Hello again! I know it's been awhile (far too long, honestly), but I'm still here and picking away at Defenders. Long story short, I'm in my last semester and a half(ish) of grad school and all my free time has been sucked into the black hole that is my Thesis and classwork. Second issue is my editor sort of vanished on me (which doesn't help). I'll be looking for a new one soon, but I thought it was more important to get something out (finally). So here you go and happy reading!

Allons-y!

The Maldovarium

7 months, 4 weeks after Galaxia's defeat

If it could be bought, sold or traded for, it probably exists here, The mangy Mau thought as he padded silently inside.

He flicked his remaining ear in irritation. It was loud inside with a thousand different species yelling different languages as they bartered. Most purchases were perfectly legal. Some, less so. Not that it mattered. No one policed all the way out here; it was too remote and, from what the Mau understood, the Shadow Proclamation was stretched thin.

The Mau followed the familiar route through dozens of shops and stalls, slipping past and around tentacles and booted feet and talons and wings and tails. None of the thousands of eyes spared him a second glance. Soon, the Mau made it to the bar. It was a seedy and grimy little place with a layer of grime on every surface, dim lights that created deep shadows, and the faint scent of blood and mildew seeping into everything. But the tavern was invaluable because the owner could always ensure his patron's privacy – if they were willing to pay. Even those who weren't willing to pay found it ideal for illegal transactions.

The Mau slipped inside and let his eyes flit around the bar to take in everything; the dirty glasses on the counter, the hundreds of shelves of drinks behind the bar, even the fat bartender, an alien he didn't know the species of. The bartender's four arms were a blur of motion as he mixed several drinks at once. He glanced to the Mau. "Janus," he said in a croaky voice. "The usual?"

Janus shook his head and the bartender shrugged and turned back to his paying customers.

Janus let his eyes roam over the rest of the bar. Beings from all over the galaxy were crammed inside, each with a weapon in easy reach. A thousand different languages overlapped into a toneless roar that hurt Janus' ears.

The band that stood in a corner didn't help. Their music was blaring, something the owner insisted on so his patron's conversations would be more difficult to hear by unwanted ears.

Slowly, Janus padded and slipped across the tavern to a door at the far end. He pushed it open and slipped into a private room. There, a handful of other species glanced at him.

The Zygon, looking like a large walking tentacle, laughed, a sickening gurgling sound. "Who brought the kitty-cat along?"

Janus looked up at the Zygon, memorizing his face for later. Damn shape-shifter.

Lillen leaned forward. "That's almost everyone," he said as his bulbous eyes flicked around the assembled aliens. "We're still waiting for one more, but we can start. I brought you all here because you're the best at what you do."

This brought a huff of laughter from the Judoon, a massive bipedal rhino-like being, in the corner. Lileen ignored him. "I have a problem I want you to remove. Technically six problems."

Janus leaped up on the table. "How much are you paying?" he purred.

Lileen blinked a few times as he looked at the Mau. "A million creds. Each."

The others fell completely silent at the staggering amount. The Pyrovile, a hulking mass of rock and magma in a human-esque shape leaned forward. "How much?" It asked in a deep, gravelly voice.

"One million. Each." Lileen repeated. "Just the heads, mind you. I want to make sure they're dead. Oh, and the heads can't be harmed or damaged; I'm going to mount them."

The silvery android swiveled its head slightly to regard Lileen. "What is the location of the targets?"

"Earth," Lileen replied. "Sol Three. Whatever. All of you will be working together on this; I don't want there to be any chance of escape or failure."

The silence was bitter as the bounty hunters eyed each other.

The android tilted its head. "You realize that goes against the Shadow Proclamation?"

Lileen shrugged. "Why do you think I'm paying so much?"

The Judoon grunted. "The Shadow Proclamation is weak. Many Judoon died and much damage was caused by the criminal, Galaxia. We will have no problem with the Shadow Proclamation."

The door opened and another Raxacoricofallapatorian stumbled inside, mumbling to herself. A large mug full of amber liquid was clenched in her hand. "Whaddimiss?" she slurred as she staggered into the room.

Lileen grunted in disgust. "You're late, Ranel." He gestured for her to sit. "This is the last member of your, ah, expedition."

Janus regarded her lazily. "She doesn't look like much," he yawned.

Lileen shrugged. "No. But she will be useful."

Ranel leaned over and began to retch.

The assembled bounty hunters regarded the newcomer with varying levels of disgust, except the android. Lileen cleared his throat.

Janus flicked his gaze to Lileen. "You want us to work with… this?"

Lileen bobbed his head. "Of course. She's exactly like your targets. Sort of." He cleared his throat. "Gentlemen, Android, this is Sailor Raxacoricofallapatorious."