The Vrlaxn have the reputation of being underdeveloped and backward, as spacefaring species go. Legend has it they stole their interstellar technology from a scientific expedition that had the misfortune of landing on their insignificant planet. If not for their near monopolistic lock on draylixian, which pretty much powers, well—everything, nobody would give them a second thought.
Maybe that’s why Intelligence screwed up—they’d underestimated the Vrlaxn. In the mission briefing, the planners were confident I’d be able to infiltrate the ship undetected.
Well, that was a failed plan.
They discovered me on their ship where I’d stowed away, hoping to hijack a huge shipment of draylixian, worth a fortune. Despite what Intelligence said, their tech must have been pretty sophisticated. My natural camouflage makes me difficult to detect by most species. And being cold-blooded, I’m practically invisible to thermal sensors.
My only hope of completing my mission was a ruse. I pleaded for mercy, appealed to their morals, knowing they’d take the crueler option.
“Do what you like. Kill me if you must. But don’t abandon me in this wasteland. I’d rather die a quick death than suffer the agony of dying from thirst in the blazing sun.”
They dropped me in the middle of the desert.
They clearly know nothing about my homeworld, nor did my scaly skin and cold-blooded nature make them suspicious. By literally deserting me, I gained the best chance of finding my way to the spaceport.
After five days of traversing open areas in the energizing warmth of the sunny days, seeking shelter to sleep through the bone-chilling cold of the night, and living off the plant life that, just like home, hoards water, I arrived, refreshed and well-fed, at a bluff overlooking the spaceport. The Vrlaxn ship was right there. If I played this right, I could enter the ship undetected. But this time—I would hide better.
There weren’t any open cargo bays, nor any freight containers. The draylixian was on board, and the pilot and crew weren’t—I hoped.
I relaxed into full camouflage mode and let my scales and lateral sensors blend me with the sandy environment. Panting and moving in and out of the shade, I regulated my heat absorption. My thermal signature should be indistinguishable from the background. But I still stayed stealthy in my movements. Too much overconfidence got me caught in the first place. They’re a lot better at this than we gave them credit for.
Down on all fours and keeping my tail up to avoid detection where it might drag across a rough patch, I slithered down the slope to the ship. I paused every few meters, just to be sure no one was looking, and approached the ship from the rear.
To my right, the Vrlaxn pilot was talking with the freight manager. I toggled my helmet sensor to heightened aural detection and listened in.
The freight officer was speaking. “Food and supplies are loaded. Your crew is in the warehouse with the last crates of cargo.”
Damn it. They’re almost ready to leave. I needed to move quickly. I stayed low and slid into the shadow next to the ship, still keeping close tabs on the pilot’s conversation.
The Vrlaxn pilot extracted her hand-held. “Here’s the final payment, less the loading fee, since my crew did the work.”
“That’s not the way it works,” said the manager, arms crossed, antennae stiff. “I told you when you landed, I’m not asking my crew to max out on tau-lepton exposure. Pay the fee, or I’ll stop the refueling pumps.”
The Vrlaxn stretched up on her back set of legs, towering over the freight manager.
“We had a deal. Now you want more credits.”
“Oh, so you’re going to what—beat me up? It was your choice to land.”
Well, that’s shitty. The draylixian was aboard and the crew wasn’t, but apparently, they hadn’t shielded the draylixian properly. This mission just became a whole lot riskier—not likely I’ll even make it home alive.
Goddamn Vrlaxn.
The pilot lowered herself, narrowed her eyes, and clenched her jaw. “Very well. We’ll leave after my crew has had some rest.”
The freight manager pointed his finger at the pilot, an angry expression on his face. “No. You need to leave now. Get your stuff and go.”
I rose on my hind legs and accessed a small hatch on the ship’s side, away from the exchange that was still going on. They hadn’t thought of changing the access code. Probably didn’t think that’s how I got in the first time.
A soft closing of the hatch, and I raced towards the flight deck. No one was aboard, no on-board security. Must have been pretty sure there wouldn’t be intruders.
I belted in. The anti-grav lifters hummed to life. The FTL prestart sequence kicked up dust behind the external exhaust ports.
As I checked the surroundings outside through the viewport, the pilot spun around, a look of confusion on her face as her ship powered itself up.
I resisted the temptation to shut down my camouflage and show the Vrlaxn pilot who’d bested her. My bet was she’d figure it out. Too bad for her. I powered the ship off the ground, out of the atmosphere and into space.
After a quick status check, I engaged the FTL drive.
Five days to home and another year of survival for my planet.
I should be able to withstand the tau radiation long enough to get this ship through the Vrlaxn blockade—barely.
One more year of resistance.
One more year hoping the Union will come to our aid.
But this would be my last trip. Like the freight manager warned, I’ll be maxed out on my exposure. Five days—the damage will be irreversible.
Next year it will be someone else’s turn.