Chapter 11 : Junkberg

Junkberg is a dumpsite planet for all sorts of discarded mechanical parts. The planet's abundance of old and used parts has leads to its inhabitants constructing an expansive city out of said parts. A huge bazaar is placed at the entrance to the city with an assortment of vendors selling food and miscellaneous items, presumably scavenged from the planet's dumpsite.

However, it is also place with a high crime rate and a very low law enforcement. If you look around at the dark side of the planet, you can find black market almost easily, where illegal mercenaries, bounty hunters and criminals do their trades.

12 hours before reaching Junkberg.

The admiral approach Axion who gazed at the stars. He stood beside Axion and join her looking at space.

"About what happened before we depart, I hope you can excuse them for a little bit." Said Admiral.

Axion sighed. "... about Rubrums patriarchy?" Axion ask almost sarcastically.

The Admiral chuckled.

"I understand."Said Axion. "Rubrum is a world filled with warriors. They think highly on their men over woman. Rubrum have a patriarchy social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property. Their society also patrilineal, meaning that property and title are inherited by the male lineage."

Axion let out a sigh. "Man and their overly big heads." She mock.

The Admiral chuckled. "I know how much it offends you when someone look down on you. Especially when they bring up your appearance as an excuse."

They silent for a moment.

"Just so you know... Admiral. I have no intention of helping a fool." Said Axion, refering to Lieutenant Forctis. "For someone who claim to be an honored knight, he's rather lacking in courtesy isn't he?" Said Axion as he walks away.

Shortly later, they arrived at Junkberg. They land their ship at a hidden area, a little further from Junkberg's entrance.

"Alright. Let's split up and look for Scrozux exact location. Lahap and I will guard the ship and wait for your call. Once you find the location, call us and we go there together." Said Admiral Maskmana.

"So, how are we going to split the team?" Ask Ramenman.

"We split the team with Captain Albi's team and Lieutenant Forctis team." Said Admiral Maskmana. "Captain, Lieutenant. My cadets will be in your care."

"Understood." Said Captain Albi.

"Axion can go with Captain Albi." Said Admiral Maskmana. Remembering the unpleasant event between Axion and Lieutenant Forctis.

Ramenman glance funnily at Kaizo. "Then Rum and I will join Lieutenant Forctis team." Said Ramenman with excitement.

"Very well. Kaizo will join Captain Albi's team." Said Admiral Maskmana.

"Hmph! We don't need women to handle this mission. We'll be back soon." Said Lieutenant Forctis.

"Believe me, Lieutenant. These fine Lady are as capable as I am," said Admiral.

The Lieutenant let out an annoyed snort and walks away.

With divided team, they begin their search to find Scrozux's whereabout.

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Captain Albi's team

Captain Albi, Kaizo and Axion walk through alleys of street vendors as they curiously look around. They looked for suspicious alien and try to caught a suspicious conversation. But Axion already know a good place to start. Without Kaizo and Captain Albi realizing, Axion lead them to the backside of Junkberg. A slum area for illegal tradings.

They walk through the dark damp alley, passing by beggars who sit hopelessly.

"This place.... " Kaizo mumbled as he looked at a young beggar.

"This is the backside of Junkberg. You can say it's the darkside of junkberg." Said Axion. "This is the place where most people do illegal trading. Like drugs dealer or illegal weapon dealer."

They stopped at a stairway. The lower side of Junkberg is damp and gloomy. Unlike the bazar at the entrance which is much merrier.

"Further down, are night clubs. Place where people can hire escort, buying slaves and sometimes... even alien trafficking," said Axion.

Kaizo looked at Axion.

"Big organization like rich mafia would use this place as their main spot to do trading." Axion add.

"How do you know?" Kaizo ask.

"It's an open secret around here. You can ask any vendor and they would tell you this place if you show them you're rich." Axion answered.

They looked down at the stairs, leading to a small plaza. An old fountain stands waterless in the middle of the plaza. Ominous air reaching out from the plaza. Suffocating anyone who looked at it.

The three of them nodded at each other before stepping down the stairs. Entering a whole different world.

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Meanwhile....

Lieutenant Forctis team

Rum chug down a big glass of beer. Rum's father is a Merchant who often sail to sell his goods. Looking for information for a traveling merchant is a necessity. Rum learned a lot from his father. A bar or an inn is a great place to look for information. So Rum rush herself to a Bar. Although the lieutenant doesn't like it, he can't stop Rum and Ramenman stubbornness.

"For a lady to behave roughly like this. How shameful." The Lieutenant mumbled.

Ramenman flirting with girls, trying to get information by making the girls impressed. While Rum do drinking battle with the boys.

They said people tend to speak the truth when they're drunk. Rum is aiming to make them drunk and ask for information.

"Another one!!!" Rum shout with excitement.

The aliens around her are drunk. They hiccup and tumble around. But few of them refuse to give up.

"A.. *hic* another one... " said an alien as he staggered with a mug on his hand.

Rum is a strong drinker. Every time her father return from his sail, she drinks with her father. She's used to drink a lot.