Chapter 6

I perched myself onto the back of the chair putting my feet up on the seat.

“So what exactly do we need to do” I studied him closer as I asked, this one certainly looked more like a pirate and despite his jovial manner I sensed he was far more dangerous than his friend.

“Well we aren’t bringing trinkets back that’s for sure” he was assessing me anew now, two experienced thieves, we would probably succeed but we could trust each other.

“We have secured a deal for three casements of laser rifles, all you have to do is get them to me and I’ll take care of the rest.”

“So the deal is done right, so why do you need me” I knew as I said it there was a catch, there always was my services were paying my passage so there had to be more to it.

“We don’t exactly trust the seller, he is a notorious Kasnic he is dabbling with weapons trading as a game, he owns pleasure bars, gambling dens you name it, he almost has his own private army. Pietros thinks you’ll be able to convince him not to renege on us and I can see why but you will need to change your clothing.”

I looked down at my outfit, spidery laced fabric adorning my legs and a leather bodice that usually drew admiration.

“You need to look like a wealthy trader; he has no interest dealing with the likes of us.” Although his words stung they held truth, my best assets were my unusual skin and my youth and I had been using them for years, apart from that there was nothing to set me apart. Wealth was certainly familiar too me though it had never been my own, I’d toyed around its edges though it had never held any special allure.

He filled me in the details and then I went back to my room to change and wait, I was anxious to get this over with and get my own plans underway.

I threw my travelling clothes on to the bed and saw the shimmering head scarf Pietros had given me, had he given this to me for the trade and not out of friendship. I’d use it anyway, it looked more expensive than anything I owned. I had a jewel embedded bodice more sparkle than valuable but it would still make an impression and took out my black fur lined coat, these would do but I’d need a few gems to look the part. I tossed them aside and sank into the mattress and my thoughts fell to Neri.

What had Lomas meant when he said my brother had changed, surely he’d always be the same Neri to me. He was the one person that I could trust; I’d lived with his kind protection for years and had never repaid him. I could do so now, I remembered playing with him as children he was always far more serious than I perhaps to allow me to be more playful.

I saw the com deck flashing, there was a message waiting for me from Rygel. He said he had located a doctor on Hyneria who could help and was sending him on a transport immediately to the station he wouldn’t get there for another solar day however. That didn’t matter, something told me I’d need the time to get this weapons trade dealt with.



I was changed by the time we docked, the station was full of life but it had an eerie menace about it as if anyone new was immediately appraised to see who would be easy pickings. I surveyed the marketplace to find my own targets.

A small trussed up elderly female didn’t notice as I relieved her of her Vylean brooch, it was pearl like and a highly prized gem, I’d have to alter it a little of course so it wasn’t recognised. I’d spied an intricate string of neck chains on another stall, they were soon in my pouch with little trouble then I slipped through the crowds to find some lodgings.

The only accommodation I could afford was a cramped and dirty affair but it would do as I wasn’t planning on staying long. At least it had a com desk and a window looking onto the station courtyard that could prove valuable.

I sat on the ledge looking out on the crowds, a strange reptilian looking man was having a dispute with two station guards, he was gesturing towards one of the ramshackle stalls. However unpleasant this throng of thieves and relkits was where I felt most comfortable, I knew their ways and how to use them.

I took out a pocket knife and began w**king at the jewellery customising it to go with my outfit. It was getting close to the appointment that had been arranged with the weapons dealer Feschlik although it wasn’t that that filled me with dread. This was easy in comparison to returning to my homeworld and yet insignificant, I felt as though I was floating through time.

I may have said this before Alex, but it bears repeating. Great w**k. I'm glad you're letting more people read it at last. You have such a grasp of the characters, their dynamics and personalities, it's a joy to read. :thumbsup: