“Here we are,” Gaylen said. “Gveloh.”

They approached the planet from its darkened side, which made the stronger concentrations of electric lights visible.

“Wow,” Herdis said. “Actual civilisation.”

“Well, yes,” Gaylen said. “The Fringe has population centres. I’ve just been avoiding those.”

“I know. I’m joking.”

Gaylen activated the intercom.

“We’ve reached the end of this road,” he said. “I’m not going to pretend that it hasn’t been messy. But... here we are. I’ll complete the delivery, and then you’ll get your 800 G-rils. As agreed. If you all just stick around a bit longer I’ll find a place to sell the rest of the pirate loot, then distribute that. As agreed. After that I feel I should head back to Chukata to find out if Ayna is at least still alive.”

He cleared his throat.

“Look, if you want to step off here, I’ll understand. As I’ve said, you shouldn’t have much trouble hiring onto another ship. But as far as I’m concerned everyone on board has proven themselves repeatedly, and I’d be happy to rehire you. Think about it, at least. That’s all.”

He ended the call and returned his full attention to the space traffic around Gveloh.

“You know, you do make a decent leader,” Herdis told him from her seat.

“Thank you,” he said. “Just doing my best to hold it all together.”

“I’m just stating the truth. You have been managing messes every step of the way, and here we are.”

“Most of us.”

“Yeah.”

Herdis looked pensive for a moment, then sighed.

“Well, considering everything, I think it's a minor miracle that any of us made it to the end.”

“And is it miraculous enough for you to stay on?” he asked.

“I’ll think about it, as you said. I am doing all of this to explore and experience. And it has all been terribly exciting. Just... maybe...”

“Overly concentrated?”

“Maybe.”

“I am moving away from all of this,” Gaylen said. “Away from gunfire and gangs and monsters. Just one last job for a monster to get the ship. And whatever he’s up to, he let it leak. Hence our troubles.”

“Yes. I’m not... blaming you. Like I said, I’ll think about it.”

“Sure.”

Gveloh couldn’t compare to a core-space cityworld and it probably never would, given its relative scarcity of solid land. But it did import raw materials from less developed worlds and so had made itself into an industrial centre for the immediate area. And with industry and a large populace came shipping and opportunities.

Gaylen wasn’t surprised that Lanson had some business with the head of the main port, but he maintained the inner block he’d had in place since that meeting in the dark. He wouldn’t wonder what this was all about, and would never think about that damned cylinder again.

With civilization came regulations and control, and Gaylen followed the traffic signals broadcast from the surface. He joined the modest air traffic, then turned when directed to and approached the Unnan landmass.

“Attention, Jekata Dock. This is civilian freighter Addax, with a priority delivery for Hu Veo from Ruuk.”

There was a brief wait.

“Understood, Addax. You are expected. Set down on Platform 12-6.”

“Understood, Jekata. Setting down.”

Gaylen didn’t know if it had been by some design, or if they had simply been all out of space, but the bulk of Jekata had been built on top of a gully, covering it pretty much completely, like an old pot lid with a handful of cracks in it. There was the big central portion, then big platforms spreading out from it in a relatively regular pattern. 12 was on the outer edge of the whole thing, and guided by traffic transmissions from the station he steered the Addax over Spot 6.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

The ship set down with a mild thump. Gaylen shut all systems off, letting the ship cool down, then opened a line to the engine room.

“Alright, Jaquan. Let’s do this.”

“Yes. I’m getting my tools.”

“I have to admit, I’m pretty curious what this has all been about,” Herdis said as they both rose.

“You may be disappointed.”

Gaylen strolled out of the cockpit, through the living room and down into the entry area with Herdis on his heels. Bers was already there, and they both watched with some interest as Gaylen went into one of the lockers. From behind a box of repair sealant he brought out one of the three delivery cylinders Lanson had given him.

“That it?” Bers asked. “Big prize?”

“Actually, no,” Gaylen replied.

He tapped the red apple sticker on the side of it.

“This is one of the decoys. In case someone boarded the ship in search of the prize.”

Kiris stood in one of the doors to the engine room, alternating her gaze between him and Jaquan. He walked past her and they joined him around their engineer. Jaquan finished carefully loosening a plate in the floor, then moved it aside.

“Here it is,” the man said.

He held up the cylinder they’d hidden, firmly grasping it with both hands as if it might leap from his grip. There it was.

“So that’s the one?” Kiris asked.

Gaylen tapped the yellow X sticker on the side of it.

“Lanson used that to mark the real one. And I’m not going to have any disasters on the very final stretch, so I’m taking precautions.”

He slid the red apple cylinder into a large inner pocket of his coat. The thing was just barely small enough to fit.

“This is going with me just a little bit further.”

Jaquan handed him the yellow X and it went into the other inner pocket. Next he took out his communicator and called the station’s number back.

“Jekata, this is the Addax again. Where is the delivery to be made? I have firm instructions to make it directly to Miss Hu Veo.”

“That is correct, Addax. You are to proceed to Tram 12. It has been set to bring you to a private meeting.”

“Understood, Jekata. I am on my way. Addax out.”

He ended the call and put his hands on his hips.

“Herdis, I want you with me. Bring your rifle. The rest of you, just relax. But not too much. Not just yet.”

“Good luck,” Kiris said.

“Well, we’re due for some, I suppose.”

He managed a weak smile. Then he headed for the airlock, stepped outside, and took a deep breath.

Gveloh’s atmosphere wasn’t the best, reflecting the quality of its industry, but Gaylen had had worse in his lungs. And it was always good to just have a sky up above. The view was rather nice from on top of the gully; lines and lines of towers stretching in every direction. From a distance, and through a bit of a haze, it reminded him slightly of a Federation planet. Of home.

Then he focused. There would be no distractions. Not until it was finished, and neither Lanson nor those damned mercs had any reason to come after him.

“I’m assuming there’s security here,” Herdis commented as she followed him, although she did stay on alert.

“There is,” he said. “Just humour my paranoia for a little bit longer.”

He watched the nearest ship, on the second landing spot over. It was another civilian freighter, a bit bigger and clunkier than the Addax. Not the traditional choice for an expensive underworld hit crew. He scanned what remained of the gully’s natural cliff edges, seeking spots where one could lie in wait with a gun. But bursting out, attacking, then retreating with their prize would be a near-suicidal move unless they had a fast ship ready to swoop them right up.

There were fast ships in sight, but all the grounded ones were a good distance away. Two were in flight up above, and made him a touch uneasy as he and Herdis closed the distance to the tram. But one flew off into the city, and the other set down near the centre of the entire complex.

The tram was one of many like it spread about the outer platforms, fixed to an adjustable rail in the floor. Gaylen walked around it in an arc, just making sure there really were no surprises to be had.

“Alright, let’s end this,” he said, and stepped over the threshold.

The door closed after Herdis. A route was already laid in, and Gaylen simply hit Go to get the tram started. It moved along at a sprinting speed, shuddering a bit as it zigged through a turn.

“Is there any particular etiquette I should concern myself with?” Herdis asked.

“Eh...” Gaylen waved a hand dismissively as he leaned up against the wall, next to a window. “I’m not exceptionally familiar with this planet, but it’s not one of those ultra-formal places with a long list of different titles and addresses. I’ve never met Hu Veo, but she is rich and important. I think we’ll get through with just basic courtesy.”

“Alright. Although I-”

The tram came to a jarring stop, throwing them both off balance for a moment. Next a hatch opened in the platform beneath it and the tram was redirected straight down.

Something had gone very wrong.