Saving My Lesbian Friend from The Vampire King!

A trooper pod fly across the ocean of stars, driven by a young hot blooded bounty hunter. The pod soars to a small planet that looks black, with orange lines. That's planet Kraa, a small planet but hot, where everyday is volcanic eruptions. The danger of it's constant natural disaster makes Kraa the perfect hideout for Haul, an Orkan serial killer who had just escaped execution and carried a massive bounty on his head. He was intend to trap his pursuer with natural trap.

Jared gripped the controls of his T-pod easily, eyes locked on Haul's ship, unwavered even though the hot smokes getting in the way. The heat from Kraa's eruptions hits the pod's hull, but Jared grit his teeth and maintain his focus on target. 

21-year-old Jared Gauthier smirks. "You think you can death-trap me here, do you? Watch!" he growls boldly. 

Jared's flying skill wasn't all talk. He had earned respect for his daring moves, sharp instincts, and the ability to pull off stunts that make people amazed. His flying was bold and aggressive, always pushing limits and skimming the edge of danger. Every sharp turn and quick decision showed how determined he was to prove himself that he is unstoppable.

Haul's pod dive into the pool of boiling volcano, but Jared knows what he's about to do. Haul's pod is FGB, model 2879, means it's very good at performing sharp manuver, something that most other pod, especially Jared's pod unable to do as good. As expected, in last seconds before hitting the surface of the red lava soup, he suddenly rise back up. But since Jared already predicted it, he already manuvered his ship, to the direction Haul is about to take.

And Jared tried to crash his pod into Haul's pod, with his pod at the top. Haul was shock, of course, so he quickly slam his wheel to another direction. But he is a bit too late, the top of his pod still hit something that Jared intentionally attach at the bottom of his pod. Something like iron that purposedly to protect the pod against crash, but this time, it crash a little bit of Haul's wings.

A radio communication enters Jared's receiver, and shrieking voices with undetected language that seems more like a stomach growls is heard. Orkan language sounds that way because of the way their mouth structured. So even if they learn proper Earthlish, it's still hard to tell what they're talking about.

"Stop complaining and give up!" Jared replied to Haul with radio com attached on his dashboard.

But Haul replied him with barrage of laser shots, lucky nothing really damaging his pod because Jared reflex avoids the attack.

"Son of a rat wants some exchange, huh?! I'll give ya laser!" When the target was on lock, Jared shot, the blast striking Haul's engine and causing thick black smoke from the tail of his pod. However, despite the hit, the target remained airborne, stubbornly evading capture.

"Just give it up, Haul," large sums of money lay within reach, waiting to be claimed, a tempting prize that only fueled Jared's drive. "Logan, tonight we dine in Devil's Bowl!" 

Logan's voice came through the coms, steady despite the chaos. "Watch out, Komob! The steam eruption's coming up fast. Stop tailing him!"

Jared barely acknowledged her warning. "I know what I'm doing, Bubble Gum Haired-nerd!" he yelled back, his fingers already working the controls with precision.

The pod shot forward, its engines humming as Jared calculated the speed just right to avoid the eruption. He had done this a thousand times before—speed, timing, angle, all figured out in seconds. He wasn't going to let a little steam ruin his chase.

Logan's voice become more urgent. "King of Missing-Out Bounties, you need to stop! The steam explosion is—"

"I said I know what I'm doing," Jared grunted, cutting her off as he adjusted the pod's thrusters and veered away, skillfully avoided the eruption's edge, the air sizzling as he passed.

But then the eruption hit faster than he expected.

A burst of searing steam exploded, engulfing Jared's pod in a split second. The blast hit with a deafening roar, shaking the ship. Jared's hand slammed the controls, his instincts kicking in to save himself. The heat was unbearable, the ship trembling. He quickly checked the readouts—damaged but not destroyed. With a quick move, he narrowly escaped the full force of the explosion.

But it was too late.

Haul's ship was already slipping away. Jared cursed, helpless as his target vanished. The sound of Haul's laughter echoed over the coms, mocking him in a language Jared didn't understand. It left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Wiping the blood from his face, Jared groans, "...that sounds like a toilet flushing. Must be full of shit."

The ship moans, smoke pouring from the engine as the pod drifted unsteadily.

Logan's voice came through again, this time full of frustration. "Jared! You arrogant fool! You didn't listen to me! I told you it's going to explodes, but no—you had to keep going! For what?! Because it makes you looked awesome?!"

Jared lean back on his seat, staring into the void of space. His hair was messy and dusted from the shattered pod's glass, a few strands sticking to his blood-smeared skin. He almost get there, almost! But one second change everything now. 

His stomach growled. The galaxy's finest meals seemed impossible now.

Jared sighed, "I guess Devil's Bowls should wait..."

Logan was still ranting. "You always break everything! Every time we make money, you break something, and we end up spending our prize money fixing things! How are we ever going to get rich, buy a ship, and—now we don't even get any money!"

Jared tuned her out. His mind was on his mistake—his arrogance had cost him. But right now, he didn't care about the job. He just cared that his money had escaped... and that he wouldn't be eating anything good tonight.

"Relax, I'm fine. We can try again later," Jared cut through all her rants. "I'll catch him next time... and I'll get my meal."

Logan was still yelling though, but Jared was already lost in thought, trying to keep himself optimistic. One day he will out of the bad days, and good days will come. 

"I tracked Haul across the galaxy for months, losing sleep!!" Logan still nagging. "I should've known Argonarians can't follow tactics!"

"Now, now, don't be racist, Logan," Jared called her out calmly. "Come pick me up."