Galactic Bandits 3

by Duke Campbell

  The Pits were like nothing Regan had ever seen. Even in horror-driven sci-fi movies or the criminal underworlds of War Games 2, nothing compared to what he saw there.

  They walked through mechanical tunnels full of dust and dirt. Scattered bulbs gave scant light, while candles lit the rest of the way. The mix of wax, dirt, and electrical appliances made Regan feel incredibly uneasy.

  A couple passed them in the hallway who were clearly high on something. They laughed and spoke in words Regan didn’t understand. It had nothing to do with the Universal Translator, it was clearly just intoxicated gibberish.

  They had their arms around each other and swayed heavily in their strides. Regan saw all three of his girls tighten their grips on the weapon closest to their hands. For Straya and Arkei, it was the blaster hanging around their shoulders, and for Calico it was the knife hanging from her hip.

  The passers did nothing though, and continued on their way, but Regan worried that if this was the general status of people in this area, things could complicate quickly. Dealing with pirates and criminals was one thing, but dealing with pirates and criminals who were also on heavy drugs was something else.

  They reached the end of the tunnel and arrived at a large door. Straya turned to them all before opening it and gave them a nod.

  “Stay close,” she said. “Here we go.”

  She turned the large handle. The pressure released from the door, then it opened on its own.

  The world inside was a new landscape entirely. The ground and walls were a combination of dirt and various machinery. There were balconies, hills, rooms, doors, and shadowed alcoves. There were numerous tiny dwellings, stuffed together and stacked up on top of each other. They formed a misshapen structure that reached in all directions and wound around itself, so Regan couldn’t tell how large it really was.

  Huts and tables were set up all over the place, with merchants, traders, and all sorts of creatures exchanging who knows what. Regan saw many weapons, devices, and unidentifiable items as well.

  Regan only had a moment to take in the massive bazaar, as they were swarmed by merchants who were holding things out for them to buy. It was a mess. Calico, Straya, Arkei, and Regan all tightened closer to each other as they tried to push through.

  Various creatures and aliens held up everything from jewelry, bones, and items that Regan only assumed could be food, but he couldn’t imagine putting any of it in his mouth.

  These aliens were sweaty, smelly, had foul breath, and many had eyes that jerked in all directions, clearly drugged.

  The offerings continued as the group made their way further inside. They included animal parts, weapons, bottles of liquid drugs, small creatures in cages, and weird plants. Many of them just showed photos of something they were trying to sell, such as slaves, large weapons, or drugs that were too valuable to expose.

  Regan and his crew turned it all down, still sticking close together while holding onto their weapons. After some time Regan realized that these alien merchants, as much as they were tweaking, otherwise seemed relatively harmless. At least so far. None had forced anything upon them, nor showed signs of violence.

  Even so, Regan was ready to leave this area for good. He understood why Straya was so pissed about returning.

  Finally they made their way through the initial crowd and their pace settled a bit. Regan looked back at the entrance and saw the large group of merchants retreat and push their items onto the next group who walked through the door.

  Regan assumed they would have to walk back through that group on the way out, which was something he loathed to do. But for now, he had to stay alert and focused on what was to come, like potential deals or potential trouble.

  While he didn’t think the ninjas would hunt them down here and try again, he had to stay alert, regardless.

  “We’re going up that walkway there,” Straya said while she pointed toward a hill and a balcony.

  The pathway had walls on both sides, as if it was carved into the hill. But again, the mix of machinery and dirt confused Regan. He couldn’t tell which came first.

  “Like last time,” Straya continued. “Let me do the talking. This bitch isn’t gonna be pleasant.”

  The group nodded and started for the pathway. On the way, they passed someone being dragged from a merchant’s hut not far off. It was a woman, but Regan had no idea what species. She was chained up and trying to fight her captors, but the two alien men dragging her had the situation well in hand. Some spectators cheered as they went by. The alien men hoisted her up onto a floating platform which they fastened the chains to. Then the platform took off by itself and went speeding through the area.

  “A sale,” Arkei said.

  “That’s terrible,” Calico said.

  “Tell me about it. But it happens in places like this.”

  “More than you’d think,” Straya added without turning to look. “Let’s keep moving. We can’t save them all.”

  The group climbed the pathway and was nearing the merchant’s balcony where a particularly unpleasant-looking alien woman sat. Calico’s eyes went wide, and she turned her head, pushing Regan into shadow.

  Straya and Arkei paused and looked back to see what was wrong.

  “I know that woman!” Calico said in a hurried whisper.

  Regan looked back at the alien who sat next to a bottle on the balcony ahead of them. She had her legs crossed and wore a bitchy expression, yet she looked as if she didn’t have a care in the world.

  “I can’t show my face here,” Calico continued.

  “Why?” Regan asked.

  “My father prosecuted her long ago. He’s probably the reason she has to hide in such a shitty place now.”

  “Certainly she wouldn’t recognize you,” Arkei said.

  “I can’t take that chance. Besides, I’d be putting us all in danger. While I may not be part of the Intergalactic Council, my father used to be. Back in his days as a judge, he put away scumbags like her.”

  Straya nodded immediately.

  “Arkei and I can handle this,” Straya said. “You two meet us back at the hatch.”

  “We’ll wait for you there,” Regan said.

  Regan and Calico made their way back down the ramp, while Straya and Arkei headed forward to make the trade.

  Regan and Calico rested on the artificial grass underneath the row of trees while looking up at the fake galaxies above. Since leaving the ramp, Calico hadn’t said a word, but Regan could tell she wanted to.

  “You want to talk about it?” Regan finally asked.

  Calico hesitated and adjusted her position slightly.

  “Just, I’m having to avoid so many people now,” Calico finally said. “And that comes after two attempted kidnappings.” She paused as if unsure how to proceed. Regan waited. Calico finally continued, “My past is making me more of a hindrance to the team than anything.”

  “It doesn’t sound like either of those things were your fault,” Regan said.

  “Sure, but still, they’re things that are happening to everyone because of me.”

  “Calico, is there more going on with these ninjas?” Regan asked after a pause.

  Calico shook her head, but it wasn’t convincing. He remembered a time when Calico was an excellent liar, and while Regan didn’t think those days were gone, something had changed in her recently. In fact, the change occurred after they escaped from Salvato.

  He wanted to press further, but he also felt like this was a sensitive subject. He wanted her to explain it when she was ready.

  The ninjas had been a major pain in the ass, but the reality was, they weren’t trying to kill anyone. They wanted Calico for some reason, and perhaps her explanation of princesses being prime kidnap material was all there was to it.

  No doubt they would need to be taken care of, but if Calico needed a bit more time, then she should have it.

  Regan decided to change the subject and focused on the room they were in. It was serene, something h
e had been trying to find for so long.

  “You know, I think maybe we should stay here for a while,” he said.

  The comment surprised Calico. She sat up, looking at him with some confusion.

  “But this place is horrible!”

  “It’s a little lawless,” Regan said. “But so are we.” He laughed at the truth of his statement. He was, after all, an outlaw in space. “But seriously, think about it. We’re currently being hunted by the Intergalactic Council. Rubicio has the fucking Navy at his disposal! Look where we are right now: hanging out under the shade of trees without a care in the world, at least for the moment. I think everyone could use a bit of a rest, and this might just be the place to have it.”

  Calico laid back down, frustrated by this line of thinking. She didn’t say anything, but she clearly didn’t agree. Regan chalked it up to whatever was bothering her, that those feelings were going to make her upset about many things in the near future until she came clean, so he brushed it off.

  “Yeah,” he continued. “I like it here. I like the idea of chilling out for a few days.”

  Just then the hatch in the ground opened with Arkei and Straya climbing up. They no longer had the case of Universal Translator chips with them. Instead they now carried a new black case small enough to fit on Straya’s back.

  “We did it,” Straya said. “We won’t have money problems for some time, and can easily afford the docking fees.”

  “Great work,” Regan said, not moving from his relaxed position. “I was just telling Calico how I think it would be a great idea to stay here for a few days. Rest up a bit.”

  Arkei and Straya looked at each other and just shrugged. It was as if the thought had occurred to them as well. They were smart enough to know the danger that awaited them outside. After all, it was Straya’s idea to come here in the first place.

  “It would give us time to put feelers out and see if anyone has antimatter modules they’re willing to trade for,” Straya said.

  “Precisely,” Regan replied.

  “I wouldn’t mind taking a shower and sleeping in tomorrow,” Arkei said. “Knowing the IC won’t knock on our doors here might allow me to do just that.”

  Regan grinned. “Then it’s settled!”

  Chapter Eight

  After Regan and his girls returned to the ship, he navigated them all toward the bar. He also opened the channel on his communication link and asked the rest of the crew to join them.

  The ladies all took seats and put their feet up. Regan made his way behind the bar and took down his favorite bottle of pirate booze. He realized then that he didn’t even know what it was called. When he looked at the label, it was clear to him that the Universal Translator chip didn’t work the same on logos. Regardless, he twisted off the cap and started lining up glasses.

  Reverie was the first to join, greeting them with a large smile. She hugged each of the ladies and finally Regan.

  “I sense a great deal of stress,” she said softly to her captain.

  “I think after a drink, we’ll be ready for some healing,” Regan replied as he handed her two glasses.

  Reverie winked at Regan and delivered the first two glasses to Straya and Arkei. When she returned, he had two more for her, which she took to Calico, keeping the other for herself.

  By the time Reverie took her seat, Squit, Bob, and Posha were walking through the door, with the two men carried in Squit’s tentacles.

  Regan had their drinks lined up at the bar ready to go.

  Once they all had their glasses in hand, Regan lifted his.

  “I just want to say that you have all done a great job getting us through this mess, and so I want everyone to just relax for a bit. We’ll stay docked here for a couple of days or so. Sound good?”

  “Woohoo!” Bob shouted louder than anyone expected, but his outburst lightened the mood throughout.

  They all clinked glasses. It didn’t take long before laughter and stories filled the room. Bob and Squit were as close as they usually were. Posha told Arkei about the specifications he made to the missiles, and Regan could see on her face that she was impressed.

  Reverie had a conversation with Calico about nothing in particular, but it was clear the Empath was trying to get her to relax. Regan didn’t think it would change anything, but he appreciated Reverie always trying to make sure people stayed happy and upbeat.

  Straya approached Regan and clinked his glass. He could tell she wanted to talk business, but he didn’t mind. Discussing their situation over a drink in a cozy place was much better than on the run or evading an attack.

  “How are you feeling, Captain?”

  “Feeling better than earlier. I’m glad you alerted us to this place.”

  “We still need to find a trader for the Bearded Butcher, if that is still what you think our best course of action is.”

  “Is there a way we can do that without walking around aimlessly?”

  Straya thought about it for a moment. “It’s not like there is a database of illegal traders.”

  It made sense. Still, Regan was confident there was a way to figure it out.

  Just then an alert came through, and Regan realized it was a call. Squit had told them that she programmed the ship so that alerts would reach the crew wherever they were, which meant even at the bar. He wasn’t thrilled about it though. Who knew how to contact them?

  The entire crew looked at him, some with expressions more concerned than others.

  “They wouldn’t call directly,” Calico said, attempting to ease the concerns that a member of the Intergalactic Council would be contacting them. “The records would be seen. It would be too risky, even for Rubicio.”

  Regan was glad to hear this, but he was still concerned.

  The phone didn’t stop ringing.

  “They must be inside, whoever they are,” Straya said. “It’s hard to get messages through the hull of this station. Pirates don’t like unwanted messages going in or coming out.”

  Regan didn’t hesitate any longer. He accepted the call.

  The screen on the wall lit up. Regan was shocked to see the friendly slimeball, Tookie. Tookie had been quite helpful after Regan saved him from a particularly aggressive slug, so he was pleased to see the ugly familiar face again.

  “Tookster!” Regan said. “How the hell are you, pal?”

  But right as Regan asked, he realized the situation wasn’t looking good. Tookie had a black eye and wherever he was, it was a dark place. He was close to the screen on his end, his giant tongue taking up most of the view.

  “Regan, I’m glad I got a hold of you,” Tookie said. “I have some news. Will you see me?”

  “You’re in the station?”

  “I’m not far. I can be at your ship in ten minutes.”

  Regan looked at Straya who was already on her way to greet Tookie at the entrance. He then looked at Arkei, who was setting her drink down and standing up.

  “Make sure your eyes are on the radar scanners,” he said. “Take Squit with you.”

  Arkei nodded, then the two girls immediately made their way to the bridge.

  Regan took out another glass and poured Tookie a drink. He wondered if the current Rubicio situation could have caught up with him. Regan was starting to realize the ramifications of this problem were growing beyond the individuals and their families on this ship.

  He took a deep breath. Tookie had something to say, and Regan would hear it. He sat down in a booth and waited for Tookie to drag his massive tongue into the bar.

  Straya showed Tookie to the bar. When he entered, Reagan could see it was worse than he thought. His clothes were burned, like he had ran through a fire. His black eye looked worse in the light of the bar, and even his tongue had bruises.

  He stood and shook Tookie’s hand. While Regan still didn’t think too highly of him, he couldn’t deny that Tookie had come through for them in the past. If Tookie needed help, Regan told himself he would come through for him now.
/>   He slid the slimeball a drink.

  “Regan, you got problems,” Tookie said.

  Straya was still in the room and took a seat not far away, listening to the conversation, but not interrupting or pressuring her old friend.

  Tookie took down his entire drink in one gulp. Regan gave Straya a nod so she would go and grab the whole bottle. Tookie clearly needed it.

  He then realized that Calico was still in the room. Regan thought everyone had left, but Calico just slumped lower into the booth she was sitting in. He didn’t mind that she was here, and hearing whatever Tookie had to say might motivate her to speak up a bit about whatever was bothering her.

  “Tell me,” Regan said as he poured Tookie another drink from the bottle that Straya brought them.

  “Rubicio has been making the rounds,” Tookie started. “Bottom line: he’s pulling strings at the Intergalactic Council. He’s making a case against you, calling for action against the illegal human who has been wreaking havoc throughout the galaxy.”

  Tookie went on to talk about the violence on the Brute planet; the murder, destruction, overthrow, and theft of Mephistopheles and his compound, including his most prized possession, his yacht; the explosion outside the Unmined Casino which caused so many ships to be sent off course and required significant repairs; the murder of a high-ranking official and damage to the casino itself. The list went on.

  Regan took it in while Tookie spoke. He thought of the chain of events and how they might look under a certain light. He could see how council members, and the public for that matter, would think of him as a violent creature. A terrorist even.

  “This is all out of context,” Regan protested.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Tookie said. “He’s gaining the support he needs.”

  Calico and Straya both looked alert while Tookie spoke. They leaned forward from their respective seats, paying close attention to what he was saying, eager to hear what would come next.

  “How does Rubicio even know my name?” Regan asked.

  Tookie looked at him like he was crazy.

  “He’s a high-ranking official in the Intergalactic Council! So of course he has connections everywhere. And while he has more information on some of your crewmates, such as Arkei, for example, you’re the one he wants to bring down.”