“Quick, hide it in your pack so no one sees it, we don’t know what it can do to others” Kelnar whispered lowly as Frenell held the dark rusted box tightly in his hand, Kelnar held the dull grey pack open so she could slip in inside.

They didn’t have long, they needed to get off the planet and fast.  If Doonala knew it was missing he was sure to send one of his minions after them, and there was no telling what damage would be caused.

Aralorn was on the look out, he thought he saw someone that would recognise them. “Hurry, someone is coming, I think that freight ship is about to leave, I am sure we can sneak on there to get out of this hell hole.  I want to be away from here before he realises it has gone.”

Kelnar moved towards the freight as the other two quickly followed, careful not to be noticed.  “Here,” he handed the pair two ship merchant passes.  “I got these ID’s just in case we needed a quick get away, I had a feeling this was how we were going to escape, plan for every eventuality.”

As the trio got to the ship they composed themselves before flashed their ID’s, “Hey, we are looking for a ride to  Keltan V, you headed that way?”  Kelnar asked the crewman at the entrance.  He knew that they would not be able to go directly back to their planet as once Doonala noticed what was missing, home would be the place he would head first.

“Yes, but it will cost you, we are going about four light years away, but we can chuck you out in one of the cargo pods.”  The crewman replied, anything for a quick buck, he didn't care who they were.

Kelnar looked at Frenell and nodded.  She looked puzzled then realised she had the money, quickly she took out some latinum, “That do ya?” she asked.

The crewman took the latinum, “Onboard you go.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ship had left the dock and headed off, the trio were hauled up in a small cargo pod, ready to be deployed.

“This is Captain Norfort, we will be deploying your pod in T minus 10 seconds, someone will have to pick you up, there are communication facilities onboard." said the stern voice that came over the communication system.

10, 9, 8, .........3, 2, 1.  The pod left the ship and floated off into space before the ship went into warp then disappeared.

It was dark, stars dotted the sky like crystals on a bed of nothingness, but nothing else seemed to surround them.

“Right, time to find a lift to the next planet.” Kelnar looked at Aralorn.

Aralorn began transmission...”S. O. S.  We are stranded, please contact if you can hear this, we require assistance..... S. O. S.  We are stranded, please contact if you can hear this, we require assistance.....S. O. S.  We are stranded, please contact if you can hear this, we require assistance........”

Hell, GM