Darien experiences visions of the past as he attempts to destroy the star engine. He and Gent come to a crossroads as they attempt to rescue the prisoners on the ship.

Dramatis Personae

Darien - A farm boy who grew up with big dreams fed by his aunt who raised him on a mixture of history and fairy tale. He’s currently on a quest to rescue Marialla, a woman he met earlier in the story, who has been kidnapped by the moon’s government for unknown reasons. Along the way he became captured by space pirates, but he has a plan to escape with the help of one of the pirates.

Captain Bluebeard - The leader of the band of pirates that serves aboard the starship Kraken. He’s an enigmatic figure who keeps to traditions that have long fallen out of favor. For unknown reasons, he has taken a liking to Darien and is personally training the boy in the art of sword fighting. He grew up the son of a wealthy powerful family on a distant world, but lost everything when his wife, Arlinda, betrayed him and conquered his planet. He rebuilt himself into a pirate, the only man he believed could get his revenge on Arlinda.

Gent - The Kraken’s engineer. At first glance a vain figure only concerned with appearances, he’s known to wear fine capes and flashy clothing. He’s young, just a few years older than Darien, but basically grew up on the Kraken. Although he suggests Darien be hanged in their first meeting, he has since befriended the boy and is currently training him on the engineering of the Kraken. He stepped into Darien’s duel with Fantasia and saved his life.

Cassandra - The daughter of Darien’s friend Tom. Bluebeard’s crew raided her home. When her brother tried to fight them off, Dragon-Eye killed him.