Hunted By Pirates

Leo's right hand lifted off the armrest, and his index finger came down on the master communications toggle with one sharp tap.

CLICK!

The transmission died mid-word.

…The forced handshake was cut at the root, and the sneering pirate voice vanished, leaving the bridge in perfect silence except for the low steady purr of the Micro-Fusion Core under the deck.

Nobody questioned it. 

Aoi didn't suggest negotiating, Elena didn't ask whether they could offer up part of their cargo, Camila didn't plead for a peaceful way out and Harper didn't hesitate for a single heartbeat. 

The rule Leo had set in the medbay held the whole room in an instant instinctive grip, and the moment his finger lifted off the toggle the crew moved like one machine.

"Combat stations!" Leo barked, and his voice boomed across the deck with an authority none of them had heard from him before. "Clear the dais! Lock down anything loose and strap in!"