Nearly two weeks before, temporarily low on funds, and in need of transportation to Smerta to rejoin his normal traveling companion Variate, he had spent several days trying to work out a deal with one of the sea captains, to do some work in return for transportation. Having no such luck, and running low on time, he had decided to "borrow" a space on the next ship out, the cargo vessel Ocean's Pride. Though unable to figure out which ocean might take pride in this floating pig sailing its waters, beggars can't be choosers, so he had stolen aboard the night before she sailed.

Actually, the trip to this point had been reasonably pleasant, as none of the crew had bothered to check the hold after sailing, and it was easy enough for one of his skills to gain entrance to the galley to obtain food, if the rations aboard could be deemed such. He had fashioned a comfortable little semi-cabin in the darkest corner of the hold, which suited him just fine for the price.

The problem now coursing through Dirk's mind, is how to extract himself from the mess he now finds himself in. A few hours before, he had heard increased activity on deck, and had wondered what it was about. About 10 minutes ago, by his reckoning, he had found out, as the sound of a lighting bolt blasting away the main mast announced the beginnings of an attack. Soon after, he had heard the sounds of fighting topside, indicating a boarding party, likely pirates. This is his dilemma. If he goes topside to help fight off the pirates, and the pirates are driven off, his status as a non-paying passenger would be found out, and he could be killed for his troubles. On the other hand, if he waits it out here, and the pirates win, he will be stuck facing them, alone, when they come to empty the hold. While he is confident in his ability with his blades, and knows how deadly accurate his throwing knives can be, Dirk harbored no delusions of his ability to fight off even the remnants of a pirate band.

His mind racing, his sharp ears, genetic gifts from a mother he never knew, hear the light footsteps of someone in the hallway just outside the door to the hold. He had heard somewhat muffled sounds of fighting from somewhere in that hallway a bit earlier , but he had quickly assumed the winners would rejoin their compatriots on deck, where the battle was raging still. Obviously, he had been mistaken, and a soft curse passes his lips as he fingers the throwing knives he has at the ready, wondering if his decision is about to be made for him.