The Mandoleer’s Folly cut through the dark tapestry of space, heading back to the Order 93 Lair Station. Inside the command center, Spacedawg paced back and forth, the frustration of losing their quarry etched deep in his furrowed brow.
“We had him, right there!” Spacedawg exclaimed, slamming his fist against the console. “And he slipped through our fingers again. It’s infuriating!”
Celine, standing with her arms crossed, nodded sympathetically but with a slight smirk on her face. “We traced the trajectory of their escape to a point near Jupiter,” she revealed, her tone hinting at amusement.
She shook her head, her smirk widening into a chuckle. “I don’t know what’s funnier—the fact that they think they can take over the Sol System with that motley crew, or what’s waiting for them on the other end.”
Spacedawg stopped pacing, intrigued. “What’s waiting for them?” he asked.
“Oh, only a combined human and Canis fleet and the Earth branch of the RCSC,” Celine said with a laugh. “The Canis will have a field day with them. I’d say that’s a mission accomplished.”
“There’s an old saying,” Spacedawg replied, his tone mixing amusement with caution, “Don’t count your chickens until they hatch.”
Celine nodded, then her comm beeped. She listened intently for a moment and then smiled broadly. “Just got confirmation. The prisoners have been apprehended and their station destroyed. We’re in the process of rounding up the stragglers. I can’t imagine the Ramhar Remnant are happy with him. My guess is that they will have a price on their heads and the Ramhar will probably send an assassin or two.”
“And DeSnaijler
Born: March 9, 1903Birthplace: Rotterdam, NetherlandsOccupation: Physician/Geneticist Early Life and Education Joost DeSnaijler was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He graduated top of his class in medical school but faced ostracism due to his far-right political leanings, aligning with Nazi and fascist ideologies. Career and Wartime Activities DeSnaijler was arrested during a National Socialist Movement (NSB) rally but moved to Germany... More?” Spacedawg asked, his voice lowering.
Celine’s expression turned serious as she shook her head. “No one fitting his description was apprehended, nor remains found. It’s like he just disappeared. A large cache of Udath Crystals were found, though. There’s a slight chance DeSnaijlerBorn: March 9, 1903Birthplace: Rotterdam, NetherlandsOccupation: Physician/Geneticist Early Life and Education Joost DeSnaijler was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He graduated top of his class in medical school but faced ostracism due to his far-right political leanings, aligning with Nazi and fascist ideologies. Career and Wartime Activities DeSnaijler was arrested during a National Socialist Movement (NSB) rally but moved to Germany... More got sucked into a mini wormhole. Without navigation, he’ll be lucky if he ends up in some place, some variant of Earth.” She paused, her eyes glinting with a mix of irony and foreboding. “That’s if he doesn’t get hit by a timespace storm. I hear that if you get struck by one of those while in an EVA Suit, you experience the last 30 seconds of your life, over and over again. A fate worse than death.”
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, sealed package, handing it to Spacedawg. “Grab yourself a drink, smoke a little of Henry’s weed,” she said, a grin spreading across her face.
“What’s this?” Spacedawg asked, taking the package and eyeing it curiously.
“One of Henry’s latest strains,” Celine replied with a chuckle. “He wants your honest opinion.”
Spacedawg turned the package over in his hands, a wry smile forming. “Well, after today, I think I could use it. Here’s hoping Henry’s new blend is as potent as his reputation.”
