It would take four days to reach Preltis Three so Will and Debra took turns flying their new ship to get used to it and check out its systems. The ship had a single level with the escape pods and living area just aft of the control section. Beyond that was a cargo area and at the very aft of the ship was the engineering section. Although Will still preferred his own ship, he did like not having to climb ladders to get to each section.

Over the course of their trip, Debra filled Will in on her former colleagues that they’d likely be dealing with. Frank Carlton had been captain of their pirate crew and had dropped out of Earth’s military academy in his second year. After that he tried setting up several businesses all of which failed. Fleeing from multiple creditors, he’d left Earth and after a few years had acquired a ship and began his pirate enterprise.

Ned Windsom was the second in command. He’d been an accountant on Earth, but not a particularly honest or competent one. The first time he tried embezzling funds, he was found out and arrested. He skipped bail and headed off planet where he eventually met Frank. Ned was rather timid and always deferred to Frank on any decisions.

Finally, there was Erica Jones who like Debra had deserted during the Trelent War. She was the ship’s pilot whose favorite pastime seemed to be arguing. Most of the time it was she who caused the planning meetings to degenerate into chaos. She was always pushing for them to go after more lucrative targets, but was always overruled. She and Debra had never gotten along. Debra was surprised she’d agreed to go into business with Frank and Ned.

“So anyone else?” asked Will.

“No, the rest of the crew were just hired hands. Once Frank decided to end the pirating venture, they were paid off and left.”

“And you think they’ll agree to smuggle us to Earth?”

“There are two things I know Frank likes; flattery and money,” answered Debra. “I can handle the flattery and we’ve got five hundred thousand credits so I think he will. If he agrees then so will Ned. It’s Erica I’m not so sure about, but I think in the end the money will convince her.”

“I’ll let you do the talking then,” agreed Will.

Debra smiled. “Just a warning. Erica isn’t shy about getting what she wants and you’re just her type.”

“Great,” muttered Will.

She reached over and rubbed his arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she knows you’re taken.”

Will would have liked to plan for what they’d do once they got back to Earth, but without information there really wasn’t much they could do. They’d just have to play it by ear once they got there.

As then entered the Preltis system, Debra started scanning the moons of the outer planets. After a short time, she began typing. “Take us to the eighth planet and land us on this moon,” she instructed as coordinates appeared on the viewscreen.

“Okay, but why?”

“To hide some of the money,” she explained.

Will gave her a perplexed look. “I thought you trusted these people?”

“Trusting them to follow through on a deal is one thing, but trusting them not be tempted by half a million credits is another. Besides,” she continued, “when making these sorts of deals it’s always best to pay some money up front and the rest when they’ve fulfilled their part of the bargain.”

“Okay,” replied Will. “I’ll bow to your experience in these sorts of matters.”

He set course for the moon Debra had pointed out. She continued monitoring the sensors as they approached it. “There a suitable location near the northern pole,” she reported.

Soon they were descending to the surface and landed in the middle of a flat plateau. Debra went back to her quarters and brought out the suitcase containing the five hundred thousand credits Lord Lestron had paid them. Opening the case she just stared at it for a moment.

“You know, Will,” she sighed. “If things were different, we could just fly off someplace and have quite a life.”

“I know,” he agreed. “Unfortunately, that will just have to wait until we take care of Grandle.”

She gave him a smile. “You’re right. Now I’m thinking three hundred thousand credits is more than fair to pay for getting us to Earth. “We’ll leave two hundred thousand here for them to collect after we’ve reached Earth.”

“And we take one hundred thousand when we go to see them?” suggested Will.

Debra shook her head. “You’d never make a good criminal, Will,” she said with a chuckle. “You never bring the money with you. They’ll get the first hundred thousand when we’re ready to leave for Earth.”

After removing three hundred thousand credits from the suitcase, Debra activated a short range beacon and put it in the suitcase. “While I put all this money in a safe place,” she said. “Why don’t you find a good spot outside to place this suitcase?”

Will took the suitcase. “Whatever you say, boss.”

Debra laughed. “I’ll make a good criminal out of you yet.”

After putting on his spacesuit, he picked up the suitcase and went into the airlock with the door closing behind him. Once the lock had depressurized, the outer door opened. The lights from the ship only illuminated an area about a fifty feet around it so he turned on his suit light and headed away from the ship. Seeing a large boulder about a hundred feet away, he headed towards it.

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Reaching the side of the boulder away from the ship, he bent down and shoved the briefcase against the boulder. “That’ll do,” he muttered as he made his way back to the ship. Once on board, he removed his space suit and soon they were back in space heading for the third planet.

Preltis Three was one of the busiest commercial centers in that region of space. Except for the mountains and oceans, the planet surface was covered with buildings. They ranged from massive manufacturing facilities to towering skyscrapers.

Will shook his head. “How are we supposed to find the right place?”

His question was answered as they entered orbit. A list of businesses was radioed to the ship. “Please specify the business you are visiting,” said a recorded voice.

Debra quickly scanned the list and found what she was looking for. “CWJ Enterprises,” she radioed back.

“Providing landing coordinates,” replied the recording. “Please enjoy your stay.”

Will brought the ship down on a large landing field which had ships covering nearly half of it. Mixed in with the ships were a number of small rectangular buildings. As they descended, they could see that the field was surrounded by factories and skyscrapers. As the ship settled to the ground and Will shut down the engines, another radio message arrived. “Use the Omega Blue transport tube to reach your destination.”

“Should we bring blasters?” asked Will as they unstrapped themselves from the sheets.

“Don’t think we’ll need them now, but we should bring them later.”

They opened the ship’s door and stepped onto the landing field. All around the fields were painted lines specifying walkways to the buildings that were dotted around the field. Looking around they saw many other people following them and going into the buildings.

“Guess that’s where we go,” said Debra.

After shutting the ship’s door, they took the walkway that led to the nearest building. As they walked, other people, many of them carrying briefcases, hurried past them. Those walking back towards their ships didn’t seem in such a rush.

The door to the building slid open as they reached it revealing a cavernous room which had a long row of doors along its back wall. In front of each door were lines of people waiting to enter. Above each door were signs. They stopped to look at them, but immediately had to move away from the main door as more people kept entering the building.

“There,” said Will, pointing at a door near the middle of the wall. “Omega Blue.”

They went over and got in line and waited. Peering ahead they could see the door occasionally open and people step inside with the door closing behind them. Looking behind them, they could see more people joining the line.

Will sighed impatiently. “This is taking forever.”

“I guess you’re not used to waiting in line are you?”

He shook his head.

At last they reached the door. When it opened they saw a small room with two seats on each of the side walls. “Please be seated,” came a voice from inside. Will and Debra sat down and immediately the door closed behind them and the room began moving. Within a few minutes, it started slowing down and finally stopped. The door opened. “Please exit the car,” said the same voice as before. As they stepped outside, the door closed behind them.

They found themselves in a large lobby with several elevators at one end. Near the elevators sat a young woman with short blond hair at a desk. Several people already stood there waiting to speak to her. Will and Debra walked over to her and waited.

“Excuse me,” said Debra when it was their turn. “We’re here to see Mr. Carlton.”

“Do you have an appointment?” she robotically replied without even looking at them.

“No, but tell him Debra Corlander is here to see him.”

The woman shook her head. “Sorry, you need an appointment to see Mr. Carlton.” She typed something and looked at the screen. “Looks like we have an opening in about a week.”

Debra sighed. “Are you sure there’s …”

Will put a hand on her shoulder. He bend down until he was eye level with the young woman. “I’d hate to see you get in trouble,” he said in a low voice. “Debra’s an old friend of Mr. Carlton’s and if he found out you’d sent her away he might get upset. Why don’t you check with him just to be sure?”

She appeared conflicted for a moment, but finally pressed the intercom button. “I’m sorry to disturb you, Mr. Carlton,” she said in a terrified voice, “but there’s a Debra Corlander … Of course sir, right away.”

She gave Will a grateful smile. She pressed a button on her desk. “Take the first elevator.”

“Thank you.”

They got on the elevator and saw there was only one button. Debra pressed it and the elevator shot upward. It slowed after a few minutes and opened to reveal a large well decorated office. It was almost forty feet wide and nearly as deep. The wall opposite the elevator was all glass and the rest of the walls were dark wood. A deep grey carpet covered the entire floor.

To one side of the office was a large conference table and a bar. On the other was a pool table. Back by the window was a massive dark desk with five chairs sitting in front of it. Sitting at the desk was a large husky man with slicked back black hair and a bushy mustache. At the sight of Debra and Will, he jumped up and hurried over to them. He wore a suit jacket with a white shirt and slacks, but no tie.

“Debbie,” he cried in a burly voice wrapping his large arms around her. Releasing her, he stepped back and looked her over. “Still as gorgeous as ever.”

Before she could answer he stepped over to Will. “And you must be Will Power,” he said extending a hand.

Will was slightly surprised Frank knew who he was, but attributed it to his notoriety. “That’s right,” replied Will grasping his hand firmly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Debra’s told me about many of your exploits.”

Frank smiled. “I’m sure they pale in comparison to yours.”

Another man and a woman had gotten up from the chairs in front of the desk and walked over. The man was nearly bald with wisps of white hair on the sides of his head. He was slightly overweight, but with his height, it was barely noticeable. He wore a crisp white shirt and a pair of tan slacks. He walked with a slight limp as he came over.

The woman had long blond hair and wore a tight pink top with a matching skirt which barely reached her knees. She was about average height, but her longs legs gave her the appearance of being taller. The bracelets on her wrists jingled as she walked.

“Hello, Will,” she purred in a honeyed voice as she wrapped an arm around him. “Never met a real hero before.” Debra rolled her eyes.

“Ned,” called Debra as he reached them. She gave him a hug. “So good to see you.”

He smiled and blinked several times. “Glad to see you too, Debra,” he answered in a soft voice.

Erica still stood there with an arm around Will. “So what brings you here?” she asked as she slipped another arm around him and turned to face him.

“I’ll let Debra explain,” he replied once he’d caught his breath.

Debra tapped Erica on the shoulder. “Don’t I get a hello?”

She turned her head. “Oh, hi, Debra.”

“Come on, Erica,” called Frank putting a hand on her shoulder. She reluctantly let go of Will, gently running her hands along his arms as she did so.

“Why don’t we all sit down so you can explain why you’re here,” suggested Frank.

Everyone headed over to the desk. Frank gestured for Will and Debra to take the two seats in front of the desk while Ned and Erica sat in the chairs on either side of them, with Erica taking the seat by Will. Frank went around the desk and sat down.

“Frank,” began Debra, “we need your help to get back on Earth. I know you used to have some customers there who needed cargo shipped without the worry of it being inspected."

Frank smiled. “I can certainly understand why you’d want to stay under the radar. Seems quite a few people are trying to get their hands on you two. In fact, just yesterday Earth authorities started offering a half million credit reward for your capture.”

Will and Debra exchanged glances and the little voice in Will’s head started screaming.

Frank opened a drawer and pulled out a blaster. “And I aim to collect it.”