[ TT ] `` Best bounty hunter in the universe ? Well , then you want them , '' said the man , pointing down the bar to where a little girl and her robot were playing chess .

The bar was as quiet as a dead wuulump when the government official walked in. He quickly surveyed the crowd. His brisk body language told everyone to mind their buisiness or face the consequences. The official has a quick stride about him, confident yet rushed. He approaches the bartender. Nobody could hear what was whispered, but everyone knew what was said. Mr. Clarke was never the quiet type. `` Best bounty hunter in the universe? Well, then you want them.'' Clarke said, pointing down the bar to where a little girl and her robot were playing chess. The official nodded his thanks as he turned to inquire the duo. And guess who happened to be sitting right next to them? 
 
 I pretended to pass out from drunkenness. I still dont have much of an excuse; goverment has always scared me. A sweet and innocent voice permeates the air, `` Excuse me mister, but could you please not stare when we're playing? Cuddles does n't like attention very much.'' 
 `` Oh but of course madam, I will be leaving in but a moment. I just wanted to inquire about your bounty hunting services.'' The official replied. 
 He had a slight accent, one from earth for sure. I thought maybe british, but my pretend snores prevented me from hearing well enough to make a final decision. A deep metallic voice cuts my thinking short. `` We consider all offers, as long as payment is garunteed to be above 5 thousand nits.'' 
 `` My status allows me to pay double that up front, moreso upon completion of the mission. I would need you to see me outside when you are finished with your game, if you want the job that is.'' 
 `` Of course mister,'' The girl giggled, `` we love having some extra spending money!'' 
 `` I will go over the details with you soon, then.'' the official said. He quickly strode out of the bar. 
 
 My head is spinning, and not because of alchohol. 10 thousand nits up front? A quarter of that could help me out of my gambling debt and then some! I quickly devised a plan to get in on the money. As the girl beats her massive robot in the chess game, I turn to her. `` Excuse me, but would you like an extra hand? Im looking for work, any work. I re-'' She cuts me off with a giggle, 
 `` Oh mister, we would love another person around. Isnt that right Mr. Cuddles?'' 
 Mr. Cuddles slowly nods his agreement. My plan is off to a stellar start. 
 
 I follow the girl and robot outside. There is a lone government transport ship with its docking hatch open. The official from the bar walks towards is from the hatch. 
 `` If you would sign here please. This form insures that we owe you nothing extra if one or all of your crew members happen to perish.'' 
 The girl just giggles and signs her name. 
 `` Very well,'' the offical says as he tucks the pad into his coat, `` we will provide you with a class II fighter, along with insurance for your personal transportation. Your mission briefing, and all of the money we owe you is in the fighter. You will find it in hangar E.'' 
 `` Thank you mister,'' the girl says. 
 `` Good luck.'' The official turns and begins to board his command ship. This entire situation is a bit strange. Why hire two misfits for the mission if you have enough money for an armada? I'll play along until we find the fighter, then ill pilot it two star systems over. I can start a new life, get a new identity, and be rich for the rest of my life. It will be bliss. 
 
 We find hanger E without trouble. This is the hangar everyone who visits the bar usually docks in, but its mostly empty seeing as the lunch rush is over with. The girl sends the robot to find their personal ship; She and I are going to find the class II fighter. As we round a bend it comes into view. The cockpit is open, and I see the ignition key is already in. This section of the hangar is deserted, so I shove the little girl aside and dash for the ship. I lower myself into the seat and prime for takeoff. The girl is shouting, but I ca n't hear what she's saying over the engines roaring to life. My heart is pounding. It actually worked, i'm home free! 
 
 Im leaving the planet's atmosphere, and the ship is set on autopilot for now. I look around for the money. My heart pounds as I realize it isnt in here. I can resell the fighter I'm in, but it wont net nearly as much as 10 thousand nits. I hear a thud as something makes contact with the side of my ship. I see Mr. Cuddles piloting a freigher, and the girl is using a side-mounted tractor beam to hold my ship. I hear their engines roaring. They're about to launch into hyperspace! Nobody has ever gone into hyperspace while towing with a tractor beam, let alone towing another ship. The properties of travelling at light speed are still relatively new. This is going to be disastrous. The intercom blinks on, and the girl is sticking her toungue out at me on the video feed. `` This is what you get for trying to be a meaner! We're towing you to our mission, which just so happens to be an assault on the meany space pirate headquarters!'' 
 
 If I survive I'm going to wish I had n't. The only band of space pirates I can think of that are within a reasonable distance are the gambling prone Skann. And they never lose a bet. Never. I quickly start my own hyperspace jump, but I dont set any coordinates. I cant beleive I'm blind firing hyper space engines. I wait until the frieghter's engines stop for a split second, signifying a massive fuel intake, and I slam the lightspeed command. I can only think of one thing as my body is juttered by the roughness of interstellar travel. What have I gotten myself into?
