Jed and Solomon entered the town, backpacks full of spices in tow. The larger items could wait, but turning a quick profit on a few rare spices would get them through until they could get back into a city where the buyers knew them. The city was bustling; finely dressed individuals wove through the crowd, a web of clamor and movement. Solomon looked down at his rough clothing and knew they stood out. Despite the crowd they managed with ease, browsing various shops, looking for a merchant that might be interested in their goods.

It didn’t take long before they found a buyer willing to take the spices. There was minor haggling, and though Solomon knew he was getting sleeted he took the quick trade for the blessing it was.

They left the shop, returning to the streets and their noise. Jed elbowed Solomon. “What do you say we get some real food, Sol. You smell that? Whatever it is, I want it.”

Solomon shook his head and grinned. “Come on, let’s see what this city has to offer.”

Minutes later they were sitting down with a bowl of something steaming. It consisted mainly of beans and various cuts of pork. Jed leaned in and took a large spoonful. He leaned back again, eyes closed as he slowly chewed. “We don’t get stuff like this aboard the Hoarfrost,” he said, mouth still full of pork, “why have we never considered hiring a cook?” Jed didn’t wait for Solomon to respond, instead scooping another spoonful into his mouth and continuing. “I mean really, we’ve got food from all over the world, exotic spices, and nobody to do them any justice.”

Solomon grunted and started eating. He looked up and Jed was staring at him. “It’s good, isn’t it? You sure you don’t want to find a cook while we’re out here?”

“We’ll manage,” Solomon said.

Jed looked down disappointed, but a smile quickly returned as soon as the spoon was in his mouth again.

They enjoyed the quiet moment between them, eating their food and appreciating the time that they had free of worries. Jed ordered another and made subtle hints at how much he wished they could have food this nice aboard the Hoarfrost while he finished his second bowl.

“Well,” a chilling voice from behind Solomon said, “what do we have here?”

He knew that voice, knew it with a grim assurance that turned his belly still warm from the food instantly cold. Jed was staring behind him, spoon halfway in his mouth, bits of the soup still trickling back into his bowl.

“Hello Brist,” Solomon muttered.

“So you do remember me,” Brist said, “and as I recall you still owe me a ship.”

Jed stood up suddenly, mouth in a hard line, “you’ve got a lot of gall to come here and demand that considering it was you that attacked us” he spat.

“But I didn’t come to find you this time,” Brist said cheerfully, “you entered my city, and who am I to question life when it presents me such an opportunity. Do you still believe in that old god Solomon? Maybe it was his doing this happened.”

Solomon’s mouth turned down into a grimace and he turned to face Brist. His hair was longer than the last time he had seen him, but that cocky smile was still the same. Three others were standing with him, this wasn’t a fight they could win.

“You were always such a careful type, you must be getting old if you are letting me get the better of you. I must say it feels good to finally get one over on you after all these years Solomon. Now, you are going to come with me, and we are going to talk this out between us.” Brist gave a toothy grin that resembled a snarl more than anything that could be associated with joy.

Defeated, the pair followed them out of the restaurant and back into the busy streets. Away from the center the bustling died down considerably. Here people shuffled about, eyes down. They were led into a tall non-descript building. They moved down the hallway into a small room, Brist pushed Solomon roughly through the doorway and ushered him into the corner.

Brist pulled a small gun from his coat and brushed a gloved hand back through his hair, pushing it out of his face. “Now then, how about we talk of settling your debt.”

Solomon sighed, “just get me back to the Hoarfrost and we can work out a deal, you know I don’t have nearly enough on me to pay back what you want.”

Brist chuckled, “I’m not that stupid Solomon. You will contact your crew and tell them to release your ship to me. I’ll take yours.”

Anger rose within Solomon. The Hoarfrost was his, and nobody would ever take it from him.

“It’s a wonderful ship,” mused Brist. “Rumor has it you stole a highly experimental prototype from the ARM, I’m anxious to see if half the rumors I’ve heard about that ship are true.” Brist licked his lips.

“Over my dead body, Brist”

“That possibility isn’t entirely out of the question.”

“This is all I’ve got on me.” Solomon pulled the chip they had just loaded with the money from selling the spices. “There’s nearly 500 raars on that. Take it and leave everything else in the past. My crew will never surrender the Hoarfrost, that’s their home.”

Brist picked the chip up, eyeing it. “A sizeable amount to be sure, but not quite enough. He motioned with his gun for the others in the room to take them away. Rough hands seized Solomon and Jed and dragged them out. In the hallway Jed glanced at Solomon, a question in his eyes. Decades of time together had left the pair with a near perfect sense of the other’s intentions and Solomon gave a small nod.

A grin grew on Jed’s face as he smashed his head into the nose of the man behind him then whirled around to land a powerful kick into his gut that threw him against the wall where he collapsed in a heap. The hands grabbing Solomon let go as the man fumbled in his jacket for his gun but Solomon was ready grabbing the gun and shifting it sideways before twisting it out of the man’s grip. Solomon smashed the heel of his palm into the chin of his opponent and sent him staggering backwards. He turned around just to see Jed’s elbow ram deep between the ribs of a man trying to grab him from behind causing him to fall down gasping.

Jed gave a shaky grin as Solomon glanced at the four men piled at his friend’s feet. “I’m old,” he said, “but I never claimed to be rusty.” The pair took off down the hallway to the exit, sprinting for all they were worth. The heard the door open behind them and Brist’s yell of anger carried down the long hallway. Shots rang out, ricocheting off the walls near their heads. They were at the door though, Jed was already pushing it open.

Pain speared through Solomons leg and he staggered. Then another shot rang out and he jerked back as the bullet tore through his shoulder jerking him to the ground. Jed leaned down to grab his shoulders but Solomon pushed his hands away. “You’ll never make it,” Solomon gasped.

Jed flinched as bullets fired overhead. “I’m not leaving you Sol, I won’t.”

Solomon looked down at the blood covering his chest then stared deep into his friend’s eyes. “Leave me.”

Jed shook and tears streamed down his face. He closed his eyes tight, trying to shut out the reality of what he was about to do, then ran.

Solomon smiled, his friend was safe. Moments later Brist stood over him. “This won’t be enough to cover the debt, but it will have to do.” Solomon saw a flash from the gun in Brist’s hands and his senses, then his world faded into nothingness.