Olaf the Terrible was pleased when Kiera and the crew of the Sunrise Eclipse returned the kidnapped Scandians. He swore that he would not hire the Red Moon again, and would instruct his marauders to attack their vessels instead, with the exception of the Sunrise. The Jarl had bad news as well.

“I must have Astrid stay here. With Ivan with the ancestors, she will be the next Jarl when I fall in battle. You are welcome in our lands whenever you wish.”

Kiera and Astrid took a romantic flight through the countryside and spent the night together. The next day, the ship made its way to Mechanus to use Skorv’s transmitters to send the evidence against Snowden and the Red Moon to Imperial Intelligence. It had been Ben’s suggestion to send it to Intelligence instead of Tamariel. Kiera still sent her sister a message.

Ben and Skorv reacted differently to the first recording. Skorv was enraged. He ranted and raved, gave orders to find a way to get zaedium and other metals so he could craft a SAM to withstand the heat and gravity of the core where he was trapped so he could rip Lupin apart personally.

Ben went pale as he watched the recording. Kiera took his hand when she noticed his feelings of astonishment and disbelief. “That’s what that contract was for? ‘Get into a place that no one can normally enter and return with the target.’ I’ve been spending months perfecting a plan to kidnap a child? Lupin knew I wouldn’t do it if I knew.”

“You…what?” Kiera asked.

“Don’t worry, I haven’t finished the plans. I was basing it off Orlan, the irony. Lupin won’t get your sister. He won’t get anything else from me. I joined the Moon because I was in a bad place, rose through the ranks but no more. I’m done with them.”

“We are, too.” Kiera said. I think we’re going to go to Sarlassa for a while and then see if we can go back home. Keep in touch?”

“Yeah,” Ben said. “Jax! I’m done with the Moon. See you around my friend!”

“I. Am finished. As well. Once I. Get everything from Sanguine Luna I will destroy it.”

“Good, I’m heading that way now. I can pick up your things if you would like,” Ben said.

“I thank. You Uller. I. Will pack. My things. And crew. Personally.”

“We’re willing to help as well, Jaxia,” Kiera said.

“After. Your. Vacation.”

No one on the crew objected to spending the next month on Sarlassa. After fighting the satyr, facing the Void and learning just how depraved the Red Moon was, they needed a long break of surf, sun, and fun. Sarlassa gave them all of it. Three weeks after sending the information to Imperial Intelligence, Kiear received a broadcast from her sister. She called everyone to the ship and had it played on the viewscreen.

A woman appeared on the viewscreen. She was young with pink hair wearing a black blazer with the letters 'GNN' on it. The same letters were on her microphone. There was a bar across the screen that listed her name as Cherry Matthews. The rolling text said Balthazar Snowden arrested.

"Thanks Mike. This is Cherry Matthews for Galactic News Network. I'm here on Polarius in front of the home of Admiral Balthazar Snowden. Imperial Intelligence received damning evidence that put Snoden as the man responsible for the Pantaurus incident last year. The Pantaurus incident saw the deaths of one hundred and twenty five cadets from the Danelar Naval Officer's Academy. Among those deaths was Princess Liandra Astria, the daughter of Crown Prince Tiberius Astria.

"The former admiral was arrested in his office on Astrian Station. Investigators came to his home on Pantaurus where his wife, Felicity Snowden, showed them a secret basement with a shuttle equipped with a Red Moon Mercenary transponder and communication devices that let him keep in contact with the mercenary group. His arrest puts new light on the rescue of his sons Dalton and Arun Snowden from Charon Penal Colony last year. Many are speculating that Snowden will not receive a trial, but will be immediately sentenced to life on Tartarus. The Emperor's Press Secretary has declined to comment. For Galactic News Network, I'm Cherry Matthews. Back to you, Mike."

Kiera couldn't believe it. Balthazar Snowden arrested so quickly. He was probably already on Tartarus, an inescapable nearly inhospitable planet where the worst criminals and traitors of the Empire were taken. Its native inhabitants were malicious, cruel, and sadistic. They delighted in their role as jailers. At least, that's what Kiera learned about the planet in school. There were few natural resources in the world, and it was either nearly insufferably hot or insufferably cold with nothing in between. There was a natural static in the upper atmosphere that rendered technology inert. Prisoners were delivered via drop pod.

"You did it, Kiera," Locke said, putting his arm around her shoulders. "Justice for Liandra, Hailey, Jin and everyone else."

"We did it Lucky. It took everyone on this ship to complete those contracts that brought us closer to Ben and Jaxia. In a way it was lucky that those valkyries were kidnapped. It gave us an entry to the base."

"I guess we visit that place one last time to help Ben and Skorv get their things and then we can head home. Once Imperial Intelligence learns it was us that sent the information that nailed Snowden, we'll get a Royal Pardon," Locke said, giving Kiera a kiss.

"We're not wanted. Father said we can come home whenever we want."

"Hey, there's a transmission coming through," Calvin said. "It's from Sanguine Luna."

"Put it through, let's see what Lupin wants now."

<<"To all Captains of the Red Moon Mercenary Guild. Your presence is required on Sanguine Luna in three days. Failure to arrive and there will be a bounty placed upon your heads.">> Lupin growled. The transmission immediately ended.

"Wonder what that's about?" Locke said.

"I could not care less," Kiera replied. "You can take the ship if you want to, see what that's about and then help Skorv pack. I've had enough of Sanguine Luna to last me a lifetime. I'll stay here on the beach."

"If we bring the Eclipse then we'll probably end up bringing back a lot of Skorv's crap," Corbin said. "We should take the Dawn. There's, what, four of us that are humans on this crew. We're the only ones allowed on the base."

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"Locke, Corbin, Edgar, and Isaac," Kinsley said, "There's also Emily and I, but I guess we don't count. Regardless, I'll go with you guys. At least fly the shuttle."

"You boys have fun," Kiera said. "And Kins? I can't wait to meet her."

=+=

The Summit took place on the ground floor of the Promenade where all eight districts intersected. None of the ships were allowed to dock and all non-captains were cleared out before the Summit began. Shuttles took the Captains and one person of their choosing to Sanguine Luna. Locke had the guys draw straws and Corbin ended up the winner. The four Admirals and their High Captains stood on the second floor overlooking everyone else.

Locke recognized Killian Tain standing in the Waxing Crescent district. He was Snowden's High Captain and a man with almost more cybernetics than flesh. Benjamin’s High Captain was a man named Brandon Kroll. Like Uller he was charismatic, charming with a mild temperament. When he did lose his temper, someone died. Skorv’s was a four armed cyborg with four additional extendable arms like octopus tentacles on his back who went by Johnathan Otto. He spoke in haiku and delighted in sharing information as riddles. Pol's High Captain was a man named Starling Northern. A pompous ass of a man that talked down to everyone he saw. Pugh's was a fat, slovenly man named Krell Pak. Krell would rather spend his days eating and staging in the brothels than doing anything else. He was constantly sending messages to Locke making threats if Locke didn't hand over Kiera and any other beautiful woman to him. Locke ignored the hollow threats. Lupin’s High Captain, a man by the name of Lisk LeMuir, announced each of the Admirals and then Fleet Admiral King Ulysseus “The Crimson Werewolf” Lupin.

Lupin towered nearly ten feet tall, the fingers on each hand were emitting red tinged plasma, His gait was wolf-like with backward facing knees and feet ending in heavy clawed paws. A crown adorned his head and a red cape lined with white fur was worn on his back. Robot wolves flanked him. It was a different rig than what Kiera had described, but he still looked like an overt wolf moreau. He stood over everyone from the third floor

"I'm glad to see so many of my loyal mercenaries gathered here," Lupin said. "I have gathered you here to talk about the tragedy that is the loss of our Waxing Crescent, Balthazar Snowden. His treasonous wife led him to be captured by the Empire. She was the one who told Imperial Intelligence about his involvement in the death of the princess and those other students. This is why we have brothels! We do not tell those whores our secrets, we do not trust them at all! It was a mistake that Baltazar made, but now we have an opening in our Admiralty, making three vacant places that must be filled.

“Captains, you have an opportunity in front of you to seize the spot that Snowden left behind, and become an Admiral! Complete one of four contracts that we have been given or two of three contracts that have personally come from me and you will rise. These contracts are not to be taken lightly. Our greatest Captains have failed these contracts and those like them, most recently Duncan Trosk. It does not matter if you are within your probation or are a full member, every Captain here is eligible!” Lupin announced. The audience started murmuring. There were roughly one hundred and fifty captains within the mercenary group and Lupin had all eyes on him.

“The first contract has been in our possession for one year. Not even the Black Hole Society was able to fill it. Trosk failed to fulfill it! The contract is to capture Kiera Elise Sol, Princess of the Astrian Empire and bring her body to me!

"The next contracts have not been attempted, but were received at the same time as the contract to capture Princess Sol! They come from the same client, a man who seems to be very interested in the princesses of the Royal family!" Lupin proceeded to describe each Royal Princess and where they could be found. Then he put forth Percy's name which got the crowed beginning to murmur from boredom.

"Are you not interested in capturing the princesses? Perhaps a different contract is in order. Anyone who brings me both Balthezar Snowden's alien wife and his two ugly daughters will take his place as the Waxing Crescent. The final contract is to rescue Balthazar Snowden himself. My intelligence puts him being held at the Hellgate Maximum Security Penitentiary waiting trial.

“You may begin these contracts when this Summit is adjourned. I will now take questions on these contracts and will make copies available on the shuttle that will take you back to your ships,” Lupin said, "I will take your questions now."

Questions about probationary captains being allowed to participate, using the resources of Sanguine Luna and the other bases, if they could work together to complete them, what the payout was, did becoming an Admiral give them a new ship, and other similar questions were asked.

"There is no more information available than what I have in the contracts. I do not care how you fill them or if you work together. But only one man will become Admiral. Full members will have access to the resources of Sanguine Luna as usual. Completing these contacts will earn you a portion of the payout. I'll pretend I didn't hear one of you hopefuls ask if I'll be giving you a ship. You should know better than to expect to be given anything!" Lupin looked around the promenade, his eyes settled on Tain for a moment.

"There is one more contract that almost slipped my mind. We have a very particular client who wants the Codex of Luminosity. It is said to be held by Auryn Laviox in the Bastion of Luminosity. Bring me this book and slay the guardian and you will rise."

Locke exchanged a look with Corbin. The place sounded made up and he was pretty sure he had heard the name 'Auryn' before. He rubbed its chin and it came back to him. Ben had them pick up some Cosmic Flowers from a planet named Gardenia. They met with a pretty Solarian woman, Lux Auryn who took her to her home and gave them the flowers. Locke couldn't help flirting with her, and neither could Kiera. Lux flirted right back until her Uncle walked into the garden and then she was strictly professional until they left.

"Tain's getting promoted regardless," Locke whispered.

"How do you know?" Corbin asked.

"That last contract is made up. Laviax Auryn is the name of one of Ben's clients. One of the ones he deals with while not under the banner of the Moon."

"Wow, sleep with the boss and get promoted. Seems par for the course," Corbin said.

Locke was glad he wasn't drinking.

The crowd began to talk amongst themselves when another voice shouted a question, “Where in the Void is this Bastion?”

“That is part of the contract, Captain Tain,” Lupin said, “The Princesses might be the easier contacts. Keep in mind Sol did defeat Duncan Trost in mecha combat.”

“Can I screw the Princess until she has my kid before bringing her in? Any of them? Might be nice to have an heir in my back pocket. I’ve seen images of them. Don’t want to miss that kind of opportunity,” Tain asked.

Lupin laughed, “I don’t care as long as you bring me them alive!”

“Fleet Admiral Lupin / Should one complete kidnappings and / one brings Snow, what happens?” Otto called. Locke heard Corbin counting syllables.

“Excellent Question. This has come up because we lost our Waxing moon, but we do have three vacant seats. The first three men that complete one of these contracts will become an Admiral. Those that are completed afterward will receive a higher percentage payout and I will make note of their accomplishment. They will be put on a list to be the next ones considered should a seat open.

The murmurs increased, the men were interested again now that they knew they could have their way with their captured princesses. Locke doubted that Lupin's intelligence was accurate; Snowden was no doubt already on Tartarus, and his wife and children would be in protective custody. Snowden ruined the careers of his daughters. They would let Imperial Intelligence know about the update to the Red Moon's plans, not that any of them had a chance of completing them. Locke had met with other captains at the other bases. Only the High Captains seemed to have the skills to pull off these kinds of kidnappings and none of them would be easy.

"Shall we get over to Skorv's?" Locke asked as the Summit ended.

"Oh yes, I just love lifting things that other people think are heavy," Corbin said sarcastically.

"You do realize that we are probably going to be escorting the brothel women, right? Kinsley said the girl she spent some time with was extremely beautiful and most of the ones she met were friendly," Locke teased. "You also know what Ben's tastes are."

"Well, can't have pretty girls hanging around this dump! Lead on!"