Chapter 30

Five days later, Void Star Drops out of FTL outside of the Kel-Firam system in the far reaches of the Orion arm of the Milky Way. the ship's two outboard phizon engines restart and the exhaust starts to glow as the ship starts to slip through the vacuum of space towards the innermost four planets of the Kel-Firam system. The twin stars of the Kel-Firam system were binary class-K stars with a tertiary class-M star orbiting them both. Their destination lied in orbit of that lone class-M star.

******

I watched as the planet in front of the ship got larger and larger on the canopy viewer image on the main bridge before I stand to grab a few things from the armory. Firam-III was a lawless world and I needed to arm myself.

"B'Nan, Gali, stay with the ship, I will do some investigation." They both nod as the planet of Firam-III got larger and larger in their view. As we drew closer, it became more apparent the planet's side facing away from the star was in perpetual night. The result of an orbit that made one side in perpetual night and one side in perpetual day.

I did not want to even begin to calculate the odds of such a thing happening, but here it was before my eyes. Numerous light sources of a vast city scape dotted the surface of the planet on the dark side. Indicating a megalopolis below that spanned the entirety of the sole continent on that hemisphere of the planet.

Vlondril strode up behind me, following. "I will go with you." I crinkle my nose in annoyance. I liked working alone in these types of environments. No liabilities. "Stay with the ship." Vlondril blinks and smirks coyly "you think me a liability?" I nod and the former matron sighs "Very well, but I still wish to accompany you."

Vlondril follows me in silence to the armory, where I grab a sidearm and an easily concealable submachine gun plus ammunition and a few pieces of kit. I head to the cargo bay right afterward, feeling the shudder of the ship landing on a landing platform.

I approach the cargo ramp to exit the ship as it lowers, adjusting my jacket zipper so that it is not constricting my torso. Vlondril smirks candidly at this. "Seems you are in need of looser fitting jackets, Kara. I wouldn't blame you. What with your chest being that ample size? Maybe some clothes shopping is in order?" I turn my head to stare at her "No." is my single-worded reply. While yes it is likely because my chest is too large for the jacket, I do not want to waste time clothes shopping.

"That is too bad. I was wondering how you would look in something more loose-fitting." she lets the teasing smile on her lips fade as we walk down the ramp. 'I swear to the gods.. I have only known this woman for a few days and I already want to put her head through a bulkhead wall.' I think to myself, half-lidding my eyes to hide my annoyance.

We walk off the platform and past all the bustling dockhands and wares traders towards the spaceport gate to enter the city. "It has been a long time since I have been to midnight city!" Vlondril exclaims "reminds me of the old days.." she sighs nostalgically as we walk along. I scan the rooftops and street corners. Noticing a few scantily clad women of different species on one corner and two heavily armed Gravidans on the other. Likely hired muscle in the case of the latter and a group of 'working girls' in the case of the former.

We stop in front of a bar. I contemplate my options. While it is true bars in Midnight City are seedy establishments, there are quite few other places where one can get information for free from drunk patrons. It seems that no matter if it is a Human, Gravidan, Iridian, Altherian, or another of the minor species, they all shared a common love for booze.

After I step forward through the double doors into the bar and immediately feel all eyes turn on me, I quietly step up to the bar. Internally I am nervous but I put on a deadpanned face as I look around at the patrons' faces. Vlondril follows me in quietly and sits in a corner table while I grab drinks.

"One Iridian ale and a Jolly on Rocks, make it a double." I look at the Bartender in the eyes as I give him my order. The Altherian woman smiles "one Iridian ale and one double Jolly on the Rocks, coming up!"

"Have some troubles, do ye lassy?" A thick scotsman accent hits my ears and I turn left toward the source. A man with a cybernetic bum-leg and a gray beard smiles at me from the stool two seats down. "Me names' Jay, Jay Fossik. Bosun and Solar Hobbyist at yer service, lass!" he beams at me before taking a sip of his drink. Golden liquid, likely cheap scotch.

"Depends on who wants to know, old man." I sit. It could not hurt to entertain this old man for a few minutes, maybe get some information. "Ach! That stings, lass! I am n'ae old just a bit rusty is'all!" he chuckles "so tell me, wha' brings you to Midnigh'City?"

I crinkle my nose in thought. "I am looking for work, know anyone who needs something done?" He nod-nods "I dinnae' wha' yer into fer work, but judging by the look o' ya and yer Iridian friend, you both look like ya can handle yerselves." he takes a swig of his drink. "Tha' said, I do happen to know that one o' the crime families in Midnigh'City is lookin' for new muscle to fill their ranks."

I raise a brow. "Oh? And why is that?" Jay cackles "isn'it obvious, lass? They're gonna make a move!" I nod "I see. Can you put in a word?" Jay has a long swig of his scotch and chuckles "can I? I can! And I will do that for the price of fifteen thousand creds!"

I sigh and bring out my mGlass as he holds out an mWal. A form of digital currency storage. Most often used by less savory characters or businessmen who wish to carry large sums of money with them.

After waving my mGlass over his mWal he grins "consider it done lass! Be back here in the 'morrow for introductions!" I nod. "Of course." Smiling, I grab our drinks and head to the booth Vlondril is sitting at.

"He seemed like a cheerful man!" Vlondril smiles at me candidly "were you thinking of some fun?" she smirks teasingly and folds her legs as I slide her glass over and harrumph "just getting information and a possible job lead."

Vlondril pouts "oh please, you're such a prude! Always serious. No room for some play!" she looks at me with that pouty face and I pinch the bridge of my nose in exasperation.

"We *should* be focusing on why we are here." I give Vlondril a stern, annoyed tone. To which she cackles "oh please, a bit of fun is good once and a while. You are all too serious, Ahtswa! Live a little bit" she smiles at me toothily.

"Right. So about my findings and about the job.." I sip my cocktail, the Jolly on the Rocks I had ordered from the bartender. After setting it down, I lean back in my seat and settle into the corner booth. We have a full view of all the patrons and no one can sneak up behind us. A perfect vantage.

I watch the patrons as I speak to Vlondril. "...One of the syndicated families is about to make waves in Midnight City. They are hiring new muscle to this end and I am debating on if we should sign on or just work behind the scenes."

Vlondril gives me a cheshire smirk. "Ooooh.. I like the sound of the latter!" I rub my forehead as I feel a headache coming on. While being free to make our own moves will be beneficial, we need allies and resources, not enemies.

I sip my drink and sigh "We really can not afford to make powerful enemies at the moment. What do you think we should do?" I look to Vlondril. She hums thoughtfully and sits back in her seat, taking a long sip of her glass of ale. "Well, I was thinking of a hostile takeover." she smiles at me devilishly. "After we come in as hired guns, we now have access and more importantly, we have a cover. We find a route to take over the entire family.

I blink slowly at Vlondril. Did she not know how insane this plan is?! And how many holes have to be filled? Let alone the fact we have zero place to go if we fail, on top of that we have no informants, no cleaners, no fixers! We'd be dead in the water and running away before we even start!

"I veto this proposal and table it for future discussion." I deadpan at her before sipping my drink and setting the glass back down. "However, should the opportunity present itself? I will consider it." I smile at Vlondril. "I like the way you think, but at the moment it is a risky move."

Vlondril sighs "too bad, I was hoping for some action.." she looks to the bar at Jay. "Do you think we can trust him?" She tilts her head to the side in interest. I refold my leg up over the opposite thigh tightly. Folding my arms and pursing my lips in thought.

"Who knows? 'Trustworthy' is relative around here. Most if not all of these people are criminals, smugglers, assassins and guns for hire, or members of a crime organization of various degrees. The better question you ought to ask: is there honor among thieves?" I look to Vlondril.

She smiles candidly at my response "you are rather thoughtful in your decisions aren't you? Farsa taught you well." she sips her drink and sighs "you are likely right. We really should be careful and tread lightly. Wouldn't want to end up dead in a trash compactor now would we?" she smiles sheepishly at me.

I finish my cocktail and stand "I have some preparations to make at the ship. Be seeing you." Vlondril smiles and looks after me as I walk away, I can feel her gaze on my back wandering down my figure and my spine tingles at the thought. 'Is she into women too?' I wonder to myself. While flattering that she would consider it, I am not exactly looking to be romantically entangled. Perhaps in the far future, ,but not now.

***

Back at Void Star, I head to the armory on Deck 3A, cleaning my shotgun. I was applying lubricant to the bolt carrier as I hear footsteps entering and I draw my sidearm and point it at the door after racking the slide. Galinae rounds the corner and squeaks. "Oh! Kara.. er.. Do you mind putting the gun down? I just wanted to talk." she smiles sheepishly at me.