I have an utterly cruel idea but execute it properly, people will judge me as a saviour, while if a heroic person like you fulfills his idea with the utmost sincerity, he shall be accused of villainy since he goes on extremes just to bring his idealistic vision to life. Aye, amigo – sincerity is rarely rewarded. Foxiness and hypocrisy win the hearts of the multitude, especially if one craftily hides their true intentions and desires with an innocent, hearty smile. I've already arranged everything – my father to rule in Hispania as a hero of the past together with my omnipotent mother, who is to regulate affairs there; my fleet to rule in Aenglia, as my precious gemstone whose heart already belongs to me reclaims her dwelling for herself and her family, whom I've grown quite fond of... It has already been planned ages ago, and my plans shall not fail no matter how much you and your people struggle. I am a god and I rule all of these universes. You shall not oppose me!"

"That is hideous! You are using all of your so-called friends in order to fulfill your vile ambitions?! You are certainly a tyrant beyond words. Send my daughter back to me!"

"I'll say this once more, Admiral, so that you understand what situation you're currently in because you still seem to be quite oblivious about it – Earth is my planet and will fall in my hands. If I see you impede with my movements in the Milky Way Galaxy, I shall indeed not hesitate to send you your daughter back... in pieces".

The call dropped. 

***

The next evening, the Shark Tooth of Captain Yellow Thunder docked in the pirate city harbour in Cyberia. Imi – exhausted, barely fed, and even slightly beaten – was led out of the ship tied and taken into the black palace by some sturdy crewmates of Yellow Thunder.

The ugly vileness of different alien pirates fussing around, cursing and cackling in a creepy manner, brought even more horror to the poor maiden's already-frightened heart. She was conducted through corridors and stairs up to a grand black door with a skull symbol of the infamous Cyber Sammy engraved upon it.

"Lord Captain, Captain Yellow Thunder has arrived!"

The door with the skull sign creaked open. A malevolent skull it was – with a robotic eye red as blood and that impish grin as if cackling upon her cruel fate. It somehow reminded her of the hideous Blood Diamond poster she had seen – playful and vile, delighted to bathe in his poor victims' blood... Apparently, it should be he to have designed this symbol for the Shark Tooth fleet.

The chamber was spacious and well-decorated, with a vast royal bed of scarlet blankets, a table of Crimson Wood, comfortable armchairs, a grand sofa, and shelves overwhelmed with language books, Mind-Books, scrolls, manuscripts, and various gadgets and crystals. Overall, it gave out the feel of a cultured owner rather than a savage robber, but Imi knew better than judging by one's room decor. She was brought in the Galaxy Pirate Emperor's chamber. As her father had always warned, she was to never trust those perfidious space-robbers, more so that now she was their hostage and they could easily end her life if ever driven mad. She let out a quiet sniff as tears poured down her cheeks.

"Lord Captain, I've brought the girl. I'm leaving the rest to you".

Her initial captor, Richder Mahut – that cold-hearted beast to have killed Hilda – announced through the chamber. The three boys present gave him silent but curious glances. She knew all the three of them: Pirate Emperor's first-mate, explosive blond Bakhal-human prince – Baxus Meelias; her father's former ally – Daluman Prince Doctor Dohta Vaagard; and that terrifying younger brother of his – Zehu Vaagard the Crystal Crusher. Yes, terrifying, because after her beloved nurse, whom she perceived as a mother, was killed by a Daluma, she could no longer look at these creatures with sympathy but rather only with horror.

"Thank you for your work, Ric! You're free".

Out of the shadows, stepped the familiar tall young man she had often seen on posters – Pirate Emperor Blood Diamond, with that scarlet shirt, blackened robes and boots, the black leather coat hung onto his shoulders, and the slouch hat covering his short black hair. He was smoking a golden pipe of divine elmor dust, as usual.

Imi soon felt the emperor's scarred finger raise her chin to meet his eyes flickering like two ardent coals. This penetrating gaze, as if he were reading the very depths of her soul, sent shudders down her spine.

"Fascinating..." he blew out some blue smoke as his lips formed in a mischievous grin, "You're way better than I expected. This complicates things... Nay, no need to weep, little one – you won't be mistreated anymore, now that you're in my hands," his thumbs softly wiped off her tears as he stroked her cheeks, "No worries, we'll take good care of you. Consider yourself my guest – a guest who won't leave until the host permits. As long as you remain a respectful girl you seem, and follow our rules, you'll be perfectly fine. Now then, my boys will escort you to your new room. I hope you'll enjoy your stay here".

Poor Imi who had nearly fainted seeing this notorious criminal so up close was taken out of the chamber. Soon enough, the ropes she was tied with were substituted by golden handcuffs that would cause her excruciating pain if she dared leave the palace grounds. She was locked in a remote room on the third floor of the black palace. It was well-arranged and richly decorated so that it indeed gave the feeling of a guest bedroom rather than a captive cell: the wardrobe was full of various dresses, and there were night-robes placed on a comfortable bed; there was a high-tech robot, named Yon (or so it was written on its instruction paper), at her disposal, and a green crystal on the bed-side table to serve as a contact-device to the warden that had been assigned for her. Yet, no matter all these comforts, and even the magnificent views on the palace gardens visible from the broad windows, neither the door nor these very windows could ever be opened if not with the Daluman spell of her new warden. Shortly, she was a captive, like a bird trapped in a cage... in a nicer one so that she wouldn't attempt to escape, but it didn't really matter – her freedom was lost regardless. She could well behold those vast gardens and infinite seas and skies, where she would venture no more. Realising the hopelessness of her situation, she fell upon the bed, sank her face into golden pillows, and gave in to heavy sobs.

***

"Please, you must do something! She's my only daughter; I cannot leave her in that bloodthirsty monster's hands!"

Admiral Zenon wan Buetter helplessly lamented on the Naval Council on Planet Raden, where all of the admirals and the marshal had gathered to discuss their strategies concerning the new battleground – Planet Earth. Vice-admiral Yord Hamingo presented there too – after his fleet had delivered heavy damage on Planet Retti of the Reptiloids, he was to be promoted to Admiral (even though the main job was done by the Galaxy Pirates since it was they who had disposed of the major enemy – the Divine Emperor). Hence, on this current meeting, Marshal Hugwert should also announce who was to be demoted of the current admirals in order to give him the place.

"Admiral wan Buetter, I greatly sympathize with your hardships, but this is a major space war where emotions should by no means get a hold of us, or else, we shall lose thousands of lives of our subordinates. We don't want that now, do we?" Marshal Hugwert heaved a sigh with irritation rather than sympathy. He was a wrinkled old man with a giant white wig compensating for the baldness he was so ashamed of, and little blue eyes empty of all emotions other than the pride for his high position and the satisfaction for his good life. "Believe me, I understand your sorrow – I have an only son whom I greatly care about. However, right now, you must prioritize your duty to your planet and people. Speaking of which – I have considered this affair for a while now, and I'd like you to forsake your position of an admiral. There are new promising soldiers who would fit this position more nowadays".

"Wait, you're saying_"

"Yes, you're demoted. Thanks for your service up until now. We will definitely not forget your chivalry and valiance. You're dismissed".

"What? My daughter's in such peril and that's all you have to say?! You can't possibly_"

"You're dismissed!"

No matter the despaired and maddened yells of wan Buetter, his speech was no more paid heed to. He was taken out of the council room by the cyborg soldiers, and soon, was ridden of the title of an admiral. He was demoted to a ship captain position under the newly-arisen Admiral Hamingo's leadership. However, he did not seem to care much about these calamities, even if usually he was too keen on his career. Right now, all that worried him was the well-being of his daughter Imi – his only treasure he swore he'd protect and yet was threatened to lose if he ever disobeyed the gruesome Pirate Emperor's orders, which he was unable to ever fulfill since he had lost all the authority.

He was sitting in his room and staring at the contact-device, brooding over what to do. Call pirates and tell them of his failures? It would definitely risk his daughter's very life – if that hideous emperor heard Imi was of no more use to him, he'd surely dispose of her right away. Yet if he were to keep silent about it, the pirates would contact him themselves, and finding out he had not complied with their requests, would not just kill but torture and mutilate his daughter! Not able to decide how to act, he just covered his face with hands and hopelessly wept, fallen in complete despair...