After a hardy meal, during which, the cantina had slowly been filling up with the other members of the assault forces, Eirik went back to Signe's workshop and suited up in a modified siege armor. "What kind of ammunition has it been loaded with?" He asked Signe.

"High explosive rounds, for that extra bit of firepower" She answered as she looked over the last minor details on his modified armor.

"Now be mindful, Captain. The modification WILL work and all simulations show no issues, but I still want you to be careful when using the internal shotgun. I have no idea how it works when implemented. No time for field tests."

"I understand," Eirik said, "But what could go wrong?"

"Several things" Signe sounded annoyed that she was going to have to explain this. "The gun mechanism could jam. Ammunition could cook-off on account of internal heat buildup. The entire mechanism could explode during the first shot. I truly have no way of knowing. If any issues come up, stop using it and report it to me as soon as possible."

"Will do," Eirik confirmed, "How many shots do I have?"

"30. If you need more than that during a boarding mission, you are spending your ammunition wrong. For larger or longer engagements, I have invented a reload system that will slide 30 new shots into position in a few seconds, but it requires you to have a partner do it. As for reloading, I installed an internal blowback system that allows the mechanism to reload itself after every fired shot. Anything else?"

"No, Signe. Nothing more." Eirik knew her well enough to not ask any further questions.

"Well alright then. Be sure to get some testing done for me." She finished before waving him off, "Now go play pirate for a bit and let me work in peace.."

Eirik did not need any excuses to get moving so he happily trotted out of the workshop and headed towards the boarding pods practically skipping on his way. New toys always excited him and this one was no exception.

There were several murmurs as he entered the pod bay and Jesper spoke up, "Captain, why the need for siege armor? Isn't kevlar suits with ceramic plates enough?"

"Because, Jesper, there are modifications made to this suit that needs testing and a simple boarding operation is a good time to do so. Besides, I feel like making a statement."

"If you say so Captain," Jesper said before turning back to the others and yelling, "GET READY, WE ARE MOVING OUT IN 5!!"

Eirik pressed the button on the intercom, "David, are we almost there?? "

"1 minute Captain. Do you want me to hail them the moment we arrive in the system?"

"Yes please, and let the call go through the pod bay." Eirik settled in and waited for the call to go through.

A minute later the intercom crackled and the Voice of a Kloxna came through the speaker, "Unknown vessel, identify yourself!"

Eirik spoke up immediately "This is the Vessel *Void Wolf*, under the command of Captain Eirik. I believe you know who I am. If not, I am the Terran that kidnapped one of your high caste members. Turn off your engines, prepare to be boarded and have your cargo seized, or say your final prayers. This is your first, last, and only warning."

No answer was given, but David soon spoke through the intercom, "Captain, they have turned off their engines. I suspect they are preparing to repel the boarding party."

"David, what is the least likely point of entry for us??"

"That would be the cargo bay, Captain. A lot of open space, no real tactical advantage, and an entire ship to go through to reach any area of interest."

"Perfect, aim the boarding pods at the cargo bay, David."

"Beg your pardon, Captain, but why would we enter the Kloxna ship from the cargo bay?" Jesper genuinely wanted to know if his captain had lost his mind or had been touched by a stroke of brilliance.

"Because it is the area with least initial resistance, Jesper. Right now, the Kloxna are rushing into position around every single area of interest on their ship, from the engine room to the armory and bridge. The only place they will not actively post defenders will be an area of little to no tactical advantage, that offers direct disadvantages to the attacker. So, naturally, we are going to do the one thing they would not expect, and attack the area where we would have the least amount of gain. At least initially.

Once they figure out what is going on, they are all going to rush towards us to fight us off, but we will have had precious minutes to turn their counterattack into our ambush. But we need some bait. 3 or 4 of the men will have to expose themselves by looting crates while the rest of us wait in ambush for the enemy to enter our lines of fire."

"At which point we will hose them down with beanbags until they surrender and the ship will practically be ours. Captain, that's brilliant."

"It's the Kloxna that are predictable, Jesper. But thank you" Eirik admitted with a smile. "Now load up the pods and get ready for boarding. Defensive assault position in the pods so the shields can exit first."

45 seconds later 3 pods were roaring through space towards the cargo bay on the Kloxna ship. After 15 seconds in the void, they slammed home, their laser drill heads burning a path through the armor of the ship and the canisters with sealing foam went off, sealing in the atmosphere after penetration. As the door slammed down on the pods, 9 men rushed out of the first 2, 8 men rushed out of the last one. As the last one to exit, Eirik, in his oversized siege armor, walked out of the third pod, giant tower shield stuck on his left arm and a regular baton in the right hand.

"He noticed the looks his weapon was getting from the men. "What?? My shotgun is integrated into the armor and is loaded with HE shells. This is the only way I can ensure I only knock out my victims!" He defended himself vigorously, several of the men opening their eyes in surprise at the mention of the integrated shotgun.

Taking a quick look around the cargo bay, he silently thanked the Kloxna culture for being the way it was. There were neat rows of containers with supplies and plenty of places his men could hide in the shadows, their matte black kevlar suits enhancing their stealth abilities.

"4 men in the nooks near the entrance to prevent escapes, 10 men on top of the carious large containers for the height advantage, and 8 men hiding around the room in a rough circle. For the last 4, start sorting the crates in the back. Anything labeled for Tai'Tanu goes with us. the rest stays!"

Several of the men grumbled at the prospect of losing loot, but none of them voiced their opinion. They knew better than to question direct orders from Eirik. Half a minute later they were all in position and Eirik joined the 4 men that were busy with the cargo. He would be their shield while they were exposed. His tower shield was large enough to fully hide 2 grown men on account of it needing to scale with the armor he wore.

Less than a minute later, Eirik heard the sound of running claws clicking against steel floors, and he turned around with his shield up and in position to shield the men behind him, in case the Kloxna discipline was not as good amongst smugglers. Sure, the chance of them getting a kill on his men was small, but a wounded man was as bad as a dead one, maybe even worse, in a combat situation.

"Get ready, Here they come," Eirik said into his communicator and he saw the men in hiding pressing themselves deeper into the shadows at his words.

The door at the entrance opened and a Kloxna security force entered at speed.