Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 110: Concerns

Chapter 110: Concerns

Snakehead had been buzzing with excitement since Lyra’s call. He was so pumped that he barely got any sleep that night.

Once the details were hammered out, he didn’t waste time. Before the sun even rose, he was on the phone with Todd, laying out the whole Wyrmtrace plan.

Even Todd, who always prided himself on being in the know, couldn’t hide his own excitement.

"Hahaha, who would’ve thought her going off to the military academy would work in our favor like this?" Snakehead chuckled, sipping on his hot milk. "Planet development? Guys like us? Never thought we’d get a piece of that pie."

The truth was, they’d never been popular with the officials or military, mostly because their business partners tended to be, well, less than savory—fugitives, space pirates, the usual crowd.

This new opportunity felt like they’d gone from begging on the streets to dining at a five-star restaurant.

Still, they had to keep their identities under wraps and make sure to check in with the folks on Planet Nagano to keep the authorities off their backs.

That’s where Todd came in—he’d have to meet with Morrison there.

Even though Wyrmtrace wasn’t officially under their control, the place was under tight surveillance. With satellites monitoring the nearby space, landing from anywhere else was a no-go.

Plus, finding such a small planet in a galaxy filled with wormholes and asteroid fields without a proper star map? Good luck with that.

...

Just as Snakehead was about to leave for Planet Nagano, he caught wind that the Caesars were headed there too.

"Why are you going?" Snakehead shot a look at Caesara, who was busy prepping her team. He had a bad feeling about this.

"Did you forget I’m a mercenary?" Caesara grinned. "Got hired for a job, so we’re going." Her new look was bold—one side of her head still shaved, showing off a scar, while the other side had long braids.

Snakehead rolled his eyes. ’We better not be after the same resources.’

Caesara laughed, reading his mind. "Seriously, you think everyone’s chasing after those dumb minerals? I couldn’t care less about business. I’m here to fight. Maybe I’ll even find some cool plants along the way."

That had been the deal from the start. Caesara wasn’t in this for the money. Sure, she worked for a paycheck, but her crew wasn’t at odds with the officials like Snakehead’s. They played it clean, unlike the messier crews out there, so she could move around within the Alliance without much fuss.

Snakehead watched as Caesara’s team and Todd’s group took off. Suddenly feeling uneasy, he grabbed his communicator and dialed Lyra.

She had just wrapped up re-enrolling in school and was sorting out her dorm room when she answered.

"What’s going on?" she asked, not bothering to stop hanging her clothes as she glanced at the screen.

"You tell me! What’s up with Caesara?" Snakehead’s frustration was palpable as he fidgeted, his round frame shaking a little. "Why didn’t you say anything?"

"I just hired some bodyguards. Why’s that any of your concern?" Lyra shrugged, closing her wardrobe and sitting at her desk. "I’ve only got a few tech people. I need more muscle for protection."

"What’s there to worry about?"

"I’m worried about you," Lyra said, finally meeting his gaze. She rested her chin on her hand. "Let’s not kid ourselves. We both know who we are. Mutual trust isn’t exactly our thing."

Her bluntness left Snakehead speechless.

"Oh, and by the way," Lyra added with a sly smile, "I think you’ve got a bit of a problem to handle." She yawned, stretching. "I’m beat."

And just like that, she hung up.

Snakehead clicked his tongue, glaring at the opticomputer as it shut off with a faint sound.

He had tried hinting to Todd the night before to play it smart—after all, Lyra didn’t have any real muscle on her side. Or so he thought.

Now, it was clear she had been one step ahead of him the whole time.

"Tch, getting anything out of her is like pulling teeth."

As he muttered to himself, a commotion broke out at the airport’s entrance.

Blackheart stormed in with his goons, looking absolutely livid.

Snakehead remembered Lyra’s cryptic warning about trouble. Annoyed, he rubbed his bald head and called for airport security. But before he could even blink, Blackheart grabbed him by the collar.

"What the hell are you and Caesara up to? Heading off to Planet Nagano? Is that brat Sis Marv behind this again?"

Snakehead always figured Blackheart survived more because of his muscle than his brain. The guy never learned.

"What’s it to you?" Snakehead shoved him away without hesitation.

By then, airport security had arrived, armed and ready, circling the group. Onlookers backed up, sensing that things were about to get ugly.

"You let her slip through your fingers back then, and now you’re cashing in on it! This was your plan all along, wasn’t it?" Blackheart growled. He knew Lyra was a cash cow, and if Snakehead was sending people to Nagano, there had to be serious profit on the line.

Snakehead was done arguing with this fool. "If you’re so smart, go track her down yourself. Stop hounding me every time something doesn’t go your way!" He turned to leave.

"I’m not done with you!" Blackheart lunged again, but Snakehead was quicker, sending him flying with a swift strike.

Snakehead’s weapon—a bat—morphed into a gleaming blade. He pointed it at Blackheart, who was now coughing up blood on the floor. "Have you forgotten who runs Voidstar? Keep mouthing off, and I’ll chop off those fingers of yours for fun."

Blackheart, struggling to his feet, spat in frustration. "Damn fatso, fine, you win this round! I’ll back off!" He stormed away, shoving aside Liliana, who had come over to help him.

Liliana tossed her hair and shot Snakehead a sweet smile. "Don’t mind Papa, Snakehead. He’s just got a bit of a temper."

Snakehead’s stern expression softened as he looked at her, a sly grin replacing the scowl. "If only your old man were as reasonable as you, Liliana. Life would be much easier."

Liliana smiled lightly before turning to follow her father.

Meanwhile, Lyra couldn’t care less about the latest spat between Voidstar’s two leaders. Her attention was elsewhere, focused on the dreaded physical exam she had the next day.

Since advancing to level six, she hadn’t had a chance to adjust her body properly, meaning she couldn’t push herself too hard. If she did, the consequences would be nasty.

So, she was going to cheat.

Early the next morning, Rajan stood awkwardly outside girls’ dorm building, clearly uncomfortable under the watchful eyes of the future soldiers strolling by.

When he finally spotted Lyra, he rushed toward her, but Zinnia sneakily snuck up from behind.

Lyra sidestepped, and Rajan tumbled right into Zinnia’s arms.

Mandy couldn’t hold back her laughter. "Zinnia, let him go!"

Zinnia, wrinkling her nose, pulled the embarrassed Rajan from her grasp. "I didn’t break him, did I?"

"I-I’m so sorry!" Rajan stammered, his face flushed bright red as he avoided her gaze, bowing repeatedly. "I didn’t see you there! I’m so, so sorry!"

Zinnia, almost the same height as him but taller thanks to her sturdy military boots, bent down and gave him a teasing once-over. "For someone who’s kinda cute, you sure act like a scared little bunny."

The shift in dynamic was so bizarre, even Mandy didn’t know what to say.

Lyra’s cold voice cut through the awkwardness. "Do you have the stuff?"