Chapter 19: Rescue Mission

Two was at the bridge with Android when she heard a bing through from the console.

"Incoming transmission from Captain Erik Halvor," Android announced. Two nodded.

"Put him through," Two mentioned as Android pulled up the audio transmission. "Captain Halvor, I wasn't expecting this call so soon."

"Actually, it's Corey. Miss Halvor's bodyguard?" Corey's thick Scottish accent rang through. "I'm about to board the Raza."

"Right, one of us will meet you at the docking bay," Two mentioned as she hung up and went to her coms.

"Halvor you hear me?"

Nothing.

"Viv?" she questioned again. Nothing. Two rolls her eyes. She goes over to the communications console from bridge to rooms and calls into it.

"Halvor?" she questioned over Vivian's bedroom intercom.

In her quarters, Vivian was more than a little pre-occupied. She then hissed a bit while Three eased his way to get on top of her.

"Easy…" she breathed, as she looked down. He stopped, noticing the bruising along her abdomen as he lifted her sweater. It was better, but still noticeable. It made him tense up.

"Jesus…" he whispered.

"What?" she whispered back. He hesitated but she put her hand into his, kissing it. He closed his eyes then hovered over her. She noticed he stopped, sitting up a bit.

"You're still-"

"I'm okay," she whispered. She didn't care if she was hurting. She just wanted to be with him. He looked at her bruises and growled.

"You have no idea what went through my head…"

"You wanna know what went through mine?" she asked. He looked at her. She grabbed him, kissing him deeply. He moaned and sank into it. He could feel her hands roaming around his abdomen towards his belt. She tried to take it off.

"Miss Halvor…" he tried to keep it a straight face, but he just started grinning. "I didn't think you had it in you."

She smiled a bit, kissing and nipping along his neck.

"Are you not enjoying yourself?"

"Clearly, I'm not the only one," Three grinned. "Am I?"

He bit her neck back gently and she moaned under him. He shivered and laughed lowly.

"I'll take that as a yes."

He sat up, working on getting her jeans undone and threw them towards the floor. He kissed around her abdomen, and she tensed a bit.

"Halvor," the Two's voice greeted on intercom of her bedroom rang. Three stopped and glanced towards the intercom. Vivian stared up at the ceiling and almost sat up from her bed. But Three climbed back on top hovering over her.

"Ignore it," Three sang lowly kissing along her neck. She shuddered.

"Halvor?"

"We're busy," Three sang smirking at Vivian. She rolled her eyes at the intercom.

"Three," she breathed trying not to laugh. "Give me a sec."

She managed to get out from under him (rather reluctantly). Three growled and rolled his eyes in frustration. She got around him but felt Three grab her arm pulling her back towards him. Vivian stopped, looking at him. He bit his lip, reaching further up her arm, eying her.

"Halvor are you there?"

"Just…leave her," Three coaxed.

"But-"

"She can suffer," Three growled, grinning mischievously as he beckoned her and lightly dragged her back towards him. She eyed him as he gently pulled her back on top of him, straddling him on the edge of the bed. She grinned, kissing him deeply as she moaned above him. She felt his hands reach underneath her sweater and paw at her chest. She couldn't deny he wanted a lot more. And so did she…

"Look Halvor, if you're in your room your bodyguard is about to dock," the intercom announced. Vivian's eyes opened, body stiffened and looked at Three in surprise. Three rolled his eyes.

"Shit…" she whispered, groaning.

"Someone's always got to ruin the party," he whispered.

"I'm so sorry," Vivian whispered. He eyed her as she climbed off of him.

Two rolls her eyes as she gets off the coms and looks at Android.

"Make sure Corey gets on board without any issues, okay?"

"Where are you going?"
Two left the bridge with Android heading towards docking bay.

"I swear his timing," Vivian groaned.

"Next time, my place," Three joked. Three laid back onto the bed, his eyes watching her as she looked for the pants he threw on the floor. "Well…never thought I'd see you cut loose."

She threw on her pants and eyed him.

"Can't say I don't want more…I was just getting started," Three mentioned. confidently. She kissed him again and heard him moan. She climbed back on top of him, leaning down and kissing him. She could hear him moan.

"So was I," she whispered. She reluctantly rolls off the bed. Three slides to the edge of the bed, eying her before grabbing her.

"Oh yeah? You'll have to show me," Three smirked.

She groans in frustration as she leans against him, his hands on her hips.

"Why do you make this more difficult?" she asked playfully.

"You said the door was locked," he beckoned with a sly grin. "Just tell him to buzz off."

She grabs his shirt from the bed and hands it to him.
"As much as it is tempting," Vivian stated. "If he or anyone sees me with you, they're going to flip."

"I can take 'em," Three grinned, standing up, and pulling her in kissing her neck as her arms wrap around his. She kisses him deeply exhaling as he pulls her in. She pulls off and rests her forehead against his.

"We really need to go," Vivian whispered. Three leans in kissing her again.

"Why?" he sang.

"Please," she begs seductively, causing him to shiver. "I rather not have the captain on my ass…Or yours."

He groans and puts his head on her shoulder.

"Fine…" he smirks at her, pulling on his shirt. He bites her neck and smacks her butt as she pulls off of him. "But we're far from done here."

She smirks at him as she grabs their coms from the drawer. She turns them on, keeping them muted and hands Three his own, as he grabs it sticking it in his ear.

She blushed as he eyed her.

"Been a while since a man's rocked your world?" Three teased.

"Hopefully it won't be my last," Vivian said lowly and seductively. Three grinned.

"Well if you play your cards right," He grabs his vest as she grabs her bra and puts it back on under her sweater and messes with her hair. "I can come by more often."

He eyes her as he puts on his vest. He grabs his belt and fastens that on as she finishes her boots. "I'd say you can cheat a little, but I know how you are about cheating."

Vivian gets up, smirking and grabbing his shirt pulling him in.

His eyes dilated.

"I don't mind cheating if it gets you to stay a little longer," she grins.

"Uh huh? And how's that work?"

"If it wasn't for my bodyguard at the door, I would have kept you all to myself," Vivian responded seductively as she traced his neck.

"You can't get enough of me can you?" Three smirked.

"I haven't had the pleasure yet."

"And you want me?"

"Every inch," she whispered lowly. He got goosebumps.

"Ooo, is this how you play a little dirty?" Three grinned, eying her. "Because I like it."

"Come on, let's not let Corey wait."

"Remind me to punch him," Three smirked as she pulls off, grabbing a journal on her desk, blank page, and writing on a piece of paper. She ripped it off before they headed over to the door, opening it.

Three went out first, his back still to the hallway. She holds up the piece of paper to him.

"Don't forget this?"

"Ooo, pirate girl has her secrets?" he asked pointing at it. Vivian smirks, leaning up to his ear.

"The code to my door," she whispered. "It'll bypass when it's locked."

"My dream come true, sexy, secret rendezvous," Three grinned. Vivian kisses the note grabbing his vest and pulling him closer. She stuffs it into his pocket and kisses him on the lips again. He feels his hands have the urge to push her back into the room. She pulls off, sighing. He exhales a bit. Her hand goes on his chest up to his face.

"Thanks for the drinks," Three breathes.

"Not a word…" Vivian sang quietly.

"Oh, you're secret safe with me," Three grins. "Besides…"

He leans in closer.

"Why the hell would I want to share?"

She bites her lip eyeing him.

"Promise me, I'll see you?"

"Oh, you'll definitely see me," Three grins. "Next time I don't intend to end early."

She laughs softly as he puts his hand under her jaw leaning in.

"Halvor," Two's voice rang into the hallway behind. Vivian's eyes open, looking at Three. She blushes hard. Three grins and rolls his eyes.

"Of course," he breathes.

Vivian looks over and Two raises her brows at them.

"Well…I can see why you didn't get my call," Two chimed, crossing her arms about her chest as she walked up. "Corey just appeared on the bridge."

"On it," Vivian sang.

"Three, can I talk to you?"

Vivian's eyes widened.

"Sure," Three agreed, loud enough for her to hear, not looking at her. "Go, I got this," Three whispered to Vivian with a cocky smile. Vivian rolls her eyes. She goes to leave but Three grabs her arm.

"Oh, and one thing," Three started. He immediately grabbed her, kissing her on the lips which made Vivian exhale in surprise. Two watched, arms across her chest and then looked away raising her brows. Three pulled off and smirked at Vivian. She felt a little dazed. A little embarrassed to be kissing in front of the captain too.

"See you around?" Three whispers and winks at Vivian as she blushes, turning to leave. Another surprise he smacks her butt in front of Two. She glances back seeing Two glaring at him. Dead man walking. And she wasn't staying for the aftermath. She tries not to smile in despite the…awkwardness as she heads to the docking bay. So much for keeping it under wraps.

He struts over to Two looking around and smirking childishly. Two raises her brows at him.

"What's up doll face?" he asked.

"What was that?"

"What?"

Two raised her brows at him.

"Oh, come on…" he smirked. "Can't a guy have a little fun?"

"Where were your coms?" Two asked. Three smirked pointing at his ear.

"Right here," he stated half-jokingly. Two was fuming.

"Why do I have a feeling you coaxed her into now answering," Two stated.

"What's with the twenty questions?"

"Because it's my ship my business."

"Well if it is any of your business-" Three smirked slyly. "Which it's not. We had a few drinks. Wanted some privacy. You know…one on one time."

"Making her another one of your booty calls?" Two asked. He smirked, biting his lip, and raising his brows.

"I'm sorry…I thought you said it was my business. It's not like I'm questioning about your boy toy," Three intervened. Two eyes him up and down and scoffs in amusement. "Or…am I hearing a bit of jealousy?"

"Hardly," Two spat coolly.

"Good," Three grinned. "Because it won't be the first. If…that's okay with you. Not that I'm asking for your permission."

He loomed over her.

"Should I be worried?" Two asked.

"About what?"

"You thinking with something other than your brain," Two stated lowly looking down. He looked down and raised his brows at her.

"You know I'd still be in there if it wasn't for your voice interrupting things," Three smirked."Now are we done here?"

Two glared at him.

"Three-"

"Are we done?" Three repeated, clearly not fazed by her. "Unless you want me to go into some juicy details."

Two rolls her eyes while turning her heel as she heads towards back towards the bridge.

"If your libido gets us in trouble I swear to God I'm going to kick your ass," Two yelled.

"Glad we cleared that up!" Three yelled in amusement as he turned his heel, heading towards his quarters, he took out the piece of paper and grinned. "Because I got my ticket in."

Vivian met up with Android and Corey as he docked.

"Miss Halvor's here," Android announced. Corey looked up to see Vivian walk up to him. "How are you feeling?"

"Healing, that's all I can do right?" Vivian commented. Corey cleared his throat and looked away.

"Hello, Captain sorry for my timing. Had to re-route and everything," Corey blabbed. He handed her the case. "For Portia and the rest of the crew. Few spare credits for the hell earlier."

"Android you mind giving us a minute?" Vivian asked, handing over the suitcase. "Make sure this gets to the vault."

"Of course," Android obeyed, bowing her head, and leaving them. Corey stood there uncomfortably looking at the floor.

"Look, Viv I'm-"

"I'm sorry," Vivian interrupted. Corey furrowed his brows at her.

"What?"

She goes up and hugs him tightly. Corey was taken aback for a moment, then finally hugs her.

"I'm sorry…I know you were just looking out for me," Vivian remarked as she heard him sigh, hugging her tighter.

"Your father isn't the only one that worries about you," Corey shook his head. "I know you lost a lot."

Vivian pulled back.

"But you're still you. And look! You're on the Raza. I might not have favored it at first but, I guess it suits you."

Vivian smiled then noticed Three moving down the halls. She watched him and Corey noticed.

"Will you…be okay being here by yourself?" Corey asked protectively. She turned red and he also noticed.

"I'll be fine," she reassured.

"You sure?"

"Yes!"

"Corey, we need to make it to the next rendezvous," Erik Halvor's voice chimed in his ear.

"Right, sorry," Corey responded. "I gotta go. You call me if there is anything okay?"

Vivian nodded. She hugged him one more time.

"Try not to be reckless. For me," Corey mentioned. Vivian nodded as he smiled at her, exhaling and going back into the docking bay. Vivian watched as he left.

He walked into the shuttle where Erik Halvor sat in the passenger's seat.

"Well?"

"She's doing well," Corey commented as he closed the door and sat in the driver's seat. "Although if it were up to me, I'd drag you on board."

"I don't think she would be happy with dear old dad rolling into her new territory," Erik stated smoothly. "Besides…I'll see her soon."

"Suit yourself," Corey drawled, undocking the shuttle and flying out into space away from the Raza.

The next morning, everyone gathered at the bridge over the news breaking about the now destroyed planet. Two watched Three and One as they eagerly listened to the news report. Vivian changed, cleaned up, leaning against the wall in a brown leather jacket, dark blue shirt, dark pants and her boots. The cross hung around her neck again as she fiddled with it watching the monitor. The replays of the exploding planet didn't help. It was now just a matter of how much trouble were they really in? Once it was done, everyone looked at each other.

"This is the most relevant of all the news sources," Android announced.

"Any mention of us?" One asked.

"None," Android replied.

"Guys…we're in the clear!" Three grinned laughing and sitting down in one of the console chairs, feet up on the console.

"Just because they didn't mention us doesn't mean we're clear," One warned.

"It could've been worse. Mikkei could've come after us, blamed us but they didn't," Three stated. "Probably because they feel they've been played as much as we do. We could be so much more screwed."

"Just keep your eyes open," Vivian mentioned. "It's only a matter of time before Mikkei might get cold feet."

Two watched her. Vivian noticed and looked away.

"I'm receiving an incoming transmission from Calchek," Android announced. Two groaned.

"Patch him through," she ordered lightly.

The monitor turned on with Calchek looking as annoyed as ever.

"What do you want?" Two greeted.

"Oh you! You guys are so screwed," he scolded. "Some of the people think at Mikkei Combine that you set them up."

Vivian scoffed.

"We set them up? They came to us!" One defended.

"Which is why it is important to do things in proper channels," Calchek remarked.

"That's funny Talbor," Vivian growled. Calchek looked around the room behind them.

"Who was that?"

Vivian stood in front of the crew. They all looked at her as she glared at him.

"Long time no see," she growled lowly. Calchek straightened up scoffing in amusement.

"Well I'll be damned," Calchek remarked. "I didn't think I'd see your pretty little face again. Not since the incident. It was quite some fireworks."

Vivian's hands rolled into fists.

"Only a coward spits at a distance," Vivian growled lowly.

"Aw too soon?" Calchek beckoned.

Two looked down at her and then back up at him.

"Can we stay on topic here," Two growled to his attention. "Let me run things by you. Traugott's been doing R&D on a prototype and they can't test it without G.A. getting involved. So, what do they do they float word about it and Mikkei takes the bait. They hire us, we steal it, off our hands and once it's where it needs to be Traugott triggers the white hole, leaving Mikkei to blame. Sound about right?"

Calchek looks up.

"Yeah…sounds exactly right. But were you playing both sides?" Calchek interrogates casually.

"We've been untouchable since our fall out with Ferrous," One disagrees.

"Well things change, because they want you for this new job," Calchek mentioned. Everyone watched Calchek.

"Why us?" Three asked.

"Why else? They want the best and you've burned so many bridges that you are out of options."

"Hardly," Vivian disagreed. He glared at her.

"Look you either you take this job and play nice with Ferrous or you're on your own," Calchek bribed. "And this time you'll be saving someone. Nice change of pace."

"Who?" One asked.

"Ferrous Corp scientist kidnapped by a rival corp about a month ago. He's in a lab, in some backwater planet. You're in and out piece of cake."

"I hate cake," Three commented.

"So, what, we are bad with the other rival corp?" One asked.

"Yes, you want Ferrous corp on your side, period," Calchek urged. Vivian glanced at Two.

"We'll do it," Two agreed.

"What?" Three questioned in surprise.

"Shouldn't we talk about this?" One asked.

"No, we'll do it," Two repeated.

"Good, I'll send you coordinates and good to be back in business with you," Calchek mentioned he eyed Vivian. "Oh, and Viv sweetheart?"

Vivian glared at him.

"Play nice for me would you darling?" Calchek mentioned, he winked at her as she glared. The transmission cut out.

"Jackass," Vivian growled.

"Wait…are you sure about this?" One asked Two.

"We need all the friends we can get," Two defended lightly. "We're taking the job."

She walked away as Android set the ship into FTL.

Everyone scattered as they waited to hit their destination. It was going to be a bit before they could head to the next assignment. She threw on the shower and sat under the water for a moment. Everything from the past few days were flooding into her mind. The assignment, the hostage situation…Three. She shivered at the thought. It's been a long time since she's gotten so close to someone. So intimate. It was almost terrifying. She couldn't tell him how much she wanted to just let go. There was a part of her that was eager for him to show up. Would he? That's when she heard her door.

She furrowed her brows trying to listen in through the water.

"Halvor?" Two's voice questioned in her room.

"Yeah?" she responded. Two looked up and realized she could hear the shower running.

"Oh…sorry I should've-"

"No, it's fine!" Vivian spat as she turned off the shower. "Something up?"

"I was just uh…checking in on you," Two mentioned. Vivian dried herself off as she covered herself as much as she could.

"I saw that Three was here earlier," Two commented. Vivian froze.

"Promised him a drink," Vivian commented.

"Uh huh," Two stated.

Vivian peeked out of the bathroom motioning to her clothes on the bed.

"Can you-?"

Two jumped and then immediately grabbed her clothes and handed them off to Vivian. She grabbed them and closed the door.

"So…how are you healing?"

"Better than expected. Whatever you have in that med bay I should've had on my own ship," Vivian remarked as she threw on her clothes quickly.

"I hate to ask," Two began she sat down on the couch, putting her feet up on the coffee table. Vivian dressed into her long-sleeve green shirt and dark pants as she stepped out of the shower drying her hair. Two smiled at her. She examined her almost to the point where Vivian gave her an odd look.

"Five is going to be up here for the mission. You think you can stick around with her?" Two asked. "I know you're not a homebody person."

"Yeah well. Sometimes you have to live life slower, don't you?"

"Your family seemed concerned but not terribly worried," Two mentioned. "Isn't that odd for you?"

"He knows I can handle myself."

She sat down on a bar stool near her computer, brushing out her hair putting in some silver earrings, watching Two in the mirror. She noticed her staring at her.

"Clearly you can too," Vivian added. "First time I've seen someone rise from the dead."

Two scoffed in amusement shaking her head.

"I don't know what to think anymore," Two mentioned. Vivian watched Two and spun herself around to face her. "Sometimes I don't know if I'm even human."

"Look human or not…at least you're here, right?" Vivian reminded.

"Yeah, but to what end? I'm not even sure-"

Vivian shook her head, looking at the ground as Two stared at her. Vivian tensed.

"You didn't see them when you were spaced," Vivian remarked. Two looked at her and sighed, nodding. Vivian got up patting Two's leg. "And don't worry…I got your back."

Two gave a small smile.

"Right…"

Vivian grabbed a black leather vest from her closet as Two watched her as she ruffled her hair.

"Hey," Two began. Vivian glanced at her. "When we get back, can I show you something?"

"Should I be worried?" Vivian asked, putting on a few rings.

"No…I don't think so anyway," Two mentioned. Vivian turned as Two got up from the couch.

"You sure you don't want to tell me now?" Vivian asked.

"It can wait," Two replied as she headed to the door. Vivian watched her as she stopped by the door. "Oh, and Halvor."

Two turned facing Vivian as she stood by the doorframe.

"If Three gets out of line. You know where to find me," Two smirked.

"What?"

"Then again I have a feeling you can handle him," Two teased. Vivian tried not to laugh as she headed out the door with Two. "Just keep his head on straight, will you? Don't need him to be totally distracted."

Vivian nodded as Two walked out. What the hell was she getting into?

FTL dropped and Vivian met up with the crew near the Marauder. They came by all armed, ready for battle. Five was staying at the bridge with Android as the crew started gathering up. Two led the group as Vivian watched the others.

"We should be in and out. Keep your coms on," Two mentioned and Vivian nodded.

"She's not coming?" Three asked.

"I don't think you need a distraction," One mentioned.

"It's just search and rescue we should be in and out," Four mentioned.

"But-" Three protested.

"I'll be fine," Vivian assured. He shook his head and looked at Two.

"She's staying with Five, she'll be fine. Besides, can you pick someone better to watch the ship?" Two asked. Three sighed.

"Guess not," he agreed.

"Besides, you're still recovering," Six added as he went into the ship with Four. "Don't want to push our luck."

Two and the others hop into the Marauder as Three stands behind. Vivian waves at him.

"I promise on the next one," Two called out.

"You gonna be okay?" Three asked. Vivian smirked.

"Are you worried about me?"

Three froze and raised his brows.

"Uh-" he scoffed trying to play it cool. "Nah. You know. I uh-"

"Three!" Two yelled from the Marauder. Three rolled his eyes.

"I heard ya," Three groaned. Vivian laughed under her breath, as she motioned into the ship.

"Better get moving big guy," Vivian commented. He scoffed, smirking at her and heading into the Marauder. Vivian locked up behind them.

"All right Raza we're on route," Six announced on the coms as they detached and descended onto the planet.

Vivian stayed on the ship around the bridge, her feet up on the console as she kept her coms on. She braided some rope she got from her room. Android walked in examining noticing her. Vivian waved at her as she headed towards the front of the ship.

"Any word?" Vivian asked.

"Not yet," Android mentioned.

"Where's Five?"

"She's been in her room for quite some time," Android mentioned. Vivian nodded. Android kind of examined her from afar. Vivian noticed and straightened up a bit.

"Is…something up?" Vivian asked.

"Do you mind if I do an examination?"

Vivian looked at her funny.

"Now?"

"Of course. It won't take more than a few minutes."

Vivian got up from her seat and shrugged.

"Guess it couldn't hurt," Vivian mentioned as she followed Android to the med bay.

Vivian sat down on the medical bed as Android scanned her. A few pop-up windows came up on the computer as Android swiped through them.

"Fascinating," she commented. "It seems like all of your injuries are healing at a much faster rate."

"Really?" Vivian asked, hopping off of the medical bed. She examined the pictures of before and after. "Huh…that's weird huh?"

She lifted her shirt, suddenly seeing no bruising. It hasn't been that long. Did she miss something?

"I guess father always did say the Halvor's have an uncanny heal time," Vivian joked. She looked up at her head scan. She moved her hand to the back of her head. There was a small black speck near her head. She couldn't feel it but she saw it in the image.

"What's that?"

"My readings detect scarring but not sure what to make of it. It's benign, doesn't seem to be doing any harm. It's synthetic, not organic," Android explained. "It was heated when you were injured. But didn't do any damage."

Dad…what's that?

Vivian's furrowed her brows. Flashes of when she was recovering at the medical ward came back. Her father leaning over at the x-ray of her brain after the beating.

We'll talk about it later pearl…

"Miss Halvor?"

"Sorry," Vivian snapped out of thought. "Everything else okay?"

"Your body has healed quite nicely. Although my readings need to dive deeper in order to tackle the abnormality of the speed in which you are recovering."

"You do that. But I'm telling you it's just genetics," Vivian teased as she patted Android's shoulder. She headed back to the bridge rubbing the back of her head.

"Raza this is the Marauder are you there?" Six chimed in.

"Yes," Android replied.

"Six, what's your status?" Vivian asked.

"Not great, ground team has been taken and the facility has a lock on our ship. If we leave, they'll take us out," Six explained.

"Is anyone hurt?"

"No idea, we're going to join the others," Six added.

"What should we do?" Android asked.

"Just sit tight. If we're not back, within 4 hours, get out of there," Six finished. Vivian froze.

She looked back at Android approaching the bridge. She muted her coms.

"You think they're in trouble?"

"I cannot say for sure. We need to be cautious," Android mentioned.

"Then I say we need a little back up," Vivian stated, getting up and heading to her room. "Take over here."

She walked down the hall unmuting her coms.

"Ground team…can you hear me?" Vivian asked.

"Loud and clear," Three whispered.

"Where's Two?"

"I'm not sure," One whispered. "She was taken."

"What?!" Vivian asked. "Is she all right?"

"I'm having a sneaking suspicion it won't be that way for long."

She heard someone talking in the background.

"What should we do?"

"Stay put, we'll get some answers," One mentioned. "Until then I hate to admit it but you're in charge."

"They're taking our coms. If you don't hear from us-"

Beep.

Nothing. The line was dead.

"Damn it."

She looked at her closet in her room.

"In charge, eh?"

No one got back to them until almost two hours later. The final rumble of the Marauder docking. The crew stepped back onto the Raza but minus one. Two was nowhere to be seen. Five anxiously went to the door with Android looking in.

"You left her?!" Five questioned.

"We didn't have a choice kid," Three mentioned as they all walked down the hall together, Android behind them.

"Prepare to jump," Six mentioned to android as they walked away from the docks and to the bridge. The ship jumped landing towards a nearby star.

"This should keep us undetected," Android announced.

"Is it safe?" One asked.

"No, if you plan on anything, you need to do so quickly," Android warned. They looked around.

"Where's Halvor?" Four asked.

"Last time I checked she was-" Five began.

"Getting back up," Vivian responded. Everyone looked up. She wore her Neptune's Dragon get up of black pants, black boots, teal shirt, dragon scarf and scaled leather jacket pulling on her fingerless leather gloves.

"Back up?" One repeated. Corey approached behind her.

"Aye," Corey agreed.

"What's he doing here?" Six asked.

"You want to get her back? Then let's get her back," Vivian remarked.

The team scrambled to figure out ideas to get Two back as they grouped up in the mess.

"Let's just head down there, kill everyone and bring her back," Three suggested.

"Suicidal optimism doesn't help if we don't know how many people are down there and armed," One disagreed.

"We can't do the air strike either, we don't know where she is," Four added.

"They'd see us coming," Six mentioned.

"You maybe," Vivian interrupted. "But not me."

"But they'll still see us," Six disagreed.

"We have the Marauder, lets hit them with a few precision strikes, land and storm the place," One explained.

"But then we lost the element of surprise. We'd be a sitting duck," Six countered.

"Then don't land," Android suggested.

"Bypass scanners?" Vivian questioned.

"Precisely. There's another way into the facility," Android mentioned. "I'll help."

"What if they do spot us?"

"That's where we come in," Corey replied.

"How?" One asked.

"You'll need a decoy," Vivian smirked. "I can meet her into the facility."

"You'll be shredded before you get too close."

"Not with our bird," Corey smirked.

"We'll land and I'll slip inside before anyone can see me. I can meet her there," Vivian motioned to Android.

"Fine then we're coming with you," Three insisted.

"I can handle it," Vivian objected.

"Like hell," Three spat charged towards her but Corey got in between them.

"Is there a problem here?" Corey asked his Scottish accent thick, his eyes glaring at Three. "Until your captain is returned, I suggest you listen to the current one, eh?"

"I saw your shuttle has a few upgrades that ours does not. It might prove to be quite useful," Android mentioned.

"Really? Such as?" Four asked.

"A high interference cloaking device," Android informed.

"We don't call it Ghost for nothing," Corey glared at Three. Three backed off as Vivian grabbed Corey's arm and pulled him back. Corey gave an I'm-watching-you look and Three put his hands up in surrender.

"So…you'll take Marauder at flight, Android drops to the facility. Corey and I will take reins as a decoy. Once we land, I'll split to find out where the hell our captain is," Vivian explained.

"And if you're caught?" One asked.

"Well then it's someone's unlucky day," Vivian answered. "Besides, I trust the knights in shining armor."

Four shook his head in amusement.

"You gotta be shitting me," Three cursed under his breath.

She smirked as she turned to Android.

"Call me when you're ready," Vivian insisted lightly as she turned towards her room with Corey behind her.

"Well…let's hope they're right," Six mentioned. "Ready up boys."

Everyone met up at the docks fully geared up. Vivian came up, loading up with her weapons at hand, including her cutlass and daggers. The Raza team started loading up into the Marauder.

"Alright everyone. Let's get our girl back," Six announced. One nodded as he boarded the shuttle. Vivian as Four and Three stayed behind.

"Be careful," Four warned. "We don't need to lose two captains on this ship."

"I have full intention of coming back," Vivian commented, loading her pistol and putting it into her hostler.

"Good," Four smirked. He nudged Three. Three nodded and watched Vivian.

"Hey," Three called out as Corey dipped into their own shuttle. Vivian looked up.

"Give those bastards that scary face," Three stated sternly.

"I plan on it," Vivian stated. "I'm not coming back without her."

"Damn straight," Three commented in agreement.

"Three come on!" Six hollered. Vivian walked up to Three as he looked towards the shuttle.

"Coming!" Three yelled back. He jumped seeing her in front of her.

"What are you doing?" Three asked. She grabbed his hand placing something in it and folding it before he could object. She leaned into his ear.

"Hang on to this for me," she whispered. "It'll bring you luck."

He furrowed his brows in confusion.

"Wait what?"

"Captain, we're ready," Corey announced.

As she pulled away before Three could protest. Watched her as he headed into the Marauder as she stepped into the Ghost.

He sat down opening up his hand as they all boarded.

The golden cross shown and he looked down at it gripping it hard. They need to make it out alive.

The Raza crew watched as the Ghost flew not far away from the Marauder. As soon as the Marauder hit their destination, Android dropped out.

"Android is in on her way," Six announced on coms. "How we doing Neptune?"

"You boys want a show?" Corey's thick accent came on. "Look to your right."

The crew looked over. Corey's hand waved as Vivian moved towards the back. Suddenly Ghost was heading towards the facility, the shuttle suddenly disappearing in a translucent shielding. It became invisible.

"Whoa…" One insisted looking amazed.

"Can we get an upgrade?" Three asked.

"Moving in," Vivian chimed as she headed towards the back of the ship. "Wish me luck boys."

"Ready?!" Corey yelled. Vivian thumbs up, he skimmed across the ground low enough dodging trees where she jumped out. As soon as she jumped out, the Ghost stopped, vertically rising. "Dragon inbound," he alerted on the coms.

Vivian put her Dragon scarf up against her face, pulling up her hood and heading towards the building.

She could hear the defense systems firing. At who she wasn't sure until she spotted the Marauder passing over her. She could see the building in the clearing and it was massive.

"Shit..." she cursed as she looked up. It'll be impossible to find her in that. She approached the building as the guns settled. A few guards showed up scouting the perimeter. She quickly approached the wall, waiting, cutlass at the ready. When a pair got close enough, she got behind him, slitting his throat, grabbing her throwing knife and sticking the other one. When that one was down, she made sure he was dead too.

She looked up, Android was approaching the facility.

"Nice work," Android complimented.

"Thanks," Vivian breathed. "Where to?"

"This way," Android pointed towards a nearby door. They snuck around Vivian on her guard, looking behind Android as she worked on prying it open.

"So what's the plan?"

"We have to disable security. Once that's down, we can search the area without much trouble."

"Disable as in alarms or?"

"Personnel," Android corrected. Vivian raised her brows.

"You see how big this building is?"

"Do not worry," Android encouraged. She opened the door. They squeezed in. Noticing a pair of guards walking towards a side room.

"Well…looks like company is immediate," Vivian whispered.

"This is a good time for a distraction. Don't you think?" Android looked at Vivian. Vivian took off her hood, pulling down her scarf and letting down her hair.

"Damsel in distress?" Vivian smirked.

"After you captain," Android nodded. "I'm right behind you."

Vivian pushed herself out of her hiding place walking up to the nearest pair of guards.

"Hey!" one of the guys yelled at her. "This is a restricted area."

"Oh I'm sorry…I was looking for the main door," Vivian smiled. "Maybe you can help me?"

"Hands up!" the guy ordered as they approached. She smiled.

"You know I'm looking for someone maybe you can-"

"Hands UP!" the guy repeated. She raised a brow.

"All right," Vivian complied. Before they could react, a throwing dagger hit one of them in the face. She then lunged towards him and pushed her cutlass into him. Android came up from behind her grabbing the other guy and tossing him into the security locker room.

"Start looking for her. I got this," Android mentioned as other security personnel jumped at the sudden outburst, getting ready to fight. Android kicked and punched through most of them. Vivian nodded, cloaking herself again as she ran into the staircase. She peeked through the halls but nothing but security and scientists. Then she heard it.

"Rebecca, I'm so disappointed," Rook's voice lingered. Vivian hid within the small openings within the stairwell and waited. She spotted Two accompanied with various security armed security and a group of scientists. What the hell did they want with her?

She followed them from afar, trying to remain undetected. She watched a man in a suit go in and come out, his face stern, disappointed, and determined. He must be responsible. She hid, as he made his way to the stairwell. She then snuck out. She could see Two being strapped in with shackles. Vivian looked down at the lock. She gripped and moved it, but it was too tight. Security was too advanced. She looked around. Hopefully Android was closer to the mission objective. But can she get Two out? Not without a code or a pass.

Vivian glanced towards where Rook left the scene. She retraced his steps, hearing his voice talking to supposed security. She peeked in, seeing the room filled with plants, a long dining room like table and a few tech gadgets. She could hear him as she remained unseen.

"Well…can't say we don't learn from our failures, eh?" Rook asked the guards. He nodded towards the door. "Still has a bit of feistiness in her. Keep a close eye, would you?"

As the guards filed out, Vivian kept herself hidden. As they got close to her, she stepped towards them, slitting one's throat, and shooting the other before they could react. Rook turned around at the noise.

"What was that?!" Rook called out. He looked around while slowly making his way towards the door. "Answer me!"

Click. His hands put up as a pistol aimed at him. Vivian stepped into the room, her face still covered by her dragon scarf, her hood up, trying to stay incognito. He looked darkly at her.

"What's the meaning of this?"

"The girl, you let her go, I let you live," Vivian replied smoothly. "Now be a good man and give me the key."

Rook smiles, walking up to her, she puts up her pistol towards his chest.

"I'm sorry…but she's not for sale," Rook mentioned. Before she knew it, he disarmed her pistol with a quick snatch of her wrist. She dodged him from grabbing her further, pulling out her cutlass. She quickly gained behind him, the blade at his throat.

"Who the hell are you?" Rook questioned. She pressed her blade closer.

"Give…me…the…key," Vivian breathed harshly. Rook smirked, laughing lowly.

"You have some nerve," Rook mentioned. "Security will catch you. If they don't, she will."

"I'll take my chances," Vivian answered. "Besides…she owes me."

Rook glanced at her, eyes resting at the door.

"Really now?" he asked. "Well…then why didn't you say so."

He grabbed his badge, pulling it up towards her. Vivian was about to take it, but he pulled it back towards him.

"Ah ah, I give you this, you let me live…" Rook reminded. Vivian stared at him, narrowing her eyes. She snatched it from him, letting him go and pushing him forward to the ground. He laughed lowly.

"Although…I wouldn't be surprised if you'd be de-"

Vivian kicked him in the face, his nose bleeding as he yelped out. She stormed out, heading to Two's room with Rook's key.

When she reached the door, she unlocked it. She stopped in shock. Several bloody, dead bodies were scattered about the room. No Two.

"Shit…" she cursed. She headed back to the lobby area. But Rook was gone. She rolled her eyes. "Damn it."

Two then rushed in, panting from the running. She was about to fight but Vivian turned, and she stopped mid punch.

"Halvor?" Two asked. "What are you doing here?"

Vivian took down her hood and scarf.

"He's gone," Vivian breathed. Two looked at a tablet that read 'Maybe Next Time' flashing on the screen. As she rolled her eyes, she then threw the tablet behind her of a possible intruder. Android caught the tablet.

"Android!" Two exclaimed in relief. Vivian smirked. "Where are the others?"

"They're waiting for my signal," Android answered matter-of-factly. She smiled. "You want to blow something up?"

Vivian and Two looked at each other.

"Would I?" Two asked with enthusiasm.

"Oh hell yes," Vivian added as they worked their way out of the lobby.

They quickly made their way on different parts of the facility, attaching explosives on different devices. They were big cores, from what Android explained that allowed the nanites to be suppressed.

"We need to move quickly," Android mentioned as Vivian stuck the last of the explosives up.

"After you ladies," Vivian breathed and grinned at Two. "After you captain."

Two grinned as they rushed out of the facility.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The explosions were coming left and right as they were far out of reach of the facility. The Marauder watched in awe as they scanned the readings of the chaos below them.

"There's multiple explosions within the facility!" Six exclaimed.

"Whoa!" Three breathed.

"Any word?" One questioned urgently.

"Marauder do you copy?" Android's voice chimed. Everyone sighed in relief.

"Loud and clear what's your status?" Six asked.

"We're ready for pick up," Android replied.

"On our way," Six agreed. They scanned the area again finding three bodies walking within the woods. "Locked on."

Six drove the Marauder down towards them, landing a safe distance from them and far enough away from the facility. As they landed, the Ghost also landed nearby.

"Lass!" Corey's voice shouted at her. She got up as Android and Two rushed over to the Marauder. She nodded to them as they boarded their shuttles.

Two and Android boarded, with Four guiding them in. He noticed Vivian hopping into the Ghost as the doors closed behind them.

"Where's Halvor?" One asked.

"She's fine," Four mentioned. "The other shuttle came."

Three sighed some relief. Two looked at Four oddly.

"What other shuttle?"

"Her bodyguard came to assist," Four replied.

"Dragon on board," Corey chimed on the intercom. "We'll meet you back to the mother ship."

"Roger that, Ghost. Raza we're in route."

Three looked back and smirked at Two.

"Good seeing ya captain," Three mentioned. He looked down at the cross in his hand, putting it in his jacket pocket.

Vivian rushed to the passenger seat, sitting next to Corey. She breathed in relief.

"How you feeling captain?"

Vivian looked over as the shuttle hovered and took off behind the Marauder.

She nodded, smiling.

"Not bad for a rusty pirate captain?" she smirked as laid back.

"Not bad at all lass," Corey grinned.

They boarded right behind the Marauder. Vivian made her way out as she saw Five and Two hugging on the docking bay. The others were smiling around them as they headed down the corridor. Vivian was about to join them but stopped looking at Corey.

"You…you want to join us?" Vivian asked. He scoffed, shaking his head and smiling.

"I'm afraid I have some business to attend to," Corey sighed and shrugged. "You know how your father is."

Vivian stiffened. He walked up to her and smiled.

"Hey…thanks for calling," Corey patted her shoulder. "It's nice to know I'm still needed once in a while."

Vivian swallowed and rushed up to him hugging him tightly. Surprised, he hugged her back.

"You're always needed," she whispered. He laughed lightly, patting her back. The others turned, seeing her hugging Corey. He pushed her away a bit seeing tears in her eyes and wiping them off.

"You did good," Corey whispered. "I'll say hi to your father for you."

"Okay," she whispered back. He patted her shoulders as he headed back to the Ghost. She turned to leave to join the others.

"Hey Portia," he called out. Two stopped as the group froze, looking at Corey. He nodded to her.

"You're very lucky…to have this one," Corey joked. Two scoffed in amusement and nodded. "Keep her out of trouble."

"No promises," she replied. Corey patted the frame of the shuttle.

"Good to see you back captain," Corey called out to Vivian as he closed the door behind him. The airlock closed and he was out. Three glanced towards her and walked with the others, keeping his eyes on Vivian before she got out of sight.

"Let's get some R&R," Two mentioned as the group continued down the corridor. Two looked over as Vivian stood there watching the shuttle leave as the others left. She pulled off her scarf and her gloves. She felt tears on her face and wiped them away.

Two started her way towards her.

"Halvor," she greeted, forcing Vivian to snap out of thought. She turned to face Two. "Wouldn't leave me behind huh?"

"Someone's gotta run your ship," Vivian smirked. "Besides, One put me in charge."

"Did he now?" Two asked. Vivian nodded, laughing slightly.

"Not sure if that was the best decision."

Two shook her head.

"I owe you one. All of you," Two commented. Vivian looked down at the ground, nodding and crossing her arms about her chest.

"Do you mind attending with me on the bridge?" Android asked popping up behind Two. Vivian stood there not looking at Two. "We're about to jump into FTL."

"Yeah sure, love to get out of here," Two mentioned. Vivian swallowed, looking away from her. Two furrowed her brows.

"Hey are you-?"

"Yeah, go I'm good," Vivian mentioned. "Welcome back."

"Thanks…" Two mentioned as she started to walk away with Android. "You get some rest, okay?"

Vivian nodded, smiling a bit.

"No promises."

Two watched her concerned as she left the docking bay with Android. Vivian then left to her quarters closing the door. She took off her uniform and sat on the bed.

Good to see you back captain. Vivian sat there, tears in her eyes.