Madeline took a few steps further into the ship and whispered to Gabriel, “So, what now?”

“...Ask around for exotic pets?” Gabriel suggested, “Might point us in the right direction. Oh, and alien tech, but that might be too conspicuous” he added. Madeline strode up to the first available store, which seemed to sell artwork and probably fake statuettes.

“What are you looking for miss…?” the shopkeeper, an elderly Yavichian asked.

“Hm, not really any of this,” she said and waved a hand towards the merchandise, “However if you can point me in the right direction I might change my mind.”

“Oh, sure, sure, and what would that be?” he asked eagerly.

“Pets,” Madeline said, studying a painting of some kind of creature that resembled a skinny griffon with the head of a squid.

“Um, what kind?” he asked. Madeline gave the shopkeeper a long look. He looked up at Gabriel and quickly back to Madeline. “I just mean...”

Madeline held up a hand, “Exotic pets if you know what I mean, I wouldn’t come this far for Tonos or Bradril now would I?”

“Bradrils?” the shopkeeper asked out of reflex. Madeline sighed and turned away. “Wait! I know a place,” he quickly said. “Go down this hallway and pass through the doors, turn left, and at the end are shops for more...exotic goods.”

“Appreciated,” Madeline said with a small cold smile, “Gemi, pick something out” Gabriel took a step forward and peered at the paintings. One depicting some predator in the underbrush of a jungle planet stood out to him, it was painted in a very stylized manner, almost like a colored sketch. He simply pointed at it.

“Oh, yes, very nice isn’t it,” the shopkeep said, falling into his selling persona, “That will be 10,000 credits,” he said. Madeline and Gabriel both stared down at him, “I mean 8,000 credits?”

Madeline sighed, “I suppose I did get directions,” she said dismissively, “Pay the man,” she handed her pcu to Cani who accepted it and acted like a perfect greedy pilot that hung around just in case more money would come her way. She quickly caught up with the painting wrapped in cloth and handed the pcu back.

“You know this is pretty worthless,” Cani said.

“Yeah, I know,” Madeline said, “Did it sound convincing? and sorry for ordering you around”

“It’s fine, and if I didn’t meet you before you would have fooled me,” Cani confirmed.

They rounded the corner and headed down the direction the shopkeep mentioned. The corridor quickly began smelling worse, while the air circulation was good, completely getting rid of the smell of many animals in a small space was difficult. Regardless of the smell, they continued on past animals that Gabriel guessed was common but illegal to the more extreme. They reached the far end and found a store that looked closed, empty spaces with loose cables were lined up on the front, whatever used to stand there was gone.

Madeline gave Gabriel a questioning look, “Looks empty,” She said quietly. Gabriel walked up and knocked on the door. It opened and a fat male Roniean glared out.

“Aren't you a big one, what do you want?” he asked glaring at Gabriel.

“It’s the suit,” Madeline said and moved past rapping a knuckle on Gabriel’s stomach, “I’ve heard that you have...well if you want to be subtle let’s call them exotic animals.”

“And if I don’t want subtlety?” he asked.

“If that’s the case, I’ve heard you sold the...what’s it called?” she made a show of thinking for a moment, “The human, was it? you know the one on the news a few weeks back. The one in US 535?”

The Roniean shifted and looked around as if seeing if anyone else was listening, “Rumors are not to be trusted, anything else?”

“Yes, do you have another? a human that is?” Madeline asked casually.

“What do you want one for?” he asked suspiciously.

“Fame and power of course,” Madeline said as if it was the only possible reason. “If I knew an intelligent alien had been sold I would have outbid your buyer. Now the Nioni family got all the fame for rescuing the human.” She sighed and adopted an angry expression, “My family was richer and more influential before they were selected for the head emissary position.”

“I see,” he said squinting.

“Let me put it this way, my family still has more money and more influence on Zilg but I bet you’ve never heard of me have you? how many Zilgi families do you know of?” she asked him.

“Um, just Nioni.”

“That’s right!” Madeline said annoyed, “But, if I can ‘free’ another one I can at least share the fame. So do you have one?”

“No,” he said quickly.

Gabriel was glad the helmet hid his disappointment while Madeline openly sighed, “Tell me you at least have something from the human planet? I have come a long way with a lot of money.” Madeline tried.

The Roniean got a greedy look in his eyes, he paused for a moment before speaking, “Yes, I might have something” he stepped back and motioned for them to enter. “My name is Traki,”

“Mhirian,” Madeline said and walked past him. Gabriel followed and Cani followed as well but stopped just inside the door.

“And what would your last name be?” Traki asked.

“Not important, I do want to have some deniability,” Madeline said. Gabriel looked around the small entry room. It had a bench and coat racks, Gabriel saw more than four coats already occupying hooks, otherwise, the room was metal like most others on ships, apart from a hideous bright green rug on the floor.

“I understand, come in,” Traki said and opened a large sliding door that led to a larger room. A few boxes were scattered about with a few smaller cases sprinkled about. At the end was a desk with a door behind it and in the middle of the room sat four large Igris playing a card game. Traki walked past the Igris and sat behind the desk. Gabriel heard Madeline take in a big breath although her face remained calm.

She walked over and sat down opposite the desk with Gabriel standing behind her. “So, what do you have for sale?”

Gabriel took one more look around the room and on the wall that they entered from were two displays with clothes. One with a dark grey dress jacket, a white shirt, and a pair of dark jeans. The other display also had a pair of jeans and the blouse Victoria had gotten for her 25th birthday from their parents. He clenched his teeth but stood at attention behind Madeline trying to act attentive but bored.

“I have this,” He pulled out a small box and opened it, inside were two smartphones. “This is an alien com unit,” he explained. He pulled out what Gabriel recognized as Victoria's smartphone and pressed the lock button. The screen lit up and showed a screen of mountains from a vacation to the Alps. “It took some effort to charge it, but we have not tampered with it otherwise, it is fully original.”

“And how much do you want for them?” Madeline asked. The Igris behind them at the table shifted and Gabriel saw her tense. Traki didn’t seem to notice.

“Hmm, well there are only two...” he said, slowly waving the phone around.

“What assurance do I have that they are alien made? they look like some primitive pcu you can find on any planet.” Madeline said and crossed her arms.

“I have this,” He said and pulled out Gabriel’s phone. He pressed the lock button and showed them the screen. The lock screen was a picture of the green data stream from the matrix and at the top was a media player. He pressed the play button and the phone began playing in the middle of a verse.

Won't you pinch me

I've been dreaming here

For far too long

Wide awake

We're sharing in this morning view

The song smacked Gabriel with nostalgia. It was one of his dad’s favorite bands. He managed to keep composed with some considerable effort though. Traki paused the song.

“Satisfied?” he asked.

“Not quite, That might as well have been Roniean for all I know,” she looked at Gabriel who shook his head. “Alright, how much?”

“Well...these have been kept very carefully for a long time, the costs pile up you know,” he said, clearly dragging it on. Gabriel heard shuffling behind him and turned to see Cani pushed into the room by two more Igris. “I think I will have all your money for hearing this music, that would be a fitting price don’t you think?” Traki said grinning.

“No I don’t,” Madeline said coldly, “Gemi if you would?”

“Yes, miss,” Gabriel said, trying his best to sound like a Roniean woman and turned to the room. The four at the table stood up and grinned at him. Gabriel took a few steps towards them and stopped.

“Liberate them of their credits please,” Traki said nonchalantly. Two Igris grinned and stepped to reach for Gabriel.

Gabriel grabbed an arm of the right Igris and kicked the legs out from the other. He pulled and hooked the Igris on the jaw. He went down like a sack of...well whatever the purple fruit Gabriel had eaten back on Scarrasks ship was called. He quickly reached down and grabbed the collar of the tripped Igris and punched him straight in the place a human would keep his nose.

Gabriel looked up and saw Cani stomp hard on the foot of one Igris and throw a punch at the other so he focused on the two remaining at the table. One of them pulled a gun but didn’t manage to aim before Gabriel shoulder tackled him in the chest. He flew back and through the glass on the display holding his century-old clothes. Gabriel rushed the last one and blocked a well-aimed, although weak, punch and jabbed the Igris in the guts. As he doubled over Gabriel grabbed him around the waist, hoisted him, and slammed him through the table.

Cani in the meantime had fought off one of her attackers and was trading blows with the last one. Gabriel walked up, grabbed the last Igris head, and slammed him into the wall.

“I...had...that,” Cani said, breathing heavily and wiping blood from her nose.

“Of course, my bad,” Gabriel said and walked back towards the desk. Madeline had not moved and was staring down Traki.

“I don’t appreciate being robbed, even if it fails. Now, how about we discuss what it will cost you to not get your arms ripped off by Gemi,” she said as Gabriel arrived and took his place beside her.

“I...I...just,” he stammered.

“I was thinking those two com units and the fancy clothes in the displays.” she said casually, “What do you think?”

“Those cost me a fortune I can’t...”

“Gemi,” Madeline said. Gabriel stepped forward and grabbed Traki’s arm. He lifted him and pushed his face down on the deks. Then he began bending Traki’s arm back.

“Wait! wait!” he shouted, “Take it!”

“A pleasure doing business with you, by the way, who did you sell the other human to?” Madeline asked and stood.

“I didn’t get a name! someone from Roniean II!”

“You are aware there's a lot of people on Roniean II?” Madeline asked coldly.

“Yes! it was a Roniean male with a large scar on his cheek and a torn crest, that's all I know!”

She grabbed the case and walked away. “Many thanks, Captain would you be so kind as to gather up the merchandise?”

“Of course miss,” Cani said, not missing a beat. Gabriel swore that both of them had to have had training in acting. He released Traki’s arm but didn’t remove the hand from his back.

“Now, Mr. Traki, I can’t have you lie and try to pin this on me, so I’m going to have to lock you up,” Madeline said, “Or rather Gemi will, your storeroom will do I hope?”

“Uh,” Traki said, Gabriel applied pressure to his back. “Yes, it will” he wheezed out. Gabriel dug around in Traki’s pocket and took his pcu. Cani did the same for the Igris, and just for good measure picked up the gun. Then all Igris and Traki were thrown into the storeroom. After locking the door Gabriel dragged the heavy desk over and placed it in front of the door. Cani quickly cleaned her face up and they walked out as if nothing had happened.

“I don’t believe for a second that he will stay quiet,” Gabriel said quietly.

“No, me neither, I suggest we leave, and quickly at that” Cani agreed.

“You don’t have to convince me,” Madeline said and walked back towards the ship, not rushing but not exactly perusing the stores they passed. They made it all the way to the docks, walked through the door, and stopped.

“Tono crap,” Cani swore. They were looking at a group of about thirty Ronieans and Igris, with a few Yavichians and Phigos sprinkled in for good measure.

“Fuck me, can’t we catch a break?” Gabriel mumbled.

“Ah, the human arrives! and miss Nioni as well,” a short Igris said. While most of his kind was at least as tall as Gabriel and often taller, this one would not reach his chin. “My name is Yu'Zedi, I am the owner of this mining ship”

Gabriel turned his head slightly, not taking anyone out of his sight, “Cani, when I say go, take Madeline and go around to the right and head to the ship.”

“Do you really think I’m going to leave you here?” Madeline asked, her voice serious and even a little angry.

“If needed yes, I’m too valuable to be killed,” Gabriel hoped, “You, with your connections, might not be.”

“He is right,” Cani said, “And I'm worth even less.”

“Done talking?” Yu’Zedi asked, “You know, I never imagined you would come back here, I get to sell you again! you are making me a lot of money”

“Glad to help,” Gabriel said and inched to the right.

“Of course if your face wasn’t all over the news you would go for a higher price but not often do I get a chance to sell things twice.” He said chuckling, clearly happy about the opportunity.

“Yes, you said that already,” Gabriel said, they had made it far enough that there was a clear path to the ship, as long as no gun or stun-bat wielding mook got in the way.

“Of course, my mistake,” Yu’Zedi said with a smile, then he turned to the group behind him, “Now would...” Gabriel nudged Cani and ran forwards.

The closest mooks panicked and began either drawing or trying to point weapons but they didn’t expect Gabriel to be so quick. He barreled into them, catching a large Igris by the waist and knocking several over. He lifted the Igris on his arms and slammed him down on two unfortunate Ronieans who managed to catch the large Igris with their heads. Gabriel heard gunshots behind him and saw Cani and Madeline run for the ship.

A Yavichian got in their way but Madeline expertly roundhouse kicked him in the stomach so hard he folded over wheezing as his breath was forced out of his lungs. Gabriel kicked the closest standing person and sent an Igris flying into his comrades. A loud clang rang out as someone smashed his helmet with a bat. The helmet expertly inflated and Gabriel’s ears hurt more than his head. He spun, grabbing the surprised Roniean by the collar and belt and lifted him over his head. A gun was pointed at him from the pile on the floor and he threw the Roniean in its general direction.

Gabriel jumped back as a large knife was swung at his neck and swiped the legs of the Phigos wielding a machete of some kind. He heard a few more shots and looked up. Cani returned fire but limped towards the ship, her leg dragging. Gabriel swore under his breath and sprinted into the crowd, pushing towards the back. But just as Madeline and Cani made the ship Gabriel saw a familiar round object tossed in their direction.

“No!” he shouted and stopped. The grenade exploded, the shockwave hit Gabriel, and Madeline and Cani both fell to the floor. There was no fire or dust, but Gabriel saw the marks on the floor from the shrapnel. A few Igris far back stumbled and shouted in pain. A stun bat was pressed into Gabriel's neck but he barely noticed, he was still staring at Madeline.

“Come on, come on,” he said desperately. He heard a gunshot and his helmet shook again. Then he saw Madeline lift her head and shake it groggily. Cani sat up as if startled awake and fired more shots at the closest mooks who sought cover. She helped Madeline up and they limped into the ship. Gabriel turned and ran for Yu’Zedi.

It turned out they had expected him to head for the ship so his back was relatively unguarded. Yu’Zedi’s eyes filled with fear as Gabriel knocked Igris and Roniean over left and right on his advance. Just as Yu’Zedi was about to cry out Gabriel reached him and grabbed his collar. He spun the short Igris around and held him as a shield.

“Let the ship leave or I’ll rip your head off, very slowly,” he snarled. Yu’Zedi scratched as Gabriel's helmet so Gabriel grabbed Yu’Zedi’s wrist and squeezed. The carapace cracked and Gabriel felt bone underneath snap. “Last warning! Let the ship leave or you die!” He shouted.

“Let them go!” Yu’Zedi croaked through the pain and hanging as he was from his neck. Gabriel backed off slowly and watched the unconscious and more unlucky mooks be dragged out of the loading area before the large doors closed. He looked through the small window and waited.

“Not any closer or he dies!” He shouted. Everyone backed off, a few, thinking themselves smart, tried circling but after Gabriel squeezed Yu’Zedi’s neck a little harder they also backed off. Gabriel watched and finally after several minutes the ship powered up and left the station. “Once they have reached a safe distance I will receive an all-clear and I will let you go,” Gabriel hoped. “You try anything before that and you will not live to regret it,” He promised.

He lowered Yu’Zedi down, still a firm grip on his neck, and grabbed his pcu. He quickly rang Madeline and jammed the pcu up his helmet before securing Yu’Zedi again.

“Hello, Gabriel?” Cani grunted, Gabriel heard movement and pained noises as Cani moved about.

“You're alive, what about Madeline?” Gabriel asked.

“Alive but not well,” Cani answered grimly, “I had some nano stims so she’ll live. Ow! shit” Cani said. “It hurts being shot”

“I’m aware, are you being followed? Can you get out?”

“Nothing on the scanners and no stealth ship can remain undetected and match my speed,” Cani said with pride in her voice, “We’ll live, what about you?”

“I’m holding...whatever the small Igris was called hostage and working on a plan.”

“I suggest snapping his neck,” Cani said.

“I’ll keep that in mind, take care of Madeline would you?”

“Of course,” Cani said.

“Godspeed,” Gabriel said, before pulling the pcu out of his helmet and dropping in on the floor. He gave it a few hard stomps and shattered it as well as he could, just in case.

“I did as you said,” Yu’Zedi wheezed.

“Yes, you did,” Gabriel hesitated for a minute. Yu’Zedi wanted him alive, he wondered if the second in command would be as greedy. He dropped Yu’Zedi on the floor, turned, and ran. He sprinted down the docks weighing his options. Taking another ship was out of the question, he could not fly it even if he could get to any. Maybe there were escape pods somewhere? He ran towards the front where he imagined the bridge would be, surely they had to keep escape pods there. Unfortunately, this gave him time to think and he saw once again Madeline get thrown to the ground by the grenade.

He shook his head and ran on, Cani had said she would live so that’s what he would believe. Two Ronieans ran out of a side door and pulled guns. Gabriel raised one arm and clotheslined the first of them, the second catching a hook har enough to crack his jaw as Gabriel sprinted past, barely even slowing. He had left Yu’Zedi and his men in the dust and slowed enough to get his bearings. He breathed heavily and walked up to a sign, finding it all written in Roniean.

“Crap,” He muttered. He turned and found a Phigos shopkeeper quickly look away from him. Gabriel walked over. “Which way to the bridge?” he demanded.

“Um, I’m not...” he started. Gabriel drove his fist through the table. “Oh, the bridge, yes, follow the red line over there” he pointed nervously to the wall.

“Thanks,” Gabriel said and hurried off. He dodged a few visitors and leaped over a small electric truck pulling wheeled crates. What felt like much longer but was probably just a minute or two later he reached a door. The red line disappeared under it and Gabriel slowed just enough to drive his heel at the door. It was a sliding door and didn’t so much come off its hinges as buckle inwards. He squeezed past and stood with one corridor heading straight and two to either side.

He saw a sign for what he hoped was escape pods. It looked like a large bullet being fired from a strange-looking ship. He took a chance and headed down the corridor.

He entered a large room with suits on the wall on his side. “Oh thank fuck, my luck is changing,” he panted, staring at about ten round doors in the far wall. He walked over and pulled a handle and an Iris-like hatch opened. Inside were four seats and several compartments scattered about. Over each seat was a handle with plenty of warning labels. He ducked inside and found a handle by the outside hatch. Pulling it closed the hatch and another door inside the pod.

“Right,” He muttered and chose a seat at random, he strapped in and pulled the handle. Nothing happened. He chose a different seat and tried again with the same result.

A screen lit up and Yu’Zedi, breathing hard was grinning at him, “Hah, trapped!” He laughed. “You...you didn’t make it easy,” he fanned himself with his hand. “You and that Roniean whore killed eight of my men.”

“I must be getting sloppy, Oh, did you miss the two on the way?” Gabriel said and pulled his helmet off. Yu’Zedi’s hesitated and Gabriel grinned at him.

“Well, I’m sure I can hire more,” Yu’Zedi said, “And then I can find your friends,” he grinned again.

“Nope, you will not,” Gabriel chuckled. “But go ahead, waste your resources and try,” he bluffed. “You really think we didn’t have an escape plan? I’ll admit I planned to be on the ship but oh well”

Yu’Zedi was frowning at him, at least Gabriel assumed it was a frown, Igris had chitin on their foreheads and not any eyebrows. “No matter, we will be long gone before word gets anywhere.” The screen turned off.

Gabriel tried to open the door back to the ship just to be sure, it didn’t move. He sighed and leaned back in a chair, he heard a faint hissing noise, “Great, I just had to choose the broken pod,” he sighed and dented a panel with his fist. The chase had taken a lot out of him and he felt his eyelids threaten to close. He shook his head and tried to think, it was surprisingly difficult. “What do I do now?” he asked out loud, he closed his eyes and leaned back, “Maybe just a little nap,” he muttered. “Do I smell strawberries?” he asked himself, just before everything went black.