Rennick and Ipino looked the snobby five and a half foot tall weasel, in outlandishly priced clothes, standing next to them. Emerald colored almond eyes were slanted in disgust. There was no doubt that if she had not been ordered to assist them, she would have dropped them faster than a two dollar habit. Not that it mattered in the end. Antrallia was there to pay for the slaves they were purchasing. It was the only reason they needed her. If she proved to be too much of a hassle they would deal with her. For now, they needed workable slaves. Both knew that their alpha was a sucker for the broken so there was room to be flexible based on circumstances.

  They decided to go through as many slave traders as possible knowing this was their chance to salvage as many lost to poor choices or to circumstances beyond anyone’s control. The first two slave shops had been disgusting. The smell had been atrocious as had the state of the slaves. In those instances, Antrallia had managed to get them excellent deals in exchange for not losing their licenses. Renninck and ipino had purchased every slave at cost. Between the two shops they came away with one thousand Dragonlings, Kobolds, Dhampirs, and Fae slaves in bad shape. There had just been no way they could leave them behind and look their alpha in the eyes. This was the third shop. There had been an attempt to clean the place up, but the job had been hastily done and the evidence of slaves in poor shape were obvious under clothes that barely stayed on emaciated frames. The disgust on Antrallia’s face was statement enough.

  Rennick demanded access to the files of the slaves while Ipino went from one pen to the next looking for anyone who fit the underdog pile. By the time he returned to Rennick, Ipino had found five that he wanted to speak to. Desperate to please, after the dressing down the shop owner had received from the emperor’s servant, the owner saw that they were retrieved immediately.

  Two women and three men were brought before Rennick and Ipino. The two women were Nure-Onna, snake people. From just below their hips to their heads were humanoid and the rest of their bodies were snake-like. Their eyes were also similar to a snake. These two women looked like they were wearing a dress that would have suited Mortia Gomez, but was instead scales creatively placed to lure in the unwary. Ther bodies were the toned muscles of a swimmer, but the shape was that of a runner.

  On one the hair fell in ringlets down her back and the other the tips curled about her chin. The scales of the long haired woman were bronze and copper the second nure-onna’s scale were reds and greys. Both of their tails were long and coiled neatly beneath them. Neither woman showed defeat in their eyes, but neither had any real hope of escape either. They were the first to be examined that were not almost wasting away. They admitted to having been betrayed by their people and sold into slavery.

  The three men were also different races. One of them was a massive lumbering giant that made Ni’yell look small. His race was the Jotnar. Some of the jotnar took on elemental abilities, which often matched their colouring. The jotnar in front of them was covered in red, golds, blacks and whites. That meant he came from the hot regions of Volcaris. It only took a moment to locate the bands around the neck, wrist and ankles that were intended to control his magical output and likely his body temperature. Can’t have him burning the place down in a fit of rage.

  The second man was unusual as he was a mix of the simpler races (Unable to shift) and the ancient races (Capable of many unique skills and abilities including shifting) He looked like a cross between a panther and a fox with ten tails, the copper fur on the beast’s chest was dull as was the raven black fur on the rest of his body; proof of poor care. Gauging exactly what his race was required time. The last man appeared to be a mix of races as well. There were patches of scales sporadically placed on the body that could be seen from the way his shirt seemed to catch on them that suggested there might be dragon blood in him. His eyes were dull. Left to his own devices he was not likely to last long.

  “If these do not please…” the merchant bowed. “I have better at a different shop.”

  “If its half as disgusting…” Antrallia scowled.

  “I just purchase this shop mistress,” the merchant replied. “I’ve not had the chance to make any changes. In order to make any money off these slaves I will need to see them fed, washed and treated in case of disease.”

  Rennick spotted Ipino roll his eyes and had to agree. The odds of the merchant actually doing anything with the slaves was extremely low. Rennick slid a pile of folders to the merchant. “These have been here the longest. We will take them at cost. You will supply the food cost you were going to use any way.”

  The merchant winced.

  The second pile he slid forward was not as tall. “These ones we need to see their contracts as they are debt slaves and this pile,” Rennick tapped an even smaller pile. “We will assess individually. We will also take these five. We trust that Antrallia will be able to determine the best price for each grouping. We will not be paying top dollar since they are not top dollar slaves but this will serve both as you will not need to tend to their needs for long and we save money.”

  The merchant bowed silently. Antrallia glowered at Rennick for his little speech.

  Antrallia Esparda, personal financial accountant to the emperor

  Antrallia was perplexed. She shuffled in her seat aboard the alien shuttle. She had been told what the new alpha wanted in her slaves and in the last two weeks she had seen her pets purchase what seemed to be random slaves. Some had to be pity purchases because the slaves were beyond pathetic. No one in their right mind would pay for slaves they would then have to pay to get into any kind of shape where they would actually be valuable. Every time she thought she knew what they were doing or looking for they left her feeling as though her feet had been swept out from beneath her.

  She had expected to end up in high end slave shops not backwater dives. The state of the shops left her wanting to shave her fur off to be sure that she had taken nothing with her. Just the thought of those places made her skin crawl. She would have to mention to the prince that the slave shops have been left too long to themselves. All she had to do was survive the mad shopping spree.

  “Maybe if you told me what you were looking for?” Anrtrallia tried; crossing her legs.

  Ipino shrugged. “It’s hard to explain. Each case is unique.”

  “Alpha,” Rennick spoke up. “Believes that even in a shit pit gold can be found. Many of the slaves that we purchase so far were not slaves because they did anything wrong. Most of them were in those shops because of someone else or desperation. The children were sold, but you won’t convince me that they deserve to be in these hell holes. Most of the adult are similar in case. Surprisingly few have anything do with having committed a crime. And the few that did were not even extreme crimes. Of the hundred criminals’ half of the thefts were miscellaneous necessities: food, clothes, medicine. Given a chance to do better, just how many of them do you think will not grab hold and do what needs doing to hold on to it?”

  Antrallia swished her tail in agitation. What exactly was he implying?

  “It’s not about the emperor or anyone else’s shopping habits. Alpha believes that the best game is the long game. She was not planning on opening her business tomorrow. That will take several months. She is building a foundation that can sustain the weight that she will have to carry. Getting into the war packs was no small feat...”

  “And not one that she was even planning for,” Ipino interjected.

  “The expectation,” Rennick eyed Ipino. “Is high because the other alphas are big figures in their own rights. If she just declares herself an alpha who will take her seriously? If the emperor tells the galaxy, then the expectation will be that she is as capable as the other dogs even in their madness.”

  Ipino stretched. “Take Mitah for example. His race is known for their unstoppable force when they get moving or hunker down, but Mitah was considered a failure. Now put him in the pilot’s seat and he can fly.” He tilted his hand like an updraft was lifting it higher. “Circumstance does not make us who we are, it just determines where we are found.”

  “Renden said that all the time,” Rennick spoke softly.

  Ipino only nodded. “We are missing a body,” Ipino stated as he looked around.

  “With Mitah.” Rennick’s ears twitched. “Been asking questions non stop since Mitah gave him free reign. Whoops,” the shuttle shuddered. “Think we’ve a new pilot.”

  Ipino burst out laughing at the horror on Antrallia’s face. “Relax lady. Mitah won’t let him crash us in to anything.”

  Nose in the air, Antrallia handed a clipboard to Rennick. “You need strong bodies for lifting and bodies that can endure long hours. My advice is to go to this shop. Avaneir is known for selling quality sturdy races in bulk at reasonable prices. It’s where the emperor goes when he needs guards.”

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  The end of Rennick’s tail twitched as he handed the file to Ipino. “Go pass the coordinates to Mitah.”

  Ipino launched from his seat and prowled to the cockpit.

  Rennick eyed the woman across from him. “I don’t care what you think of us, but your attitude needs to disappear. Mitah might appear weak, but I promise he is only the weakest of us; which is not saying much. Any insult to us is an insult to alpha and he won’t tolerate that for any reason. Be warned.”

  Mitah lumbered in with Ipino in tow. “Craiden is impressive,” Mitah grinned. “He’s taken to the controls like it’s all he’s ever done. I’m keeping him. Gonna train him to pilot,” he grinned like he won the lottery. “Ni’yell said to be sure that we are getting underdogs. I told him you guys found five. He rolled his eyes. I’m sure of it,” he chortled. “This stop is closer than the last so we will be landing in thirty. There are actually four shops here that cater to the wealthy and two illegals according to Max. I have the location for all six. Orders are to wipe out the illegals and play nice with the other four. Ni’ contacted a merc on the planet who will meet us on landing. Deal is they get whoever is security and five percent of the slaves. The lady might want to wait here for those. Transport is also being arranged, but will depend on how many slaves we have at the end. That includes all six.”

  Rennick nodded. “Thanks. I’ll break out the gear.”

  Mitah gave a slow nod before heading back the way he came.

  “Oh, thank gawd,” Ipino growled. “I get to shoot something. Let’s see.” He loped over to the weapons cabinet and pulled out an assault rifle. Moving back to the four slaves sitting with Rennick and Antrallia he held it out. “Anyone ever use one of these?”

  One of the Nure-Onna lifted a hand. “I have basic knowledge.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “What do you want it to be?”

  “Don’t,” Rennick ordered. “Alpha won’t like it. If you don’t have a name, say so.”

  “Akihare,”

  “hisst,” the second Nure-Onna glared.

  Akihare shrugged. “I am not a princess anymore. Hanei, you will do well to remember that.”

  “My name is Rennick, I am the martial arts master and number one sniper. That is Ipino, he is the quartermaster. Mitah is shuttle master. The name of our second in command is Ni’yell you will know him because he is the only shawling under our alpha at the moment. Desohta is master healer. Runningwind is our all mighty supply master. Holten is master of communiation; which overlaps with Max. Max is in charge of intel gathering and networking. Not everyone is needed to fight. Some people will be managing or working for what will be a major business. Make sure word gets around that anyone with family should make it known,” Rennick stated.

  Ipino tilted his head so he could glare at Rennick. “Do you mind?”

  Rennick held his hand up in surrender.

  “As I was saying. Simple to use,” Ipino broke the riffle into its major parts. “Barrel, receiver, stock, trigger mechanism, sights, scope and magazine,” he pointed to each part as he named it. “The magazine can hold 10, 20, or 30 rounds in each clip. There are two switches: one puts the weapon in safety; the other determines how many bullets fire at once. This one is semi or fully automatic. There is a kick to it. If you do not hold it firmly you will have no control. It is possible to sight this, down the barrel, if you know what you are doing,” Ipino demonstrated.

  Rennick handed a rifle to Akihare and Hanei. Hanei took the rifle and checked it like a pro before reaching for the clip. When she was only given one, she waved her clip, motioning for more. Ipino grinned and walked back to the cabinet. Reaching in he withdrew two harnesses already equipped with extra clips. Handing them over he watched as the Nure-Onna equipped the harnesses like they were born to them, Ipino whooped. Rennick shook his head and climbed into his own harness.

  “These are not normal rounds,” Hanai stated; holding up a clip with glass tips.

  “No,” Rennick agreed. “They are nonlethal. Each bullet will drop a young dragon for several hours.”

  Hanei gave a nod, then organized the clips so that she knew which one she was reaching for. “Knife?”

  Rennick passed over a six inch serrated carbon steel combat knife with sheath. She took it handle first and strapped it in place, then asked for a second one. Akihare requested three of the small blades.

  “I’m faster with blades,” she stated. Ipino shrugged.

  “Landing in five,” Craiden stated over the comms unit.

  Rennick braced as he took out four neck units that would allow them to remain in communication. Shutting the cabinet he sat in the nearest seat. As per usual, Rennick could have remained standing and not have been knocked over. Mitah was too good a pilot.

  CARVER Striker Company (Criticality, Accessibility, Recuperability, Vulnerability, Effect, Recognizability)

  Sargent Mahoag stood with twenty mercenaries waiting for the arrival of a new model of shuttle. From there they were taking out two illegal slave shops. Commander Kor’ Al Ahrei negotiated for the security personnel and five percent of the slaves from each shop. It was an unusual agreement, but that was not what bothered the sergeant. What had him worried was the unknown they were working with. He had never heard of an Alpha Micha Bailey. Worse it was two of her dogs not her they were dealing with. He drew a hard line at dealing with anyone that was incompetent. Especially when lives were on the line.

  Then he saw the shuttle docking and heard the whistle behind him. The shuttle had a blue tint to the metal and was somehow sleek in design the tips of the wings flipped up to allow it to fit into the dock. He had a hard time locating the cockpit because it all appeared seamless and there was no glare from the lights behind him; as though is swallowed the light completely.

  He had no doubt it was capable in a fight and from the way it was gliding in the pilot knew what they were doing. When the crew behind him took a step back, Mahoag stayed where he was. The shuttle halted right before the edge of the dock. He could have lifted his boot and rested it comfortably on the nose.

  The nose protracted out of the way revealing a ramp to the inside of the shuttle. From what Mahoag could see there was at least two levels to the inside. Tempted to go inside and explore like a little boy, he patted his pockets in search of the cigarettes that were not there anymore. The ramp revealed a were-panther, a humanoid and two Nure-Onna; all equipped and ready for action. Without any hurry they moved to join Mahoag at the front of the end of the ramp.

  “Sargent Mahoag?” the panther queried.

  Mahoag nodded. “You Rennick?”

  “That’d be me,” then he pointed at the humanoid. “Ipino,” he motioned to the Nure-Onna. “Hanei and Akihare. Lead on.”

  Mahoag gave another bob of the head. “This is my second in command,” he pointed to the Dragonkin on his right. “This way.”

  Three shuttle vans stood ready. With quick efficiency the mercenaries piled in and made room for the four newcomers. Fitting the Nure-Onna without snagging their tails proved a bit tricky, but the vans were quickly under way. Mahoag started conversation off lightly by clarifing the reason for so many slaves. Rennick was either unconcerned or used to being pressed. He glossed over the question by stating that there was need for workers. They slid into the expectations of the panther at the first stop in comparison to the second illegal shop. “Kriskoff is a wily devil. Thought about hitting him first, but I know his hidey-holes. That and our intel says he is receiving three shipments of slaves as we speak. Might as well give the opportunity to sort them before we arrive.”

  Rennick shrugged. “Whatever is the easiest.”

  “That’s why Kriskoff is second. Give us a chance to figure out how we jib together,” Mahoag pulled out a map and showed it to Rennick. “This is the inside of our first stop. The guy we are targeting works for a noble named Mieriev, who is constantly popping up shops. Your boss told my boss this is his last popup.”

  Rennick examined the blueprint of the building they were entering and found he wished that Max was there to guide them quickly and efficiently. There were three floors and a basement, which seemed to be where the slaves were kept, and four ways in on the main floor including the loading bay, which was huge. Rennick crossed his arms thoughtfully then passed the map to Ipino and the ladies.

  “Fastest way in or out is the loading bay. We blitz it hard and fast. We can control the flow of bodies,” Hanei suggested.

  Mahoag assented. “The majority go through that loading bay. The rest hit the other exits.”

  “This is your op” Rennick stated. “We can slide in where ever you need us.”

  Mahoag grunted. “You’ll sweep the south west exit with Cranby and Suutan.”

  “If you can spare them. Otherwise, we are fine just the four of us.”

  Mahoag considered himself a good judge of character. He had met and faced some powerful people, but none of that prepared him for the intense force that emanated from the panther. It was not the kind of power that overwhelmed a person unless he wanted it to. If that was the level of expectation that came with the power he carried that made Mahoag want to shudder just wondering how much stronger the alpha was.

  “I’ll leave it to you four. We’ll meet on the third floor. Gotta move fast to prevent the flushing of the slaves.”

  “Then why don’t we go up?” Akihare wondered.

  “No way to get between the buildings without being spotted.”

  “We can get there,” Hanei stated. “What are we looking for?”

  Mahaog wished he had not quit smoking. He sure needed something to chew on. He always thought better with something to chew on. Then he nodded. Pulling the map close he pointed to the room at the far north of the building. “There is a lone switch on the wall. It cannot be flipped. If by chance it is, you need to flip the panel next to it and slam the button fast as you can.”

  Akihare closed her eyes as she visualized the room. With precision she described the layout based on the blueprint. When Mahoag confirmed that she had it right she nodded.

  Even as the vans slowed down the Nure-Onna were on the moved and out of sight before Mahoag had the opportunity to say go. He waited ten seconds, then ordered each team to move. “Cranby, Suutan, you’re with the new guys. Panther’s in charge. Cranby,” Mahoag looked at Rennick. “Is your explosive expert if you need it and Suutan handles hacking.”

  Rennick nodded at Catkin and the reptile respectively.

  Rennick disembarked and trusted that the members of his team knew where they were going. Before he hit the alley leading to his entrance he heard the soft sound of combat boots on hard ground. At the door there were two guards; neither seemed very alert. He stepped around the corner and discharged two shots before the two guards realized what was going on. “Suutan you’re up.”

  The lizardman slipped forward not even looking at the two downed men. As they waited for Suutan to get the door open, Ipino and Rennick quickly tied hands and feet. No point in risking a back attack if there was no need.

  “We’re in.” the door swung open.

  “Cranby, Ipino, you’re in first.”

  Without a word the two men took off through the door. By the time Rennick and Suutan caught up they had had to pause to tie up several bodies. The four moved on clearing room by room; working in teams of two. Cranby and Ipino almost missed a door hidden behind a cabinet wall. It was the sound of a toilet flushing that alerted them. Whoever was in there was in for a big surprise. Ipino got an even bigger surprise what the first bullet fired through the door did not drop whoever was in the bathroom. The door slammed open and a Renshaw stormed out roaring. Ipino fired twice more before the woman hit the floor. From the collar about her neck, she was a slave.

  Ipino took the time to roll her comfortably on her side. There was not much more that he could do for her at that particular moment, but if all went well then things were going to get better.