After a shower and a change of clothes for Howard, he, Agent Sanders, and Jonathan headed back out to the helicopter. Howard looked at the contraption warily. Would this ride be a repeat of the last one?

“Don’t worry,” Agent Sanders suddenly said, “He only flies like that with people he doesn’t like. And to annoy Manning.”

“Does he like me, then?” Howard asked.

Agent Sanders shrugged, “I know he likes me,” he offered.

Howard followed the short agent into the helicopter, with slow careful motions as if he thought the whole thing was going to explode. Then again, it might as well explode for how well things were going for him so far.

“Where are we going exactly?” Howard questioned, “I know we are going to some kind of jail, but that doesn’t tell me much.”

Agent Sanders smiled at him. “We’re going to a couple of State prisons and one federal prison,” he replied, “See? No biggie.”

Away from the government agents, Agent Sanders had dropped any semblance of a responsible appearance and acted like a child on vacation. Howard wasn’t sure who he should be warier of, or if he should look out for Agent Sanders and Jonathan collaborating on something.

The few seconds before the helicopter started up were filled with a tense silence. Howard visibly relaxed when the noise of the churning blades drowned out everything else. This time the helicopter ride was incredibly smooth and almost relaxing. The only reason it wasn’t relaxing was that Howard’s mind was filled with all of the horrible ways this could go wrong. The government couldn’t just break someone out of one of their own prisons, could they? With Agent Sanders on the case, the prison officials wouldn’t take any of this seriously even if they did have that power.

Howard shouldn’t have worried. Even before the helicopter landed, Agent Sanders was on the radio with the prison and he looked more professional and convincing than Howard had ever seen him.

As soon as they landed, guards at the helicopter pad came up to check for weapons, stowaways, documentation, and other safety procedures. It was a lot more boring than Howard had been anticipating. He stood in silence for quite some time before everything was okayed and they were escorted inside. Jonathan was left with the helicopter.

The inside of the prison was not made of rough stone or metal, nor were the floors dirty. Everything was full of quiet pristine beauty. Most of the prisoners seemed more or less calm, clean, and healthy. Of course, there were very few that seemed happy. They were led to a private visiting room with a single woman sitting in a simple chair. Even in the prison uniform, she managed to seem regal.

“I heard a rumor that you might be here to offer me a deal,” she said. Her voice was calm and calculated. She ignored Howard and stared Agent Sanders down through her black-rimmed rectangle glasses.

Agent Sanders gave her a winning smile. “Natalie Bensen,” he began, “Caught in an illegal arms deal in your company’s furniture merchandise, very creative by the way. During your capture, you were incredibly calm, and reports say that if it is a facade it hasn’t dropped yet. We have a special mission that will need your creativity and a calm head in the face of great danger. Your short training period with NASA will also be beneficial to us.”

One of Natalie’s eyebrows twitched upwards. “Of all of my skills, what kind of mission would require basic space training?”

To be honest, Howard was unnerved about that one himself. He had signed the contract before everything had been properly explained, but that was the second time that space had been mentioned.

“I’ll give you the details in a more secure location,” he explained, “but I will tell you this. If you and the others complete this mission successfully all of your crimes will be forgiven. Now, this doesn’t mean you can start dealing weapons again behind the government’s back, but you were a rich businesswoman. I think you would like all your assets returned.”

Natalie scowled. “If you are offering me that big of a carrot whatever this mission is must be either extremely dangerous, or extremely important to the government.”

“A little of both,” Agent Sanders admitted, “Howard here already signed the contract. He will be the survival leader in case of emergencies.”

Natalie surveyed Howard. “He doesn’t look like a fool,” she decided, “I’m in, but before we do anything my NASA training would require, I want a chance to train the others. In Zero G conditions, at the very least.”

“Naturally,” Sanders said and withdrew the contract and a pen, “I’ve already spoken to the warden. Pack your things. There is one more we have to pick up here before we leave.”

The agent got up and motioned for Howard to follow. As soon as they left a guard came to escort Natalie back to her quarters. Another guard stepped forward. “Are you sure about this next one?” he asked Sanders, “Natalie just did illegal business. This guy is a murderer.”

“We have our reasons,” Sanders said, “and if he does not agree to the terms we won’t go any further with him.

Whoever the next person was, Howard did not like the sound of him.