Curiosity is a dangerous thing

[Stoat]

September 6th, 819AS

Solarius station stood against the backdrop of one of the more hostile areas of space in Sirius. Sheltered from random radiation storms by the Planet Solarius, the station was the sole safe harbour in the area. As such it attracted some of the more unsavoury elements to it. The black market thrived here, and most of the station officials turned blind eyes to the problem. It was easier that way, and far more profitable.

Anja stood by her Phantom in the main docking bay. Every time she came here she was taken aback at the state of the place. Engines, hull panels, wiring, instruments, everything was strewn about the area, finished off with a thin coat of oil, or grease, or something which glistened under the glow of the lighting. She could just about make out a path through the chaos, heading towards the main promenade. Carefully stepping over a mass of electrical cabling that seemed to be covered in something organic, she headed in that direction.

As she approached the entranceway to the main promenade she caught sight of a small group towards the far end of the docking bay. They were being unceremoniously forced through a set of doors. Slaves. She knew that straight away, and where there were slaves, there were slavers with information.The Omega slavers kept a close eye on the police, a scrutiny returned in full, and if Maynard had made his way through Solarius, they would know of it. She changed directions, heading for the doors herself as they closed. If the slavers offered her no information, there were always the Bounty Hunters that used Solarius as a base of operations. She shuddered slightly at the thought. They were, in many ways, worse than the slavers.

The doors she approached were heavily dented with numerous patches of rust. Obviously designed to look unused, the hinges, well greased and rust free, gave away their usage. Reaching forth she gently pulled one door open and slid through the gap. The metallic cylinder that pressed into the base of her skull stopped her.

'€œAn'€™ '€˜ere ah wuz a'€™thankin'€™ we'€™d dun awready cum te an agreement '€˜bout this '€˜ere kinda thang, me darlin','€ drawled a voice in her ear. A single bead of sweat trickled down her forehead. She slowly raised her hands, fully aware that any unexpected movement could easily end her life.

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