On the landing bay, Sylvie's ears rung from the sounds of ship engines, the smell of leaking gas and oil left a bad taste on her tongue. She saw ships fly in and out of the docks as different cargo was being unloaded from various planets and moons. A cool wind nipped her nose and she pulled the leather jacket Ajax gave her closer to her. Her blaster was tightly buckled around her right thigh and in her pocket rested an old knife, another 'gift' from Ajax.

    He moved with more energy and he seemed to be in a more cheery mood. I wouldn't blame him, she thought. Anyone would be excited to get off of this scumbucket. Wait. Scumbucket? I've been here too long. Ajax elbowed her, waking her up from her daydreams and pointed at a sign that read, "123."

    "That's where our ride should be."

    To Sylvie's surprise and relief, there was Leory Gunnger, but over the front of his ship. From the looks of it, he was making a few minor adjustments. He didn't hear them walk up and continued at his work.

    Ajax cleared his throat loudly. With lightning fast reflexes, the alien man had his head out of the machine, blaster drawn and pointed at them. Sylvie ducked behind Ajax who stood there, without flinching and expressionless.

    "It's just you kids," he mumbled, replacing his gun in his holster.

    "Here's your money," Ajax tossed him a bag which made loud 'clangs' and 'clings' when he caught it. Leory a bewildered expression crossed his face when opening the bag to see gold pieces, filling it to the brim.

    "Ready to go?" Ajax calmly asked.

    "Just need to finish tuning up the engine," the smuggler's expression going back to poker player serious. He opened the ramp and the door.

    Sylvie felt a hand on her shoulder and Ajax's voice telling her, "Go in, and if he causes any trouble, hide."

    Her hands began trembling and she obeyed Ajax, stepping into the shuttle. Though the ship was somewhat small, it had three roomy compartments: the cockpit, passenger/cargo, and sleeping quarters. She studied all the buttons and switches and wondered which one was which. She saw a flashing red button and she had a strange urge to push it, but knowing from movies and books that red buttons do not symbolize anything good.

    She jumped like a child being caught stealing candy when Ajax and Leory entered the cockpit. Leory opened a door on the floor, which lead to a small space for cargo.

    "I need you two to stay here till we leave the planet and reach lightspeed. Do not leave until I say you can," he instructed. They nodded and he turned to the ladder and climbed back up to the cockpit.

    There was a muffled roar of the engine coming to life and the ground beneath them lurched. Ajax held onto the ropes above to steady himself. Sylvie couldn't reach the ropes above the so she found a corner and sat there, hugging her knees. The motion stopped and they heard footsteps above. Sylvie rested her head on her knees, biting her lip and praying that they would not be discovered. After what seemed like hours, the ship was back in motion and this time, accelerating much faster.

    "All's clear!" the smuggler called.

    Sylvie released the breath she was holding and found strength in her shaky legs to follow Ajax up the ladder and into a passenger seat. The space outside the ship was glowing blue. So this is what it's like to travel lightspeed, she thought wistfully, staring out the window.

    "You okay?" Ajax's question echoed through her thoughts.

    "Yes," she replied distractedly.

    "Your lip is bleeding."

    Sylvie absently licked her dry lips and tasted the warm red liquid.

    "So how did you kids survive on Oppidus?" Leory asked them.

    "You'll be surprised what a few survival skills and a blaster could do for your life," Ajax stated simply.

    Sylvie didn't bother to say a word.

    "Are you and the little girl related?"

    "No."

    "How did you two find each other then?"

    "How about you stop prying?" Sylvie burst out with annoyance.

    "Well, the little one finally decides to speak," Gunnger chuckled.

    "And you better cut it out or I'll shoot your..."

    "Enough Sylvie," Ajax interrupted before she could say anything else that could get them in trouble.

    "She's a little spit fire, ain't she?" Leory asked Ajax with a laugh.

    "She's right, you ask too many questions," Ajax stated.

    Sylvie's eyes stayed focused on the world outside the metal frame, but she felt Ajax's eyes wanting to meet her, but she ignored it. For the rest of the flight, nothing but the humming of the ship filled the filtered air of the ship.