As soon as we cross into the Draconis Sector, I sit up higher in my chair, more alert to our surroundings. Marilyn is doing her best to seem calm, and I commend her for that, but I can feel her anxiety. It’s radiating around us, distracting me.

“There’s a different feel here,” she says. “Or is that you?”

“Funny, I was just thinking the same thing. Your nerves are loud.”

“Sorry. You can’t blame me though, I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“You changing your mind?”

“Yes,” she says. Then just as quickly, “No. Let’s just get this over with.”

“It won’t be long now. The planet Zephyrus is up there on our right.” I point out the window at the large spherical planet ahead of us. It’s a deep purple color with streaks of blue and orange. It might be something to look at but it’s full of vile creatures. It isn’t a place where civilized beings want to stay for very long. “The strange feeling you have is from the pull of the planet’s orbit. It will be intense when we pass through the atmosphere but once we’re on the other side you will feel normal again.”

“Okay,” she says. “Will it feel like we’re falling?”

“Yes. But once we pass through everything will feel normal again. We will start to slow down.”

“Like a big drop on a roller coaster,” she says, almost to herself.

“What is that?” I ask.

“Nothing important. It is beautiful,” she adds, sounding in awe. “Have you been here before?”

“Yes, I travel here frequently. I have an informant down in the city. He contacts me anytime he gets wind of any activity.” And then I add, “And don’t let the beauty deceive you. This planet is home to a lot of criminals hiding from the Force. I am not a member of the Force while we are here. We will need to disguise our presence.”

“This might be a strange question, but I’ve been thinking…why do the Atronox do what they do? Why do they smuggle when they know the Force could catch them and throw them in prison at any time?”

“Well, that’s a complicated question. The Atronox brought an army to Gaia planet when I was sixteen. They attacked our people in order to try to take over our land and make it their own. The war went on for years until, eventually, both of our people were decimated and close to extinction. The Atronox eventually left after a treaty was formed, leaving complete destruction behind. In order to protect ourselves from a repeat invasion, many of us that were left joined the Force. We made it our mission to make sure to protect the planets in the galaxy from another invasion.

The Atronox also lost much, so now they smuggle to make money. We suspect they wish to rebuild their forces and stockpile weapons again in preparation for another war. It is all they know. The only way they can make enough money is to sell goods on the black market. Unfortunately they have probably realized that women slaves are worth a small fortune.”

“And your family? Were they killed in the war?” she asks quietly.

“My parents were. My brothers are still alive and living on Gaia. The other members of the Force are my main family now and we are diligent about keeping an eye on everything that happens related to trade and illegal activity. It’s why I was so surprised when I saw you for the first time. We had no indication that they had started dealing in the slave market.”

“I’m sorry, Koba. About your parents,” she says.

“Thank you,” I manage to say, though I feel like I’m choking on the words. I still carry so much guilt about my parents’ death and whether or not I could have done more to prevent it.

“We’re close now,” I say. “You are going to want to hold on.”

I’m used to the intense pressure and sudden drop, but it’s only because I’ve experienced it hundreds of times. It is quite unsettling the first time. When the free fall starts, I take a deep breath. I want to look back at Marilyn, but even if she is terrified, there’s nothing I can do for her now. Her restraints are secured in place, I made sure of it myself.

For me, the entrance into Zephyrus’s atmosphere is quick. Marilyn might disagree. Once we make it through and the ship starts to deescalate, I look back at her and ask, “Are you okay?”

She looks incredibly pale but she shakes her head. “I’m okay. I might lose the contents of my stomach, but I’m okay.”

“I don’t know if it makes you feel any better or not, but you do get used to it after a while.”

“Let’s not talk about that right now,” she says, closing her eyes.

I chuckle but try to hide it. “Keep an eye out for the mountains. Once we reach them, we won’t be far from the city. The coordinates lead us there.”

“Mountains, got it.” And then she adds, “So what is it like here?”

“It’s a dry planet. Crops struggle to grow as well as most other vegetation, which makes survival a struggle. There is a large market just outside of the city where people sell and trade to survive. Most life forms live within the city walls. It’s safer than being isolated in the deserts. I’d show you around if we had more time.”

She looks at me and smiles, saying, “Maybe another time. I have a strong ‘get in, get out’ vibe going on right now.”

She’s right, I’m feeling that way too, but it’s because of her and wanting her to be safe. If it were just me it would be like any other mission I’ve completed. Marilyn makes things more complicated, even if she will be waiting inside the ship.

The desert is vast below us. Creatures skitter across the sand as we fly overhead. The dry wind scoops up the slate colored sand and whips it into the sky, creating a fog over the city and blocking out the light of the suns. Even when the winds are calm, there’s a perpetual haze that hangs over the planet, giving it an ominous feel that suits it well.

According to our coordinates we must be getting close. A few more minutes in this direction and I can see the silhouettes of the mountains over the horizon.

“The mountains are just up there,” I say, pointing to the dark peaks ahead of us. “Once we get close the Atronox ship should be just beyond them. I’ll find a place where we can land without drawing attention to us.”

“Okay. Are you planning to board their ship to see what they have on board?”

“Most likely. Unless they’ve already unloaded their shipments to sell in the city.”

“Okay,” she says, nodding.

“There it is,” I say. We’ve flown over the mountains, jarring billows of sharp pieces of rock loose. The city looms ahead of us with spaceships from all over the galaxy scattered within and around the city walls. I keep an eye on the signal, heading straight for it. We need to get close but not so close that I will be recognized.

“There it is,” I say to Marilyn, pointing toward the goal of our mission.

The Atronox ship looks like a large triangle from our vantage point. A large triangle stocked full of weapons, which protrude from the front of the ship and larger missiles attached to the sides. It’s one of their fleet ships, able to carry at least one hundred of their kind on board. The very same ship I illegally boarded only a few days ago.

Before we land, I send a message to the Star Fury acknowledging that the Atronox are here and the mission is moving forward. Then, I maneuver the ship and begin our descent, choosing to land where another ship obscures ours.

Once we’re on the ground, I power down the ship. When the last light clicks off we’re sitting in the dark, left with only the sound of our breathing. Instead of running over there right away, I take a little time to sit and observe. There is no sign of the Atronox from here. They aren’t unloading anything or milling about, which tells me either they are here looking for a buyer, or they’re already meeting with one. After enough time has passed with no sign of anyone, I’m ready to make my move.

“I’m going to go take a look,” I say to Marilyn. I click the button on my restraints, releasing them. I stand up and pull a hooded cloak out of my bag and tie it around my neck, pulling the hood over my head. “Just in case,” I say, smiling, trying to lighten the mood.

And then I press the button to open the hatch. I go down but before I turn to close the hatch behind me, I turn to her and say, “I’ll be right back. The hatch will lock behind me. Make sure you stay here and don’t open the hatch for anyone. Got it?”

“Okay,” she says. “Be safe.” I dip my head down and am about to close the hatch when I hear her add, “And if you find the women and need my help, I’ll be here.”

I close the hatch tightly and climb down the rest of the ladder. She means well but I don’t want to get her involved in this. Any risk that I take on this mission will be mine alone.

I survey my surroundings while moving toward the vessel. There are mountains behind us, desert to our right and a bustling city of activity within a stone’s throw of our ships. Not an easy escape in sight but if we are lucky, no one will even be aware that we are here.

Once I’m underneath the ship, I’m quick about attaching the code breaker to the panel that will give me access to the hatch. The last thing I need is to draw attention to myself. Luckily I’ve used the code breaker so many times I could do it in my sleep. Within seconds the latch clicks, unlocking the hatch. I’m about to open it and sneak on board when there’s a much louder sound that shakes the underbelly of the ship. The huge metal gears creak and moan as the ramp is released and lowered.

“Shit,” I say to myself. Before I can retreat to find cover, a swarm of Atronox guards come rushing from the ship, surrounding me. The realization that it’s a trap is made worse when I see the Atronox’s leader Stosk and his ugly face walking through the middle of the sea of guards toward me.

“This is unexpected, Stosk, even for you,” I say when he’s standing in front of me.

“I know,” he says, sounding proud of himself. Before I have a chance to say anymore, he raises his hand before me. I’m already falling to the ground before I realize that I have been shot at close range. The smoke curling from the end of his weapon is the last image I can focus on as I crumple at his feet.