Alescia: The unyielding desert

"Let’s go to the desert planet," you say. "That should be the easiest."

"Aye-aye," Elena answers.

After about eight hours, the Emerald Grace arrives to the planet, and you put down the ship between the dunes. Weapons at the side, bringing only the essentials, you embark for a city standing in the distance before you.

What a dump! you think to yourself, as you look over the buildings made of stone and the people in ragged clothes walking between them. You keep going until you reach the town centre. In there, you can see countless kiosks, with all sorts of merchandise placed on their surfaces. The men and women selling them say their stuff is the work of wonders compared to what their competitors have to offer. Just like they were doing it at home. The very place you escaped from.

For some time, you just stand there. Then you finally gather some courage and go to one of the kiosks.

"What can I give you, ladies?" the merchant asks with a welcoming smile.

"We are looking for work," you answer.

"The outlaw kind," Elena interjects.

The man laughs.

"There is a **** Registry north of the town. If you sign a contract, you can expect to be trained well and sold to a lawful owner. That beats being captured by the outlaws. Nobody knows what they are doing with their slaves."

"Thanks, but we don't want to be slaves," you answer.

"That might not depend entirely on you ladies," the man answers.

—— SKILL CHECK FAILED: SUPERIOR AWARENESS ——

What?! The thought goes through you like lightning, as feel your arms grabbed from behind by a pair of strong hands. Before you could do anything, your wrists are cuffed together, and your hands are locked into bondage mittens. Your clothes are cut off from your bodies with daggers, your guns, holsters and bags are all taken away by the attackers.

"Let me go!" you protest, but a ballgag is pushed in your mouth, preventing you to speak. After that, you are just left there, your legs trembling from the shock.

"As I've said: the Registry is two miles to the north. There is a city ten miles to the west, assuming you can walk that far. Otherwise you can try your ship. But I doubt you could get through the security check with those gags."

"Mhmm!!!" you protest. But you realize you have to make a choice, regardless how catastrophic the situation is.