"If it's so dangerous, why do people keep looking for the treasure?" Neil asked Amir before the man could depart. He spun and chortled at the question, holding his plump belly much akin to a beached seal. "Oh! The Treasure is likely real enough. But it lies across the desert of Rimbala, where the Dune Serpents dwell. You cannot find it in a space ship, no. Rumor says it lies in canyons of rock and obsidian, and even greater dangers lurk there!" 

"Why do you say it's real?" Taya asked, eyes round as saucers, her hands curled into fists of excitement, pressing to her lips as she looked to the man. 

"Oh, Hahn was founded by thieves!" He exclaimed. "The story goes that the famous thief Hutan Shah stole a treasure ship from the Imperium centuries ago and crashed here, though he was taken and devoured by the denizens of the Rimbala crags. Ever since, men and Xenos have come to look for it. But they all die, yes they do! Trade is far safer and more lucrative, anyway. Why go treasure seeking when you can make credits here and sit on your butt, eh?" 

"Maybe we're just adrenaline junkies." Neil said, and though Amir laughed, Junebug and Taya could tell Neil was telling the truth. "Amir, I would like to find a place to stay in the city. Could you help me with that?" Neil asked, and to his surprised Junebug stepped forward and said she would join him, a look in her eye that showed she was spoiling for something rough no matter what that meant. 

"Oh yes, my friends! Go and find my contact Salim Daleeb in the center of town. You cannot miss him. He is the one with the pink turban. Housing, maps, food, delectable music or company. He will explain everything." Amir said, giving a big smile and waving them off with a friendly gesture. That answer satisfied Neil. 

"I think I'll stay with the ship." Taya said, drawing confused looks from the other two. Neil furrowed his brow. "I thought you were scared of Saxon." he said. She nodded. "I am, but less so now that I know all he wants to kill is you." The look on Neil's face was beyond humorous to Taya, and she laughed. "Also, I have Lonney there and I can watch the ship and keep it locked. You guys don't get into too much trouble." 

Junebug grinned and Neil looked unconvinced at their ability to follow that advice. 
[hr] 
"Yes yes, what you need, Salim Daleeb got! Because Salim Daleeb is the greatest merchant in the quadrant, I do be do, be he!" the extravagantly dressed man exclaimed, his Pink turban like a beacon amid the crowd, even with how short the man was. His vest was bright crimson and blue, and when he smiled, they could see every other tooth was made of either gold or ivory. "Special sale today! Maps, maps, map! Come and get the maps of the Rimbala desert!" 

Neil didn't know why the man was acting as if he had a crowd. Only he and Junebug were there, the woman still on edge and looking as if she wanted to shoot him or make trouble. Neil raised an eyebrow, nodding as if to exude 'why not' and he said. "Sure, we'll take a map. That and we need a room." 

"A room? Travelers yes? Supplies do you need?" he said, his interest twinkling in his mad eyes. He smiled widely, looking the two up and down like a jackal surveying the carrion. "What of parts for a ship, or do you need a new one? A two bath or one bath, two beds or one? Will you wish the service of a eunech slave or shall I-" 

Junebug grabbed the man by the throat, shutting off his tirade and lifting him up to her height, her eyes boring into his with barely suppressed energy. He grabbed at her wrist, unable to properly speak. She gave a smile that showed her teeth. "Will you allow us to speak?" she asked him. He nodded hurriedly, as energetic in his silence as he was in his babbling. On the bright side, after that show of force they had very little trouble in haggling with him, and he wished to be done with them by the end, so low were the prices that were now set. The map had been uploaded to the Highlander before the sun had set. 

Down three dusty roads, past carts being moved by unknown, horned beasts of burden that looked like a spliced crossbreed between a large lizard and an oxen, and into an alleyway with dried blood on the wall, smeared and scattered like the wound of a slug autogun shot where the exit wound was far larger than the entrance one. Two doors down was the apartment that they apparently had for the next few says. The door looked simple enough, thin wood with various cuts across it, attached to a wall of hardened clay and mortar. 

Inside, it looked far cozier than what they had expected. It was no Palace, but the red carpet on the floor was quite soft, with a comfortable bed in the main bedroom and a guestroom across the hall. The living quarters held a stocked kitchen, though the food was likely very bland and the water less than filtered. There was even a run down, archaic looking console that Neil knew how to handle, and could even contact the Highlander in case the need arose. 

Junebug still looked fired up, her fists clenching and unclenching. "No trouble all day." Junebug sighed. Neil looked at her, and he realized he needed to let out some energy too. He suddenly pushed her. "You are really tense." He laughed, after he had placed his items down. "You know we haven't tussled since Aiden's." he said, and he leapt back, lifting his fist in a guard position, ducking and weaving to further emphasize the point. "Yeah?" The room was far less stuffy than the Highlander, and the carpet was still noticeably very soft. "No?" 

He stopped. "Wait...was it Aidens?"
[@Penny]