Some Time Later

“I can’t believe you.”

“It was your idea to find a cheap place to eat. Don’t blame me for finding the spot. Besides you could have said no.” he grinned.

“I said cheap, not … whatever this is! … HOW did you know…” her voice rising.

“More things change more they stay the same. People like us just need something hot and filling. And you probably know that feeling too after…, what being broke 25% of the time or something?”

“WHY YOU…”

“More please!” came the young voice muffled by food.

The two arguing adults, who had been trying to keep it to at least a heated whisper, looked down at the girl. Blackfire just sighed and sat back down, picking at her meal. Zac fought to not snicker as he turned and worked at the machine on the table, trying to get it to spit out some more fries.

Sitting inside a dining establishment, the ‘family’ were inside another way station. This one much smaller than the first one they had found themselves parked at. After dealing with the pirates, it had been about a day and a half of traveling to get here. Zac had wanted to skip it, keep going on their way without getting into problem of some kind. But Blackfire knew this would be a good place to pick up some supplies and. more importantly, off load some of their haul from the pirates before.

They couldn’t sell everything without drawing attention, plus some of the more exotic goods wouldn’t hold much value out here. But they could lighten their load a bit and build up a bit of a surplus of credits if they actually needed them in the future. He couldn't say no to that level of thinking so agreed to stop.

The more surprising thing was that Blackfire invited the father and daughter to come with her. Her excuse was that she didn’t trust them on the ship alone, even with a baby-sitter in CARM. Layla of course jumped at this chance to see more space stuff and well..., he was worried, but Zac couldn’t say no to her.

Besides her parents were ‘superheroes’ as she put it. Should be safe enough.

The station turned out to be more worn down but at least it didn’t seem to have the ‘seedier’ side the larger station had. Probably because this was too small of a place to really set up any kind of large-scale crime group. Just like a small town floating in space as opposed to basically a city.

There were enough merchants though that Blackfire was able to wrangle a few trades out of them. Most were like them, just traveling through on their way to make their own shipments. Those that took the deals were more than willing to take the quick cash now than continue to haul half a tank of what was, essentially fuel as he understood it. Besides, the amount of gas they sold the family supposedly wouldn't be missed.

And Blackfire said they would be long gone by the time someone came snooping. That..., was encouraging. Yeah...,

So, fuel was the main thing they traded for. Even if trying to get fuel was the point of this stop, Blackfire didn’t want to buy the ‘fuel’ if she didn’t have to. The pirate loot had given her new options to put into play, and she was very good about leveraging that.

Seeing her haggle down the merchants at the large station was one thing, but here she was really in her element. These guys were basically a couple steps up from wandering salesmen or those people at stop and swaps. Seasoned wheelers and dealers and probably used to ripping off more than a few people. It wasn't all of them mind you but…, not everyone that stops to do trades from their cargo mid haul was the kind of person that was always on the up and up.

Still, no one seemed ready to draw a weapon or anything. There were a few heated words over some components or some other item that had some damage, but they were still worth it just from the scrap alone it sounded like. Just not as much. Not worth killing over. Besides she had bent a heavy metal shipping container which made a very good statement about not pushing the issue.

With the deals finished, they were all set to head back to the ship, but Layla’s stomach started grumbling. Between that, and Blackfire deciding that the little tyke would need ‘something cool to experience or else she’d be mopey’, the trio went off to find a bite to eat.

Frugal about their funds, even with the trades, Blackfire had wanted to get something cheap which suited Zac just fine. In fact, he’d been the one to pick out the eatery which she was smugly willing to let him muck up so she could tease him about it when he 'fucked it up'. Not that she said that word for word in front of Layla.

He wished he took a picture of her shock, but he was certain she’d break the camera and his wrist.

Space or home, future tech or generations behind; you don’t travel as much as he had without picking up a few tricks to figuring out if a place was good to eat or not. Cleanliness was important but you wanted to see a little weathering too. Wanted to hear people chatting away at their tables but not shouting matches or drunken babbling.

That and more led them to a small place near the ship docks. It fit most the criteria he judged for, and it fit her budget, so she begrudgingly allowed it. Soon enough they were at a table with a rather large device set up near them, about the size of two computer towers. Blackfire had to explain to him and most of it went over his head, but it was a food synthesizer of some grade.

“But the ones out here tend to be a bit too fatty, little more grease, and just ugh…” Blackfire started up about going anywhere else, but Zac just brought her close and whispered something into her ear, “You can’t be serious.”

“I mean if it works the way you said it does…,” he grinned.

It took two tries but she was able to get it to spit out three burger and fries or at least close it. She picked at her own dish, but the humans dug into it. Zac wouldn’t let Layla eat like this often and her mother…, she wouldn’t be caught dead here, so she was hyped. For Zac well, this was about on par with some of the greasy diners he passed by. The kind that tasted really good, made you wanna sleep it off after getting home and maybe, just maybe, wake up with a bit of regret for eating it.

“Hungry aren’t we?” Blackfire pointed at the empty plate of fries as she rolled her eyes before turning to Zac, leaning forward a bit, “You’re lucky she’s not allergic to this stuff.”

“I figured you’d be smart enough to not let us eat anything that would give us hives or something. From what I understand your kind can eat most anything we can so just work backwards a bit.”

“Aren’t you clever…, you get that from Carm?” She sighed and reached to work the machine again, “Agh this is why I hate these things, so annoying to set up and program right.”

“Was wondering why most places don’t have something like this.”

“Because most people actually preferred cooked meals to something that’s like two steps away from microwave meals.” She slammed the side of the machine for a moment, getting a yell from a staff member that saw but she waved it off. “Now will you answer me?”

“Well I mostly got the info from Carm yes. Layla told me a bit more too. She has a couple books dealing with you and your sister. Mainly your sister but again, just work backwards. What works for her works for you. You two are pretty similar, barring some tastes.”

“I should gut you for that.” her eyes flashed for just a second with a crackle of energy.

“Physically I mean. You are however somewhat nice when you try so…”

“Grrrrr….”

“Look I can’t really speak for things but…, how to say this? Just.., don’t think you should bind yourself to her like you do. Don’t seem healthy.”

“Ooooooooooooh, like I haven’t heard this a million times before.” Blackfire chuckled as she took a large bite of her food, taking big chews before swallowing, “Please don’t try to be my psychiatrist.”

“Whatever you want. But at the same time, you know…, maybe if you opened up a bit more without being snarky, maybe I wouldn’t have to rely on third hand knowledge from, what is basically fanfiction about your sister and apply it to you. Not sure how true that stuff is so maybe if you talked to me about some things..."

Blackfire started to say something but seemed to think better of it. Instead she sat down and just stared. Not at him but something…, behind him? He started to turn his head when something fast and forceful hit his foot and he had to fight to not curse.

“Don’t turn. Instead…, maybe we should see about getting that stain out of your clothes.” Blackfire said as she leaned forward.

“What st…”

She ended up flipping an entire cup of sauce into the air that landed on him before another word left his lips. The fact he was in public and with Layla meant he had to force a curse or two back down his throat. But he wasn’t even allowed time to do that. Blackfire simply hosted him and Layla out of their seats and started to drag them towards what was essentially the bathroom.

As the door closed behind them, the front door was kicked open. Weapons were very noticeably readied as a handful of figures quickly dash in, shouting orders at the people inside.

“Everyone down!” came several voices, yelled through a translation device that spat out several languages at once.

The ramshackle crew moved about the diner with their tasks. Some started policing the customers, threatening a few before going to the next one. Others started to just rob whatever looked valuable, while more started to close any windows or view-ports they could find. At least two ducked into the back to deal with anyone trying to flee that way. Eventually the gang started grabbing customers, dragging them to a scanner one of bigger thugs held in his hands.

Whatever they wanted from the scanner, none of the people it was used on triggered it.

When it was clear whatever they were looking for wasn’t here, they started to harass the customers before someone spoke up from behind a table, slowly saying that someone had ducked into the wash room a few seconds before the thugs came in.

Two gunmen were dispatched to check it out while the rest cased the place for anything else of value. The restroom was one of those bigger rooms that could host several different species, the stall set up to accommodate several body types. The pair checked one by one before they heard a few whispers. Reaching up to the translators they wore, the thugs jacked up volume to hear the words.

It took a second or two for the device to translate into their own tongues.

“….Can’t believe…”

“LOOK this isn’t my fault...”

“WHY does something always happen around you though, ugh we’re in the boonies as you said! Does trouble just…”

“Trouble does not follow me, I AM the Trouble and I resent…”

“Are you two gonna save the day again? Just go beat up the bad guys…” a younger voice cut in between the other two.

There was a pair of sounds that the translator picked up as ‘exasperated’. Whoever was in there might be their target. One of the pair banged on the door and shouted a command for whoever was in there to get out of there or else be blasted.

There was a moment of silence before a voice spoke back. The translator had no idea how to accurately word it but it came back as ‘I don’t understand…’

Well, if that’s how they wanted it. After all, their target didn’t need to be alive.

The pair stood side by side and leveled their weapons. Hot beams burned through the privacy door as they leveled several waves of fire into the stall. Smoke and the smell of melted metal and plastic filled the area.

When they were empty, one paused long enough to reload as the other went to open the hatch only for their translators to pick up something.

“I’m gonna kill Them.”

“Not in front of her…” other voice, which the translator said was male, interjected.

“You DO realize they weren’t really caring who got hit with that, right?”

“Oh. I know.” the male voice was gruff, “That’s why they lose their rights to arms.”

*Clang*

“ARMOR UP!” a mechanical voice shouted before the younger female voice spoke up.

“DAD!!!”

“Alright alright.” the male sighed, “They lose one arm.”

“MY CHOICE!” came the all too eager older female voice.

The gang outside the restroom was about to question what was taking so long after they heard the laser fire. Only to see their wayward member get sent flying from the rest room a few seconds later. A large, armored figure in blue stepped out, twin blades in its hands.

“Okay so hope you can understand this.” The figure began as he brought one blade up and pointed at the entrance, “I didn’t come to do anything like this today. I just came for a meal. So if you don’t mind, I’m giving you a chance. Leave.”

“I don’t care what you’re here to do, where you’re from or what you'll doif you leave. Heck if the good people here want to call for help or hunt you themselves, that’s on them. But I’m willing to be just a reasonable guy and just let you…”

“Blast him.” Spoke the big thug with the scanner.

“Well. I tried.” Zac just shrugged his shoulders before parrying the shots as best he could, “You’re up!”

A blur of purple and orange flew past him and impacted the biggest thug in the room, slamming him against the wall hard enough to dent it. He brought his weapon only for a hand that was much smaller than his to grip the firing port and crunch it in its grasp.

“OH please, give me some fun with this. You’re barely making me work.” Blackfire laughed as she easily ripped the weapon out of his hands and smashed it against the thug’s skull, “NEXT!”

It was over pretty fast after that. Compared to the syndicate soldiers and even the pirates, the gang was just…, fodder. Barely any training or skill, just some local thugs it seemed that picked a bad day to rob the place it seemed. Only real threat that was a worry was if they tried to take someone hostage in a panic. Zac focused more on keeping himself between the thugs and the civs, while Blackfire just broke them apart.

Though she did have a nagging feeling in the back of her head that she SHOULD really make sure no one got hurt..., too badly. Wouldn't do for Layla to see someone's actually ripped off arm. And she probably would be upset if someone innocent go hurt. So, she would just take some shots it the thugs fired wildly, as if she didn't the blasts would hit someone else. Even if the blasts felt a bit... itchy?

It was somewhat satisfying for Zac to see Blackfire ‘save’ the day before something went wrong. All the more so without him having to mention it. Even if she ended up punching a thug that tried to grab a hostage halfway through the wall.

“Take it out of THEIR pay.” Was her response to a grumbled complaint from the owner.

“Speaking of, should probably bail before whatever…, local law gets involved.” Cole muttered as he grabbed Layla and made for the door, “Sorry about this, have a good REST of your day folks!”

Layla waved at everyone on the way out while Blackfire tossed the owner a couple credit sticks from the pockets of the thugs before quickly floating after the pair. Pausing only to grab one of the weapons the thugs had. Leaving the entire restaurant shocked and puzzled over just what had happened.

Opposite the diner, trying to remain hidden behind some pipes, someone ended up making a call. Boss was gonna want to hear about this.

-------

“Well that could have gone better.”

“No one got hurt and we got out of there without a problem. What’s the harm?” Blackfire quipped as she settled into the pilot’s chair.

“No fight for one.” Zac sat in the co-pilot seat with a gruff. He let out a large sigh as the stress was starting to leave him.

“You cannot blame me for that. It’s not like I went looking for trouble. Was I supposed to just let them rob us?”

“So, your idea was to rob the place so we wouldn't get tangled up in anything?”

“No! ...Yes… I mean… UGH.” he could hear her grip tighten on the controls, “Shut up. My point is, we were put in that position without meaning to. Besides, we still got what we needed and didn’t get bogged down in anything complex. It won’t happen again.”

“Mmmmhmmm.” He muttered as he tapped the sensors, “Why are there two ships heading our way?”

“…..and their messaging us. Lemme just…” Blackfire brought an earpiece up to her ear and flicked it on…, only to quickly put it back down.

“And?”

Saying nothing, she just brought a hand up to her face and pinched the brow of her nose, giving a slight groan that went on for a good while. He gave her a slight smirk when she finally stopped and turned towards him. She didn't have to say anything, the look on her face said it enough. But it was satisfying to hear her have to admit it.

“Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh…., lamentations of females on board, then take them, all the material on board, eat all who stand before us blah blah blah…” she made a motion of talking with her hand, “The whole spiel.”

“Uh Huh. They aren't actually going to eat us are they, you made that last one up.” he said standing up and making sure his belt was on and selecting Leo this time, “Hey for this go around, don't throw me.”

"No promises." She stood and walked out the door with him following closely behind before turning and jabbing a finger at his chest, “This still isn’t my fault.”

“I’m not saying it is so don’t think I’m blaming you.” he held her hand and slowly moved I away, “But have to admit, it’s weird it’s happening again.”

“Let’s just…" She took a moment to growl the words through her teeth, "Scare them off…, and we'll just jump out of here. Oh, and Zac." She pushed him against the wall before pressing up against him, her other hand tracing his chin, “I do hope that you’ll show me a good time tonight.”

“…..Because you’ll be revved up or left wanting?”

“Which do you think makes it more fun or worse for you?” She said as she turned and sashayed out the control room.

Sad thing was, he wasn’t entirely sure.