My eyes fluttered open in the dim lighting of my cabin. Groaning, I lifted a hand to my head as I rolled into a sitting position. How did I get to my room? I couldn't remember. And stars, why did my head hurt so badly?

"Hey, you're awake. We just landed on Antares."

I looked up through my lashes, squinting against the light from the now open doorway. Axon stood there, blocking out some of the light. Clearing my throat, my voice was scratchy as I spoke. "How did we get clearance?" It wasn't like I had been there to help hack the shield-wall.

Axon shrugged one shoulder and turned his face away from me, looking at some random spot on the wall. "I, uh, I got us in." Another shrug. "I've watched you enough...it took longer but I got it."

I dropped my hand from my face, letting it hang limply between my legs. My brows rose high on my forehead. "Huh...when did you get so good at hacking and I didn't notice?"

A shy smile broke on his lips, "Eh, I'm not that good. Could never be as good as you."

"That's not true. You could be if you wanted to be. I can even teach you."

The smile grew bigger. "Really? That wouldn't be annoying?"

Rising from the edge of my bed, I crossed the room and put an arm around his shoulders. When had he gotten taller than me? I could barely get my arm high enough for his shoulders. "You're seldom annoying, Axon. You're just being a boy."

He chuckled, his own arm coming around my shoulders to give me a squeeze. "Well, according to my sister that's the same thing."

"Yes, but your sister doesn't like boys."

He shrugged a shoulder, making our arms fall away from each other. The door to the cargo bay opened as we reached it and he headed down the stairs before turning to say, "True, but she does like you."

I watched him walk away without another word. He was halfway across the cargo bay before his words even registered in my brain. That little shit.

Antares was one of the earlier planets discovered during the second space race and was one of the first colonies next to Hawking Prime. But unlike it's closest neighbor, the atmosphere on Antares wasn't breathable. So the Dome Cities were born, connected by tunnels both above ground and under water. It wasn't the nicest planet in the Inner Rim, however it was one of the largest. Put that many people on one planet and there's no way a black market couldn't develop.

I kept this in my mind as we waited behind a fancy looking building, made in the old Greek style, that housed one of the most well-known brothels and strip houses on the planet, catering to whatever your tastes might be. Turning my back on the alley way that lead around front, I crossed my arms as I glanced at our fearless captain. "Tell us again how you have a contact in this place?"

Kade wouldn't meet my eyes, but his posture remained relaxed as he waved a hand in the air. "Oh, you know, pasts and all that."

"Uh huh, right." Lenna met my eyes and smiled. Rolling her eyes she made a rude gesture with her hand and mouth that had me stifling a laugh.

"Kade, my old boy! It's been far too long!"

Turning towards the back door, I was shocked by what I saw. It wasn't some sleezy guy or stripper like we had all been expecting. Tall and immaculately dressed in a waste coat and slacks - even a black top hat - the man with bright blue eyes smiled wide as he embraced Kade in a hug.

And the smile Kade returned was just as large. "Zed! It has been a long time, I apologize for that."

Zed chuckled, slapping his hand on Kade's chest the man shook his head, "Oh, I doubt you're sorry. Gallivanting around the galaxies, smuggling who knows what from place to place. You always did speak of big dreams."

Was that color on Kade's cheeks? Because I was fairly certain that it was. He rubbed the back of his neck, only solidifying what I was sure he was blushing. "Ah, you know - kids and their big mouths." Clearing his throat, his face became much more serious. "Look, Zed, as much as I wish we came here to catch up, we actually need some help."

For the first time, Zed glanced around the back alley. His eyes scanned each of the crew until they landed on me. One perfectly manicured eyebrow rose. I won't admit to it, but I stood taller as he looked at me. I knew that look - he recognized me. He must have seen that stupid message from my dad, like everyone else in the damn Republic.

Nodding his head once, Zed gestured to the back door he had come from. "Let's take this inside, where there are far less eyes interested in collecting a bounty."

The inside of the Palace was just what I had been expecting. Gaudily decorated and loud with pounding music and other sounds. But it also had a class about it that surprised me. Then again, I didn't exactly make it a habit to visit brothels. Not that I had anything against them or the workers who made a living through their patrons. Sounded like a cushy life, if I was being honest. But that didn't mean it was the kind of environment I enjoyed being in.

Zed's apartment, on the very top floor of the building and sectioned off from the rest of the rooms, was just as gaudy. One large open floor plan that extended all the way from the kitchen to the bedroom. Thank the stars that the bathroom seemed to at least have half a wall.

The apartment's inhabitant glided towards a bar at one end of the seating area. He made a broad gesture as he made his way behind it, "Can I get you kids anything to drink?" He winked, "My little secret, I promise. Although I'd be hard-pressed to stop a crew of smugglers from enjoying a beverage."

Lenna and I glanced at each other before shaking our heads. Axon looked like he very badly wanted to say yes but Kade spoke up before he could. "Thank you, Zed, but we're fine. We won't be long, as I'm sure you can guess." He met my eyes across the few feet that separated us. "We're actually hoping you can give us some information."

A coy smile formed on Zed's lips, "Come to the perfect place for that, but you knew that already." He directed his next sentence at the rest of us, "People around here tend to forget what they aren't supposed to talk about. My workers and I hear all sorts of talk from all across the galaxy." His eyes leveled on me, "Like a missing daughter of a General, for example."

I crossed my arms tightly over my middle, "I'm no one's daughter."

"Right."

Kade cleared his throat. "Zed, we were hoping you could tell us about...about Maji going missing."

Silence descended on the room for long enough that I was afraid he wasn't going to say anything. Or that he was about to call security to get us out of his home. But then he sighed and he lost a few inches in height. "Well, this visit took a turn."

A/N

What's this?? Are we actually going to learn some answers?? ;)