Lionel extended his hand through the hatch feeling Rylan’s firm grip grab him. “I was a distraction.” He said as he was hoisted upwards.

  “Don’t sell yourself short - you were a great distraction.”

  “Because being the surveillance guy wasn’t enough?”

  “You can’t take full credit for that though,” Rylan smirked.

  “Will you two have your heart-to-heart later? Some of us are still working.”

  Beatrice sat cross-legged leaning forward to the vault. In one hand, she held a laser tool the size and shape of a screwdriver, while the other hand typed into a panel she had attached to the shield.

  “Ship’s grounded. No possible jump for the next hour at least.” Beatrice tsked at the vault. “Tricky. Tricky.” She whispered, immersing herself back in her work.

  Silent Drifter’s design carried throughout the ship with faux wooden floorboards and thick beams overhead. Lionel pressed against it wondering if it was a hologram.

  “It’s the real deal. Sealed between so it’s space safe but Captain Wilhelm actually found the beams himself. Guess he considers himself a real space-pirate.”

  Even the wall had wide portholes with cannon blasters.

  “We have access to these three rooms,” Rylan pointed to two archways as he dropped a large backpack. He bent to retrieve a pad and tossed one over to Lionel. “It will open the lockers. Happy shopping!”

  With that, Rylan headed off leaving Lionel to choose the opposite archway. The room was a tight fit, not much bigger than his living quarters. Metal lockers lined each wall; he avoided those that were clearly labelled with crew names, having no intention of stealing from them.

  “Found you,” Lionel whispered in awe.

  Directly ahead, the suits were hung in a glass wardrobe. After a quick inspection of the pad Rylan had given him, he felt confident enough to try it out. He grabbed his screwdriver and removed the cover on the wardrobe's keypad, connecting the device's wires. It came to life with a whir and a beep. Lionel read the code flashing over the screen, these machines were designed to work for anyone and with a simple click the case opened. He guessed space suits weren’t high security when you owed over ten.

  Lionel ran his hand over the suit’s sleeve, and it flowed like water between his fingers. It was designed with thin hexagonal plates that acted both as armour and were fitted with sensors that managed pressure, temperature and moisture. Around the waist was a belt holding emergency oxygen and stored on the floor were several lightweight tanks filled with compressed air. He took a few canisters and then almost regretted folding a few of the beautiful suits into his bag.

  He methodically cleared the other lockers, packing away any tools that might upgrade Rover- reels of cables, spools of wire, first aid kits. One of the last lockers he opened stored approximately ten black briefcases, he flicked the clasps open and stepped back. Cradled in the foam inlay were five spheres, he snapped the lid closed, trying not to unsettle the explosive devices.

  Lionel looked over either shoulder, his mind torn. Then he carefully placed one briefcase in his backpack before zipping it up.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Got it!

  He read Beatrice’s alert and headed to the vault. The shield had disappeared revealing a reinforced metal safe secured into the wall. On a ship styled for pirates, it was by far the most ordinary thing there. Beatrice twisted the handle and with a slow exhale, she opened the door. Lionel and Rylan leant in for a closer look.

  “Jackpot.”

  Inside was a treasure trove, a stash of rare metals, glowing space rocks, coins and valuables. Rylan selected the glass cases, each protecting unstable material shards, and placed them on the floor.

  “How much do you think two orphans' lives are worth?” Rylan’s voice was a whisper as he stared at the safe.

  He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he reached his arm in and scooped everything within reach.

  “Wait!” Beatrice hissed but it was too late. “I haven’t checked for tertiary protocols.”

  Everyone froze as if expecting the blare of an alarm. But nothing happened.

  “No harm no foul I guess.” Said Rylan but he looked appropriately chagrined.

  “You got lucky -

  Beatrice was interrupted by the door slamming open. One of the guards stood at the top of the stairs, he looked equally shocked to see them.

  “Thieves!” He shouted, his voice booming.

  They didn’t wait to see who was going to respond. Grabbing their loot they raced to the hatch. Beatrice and Rylan dropped their bags with a loud thud. Lionel slung his on his back, too scared to jostle the explosives.

  Beatrice disappeared down the rope just as a shuriken thudded against the hatch, its sharp points embedding in the wood.

  “Rylan!” Lionel pushed him to the side as several more throwing stars shot by where his chest would have been.

  Rylan looked up in horror, a thin slice of red blooming on his bicep.

  “Don’t think you’re the only one to notice things.” The adrenaline made Lionel sound breathless. “Go. Go.” He shouted - the need for remaining inconspicuous was long gone and even Rylan didn’t argue as Lionel all but forced him down the rope.

  As Lionel swung his legs down, the ship shifted, its engines rumbling to life. The Silent Drifter jarred from side to side.

  A failed jump. Lionel thought.

  At least it bought him some time.

  Coins, rock-shards and anything that was dislodged now rolled freely across the floor.

  Lionel had one goal: to get off the ship. If the Silent Drifter left The Dump’s atmosphere he’d be trapped onboard and at their mercy.

  Suddenly he felt another presence racing towards him. Aura flew with a singular focus.

  Each failed jump left Silent Drifter roiling and rolling beneath his feet like an earthquake.

  “What’s your plan here?” The guard asked, trying to reach him but struggling to remain upright.

  Lionel didn’t answer, his fingers worked to detach the lock on the nearest cannon and he braced against the wall to kick it loose. It rolled away, barrelling towards the guard. He leapt to the side with an irritated roar. The ship swerved and he smashed into the wall.

  Lionel gripped the porthole, it had several fancy latches but acted similarly to an air lock. He absentmindedly wondered if it was the crew’s emergency exit as he rushed through attaching the wires and begged it to unlock.

  He heard a satisfying click but the glass remained stuck - stiffened from its lack of use. He swung his feet against it.

  Once. Twice.

  On the third kick, it gave way.

  “I’ve got to fly!” He said, dropping out the window into open space.

  He plummeted. Silent Drifter had flown away from the dock but Lionel could see the lights of each floor flying past him with gut-wrenching speed. His ears popped and a scream lodged in his throat. He spread out his body trying to create as much resistance as he could.

  Of course, he aimed for Aura but an invisible target was deliberately difficult to find. It was a leap of faith.

  Even as Aura dipped and slowed to match his speed he hit hard. His legs braced and his arms wrapped around her to pull his body close. Aura flew through the sky, an unstoppable force and Lionel gripped on for dear life.

  If anyone caught sight of him it would look insane.

  Flying through The Dump without any obvious technology. No one would suspect a dragon, they weren’t exactly the most obvious conclusion especially with his posture half-falling off. He chanced a glance behind him, and the Silent Drifter stayed its course.

  He hugged Aura closer and felt a purr of approval.

  This was right. They both felt it.

  Lionel knew he would make a terrible ghost, but maybe one day he would make one hell of a dragon rider.