Nik looked up at the Imperial airships with awe.  “They are here to find traitors to the crown and they will protect us from harm” his mother had said to him and his brother, Will, just this morning before sending them to town on some errands.  The air ships were huge metal helicopters, shaped like ships covered with a layer of wood on the outside and a glass like dome to protect the crew on deck from the wind that the propellers kick up.  The frigates had three masts and a huge propeller on the front each one and two large propellers on the back.  Nik and Will were heading back home, when the ships altered course, heading in the direction of the house that Nik’s family lived in.  By the time the two boys were within eye sight of his parents’ house, which was nestled into a small hill, it was almost sunset.  The airships were near the house when the flag ship turned and opened fire with its broad side guns.  They shells hit with perfect accuracy and, in seconds, the house was nothing more then a crater.  Nik watched this in horror and looked up at the ship.  The ship then turned again and, this time, aimed at Nik and his brother.  Then the guns fired again and every thing went white.

Nik shot up in his bed drenched in a cold sweat.  Out of breath, he sat up and ran his hand through his sky blue hair.  Today is going to really suck he thought to himself as he climbed out of bed.  This was the first time in years he had dreamed of his parents’ death.  After their death, one of his dad’s friends looked out for them and taught them how to sail an airship.  But when Nik was eighteen, he forced them to leave muttering something about a debt he had with their father, but when they when left he was on the verge of tears.  Now, Nik and Will were sharing a cliff apartment near the skydock that Nik worked at.  Nik got out of got dressed with a sigh and headed to the kitchen where he could smell the breakfast that Will was making.  Upon entering the kitchen, Will gave Nik his food and sat across from him, staring at him.  Nik ignored the stare until he had finished eating, before addressing him.  “What is it Will?” Nik said stretching.  Will took a deep breath and began, “I heard that the most famous sky pirate, Hector Karma, has docked his ship here and I want to join him and fight the empire.”  Nik blinked once and seeing that Will was serious gave him his answer.  “No, the answer is and forever will be, no.”  Will jumped to his feet, knocking down his chair in the process.  “How can you say no?!” he shouted “These pirates are against an empire that kills innocent civilians, what is so wrong with that?  Or maybe you want the empire to go unopposed!”  Nik raised his hands in mock surrender “I hate the empire, but I wont let you die in a futile attempt to gain revenge,” he replied coolly.  Will gave a frustrated sigh and stormed of to his room.  Nik stood up and headed to the door.  Hopefully he will calm down before I get back, Nik thought to himself as he went to work at the skydock, but at least I hope doesn’t do anything incredibly stupid.

When Nik got home, he found the apartment abandoned.  “Will?  Will? Will!”  Nik shouted as he ran through the apartment, stopping in Will’s room.  On a small desk Nik found a letter addressed to him from Will stating that he had left to join Hector’s crew.  He is so incredibly stupid, Nik thought to himself as he ran to Hector’s ship.  Now under normal circumstances a visitor is not allowed entrance, but Nik snuck on board anyway.  He tricked the guard and started to go below deck, when a huge hand grabbed and spun him around, pointing a gun at him.  “Where do you think you are going on my ship?” the man growled at Nik.  Then the ship lurched, as it started to take off, and using the distraction Nik rushed the man but he simply lifted him of the ground.  “The names Hector Karma” the man said laughing hardily, “We left so, I guess you are part of the crew.”

This is not the end of the story but it is the best place to stop.  Hope you enjoyed it!