Chapter 10 : Bounty Hunter
Admiral Maskmana invited the Captain to the control room. After attaching Rubri spaceship to Astra spaceship, Kaizo and Ramen man join them in the control room.
"Where's Axion and Rum?" Ask Ramen man.
"They're tending to the wounded." Said Admiral. "They'll be joining us soon."
"Hmmm...." Ramenman mumbled. He glances at Kaizo and smile.
Ramenman took a step closer at Kaizo. "You sure don't want to check on her? I heard Rubri crew are all man. Who knows? Maybe Axion find someone interesting among the Rubrum Knights." he whispers.
"Shut it!" Said Kaizo coldly.
Shortly later, Axion and Rum come.
"Welcome back. How's the wounded?" Admiral Maskmana ask.
"They're fine. None of their life is at risk. But they need some time to recover." Said Axion.
"I see. Good work, everyone." Said Admiral.
"Thank you, Astraeus rangers." Said Captain Albi as he bows.
Axion and Rum bowed back.
"This is Captain Albi. He's the one who lead the Rubri ship. And this, Lieutenant Forctis." Said Admiral. "These are my crew. Lahap, Kaizo, Ramenman, Rum and Axion."
"Greetings." Said Captain Albi.
"You mention that your ship, were attacked. Can you tell us more?" Said Admiral Maskmana.
"Yes. Our ship went on a journey to get an artifact that has been passed down from our ancestors. We were supposed to get the artifact from Concordia, the moon of Planet Rubrum. However, a bounty hunter named Scrozux hijacked our ship and stole the artifact. We tried to chase Scrozux in an attempt to retrieve the artifact. But he managed to shoot our engine. That's how we stranded here." Said the Captain.
"Scrozux?" Rum mumbled.
"Axion!" The Admiral called.
Axion nod and hurriedly put her hand on a computer. She showed data regarding the Bounty hunter.
"Scrozux, class A bounty hunter. He's wanted by many space authorities for getting involved in illegal weapon transactions, stealing, hijacking, and murders. His hiring price starts from 1 million zemulite." Said Axion.
"Someone would pay him 1 million for stealing an artifact?" Ask Ramen man.
"Possibly. Maybe more. A rare artifact will worth more than just 1 million in the black market." Said Axion.
"What kind of artifact did he steal?" Ask Admiral Maskmana.
"The artifact is an orb, passed down from our ancestors thousands of years ago. We called it "The Orb of Valor". We've been keeping it at a temple in Concordia to preserve and protect it. Every 5 years, we move the orb from Concordia to Rubrum for our Armilustrium festival." Said Captain Albi.
" Armilustrium festival?" Rum mumbled.
"The Armilustrium festival is a festival held every 5 years as a celebration to respect our ancestors. It is part of Rubrum's culture. We use the orb to perform ritual at the festival to bless our knights in battles." Said Lieutenant Forctis.
"The festival will start in less than a month. We need to get that orb back before the festival end." said Captain Albi.
"I understand, Captain. We will help you find The Orb of Valor." Said Admiral Maskmana.
"So how do we chase Scrozux?" Ask Ramenman.
"Axion, contact TAPOPS and TEMPUR-A station. Ask if they have any information about Scrozux. For now, we go back to Astraeus station and assess our situation." Said Admiral.
"Yes, Admiral." Said Axion.
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After a while, their ship arrived at Astraeus station. The wounded troops are moved to the station's medical bay while Astraeus mechanic do what they can to fix Rubri spaceship.
"You must be tired. Why don't get some rest?" Said Admiral Maskmana.
"I am grateful for your hospitality. But I can't rest until I find Scrozux. Is there anything that we can do?" Said Captain Albi.
"For now, it would be best to let your men regain their strength. Until my cadets get more information, there's not much we can do." Said Admiral Maskmana.
Shortly later, Axion came.
"Admiral!" Said Axion as she give a salute.
"Report!" Said The Admiral.
"I've found information about Scrozux." Said Axion. "Our sources tell that someone has indeed hire Scrozux to steal The Orb of Valor."
"Who?" Ask Captain Albi.
"The identity of the client is unknown. Witness said an alien came to Junkberg Planet, looking for a specific bounty hunter. From the information we got, it seems that Scrozux is going to meet his client at Junkberg, in 3 days." Axion explain.
"If we go now, we can stop Scrozux and get The orb of valor before they go away from Junkberg." Said Lieutenant Forctis. "Let's prepare our troops at once!!!"
"Your troops are tired. Some of them are even wounded. I understand you want the artifact to be returned. But please put your troop's condition into consideration." Said Admiral Maskmana.
"This is not your business. You can't decide what we can do." Said Lieutenant Forctis as he looked sharp at Admiral Maskmana.
Captain Albi hold Lieutenant Forctis shoulder. "The Admiral is right. Our troops are not in a good condition. Forcing them to go now would only be sending them to death." Said Captain Albi.
"The people of Rubrum are strong! If they can't fight, they are not worthy to be Rubrum knight." Said Lieutenant Forctis.
"Scrozux's services is expensive. If someone is rich enough to hire him, it's most likely they are rich enough to hire an army of mercenaries." Said Axion. "Junkberg might be a place with high crime rate. But it doesn't mean we can just start a war with some rich mafia in that planet."
"We don't need a woman's opinion. You can return nursing the wounded." said Lieutenant Forctis in an insulting tone.
"... Excuse me!" Said Axion in shock.
Admiral Maskmana put his hand on Axion shoulder. Calming Axion down from getting offended.
"I will go with my team to Junkberg and do whatever we can to retrieve The Orb of Valor." Said Admiral Maskmana.
"I will join your ship. As a Captain from Rubrum, I need to be involved in this mission myself." Said Captain Albi. "In the meantime, I will leave my troops in Astraeus station's care."
"Then I will be joining you as well." Said Lieutenant Forctis.
"Understood. I will make report to Rubrum space station." Said Admiral Maskmana.