“Great,” Cole said.

Cole and Ram took off after the girl. “You stay with him!” Cole shouted back over his shoulder to Gregor.

By the time they made it to the main street the girl was gone, they scanned the crowd before Ram caught sight of her ducking into an alley across the way.

“Got her,” Ram shouted.They ran after her across the flow of the foot traffic, knocking over several people and a food cart in the process. 

The alley was dark and cluttered and the lights above could do little to get through the cracks in the cables that ran every which way above them. The chase went on for a while before they rounded a corner to find the girl had disappeared entirely. 

“Wait,” Cole whispered to Ram stopping their movement. 

Unluckily for the girl it wasn’t the first time they had chased someone down.There were alleys and paths crossing each other for miles off of the main roads. She was only just in front of them a few seconds prior and hadn’t had enough time to get very far away. The girl had to be hiding somewhere nearby, hoping they would just run right by her.  Cole knew how to handle this. Sound would be their best help in this chase. 

Cole raised his finger to his lips, signalling to Ram to stay quiet. A few short hand signals later and Ram understood the whole plan. Split up, comb the area, check in and under everything and flush her out. Ram took a pathway off to the left and Cole continued forward. 

They had moved so far into the rats nest of alleyways that even the light from the main streets was starting to peter out. Luckily for them, the residents of this part of town were aware of this and had hung lanterns from the cabling that ran overhead. They provided enough light to aid a search, but also enough shadow for someone to hide.

Cole rounded the corner to find a row of bins lining the wall. They must have been out the back of some kind of restaurant because Cole could smell the food wafting out the back door. Who would set up a restaurant this far in? Talk about your hidden treasures of the Market District. 

Cole looked at the bins, and judging by the size and shape of them, figured them as good a candidate as any for holding a small teenaged girl. He had just opened the second one when he heard a noise just up the alley. He looked up to see what it was. 

It was Ram, he’d come around the corner and run straight into a tower of boxes that, from the sounds of it, contained a lot of glassware. Cole just shook his head before pointing to the bins.

The girl heard the crash and knew that they must be close. She also knew that the bin had been a poor choice from the instant she’d jumped in, she knew better than to trap herself. The girl listened as the sounds of the bin lids opening and crashing down closed in from both sides.

Crash. A bin towards the centre of the group lurched forward, scattering a small amount of garbage across the ground, but that wasn’t all. There, lying in the middle of the garbage like a stunned Harb was the girl, still clutching the lock box. It seemed to take a few seconds for her to process the situation before she sprung up and burst through the back door of the restaurant.

“Ram go!” Cole shouted, rushing after her through the door. Ram took off down a side alley to try and find the front of the place, in order to cut her off.

It was hot and stuffy in the kitchen, and what little staff were in there quickly scattered as soon as the chase tore through. The girl managed to pull down a large stack of plates across Cole’s path but it just annoyed him more than it actually managed to slow him down. 

The girl dived over the service counter and with a quick roll was on her feet in the main dining area of the restaurant. Dodging around tables she ran to the door, but was stopped dead in her tracks.

“Hey,” Ram said. He was breathing heavily. The girl backed up and away from Ram and turned to see Cole coming in from the kitchen, equally out of breath. She was cornered.

“Look kid,” Ram said, holding his place at the door, “it’s not worth it. Hand it over.”

“Why should I?” the girl said, her voice projecting an age that was not her own.

“It’s not yours,” Ram said, “you stole–“

“I found it,” she said, “it’s mine, butthead.” Ram found himself smiling at the insult.

Cole had been slowly closing the gap between them while Ram had kept her talking but the ruse only lasted a short while. The girl spun on Cole.

“Don’t even try it,” she said.

Cole stepped back to show he meant no harm. “What’s your name?” he asked.

“What’s it to you?” she shot back.

“What’s your name?” he asked again.

The girl looked between the two of them and realising it was probably futile to fight the situation, she sighed.

“Kira,” she said, calmly and clearly so they could both hear.

Cole looked at her standing between them, she was a slight little thing, probably didn’t eat very well, but there seemed to be a strength to her. Her hair was short, and tied back, like she knew how to keep it from being a distraction or a liability. She had her legs set in such a way that she could make a break for it at any second. But she wouldn’t. Cole could see that this was a girl who’d had to take care of herself for a long time, maybe her whole life, and that she was also clever enough to know when she was beaten. There was something about her that reminded him so much of Zara. 

Oh Zara…

Cole shook his head to chase away the memories that he couldn’t deal with here and now and took a careful step towards Kira.

“Kira,” Cole said, his tone softening, “my name’s Cole, and that’s Ram. We’re not here to to hurt you.” –Cole pointed to the box that Kira still had clutched tightly to her chest– “That box was stolen from a friend of ours and we’re trying to get it back to–“

“You’re friends with that guy?” Kira asked, incredulous, “he’s a complete dick.”

“Little charmer this one,” Ram said, still blocking the doorway.

Cole laughed. “No. He, uh, actually stole it from our friend,” he said, “and then you stole it fr–“

“Found it,” Kira said.

“Right,” Cole said, “then you found it.”

“So if I give this back to you,” Kira said, looking down at the box in her hands, “what’s in it for me?”

“Not sure you’re in a position to bargain, sweetheart,” Ram said.

“I’m not sure you’re in a position to bargain, butthead.” Kira was more than capable of returning fire.

Cole laughed at the look that had appeared on Ram’s face and then rummaged around in his pockets until he found what he was looking for. He pulled out the small chip and held it out for Kira to see. Her eyes went wide.

“See this?” Cole said, “this has five thousand credits on it. Give us the box and it’s all yours and you’ll be free to go.”

“Five thousand credits?” she asked, staring at the chip.

“Five thousand?” Ram asked, equally stunned.

“Five thousand, all yours,” Cole said.

Kira shrugged. “Okay, you win. Throw me the chip first,” she said, “and then I’ll throw the box.”

Cole threw the chip to her and she plucked it out of the air with one hand, the other still holding the lock box.

“Now you,” Cole said motioning for her to throw the box.

Kira turned and walked over to Ram at the door, she handed him the box.

“Here you go butthead,” she said with a smile, “it was a pleasure doing business.”

“Trust me, it was all ours,” Ram said stepping out of the doorway and into the room.

With a bounce in her step Kira disappeared out the door and into the darkness of the alleys beyond.

For the first time since they burst in to the dining room Cole looked around. There were three diners, all at separate tables, all were sitting, cutlery in hand, mouths agape. He cleared his throat and made for the door.

“Sorry about the mess,” Cole said as he and Ram walked out into the alley.

“Sol?” Cole said, switching on his comms, “we have it, start loading the gear.” –a muffled response came through– “I don’t care what he says, we have the box, so load the gear. We’ll be back soon.”

Kira sat on a nearby ledge and watched as the two of them disappeared out onto the main streets. She flipped the credit chip back and forth between her fingers before dropping down to the ground and following.

Cole and Ram retraced their steps as best they could and eventually made it back to Salvage BaZarr where they collected Gregor and then started the trip back to Darka. As they turned onto Darka’s street some footsteps came up behind the trio and someone tapped Gregor on the shoulder.

“So what’s your name?” Kira said.

Cole and Ram looked around to see Kira following them. 

“Terrific,” Ram said.

Gregor wasn’t sure where the voice had come from but turned around to see the face of the girl from the alley. “Uh, Gregor. Gregor Mishkol,” Gregor said, his voice rising in pitch towards the end.

“You sure?” Kira said, laughing, “because that sounded like a question.”

Gregor didn’t know how to respond to that.

“So are you guys like mercenaries or what?” Kira asked.

“Uh, no,” Gregor said, finding his voice again, “no, nothing like that.”

“We kind of are though,” Cole said without turning around, “if you think about it.”

“Well you’re not Federation guys,” Kira said confidently, “I’d spot that a mile off.”

Ram just raised an eyebrow to Cole, who shook his head and smiled. They were now out the front of The Darka Side of Salvage, the proper entrance this time.

“So are you like private security or–“

Ram stopped and turned to Kira, who then also stopped.

“Look, Kira was it?” Ram said, “We’re kind of in a rush, so if you don’t mind,” –Ram took Kira by the shoulders and steered her away out onto the street– “thanks, run along now.”

Kira just stood there watching them as they headed into the shop.

Inside they found Sol and Kag deep in conversation.

“So what you’re saying is that this wasn’t your original choice?” Sol asked.

“No,” Kag said, “like I’ve already said many times, my second cousin up on level thirty two stole my original idea.”

Cole, Ram and Gregor approached them, weary about interrupting their discussion.

Sol saw them out the corner of his eye. “Fellas,” Sol said, “you wouldn’t read about it. Kag started this place up last year after his cousin, uh…”

“Tek Darka,” Kag prompted.

“That’s right, Tek Darka,” Sol said, “he stole–” 

“Kag’s original idea,” Ram said, “we heard.”

“It was going to be a, a hair salon, can you believe it?” Sol said with far too big a smile on his face.

“I really can’t,” Cole said, trying his best not to laugh. Ram wasn’t as reserved.

“Hey,” Sol said slapping Kag on the shoulder, “tell ‘em the name, tell ‘em the name, go on.”

“Would You Like It Darka?” Kag said flatly.

“Isn’t that brilliant?” Sol eyes went wide, “and Tek the old snake stole it right out–”

“Right out from under him, we got it Sol,” Cole said.

“Exactly!” Sol said, pointing excitedly at seemingly nothing. 

Cole looked at the counter and saw two empty glasses and a half empty bottle. Kag sat quietly next to Sol at the counter and looked at Cole with a face that could only say help me. 

“Sol,” Cole said, “why have you been drinking?”

“Well you guys took so bloody long we had to do something,” Sol said.

Kag got up from the counter. “So you got the lock box?” he asked.

“As promised,” Cole said, “Ram?”

Ram handed the box to Kag who’s eyes widened at the state it was in. Kag ran his hands all over it inspecting every dent and chip in the paintwork, he glared at Ram.

“This your doing?” Kag asked.

“There were some, complications,” Cole said. He looked over his shoulder to the outside to see if Kira was still there, but she’d gone, “I’m sure everything inside is fine.”

“So what’s in there that’s so damn important?” Ram asked, finally bringing his laughter under control.

“Um, it’s some,” –Kag seemed to be trying to avoid saying the answer, “it’s some, uh, love letters, they’re very–”

“Love letters?” Ram blurted out, “we did all that for some damn love letters?”

“Well you see there’s this Rotarian–”

“Why would Zarr steal your love letters?” Cole asked.

“I, uh,” Kag said staring straight at the floor, “I might have told him there was money in there.”

“Why would you do that?” Ram asked.

“He was in here the other day bragging about all his sales,” Kag said as he sat back down at the counter and poured himself a drink, “so I told him I’d sold a whole heap of stuff and well–”

Kag was interrupted by Sol who was tapping him on the shoulder, trying to get him to pour him another glass. 

“I think he’s had enough,” Cole said, as he took Sol’s glass away and turned to Ram, “you think you can get him back to the ship?”

“Not a problem,” Ram said as he peeled Sol away from the counter.

“I’m assuming you’ve got the gear loaded Sol?” Cole asked. 

Sol shook his head. “Uh, it’s on a speeder out front,” he said, his words melding together. He leaned forward, nearly fell of his stool and whispered loudly to the whole room, “covered it up all secret like I did.” 

Cole sighed.

“Well I guess that’ll make getting him back easier,” Cole said, he then realised Gregor was nowhere to be found, “anyone seen Gregor?”

“I’m here!” Gregor popped his head out from in the back room, “I was just, looking through some of the scrap back here.”

“I want you to go back with Ram and Sol and get the ship loaded up and ready to go,” Cole said.

“What about you?” Ram asked, struggling to hold Sol upright.

“I’ll catch up,” Cole said, “I just have to follow up on a few things here.”

“Alright,” Ram said, half dragging Sol to the door, “see you back at the ship.” Gregor still hadn’t come out of the back room.

“Get moving kid,” Ram shouted across the room, “time’s a wasting.”

As quickly as he appeared from the back room Gregor disappeared out the door behind Ram and Sol.

“What were you two drinking?” Cole asked. 

“Yanis Ale,” Kag said, “it affects everyone a bit differently. Your friend, it would seem, doesn’t have much of a tolerance.”

“No, he never has,” Cole said.

Kag got up from his chair and put the bottle away behind the counter. “I’m assuming that’s not what you wanted to ask me about?” he said.

“No.”

“Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like this?” Kag asked, seeing the grimness that had come over Coles face.

“Our mutual friend told me that you might know something about reactivating synthetic Conduit implants,” Cole said.

Kag tensed up immediately. “And that’s where this conversation ends. Good day to you sir.” Kag quickly made for the back room but Cole was quicker to intercept and cut him off.

“You don’t know anything?” Cole asked.

“I knew something was off about you,” Kag said, looking Cole up and down, “I thought you might have been a Conduit, but a Synth? Do you have any idea what would happen to me if I was caught helping you?”

“So you can help?” Cole asked, his hand still firmly placed on Kag’s chest.

“No,” came Kag’s determined reply.

“Do you know anyone that can? Cole asked.

“No, and even if I did I wouldn’t tell you,” Kag said trying to force his way past Cole, “they could still get me as an accessory. Now get out of my way!”

Cole relinquished his position and stepped back from the doorway. Kag hurried past.

“Look if you could just tell me a name, I wouldn’t even have to–“

Bang.

The wooden door to the back room slammed shut, and was followed by the loud rustling of the shutters being closed.

“Terrific,” Cole said to the closed door.

*

When he got back to the ship Ram was just coming down the entryway having loaded up the last of the crates. They met at the bottom of the ramp.

“Trouble?” Ram asked.

“Just wanted to see if he had anything on Tobias,” Cole said. Ram looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “He didn’t,” Cole said.

Cole could tell Ram didn’t believe him. He knew the time would soon come when he’d have to lay everything out about his implants, but that would mean opening up a can of worms he wasn’t sure he was ready to open. Cole did actually know a place where he could get his implants reactivated, but he was fast running out of ways to avoid going there.

“Any sign of Weaver?” Cole asked, wanting desperately to change the subject.

“Nothing,” Ram said, going along with it, “maybe he actually listened this time?”

They stood in silence at the bottom of the ramp until their comms crackled to life. “Ohh back are we?” Sol’s voice cut through the static. “We right to leave this shit hole? I’m getting real…” he trailed off mid sentence.

“He doesn’t think he’s flying us out of here does he?” Cole asked.

“I’ll jab him with some WakeUp,” Ram said, “he’ll be fine. ”

“Oi!” Sol was back on. “Hurry up!”

From across the hangar Charles Weaver stood and watched as the ramp of the Havok closed and the ship slowly lifted off. Weaver wiped away the blood that was still slowly seeping from his nose.

“Is it done?” Weaver asked.

“Yes sir,” Jarak Rol said, coming up beside him, “do we follow?” 

Weaver watched as the Havok glided out of the hangar and into the vacuum of space.

He nodded.

*

“Hows the head Sol?” Ram asked as Sol emerged from the cockpit. It had taken two packets of WakeUp to bring him back to the real world, Cole’s record was still intact.

“Getting there,” Sol said, “I propose that on all future missions we carry those bloody needles with us. Cover any misadventures we might have.”

“How much did you have?” Cole asked.

“Enough,” Sol said, “the little bugger had more than I did and he didn’t even bat an eye,” –Sol sat down at the table in the main hold– “and speaking of misadventure, what took you lot so bloody long?”

After having the whole afternoon laid out for him, Sol couldn’t help but laugh. “You took all that time because you were outsmarted by a little girl?” he said.

“I still think we should have just taken the stuff,” Ram said, “instead of turning into his errand boys.”

“Well it’s done now,” Cole said, “and besides, we had some fun, made a few friends.” Cole managed to keep a straight face.

“Oh yeah,” Ram said, rolling his eyes, “friends for life. Well, actually Gregor might have, that girl was about his age, hey kid?”

Gregor looked up from his data pad. “What? No, she was just, I mean, she was too, uh, and I wouldn’t, I don’t even know–“

“It’s okay kid,” Ram said, “I’m just messing with you.”

They all laughed.

Bang. Crash.

They all heard the sound.

Gregor spoke first. “What was–“

He was cut off by Ram who signalled for him to shush. The sound had come from a storage room off the main hold. Slowly and quietly Ram walked over to the door and pressed his ear up against it. Nothing. He pressed the button to open the door and it slid open slowly revealing the cause of the noise huddled in the corner.

Ram let out a loud sigh. “Son of a bitch.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 8