As we approached closer, it became clear that the festival was in full swing. What started as a small noise became a cacophony as we drew closer. It was a low-rise town; most terraced buildings were only two stories at most. The wide streets were thronged with mostly older people, a couple hundred Earth years old.

“What madhouse have you brought me to?” I jokingly asked Tabitha.

“Yeah it’s crazy, what will we do now?”

“Well, I don’t know about you but I’m starving. It’s been a while since we had something to eat. Let’s find somewhere to relax for a while. Then we’ll decide the longer-term plan”

“Sounds good to me.”

We continued along the long street until we came to a crossroads. On one of the corners, I could see an entrance to a pub advertising food, so I grabbed Tabitha’s hand and went straight for it.

It was dark inside and people were packed closely together like sardines. We pushed our way to the rear, where finally there was some space. We sat down and waited to be attended. After a few minutes, a flustered waitress with bright blue eyes and long jet-black hair heaved her way through several people and took our orders.

The small craft propelled itself forward and went straight under the sand like I had hoped. But now, I was facing the ultimate dilemma. Pull up too fast and be spotted by the Emperor’s fleet or stay too long underground and eventually hit something and die. I reckoned though that the pirates would have considered this and made sure there was no debris in the way. I never thought I’d have to rely on the thoughtfulness of pirates but there you go. Another thing that I had to take into account was the thick, toxic atmosphere that should hamper visibility.

After what seemed like an age of inner thoughts but in reality, no more than twenty seconds I pulled the craft up and out of the sand. Not a moment too soon either as we would have hit ruins if I waited a few seconds longer.

I stayed close to the ground of the habitat to avoid detection. The rest of the habitat was more of the same. Sand and ruins of cities. I kept on expecting to see some plant life but to no avail.

We reached the edge of the habitat and I now flew out back out into space and round to its underbelly.

The Empire is seeking two terrorists. We know that you have them in your possession. Release them and you can go free. Glory to the Emperor!

This message then went on a continuous repeat.

I was right. They were after us. Suddenly, the ground stopped shaking. We didn’t have much time. They were giving the bikers a chance to bring us to them, I reasoned.

The tunnel led us to a large hangar with an array of ships. They looked old and beaten, and most exhibited marks from being previously hit by laser fire. There was no point in being picky so I went straight for the nearest one quickly getting into the cockpit.

“Will you be able to fly this?” Tabitha asked wide-eyed, in an excitable tone.

Its controls looked very familiar apart from a peculiar set of buttons off to the right that I hadn’t seen before. Then a ship buzzed passed us. Rather than going straight up, it propelled itself under the sand. I understood and pressed the top right button.

The leader and her cronies now entered the hangar and opened fire with small lasers.

Tabitha put on her belt as did I. I pushed on the accelerator.

I felt the ground shake or did it? Then it happened again. I opened my eyes and was hit by a cacophony of sounds. Our captives were under attack by aerial bombardment. They seemed very disorganized. This didn’t happen too often from their faces of astonishment. Then the thought struck me. It was us they were after and not them.

Tabitha was already taking action.

She was marshaling the other prisoners to try and push down the cell railings. I quickly got up and added my weight. At first, I thought it was hopeless but then I felt movement. I urged all those around me to keep going.

Then I suddenly lost my footing as the railings finally gave way. I looked up and saw the bikers had not noticed. But that wouldn’t last as other escapees ran right through them. Sure enough, some of them started collapsing to the ground under laser fire. I grabbed Tabitha’s hand and motioned for her to follow me.

The gang must have some of its own ships somewhere. And they were nowhere to be seen on the way in. So, we go deeper.

A hair, round biker suddenly appeared in front of us but realizing that he had no support, he let us scurry past. The ground continued shaking as we hurried down a tunnel.

Then we heard chatter over speakers that must have been installed in the tunnel.

Then a bald, fat faced woman took center stage.

“What do you want?” Tabitha roared.

She and the rest of the crowd laughed in response. Then she began to speak.

“Well, well look what we have found. A pity about the ship but this fiery one should fetch a fine price in the sex slave markets. And then there is him of the Emperor’s lineage. Many will pay to watch him die as horrifically as possible.”

“I promised you riches, when I became leader. And riches you will have.”

There was a huge roar of approval.

“Take them to the cell.”

One more, we were pulled forward by the neck. Fortunately, the destination was to the rear of the large chamber, so our legs didn’t give up. The nooses around our necks were removed and we were pushed into a cell that swiftly clanked closed behind us.

It was dark, but we immediately sensed being surrounded by other bodies. A putrid smell hung in the air. Probably, other poor souls captured for the slave market. I clasped Tabitha’s hand and held it tightly as much for myself as her.

“What next?” she whispered.

“No idea,” I replied faintly.

I wished I could have replied something more hopeful. But I could not.

An armed guard was keeping watch so we decided it was best to try and rest,

A few seconds later and we were surrounded by a group of bikers. Their faces almost completely covered by masks depicting white skulls. They roared like wild animals over the din of their powerful engines.

The next I knew was that I could feel a rope ripping me forward onto my knees. Tabitha cried out as the same happened to her. Now defenseless, we watched warily as some of our assailants left their bikes to inspect the ship, before angrily kicking it.

“There is nothing salvageable here,” one of them roared out from behind me.

With that, we were both pulled along like wild animals, struggling to keep up as they stayed on their bikes. This was unlike any habitat I had previously seen, they are usually optimized for human life but not this rotten world. It reeked of decay and death. Each breath was a struggle, the ground dry and lifeless. There were ruins everywhere hinting at a more prosperous past. If I hadn’t been so concerned by the fate that awaited us, I would have wondered what possibly could have happened here.

The group that captured us was about twenty strong. A mixture of men and women, all with a fair complexion. I noticed now too that their arms were covered in tattoos of red fists with insignia that was too difficult to make out.