Disclaimer: I don't own the BLoSC series or the movie. Enjoy!
Chapter 12
City of Criminals
A large, heavily populated city with tall buildings and bright lights gives off a festive vibes. Many aliens in different shapes and sizes walk through the crowded areas with business neon signs above. Flying cars, jetpack noises filled the air and new trading shops where people choose to spend their money on.
It has everything there – a lively city, the sea, the mountains and a permanently good climate.
However…
"Hey! Give that back!"
The shout came from a nearby stall where a pair of aliens on a date stare down at the thugs.
The hooligans snickered at the couple's despair while shaking their bags at them in a taunting manner, "Finders Keepers, Losers!"
Sounds of blasters from high above among the tall buildings broke the tranquility of the city noises while a lone patrol car blared its sirens after the runaway shuttle.
Unlike other cities across the galaxy, Trade World is a dark and foreboding place rife with crime, grime and corruption. Its lawless inner city streets plagued by common muggings and thefts, enhancing the paranoia in every corner.
"Truly. Trade World lives up to its reputation," said the one and only Empire Z's princess.
Zyra and Desmond were currently on a spacious parking lot, reserve for outsiders who are not fellow residents in the city of criminals. There are other ships, shuttles and few cruisers beside them. Some got spray painted on, scratches and a big shuttle with massive missing parts.
Their appearances might garner some attention, but the lack of any response from the onlookers who passed by gives an impression that they are used to shady people and rather mind their own business to avoid any confrontations.
Nevertheless, as a precaution she had Desmond wore a dark blue cloak during their stay in Trade World.
Before they leave the premise, Desmond politely ask the robot guard in charge of the parking area to keep the cruiser safely intact – by shifting his arm to a sword in a threatening demeanor. The trembling guard nodded and quickly left the two alone.
How can one measly robot protect her ship? Thank the star she had the spaceship in auto defense mode and one sneaky teenager who attempted to climb on it got shocked instead. No other fools tried to touch her cruiser when they exited it.
Zyra stare at the coordinates on her wrist guard, the blinking dot dictates that the place of meeting is near.
Walking through the busy streets where aliens flock in and out of the stores, you could almost hear bargains happening in a very loud noise and aggressive disputes about the item being overpriced.
The area is highly packed and thickly crowded. To be in this kind of environment, it requires patience and observation and above all – alertness.
She lightly touch at the side of her helmet to activate the radar sensor for anyone suspicious coming towards them before Zyra unconsciously hover her hand over the dark purple utility belt strapped around her waist.
One big pouch behind her back that contains all the first aid materials and six pouches filled with small gadgets, which will come in handy in any given situation.
Smoke bombs, universal tool, flash bombs, tracer bugs, tranquilizer darts and her trusty mini grappling hook reside in the circular belt buckle.
Knowing that Stellaris Luna retired a year ago but her two teammates are still in Star Command duty, Zyra was confident that those two veterans wouldn't stand a chance against her most loyal subordinate.
Lately, the Space Rangers have been more active and getting stronger by the day. She knew this just by listening all the furious rants of Zurg and among them were always 'Curse you, Buzz Lightyear!' here or 'That swirly chin face brat!' there.
It was inevitable that the forces of good will continue to grow more powerful and with that in mind, she decided to commence her second phase of "New Player in the Big Game" operation.
First phase was her advance physical training, space-related training and learning most of the common galaxy's knowledge through lesson plans. Once she is better adjust to space exploration and go on her own, it will be easy for her to gain more information from other various planets not found in books or public media.
Phase two is Power. Some might think that Ultimate power comes from having vast amount of technology knowledge or those who have the advantage in the political world. That is true in a sense but what she means by power is those individuals born with it like the Tangeans or harness it from a valuable source.
Zyra plans to do the later and Capital Planet is the best planet to find it. She was equally certain that a mad scientist is working on a new power source for Star Command right now.
BEEP! BEEP!
She stopped on her tracks and gaze up at the tall structure.
The rundown building looked big enough to cover a city block. They entered a lobby and went straight for the elevator, ignoring the female receptionist who was being occupied with filing her nails. Once they reach their destined floor, Zyra went looking for the corresponding door number.
153…154…155!
She knocked with her knuckles moderately, just loud enough for the occupant in the room to hear. The soft mumble of 'one second' could be heard, accompanied by a jumble sounds of moving metals and a broom sweeping the floor hurriedly.
The door open to a Grub, wearing a plain black shirt and purple shorts.
"Ah! My Lady! Please make yourself at home," he ushered them in to the room.
Zyra's hand twitched, withhold the urge to face-palm before yelling, "Gibbles! I told you to do a screen check before you open to people and always have a weapon with you!"
Gibbles just grab a tennis racket from the side and raise it up, " Here it is!"
"…Really?" She deadpanned, "Just have a stun gun with you next time. You're lucky that it just us."
When she looked around the place, it made her cringe a bit.
The room was in utter disarray. There are piles of metals by the corner and some food boxes left on the sink. A patch-up couch right in the middle of the room in front of a small television. Two small rooms on the left side. One might be the bedroom and the other the bathroom.
"I see that you are living here…quite…comfortably, Gibbles."
Yet, one area that got her interest was the tall close curtains near the kitchen area on the right. She will ask Gibbles later as the Grub quickly close the door and locked it up with different locks.
Gibbles rubs his neck out of nervousness and said, "Well if you ignore the noise outside and the blasts from occasional brawls, life here is not so bad."
Zyra wonders if he is truly okay living like this and that gave her an idea.
"We should really get you a new place to stay. Maybe I should purchase a lot in Killerville," Zyra said, mumbling about getting the brochures of lots available.
One face comes to mind, a certain rat faced con man. Zyra mentally trashed the thought. The mere notion to get his help made her blenched. There's no way she will ever seek that stool pigeon's help. But she got to admit that his informant skills were very useful. That is why he is part of her watch out list since he is able to gather information easily on almost any criminal and knows what's going on in Trade World.
Better check for spy bugs or devices once she is done here.
"Oh no. I must decline the offer, my Lady," Gibbles bowed while replying, "This place is far more manageable and easy to access some stores around the city especially Dealer's Square."
Hmmm Good point. Zyra thought.
"If that's what you want. So let's get back to business, shall we?"
Gibbles nodded and ran towards the mysterious area and lift away the folds.
Behind the curtains, several monitors and a single keyboard console was set up, geared with anti-detection antenna and numerous cords to the outside wall.
She whistled at the set up in admiration.
The Grub turned on the screens and immediately type away, codes after codes appearing on the screen.
"I have done what you task me to do," Gibbles pull up a file, "Two new identities and passes to enter Capital Planet with no signs of tamper with the records."
Her face with a blonde short wig now took up the entirety of the monitor.
~0~0~
Name: Penelope Thibault
Occupation: Junior Scientist in training
~0~0~
Printing noises echoed the small room and came out from the other side, two identity cards and paper works to validate them.
Zyra smiled with glee. With this, she can apply to one of Star Commands laboratories situated in Capital Planet with no worries. Hopefully she get the one with the well-known scientist, Spyro Lepton.
She hand over the items to Desmond. He kept the items in his compartment while linking himself to one of the computers.
Zyra wasn't particularly interested on what he is doing but more focus on what to do next. She can head over to Capital Planet as soon as possible but her curiosity grew when seeing the city sights.
She wants to explore more on Trade World.
"Gibbles, is there anything that is going on right now? Parties?"
She knew that there will always be brawls anywhere in Trade World and trying to find something interesting besides that.
The Grub went back to the computer and shows a logo, "There is a secret initiation rite just outside of the city borders, exclusively for a certain bike crew. You can find its entrance in one of the local bars there."
Zyra stared at the location and frown but soon turn wicked. It's a good opportunity to test out her fighting skills and to see if her training finally pays off. This is Trade World after all so…
What's the harm in snooping around in other people's business?
A whole lot of trouble and excitement.
Desmond was not quite sure with the current situation.
They went back to the cruiser to get the deep blue hover bike fit for two people, both wearing heavy cloaks and drove it out of the city, with him as the driver while Zyra at the back holding his android body, to the open view of a barren land.
The hostile environment grew even more sinister. He would never guess the skies can grow darker as they leave the city.
Few miles to his left leads to Killerville and the path they are now taking in is the outskirts of West Killerville – one stated to be the only residence with the highest crime rate in the whole planet.
He had been on high-alert ever since their departure, glancing around the cliffs, rocks or hills for any signs of ambush and the occasional dust storms. Who knows what will happen in this accursed wasteland.
"There!," Zyra shouted from behind, "I see it!"
They stopped at a nearby rock, hidden from the eyes of West Kill residents.
Checking once more around their surroundings, Desmond activated the camouflage feature on the hover bike as he peered around the rock and immediately found the area where the local bars are.
Base from what he saw, he noted the lack of security personnel by numbers, making him cautious of what the inside of the bar's defense looks like. He thought of sneaking at the back way to get in but quickly dismisses it as his master just casually walks towards the bar and he follows suit.
"A word of caution, Master," Desmond said, "There are too many unknown variables in this area."
"Noted, Des. But I think we can handle it." Zyra said with confidence.
Desmond slightly bowed while walking by her side, "I will be on guard for any possible dangers."
Techno music was blaring as they approached the rundown establishments, if you even call it one seeing that there are literally holes from laser fights on the walls and broken window glasses. Bottles of beverages littered the ground and the heavy smoke filled the air.
They found the bar they were looking for, the one with a spray painted skull and an X mark over it. Desmond almost activated his sword mode once he saw a lone body guard outside.
He will need to quickly silence him.
The leather jacketed alien bouncer with a size of a body builder spotted two cloaked figures, hold up a hand to stop them.
"Sorry, I'm not supposed to let anyone in besides the Skullcap Crew. I suggest you two leave."
But Zyra didn't listen as she continue to move in to the bar.
The bouncer was ready to shove his filthy hand on his master!
HE. DARES! Desmond thought furiously.
Desmond intercept the offending hand and pull the whole body over his metal shoulder, slamming the bouncer to the ground and quickly direct the bouncer's arms on his back.
Swiftly, his shouts of pain were cut short as he summon a small ball of electricity from the palm of his metal hand and slam it on the bouncer's chest, electrifying him to blankness.
Desmond picked up the bouncer by the collar and throw him in to the dumpster nearby.
They continue to enter the bar like nothing happened, his laser blaster out and what greets them were empty tables. No customers in sight besides the teal skinned alien manning the bar. The bar man eyed them suspiciously, as they make their way to one of the hallways.
The bar man was inching towards the alarm button below but Desmond dropped a stack of uni-bucks in front of him.
This surprised the bar man as he pocket the cold hard cash and looked away, "I did not see you two in here."
Desmond gave a short nod and followed after his master, loud revving noises were heard down the hallway.
They went through the metal door and a whole field can be seen. He thought for a moment that they were outside but the metal walls were painted the same as the night sky.
He was amazed that there was a huge underground race track like arena. The place was teeming with various aliens in leather jackets, roaring and cheering on the race track below. He counted roughly around thirty people who are currently present and he expects one or few more seeing that the small platform with the throne on it was left unoccupied.
No one took notice of their presence but Desmond prepared his blaster underneath his cloak for counter measure.
They decided to stay close to the walls and observe.
Cheers become louder as the initiates enter the track coming from one of the tunnels. The initiates made their way to the starting line, filled with a row of advance space bikes.
Desmond started to scan around, cross sectioning each one with the files he got from Gibble's computer. The identity security system was easy to gather information and he has around sixty percent of known inhabitants, the rest were unknown or not documented.
The initiates are from that sixty percentage.
One is the son of a baker, a thrift shop seller, mechanic repair merchant...most of them come from the slums or poverty side of Trade World.
But there was one who stood out from the rest, more like his master paid more attention to one. This specific individual was at the end of the long line of initiates.
He was a large and broad-shouldered yellow skinned alien, wearing a black biker-like jacket complete with red shirt and black cargo pants. Four limbs with fingerless gloves in each. He worn a helmet with four horns above, not allowing any on-lookers to see his face.
Desmond silently observe him, scanning for any files that matches this alien's description.
Until he got one.
Torque. Just Torque. No last name.
An 18 year old teen, same age as his master, and son of a famous Hover Bike Mechanic.
Their family has loads of uni-bucks that they can live in the luxurious part of the Trade World comfortably and yet, Desmond wonders why the only child of a wealthy family would be here in the most treacherous part of the planet, let alone joining such a dangerous bike crew.
Unknown to him, Zyra thought the same, surprise at the fact that Torque was here, thinking that is this the start of his criminal career.
Left no time to ponder, the whole arena turned silent as the doors behind the throne opened. A six foot tall crocodile humanoid alien took his king's seat, dressed in leather jacket type cape, metal spikes everywhere and a sun shade covering its reptilian eyes.
"WELCOME, MY BRETHREN!", said the reptile leader with a booming voice, " THESE FLEDGLINGS WILL NOW ENTER THE ELIMINATION RACE! ONLY THE TOP THREE CAN BECOME PART OF OUR CREW!"
The Skullcap crew leader remove a flag from his pocket and raise it up.
"ARE! YOU! REAAADDDYY?!"
The crowd roared and the riders starts powering up their space bikes. The loudest one coming from Torque's.
"ON MY MARK! GET SET-!"
A small leathered jacket alien pulled on his cape in a panic.
"What? What is it?!," The reptilian leader growled, "Can't you see we are about to start?!"
The minion whispered to his ears rapidly, making the leader widen his eyes in shock.
"WHAT?! INTRUDERS?!"
The Skullcap leader look up on the audience, his eyes scour around the area and spotted two cloaked figures, leaning on the metal walls. He soon point his claw finger at them.
"HEY! I don't remember inviting you two! THIS IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR SKULLCAP CREW AND INITIATES ONLY!"
The Skullcap underlings turn to where they are, eyes glaring and the whir of lasers rang loud in the arena, multiple dots zeroed in on the trespassing duo.
Ignoring the laser pointers, he was far too concerned on how the bouncer get back to consciousness.
Desmond was sure that the bouncer was down for the count but there he was, behind the reptile leader, being held up by another crew member. That brute either has a slight resistance to electric shock or thick skin.
He sighed internally. The need to check his electric system will have to wait as Desmond reveal his blaster from his cloak and changed the other claw hand to a sword, ready for action. He can take at least most in the row area they were on, plotting a strategy on how to defeat them all.
Taking a glance on his side, his master just crossed her arms together, making a defiant statement at the reptilian leader.
The leader felt his temper rising higher and higher at the taunt until he was glaring daggers at her and whipped out a blaster and aimed at her.
The blasts headed straight towards them as the pair split up to avoid getting caught in it. In retaliation, Desmond blast at the leader's blaster with great accuracy.
The shot made the leader drop it with a snarl.
Several heads started firing energy blasts while others charge after them with metal pipes. Desmond leaped over one and grab a buffed up alien to be thrown at a group of leathered suited punks, creating a domino effect as they fall to those with blasters. He gave a short nod to Zyra that he can handle the brutes from the stands.
As she took out another member with a punch, Zyra jumped down on the tracks, making few initiates run away in fear while two bodyguards of the leader rush at her and throw long chains with energized hooks.
She dodged one and grabbed the other with full strength, making the one who hold it loose his grip.
With quick work on feeling the weight of the chains, Zyra snakes the chain around her opponent, a man with bright blue hair and a snarling face. Trapping his limbs close to his body, she tugged it back and made him stumbled forward and landed on his face with no mercy.
She sprinted over the fallen alien and jump kicked the other as his body flew back harshly and landed near the foot the leader.
Taking a closer look at the muscle croc, one could almost see the steam coming from the reptile's ears from anger, taking a menacing step forward.
"You think you can just come here and ruin my fun show, brat?" The leader questioned sternly, removing his leather jacket, revealing tough muscles and claws out.
"Yes I can, dung face," she said coldly, not happy on seeing a half-naked croc.
The leader narrowed his slit eyes at the insult and ferociously lunged at her. The claw almost reach her head but it caught on the hood and fabric pieces flown to the air as it was shredded to bits, revealing her grey helmet and two glowing digital red eyes.
Zyra dodged and sidestepped the furious reptile's blows, clearly not putting much of an effort. Desmond's training was far harsher and faster than this slow pace turtle fight.
The need for her tools were unnecessary as she let out a fake yawn while dodging another swipe from the frantic claws.
"I must say, I'm unimpressed so far," Zyra said, "Are you perhaps planning to bore me to death?"
The leader, filled with rage, rushed forward and made rapid slashes with his claws, each move barely touching her.
"FIGHT BACK, YOU COWARD!"
Ticked off from that remark, Zyra sneered at him, "As you wish!"
She ran around and fire two shots from her laser gloves. The first one was dodged but the second one hit his shades, thrown off from his scaly face and broken into two.
His head swerved at her, unveiling feral golden eyes as he leapt over her. His boot slammed down where Zyra had stood, splintering the ground with loud cracks. A flurry of punches forced her back, waiting for an opening.
There! She leaned aside the next punch and quickly got in to his space.
With the reptile caught off guard from the closeness, Zyra pushed his right leg with a kick and swept the other, forcing him to do an accidental split.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
She can tell that the muscular body of the reptile wasn't trained well for stretches as he yelled in agony from the sudden pain between his legs.
A swift kick to the head cause the scream to halt and a loud thud of the hulk muscle reptile falling back to the ground.
"That was a whole lot easier than expected," She never felt so giddy, "Look at what we have done. This is so awesome!"
She looked up to see Desmond finishing up with the last remaining members and hopped down the track, minding his steps around the aliens that he threw over the rails from the stands.
"The fight…," Desmond spoke in a low tone, "was…mediocre."
"Hmm true…I thought they would be a lot tougher. But that's thanks to our training."
A loud cough caught her attention and it came from one the leader's underlings who looks up from his prone position, his eyes glaring at them.
"Wait…till…Lord Vexon hears about this!"
Zyra tilted her head at his words.
"Excuse…me, who the heck is Vexon?"
"It is Lord Vexo- ACK!"
Zyra cut off his words by stomping on his back.
"You know what. I don't need your input," Zyra turned to Desmond, "contact Gibbles and see if he can look up on this Vex guy."
She stretch her arms ups, making cracks and pops sounds, and felt relief that her muscles are finally relax from the exercise.
From the list of Crime Lords that she had to note and wary of their abilities, she never heard of one name Vexon. Most Crime Lords deals with smuggling goods or money laundering but never with punk biker gang unless he uses them as a front to hide his true goal.
Maybe…maybe…yet it begs the question…
Could Vexon be another alias name among the Lords she knew or a hidden dark horse in the criminal underworld, left undetected for many years from the eyes of Star Command?
Zyra almost skipped happily in her steps. Another adventure that's what she thought.
"At least we get something out of this. Come on, Des."
As they left the arena, groans of pain from every fallen aliens were heard. The initiates who were eager to join the notorious crew were long gone since the battle started…except for one…one who stayed and watch the whole show in awe, no fear of taking any hits from the stray lasers.
Hands tremble in excitement from the adrenaline rush of the one sided brawl…
One who decided to follow the mysterious duo.
Author's Note: Sorry for the late update. It took me ten times to rewrite this one.
And yes, Desmond has not been given the rundown by Zyra about this whole world being fiction and that she is a reincarnate…yet…I have the feeling that the battle is short. If you can even call that according to Zyra. As I said last time, I don't do well with action scenes.
But I hope you still enjoy this chapter and thank you for your reviews, favs and follows! Much appreciated!
Again, expect the slow updates!
Adieu!~