Proof of Betrayal

ONE

Hansen looked through the view screen of his visor. The stars move slowly past the vast darkness of the universe. Below, a tranquil world of orange and yellow main lands that were skirted by greens along their coasts served as a simple reminder that ground did still exist. Perhaps it was not as restraining as one would first think of it. He could remember the first time he left for the space. Many years ago still a child. He felt alone then. Now he welcomed it. A place to be alone with one’s thoughts allowed for a rather freelance view of one’s decisions. This and the dull rumble of his thrusters gave him reassurance that he was still moving forward.

He shifted in his chair when the alarm sounded a soft beeping to alert him of anything coming into proximity of his ship's sensors. Reaching along his console he silenced it with a flick of his fingers then checked the ships registry scope. Two vessels showed on the monitor. The first was the local cruiser way station. The Remora, an oasis for travelers like himself. The second was much more intriguing. A dark reminder that he needed to keep himself ready. The second vessel was a Black knife class interceptor. Used by the empire to find the scum running smugglers. Capable of precision shooting for disabling ships systems And towing their victims in with a tractor beam.

Hansen looked the readings over finally deciding that the ship was in fact legit. A real deal here. He flipped several stitches and let his own Lancer class fighter cruiser go into a silent drift. The thrusters cut out followed by his power core slowly losing steam until he had only the lights of his consol. He didn’t feel like letting the authorities messing with him  today. He rubbed his hand over the console as though caressing a lover. “It’s alright little lady we’ll make it just you wait. He allowed the ship to drift almost like throwing a dart towards the way station. After that he would make his deal and fly out . Of course he could do some shopping, the baby had her needs. Fuel water perhaps some real food for the galley. He rubbed his hands together at the tempting thought. Of course he needed to ask what his crew needed .

“Oh the crew.”

His ship registered a short range scan at that point . The Dark knife had spotted him. Despite his wraith Paneling and some of the solar absorbents he had installed. They managed to spot him! “Must be a sharp officer aboard that empire scrap heap” he thought to himself. Now he just need to sit back and hope that they saw him as nothing but a meteor casually zooming by. His energy signature wasn’t even enough to raise a probes interest. Which meant someone with sharp eye’s had caught him. Now he hoped they thought nothing of it.

 ********

Réna sat up in her seat, putting her feet down from the edge of the console, as the alarm went off and the ship's silent hum of the thrusters quieted to a stop. She sheathed a two bladed dagger with a slight space between the two blades, that she was sharpening, into her hip belt as she looked at the viewer. Her heart skipped a beat. No matter how many times she saw an empire ship, she always tensed up, even when Hansen managed to get them out undetected - Well, most of the time.  She couldn't help it. Bad memories. She hated the empire. Anyone who cared to listen to her story would probably hate them too… but no one cares about a Baijin.

A Baijin was what Réna was, her species. Smart, fast, and strong, but different. They had soft baby blue skin with unique dark blue markings that ran along the sides of their face and down their body. White hair, which Réna wore sleeked back and long, reaching her mid back with a small braid on the right side of her head. Her eyes were bright yellow and bird like.

She was newest member of Hansen's crew but had been with him for years and against his second's wishes. At least it seemed to be that way. In Réna's eyes he didn't seem to trust her. When forced to work together, she always tried to prove she deserved to be there just as much as him.

She hated the empire mostly because they used her people as slaves. To the empire nation a Baijin had no more rights than what the humans called a dog. She swore under her breath as she watched the Dark Knife apprehensively.

 ***********

Hansen flipped another switch as they drifted past the Dark knife with no signal. The scanner signal faded out of range. He breathed out a sigh of relief at this. They hadn’t noticed. Taking the controls just slightly he made a small adjustment to their course . matching it to the shadow of the Ramora. He flipped another switch. The microphone in his helmet crackled.

“Réna. Shawn . Get to the galley, we’ll be there in ten. Hansen out. “

He let the ship glide smoothly along . Once he’d seen the Dark knife move out of his short range passive scans he cut the power back on to his thrusters. He felt the push as they rumbled again to life. With a practiced hand they closed in on the Ramora. Until a dull tone came over his intercom indicating that he was being hailed.

“This is the Intrepid requesting permission to dock for refueling and resupply.” He stated flatly.

“Intrepid, we are reading you. Permission granted on dock coupling one thirteen. Enjoy your stay.”

Sometimes Hansen wondered how his race had survived to be one of the top dogs in the universe.

 ***********

Réna almost equaled the sigh of relief as they past undetected. She jumped to her feet hearing Hansen's voice of the com. She gave a nod and hurried down to the galley with a list of things she needed for them to get her. Because of what she was, she preferred to stay on his ship. She felt safer that way and if there were any empire guards around, it kept her and the guys out of trouble. 

 *************

Shawn was in the Galley first a sandy haired man wearing coveralls covered in a sweet smelling liquid. Being the Mechanic he tended to smell foul most frequently. He coughed when Réna entered next. ‘Hello Baijin. What do you want here? Kitchen is closed.”

He put the auto pilot in charge. Making her Land was a favorite of his. With a snap he loosed the restraints on his harness. He left the cockpit and headed for the Galley. Taking a ladder up into a narrow walkway. He entered a small cooking area with an induction heater and food compartments. After that he left to enter the galley, He entered to See what kind of relationship his crew was in today.

"I have a name, 'human'," hissed Réna as she curled up her lip showing a row of pearly white sharp teeth. Her K9s slightly longer and pointed then her others. She said nothing to his other question and comment. They both knew Hansen had called her there as well and she quickly learned to keep most comments to herself. Hansen seemed to be the only human that respected her as an intelligent being and he was the only human she respected back. He saved her life, and if it wasn't for her canning aim and talent with weapons, she wondered at times if she would have that same respect or be part of his 'crew'. She respected Hansen but only tolerated Shawn and only because he was Hansen's engineer.

Hansen knocked on the bulk head when he entered to silence them, “Alright children enough with the bickering! I can’t take you two anywhere." He sat down on a stool to the table before them pulling a pitcher of water to him. Pouring a glass he looked at Shawn first. “How's the engine?”

Shawn cleared his throat first then spoke. “I need a few things for basic maintenance and we need to make a dry dock within the next month. The number five booster clustter is going to shatter on us if we don’t. “

Hansen nodded. "Very well. Take this and make your stops here. We need to be gone within two hours. I will see to the fuel and see if we can get some work for us. Now get going.” He dismissed Shawn with a wave of his hand. The Mechanic stood leering at Réna as he left.

“Ok then now to the real business. I have a problem Réna and I think you can solve it.” He gave her a broad smile to indicate he was going to love her reaction.

Réna gave Shawn a scowl as he looked at her leeringly. She sighed quietly as he left and looked at Hansen. At his comment, she cocked her head to the side and looked at him intrigued with her yellow bird like eyes. "Go on," she said with a swallow. There was a slight thought in the back of her head that she hoped it something she could solve without leaving the ship.

He chuckled.”I can’t get my mind made up, so you need to help me.“ He stood, heading for a compartment. From it he pulled out two gowns; one was a simple thing of semi rough rags and a cowl to cover her face. The other was a flashy dress of a deep blue like an ocean. “You can be a Rag servant or my mistress. I think you can see a clear choice on which will be more appealing.”

He held his smile as he saw her obvious reaction.

She looked shocked and almost appalled by both outfits. She narrowed her eyes slightly as if to study him. "You're serious?" she asked.

Hansen nodded. “I am very serious. Hernando Florentien, he is a Dealer in just about everything we move. I can’t see him unless I make a good appearance. He is the one that requested us.“ He set the clothes down in front of her. “I will forever be grateful for this Réna.”

"But, you said I would never have to…wait," she looked at him puzzled as she watched him placed the outfits down. "Requested 'us'?" she questioned. "How-how does he even know about me?"

Hansen Smiled again. “He doesn’t but he’s a firm empire politician. I Don’t know the nature of this job . However I need to make a decent appearance. It would get us a good pay day. Your choice if you want to make those modifications.”

Empire politician!? Réna's heart fell to her stomach as her eyes drifted toward the outfits. Hansen would see was thinking. She didn't see a way out of this. With a hard sigh through her nose she looked back up at Hansen with hard eyes, but there was a hint of hurt. "You owe me," she said as she took the rags. It was the only outfit with a suitable mask to cover her face. She did not want to be known and hopefully Hernando paid her no attention and didn't want to see who she was.

Without another word she turned away taking the outfit to change.

Hansen sighed in relief. “You can have anything you want for this. Besides you need to loosen up Réna.” He turned away going to the weapons locker locate even further behind the galley. The ship had three decks and even Hansen grudgingly called them that. Most places only a section of grate separated them except for the bulk head doors. Living areas of the ship offered little privacy. There was the laser turret up top, the engine room in back and of course his favorite cockpit. Unlike most ships within its size this one was special. A crew of three could run it very well but in a jam the engineers had designed her to be maintained by just the pilot if need be. Enough fire power to make most medium ships think twice before engaging and enough speed to make the larger ones sigh at the thought of chasing , Hansen knew he’d love this ship when he’d first laid eyes on it. Once to the locker He looked at his arsenal for a moment then thought better of it. Better to obey the policy for now. He didn’t want the trouble.

Instead he just walked to the air lock and waited for Réna to join him he picked up his own list of things needed and a cylindrical object that held a diamond on one side and a blue pearl on the other. He pressed a button inside it causing the diamond to begin flashing faintly.

“Réna! I know for a fact it’s not hard to put those clothes on!” He shot out with a faint laugh in his voice

'Loosen up, he says,' muttered Réna to herself as she went to change in her quarters. She threw the outfit on her cot and started to undress. 'I'd like to see him loosen up after being a slave for twelve years and watch his people die at the hands of empire just to pretend to be a slave again..'  With her shirt off, old scars of whippings could be seen along her ridged back. Something Hansen had never seen yet and she never wanted him to. She didn't want his sympathy or pity. She wanted his respect. 

Though her fears of being caught wasn't only due to the fact of being a slave. It was because she had killed a high ranking commanding officer to escape her slavery. Another thing Hansen didn't know. She never told him. Never needed to and feared if she had, he wouldn't want her on the ship. She had been with him for years now and she never felt he needed to know because she never had the need or was order to leave the ship.

She was almost done when he shouted. She was placing the mask over her face. She jumped, slightly started at his shout. All the memories of her days of horror coming back to her. "There's nothing you could possibly give me that will make up for this," she muttered under her breath as she hurried out of the room and quickly met him at the air lock.  She came to his side avoiding his eyes as she stared at the side of the air lock door.

Hansen nodded at seeing her disguise was satisfactory. “Well now there is just one thing missing.” He commented and held up the cylindrical bracelet. “It is not real of course. The light flashing is only for show. And the pearl is a flash bomb. I trust you will know how to use it."

He knew her feelings about this affair.  That the idea of posing again as a slave was disgusting at best. But he didn’t want her to be cooped up in this cabin fever nest forever. He was going to get her out and about to see what the fringe was like outside the real reach of the empire. The bracelet was the completion of the false hood that she was a slave. Richer slave owners marked their property with trinkets. It was common practice to wire them with a proximity sensor to do a variety of unpleasant tasks. Some were rigged to blow should they be removed causing a rather serious injury to just their bearer. He shuddered to think about some of the gruesome memories he ad of desperate slaves thinking they were faster than a micro chip.

She looked at what he held and looked at him almost shocked. A sense of fear and sudden betrayal washed over her. However, she gave out a bedded breath of relief when he said it wasn't real, but it still felt all too real to her mind. She managed to nod her head agreeing she knew how to use it. She looked up at him. Her eyes were actually moist with tears this time. She was scared. "I better get a fair share of the offered pay in this exchange," she said firmly despite the fearful look in her eyes. She was trying to be brave. "You know how much I hate it out there…"

She didn't mind staying behind in the ship. She felt safe inside it. That, and she was able to hide or defend the ship. Maybe it was time to tell him why she feared the empire so strongly. She swallowed at the thought. What would he do? Kick her off. Give her back to the empire for the bounty? She knew Shawn surely would if he knew.

Hansen Nodded. “You will get your share. As will Shawn and I. Now come on. We have a schedule and I have a lot of errands to run.” He offered her the bracelet again getting a little vexed. Still he knew that this wasn’t right for her. Shawn wouldn’t have been a good choice. He tended to be volatile at the best of times.

“Ok then, first to the fuel pumps and then we can get out to the market.” He gave her a wink then turned to head out.

She took the bracelet and even though it wasn't real, it was strange for her to be the one to place it on her wrist willingly. Her eyes grew somber at his wink, but she followed him anyway and without word.

It was simple enough to start the fueling process. Hansen paid a couple of urchins that were hanging around the relays and made a promise to give them more if they finished quickly. From there he went into the main part of the station. Unlike a normal space station this one was designed to move throughout a single solar system. It created a way for commerce and trade to be made between the planets.

The main deck was monstrous to say the least. Lights beamed brightly down from the ceiling upon a menagerie of sights, sounds and smells. They had entered upon a balcony half way between top and bottom. This level was clustered by storage bins of various goods. Hansen knew that other levels would have markets. Traders, food carts, and even places to catch some sleep if need be.

“Stay close now, we must be on time.” He took on a thick cheery accent that made him sound a little out of place.

Réna followed quietly behind him. Saying nothing and kept her head down. Mainly to keep her cool. She preferred to be back on the ship.

It was several minutes before they arrived at the needed floor. Mostly spent in silence. Hansen would sigh from time to time. Bored by the silence. Finally on a step leading into a market he coughed. “I say you can live the high life. Seriously my dear, for a keeper your very quiet in public. Perhaps I shall offer you a trinket for you to talk with me. My family wanted me to have a good influence when they bought you.”

They reached top when he finished speaking, the market was before them. Awnings covered sections with merchants under them selling their wares. Some barked out offers to those that passed by while others waited to be noticed. Hansen took Réna's arm. “Please my dear, you know I get nervous in public. Be comforting.”

"Then your family wasted their money," commented Réna under her breath only loud enough that he was the only one that heard her as they got off to the wanted level.  She tried to play along with his game.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

She jumped slightly as he grabbed her arm and she looked at him scornfully through the veil over her face as he made his comment. His playful accent chilled her to the bone. "I am not your mistress," she hissed under her breath. There had been a reason she chose the rags and it wasn't only because she had a way to cover her face. She didn't want to talk to him. She didn't want to talk period.  "Can we just get this over with please," she whispered as she brought her face close to his ear.

“Oh look!” Hansen ignored her plea to drag her to a food stand. “I used to love these balls as a child They're filled with a cream that comes in many flavors. How much for a small bag? “ he exchanged the credits and went to a small alcove handing her one and taking three for himself.

"Réna,” Hansen spoke in his regular voice now. "How long have you been my gunner?”

Réna took the sweet ball and played with it between her fingers. She looked at him. "Three years sir," she said quietly looking at the floor as a couple of men passed them and moved on. Her eyes slowly returned to his.

"You can be a very reliant person. But you need to ease up Rena. This is a good job, good money. But that means nothing if you're going to continue being a phantom in my laser turret. I can’t allow that Réna. You have potential.” He stopped there and swallowed a sweet ball

She looked down again at her hands. She swallowed nervously. "Potential," she repeated. "Potential for what? I'm a Baijin. I'm invisible to these people unless it involves a beating. Nobody sees me like you do. Nobody. They can't. I'm a Baijin. They treat that four legged creature better than my kind," she said waving her hand toward a dog that rested beside a food cart. "I don't know what more you expect from me outside your ship Captain. I -" she looked around nervously, "I don't belong out here. . ."

Hansen nodded and looked at the dog. Then back at her. ”Then you haven’t looked at the people very much, but we are on the Fringe.” He waved his hand to show the alien populace. Plenty of them were walking around. Freely and not wearing fancy jewelry. “Come on now. We need to be going.” He stood up and walked back into the crowd.

Réna stood and followed. She finally placed the sweet ball in her mouth. Hansen just didn't understand and how could he. She had a dangerous secret. They might have been on the Fringe. A place where most criminals felt safe. Just a few issues though. One, there was a empire ship just outside the station who 'might' have spotted them. Second, and the most ridiculous, to her, they were meeting with a Empire Politician. Walking right up to the demon's mouth in her opinion. She was not only afraid because she was a 'free' Baijin, by determination, but because she was a fugitive - she killed her owner. Murder to the empire. Self defense to her. And third, she wasn't carrying any weapons - which made her feel naked. She didn't carry because Baijin's were allowed to carry. If caught carrying, automatic death and not a pleasant one. The only hope they had of getting out if things went haywire was the flash bomb she wore around her wrist.

She sighed as she followed him. She didn't know what he expected of her or wanted her to say. Fringe or not, she didn't feel safe. Like she told him, she just wanted to get this over with.  As she walked beside him she kept playing on the scenario of telling him why she was so anxious but every time she felt she could nothing came out of her mouth. She was too scared of what he might think of her or what he would do.

"Here we are my dear," he announced cheerfully as they came to a sealed door with a key pad for access. With a sure hand he pressed in a series of numbers. The door opened with a chime allowing them through. It was a club inside. Dancers displayed themselves on various platforms and with ion cages. Several of them were Baijin, dancing for the favor of their onlookers. A deep pulsating rhythm filled the air making Hansen’s ears vibrate with each thumb of the speakers. He moved to a suite on the a second floor. Were some well dressed and armed men waited for them.

“Captain Hansen?” one asked.

“Yes that’s me,” he replied in his usual tone now. The guard waved him through with little concern. Inside the music was dulled by sound cancelling glass. But the view was kept wide open to any patron that occupied the suite. Laser walls decorated the inside changing color in time with the beat of the music. A holo-table filled the center were two other men sat but were watching nothing on it. A third man was standing on the far end watching the dancers below. His back to them he looked fit enough, dressed in a business suit . It was gray with black pin stripes. His hair had been combed back with gel and judging from the faint reflection if his face he’d shaven too. The man turned around to prove that fact once the door had closed.

“Welcome Captain I’m glad to finally meet the hero rebel of Stranis Five.”

As Réna followed she actually looked around as they came into the club. Her jaws clenched as she saw her own people dancing for the benefit of the onlookers. She turned away sick to her stomach at the scene. Hearing the guard actually say his real name, made her look up again. They knew him!? This gave her concern. What was with the false cheery accent before he was known by those that wanted to see him? She was a little flustered he didn't give a false name. Especially when meeting with someone from the Empire. She swallowed nervously, but her veil hid her expressions.

She stayed behind Hansen as the man spoke. At the man's comment she couldn't help but look at the back of Hansen's head surprised. Why would an Empire Politician be pleased to meet a 'rebel hero'? She would have thought they'd arrest him immediately, or worse, kill him. It was what she was accustom to. An empire slave had no right to defend one's self. A false accusation and their life was forfeit. Hell, some would just kill a Baijin if it looked at them wrong. Despite her concern and questions, she kept quiet.

“Hernando,” Hansen returned the greeting.

The politician smiled as though a joke had been told. “Come now, it’s not right to be stiff. This is a club after all. Can have some girls brought in while we talk?”

“Thank you but I don’t mix business and pleasure.“ Hansen raised his hand the emphasize the decline.

Hernando frowned but pressed no further. Instead he just changed his gaze to Réna. “And who is this hidden flower? I’m not blind to see the something fine is hidden under those rags.”

Hansen stepped in front of him to keep him from touching her robes. “She’s with me. That’s all you need to know. Now I have many clients that would love my time. Why am I spending it here?”

A scowl appeared on Hernando’s features like he’d been deprived of favorite game. “A chance to regain your honor captain. Not only that, but your old squad mates as well, I hear, are tuck away on the penal moon of Karka.”

Hansen felt his body stiffen for a moment. What was this man playing at? More than he wanted. He knew Réna was going to interrogate him later. This was getting deeper then he felt comfortable. “I don’t see why your offering,” countered Hansen. An impossible proposition surely.

This only served to bring back Hernando’s grin. “I just require you to move something for me. It’s in the case that Seth has for you. Please reframe from opening it on the way station, but the cargo will need to breath once your away.”

“I don’t do trafficking,“ Hansen declined firmly.

“Oh, don’t get that idea. This isn’t trafficking. It’s escorting. I just can’t let it be seen by prying eyes. Despite this being a cesspool you know better than most what the inquisition is like. Little rats have paws in every pocket hoping to find cheese. “

“I see then, but still I will have to know more and my rates for 'escorting' are steep.“

Hernando nodded and waved a hand casually. “You are a greedy man as they say. But I know you have a heart.” The two men at the table stood each holding a large caring case. They placed them at Hansen’s feet then went back to the table like well trained dogs. Hansen kneeled down to open one finding it full of credits neatly stacked inside. “That’s only half Captain," informed Hernando, "You'll get the same amount once you complete the job. The details are attached to the container. I will then discuss the rest of my previous offer once we meet again."

Hansen closed the case and picked them both up as he stood. “Very well. Our business is concluded then?”

Hernando nodded and turned to look out the window again. Taking his cue, Hansen moved to the Suite exit stopping at the Guard Seth to see what was the Case. The container was held by the Guard by a single handle. It rolled on the ground by two wheels with a hardened steel casing. To drive a point home it seemed the travel case was locked by a harmonic code. Still it was roughly just big enough to hold something small. Though Hansen could only imagine what Hernando had shoved inside. With a single movement he handed the payment to Réna and silently took the container from the guard Seth. Seth handed him a small rectangle device just before Hansen walked out.

“The key,” he explained and opened the door for him.

They left the club with no trouble and were back out in the market with the busy crowd going about there every day activities. ”Come on my dear,” Hansen called out in his cheery accent again. “We have a schedule to keep.  Mustn’t keep the misses waiting.

Réna froze when Hernando when to reach for her. It was easy to defend and fight back when she had ship protecting her. She gave a sigh of relief to herself when Hansen stepped in front of her and the man no longer found her interesting. She listened and took note what was said. Her eyes drifted toward Hansen at the mention of the moon Karka. 'It seems I'm not the only one with secrets,' she said to herself.

As the Politician continued to explain why they were there, the more anxious Réna became. At first mention about not opening the package on the way station came the thought it was a bomb. A trap, it had to be. Then the information about 'it' needing to breath confused her slightly and the conversation went on.

She could feel herself getting angry. Escorted? Right. Who the hell gets 'escorted' in a closed box?! She had to look down and away to keep herself from ripping out his throat. She followed Hansen out quickly behind him not wanting to give the Politician the change to remember her and go to grab her again. Seeing the wheeled case and just how small it was, she felt her heart racing. Who in the galaxy was in there? All her anger returned three fold as she took note of the locking system on the side of the case.

She gave Hansen a scowling looking behind her veil as he handed her the payment cases. She took them, despite her anger and confusion of the matter. She quickly followed him staring at the case on wheels in front of her. Who or what was in there?

They made their way back to the ship with little effort. He was anxious to have his cargo confirmed if nothing else. The clock as well was ticking away in his mind. He had no allusions of staying longer then needed. Still he checked on his little urchins who were still manning the pump to his ship. He made sure of what they were fueling him with. High reaction cruising fuel. He smiled to himself at seeing they knew their job. “Good job children I will be back when you're finished. They cheered at his praise before returning to their simple job.

Hansen made his way back onto the ship before he spoke again. “Thank you Réna for being my back up. I didn’t know it was going to be like that though. Sorry about seeing that.” He meant the scene of the Baijin girls dancing in the club.”

Réna had stayed on the ship once she was back on it as Hansen left again to check on the urchins. She placed the cases down and eyed the wheeled case with anticipation. She cautiously went up to it and placed her ear the front to see if she could hear anything. She quickly turned around at Hansen's voice still knelt beside it.

She pulled off the veil over her face. He could see her angry expression now. "You mean you've never noticed my kind being displayed in such a manner," she said with an edge to her voice. She turned back looking at the wheeled case again lightly touching it with a thin hand. "It's amazing what you don't notice when you don't care. Surely it's like that on every station you've been to," she said her voice falling soft.

“Actually you see something different everywhere you go and mostly it’s humans, but Baijin are cheaper. However, since it’s on your mind. I do notice, but I can contain the boiling rage that you my dear Réna are teeming with. And Réna, I am also curious if you have questions before we meet our new guest?”

Of course they were cheaper, she thought. They were slaves. They were forced to do it at the cost of their lives, but she kept her peace as he explained himself. She looked at him and her face became calm. "We all have our secrets Captain," she said strongly. "I am sure, if you wanted to share with me what that man was talking about you would." She looked back at the wheeled case. "Perhaps it's naïve of me, but you're the only one I trust…" she fell silent. "We should them out, before they suffocate," she moved on worried for who or whatever was in there.

Hansen looked at the case with a leering expression. “You may have a point but I think you're not going to like what you see. Are you ready for this?”

She looked at him. "You speak as if you know what is in there. I am never ready to see one suffer, especially if it is my own people. Please, let them out. I will only find out later if not now. Unless you want me to stay in my quarters until your mission is complete?"

Hansen gave her an annoyed expression. “This ship has very little square footage to keep secrets on Réna. You know that better than me.“ He kneeled down to the case's lock. Before holding the key in front of it. A series of tones almost like a melody played from it. He opened it silently to reveal a small girl inside. A mask hooked to a tank standing beside her. Hansen looked at her with a soft expression. “Come on now, let's get you out of there.”

The girl stepped out. Her skin was pale with ocean blue eyes hidden shyly behind raven black hair. She wore a night gown. Her face was shy looking and even a little scared. Hansen gave her a small smile.

“Come on now. We can get you taken care of. What’s your name?”

'And yet there are things we still don't know about each other,' she said to herself as she moved out of his way and held her breath as he opened the wheeled case. A heavy sigh of relief came from her lips when she saw the black hair. She wasn't Baijin… but, she was still just a child.

Réna tried to give the child a reassuring smile that she was safe just as Hansen said she was. As Hansen spoke to her, Réna wondered what the Politician wanted them to do with her.

"Ramira,” came a soft whisper.

Hansen took her by the hand gently helping her to step away completely from the case. “You’re a sweet heart aren’t you Ramira? This is one of my crew.” He indicated Réna.

The girl looked at her curiously. ”Pretty,” she said pointing to Réna’s white hair.

“Isn’t it!” Hansen agreed. "Now come on. You're safe here. Let's get you a bed.” He turned to Réna after speaking.  "Take her to your bunk. I have some cleaning to do in mine. She will sleep in my quarters but let her rest in yours.”

Réna  gave Hansen a nod and reached out for Ramira's hand with a question still on her mind. Where were they to take the child and why? She gave a little smile to the girl as she let her take her hand. "Come on," she said as kindly as she could. "You can rest on my bed."

Once she had the child's hand she went to her tiny quarters and helped the little girl onto the bed to rest.

Okay," said Ramira following obediently. The quarters were indeed tiny. A small hidden bunk could be folded out from the wall. Past the door there was roughly seven feet to one’s left before they hit the end. Only four feet wide. There wasn’t much space to hide. Ramira looked around before commenting in a shrewd tone, "It’s small.”

Réna  looked at her with a raised eyebrow at Ramira's tone. Like the child was used to something bigger and more extravagant or something. "Big enough to sleep," said Réna curtly. "That's all this room is good for. At least it's bigger than that case," she said with a look as if hinting she could put her back inside it if her room didn't suit her well enough.

Hansen took the case to the cargo hold before opening a side pocket . Inside was a micro pad. . He flipped it on to see a detailed itinerary where they were to go and when to arrive. He gave nodded his head at the details. Until he saw where they were headed. Andromeda. The fortress planet of the Calypso system. He whistled then read the details again. This was a tall order. He tucked the pad inside his jacket then headed to the cockpit. “Computer link nav system for updates,” he ordered. A high tone answered him.

“Set a route for Andromeda,” he said again. Another tone answered then a warning bell started beeping. “I am well aware of what system that is! Now find me a way in!”

The tone returned again. Hansen tossed the pad onto his pilot seat before walking away. "Réna!” he shouted. For a ship of small space and open decks he hated looking all the same.

"Yes," she said as she was walking passed as he shouted and stopped and came back to the open door of the cabin area. She had put the child to bed and left her.

“I need you to watch the kid while I’m gone. And please don’t kill her. She might be a little spoiled,” he chuckled. “Do you need anything?”

Réna  raised an eyebrow. "Spoiled?" 'Well, that makes sense,' she added to herself. "Who is she?" she asked, "If I may ask?"

"She is most likely Hernando’s niece. He keeps her hidden away. But then again I am not entirely sure who she is," he said as he shrugged nonchalantly.

"His niece?" she questioned. "W-why would he keep her hidden? Then again, why would an empire Politician trust smugglers like us to take her? Where are we taking her anyway?"

Hansen shrugged. "It’s a story as to why he would trust me," he said uncomfortably, "But it’s important she stays in your sight.”

"I understand that sir," said Réna to her keeping the child in her sight. "You're going to have to tell me that story sometime," she added, knowing he had somewhere to be and didn't want to keep him, but there was another question he hadn't answered she wanted the answer to. "You didn't answer my question, sir. Where are we taking her?" she asked again placing a fist on a hip.

Hansen felt his ears heat up. “Ah, why not. We are bound for Andromeda. Or at least one of her moons.“ He watched her expression change; a grin coming to his lips.

"What?!" she gasped out horrified. "If I didn't know any better, I'd start thinking you want to get caught by the empire Captain," she added. Her slightly pointed blue ears turned a tint of violet and she swallowed nervously.

He shook his head in return. “We won’t get caught. We have all we need. Now make sure your settled in for the voyage. I need to run.” With that he turned away to make his final stops time was starting to run thin.

He passed Shawn on his way out. “Captain!” he called out in a happier attitude then when he’d left. The smell of boozes was on his breath.

“You’ve been drinking?” Hansen asked accusingly.

Shawn gave a bashful smile as though he’d been caught at something. “Already went ahead to buy the goods I’m sure you needed to get.”

Hansen folded his arms. “Oh yeah? And what was that?”

Shawn looked hurt. “I have been in service for how long and you still doubt me.” He waved his hand at a small cargo sled that was sliding into the docking coupling. “Just have the Baijin unload them and we can…. Oooff!’' Shawn found himself lifted off the ground by Hansen's arms.

“Will you never learn?!” he demanded.

“Easy sir it just the drink talking.”

"The hell it is! This void is a big place Shawn now get your head working on some respect for my gunner or get off my ship!” He dropped Shawn letting him slid down the tube wall of the coupling. They took a moment to let the anger pass then Hansen looked again at his mechanic. “Food, parts and rehydrates?” he asked.

Shawn nodded. “As well as some new capacitors for those cannons. Give me and the Bai.. Eh Réna  a few hours you can light the candle from one end of this solar system to another.“

Hansen nodded. "Good then, because we have a job and my past is the payment."

"What?!” Shawn looked like he’d been shot. “Where are we going?”

“Oh you know, just a milk run. One of the moons of Andromeda.” Hansen let that soak into Shawn’s grease filled mind.

“Milk run!” Shawn stated suddenly. He looked at Hansen as if he had been the one that had pulled the trigger. “Sir Hansen.. Ahh crap you know we can’t be caught anywhere near those systems! The inquisition alone will be waiting.”

“No, they won’t," Hansen said knowingly.

“Come again sir?” Shawn cocked his head to his left in confusion.

“I want you to get the cannons operational. The Inquisition will be looking for us along an asteroid belt before long.”

Shawn gulped now and just held his hands up.” What’s the cargo? If I dare to ask.”

"You remember Hernando?” Hansen asked casually.

Shawn looked back cautiously. “Yeeeesss,” he answered.

“One of his little children I think. Réna  thinks it’s his niece but we both know better.”

Shawn sighed. “Just keep that Hybrid out of the engines.” With that he went to unload the cargo sled.

Hansen past him to go back to the fuel pump. Finding the Urchin children had finished. He paid them each a red credit. “Get a good meal now you’ve earned it.”

With shock and awe the children scuttled out of the hanger clutching the treasure he’d shared with them.

He then returned to the ship passing Shawn in the main hallway. “We are going to have to tell her,” he warned.

Réna tried to stop him before he left wanting to know what he meant, they wouldn't get caught. How could sound so sure of himself? But he continued and she gave out a sigh. She went to check on the girl to make sure she was still where she had been left.

She heard Shawn had returned but didn't make any effort to go see if he needed help with any cargo. After a few more minutes she walked to the kitchen to get a drink of water and was heading back to her station when she heard Hansen's voice. She turned the corner intrigued. "Tell me what," she said looking at them seriously. She figured the "her" he was referring to was her.

Hansen looked at Shawn annoyed. “I told you we should have just taken a Reaper Class!”

Shawn looked from Réna  back to Hansen. “And I agreed but no! You decided to take your precious little fighter cruiser instead. Now we’re still stuck with limited cargo capacity and armament.”

Hansen just shook his head “Get everything stowed away and let's get off this Way Station before we start swapping stories."

They were undocked and heading out when he next called the two of them to the galley. He sat in his pilot seat for a time just staring at the stars as they blew past. The computer gave him a brief ping to indicate that they were clear to jump. “Hold on,” he announced over the intercom. “Going to full jump.”

He pressed a button on his console to initiate the engines. Their rumble changed to a whirring before he was thrust into his seat. Everything turned from spots to streaks of white light before they again settled. The computer again gave off a cheery note. They had jumped successfully.

He stood up climbing out of his cockpit to go to the galley where the others waited