A trail of deformed light splits the darkest veil of space, bypassing defences systems, closing in on a curled raceme of illuminated planets, devoid of atmosphere, covered by scrapers, like morning stars linked by iridescent chains of energy and metallic scales whose roots converge into a black core which pulse solemnly.

One by one, the security doors open seamlessly, leading the way to a tall long-legged slender figure wearing a chrome dark suit, crowned by a tainted glass helmet. The last door opens to an ominous hemispherical chamber with huge vacuums, on the ceiling, draining lines of glowing dust from a ghostly mass of tiny solar systems and stars hanged on a hook.

A gentle and forged granny voice exits from the intruder's helmet.

– I am the most wanted criminal in this universe. But I am the only one able to help you.

Then the criminal draws its two blasters and starts shooting at the hook, letting the prisoner fall down on the floor, then a second blast on the mass, then a third, then a nervous onslaught until the floor melt, toxic fumes reach the ceiling and the alarm resonates.

Particles of lights condense, come together, gives birth to the same ambiguous mass, a stellar being, holder of an immeasurable power source, unkillable.

– Seems like these high-end blasters won't be enough. Follow me and i will bring an end to your suffering.

A capsule is thrown, creating a bubble that sucks the mass and takes the form of a fat cat.

– Ah wrong capsule... but well we don't have time to get cosy.

Its talons morph little thrusters on the side, allowing him to skate mid-air, blasting left and right at anything that moves while avoiding all the deadly beams of the security, still followed by the floating fat cat.

– Boom

One word is enough, the ceiling explode unveiling a high heel shaped motorcycle with its seat open for landing.

– Go

One word is enough as the motorcycle's trail of deformed light fades into the darkest of space, letting at the abandon the crumbling planets, among cries, with its main source of energy stolen.

– Thousands! On my life, I nearly encountered thousands way to die. Maybe, one of them will do the job. So no need to mourn, just enjoy your last rites of passage!

From planets to systems, from galaxies to galaxies, random kind of pet capsules to fat cat ones, with an ever changing set of ridiculous forged voices, years passed and the stellar being lives.

– Well, still not found the tool for the job. So... How about... You work with me for a while, with higher paying contracts come more opportunities... of dying.

The cat nodded, surprising the criminal who immediately grabs the cat with both hands, sticking its helmet on the capsule to confirm the nod, which happened a second time in reaction.

– Well for a surprise! You learn... Quickly maybe... or not. I am familiar with stellar being, but doesn't know really anything about them. Let's find out together!

As contracts were completed, the bounties increased, not with credits, but with gracious privileges, from being king of countries to persona grata for all themes parks in the universe. One was added for the cat but with a subtlety since it was requested alive without further information as its existence as a stellar being is confidential. And so on, the bounties of "Rotten Asparagus" and "Chunky Kitty" kept pushing the boundaries of rewards, with each novella adding their twist to belittle their names in an attempt to prevent children's admiration.

On board the motorcycle, en route to the pirates bay, the duo passed by a system on the verge of losing its sun.

– Do you think if you jump into it... you could rekindle it ? We actually never tried this death because... gravity is too high for my bike, so if you don't die, I won't be able to save you and you will just be trapped in its core, another prison, just a little brighter and warmer than your previous one... But if its on the verge of dying, gravity should be lower, and maybe, if you are still alive, i could pick you up.

The motorcycle stops, silence grows until the cat nods heavily two times.

– It's alright, I can do it! I am not the most wanted for nothing.

Approaching the dying star, tongues loosen.

– This may be the last time we talk, so i will be honest. Your death was never a contract, or a mission, i just wanted to see you die, free you from your suffering... or i should say my own.

As they slip by the escaping fleets, rush through the debris of old wars, perforate withering planets with the ramping beat of the dying star echoing on theirs envelopes.

– Here you.... Die !

A hundred and eighty degrees with the motorcycle launches the cat directly into the flickering sun then drives off, while a familiar and candid voice rings into the criminal's helmet.

– Thank you for the ride ! I enjoyed it... as short as it was.

The size of the sun grows and reduces like a heart under a panic attack. Neighbouring planets are whipped to dust by solar flares, igniting the corpses of old wars, melting the hapless ships.

Calling for life, new star about to be born, but far cries still remain, echoing in the helmet... calling for remorse, exhuming the pain of solitude, origin of false resolution.

For a split second, the sun retracts to the size of a peanut, unveiling a bleak stellar being, alongside the damaged cat capsule, contemplating a last time the vastness of the universe. Last breath, the motorcycle speed at full throttle, long black arms embrace the stellar being to pull it out of the radios of the explosion, but not enough, the blast crashes them and the bike on a crumbling crescent moon.

– Why ?

Calls the being. But no answers. The pirate is laying encrusted on the moon with the motorcycle, totally wrecked, on the side. Steadily, the stellar being floats toward the inanimate body and flips it.

Its helmet is crack open on the diagonal, revealing not a face, but a sea of swirling stars, waltzing together.

– Are you... ?

Real voice resonates into the stellar being, a pure voice.

– Yes... you are not alone, even though i wished for you to die, not to suffer as i have, alone among the stars and scared to die alone... too many pets I had, plenty of beautiful moments but all punctuated by mourning... suffering for so long can make lose hope, but your voice, was a spark, rekindled my fire... and...

– It's okay, we are not alone. not any-more.

Then the two shapeless mass of little stars, laid on the decaying moon for a few thousand years, watching the sun beat calmly, watching the system slowly repopulate, until...

– Well, ready to because the most wanted criminals of the universe ?

– Anytime !