There was no information about the prison layout on any forum. Outside communication was all filtered through the military. No one who worked here could post on social media. Even the news had screened interviews. The security out of the place was top-notch even if the inside was outdated and they ran off color tapes on the ground. He sent Boil down the blue tape. The fire exit was red, yellow for the latrines, and the armory was green. Years of serving as a trader paid off.

Bunny, good to feel you.

Not now, Captain. Everyone here?

Wait! Are we secure? He noticed a camera blinking in his direction. Everyone was under constant watch.

They don’t have another me.

Or me. Chimed in another voice from the old crew.

Or I.

I knew our sorry arse of a captain would save us.

If you did, why did you bet everything away yesterday?

Multiple voices and mixed emotions filled his head. His eyes watered and he wasn’t sure if it was because he was happy, an overload of emotions, or one of the others was already crying. Alice had connected the entire crew together. Months of being separate from their nagging and complaining and it felt wonderful to hear their bickering again.

Hey! He scrunched his brows and wiped the moisture from his eyes. Reminisce later when we get off this moist hole.

Light-hearted emotions filled him as much as arousal and awkwardness. Perfectly balanced crew. I have the Darkstorm here.  

Confusion filled him and then anger. It gave away our location and turned on us. With it being Alice’s connection, she echoed more than any announcer in a stadium.

I understand, but you're all being picky expecting another ship to show up in time for your execution. What’s the easiest exit out of here? Silence greeted him. They expected him to have a plan, he was the Captain after all. We don’t have time. Get to the courtyard. We’ll take over a tower and get out.

Yes, Captain. They all chanted in unison. He hoped to raise a mug of beer with them once they were off this planet. And out of the invisible waves. That was a future pilot him problem. Now it was about getting on the ship.

He followed the green tape around the free area. A few people migrated to the doors on the west side. He recognized a few species and faces. It was time to enact their plan. He scanned Officer Charyd’s biochip near the door. It allowed him in without hesitation. About time, the guy’s information proved useful. He grew two additional limbs at the cost of shrinking himself down in height. Three guns to pass to his crew would be better than nothing. One rifle to shoot at those in the towers. He grabbed the respective ammo and loaded the gun and his pockets. 

The lights in the room blinked twice and his comm pinged. He glanced down at a message from The Darkstorm. The AI was like a big brother always watching. “Stun only.”

The ship he was going to steal again from the military… had just ordered him? If it meant the doors were going to be left open, fine. He made sure all the guns were set to stun. He found a camera pointing at him in the room and waved. “I’ll relay the message. Anyway, you can help open a few gates? Please?” Respect the ship.

The AI was processing. On his comm he saw “...” as he waited. Hurry you dumb anchor.

“Head over to Tower C and use the internal mechanisms to open the door.” A map popped up of the prison. Charyd should have said please earlier. There were three towers surrounding the courtyard B area. One was circled in black and labeled Tower C. Closest one to the entrance by him. He could make that shot.

“There is a button to open the courtyard gates in Tower C and let everyone out. Fire safety protocols will allow you to use that mechanism as long as the prison AI registers your… smoke… you know those caps probably won’t work and you will be in here with your friends, right?”

Charyd rolled his eyes at the message. Even though it was written, he could hear the ship’s AI with its mocking tone and rolling eyes. He knew his plan was half-cocked but it would work. It always did with his crew. 

“Keep your gun on stun or the ship doors will be closed for you and your friends.”

For a powerful military ship, it sure did not want bloodshed. He could relate.