Chapter 98 : Star Market

Star Market is a flea market built on a small planetary body. It is not round like the Earth, does not spin on its axis, and does not revolve around a star. It appears like a floating island in space.

Isadore's mansion is located northwest of the island. It is the biggest building in Star Market. It has 5 floors in total. 3 floors up and 2 underground floors. The mansion has 20 acres of the yard including a garden. 

After verifying their identity, Noche and Mr. K are escorted by a few guards. They lead them to the mansion where a dozen servants lined up to welcome them. One of Isadore's maids accompanies them to Isadore's study room. 

"Welcome!" Isadore greeted with enthusiasm. "Please, sit down. I just got my hands on a very exquisite tea. I'm sure it'll be to your liking."

"Thoughtful as always. Thank you," said Noche as she sat with Mr. K.

Few of Isadore's servants served tea on the table. He told them to leave as soon as they poured the tea.  

Isadore is a fat alien with a handlebar mustache. He wears a glittering gold turban on his head. His clothes have golden lines on them. He's showing off his extravagant lifestyle by wearing many accessories. Even one of his teeth is gold. 

"I must say I am delighted to have you here," Isadore giggles. "When I heard the news that someone is going to kill me, I was terrified," he said dramatically. "BUT! I am so glad you're here. If it weren't thanks to you, how could I ever defend myself from that awful menace called Caligo?"

"Don't get it over your head, Isadore. We're not finished with our deal yet," said Noche.

"Of course, of course! No problem. Name your price. Whatever you need, I can provide," said Isadore with a cheeky tone. 

"Right. The person who hired Caligo also hired me to kill you. But I rejected it. That's why he's hiring Caligo," Noche lied.

"Oh, why did you reject it?" Isadore asked. 

"Simple. He put a cheap price on your head," said Noche. "You're one of the most powerful people in Star Market. And the person hiring Caligo has the audacity to insult you with such a low price for your head. Surely someone as great as you is worth a great amount of prize. I can even say you're priceless," she flatter.

Isadore laughed. "Oh yes. You are indeed a cultured bounty hunter, unlike those below your rank. They have no sense of value."

"Yes. Which is why I rushed here when I heard Caligo is after you. Think of my visit as a token of appreciation from a friend. After all, you've been 'very generous' to me," said Noche. 

"Of course. My mansion will always welcome you. I'll make sure your... needs are well taken care of," said Isadore. 

"A very understanding man as always," Noche praised. 

"That aside, I heard you've 'tangoed' with the intergalactic police," said Isadore. 

"The news of Planet Circus I presumed?" said Noche. 

"Yes. It seems quite hectic…." said Isadore as he stared at Noche, expecting her reaction. 

"Why yes. An entire planet shut down by the intergalactic police."

"Do you mind if I ask?"

"Not at all."

"Is it true you're working with the police?"

"I wouldn't exactly call it that," said Noche as she took a sip from her tea. "The Intergalactic Police merely paid me for a job at the circus and that's all into it. After all, I'm a bounty hunter. My services fall on the hand of the highest bidder… and a loyal patron of course," she said as she leaned towards Isadore. 

Isadore laughed. "Of course, of course. Hahaha. I never believed the news you see? After all, why would a well-cultured person like you mingled with the police?"

Noche laughed. "Don't worry, Isadore. With the deeds I've done on planet Circus, I've gained some support from the intergalactic police." She leaned towards Isadore and whispered. "And I've told them how generous you are."

"Hahahaha. Thank you. You sure know how to treat a friend."

"Of course I do," said Noche. 

"Well… I was worried for a moment there. A bounty hunter working with intergalactic police doesn't sound like a good feat," said Isadore. "But after hearing it from you, I feel relieved."

Suddenly, an alarm goes off. Isadore starts to panic. Noche looked out the window only to see thick fog. 

"It seems that your guest is here," said Noche.

"You will take care of it, right?"

"Of course. The things I'd do for a friend," said Noche.

"Well, then. I'll leave it to you," said Isadore. He was about to go to his secret chamber, but Noche stopped him. 

"We need you to lure Caligo to us," said Noche. 

"Wha- Well, Caligo wants me dead. Won't it be safer for me if I hide…." said Isadore. 

"And miss a front row to a grand show? We'll show them that you're the Master of Star Market," said Noche. 

Isadore reluctantly does as she says.

Suddenly, Caligo breaks in through the window and lands on Isadore's desk. Isadore shrieked in fear. 

"Noche, that man is mine," said Caligo. 

"Only if you can pay me more than him," said Noche as she pulled her sword. 

Caligo growls in anger.

"GO!" said Noche. 

Mr. K nods. He dragged Isadore away. 

"Where are you taking me?" Isadore asked. 

"To the yard," said Mr. K. 

They enter the room not far from Isadore's study room. Me. K breaks the window. He pulled Isadore and held him. 

"W-wai wait wait. This is the third floor, it's too high. NO!" Isadore begged. 

But Mr. K didn't listen. He jumped with Isadore in his arms. 

"AAAAAaaaa…" Isadore screamed as he clutched Mr. K. 

They landed safely on the ground. Mr. K let go of Isadore. Isadore falls to the ground. He tried to catch his breath. 

They both looked around. The surrounding area is filled with thick fog. They can't see anything. 

"My guards! Where are my guards?" said Isadore in between his breath. 

"They're probably dead. Caligo won't let them live," said Mr. K. "I have friends ready in the front yard. We need to go there."

"Oh, and you think your friends are still alive?"

"Do you have better plans?" Mr. K asks back. 

Isadore growls. "How are we supposed to go through this thick fog?" he asked. 

Mr. K opened his watch to see a map of the mansion. "This way," he said. 

Mr. K pulled Isadore's arm and dragged him to the yard. Isadore forced himself to run. His fat body weighed him. 

They follow the map on Mr. K's watch. Suddenly, Isadore stumbled on something and fell. 

"Oweee… what was that?" Isadore groans. He turned to his foot to find one of his guards laying on the ground. 

"H-hiiiiii…." Isadore shrieks as he hurriedly crawls away. 

Mr. K helps him to get up. "Come on. We need to go."

They keep moving to the front yard. They stopped in the middle of the yard. 

Isadore looked at Mr. K. "So, what now? Where are your friends?" 

Mr. K looked around cautiously, waiting for a signal. Suddenly, they heard a loud sound followed by a red light flash through the fog. 

"W-wha… what was that?" Isadore asked. 

"That's the signal," said Mr. K

At the spaceship, Rum, Lahap, and Ramenman are ready with their part of the plan. 

"That's the signal!" Rum exclaimed. 

Rum and Lahap pilot the ship to hover above the yard. The strong wind from the spaceship sweeps away all the fog. 

After the fog cleared, they could see Caligo in the yard. Caligo looked around in confusion. With the strong wind from the spaceship, no matter how much Caligo uses MistBot to make fog or smoke, it will be blown away. 

"Ramenman!" Rum called. 

"Got it!" Ramenman replied. He activates the weapon systems and aims at Caligo. 

Caligo is surprised when he saw the spaceship. He soon realized that he'd been ambushed. 

"Caligo, we're rangers from Astraeus. Hand over your power sphere and surrender!" Kaizo yelled.

"A ranger?! You're a ranger?!" Isadore exclaimed.

"Don't worry. We're here for Caligo. You're on our protection list, for now," said Kaizo. 

"O-Oh yes, of course. You're the support that Noche spoke of. Hehehe," Isadore awkwardly chuckled. 

Caligo glanced at his blade.

"Don't think of anything stupid," said Kaizo, startling Caligo. "Put down your weapon or we'll shoot you," said Kaizo as he looked at the spaceship. 

Caligo looked at the spaceship's cannon. It's locked on, ready to shoot.

Caligo clenched his blade in frustration. He put down his weapons and raised his hand. 

"Your power sphere. Roll it here," said Kaizo.

Caligo does as he's told. He took off MistBot and rolled it to Kaizo. Kaizo picked it up. 

"I got the Power Sphere," said Kaizo through the communicator.

"Copy," Rum replied. She jumps off from the spaceship, Leaving Lahap alone in the cockpit. She cautiously steps closer to Caligo as she points her gun. After making sure it's safe, she cuffs Caligo. 

"Target secured," said Rum. 

The cannon on the spaceship turned off. Ramenman jumps off to join Rum. 

"Well, that went well. Mission accomplished," said Ramenman as he gave a salute. 

"Good work," said Kaizo. 

"Hahaha. You think you can come to my house and kill me? Well, too bad," Isadore mock.

Caligo glares at Isadore, making him shriek and hide behind Kaizo. 

"You'll be coming with us to Astraeus station," said Kaizo. 

Ramenman looked around. "Have any of you seen Axion?"

"Now that you mention it… where is she?" said Rum.

They all start to look around the yard. But Axion is nowhere to be seen. 

Kaizo's face turned serious. 

"Axion…."