Gabriel inspected the crowd gathered in front of him. A mix of Roniean males and females for the most part with two Igris in the mix. That he could see anyway, some more could be hiding in the back They carried a variation of stun bats and telescopic ones but no knives or guns were drawn at least.

“Well, that’s some good news” Gabriel muttered, mostly to himself although Madeline and Cani overheard.

“What about this is good news?” Cani asked annoyed.

“I don’t see any knives or guns” Gabriel answered, surveying the crowd for any movement, at the moment they were just observing.

“Oh, good, so we can get beat to death rather than stabbed,” Cani said and ground her teeth together.

“Any plans?” Madeline asked him.

“Working on it,” Gabriel said, trying to work out how many he actually could take in a fight. He assumed quite a few, but twenty? At least twenty? He has his doubts. And could he protect Madeline and Cani at the same time?

The crowd separated and an older Roniean female walked forwards. Gabriel assumed she was older as her skin was a few shades more to the gray side and looked a bit wrinkled. Or maybe Roniean shed their skin and she was just overdue.

“So...” She said and smiled at Gabriel, “You are the one that beat up my daughter yes?”

Gabriel briefly glanced at Madeline before turning back, “Well, technically no, but I’ll take the blame for it” He answered. “But she started it”

“I’m sure...I’m also told you are protecting Captain E’Vulca”

“I hired her for a job,” Gabriel said, hoping he would not have to explain anything else.

“Protecting your interests?” The older Roniean asked.

“Sure”

“The thing is, she has cost me a lot of money...” She gave Gabriel a long hard look.

“By refusing a job offer?” Gabriel asked.

“Of sorts, more accurately would be that she abandoned the job”

“I see...” Gabriel said slowly. “So what now?”

“Well, If you would hand over E’Vulca we can be on our way”

“One moment,” Gabriel turned to Cani and lowered his voice, “Mind giving me a short version of your side of the story?”

“They forced me into a smuggling job and I ran, saying that I turned them down sounds better for future clients” Cani admitted.

Gabriel turned back to the Roniean, “I didn’t get your name”

“Zentra”

“Nice to meet you, is it true that you forced Cani to smuggle for you?”

Zentra shrugged, almost a human shrug, though she twitched her head to the side at the same time. “I suppose, just business you understand.”

“Sure, sure. Well, my answer is no, I will not hand her over” Gabriel said and crossed his arms.

“Unfortunate, nothing I can do to convince you?” Zentra asked, letting out a sigh that was a little over the top.

“No, but with all the surveillance and pcus around here, are you not concerned about the Union finding out you are threatening an Ambassador?” Gabriel asked and looked down the street at the residential buildings hoping someone would be filming.

“Not very,” Zentra said, appearing casual, but Gabriel assumed she was, at least a little. She had, after all, not approached any further or sent any men to attack or capture them. Gabriel flexed his fingers and looked them all over once again. If they were as strong as the Igris he thought he could take enough of them that the rest would scatter, after all, the stun bats they carried did little to him. But...he looked over to Madeline who was putting on a brave face but she was nervous. Could he stop her from getting hurt? and Cani as well? He might get out relatively unscathed but he was not prepared to sacrifice them to do it if he could help it.

He turned back to Zentra, “It’s going to be a giant mess if a fight breaks out so how about we make a deal?” Gabriel offered.

“What kind?”

“I fight your strongest and if I win we leave the station. If you win we hand over Cani and pay her debt” Gabriel said smiling, hoping the expression would come off as friendly.

Zentra narrowed her eyes, “Her debt is quite substantial, 100,000 credits”

Gabriel turned to Madeline questioning, “How much is that?”

“That’s about one year's salary for my father, give or take a bit,” Madeline answered.

“Oh,” Likely a vast sum considering Madeline's father's position. He turned back to Zentra, “So what do you say? If you just beat us up here I have no doubt the Union will hear about it. And I suppose your government would not be too happy about that.”

She pondered that for a few tense moments, “You make an appealing offer. If I win and let you and the Zilgi go, you will not mention any of this to anyone” She demanded.

“This will be strictly between us” Gabriel confirmed.

“Fine, what rules?”

“Um, no weapons, until one yield or is knocked out? Or is unable to continue fighting”

Zentra shrugged again, a smirk on her face, “You better be able to pay up”

“As long as you hold to your end of the bargain,” Gabriel said and finally stepped out of the elevator.

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Cani asked, clearly nervous.

“If she is trustworthy yes, otherwise maybe?” Gabriel said.

“Great...well if you lose I suppose it would not be any worse than fighting here,” Cani said, defeated.

“Don’t worry,” Madeline said quietly to Cani, “I was on the ship the Igris attacked, I would bet on Gabriel.”

They were surrounded as they walked and they followed Zentra to a large building, possibly used for storage years back, but now it was converted into an open gym. There was an open area in the middle with mats and various equipment and weights to the sides.

Zentra walked over to a locker and handed a pair of shorts to Gabriel, “Take off your powered suit, we want a fair fight” He heard chuckling from the others around him.

Gabriel almost corrected her but stopped himself, “Sure, but I will wear my own clothes.” He pulled out his training gear from his bag he kept slung over his shoulders, “Wanna look them over?”

Zentra gave the shorts a skeptic look, “No”

After that Gabriel was taken over to a booth where he could change. He pulled off the suit and jumped a few times, trying to get used to the lower gravity again. He wondered how much his movement would suffer. The gravity here felt a bit stronger than in Union space but not by much. Or maybe he was just getting used to it, and besides, footwork had always been Gabriel's largest weakness.

He stepped out of the booth and suppressed a smile as he saw many Ronieans look surprised at his bulk. Maybe they expected the suit to be much thicker. Well, they did think it was powered so that was probably why. Gabriel walked over to Madeline, and could not help but notice Cani looking him over.

“I have to admit you look strong,” Cani said and leaned a bit closer when Gabriel handed his clothes to Madeline, “But can you beat her strongest fighter without your powered suit?” she asked quietly.

Gabriel smiled slightly so no one else would see, “It’s not powered,” he responded.

“Just...” Madeline paused to put the heavy bundle on the bench next to her, “just weighs him down”

Cani gave Gabriel a skeptic look, “Why?”

“Madeline can tell you, or you can wait until we get out of this mess,” Gabriel said, and turned around to Zentra, “So, who am I fighting?”

“Her,” Zentra pointed to a tall Roniean female that just arrived, she was almost a head taller than the rest, Gabriel included.

Gabriel sighed, “Of course, Roniean females are stronger than males” he muttered.

“Something wrong?” Madeline asked after seeing his expression.

“Nothing serious, I’ve explained that human women are generally weaker than men right? I might be a bit uncomfortable.

“I see, well she is in the same position right?” Madeline asked, just as the Roniean caught sight of Gabriel.

“I have to fight a male?” They overheard her asking Zentra.

“It appears you are correct,” Gabriel said to Madeline. He walked towards the mat in the center. “I have sparred Madeline and human women before, lost to them as well, this will not be any different” He muttered to himself. “Well, except that I have to win...god I hope she is weaker than she looks.” He rolled his shoulders and neck while waiting for Zentra to argue with the tall Roniean. Not only was she taller she almost matched Gabriel in shoulder width and looked close in muscle mass. She finished arguing after a few moments and walked over to the booth to change.

“Do we get gloves?” Gabriel asked, wondering if he could limit the damage both would take somewhat.

“Why would you need gloves?” Zentra asked very dismissively.

“To protect our hands so the fight can go on longer?” Gabriel said as if it was the most obvious thing ever, mostly to annoy Zentra a little. He got a look that was both annoyed and skeptic at the same time. He sighed, “Try it out yourself, punch the bag over there with a glove, then without.”

“I know what will happen to my knuckles, I’m just wondering why you want a long fight,” Zentra said. “But if Shano agrees, why not.”

Shano stepped out of the booth, clad in shorts, and a tight top of the same material, “Sure, let’s use gloves, wouldn’t want to hurt your pretty face” She said while smirking and walked over to a drawer.

Gabriel wondered if he was being insulted or if there was something about humans Ronieans found attractive. He received a pair of gloves, not boxing gloves though he had not expected that, instead it was those used in MMA and probably more sports Gabriel could not think of. They seemed a bit longer and covered his wrists, stabilizing them somewhat so he assumed he would not need any tape. Grappling would be a bit difficult though Gabriel's skills in that area were lacking.

He threw a few punches in the air and then faces Shano, “We fight until one surrenders or is unable to continue.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Shano said casually and smirked.

“Can I add no groin shots or eye poking?” Gabriel asked.

Shano pondered that for a moment, “Yeah, sure. Now, are we doing this or what?”

Gabriel raised his arms and fell into a defensive boxer stance, his arms both up ready to block. Shano also got into a stance, but it was sloppy like she learned it from seeing it once. Her arms were too low, not covering enough, and not in prime position to strike either. Her feet were far enough apart but her legs too straight. Gabriel dropped his guard.

“Ok, time out,” He said and walked over to Shano who looked very confused. “Bend your knees more, raise your hands to cover your chin or put them in a better position to strike, you are in between.” Shano gave Zentra a confused look then frowned at Gabriel.

“What the hell?”

“I just want a fair fight, now try this” He gently moved her arms and poked her knees until she had a better stance, “Throw a few punches.” She scowled at him then did so, It looked better than before at least, Gabriel smiled, “That’s better” He walked back to his side and took up a stance again. “Now I’m ready”

Zentra sighed and shouted, “Begin!”

Shano approached fast and threw several punches aimed at Gabriel’s head. He dodged the first few and blocked another, and then when her guards fell back to her sloppy form he jabbed her in the face. Not very hard but a fast light punch that forced her to stop her assault and bring up her arms to defend. Gabriel hooked her lightly in the side and bounced out of reach. His punch would have staggered the Yavichians and Phigos he previously fought at least slightly, but Shano mostly shrugged it off.

She growled and moved forwards again, more cautiously, and jabbed more than threw haymakers. Gabriel ducked and weaved but let several punches hit and took a strong hook to the ribs on purpose. He heard the crowd cheer as he jumped out of reach. She was strong but he still felt like he was fighting an amateur that had just discovered boxing and weights the day before.

Still, she was stronger than any Igris he’d met. Gabriel moved in and attacked, jabbing harder forcing her to block and delivering more body shots than head, hoping she would receive less damage. And he didn’t want to give her a concussion. After a few more trades Shano backed off and kicked Gabriel in the stomach, which he mostly absorbed by jumping back. He had focused on boxing and completely forgot kicks were allowed. Her kicks would be able to do some damage if they hit correctly.

Gabriel let his guards down and shook his arms, more of a show for those watching than any pain he felt. Shano was breathing hard and her skin looked a little darker where she’d been hit and was beginning to bruise.

“You are stronger than you look,” She said and got back into a stance, almost a correct one at that.

“Yep,” Gabriel said and did the same. The fight had only gone on for a minute or two but Gabriel did not want to drag it out unnecessarily so when Shano advanced he did the same. She aimed a hook at his jaw and he took it while delivering a similar hook back, although he held back somewhat. She recovered and Gabriel exposed his body by raising his arms. She took the bait and once again they traded a punch, Gabriel just handled the hit better.

Then she surprised him by faking a stumble and elbowing him in the face. Gabriel quickly kicked, or more like pushed, her away and felt at his nose. Not broken but it was bleeding.

“Nice hit,” He said and grinned.

Shano didn’t respond other than charging again and aiming a kick at his left leg. Gabriel widened his stance and took the kick. And as he expected a right elbow quickly followed. He ducked to the left which meant her body was more or less turned away from him. This also meant that she could not protect herself as Gabriel jabbed her in the ribs. As she pulled back he swept her legs and she fell flat on the floor.

Gabriel stepped away and let her get up. He took a moment to catch his breath as she did the same. His nose stung a little and he might get some bruises but he was otherwise fine. The crowd was cheering Shano on though some had gone quiet. She was struggling more, clearly out of breath and hurting. Gabriel briefly wondered how quickly this would have gone if he went all out but unless his life was on the line he wouldn’t. But beating up gangsters felt better than it probably should.

She attacked again and tried to tackle him. Gabriel shot one leg out behind him and stopped her tackle. She was taller but he likely weighed a fair bit more. She had grabbed him around the waist and tried tripping him but Gabriel got a hand inside her grip and tossed her to the side. He then kicked her leg before she got up and grabbed her in a chokehold.

He kicked at her legs so she could not get them under her, “You can’t break this hold, give up,” He said, more or less holding her up without squeezing too hard. Shano struggled for a few moments and elbowed him in the ribs. Gabriel squeezed tighter, “Tap out”

She fought for a minute more before finally tapping his arm. Gabriel let go and she coughed and sucked in a breath. Gabriel simply nodded to Zentra and walked over to Madeline.

“Good job,” She said and handed him his clothes back. Cani and most Roniean simply looked on with expressions ranging from surprise to disbelief.

“Thanks,” Gabriel accepted the bundle and headed for the booth but was stopped by Zentra.

“I am a woman of my words but I don’t like being played,” She said, her tone icy.

“I merely suggested a fight that would leave less injured,” Gabriel said, “Why would I do that if I didn't think I would win?”

Zentra took a deep breath and glared, “I have underestimated you, even without your powered suit you are still strong.”

“It’s not powered, It weighs me down. The gravity in space is not quite what I’m used to” He said and entered the booth.

He wiped off the sweat with a towel and found a familiar button that produced a sink from the wall. He splashed some water on his face and cleaned up the dried blood from his nose.

“I have a question human,” Zentra said from just outside, her voice low enough so no one would overhear.

“Ask away,” Gabriel said as he pulled up his pants.

“You really bent a baton in half? and then straightened it?” She asked.

“Yep”

“...Did you hold back fighting Shano?” Zentra asked quietly. Gabriel pulled on his shirt and wondered if lying would be better. He decided against it.

“Yes,” He said and opened the door to the booth. Zentra nodded slowly.

“Why?”

“I don’t want to accidentally kill when my life is not in danger.” Gabriel said, “Or my friends” He added with a little more emphasis.

Zentra narrowed her eyes at him, “So how strong are you?”

“What will that knowledge buy me?” Gabriel asked.

Zentra huffed, “...Respect” she added after a moment.

Gabriel shrugged, “The only thing I want right now is for you to leave Cani alone.”

Zentra scowled again, “She owes me too much.”

“From a job you forced on her, remember? I’ve been wondering, why would you send whatever the cargo was with someone you could not trust?” Gabriel asked and scowled back. Zentra shrugged so Gabriel continued. “I only come up with a few options you know, either you were so pressed for time that the money would have been lost in any case, or you were trying to get rid of Cani by forcing her into an impossible job.” Gabriel stared at Zentra. “The former I think is more likely as I have not heard the whole story.”

Zentra didn’t stop scowling, “You have many interesting ideas human.”

“If either, or a combination of them, are true then you just have yourself to blame for the loss.” Gabriel said, shrugging, “But as a gesture of good faith...” He said and grabbed a glove pulling it on and headed for the closest punching bag.

He pushed the bag, testing its weight, and found it lighter then he was used to. He widened his stance and threw as hard of a punch as he could. The bag swung wildly and rattled the chain holding it up. He caught it on the way down and lined up a kick. This time the bag would have smacked into the roof were it closer as the bag went well over 90 degrees. He left the bag swinging wildly and pulled off the glove, placing the pair on the box where Shano had found them.

“I see...I hope to never see you again, farewell Gabriel Walker.” Zentra said coldly and strode away, her gang following her out. Gabriel met Shano’s eyes and she raised one corner of her mouth in a smirk and nodded. Gabriel nodded back a bit confused and walked over to Madeline and Cani who were still sitting on the bench.

Madeline smiled and handed him his bag. “Now can we please get going?” she asked.

“Yeah, let’s go,” Gabriel said, he held out a hand and pulled Madeline to her feet. “Cani, you coming or would you rather stay here?”

Cani blinked, “Yeah,” she said and followed them out without further comment. It was halfway up the second elevator that she spoke again. “So...the rumors were true?”

“As I said back at the bar, I haven’t heard them,” Gabriel said and looked around the elevator, they were alone for the time being.

“You fought off twenty Igris pirates and struck a deal with the Zilgi government to fund your wild travels,” Cani said, still giving him a skeptic look.

“That sounds better than how I would put it” Gabriel admitted. “First we fought...seven pirates?” He glanced at Madeline for confirmation.

“Nine, or eight if you want to leave out the one I kicked. And one surrendered.”

“I’ll count that one, eight then.” Gabriel continued, “That was on the way to US 535, and when we got there a group of...I want to say nine” He gave Madeline another glance and received a nod, “These had more guns but I have a suit similar to this which helped.” Gabriel patted his chest.

“Oh, so just eighteen in total, wildly exaggerated,” Cani said and huffed.

Gabriel chuckled, “Now that you mention it, it was not all at once though. Anyway, after that, we got arrested briefly, and then Madeline got us the connection to the Zilgi and we went from there.”

“Why are you in this part of space?” Cani asked just as the elevator stopped at a floor and more passengers walked in.

“I’ll tell you on the ship before you accept the job,” Gabriel promised. Cani nodded and following her they made it to the central dock between the rings. Cani led them to a small ship of sleek design. It had two large wings folded in at its sides, a large engine in the back and two at the base of the wings the looked to be able to pivot.

“Here it is,” Cani said, no small amount of pride in her voice, “A bit small but very fast and agile, the Roniean explorer type.734” she said and smiled at the ship. She led them to a hatch underneath and after pressing a button on her pcu a ladder extended down.

They all climbed in and Gabriel took a look around. Once inside they were standing just outside the cockpit. The interior had three doors on the right wall that traveled down just right of the door to the cockpit. And to the left was a galley with a small nook for cooking and a table for four. Through an open door at the far end, Gabriel could see boxes and a shelf. The ship was certainly lived in, Gabriel saw dirty dishes and clothes discarded here and there but otherwise, it was clean, as far as he could tell.

Cani sat down in a chair and gestured for Gabriel and Madeline to do the same. “So, what exactly are you looking for?”

“Have you heard any rumors about how I arrived in union space?” Gabriel asked as he took a seat.

“No, maybe like the Azik would first guess, an FTL test gone wrong? Unless you mean on a Quizeateran ship.” Cani said and shrugged.

“To make a long story short...” Gabriel filled her in with how he assumed he’d arrived in space, that his sister was with him, and the time that had passed, as well as their plans for the black market, as vague as they were Cani sat pondering the story for a few minutes.

“That’s some dedication,” she said after a while. “To not only kidnap an intelligent race to sell but to make a vaccine as well.” She shook her head and after a moment more added, “That would take a considerable amount of money. Everything would have to be hidden and kept secret, and even with an onboard FTL engine just finding...Earth was it? It would be very difficult to keep secret.”

Gabriel nodded, “Agreed, so will you help us?”

“First, what’s your story?” Cani asked Madeline.

“I’m guessing I was kidnapped for ransom, and the rest you know,” she said.

Cani nodded slowly, “Simple as that huh? Right, well you saved me from a beating and likely another dangerous job at best so I will help. I still get paid right?” Cani asked Madeline who flexed her fur ridge in reply. Cani looked confused at Gabriel.

“That means yes,” Gabriel translated, he extended his hand and Cani shook it. “And before we leave I will need a disguise, would not want anyone to recognize me where we're going”

Cani smiled, “I think I have just the thing...”