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Chapter 12

[Barnabus: Murder? I... had just been accused of killing the professor!? I couldn't believe my ears! I know I might have done a few bad things in my life, going to strip joints and taking that illegal job coming to mind, but I would never ever kill anybody! Especially a defenseless tubby old man like Tworows. God... how did I end up in a mess like this? Oh yeah, I ended up here cause I'm an idiot who got himself blinded by an assload of cash. Now here I was in some dark and dangerous looking alley about to face down a troop of Aquarii police officers. And let me tell you the very idea of having to go against these guys is making me quake in my boots. I turned to my left and right trying to see if I was the only one in shock. Alfred looked like he was about to piss himself, the kids always been a little bit of a nervous nelly but right now he looks absolutely terrified and as for our Verdomian... well he actually looks bored which is starting to piss me off. It's only when I hear Alfred start to whimper that I realize I have to try and claim our innocence. That is unless I want us to find ourselves thrown in the back of a police transport.]

"Wait, wait, wait!" Barnabus shouted as he waving his hands in front of himself and stepped back. "We haven't killed anybody! We just got here for quasars sake! How could we have?!"

"That's a lie officers; don't let these miscreants fool you!" The same accusing voice from before sounded from behind the cops. "Hurry up before they get away and we are unable to catch them. They have to be arrested before they kill again!"

Barnabus bristled at the second accusation, who was this guy? Glaring across the crime scene the heavy-set Jack searched for whoever it was who had claimed that him and his crew had murdered the professor. It turned out that it wasn't hard to find the one responsible, Barnabus' eyes almost instantly falling onto a pair of strange hooded figures who were stood at the other end of the alleyway, one of them thin and gangly and the other a hulking beast of a man who towered over even Miktes. "Heya whoever you are back there!" Barnabus shouted across to the two men. "Why don't you take off them dam hoods and accuse me of murder to my face!"

The thinner of the two men chuckled at the demand given to them, then shared a glance with his larger companion. The large man sharing in the apparent amusement with his own deep sounding chuckle before he nodded back. "Well... if you insist." The thin man said. Without any more words both of the hooded men reached up and pulled back their hoods, revealing themselves to Barnabus and his companions and causing gasps of shock and fear to come from both of the Jacks present and a snort of annoyance from Miktes as he watched their reaction.

The man standing across from them was an elderly individual. His white hair balding to a point of becoming a widow's peak and his face, wrinkled and almost haggard in appearance, glared at them with cold merciless gray eyes that only showed indifference and a certain amount of smugness in their gaze. His face was a face that everyone in the Aquarii system knew. In fact the old man had to be one of the most famous men in the entirety of the I.U.G. if not the entire galaxy. He was Laird Clayworth, billionaire philanthropist and the current CEO of Bouwen-co, the construction company which had built the colony they all lived on and was currently supposed to be overseeing the restoration project in the slums.

Of course as famous as Laird Claymore was it hadn't been him who had drawn Alfred's and Barnabus' complete and undivided attention. Seeing the rich socialite with their own eyes was stunning, but the creature next to him completely overshadowed elderly man. Drawing the attention of not only the three men he had accused, but the attention of all the police in front of them as well. Standing next to the elderly billionaire was a large purple alien with an almost canine-like head, thick snake-like tendrils hanging from his scaly head that were somehow styled into a mane similar to a lions. His teeth, which glinted in the small amount of light shining down into the dank alleyway were wicked looking fangs which were pulled back into a self-satisfied smirk that unnerved all that saw him. This was a race of aliens that Barnabus had only seen once in his life and he still had nightmares about that one encounter. The images of what they were capable imprinted in his mind as if they were chiseled in stone and the physical scars on his back a constant reminder.

"Captain..." Alfred's shaky voice came suddenly from the Jack captains right. "I-I-Is that m-man over there what I-I think he is?"

Barnabus nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving the large alien's grinning face. "Yeah Alfred... he's a Warg."

Miktes raised an eyebrow ridge at the strange word. "What's a Warg?" He asked. He couldn't understand why the two humans were acting in such a way. Sure the purple creature was large and muscular. But, it was nothing compared to some of the creatures on Verdomo. In fact this Warg sort of looked like the giant Bahjack which his people regularly hunted for food.

Responding to Miktes' question, Barnabus took a deep breath. "That big thing over there Mickey is a Warg and they're considered one of the most dangerous creatures in the universe." The Jack captain gave the Warg standing across from them a hate filled look. "A hundred years ago they came charging into I.U.G. space and destroyed entire worlds just for kicks. They'd come along, raze the entire surface and then kill or eat anyone or anything that was unlucky enough to have survived their first attack. The I.U.G. was able to fend them off eventually and forced them to sign a treaty. They're not supposed to be allowed to even set foot on an I.U.G. colony, so you can probably guess why everyone here is shocked to see this guy standing over there."

"My, my you certainly know your history don't you Mr. Comet." Laird remarked in his stiff British accent, an air of superiority wafting off of him like a bad stink. Barnabus narrowed his eyes at the use of his last name. The older man shouldn't have known it. Continuing to speak, the elderly CEO walked around the police officers between them and approached the trio of men he had just accused of a crime. "And if you need to know so badly my friend here, Rango Warg-c45 is a traveling ambassador who has come to our dear Aquarii colony to promote peace between our peoples. Actually he was also supposed to meet none other than the man you so brutally murdered her tonight to discuss history."

At the reminder of the crime they had been accused of Barnabus tore his eyes off of the Warg in their midst and to the narrow face of the man who had pointed his bony finger at them. "B-But we didn't kill him!" He repeated yet again. "Why would we kill Professor Tworows? He was our client! We came here to drop off an item we got for him."

"No you weren't, you were his extortionists!" Clayworth snapped. The older man put on a big show of looking despondent, placing his hand on his forehead and pretending to sniffle. "He told me all about it the other day, how you were threatening him with bodily harm if he didn't pay you off! That's why you are here tonight, you came here to take his credits and instead you ended up taking his life because he was going to refuse to pay you your dirty credits."

Now that really made Barnabus mad. Now this bag of Bones was calling him a thief on top of a murderer. "Oh, yeah prove it pops!" He challenged taking a step forwards.

"I'll be happy to prove it." Out of nowhere a P.A.D. appeared in the Clayworth's hands, which he held up into the air for all to see. "This here is Professor Tworows' personal P.A.D.. When my friend and I came upon his body we found this and discovered something that Morry had recorded on it." Giving the Barnabus a wry look the older man hit a button on the P.A.D., Barnabus' own voice starting to come over the small handheld device as clear as day.

"So Morry you got all the my credits all lined up?" Barnabus' seemed to say over the P.A.D.

"Yes, yes I have the full seven hundred thousand as we agreed." Professor Tworows voice replied. "J-just promise me that. You. Won't hurt me."

"Meet me. All the way in the boonies?" Barnabus demanded.

"NO!" The Professor shouted, then in a clam voice he said. "I'm afraid that I cannot. Meet you there."

"You wouldn't want us to come over to your office instead would you?" Barnabus' voice asked, seemingly threatening the other man. "And. I'm not coming alone. Me and a few of my crewmates will be there. To. Kill. You."

"NO! I'll be there as promised." The Professor's voice finished.

After the recording ended, Barnabus stood there for several moments dumbfounded. He recognized some of the things he had supposedly said over the P.A.D. as the conversation he had with the Professor on their way back from Verdomo. Although it had been horrendously mutilated into a very incriminating sounding threatening conversation. But surely anyone with half the sense god gave a kumquat wouldn't believe a recording that was one of the sloppiest editing jobs he had ever heard.

The men and women in uniform standing in front of the Jack captain didn't seem to share his opinion on the fake sounding recording, all of them glaring at the trio of supposed killers and raising their laser weapons, ready to fire. "GET ON THE GROUND WITH YOU HANDS ON YOUR HEAD!" The one in the lead, most likely their commander ordered. "You are all under arrest for the homicide of Morry Tworows!"

Giving the security officers in front of him a small awkward and very nervous laugh Barnabus hesitantly said. "Come on you can't honestly be buying what that yahoo just showed you." He implored. "I know he's famous and all but come on! He's standing there in an evil emperor robe next to a man eating monster!"

"I'll have you know that I no longer feast on humans." Ragno replied with a haughty sounding huff. "You tend to give me gas."

Barnabus cringed at the other man's words. "See... they're no good lying-"

"-Shut up!" The Commander snapped. "I think we'll take the word of Mr. Clayworth over a bunch of no good murdering bums." Glowering at Barnabus, the police officer cocked his weapon and motioned down to the ground with it. "Now do what we said and surrender or we're going to put you down ourselves."

Barnabus began to sweat seeing all those weapons pointed at them. "Ok look.... Um, there's no reason to shoot us." Trying to figure out what they could do, the Jacks mind went back to the relic they had been there to deliver. "Heya! I-I have proof too! Proof that the professor hired us to do a job. The thing we were supposed to give him is right in my pants pocket."

"I don't give two shits about what's in your pocket all I want is for you to-"

"-WAIT!" Clayworth interrupted, giving Barnabus a strange look the older man strode forward until he was a few feet from the bearded Jack. "Let him show us this "thing" he was supposed to deliver."

"Thanks I guess Mr. Clayworth." Barnabus said a little relieved. Maybe they could clear this whole thing up. Reaching into one of the pockets in his cargo pants the Jack Captain pulled out the statue of the laughing Verdomian child they had stolen from the sacred temple, showing it to everyone in front of him with a shake. "See? This is what we were going to be paid to deliver to the professor."

Laired gaped at the small carved rock in the other man's hand with a hunger in his eyes. He was so close to getting what he wanted all he had to do was reach forward. Unfortunately before he could the third of the men in front of him made a growling sound, drawing his attention away from his prize and to his green and tusked face.

"The sacred artifact!" Miktes shouted. So that's where the human had been hiding his people's stupid relic. Letting out a small growl Verdomian reached for it, Barnabus having pulling it out of the way just before his four fingered hands could wrap themselves around it.

"Heya knock it off you damned orc!" The Jack Captain snapped. "Can't you see there are bigger things going on than your people's stupid traditions?"

Of course Miktes didn't listen and tried to grab the relic again, the pair of grown man beginning to squabble over the artifact like children as everyone in the alley looked on. "How dare you speak about my people like that!" Miktes huffed back as he tried again to reach for the rock. "I truly don't know what I ever did to end up with a submissive so disobedient!"

Barnabus held his hand out, his palm against Miktes' face as he held him off. "I swear if you don't stop it Miktes I'm going to- oomph!" It was then that Miktes slipped on a piece of wet paper on the ground, Barnabus' hand sliding up the other man's green face and accidentally knocking off the hood which hide the younger man's Verdomian features from prying eyes.

For a few short moments everyone stared at the exposed alien fighting with Barnabus. Then suddenly there was a female voice from within the group of police officers. "SIR!" The female officer spoke up. "I just did a scan on these three while they were fighting to see if they're armed and I found something." The woman pushed her way over to the lead security officer and showed him the screen of a small device in her hands. "The big guy in the hoodie over there isn't on the registered species list, he's an illegal sir."

"Well, well looks like not only are they murderers and thieves but smugglers as well." Laird said grimly. "That gentleman and ladies is a creature from the planet Verdomo as is that relic in our intellectually challenged friend's hands." The robbed man turned around and began walking back to his Warg companion. "It is even more obvious why they killed my friend officers. They were most likely afraid that Morry, being to responsible citizen he was, would report them for not only going to a forbidden planet but stealing from it and kidnapping one of its inhabitants. I repeat the command I gave you earlier: arrest them now before they commit even more crimes!"

"Yes sir!!" All of the cops shouted in unison. Slowly the group of armored men and women began to walk towards Barnabus, Alfred, and Miktes, their weapons drawn and their intent loud and clear.

Taking steps back in response Barnabus panicky peered behind himself, hoping that maybe Alfred had thought of a way out of this mess. To his disappointment though all the blond man seemed to be able to do was look back at him with lost eyes. And Miktes... well he seemed to still be upset about the theft of his people stupid rock and was scowling at him. 'This really is bad.' Barnabus thought to himself. 'I got to do something before we all end up in a dark cell never to be heard from again."

Searching around the area for something, anything that could help get them out of the mess they now found themselves in, Barnabus took notice to the only light source in the cramped passageway. A dimly lit streetlamp atop a high pole that was directly over the group armed men and women in front of them. It was seeing this that an idea started to form in the Jack captain's head. A terribly dangerous, incredibly stupid idea, but an idea none the less. He'd shoot the light out and when everything went dark he, Alfred, and Miktes would make their escape. Just like his favorite space hero, Flash Gordon had done in episode thirty-two of his TV show.

Moving faster than he had ever done before Barnabus reached down and pulled his multitool out of its holster, flipping it into its weapons mode he aimed and fired, the background noise of the police officers in telling him to lay down his arms a weak echo as the blast flew over their heads and towards the streetlight. However instead of hitting the light as he had intended to, Barnabus completely missed it. The blast of energy continuing to fly over the top of the pole and hitting the side of a metal pipe which crossed over the alleyway with a loud thud, the metal glowing bright red as it was heated up.

"SHIT!" Barnabus cursed face growing as red to match the pipe. He knew he should have gone to the shooting range at the Jack center more often.

Laird Clayworth and Rango seeing the other man's failed attempt broke out into laughter. The older of the two beginning to mock the dark haired man for his shoddy marksmanship. "That was a very nice try Mr. Comet! But as you can see anything you try to do is pointless. You are about to spend the rest of your miserable little life-" Suddenly a terrible rumbling sound came from above the two robed men and the security officers. Looking up they were all just in time to see the pipe that Barnabus had struck split open, thousands of gallons of water spilling out of the newly form crack and spraying down on top of them with incredible blinding force.

Grinning at his unintentional stroke of genius, Barnabus turned around with a jump and grabbed both of his companions by the arms, pulling them the opposite way down the alley and away from the sputtering police men and women. "Come one guys while they're distracted."

"We are we running away?!" Miktes demanded to know as he tried and failed to keep from being dragged away. He didn't see any reason to turn tail now that their enemies were on the ground. They would be defenseless to resist them if they brought the fight to them. "Let's just kick their asses so they won't bother us again."

Continuing to pull the Verdomian, Barnabus gave a frustrated huff. What was with this guy? Couldn't he see the danger they only just narrowly escaped from. "Did you just see the same thing I did kid? Cause I'm pretty sure we were outnumbered and outclassed." He told the red head as they came out of the alleyway's entrance and back onto the street. "Besides they won't be down long and we all know that they called for-"

"-Hold it right there!" Several voices sounded from the group's right.

"-Backup." Barnabus said with a week laugh. Stopping dead in their tracks the three men looked down the street, seeing not just a few more cops but an entire criminal apprehension unit with high powered weapons and armored transports coming right towards them. "I don't know whether to be flattered or frightened that they brought out the big guns to arrest little old us." Turning to face the security forces, Barnabus cocked his weapon and gave a hard glare. "Its times like these that there's only one thing a man can do. Alfred we're going through with battle plan "Alpha, alpha, niner, three and a half", got it?"

Fearfully Alfred peered over to the gathering of armored men and women blocking their way to freedom and then back to his captain. "You couldn't possibly be suggesting that we actually try that plan sir... it's dangerous."

"Yeah doc we're going to do that plan." Barnabus confirmed. "And I know it's dangerous but it's our last chance. You with us Miktes?"

Giving a smirk the Verdomian man raised his fists ready to fight the oncoming mob. "'Bout time you puny humans grew some backbone!" Miktes said happily. These humans or whatever in the strange looking clothing looked tough, but the green alien bet that the upcoming fight would put to shame all the scuffles he had back in his village with those half-assed warriors and that excited him. "I'm ready when you are!" The Verdomian chuckled, eyes shifting briefly to his hairy mate. "To think I had you pegged as some weak willed submissive. Guess I was wrong 'bout you all the time."

Barnabus nodded to the larger man, glad for once that they were on the same page. "Ok then we'll go on the count of three." Taking an audible gulp he readied himself, watching at both of his companions did the same. "On the count of: One... Two... Three... ... ... RUN!!!!"

It took a full five seconds for Miktes to realize that instead of rushing forward on the offensive, his mate and their blond haired companion had instead turned tail and run. Barnabus grabbing him by the arm and dragging him backwards was they fled. 'What the fuck?' The warrior said to himself as he hopped backwards on one foot, trying to remain upright. "You're making us run away again?!" He shouted angrily. When he got a nod from Barnabus he let out a frustrated growl. "I take back what I just said! Yer nothing but a cowardly submissive!"

"I really don't care about that right now Mickey!" Barnabus replied as laser fire began to whiz past them, sparks erupting as the beams of light struck the asphalt and the abandoned cars lining the street. "Just move that big green ass of yours before it gets barbequed by lasers!"

After righting himself and joining the other men in running, Miktes glowered at his mate with a sour face. "BIG GREEN ASS!" He fumed. Must this hairy creature insult him at every turn?

Barnabus allowed a quick smirk to cross his face at the other man's expense, then getting back to business he peered down the street, his eyes zeroing in on an old beat up transport that was parked by the side of the road. "Guys that transport over there!" Barnabus announced as they ran. "We'll hotwire it and use it to get away from the cops!"

Alfred gave the older man a wide eyed look. "But captain that transport belongs to someone else. We couldn't possibly steal-" Before the doctor could finish his sentence a round of laser fired brushed past his right ear, almost hitting him. "-YES, yes let's steal the car shall we!" He finished, mind instantly changed.

Barnabus rolled his eyes at his youngest friend and then led them over to the car. Not wasting a moment the bearded man shoved a still uncooperative Miktes into the back seat before him and Alfred took theirs in the front. "Alfred get Rana on the line would you!" Barnabus asked franticly as he flipped his multitool into a screwdriver and began to disassemble the plating to the steering column. "We're going to need to make an emergency take off when we get back to the spaceport!"

"Why don't you call her captain?" Alfred suggested. He really didn't want to have to report anything that had happened while they were out to their pilot.

"DO IT!" Barnabus ordered. He really didn't want to be on the line with the Middle Eastern woman either. He just knew there was another "I told you so." in his future and he wanted to put it off as long as he could.

Flinching a little after he had been yelled at, Alfred took out his P.A.D. and began to dial the Wild Comet's communication number. There was a tense moment as the device in the medic's hands rang a few times, but thankfully the screen eventually lit up and Rana's face appeared on the screen.

Back on the clam and quiet Wild Comet a seated Rana blinked down at the communications screen next to the cockpit. "Oh, Alfred it's you!" The dark haired woman said casually. "Were you guys able to make the exchange with the professor without any troubles?"

Alfred momentarily glanced up through the windshield, giving a whimper as he saw the squadron of security officers, tank transports, and armored police officers bearing down on them weapons a blazing. Well..." He said looking back down to his P.A.D. "Not exactly..."

Rana raised an eyebrow at the nervousness in the young man's voice. She knew this couldn't be good. "What do you meant not exactly?" She asked with growing concern.

It was then that the sounds of weapons going off and laser fire flying through the air rang out from over the transmission, the sounds followed by Barnabus exclaiming a loud and happy sounding. "Finally got the dammed thing hotwired! Let's get out of here before they blow us to kingdom come!"

Hearing what Barnabus had just said, Rana leaned forward and tried to get a better look at what was displayed in front of her, hands pressed on either side of the screen for support. "What the hell's going on over there!?" She asked alarmed. "Please don't tell me I'm hearing what I think I'm hearing!"

Alfred opened his mouth to respond to the older woman's question, but before he could the screen suddenly shifted over to a nervously smiling Barnabus, the older man giving his second a fake looking smile. "It's nothing Rana... *AHHH!*" The sound of shattering glass came over the line. "J-Just a little disagreement we're having with some gentleman. Heya I know it's late but could you have the ship ready for takeoff by the time we get back home? Oh, and make sure to reserve a gate for as early a time a possible. We... we sorta need to be somewhere else right now. Ok, thank you, I'll see you later, bye-bye."

Rana looked like she was about to argue with his command but before the Jack pilot could Barnabus hit the end button off and tossed the P.A.D. back to Alfred. Their first problem now over Barnabus glanced ahead of them to the cops coming ever closer. Tightening his grip on the steering of the transport he had now sufficiently stolen he looked over to Alfred and then to Miktes glowering in the back seat. Despite how upset they both appeared to be, this had to be one of the most exciting things the middle aged man had ever done, his heartbeat pounding in his ears as he shifted the car into drive.

"Ok boys let's get out of here!" Barnabus said to his two passengers as he stepped on the accelerator. The transport giving a lurch as its hover engines came alive and they lifted off of the ground. Moving them forward quickly Barnabus appeared to be trying to meet the tanks and police head first, but at the last second he did a one eighty and took off at high speed down the road, kicking up dust and debris which blinded the officers behind them for a few moments.

Reeling a little from the force of the car driving at such a high speed Alfred looked over to his captain. "Do you really think we can outrun them?" He asked. Turning in his seat to see behind them, the younger man was horrified to see that their pursuers had taken up the chase again. Coming after them in their armored tanks and patrol wagons. "I don't think I've ever heard of anyone successfully getting away during a high speed chase."

"Well we're sure as hell going to try kid!" Spinning the wheel Barnabus brought them into a tight skid at the entrance to the boonies, the transport barely making the sharp turn as it pulled out of the dilapidated area and onto a major road heading towards the colony's main city. "Miktes you ok back there?" The Jack asked once he had righted them again. He wasn't too sure if the alien primitive could handle riding in a car for the first time, especially one going nearly a hundred miles per hour.

Miktes gave a watery belch from the back seat as the contents of his earlier hamburger feast shifted in his green belly. He couldn't understand how these people could stand riding around in the back of these stupid carts. They were too fast and moved around way too much for his or his belly's liking. "I-I think I'm going to be sick!" The queasy warrior said, slapping his hand over his tusked mouth.

"Just don't do it on me!" Both Barnabus and Alfred said together. For once the Verdomian listened to the two humans, turning to away from the front of the transport as he lost the contents of his stomach on the floor of the back seat.

"Great, just great." Barnabus said with a sigh. Coming to an intersection the bearded man pulled another hard right skidding around the corner in a tight half circle, the transports that were following them spinning out as they tried to make the same turn, crashing into each other as the attempted not to roll over. "Heh, looks like we're getting away." Barnabus said smugly as he checked the rearview windows. The flashing lights that were following them disappearing and replaced by the clam stillness of an empty street as continued down the road.

"Thank god." Alfred said with a relieved sigh. "But now what are we going to do?"

Barnabus gave the other man a completive look, the information of everything that had just happened to them running through his mind. "First need to get back to the spaceport." He eventually said. "You think you can find us a way back there without having to go through the city? Colony security probably thinks that's where we're heading."

"I-I'm on it Captain." Turning on his P.A.D. again Alfred quickly brought up a made of the colony. Studying it closely he was able to eventually find just what they needed. "There's a bridge that leads to express way right before we reach the Aquarii city. It'll take us around the entire thing and get us to the spaceport's rear entrance in no time." He happily announced.

Barnabus snickered a little. "Why is it that I'm always heading for the back entrances?" He said trying to lighten the mood. When Alfred didn't laugh at his little joke, instead giving the older man a slightly frustrated look that told the Jack that now wasn't the time; Barnabus gave an awkward cough and went back to watching the road. As much as he wanted to pretend everything was back to normal, he knew things were serious. They were in a whole lot of trouble and it didn't look like they'd be able to get back out of it that easy.

***************

By the time Barnabus, Alfred, and Miktes made their way back to the spaceport, Aquarii colony's artificial sun was just starting its regular early morning warm up routine, its luminous surface starting to glow with a brilliant light that bathed the entire station in a simulation of dawn. As the Jack captain pulled their stolen transport into a small abandoned parking lot in the back of the spaceport he quickly assessed the area, checking to see if they were truly alone. When he found no security he breathed a sigh of relief and pulled into the first parking space he found.

"Well this isn't so bad. Should be free sailing the rest of the way." He said looking over to an equally tired, but still nerve wrecked Alfred. It hadn't been a pleasant ride back to the port even with the shortcut the doctor had found, Barnabus having to keep a constant eye out as they evaded the dragnet which seemed to be spread out over the entirety of the colony.

Responding to what the older man had just said Alfred made a weak sounding hum. "Sir, W-we still have to make it through the entire spaceport. The pier that the Wild Comet is docked at is on the other side." The blond was quick to point out, ruining the calm that had descended on the trio. "I just know we're going to get caught."

Barnabus patted the younger man on the shoulder and gave him a tiny smile hoping that it would ease his friend's worries. The Jack captain could understand the medic's nervousness given what was going on. Alfred was a straight shooter who always followed the law. If he were in the same situation, a young twenty something old kid he'd probably be pissing his pants too having to run from the cops. "Don't worry doc, I'm sure we can do it." Barnabus said trying to reassure the blond. "I know every inch of this place remember? I'll get you back onboard the ship safe and sound."

Alfred gave his captain an unsure look for a few seconds, but then smiled. The Captain was right. He might have gotten them into a really bad situation but Alfred knew that he could trust him to get them back out of it. After all Barnabus had proven himself again and again that despite his proclivities he was a good leader who always did the best for the crew. "Ok Captain I trust you."

Barnabus grinned at the trust in the other man voice. "Good let's haul tail then and make our way home." Shifting in his seat Barnabus peered into the back of the transport to see if Miktes was ready too. When he found the Verdomian looking even more green than usual he let out a small sympathetic chuckled. "You alright back there Mickey?"

"Don't call me Mickey, ya... ya d-dumb submissive." Miktes groused back weakly. "I'm a b-brave Verdomian warrior of... of course I'm alright." The green skinned alien was still feeling sick in the stomach from the trip he had just taken in the transport, the constant rocking back and forth of the cart they had used to flee in making him feel like the time he had eaten bad fruit.

Barnabus rolled his eyes at the stubbornness of his annoying stowaway and got out of the car Alfred following suite. "You know if you're going to be so rude to me all the time maybe it's better if I just leave you here to get caught." He said to Miktes with a smirk. Reaching down the bearded man opened up the rear driver's side door causing the queasy Miktes to tumble out of the back seat and onto the asphalt with a groan. "It'd serve you right for all the grief you caused us yesterday." The Jack continued as he squatted down next to the alien's head.

Miktes gave his human mate a halfhearted glare. Both annoyed by the fact that he was still being so impudent and that he had forced him to ride in the infernal contraption he had just been released from. "Y-You wouldn't dare!" He growled. "I'm your dominate and you gotta look after me." There was another groan, as Miktes' eyes crossed and he gave a burp. "It's.... it's the rules!"

"Whatever you say kiddo." Barnabus said humoring the sick man. No wasn't really the time to be squabbling over the whole mating thing he insisted to bang on about. They had to get their asses back to the Wild Comet before the security forces extended their search to the spaceport. "Come on doc help me get our "brave Verdomian warrior" to his feet, will ya?"

Alfred gave a quick "ok captain" and helped Barnabus pull Miktes to his feet both men placing one of the warrior's thick green arms over their shoulders before they began to steadily make their way over to one of the back gates to the spaceport. Stepping out onto the faux boardwalk and starting down the street, both humans were keenly aware of their surroundings, making sure to check every store and business they passed for any signs of someone watching them or security cameras. Luckily the just after dawn hour meant that there weren't many milling about the port. Only a few longshoremen and a few women and men of questionable repute watching as the passed through ass the silent spaceport and towards the piers where the starships were docked.

It took them nearly twenty minutes but eventually they found themselves in the low rent district of the spaceport, Barnabus glad for once to see the dilapidated buildings and garbage ships which called the area home. "Heh, guess no one else is stupid enough to be out here this early." Barnabus murmured as they went down a flight of stairs, the Wild Comet only a short distance away. "All we got to do is keep ourselves quiet and not draw anyone attention to us."

It was at that precise moment that a hissing laugh sounded from in front of the trio of men, the mean-spirited guffaw making Barnabus cringe when he instantly recognized how it belonged to. That chilling chortle could only have come from one person on all of Aquarii, Ekkar Anguis his stalker ex-boyfriend and right now inconvenient road block to his freedom. Looking up ahead of them, Barnabus scowled as the dragon-like alien sauntered his way over to him and his two companions, the Fidraon followed dutifully by three of his own cremates, each of them wearing the "Team Surging Flare" uniforms which Ekkar forced everyone who worked for him to wear. Barnabus also noted that all of the men present were young with muscular figures. Of course Ekkar wouldn't have anyone else but men like that in his personal entourage when he went out.

"Well, well, well look what the cat dragged in." Ekkar said a fanged smile crossing his blue muzzle. "I was hoping to see you when I noticed you little dingy parked at pier eighteen. Of course I didn't expect to run into you at this ungodly hour or with you looking like a mangy animal."

"And what were you doing at pier eighteen Ekkar?" Barnabus asked. The lower numbered piers at the spaceport were the ones that the middle classed to very poor citizens of the colony used. A big shot like Ekkar, so rich and famous that even his dammed private restroom had a gold toilet, would never stoop themselves so low as to dock at one of the low numbered piers, let alone spend time at one.

Ekkar seemed to be amused by his ex-boyfriends suspicion. Placing one hand on his hip and looking down at the human with a bit of a condescending smirk. "I just came down here looking for someone who could haul away some scrap for me. There's always a few garbage ships down that way so I thought it would be the best place to look." The Fidraon shifted his eyes to the other two men besides his old friend. Taking notice to the thin young human first then to the beefy green skinned alien. "And who are these two Barney? A pair of tricks you picked up at the bar last night? If that's the case I'm surprised that a man of your... appearance would be able to snag two young chickens like them. Good for you."

There it was, that annoying way Ekkar had of giving a person a back-handed comment and pretending that nothing had happened. It had always driven Barnabus crazy when the blue man did that. Giving a huff the bearded human started walking again, leading Alfred and Miktes around their annoying company and back on the path to their ship. "It's none of your business Anguis just let me pass, because I don't have time to talk to you." He said with a snub of his nose.

"Again you wound me Barney." Ekkar chuckled. Giving his ex-boyfriend a sly look the large man blocked the other Jack's path again and then pulled him out from under the arm of the man he was helping support, Barnabus' absence making Alfred legs buckled as Miktes' full weight was put on him. "Why waste your time messing around with hatchlings likes them when you can join me and my friends back at my ship?" He asked pressing his body against Barnabus' "I'll be happy to allow a fourth to my little slumber party."

Feeling that muscular body pressed up against him caused Barnabus to have a flashback to the nightmare he had had the previous day. The fear, the anger, and the embarrassment all running through his head for a few moments before he snapped back to reality and pushed Ekkar away from him with a growl that sounded very similar to the ones Miktes often made. Landing onto his feet in front of Ekkar, the low level Jack glared up to his elite counterpart.

"Ok, for one thing Ekkar: Don't touch me again!" He started with deadly seriousness. "And a second thing I'm not messing around with anybody, Alfred is my friend and a part of my crew!" He added, nodding back to the blond. "And I don't run my crew like some sort of harem like you do."

Ekkar gave the bespectacled man his ex had just spoken of an uninterested look. "Well... now that I look at him closer I can see why you haven't bedded him. Much to skinny for your tastes if I remember." He smirked again. "You tend to go for muscle gods like me or... fatasses like your green friend over there. Is he another member of the motley crew of misfits you lead?"

"I'm his mate." Miktes suddenly spoke up. Rising fully upright, the recovered Verdomian shoved Alfred away and glared up into Ekkar's draconic face. "And if you touch my submissive again I'll rip your throat out ya scaly bastard." As he had stood there on wobbly legs, the Verdomian had been listening to the conversation between his mate and the lizard like creature. He could tell right away that something was up from the way Barnabus' sent had changed during the whole thing. The strong sent of calm confidence changing into one of anger and a touch of fear. At first Miktes hadn't really cared about the response, thinking that it had served his hairy mate right for disobeying him all the time. But when this "Ekkar" had touched his property that was the last straw. No one touched his human unless he ok'ed it. And with the sultry look the lizard was giving Barnabus there was no way in hell Miktes would ok it."

Taken aback at first by the information that had just been presented to him, Ekkar quickly recovered and gave both Barnabus and Miktes a wide eyed expression. "MATE!?" He asked in an unbelieving tone. "Did I just hear what I think I heard Barney? You're married... to, to, to him!?"

Barnabus glared over to Miktes for a second, miffed that once again the Verdomian had just blurted out the "M" word. But then he realized something at noticing the way Ekkar was acting, flared nostrils and silted eyes, he could have fun if he played this right. "Yeah you heard him right." Barnabus stated, pretending to be proud of the fact instead of being repulsed. "Me and Mickey here just got ourselves hitched a few days ago. It was sort of a spur of the moment thing, surprised both of us."

Growing bold Barnabus went over to Miktes and placed his arm around the green alien's shoulders, pulling the Verdomian close to him in a tight headlock which strangely Miktes didn't resist as his large bulbous nose was shoved against the human's chest. "Real nice wedding too. Had it in a big old temple." Barnabus continued with a wink. "I would have invited you but... then I remembered that I don't like you. So it was a no brainer"

"You seriously got married to this brutish looking... thing!?" Ekkar said as he pointed to Miktes. The Fidraon just couldn't wrap his mind around what he had just heard. Barnabus had been repulsed by the idea of getting married during their time together. Not that the elite Jack had or would ever ask. But still... to think that his Barney was now sufficiently out of his reach, it made him angry. He wanted to kill the green skinned alien in front of him and take back what was his. "I hope you're going to be very happy with you new husband." Ekkar with a nasty looking sneer. "Maybe in a year or two after you grow tired of fucking this filthy... wait... what is he?" The dragon cocked his head giving Miktes a very close look. "I don't think I've ever seen his species around here before."

"I'm a Verdomian!" Miktes said loudly. As time went on he was beginning to dislike this man more and more. "And don't you forget it!"

"MIKTES!" Barnabus snapped with a smack to his own forehead. "Why do you keep blowing you disguise like that!? No one is supposed to know who you are!"

Miktes gave a snort in response to the human's words. "He asked." The warrior simply said. 'Sides what does it matter now? Your "police" already know that I'm here. What more trouble could this stupid bastard knowing do?"

"That's not the point I just wish that you could-"

"Captain!" Alfred interrupted. "Look, over there by the entrance!"

Barnabus stopped his mild rant to shift his attention to where the thinner man had said. Standing at the entrance to the low level piers was a small squad of about four or five armored police officers. The men and women in the middle of questioning a group of military soldiers who vaguely pointed in their direction. Seeing that they were out of time Barnabus quickly stepped around Ekkar with a dismissive huff. "Come on guys I think Rana and Moah are expecting us back on the ship by now."

"Um, right behind you... sir!" as he passed Ekkar, Alfred gave the Fidraon a dirty look. Despite not knowing everything about his captain's relationship with the blue scaled dragon, the Jack doctor did know that whenever it was Barnabus didn't want to be within a light-year of him.

Miktes glared at Ekkar for a few moments too, the Verdomian and the Fidraon sharing a look of hatred and a small struggle for dominance between them. It was only when the blue alien rolled his eyes and turned away that Miktes gave a snort and ran after his mate and their servant. For some reason the red headed warrior just knew that this man or whatever he was, was going to be a whole lot of trouble in the future.

Running the rest of the way to the ship Barnabus quickly slammed his hand against the palm reader. For once the old star craft didn't need to be told twice and the cargo bay door opened up with their usual creaking. 'Thank goodness for little miracles.' The bearded man thought to himself as they ran inside.

Walking into the cargo bay the trio was instantly greeted by both Rana and Moah. Both of them giving the panting men a confused look as they came to a stop in front of them. Getting right to business Rana was the first to speak up. "Ok Barnabus how about you tell us what's going on now?" She asked with her hands on her hips. "And don't give me any lies just let it all out."

Barnabus gave his second a nervous look. He knew this wasn't going to be pleasant, but it had to be done. Taking a deep breath he opened his mouth and let out everything that had happened to them the previous day. Loosing Miktes in the city, being accused of murder, and the police chase across the colony. By the time he had finished he was red in the face and out of breath, expecting an explosion from the Middle Eastern woman to rival all others because of the way he had so spectacularly screwed everything up.

However instead of getting the dressing down he had expected what happened was Rana giving him a blanks look for a few moments before she began saying, in the most eerily calm voice. "So let me get this straight..." She gave a small chuckle. "You go off to deliver a simple hunk of rock to an elderly professor and you come back telling me that you're being chased by the police. For... theft, stealing a transport, fleeing from them, trespassing on an illegal planet, smuggling an unknown alien onto the station, and... this is the best part. You tell me that we've all be accused of murder and that we got a Warg, a famous billionaire, and the entirety of the Aquarii police on their way here to arrest us and throw us into jail."

Barnabus slowly nodded to the assessment of their situation, giving a nervous laugh at the calmness in the air. "That's about the gist of it hun." He said. The way the young woman in front of him was talking was starting to unnerve him. "I thought you'd be a little angrier about my little screw up this. It's a pleasant surprise actually."

Rana gave another chuckle of her own shaking her head. "Oh, Barnabus... ... ... ANGRY DOESN'T DESCRIBE HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW!" She shouted.

"And there it is, welcome back Rana." Barnabus joked. This Rana he could handle. "Now before you kill me how about we focus on trying to get the hell out of dodge before the police find out we made it back to the ship."

Rana fumed for a moment, and then gave a defeated sigh. "Fine let's go." She said turning away from her captain. "But as soon as we're clear of the station you and me are going to have a talk, ok?"

Barnabus nodded back, feeling horrible that his best friend was truly angry with him. "Ok Rana I promise." With a sigh Barnabus watched as Rana motioned for Alfred and Moah to follow her out of the room, leaving the bearded Jack alone in the room with Miktes. Looking over to the green man he found him raising an eyebrow ridge at him. "What?" he asked.

"I don't get it. Why did you let one of yer servants yell at you like that?" Miktes asked. He went over to his mate and gave him a puzzled look. "If I were you I would have just told that woman to shut up."

"Miktes...." Barnabus began with a small laugh. "Rana and the others aren't my servants; they're my crew and my friends. I'm not the sort of leader to just tell her or any of them to just shut up cause I don't like what they're saying." He patted the Verdomian on the arm. "And even if I were that kind of captain, right now I don't have the right to tell them what to do. This whole mess is my fault. I should have been responsible and known better than to take that dammed job."

"Barnabus! We need you on the bridge right now!" Rana's voice came over the communications system suddenly, breaking the two men out of their short conversation. "The Aquarii Police are right outside pointing their weapons at the Wild Comet."

Getting an intensely worried look on his face Barnabus began to jog towards the door which led out of the cargo bay. "Come on Miktes we got to get moving." He said waving the other man to come with him.

Miktes gave the retreating human a strange look before he followed after him out into the hall and down the stairs which led to the lower level of the ship. To the warrior what the human was saying about being a responsible sounded an awful lot like what his father, Daleer had been saying to him a few days ago and that thought annoyed the Verdomian a little. He thought back to his earlier fears of being stuck with someone who would force him to change and tame him like his father always wanted. As his submissive Barnabus should of had the same opinion as him not Daleer's. If the human was going to turn into some nag like his father was then Miktes didn't see a reason why he should be in this mating in the first place.

Walking out onto the bridge Barnabus looked through the windshield to see nearly twenty or so armed, armored police officers alongside with a few police transports with their weapons charging. "Oh boy, that does not look pleasant." He said climbing the stairs to their raised cockpit. "Have they given any demands yet?"

"Just that we should surrender or they'll open fire on us." Rana said not looking Barnabus in the eyes. "What do you want us to do?"

Barnabus pursed his lips for a few moments thinking over their options. In the end though he realized that they only had one choice. He just hoped that afterwards, when they had proven their innocence that they'd be able to explain everything that they were about to do. "Start the takeoff sequence while I get behind the weapons." The Jack captain ordered lightly. "We'll probably have to fight our way out of here. Moah, Alfred, Miktes get yourself buckled in it'll be a bumpy escape."

"Yes sir Captain." Alfred saluted.

Moah followed right behind the young human giving Barnabus a clawed thumbs up. "Yaggho!"

Barnabus smiled down at his two crewmembers at least they weren't as upset about everything as Rana was with him. Turning back to Miktes he found the alien giving him a very put upon glare. "Don't start with me this time Mickey." Barnabus warned in a stern voice

Miktes huffed at the nickname again and crossed his arms over his chest. "I'll sit when I damned well please submissive." He argued for just the sake of doing so.

Barnabus having enough of the younger man went over to him and pushed him down into the third seat of the cockpit, quickly reaching between the surprised Verdomian's opened legs and pulled the lower half of the seatbelt from its slot and locked it with the upper part he pulled down from above Miktes' head. "Now sit here and be quiet for once ok!" He demanded. "I want you to be safe too while we do this. You're temporarily a part of this crew so you're my responsibility as well."

Miktes gave a growl at the command but remained quiet his face reddening a little for some reason. Seeing his command being obeyed, Barnabus giving a relieved sigh as he turned back to the front of the cockpit. "Ready for takeoff?" He asked Rana.

"The engines are all warmed up and the hyperspace slip drive is ready." The female Jack confirmed. "All we got to do is make sure those guys down there don't shoot us through of holes before we can get into the air."

Barnabus slipped into the co-pilots seat, gripping the weapons controls. "Don't worry about them I'll make sure they stay off our ass."

Rana gave her captain a nod and started the engines, the Wild Comet creaking as it lifted off of the ground and started to gain altitude. Outside of the ship the police officers and colony security, seeing their suspects starting to fly away began opening fire. The shots from their laser weapons and cannons hitting the side of the old battered ship, sending sparks flying from the hull as it slowly rose into the air.

"Barnabus, you better start firing!" Rana shouted as she struggled to keep the ship steady. "The Wild Comet won't be able to stay aloft if this keeps up!"

"I'm waiting for the right moment!" Barnabus said back. "We don't have that many canisters in the turrets. So I can't waste them shooting at every single one of them." Looking down at the targeting systems, the Jack watched as they computer targeted the tanks and the police officers under them. He knew that he couldn't fire on the officers; they'd be killed if he actually hit any of them

But like he had told Alfred he knew this spaceport like the back of his hand and right at the end of every pier where it connected to the boardwalk was a power coupling which supplied energy to docked ships. Disabling the targeting system the Jack captain carefully aimed the ships weapons right at the electrified pipe. Steadying his breath and tuning out the sounds of laser fire and the shouts of terror coming from around him, Barnabus slowly squeezed the trigger. The weapons on either side of the Wild's Comet's hull coming to life and firing off a pair of laser blasts that flew from the air and hit their mark with devastation accuracy, the power coupling giving off a small explosion that rocked pier eighteen, making everyone who had the misfortune of being outside have to take cover as a sea of sparks erupted next to them.

"GUN IT NAJJAR!" Barnabus shouted.

"Gunning it Comet!" Pulling back the steering wheel of their starship, Rana angled them upwards, the Wild Comet firing off its thrusters as it took flight away from the sparking and partially destroyed pier. Allowing herself a little leeway as they headed toward the gate she had reserved for them, Rana glanced over to Barnabus who was leaning back in his seat a little too pleased with himself. "That was actually some good marksmanship back there."

"What can I say? Using weapons was the one thing I excelled at before I was booted from the military." Barnabus said casually. Then remembering his earlier misfire back in the alleyway he sighed. "At least when it comes to weapons attached on a ship."

"Well it shows." Focusing back on where they were going Rana lined them up with the gate they were heading to. As soon as they were in place the Jack pilot turned on their communication systems and connected with the people controlling the gate. If they hurried they might be able to get through before the police could figure out which one they were using. "F-class star cruiser Wild Comet: number four, five, five, seven, eight, two, nine, one requesting exit." She announced. "Gate command please respond."

It only took a few seconds for whoever was on the other end of the line to respond. "Negative Wild Comet all gates are on lock down by order of Laird Clayworth and the Aquarii police."

"That old man is really starting to get on my nerves." Barnabus grumbled. Looking around to his crewmates he then asked the question. "Any of you guys got an idea of how we're going to get through this."

Moah was the one to respond to his inquiry, the large hairy man making wild gestures as he began speaking excitedly. Barnabus started to become worried after the Girunjh made an explosion sound and turned to Alfred for a translation. "Um..." The younger man began. "...I don't think that would be a good idea Moah."

"Zutya tenboz frutoz?" Moah asked with a pout.

"Because that would blow up half the station." Alfred responded with a sigh. Looking back up to Barnabus he shrugged. "Doesn't look like we have any ideas down here."

"Just punch a hole through it." Miktes said from behind Rana and Barnabus. Both Jack turned around to see the surly Verdomian giving them a look as if it was obvious what they should do. "Not like you ain't got the weapons to do it. Just shoot them light ray things again."

Barnabus gave a small chuckle. The green man was right, why not just punch on through? They were already in hot water for destroying the pier, why not add to it? It's what all his childhood heroes would do after all. "Ok then let's make ourselves a hole."

"But Barnabus as soon as we blast through energy shielding with fire up to keep the colony from losing any pressure." Rana reasoned. When she saw that what she said was being ignored she let out a small growl. "Fine, I guess we'll just have to make sure we're quick enough to make it through then."

"Thanks Rana." Targeting the large metal gate in front of them, Barnabus waited for his second to take off full force. As soon as she did he lit up their weapons again and unloaded their entire weapons bank on the barrier in front of them. The ship soaring through the large hole at breakneck speed he had created before they shot out of Aquarii colony, fired up their slip drive, and punched a hole through hyperspace, slipping into one of the many byways which ran through I.U.G. space.

[Barnabus: Now that ladies and gentlemen is how you make an exit!]