- Anton! Boy come here. - A voice called from deeper inside the shop.

- Coming boss! - Anton replied quickly setting a droid to cover for him.

He carefully navigated around the piles of various tech that was dropped wherever there was any space. A few co-workers of his saw him rushing towards the boss office and nodded at him. Anton just waved as he rushed past them.

He stopped in front of the office doors – catching his breath and calming himself he pushed the door .

 - Im here boss, how can I help you? - He asked while trying to keep his eyes somewhere above his bosses head.

The woman sitting comfortably in a leather chair leaned back as she checked out her employee. Her predatory gaze watched him from top to bottom, her vertical cat like pupils contracted a bit.

 - I have your paycheck here Anton. You have worked off your contract fully, it's a shame to let such a talented technician go. Maybe you will reconsider extending your contract? - She asked him in a seductive way.

- Thank you for the offer boss...

- Anna.

- Ehem, thank you for the offer Anna, but I have things already planned. I cant put them off any longer. - Anton replied. Sweat was beginning to show on his forehead.

- I see.. I am willing to make you my partner – might that make you reconsider? - She said.

- No, sorry but this is my final decision.

Anna stood up and slowly swaying her hips walked in front of him looking him straight into the eyes. Her smaller hand took his into her own and she placed it onto her chest.

 - I am even willing to become yours if you will stay.. - her face was close to his making him blush, her perfume surrounding him with it's exotic smell.

- Sorry, but no. - Anton was concentrating hard to keep his eyes from wandering as he pulled his hand back.

- Fine. - Anna said annoyed, turning around she bent to take his paycheck form her table while giving him a nice view of her rear.

As she turned back she looked at his face – he was blushing, causing her to smirk deviously.

A few minutes later Anton left the building and sighed – it was hard to resist Anna's charm. He knew she didnt have much interest in him as a man – only in his skills as a technician and even more in his coding skills. Or so he thought.

Anton made his way back home trough the tech market always keeping an eye on the stalls around him, looking for something that might actually be useful for him among all the trashy low grade tech. After leaving tech market an old residential wing started – it's structures quite run down form the age and usage – but still sturdy, some of them looking better than the others. His legs took him to his apartment on autopilot while his mind wandered.

[Why is Anna so obsessed with me? It's impossible that she knows i'm half human is it? No, no way I was careful. Might she somehow sniffed out about my origins? Nah, no way either, who would look for me in such a small station? Right?]

His small two room flat that he rented form an old Urlak was located on the fifth level of the building, the owner lived on the first one, all other flats were occupied by the landlords other clients and family. Anton was quite lucky a few years back when he found this flat to rent. Close to his work and ship docks, tech market just minutes away and all the old Ben asked for was two hundred creds a week plus he fix any tech related issues in the building. A good deal, a very good deal that was!

Anton dropped his coat and gloves he always was wearing straight onto the ground and stood in front of the mirror. He placed his palm on the mirror and made a connection trough his implants with the small safe hidden in it, a second later a small part in the center of the mirror pushed out revealing a small open space inside – there a small device that he had built two years ago was faithfully working for him charging a capsule full of nanobots. Anton unplugged that small capsule and popped it into his mouth. His face in the mirror shimmered for a bit showing his true face, that was a hybrid of human and kertan he was born with. Spitting out this silvery capsule now full of discharged nanobots he placed it back into the hidden safe to charge hooking it up to the power source.

He sighed, this disguise he was using will have to be changed once he leaves the station – one can never be too careful.

Anton's hand went into his pocked as he fished out his paycheck chip, a couple steps and he took a seat in front of his personal terminal inserting this chip into one of the slots – running all the creds in it trough secure channels and making them reach his various secure accounts. It took some time to do that, so while his terminal worked he looked around his flat one more time – everything seemed in place, all the small things – his old shoes that were placed inconveniently in front of the door were in their place, his bed sheets were all straight without a wrinkle as they should be, the dust on the window were in their place a small piece of paper that was trapped under the closed window was still there – everything seemed in place. After looking around and confirming no one was inside his flat he nodded, turning his attention back at the terminal that was just about to finish all the transactions to hide where the money came from.

That done Anton attached a small module to the terminal that he took out from a hidden compartment in his desk. His terminal now worked in secure mode trough the protocols he himself wrote – he hoped these custom protocols would be unbreakable for anyone else who didnt know his secret code that he transmitted into the terminal using his implants, that too were of his own custom build. Finally with all protocols finishing security checks he could begin to work on his small secret project.

Plans of a ship came into view – it was of a custom design like all things Anton made. It's design sleek, similar to that of an barbed arrow. Anton flexed his fingers and connected to the stations construction and repair dock systems, a few minutes later and a rental contract ton use these dock's for a time frame of 24 hours was signed by one of his forged identities he had set up long ago, one of his secure accounts now empty. He fed a blueprint into the system and waited a couple of minutes for it to process this blueprint. Finished with the task the dock's AI confirmed that the ship that was soon to be build was within security regulations. Anton was asked by the AI if he will be supplying materials for this project or if he would like to buy them. Anton forwarded information of a storage hangar that he owned that held most of the parts needed for the ship, while choosing to purchase hull and armor parts from the station – he did that to avoid suspicion, trying to pose as a man who was building his first ship as if he was a total greenhorn at this. Hopefully this would make the dock's administration just ignore his operation thinking that it was just one of the stations rich youngsters playing around.

That done he was notified of an estimated 23 hours that would take to assemble this ship of his.

Anton nodded at himself and began to work on a different project. In these 23 hours he was sure to complete a simple C class AI that would help him to control all the ships functions, it just needed a few finishing touches. From a fridge places right next to his desk on his right he took out a can of an energy drink and popped it open. The caffeine was sure to keep him going during these stressful hours as he worked.

Half the ship was finished and he was so close to completing his AI all his focus at the code in front of his eyes that was displayed on his terminal that he almost missed a notification that popped up on his terminal – his security systems warning him that someone got interested in his ship.

[Shit..] Was his only thought as he panicked for a second while checking the logs – it was the dock's admins looking around at what was going on in this rented dock. He hoped they would leave him alone and wouldn't get suspicious of the strange ship design. Minutes ticked away as Anton waited beads of sweat rolling down his face. Finally he saw a line of code indicating the admins disconnected form the rented dock's systems.

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Anton laid back in his chair and sighed.

[That was a close one, hopefully they wont decide to double check it.] His mind raced as he took out a second can of energy drink form his small fridge.

Couple more hours and his personal AI's code was finished and ready to be uploaded into the ship, for the time being he stored it inside his implants internal data storage – not trusting any external servers even if they had his own built firewalls.

Caffeine was working well in his system he thought as he was lying on the bed, eight more hours and his finished ship would be moved to a hangar he had rented. There he would finish it up with a couple of modifications he didnt want showing up in any of his ships schematics, that would be uploaded into the global ship information database according to law. A clock in his hud showed it was roughly four in the morning galactic time, so his ship should be finished at 12 GT.

[Good, with that done ill be able to move forward onto the part two of my plan. Activate sleep mode, wake me up on any kind of disturbances.] Anton thought and gave a command for a very limited mini AI that was implanted in his brain. He was asleep instantaneously, his light snoring filled the room. The AI in his brain acting like a watchdog kept scanning station feeds, his own logs and watching the ship building progress ready to wake him up at a moment's notice.

A miniature spy drone no bigger than a small spider came to life after it registered that Anton was asleep, it scanned the room for any other life forms present. Finding none the drone sent a small tight beam transmission trough the window in his apartment straight at a little bit bigger drone located on another building, that would soon transfer all the logs of Anton's actions to it's master.

A man was sitting in a bar a couple of buildings away, his task was simple to monitor and protect a young man secretly. The man's hud came to life as the newest log of this youth's actions reached him. He read trough them all. The kid was going to flee this dump after all he thought and nodded – he would do the same. A minute later and he was contacting hi employer to inform him of what the kid was planning.

 - Ah John, good to hear form you. Any news? - A voice of a man answered the call.

- Your kid is planning to move in roughly eight hours, im sure that he has rented a dock and is building himself a ship to flee, the logs and timestamps match. - John replied.

- I see, I guess it's time to bring him back home, I allowed him to be free long enough. Bring him back quietly if possible.

- And if not?

- Sigh... You have my permission to rough him up a bit if needs be, but keep it in check. I wont be able to use him if hes broken.

- Understood.

With that the line cut off. The mans scaly hands itched for some action, he was sitting around as a babysitter for long enough. He longed to be back by his master's side. Already enjoying the upcoming action he ordered another glass of sedro blood.

Anton's AI woke him up, his ship was finished and was currently being moved in the designated hangar to be prepped for launch. He took a minute to stretch his sleepy muscles and popped a can of canned cold coffee enriched with caramel flavor – his favorite. Licking his lips after a tasty drink he got to work – wiping the terminal and trashing all the data crystals, after that taking a backpack with all his possessions he will right now. He took out his small reactor form it's mirror safe and replaced his nanobots with fresh ones placing this reactor into a pocket of his coat. Leaving the apartment he locked it behind himself, placing his palm on the scanner installed in the wall he paid the fee of using it and also paid the contract breaking fee for deciding to leave without informing his landlord in advance. The Urlak were people who didnt ask much questions, so he hoped they wont be looking for him to get answers why he broke the contract.

Anton made his way trough the market scanning peoples expressions around him – looking for any sign he might be watched, but no one seemed to be even remotely interested in him and he liked it that way. Soon he was close to his ex job, he took a longing look at the place stopping there for a second – it was a good job with a good pay for a simple man and his hot boss was just an extra... and he would have stayed there if circumstances would have been different.. But alas it was not to be..

At that moment when he turned his gaze away from it Anna looked out trough the window and noticed his figure with a backpack moving away, she grinned and opened the window to shout at him, but he was moving to fast trough the crown. Gritting her teeth she followed him with her gaze, looking at where he was going she flinched – he was going to leave the station! No way he was going to the docking hangars to sight see, not with a backpack!

With a feline grace Anna jumped out trough the window and began to follow Anton.

He was already close to the hangar when he noticed Anna following him, sighing Anton increased his pace – this woman was persistent he will give her that! But she was too late to stop him! Or so he thought.

When he reached his destination – hangar XC-381, he could already hear how she shouted at him to stop... for a talk she shouted. But Anton just laughed silently at the silly woman, best trackers in the galaxy were unable to catch him, no way was she catching him either. With that thought he walked though the hangar doors and locked them behind himself.

The ship came into his view in all its glory – two years spent perfecting it! And it looked perfect for him. That is until a man walked out of the landing gear's shadow. The look on Anton's face quickly changed form that of happiness to that of confusion and finally recognition.

- I should have known... Damon, who else. - Anton growled saying that in an annoyed voice.

- Yes young master, who else but me? Your parent's wish for you to return now, they are of the opinion that you have had enough freedom already. - Damon spoke, his reptilian eyes sparkling with excitement.

- Nope, not happening! Im not going to be a minion for father in one of his political games, though give my greeting to mother.

- So you refuse to come peacefully? I was given certain freedoms for bringing you back to Helios, thank you for allowing me to use them. - Damon dropped his cloak revealing his trained body.

- Come on Damon, you know me – lust let me leave. You know what fate awaits me if I go back!

- Yes and many men would give their lives for such fate.

Anton grimaced, there was no talking with Damon when he had his mind set on a task, at least he tried. He dropped his backpack and coat.

[Release restrictions. Original form.] He gave orders for the AI inside his brain and his body began to ripple – a disgusting sight.

Behind Anton the hangar doors hissed and opened as Anna stepped inside with a mischievous smile on her face only to stop in her tracks. She saw how Anton's body changed gaining muscle quickly, bony scales covering his body – from a lean figure that seemed a bit on the weak side just like any other nerd's his body changed into one of a man's who was built to fight, on his bald head that he kept shaved bone horns grew like a crown.

Anton turned surprised at the sound behind him and his eyes locked with Anna's – her cat like pupils grew big as she looked at him mouth agape.

- Youre.. youre.. Anton Helios! The missing heir to Helios...

Anna didnt finish as Damon quickly appeared before her a sad look on his face. She felt pain for a second and looked at her own abdomen, from where the pain was coming – there a knife was sticking out of her body.

- Huh? - was all she said, before her eyes rolled back and she slumped to the ground unconscious.

- Poor girl, to appear in such a wrong place at such a wrong time. May you rest in peace. - Damon said with a sad tone. - Look what I had to do because of your so called “freedom” young master! Why dont you come back with me? We can avoid any further victims then.

- You're an asshole Damon, you could just wiped her memory! - Anton shouted.

- Where's the fun in that?

Damon rushed at Anton and as such their fight began. Damon was fast, faster than Anton was and soon Anton was on the retreat trying to position himself so that he could try and reach his ship – there he would be safe from Damon – his father most trusted assassin. But the man was too skilled for that and was only toying with Anton, who knew that – if he was serious this fight would end in seconds. So Anton gambled on his last triumph card.

He let himself get hit, not that he could avoid those hit's – finally Damon seemed to get bored and went for the finishing blow that would send Anton to unconsciousness. The man grabbed him in a stance ready to throw him into a nearby wall – that was the moment Anton chose to act.

With a mental command he activated a risky implant he had gotten half a year ago – his body released a strong electric current shocking Damon and himself.

Damon was sent flying away from Anton his body convulsing from the shock. Anton fared a little better, he had gotten a second implant to at least partially counter the effects of the shock. He stood up hurting all over form Damon's blows, he had about a minute to move before the man regained consciousness. He took a step in the direction of his ship, but then stopped gritting his teeth and balling his fists looking at his hud.

[Master, the female is still alive.] His AI said.

- Fffffuck... - Anton growled and turned around moving to Anna.

He couldn't leave her now, Damon would finish her. His only option right now to bring her with him, a crappy option at best.

[Connect to the ship and upload your sister, get the ship running asap!] He sent an order for his AI.

[Uploading, thirty second's until the ship is prepared to leave. Should I prepare emergency treatment for the female?]

[No time for that, ill deal with it. Get the ship running, priority is to leave this station at all costs.] He ordered as he lifter Anna in a princess carry and began to run on his still shaky legs towards the ship, Damon was already stirring even sooner than he anticipated – must have something similar to my implant was Anton's thought.

He was behind the ship's hatch when a metal object hit his back making him fall and drop Anna on the ground.

[Sedative detected! Unable to neutralize! Countering with adrenaline.]

Anton turned around and flipped the bird at Damon who was closing the distance to the hatch.

[Close it now!] And the hatch hit the frame hard, Damon's angry face on the other side of the small reinforced window.

The ships engines hummed as it lifted off to fly out of the hangar, annoyed Damon stood there looking at the leaving ship, while speaking something into his communication device.

Anton felt his body getting more and more sluggish – there was only so long his adrenaline fueled body could resist that sedative. From his pocked he took out a silvery capsule – his emergency nanobot container and spilled it's contents on Anna's abdomen right on top of the wound.

[Heal her, priority order and prepare to evade pursuers. I leave everything to you until I wake up.] That said Anton finally gave in to the sedative and fell on top of Anna unconscious.