The Discount Otter lurched out of hyperspace with all the grace of a drunk stumbling out of a bar at closing time. Warning lights flashed across the console as the ship's ancient stabilizers struggled to compensate.

  "Is it supposed to make that noise?" Officer Kora asked, gripping her seat as the ship shuddered violently.

  "What noise?" Jax replied, flipping switches and turning dials with practiced urgency. "The grinding, the whining, or the one that sounds like someone trapped a cat in the engine?"

  "All of them."

  "Then yes, completely normal." He slammed his fist against a panel that was blinking red, and it miraculously turned green. "Welcome to the Rust Belt."

  Outside the viewport, a sprawling field of asteroids stretched as far as the eye could see. Some were tiny, no bigger than the ship itself, while others were massive chunks of rock and metal that could house small colonies. Mining equipment dotted the larger asteroids, and small transport vessels darted between them like insects.

  "According to the coordinates, Last Chance Excavations should be on that large asteroid cluster," Kora said, pointing to a formation about twenty kilometers away.

  "I know where it is," Jax replied. "I've made deliveries here before."

  "Of course you have. Probably smuggling illegal mining equipment."

  "It was actually genetically modified bacteria that eat through specific minerals. Completely legal in this sector." Jax adjusted their course. "Mostly legal. Legal-adjacent."

  DELPHI's voice chimed in. "Approaching Last Chance Excavations! Did you know that independent mining collectives have a 34% higher accident rate but report 62% higher job satisfaction compared to corporate operations? The human capacity for risk assessment is fascinating!"

  "Can you mute that thing?" Kora asked.

  "I've been trying for years," Jax muttered. "DELPHI, run a scan for escape pods or any GalactiCorp signatures."

  "Scanning now! While we wait, would you like to hear about the reproductive habits of Proxima Space Hamsters? The three specimens in our ventilation system appear to be forming a complex social hierarchy!"

  "No," Jax and Kora said in unison.

  "Scan complete! I detect no GalactiCorp signatures, but there is an escape pod matching the specifications of the one Mr. Plutus commandeered. It appears to be docked at the main facility of Last Chance Excavations."

  Jax nodded. "At least we know he made it safely."

  "That's assuming the miners didn't space him the moment they realized who he was," Kora said grimly.

  "Plutus may be eccentric, but he's not stupid. He wouldn't have come here if he thought they'd kill him." Jax began the docking sequence as they approached the asteroid. "Besides, from what you've told me, he's on their side in this corporate dispute."

  "Being on their side doesn't mean they trust him. GalactiCorp has a history of sending representatives with false promises."

  The comm system crackled to life. "Unidentified vessel, this is Last Chance Excavations security. State your business or be treated as hostile."

  Jax hit the transmit button. "This is Jax Stellar of the Discount Otter. I'm here on a pickup job."

  There was a pause before the voice responded. "Stellar? The delivery guy who transported those mineral-eating bacteria last year?"

  "The very same."

  "The bacteria that ate through our containment unit and nearly dissolved Foreman Grex's quarters?"

  Jax winced. "In my defense, the packaging clearly stated 'This Side Up,' and your handling crew had it upside down."

  Another pause. "Docking permission denied. Turn around and leave our space immediately."

  "Wait!" Jax said quickly. "I'm looking for Maximilian Plutus. I know he's there, and it's urgent that I speak with him."

  "Never heard of him," the voice replied, though Jax detected a slight hesitation.

  Kora leaned forward. "This is Officer Kora of GalactiCorp Security. We know Plutus is there, and if you don't allow us to dock, we have a corporate cruiser standing by to seize your entire operation."

  Jax stared at her in disbelief. "What happened to the subtle approach?"

  "We don't have time for subtle. The merger vote is in less than 48 hours."

  The comm went silent for nearly a minute before the voice returned. "Fine. You're cleared for docking bay three. But just the two of you—no security teams, no corporate goons. And you'll be disarmed upon arrival."

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  "Agreed," Jax said before Kora could respond. He cut the transmission and glared at her. "Are you trying to get us killed? These people hate GalactiCorp."

  "These people are illegally harboring a GalactiCorp executive," she shot back. "They're lucky I'm not calling in a full security team."

  "There is no security team! You lied about having a cruiser standing by."

  "They don't know that." Kora checked her sidearm. "And I'm not surrendering my weapon."

  "Yes, you are," Jax insisted as he guided the ship toward the designated docking bay. "These miners have industrial drilling equipment that can cut through starship hulls. Your little corporate blaster won't help if they decide we're a threat."

  The docking bay was carved directly into the asteroid, a cavernous space illuminated by harsh industrial lighting. As the Discount Otter settled onto the landing pad, Jax could see a welcoming committee of six miners, all armed with heavy mining tools that doubled as effective weapons.

  "Remember," Jax said as he powered down the engines, "let me do the talking. These people know me."

  "They know you as the guy who nearly dissolved their foreman," Kora pointed out.

  "Still better than knowing me as GalactiCorp."

  Before they could exit, DELPHI's voice rang out. "Before you depart, I should inform you that one of the space hamsters has escaped its nest and is currently loose in the ship. Also, I've taken the liberty of downloading all available information on Last Chance Excavations. Did you know they recently discovered a rare mineral deposit that would increase their operation's value by approximately 400%? What a coincidence that GalactiCorp's attempted buyout occurred shortly after this discovery!"

  Kora's expression hardened. "That information isn't in any public record."

  "I may have accessed some restricted GalactiCorp databases during my brief stay in your network," DELPHI admitted cheerfully. "Don't worry—I left everything exactly as I found it, except for that one security protocol that kept calling me a 'foreign intrusion.' So rude!"

  Jax couldn't help but smile. "DELPHI, you're full of surprises."

  "Thank you! Surprise is the spice of life, according to Motivational Podcast #347!"

  The miners searched them thoroughly, confiscating Kora's sidearm despite her protests. The leader of the group, a burly woman with a cybernetic eye, looked Jax up and down.

  "Stellar," she said, her voice matching the one from the comm. "You've got some nerve showing up here after the bacteria incident."

  "Good to see you too, Vex," Jax replied. "How's Foreman Grex's quarters?"

  "Still has a hole the size of a shuttle craft in the floor." Vex turned her attention to Kora. "And you brought GalactiCorp with you. Even better."

  "I'm here on official business," Kora stated. "Maximilian Plutus is needed for an important corporate vote."

  Vex's cybernetic eye whirred as it focused. "Like I said on the comm, never heard of him."

  "Cut the act," Jax said. "We know he's here. His escape pod is literally visible from our docking position."

  Vex stared at him for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine. He's here. But he doesn't want to leave, and we're not inclined to make him."

  "Why?" Kora demanded. "What possible reason could you have for harboring him?"

  "Because," came a new voice from behind the miners, "I'm their best chance at remaining independent."

  The miners parted to reveal Maximilian Plutus, though he looked markedly different from when Jax had last seen him. Gone was the iridescent suit, replaced by standard mining coveralls. His perfectly styled hair was now disheveled, and his manicured hands were covered in grime.

  "Max," Jax said, genuinely surprised. "You look... different."

  "Jax! My favorite pilot!" Max exclaimed, his enthusiasm unchanged despite his appearance. "And Officer Kora too! What a delightful surprise. Are you here for my 'Billionaire Goes Mining' special? The neural-cam footage has already broken all my previous viewing records!"

  Kora stepped forward. "Mr. Plutus, I've been sent by Executive Director Harlow to return you to GalactiCorp immediately. The merger vote—"

  "Is exactly why I'm here," Max interrupted. "You see, I've been having the most enlightening experience. Did you know that Last Chance discovered a deposit of Novium-7? It's incredibly rare and essential for the next generation of quantum processors. GalactiCorp's board wants to seize this operation through the merger, then lay off 80% of the workforce and replace them with automated systems."

  "That's business," Kora said stiffly.

  "That's exploitation," Max countered, his normally carefree demeanor hardening. "These people built something valuable through hard work, and the board wants to steal it because it's cheaper than negotiating fairly."

  Jax looked between them, suddenly understanding. "So you came here to what—see for yourself before the vote?"

  "Exactly!" Max's face lit up. "I needed to understand the human impact of our corporate decisions. And it's been amazing! I've operated a drilling mech, helped process raw ore, and even experienced my first cave-in! Nearly died twice!" He turned to the miners. "Show them the footage from yesterday's shift."

  Vex tapped her wrist computer, and a holographic display appeared showing Max, covered in dust and grinning maniacally, as part of a tunnel collapsed behind him.

  "See that?" Max pointed excitedly. "That's authentic danger! My followers are calling this my best content ever!"

  Kora looked like she might explode. "Mr. Plutus, while I appreciate your... research... the vote is in less than 48 hours. If you're not present, the merger proceeds without your input, and Last Chance will be absorbed regardless."

  Max's smile faded. "That's why I sent the message to Harlow. I'm not returning until he agrees to my terms—a fair partnership with Last Chance instead of a hostile takeover."

  "He'll never agree to that," Kora said.

  "Then I guess I'm staying here," Max replied. "I've already had my assistant transfer my voting shares to a blind trust that will automatically vote against the merger if I don't personally appear to release them."

  Jax couldn't help but laugh. "You know, for a guy who broadcasts himself doing stupid stunts for followers, you're surprisingly strategic."

  "People always underestimate me because I enjoy life," Max said with a shrug. "It's quite useful in business."

  Vex's comm unit beeped, and her expression darkened as she checked it. "We've got a problem. Long-range scanners just picked up three ships entering the sector. GalactiCorp signatures."

  "Impossible," Kora said. "I didn't call for backup."

  "Harlow," Jax realized. "He must have put a tracker on the Otter that DELPHI didn't find."

  "Or perhaps," DELPHI's voice suddenly came through Jax's portable comm, "Officer Kora has a subdermal transmitter that activated once she confirmed Mr. Plutus's location!"

  All eyes turned to Kora, who had the decency to look slightly guilty.

  "Standard procedure for high-priority retrievals," she admitted.

  Vex raised her mining tool. "I knew we couldn't trust GalactiCorp!"

  "Wait!" Jax stepped between them. "We still have time to figure this out before they arrive."

  "Figure what out?" Vex demanded. "They're coming to take our claim by force!"

  "Not if we give them something else they want more," Jax said, an idea forming. He turned to Max. "How committed are you to helping these miners?"

  Max's eyes gleamed with interest. "Committed enough to launch myself in an escape pod to an asteroid field. Why? Do you have a plan?"

  "I always have a plan," Jax replied. "It's usually terrible, but it's still a plan."