Xan fully expected an army of pirates to be at them when they left the cells. What he did not account for was that the spider would release the robots on them.

He flung himself to the ground, avoiding the buzz saw soaring past his head, the blades swinging and cutting a swath through the ship's plating. The other arm came swinging wildly, the giant murder bot blinking red and beeping as Xan tried to avoid losing a hand. A laser cut through the machine's wrist, its left saw blade dropping off. Xan looked over to see Erin giving him a nod before turning to gun down the drones dive-bombing from above.

"Didn't ask for the help, twig!"

Xan darted inward, the bulky robot trying to carve through him again, though with just one hand its attacks were much less of a threat. He dodged the spinning blade, grabbing the machine's arm and raising his gun. His blaster shot clean through metal, the saw blade stopping along with the machine's rapid beeping. Suddenly it was just a giant box. A box Xan happily pushed aside.

Erin fell in beside him.

"You're welcome."

Xan groaned. The flying drones were still descending from the ceiling, but with the bulky one gone, fleeing seemed the better option. Especially considering the distinct lack of meat shields Xan noticed as he looked over his shoulder.

"Hey! Where the heck did our backup go?" Xan asked.

"Hmm? Oh, you mean Saturn's men? They said they were going after her-"

"What? When was this?"

"I'd say somewhere between when we crossed floors and the saw drone showed up."

Xan growled. Those sneaky little rats. Granted, he didn't think they would be of much use to them anyhow given they'd been chasing Dyré for years with nothing to show for it, but they would have been great laser sponges to soak up hits while he took down the spider. With them gone, who was he supposed to stand behind? Erin? He'd probably move out of the way.

Xan picked up the pace, the flying drones drawing close behind them. Erin tried to take occasional potshots, but Xan kept his focus straight ahead. They were nearing the end of the hall, the area marked by a circular metal door. Xan dove forward, plowing right through into through. Erin came up behind him, stopping to slam his hand against the panel on the room side.

A barrier shimmered to life, the robots crashing one after the other into the blue field. Xan sighed.

"That probably won't hold them forever," Erin said.

"No, but it'll buy us time." Xan dusted himself off. "Fortunately, we're almost at her chambers."

As he said that, Xan looked around the expansive room they'd stumbled into. Technically it was the observation deck, but everyone in the Black Web called it the Madame's Garden. Xan had never liked the place.

Spread out within the large domed arena was a section of finely trimmed greenery and statues only slightly bigger than he was. One spat a steady stream of water into a nearby fountain. Another held up a small rose bush. And yet another was ushering newcomers into the world of hedges and flowers. They were all the same. All depicting the same red-eyed spider. Xan resisted the urge to shoot at them.

"Xan," Erin said. "I've been meaning to ask you. When we find her, what is it you intend to do anyway?"

Stolen novel; please report.

"You mean before or after I rip her arms off?"

"I'm serious, Xan. Don't forget she knows we're coming. And she knows how to push your buttons."

"She can push if she wants. Not gonna stop me."

“See, it's talk like that I'm worried about. If you get tunnel vision-"

"Are you really trying to give me a lecture now, twig? You of all people?"

Erin sighed. "Yeah. Point taken. Then at least try not to get yourself too hurt. When this is over, there will still be one stubborn teenager we have to deal with. And I'm sure you've got as much to say to her as I do."

Xan snorted. "Yeah. Don't worry there."

As they spoke, they passed under Dyré's outstretched arms, the section of garden mired by tall hedges and intricate designs drawn into the grass. Dyré had claimed she'd made the garden to allow her men a taste of beauty while out in the stars. But all Xan saw was a waste of chets. Especially considering only vets were allowed to roam the place.

So many times he had wandered the garden before their falling out. Before he'd decided to run. As it turned out, seeing so much of her face had only made him more confident in his decision.

Erin ran a hand against one of the bushes, the white diyions in full bloom.

"Shame we didn't get something like this on our ship."

"You'd get tired of it. Trust me." Xan's ears twitched. "Oh. Looks like we've got company."

He and Erin both slunk back, ducking behind a statue.

The sounds of footsteps crushed through the grass. Several footsteps. Xan peaked his head out only to instantly jerk backward, a shot embedding into the grass inches from him.

"They're over here!"

"Hurry! We found the panda!"

Xan cursed. Well, so much for stealth. Erin wasted no time in sniping a pirate, Xan moving to do the same as the others descended on the garden, the once quiet landscape filling at once with lasers and pained cries. His smile grew when he heard someone shout in anger about a fallen friend. The word traitor was thrown about liberally.

Xan and Erin broke away, moving in opposite directions to take out what had turned from a small ambush to a full-on army of pirates. Evidently, Dyré had spared no expense. There had to be at least thirty or so men trying to gun him down, let alone the wease-

A web appeared on Xan's chest.

"Oh f-"

It jerked forward, the strength of a mountain dragging him off his feet like a ragdoll. He flew right over the statues. Over the hedges and the pirates who all looked on with smiles on their faces.

"Xan!" Erin screamed, but it was already too late.

There was only one person in the Black Web who could pick him off the ground so easily. And the fact that they'd grabbed instead of impaled told Xan all he needed to know. His brow furrowed, the snare dragging him towards the sky and into a section of dome marked by a white door. Or at least it should have been. The entrance was wide open when Xan came crashing through it.

Soft carpeting broke his fall, the web detaching from the impact. Xan rose, looking around at the room he'd been yanked within. The black silk covering every piece of furniture was a dead giveaway. As was the woman he saw staring down at him in her long white dress, fangs parted in a wide smile.

"There you are, panda. Nice of you to pay me a visit."

He whipped out his blaster, but a web shot out before he could pull the trigger, the gun yanking right out of his hands.

"Still too slow," she said. "See, this is why I never gave you a rifle."

Xan growled. The spider's red eyes shined with amusement. It was a gaze he recognized all too well. The look she always gave before ending someone's life. He jumped up, both arms raised despite himself.

"So. You said you wanted to kill me, correct? Was that a lie on your part?"

He didn't respond, watching the spider carefully. Dyré's smile grew darker.

"Then here's your chance, panda," she said. "Better make it count."

The door slammed shut behind him, but Xan didn't dare take his eyes off Dyré. Not again.