On a Rogue Planet

by Anna Hackett

  Mal stood, her hand on Xander’s tense back. “Doesn’t it have a…well obviously not an orbit, but some known path?”

  “No. It literally wanders the galaxy.”

  “What was its last recorded position?” Mal asked.

  Another image appeared on a second screen. It showed a ramshackle space station shaped like a large cylinder with various docking arms running off it. It looked like a beaten-up service syndroid floating in space.

  “Fuck.” Dathan sank back into his chair.

  “Galaxy’s Edge,” Niklas said, shaking his head.

  “Yes. Technis passed within fifty million kilometers of Galaxy’s Edge before leaving charted space.”

  Mal studied the image. She’d never been to the infamous space station. It had a reputation for being…wild. It literally sat on the border of charted and uncharted space. It was the last stop-off point for deep space convoys headed into the unknown. It was said to be filled with adventurers, explorers, smugglers and missionaries all looking to make their fortunes.

  “But that was several months ago,” BEll added in an apologetic tone.

  One of Xander’s hands curled into a fist. “We don’t have time to search through uncharted space. It could be anywhere.”

  Dathan tapped a finger against his lips. “Someone at Galaxy’s Edge must know where it is. These crazy explorers talk to each other about what they run into when they’re out in the black.”

  Xander’s head snapped up. “I have to go to Galaxy’s Edge.”

  “We have to go,” Mal said.

  Dathan straightened. “You’ve done enough—”

  “No. My friend was hurt, his wife sent into slavery.” Mal shook her head. “This is my hunt now, too.”

  “The people who call the Edge home don’t like outsiders.” Niklas’s quiet voice. “They’ll let you buy them a drink but they won’t talk.”

  Mal felt a curl of excitement. Maybe she could help. “I know someone at Galaxy’s Edge.”

  Everyone turned to stare at her. She felt Xander’s intense regard.

  “Who?” he demanded.

  But it was Dathan, Nik and Zayn she looked at. “Our cousins. The other Phoenix brothers.”

  ***

  Xander heard the three men curse and groan.

  “You don’t like your cousins?” he asked.

  “No.” Dathan slammed his chair back. “We don’t.”

  Mal snorted. “You haven’t seen them since you were twelve.”

  “Yeah, but I still remember the black eye that bastard, Dare, gave me.”

  “And Justyn broke my prized model of a Talon fighter I’d spent days making,” Zayn added.

  “I thought Rynan wasn’t bad,” Niklas said. “Although he did crack the encryption on my Sync and uploaded a virus.”

  Malin huffed out a breath. “They aren’t bad guys.”

  “They aren’t good guys, either,” Zayn said.

  “True.” Malin raised an eyebrow. “But people say the same about you three.”

  The men grumbled under their breath.

  Malin turned to Xander. “I’ve kept in touch with Dare, Justyn and Rynan. They sometimes send me salvage. If I ask, I’m sure they’ll help. If they don’t know where Technis is, then they’re likely to know someone who does. Someone far more likely to talk to them then us.”

  Xander felt a surge of adrenaline. The trail wasn’t cold. And he had Malin to thank for that. “Can you call them?”

  “I can try but they aren’t easy to track down. They stay at Galaxy’s Edge when they aren’t on a convoy, but they don’t have a permanent base there.”

  Damn. Xander prayed these other Phoenix brothers were taking some down time.

  “If they’re out in uncharted space…”

  Malin didn’t have to finish that thought. If the Phoenix cousins weren’t at Galaxy’s Edge, there would be no way to contact them.

  “Dare is a convoy master. He’s leader of the Phoenix convoy. He’s…pretty intense,” Malin said.

  “Intense?”

  “Uh, scary. I think scary is a prerequisite of being in charge of leading people into the unknown.”

  “And the others?”

  “Rynan runs security for the convoy. He’s pretty solid.” She pulled a face. “Justyn is a bit of a wildcard. Sometimes he works the convoy with his brothers, sometimes he just does his own thing.”

  Dathan snorted. “You mean he smuggles back all kinds of shit from uncharted space. Exotic foods, tech, artifacts, weapons, you name it.”

  “Well…yeah.”

  “Guy’s name is always on the Anti-Smuggling Patrol wanted lists. He’s always trying to outrun the patrols and pissing them off in the process.”

  Malin grinned. “He does have flare for pissing off the authorities.” She tilted her head. “Sort of like you guys.”

  “Shut up.” Dathan mock scowled at her. “We are nothing like those degenerates.”

  “I think there’s an old Earth saying about a pot and a kettle.” She tapped her chin, lost in thought, then shook her head. “It escapes me right now, but I think it’d fit this situation.”

  “How long will it take to get to Galaxy’s Edge?” Xander asked.

  “Thirty-six hours at interstellar speed,” Zayn answered. “I’ve had the dubious pleasure of visiting there previously.”

  “When can we leave?”

  The brothers shared a look. Dathan shrugged. “It’s your e-creds, CenSec.”

  “Then we leave now.”

  Zayn stood. “I’ll fuel up the ship.” He flicked a glance at Dathan. “And smooth out the numerous technical glitches from your rough treatment of my girl.”

  Dathan grinned. “You’re talking about your ship, right? Not your wife.”

  Xander watched Eos and Ria roll their eyes at each other.

  Malin stepped in front of Xander, nabbing his attention. “I’ll try and contact Dare.”

  He gave a short nod. “Thank you.”

  Leaving them, he made his way back to the room Malin had showed him to earlier. He paced the small space, feeling a need to expend some energy.

  He fought back thoughts of his team, Axton and those stuck on Centax. This lead at Galaxy’s Edge would pay off. It had to.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Mal watched as Galaxy’s Edge filled the angular synth-glass windows of the Infinitas.

  She’d been to space stations before. Generally neat, tidy, organized ones. This station was big and beaten up and if its notorious reputation was true, rougher than steel wool. It had a cylindrical center covered in windows—some lit and others dark. Long arms extended off from the central core. Docking arms for all the ships that stopped here before gathering courage and supplies to head out beyond charted space.

  And there were lots of ships.

  She listened with half an ear to Zayn talking to Galaxy’s Edge Docking Control for a docking bay. She eyed all the ships like they were candy. Ooh, a Bree’na tradeship with an upgraded hyperdrive. A Luxan freightership. And an old Rendarian cruiser that she knew would have some awesome tech. She would love to get her hands on that.

  Okay, time to stop drooling over the ships and pay attention to what was about to happen. Beside her, Xander was quiet, all his focus on the space station.

  They hadn’t had a minute alone since they’d left Khan. The mission had taken over. Mal sighed. She’d always known his mission came first, time with her a distant second. But she had to admit it rankled.

  “We’ll be meeting Dare and the others soon,” she said.

  Xander nodded.

  She’d thankfully managed to make contact with Dare Phoenix and he’d agreed to meet them at a bar called Moonrakers. Zayn had warned them it was seedy and more than a little wild. It attracted an eclectic mix of adventurers, smugglers and off-duty Patrol officers.

  She couldn’t wait to see it.

  But right now she was worried about Xander. He was more…shut down than usual.

  She lean
ed into him. “We’ll find Technis. Don’t worry so much.”

  “I do not worry.”

  She fought a smile. “Next, you’ll tell me you don’t lie either. I’m offering some comfort and support. That’s part of this man-woman thing, too. You’re supposed to lean on me a little, let me help.”

  After a second, he did lean a little of his weight on her and this time she hid her smile by burying her face in his chest.

  Zayn moved the ship into their assigned space on the end of one long docking arm. There was a muted clang as the Infinitas docked.

  “Welcome to the Edge,” Zayn said with a grim smile. “Bring me back an ale.”

  “Sure we can’t pry you away from the ship?” Dathan asked.

  “Nope. Galaxy’s Edge is known for its gangs who like to raid empty ships. No one is touching my girl.” Zayn patted the command console.

  “All right.” Dathan gestured to the others. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Mal followed Dathan and Nik off the ship, Xander right behind her. They entered the wide corridor that led through the docking arm to the central core. The metal floor was scuffed and stained. A tired-looking cleaner droid lazily moved across the floor and seemed to be doing nothing more than stirring the dust around.

  There were a few people walking to and from the ships. There was mix of species, some Mal didn’t even recognize, but most were wearing standard starship uniforms—cargo pants and work shirts.

  “Moonrakers is on level Upper 13.” Dathan strode ahead, his eyes alert. “We’ll need to take the travel tubes up.”

  They reached the tubes and stepped into one of the cars. Dathan tapped Upper 13 on the panel and they were whisked upward by what Mal knew was a strong blast of compressed air.

  Upper 13 was completely different than the docks. Here, people bustled in all directions. Some wore robes, others light body armor, some were dressed in the height of fashion—sharp suits and barely-there dresses. Regardless of what people were wearing, everyone was armed. Knives were strapped to thighs, swords rested in scabbards and every second person wore holstered guns. Mal tried to imagine where everybody was headed. Off into the far reaches of space, for excitement and adventure.

  Lining the mostly open level were bars, restaurants and shops offering enormously overpriced goods any respectable deep space explorer might need. Neon signs blinked offering clothes, provisions, weapons, even workers.

  Moonrakers was set in a quieter corner. No flashing lights here. This was a serious bar for serious drinking.

  They stepped inside and it took Mal’s eyes a moment to adjust to the dim lighting. Slowly, shapes emerged from the darkness. A long bar manned by a cranky looking Taxalian with a set of impressive horns and two serving syndroids. The droids had fairly realistic faces until you realized that nothing moved. They never blinked and when they spoke, their lips were still. Two female servers—of the humanoid variety—moved amongst the tables and booths that covered the rest of the space. At the back were several holo-pool tables. A couple of men stood holding the electronic pool cues and hitting at the virtual balls. Mal spied some interesting laser burns on one wall and couple of fist-sized dents on another.

  The bar wasn’t crowded but there were still plenty of customers, most busy with their drinks. A few were wearing dark-blue Patrol uniforms with their coats undone, laughing at the bar. Unwinding after shift. Other patrons were huddled quietly in the booths—relaxing or doing business they didn’t want anyone to overhear.

  From a booth in the back, a man stood.

  Mal hadn’t forgotten that Dare Phoenix was intense. But she had forgotten the sheer impact of him.

  He was as tall as Xander, with a big, muscled body that went with the height. His tobacco-brown hair was long and brushed his broad shoulders. His face was outrageously, holo-actor handsome. The face of a fallen angel. But it was his eyes that trapped your attention. Liquid silver, like mercury, and just a little scary. Like he could see your thoughts, like he could give you an order and you’d hurry to obey.

  If she were picking a ship for Dare, he’d be a Sethian battlecruiser. Big, sleek and dangerous.

  Two men rose from the booth behind Dare to flank him.

  These two were shorter than their older brother, but only by a few inches. They were also built with muscled frames. They could have been twins except for a couple of differences.

  The man on the left had bright silver eyes, like polished metal and he was grinning. Justyn Phoenix’s face was mobile and gave the impression he laughed a lot. His brown hair was shot through with gold, had the hint of a curl and was in desperate need of a cut.

  Rynan Phoenix, on the other hand, had muted gray eyes that made Mal think of both brushed metal and the dangerous thunderstorms that gathered over the jungle planet of Wylda. He wasn’t smiling and his set face made her think he rarely did. His dark hair was cut military short.

  She’d pick a Dangar runnership for Justyn. Sleek with a hell of a lot of speed and brilliant cloaking capabilities. Perfect for getting in and out undetected. And she just happened to know it was exactly the ship Justyn owned.

  Rynan would be a solid cuttership like the Galactic Security Services preferred for its Patrol ships. Good shield capabilities with an excellent weapons array.

  Beside her, Mal sensed Dathan and the others tensing up as they faced off with their cousins. She almost expected a tumbleweed to roll past like in an old Earth western movie.

  “Malin.” Dare said her name in his deep voice, then yanked her forward into a tight hug.

  She was passed to Justyn, who planted a smacking kiss on her cheek. “Nice to see you, kid. You like that scoutship wreckage I sent you?”

  She grinned at him. “You know I did.”

  “Malin.” Rynan touched a hand to her cheek and left his welcome at that.

  Then arms pulled her back until she collided with a hard chest. Xander’s arm slid around her neck holding her tightly to him. She felt the fine tension running through him and without thinking, she gripped his arm and stroked his skin.

  “CenSec,” Rynan growled.

  Dare watched them with a set face and Justyn’s smile dissolved like a sugar cube doused with water.

  “You’re keeping interesting company, Phoenix,” Dare said in a low voice.

  At first she thought he was talking to her, but then she realized he was looking over her shoulder.

  Dathan stepped forward. “He’s a client.”

  Justyn snorted. “Even we wouldn’t take CenSecs on our convoys.”

  Nik moved up beside Dathan. “Always took you for cowards.”

  Rynan’s eyes narrowed and he took a menacing step forward.

  “Enough.” Mal pulled away from Xander and pressed one hand to Dathan’s chest, the other to Dare’s. “You guys haven’t seen each other for years and you’re already priming for a fight. And the CenSec has a name. Xander, these lummoxes are my other cousins, Dare, Justyn and Rynan.” She pointed to each in turn “And this is General Xander Saros.”

  The new Phoenixes were silent then finally Dare gave a nod. Everyone relaxed. A fraction.

  “Take a seat.” Dare nodded toward their booth. “And let’s talk.”

  Everyone settled in and Mal found herself wedged between Xander and Dathan. The gods save her from overprotective men.

  “Where’s the fighter pilot?” Dare asked.

  “He stayed with the ship.”

  Dare lifted his chin and gave a grudging nod. “Smart. So—” he leaned back “—how can we help you?”

  Mal opened her mouth but Xander beat her to it.

  “We’re looking for a rogue planet.”

  Something flashed in Dare’s mercury-colored eyes. “Really? Why?”

  “None of your business. We just need to know where the planet, Technis, is located.” Xander’s voice was as welcoming as a tub full of icy water.

  Mal barely resisted rolling her eyes to the ceiling. “Boys. We’re asking them for help, so I sug
gest we all try and be nice.” She waved down a server. “Ales, please. For everyone.”

  With a nod, the woman strolled away. Moments later, they all held icy mugs filled with dark, frothy ale.

  Dathan took a sip of his. “Mmm, nothing quite like Beduan ale.”

  “It’s always smooth,” Justyn agreed. “I like smooth.”

  Xander simply ignored his drink, his focus on Dare.

  The tension had dropped a notch, so Mal waded in. “Dare, we know Technis passed here several months ago. We were hoping you might know where it went or better yet, where it is now.”

  Dare sipped his drink, his gaze thoughtful. “This is important.”

  “Yes.” She glanced at Xander’s closed face. “Xander’s planet is under attack and something was stolen, something important. He needs to find it in order to save Centax.”

  Justyn whistled. “Centax under attack?”

  “Who’s dumb enough to attack Centax?” Rynan asked.

  “A Centaxian on a power trip,” Xander answered darkly.

  Dare sipped his drink. “So this ‘something important’ is on Technis?”

  “Yes,” Xander said.

  “Technis is not a nice place.” Dare took another measured sip of his ale.

  “You’ve been there?”

  “No. Heard from people who have.”

  And Mal knew Dare heard lots of interesting things. Perks of being a convoy master. “We know its surface isn’t hospitable—”

  “I’m not talking about its environment.” Dare lifted his drink and looked at Justyn.

  Justyn tapped his fingers on the table in a quick rhythm. “Technis is run by a guy called Forge. He calls himself a technomancer.”

  “A what?”

  “Technomancer. He’s quite proficient with tech and engines. He apparently makes syndroids. Not like these.” Justyn gestured to the bar. “I’m talking big, old-fashioned robots. Rough and raw. He enjoys having them fight each other…and sometimes his guests.”

  “Nice.” Dathan took a big swig of his drink.

  “Do you know where Technis is?” Xander asked.

  “It passed by here four months ago,” Dare said. “On our last convoy run, we spotted it by Rabati Han.”

  “Rabati Han?”