Arkon

ARKON

T he hologram flickered to life, resolving into the image of a human woman. Dark hair framed an angular face set in a defiant expression. Something about her struck me - a fire in her eyes that spoke of determination and intelligence.

“Dr. Samira Radu,” Davor continued. “Brilliant xenobotanist. Disappeared three standard months ago.”

“What’s her story?”

Davor’s fingers tapped a staccato rhythm on the console. “Rose from a human labor camp to become one of the most respected researchers in her field. Winner of the Nutara Prize in xenobotany and ecological modeling. Got herself a mentor, did solid work for a couple years. And then she vanished.”

I nodded, waiting for more details. There was always something else.

“There’s another complication,” Davor added. “Multiple factions seem to be interested in Dr. Radu’s whereabouts. Some want her found, others seem to want her to stay lost.”

I frowned. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Davor agreed. “Which is why you need to find her first.”

I absorbed the information, my suspicion growing. There was more to this than a simple retrieval mission.

“Any leads?” I asked.

Davor nodded. “Her old mentor received an odd burst of a comm from Kervant-9. It was too scrambled to understand, but he swears it was her voice. Start there.”

Not much, but at least it was something.

“,” Davor called. I paused at the foot of the stairs. “Be careful. This one...it feels like something is off. It’s not just bounty hunters that are looking for her. I have reports that mercenaries - both large firms and freelancers - are chasing this contract.”

I took a moment to look at her again. There was something there, something in her eyes.

“Bring her back safe, ,” Davor said. “You can buy her dinner later.”

“Who said anything about dinner?” I asked with a toothy grin. “I usually get them breakfast.”

“Don’t get too cocky,” Davor said. “And take care to stay safe.”

I acknowledged his warning with a nod, then climbed back into the harsh light of Caroma’s giant sun.

The truth was that Dr. Radu was more than just a clever human. Something about her lithe frame and the way that hologram was positioned. She called to me.

Angrily, I shook my head. I had to get it together. I couldn’t be daydreaming about a target.

The Pomocira waited for me, sleek and deadly. I ran a hand along her hull, admiring the smooth lines that belied her firepower. A sense of anticipation thrummed through me as I climbed aboard.

During the hyperspace jump, I pored over Samira’s file. Her accomplishments were impressive, but it was the gaps that intrigued me. What had driven such a brilliant mind into hiding?

The ship’s AI alerted me as we approached Kervant-9. Excitement built within me as I prepared for atmospheric entry.

The planet sat outside of normal trade routes and so it was lightly populated. It may have been a Consortium planet but even they had to obey the laws of space, which meant that if it was inconvenient to travel back and forth between more populated systems and Kervant-9, it was going to be more sparsely populated.

Which meant, I’d be lucky if I saw very many other beings on this planet unless it was my quarry.

There always was something about the beginning of the hunt. Like lightning, just ready to strike.

Thick cloud cover obscured my view as I descended. When I broke through, a sea of green stretched in every direction. The dense, vibrant jungle pulsed with life.

I landed in a small clearing, powering down the engines. As soon as the hatch opened, humid air assaulted me. The cacophony of wildlife was deafening after the ship’s silence.

Sliding through the green, I warily eyed the unfamiliar insects swarming around me. Their chitinous bodies glowed, compound eyes flashing unnaturally.

Focusing my senses, I picked up a faint trail. The scent was days old, but distinctly human. Confidence surged through me. I’d found her trail.

I pushed deeper into the jungle, following the elusive scent. A flicker of movement was all the warning I got.

I ducked as a massive, snake-like vine lashed out.

Adrenaline pumped through me as I dodged another strike. My hand flew to my weapon, energy blade humming to life. With a single, fluid motion, I severed the attacking plant.

I stopped.

Listened.

Something was off. The cacophony of wildlife had gone quiet.

Before I could react, an energy net crackled to life around me. The searing pain drove me to my knees as electricity coursed through my body. I cursed my overconfidence. How had I walked into such an obvious trap?

“Got him!” a voice crowed from the underbrush.

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I flexed my muscles. The net’s energy field intensified, but Vinduthi strength was not to be underestimated. With a roar, I tore through the crackling mesh.

Figures emerged from the jungle - a motley crew of bounty hunters. One, a bulky Krelaxian, charged at me with a vibroblade. I sidestepped, grabbing his arm and using his momentum to hurl him into a tree. The satisfying crack of breaking bones filled the air.

Two more attacked in tandem - a lithe Sylphid and a hulking Gorak. The Sylphid’s energy whip lashed out, but I caught it, ignoring the burning pain as I yanked her off balance. As she stumbled, I delivered a swift kick to her midsection, sending her flying.

The Gorak’s meaty fist connected with my jaw. I staggered back, tasting blood. These weren’t ordinary bounty hunters. Their coordination and weaponry spoke of serious backing.

I evaded another swing and hammered my fist against the Gorak’s solar plexus. He wheezed, doubling over. My elbow connected with the back of his neck, and he crumpled.

A high-pitched whine caught my attention. I spun, seeing a Volek aiming some kind of energy weapon.

I lunged for cover, but not fast enough. The weapon discharged, and agony exploded through my body. My senses dulled instantly, leaving me disoriented.

I stumbled, my limbs suddenly leaden. The Volek grinned, leveling the weapon for another shot.

As I rolled away a cloud of spores burst from a nearby plant, filling the air with sickly-sweet pollen. My vision swam, the jungle blurring into a nauseating kaleidoscope of greens and browns. I staggered, fighting to maintain my footing as the enhanced senses I’d relied on for my entire life betrayed me.

A laser blast seared past my ear, scorching bark from a nearby tree. The acrid smell of burnt vegetation cut through the spores’ cloying scent. Instinct took over. I bolted, crashing through the dense undergrowth.

Branches whipped across my face and arms as I ran. My muscles screamed in protest, still weakened by the energy weapon. But desperation fueled me, driving me deeper into the jungle’s suffocating embrace.

A vine caught my ankle, sending me sprawling. I hit the ground hard, pain exploding through my already battered body. Warm blood trickled down my arm, leaving a trail that even a novice tracker could follow. Gritting my teeth, I forced myself back to my feet.

The jungle grew denser, the canopy above blocking out what little light filtered through. Shadows danced at the edge of my vision, playing tricks on my addled mind. I pushed on, ignoring the ache in my muscles and the throbbing of my wounds.

The sounds of pursuit grew closer. My pursuers were gaining ground, their shouts becoming clearer. I pushed my aching body harder, knowing that to stop meant capture or death.

“He went this way!”

“Don’t let him get away!” another yelled. “Boss won’t be happy.”

The dense foliage suddenly gave way to a small clearing. I stumbled to a halt, my mind racing as I considered my options. The open space left me exposed, but continuing blindly through the jungle was just as dangerous.

The voices of my pursuers grew closer. I had to make a decision, and fast. Fight or flight? Stand my ground or continue this desperate chase?

I fumbled for my communicator, hoping to call for backup or at least send out a distress signal. Nothing but static filled the air. Frustration mounted as I tried again, only to be met with the same result. Something was interfering with the signal.

I was on my own.