The air on Arkon reminded Ax of low gravity training, back in her academy days, breathable, but thin. The ship shifted, down toward the southern region of the nearest continent. She could see the spaceport with running lights on the approaching vector. The Risk Taker lowered through the thin layer of clouds and down to the runway.
Ax could see a group of officers and one civilian, standing close to her touchdown site. She was uneasy about the whole set up, but a job was a job. B4D6 landed the Risk Taker about fifty meters from the group. Ax applied her entire body armor, including a side arm and blaster concealed in her armored boots. She adjusted her helmet, making sure no one could see her and then she walked briskly back to the cages, finding Daren huddled in the corner.
“This is my business, get over it,” Ax told him and she shot him with a tranquilizer dart. He went down even further, no longer offering any resistance. She opened the cage door and pulled Daren Nevil out in his crumpled form. “B4, watch my six, I’ll be back shortly, I hope,” Ax called to her robot companion.
“I will be monitoring your signal and I am keeping weapons lock on our guest. Happy hunting,” B4D6 tried his hand at human humor, not quite getting it correct. Ax ignored him and she opened the exit, walking with the unconscious bounty on her arm.
Galaxy Force maintained their position, while the man in civilian clothes came running up to the Bounty Hunter. The man was young and handsome, but he seemed to have an agenda. He pulled out a small bottle, the contents of which were red and poured it down the throat of the man lying on the runway.
Ax’s reaction was instinct; she pulled out her blaster and aimed it at the man’s head. The Galaxy Force close behind him reacted as well, pulling up their blaster rifles aiming to kill.
“Tell me what you did if you value your life,” the man dropped the bottle and put his hands up. He looked at the chrome helmeted Bounty Hunter.
“I represent Enviro-Control. This man was wanted in several different ways. I chose to end his life in a humanitarian way. I have your payment for delivering him,” the man sneered at Ax.
“I’ll settle for taking you with me so we can discuss why I should spare your life. If those guards make one move I’ll kill you,” Ax invited the man to walk with her. He walked slowly, away from Galaxy Force and joined her.
“You’re not going to kill me are you?”
“We’ll see, let’s go,” Ax pointed her blaster so the man started moving toward the Risk Taker. The guards started ordering Faux to halt. She realized she needed more aggressive negotiations. With her helmet communicator, she called B4D6.
“B4 give the guards a warning shot,” Ax continued walking with the civilian. The Risk Taker opened fire and shot just short of the guards’ feet. The blast left a hole in front of the Galaxy Force. Instantly the Galaxy Force soldiers retreated. Ax hurried the man onto her ship. She closed the hatch within moments. “B4 get us out of here!” B4 needed no other words, the engine roared to life and the ship began its accent out of the city.
“What do I do?” the man asked. Ax looked at him, “Follow me,” she motioned for him to come with her. She came to the cockpit and pulled out a side chair from the wall. “Sit and stay quiet,”
To Be Continued...
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