“So, would you mind telling me where we’re going?” asked Michael.

“Not far,” said Azav.

“I mean like where are we going to? What’s the place called?” asked Michael.

Azav didn’t answer Michael’s question, and his black mask continued facing forward. Michael rolled his eyes knowing Azav wasn’t going to answer and instead looked forward as well into the black depth of space speckled by stars. Michael pulled out his Galactobracelet and began looking through it and saw Fenn had left some messages for Michael. It was a kind gesture he was still trying to keep in touch, so he took a look through the messages he had been sent. Michael couldn’t read the text as he was still unfamiliar with the alphabet, and instead pressed the message which made it read outloud. “Hey Michael, this is Fenn. I’m just sending this message to make sure you arrived in Sevani safely. If you need help navigating let me know,” read the message outloud.

“Who’s that?” asked Azav.

“His name is Fenn. He works at a space gate. He was the one who suggested I went to Sevani. He also gave me this Galactobracelet,” said Michael.

The ship turned to silence once again and Michael watched the stars twinkle for a while before falling asleep in his seat. “Wake up, we’re here,” said Azav.

Michael looked out and saw a dense jungle before him with a single building made of stone and covered in vines before him. “Where are we?” asked Michael.

“We are on the planet of Zogan,” said Azav.

“So, is this closer or further from Itki Prime?” asked Michael.

“About the same distance, we didn’t travel too far, but since you’re working for me now you need to visit our base of operations,” said Azav unbuckling his seatbelt. Michael unbuckled his seatbelt as well and followed Azav out of the ship where there was a clearing of trees presumably for Azav’s ship. The sound of insects and wild animals filled the air as Michael followed Azav into the stone building. Azav pushed a pressure plate moving large stone doors out of the way and revealing a hallway with small overhead lights. They walked down a flight of stairs drawings carved into the walls and were in a large underground room with a few others sitting around a table. An alien with a large forehead and red skin waved to Michael. Another alien with feathers like a bird chirped at Michael as he walked past. Around the corner from the room with the “This is your room,” said Azav. The room was small and dark, with a raised hammock with the walls and floor made of the same stone. The room also had some drawers and a wooden chest on the ground. Michael followed Azav back through the common area with the table to the other side with a small kitchen area. “This is the kitchen,” said Azav. Then Azav guided Michael to the bathroom, and finally showed his planning room. The planning room contained a large central meeting table with a chalkboard in the corner and several pieces of paper strewn about.

“So, what exactly do you plan in here?” asked Michael.

“We are a group specializing in several fields, mainly bounty hunting, but we do other tasks in addition to that,” said Azav.

“Well, uh, I’m not sure I’m the most qualified for that. I’m not sure I make a great bounty hunter,” said Michael nervously.

“We need you here for something else. I’ll give my explainations later, now go and meet my crewmates,” said Azav.

Michael and Azav walked back into the commons and both took seats at the table. Michael could feels the eyes of everyone else on him, and felt the need to start speaking. “Um, hi everyone, my name is Michael,” he said.

The table went around introducing themselves. “The name is Ellop,” said the alien with the red skin reaching his hand out to shake Michael’s. “Hi, nice to meet you, my name is Sheerya,” said the feathered alien. “And my name is Tiki,” said an alien covered in black fur with white stripes.

“So, tell us a little about yourself,” said Sheerya with a smile.

“Well, I’m here because I am looking for some work so I can go to Ikti Prime. You see, my home world is under attack, so I am trying to see if the Ikti know a way for me to get back home,” said Michael.

“The Theory of a Contained Reality, he claims to be from the containing reality,” interjected Azav.

“Wow really? What’s it like up there? How much more sophisticated is the technology?” asked Ellop as his eyes lit up.

“Well, uh, I would say it’s not quite as advanced as a lot of what I have seen here. In fact you guys have better technology than we do,” said Michael.

“What? How is that possible? The container world has to have much more advanced technology right?” said Ellop in disbelief.

“Yeah, it doesn’t really,” said Michael.

Ellop rubbed his hands on his face in disbelief. Tiki looked at Michael and smiled, but didn’t speak to him.

“Everyone knows the drill, to the planning room,” ordered Azav.

Everyone got up from the table and walked into the planning room. Azav dimmed the lights as everyone took their seats around the table.

“Our mission is to break our client’s son out of prison. Our guy, Inor Sylvensi is located at Point Nebula Penitentiary,” said Azav. A device created a holographic diagram of the prison in the center of the table. “First Ellop, Michael and Sheerya will use rocket shoes to fly out to the exterior of the prison as to not attract suspicion. Ellop, you will be tasked with using thermite to create a hole in one of the vents large enough for you, Sheerya and Michael to sneak into the prison. You will then put on disguises as prison guards. Sheerya and Michael will go searching for our guy while Tiki takes out the security cameras in the prison. Meanwhile Ellop will place a bomb on the other side of the prison. Sheerya and Michael will lead Inor to exit 13 and Ellop will reunite with them there. The bomb is on a timer, so by the time everyone arrives at the exit the bomb should detonate distracting the security. Tiki will then remotely open the door for the exit while security is compromised and the three inside the prison as well as Inor will make the escape. I will fly in close to help on the evacuation, and we have to do it quick as the system will be able to reboot within a few minutes of the security breach,” explained Azan.

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All the team nodded to the directions and understood their roles in the mission. “Hey Michael, want to lend me a hand?” said Ellop.

“Sure, why not?” said Michael following Ellop from the planning room and outside of the hideout.

“I just need you to hand me the materials as I call for them,” said Ellop.

“Sure, I can follow directions,” said Michael.

“Great, so first hand me the green wire. So, what’s it like on your planet? How’s it different from here?” said Ellop.

“Well, this is only the second planet I’ve been to in this universe, the first one I visited was Sevani, and here on Zogan is my second,” said Michael.

“Well, which planet do you prefer more? Blue button,” said Ellop.

“I’ve only been here for a moment, I like the nature and jungle here. Sevani was beautiful, but when I went outside of the city the other side was cold and miserable and people were on the streets,” said Michael.

“Yep, that’s Sevani for you, they act as if they’re great but there’s two totally different sides to the planet,” said Ellop.

“Yeah, it really was quite shocking to see the other side,” said Michael.

“Of course, nobody ever cares about how others nearby are living, they’re always concerned about themselves even when misery surrounds them. It’s not a coincidence they’re hidden behind the mountain on the side away from the hot springs. Red wire,” said Ellop.

“So, what’s up with Azav? One second he’s talking and the next he’s completely silent and makes me feel stupid,” said Michael.

“Yeah, that’s how he is. He has a complicated past and he often doesn’t answer if he thinks the answer to a question is obvious,” said Ellop.

“Well, I almost lost him back in Sevani just because he started walking off right after I met him,” said Michael.

“Yeah, he does that as well sometimes. He doesn’t like to waste time even if it means you’re unable to keep up with where he’s going,” Ellop said.

“Well, when it started heavily snowing he held my hand so I wouldn’t lose him, so I don’t think he was trying to leave me intentionally,” Michael said.

“Screws. Look, here’s the thing about Azav. He is very perceptive, he would know is he was leaving you behind, he probably just wanted you to keep up. I know he’s with you as a mutual friend introduced you,” said Ellop.

“Well, its kinda funny. When I was traveling to Sevani a friend I met let me stay at his house for the night and I met Azav the following day through his father. Just as soon as I arrived I was already leaving Sevani with Azav,” said Michael.

“That’s how it is. I’m sorry to hear your home planet is under attack. I hope that your friends and everyone are safe. What’s your planet called by the way?” asked Ellop.

“It’s called Earth,” said Michael.

“That’s a strange name, who names a planet ‘Earth’ anyway?” asked Ellop.

“Humans do, I am a human,” said Michael.

“Wire cutters. You know, I never knew what my species was and I never met someone who was the same. I like to think there are more people like me out there, but I never took a genetics test because well, I want to figure out what species I am on my own,” said Ellop.

“I hope you find out one day Ellop,” Michael said.

“And, we’re done,” said Ellop holding up his finished creation.

“I’m going to keep it real with you Michael, I didn’t actually need your help I just kind of wanted to get to know you, so I thought we would bond over building a bomb together,” said Ellop.

Michael laughed. “Well, you got me,” said Michael.

“Hey, if you ever just need someone to talk to you can always let me know. I can’t say I always have the best advice, but things always find a way to work themselves out in the end,” said Ellop.

“Well thank you Ellop, it was great getting to know a little about you. Maybe I’ll get to meet the rest of the crew as well,” said Michael.

“Sure, they’re all great people. I would suggest you go and talk to the rest of them and relax before we go to break that guy out of prison,” said Ellop.

“Good idea,” said Michael.

Michael entered the stone building once again and went downstairs to the commons where Tiki and Sheerya were playing a board game on the table. “What are you two playing?” asked Michael. “It’s called Galactic Warriors. Pull up a seat and we’ll teach you how to play,” said Sheerya with a glimmer in her eye.