Warning: I am marking this series as 17+, because I do plan sexual explicit scenes. I don't mean like in my other novels either. This should be considered a romantic sci-fi action/adventure. There will be blood, sex, and gore. That's what I plan anyway.

       The hot water slowly ran over her body washing away the sweat and blood that she had accumulated on her last mission. Her long silvery white hair, a product of genetic selection, ran down her solid form. Though it wasn’t uncommon for a person to be created instead of born, after she left training camp, she had never again met another like her. The hair coloring was a government issued genetic defect, so that those like her could be easily identified.
      Those like her, that didn’t mean those who were born through science, no it meant what she was produced to do. Bounty Collections had children created each year to fill the slowly emptying slots of their organization. However, not many of the children are worthy of being released into the general population and are destroyed before their first breath.
      She had been one of the lucky six percent that were deemed worthy enough to live, and she had lived up to their expectations. No mother, no father, no family, all she had her entire young life was training. Some children were created for those who were unable to have children and some to serve as slaves. Where the DNA came from to create her was anyone’s guess. Bounty Collections had been said to have collected the DNA from their best hunters.
      Not that she wondered too often about where she had come from, she knew that those answers would never be found. She hardly ever gave the matter thought, that was until that day when she had collected him. His hair the same silvery white as her own, his eyes the palest of blues. His only crime was refusing to do as he was born to do, all he wanted was a family and a normal job. Yet, this made him a traitor, though any of her other co-workers could gladly make that decision.
      Watching the last of her black hair dye run down her body, and into the drain, she released all thoughts of the now dead man. It was her own little ritual. She often dyed her hair to get close to a target, the silvery white hair was a dead give away to what she was. Yet, washing away the dye allowed her to wash away all the frustrations and questions about the job.
      With a loud sigh, she slowly turned the shower knobs and the water stopped. Opening the hidden panel cabinet, she wrapped her hair up in a white towel before drying off her body. The worst part of her day was yet to come.
      She lived on a Collections ship with eight others, all but two of them were men. Their commander wasn’t well known for giving anyone vacation breaks, and she was the only one that wasn’t off limits. One of the women was the commander’s wife, though she was an attractive woman, no one dared make a move on her. The second was a large woman whose hunter name was Feral, she wasn’t even human. Though despite the grayer skin they had many similar features to humans, except the Gultusians were huge. Feral stood taller then any man on the ship, and she had often told her that she was considered small for a woman.
      Several months earlier, Feral had demanded that the men aboard leave her alone. And she lived quite happily with the large woman as her bodyguard, except Feral wasn’t here now. She had returned to her home planet to find a mate, and if that did happen she would not be returning. Though she had assured her the odds were low, as Feral’s shorter then average height made her undesirable.
      The entire ship only had one showering room, except for the commander’s quarters. There were three spouts, and normally she would have to shower with Feral, as the commander’s wife used his own. It had been a while since she had showered alone, and it was a relaxing experience. Feral was always very intense, and enjoyed sharing tales of blood shed and murder.
      The hidden cabinet could only hold three towels, and normally the two women would share the towels. They would have to make a run for their quarters before being caught by the others, who seemed to enjoy harassing her. She didn’t take anything they did too personally, after all she had lived that way most of her life. Not only did she survive being one of the few female scientifically created humans, but she was in a line of work where ninety three percent were men. She had gotten use to unwanted advances, especially during training when the boys hit puberty.
      Though she had to admit it happened a lot more aboard this ship, then her previous assignment. Sticking her head out into the narrow hallway, she looked both way to ensure that it was clear. There was no one coming or going down the metallic hall, and she could of heard their footsteps if they coming from around the corner. She had been fooled before, however, and knew the odds of someone lurking behind that very corner were high. She had to take a chance, and with one leg outside the hall as if using it for a moment as bait, she made a run for her quarters.
      “Hey, Lyn!” Beau shouted as he stepped out from behind the corner, Mac was right behind him.
      No one used their real names aboard the collection ships, so once they hit retirement they could live a life in peace. Even she had been given a real name, but her hunter name had been given to her by her first commander. Most names informed others of what kind of hunter the person was, except for Mac who had a less then creative commander. Munitions and Armory Chief or Mac for short, as he was the one who cared for their weapons and armor.
      Lynx frowned at the two men, both the exact same height. Mac had a lighter shade of brunette hair then Beau. He was also twenty eight, where Beau was two years older then him, though one would never have guessed. They both had slim, but muscular frames and an unquenchable thirst for annoying her. Beau was a lady’s man, and Mac was always there to grab the girls that he didn’t want. However, Beau had never tried to win her over, she found out later that he didn’t like messing with co-workers. It had something to do with not being able to get away from them quickly enough. That didn’t stop him from joining in on her harassment or hiding behind corners so he could catch her in a towel.
      With a sigh, she grabbed the top of her towel and where it opened at the bottom. “I am really in no mood.”
      The two men grinned in unison.
      “I swear, if you lay a hand on my towel, I will go tell Falcon!” She snapped.
      Their smiled faded, they had both already been warned by the commander to leave her alone. Lynx had never informed him of their behavior before, though Feral had grown sick of it, as well as Goose, the commander’s wife.
      “She just threatened to tattle on us.” Mac turned to Beau, the grin returning to his face.
      “Well, we better make it a good one if we are stuck doing latrine duty all month.” Beau said with humor in his voice.
      Lynx glared at Mac, she had thought since she was only a year younger then him that perhaps they could of gotten along. She had never been on a ship before with people so close to her age, and yet the men had not made it easy for her. Tattling on them only caused hostilities and she preferred to take care of problems herself.
      With a quick jolt, she broke through them and headed down the hall to her quarters. Once inside they wouldn’t be able to enter, as it was forbidden to enter each other quarters without permission. The two men wouldn’t dare because it would cost them not only their jobs, but all the money they had saved up in their retirement funds.
      As usual, they had decided not to chase her, and she walked the rest of the way to her quarters. It normally happened that way, only teasing about them yanking on her towel and never any action. Except when Lynx let down her guard, and started to believe that they wouldn’t really do anything. Then her bare butt would be displayed to all that was within range.
      Her room was nothing more then a metallic dresser and bed, the main room had their entertainment consoles and the mess hell served the food. Everyone took turns cooking, except for the commander and his wife. That left seven of them to make meals everyday, minus the times that they were out on jobs. Normally, Goose would fill in for the person, and considering she was the only one who could cook it was highly looked forward too.
      As soon as her black bodysuit was on, a buzz came at her door. Pressing the red button beside her door, Goose smiled at her. She was ten years her elder, and married to Falcon who was nineteen years older then her. An arrangement that apparently his son was very much against, though Lynx had never met him.
      Goose was such a petite woman, which made Lynx wonder how she had never been a bounty hunter. Her hair a rosy blonde, she couldn’t of weighed more then a hundred pounds. Lynx wasn’t a large woman only standing five foot eight, but Goose barely reached her shoulders in height.
      Letting her in, Lynx turned to the mirror above her dress and began to French braid her hair. Goose took over after a few moments, braiding the hair down to the middle of her back.
      “Boys still bothering you?” Her soft voice asked.
      Lynx sucked her inner cheek. “Do they do anything else?”
      She watched her grin in the mirror, “You need to attach yourself to one of them, and then they will leave you alone. They respect another man’s woman…”
      “Oh, and which one should I attach myself too? Beau, the sex addict? Or perhaps Mac the pervert… no, wait, I know Jackal the asshole.” Lynx frowned.
      Goose giggled, “You forgot Serf and Socket.”
      Lynx glared at her through the mirror. Serf was basically the apprentice whose only purpose was the do their bidding and occasionally go on collections with them, and to top it off he was only a nineteen year old boy. Socket on the other hand could have been her father, and wasn’t a hunter at all. He was the ship’s mechanic, repairman, and sporadically the ship’s doctor. Lynx had him stitch her up before, and it was the worst experience she had ever suffered.
      “Ok, none of them are do-able, I get it.”
      “In more ways then one.”
      She chuckled, “Dirty little mind, Lyn. You know, I dated Jackal before Falcon came, he’s not that bad of a guy.”
      She sighed audibly, “I know, you’ve told me before. As I recall, however, it wasn’t me that started this feud between us.”
      “He’s getting up there in years. Only has four more years before he hits the big four zero. That means he either has to have enough merits to have his own ship or he goes into retirement.”
      “And what does that have to do with me?”
      Goose sat down on the bed, and Lynx turned to face her. “He use to be top dog around here, and two years ago you blew in and he hasn’t been the highest producer since. Every year he petitions for his own ship, and every year they tell him he doesn’t have enough merits. Not only that, but you aren’t even thirty yet and they offered you your own ship.”
      “Did he hear about that?” Lynx took a seat beside her.
      Goose nodded, “Yeah, remember that month that he wouldn’t even look at you, let alone talk.”
      She smiled, “That was a good month. Besides I turned it down, no one would respect a commander my age nor do I feel ready.” Standing up, she found her boots and fingerless gloves, and pulled them on. She sighed again as she stared at the door, “I can’t wait for Feral to come back, and then…”
      “Ah, yeah about that. I wanted to give you a heads up before dinner.”
      Lynx laid her head against the cool metal door, “She isn’t coming back, is she?”
      “Afraid not, but hey, Falcon is trying to get that friend of yours out here as we speak.”
      She smiled, she spoke of Spry. The only other girl that she knew in training camp, and her best friend. Spry had never been a top notch hunter, but neither were Mac and Beau for that matter. At least the two of them together, could teach them a lesson they would never forget. “Well, that makes things a little better I guess.”
      Taking her head off the door, she open it. “You’re cooking today, aren’t ya?” She asked Goose, who stood from her bed.
      “It’s all cooked. Just spaghetti and meatballs, but…”
      “Better then Jackal’s beans and unidentifiable meat or Beau‘s ’It’s salad, no really, it is.’.” Lynx said as she followed her out into the hallway.
      Goose laughed, “I’m glad that I don’t have to eat with you guys.”

      The mess hall barely fit the small crew, as there was only one table with attached stools. A small buffet like table stood on the other side of the room, with a bowl of sauce, a pan of meatballs, and a large bowl of noodles. Serf jumped from his seat when Lynx entered and grabbed her a tray.
      She thanked the pale red head with freckles, before his thin legs scurried back to the table. Making her way over to the buffet table, Socket was preparing his own tray. He never ate in there with them, and many times she had hidden herself in her bedroom. Socket was tall with short gray hair. He wore a bushy mustache that covered his lips, that never seemed to move when he spoke. He was always dressed in his orange jumpsuit, and normally it was covered in some kind of grease, or unidentifiable stains.
      “I wouldn’t use that tray.” His husky voice said. “They were sticking it down their pants.”
      Lynx frowned and glared down at the tray as if it had been the one to betray her. Knowing there was no spares she walked over to the table. Her hand reached out grabbing Serf’s ear and pulling him up, she shoved the tray into his hands. With his pride wounded, he watched her sit down in his stool and begin to eat the food he was just enjoying. The guys moaned in disappointed before laughing at Serf‘s misfortune. The only one who didn’t find the situation humorous was Jackal.
      He was tall with a broad form and black hair that he kept long enough to brush over, but out of his eyes. At the age of thirty six, he was without any gray hair, though his face looked worn and weathered from the unkind years. He rarely involved himself with the other’s games, but he did seem to enjoy watching Serf being forced to eat off the tray. The only show of his pleasure was the grin that played at the corner of his mouth, as he watched him fill up his tray.
      As soon as Serf took his seat, Falcon entered into the mess hall. He watched Lynx for a moment, probably surprised to see her sitting next to Jackal. Before talking, he cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. Those with their backs to him turned on the stools, giving Lynx the chance to spit in her hand and squeeze it into Mac and Beau’s food. Jackal said nothing to inform them, though he was well aware of what she had done.
      Falcon as well saw her display of less then ladylike behavior, but decided that the two men had earned it. He didn’t want to know how or why, as it never ended well when he did. When she was finished, she looked up at the man whose hair had long ago lost it’s color. Though for a man nearing his sixtieth year, he didn’t look much older then Jackal. Perhaps that was why Goose had no qualms about marrying him.
      “I have an announcement to make. Feral will not be reporting back for duty…” Before he finished, everyone but Lynx broke out in cheer. Falcon ignored them, “We will be picking up a new crew member tomorrow, and I expect everyone to be here to meet him.”
      “Him?” Lynx asked, she hadn’t meant to ask allowed.
      He frowned, “I am afraid so, Lyn. I asked about your friend, but she just didn’t have the merits to be on a grade A ship. Our new crewmate is Angel, many of you may have heard about him. He has done a lot of political collections and assassinations, as well…”
      “Isn’t he your son?” Jackal asked, his deep voice booming over Falcon’s.
      He gave a nod, “Yes, he is.” Waving his hands, he stopped everyone from moaning. “This was not my choice, gentlemen… and lady. And I will ensure that he is given no special treatment.”
      “My ass!” Beau yelled out, and everyone followed his lead.
      “Ok, that’s enough!” Falcon barked, “If I had it my way, Lynx’s friend would be on her way here, but it didn’t happen that way. He put himself on the list to be transferred here, and he is now on the top of that list. So, I suggest you deal with it. You will treat him like another member of the crew, and as promised he won’t be given any special treatment.”
      With that Falcon exited the mess hall, leaving everyone to complain among themselves. Lynx smiled as the watched Beau and Mac eat their food, and quickly consumed her own.
      Lynx immediately jumped to her feet, before anyone could make a joke about her swift eating habits, and put the tray away. Knowing their would be retaliation for what she had done, she made way to her personal fighter ship and slipped out for a freelance bounty.
      Jackal chuckled once both men were done, “She spit in your food, you know.”
      Mac gagged, while Beau glared at him. “You could of told us sooner.” He barked, patting Mac on the back.
      “Was it a hawker, don’t tell me it was a hawker?” Mac asked with panic in his voice, as he coughed into his own hand.
      “You two deserved it. Acting like pubescent teenagers.” With that he stood up to clean his tray.
      “What you on her side now? I recall you rather enjoying the shower surprise stunt we pulled last year.” Beau asked as he walked up beside him.
      Jackal nodded, “I did, but I owe her now.”
      “Owe her for what?”
      He said no more, as he left the mess hall.

      Jackal made his way down the hallway, he wanted to speak with Lynx about events that had occurred on their last mission. To give them each a fair chance, those that qualified would get the same mission. It kept the spirit of competitiveness alive, which was why many of them had gotten into the bounty business. She and him were considered equals, even if he had been her longer and she had collected more bounties every month then he did.
      He gritted his teeth a little annoyed by the thought of how she constantly won over him, no matter how hard he tried. When she had first arrived, he had been rather attracted to her. Replacing a dead comrade, the only thing that made them feel better was that a woman would be taking his place. Everyone had suspected her to be unattractive as more female hunters were. Standing in formation, her state of the art fighter ship pulled into dock, and out she came.
      He has never been one to like muscles on a woman, but if ever someone could make them feminine then she could. It wasn’t as if she was a body builder, but instead well toned. Her stomach could hardly be called a six pack, but there was the makes of one. Though strangely, he found her small hands to be what he focused on the most. Slender fingers and thin build, they seemed alien on a hunter of her status.
      The awe he held for her disappeared the moment that she took over as top producer. Every month how much each hunter makes is calculated and the person that comes out on top, gets a bonus. Sometimes it is cash and other times it is time off. Lynx had only had two weeks when she arrived, and she beat him against his four. No matter how hard he tried, she always came out on top.
      It was time, however, to set aside his annoyance with her over achievements. Not because he was tired of hating her, but because she had saved his life. He had the target within his sights, but he made the mistake of underestimating him. The man was another hunter, and knew all the tricks that he had up his sleeve. Jackal remembered laying on the ground, looking into the wrong end of a gun. It was the first time that he had ever found himself in that situation, and knew that his mistake would cost his life.
      That was until Lynx appeared and delivered a series of kicks to their target, that rendered him unconscious. Even though he could of claimed it was his catch, he knew better, and had allowed Lynx to take him in. She had shocked him when she started to load the bounty up in his ship. He wouldn’t take her pity money, even if he was the one who pulled him out of hiding. Besides, he owed her too much already for saving his sorry ass.
      Stepping into the docking bay, he knew that she would be preparing for her escape. After playing a prank on them, she normally tried to escape so the repercussions were less severe. Little did she know, that it only gave them more time to think of something better.
      He had been right, Lynx was checking for a nearby bounty that she could do quickly. Bounty Collections had spies and scouts everywhere, who would report back on the locations of almost any bounty. It was impossible to hide once money was placed on their heads. This made it easier for the hunters, who only had to swoop in and grab the bounty.
      Money was tight even if they made a killing, no one got rich until after retirement. The money was split among the organization and the ship. Thirty percent to Bounty Collections, twenty to the ship to pay Falcon, Socket, and Goose’s wages, and ship repair. Then another ten percent went to food, and the remainder went into a retirement fund. Except at the end of the month, everyone was given an allowance. They all received the same amount, which any good hunter would spend on their fighter craft and weapons.
      The dock had eight small fighter ships ports, but with Feral gone there was only seven ships. Each ship was equipped with a freeze cage, which stored their bounties until pick up. At the front of the dock was a storage center for the cases, and spare cases.
      Lynx downloaded the information into her data pad, not even noticing that Jackal had entered into her presence. She was mumbling something to herself about all the good bounties were for Falcon to pass out.
      “Lyn.” Jackal said, trying to gain her attention.
      Her eyes shot up from the terminal, but she did not lift her head.
      “I wanted to talk to you about what happened.” He watched her stand up straight and cross her arms, preparing herself for an argument. “If it had been the other way around, I would of let him kill you.”
      “I know, be thankful that I am not like you.”
      He slowly nodded his head while chewing on his lip, “I just don’t believe in second chances. If you fuck up, then you die. That’s the way it is.”
      “You don’t look dead to me.”
      He tried not to grin, “Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I owe you one. So, if you…”
      Her hand shot up, cutting off his words. “I didn’t do it to be your friend, Jack. I didn’t do it so that you would have to pay me back. I was going to let him kill you, but my conscious was already eating at me. Goose tells me all the time that you aren’t as big of an ass as you make yourself out to be. And if there is just a hint of truth to that, then I would of felt guilty.” She shoved her data pad into her back pocket. “I did it, so that I would have to think about you the rest of my life. So, let’s just drop it.”
      “I still owe you one, selfish reasoning or not.”
      Lynx rolled her eyes and headed to her ship.
      Jackal watched as her ship exited it’s port through a force field, and then disappeared past the distant stars. He sighed deeply, replaying her words over in his mind. She may of not of felt there was a debt owed, but he’d be damned if he didn’t pay her back… somehow.

      Yersus wasn’t a large planet, which made the three jobs she had picked out all the easier. Each hunter ship was given a district that they were able to collect bounties in. Some districts were more valuable then others, because of how many habitable planets were in each. Falcon’s ship was in district three, which held well over a hundred planets that living organisms inhabited.
      Landing her ship outside the large city, she checked her data pad. All three of her targets were last seen in the city of Urga, and if she couldn’t locate them then at least she would find clues. She had chosen two information objectives and one human collection. Rules were that if you collect a living being dead or alive, then you had to bring it back immediately. So, Lynx left her human target for last and headed towards the city.
      Seventy percent of Yersus’ population lived within Urga, as it had the only source of fresh water on the entire planet. It was a salt water swamp, except where the main city lay. The other thirty percent of the planet was a reptilian species known as Hurgans, and for the most part they kept their distance from Urga.
      Lynx knew that her targets had to be somewhere within the city, but finding them within the population would be difficult. It was the old needle in a haystack cliché, as one knows the needle is in there, but it will take a lot of digging. Checking her data pad again, she looked at the face of a man who last had the disk, and then at the uniform that another company’s workers wore.
      She needed to retrieve the disk from one man and extract information from another. Approaching the city, she put on her dark sunglasses to cover her bright blue eyes, before wrapping her hair up in a hair-wrap as well as used it to cover her eyebrows. She had been in such a hurry that she had forgotten to dye it. Most people were afraid of genetically enhanced beings, and even if she weren’t on the hunt, she would still try to hide her tell tale features.
      Entering through the opened gates, she had to submit to a search. Urga was well known for it’s black market and gambling. The Coalition demanded that the city get it’s problems under control or else lose it’s protection from their military. Yersus was not considered part of any government, and therefore needed the protection in order to stop any other government from claiming it.
      The officer who searched her wasn’t concerned with the single military issue blaster that she carried. It wasn’t illegal to carry one weapon into the city, and so he waved her through before turning his attentions on the next in line.
      Though most information was uploaded to Collection’s server, Lynx knew it was best to always go to the source. The scout who was assigned to Urga, often spent his time at a local pub. It was their responsibility to inform any hunter with additional information if they approached them. Collections had made a rule that no monetary tips or bribes could be given to the scout, which was why this one spent his time in the pub. The hunters could purchase him drinks as payment.
      Entering into the small pub, the smell of cooking flesh entered into her nostrils. At the back of the pub was the bar and a rotisserie turning the large dead body of an Arfrick. They were large creatures that were similar to that of Earth’s alligators, only Lynx had heard that alligators were more predictable and less dangerous. The Arfick’s teeth had been pulled, and probably sold to make jewelry, it’s hide removed, and the rest of it was left to roast. It smelt terrible, and reminded her of the time one of her targets fell into a fire.
      The rest of the pub was mostly tables and chairs with patrons to fill them. Some ate while others drank, and strangely enough no music played. Lynx looked over the room to locate the scout, she didn’t know who he was, but they were never that hard to spot. They were always the guys who seemed interested in everything anyone was doing. It was due to the new technology of mechanical eyes, which sent information to a control pack in their pockets. They would use it to do facial scans of anyone they came into contact with, and would get the person’s name as well as other public information, like whether or not they had a price on their head.
      The scout would then upload any found bounties into the Collection’s database with any additional information that they had. This made it easier on the hunters who merely had to approach and collect, instead of wasting all their time tracking them down.
      Lynx watched a thin man sitting at the bar, who closely monitored anyone who came within eyesight. She grinned to herself and made her way through the crowded pub to take a seat beside him. If he was the scout, he would address her in a matter of moments.
      The dark haired man kept his elbows on the bar behind him, as she sat down and ordered herself a drink of whatever he was having. When it arrived she pushed it in front of him.
      “Hey there, Lyn.” He said.
      She wasn’t surprised that he knew her name or her nickname for that matter. “Doing the Orgolin stolen data, the Brugo Company, and Arin Retu bounties. Think you can point me in the right direction?”
      He grinned, “Of course.” With his index finger he pointed to the man in the corner, who was throwing a disk up and down. “Your lucky day.”
      Lynx smiled back at him, “And the other two?”
      “Brugo workers normally gather at the Red Lava club on the north side. Only waste your time with the ones that have the cross on their uniform. It means they work in the medical lab, and will know what you want. I would recommend keeping out of earshot from any of the other workers. As for Arin, he likes to gamble, especially on the swamp races. I hear there are a few going on today, but I don’t know where or when. Only certain people get invited to them… certain rich people.” He sucked down his drink, and Lynx immediately bought him another.
      “Know any certain rich people that I might convince to let me tag along?”
      The scout looked her over, “Unzip your suit a bit, and head over to Urga’s entertainment quarter. Find a high class looking club or restaurant, and flaunt your stuff. If you can, I would try to find Puter Williams. He’ll have white hair with purple strips, he can’t pass up a nice pair of tits.”
      Lynx nodded her head and purchased him another drink. “Thanks, see ya.”
      “Let’s hope not.”
      Standing up, Lynx slowly strutted over to the corner, and watched the tall, muscular man throwing the disk up and down. The red and yellow markings on it’s container told her that belonged to Orgolin. When she was sure that she had figured out his pattern, she walked by and snatched the disk from the air. Without a word spoken, she headed towards the door.
      “Hey, bitch!” The man screamed, causing the entire pub to look at him.
      Turning around, Lynx lowered her sunglasses to look into his eyes. Seeing the pale irises, he took a step back, and threw his hands above him.
      “Never mind.” He mumbled before taking a seat at his table.

      Falcon stood in front of the rest of the crew, his eyes deadlocked on the empty dock where Lynx’s ship should have been. Everyone knew better then to speak a word to him, while he stewed about her disregard of his orders. Goose stood in line with the others, knowing that there would be nothing she could say to calm him.
      “She went to Yersus.” Mac said after looking it up on the central computer. “One us could fly down there and get her, if you give us a pass.”
      Falcon slowly shook his head, “Get into formation, Angel will be here in the next few minutes.” He had already talked to his son when he was fifteen minutes away, giving him authorization to dock.
      This was not the time for Lynx to disobey him, as he was already livid that his son had requested transfer to his ship. He had also discovered that after informing the crew of their new co-worker that Lynx had put in a request for transfer of her own. Later he would speak to the men about what would happen if a quarter of their profits suddenly disappeared. Angel was good for high priority and dangerous cases, but he was not a huge money maker.
      The loud sound of a ship’s engine echoed throughout the large docking bay. Falcon had to admit that the small fighter ship was impressive, and he had not expected Angel’s ship to be so well maintained.
      Stepping out of his ship, Angel removed his helmet, letting his blonde locks fall into his face. With one hand he brushed the hair back, and headed towards the waiting crew. He saluted Falcon immediately, which pleased his father as he had expected his son to hug him. He refused to let him be anything more then a crewmate, someone under his command, and nothing more.
      Angel had gotten his name because he was an attractive young man, and even now at thirty four he looked ten years younger. They had originally wanted to call him Pretty Boy, but he had convinced his commander otherwise. His frame was tall, but thin, though Falcon knew that his son could build up the muscle if he wanted to. Of course, with mandatory tri-weekly training sessions in the gym, Angel would soon bulk up.
      “Everyone this is Angel.” Falcon began, before pointing at each crew member and naming them.
      Angel shook hands with everyone, except Jackal who had just glared at his hand.
      Falcon ignored Jackal’s rude behavior, as he had a more pressing concern. “There is, of course, Lynx…”
      “Yes, I have heard of her. I was hoping to meet her.”
      He didn’t like being interrupted, especially in front of his crew. “Yes, well, important business pulled her elsewhere. She should be back around dinner time. So, why don’t you get your ship’s codes into your new dock, and set up your account to this ship. Mac will help you and show you around.” With that Falcon exited the dock with Jackal and Goose close behind him.
      Angel frowned when he noticed the glares that the other men were giving him. “Did I say something wrong?”
      Serf shook his head, “No, we don’t like it when daddy’s boys get their way.”
      Beau turned his head to look at the red head, “Don’t you have something to do, like cleaning the latrines.”
      He shrugged his shoulders, before racing out of the dock.
      “Look, I just asked to be transferred to a Grade A ship. This one was the first in three years that has had an open spot, so yeah I took it. Just treat me like any other member of the crew.” Angel looked between Mac and Beau.
      “Yeah, right.” Beau snapped.
      “Hey, I know every new crew member gets some kind of hazing, feel free to do so to me.” He walked over to the control panel and began setting up his account to the new ship. “We’ll see about that.” Mac told him as he stepped up beside the panel to help.
      “So, what is this anyway?” Angel asked.
      “What is what?” Beau responded, standing beside Mac.
      “The ship seems like a sausage fest to me. My last ship had three women…” He chuckled, “Three willing women.”
      Beau and Mac laughed, and Mac answered, “You won’t find that here. Goose is with Falcon, and Lynx… well, it’s best that you learn for yourself.”
      “Ugly?” Angel cocked his head to look at him.
      “Uh, no.” Beau answered. “She’s a replica.”
      Replica was a crude term for scientifically birthed being, as most were frowned down upon.
      Angel rose an eyebrow, “Really? I read up on her, never saw that mentioned that.”
      Mac nodded, “Well, you know how they are. Cold and empty. You can duplicate the human body, but you can’t force them to feel.”
      “You sound bitter? She must turn you down a lot.” Angel joked, and it caused Beau to laugh.
      “Everyday since she got here.” Beau answered, “Think we might just get along yet.”
      “I hope so, I don’t want to go back to a Grade B. So, tell me what Falcon expects from us so that I don’t step on any toes.”
      Both Beau and Mac were happy to hear him call the commander Falcon instead of father or dad. And they began in on how strict he was, and the normal routine for their time spent aboard the hunter ship.

      Lynx stood beside the young man no older then twenty, his hair white and striped purple, just like the scout had said. She allowed him to keep his arm wrapped around her waist, and even put up with his head occasionally being laid on her chest.
      Her meeting with the Brugo Company employee had gone well, and she had collected her information. She had continually bought the man drinks until he was drunk enough to talk. He told her about how they were using unborn infants in tests to see how certain types of radiations effected them. It was illegal to do so, and the weapons company would be investigated once she got the confession uploaded.
      Right now, however, it was Arin Retu’s turn. Puter had taken her to two races thus far, and she hadn’t spotted Arin at either. This was the last one of the day, and she hoped that Arin’s desire for gambling would outweigh his need to remain hidden. Once inside, she managed to escape Puter’s posse by announcing she was getting everyone drinks.
      Near the food stands her eyes fell on the familiar face that her data pad had shown her. Arin stood near the finish line, watching several of the display screens that were showing the race. Lynx grinned and headed over to stand next to him. He couldn’t of been much older then she was, but he had already made quite a name for himself on the black market. Though at her age, she was already a well known hunter among those that followed such things.
      Positioning herself in front of Arin, she leaned over against the railing, ensuring that her backside was facing him. Slowly, she swung it back and forth as she watched the display screen. Almost immediately someone came to stand beside her, and she turned her head and smiled at her target. He returned the gesture, before looking back at the display screen with his hands on the railing.
      One of the display screens went blank indicating a crash had occurred, and Lynx gritted her teeth and stood up. “Damn it.”
      Arin took his eyes off the display to look at her, “That who you betted on?”
      “Yeah, I am never good at picking winners.” She chuckled after she spoke, “You would think I would learn.”
      He ran his thick fingers through his light brown hair. “Well, the thing is, you have to do your research. You can’t just bet on the guy with the best name or nicest swamp racer. You have to know about the driver and know his past races, then you can pick a likely winner.”
      Lynx nodded, “Makes sense, but also sounds like a lot of work.”
      He grinned, “Well if you are serious about it as I am, then it’s worth the time spent.”
      “I think I just come to test my luck, not really expecting to win anything.” She turned back to leaning against the railing. “Who did you bet on?”
      “Number seventeen, Horen Spore…” He laughed, “stage name I think. Even still he has a good record, and you can be sure that he will at least come in third.” Arin looked behind him at his two oversize body guards, one motioned for him to come over. “Excuse me.”
      Lynx nodded, allowing him a quick exit. She didn’t want to seem over eager to be with him. After a couple moment of speaking with his guards, he walked back over to her. “Well, it was nice speaking with you, ah… I never got your name.”
      She smiled, “Lyn.” Holding out her hand, he shook it.
      “Arin. It was nice meeting you, but I have business to take care of elsewhere.”
      “Thank you for the advice, Arin.”
      Arin began to walk away from her, and as Lynx was about to damn herself, he returned to her side. “You wouldn’t be interested in having dinner with me tonight, would you?”
      Lynx smiled widely and tried to blush, “Sure.”
      “Great.” He pulled out a clear card and offered it to her. “Come to my apartment around six… wear something nice.”
      “I’ll be there.” She took the card from him, and thought to herself that she needed to find a dress and some hair dye.
      Giving Arin ample amount of time to exit the area, she made her way back to the scout and asked him for a good place to purchase her items. Pointing her in the right directions, Lynx found herself in a public restroom dying her hair in the sink. It wasn’t the military issue dye that would only come out with certain shampoo, instead it easily washed away with some water. As the dark brown dye worked into her hair, she stumbled around trying to put in her brown contacts. She had bought herself a black dress and high heels. The dress had several slits on the side, revealing her legs and hips as well as a low cut top. A touch of make-up, and she was on her way to Arin’s home.
      His apartment turned out to be an entire two floors in a large sky scraper apartment complex. She knew she was walking into the belly of the beast, as several of the men looked familiar. They were bounties that she had chosen not to collect on, and instead to go for the large one. It might have been easier to have Mac make a bomb, and to blow up the entire building, then to try to get one man out.
      Arin was worth more alive then dead, and she knew she needed to come up with a plan to get him to come out. She couldn’t very well drag his body through the building and to her ship. At his apartment, she was greeted by his two bodyguards that she had seen earlier that day at the track. One lead her to the dinning hall while the other went to fetch Arin.
      The apartment was decorated with all sorts of fine arts and even the furniture looked to be specially made. The table was made from glass and there was a clear window view of the entire city. She was surprised to find that the large table didn’t have any dishes or candles on it. Normally that would mean that they were eating at that table, so she had to question why they had asked her to wait here.
      Arin appeared, a large grin on his face when he saw her outfit. “I expected you to be blonde for some reason.”
      “Is that a stupid joke?” She teased.
      Shaking his head, he took her hand in his own. “Not in the least, and do not assume that I am disappointed either.” Leading her out onto the balcony, she looked upon a small circular glass table that was set up for their evening.
      Lynx sat down when he pulled out her chair, before lighting the candles. A young woman brought their food out on a serving cart, and left as quickly as she arrived.
      “Tell me, Lyn, what is it that you do?”
      These were common questions, and she always rehearsed her story and answers before hand. “I don’t do much.” She chuckled, “My father is an Arfrick hunter.”
      “Ah, a dangerous, but profitable business.” He grinned, “It’s nice to meet a girl with her own money.”
      “Is that to say that you have money of your own? And what is it that you do?”
      Arin leaned in close to her and took her hand, “I think that is best left a mystery, least you have to die for knowledge imparted upon you.”
      “Is that a nice way of saying, ‘If I told you, then I would have to kill you?’, Arin?”
      He laughed, “Yes, it is.”
      “I see, then I will have to assume that you work for a crime organization? Or maybe the illegal gambling ring, which is probably why you know so much about it.”
      “You are a smart girl, Lyn. But I wonder, does my tie to crime frighten you?”
      She took a bite of her steak, “You forget where we met.”
      Arin cracked a grin before leaning back in his chair, and pouring her another glass of wine. He hadn’t seen her drink the first one that their server had poured. “I have never seen you at the races before, and I visit them quite frequently.”
      “I’ve seen you.” She gave a sly smile, and took a sip of wine.
      “Have you now?”
      “Several times, actually. I decided that maybe fate was nudging me, so I put out the bait to see if you would bite.”
      Arin folded his hands in his lap, “And I did, hard.”
      “Funny, I don’t remember feeling teeth marks on my behind.”
      He cocked a sly eyebrow, “That will be remedied tonight.”

      Angel sat at the table in the mess hall as Goose brought out the last meal that she would be serving that day. Since that morning, she had been over run with communications issues, all she had been able to do was pour them all some cereal. So, for dinner she made them pancakes and eggs. The guys loved dinner time when Goose cooked, because she insisted on serving everyone. Even Falcon had come to have dinner with them in the mess hall, probably so that his wife wouldn’t have to cook two dinners. Though Angel thought it was unusual, yet the rest of the crew seemed to act as if it were the norm.
      He hated Goose, not because she had married his father, but because she was only three years older then him. Hell, she could easily be his wife, though she wasn’t exactly his type. He preferred the bounty hunter females that he worked with, tall, muscular, and able to kick ass at a moments notice. There was something provocative about a woman that could snap your neck during love making. Goose was a small woman, and looked like she could easily be broken, not to mention that her personality matched.
      Watching carefully, as Goose filled the trays and offered it to each person on the crew. After a moment, he became annoyed, saying to himself that since he was new that she should of served him first.
      “Now, Angel.” Goose finally said, “The boys made you something else.” She headed into the kitchen.
      “Yeah, our way of saying that we are sorry for judging you so quickly. It’s a special recipe, very hard to make and come by the ingredients.” Mac told him, who was sitting in the stool beside him.
      “Alright.” Angel watched as Goose brought out a bowl with steam pouring off the top.
      “Damn, I wish Lynx was here.” Beau whispered into Mac’s ear, “She always comes up with better stories, when we pull this shit.”
      Looking into his bowl, he looked at the swirl of clear and white liquid. “Uh, what is it?”
      “Spuriam soup.” Serf said, sitting across from him, “They gave it to me, when I first arrived.”
      Angel stirred the soup, “Any good?”
      Serf shrugged his shoulders, “Wasn’t bad, but you’ll hurt their feelings if you don’t eat it. They give it to everyone on their first day.” There was a hint of warning and caution in Serf’s voice and eyes.
      Angel knew that this was a joke, but had to eat it anyway. This was part of his initiation into the new ship, if he didn’t fall for it now, they would only come at him with crueler jokes until he fell for one. He took his first bite of the salty soup, and found that there were ham chunks inside. It tasted awful, but he pretended to enjoy it as everyone dug into their pancakes.
      They had all been waiting for him to take his first bit before they began to eat. Angel tried his best not to gag, and no one looked at him again until they were finished eating themselves.
      Falcon was the first done, “Where the hell is Lynx?”
      “Here ships tracking signal showed that she was still on Yersus last I checked.” Mac told him.
      “Want me to head down there and locate her, commander?” Jackal asked before stuffing his mouth full of pancakes.
      “If she isn’t back by the morning, then yes. Make sure you grab a bounty before you head down, I am not issuing you a pass.” Falcon barked.
      He wasn’t going to leave yet, he wanted to see the look on his son’s face when they told him what he was eating. Normally, he frowned upon this type of thing, but he always let his crew haze the new crew member on their first day. This one was especially enjoyable, because it would show him how his son would react to such situations. He could already tell that Angel knew something was up, but the boy never questioned them. He had given his crewmates the benefit of the doubt, and that was something he could respect.
      Once Angel was done, he stood up to wash his dish and everyone cracked up. He knew that it was coming, and only prayed to the heavens that what every he ate was something he could live with.
      “What’s so funny?” He asked, once his dish was washed.
      “Spuriam soup.” Mac cracked up.
      “You guys are terrible.” Goose snapped, even though she had known the entire time.
      “It kind of spells out what it is.” Beau told him, “UR for urine and AM for ham.”
      “What about the SP?” Angel was terrified to ask.
      “Uh, spice.” Mac lied.
      Angel swallowed, “Think I am going to be sick.” With those words spoken, he stormed out of the mess hall to find the latrines.
      “I hope SP doesn’t stand for what I think it does!” Falcon snapped, “That was disgusting! Urine, I can take, but…”
      “No, it’s nothing like that!” Beau said, “It stands for spew.”
      “Spew?” Falcon arched an eyebrow.
      “That’s what the boys call the fat we store from our other meals.” Socket informed him. “Don’t you worry, commander, I would of never let them use any of their own fluids but urine.”
      He nodded his head, “Very good, then.” Offering out his arm to Goose, they walked towards the door. “Someone check on him, when you are finished.”