Chapter 12

It had been a month since the destruction of the shipyard. The crew of the Enigma had been busy, laying a path of devastation in its wake. They had no issues attacking military targets. The way they saw it, the military got paid to die. The drilli’s government was getting frustrated with Jazhung, which was turning into a real movement, not a fantasy started by SINDRI. Millions of drilli were killed on both sides. The Enigma’s crew and the staff of the Hannibal were doing their part. The plan was working flawlessly, but a new threat was coming.

Lydia ordered Piet to link to the INH, so she could make her biweekly contact with Amulius. These contacts were scheduled and Amulius except Lydia to report on time.

“Link established, ma’am,” Simona reported, “contacting the Hannibal. Want me to transfer it to the briefing room?”

“You know the drill,” responded Lydia. She exited the bridge on her way to the briefing room. Lydia always received Amulius in private, so she could pick and choose what intelligence she needed to share with the crew.

“Lydia, we have a problem.”

This was pretty blunt for Amulius. “How do you mean?” she asked.

“We are getting reports that the Bradits are planning an attack on the Drilli.” He wasn’t talking in his typically calm demeanor. He didn’t sound out of control or panicky, but his voice was just elevated, which was concerning. All the years that Lydia knew him, his voice always stayed at the same volume, pitch and tone, but Lydia played it calm in her response.

“Tragic,” Lydia said, “but why tell me?”

“That can’t happen.”

“We know next to nothing about the Bradits,” said Lydia. “We haven’t even made first contact with them.”

“A Bradits attack will unite the drilli,” Amulius explained. “Putting an end to the civil war.”

“Any ideas how to prevent this?”

“Not at this time, Lydia. I’m calling in some favors. I recommend you do the same thing. I’m uploading some intel to your ship computer, but it is not going to be enough.”

“We’ll look into it.”

“This takes priority, Amulius out.”

Lydia downloaded the file. There wasn’t much information about the Bradits. Amulius wanted Lydia to go into this blind, which wasn’t a good idea. He would normally give Lydia enough intel to make a good solid decision, but this time, she got nothing. She called the crew into the briefing room, except for Vlad, who was flying the ship, but she turned on the intercom so he could participate. Once the crew arrived, Lydia filled them in on all the intel that Amulius provided her. Sitting around the briefing table, Lydia patiently waited for the crew to respond.

“Amulius is right.” Faith was the first to speak. “A Bradit attack would untie the drilli.”

“What do you know about them?” asked Lydia.

“Only what Roat-At-Tat told me,” Faith answered. “They are a large reptilian race that had some on and off conflict with each other for over a hundred years. I never have seen one before.”

“My people made contact with the Bradits,” said Ezi, who no longer used the translation feature on the communicator. “They are one of our trading partners.”

“We don’t have any evidence of your people making contact with them,” said Lydia.

“Humans are not the only ones who keep secrets,” said Ezi.

“What do your people trade?” asked Simona.

“Klexax,” Ezi answered.

“What the hell is Klexax?” Simona inquired.

“Klexax is a half a meter long bug,” explained Ezi. “What you humans would call a very large dickroach.”

The crew laughed, but Ezi was unaware of why everybody was laughing.

“I believe you mean cockroach,” said Lydia.

“Maybe you need to use the translator just a little bit longer,” said Piet.

“The Bradits consider it a delicacy,” said Ezi. “None of their homeworlds will no longer support Klexax. My people saw an opportunity.”

“What do you know about the Bradits?“Lydia asked.

“Bradits are a larger bipedal reptilian race,” said Ezi. “They stand about 4 meters tall. There are myths that their hide cannot be cut by any blade or pierce by any rounds.”

“Roat-At-Tat told me the same,” Faith added.

“We need more than myths and rumors,” said Lydia.

“What is the plan?” asked Zain.

“Vlad,” Lydia called out. “Set a course for the Kazaar system.”

“No problem,” Vlad’s voice came over the intercom.

“Ma’am,” said Simona. “There is nothing in the Kazaar system, except mercs, miners, pirates, and aliens. It’s totally lawless.”

“Exactly,” answered Lydia, “but I have a contact there that might provide us some intel on the Bradits.”

“Course set,” said Vlad. “E.T.A. five hours.”

“Good,” Lydia said. “Everybody dismissed.”

After the meeting broke, Ezi walked up to Faith. She waited until everybody left the briefing room before she talked.

“First time we had a chance to catch our air?” Ezi said.

“You mean breath?” replied Faith. “But we have been busy, starting a civil war and killing thousands of drilli.” She looked down having trouble looking Ezi in the eyes.

Ezi placed her hand on Faith’s chin and slowly lifted the young woman’s head. “What’s wrong, little one?”

“Do you know how many drilli we killed?”

“Maybe you should not dwell on the numbers. We are doing a job. We just do it so well.”

“Not the point,” Faith snapped back. “I see them in my dreams, I heard their cries.” She started to get teary, but she was able to hold them back.

“Has this always bother you?”

Faith turned her back to Ezi. “It didn’t until I talked to Ra-Mat-Wat. That monkey got into my head, questioning my purpose and honor.

“What you need is a distraction?”

Faith chuckled. “You mean someone like you.”

Ezi grabbed Faith’s hands firmly and leaned closer until Ezi’s lips and slightly rubbing against Faith’s ear lop. “I have been known to distract people.”

“I do like your distractions.”

“It keeps your mind off the killing?”

“Yes.”

The two kissed. They shared a bond of being tools of their people. Ezi pulled Faith closer as their passionate kiss continued. Faith moved her head, ending the kiss prematurely.

“What’s wrong?” Ezi asked. “I am not just a distraction from the killing.”

“I know.”

“Your heart is somewhere else.”

“I can’t give that to you.”

“I do not need it,” replied Ezi. “But if you need an escape, I am here.”

“I know.” Faith lightly stroked the top of Ezi’s bald head. Ezi reaction was borderline orgasmic. The shavili quickly grabbed Faith’s hand.

“Don’t do that,” Ezi ordered.

“What wrong?” Faith asked. Ezi reaction took Faith by surprise.

“It is an erogenous zone for my people,” the shavili explained. “If you continue, I would throw you down on the table, rip off your clothes and lay waste to your body. With your feeling for Lydia, I don’t believe you want that.”

“Not at this moment,” Faith said with a twisted smile., “but it is good information to know.”

The ship exited the jump just outside of the Kazaar system. They were going to the planet Kaz, the only one in the system. It was five times the size of Earth, but unlike Earth, the Kaz can’t support life of any kind. The planet had the appearance of a large grayish rock. There were no signs of water or liquid on the surface. The planet riddled with craters and large valleys created by millions of years of bombardment from asteroids. This lifeless rock had one positive quality. It was rich in raw material, especially Helium-3, which was the most efficient energy source in known space. The planet was orbited by the largest known spaceport called Rajani. The port was saucer shaped. It had a diameter of two hundred kilometers and a height of twenty kilometers. It could dock several fleets of ships at any time. The port would only allow private and commercial ships to dock. No military ships of any government were allowed. The port was neutral and it had every intention of staying that way. It was constructed by the nessians, ventures and the drilli, but neither of their government-owned or control the port. A small board of directors called the Shantanu ran the daily operations. There was a small but highly trained security force called the Ganesha that enforced the limited rules. They only interfere, if there was a threat to port security and safety. Fights, illegal activities and major crimes, like murder, were overlooked by them. Several species co-existed on the port. Humans had the smallest numbers, so they tend to keep to themselves, but some did trade and communicate with others.

Once the port came into visual range, Lydia directed Vlad to approach the port of the north side. Piet opened a channel to the port and Lydia asked permission to dock. After of a couple of minutes, which seemed like hours, the port granted permission. The port had a reputation of being lawless, but upon exiting the docking tube, there was a sign posted in several different languages: No weapons allowed and no interfere with the port operations.

Lydia ordered the crew to stay aboard the ship, while she and Faith went to meet the contact. Lydia wanted her and Faith to wear more casual attire. The standard uniform of SINDRI gave them the appearance of mercenaries, which wasn’t the look that Lydia wanted to portray. Lydia wore a low-cut sleeveless metallic green blouse that revealed her belly- button, and a matching skirt that came to her mid-thigh and high heels. She wore her hair down. It was the most impractical outfit, but Faith liked the way it looked on Lydia.

Faith, who hated wearing a uniform, had limited clothing selection. Unknowing to Faith, Lydia modified one of Faith’s outfit Lydia made Faith a form-fitting sleeveless cropped top out a black ballistic material. The top came down to the bottom of Faith breasts, exposing her stomach. Lydia also made some shorts out of the same material. The shorts were tight and barely went pass Faith’s buttocks, but it gave her more flexible than the uniform. Just in case she got into a fight. But most importantly, it kept her cool and it was comfortable. Faith liked the outfit, but she knew it would draw unwanted attention to her, but she could handle it.

Rajani was more than a port, it was a major hub of activity. Anything and everything was available, drugs, gambling, entertainment, and sex slaves. Nothing was illegal on Rajani. It was common to see people fighting and killing each other in the corridors or couples, threesome and foursomes engaging in interspecies sex in the clubs. Lydia and Faith focused on locating Lydia’s contact, so they had to block the chaos that was going on around them.

Nergali was the name of the club where Lydia and Faith scheduled the meeting. They sat at a table in the corner and had their backs to the wall, so they could keep an eye on everybody and prevent anyone from squeaking up on them. The multicolor lights of the club pulsed and dimmed to the rhythmic beats of the music blaring through the air. Faith stared at the patrons. She saw the desperation, freedom, the chaos, the lust and the fear in their eyes. Lydia’s head slowly bobbed to the music. Her left leg tapped to the beat. Lydia enjoyed the place, which caught Faith by surprise.

“You love it here,” said Faith.

Lydia looked at Faith. “This is the only place in the galaxy where you can truly be free.”

“I don’t think I could handle this much freedom.”

“Sometimes you need to let go.” Lydia took out her datapad. “He is running late.” She continued to look around.

“How well do you know this guy?” Faith asked.

Lydia waved over the bartender, a large drillus. Faith was on her guard when the drillus approached, but he made no sudden moves towards them. Lydia ordered two Nyx whiskeys. The bartender quickly returned to them with their drinks. Faith sniffed the drink. It had a musky smell, not an appealing aroma for a drink.

“Trust me,” said Lydia. “It smells like shit, but it has a mild taste.” She took a sip and a warm feeling when through her body. “The best thing about it is that you get all the effects of being drunk, but your reflexes and coordination aren’t impaired.”

Trusting her friend, Faith took a big swig, not a wise decision on her part. She coughed and choked a little. “You were wrong. It tasted like shit too.”

“Your body is used to that drilli crap.”

“I loved the wine we had in your quarters.”

“That was fun,” Lydia took a mouthful of the whiskey. “We need to do it more often.”

“Love too.” Faith took a small sip, which made it more tolerable. “You never answered my question. How well do you know the contact?”

“Very well,” replied Lydia. “I met him about ten years ago when I was a new recruit with SINDRI. He assisted me with my first mission.”

“What was the mission?” Faith interested peak.

“To take out a terrorist cell,” said Lydia.

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah.” Lydia took another swig. “They were called Terminus. They were a small operation, only twenty members, but they were mobile. They never stay at the same place for more than twelve hours. They were very effective too. They were involved with arms dealing, illegal drugs, kidnapping, contract killing, and sabotage. They were a problem.”

“They trusted you to take them out?” asked Faith. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Why is that?”

“You were fresh out of the university,” said Faith. “Young, no experience and they trust you to take on a dangerous organization? I’ve been working with you for weeks and I learned that you are a gifted manipulator.”

“Really,” said Lydia. “What is my end game?”

“Maybe you are trying to impress me?” asked Faith. “But I’m already impressed with you. You are great at what you do.”

“What do I do?”

“Getting other people to do what you want them to do.”

“I was the same age that you are now. And look at what we asked of you.”

“That’s different,” said Faith. “I’m awesome.”

Lydia took another drink. “To be honest with you, they expected me to quit or die during that mission. I believe they really wanted me dead.”

“Why?”

“They thought I was just another intellectual and could cut it as a field agent,” explained Lydia. “But unknown to them, my father had been training me for Star Force since I was four. He taught me how to fight, use firearms and how to fly space crafts. I know about Star Force tactics. I was more ready for the mission than most of their field agents.” Lydia finished her whiskey with one last gulp. It burned a little as it went down her throat. She shook and let out a deep breath. “The hardest part of the mission was locating their base of operation. So, I came to Rajani. I knew the port reputation, it was the best bet I had looking for anybody that could help me out. That was how I found Ufu.”

“Ufu?” repeated Faith. “That is an interesting name.”

“He’s nessian.”

“Really?”

“He is very intelligent, gifted in many ways. He spoke several alien languages, a master at code breaking and extremely charming. He taught me a lot. I gave him all the information that I collected from the attacks. He was able to create an algorithm that predicted where they will be for the next twelve hours. The information came at a price.”

“Of course,” said Faith. “Intelligence is always expensive. How much did it cost?”

“He just didn’t give me the intelligence,” said Lydia, “but the technology as well, which I based a lot of my research.”

“How much?” Faith repeated the request.

“It didn’t cost me credits, information or technology.”

Faith, who was inexperienced in this area, but she wasn’t naïve. “You intergalactic slut,” she whispered. “You slept with him.”

“I didn’t sleep with him,” Lydia whispered back.

“Of course you didn’t,” said Faith. “Very little sleeping goes on with that activity.”

Lydia leaned in closer to Faith. “You have seen a drillus?”

Faith rolled her eyes. “If you mean their penis, then yes, they’re huge. No human female would freely fuck them.”

“The nessians are bigger,” said Lydia. “Plus, they have sandpaper-like skin, which would rip, cut and tear a human female apart.”

“So, what did you do?”

“He touched me,” answered Lydia, “all over my naked body. His hands caressed every curve and crease. He touched my face, my neck, and my breasts. He rubbed his hands down my legs to my feet. His rough hand felt amazing. It was very stimulating. The most unusual sexual experience I ever had.”

Faith was aroused by Lydia’s account. Her pupils dilated to the point one could barely see the blue in her eyes. She felt the wetness between her legs and bit her bottom lip. Her breathing increased. She imagined touching Lydia the same way or being touch by her. She crossed her legs and rocked back and forward a little. Lydia noticed that Faith was incited by the story, which put a smile on Lydia’s face. Lydia knew what she was doing, she always did. Faith was right. Lydia was a gifted manipulator.

“I guess the technology was worth the price,” said Faith.

“Yes, it was,” answered Lydia. “I was able to locate their base on the planet Ilium. The time my ship arrived there, they were scheduled to leave within three hours. I had to work fast. I only had a sidearm and a couple of charges of explosives. I had a simple plan. Take out the ship and killed everybody else. I set my pistol on suppression mode and made my way to the camp. My first goal was the ship. There were three people guarding it. Three head shots from ten meters away solved that problem. My dad was a great shot and he taught me everything I know about shooting. Once aboard the ship, I quickly looked for the bridge. Every person I can across was killed with rounds to the head. My body count was already at ten by the time I reached the bridge.” Lydia held her glass up high to signal the bartender to bring another round.

“You have some skills,” said Faith. “I would love to see you in action.”

“I have a lot of skills and you would be impressed with all of them.”

“I bet I would.” Faith winked her eyes at Lydia.

The bartender slammed the drinks on the table and walked away.

“I don’t think he likes us,” said Lydia.

“Who cares?” Faith picked up her drink. “What happened next?” She took a big swig.

Lydia laughed. “When I got to the bridge, I broke into their computer system and downloaded everything on their network. Then I set the charges, one on the bridge and two in the engine room. Then I got a safe distance from the camp and then BOOM!” She used her hand to emphasize the explosion. “After everything settled, I swept the camp killing any survivors and collecting proof of their destruction. I was able to hijack a ship and made it back to the Hannibal. I met with Amulius and presented him with intel and the proof of their demise. The look on his face was priceless. He didn’t expect me to return, but I did and not empty handed. After I handed him the data, I punched him dead in the face.”

“I’m so turn on right now,” said Faith as she stared into Lydia’s green eyes.

“The fastest way to your heart is violence.”

“That reminds me of something Roat-At-Tat used to say. The fastest way to your heart is through the chest.”

“A very practical response from a warrior,” said Lydia. She took a sip of her drink. “You miss him.”

Faith looked down at her drink and caressed the edge of the glass. “There isn’t a day that I don’t think about him.” Faith took another sip. “Roat-At-Tat would’ve liked you.”

Lydia smiled. “Missionary or doggie style?”

“Don’t be a dick.” Faith took another sip. “He would’ve crushed you in missionary.”

“I guessed Amulius was right. Amped has improved your sense of humor.” Lydia took another sip. “Why would he like me?”

“Roat-At-Tat wasn’t just a fighter,” Faith said. “He was intelligential. He could spend hours talking to you about interstellar politics, psychology, and history. As you know, he spoke Terrian. We would rotate days. Some days we would speak drillius and other days we will speak Terrian. He was also a brilliant tactician.”

“Why was a station at the prison? The drilli could use him in the field.”

“He chose to stay at the prison,” Faith explained. “It was the best way to study human behavior. How much one can take before he or she breaks?”

“Did he ever studied human sexual behavior?”

Faith laughed. “Are you asking if Roat-At-Tat ever partake with any of the human females?”

“Or males?”

“For the fifteen years I was there,” Faith said. “The answer is no.”

“Really?”

“Why so surprised?”

“The drilli has the reputation of being horny bastards.”

“To be honest with you, Lydia. The reputation is well deserved.” Faith stared into Lydia’s eyes. “But Roat-At-Tat wasn’t like that.”

“I’m going to ask you a question, you might find offense?”

“I promise not to break your neck.”

Lydia took a long sip, building up the courage to ask the next question. “Do you think that he was grooming you?”

“For sex?” Faith asked.

“No!” Lydia corrected. “If he wanted just sex from you, he would have taken it. But he respected you. He taught you both cultures and educated your mind and body. I think he wasn’t just grooming you as a daughter, but maybe in a couple of years as a lover?”

Faith looked down at her half empty glass. “He never made any advances towards me. He never stared at me with lust in his eyes.” She sighed and finished off her glass. “I loved him. He saved my life.” Faith looked back up at Lydia. “I don’t know. Maybe? In a few years, it might of happen? Fuck.” Faith wiped tears of her eyes. “Freud would have a field day with this.”

“Damn,” Lydia commented. “You terrain education was quite thorough.”

“Like I said,” Faith remained. “Roat-At-Tat was an intellectual.” A smile came to her lips. “There will always be a place in my heart for him as well as my mom and dad.”

Lydia gently stroked Faith’s hand. “Do you have room for anyone else?”

“Yes,” Faith answered. Her voice slightly cracked and she let out a soft nervous chuckle.

Lydia slid closer to Faith. Their legs lightly rubbed against each other. Lydia undid Faith’s pony tail, so the long raven hair partly rested on Faith’s shoulder and back. Lydia leaned in closer. She felt the nervous energy that Faith’s body was producing. Faith’s focused on Lydia’s eyes and lips. Lydia signaled Faith it was fine to conitune by leaning in closer. Faith waited for weeks for this moment. Their lips met. They could taste the Nyx’s whiskey on each other breath. The kiss started rough, but two found their rhythm. Their tongues danced. It felt good, it felt right. Lydia moved in closer. She placed her hand on Faith’s knee. The doctor’s hand moved up the creamy white skin of her friend’s thigh. Was it real or was it the Nyx’s whiskey? Their reflexes and coordination weren’t affected, but their judgment was impaired. Maybe they were just in a drunken haze. The two rested their foreheads against each other.

“Roat-At-Tat never made me feel like this,” Faith said with a slight chuckle.

“Good,” Lydia said with a wide smile. Their lips reconnected and their tongues continued the dance of passion. Even though the club was full of people, they felt they were the only ones there. Their kiss came to an untimely end when Lydia noticed a tall nessian entering the club.

“Ufu,” Lydia whispered.

“Huh?” Faith snapped out of a trance. She didn’t understand what Lydia was saying. “What are you talking about?”

“My contact is here.”

A large Nessian looked around the club hoping for a glimpse of his redheaded friend. He was tall, standing over two meters and wearing a purple Nessian-style suit. The jacket was long and loose fitting. It flowed like a cape when he walked by the other patrons. His form fitted shirt had a v-cut to the middle of his chest exposing his diamond colored skin. His skin sparkled as it reflected the lights in the club. The pants were loose fitting and it had a free-flowing feel to them. He was bald, but all nessians were. Ufu eyes were twice as large as the average humans and his nose was half the size of a human’s nose. He noticed Lydia and walked to her. Lydia raised to her feet and gave him a hug. The nessian caressed the bare skin on Lydia’s arms and shoulder. Faith understood why Lydia chose the outfit. Ufu loved to touch the naked skin of a human and the clothes that Faith and Lydia exposed a lot of it. After the hug, the Ufu looked at Faith and smiled.

“Who is this beautiful creature?” Ufu said in his deep, booming voice.

Faith giggled and snored a little. She never met or seen a nessian in person before. She loved his diamond skin and the way that it shined in the light.

“This is my friend, Faith,” answered Lydia.

“The belief in something based on no proof,” said Ufu. He gently grabbed her hand with his long slender fingers and kissed her knuckles. “Your skin is as smooth and fair as the finest porcelain doll.”

“Thank you.” Faith continued to giggle. She was enjoying the compliments.

He sat down at the table. He extended his hands in front of him and asked, “May I?”

Faith had a puzzled look. “May I what?”

Lydia leaned over and said, “He wants to touch your face.”

“Why?” Faith asked.

“It’s what he does.”

Faith looked at Ufu. “Just the face.”

He smiled and processed to touch this fair skin angle. His hands were rough but very soothing. Faith liked the sensation as he caressed her face. His hands slightly vibrated as he felt the curves and contours. A tingling feeling ran through her body. He slid his hand down her neck, which Faith stopped by grabbing both of his hand with great quickness and strength.

“Just the face,” Faith repeated in a stern voice.

“I did not mean to offend,” said Ufu. “Your skin is so addicting. If I had skin like yours, I would be touching myself all the time.”

“You might want to rephrase that statement in the future,” said Faith.

“What do you know about the Bradits?” asked Lydia, bringing the conversation to its true purpose.

“The reptilian race,” said Ufu. “Your people haven’t made first contact with them. Well, not officially.”

“How do you mean?” asked Lydia.

“There are two humans that made contact with the Bradist.”

“Who are they?”

“That information comes with a price.” Ufu placed his hands on Lydia’s bare leg.

“Move your hand, Ufu,” ordered Lydia.

“Sure.” He moved his hands farther up her leg to her thigh, trying to find the nerve to go up her skirt.

Faith noticed what he was doing and quickly grabbed his wrist. “Move your hand or I will break it off.” Nessians were stronger than humans, so Ufu did not think much about her threat. Until she applied force and then Ufu got the message. He let out a loud yelp.

“You are a strong one,” said Ufu as he massaged his wrist. “I hope it is not broken.”

“Names, Ufu?” asked Lydia.

“There is Alessio Orlando.”

“He’s dead, the other?”

“Stan Popov.”

“Never heard of him.”

“He likes to keep a low profile,” said Ufu. “He is head of the Khariton merc organization. They are a mixed group. They employed humans, shavili, nessians and drilli.”

“How does he keep them different species in check?” asked Lydia.

“The humans and shavili were easy,” answered Ufu, “just promise them credits and sex. They will just fall in line. There are only about five nessians that work with him. They mostly manage his finances; act as negotiators and research and development.”

“What about the drilli?” asked Faith.

“I don’t know how he controls them.” Ufu directed his next question to Lydia. “Why are you interested in the Bradist?”

“Are you aware of the drilli’s civil war?” said Lydia.

“Of course.”

“There is a rumor that the Bradist might attack the Drilli republic.”

“Which will unite the drilli against a common foe and will put an end to the civil war,” said Ufu.

Faith looked at Lydia. “He’s smart, a little creeping with the touching, but smart.”

“You understand that isn’t in Earth best interest,” explained Lydia.

“You are willing to start a war with a species that you haven’t met,” said Ufu. “That is very bold, even for you.”

“There has to be another way?”

“There might be,” said Ufu, “the listening post on Xaraz. The Bradists are a very strong, intelligent and powerful species. In small group, they are very aggressive but are extremely cautious as a whole. They would not go into war without all the information. The listening post on Xaraz provides them with the intel they need. If you can take out the post, you would delay the attack about ten solar years.”

“Sounds like a plan,” said Faith.

“You would need a star chart of that sector and a translator device that speaks bradists,” said Ufu, “and I have neither. The translator is very important. The Bradist can be a suspicious group and wouldn’t let anyone into their space. The translator will keep them from blowing you up, for a while. Stan Popovo has both, but he is not going to give it to you or sell it to you.”

“We can be very convincing,” said Lydia.

“He won’t listen,” said Ufu. “He only sees women as sex slaves. There is an old Earth expression he likes to say.” He closed his eyes so he can focus on the phrase. “No head, no backstage pass.”

“We’ll take it from him,” said Lydia.

“You might have the brains,” said Ufu, “but not the muscle.”

“We definitely have the brains,” said Lydia.

“And the muscle,” Faith added.

“He is located on the far west side of the port,” said Ufu. “Be careful.”

“We will be more than careful,” said Lydia. “I have a plan. And I need your help to pull it off.” She directed her comments to Ufu.

“You got it,” replied Ufu.

“If your plan involves fighting,” said Faith, “you might want to change into something less comfortable.”

“Why?” asked Lydia. “Are you tired of looking at my legs?”

“No,” answered Faith. “I just don’t want to see them broken.”