Night City Aliens: The Wandering Planet

Ch 16: All According to Plan

"That's a terrible idea."

"You have a better one?" Vinny asked V.

"No," V sighed, slumping forward. "I don't."

---

"There's no need for this!" Wander panicked. He had Sylvia and Vinny holding him down, and V was smirking at him while holding what she called a 'ball-gag'. "Can't we just talk to Hater? We're buddies. I'm sure I can convince him to ta-MMPH!" V shoved the red orb into his mouth while Vinny secured the strap around his head.

"I gotta admit, Wander," V chuckled. "Hatty has good taste. You look so cute all bound and gagged." She ruffled the fur on top of his head before placing Hatty back on the nomad's head.

"Could you make this anymore awkward?" Vinny deadpanned.

"I could, but I won't." V turned to Sylvia and held up a second gag. "Your turn," she said a little too cheerfully.

"I can manage on my own," Sylvia frowned, swiping the ball-gag from V and putting it on. Then she plopped down next to Wander and let Vinny tie her up.

---

Vinny fired a couple of shots from his assault rifle. It was the only weapon they had that could hit the Skullship at its current elevation. He was still weirded out that the ship literally looked like a giant skull floating in the air but tried to ignore it. It was the least weird thing he'd seen since leaving Earth.

"Ok, that's enough," V told him, and he lowered his weapon.

"Think that got his attention?" Vinny asked.

"I hope so. We can't afford to waste too many bullets."

A few minutes passed, and the Skullship began to lower. As it drew closer, Vinny struggled to steady his heart and breathing. Only now was the true scale of the ship become evident. It stopped no more than 50 meters up, but still stretched disturbingly high. If he had to guess, the Skullship was at least as big as Night City's tallest skyscrapers.

"Go time," V smiled. She removed her helmet, flipping her mohawk back over her shoulder. She held out her right hand, presenting the red rose Hatty gave them. "A peace offering, my love."

The mouth of the Skullship opened. A massive tongue fell out, unrolling like an extra-large carpet rug. It stretched all the way down to the ground, allowing a small army of aliens to come marching out of the ship. About a hundred men surrounded them, each one lacking a face. They only had a giant eyeball in place of a head and stood two feet tall at most.

One of the soldiers stepped forward and began talking to V. Vinny wished he knew what they were saying. As smart as V was, she was still mentally unstable. She had to sell it, or they were all dead. But Vinny kept his cool. He had been in worse situations and came out on top. He just had to have confidence that Lord Hater would take the bait.

Several of the soldiers moved in and picked up Wander and Sylvia. As they carried the nomads up the giant tongue, V continued her conversation with the leader. The two aliens nodded to each other, and V gave Vinny a thumbs-up.

"We're in," she said

---

"Well, well, well," Lord Hater said, staring at V and Vinny. "Look who came crawling back."

"No need to be so uptight, sweetums," V smiled lustfully. "I'm not too proud to admit when I'm wrong."

"Wrong?"

"About you, ya silly skeleton." V took a step towards Hater but was blocked by Commander Peepers.

"That's close enough, Dominator," Peepers commanded. He drew his blaster and pointed it at her.