The Valkyries

By Gwyndolyn Russell

Getting to Skao is the easy part. It's what comes after landing that makes life more difficult. Fenris never wanted to return, but it must bite down on its pride. Captain Reaper needs answers. With his hopes shattered and his faith wavering, he can only drown himself in the mission at hand. The Valkyries should be able to bring a solution to all

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gwyndolyn Russell
• Release date: Sep 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088094648

Book preview

ONE

Reaper let out a deep sigh of relief as he sat down in his chair in the bridge. It felt like he had just arrived home after a long tour at war. He could relax finally and take a breather. Catch up on news and check in with everyone.

The ship had gone under extensive repairs just to get it off the ground. Now they were in orbit for the first time in a few months and the ship still needed repairs before they could leave. 

The strange tumor of an eos had infested the ship and left it scarred and damaged. Fenris helped out by eating the parts it left behind after the wolf used the artifact to scare it away. Reaper wasn't sure if the artifact had much to do with it, however. All of the eos were terrified of the valkyrie and perhaps its triumph meant the tumor would also be eradicated. After all Reaper could confidently claim Fenris saved all of their lives out there. 

Now all he had to do was figure out their next step. 

They had the artifact. Fenris' mission was done. The eos threat was mind-blowing still. Everywhere they looked there was more evidence of an eos invasion. If the charts from Avant-Garde could be trusted, then the eos were expanding at a rate Reaper couldn't comprehend. How could no one know about these creatures? Any attempt to search the databases pulled up nothing. Web searches gave very little beyond absurd conspiracy theories involving Apex and the Order.

Unfortunately, Fenris knew just as much about the eos as Avant-Garde. Well, maybe less. It didn't seem to understand the idea of DNA, genetic splicing, or other fancy words that Reaper was only getting a grip on now that he needed to. He had a feeling Fenris knew more, it just didn't know the words, or think it was important. That valkyrie understood how the eos think and used it to its advantage.

The only thing Reaper could think to do was to find the other valkyries. He knew they had to be on Skao, and if they weren't still there, they could probably find a trail. Maybe Fenris could pick up the scent. When he proposed the idea to both Jackal and Fenris, he expected Fenris to be happy to see his family again after being away for years.

Instead, Fenris angrily disapproved. It wanted nothing to do with the other valkyries. It refused to go. It would rather abandon ship now than be forced back to Skao.

It didn't do much to explain why either. Even Jackal was stumped, though figured Fenris was bullied by its siblings. That wasn’t an excuse in Reaper's eyes. Family was family and while they would have their fall outs, it was important to stick together. Reaper would have loved a chance to see his family again. Yet life as a Captain in the Federation made that difficult.

Fenris would have to come to terms with the fact that the other valkyries were their only hope. It was the only lead they had to figure out the artifact.

When all the systems were checked and good to go, Reaper headed out of the bridge. He retired to his office for the afternoon. Maybe another search could pull something up. He thought about messaging Fauriei even if it would take months to get a response from her.

That thought slipped away when he noticed he had a pending message. He clicked it.

A voice clip from an anonymous sender, most likely encrypted. Who could that be? Sent directly to him, it was no accident.

He tapped the play button.

Hey, Captain, came a southern twang. It had a slight mechanical flare to it as if it were a computer speaking.

Reaper's heart stopped for a second. He knew that voice anywhere. He still heard it in his dreams. It was Spectre.

We came across some eos stuff, she said. Looks like there's an infection. Weird stuff going on and I don't know who else to…Fuck my life!

Then the clip ended. It replayed from the beginning automatically. He stopped it as soon as she said captain.

An infection? He raised a brow and stared at the screen. Was she sick? Someone in her team? He needed more information, but that was all he had out of her. She had to be on Rodora, and if that was the case, she was nearly twenty light-years away. This was a message sent months prior, probably even before they made landfall on B-58. 

He couldn't go to her. Not without compromising the entire ship and her, if she was even still alive. 

Reaper shook his head. She couldn't be brought down by an illness. He couldn't believe that. He couldn't recall her ever being sick. Yet this was an eos infection, she said. He saw what happened to Sparrow. Killed by an eos, infected, then revived as a ghoul, starving for flesh.

That thought scared him. Ruby still hadn't recovered from it. Reaper let him take all the time he needed to get better and that man had locked himself in his room. The only person he spoke to was Reynolds and that was only if she came to him. He wouldn't answer the door for anyone else.

Reaper wouldn't be able to live if that happened to Spectre. Not her. God, not her.

Reaper grabbed the bottle of whiskey from the desk drawer and stepped out of the office. He floated down the halls until he made his way to Jackal's room.

Luckily, Jackal and Fenris were both there.

Cap? Jackal raised a brow when he answered the door. You don't look so hot.

I got a message, Reaper said. He pulled himself into the room.

From? Jackal shut the door and followed him into the living room.

Fenris was laid out over the floor, some unseen part holding it in place. It watched Reaper take a seat on the couch, then laid its head back down.

Spec. Reaper pinched the straw on the bottle to have a sip.

Jackal held onto the back of the couch.

She came across an infection from the eos.

Does she have it? What if it's the same thing with…? He stopped himself from saying much more. The look on Reaper's face showed he already had that thought.

She didn't say. She cut off before she said much of anything. Just that she didn't know who else to go to.

She has to be on Rodora, right? That's where the Order capital is. Jackal thought for a second. Means she sent that message months ago, Art. There might be nothing we can do.

She doesn't get sick though. She can't--

This isn’t some normal bacteria. Jackal cut him off. 

Sick, Fenris grumbled.

What do you mean? Jackal asked.

Spectre. It said.

Wait, is that what you were saying back on Solstice?

Fenris nodded.

The color washed from Reaper's face.

Why didn't you say something sooner?! Reaper shouted. You should have said she was infected while we were still in contact!

Fenris perked up, watching him.

Hey, hey, easy now. Jackal raised a hand. He did say something. We just didn't understand.

What if it’s too late? What if--

Cap, she is light years away, Jackal explained. There’s nothing we can do.

Reaper began stuttering, trying to get words out, but his mind was going a million miles a second.

What? You want us to fucking drop everything and fly across the goddamned galaxy so you can be a hero to the girl that's fucking moved on?! What about the artifact?! The eos? Jackal threw his hands up. 

You do realize who we’re talking about right? Reaper snapped at him. It’s Spectre! She’s an alpha! She needs my help. Sh-she needs help.

Listen to me, Jackal growled. He smacked his palm with the side of a flattened hand, "We have a job to do. We are on a mission. We have two fugitives wanted by the enemy nation on our ship. Even if we could get to her, our fuckin’ job comes first."

After everything, she did for us and you’re not even going to try?!

We don’t even have a goddamned cure for the infection. Our best bet is to get to Skao to talk with the other valkyries.

Fenris perked up at the mention of Skao.

She would come for us. Reaper looked him in the eye.

Logic wasn’t working. It never worked when the heart yearned for what it could never have. Jackal needed a different tactic. He knew Reaper was overreacting. He was dying for a chance to win her back. So, Jackal said what he didn’t mean.

"She was a fucking alpha hunter sealed inside of her armor. That means she broke the fuckin’ law. It means she did something so fuckin’ awful she was marked as a traitor. She committed treason! She wasn’t exactly a good fuckin’ person and she was a god awful soldier!" They both knew the stories. They were all briefed on alpha hunters and what to look for. Reaper needed to be reminded.

That isn’t fucking true! Reaper stood up now and grabbed the back of the couch to keep from floating across the room. You damn well know that’s a lie!

She fuckin’ let our guys get blown up! We even watched her shoot our goddamned bunkmates in the face under suspicion of insubordination! That’s not even what got her sealed up! Imagine what she did for that! Kill a president? She was a loud-mouthed bitch, and you just thought she was hot. Fuckin’ admit it, Arturo! You just liked fucking her!

Fuck you! Reaper threw a hand out. That’s fucking bullshit, man.

You just don’t want to admit it.

Reaper snatched his bottle of whiskey from the air and shouldered past Jackal. You’re just a hateful man. You hate everything and everyone.

Yeah, well, at least I don’t cry after I rub one out! Jackal called after him.

The door shut before any more words could be said.

Jackal sighed and rubbed his face with both hands. Oh, my fucking god. He moaned. This guy, I swear, man.

Fenris sat up and grumbled.

Fuck, he’ll probably turn this whole ship around just to go back for her. It’s not going to make a difference!

Jackal scratched the back of his head. I'll never understand it. What they say is true. Love blinds you.

Fenris' head tilted to the side. Jackal floated aimlessly around the room, ripping his hair out. 

We have to convince him to just go to Skao.

No! Fenris said.

What do you mean no? We've discussed this, Fen. We have to go to Skao.

TWO

Fenris set the artifact down on the table. When it floated up from the table, he pushed it back down. The diamond shaped piece rotated slowly as it hovered over the table. The interior lit up with strings I could only guess to be codes. Whatever it actually was, it hummed as if it had its own power source. The strings moved towards the pointed top at either end from the center and carried through into its depths endlessly. 

I stared at it, holding myself against the cushions of the couch by my feet being pressed into the foot rung of the table. 

Okay, I said. If you can figure it out, we won't have to go.

Fenris grumbled, picking at one of his teeth. He, too, stared at the artifact. I watched the light of his eyes dim and brighten as if the light inside was rotating.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I looked at the artifact again. I’m pretty sure it spoke to me.

Fenris looked up.

When we were in that cave, I heard a voice. It called me.

His head tilted one way, then the other. I got the impression he was trying to decipher what I said.

Spirit? Fenris questioned.

Hell if I know. This whole thing is new to me! I grabbed the bottle of liquor from its velcro patch and took a sip through the straw. I lived my entire life under the assumption souls, gods, and other realms were dumb fantasy stories. Just silly allegories.

I leaned back against the couch and brushed my hair out of my face. I briefly thought about cutting it all off. It had gotten far too long for my taste. I hated how it tickled my ears.

This last year has been insane. It’s like everything I thought I knew was all a lie. I sighed. Or just some half-truth really. I don’t know what I'm supposed to believe in anymore.

Fenris picked the artifact up. It rolled around his hands.

I don’t understand the logic he had or what was going through his head. It was the only artifact we had and he took a bite out of it. Not just a nibble either. He chomped down on half of the thing and squeezed his jaws together until I heard a pop. Then he whined and tried it again.

Are you trying to break it?! I nearly jumped off the couch.

Spirit? He said.

I think we can assume there's no soul in that thing.

Fenris sniffed it now and grumbled.

Stupid….

Hey, why don't we let Reynolds hold onto it? I suggested.

Fenris looked at me.

She's got a team behind her and a lot of equipment. If anyone can figure that thing out, it's her!

Safe?

Why wouldn't it be? We’re on the ship about to be far from this shithole of a planet. Plus we got you here. You can smell those monsters from miles!

I let myself float up from the couch. Took a few more swigs from my drink and set it on a patch of velcro.

Let's go. I said. 

Fenris took the artifact and we left my room. 

Dr. Reynolds was busy as ever. She and her team of four other doctors, plus three nurses, were running around in the medical bay like chickens with their heads cut off. We could hear the whirring, buzzing, and humming of machines in the back. They chatted among themselves. Questions and answers. I didn't even try to listen in to see what was going on.

They had the corpse of a valkria cut open on a steel table. They even had a much smaller version of it on a second table, about the size of a turkey. Organs were set out in steel dishes and trays, labeled and lined up. Diagrams drawn up by hand to show where they found what inside the creature.

I could barely get Reynolds' attention. She stood at a counter to write something down, then immediately buzzed away to another counter to grab a vial. Then off to another table. Then to a colleague. Then back. Every attempt I made was in vain. I didn't exist to her. Just a ghost.

It took Fenris to float in her way for her to finally stop and take a breath.

Are you hurt? She asked. Is everything all right?

Fenris held the artifact up for her to take.

Oh, wow. Is that the thing you were after?

We were hoping you could study it. I told her.

I can fit it in. She took it and looked it over. Strange...it's vibrating. She smiled at both of us. Oh, there's so much stuff to learn! These creatures are so bizarre and now this!

I laughed. You look like a kid in a candy store.

Reynolds gave the sweetest smile I ever saw. This might just be my candy store. I just wish I could get more samples. Or at least see them while they're alive. Can only learn so much from a corpse!

Someone floated to her with a clipboard. I wasn't sure what I heard him say. It didn't even sound like it was in English. A series of large words I couldn't begin to figure out without a dictionary and even then it's not like I could spell it.

Fenris, she's gonna be a while let's go. We should talk to Reaper.

Hurt. He said. 

I know. I know. I sighed as we floated out of the medical bay. 

Sometimes you have to be the bad guy for the people you care about. Sometimes they need to be hurt one way so they aren’t crushed by another thing.

Fenris floated ahead of me down the hall. He stopped and turned to watch me push myself by. 

You get that, right? I mean, you tried that tactic on me. I grinned at him.

He gave a communicative growl. 

I don't think he was happy I brought it up. It happened a year ago at this point and I was over it. Mostly. Every so often I'd have a dream about it. Usually ended with him biting my head off instead of going the way it actually did. 

We made our way up to the bridge where I assumed Reaper would be. Sure enough, he was there. He sat in his chair sipping on a cup of black coffee. 

Vactubstein was with him and they were in the middle of a conversation. 

Captain, I cut in, grabbing the back of his chair. 

He looked up, a frown on his face. 

The look he gave me cut me deep like a knife. It was like he hated my guts now. That look made my thoughts disappear. 

What is it, Liam? He asked.

My name?! He said my fucking name?!

Even Vactubstein gave him a funny look. We hardly ever addressed each other so formally. I've always been Jackal to him ever since I got the name. 

If it's not important, then I don't want to hear it.

I cursed in my head. This fucking bastard. The cold shoulder? What were we teenagers?

I wanted to let you know I have Reynolds studying the artifact.

Fine. Reaper turned away to look at the screen acting as a windshield at the front of the bridge. 

And, I started, I wanted to, uh, apologize.

He didn't even look at me. I wanted to smack him across the head. 

Captain, Irzazee called. There's a broadcast you might be interested in from Apex Corporations.

Put it up on the screen. Reaper answered. 

Yes, sir. Irzazee tapped away on the console.

The screen turned black, removing all of the stars and dust clouds from view. Then the broadcast was up. The screen was covered in static, but it was clearly from a news station. One directly from Apex itself. A woman was on the screen in the standard dress uniform. A black and grey outfit with a tight high collar and patches of the Apex emblem along with a patch on her chest to show she was an anchorwoman.

The sound came through broken up and inaudible until Irzazee stabilized the signal. When it was finally clear the footage was already being switched over. 

It looks like we finally have a stable signal from Rodora! The woman said. Here it is! The moment we've all been waiting for. The primary debate. Remember this footage was recorded live on Rodora so this happened eight days ago for us.

I checked the dates displayed on the screen. It showed a local date and a galaxy date. It was nearly three months in the past for us. 

The footage cut from the anchorwoman and to what was a live broadcast on the street in Ad Aesterium. It was the capital city of Rodora and the home of the Council of the Order of Hunters. From what we could see from the camera panning across a crowd of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of hunters gathered. It was a beautiful city. Made to appear as a status symbol to showcase how the Order viewed itself as the picture perfect definition of humanity.

A stage in the middle was decorated as patriotic as it could be. Two podiums and a line of secret service agents. The two candidates for the open Patriarch seat walked up to the stage from behind. They shook hands and headed for their podiums. A screen at the back of the stage flashed white and black with the Order's emblem; an eagle with outstretched wings and an old school compass.

Someone off screen shouted. A hand poked out from the crowd to point and the camera panned to the side.

A convoy of black trucks had pulled through half the crowd. About nine trucks. Armored enough to make a tank jealous. Men were hanging off the sides and standing in the backs of each one. The trucks didn't even stop before they piled out.

The camera zoomed in and focused on one truck when a flash of red was seen coming around an open door. A woman in nothing more than shorts, a sports bra, knee high boots and an open, sleeveless trench coat.

I heard Reaper whisper her name.

It was Spectre. That crimson mohawk and tattoos with the clear attitude were unmistakable. It was her.

She was not in the lead. Three other men twice her size lead the way, forcing a hole through the crowd to get her and the others through. The other alpha hunters moved their way into the crowd from all angles, each approaching the stage.

They stormed up to the podiums, the first three men assuring the agents were backing down.

Then they lined up around the back of the stage, leaving Spectre to stand at one of the podiums. Eight men stood behind her, strapped and ready for war.

The crowd was in an uproar. Many booed and just as many cheered.

She downed a cigarette to wait for the crowd to calm down. When they did not, she kicked the podium over. Now they fell silent and she lit another cigarette.

The screen behind her flashed black, then displayed footage of abuse, neglect and other general treatment of her fellow alpha hunters.

Spectre broke into a long speech that surprisingly lasted nearly ten minutes. Maybe it was longer. At some point, Yaaranam had entered the bridge to speak to Vactubstein, but he silenced her. Even he wanted to hear what Spectre had to say.

She talked about the Order. About alpha hunters. Their treatment and how she felt betrayed by her people. She called for action. Called for the people to do the right thing. Give them their freedom. Give them better treatment.

It was a speech I never thought I’d hear in my lifetime. One that you would hear in a movie or in a history book. Each word nailed itself into my chest and my head.

By the time she finished talking, the crowd broke into cheers. The alpha hunters howled as loud as they could over the roar of the thousands of people.

The camera panned through to show the people. Small fights broke out. A difference of opinion and the call to action forced some hands to act immediately.

Then the camera panned back to Spectre who was lighting yet another cigarette. Even behind that muzzle, she looked smug. She got the people on her side.

Even Reaper was mouthing the chant of the crowd. He was smiling. Giddy about seeing her and seeing that she was healthy. A new found hope that she was still alive and still fighting. She wasn't the type to give up. We witnessed that ourselves. She had a nasty habit of taking abuse because every time she hit the ground, she got back up for more.

I was moved by the speech. I wanted to be there to help her and the others. Ensure they got better treatment. Maybe now with so much support, we could try to help in some way. Get the Federation involved.

There was a bang like thunder that artifacted the sound of the broadcast. The camera was still focused on Spectre getting a good shot of her from the waist up while she watched the crowd.

Her chest busted up. Exploded from the front and back in a burst of crimson liquid. Her eyes widened and she clutched at her chest. The cigarette dropped, hitting the floor of the stage just before her own knees.

The alphas behind her screamed and rushed to her as she fell head first.

Oh, my god! Cut it! The anchorwoman cried. Cut it! Cut it!

The footage went black. Then the anchorwoman returned to the screen to try to explain what everyone just saw away.

My heart sank. No. It stopped beating all together. Like it exploded in my chest. I felt sick. My stomach twisted in knots. I could taste the vomit building up in the back of my mouth.

I couldn't believe I had said such awful things about her. To Reaper at that. Things that aren't even true. Those were the last thoughts I had about her under the idea she was still alive. 

We just witnessed the death of a hero. A good, no, the greatest soldier I ever knew. She was my best friend right next to Reaper. 

I could barely peel my eyes from the screen even while that dumb woman was still trying to cover up the horrific scene. 

Reaper was dead. I could see it in his eyes. Dead. Heart shattered. Soul ripped right out of him. He was just a silent shell. A husk. The light in his eyes vanished. He squeezed the arms of his chair. For once, I couldn't tell what was going through his head if anything was. 

The broadcast continued. 

I can't stomach watching anymore of this, but if you can, here is more from the broadcast from Rodora. The anchorwoman said. 

The footage cut back to the camera which was now moving through the crowd. The operator didn't seem to care about getting the greatest shots now. The people had erupted into utter chaos. They had gone to war then and there on the spot. Blood splattered across the lens. When it was wiped away, bodies laid in the street. Gunshots thundered out. People screamed. 

The cameraman was shoved around in the crowd and hit head first into a big, brooding man. He wore a mask just like Spectre's, only his was black and red with a slight sheen in the sunlight. He grabbed the cameraman and shoved him forward. He stumbled towards the stage where the camera lifted to see the floor was covered in a thick blanket of blood. Spectre's body was dragged to the back of the stage. Surrounded by her fellow brothers. Her body could barely be seen through the mess of legs and arms. She wasn't moving at all and the blood was rippling under the hands and feet. 

By the Emperor's name, turn it off! Vactubstein ordered.

The screen went black and returned to the display of stars and cosmic dust. 

I swallowed hard. I could have gone without seeing that. I wished I never saw it. Wished I never knew her. Knew the things she did and what she stood for. My goddamned hero. There was nothing I could do. Nothing to help. I never even tried to reach out to her after she left us. 

I… Reaper choked back the tears. I just sent her a message…. To tell her to go to Skao….

He floated up from the seat and pushed himself out of the room. 

I could barely move myself. Vactubstein looked at me, the heartbreak clear in those yellow orbs for eyes. 

I always wanted to meet her one more time for another battle on better terms. He said quietly. 

Father? Yaaranam looked up at him. Was that Spectre?

It was. He tried to smile. She was a great soldier. He looked at me. You and Reaper have my condolences. I know she was a good friend of yours. Perhaps we should hold a ceremony in her honor.

My fingers tightened into fists. We can't. Just the thought of it lit a fire in my chest. 

What do you mean?

It's against the law. I said. Alpha hunters don't get ceremonies or burials. They just…. Cease to exist… I shoved my way out of the room.

Reaper, distraught and heartbroken, retreated to his own private quarters. The door shut and locked behind him. All he wanted was to be left alone. He could barely think straight. He threw himself onto the couch, but couldn't be bothered to hold himself down. He just stared off into the nothingness around him. Eyes cold and dead. He couldn't feel a heart beating in his chest. He wasn't even sure if he was breathing.

At this moment, that was fine. It was better than being alive with all these thoughts swirling around like a hurricane. He couldn't focus on anything in particular.

There were a thousand words he should have said. A thousand things he should have done. He would have said and done it all if he just manned up and told her it was going to be his way. She was a free spirit. She couldn't be controlled and that was the last thing he ever wanted to do.

He should have moved on a long time ago. Should have known better than to fall in love with a soul like that. One so hot he couldn't touch. One so powerful and free he could not even stand by the side of.

Reaper pulled his hair and groaned. He couldn't hold back the tears. If only he too were an alpha, she would have loved him the same. He could have maybe prevented such an awful, tragic death.

He turned to the only crutch he had. The only friend in such dark times. He grabbed the bottle of whiskey from the counter and returned to the couch.

Half through the bottle, he heard a knock at the door. He could take a guess who it was. He chose not to say anything. It was locked and that should have been enough of a hint to leave him alone. 

He stared down at the only picture of her he had. One of him, Jackal, and her. Fresh from a fight. They were dirty, bloody, exhausted, but it was one of their happiest moments together. Now he was never going to have another chance.

The door opened.

He held his breath.

Arty, Jackal called. I've been looking everywhere for you. It’s been a few days.

Go away. Reaper choked.

Jackal took a seat on the couch next to him, his own bottle of liquor in hand. Fenris was with him as usual. The wolf took a seat across the table on the floor.

That's an order. Reaper growled, not even looking at him.

I remember that, Jackal pointed at the photograph in his hand. You wanted that picture so bad. We came out of a bad fight and you were so scared about not having some good memories. We were drunk as fuck.

Reaper smiled briefly then sighed.

She deserved a better life.

She was right where she wanted to be, Jackal said. Remember when we were sitting around in camp for three weeks, waiting to get bombed? She had a bad case of cabin fever. Started fighting everyone. Literally everyone.

Yeah. She couldn't wait to get back out there.

Art, Jackal said, looking at him. I'm sorry.

Don't be. He waved his hand. She wasn't an angel.

Naw… She was a hero though.

She'd punch you for saying that.

Yeah? Jackal grinned. I can hear her screaming at us for sitting here and crying about her going out doing what she loved to do. She'd be smacking us and telling us to act like men and grow a pair of balls.

Reaper took a deep breath. She always wanted to get out of this life. He gulped down some of his whiskey. I know I should be happy for her. God has her now and… he swallowed.

Jackal drank down a good portion of his own drink. He watched Fenris for a moment. It was watching them both curiously. Just a dog that didn't understand what was going on.

Hey, Fenris, Reaper stared at his drink. Is… Heaven real?

Know not.

Oh… He breathed. 

Is Heaven home? Fenris asked.

Reaper looked up, hugging the bottle with both hands. It’s like home. Everything you can dream of. All the good in the galaxy.

Home here. It said slowly as its eyes fell upon Jackal.

THREE

Reaper was never quite the same after witnessing that broadcast. It repeated every night when he slept. He woke in cold sweats with a racing heart. He tried to push it aside with work by staying late in his office. He had even helped down in the cargo bay with vehicle maintenance.

In the end, he could do nothing but honor her memory. She wouldn't mourn the death of anyone and Spectre sure as hell wouldn't want to be mourned. He had to move on.

He gave the order to head to Skao. Using a relay would be the quickest way to reach the far off planet. It would only take a few weeks to the nearest relay and a month from there to Skao. Out this far should have been smooth sailing, too. The planets out here were uninhabitable and had few useful minerals to mine.

Captain, we’re being hailed by the Zhakisil from our starboard. Irzazee called.

Show me the ship. Reaper said, lifting his chin from his hand.

Irzazee tapped on his console to project the image of the small fighter ship traveling along their side. A relatively small ship when compared to the Syndicate. It was built for speed and high fire power primarily in space, but capable of fighting within an atmosphere. Its wings stretched out from either the upper side of the body. They curved slightly forward at a total of seventy-nine feet from tip to tip. The last twenty feet of the wings were split apart into three equal sections that acted as flaps for steering. The second pair of wings were only half the size of the first and positioned closer towards the bellow and on the tail end. They reached backward from the ship and angled themselves to come to a point, nearly touching each other. The cockpit was positioned forward and aligned to the spine of the ship. As for the belly of the ship, it sat around fifteen feet lower than the spine. Here, the feet could eject so the ship could be landed. This was also where it would be boarded. The orange paint was weathered and damaged from combat. A yellow image of what Reaper could guess was meant to be a phoenix painted on each main wing. It was the same emblem Yaaranam and Vactubstein’s armors bore.

He cursed under his breath. Open the comms, He said.

Coms are now open, sir. Irzazee tapped a button.

The screen flicked over to show the video feed from the Zhakisil. A battle-hardened eldiravan with a cold face and lifeless yellow orbs for eyes.

That’s not a bad-looking ship for it being human-made, the eldiravan said.

Top of the line shipper. Reaper put on a fake smile. What can I help you with, Mr…?

Sergeant Thraetrash, He finished for him. I’m a headhunter from Garchtun. Looking for a traitor.

Reaper raised a brow. Well, now, I don’t think I’ll be much help. I can’t tell you ravens apart to save my own ass.

Thraetrash glared at the camera. Of course, I wouldn’t expect a human to be capable of complex thought. I have enough reason to suspect this traitor could have hitched a ride on your ship. The Syndicate was seen around the same time her last location was.

Are you accusing me of harboring a fugitive? That’s awfully insensitive of you to just assume I would let a raven near my goods.

It’s possible she may have slipped in while you were loading your goods. I have no interest in human materials.

Well, I’ll have you know, there ain’t any ravens on my ship. No animals whatsoever.

Perhaps you just haven’t seen her. This traitor is hostile and armed. A high ranking officer in our military. With a sigh, Thraetrash shook his head. I am requesting to board your vessel, Captain Phillips. I would like to conduct a search for any signs of her presence. It would be in your best interest to allow me to. If she is there, she is a danger to you and your people.

Reaper motioned off-camera for Irzazee to inform Yaaranam and Vactubstein about the situation. They would need time to hide.

I don’t think that’s a good idea. You ravens only cause us trouble. I can’t risk this business. Reaper said.

Relax. Thraetrash told him. I’m only after her. She’s worth more than your entire ship. Trust me, I don’t care about your damned cargo or people.

How can I be expected to trust you?

You have my word as a headhunter.

Sounds like you’re a cop.

I don’t even know what that word is.

Law enforcement. Reaper rolled his eyes. Am I in Garchtun space or something?

I am not law enforcement, Thraetrash was getting frustrated now. I am a headhunter.

Sounds like law enforcement. Reaper pointed.

Allow me to board and I will be out of here before anyone gets hurt.

You don’t have any rights out here!

I supersede all laws when on a mission. Allow me to board.

What if I don’t?

Then I will destroy your ship.

Don’t think the Federation would like it very much if you destroy one of their own ships. Are you sure that’s a smart thing to do?

By the Emperor…. Thraetrash groaned. I might blow you up for the damned fun of it.

Fine! Fine! Reaper sighed. If it’ll keep you from being stupid and starting a war, come on in. Just stay away from the machinery. Don’t need you fucking anything up.

Thank you. Was that so difficult?

Dock in Hangar Nine, where the green light is flashing. It was the furthest hanger from the main body of the ship. Not only would he have to fly up to it, but he would also have a long walk from there before it would compromise them.

The video feed ended while Thraetrash made his way to the hanger. Reaper jumped up and hurried out of the bridge to meet him. He could only hope he bought enough time for Yaaranam and Vactubstein to disappear.

When he made his way to the airlock, Thraetrash was nearly halfway from the hanger. In full armor, he stood nearly eight feet tall. A small jetpack on his back propelled him down the series of hangers and cargo bays. A rifle strapped to his chest. He had a cape over one shoulder showcasing the Garchtun flag. Even their bounty hunters were full of national pride. 

Jackal arrived, and it was without Fenris. 

Where's Fen? Reaper asked. 

I got him to stay in my room. Figured it might be best.

Remember your character? Reaper grinned. 

Y'know they gave us the most insulting characters.

Yeah, but it fits how the ravens view us.

He's coming in armed? Jackal groaned.  Thought you told him we ain't got fugitives.

Like he'd listen. Reaper rolled his eyes. 

The airlock activated once Thraetrash was inside.  It took nearly a minute before the door opened. 

Thraetrash came out of the mist while removing his helmet. It clipped into his side. He watched Jackal and Reaper for a few quiet moments. 

Welcome aboard the Syndicate, Jackal put on a fake smile. I'm Marshall, head of a small security force. I'll be escorting you today.

The eldiravan snorted.

I suppose there would be no harm. After all, you did say there were no eldiravan on the ship.

A who now? Jackal raised a brow.