[i]I know I said I wouldn't be back until next week but I couldn't resist.[/i] "Geren!" "What?" We can't take much more of this. We need to abort!" Sully yelled. "We can't! Do you know how much glimmer could be on that ship?" Moron yelled back. "I think he's right, Moron. It's not worth dying for." Geren said. "Soren, leave it. W we can't take this one." Soren-37 pulled back on the joystick, causing the Maverick to drift off course. Millions of ice crystals glanced off the hull, shattering into even more pieces. Geren watched as the cargo ship disappeared amid the tail of the comet. Myra leaned against the wall, and sighed. "Another bust. Are we going soft, or something?" she asked. "I don't know. Maybe we should head for Earth. We can pick up some bounties there." Geren said. "Setting course." Soren said. "I'll be in my quarters. Wake me up when we get there." Geren said. He turned and walked away, into the dark corridor. Myra got up and walked towards Sully. "Do you have the cloak repaired yet?" she asked. "Not since we had to take it out to hide it from the City." he replied. "Get on that. We'll probably need it on Earth." "Yes, ma'am." he muttered sarcastically, as he disappeared into the corridor after Geren. Three hours later, they dropped out of warp into orbit around Earth. Soren reached over to the PA system. "Eyes up, people. We're here." In less than a minute, the entire crew was assembled on the bridge. "Alright people. We're going to land in old Tibet. Are you ready?" Geren asked. "Yes sir." they all said. "Good. Now in order to remain inconspicuous, Moron, you will stay up here and maintain the ship. We will transmat down." He added. "Old Tibet. Isn't that near Everest?" Myra asked. "Yes. There's an outpost there. Due to the cold, they have many frozen goods." Geren said. "Ice cream?" Moron asked hopefully. "If they have some, we'll bring it back for you." "YAAHOOOO!!!" Moron screamed. Geren's boots hit the ground, then began sinking into the snow. "Everybody make it?" he asked. He listened as the rest of the crew checked in. "Alright, let's go." he said. They entered the outpost. Tents and rickety wooden building swayed in the wind. A thin layer of snow covered the ground. A few people sat around, watching. And above it all, Everest loomed in the distance. They entered a pub on the right. Outside, everything was cold and silent. Inside, was a different story. People laughed and sang. A warm yellow light shone from the fireplace. When they entered, the entire crowd turned and looked at them. All went silent. A large Awoken man stood up. "You aren't welcome here." he said. Geren smashed the butt of his gun into the man's stomach. As the man doubled over, Geren brought his knee up into the man's face. The man dropped like a stone. The crowd was silent for a moment, then they began cheering. Several seats were opened for them along the bar. The general hubbub came back. Geren leaned over the bar. "I need work for me and my crew. Know anybody?" he asked the bartender. "Not really anybody here. Maybe you could try old Delilah. She sometimes has jobs for bounty hunters. Drink?" the man asked. "No thanks. Come on guys. We're going." he told the crew. They got up and walked towards the door. "Hey you guys go on. I'll catch up." Sully said. "I have to heed the call of nature." Geren shook his head. "Alright, meet us up there." he said, pointing to a dilapidated hut up the road. Sully turned and went to the outhouse behind the building. He climbed in and closed the door behind him. as he closed the door he heard a click. He tried to open the door. It was locked. He reared back and kicked the door. A force field appeared and absorbed the kick. He tried again, with no effect. Sully pulled out his pulse rifle, and aimed at the wall. "I wouldn't do that, if I were you." Sully looked around. "Where are you? Who are you?" he asked. "You are looking for work, no?" the voice came out of nowhere. "Maybe." Sully said, cautiously. "I have an opportunity for you." the voice was clearly masked by technology. A small disk dropped from the ceiling. Sully picked it up. "Take this. It has all the information you will need." Sully activated the disk's holographic projection. "I want you to kill this man." Sully gasped. "Are you serious?" he asked. "I do not play around. Kill him in one hundred and sixty eight hours or the deal is gone." "What do we get in return?" "Five billion glimmer." Sully choked. "You now have one hundred and sixty seven hours, and fifty nine minutes. Get moving." "How do I know that you will keep your word?" Sully asked. "You will receive proof, in time." The force field deactivated, and Sully took off running, holding the hologram in his hands.