"Grayson," Captain Carter called from the Cargo Bay, "Our new visitor has decided to join us, so we can enter the Celestial Gate. Are we ready to proceed?"

"Aye-aye, Captain." Lucas responded, a reassuring tone in his voice. He shifted his weight in the deep-black leather chair, adjusting his posture, fingers lightly dancing across multiple consoles. Flickers of light reflected in his bright orange eyes while his eight slender digits darted to different touchpads. "The Titans Pillar and all her Tugs are prepped and ready for immediate entrance into the Celestial Gate."

"Well done." Captain Carter nodded approvingly. "Take us in, slow and steady."

"Aye, sir. Um, new visitor, Captain?" Grayson asked, a bit of confusion in his voice.

"Tatyana just informed me that she's taking our new friend to her quarters. You'll eventually meet her," Nigel instructed. "Just get us into the Celestial Gate."

"Of course, Captain," Grayson confirmed. He knew how to put on a show of confidence, even if he didn't quite know all the variables in play. "So, this her, is she cute?" he asked again, not quite able to quell his curiosity.

Captain Carter chuckled. "I think that's a matter of personal taste, Lucas. She's a bit...unique looking."

Grayson grinned, deciding not to press the issue for now. "I hear that, Captain. In that case, let me bring up our current course and position relative to the Celestial Gate." Lucas's fingers moved nimbly over the touchscreens in front of him.

A hologram in the cockpit illuminated, showing their position and the swirling vortex of the Celestial Gate ahead. It was truly an impressive feat, despite the ominous feeling it elicited. It seemed to demand respect, and perhaps even a bit of reverence. It was no simple task to navigate a vessel of that size safely into such a contained, chaotic space-time rift.

The shipped groaned near the Celestial Gate, as if its metal structure were responding to something within it. "What? Something bad inside the Gate? No honey, inside the Gate is safe. Are you just jealous of the new visitor?" Lucas asked the ship, half-jokingly.

As they approached the maw of the Celestial Gate, the energy swirl seemed to intensify in response to the Titans Pillar's slow progress. The sensor array displayed distortions and fluctuations in space-time as the ship pierced through ripples generated by the Gate.

"And we're in." Grayson reported with relief and a hint of pride in his voice. His fingers danced over the touch screens in front of him as holograms swirled with colors, illustrating their position within the Celestial Gate. Despite Grayson's experience, he never ceased to admire the view; a living, breathing, and ever-changing tunnel that stretched far beyond what could be seen with their naked eye.

"Excellent work, Grayson." Captain Carter commended, his tone carrying an equal amount of relief and appreciation.

---

Tatyana pulled her voluptuous globe upwards, so that a socket on the skin of her Combat-Ready EVA-Suit connected to a brilliant chrome chest-plate. After a snap could be heard, she then dropped her breast, its weight causing the plate and that portion of her suit to jiggle slightly. Nova, who was standing next to Tatyana, looked on in a mixture of surprise, amusement, and mild horror. Tatyana looked back at Nova and winked.

"You'll learn," Tatyana said, the tone in her voice suggesting that it wasn't the first time she'd been in this situation. "But anyway, that's how you connect the various attachments to the EVA-Suit. Is there anything you wanted me to go over again?" she asked with authentic concern in her voice.

Nova still looked confused, staring at the attached chest-plate of Tatyana's suit. She shook her head, as if to push the confusion aside, and replied: "No, Tatyana. I believe I understand now. I was just curious as to why you felt the need to completely disrobe during the process," Nova said with a hint of amusement in her voice.

Tatyana laughed, a melodic sound that filled the room. "Well, I just finished loading, so I needed a fresh suit anyway. Besides, it's not like I have something to hide. Neither do you, I assume?" she added, gesturing to Nova's own form.

Nova glanced down at herself, recognizing the subtle tension in her posture. "I suppose I don't," She finally replied, slightly uncomfortable but not wanting to show it in front of this new acquaintance.

Tatyana smiled sympathetically. "Understandable, but you really need to give these things a try. They're made for safety and even comfort after you break them in. Kinda like shoes." As she finished her sentence, Tatyana demonstrated how to manipulate and interact with the suit's controls, making her way with a confident grace Nova couldn't help but admire.

A slight reddish hue appeared under her white fur, as she stuttered, "That's good. I think I know all I need to, thank you. I'll manage the rest on my own. I can't get too used to people being so gracious to me," Nova said, managing a faint smile, seemingly grateful and overwhelmed in equal measure.

Tatyana raised her eyebrows but nodded in agreement, "Fair enough, I'll be just outside the door if you need any help. Just remember, the first time is always the hardest. You'll get the hang of it." She said as she gave Nova's hand a reassuring squeeze, and then left the quarters.

Nova looked after her for a moment before turning back to the Combat-Ready EVA-Suit, which lay sprawled out before her like an oversized white rabbit.

---

Captain Carter entered the bridge of the Titans Pillar, his eyes surveying the space-faring behemoth he commanded with pride. His gaze lingered upon the holographic navigation systems and star maps, before finally settling on the ever-observant eyes of his trusted crew.

"Grayson, report." He called out, easing himself into the Captain's Chair - the throne-like centerpiece of the bridge. Lucas took this as his cue to begin narrating their current situation.

"Captain, we are currently in transit through the Celestial Gate. All core systems are functioning optimally, and I have adjusted our course to maintain a steady speed through the gate," Pilot Lucas Grayson reported, maintaining an even and steady tone, while his eyes never strayed far from blinking lights and sensors flashing before him. "We'll be in the Timeless Zone shortly."

Captain Carter nodded in approval, but beneath the smooth exterior, a gnawing sensation began to grow within him. First Officer Bella Brown was correct, someone placed Nova on their ship with intention, knowing they would take her into this Gate. If whoever was behind this knew, then someone else could as well. The thought gnawed at the captain, as he tried to analyze every possibility.

Brown's arrival on the Bridge exuded the seriousness that was now needed. There was a profound air of calm that seemed to envelop her presence, something Nigel appreciated during her short time on board. Not as intense as Tatyana's mother, but Bella possessed her own quiet determination.

"Good," she said in a hushed, confident voice, "Almost in the Timeless Zone. Almost safe."

Nigel raised an eyebrow, "There's something you'll learn over time, Officer Brown, nowhere is safe." He countered, as if on cue, an alarm blared out, and warning signals flashed up on the monitor in front of him.

Bella quickly took her station and reported, "Captain! Sensors are reporting an unidentified vessel appearing in our trajectory as we enter the Timeless Zone."

The Tribold pirates, renegade traders, were notorious for ambushing ships weakened by travel through the Celestial Gates, forcing them to handover their resources or face destruction, making the space lanes treacherous, especially for vessels like the Titans Pillar.

"Did you know?" Bella asked her captain, not shifting her gaze from the monitors on her console.

"Suspected, in my gut." Nigel replied, leaning back into the command chair as he studied the alarm, analyzing potential outcomes. "Their next step would be to fire torpedoes." The words barely left Captain Carter's mouth before a swarm of projectiles streaked towards them. Grayson steadied his hand, knowing what would come next.

"Bella, please return their hospitality in kind," Nigel ordered, with a swift nod in her direction.

She acknowledged her captain with a quirk of the lips, and without hesitation, her fingers flew expertly over the console before her. In response, the Titans Pillar shuddered, the sound reverberating through the ship as it released its own barrage of torpedoes into the void.

The once-peaceful darkness of space was now punctuated with bright, fiery streaks of energy as both salvos left the confines of the folded space bubbles of their respective vessels... and stopped, frozen in the Timeless Zone.

Bella sighed as a hail came through the enemy ship. "Captain, the enemy vessel is hailing. They're asking if we want to surrender." She looked back to Nigel, a question in her eyes as she paused for his command.

Nigel crossed his arms, considering his response. "Let's hear them." Nigel ordered, with a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Bella nodded and opened the channel, allowing the static-filled voice to reach the bridge.

"This is Captain Zar of the pirate vessel Lupus. We demand your surrender." The voice said with pride and arrogance.