BAELAN: Fantasy Romance (Zhekan Mates Book 4) by E.A. James (24)

SUPERNOVA - FAR HOPE SERIES - BOOK #3

 

CHAPTER ONE

 

The thought of leaving the Curio was somewhat unsettling for Kira. Sure, it needed repairs; it needed a lot of repairs. But, somehow after a few good life or death experiences with the flying heap of metal, she had formed an unexpected attachment to it. It felt strange to not be onboard. It felt strange to not need to be close to the ship to facilitate a quick getaway.

 

It felt strange to know that it was safe for her to walk about in the open, away from her ship, with no worries in the world.

 

Strange in a good way, of course.

 

“Smell that?” Thor asked as he walked alongside her, his arm draped around her shoulder.

 

“What? That group of Rengar over there?” Kira replied, eyeing the oversized rodents out of the corner of her eye.

 

The beady-eyed, fur-covered traders were huddled together, more than likely trying to scheme their way into cheating their next customer out of a few hundred Galactic Credits.

 

“No,” Thor said, his tone light. “Freedom, Kira! We did it. We’re free citizens again.”

 

“I still only smell the Rengar,” Kira replied, looking up at him with a crooked smile.

 

“You’re not the least bit excited about this?” he asked.

 

“I am,” she admitted. “But…”

 

“None of that,” Thor said firmly, cutting her off.

 

He came to an abrupt stop; his arm still draped around her, and pulled her in close to him. Lowering his face to hers, he kissed her softly before pulling back and looking down at her with those dark brown, mischievous eyes and rugged, trouble-making grin.

 

“No ‘buts’,” he said, his tone still firm. “None of that token Winter cynicism, not today.”

 

“You know, it’s that cynicism that’s kept you alive for the last few months,” she pointed out.

 

“I won’t argue with that,” he conceded. “But, being that I am still alive, and finally a free man again, I want to enjoy it. And, I think you should, too.”

 

“I should enjoy you being a free man?” she asked.

 

Now, it was her dark blue eyes that were sparkling with mischief. Thor laughed as he brushed a strand of dark brown hair from her face.

 

Tilting his head to the side, his shaggy, dark brown hair falling into his eyes, he said, "you can most certainly enjoy that if you'd like. But, I think you should enjoy the fact that you, too, are a free woman again, Kira."

 

“I’m just not good at relaxing,” she admitted, reaching up and brushing aside the hair from his eyes.

 

“I think I could help with that,” he replied with a wink.

 

“You do, do you?” she asked, pushing herself up onto her tiptoes.

 

Thor leaned in and slowly pressed his lips to hers. An instant chill ran down her spine and almost all her natural preoccupations drifted away. There was something extra in the way he kissed her, something more than had been there before. There was more passion, more zeal, more of that fierceness that he possessed that she had grown to love so much.

 

He was truly happy to be free. And standing there with him amid the hustle of traders and merchants, military personnel and everyday citizens going about their business, she finally let the complete realization set in. It didn’t matter who saw them; it didn’t matter where they were. They were free. No one was searching for them; there were no bounty hunters after them, or pirates looking to hit it big on ransom money. They were free and safe and together.

 

And she was happy. Happier than she had been in a long time—happier than she imagined herself ever being again at the start of all of this. So much had changed since she first met him, especially her feelings toward him. But now, feeling his arms draped around her made her stomach flop excitedly. Feeling his lips graze softly against hers made her heart race.

 

She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer to her. Just as he began to slide his hands down her back, slowly inching them lower and lower, a chorus of taunts quickly forced them apart.

 

“Is that what you two were doing all those hours up on the flight deck alone?” Bron asked. “That’s rather unprofessional, Captain Winter.”

 

“We would never…,” Kira started.

 

"At least we didn't have to see it then," Vinnie said, cutting her off. Wrinkling his nose, he continued, "maybe we should just leave them with the ship. Clearly, they need their privacy."

 

“It was just a…,” Thor began.

 

“I think it’s cute,” Alaria chimed in with a giggle.

 

“I’m so glad you all have something to say about our personal affairs,” Kira said, crossing her arms over her chest.

 

“They’re not very personal when you’re getting it on in the middle of a commercial space station,” Vinnie said, elbowing Bron in the side as they both chuckled.

 

“We were just…,” Thor started.

 

“There’s no point,” Kira said, looking up at him. “They’re just overgrown children.”

 

She couldn’t help but notice that there was one individual in their group that didn’t join in the banter. While Dario was one to generally remain outside of the quick back-and-forth that the others so often engaged in, there was something about his mannerisms that told her his mind was somewhere else completely. His eyes remained fixed on the ground, and his shoulders were hunched forward just slightly. She didn’t need to ask. She knew what he was thinking about. He would bring it up when he was ready, though. She knew that, as well.

 

“To be fair, one of us still is a child,” Bron quipped.

 

“You better be talking about yourself,” Vinnie replied, glaring up at his Bandurian guardian.

 

“I think we should be going,” Kira said, rolling her eyes as she marched forward.

 

There was energy among the group. It was excitement and relief all balled up into one. She noted it in the permanent smirk spread across Bron’s face, the extra bounce in Alaria’s step, and the cocky swagger that Vinnie was attempting to acquire. Even Thor walked a little taller.

 

Even amid the cloud of concern hovering heavily over Dario, Kira noted a slight air of relief in the older man’s movements. It had been a long time since Dr. Dario Marner was able to walk around a Terran vessel without the weight of a bounty on his mind.

 

“The Repair Bay is this way,” Alaria informed them as she turned down one of the many long, brightly lit hallways leading off of the TFS Arbiter’s main gallery.

 

After their meeting with Artanis, the crew had agreed that their first course of action as freed individuals would be to get the much-needed repairs done on the ship. Freed individuals or not, it was clear that they were not completely in the clear. Grimm was still out for blood, and chances were, they were pretty high up on his list of most-hated people in the Galaxy. They would want to make sure their ship was ready if and when the disgraced Colonel and coup leader finally showed his face.

 

“And, here we are!” Alaria announced as she led them through a large, sliding door.

 

“Damn,” Bron announced as he walked into the large repair bay. “This place is bigger than the Hangar back on Vandor.”

 

“Well, no shit,” Vinnie quipped. “That place was a hell hole located square in the middle of a larger hell hole. This is the TFS Arbiter!”

 

Bron was right—it was bigger than the Hanger. It wasn’t just bigger than the Hangar, though. It was nearly four times the size of his private shipyard he abandoned back in the Galactic Bazaar. Despite the size of the repair bay, it didn’t take Kira long to locate their beloved Curio.

 

“Always easy to find her,” Kira said as she led the group toward the large vessel. “She’s easily the ugliest thing in here.”

 

“Besides Bron, of course,” Vinnie added with a laugh.

 

Bron’s response to his side-kick's remark was the same as it always was when someone said something he disliked—a deep, guttural grunt.

 

“Well, once I get done with her, she’ll look a lot more menacing,” Bron said as he shouldered his way to the front of the group.

 

“Wait. What does that mean?” Alaria asked, following closely behind Bron.

 

The two of them standing next to each other was a sight that always brought a smile to Kira’s face. Bron, the large, muscle-covered, stern-faced Bandurian next to Alaria, the dainty, bright-eyed Telani made such a dramatic contrast that was as endearing as it was striking.

 

“It means that I’m going to load her up with more firepower than any of the sleek, shiny, high-end models you’ll find around here,” Bron replied.

 

“Firepower?” Vinnie asked, walking up next to Bron and crossing his arms over his chest as he stared up at him defiantly.

 

Yet another scene that always made Kira smile—the small Terran boy standing up to the mighty Bandurian. If it weren’t for Bron’s good-hearted nature, the young teenager wouldn’t stand a chance. But, Bron had a soft spot for the kid. All of them did. His spirit was contagious, and his smart-ass personality was always good for comic relief.

 

“Yes,” Bron answered, matching Vinnie’s stance—arms crossed over his chest—and squaring off to face him. “You got something to say about that?”

 

“Other than the fact that it’s completely idiotic? No.”

 

“This should be good,” Thor muttered with a chuckle.

 

Kira laughed as she nodded in agreement. They had learned long ago that Bron and Vinnie communicated this way. It was always done out of a place of love—no matter how unloving it appeared.

 

“And what would you suggest?” Bron asked.

 

“We need to upgrade the hull and improve the shield systems,” Vinnie replied.

 

“The hull could use a make-over,” Dario agreed.

 

“No one is going to worry about what the hull looks like if we can’t defend it,” Bron said.

 

“If we don’t upgrade the hull and shields, there won’t be anything to defend! She’ll be done after one good, square hit,” Vinnie replied.

 

“That’s the pilot’s job, isn’t it? To not get hit?” Bron said.

 

“Don’t bring me into this,” Kira said, holding her hands out in front of her.

 

“We need more guns,” Bron insisted. “More guns, more power.”

 

“We need better shields,” Vinnie countered again. “Don’t be so damn stubborn! You know I’m right.”

 

“He is,” Alaria said softly, walking up behind Bron and placing a soft hand on his shoulder. “The hull needs a major overhaul. And the shields… Well, they’re almost as bad as the ship itself looks.”

 

Bron’s shoulders slumped forward slightly, although there was a little sparkle in his eye that Kira couldn’t help but notice. No one else seemed to, though. Especially not Vinnie, who was about to jump out of his skin waiting for Bron to admit that he was right.

 

“See?” Vinnie asked, his eyes wide and grinning from ear to ear. “I’m right.”

 

“I won’t admit it,” Bron said, looking back at Alaria. “But, I will concede that the hull and shields need work.”

 

“And we’ll work on them first?” Vinnie asked.

 

“Yes,” Bron said, his jaw clenched slightly. “We’ll work on them first. But, when we get our asses handed to us in combat because our weapons array is shit, don’t blame me.”

 

“No, that’s when we’ll blame the pilot,” Vinnie said, spinning on his heel and marching triumphantly toward the Curio.

 

“I said don’t bring me into this!” Kira called after him.

 

“Kid was never good at taking directions,” Bron said with a chuckle. “We’ll get started on all of that, then, I suppose.”

 

“How long will it be?” Kira asked.

 

“I’d say at least a day or two,” Bron replied.

 

“That’s not too bad,” Kira said with a nod.

 

“All ready to get back out there, are you?” Thor asked.

 

“That can’t be true,” Alaria said, bouncing over to Kira. “You have to celebrate! No thinking about missions or flying or Grimm or any of that for two days.”

 

Just as the last words escaped her lips, the view screen hanging over her head, tucked into the corner of the repair bay, caught Kira’s attention.

 

“I think that’s going to be harder than it sounds,” Kira said, pointing so as to direct the others’ attention to what she was seeing.

 

There, illuminated in all his menacing glory, was Grimm.

 

CHAPTER TWO

 

Just the sight of him made a shiver of fear ripple down Kira’s spine. Even though the image was just a frozen picture taken from the broadcast Grimm had transmitted across the Terran Empire, she felt as if his eyes were somehow capable of seeing through the screen and burning right into her.

 

She could still hear his words playing on repeat in her mind: “This is a warning—a warning for the Terran Alliance Forces. Surrender the remaining T.A.F. personnel, turn over command of your forces to me, or there will be dire consequences for your inaction.”

 

“Colonel Grimm has made his wishes very clear,” an announcer explained as the image of Grimm disappeared.

 

The next image wasn’t much better, though. It was a short video caught during the height of the coup. The chaos and confusion could be felt through the viewscreen. Even Bron seemed to shudder back as the images flashed by.

 

"He will not stop until he gets what he wants," the reporter for the Galactic News Network continued. "Top officials have assured us that they are doing everything within their power to contain the threat, however."

 

“Everything in their power?” Dario asked, his eyes drifting over to Kira quickly. “Is it just me, or does it seem like no real plan has even been developed yet?”

 

Everyone turned their attention from the viewscreen to their fellow crew member. Dario, soft spoken and wise, was showing signs of frazzled frustration, something very unlike him. Kira noted the way his hands remained balled up tightly at his sides and his jaw was clenched tight.

 

“Dario, walk with me,” Kira said, moving away from the group.

 

She heard his light steps following behind her but didn't slow her pace until they were well out of earshot of the others. When she finally fell into step with him, she waited for him to begin. She wasn't going to pressure him into anything but she also couldn't have perhaps the most stable, consistent member of their crew on the brink of a breakdown.

 

“It’s true, what I said,” Dario began. “They don’t have a plan.”

 

“They haven’t had time to make one, Dario,” Kira said calmly. “Until we returned from the mining colonies, Grimm’s plans and intentions were almost completely unknown to the High Command.”

 

“Don’t you think we should be making our own plans and not just trying to figure out Grimm’s?” Dario countered. “Why are we always two steps behind him? Shouldn’t we be the ones calling the shots?”

 

"Coups don't work like that. That's the whole point of a coup, to no longer let someone else call the shots. Grimm doesn't care what we're doing because it won't affect what he's going to do. He's had this plan in place for a long time. He's not going to change it just because the Terran Alliance wants him to."

 

“Can’t we do something to make him have to change his plan?”

 

“That’s what we’ve been trying to do. Dario, you know this. You know how all of this works. It’s not the process that’s frustrating you.”

 

“It’s not,” he admitted.

 

“Do you want to tell me what it is?”

 

“I’m sure you know. If you don’t, you’re neither a good Captain nor a good friend.”

 

Kira wrinkled her brow and glanced at him defensively. He smiled weakly at her and shrugged. She returned the smile and wrapped her arm around his shoulders.

 

“We’ll figure out how to save him,” she said. “You have my word.”

 

“But how? What are our next steps? Where do we go from here? We’re working for the Terran Alliance now, but they haven’t given us any orders or laid out any plan of action.”

 

“Artanis will think of something, it’s important that the TAF stabilize the home front first,” Kira urged.

 

As she spoke, she pulled out the small, bracelet-like comm device that Artanis had given her before he dismissed them from their meeting. If he did need them, he would be contacting them on that. Part of her hoped he did contact them soon with a plan, while the other part of her hoped he took his time, giving them at least a few days to breathe and relax.

 

Looking down at the small silver device, she saw that he had not tried to contact them.

 

“I’ve known him for a long time,” she continued, placing the device back in her pocket. “He may not work at lightning speed, but that’s only because he’s ridiculously thorough. When he does present a plan of action, you can bet a million Galactic Credits on the fact that it’s going to work. He’s gotten us this far, hasn’t he?”

 

“But every day that goes by means Thane is in more and more danger. It’s been far too long since I’ve heard from him. And with each passing minute of silence, my mind fills with more bleak, terrified thoughts.”

 

“Dario, do you remember what you told me when Thor was in Recovery after the battle at the last mining colony?”

 

“About relationships?”

 

“About life and love and relationships and the reality we live in,” Kira replied. “You said that we can’t let the ambiguity of life weigh on us too heavily. Life is filled with uncertainties, you reminded me, and the only thing we can be certain of in this vast, ridiculously mysterious universe we live in is the people we share the experience with. You told me that holding those relationships close is what inspires us to work harder, fight harder, and live another day. What you’re feeling now, Thane is probably out there feeling the same exact thing. The only thing you can do with those feelings though is to use them as motivation to keep pushing forward.”

 

“But without a plan…”

 

“There will be a plan. And when there is, I need you to be as focused and driven as you always have been. Shit, the five of us need someone with a little sophistication to keep us grounded. So, I’m going to need you to keep being that person for us.”

 

“You would be lost without me,” Dario responded with a crooked smile.

 

“Completely lost,” Kira agreed, hugging him tightly. “I promise, Dario. I haven’t forgotten about Thane. None of us have. We will find and save him.”

 

“Thank you, Captain,” Dario whispered as he pulled back from her and nodded slowly.

 

Kira saw the slight glistening of a tear form in the corner of his eye. He plastered a smile on his face and nodded again. His hands were no longer balled into fists, and his jaw was more relaxed.

 

“I think I’ll go for a walk around the station, try to clear my mind a little,” Dario said.

 

“I think that’s a great idea,” Kira agreed. “I’ll be back with the others if you want to talk more.”

 

With a slight nod, Dario turned and walked away. His shoulders were still hunched forward, but not nearly as much as they were before. Kira took in a slow breath as she watched him go. She did feel for him. She couldn’t imagine being in a situation like the one he was enduring. It was hard enough being locked in the midst of a Galactic coup, knowing the person you loved was caught in the middle of the wrong side would be nearly unbearable.

 

Once Dario disappeared among the crowds, she turned. The instant she did, her eyes landed on Thor. He was looking right at her, his gaze locking on hers amid the bustle of the busy repair bay. He gave her a slow, easy smile, as he brushed a chunk of shaggy brown hair from his face.

 

Moving toward the group, he was the only one she saw. After talking to Dario, the only thing she wanted to do was hold him close. Thinking about losing him, almost losing him, made her heart sink into her stomach. Remembering him, lying in the bed in Medical aboard the Curio made her chest ache with desperation. It was then that she knew she loved him. And since then, her apprehensions towards relationships had melted away. Her fear of commitment, her concern for balancing her work life and her love life seemed like a petty excuse.

 

Thinking about what Dario was feeling made her appreciate what she had even more. They were together and they were free.

 

“Hey,” he said, extending his hand to her as she approached. “Is he okay?”

 

Alaria, standing nearby, hurried over. Her eyes were filled with a daughter’s loving concern. “Where is he?”

 

“He’s fine,” Kira replied. “I think. He’s upset about Thane.”

 

“Oh no,” Alaria sighed, her eyes scanning the busy repair bay.

 

“He went for a walk,” Kira informed her.

 

“Should I go after him?” she asked, her eyes still flitting about the room.

 

“I think he wanted to be alone,” Kira replied.

 

She could sense Alaria’s concern increase. The small, petite Telani woman wore her emotions clearly. She needed a distraction. The sound of Bron and Vinnie getting into yet another argument would provide just that.

 

“You get the supplies. Why do I have to?” Vinnie quipped.

 

“Because you’re the kid,” Bron said, crossing his arms over his large, brown chest.

 

“You’re the one acting like one,” Vinnie replied.

 

“I’m also the one putting a roof over your head.”

 

With that, Vinnie looked up in sarcastic defiance. “Oh, I didn’t realize you owned the TFS Arbiter’s repair bay,” he said. “You’ve come a long way since you left the Bazaar. I must have missed all these big developments while I was busy saving your ass time and time again.”

 

“You saved my ass?”

 

“Okay,” Kira said, grabbing onto Alaria’s arm and tugging her toward the duo. “I think you’re going to need some supervising if anything is going to get done on the ship.”

 

“We don’t need a babysitter,” Vinnie said, turning to face them with an expression of frustration on his face.

 

Bron also turned to face them, but his expression wasn’t as annoyed as Vinnie’s. In fact, he seemed almost pleased at Kira’s suggestion.

 

“We could use the help,” Bron said.

 

“And I could use the distraction,” Alaria agreed, smiling weakly, first at Kira, then a little brighter at Bron.

 

Vinnie huffed, rolled his eyes, and turned on his heel. As he marched toward the ship, he mumbled just loud enough to be heard, “I may end up having to be the babysitter.”

 

Alaria giggled softly as the color of Bron’s face went from dark to even darker with a tinge of red. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and intertwined her arm with his, tugging him in the direction of the ship.

 

Kira and Thor both chuckled as they watched the oddly adorable couple walk off. Thor wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him. Leaning in, he kissed her softly on the cheek, sending a shiver of chills running down her spine.

 

“You know,” she said, spinning around to look up at him, “I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier, and you may have a point.”

 

“Am I going crazy?” Thor asked sarcastically. “Is this a dream? First, I’m told I’m a free man again, and then Kira Winter admitted that I may have been right about something? This can’t be reality.”

 

“Do you want me to continue or not?” she asked, nudging him softly in the side.

 

"Hell yes, I want you to continue. I want to hear what I was right about!"

 

Rolling her eyes, she laced her fingers with his and scooted in close. “We should enjoy this moment,” she said softly. “We should enjoy our freedom and we should be thankful that we can do so together.”

 

His eyes, always deep and penetrating, fixed on hers. “What’s on your mind?” he asked.

 

He was the only person she knew that could do that—read her that way. He could tell when she was happy, sad, angry, or bothered.

 

“Dario’s worried about Thane,” she replied, pushing herself up onto her tiptoes and wrapping her arms around his neck.

 

“And you’re worried about Dario?”

 

“Yes, but that’s not all,” she replied. “It just got me thinking about what happened back on the last mining colony, and how hard it would be for me if I didn’t know that you were okay, and…”

 

His eyes narrowed as a look of pleasant surprise crossed his face.

 

“I know,” she groaned, “what have you done to me?”

 

“I don’t know,” Thor replied, leaning in and pressing his lips to hers fiercely, “but I like it.”

 

She laughed and pushed him back. “What I’m trying to say is that I’m thankful that I have you here with me,” she said. “I really don’t know what I would do if I didn’t know that you were okay.”

 

“It would kill me to be separated from you right now,” he said, nestling his face close to hers. “I can’t even think about it.”

 

“Then, let’s not think about it,” she said, pulling back and taking hold of his hand. “Let’s just enjoy being together.”

 

CHAPTER THREE

 

On a ship like the TFS Arbiter, rooms were easy to come by. Merchants, military personnel, soldiers-for-hire, whoever it was that spent any extended time on board the large Terran Forces vessel would need a place to sleep.

 

Although, sleep wasn’t what Kira and Thor had in mind when they tumbled into the room they had rented.

 

“Maybe we should tell someone where we are,” Kira said as they tripped over each other’s feet, their arms wrapped around each other and their lips pressed together.

 

“Why? So they can give us shit again?” Thor asked, leading her over to the bed.

 

Besides the small, attached bathroom, the bed was basically all there was in the room. The heavy metal walls emitted a soft light that seemed to seep through them, coming from nowhere in particular, but illuminating the space just enough to give it a soft but fluorescent feel.

 

“No,” she said as she undid the clasp of her gun belt and tossed her Phantom and holster to the side. “They might need us for something, though.”

 

Thor, too, tossed his sidearm to the ground before slipping the loose-fitting white shirt he was wearing up over his head. Her eyes flitted over him—his perfectly sculpted body, his chiseled chest and defined abs. Her gaze landed on the intricate tattoo that covered most of his left pec.

 

Reaching up, she dragged her fingers along the lines, tracing the designs in his skin. She could feel his heartbeat against her hand, strong and steady, and accelerated with excitement.

 

“The others can survive without their Captain for a while. I need you right now,” Thor replied, leaning in and pressing his lips to her neck.

 

A shiver of chills ran down her spine as his right hand drifted down her side. Her stomach turned with anticipation as he reached the edge of her shirt and slid his hand up between the fabric and her skin.

 

When he pushed her back onto the bed, she went gladly. Her arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him down with her. As they tumbled back, Thor lifted the shirt up over her head. The second she felt his skin pressed against hers, her entire body shivered with desire.

 

“Fine,” she said, her words coming out in soft, excited sighs. “Maybe they’ll be fine for a while without me.”

 

Her hands once again drifted over him. She never grew tired of the shape of him—strong, defined, broad shoulders, and muscular back. Everything about him made her want him more. The assuredness with which he moved, reaching down and undoing the clasps of her pants. The way his hands drifted over her with a soft sort of power, a tender roughness that only he could embody.

 

When he slipped out of his pants, she felt her stomach begin to flop excitedly. The second their bodies came together again, she let out a moan of both longing and frustration. She wrapped her legs around his waist; he leaned in further. She felt him pressing against her, his member prepared to slide inside of her.

 

Her body shook with excitement.

 

When he pressed his hips forward, her hands flew down to her sides, her fingers clinging to the sheets. Feeling him like that, being connected to him that way, had always given her a level of pleasure she hadn’t experienced before. The way he moved, the way his lips found hers with a force and passion that caused her to become completely lost with him, the way she could feel his heart racing in his chest, pressed tightly against her—it all made her want him more.

 

His lips drifted away from hers, finding her neck, sending shivers running up and down her spine. Her back arched, the combinations of feelings he was sending surging through her making the room spin.

 

He was firm in his movements, his hips thrusting up and down with passion and lustful desire. But, his kiss was soft, his lips just barely grazed over her skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake.

 

She wasn’t sure how long they spent there, lost together in their ecstasy. It felt like forever and yet, it was over all too fast. When she felt the orgasm wash over her, she wasn’t ready to separate from him.

 

He always left her feeling that way—completely satisfied yet longing for more.

 

CHAPTER FOUR

 

She wanted to stay there forever. She wanted to lie in bed with his arms wrapped around her and forget about everything that had happened before and everything that would happen after that very moment.

 

Because that moment was perfect.

 

And that perfect moment was over all too quickly. It seemed like the second she settled in to enjoy it, an ear-piercing squeal filled the room, bouncing off the metal walls and causing the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end.

 

“What the hell is that?” she demanded, sitting straight up.

 

“It’s the Comm-band,” Thor replied, resting his weight on his elbows.

 

With a grunt, Kira pushed herself up out of bed. The near pain-inducing whine continued to slice through the air. Tossing the clothes on the floor aside frantically, she located the device and announced her achievement with a pronounced, "gotcha!" as she held the metallic band up triumphantly.

 

Giving the thing one good shake, she hoped to silence the ringing. Instead, she activated the call. An image of the silver-haired, stern-faced Artanis spilled out of the center of the metal band and hovered weightlessly in the air.

 

“Shit,” she exclaimed, tossing the device across the room and collecting up an armful of her clothes from the ground.

 

“Kira?” Artanis’ muffled voice beckoned.

 

“Just a minute,” Kira said as she bounced on one leg then the other, attempting to pull on her pants as quickly as possible. Thor tossed her a shirt as he, too, hurried to the room to collect his own items.

 

“I’m coming,” Kira called out, pulling the shirt over her head and lunging across the room. “Hey, Admiral Artanis,” she said as calmly as possible as she grabbed the Comm-band from its place on the ground.

 

“Did I call at a bad time?” Artanis asked.

 

Kira could feel her cheeks flush, and hoped that the image on her former commanding officer’s end of the call wasn’t as clear as the one she was seeing. His eyes were wide, although filled with a slightly amused sparkle, and the corners of his mouth threatened to turn up in a smile at any moment.

 

“No,” Kira said, trying to hide her breathlessness. “We were just resting.”

 

“We?” Artanis asked.

 

“Hello, Admiral,” Thor said, walking up behind Kira.

 

“Commander Rockhold,” Artanis greeted him.

 

Now the corners of his mouth did turn up, and a queasy feeling crept into Kira’s stomach. “How can I help you, Admiral?” she asked, wanting to shift the conversation as quickly as possible.

 

“You’re needed in a Terran High Command meeting.”

 

“A what?” Kira asked, her mouth dropping open slightly.

 

“You heard me,” Artanis replied gruffly. “It’s important, Kira.”

 

“Everything with you people always is,” Kira muttered.

 

“I take that as a confirmation of your attendance?”

 

“Take the fact that I doubt I have a choice in the matter as a confirmation of my attendance,” Kira replied.

 

“I’m glad to see you still remember how things work around here,” Artanis replied with that fatherly smile he always gave her. “Meet me in Conference Room 4 in an hour.”

 

With that, the call dropped. Kira let out a nervous laugh as she dropped the Comm-band onto the bed. Thor, too, chuckled slightly to himself as he ran his fingers through his very disheveled hair.

 

“That was nice while it lasted,” Kira said as she straightened out her shirt.

 

“It’s the price we pay for being so badass,” Thor replied.

 

“Sometimes I think I should have just gotten a damn office job,” Kira muttered as she marched toward the door. “How simple my life would have been!”

 

“You don’t like simple,” Thor observed as he followed behind her.

 

“I’ve never given simple a chance,” Kira replied, walking down the long, brightly lit hallway.

 

“Well,” Thor said as he walked alongside her, “if you want, after we’re done whooping Grimm’s ass, and bringing peace back to the Galaxy, and being the heroes, and all that, we can try simple together.”

 

"What are you saying, Commander?"

 

“Just a thought that I’ve had in the back of my mind since the whole mining colony incident.”

 

“Do you think we could do that? Simple? Isn’t that the opposite of everything we’ve done so far? Aren’t we that couple that looks for trouble together?”

 

“I didn’t say anything about staying out of trouble,” Thor said, eyeing her flirtatiously.

 

The giggle that slipped past her lips was a sound she was still getting used to. It didn’t fit her—not the her that she was before. But now, it seemed to have become a common part of her persona.

 

Their conversation was cut short when they entered the ever-busy TSF Arbiter’s promenade. Voices echoed off the thick metal walls, and bodies hurried to and fro. Walking side by side was nearly impossible, given the extremely crowded state of the walkway.

 

It was probably for the best. She needed to focus. Artanis wanted to speak to them about something important. She knew her former Commanding Officer well enough to know that he wouldn’t call an unscheduled meeting for anything less than extremely important.

 

Their first stop was the repair bay. Bron, Vinnie, and Alaria were all busy at work. Bron was dealing with the shields, Alaria with the hull, and Vinnie was pitching in where he could, running back and forth between the two with his own personal side-kick, his repair bot, following along behind him.

 

“We’ve set up a plan of attack,” Bron informed them when they all gathered together on the dock.

 

“And we’ve got the supplies in order,” Vinnie added.

 

“Are we still looking at a couple of days?” Kira asked.

 

“At least,” Alaria informed them. “But that’s not a problem, right? We’ve got the time, don’t we?”

 

Kira looked over a Thor who returned her glance. “We’re not sure,” Thor spoke. “Artanis just called. We’re wanted in a Terran High Command meeting.”

 

“High Command?” Alaria asked, her wide blue eyes going wide. “That sounds very official.”

 

“It is,” Kira answered.

 

“Do we all need to go?” Bron asked, holding out his oil covered hands. “I’m not dressed for ‘very official.’”

 

“You never are,” Vinnie replied.

 

“I’m sure Artanis would understand if you hung back,” Kira replied.

 

“Vinnie, you’re staying with me,” Bron ordered.

 

"Fine by me," Vinnie said, walking back toward the ship. "I don't want to sit through a stuffy meeting anyway."

 

“Damn stuffy meetings,” Vinnie’s repair bot echoed as it followed behind him.

 

“I want to go,” Alaria said. “And I’m sure Dario will, as well.”

 

“Radio him and tell him to meet us in Conference Room 4 as soon as possible,” Kira said. “We’re expected there in half an hour.”

 

And that half an hour flew by. Finding Conference Room 4 aboard the massive commercial station consumed most of their remaining time. What added to the difficulty in locating said conference room was that it wasn't located among the other conference rooms lining the long, official Terran Alliance hallway.

 

It wasn’t anywhere near the other conference rooms, for that matter. It was tucked way back in the farthest corner of the ship, behind an industrial strength storm door that required a retina scan to gain access.

 

How they got Kira’s retina into the system, she had no idea.

 

“You could have given us a heads up,” Kira said as she walked into the windowless room.

 

Artanis was seated at a long table, with a highly decorated Terran Forces Commander to his right and another to his left.

 

“I couldn’t risk someone overhearing our conversation,” Artanis replied.

 

“Why the need for all the high-security and secrecy?” Thor asked, walking further into the room.

 

“As I said before, there is still a very real concern that Grimm has double agents working among our ranks. We can’t trust anyone these days,” Artanis replied. “Despite the business-as-usual atmosphere hanging around here, nothing is usual. Our situation remains dire, and time is running out. We need to act—now.”

 

“Definitely should have gotten an office job,” Kira muttered to Thor as she moved forward to take a seat across from the small collection of officials.

 

Dario, Alaria, and Thor all took their seats on Kira’s side of the table. A tense silence consumed the room as everyone waited for someone else to speak first. Kira couldn’t help but notice that everyone seemed to be staring at her.

 

“Am I missing something?” she asked, scanning the faces of the Terran Forces Commanders. “I feel like you’re all expecting me to say something but I have no idea what it is.”

 

“We were hoping you had an idea of how to go about locating Grimm,” the Commander seated to Artanis’ right answer. She was an attractive woman, in her mid-forties, with long, black hair and uncharacteristically light blue eyes.

 

“Captain Winter, this is Commander Hopkins,” Artanis said, introducing the woman to his right. “And this is Commander Rush,” he said, gesturing to the man to his left.

 

“Well, Commander Hopkins,” Kira began, “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I have no idea where Grimm is hiding out.”

 

"Are you sure about that?" Commander Rush said. He was a small man but built like a rock. His head lacked any trace of hair, but the bushy beard wrapped around his jaw made up for that.

 

“What do you mean?” Kira asked, leaning forward.

 

“This whole thing with Grimm started a long time ago,” Artanis explained. “About eleven years ago, to be exact.”

 

Kira knew what he was getting at before he even finished speaking. “My first mission,” she said with a tired sigh.

 

“Exactly. The new intel that your crew collected, that Grimm has been stealing Divarium from the mining colonies, can only mean one thing—he is associating himself with the Empyreans. More specifically, he is showing his allegiance to the Empyrean extremists.”

 

“The Empyrean extremists we located eleven years ago,” Kira added.

 

“That’s where you come in,” Commander Rush replied.

 

“I figured as much,” Kira sighed, leaning back in her chair. “But, I don’t know how you expect me to help you. Just because I went on a mission what feels like a lifetime ago…”

 

“You can help us find the location of the extremist Empyrean epicenter,” Artanis urged. “We believe that the location of the lab you and Grimm’s crew discovered may be the exact place he’s hiding out.”

 

“What makes you think he’s even there?” Thor asked.

 

“Because it doesn’t make sense that he would be,” Dario answered.

 

Now, everyone turned their attention to him with expressions of confused surprise. Even Alaria seemed uncertain of her adoptive father’s answer.

 

“You’re exactly right, Dr. Marner,” Artanis answered. “We’ve searched every obvious place in the galaxy. What we need to do now is to look at the not-so-obvious.”

 

“Isn’t an Empyrean lab an obvious hideout for an Empyrean extremist and coup leader?” Thor asked.

 

“No,” Kira answered this time. “Because we destroyed it.”

 

"A destroyed lab is good to no one unless you want to lay low somewhere," Commander Hopkins said.

 

“No one would expect him to be there because as far as everyone is concerned, it’s good for nothing,” Kira said.

 

“Okay, so, all Kira has to do is tell us where this lab is—or was—right?” Alaria asked, her voice bouncing with excited hope.

 

“Oh, that’s all?” Kira asked.

 

It was clear her dry sarcasm wasn’t widely accepted by her peers. She straightened up in her chair and shook her head.

 

“Yes, I was given the coordinates for the base,” Kira began. “But, it was a long time ago. Not to mention that I pretty much forgot them the second we returned from that mission.”

 

“There’s no way you can recall the location?” Artanis pressed.

 

“I’m sorry,” she replied. “But, I’m afraid I can’t.”

 

“Would anyone else that was on that mission with you remember?” Commander Rush asked.

 

“They didn’t even know the coordinates, to begin with,” Kira replied. “Grimm is a very secretive man, especially when it comes to mission intel. I was the only one on the mission besides him that knew where we were going.”

 

“And the others went along with that?” Thor asked, glancing over at her. “Seems a little shady.”

 

“They weren’t happy about it,” Kira replied.

 

“That’s very unfortunate,” Artanis said, glancing side-to-side at his fellow High Command members.

 

"Does that mean there's nothing we can do?" Dario asked a hint of desperation in his tone.

 

“Not exactly,” Artanis said, now turning his attention to Kira. “There is one thing we can try.”

 

CHAPTER FIVE

 

She knew that look. It was the “you’re not going to like this, but you’re going to have to accept it” look he gave her time and time again when going over her flight reports. Her stomach dropped as she waited for Artanis to continue.

 

“Anything,” Dario spoke before anyone else could even react. “We’ll do anything it takes.”

 

Kira looked over at Thor quickly. He, too, seemed to share her premonition that whatever Artanis was going to say was not going to be good—for any of them.

 

“I appreciate your enthusiasm,” Artanis replied to Dario’s quickly spoken comment. “I only hope it remains once I outline the plan we’ve come up with.”

 

“Let’s hear it,” Kira said.

 

"Obviously, our first step in locating Grimm is finding someone who knows the location of the Empyrean's base of operations in Arkadian space," Artanis began. "We had hoped that Captain Winter would be able to provide that information. But, we did prepare a backup plan just in case she couldn't."

 

“That’s good!” Alaria said excitedly.

 

“Yes and no. Yes, because we have found not only one, but two individuals who may be able to provide us with that information—a Rengar named Aldo Firax and an Arkadian named Kardok,” Artanis explained.

 

“And no because…?” Kira pressed.

 

“Because they’re locked up in Jaantu 7,” Artanis began.

 

“How long until they’re…” Kira started.

 

“For life,” Artanis added, cutting her off and answering her half-spoken question at the same time.

 

“So, how are we supposed to get to them?” Thor asked.

 

“It’s complicated,” Artanis replied. “We have no diplomatic channels to pull with the Jaantu institution. It’s managed by a private corporation—BanCor—and therefore outside of the Terran Alliance’s reach.”

 

“And it’s located right in the middle of Bandurian Space,” Thor said.

 

"Yes," Artanis agreed. "We could always just go in and use firepower to get them out. But, a direct assault on the prison would really upset the Bandurians and possibly lead to war. We have enough of a problem on our hands without upsetting another race."

 

“So how are we supposed to get to them?” Kira asked firmly.

 

Artanis, his gaze still fixed on Kira, explained, “that’s where you come in.”

 

“No,” Kira said, shaking her head and standing up quickly. “No, no, no.” She knew what he was going to say and she was not about to agree to it. “It’s a suicide mission!”

 

“What?” Thor asked, glancing back and forth between Kira and Artanis.

 

“He wants to reinstate our bounties,” Kira replied, not turning to face Thor.

 

“All of them?” Alaria asked, reaching out quickly to take hold of Dario’s hand. “But, they just got them removed. We were finally all feeling safe.”

 

“Not all of them,” Artanis replied. “Just Kira’s and Thor’s. We can send you both to Jaantu 7 and you can hook up with Aldo and Kardok on the inside.”

 

Alaria let out a soft sigh of relief, and Kira once again shook her head. Thor joined Kira on his feet, his arms crossed over his chest and his posture defensive.

 

“You really expect us to give up our freedom, again, and go as far as to voluntarily get ourselves thrown into the exact institution I’ve spent the last few months trying to stay out of?” Thor said.

 

"If we had a better option, we would use it. We wouldn't even ask you if we thought there was another way," Artanis replied calmly. "Kira, you know I wouldn't put you in a situation like this unless I felt it was absolutely necessary. This is the most direct link to the potential whereabouts of Grimm's base of operations we have."

 

“Admiral, I don’t know…” Kira started.

 

“If we even had an idea of where to start looking, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” Artanis continued. “But we have nothing. Grimm’s coup was well planned and by all accounts of T.A.F. intelligence, there’s no trace of him to speak of.”

 

“It’s crazy,” Kira muttered. “It’s completely insane.”

 

“Is it really the only option?” Thor asked.

 

“What if it is?” Kira replied. “Are you seriously considering doing this?”

 

“If it’s the only way…,” Thor started.

 

“It’s the only way to ensure our deaths!” Kira quipped.

 

“I’ll do it,” Dario said, standing up quickly.

 

Kira and Thor immediately fell silent as everyone turned their attention to the older, grey-haired doctor. Kira knew that his age and size were deceiving. He was agile, strong, and intelligent. But, still, he would stand no chance in the high-security prison.

 

“Dario, no,” Alaria said, grabbing onto his hand and attempting to pull him back down into his seat.

 

“You realize what this mission entails?” Kira asked. “Dario, it’s suicide.”

 

“If it’s the only option we have, someone has to at least try,” Dario explained. “Every second we spend just sitting around; Grimm’s forces are getting stronger, his weapons more advanced, and his mental state more fragile. If doing this brings us closer to stopping him and freeing Thane, I’m more than happy to volunteer.”

 

“We can’t let him go in there alone,” Thor said, turning to face Kira.

 

“We can’t let him go at all!” Kira replied emphatically.

 

“We don’t have another choice,” Artanis said, looking at both of the Commanders.

 

“He has a point, Kira. We can’t just keep sitting around waiting for Grimm to act first. What if the next course of action he takes is detonating one of his Supernova weapons?” Thor said.

 

“Commander Rockhold has a point,” Artanis agreed.

 

“And, he’s about to have a bounty on his head,” Thor said, looking over Kira’s head at Dario. “I’m in.”

 

“What?” Kira said, spinning around to face everyone in the room. “No, no, no. We were supposed to be helping in the fight, not going undercover. I’m not qualified for something like this.”

 

“It’s not necessarily undercover…,” Thor began.

 

“Are you sure there’s no other way?” Kira asked, looking desperately at Artanis.

 

“The only other option is to run sector by sector searches of the entire galaxy, and that could take years,” Artanis replied.

 

“We don’t have years,” Dario said nervously.

 

Letting out a slight huff of defeat, Kira turned to face Thor, a scowl etched across her face. “You owe me a hell of a lot of simple if we make it through this,” she said firmly.

 

“I’ll start searching for office jobs right now,” he replied with a smirk.

 

“Fine,” Kira said spinning around to face Artanis. “You’ve got three wanted fugitives, ready and waiting.”

 

“Thank you very much for your bravery,” Artanis said, pushing out his chair and extending his hand in her direction.

 

“Don’t you mean thank you for my neck? Because this isn’t a mission. It’s more like a death sentence,” she replied, slipping her hand into his and shaking it firmly.

 

“That makes your bravery even more appreciated,” Artanis replied, sliding back into his chair. “Especially because…”

 

“Because? There’s more, isn’t there? There’s always more,” Kira said, shooting Thor a frustrated look before slumping back down into her chair.

 

“Especially because given the circumstances and the fact that Jaantu 7 is owned by a private company, the T.A.F. will not be able to be involved in the mission in any way,” Artanis finished.

 

“As in, once we’re in, we’re screwed?” Thor asked as he retook his seat next to Kira.

 

“As in, we can provide your ship with supplies, but once the bounties are re-instated, it’s up to you and your crew to devise your own escape plan,” Artanis explained.

 

“Oh, no problem,” Kira said sarcastically. “All we have to do is break out of the prison with the highest level of security in the entire galaxy.”

 

“It doesn’t sound so bad when you put it that way, does it?” Artanis replied, shooting her a half-smile. “Come on, Kira. What happened to the adventure-seeking, daredevil pilot that used to purposely put herself in these types of situations?”

 

“I never got myself into something like this,” Kira said defensively.

 

“You’ve gotten pretty damn close.”

 

“I have,” Kira admitted with a chuckle. “Fine. I’m still in if the others are.”

 

Thor and Dario both voiced their agreement in unison as Alaria let out a soft, heartbroken sigh.

 

“Wonderful,” Artanis said, slamming his fist down on the table with zeal. “I will reinstate your bounties to ensure your transport to Jaantu 7. I suggest you find a creative way to get arrested. You know, make it more believable.”

 

“I don’t think Kira will have a problem with that,” Thor said.

 

Artanis laughed and nodded his head. “No, I don’t think she will.”

 

“Okay, okay,” Kira said, sitting up straight. “That’s enough of that. What do we need to do, Admiral?”

 

“Well, I suggest you get back to your ship and regroup with your crew,” Artanis said. “Explain the situation to the others, and start planning. You won’t have long, but I will give you as much time as possible. Once you’re ready to head out, come find me, and we’ll finalize everything before your big departure.”

 

CHAPTER SIX

 

"You're going to do what?" Bron asked, leaning back on his heels and crossing his arms over his chest. The look of disbelief and slight judgment on his face was hard to miss.

 

“It’s our only hope,” Kira replied.

 

“Are you joining in on his suicide mission?” Bron asked, glancing over at Alaria.

 

“No,” she replied, shaking her head. “But my father is.”

 

The sadness in her voice was as easy to note as the criticism in Bron’s. They were all feeling some sort of frustrated negativity. They were just beginning to accept that they were free. They were just beginning to let themselves be happy and relaxed.

 

There was one individual among them, though, that met the news with excitement.

 

“I don’t know what you guys are so upset about,” Vinnie announced. “We’re going to get to see the inside of Jaantu 7! We’re going to get to see the galaxy’s most infamous prison!”

 

“Not all of us are going to get to see inside,” Bron said, glancing down at his side-kick over his shoulder. “Only the ones with a death wish.”

 

“I might have…” Vinnie started.

 

“No, you don’t,” Bron replied gruffly, the ridges engrained in his brow becoming even more defined with his scowl.

 

“Well, shit,” Vinnie muttered. “So, while they’re out there getting to see all the action what are we going to be doing?”

 

“Working on the ship,” Kira replied.

 

“How exciting,” Vinnie mumbled.

 

“How exciting,” Vinnie’s repair bot mimicked, the hint of sarcasm somehow apparent in the mechanical voice.

 

“You’ll be working on the ship,” Kira continued, “because it’s going to need to be in the best shape possible.”

 

“That could take years,” Thor replied with a chuckle.

 

“Let’s hope not,” Kira said. “Because we’re going to need the three of you to find some way to get us out of that hell hole.”

 

“What?” Bron asked.

 

“What?” Vinnie mirrored. “We’re going to bust you guys out of the Jaantu 7?”

 

The young Terran teen began to bounce around excitedly. His usually contagious energy didn’t spread to the rest of the group, though. Even his metallic side-kick seemed to emanate uncertainty

 

“Let me get this straight,” Bron said, shifting his gaze between Vinnie and the others. “You are going to willingly get your asses thrown into the notoriously dangerous maximum-security prison to search for two known criminals with the hopes that they’ll agree to work with us. And, once you find and sweet-talk those criminals, you expect us to swoop in and bust you out of said maximum security prison?”

 

“When you say it like that, it sounds crazy,” Thor replied.

 

“It sounds like a suicide mission, which it is,” Bron said firmly.

 

“It’s our only hope,” Dario said. He wrung his hands together and shook his head. “It’s our only hope. We have to do something. Even if we die trying, we have to do something.”

 

Kira walked over to him and draped her arm around his shoulder. “I agree,” she said firmly. “We knew what we were getting into when we all got on board with this crusade against Grimm. We can’t just give up now because we don’t like the plan. Every day that goes by is another day that Grimm is out there, probably killing innocent people on behalf of his screwed up ideology.”

 

“To be fair,” Bron spoke up, “Vinnie and I never fully got on board. We were just kind of dragged along.”

 

“Speak for yourself,” Vinnie said, still bouncing around slightly. “I was on board from the moment those pirates raided the Hangar!”

 

Alaria smiled at Vinnie’s enthusiasm. Walking up to Bron and lacing her arm with his, she said, “I think it’s a very brave plan. And, we will do everything in our power to make sure the Curio is ready to whoop ass when the time comes.”

 

Bron surprised both by Alaria's uncharacteristically crude language and the fact that her hand was still wrapped tightly around his forearm, perked up. The critical expression almost instantly melted off his face as his cheeks flushed red and his lips pursed together nervously.

 

“We’ll do our best,” Bron agreed, trying to play it cool.

 

“I’m glad to hear it,” Kira said, stepping forward and motioning for the others gather around. “So now, we need to talk technicalities. I know that, personally, my main concern is how you are going to get us out of Jaantu 7.”

 

There was a pause as they all thought. That silent pause was quickly ruptured, though, when Alaria clapped her hands together and let out an excited, high-pitched, “I have it!”

 

Everyone turned to look at her.

 

“I did some work for BanCor a few years back. I was working for Artech, the Telani engineering company. Have you heard of it?”

 

Everyone shook their heads "no" and waited, somewhat impatiently for her to continue.

 

“Well, it’s not important,” she said, pushing a strand of platinum blond hair back from her porcelain white face. “The thing is, BanCor hired Artech to do some work, and while I was there working, I saw some plans for Jaantu 7. Apparently, BanCor was commissioning some new construction or something. I guess that’s not very important, either. The point is they have copies of the plans at Artech!”

 

Everyone stared at her, waiting for her to say more. But, it was clear that she didn’t think she needed to.

 

“Okay,” Kira said calmly, “while that is interesting, how will it help you guys bust us out?”

 

“We can get them—well, we’ll probably have to steal them, to be honest—and use them to find weak points in the prison’s exterior, or a secret entrance or exit or whatever,” Alaria explained. “They were architectural and security plans, so we could do just about anything with them we needed.”

 

“That is a good idea,” Dario said. “It definitely would give you three an edge on figuring out how to get us out.”

 

“Artech has an outpost in the Galactic Bazaar for customers,” Alaria explained. “They’ll have a copy of the plans in their system there, I’m sure.”

 

“We could go undercover, too!” Vinnie yelled, bouncing excitedly. “Pretend we’re customers to get access to the place.”

 

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Bron said, ruffling Vinnie’s hair.

 

“Ok, good. So, now all we need to do is figure out how to get ourselves captured,” Kira said.

 

No one spoke.

 

“Well, isn’t this an interesting twist,” Thor observed. “We’ve spent the last few months trying not to get caught, and now that we actually need to, we seem to be blanking on how.”

 

“That’s it,” Kira said, smiling up at him. “We don’t need to think of new ways to get captured when we’ve already perfected a few! We just need to get ourselves in the same situations we always do.”

 

“Like running through the Galactic Bazaar, for example?” Thor recommended.

 

“That does make sense,” Dario agreed. “We don’t want to do anything too over-the-top and look like we’re trying too hard, but we don’t want to be too obvious either.

 

“And it just so happens that our ride is heading to the Bazaar, anyway,” Thor added.

 

“That is definitely somewhere we would get caught for sure. We can get off in Vandor, do some running through the market, maybe run into a few bounty hunters searching the Bazaar for their next payout,” Kira said.

 

“We definitely know that it’s possible to get spotted on Vandor,” Thor reminded her.

 

Kira laughed as she remembered the start of their adventure, running through the busy market place, pirates chasing them from one direction, Arcanum soldiers from the other, and a Rengar bounty-hunter somehow getting thrown into the mix, as well. It was there that they met up with Bron and Vinnie. And it was there that Kira first started to look at Thor as more than a wrongly accused criminal turned partner in crime.

 

“We fought our asses off to get off that rock alive,” she said with a chuckle. “And we’re just turning around and going right back.”

 

“It’s symmetry,” Thor said.

 

“It’s ironic,” Kira replied.

 

“It’s time to get inside,” Bron said, motioning up to one of the viewscreen hanging down in the corner of the repair bay.

 

There, illuminating the screen was an image of Kira with a sizeable bounty flashing underneath her name. She held her breath as the image changed to a picture of Thor, then to one of Dario.

 

“Artanis certainly didn’t wait long, did he?” Kira said, her eyes still fixed on the screen.

 

CHAPTER SEVEN

 

Scanning the repair bay quickly, Kira held her breath, hoping that no one around was paying attention to the viewscreen. It seemed that they were safe—for the time being. Still, the fact that their faces were now being broadcast on the entire space station meant that they needed to finalize their plans as quickly as possible.

 

“Bron, Vinnie, and Alaria,” Kira said quickly, still looking around them nervously, “Artanis promised to provide resources to make some upgrades to the Curio, so take advantage of that. We’re going to need this thing in top shape.”

 

“I don’t think we have time for that,” Thor replied. “Just make it work.”

 

“More than that, make it invincible,” Kira urged.

 

“We’re mechanics and engineers, not miracle workers,” Alaria replied, “but we’ll do our best.”

 

“No matter what, we will get you out of that hell hole,” Bron said confidently. “You can count on us.”

 

“We know,” Kira said, smiling at the half of her crew she was planning to leave behind. “I wouldn’t be putting our asses on the line if I didn’t think you could.”

 

“We still need to get to Artanis and let him know what we’re planning on doing. He’ll want to track our progress up until we get captured, at least,” Thor said.

 

“Right,” Kira agreed. “We’ll go back and tell him about our plans. You start making a list of the items you’re going to need.”

 

“That sounds good,” Bron said with a nod. “But, we’re still going to need to do a few things to the ship before we can take off.”

 

“Do them quickly,” Kira said.

 

“Let’s get moving then,” Dario urged.

 

Despite the sadness he felt at the prospect of having to leave his daughter, there was a renewed spark of energy in Dario’s step. Kira and the others noticed it as he purposefully marched down the repair bay, only looking back when he realized that Kira and Thor weren’t following him.

 

“Come on!” he called to them, waving them on with the enthusiasm of a child.

 

“Damn, is he going to turn into Vinnie?” Kira muttered as she and Thor rushed to catch up with him.

 

Thor chuckled as they fell into step behind their silver-haired companion. The trio moved quickly through the repair bay but paused before they emerged into the heart of the bustling TFS Arbiter promenade.

 

"What are the chances that everyone in the damned promenade has seen our faces flashing on one screen or another?" Thor asked.

 

“I’d say pretty good,” Kira replied.

 

“Any ideas as to how we’re supposed to navigate our way through that mess of people and make it to Artanis without being noticed?” Thor asked.

 

“Keep our heads low?” Kira offered.

 

“Captain Winter and her quick, critical thinking skills,” Thor said with a smirk.

 

“I don’t hear you coming up with anything,” she retaliated.

 

Thor smiled down at her and winked. She rolled her eyes and elbowed him in the side. Dario let out a frustrated grunt.

 

“Our only hope is to move as quickly as possible,” Kira said, slipping into her role as leader. “We stick to the walls, move in a single file. If anyone spots us, if anyone comes after us, we run.”

 

Thor and Dario nodded and waited for her to lead them out of the repair bay. Moving in a line, they did just as she had said. Their heads remained low, and their hands hovered over their sidearms, concealed under their flight jackets. Still, they moved as indiscreetly as possible.

 

Everything was going smoothly. They had made it over halfway to their destination without anyone around them so much as glancing in their direction. Everyone was too focused on what they were doing to care about anyone else around them. No one was looking for fugitives; no one cared about the bounties.

 

And then, they ran into someone that did.

 

They didn’t see him at first. All they saw was the bolt of bright green energetic matter flying in their direction. Most everyone around them saw it. The crowd around them fell to their knees, their hands flying up over their heads as the bolt of energy rushed straight at Kira. Thor reached out and pulled her back, his reflexes reacting before she could process what was going on, just as the surge of plasma hit the wall in the spot her head once was.

 

Spotting the source of the blast was easy. Everyone that stood between them and him was on the ground now. His gun was still pointed in their direction, and a cold, mechanical laugh slipped out past his lips.

 

“Nico Rax,” Thor muttered, eyeing the rodent-robot bounty hunter they had narrowly escaped back on Vandor. “What the hell is he doing here?”

 

“Looking for fugitives, clearly,” Kira said, pulling out her gun and lifting it up slowly.

 

The three of them stood, motionless, for a moment, Kira’s gun trained on the belly of their half-machine, half-Rengar attacker. They knew he wouldn’t shoot them—at least, they hoped he wouldn’t. Artanis had instated their bounties with that goal in mind, making them worth much more alive rather than dead. Kira hoped that Nico Rax was greedy enough to want all three of them alive.

 

Although, his shot directed right at her head made her wonder.

 

"Should we just let him take us?" Dario asked as the bounty-hunter took one slow step in their direction. "This is what we wanted anyway, right?"

 

Kira looked back at the Thor and Dario. “It’s too soon,” she said softly.

 

Just then, two more Rengar appeared, running up to Nico, the sound of metallic breathing accompanying them. They weren’t nearly as mechanically outfitted as their apparent leader, but they still seemed to be more machine than anything else.

 

An eerie smile crossed Nico’s face. His voice, thick with the sounds of metal, seemed to echo off the walls around them.

 

“Take them in,” he ordered his men. “Alive, if you can. But, if not, kill them. I’m after more than a bounty with this group. I’m out for revenge.”

 

“Damn it,” Kira muttered, pushing back against Thor, who in turn pushed back against Dario. “Run!” she ordered.

 

Without hesitation, they did. Thor took hold of both her and Dario and rushed them forward. Nico’s men fired at them, but their shots followed Nico’s into the wall, where they sizzled against the high-energy resistant paneling and slid to the ground. Before they were about to find them in their sights again, Kira, Thor, and Dario had disappeared among the crowd of bystanders.

 

“Move it!” Nico ordered, leading his men into the crowd after them.

 

Thor was leading them, shoving aside anyone and anything that got in their way. Dario ran alongside him, his sidearm in his hand and his eyes glancing back over his shoulder quickly. Kira took up the rear, her Phantom loaded and ready to fire.

 

It was Nico's men that fired first. The blast that went skidding past them was startling close. Again, cries of panic erupted from the crowd as random passersby fell to the ground, shielding themselves from the gunfire that seemed to them to be coming out of nowhere.

 

Lifting her gun and spinning around, Kira planted her feet and fired the second the crosshairs of her sights landed on the plush, fur-covered gut of one of Nico’s men.

 

She didn’t wait to see if her blast landed where she had hoped it would. Spinning around, she took off as quickly as she could. Thor and Dario had slowed slightly to wait for her. As soon as she reached them, they turned sharply down one of the many hallways leading off of the bustling main promenade.

 

The section of the Arbiter that they entered was less crowded and much more open. The ceiling above them was made of industrial strength glass, and the bright lights of billions of stars spotting the dark, vast sky would have given the short stretch of the furnished hall a romantic feel if it weren’t for the three robotically enhanced bounty hunters quickly gaining on them.

 

Kira craned her head around to see how close they really were.

 

They were very close.

 

“Take cover!” she yelled as she saw one of Nico’s men life his gun.

 

The gun wielding lackey had a sizeable gash in his right side. Kira smiled to herself as she followed Thor and Dario behind a large piece of furniture that had previously been occupied by a young couple. As soon as the couple saw them running in their direction, though, they pushed themselves up and raced away, without so much as looking back once.

 

Everyone in that section of the station had suddenly disappeared.

 

Kira, Thor, and Dario ducked down behind the plush reclining sofa just as a bolt of electricity followed by another blast of highly energized matter zipped over their heads.

 

“One of them is already hurt,” Kira informed them.

 

Thor nodded and took hold of his sidearm. Popping up quickly, he lifted the gun, fired, and returned to her side faster than Kira could have pushed herself up to her feet. She smirked as she looked over at him.

 

“What?” he asked, reloading his gun.

 

“You never cease to amaze me,” she said, lifting her gun and preparing to take a shot of her own.

 

Dario, who was working to navigate a clear escape route for them, tapped Kira on the shoulder and pointed toward a door located about twenty feet away.

 

“Shoot, then run,” she said, looking between Dario and Thor.

 

They both nodded and in unison, the three of them popped up from their hideout. Kira instantly spotted the lifeless body of one of the Rengar on the floor, a pool of blood forming under him. Nico and his remaining man had taken cover, as well.

 

They all remained motionless, waiting for the rodents to make their location known. When they did, they did so with flair. Nico shot into the air, soaring above them and coming to land directly behind them. Kira and Dario spun around and shot in his direction, while Thor aimed at the place where Nico’s side-kick was still huddled down.

 

“Run!” Kira yelled again, just as she squeezed the trigger of her gun and sent a blast zipping directly toward the mechanical rodent’s face.

 

The three of them took off again, racing down the short hall that led them back into the heart of the busy Arbiter promenade. They could hear Nico’s heavy metallic footsteps ringing out behind them. When he fired another shot, they all darted to the right, diving deeper into the chaos of the busy station marketplace.

 

“Move! Move!” Thor yelled, clearing a path for them as they ran.

 

Behind them, Nico and his man were able to weave through the crowd with ease, one second leaping onto benches and hurtling themselves over groups of ten to twelve individuals at a time.

 

“They’re gaining on us,” Kira said.

 

She turned and lifted her gun again, hoping for a clean shot, but the crowds made it impossible.

 

“This way,” Thor said, turning sharply into one of the many Arbiter bars.

 

They elbowed their way through the customers, a string of profanities following along behind them. Once they reached the back of the bar, they huddled together, weapons up and hearts racing.

 

“Did they see us come in here?” Dario asked.

 

There was no need for either of them to answer, though. The drunken chatter of the bar patrons instantly fell silent as the crowd in front of them parted. And there he was, Nico Rax with his gun in hand and his sights set on Thor. There was a look of victorious rage in his eyes as he stalked slowly up to them.

 

His sidekick was right behind him, two guns in his hands now, one trained on Kira, the other on Dario.

 

Nico laughed as he watched an expression of frustration work its way across Thor’s face. “You can try to outrun me again, Commander Rockhold,” he said calmly. “But all three of you won’t make it out alive. You might as well just surrender.”

 

There was nowhere else to go, nowhere to hide. Kira scanned their surroundings, her heart beating wildly in her ears. The faces of interested onlookers crowded around them. Some were staring with wide-eyes as Nico Rax inched ever closer to where they were standing, their backs pressed against the wall.

 

“So, what’ll it be?” his mechanical voice pressed. “Surrender or death? It really doesn’t matter to me either way.”

 

Kira’s eyes continued to scan their surroundings.

 

“There’s no use looking,” Nico said, reaching out and grabbing hold of her chin with his right hand, turning her face toward his. “There’s no way out.”

 

The feeling of his mechanical fingers clutching to her face made her skin rippled with goosebumps. Before she could react, though, Thor had his weapon pressed firmly into Nico’s side.

 

“Don’t touch her,” Thor leaned in and said in a gruff, threatening tone.

 

Nico simply laughed in return, his gaze falling to his left hand. There, he held tightly to his plasma gun, the barrel of which was pointed directly at Kira’s chest.

 

“I suggest you take a step back, Commander Rockhold,” Nico said calmly. “Or I’ll take her out right here, right now. And my man,” he added, glancing casually over his shoulder to the remaining lackey he had, “will take care of the Doctor.”

 

“Thor,” Kira said, “we have to surrender. We have no other choice. We’ll just surrender.”

 

Nico’s eyes went wide as he turned his attention back toward her. “Really? Just like that? No last stitch effort to wiggle free? No fight-to-the-death mentality? Captain Winter, you’ve gone soft.”

 

Kira’s stomach turned with frustration and anger. She wanted so badly to retaliate. She knew she could. She could have taken that gun from him before he had the chance to order his man to shoot Dario. Thor could have killed him before he had the time to pull the trigger.

 

They could have tried, at least. If it had been under any other circumstances, they would have.

 

Nico turned back to Thor, who had taken a slow step back, although his gun was still trained on the bounty hunter’s side.

 

“I guess it doesn’t matter how it happens,” Nico said, dropping his hand from Kira’s face and holding it out in Thor’s direction, waiting for him to hand over his weapon. “As long as I get my payout and know that you’re finally where you belong, I’ll be happy.”

 

Thor grunted as he handed over his gun. Nico tossed it back to his companion and waited for Kira to turn hers over, as well. Next, he disarmed Dario.

 

All the while, he chattered with laughter, proud of himself for his accomplishment. Kira, Thor, and Dario didn’t speak, but they didn’t need to. They were all thinking the same thing.

 

“It’s too late to turn back now.”

 

CHAPTER EIGHT

 

“Something’s not right,” Alaria said popping her head up around the control panel.

 

Bron, grunting with frustration at the mess of wires spilling out of the panel at his feet, looked over at her quickly. “Nothing is right,” he replied. “I can’t figure out where to install the upgrade. I don’t know what the hell Vinnie did in here last time…”

 

“Not with the ship,” Alaria replied, pushing herself up to her feet and wiping her hands on her long blue work pants, “with the others. They’ve been gone for too long.”

 

Bron looked around the room as if he was just realizing where he was. "How long have we been working?"

 

“A couple of hours, I’d guess.”

 

“Something’s wrong,” he mumbled, walking over to the ship’s intercom. “Vinnie,” he spoke into the speaker, sending his message ship-wide, “report to the airlock immediately.”

 

Turning back to face Alaria, he smiled. “I’m sure it’s nothing,” he said as encouragingly as he could. “They probably just got caught up talking to Artanis or something.”

 

“Right,” she nodded, although the look of concern in her eyes didn’t waver.

 

The two walked together from the engine room and made their way to the ship’s exit. The place felt empty without the others around. Even though Kira and Thor were almost always locked away in the flight deck, just knowing they were there was comforting enough. And Dario was always wandering about somewhere, fiddling with medical equipment or trying personal upgrades to his weapons.

 

The Curio always had a buzz of life wafting about. Between the constant banter that filled their conversations or the spark of danger that fueled them all to try their hardest or the warmth of closeness that permeated the air, there was always something comforting about being aboard their beloved junker.

 

But now, as they walked side-by-side through the long, metallic halls, the ship felt almost desolate.

 

“I’m worried,” Alaria mumbled.

 

She clenched her hands into fists and pinched her lips together tightly, trying to shake the feeling of gloom. Bron, always sensitive to her feelings, picked up on her apprehension easily. He wanted to comfort her but he didn’t know how. There was nothing he could say to make her father return or to even ensure that he wasn’t in danger.

 

“He’s with the two most skilled fighters I know,” he said instead. “I wouldn’t be worried about him. I’d be worried about anyone that comes across them.”

 

Alaria laughed slightly and smiled up at him. “Thanks, Bron,” she said, her voice soft and melodic. “I’m glad that you’re here with me.”

 

Bron’s cheeks flushed in the way that always made Alaria smile a little bigger.

 

“I’m glad to be here, too,” he said, clearing his throat slightly as he turned his attention to the large airlock doors now directly in front of them.

 

Standing there, his long skinny arms crossed over his chest, was Vinnie, his metallic side-kick stationed at his side. He already had an assault rifle slung over his shoulder, and a spark of enthusiasm was visible in his eyes.

 

“What’s up?” he asked, trying to be cool but failing.

 

“It’s been too long,” Bron informed him. “We’re going looking for them.”

 

A smile wiggled across Vinnie’s face as the thought of racing through the TFS Arbiter flashed through his mind. Patting the repair bot on its head, he spun on his heel to open the door. As he spun, the assault rifle on his back smacked into the side of the bot.

 

“Son of a bitch,” his metallic side-kick sputtered. “Be careful.”

 

“You’re metal; you’re fine,” Vinnie replied, stepping through the door as it slid open.

 

The repair bot rolled off, mumbling a string of foul frustrations as it went back to its chores. Alaria and Bron followed Vinnie out through the airlock, not pausing once they were back in the heart of the repair bay.

 

“Where did they go when they left?” Vinnie called out.

 

“To talk to Artanis, I think,” Bron answered.

 

Bron, with his long, strong strides had no trouble making his way to the front of their group. Vinnie, with his excess energy, jogged alongside him. Alaria, although strong and fast and as enthusiastic about their task as the others, found it a little more difficult to keep up with his long Bandurian strides.

 

As they went, the space separating her from the other two slowly grew larger—one foot, two feet, five feet. She didn’t let it detour her. Shouldering her way through the crowds in the promenade, she kept her eyes focused on the back of Bron’s head.

 

Nothing was going to stop her from figuring out where her father and the others were. Nothing was going to stop her from…

 

“Three criminals have been apprehended aboard the TFS Arbiter.”

 

The voice coming out of the viewscreen caused her to freeze in place. She didn’t need to turn toward the screen to know whose faces would be illuminated there. A chill ran down her spine as she scanned the crowd around her.

 

“Bron!” she yelled out, hoping he would hear her above the dull roar of voices that always filled the busy space station. “Bron! Vinnie!”

 

“The bounties for the individuals are expected to be collected by one Nico Rax within the week,” the announcer continued.

 

Slowly and with a great deal of apprehension, Alaria turned to face the viewscreen. It was hanging over a very busy bar, filled with a slew of rather skeptical looking individuals. There were Bandurians throwing back shots of Bandurian whiskey, Rengar traders huddled together in the corner of the bar, and a pair of Arkadian women hovering over the counter, waiting impatiently for their drinks. They all looked at Alaria, petite and deceivingly dainty, suspiciously as she moved closer to the screen.

 

Kira’s face flashed across the screen, with the caption “DETAINED” scrolling along below it. Next was Thor, and then came Dario. The second she saw her father’s face, a slight fearful gasp slipped past her lips.

 

"Watch it," one of the Bandurians grumbled when Alaria accidentally bumped into his elbow, sending a small amount of his whiskey spilling over the edge of his glass.

 

“Sorry,” Alaria replied absently.

 

“Sorry won’t cut it,” the Bandurian replied, throwing back the rest of the drink in his glass. “You owe me a new drink.”

 

Alaria shifted her gaze quickly to meet his. His face was filled with the typical ridges of his kind, and his dark brown skin pulled his lips as his mouth twisted into a frown. She had to tilt her head all the way back to look up at his face, but she wasn’t about to let him intimidate her.

 

“I’m not in the mood for your crap,” Alaria said.

 

Her tone was low and her words harsh. The sound of her voice surprised her, the aggressive nature of it not something she was accustomed to.

 

“I don’t really care what mood you’re in,” the Bandurian man replied with a demeaning laugh. “I care about my drink.”

 

“Well, isn’t that a coincidence. Because I don’t give a shit about your drink,” Alaria snapped back.

 

The Bandurian man slammed his now empty glass down onto the bar with such force that it broke on impact. With that, the entire bar fell silent, and every eye turned to watch the fight that was about to unfold.

 

Alaria, not missing a beat, took a quick step back and reached for her sidearm. It was drawn and pointed straight in the direction of the Bandurian before he had the chance to move his massive hand. Shards of glass were stuck into his palm, but they didn't seem to bother him. Instead, a vicious smirk crossed his lips.

 

“Don’t,” Alaria warned, knowing that if given the chance, his glass-punctured hand would come flying directly at her face. “I will shoot you.”

 

“Alaria!” Bron’s voice called out to her. “What the hell are you doing?”

 

She turned back to see him, elbowing his way in her direction. Vinnie was close on his heels, assault rifle already in hand. Before she could turn back around, the Bandurian with the bad temper knocked her weapon out of her hand. The sound of the metal skidding across the ground made her heart sink.

 

Reacting immediately, she pulled her leg up and let it fly, sending her foot into the soft part of the massive man’s stomach. He doubled over and coughed, acting more out of surprise than anything. Before he could retaliate, Alaria took advantage of his compromised state to bring her foot up again, this time letting it land in the place she knew would do the most damage—his groin.

 

By the time Bron reached her, the Bandurian she was facing off against was ready for a real fight. Her blows had hurt him just enough to infuriate him. Bron knew that as well as she did, which is why he didn’t hesitate to ball up his fist and let it fly right into the side of the man’s face.

 

The man responded in kind, letting his fist find its home in Bron’s chest. The scuffle continued, spreading out through the bar and pushing onlookers back against the walls, for what felt like an eternity.

 

It probably would have gone on longer, had it not been for Alaria’s loud, wordless shout.

 

When the two fighting Bandurians and the rest of the crowd gathered around turned to face her, they found both her and Vinnie, both with guns in hand, and sights trained on the instigator.

 

A soft click of a gun action locking into place, though, told Alaria that the sudden change in the room was not the result of her and Vinnie’s stance. She turned around slowly to see that three Arbiter Security Officers were eyeing them suspiciously.

 

“Alright,” one of the gruff, heavily armed officers said, stepping forward. “I don’t know who started this or why, but you are all going to need to come with me.”

 

“But…” Alaria tried to protest.

 

He didn’t even pretend to care about her objection. Before she could voice her argument, he had ordered his men to handcuff all of them. Bron, Alaria, and the Bandurian instigator were all escorted quickly from the bar.

 

“Where’s…?” Alaria asked but Bron cut her off before she could finish her question.

 

“We’ll get this all figured out,” he said with a wink.

 

CHAPTER NINE

 

The air in the brig was stale. There was something familiar about that stale, almost metallic tasting air. Of course, there was. This was not the first, nor the second, brig the group had found themselves locked up in.

 

Kira sighed as she slumped down on the cold metallic bench lining the wall. “It’s roomier than I thought it would be,” she observed.

 

Thor paced out the space and nodded. “Bigger than the one on the Roughnecks’ ship, that’s for sure.”

 

“It’s damper, though,” Kira said, wrinkling her nose as she glanced at the puddle-ridden ground. “Why is it damp?”

 

“Probably because they have to wash out the cells whenever one of the prisoners…” Dario started.

 

“That’s okay,” Kira said, cutting him off. “I don’t really need to know.”

 

Dario chuckled and Thor grunted.

 

“How long will it take for us to get to Jaantu 7?” Dario asked.

 

Kira and Thor exchanged looks as they calculated. “About six days, maybe a little more,” Kira estimated. “We’re closer than we were when you and I started out on this same journey a few months ago.”

 

Thor laughed and slumped down on the bench next to her. “The brig aboard that ship was much nicer than this one. Easier to break out of, too.”

 

Kira chuckled as she remembered the flight that brought them to where they were in that instant. The irony was laughable. It all started with a trip to transport Thor to Jaantu 7 and now they were both willingly taking that trip together, with an unexpected companion and the pressure of saving the entire galaxy resting on their shoulders.

 

“Which is fine since we’re not looking for a way to break out,” Dario reminded them.

 

“This is an odd turn of events,” Thor mused.

 

“It is. I’m not sure if I like it. I’m not used to just sitting around doing nothing. At the very least, I’m usually scheming,” Kira agreed.

 

“Well, get used to it,” Dario replied. “We have about a week in here to just sit around and do nothing.”

 

Kira let out an annoyed grunt. “I just hope the others are having better luck than we are,” she said. “Hopefully they at least figured out that we’re not coming back to set out for the Bazaar with them. We could have at least contacted Artanis if Nico hadn’t been smart enough to take away the comm-bad.”

 

“Hopefully they figure it out sooner rather than later,” Dario said. “The sooner they get to the Bazaar, the sooner they can start working on a plan to…”

 

The sound of a large metal door opening at the end of the hall caused them all to fall into a quick silence. Heavy, metallic footsteps rang out as the sound of mechanized breathing filled the silence left between them.

 

“Nico,” Thor said, pushing himself up.

 

A squeal-like laugh wafted down the corridor. “Commander Rockhold,” Nico Rax replied.

 

For as menacing as an individual as Nico Rax had upgraded himself to be physically, his high-pitched, squeaky voice was a clear reminder of what he really was beneath the layers of polished metal and high-end weaponry: an oversized rat.

 

“I cannot tell you how elated I was to see your face pop up on the bounty list again,” Nico continued.

 

As the rodent-shaped figure came into view through the bars of their cell, his glowing red eyes glided over them, landing on each of them just long enough to send a chill running down their spines.

 

“I’ve been planning my revenge since the day I last saw you on Vandor,” Nico said, shifting his gaze to Thor.

 

Thor, grabbing onto the bars between them, leaned in and replied, “how pathetic your life must be to have to spend your time thinking about me.”

 

Kira could sense Thor’s anger building. He didn’t like being in this position, none of them did. But, for him, it was more personal. She knew as well as he did that he had the strength and agility to defeat Nico Rax. They had done it before. Having to admit defeat was a blow to his ego. That, plus now having to withstand a barrage of taunting from Nico would likely push him over the edge.

 

“My life may be pathetic, but at least it will remain the life of a free man,” Nico replied, not insulted in the least. “You, on the other hand, will spend the rest of your days locked up in the very place you should have been all along.”

 

“You can’t even prove that I am guilty of what I’m accused of,” Thor replied angrily.

 

“It doesn’t matter to me if you’re guilty or not. All that matters is how big of a payout I’ll get for turning you in. I wonder how pathetic that must make you feel. Going from being one of the most elite fighting machines, an Arcanum soldier, and respected Commander, to now being nothing more than a pretty face with an even prettier price tag attached to it.”

 

“Watch your mouth, rat!” Thor yelled, reaching his hand through the bars and grabbing hold of Nico Rax by the throat.

 

The mechanized Rengar didn’t seem phased by the assault. With a high-pitched laugh, he grabbed hold of Thor’s wrist, squeezing it so tightly that Thor’s fingertips started to turn purple.

 

“Thor,” Kira said, standing up quickly and walking over beside him. “This isn’t doing any good,”

 

Thor didn’t shift his gaze to her. He kept his eyes glued to Nico’s. Kira rested her hand on his shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze.

 

“Thor,” she said.

 

Letting out a frustrated grunt of defeat, he loosened his hold on Nico’s throat and took a small step back deeper into the cell.

 

“Thank you, Captain,” Nico said, his beady eyes bouncing back and forth between Kira and Thor. “Just for that, I will allow you to eat today.”

 

“Allow me to eat?” Kira asked.

 

“Yes. You see, to collect the bounty, I only have to deliver you alive to Jaantu 7. There’s nothing in the posting about delivering you in good health,” Nico explained. “So, Commander Rockhold, if I were you, I’d be a little nicer to me. Because I’ve heard that while it is rather unpleasant, humans can go more than a week without eating and still survive.”

 

“You can’t starve us!” Dario objected.

 

“I’d watch my tone, Dr. Marner, or you’ll be missing a meal, as well,” Nico said smugly.

 

Kira, Thor, and Dario all stood silently, unsure of how to respond. Kira could feel her own frustration building up in her stomach and now she wanted to throw herself across the cell and grab hold of the infamous bounty hunter herself. But, she remained calm. As painful as it was, she remained perfectly calm.

 

“Very good,” Nico said, nodding his head once. “I will have one of my men bring down meals for the Doctor and Captain. If you wish to share with your companion, that’s up to you. But remember, you never know when I’ll decide to take pity on you again. So, make the most of what you get.”

 

With that, he turned on his heel and marched back down the hall in the direction he came. No one moved or spoke until the cling of his metallic steps faded completely and the metal door through which he came slammed shut behind him.

 

“We should have killed him when we had the chance,” Thor said as he slumped down onto the hard metal bench.

 

“Oh, come on, it’s always nice to see a familiar face,” Kira said, sitting down next to him.

 

He looked over at her, a rather unamused expression on his face. She smiled weakly and shrugged, sliding her hand over and resting it on his.

 

“We knew this wouldn’t be fun,” she said.

 

“I didn’t know it would be humiliating,” Thor replied.

 

“It’ll be worth it when it’s all said and done,” Dario said encouragingly.

 

“When it’s all said and done, I’m going to hunt down that little fur-covered robotic freak and take care of him myself,” Thor said leaning back.

 

“Oh good, we’re making plans again,” Kira said leaning into him and resting her head on his shoulder. “That’ll give us something to do to pass the time.”

 

CHAPTER TEN

 

“You know, I think this is the first time I’ve been locked up,” Alaria observed as she paced back and forth in front of the bars. “I don’t particularly like it.”

 

Just sitting around doing nothing was annoying for the first hour they were in the TFS Arbiter’s jail, but by the end of the second, it was painfully frustrating.

 

“Hey!” she yelled down the hall for the fifteenth time since they had taken them into custody. “Hey! I want to speak to Admiral Artanis! Artanis!”

 

Bron couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. He understood her irritation at being locked up, especially given the fact that they had just discovered that Kira, Thor, and Dario were picked up by a bounty hunter. But, this wasn’t his first time being behind bars, and he knew how things worked a little better than she did.

 

“They’re not going to pay attention to you,” he explained, walking up and standing behind her.

 

She leaned against the bars and turned to face him. She was easily eight inches shorter than him, and she had to lean her head almost all the way back to look up at him from that angle.

 

“They have to,” she said. “We have to get out of here so we can tell Artanis what happened and get to work on figuring out how to break Dario and the others out.”

 

“No matter what the reason, they’re not going to believe it. Trust me, people say just about anything to get out of places like this. The guards are used to just ignoring pretty much anything anyone behind these bars says.”

 

“How much experience do you have being in places like this?” she asked.

 

“Let’s just say that as much as I like to blame Kira for the trouble I get into, I was pretty successful at finding it on my own before she came along.”

 

Alaria smiled and turned to peer back out the bars. “Then how will we get out of here?” she asked. “The jail time for disrupting the peace is twenty-four hours. Disrupting the peace and pulling a weapon in public is seventy-two.”

 

“I can’t believe you,” Bron said, his tone playfully scolding.

 

“What?” she asked, spinning around again to look up at him.

 

Her light blond hair draped across her face and her big blue eyes seemed even wider as she waited for his response.

 

“You’ve been here for two hours and you’ve already lost faith in our trio,” Bron replied.

 

“Our trio,” she repeated, her eyes lighting up with understanding. “Vinnie! He’ll get us out!”

 

“He will. And I’m sure he won’t let me forget about it, either. That kid is keeping a list of all the times he’s saved my ass, and I know that this one will definitely make the top.”

 

Alaria giggled that giggle that made Bron’s stomach feel like he had had one too many shots of Bandurian whiskey. She tossed her perfectly platinum hair over her shoulder and glided gracefully over to the bench. Bron followed behind her, his steps clumsy and heavy.

 

“How long do you think he’ll be?” she asked as she slid down onto the metal slab.

 

“Depends on how creative he’s getting with getting us out.”

 

Alaria patted the space next to her and scooted over just a little, making room for him. He could feel his cheeks begin to flush a little as he plopped down at her side.

 

“I hope he doesn’t do anything too drastic,” she said, pulling her legs up to her chest and resting her chin on her knees. “The last thing we need is another one of our crew on the wanted list.”

 

“He’s an intelligent kid. I’m sure whatever he’s doing, he’s being smart about it.”

 

“You two make a really good team,” she observed, leaning in and resting her head on his shoulder.

 

Having her so close always made Bron feel flustered. He was an awkward enough individual, to begin with, but being around her always somehow exaggerated that.

 

“I’m really glad we found you two,” she continued, scooting just a little closer. “You’ve helped us so much. And I don’t know what I would do if I were just sitting here alone while my father was out there on his way to Jaantu 7. I’m so worried about him, Bron.”

 

Her voice was soft and calm, but still, he could sense the emotions buried beneath it. He wanted to comfort her but wasn't sure exactly how to go about doing so.

 

“I’m glad…” he started, nudging his shoulder around slightly and moving his hand to her side. “I’m glad I could be here…”

 

Now he was prepared to make his move. He slid his hand around behind her back and wrapped it tightly around her waist. His heart was racing as he waited for her response. Would she pull away? Would she scoot in closer?

 

“I don’t ever want to hear another comment about not needing me around,” Vinnie’s voice broke through the moment.

 

“Vinnie!” Alaria exclaimed, jumping up to her feet and running over to the bars.

 

“Just in time,” Bron mumbled as he followed behind Alaria.

 

Vinnie, standing nearly as tall as Alaria, took a step back as one of the jail guards swiped his ID badge in front of the reader and opened the cell door.

 

“How did you…?” Alaria started, but she was cut short when Admiral Artanis walked to the front of their cell.

 

“He’s a persistent one,” Artanis said, walking slowly toward them.

 

“That’s an understatement,” Bron agreed.

 

“He showed up at the military section of the station, demanding to see me. I, of course, wasn’t in that part of the ship as I was waiting to hear from a group of special task force members in a secured conference area. But, Vinnie didn’t let that detour him. He very enthusiastically explained that his business with me was of the utmost importance.”

 

“I caused a scene,” Vinnie said with a chuckle.

 

“Another understatement, I’m sure,” Bron said, smiling at him almost proudly as he patted him on the back.

 

“Long story short, I was called in to give the official order to throw him in jail. He’s a minor and all, and because of that, a high ranking official needs to take responsibility for him while he’s in custody. Seeing as he was demanding to see me, it made the most sense that I am the one to give the official order,” Artanis explained.

 

“Thankfully he recognized me from the meeting we had on the TFS Victory,” Vinnie replied.

 

“Thankfully,” Alaria said. “We’ve been wanting to meet with you, Admiral.”

 

“I imagined as much,” Artanis replied. “There are a few things we need to discuss. But, here is not the place. Follow me, if you will.”

 

With that, he turned on his heel and lead the group out of the station jail. Back in the hustle and bustle of the busy space station, Artanis didn’t slow as he wove his way through the crowds. Bron was the first behind him, opening the path for Alaria and Vinnie easily with his large size and long strides.

 

When they reached the far end of the station, about twenty minutes later, he led them into the same high-security area that he had asked Kira and the others to meet him in before. Alaria recognized it right away and knew that where they were going was somewhere where no one outside of their group would be able to hear what was going on.

 

Stopping abruptly at a door labeled “Conference Room 4” Artanis waved his ID badge in front of the reader and stepped back as the door whooshed opened.

 

“After you,” he said, motioning for them to step into the room.

 

The three of them filed in. There were no other officials in the room this time. It was just them and Artanis. Something about that made a nervous lump form in Alaria’s stomach.

 

“Where are the others?” she asked, sitting down in the same seat she had been in when they agreed that her father would participate in the most dangerous mission any of them had faced to date.

 

“They won’t be joining us,” Artanis said, walking around the table. He remained standing as he continued, “as I’m sure you’ve figured out, Kira, Thor, and Dario were all successful in getting themselves captured.”

 

Bron grunted as he crossed his arms over his chest.

 

“We did,” Alaria replied. “It wasn’t part of our plan, though—for them to get caught so soon. We were supposed to have a few more days to finalize our plans. Did they speak to you before they were taken? Do you have any idea why they didn’t come back to see us?”

 

“We reviewed some of the security footage of their capture. It appears they were ambushed by a notorious bounty hunter and although they did try to fight back, in the end, they surrendered.”

 

“Shit,” Bron muttered.

 

Vinnie, with the same zeal he did everything, replied, “it doesn’t matter how they got caught. The thing is, they did. Now it’s our turn to hold up our end of the deal. Let’s start figuring out how we’re going to bust them out!”

 

Everyone turned their attention to Artanis, waiting for him to provide them with some sort of guidance. When he didn’t answer right away, the nervous pit in Alaria’s stomach grew slightly bigger.

 

“Unfortunately,” he said after a long pause, “there is nothing the T.A.F. can do to help.”

 

“Nothing?” Bron asked, stepping forward and resting his fists on the large metal table between them and Artanis. “What do you mean nothing? They are out there for you! They are risking their lives for your mission.”

 

Artanis, appearing to be slightly intimidated by the Bandurian’s suddenly aggressive tone, took a small step back.

 

“I warned Captain Winter and the others that this would be the case,” Artanis explained. “We cannot risk straining our relationship with the Bandurians. Given that Jaantu 7 is located in the Bandurian occupied section of Delta Space, any involvement by the Terran Alliance Forces could be considered a direct violation of territorial boundaries.”

 

“Then what are we supposed to do?” Bron asked.

 

“Kira assured me of your abilities and expertise,” Artanis replied. “She only agreed to take on this mission because of her faith in her crew.”

 

“Flattery isn’t going to get our people back,” Vinnie said, crossing his arms over his chest in an effort to imitate Bron’s authoritative stance.

 

“We have provided you with materials and supplies for your ship,” Artanis replied. “We have done all that we can do. Now, I’m afraid, it’s up to you to get them out of Jaantu 7.”

 

CHAPTER ELEVEN

 

The week-long journey out to Jaantu 7 felt more like a month. For Thor, the hardest part was keeping his temper in check. But, after missing meals two days in a row, he finally caved and opted instead for completely ignoring Rax when he made his daily trips to the brig to taunt them with his victory.

 

For Kira, the worst part was sitting still. Her legs ached for action and her mind throbbed from the lack of mental exercise.

 

“Maybe simple won’t be good for me,” she said to Thor after being locked up for three days. “I’m already going crazy. I need to be doing something!”

 

Three days later, as they arrived at Jaantu 7, she was actually excited to throw herself into the rush of danger and adventure she knew would be awaiting them there. As they grew closer to the suspended penitentiary, a chill of nervous enthusiasm trickled down Kira’s spine.

 

Nico had gathered them all in the airlock, ensuring that they got a good view of their new residence as he docked his ship aboard the infamous prison. Even from a distance, the structure looked ominous. From the outside, there were no windows—at least none that they could see. The free-floating prison was completely surrounded by meteors the size of the Curio, making it difficult to approach, and making it seem even more cut off from the rest of civilization than it already was.

 

The large, industrial structure was a dark spot in the midst of darkness, illuminated only by specks of light that served to highlight the prison’s poor conditions and menacing appearance.

 

“Looks nice,” she said, looking up at Thor.

 

“Just like I always imagined it would,” he said, reaching down and lacing his fingers with hers.

 

When the ship hissed to a stop inside of the large onboard landing bay, Kira held her breath, ready for whatever would be waiting for them on the other side of the heavy metal door.

 

“Welcome to Jaantu 7,” a Terran woman greeted them as they disembarked. “I hope your journey here wasn’t too arduous.”

 

She wasn’t ready for that.

 

The Terran woman, with jet-black hair and dark brown eyes, smiled at them pleasantly as she waved them toward the administration part of the maximum-security prison. Kira eyed her suspiciously, completely thrown off by her sweet demeanor and cheerful countenance.

 

“This is definitely not what I was expecting,” she muttered to Thor as they walked through the airlock.

 

Nico Rax, stalking close behind them, laughed his high-pitched laugh as he prodded at them to move faster.

 

“Welcome to Jaantu 7,” another cheery-faced prison employee greeted them as they moved from the landing bay into the body of the prison. “If you’ll follow me, we’ll get you processed and ready to go.”

 

They walked behind the tall Terran man who seemed to have an extra bounce in his step. As they moved, they couldn’t help but notice the conditions of the area around them. Everything was clean and pristine. The walls of the hall were bright with intricate light green patterns painted on the thick, white metal. The lights hanging over head gave off a soft, almost blue glow.

 

The desks they were escorted up to were all occupied by Terran employees, each as pleasant and kind as the next.

 

“And who might this be?” the woman at the second desk asked as Nico pushed Kira forward.

 

“Captain Kira Winter,” she replied.

 

“Just one second,” the woman said, turning her attention to the holo-screen in front of her and entering Kira’s name into the search engine.

 

As Kira waited, Nico escorted Thor and Dario up to the two desks to her right. They were greeted with the same warm welcome.

 

“Here you are,” the woman said, smiling up at Kira. “I will need just a few moments to get you all processed and into our system. In the meantime, why don’t you slip into this?”

 

Pulling a blue jumpsuit from a dispenser underneath her desk, she handed it to Kira with the same disturbingly sweet smile she had worn the entire time. The woman explained where she could find a changing room and then returned to her work.

 

Thor, too, was heading in the same direction, followed closely by Dario. The three of them entered the changing room together.

 

“What the hell is this place?” Dario asked as he ducked behind one of the ornate dividers to slip into his blue jumpsuit.

 

“If I had known it was like this, I wouldn’t have bothered escaping before,” Thor added.

 

“I don’t know,” Kira said, stepping into one of the partitioned off changing areas. “I think if I see one more obnoxiously sweet smile, I’m going to punch someone in the face and wipe it off for them.”

 

“Maybe they just really enjoy their jobs,” Thor replied.

 

“Maybe they’re mocking us,” Kira said. “That’s what it feels like.”

 

Thor didn’t bother finding a secluded changing area of his own. He remained close to Kira as he slid his shirt up over his head. She couldn’t help but smirk as her eyes glided over his perfectly chiseled chest.

 

“Hey,” he said, nudging her chin up. “I’m up here.”

 

She laughed as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into him tightly. She pushed herself up onto her toes and pressed her lips to his. A warm chill ran down her spine as he moved his hands down lower and took hold of the edge of her shirt.

 

“What are you doing?” she asked, stepping back from him slightly.

 

"You were going to take it off anyway, right?" he asked jokingly.

 

“Yes, I was. And I can do so without your help.”

 

“I’ve helped you before.”

 

“Well, this is definitely not the time for you to help me again.”

 

“Or the place,” Dario called out. “Would you two hurry up? I’m already changed.”

 

“Right,” Kira replied, slipping out of her shirt and shorts and pulling on the jumpsuit.

 

Thor, too, changed quickly and together the three of them made their way back to their respective administering officers.

 

“Place all of your personal items in this box,” the Terran woman said, pushing a large metal box in her direction.

 

She dropped her clothes down into it.

 

“Anything else? Comm-bands? Phones? Weapons?” the woman asked.

 

“No,” Kira replied. “I didn’t really have the chance to collect anything before I got picked up,” she added, glancing back over her shoulder at Nico. “And that rat took my gun.”

 

He wasn’t paying attention to her or to any of them for that matter. He was at a desk of his own, processing the transfer of Galactic Credits into his account. His beady black eyes were wide with greed as he watched the holo-screen clicking off the amounts as they poured into his personal account.

 

“Well, I think that’s everything then,” the Terran woman said, pushing herself up from her chair and extending her hand to Kira. “You’re all set. Welcome to Jaantu 7, Kira Winter.”

 

“Thanks,” Kira said, eyeing her hand for a second, still completely thrown off by the overall service they had received since their arrival.

 

Once Thor and Dario had been formally welcomed by their administering officers, Nico Rax joined them for one last chance to gloat.

 

“It has been wonderful working with you, Captain Winter, Dr. Marner,” and after shooting Thor a long, boastful grin, he added, “Commander Rockhold.”

 

Thor’s hands tightened into fists and Kira knew he was at the end of his patience with the oversized rodent.

 

“Thanks for the ride,” Kira said, smiling at Nico smugly.

 

“If you ever need another, you know where to find me,” Nico replied, turning to walk away. “Or, at least, I’ll be sure to find you.”

 

Before any of them could respond, Nico disappeared through a sleek sliding door.

 

“This way,” a prison guard said, pulling their attention away from their escort and toward the heavy metal door down the hallway leading in the opposite direction.

 

Kira, Thor, and Dario turned to see a Bandurian male, dressed in thick armor and armed with at least four different weapons, grinning at them menacingly.

 

“What are you staring at?” he asked. “Move!”

 

His words were loud and sharp and caused the three of them to jump instantly into action. As they fell into step behind the dark-skinned, muscular Bandurian, Kira felt her pulse quickening. The closer they got to the large metal doors, the more adrenaline pumped through her veins.

 

When two more guards joined the first, all equally large and equally heavily armed, Thor shot her a nervous look. Even the bright walls and soft lighting couldn’t make the ominous feel that had suddenly settled in the air evaporate.

 

It took all three guards to push open the heavy metal doors. As they inched open, the dull roar of voices wafted out toward their group. Not just voices, but shouts and cries and grunts and the clang of metal hitting metal.

 

“Here we are,” the first guard said, grabbing hold of Kira’s arm and pulling her in behind him.

 

Thor and Dario were also dragged through the door with the same lack of grace or concern. The place they had been taken was a precariously perched platform, made of metal that appeared to be rusting and perhaps far too thin to support their weight.

 

The droning sounds they had heard outside the door were now almost deafening.

 

“Welcome to The Pits,” the guard said with a deep, guttural laugh.

 

Kira took a shaky step forward and peered down. At least fifty feet below them was a poorly lit, densely populated world of thugs and criminals. As the security drones buzzed about, casting light on pockets of the inmates’ realm, Kira was able to see them better.

 

A fight had broken out in one corner of the room. The sight of a large, green-skinned Arkadian female pinning a light green, scale-covered Vorian warrior back against the wall filled Kira with a rush of panicked excitement she hadn’t felt in well over a week. As the drones continued to zip by, more and more of the prison’s life came into view. In one section, a group of Rengar seemed to be dealing with a group of Bandurian, their beady black eyes looking up at the drones suspiciously as they whirred past. In another part of the crowded, stuffy, dark world of crime, Kira spotted a group consisting of everything from Terran to Telani, Vorian to Rengar seated around a table, their head all down and huddled close. None of them looked back at the drone as it illuminated them.

 

Watching them, the most notorious group of felons in the entire Galaxy, made Kira’s blood start to pump faster. She could feel her body tingle with adrenaline and her mind already working to read their surroundings, to find the safe zones, to plan their escape.

 

“Now, this is more like it,” she muttered to herself.

 

CHAPTER TWELVE

 

“It’s the best it’s going to get,” Vinnie said, wiping his hand on his pants and pushing himself up.

 

“Best we can do with a piece of shit,” the repair bot agreed.

 

Alaria laughed as she, too, pushed herself up off the ground. “Well, the shields are back up and operational, and the hull has been completely upgraded.”

 

"And it only took us a week," Vinnie replied. "It probably would have gone a lot faster if Bron had actually cared enough to help. Where is his fat ass anyway?"

 

Alaria gave him an almost scolding look as she worked to close up the panels covering the Curio’s extensive operating system. “He said he was working on better equipping the ship for battle,” she replied.

 

“He’s one stubborn son of a…” Vinnie started, but noting Alaria’s disapproving look, he stopped short. “He’s very stubborn. We agreed that our priority was working on the hull and shields, and he still has to go and work on weaponry.”

 

“Artanis let us take pretty much anything we needed,” Alaria reminded him. “It didn’t make sense to not take advantage of that and upgrade our offensive equipment a little.”

 

“He’s been out there all day, every day for the last week. Something tells me it’s more than a little upgrade.”

 

Alaria laughed and nodded in agreement. “I’m a little scared to see what he did,” she admitted.

 

“I’m not,” Vinnie said, attaching the final panel before marching toward the door.

 

Alaria followed behind him. Once they exited the engine room, Vinnie didn’t stop until he reached the exit. Waiting for the large doors to slide open, they couldn’t help but overhear the whir of a drill and the whine of metal grating against metal.

 

“Now I am more than a little scared,” Alaria said as they stepped out of the ship into the always hectic repair bay.

 

Together, they walked around to the front of the ship. The closer they got, the louder the sounds became. When they rounded the side of the Curio, Alaria gasped, stepping back quickly and blinking three times.

 

“What is that?” she asked, eyeing the object Bron had attached to the front of the ship.

 

Bron didn’t hear her question over the sound of the drill, nor did he even notice they had come outside. He was too busy hunched over his work, his eyes covered with protective goggles and his lips pursed with concentration.

 

The object he was working on continued to shock and concern Alaria, who, knowing she wasn’t going to get an answer to her question just yet began to walk around it.

 

The metal beam was at least ten feet thick and thirty feet long. She assumed it was collapsible, given that there were seams in the metal every four feet. At the end of the enormous metal beam was a point—a very sharp, very terrifying point.

 

“Hey!” Vinnie yelled, running up to Bron, not caring about breaking his focus. “Hey!”

 

Bron, looking up at them with an expression of surprise, turned off the drill and pushed himself to his feet. “What do you think?”

 

“What is it?” Alaria asked.

 

“A battering ram,” he replied matter-of-factly.

 

“A what?” Vinnie asked, clearly unimpressed by his guardian’s work.

 

“A battering ram,” Bron repeated. “I know it doesn’t look like much…”

 

“It looks like a lot,” Alaria cut him off.

 

“It looks like shit,” Vinnie added.

 

“It doesn’t look like much,” Bron continued, ignoring them. “But I think it’ll come in handy.”

 

“For what?” Vinnie and Alaria asked in unison.

 

Bron crossed his arms over his chest and spun around to stare at his work. “I don’t know exactly,” he admitted. “But, I found it lying around in the Arbiter’s scrap yard, and thought it would look really badass on the Curio.”

 

“It doesn’t look badass,” Vinnie replied. “It just looks bad.”

 

“I didn’t ask you,” Bron said, wiping his hand on his pants and walking over to Alaria.

 

“You probably should have asked someone before you installed this thing,” Vinnie replied. “Is this all you’ve been working on all week?”

 

“I upgraded the torpedoes and the turret guns,” Bron replied. “And I installed a new set of cannons in both the bow and the stern.”

 

“You’ve been busy,” Alaria said, patting him on the arm.

 

Bron laughed and shrugged, hoping to be as casual as possible. “Well, you were both doing so well with the shields and hull upgrades; I didn’t want to get in the way.”

 

“Are you just about done with this thing?” Vinnie asked.

 

“I am,” Bron replied, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small cube.

 

When he pressed down on the only button on the top of the handheld device, the battering ram began to shake. Alaria gasped and stepped back, her eyes going wide as she watched the large beam fold up and disappear almost completely into the bow of the ship.

 

“See?” Bron said, smiling down at them with pride, “I told you it doesn’t look like much.”

 

“Yeah, yeah,” Vinnie muttered, heading back for the entrance to the ship.

 

Once they were back on board and gathered together in the ship’s common area, an awkward almost palpable silence fell between them. The space that was once the meeting place for their entire crew felt empty. The common area was usually filled with laughter and banter and fast-paced conversations. Now, though, it was silent.

 

“What do we do now?” Vinnie asked, looking back at them.

 

“We continue with our plan. We go to the Galactic Bazaar,” Alaria replied. “We find the plans for Jaantu 7, and find out a way to break my father and Kira and Thor out of there.”

 

“That sounds great and all,” Vinnie replied. “But, how are we going to get there? We don’t have a Captain.”

 

Bron grunted and then cleared his throat. “Are you forgetting whose ship this is?” he asked. “I built her, I can fly her.”

 

“I don’t know,” Vinnie said doubtfully. “What if we come across some pirates or something? You can fly, but you can’t fight. Not like Kira, at least.”

 

“Then we’ll take a less trafficked route out to the Bazaar,” Bron replied.

 

“That’ll take too long,” Alaria said. “We have already lost so much time upgrading the ship. They’re probably inside the prison by now. We have to get them out as soon as possible.”

 

The thought of her father locked up inside that awful place made Alaria’s stomach turn. Her heart sank every time she walked past his room aboard the Curio to find it empty. Even Zola’s company did little to make her feel better when she laid awake at night worrying about him.

 

“You’re right,” Bron agreed. “We’re just going to have to take our chances. If worse comes to worst, we fight. I may not be Captain Winter, but I have a few tricks of my own up my sleeves if need be.”

 

“Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that,” Alaria said softly, slumping down onto the couch.

 

“Don’t get too comfortable there,” Bron said. “You’re going to be helping me in the flight deck.”

 

“Me?” Alaria asked, her eyes wide.

 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

 

The wobbly platform they were standing on was not Kira’s main concern. Even if it did give out, it would probably be for the best. Whatever angst she was feeling for action and adventure slowly evaporated as they waited for the rickety, old elevator to reach the top.

 

The longer she looked down, the more the reality of the situation set it: This wasn’t a situation she could fancy-fly her way out of. This wasn’t something that could be analyzed and attacked like an aerial assault. This was real—this was going to be her life.

 

“Maybe we should have spent more time on Rax’s ship planning,” Thor mumbled to her under his breath. “How the hell are we going to find anyone in that mob?”

 

She shrugged, her eyes still darting back and forth quickly, trying to take in as much of the scene as possible. She hadn’t thought of that. How would they find Aldo and Kardok? All she could think of was how they would maneuver their way through the mass of bodies without ending up in one of the countless brawls she saw taking place.

 

The sound of the elevator coming to a stop, which was really more like a loud, mechanical whine mixed in with the crunching of gears, made Kira grit her teeth. Before she even had the chance to turn around, one of the guards grabbed hold of her shoulder and pulled her into the small metal box. Thor was pushed in by another one of the guards, and Dario was nearly thrown in behind him. Just as the doors began to close, all three guards stepped back out onto the platform, their movements surprisingly briskly for their massive size.

 

“Good luck,” one of them said, the evil grin spread across his face the last thing Kira saw before the door slammed shut between them.

 

The elevator shook to life violently. So violently that Kira was nearly thrown back against the rusty metal wall. Thankfully, Thor with his accelerated reflexes reached out and pulled her back before she fell.

 

“Thank you,” she said, looking back at the rust-covered wall she nearly plummeted into. “You saved me from getting tetanus.”

 

“I think tetanus will be the least of your concerns,” Dario said, moving toward the front of the elevator, where the wall was nothing more than wire caging, through which every inch of The Pits could be seen.

 

An involuntary shiver slithered down Kira’s spine as she moved forward, noticing that each and every eye of each and every inmate was pointed in their direction. The closer they got to the ground level, the clearer the faces of their new housemates became, and not one of them looked pleasant.

 

“I take back what I said earlier. I would give anything to see an obnoxiously sweet smile right now,” Kira muttered.

 

Thor wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her back to him. Turning her around to face him, he leaned in and looked her in the eye.

 

“We’re going to be fine,” he said softly.

 

“I’m not so sure about that,” she said, turning to look back over her shoulder.

 

“Kira,” he said firmly, drawing her gaze back to him. “You’ve faced much worse than those assholes out there.”

 

“Maybe,” she agreed, “but not all at once.”

 

“You took down an Arcanum soldier on your own,” he reminded her. “Not many people can say they’ve done that.”

 

“I didn’t take you down,” she replied, rolling her eyes.

 

“You scared the shit out of me, though,” he said, hugging her tightly.

 

Just as she spun around, the elevator came to an abrupt stop. Dario staggered backward and Kira reached out to balance him, Thor still holding onto her shoulders tightly. If it weren’t for that, both her and Dario would have gone crashing to the ground.

 

They all held their breath as the doors slid open. Although many of the inmates had lost interest in the newcomers, there was still a large number of them that had not. Kira felt their eyes burning into her as they made their way out of the safety of the metal box.

 

As they moved deeper into The Pits, Kira’s skin began to prickle with goosebumps. There was a tension in the air that she was pretty sure was a permanent part of the prison. The sound of voices and shouting all blended together, echoing off the high-reaching metal walls and blending together to form a long, constant droning.

 

“Don’t talk to anyone,” Thor said, leaning in and speaking to both Kira and Dario in a low, authoritative tone. “And stay close to me.”

 

Kira had intended on doing exactly that. At least, until she got familiar with her surroundings. Unarmed she felt vulnerable. Although she was skilled in hand-to-hand combat, she knew she wouldn’t stand a chance against a prison gang of Vorion thugs or Bandurian thieves. That meant that Thor was their best defense for the time being, and she was not about to put any distance between herself and him.

 

Getting from one end of The Pits to the other took a lot longer than she had imagined it would. Looking at the place from up above, it didn’t seem nearly as large as if felt when she was in the midst of the chaos.

 

It was organized chaos, though. There was a sort of system to the place. Just scanning her surroundings, she could see that there were different communities. The communities weren’t just broken up by species, either. They seemed to be divided up by pure brute strength. And, clearly, those with the most strength had the most power.

 

“It’s like there’s a caste system,” Dario said, eyeing the different groups with his critically analytical eye.

 

He was right. It was a caste system based on ruggedness and ability to instill pain in anyone who questioned said ruggedness. As they moved through the groups, they were each sized up. Kira could feel them judging her, jumping to quick conclusions based on her size. She didn’t mind that, though. It was better for her if they underestimated her. It gave her an edge—an advantage.

 

Besides, it wasn’t her that they showed the most interest in. It was Thor.

 

Even though his enhancements were biological, and not immediately noticeable upon first glance, he was still a very large, very muscular individual. Someone the others might think of either a threat or a potential ally.

 

She didn’t want him to be either of those things. And, she was pretty sure he felt the same way.

 

“Where do you think Aldo and Kardok would be among the groups?” Dario asked, his voice low, once they reached the back wall of The Pits.

 

Even though they were as far away from the center as possible, they were still surrounded. There was no place in the heart of the prison that wasn’t smack dab in the middle of one crowd or the other.

 

“There are thousands of prisoners in here,” Dario continued. “Finding them could take as long as doing sector by sector searches from Grimm would.”

 

Kira noted the desperation in his tone. She, too, was feeling overwhelmed. Her head hurt from the constant hum of voices and her stomach refused to stop flopping about nervously. Thor was the only one that didn’t seem completely out of sorts in the midst of the prison chaos.

 

“Well, we got a Rengar,” Thor said, scanning the crowd, “in here for smuggling. That means that he probably isn’t ranked among the ‘I-could-kill-you-with-my-glare’ group of meat heads over there.”

 

He gestured toward a group of Vorian warriors locked in an arm-wrestling match.

 

“But, both of them did work for Grimm, which means that they would have connections with other inmates locked up in here,” Thor continued, “so that means they wouldn’t be pushed down to fend for themselves with one of the weaker groups.”

 

“That eliminates two groups,” Dario said, “but there are at least twenty more that I can see just at a quick glance. There has to be a better way than just wandering around the prison aimlessly searching.”

 

“To be fair, if we were searching, our wandering wouldn’t be aimless. Our aim would be to find…” Kira started to point out but she quickly stopped when both Dario and Thor looked at her with slightly annoyed expressions on their faces.

 

“What? It’s true,” she mumbled, turning to look out at the mob.

 

“My guess is that they’re crafty,” Dario said, pulling the conversation back to focus. “This means they would probably be smart enough to not get involved in any of the groups exclusively—loyal to none, an enemy to none.”

 

“That’s true. We should start by speaking to anyone that isn’t part of a set community,” Kira said.

 

“It’s our best shot,” Thor agreed.

 

With that, the trio once again dove into the organized chaos of The Pits, making sure to steer clear of the most aggressive and territorial looking groups and searching, instead, for anyone that was confidently comfortable milling about on their own—completely unlike them.

 

“What about that guy over there?” Kira asked Thor, tapping on his shoulder and directing his gaze toward a brown fur-covered Rengar leaning against a pillar, calmly smoking a cigar on his own.

 

“Yeah,” Thor agreed. “Maybe he…”

 

Running straight into the back of possibly the largest individual in The Pits caused Thor’s words to catch in his throat. Kira let out a terrified gasp, something she never did when the massive creature turned around and glared down at them with eyes red with anger.

 

“What the hell was that?” the enormous beast-like individual asked.

 

His voice was low but loud and seemed to shake the ground under their feet. Or, perhaps it was just Kira shaking with fear that caused that sensation. All out terror, like the terror she felt in that instant, was not familiar to Kira, just as the individual who had instilled that terror in her was not familiar to her. She had never seen any species like him in her life.

 

He stood at least a foot taller than Thor. His shoulders were easily triple the size of his, and his skin was a dark orange. His face was smashed into an expression of anger. Kira wondered if that wasn’t just what his face always looked like. He had four arms, each with more muscles than she had in both of hers combined. His exposed abdomen was a washboard of muscles and his chest looked like two pillars nestled together.

 

“I said, ‘what the hell?’” the creature asked again, this time balling up one of the two huge fists on his right side and lifting that arm to let it fly at Thor.

 

Just as he released his arm, Thor stepped to the side, effortlessly gliding out of the path of the punch that would have easily put him into another coma.

 

“I didn’t mean…” Thor started.

 

But, he didn’t get to finish his statement when the massive creature let out a frustrated cry and threw one of his two left fists flying at Thor. Again, Thor was able to side-step the blow with ease, only infuriating his opponent more.

 

Again, an angry, frustrated cry escaped the four-armed giant. A crowd was beginning to gather, and with each attempted strike by the giant and quick-step out of the way by Thor, the circle that had formed around them closed off a little more. Kira's heart began to beat quicker. The only advantage that Thor had over this giant was his speed. But, with the crowd gathering around them, his speed did him no good—he had nowhere to retreat to.

 

Thor darted to the right then to the left, throwing a quick jab at his attacker, but doing very little to detour his will to fight—doing a lot to increase his rage.

 

Letting out a mocking cry of aggression, the orange beast attempted to throw a punch with one of his right arms, as he reached out to grab hold of Thor with the other. Again, Thor’s agility out-weighed his brute strength.

 

As he moved, Thor spun around once, delivering a perfectly placed kick to the orange monster’s gut. Kira shrunk back, realizing as quickly as Thor did that that was not a good idea. His opponent stumbled back, but only out of surprise. With an amused laugh, he reached down with one of his left arms attempting to take hold of Thor one more time.

 

He anticipated Thor’s quick reflexes this time, though, and just as Thor darted to the right, both of his trunk-sized right arms were waiting for him.

 

Kira rushed forward, her intention to distract the giant long enough for Thor to wiggle free of his hold. It didn’t work. Before she was able to deliver a punch, the rock-shaped creature delivered one of his own.

 

One of his left arms came around, slow and steady, but backed by more force than she could have mustered in her entire body, and landed in her gut. She was sent flying back into the crowd that quickly dispersed as she barreled toward them. None of them attempted to help her. She went crashing to the ground, a bolt of shocked pain rippling up her spine upon impact.

 

She tried to push herself up, but the crowd had once again filled in the space they had vacated for her to plummet into. She could only see glimpses of what was happening. She did see the attacker triumphantly lift Thor off the ground. She also saw a pair of rodent-like feet pad their way calmly to the center of the circle the crowd was huddled around. Leaning over to get a better view, she recognized him immediately.

 

“Excuse me,” the Rengar they had spotted early said, walking up behind the large, four-armed creature.

 

Thor’s attacker either didn’t notice or didn’t care about the fur-covered Rengar tapping him repeatedly on the side.

 

“Hey,” the Rengar said, a little louder, still tapping incessantly on the giant’s side.

 

“Go away,” Thor’s attacker said to him quickly. “I’m busy.”

 

"I see that," the Rengar replied. "And I happen to remember a time when you were busy with something else not that long ago—something that got you into trouble. Something you needed help getting out of."

 

The large, orange skinned beast looked back at the Rengar over his shoulder and huffed. He slowly lowered Thor back down to the ground.

 

“That’s a good Dralaxian,” the Rengar said, patting him on the back. “Good.”

 

“This isn’t over,” the orange-skinned beast said, leaning in and glaring at Thor.

 

“Yes, it is,” the Rengar said calmly. “Come on, now. You owe me one. Let’s call this guy my ‘one’.”

 

“Let’s call this incident your ‘one’,” the attacker replied. “Just make sure he stays out of my way. Because next time, you won’t have any favors to call in to protect his scrawny Terran ass.”

 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

 

“Engines ignited,” Alaria said, sitting back in the co-pilot’s chair.

 

“Good,” Bron replied, grabbing hold of the controls.

 

His hands shook slightly as he prepared to lift the Curio off the repair bay floor. It hadn’t been that long since he had flown a ship. But still, there was a certain pressure that rested on his shoulders now that he was participating in a mission to save the entire Galaxy that made him more nervous than he usually would have been.

 

“Let’s go, you big lug!” Vinnie called through the intercom. “All systems are online—shields, weapons, engines. What are you waiting for?”

 

“I’m waiting for you to shut your mouth,” Bron replied, glaring at the speaker set into the wall to his left.

 

Alaria laughed slightly and leaned back in her chair. “Take your time, Bron,” she said softly. “It doesn’t matter how quickly we get there if we end up crashing along the way.”

 

Nodding slowly, Bron pulled back on the controls and lifted the Curio off of the ground. Guiding the ship toward the large airlock, he forced himself to relax slightly and settle into the role as temporary captain.

 

“It’s nice sitting up here,” Alaria said, her eyes fixed on the viewscreen in front of them. “You can see everything. It’s much better than the view I get down in the engine room.”

 

“It is kind of nice, isn’t it?” Bron asked as he guided the ship into the air lock and waited for the second set of doors to open.

 

When they did, Alaria let out a soft gasp as the sight of thousands of far-off stars dotting the pitch-black sky filled the screen in front of them. There was nothing but wide-open space in front of them.

 

“It’s beautiful,” Alaria said, pushing herself forward, her eyes still fixed on the endless expanse.

 

“Surely, you’ve been on a flight deck during flight before,” Bron said.

 

“A few times,” she agreed. “Kira always has us meet up here, so there were those times. And maybe once or twice before that. But, I’ve never been right here, sitting in one of these seats with nothing but that in front of me.”

 

“Well, you have the next week at least to sit in that seat as much as you want,” Bron said. “You can even sleep up here if you want.”

 

Alaria giggled and leaned back in her chair again. “I’m not sure Vinnie will like that very much,” she said. “He’ll probably want a turn up here with you.”

 

“He’s been up here plenty of times,” Bron replied. “When we first started putting this thing together we took it out on practice flights hundreds of times. I even let the little shit fly it a time or two.”

 

“Vinnie can fly?”

 

“He can keep the thing in the air,” Bron replied with a chuckle. “I don’t know if I’d call that flying.”

 

“It’s more than I can do.”

 

“You want to learn how to fly?” Bron asked, looking over at her.

 

“I don’t know,” she said with a shrug. “I think it would be a beneficial skill to have. I mean, what happens if Kira gets hurt one day and can’t fly the ship? I guess then you could pilot it. But what if you got hurt, and then Vinnie, and then Thor? If that happened, I’d have to know how to fly to get us to safety.”

 

"If all of us got hurt, I'd say we're pretty much screwed, anyway. But, you do have a point. It is always good to know the basics of flying a larger vessel like this just in case."

 

“Maybe one day you can teach me,” Alaria said, looking over at Bron and smiling.

 

“Sure,” Bron replied, his voice slightly higher than it usually was.

 

His cheeks began to flush red and he could feel her still looking over at him. He tightened his hold on the controls as he tried to compose himself. He had been wanting to have some time alone with Alaria for a while, and now that they were sitting there, on the flight deck with a blanket of stars sprawled out in front of them and no one anywhere around, his nerves caused his stomach to fill with so many knots that it felt as if one of them drifted up to his throat to prevent him from speaking.

 

“Hey Alaria,” Vinnie’s voice came through the intercom. “I think Zola is looking for you.”

 

“Really?” Alaria asked, jumping up quickly and clapping her hands together.

 

“Yeah, she’s been meowing really loudly, and wandering around the engine room.”

 

Just before Alaria could respond, telling Vinnie that she was on her way, a soft ping rang through the intercom. A chill ran down Alaria’s spine the second she realized what the sound was.

 

“It’s a message from Thane,” she said, looking over at Bron.

 

“What do you want me to do with her?” Vinnie asked.

 

“Bring her up here,” Alaria said, reaching down to switch off the intercom.

 

She slumped back in the co-pilot’s chair, any excitement she felt about being up there suddenly gone. All she could think about in that moment was that her father wasn’t there to receive Thane’s message. No matter what the contents, he always looked forward to getting to see him.

 

“He didn’t get to come back for the communicator,” Alaria said, pulling her legs up into the chair and resting her chin on her knees. “He would have never left without it if it hadn’t been for that no-good Nico Rax.”

 

"He probably wouldn't have been allowed to take it into the prison with him anyway," Bron said, trying to make her feel better. "So, if you think about it, it's better that he didn't come back for it. At least this way, we can still have some idea of what's going on."

 

“That’s true,” she admitted, still somewhat melancholically. “I just wish he were here, or at least that I knew he was safe. Him and Kira and Thor—I’m worried about them.”

 

“So am I,” Bron replied.

 

“Cat delivery,” Vinnie chimed, stepping through the door to the flight deck as it slid open.

 

Holding out the ball of fur directly in front of him, he marched across the room and set the cat down in Alaria’s lap. Zola, happy to be back with her favorite person, snuggled up in her arms and began to purr softly.

 

“Don’t get too cozy,” Alaria said, getting to her feet and walking back to the row of consoles behind the captain’s chair.

 

Setting the cat down gently, she found and detached the communication device that Dario had hidden as a small cybernetic implant in the cat’s neck. Lifting up the small cube slowly, Alaria turned to face Vinnie and Bron. They were both looking back at her with anxious looks on their faces.

 

Her hands shook as she shooed Zola away and set the communication device down on the console.

 

“Maybe we shouldn’t listen to it,” she said, spinning back around quickly to face the others. “It is for Dario and all. What if it’s personal.”

 

“None of the messages he’s sent to date have been overly personal,” Bron pointed out.

 

“And what if he has some kind of important information?” Vinnie asked, walking over to her. “What if Grimm’s about to blow everything to shit?”

 

“That’s not helping,” Bron said, scolding his little sidekick.

 

Quickly entering in the coordinates for the Galactic Bazaar, Bron initiated the autopilot and pushed himself up. Walking over to Alaria, he rested his hand on her shoulder.

 

“We should listen to it,” he said.

 

“You’re right,” she replied, smiling up at him.

 

Holding her breath, she turned her attention back to the small metal box. It always surprised her that such a small device could hold so much weight. Her stomach fluttered nervously as she pressed the only button on the side of the cube and stepped back quickly.

 

In a flash, the image of Grimm’s assistant occupied the space above the cube.

 

“Dario,” Thane said, his voice shaky. “It’s getting serious. I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but it is. Grimm is on a rampage. He knows you and the others are following him; he knows you know his plans. That’s only made him angry, Dario. He’s very, very angry.”

 

Alaria took another slight step back; Bron nervously wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Vinnie leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on the holographic image of the man who was now pacing back and forth nervously.

 

“He’s advancing the plan—speeding it up. I think he’s already found his target, but he won’t divulge what it is to anyone. I don’t know how long we have, but it isn’t long.”

 

A shiver ran down Alaria’s spine. Bron tightened his hold on her, trying to comfort her from something that disturbed him just as much.

 

“He knows your Captain is in Jaantu 7,” Thane continued. “He’s taking advantage of that. He’s afraid of her, Dario. She knows him too well. He’s going to strike soon, fearing that she’ll be released or break out. I hope you have a plan. I hope you get this somehow. I saw your face on the bounty list again. Please, tell me you’re okay. My dear, sweet, Dario, I hope you can save us. You have to save us.”

 

With that, the message stopped. As suddenly as it appeared, the image of Thane was sucked back into the small cube.

 

"Oh my," Alaria said, swallowing back the tears that were building up in her throat. "Oh, my."

 

“It’ll be okay,” Bron said, still holding onto her. “We’ll figure it out. It’ll be okay.”

 

“Whoa,” Vinnie said, spinning around to face them. “We got to get our asses in gear. We really need to get Kira and the others out of there. Did you hear what Thane said? Grimm’s afraid of her? Damn. I knew she was a badass, but…”

 

“Vinnie,” Bron said, cutting off the teen’s excited rant. “Go check the engines, make sure everything is in ready for FTL warp.”

 

“On it,” Vinnie said, spinning on his heel and running toward the door. He bounced up and down a few times as he waited for the sliding doors to open. Once they did, he was gone.

 

“What are we going to do?” Alaria asked, turning to look up at Bron.

 

“We’re going to stick to the plan,” Bron said, resting his other hand on her other shoulder. “We’re going to bust them out and hunt down that son of a bitch.”

 

Alaria’s eyes, filled with tears that she fought to keep from falling, met his. “I’m so worried about him,” she said softly.

 

“I am, too,” he replied. “But I’m sure they’re fine. They’re probably keeping their heads low, staying out of trouble, and doing exactly what we are—sticking to the plan.”

 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

 

“Okay, okay,” the Rengar who had done the sweet-talking said, addressing the crowd that had gathered to watch the fight. “Show’s over. You can all move along now. That’s right, nothing more to see here. Go on; go on.”

 

As the crowd dispersed, Thor hurried over to where Kira was still lying on the ground and helped her up to her feet. Dario, undeterred by the encounter, rushed over to their Rengar savior before Kira had a chance to fully gain her footing again.

 

“Who are you?” he asked.

 

The Rengar didn't turn to face him but continued waving off the remaining onlookers. "Go on, now. You're not wanted here."

 

“I asked you a question,” Dario said.

 

Now the Rengar did turn to look at him, a rather unamused look on his face. “I’m the man who just saved your friend’s ass. A little gratitude is in order.”

 

“I will express my gratitude when I know to whom to direct it,” Dario countered.

 

Thor and Kira walked over to them, both of them wanting to know as much as Dario who their rescuer was. They had all spotted him before the attack, and the hope that their assumption of who he was, still lingered in the forefront of all of their minds.

 

“Who are you?” the Rengar asked, eyeing Dario suspiciously, “besides the group of people now officially in my debt.”

 

“In your debt?” Thor asked, walking up to him quickly and pushing back against his chest.

 

The Rengar stumbled slightly then shrunk back against Thor’s abrupt show of aggression. His beady, black eyes darted back and forth between the Terran man now hovering over him and his two companions.

 

“What? Did you think that that Dralaxian just released you because we’re such good friends? Or maybe he was won over by my charmingly good looks?” the Rengar replied, straightening up and squaring off in front of Thor.

 

“Why did he?” Kira asked.

 

“He owed me a favor, a favor I just cashed in on your account. This means that you three are now in my debt.”

 

“We didn’t ask for your help,” Thor said.

 

“Big talk now from the guy who is firmly back on the ground,” the Rengar replied with a chuckle. “You weren’t so badass suspended two feet in the air.”

 

Thor did not take well to this comment, and lifted his hands again, this time balled into fists, ready to throw a strike, or two, in the oversized rodent’s face.

 

“Aldo,” the Rengar said, covering his face with his tiny hands and shrinking back. “My name is Aldo Firax, and I’m someone you want to be friends with.”

 

Immediately, Thor dropped his fists to his sides.

 

“Damn,” he muttered.

 

Kira, walking up behind him, whispered, “just because we were looking for him doesn’t mean you still can deck him a time or two.”

 

“Aldo?” Dario asked, stepping up to the Rengar quickly and eyeing him suspiciously. “Aldo Firax? Are you telling the truth? Is that really your name?”

 

“Why would I lie about something like that?”

 

“Maybe he overheard us talking,” Thor said, looking between Kira and Dario.

 

“Talking about what?” the Rengar asked.

 

“I don’t know,” Dario replied. “Just because he heard a pair of names doesn’t mean that he knew which of the two was a Rengar.”

 

“Two? Two what?”

 

“I think we can believe him,” Kira said.

 

“I’m not lying about my name!” the Rengar nearly shouted. “I am Aldo Firax, sentenced to life here in this multi-leveled paradise for stealing from the all-mighty Colonel Grimm.”

 

“It’s definitely him,” Thor said.

 

“If by him you mean ‘Aldo Firax’ then yes, I’m definitely him. And ‘him’ would like to know how it is that you know him?” Aldo asked, crossing his fur-covered arms over his chest.

 

The crowd that had gathered to watch the fight had completely dispersed, but the ever-cramped condition of The Pits made it hard for any of them to feel completely relaxed or free to discuss delicate matters openly.

 

Kira, Thor, and Dario all exchanged the same apprehensive look. “Is there anywhere we can go that’s more private?” Kira asked Aldo.

 

“There is,” he said nodding his head twice. “But, given that robo-soldier over here tried to knock me out twice within the span of two minutes, I’m going to go ahead and request that we remain in public until I’m more comfortable around you.”

 

Thor grunted. “Robo-soldier?” he asked.

 

“You are Arcanum, aren’t you?” Aldo replied. “I may be a rat but I don’t live under a rock. I know how to identify an enhanced fighter when I see one. And, as a general rule, once I identify said robo-soldier, I avoid them at all costs.”

 

Kira noted the way that Thor tensed when Aldo made a reference to his past and his enhancements. It was the same way he had tensed up when Nico taunted him on his ship, just before he wrapped his hand around the rodent robot’s throat.

 

She slipped her hand into his and gave it a soft squeeze. He looked down at her, and she nodded slowly.

 

“Yes,” he admitted finally, turning back to Aldo. “I was an Arcanum.”

 

“As I thought. Again I say, I would like to remain in public until I’m sure you won’t actually release one of those enhancement backed punches you keep threatening me with,” Aldo replied.

 

“That’s fair,” Dario conceded. “We need to earn his trust as he will need to earn ours.”

 

“Well, let’s make this quick then,” Kira said, inching forward and waiting for the others to do the same.

 

Thor, still disgruntled by the situation, was reluctant to join until Kira shot him a stern “this is Captain’s orders” style look.

 

“We came to Jaantu 7 specifically looking for you,” Kira began.

 

“You seriously expect me to believe that you got yourselves thrown into this hell-hole just to search for little ‘old me?”

 

“Believe it or not, it’s true,” Dario replied.

 

“I feel so special,” Aldo replied, feigning flattery.

 

“Don’t,” Thor said sharply.

 

Aldo shot him a sly, obnoxious smile and Thor simply glowered in reply.

 

“Anyways,” Kira said, bringing the conversation back to point, “we came here looking for you because we need your help locating Grimm. We believe that you are one of the few individuals left that can help us find his base of operations.”

 

“Why would I want to locate that maniac?” Aldo asked.

 

“Because he’s more than a maniac now,” Kira replied. “He a maniac with a mission and a highly advanced, extremely dangerous weapon.”

 

“He staged a coup not too long ago,” Dario added.

 

“Let’s get candid here,” Aldo said, leaning back slightly. “Why the hell should I care about any of this? As far as I’m concerned, I just want to stay as far away from that crackpot as possible. And, you telling me that he has a ‘highly advanced weapon’ only solidifies that choice in my mind.”

 

“That highly-advanced weapon he has,” Kira replied, “is capable of destroying entire star systems. Which means that everyone should care about it because it can and will affect all of us.”

 

Aldo’s eyes narrowed as he looked at each of them individually, reading their expressions carefully, searching their faces for signs of deceit.

 

“Why would we lie about something like this?” Thor asked pointedly.

 

“I don’t know, why would I lie about my name?” Aldo replied.

 

“Because you’re a no-good little son of a…” Thor started, but Kira put her hand firmly on his wrist and cleared her throat.

 

“So, we’re all suspicious people,” she said. “That’s clearly something we’re going to need to get over because we are going to have to work together.”

 

“I still haven’t agreed to this,” Aldo said.

 

“You will,” Kira replied. “Because we are going to bust you out of here. And then, you’ll be in our debt.”

 

“To be fair, then we’ll be even,” Aldo replied.

 

Moving faster than any of them could process, Thor reached out and took hold of Aldo by the throat. With a menacing grin on his face, he leaned in and said, “let’s consider me not killing you right now payback for you sweet-talking me out of that mess before.”

 

Aldo tried to respond, but Thor’s hold on his throat prevented any sounds from coming out of his mouth. Instead, he nodded quickly, his eyes bulging slightly from the strain.

 

“Good,” Thor said, pushing him back forcefully.

 

Aldo nearly tumbled back but caught his balance at the last moment. Straightening up quickly, he patted down his fur and shook his head a few times, regaining his composure. Taking a step back toward the group, he resumed the conversation as if nothing had happened.

 

“As wonderful as freedom sounds,” he said, “I should point out that we are indeed in the toughest maximum-security prison in the entire galaxy. Breaking out isn’t exactly an everyday occurrence.”

 

“We didn’t purposely get ourselves locked up in here without a way out,” Kira said.

 

“We have a team on the outside,” Dario explained. “They are preparing our escape as we speak.”

 

“A fool-proof escape, I’m sure,” Aldo replied.

 

“Yeah,” Kira said, looking quickly from Thor to Dario

 

“Yeah right,” Aldo said, clearly noting the doubt in Kira’s tone. “What’s the catch?”

 

“We were separated from our team before we could finalize the escape plan,” Dario explained. “So, we don’t know exactly what they are going to do to get us out of here, but we do know that there are people out there working on it.”

 

“Do you have any way to communicate with them to verify that?” Aldo asked.

 

“We don’t need to verify it,” Kira replied sharply. “I trust my crew. If they said they’ll get us out, they will get us out.”

 

“Okay, calm down there, Captain defensive,” Aldo said. “All I meant was, is there any way you can communicate with them to ensure that they are okay and everything is still a go?”

 

“Oh,” Kira said, relaxing slightly. “No. We don’t.”

 

“If we were still keeping score, I’d say you’re about to owe me again,” Aldo said, glancing quickly over at Thor. “But, since we’re becoming such good friends, I’m going to go ahead and give this one to you for free.”

 

“Give what to us for free?” Thor asked.

 

“I might just have a way for you to get in touch with your crew,” he replied with a smile.

 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

 

“You have a way to communicate with people outside of Jaantu 7?” Dario asked excitedly.

 

“Almost,” Aldo replied.

 

“What do you mean, ‘almost’?” Thor asked.

 

“I mean I’ve been working on it for some time now.”

 

“How close are you to being done with it?” Dario asked.

 

Letting out an almost exasperated sigh, Aldo turned around and said over his shoulder, “come with me. I’ll show you.”

 

Without waiting for any indication that they had heard him or intended to do what he had said, he took off, darting effortlessly through the cramped prison common area. Kira, Dario, and Thor hurried to keep up with him, their agility with scampering through large crowds not as well-honed as the Rengar prisoner.

 

As they moved through the mass of individuals, Kira couldn’t help but notice that there was one major prison element missing. No matter where she looked, she didn’t see any prison guards on the ground level of The Pits. Instead, it appeared that the prisoners were the ones calling the shots and keeping the order—or really, the disorder.

 

“Aldo,” she said, shouldering her way past a group of large, grizzly Bandurians. “Why are there no officers down here? It’s like there’s no real law or order.”

 

Aldo laughed and replied, “it’s because there’s not. There is no controlling a group of individuals like the ones you’ll find in here.”

 

“No controlling them?” Kira asked, shouting over the sounds of a fight that had broken out somewhere to their right.

 

“I’ve been here for two years,” Aldo explained, “and in that time, things have gotten progressively worse. It’s probably because it’s gotten so damned crowded in here. For a while there, Grimm was sending everyone and anyone he could here. Half of the people in here did nothing more than look at him the wrong way, I’d bet.”

 

Thor, following close behind Kira, remarked, “it’s like Grimm’s personal holding cell for anyone who might be crazy enough to try to stop him.”

 

“Then it appears we’re in the right place,” Dario replied.

 

“I wouldn’t get too excited about that,” Aldo said over his shoulder. “Just because Grimm is the reason these thugs are here that doesn’t mean that they didn’t deserve to be here in the first place. Back when I was working for Grimm, he was getting involved with some particularly shady people.”

 

“So?” Kira asked.

 

“So, they’re not really the kind of people you want to team up with,” Aldo replied.

 

“We might not have any choice,” Thor said.

 

Kira, still distracted by the overwhelming condition of the bustling prison floor, continued to pressure Aldo for information on the inner workings of The Pits.

 

“So, Jaantu 7 has become overcrowded,” she said. “That still doesn’t explain how it’s become a criminal’s paradise.”

 

Aldo chuckled and nodded. “It sort of is a little slice of crime-ridden heaven, isn’t it?”

 

“I was joking,” Kira said.

 

Aldo looked back at her, his nose twitching a few times as his beady eyes observed her. “You’re new to this whole criminal thing, aren’t you?”

 

“Not as new as I’d like to be,” Kira replied.

 

“Either way,” Aldo said, turning his face forward and quickening his step. “Because of the overcrowding, prison officers have all but stopped coming down here. It’s too dangerous for them. Riots have become commonplace and some of the prisoners have even begun damaging some of Jaantu 7’s systems from the inside.”

 

“And there’s nothing the prison can do to stop all of this from happening?” Dario asked.

 

“They did try sending in riot squads a time or two,” Aldo replied with a snicker. “That blew up in their face. The prisoners overwhelmed them with ease. They even took their weapons.”

 

“Armed prisoners,” Thor said. “That’s comforting.”

 

"Now you see why the prison guards don't want to come down here anymore," Aldo replied. "Weapons have become pretty prevalent around here. There's even an underground market that's sprung up recently dedicated just to the exchange of arms. The guards have just sort of decided to lock the doors up tight and monitor everything from the safety of their aerial perches. Their obnoxious little drones are always buzzing about, but no one really pays them any mind. Except for the few ingenious inmates that know how to pull them apart and make them into innovative little gadgets."

 

With his last statement, Aldo turned around and raised a furry little eyebrow as his nose twitched another time or two.

 

“I’m assuming you’re one of the ingenious ones?” Dario asked, picking up on the obvious.

 

“I wouldn’t go as far as to say ingenious,” Aldo said, feigning modesty. “But, I have been able to keep my ass safe by providing mechanical servicing and alteration work the other oafs around here are too stupid to do for themselves.”

 

As they talked, Aldo led them toward the far end of the large, open space. There, he directed them toward a hallway. Although there were fewer people crowding the passageway, the thick metal walls and low-hanging ceilings gave the long stretch a cramped, confined feel. As Kira looked around at the enclosed space, her stomach tightened apprehensively.

 

Looking back over her shoulder at Thor, she said, “I would kill someone to be sitting on a flight deck right now.”

 

“Not a fan of tight spaces?” Thor asked, reaching out and sliding his hand into hers.

 

“Let’s just say I prefer wide open space to suffocating, restricting places.”

 

Thor gave her hand a soft squeeze which she returned. She laced her fingers with his. Confined spaces, armed criminals, life-sentence in a maximum-security prison—as overwhelming as it all seemed, she felt better just knowing he was there.

 

“So, this underground market,” she asked, refocusing on the conversation, “how does it work? What do the inmates use as currency?”

 

Despite no longer being in The Pits, they still had to shout to hear one another. There was a chorus of yells and cheers coming from the end of the hallway, which threatened to drown out their conversation.

 

“Why do you ask? Hoping to get your hands on some weapons or something?” Aldo asked.

 

“Just wondering for future reference,” Kira replied.

 

“Inmates use whatever they have,” Aldo replied. “It’s all based on trade. Which means that you three—new-comers with nothing—are completely screwed.”

 

More questions were forming in Kira’s mind, but the shouts and cheers coming from the end of the hall had grown to deafening volumes. The closer they got to the end of the hall, the louder they became.

 

Thor gave her hand another squeeze as they emerged into what appeared to be the center of a sporting event. The roar of the crowd vibrated through the air, shaking the sand covered ground under their feet.

 

“Where are we?” Thor yelled over the clamor of voices.

 

“Where do you think?” Aldo replied, smiling back at them over his shoulder.

 

Kira gazed up at the crowds that filled the shaky, poorly constructed, stadium-style stands surrounding the sand, gravel, and grit covered ground. The tension and excitement in the air were almost contagious. She felt herself growing restless along with the mob surrounding her, without even knowing what it was that was provoking the excitement.

 

Aldo stepped to the side, giving the trio now buzzing with curiosity a clear view of the event unfolding in the center of the ring.

 

“Holy shit,” Thor said, stepping forward to get a better look.

 

Kira immediately understood why everyone around them was on their feet, cheering. The sight of the large Arkadian male going head to head with three other prisoners in nothing more than pure hand-to-hand combat immediately sparked a nervous fervor inside of her.

 

One of the prisoners, a Terran man wielding a metal rod with the end filed down to a sharp, grotesque looking point, lunged forward quickly. The Arkadian slowed down slightly by his large size, allowed the blow to graze across his left arm. A trickle of bright red blood began to run down his pale green skin, but he didn’t seem to notice.

 

With what appeared to be minimal effort on behalf of the seven-foot-tall, three-foot-wide, hairless Arkadian, he grabbed hold of the metal rod and ripped it from the Terran man’s hands. The scene looked like a giant taking a toy from a baby.

 

The Terran man, now unarmed, scurried back just as the Arkadian flung his own weapon at him, the point of the homemade shank finding its home in the man's upper thigh.

 

“Nice hit, Kardok!” Aldo cried out, his high-pitched squeaky voice carrying over the deep roar of the crowd.

 

“Kardok?” Dario asked, not as interested in the fight as the others. “Did you say Kardok?”

 

“Yeah,” Aldo answered disinterestedly over his shoulder. “He’s a beast, isn’t he? Which is a good thing, because the poor guy has literally nothing going on upstairs if you know what I mean.”

 

As the Terran man hobbled out of the ring, the remaining two prisoners, a Bandurian female, and a Vorian male, lunged forward simultaneously ready to fight the seemingly invincible opponent. Just as the Bandurian began to charge, a small, almost concealed knife in the palm of her hand, Dario set his hand firmly on Kira’s shoulder.

 

“Kira,” Dario said, attempting to draw her attention away from the fight. “Did you hear that?”

 

“What?” she asked, turning to look at him.

 

“That man—that Arkadian—is named Kardok,” Dario said.

 

“Come on, Kardok!” Aldo cheered. “You’re stronger than both of them combined!”

 

“Well, that’s convenient,” Kira said, looking back at the Arkadian in the center of the ring.

 

He was now holding the Vorian male in a headlock, using him as a human shield against the Bandurian woman’s quick jabs.

 

“Aldo,” Kira said, walking over and stepping in front of him.

 

“What the hell are you doing? I’m going to miss the fight.”

 

“That man there, Kardok, we need to talk to him, too.”

 

The sound of the Bandurian woman letting out a frustrated cry and shouting “surrender” caused a ruckus to arise from the crowd that once again caused the feet under Kira’s feet to shake.

 

“Great, you made me miss the end,” Aldo said, pushing past her and trudging out to the center of the ring.

 

Kira spun around and grabbed onto Thor’s wrist. “That’s Kardok,” she said, “the other prisoner we needed to locate.”

 

“Really?” Thor asked, an impressed expression on his face. “He’s definitely someone I wouldn’t mind having on our side.”

 

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 

"Kardok," Aldo said, introducing the giant of an individual to their group, "this is…" His voice trailed off and his nose twitched. "Actually, I don't think you've ever displayed the courtesy of introducing yourselves to me."

 

"Probably because you don't merit courtesy," Thor mumbled.

 

Kira elbowed him firmly in the side. “Captain Kira Winter,” she said, “and my filter-lacking companion here is Commander Rockhold. And of course, the ingenious Dr. Marner.”

 

“Right,” Aldo said, looking them over as if he were meeting them for the first time. “Well, there you go. That’s who they are.”

 

“And you’re Kardok,” Kira said, stretching her hand out in his direction.

 

Instead of shaking it and replying with a general pleasantry, Kardok merely stared down at her, a grin filling his entire face and a look of dazed confusion in his eyes.

 

“Did he get hit in the head or something?” Kira leaned over to Aldo and asked.

 

“No,” Aldo replied. “That’s how he always is.”

 

“Ah, I see,” Kira said. “One of those strong, silent types.”

 

A small laugh spread through the group as Kardok continued to smile on silently. Kira pulled back her hand and slid it into the large pocket of her blue jumpsuit.

 

“Kardok likes to come down here to the ring from time to time to stretch his legs. He’s a big guy, as you can see, so he needs some room to spread out,” Aldo explained.

 

“If I could fight like that, I’d be …” Kira started, but she was cut off when Kardok burst out laughing.

 

“Strong, silent type,” he said, chuckling to himself. “I get it.”

 

“How did you two meet each other?” Kira asked, smiling up at the still-grinning Arkadian.

 

“Well, years back I bailed this one out of a dispute with some Vorian warriors, and we’ve been a team ever since,” Aldo explained.

 

“It’s been really great getting to know you both,” Dario said, his tone slightly impatient. “But, I thought we were going to look at this communication device you say you’ve been working on.”

 

“Excuse me, Dr. Impatient,” Aldo replied. “But that is exactly what we’re on our way to do. In order to access it, we need Kardok here to come with us.”

 

“Well, now that he’s here, can we get going?” Dario said.

 

“Of course, right this way,” Aldo said, leading them back down the long hallway they had taken to reach the ring.

 

“Where are we going now?” Kira asked as they walked briskly.

 

“The comm device is in a different section of the prison,” Aldo explained as they hurried down the metal corridor. “We have to go through The Pits again, so stay close. And no getting into fights with anyone again, alright robo-soldier?”

 

“Remember who you’re talking to, vermin,” Thor replied gruffly.

 

“Why don’t we drop the pet names?” Kira said, looking up at Thor who was marching quickly alongside her.

 

Thor looked down at her and shrugged. “He started it.”

 

“Solid argument,” she replied. “But, I still think it’s better for the group if we at least try to get along.”

 

“And don’t forget that I have my muscle with me now,” Aldo called back as he led them back into the heart of The Pits. “So, your ‘strong man’ scare tactics won’t work on me anymore.”

 

“I’m his muscle,” Kardok said, looking back at Kira.

 

“Clearly,” Thor said. “He has none of his own.”

 

“So much for that,” Kira muttered to herself.

 

The group continued to move as quickly as they could through The Pits. The crowds continued to make mobility difficult, but thankfully with Kardok tagging along behind him, Aldo moved slightly slower, knowing that his companion’s larger size would inhibit his ability to scurry through the mob the way his Rengar side-kick could.

 

Once they reached the center of the common area, Aldo took a sharp turn to the right, leading them toward another tunnel jutting off of the large, crowded room. He moved so quickly that Kira, Thor, and Dario were nearly separated from him and Kardok.

 

“That way,” Kira shouted, redirecting her group.

 

Just as she spun around to continue their trek through the bustling prison common area the hulking image of the orange, four-armed Dralaxian came into view. A shiver of nerves ran up Kira’s spine as she saw him glare in their direction. When his eyes landed on Thor, a menacing smile crossed his lips as he lifted his balled-up fist into the air.

 

“You’re really good at making friends, you know that?” Kira said to Thor as they rushed to catch up with Aldo.

 

“It must be my charming smile,” Thor replied.

 

“That is the first thing I noticed about you,” Kira said. “After the gun you were pointing in my face and the fact that you were an escaped criminal.”

 

“Oh, come on, you know the first thing you noticed about me was my rugged good looks,” Thor replied with a cocky smile.

 

“This way,” Aldo yelled back to them, taking another sharp turn and heading down an even smaller, more cramped feeling hallway than the one they had taken to the ring.

 

They were forced to march single-file down the narrow passageway. Thankfully, it wasn’t long before they emerged in what appeared to be a long-abandoned boiler room. Pieces of mechanical equipment littered the floor and pipes lined the walls.

 

For the first time since being incarcerated in Jaantu 7, Kira felt as if she could breathe, despite the slightly stale stench in the air. There were only a handful of other inmates in that deserted, run-down section of the prison. In the far corner, two Rengar appeared to be locked in some sort of under-the-table deal with a group of Terran men. Directly in front of them was a group of Vorian warriors who looked over at Kira and her group with aggressive glares.

 

“Ignore them,” Aldo said, pushing Kira and the others forward, “they owe me a favor or three, so they won’t be bothering us.”

 

“Does everyone in here owe you a favor?” Dario asked.

 

“Just about,” Aldo replied with a shrug.

 

He led them through the unused boiler room and toward another set of narrow, poorly lit corridors. Ushering them down one of them one-by-one, Aldo checked behind them twice to make sure no one was following.

 

“Take the second right,” he yelled up to Thor, who was now leading the group. “Then go halfway down the hall and wait.”

 

Thor turned when he was told and the other followed closely behind him. He stopped suddenly when he felt that he had gone about halfway. Aldo, still at the back of the group, scanned their surroundings one more time before pushing his way to the front. There, he scurried ahead to the end of the hall and looked both ways, making sure no one was anywhere nearby.

 

“Good,” he said, turning around and giving a thumb’s up to Kardok.

 

“Good,” Kardok repeated, pushing his way past Dario, Kira, and Thor.

 

He lazily marched up to one of the metal slabs lining the hallway. Kira and the others watched with curiosity as he pressed his hands into the wall and took a sharp breath. As he began to exhale, he leaned forward, pushing back a panel that was five feet high, two feet wide, and easily six inches thick.

 

“Whoa,” Kira gasped.

 

“Now you see why we needed to go back for him,” Aldo said, rushing up to join them.

 

“I think Thor probably could have done that,” Kira said.

 

Kardok looked back at them a slightly hurt expression on his face. “Aldo needs me,” he said firmly, lifting up the heavy metal panel and slamming it down firmly on the floor.

 

“You’re right,” Kira said, holding out her hands defensively and taking a slight step back. “Sorry. Thor could not have done that.”

 

A grin flashed across Kardok’s face as he pushed the panel to the side and took a step into the small, hidden compartment.

 

“This is my workspace,” Aldo explained, pushing his way through the group and following Kardok inside. “It took me a little while to build, and it’s not very big, but it’ll do the trick.”

 

Dario followed Aldo inside, commenting on the small size of the secret room. Kira moved to follow him, but Thor reached out and stopped her.

 

“I could have done that,” he said, smiling down at her confidently.

 

“I know,” she said, wrapping her arms around his waist.

 

“I could have taken down that Dralaxian, too,” he added.

 

“I don’t think so,” she said, smiling up at him as she lifted herself onto her tip toes and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.

 

“I just needed more time,” he replied defensively.

 

“Come on,” she said, taking a step back and grabbing hold of his hand. “We have other things to worry about. Stroking your ego will have to wait until after we’re done saving the galaxy.”

 

Ducking just a little, she squeezed into the small, tight space. Once Thor followed her in, the feeling of being squished into a tight space once again caused a ripple of nerves to run up Kira’s spine.

 

“Everyone in?” Aldo asked. “Good. Kardok, close it up!”

 

Kardok, not seeming to notice or care about the exceedingly cramped quarters, shuffled his way back toward the hideout’s opening. Dario had to wiggle around him as he charged forward, and Kira and Thor were forced to press their backs against the cold metal walls. It wasn’t until Kardok set the heavy metal panel back in place and slid back to the front of the tiny room that Kira and Thor were finally able to move about somewhat freely.

 

“Like I said, it’s small,” Aldo explained once everyone was settled in.

 

Aldo sat in front of a small console while the others crowded in around him. The holographic screen in front of him was blank, and the only lights that emitted from the pieced together console were that of the lines of buttons running up and down the control pads.

 

Dario, who was leaning in and examining the equipment closely asked, “what is it exactly?”

 

“It’s a comm system,” Aldo replied, looking back at everyone. “It’s built on an unmonitored frequency that will allow us to send messages as far as the Galactic Bazaar. Our plan was to radio out there in hopes of finding someone on the outside that could get us out.”

 

“Lucky for you, we have people out there that will get us out,” Dario said happily.

 

“All we have to do is figure out how to get a message to Alaria, Bron, and Vinnie, and we’re home free,” Kira added.

 

“Well, that would be all we had to do,” Aldo began, “if this thing actually worked.”

 

“It doesn’t work?” Thor asked, his tone agitated. “You brought us out here, crammed us in this tiny hole of a hideout, and got our hopes up just to tell us it doesn’t work?”

 

“It doesn’t work yet,” Aldo said, turning back to face the screen in front of him. “I’m just missing two parts. Two tiny little parts are all I need to make this thing sing.”

 

“Two parts doesn’t sound like too much,” Dario said hopefully.

 

“It’s not,” Aldo replied. “I mean, it wouldn’t be if we were anywhere but here. The problem is, here getting your hands…”

 

“Or paws,” Thor quipped.

 

Aldo shot him a glare before continuing. “To get a hold of pretty much anything, you have to be willing to pay.”

 

“We’re willing to pay,” Dario said.

 

“I’m sure you are. But, pay with what?” Aldo asked.

 

“Whatever you have to sell,” Thor said.

 

“I deal more in favors and bribes than material possessions,” Aldo replied.

 

“Like hell you do,” Kira said with a chuckle. “How would you have gotten a hold of all of this if you didn’t have something to trade in exchange?”

 

“I may have a few things,” Aldo admitted. “But nothing valuable enough to trade for what we need.”

 

“What do we need, exactly?” Dario asked.

 

Before Aldo could answer, a high-pitched siren began to sound. All of them shuddered back against the blaring noise, their hands flying up to their ears.

 

“We’ll have to discuss this another time,” Aldo yelled, motioning for Kardok to open the panel.

 

“What the hell is that?” Thor asked.

 

“The nightly call,” Aldo replied, pushing his way forward, his tiny hands covering his very large ears. “It’s time to report to our cells. The damn thing won’t stop until we do.”

 

“We don’t have a cell!” Dario called out.

 

"Yes, you do," Aldo said, motioning quickly toward the breast pocket of Dario's suit. "There."

 

“Glad someone explained that to us before,” Kira said as they followed Aldo out of the hideout.

 

Once in the hall, they waited, each of them wincing back in pain against the screeching alarm, for Kardok to close up the tiny hideaway. Once he did, he quickly slapped his hands over his ears and took off marching down the narrow corridor. Aldo scurried quickly behind him.

 

Once they reached the center of The Pits, Aldo and Kardok stopped and turned to face them. “We’ll meet here tomorrow after lunch,” Aldo said. He then leaned in and checked the number on Dario’s jumpsuit again. “You go that way,” he said, directing them toward a rickety ladder on the opposite side of the common area.

 

Without another word, he hurried off, Kardok following quickly behind him.

 

It took them twenty minutes to find their cell—twenty minutes of ear-piercing sirens and wandering around amid a crowd of hardened criminals, lost in the rush of disorderly chaos.

 

As she got jostled back and forth, Kira’s head began to ache and her stomach began to turn. “This cannot be the rest of my life,” she whispered to herself. “No matter what, I will not let this be the rest of my life.”

 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

 

Thankfully, Thor and Kira were assigned to the same cell. Dario, unfortunately, was not. He was put in the cell next to them with a particularly rugged looking Arkadian woman. To make matters worse, for Dario, at least, the cells were small—very small.

 

“Originally, the cells were double the size they are now,” Aldo explained when they met with him the next afternoon.

 

The Pits were as crowded as they were the day before, which came as no surprise to any of them. Once they found Aldo and Kardok waiting in the exact spot they had agreed on the night before, they all moved together to a more private part of the central common area—as private as they could hope to find. There were still crowds of inmates huddled together in their groups around them and the ever-present security drones buzzing around over their heads.

 

“But, due to the whole overcrowding thing,” Aldo continued, “they came in and split them all in two—just sliced them right down the middle with a slab of metal.”

 

“They clearly didn’t have the inmates comfort in mind when they did that,” Dario said. “It’s impossible to move around in there. And sharing the space with a seven-foot-tall Arkadian doesn’t make it any better.”

 

“Is she nice at least?” Kira asked.

 

“A little too nice,” Dario replied.