I rushed to the mess hall, only one thing on my mind. To get off this ship. To be free. Finally free of religion, God, these assholes and rapists. This was my one shot. I’d rather die now than push onward as a sve. I wanted to live, that’s for certain, so I needed everything to go well. Otherwise, I would take as many of these cretins with me.

  The mess hall was cleared now. I gnced around to see if anyone would spot me. I could see Maelstro down the hall, pulling Frag into his room. She was putting up a half-assed fight as she slowly entered and shut the door.

  I scooped up some dinner for Gabriel and stopped in my tracks as I passed the table. Frags pistol was still out on the table. My head shot around to see if anyone was watching. It was silent. They must be all drunk, or about to pass out. I quickly grabbed the towel and scooped up the gun inside, hiding it under the tray of food.

  This was it. If I could get Gabriel to hide the gun, he could take out Munis and we could escape and live our lives the way we want to. Gabriel’s words rang in my ears. I was confident now.

  I dropped down to the storage area. My heart jumped as I saw Teksan guarding the door again. He was awake this time and looking my way.

  He started giggling, “What you got there?”

  I made sure to look away, making myself small and timid again, “Food for the prisoner. Captain’s orders.”

  “Hmm.” He stood aside to let me pass, watching my backside as I walked by. I could feel his eyes digging into my ass. “Maybe I could get a turn on that, hmm?” He giggled again as I ignored him and entered the storage area.

  Teksan followed me in, standing by the door. His eyes watching my every move. This was going to be more difficult than I thought.

  I started to feed Gabriel, making sure not to speak a word to him. He was still tied up. His face was looking better though, and he could actually open his eyes again. I winked at him and wiped his mouth with the rag, making sure to jam the gun into him. I set the rag down next to him and finished feeding him the slop.

  I turned to Teksan, reaching my hand down my pants, making sure to my pelvis was showing as I scratched my leg. I gave my best strut over to him, smiling all the way. “Sorry, but the Captain called this first. Maybe you can get his sloppy seconds?”

  Teksan scowled, “Get out of here! Sick freak.” He kicked me, and I yellped, running out of the storage area. I took one st look inside and the rag had disappeared. Gabriel got the gun. Now, we just needed to get out of here alive.

  …

  The ship rattled, shaking violently as we descended to the drop off point. The metal panels shuddered about, wires shook and swung with a mind of their own, trying to escape the ship as much as I was. Everyone was around the mess hall table, loading up their guns and strapping themselves with as many rounds as they could hold. Guns were aplenty, no one would know that one was missing. Nerves were too high. The Gellical Collective couldn’t be trusted, especially by anthros. They all knew this. I could see the fear in their eyes. Good.

  Brutus was loading his shotgun shell by shell, ramming it home. He looked up to Maelstro and smirked, “Gonna take that pussy gun in, psh, must have a death wish.”

  Maelstro snarled, “So do you, dumb ape. Keep talking to me like that, and I’ll cut your tongue out and ass fuck you with it.”

  Brutus punched Maelstro’s chest, knocking him back. Rolfo and Teksan stepped back, grabbing their own gear. I smirked with my head down. The idiots would kill each other before I even had a chance to.

  Frag stepped in, holding Maelstro back, “It’s not worth it, we got a job to do.”

  “Is she your bitch now?” Brutus shot back.

  Maelstro rexed as Frag let go of him. He took a step back, taking a deep breath, “You best watch your back out there, anything can happen.” His hackles were raised now. His fangs were bare. Things could get rough here.

  Brutus smmed his shotgun down, “Is that a threat?”

  “It’s a promise.” Maelstro stood with Frag at his back. Rolfo and Teksan were gazing daggers at Brutus as well.

  The ape must have known he outnumbered here. He was the strongest one, but Maelstro had the respect of his peers. The leader of the pack, so to speak.

  “I don’t need this shit. Just keep up your end of the bargain, and I’ll keep mine.” He snorted and stormed off into the ship.

  The speakers chimed up, the tin echo barely overpowering the rattling of the crusty ship, “There’s a Gelly ship in orbit, making our way to the opposite side of the drop off. We’re a minute out, head to the cargo bay and get ready to roll out.” The Captain’s voice was a bit shaky. He must be terrified.

  The group all made their way to the cargo area. Maelstro gnced behind and yelled at me, “Get Brutus’ guns. Dumb oaf left without ‘em.”

  “Do I get a weapon?” I spoke with concern on my voice.

  Maelstro shurgged, “Just a pistol. Nothing else.”

  I slowly turned to grab Brutus’ shotgun. The thing was huge, heavy, and could bst a hole in the side of a freighter, if there was ammo in it…

  I pumped it a few times until it was dry. I gnced around, no one was here. I smiled. Fuck that rapist Anthro-Goril. This would be entertaining. I grabbed my own pistol, loaded it, smmed my pocket full of ammo, and ran to catch up to the cargo bay to hand Brutus his gun.

  He swiped it away aggressively. Pushing me back as he did so. Not even a thank you. Fuck him.

  The ship did one st lurch as it touched down. We all shook about, holding onto whatever we could in the small cargo bay. I saw Munis in the back corner with a grav lift box next to him. His beady eyes kept scanning the Anthros. They all hated each other and were pnning their own escapes at the expense of each other. All wanting the payout for themselves. Despicable. They wouldn’t suspect a thing.

  The Captain appeared at the cargo bay doors. He was strapped with his own pistols, standing next to anther grav lift crate. “Alright, swine, let’s go over this again. We make the drop off. If we get the money transfer,” He waved a tablet around in the air while huffing and puffing out of breath, “we leave them the actual cargo drop area and get the fuck out of here as fast as we can. If the Gellys try anything at all, we bst them to kingdom come.”

  There were some grumbles and snorts in the small crowd.

  “Rolfo will guard the ship and keep an eye on the Gelly ship in orbit, Munis will head to the secondary area with the package. We all get paid, and then we disappear for a quick minute. Got it?”

  The group was silent.

  “GOT IT!”

  The mumbles kicked up again.

  “Alright.” The cargo bay doors dropped and a bst of warm air hit our faces. “Let’s do this.”

  The Captain led the way as Teksan grabbed the grav lift crate. We all followed except for Munis, who took the opposite direction. I covered my eyes with my hand as we entered the arid, brown world. It was all rocks and shrubs, small mountains, sparse trees as far as the eyes could see. We were nestled in our own little valley, surrounded by crags. There were a few narrow openings, one of which we took. I gnced back to see Munis taking another. I noted the direction and followed the group.

  “Where are we.” I squeaked out.

  “Nowhere you need to know.” Brutus couldn’t help but chime in.

  “Far away from anything helpful. Just keep your guns ready.” Captain Luca gasped out as he huffed out of breath, following the signal on his tablet.

  We entered into a small, narrow passageway. It branched off multiple times and directions. Easy to get lost. Perfect for me to escape.

  This was it. This was the time to shine. My only chance at a better life now. Thoughts of my sins filled my head, punishment was needed to be dished out, but not to me, not this time.

  This time. I would punish the sinners.

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