Six Women Who Would Kick Your Ass (In Space)

Who says saving the galaxy is a boy’s game? Inspired by Rachel Bach's new novel Fortune's Pawn, here’s our list of the most badass women in the known universe.

1. Ellen Ripley (Alien)

Via en.wikipedia.org

"Get away from her, you b***h!"

Kick ass move: Ripley does basically every move in the book but obviously the classic wins it: using a giant robot suit and the air lock of the spaceship to destroy the alien queen. Sure, she lost her boot. We lost our minds. Obviously, being cloned after her death and sharing DNA with an alien hybrid is also kick ass, but in a different sort of way.

2. Zoe Alleyne/Washburne (Firefly)

Via searchingforsuperwomen.com

"Sir, I think you have a problem with your brain being missing."

Kick ass move: Aside from being an ass-kicking warrior with fierce aim and a loyal heart, Zoe is also one of the most straight-talking crew members of Serenity. She’s focused, determined, and knows what she wants and exactly how to get it.

3. Martha Jones (Doctor Who)

Via fuckyeahmarthajones.tumblr.com

“Just stay calm. You saved me, now I return the favor. Just believe in me.”

Kick ass move: The woman who walked the world. All of the Doctor’s companions have been kickass in their own way, but Martha Jones really nails it for us. Whether it’s saving Shakespeare’s life, fighting Daleks in 1930s New York, or spending a year travelling a post-apocalyptic Earth to save the Doctor’s life and defeat the supervillainous Master, Martha is as kickass as they come. And she’s a real doctor.

4. Commander Shephard (Mass Effect)

Via fuckyeah-masseffect.tumblr.com

"Sorry, I'm having trouble hearing you. There's a lot of bullsh*t on this line."

Kick ass move: Only a soldier like Commander Shephard could bring together the difficult personalities on her ship and make them work together to save the galaxy. And then bring together whole planets and cultures to do the same. Shephard has many kickass moments, from to defeating Thresher Maws, Cerberus goons and mercenaries, to Mass Effect 2’s epic ‘suicide mission’, to (depending on how you play her) seducing her way across various alien species on her way to save all life everywhere from the threat of the Reapers. She really can’t dance, though.

5. Captain Kara ‘Starbuck’ Thrace (Battlestar Galactica)

Via frakyeahkarathrace.tumblr.com

"Semper frakkin fi!"

Kick ass move: Starbuck is an ace fighter pilot aboard the Battlestar Galactica. She loves to drink and gamble and she’s more hot-headed and cocky than her commanding officer, Lee Adama, but she learns from her mistakes, and becomes a vital part of humanity’s war against the genocidal Cylons. One of Starbuck’s finest moments is when, after downing her ship and being declared ‘missing in action’ she returns to the Battlstar piloting a captured Cylon ship…

6. Saffron (Firefly)

Via firefly.wikia.com

"Everybody plays each other. That's all anybody ever does. We play parts."

Kick ass move: Breaking hearts and playing parts, she’s been married at least three times that we know of and leaves Mal for dead on a ship headed toward pirates only hours after tying the knot. She also robs former husband, Durran Haymer, of a priceless laser pistol even though we think she probably did care about him. Cold.

If you agree with our nominees, we have another one for your: Deviana Morris from Rachel Bach's Paradox series! Devi is a straight-talking, foul-mouthed, unapologetic space mercenary with a custom-built suit of armour with bajillions of weapons. She can play cards and drink booze with the best of them, but is by no means a slacker: with tonnes of ambition and a thirst for danger, Devi will save your ass six times before breakfast. We heart her.

Read more about Devi Morris and her adventures on The Glorious Fool in Fortune's Pawn, out now.