“ I think you’re drunk,” Traynor said as he sat back in his seat. “ You can’t be serious?” “I can assure Traynor this is real. So serious that you can name your price, whatever it will take to get you to accept the job.” Name my own price? Never thought I would ever see the day thought Traynor. “A leviathan? The retainer wants a leviathan. Why?” “Wormholes. Know anything about them?” Traynor nodded yes. U’ave continued, “The retainer needs a leviathan to complete a scientific research project that is currently on going. It’s a vital piece of research that is missing.” “Still tells me nothing. Why a leviathan?” “Are you familiar with how wormholes work?” “Yes” “Are you familiar with what a leviathan is. How it works?” “YES,” said Traynor growing annoyed. “Good than it will save me some time explaining. The retainer believes that the leviathan is the missing key that would solve all of the technical problems. You see my good friend; a leviathan has this uncanny ability to starburst and reappears again in a different part of the galaxy. Granted it is used as purely a defensive weapon but the retainer believes that because of this ability, the technology may be adapted to stabilize wormhole travel. And because it’s a bio-mechconoid it may provide answers to why the hull integrity of the test ships are failing.” “You seem to know an awful lot of information. Why was the retainer so eager to divulge so much sensitive information to you?” “I have already given you more information than I should have. Lets just say that the retainer and I have a common interest.” Traynor signaled the waiter to bring two more drinks. Name my own price and go after a ship frell finally some good luck heading to my direction. But it still didn’t feel right to him. “Finding a leviathan shouldn’t be too hard, may take me some time. May take me a very long time.” “NO not just any leviathan, the retainer wants a particular one.” Traynor looked at U’ave with his mouth slightly open, “Huh?” replied Traynor. “Have you seen any of the wanted beacons?” Traynor shook his head no. He paid no attention to the beacons. A majority of them were from peacekeepers that often used bounty hunters. They paid well but were not an option for him. Traynor took a sip of his drink. “There is a large leviathan ship called Moya. It is the perfect specimen. It is this ship that you are to go after…should you accept the job,” U’ave said sure of what Traynor’s answer would be. Traynor knew what leviathans were but he never tracked one down before nor was he sure that he would be able to. “Is there any cargo on board?” “Well, yes sort of. There are three passengers and they all have bounties on them. As a bonus you can keep any cargo you find onboard as well as collect the bounty on them if you wish, all the retainer wants is the ship.” “Do you know anything about them?” “All I know is that there is a luxan, a hynerain, and a delvian on board. Other than that your guess is as good as mine,” U’ave said looking away. Traynor finished his drink and paused. It was a real good deal and it would keep him busy for a while. He didn’t care about the passengers or if there was any cargo on board. “What’s your percentage?” “None. I’m not taking my standard twenty five percent,” U’ave said, “As I stated before we have a common interest. Well what do you think? Are you going to take the job or not?” “I’ll take it, but my price is three times my normal fee plus a twenty percent bonus…” “For what?” “For graciously putting me on your payroll for the past cycle. And I want all of it up front.” U’ave extended his hand to seal the deal, “And,” Traynor continued, “I want your fee to go to the bar.” “Deal,” U’ave replied as Traynor shook his hand. “There’s one more thing,” said U’ave. He reached down into a pouch and took out a small rectangular object with some inscriptions on it. “Take this. Once you find the leviathan, activate it by pressing the button. Your coordinates will be transmitted automatically. A representative of the retainer will meet you to collect the ship.” He handed the transmitter to Traynor. He looked at it then placed it in his pocket. “You do understand that this will take some time. Leviathans when they starburst can’t really pinpoint their coordinates so they can end up anywhere in the galaxy.” “It is already understood. Take the time that you need and do what you must.” “Meet me at the docking bays in the morning. I’ll pick up my items and we’ll settle then. And I’m counting every last bit I’m not leaving until I’m sure that it’s all there.” “Of course.” Traynor finished his drink and stood up, “Thanks for the drinks.” “Your welcome,” U’ave replied looking at Traynor. With that Traynor turned around and walked to the bar. U’ave picked up his drink and looked up to see him walk away. “Soon…very soon,” he said to himself smiling as he took a sip of his drink.

“Everything go well?” Attan asked genuinely interested. “Very well,” replied Traynor almost managing a smile. “Are you smiling?” “You’ll be smiling soon enough too.” Attan looked confused. “Have any plans in the morning?” Attan shook his head no. “Meet me at docking bay 3744. I’m settling with U’ave.” “Great thanks,” Attan replied sarcastically. “Relax you’re not going to help me load Sat with my supplies,” Traynor said chuckling. “I have a list of items that I need you to get. Besides you need to pick up your cut.” “My cut?” “Trust me. You’ll be smiling.” “Why don’t you give me the list now.” “No, not yet I need to check on some things I need to be sure.” He always used Attan to get the hard to find items. If U’ave thought he got items very quietly than Attan was nearly invisible. He turned around and looked at where Elantras was. She was waiting on tables flirting with her customers hustling to make her tips. “You going to say goodbye?” “No. I’ll see her when I get back. She’ll understand.” “You make your mark on the doorframe?” “Yeah I did.” There was a long and awkward pause between the two men, finally Attan spoke, “Well get me your list so I can work on it. I need you to come back to finish the mark on the doorframe. This place is ugly enough as it is, I don’t want that doorframe looking uneven now.” Traynor looked at him and nodded his head. “Goodnight.” “I’ll see you in the morning,” replied Attan sounding like a reassuring father. He turned around and left. Elantras looked up smiling after hearing a comment made by one of her patrons. She looked all over the bar looking for him, but he was gone. She could hear the people at the table giving her their drink orders, “I’ll be right back,” she replied coldly staring at the steps that led to the doorway hoping to catch a glimpse of him. She didn’t.

He breathed in the night air as he left the bar. He stepped aside so that some other people approaching the bar could get by. His mind was once again racing, thinking about what he had to do next. Worried about all the different problems that he may face trying to track a leviathan. He was always thinking, a luxury he never had when he was a black ghost. He always thought things out, never acting on instinct. He saw too many people die who acted on instinct. This is why he never acted on Elantras. He could never tell what may happen with her. Frell he was tempted but he never liked being unsure. But Traynor couldn’t worry about that now. He had to look for any information that the ship’s data banks had relating to leviathans. He walked to where he would be able to pick up a transport pod back to the docking bay and felt his stomach begin to turn. He felt the same way he did when he landed on Siecom and walked down the landing ramp, but this time his head hurt. He did not know if it was all the thinking, the alcohol or how he felt doing business with U’ave. He had to take the job; the money would help him out in for a while. Still the greed got to him. Maybe how he felt was a combination of the three. Traynor could not worry about how he felt now; he had too much to do. He could sleep off whatever he felt once he was on the ship.

“HUNTER!” a voice shouted out from the shadows. Traynor quickly turned around, his hand placed on his right holster and began to draw his pistol his finger on the trigger ready to fire at the voice he knew that was now directly behind him. But it was too late. All he saw was a flash of an energy blast that hit him squarely on in his chest, burning a hole through his armor. The powerful blast threw him backwards causing him to hit the ground skidding. When he stopped he lay there on his back moving his legs and twisting his body from left to right in intense pain. Traynor managed to lift his head and faintly see the figure that had shot him but his thoughts concentrated on the pain. He never felt a blast so powerful in his life nor had his armor failed him before. He struggled to take the armor off but it was no use. The armor began to fuse with his clothes, with his skin. The pain was unbearable, he was numb, and he continued to struggle with the armor that had saved his life so many times before. He heard two voices as he fought to stay conscious but someone would make that decision for him. The next thing Traynor felt was a sharp blow to his head. Then everything went black.

He opened his eyes briefly and saw nothing but the night sky. He quickly rolled up his eyes behind his head and closed them in the state between consciousness and unconsciousness once again hearing voices. “You have him?” “Yes,” she replied. “Is he bleeding?” “I can’t tell! I can’t get the armor off. Frell it’s still hot!!” “All right we’ll take care of it inside. Help me move him quickly.” Traynor blacked out again.

Chapter 3 | Chapter 5