SotRV: Waffling on Plot Points

[jeriendhal]

I've only managed to add a few paragraphs to Shadow of the Red Vixen. Aside from the madness of getting the kids ready for school, I've finally realized I'm stuck on an upcoming plot point.



At this point, the liner Salli and Ali have been travelling on has been intercepted by pirates in order to nab Salli for ransom. She's hiding in the shadows outside the liner, while Ali went on a diversionary attack and got herself wounded and captured.

The pirate in question has no compunction against murdering civilians, and shes already annoyed at wasting so much time trying to catch these two. She's about to call it quits and haul space sail before the Patrol shows up. I'm trying to find a reason not to have her just blast the liner to pieces for kicks and murder a few hundred civilians, which would make the story darker than I'd intended (Ali's state when Salli finally rescues her is going to be bad enough). So here are the options I came up with...



[Poll #1862682]

Comments

[seawasp]

Smart pirates try to avoid indiscriminate butchery; you get chased a LOT harder if your reputation is "No Survivors".

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

That's what I realized is the best option even as I was putting the poll together.

[allah-sulu.livejournal.com]

Agreed; but if she can damage the engines (without causing massive casualties), that will slow the Patrol down. Good tactical move.

[akaihyo.livejournal.com]

What seawasp says. Best to just damage the liner to force the patrol to help them and jet.