The Alpha Predator

What you really knew about the Argos could be summed up by just about any other kid in the Union, the rampaging boogeymen from beyond our galaxy that wanted our land, our money, and our women. Terrible ships of flesh and metal that grew their next invasion wave inside the innocent survivors of the last planet they'd ravaged. Crushed over a century ago, Argos biotech still commanded incredible prices on the black market, even if no one knew what it did. And if you could capture an intact bioform? Just one of those could pay off half the Stargazer's lease as quick as you could find a buyer.

A more focused scan reveals that the deep interior of the hulk still holds atmosphere, with isolated pockets of heat and energy scattered randomly about the craft. One of the frigates has a hot core as well, even if it is just barely ticking over. Forming a secure dock with the ancient suicidal craft would make the most sense, giving you a secure foothold from which to explore inside the Predator itself.

Your hands deftly maneuver the Stargazer into docking position, the decrepit security systems of the UNS Victorious unable to prevent your ship was establishing control.

"Hey Sai, you go crash the bridge and see if you can get automated systems running," you command as you hustle into the living area, snatching up a web harness full of equipment from where your AI had placed it. "The less of our air we have to use to make salvaging easier, the better."

"Understood," intoned the robot as it handed you your pulse pistol and helmet, already keying the airlock open to follow you inside.

As your fit your helmet on, the hardened shell melding seamlessly with the neck of your bodysuit, nervous frissons of energy run up and down your spine setting your whole body to clenching and tensing. Your fingers almost itch with the desire to just... pop the suit open and perform a little stress relief, teeth grinding as you repress the urge this time.

"...no getting distracted masturbating your first time into an old wreck, Karen," you mutter to yourself, eyes flicking from point to point on your visor as you activate the dumb AI's HUD. "Plenty of time to hump a really good looking corner after you find the good stuff."

You snort a bit at that, calming down a little as the airlock finishes cycling and the heavy exterior door opens to reveal the red-lit arrival bay. Time to get to work.