Apsuzette Township

  Space Dock 69- Offworld Visitor Parking Only Section

  Aurelia steps out of the rear hatch off her leased Nuvian shuttlecraft. It will be at least another eighteen months before the Nebulus is retrofitted and ready to set sail again. The damage caused by the strange alien weapons was more extensive than originally thought.

  The Terran Forces had offered Aurelia an entirely new ship, with all of the newest bells and whistles. However, the stubborn young captain had declined their more than generous offer. The Nebulus is her father's ship, commissioned especially for him. No way is anyone going to take the honor of serving at the Nebulus' helm from her. No freaking way. The Nebulus must always have a Captain Hilyard. One day soon, she will use the Nebulus to mete out vengeance on her father's killers. One sweet sweet day.

  Aurelia practically storms up the ramp leading away from Space Dock 69. Aliens of many different species mill around the enormous space port. Some are vendors, selling their overpriced or stolen wares to unsuspecting Apsuzettians. Others are politicians, standing on wooden crates and touting their views to any who will listen.

  Captain Hilyard pays the politicians and the vendors very little attention. She hustles up the ramp, headed for what she has been informed will be the best place to recruit for a dangerous mission--the local saloon. Apsuzette's most rough and tumble citizens are said to congregate there. Surely, a few of these tough creatures can be coaxed into joining her crew?

  "Ah, Captain Hilyard," a familiar voice says. "I was just informed that your ship had arrived. Welcome."

  Aurelia turns, locking eyes with the sturdy Apsuzette police commander. The large ape lumbers in her direction, black billy club swinging at his side with every hard step. Aurelia puts out her right hand and the ape commander grasps it in a friendly shake.

  "Commander Orango, it's good to finally meet you in person!" Aurelia says. "My father told me a lot about you. It seems we always just miss each other. Ha. You, being a busy ape and all."

  "Haha," the orangutan laughs, running his free hand through his unruly bright orange hair. "It does seem to be that way. And I am quite busy these days. Especially, dealing with our most recent...Uh...Prisoner."

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  "That bad, huh?" Aurelia says, intrigued. "Is he dangerous?"

  "Fenfeld? No," Commander Orango states, shaking his head. "He just...He keeps escaping. The first time, Fenfeld escaped...He almost killed two of our guards. He and his cellmate flooded the entire prison...With some help from a few unwitting female accomplices. It took us a week to replace all of the ruined carpeting. The next time, he tried to escape...He used army ants. He managed to smuggle some kind of whistle into the jail and called up a whole platoon of 'em. Had the guards dancing around like it was Gratis Marte."

  "Uh, you mean...Marti Gras?" Aurelia says, her mouth twisted with amusement.

  "That's what I said...Isn't it?" Commander Orango inquires, his brow furrowing.

  "No...It wasn't," Aurelia corrects him.

  "Well, that's what I meant. I remember the first time we celebrated a Gratis Marte on Apsuzette. It was all your father's idea. The whole town was a mess. No one left their houses for three days. Everyone was much too drunk. They couldn't have found the front door if they'd wanted to. Haha. It was a lot of fun."

  Aurelia's face becomes one complete smile as she observes the inner joy radiating from Commander Orango's soul. Her father had done that. Her father had brought unheard of joy to the people of Apsuzette. Sure, it had resulted in a three day hangover for most involved. But now, Marti Gras is an official holiday on Apsuzette. A planet, and space township, more than twelve light-years away from Earth. How cool is that?

  "Commander Orango, about this Fenfeld guy," Aurelia begins. "What if I...Took him off of your hands. Get him away from Apsuzette? Would that make your day a little easier? I'm in need of a crew for a very dangerous mission, after all. Sounds like this Fenfeld...Won't be missed."

  "Oh, Captain Hilyard," Commander Orango coos. "Nothing would make me happier."

  -

  -

  Apsuzette Prison

  Solitary confinement

  Fenfeld reaches through the metal bars on the tiny window at the top of his cell. He angles his wrist and tosses a piece of bread in the direction of the footsteps approaching his cell door.

  "Is that you, Orango?" Fenfeld yells loudly. "I can smell you a mile away...You big idiot! You can't keep me in here! You understand? You can't keep me..."

  Fenfeld backs away from the cell door as the keys are inserted. He crosses each of his six arms over his exposed chest and grins. It's about time. Fenfeld does not expect to lock eyes with the gorgeous human female who stands to Commander Orango's left. Are they bringing him company? Cool.

  "I believe....This belongs to you!" the woman says, holding up a piece of stale bread.

  Fenfeld laughs uncomfortably. Oh boy. Here we go again.