Leah wimps out, and Holly finds another way round.

"I... I'm sorry Holly. You go on in, I'll... wait for you out here." Leah's cheeks burn, and she dips her head, hair falling over her eyes. Maybe if she'd had a drink, or two. But she's not been out in ages, and besides that android is creepy. And so are the goons a few feet away.

"No fuck that." Holly shakes her head, eyes twinkling. "I might not be able to give this guy a handy to get us in, but I know a another way in." The bouncer remains impassive, seemingly unaware of Holly's scheming.

"Another way?" Leah looks around nervously. "Holly this whole place is kind of a dive, are you sure?"

"Positive." Holly nods eagerly, taking her friends hand and leading her down the way, to where a new alleyway opens up. Both girls steal glances at the small group of aliens loitering, who whistle as they go by. Holly almost flips them a rude gesture, but thinks better of it, and hurries herself and Leah along.

They scurry down the alleyway, the sound of the club thudding through the metalworks of the narrow walls. The artificial night-light high above barely reaches down through the warren of pipes and cables. Rounding what must be the corner of the club, their heels clattering against the metal flooring, they come to a cramped area littered with junk and the ends of Cig-Sticks.

"Oh, charming." Leah wrinkles her nose. "I've seen engineering rooms that are less greasy."

"Oh now you get fiesty." Holly rolls her eyes, and gestures to a heavy-looking door. "It's the maintenance entrance. I'll spoof the lock and we'll sneak in the back."

"And what if someone sees us?"

"You'll think of something. Use that head of yours." Holly presses her tongue into her cheek, making a crude gesture, and Leah rolls her eyes, though she can't supress a small thrill of excitement. At the idea, or just at breaking in?

They approach the door, and Holly reaches into her jacket for a slim data-key. But the noise of boots on metal behind them causes both girls to spin around, eyes wide and startled.

The four thuggish aliens have followed them, and now block the way back to the main street. One is lanky and grey skinned, with smooth features and deep black eyes; one resembles a humanoid bat, and the other two are the same species of scaly reptilian alien, one red, one green. The Green one grins, showing sharp teeth, and a wicked tongue.

"Well well, I do love it when Human Whores stumble their way into our turf. Don't try anything stupid ladies. Just do what you're told, and you can get out of this without too much rough treatment."

"Forget that." Sneers the bat-face, "I want the little one, she looks like a fiesty fuck."

Leah gasps, gripped by terror, and looks over at Holly. Her petite friend fidgets with her platinum locks, and bites her lip nervously. Noticing Leah's fear, she grabs her hand, trying to put on a brave face.

"H-hey guys, we're just um - in the wrong place. We'll just head back."

"Not without a little something for us first." The Red one smirks, grabbing his crotch, and taking a step forward.

"Wait." Says the Grey, who looks almost bored with the exchange. "They could be useful. We might be able to let them go unscathed and unmolested, if they do us a favour." Despite talking about them like they aren't there, the Grey fixes both girls with an impassive look.

Leah and Holly look at each other, fright on their faces. Do we do it? They silently ask each other. What will they do if we say no?

Holly balls one hand into a fist, and looks at Leah uncertainly, as if to ask: can we fight them off?

"I'd rather we go with my way." The Red one growls.