The stars outside the viewport glittered coldly, distant pinpricks of light in the vast darkness of space. The Hemlock’s bridge was dimly lit, the control panels casting a soft, eerie glow across the metallic surfaces. Sophia stood near the main viewport, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar constellation patterns. Everything about this galaxy felt alien to her, but the city planet below reminded her of something eerily familiar.
It had been a few days since she had first met the captain in a dimly lit bar, where he appeared as a tall fellow with a prominent scar etched down the side of his face, giving him a rough, dangerous edge. His demeanor was elusive, his attire a mix of practicality and neglect, making him blend in seamlessly with the other unsavory types that frequented such places. But when they made it back to the ship, she watched in quiet surprise as he and several of the crew removed masks, revealing their true faces. Jim's transformation was startling—gone was the tall man with the scar. Instead, he was now a wiry man with a sharp, calculating gaze, his scar vanished, and his yellowed teeth replaced with a much more pleasant smile. His true face, if it was indeed true, was that of a light-skinned man with brown hair and a well-trimmed brown beard. He seemed shorter than before, almost charming if you didn’t know better. When she asked about it, Jim merely laughed it off with his crew, mentioning he had quite the bounty on his head. The technology in this galaxy was astonishing, she had to admit—it had deceived even her keen eyes, rivaling her own glamor spells.
“Quite the view, ain’t it?” Jim said, his voice dripping with nonchalance as he joined her by the viewport.
Sophia nodded, her thoughts elsewhere. “It’s… different,” she replied, her voice tinged with an emotion she couldn’t quite place. Her eyes settled on the sprawling cityscape of the planet below, a massive urban sprawl that seemed to cover the entire surface. She couldn’t help but smirk as the thought crossed her mind. “Sure is no Coruscant.”
Jim frowned, clearly not getting the reference. “Coru-what?”
“Never mind,” Sophia said with a shake of her head. “Let’s just say it’s a knockoff version of a place from another time, another galaxy. One that’s just as massive and overwhelming but a lot less… shiny.”
Jim shrugged, clearly uninterested in the details. “Whatever you say. All I know is, down there is where we make our next move. This planet may not be what you’re used to, but it’s where the money is.”
Sophia turned to face him, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. “You still haven’t told me why you need me for this. Kidnapping some big shot isn’t exactly a low-profile job. What aren’t you telling me, Jim?”
He gave her a sly smile, but there was an edge to it. “Why so many questions, sweetheart? I thought you wanted to get home. This is how you do it. You help us get the big fish, we get what we need, and you get your ticket out of here. Simple.”
Sophia didn’t let up, her gaze hardening. “You’re being awfully vague about this whole thing. If I’m going to help you, I need to know exactly what we’re walking into. No surprises.”
Jim’s smile faded slightly, his eyes narrowing as he met her gaze. “Listen, you’re here to do a job, not ask questions. We need you because you’ve got skills that we don’t. You can teleport us down there without setting off every alarm in the system. We grab the target, and we’re out. No blood, no mess. Just business.”
Sophia crossed her arms, not entirely convinced. “And what happens if things go south? What’s stopping you from leaving me behind to clean up the mess?”
Jim chuckled, but there was no warmth in it. “You’ve got trust issues, don’t you? Can’t say I blame you. But look, I need you as much as you need me. We both get what we want, or we both walk away empty-handed.”
Sophia remained silent, her suspicion growing by the second. Jim was too smooth, too evasive. But she didn’t have the luxury of turning down this opportunity. She needed to get home, and this was her best shot. “Fine,” she said finally. “But I’m not in this for a slaughter. You promise me no one innocent gets hurt, or the deal’s off.”
Jim raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. “As much as my word’s worth, sure. We do this clean. No unnecessary messes. You have my word.”
Sophia wasn’t satisfied, but she knew she didn’t have much of a choice. She nodded, though her instincts screamed at her to stay on guard. “Alright. Let’s get this over with.”
“Good,” Jim said, turning to lead the way. “Time to meet the whole crew. They’ve been itching to see who’s gonna help pull off this little caper.”
As they left the bridge, Sophia couldn’t shake the feeling that she was walking into a trap. But for now, she had to play along. She’d help them with the job, get the information she needed, and then find her way home—no matter what Slick Jim had planned.
As Jim led Sophia through the narrow corridors of the ship, the dim lighting and the faint hum of the engines created an atmosphere of tension that she couldn’t ignore. Her senses were on high alert, every instinct warning her to be cautious. She followed Jim into a small, cluttered common area where the rest of the crew was gathered.
"Alright, everyone, this here is our new recruit," Jim announced, his tone casual. "She’s gonna be helping us with the little job we talked about."
The crew turned to look at Sophia, their expressions ranging from indifferent to mildly curious. Most of them were rough-looking types—hardened by years of smuggling, piracy, and whatever else their line of work involved. But one figure stood out among them—a floating, jellyfish-like alien with a bioluminescent glow and long, flowing tendrils. The creature hovered above the ground, its tendrils waving gently as it observed Sophia with what she could only describe as an eager curiosity.
"This here’s Qu," Jim said, nodding toward the jellyfish-like alien. "Don’t let the looks fool ya—Qu’s a tech genius. Knows his way around just about anything electronic, and he’s got a knack for getting into places he shouldn’t."
Qu’s tendrils rippled in a gesture that Sophia assumed was some kind of greeting. "It is a pleasure to meet you!" Qu said in a high-pitched, enthusiastic tone. "I have heard so much about your abilities! I am most eager to see them in action!"
Sophia raised an eyebrow, the creature’s exuberance catching her off guard. "Uh, nice to meet you too, Qu," she replied, unsure of how to respond to the alien’s boundless energy.
Jim, noticing her hesitation, gave a dismissive wave. "Don’t worry about the rest of them," he said, his tone growing more serious. "They don’t matter much for this job. You and Qu are the key players here. The rest of these sorry bastards are just muscle—no offense, boys."
A few grumbles came from the crew, but none of them seemed particularly offended by Jim’s blunt assessment. They knew their roles and seemed content to leave the more complex tasks to those better suited for them.
"Now," Jim continued, his tone all business, "let’s get down to the details. The job’s simple, but it’s gonna require some finesse. We’re gonna be scouting the palace tonight—getting a feel for the place, figuring out the security patterns, and pinpointing the best entry points. That’s where you come in, darlin’."
Sophia’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Why not just go in guns blazing? You seem like the type who’s not afraid to get your hands dirty."
Jim chuckled, a sly grin spreading across his face. "True, but this one’s different. We can’t afford to leave a mess. We’re talking about the head of the Turalis Council—the guy who runs this whole galaxy. The last thing we need is the entire fleet bearing down on us. That’s where your teleportation comes in handy. You get us in and out without setting off every alarm in the system."
Sophia blinked at the mention of kidnapping the head of state, her suspicion deepening. She sighed, trying to keep her voice steady. "And what exactly do you plan to do with him once you’ve got him?"
Jim’s expression turned unreadable, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her. "That’s none of your concern, sugar tits. Just focus on your part of the job, and leave the rest to us."
The crude remark caught Sophia off guard, her eyes widening in surprise. Instinctively, she crossed her arms over her chest, suddenly aware of the way a few of the human crew members had been sneaking glances at her. A flush of anger and discomfort washed over her, but she forced herself to keep her composure.
Sophia shot Jim a glare, her voice cold and steely. "Watch your fucking mouth, Jim. I’m not here to be your entertainment. You better remember our deal—no unnecessary casualties."
Jim grinned, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "Of course, no need to get your panties in a twist—we’re professionals, after all." The remark drew chuckles from the rest of the crew, except for Qu. "Now, let’s get this show on the road."
Sophia’s face reddened with anger—it had been a long time since someone had dared make fun of her. These fools didn’t know she was a dragon in her true form. But before she could retaliate, Qu’s tendrils fluttered excitedly as he floated closer. "This is going to be so much fun! I’ve always wanted to be part of a heist!"
Sophia anger subsided and she couldn’t help but smirk at Qu’s enthusiasm, though she kept her guard up. "Let’s just hope it goes as smoothly as you think it will."
With that, the crew prepared to scout the palace, and Sophia’s unease grew. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this job was going to be far more complicated than Jim was letting on, but for now, she had no choice but to follow his lead.
The first time she had teleported down to the planet, Sophia had been struck by the alien nature of the world. The towering spires of the city contrasted sharply with the sprawling, seedy underbelly they had emerged into—a place teeming with life in all its strange and varied forms. There were entire districts set up for species of all kinds: areas filled with water for aquatic beings, neighborhoods where giant rock men reminiscent of golems lumbered about, and sectors bustling with creatures covered in fur, scales, or even composed of raw gas and energy. She had marveled at how such beings could hold themselves together, their forms defying the laws of nature as she understood them. The mixture of alien and human culture from Caldera was both disorienting and fascinating. Humanity from Caldera had clearly carved out a place here, and its influence was evident in the architecture, the markets, and even in the fashion that echoed styles from her home, albeit with an alien twist. Robots seemed to do most of the menial jobs, their presence adding another layer to the strange blend of cultures and technologies on this world.
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As they made their way through the underbelly of the city, Sophia couldn’t help but notice the stark differences between the various districts. Each area catered to the specific needs of its inhabitants, creating a patchwork of environments that seemed both chaotic and harmonious. The initial shock of seeing these remnants of Calderan culture mixed with such diverse alien influences had been overwhelming, leaving her with an odd sense of familiarity in a place so foreign.
Now, on her third trip down to the surface, Sophia found herself shifting uncomfortably in her seat at an elegant restaurant. They had teleported down a few hours earlier, and the contrast between this opulent setting and the gritty streets they had navigated before was jarring. The dress she wore, a simple yet sophisticated black number that accentuated her figure in all the right ways, was a remnant of the Calderan culture that had survived and thrived here. Her blue and red hair flowed down her back, complementing the dark colors of the dress, and while it looked good on her, she couldn’t shake the strangeness of being dressed up for a mission like this.
Calderan fashion had clearly made its way into this galaxy, much to her surprise. She figured that when humanity first arrived, they must have brought their culture along with them, integrating it into the melting pot of alien traditions. As three days had passed since her first trip to the surface, the initial awe had worn off, but the mix of the familiar and the alien still left her with a sense of dissonance. This planet, with its towering spires and thriving alien communities, felt like a distorted mirror of Caldera, reflecting a world that was both familiar and utterly foreign.
Across the table, Jim—better known as “Slick Jim”—was also dressed up for the occasion, wearing noble robes that made him look more like a dignitary than the smuggler she knew him to be. Despite his polished appearance, the sly grin on his face reminded her that he was enjoying this charade far more than he should. He wasn’t wearing a mask this time, since the capital had sensors that could detect that sort of thing. Instead, they were relying on a minor glamor Sophia had cast on him, keeping him safe from recognition.
Sophia remained suspicious of him; something about the way he carried himself always set her on edge. He had a habit of teasing her, his comments often crossing the line from playful to downright annoying. If her mana wasn’t so depleted from all the damn teleporting, she would’ve taught him a lesson already. The one time she did, backhanding him hard enough to crack a tooth, he had eased up—for a while, anyway. But even then, the smug bastard still found ways to get under her skin. Despite this, she was willing to banter with him, if only to keep things light. She couldn’t quite trust him, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t play along.
Then there was Qu. The jellyfish-like alien was a sight to behold in his getup—a silly, oversized hat perched awkwardly atop his luminescent head. The hat was clearly too big, drooping over Qu’s six eyes in a way that made Sophia stifle a laugh. Despite the absurdity, Qu seemed to be enjoying himself immensely, his tendrils fluttering with excitement. Unlike Jim, Qu’s warm personality made him easy to like, and Sophia found herself genuinely enjoying his company. He was a bright spot in the otherwise tense atmosphere.
“This place is something, huh?” Jim said, leaning back in his chair as he took in the opulence of the restaurant. The walls were adorned with intricate designs, and the chandeliers overhead sparkled with a brilliance that was almost blinding. “You don’t see places like this every day. Almost as rare as seeing you out of that armor.”
Sophia nodded, her red and blue eyes scanning the room. “Certainly not what I’m used to,” she said, her tone neutral. “The closest comparison I can make is a planet from a galaxy far, far away.”
Jim’s gaze drifted to the slit in her dress, where a hint of her thigh was visible. His eyes then traveled upward, lingering briefly on her cleavage before he looked back at her face with a grin. “Not that I’m complaining, but I gotta say, seeing you in that dress instead of that armor is... distracting. I was half expecting to find a hidden weapon strapped there, but now I’m wondering if it’s something else entirely.”
Sophia met his gaze, her expression cooling as she noticed where his eyes had been. “If you’re trying to say something, Jim, just say it.”
Jim chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Just saying it’s nice to see that under all that steel and magic, you’ve got a softer side... even if it’s just for show. But I guess a dress like that is a weapon all on its own.”
Sophia’s annoyance flared, her eyes narrowing as her irritation became more evident. “If you think this dress makes me any less dangerous, you’re sorely mistaken.”
Jim’s grin widened, his gaze unapologetically flicking back to her cleavage before returning to her eyes. “Wouldn’t dream of it. But let’s just say, I’m glad to be on your side. Wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of whatever you’ve got hidden under there.”
Sophia’s smirk was razor-sharp, though her voice was edged with warning. “Good. Keep it that way.”
Qu, who had been fiddling with his hat, finally managed to adjust it so it didn’t cover his eyes. “This food looks amazing!” he chirped, his tendrils hovering eagerly over the array of dishes laid out before them.
Sophia couldn’t help but agree. The food was incredible—a feast of flavors she had never encountered before. There were platters of roasted meats, vibrant salads, and exotic fruits, each more tempting than the last. Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn’t had a proper meal in days. A gold and jewel-plated robot served the dishes with precise, mechanical efficiency, its gleaming surface reflecting the opulent surroundings. Sophia internally chuckled at the sight, thinking to herself, Guess we don’t have to tip.
As they dug in, Sophia found herself devouring the food with a fervor that surprised even her. The exhaustion she had been fighting seemed to melt away with every bite, her body soaking up the nourishment it so desperately needed. She could feel her strength returning, bit by bit, and it was a relief.
She also indulged in the fancy alcoholic drinks, catching a buzz and savoring each sip as much as the food. The rich, complex flavors danced on her tongue, a luxury she hadn’t experienced in what felt like ages. As she ordered her third drink, Jim winced visibly. “You know that’s about half a month’s pay for most folks around here, right?” he commented, eyeing the menu with a mix of disbelief and resignation.
Sophia raised an eyebrow, smirking as she took another sip. “What’s the matter, Jim? Thought you’d be used to splurging in places like this.”
Jim sighed, shaking his head. “I’m used to splurging on things that matter—fuel, weapons, the occasional bribe. But drinks like these?” He gestured to the glass in her hand. “They’re more for show than anything—kind of like you in that dress. Pretty, but I bet the real fun’s in getting you out of it.”
Sophia’s smirk widened as she leaned back in her chair, unfazed by his jab. “You know, Jim, I think I’ll have another round. In fact, make it the most expensive thing on the menu.”
Jim cringed, visibly regretting his comment as she signaled the server. “Sophia, come on—”
Qu, who had been enjoying his meal, chimed in with a cheerful tone. “You only live once, Jim! Let her enjoy it. Besides, it’s not every day we get to eat like kings.”
Jim chuckled, though the pained look in his eyes deepened as Sophia’s new drink arrived. “Yeah, well, if we keep this up, I’ll need to pull off a dozen more jobs just to cover the tab.”
Sophia raised her glass in a mock toast. “Here’s to you, Jim. Qu is right—some things are worth splurging on.”
Jim sighed heavily but didn’t argue further, his earlier bravado dimmed by the hit to his wallet.
Qu, ever the optimist, chimed in with his bubbly enthusiasm. “I have to say, you do clean up well, Sophia! That dress suits you.”
Sophia glanced down at herself, suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious under Qu’s sincere gaze. “Thanks, Qu,” she replied, her tone softer than usual. “You don’t look too bad yourself. Nice hat.”
Qu’s tendrils wiggled in delight. “You think so? I wasn’t sure about it, but I wanted to blend in with the locals.”
Jim chuckled, shaking his head. “Blend in? You’re a fucking floating jellyfish with a glowing head. Not sure the hat’s gonna make much difference, Qu.”
Qu gave what Sophia could only describe as a mock pout, though the twinkle in his eyes betrayed his amusement. “Hey, I don’t know what a jellyfish is, but I’m sure they can dream, can’t they?”
Sophia couldn’t help but smile at their banter. Despite the serious nature of their mission, there was something almost comforting about these small moments of camaraderie. For a brief moment, it almost felt like she was part of a team, even if they were a ragtag bunch of smugglers and thieves.
But as the laughter faded, a pang of loneliness struck her. God damn, I’m lonely if these are the closest thing I have to friends, she thought, a bittersweet realization settling in. It was a stark reminder of how far she was from everything she knew, how much she missed the connections she once had. She liked Qu—his warmth and enthusiasm were hard to ignore—but even with him, she couldn’t fully let her guard down. Trust was something she couldn’t afford, not in a place like this, not with people like these. Jim was scummy, and the others were no better, each with their own hidden agendas. Yet, despite her instincts, there was a small part of her that wished she could trust them, even if she knew it was impossible. Here she was, finding solace in the most unexpected company, even as she reminded herself that it was all just a means to an end.
After they finished their meal, Jim leaned forward, his tone turning more serious. “Alright, listen up. We’re gonna do a little recon on the palace from here. I need you to keep your eyes open and your head on a swivel. We’re looking for security patterns, weak points—anything that’ll help us get in and out without being noticed.”
Sophia nodded, her eyes drifting back to the palace in the distance. “What exactly are we up against?”
Jim’s gaze hardened. “The palace is heavily guarded, but they rely more on tech than anything else. That’s why we need you and Qu. You can get us in without tripping their sensors, while Qu handles their internal systems that detect unauthorized life forms. No tech means no alarms, and that’s our ticket in.”
Sophia felt a pang of unease. The thought of using her powers in a place so technologically advanced made her nervous. But she knew she didn’t have much of a choice. If she wanted to get home, she had to see this through.
Jim leaned in closer, all joking leaving his demeanor as his real personality surfaced—a side of him that was far more calculating and sleazy. His voice dropped to a low, almost conspiratorial tone as he invaded her personal space. “Look, I know you’re a powerful mystic—one of the best I’ve seen—but you better not fuck this up. If you want to get back to Caldera, you’ll do exactly what I say. No fuck-ups, got it?” His beard brushed against her ear as he leaned in even closer, making the proximity feel even more invasive.
Sophia’s jaw tightened, a flicker of annoyance flashing in her red and blue eyes. She hated the way he spoke to her, not just as if she was a tool in his arsenal, but as if she was a piece of meat he was appraising. His gaze lingered on her just a little too long for comfort, his eyes tracing her figure in a way that made her skin crawl. If only the idiot knew her true form, he wouldn’t dare look at her like that. For a split second, she imagined using her magic to wipe the smug grin off his face. But she pushed the thought aside, knowing that as much as she despised him, she needed his knowledge to get back home. The fact that he knew about Caldera meant he had some knowledge that could actually get her there. As much as she didn’t like it, she had to trust him when he claimed to know a way back.
“What about the rest of the crew?” she asked, pushing him back with one hand, trying to shift the focus away from her discomfort. The force behind her push made it clear she wasn't in the mood for his games.
Jim waved a dismissive hand, clearly unconcerned. “They’ll be there, but don’t worry about them. Like I said, you and Qu are the key players here. The rest are just muscle and will teleport in when we need them.”
Sophia nodded, her mind already racing with possibilities. This mission was risky, but if they could pull it off, it might just be her ticket home.
“Alright,” she said, her voice steady despite the tension roiling inside her. “Let’s get to work.”
With that, the three of them turned their attention back to the palace, their eyes scanning every detail as they prepared for the mission ahead, forming plans for infiltration.