"President Alex; today announced that the Ruthburg's claim to succeed him is false and for citizens not to be miss led." Sure, it's not true. Sitting next to him was a poster claiming a reward for information on Ann Ruthburg. He shivered and reached for a coat. 

The client was willing to pay the Exorbitant price to transport them to safety. He had gone to the lawless region maybe twice since he had started fifteen years ago. The crew had signed on immediately without question. The lack of questions about the destination was strange. Looking at the map, there were nine points of navigation just to get to the pickup point, whoever the client was had picked this route instead of the two-navigation point route he originally suggested. He would take the first watch on the way. Maybe after this could repair the Navigation Computer's cooling, so he didn't have to keep the temperature so low in the crew compartment. Andy and Mex retired to rest while they could.

The stars shined and the shadows were long as they touched down at the pickup point. "I'm going to step out, Andy, keep an eye on things." He could see a light in the distance drawing closer. 

They had been walking for over an hour and now it looked like their journey was coming to an end. Her feet had been hurting for several minutes and holding the light wasn't helping. It had all started with an "accident" at one of the polling places. Somehow it showed that Alex had won 99 percent of the vote. There was one problem, the voting hadn't started yet. During the two days leading up to the election, several polling places in areas expected to vote for Ann reported problems. On election day, the announcement that Alex had won came early, before one of the major settlements polling locations had closed. And that brought her to having to flee her own home planet in the middle of the night like a common criminal. 

The light grew closer until the light coming through the trees gave him his first look at their passengers. There was a female with yellow hair down to the neck in a blue dress and two other males. They looked to be dragging their limbs and one looked weary looking side to side as if waiting for someone to jump out from behind one of the nearby trees. 

He stepped to the side and greeted them as they entered the ship up an extendable ladder. They stepped through a hatch behind the cockpit. Finally, they descended another ladder to the cargo hold. Wait, was that Ann?!! Less than a few minutes later they were in the air.

Judging by the look on the Caucasian man with brown hair's face, he recognized her. At least they were not walking into a trap, as the look of surprise meant he had just realized who he was transporting. She could hear voices up front.     

"Captain, the ship is ready for jump, now." 

"Thanks, Andy. What about our precious cargo, Mex? Are you ready for transit down there?"

"Yes, captain. All peaceful and quiet here. But-hey, stop this!"

"Mex, would you come up here, please."

What are you thinking? Turn her in? He turned to face his crew member.  Why, I thought you didn't believe that Alex was elected fairly? 

You know how much the bounty is worth?

There're things worth fighting for, we could use the money for repairs and then some, but it's not worth it.  You do realize this would cause their deaths, right? I still question why I made the decision that although technically not responsible for a person's death could have prevented it. We will not turn them in!  

Willam was right, he wouldn't be able to live with someone's death on his conscience. Yes, captain, lets get them to safety.