The sounds of clinking glasses, bright music, and drunken laughter fill the dining hall as I walk in. As much as I try to keep a low profile, it doesn't work. I'm too popular for my own good. Many people, mainly men, congratulate me when I pass. I smile my thanks and worm my way out of every conversation, but not before getting information about this Norman Ronx. By the time I'm halfway across the room, I already know who he is. Dark hair, lanky, tall, clothed in dark blue robes. He's some sort of criminal himself, by the sound of it. A scumbag. My type of man. Someone who understands the business and will pay me well for it. My eyes land on him, but the Grandmaster expertly cuts me off, putting an arm around my shoulder and steering me away. Come on. How on Terra did I not see him coming? His robes tonight are hot pink, for goodness sake. He looks like an obnoxious flamingo. It's like missing the sun in the sky.

"Ah, there she is!" He crows loudly in my ear. "My little singing star! How are you, beautiful?"

"I've been better, but I've been worse," I reply nonchalantly, itching to go back and make that deal. Plus, while I know the Grandmaster is harmless, he still makes me uncomfortable.

"Your voice was something special tonight, I really loved- what was that song? The mirror one, help me out, honey."

"'Man in the Mirror,'" I answer him. Michael Jackson. Iconic, obviously. I only sing the best. I'm the main influence of Terran music on this galaxy, so I can't give them anything subpar. It's cool, controlling the narrative of my home planet. I haven't met another Terran in years.

"Yes, that. Really fantastic. People love you. You could really be an entire industry."

I shake my head. "I'm not sure I'm interested in that." Once I'm free, I'm hoping none of these people ever find me again.

"Hm. Well. That's interesting. Anyway, Halley, you do remember our little deal, don't ya?"

The one where I finally get to escape you and your stupid little planet after fifteen long years? "I do recall it."

He points at me, his finger a little too close to my face for comfort, but the Grandmaster has no boundaries whatsoever. "You have a month left. Let's talk business. Am I getting my money or not?"

"Yes, um, you are. Most definitely. About that, I actually really need to-"

"Are you close? I wasn't sure if you would be. I know I asked for a lot of money, but I frankly didn't want you to leave, star. You're great for business and decent for company."

His breath reeks of alcohol and magenta makeup highlights his face. I think I hate him in a new way right now, this man who keeps me here to bring in money for him and yet has the audacity to claim he cares about me. Fury and rage build up in me, but I restrain myself. I have to play nice for a little longer.

"I'll be leaving again. Tonight. I have a job lined up already." A little white lie won't hurt, and it will even help. Besides, I don't want to stay here.

"Good, that's good." He pats me on the shoulder a few times. "Good, good, good."

"I think I'll be going then," I say, ready to get out of his company. "See you around."

He immediately leaves without saying goodbye, probably to hound some other guest. As long as it's not me, I don't care. My eyes immediately scan over to the bar, searching, hoping, praying.

He's gone.

Disappointment settles in my stomach like a pit. My one chance at freedom just slipped through my fingers. I walk over to the bar like a robot, sliding onto a stool and motioning to the bartender. I'm a regular. I get drinks with Val often. He knows my order.

"You okay, darlin'?" He asks, placing the small glass filled with bubbling pink liquid in front of me. I down it in one gulp.

"Same as usual, Martin," I reply.

"I'll make you another, then." He refills the glass. "On the house."

"No, you don't have to do that," I say, reaching for a few coins in my pocket. I have money to spare now, since I won't be needing it to buy my way out of here. And he always does this. Martin's a older man with light blue skin, another servant, someone else hopelessly trapped in Sakaar. At least none of us ever had to take part in the Game of Champions. Last time I went, I threw up. I think he takes pity on me, sort of considers me his daughter.

"I insist. No buts!" He says as I try to protest. "You pay me with your beautiful voice."

I smile. "Thanks, Martin." I swirl the drink around in the cup. "You might have some more company from now on."

He shakes his head. "You still have a month. Don't give up hope. Not yet, anyway. You're a Terran, right?" I nod. "Okay, so I think they have those things. Those transports you call trains down there. That run on rails? And some people will wait the longest time for that train to come in. Sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn't. But it's your choice to decide whether or not to wait. Did that make sense?"

"Yeah, actually, it did," I reply, but then I sigh. "I've just been waiting for so long." Someone taps me on the shoulder and I instantly whip around, glass in one hand and pocket knife in the other. A tall man in dark blue smirks. It's him.

"Mind if I join you?" He asks smoothly. I gesture to the stool and tuck my knife away safely in my pocket.

"Be my guest." He sits on the still beside me and spins to face me. "I'm Halley Andress."

"I know. You've developed quite a reputation for yourself, Miss Andress. I've heard quite a bit about you."

"Good or bad?" I giggle to add to the act. Men always fall for it. And just like that, his eyes soften a bit, but he's still focused on the task at hand. 

"Both. I've heard that you are very good at the very bad things you do."

"You've discussed me, then," I reply with a smirk, sipping my drink. "How can I be of service to you, sir?"

"With this." He powers up a handheld hologram projector, and an image about the size of a grape appears in front of us. A glowing purple rock. It's pretty. An orb appears around it, enclosing safely inside. "The Power Stone. I am in need of it. It is not in your business to ask why. But I need you to retrieve it for me."

"A haul like that sounds dangerous, Mr. Ronx," I say, leaning on my hands with my elbows propping me up. "How are you going to pay me?"

"I'm a generous man. You get me the orb, and I'll get you sixty thousand units." I keep my face neutral for the sake of negotiation, but something inside of me explodes from excitement. That's enough to pay off the Grandmaster, plus some. "I can give you the information once you agree. Meet me back here in two weeks with it." He pauses. "Do we have a deal?"

A grin spreads its way across my face. "You have yourself a deal." I grip his hand tightly, and he stands.

"Others are after the orb. The easiest way for you to retrieve it will be going to Xandar. Someone will be there trying to sell it. Your methods make no difference to me. I want the stone at all costs. Don't disappoint me." He leaves without another word, and I turn back to Martin, who I know has been listening the entire time.

"What do you think?" I ask him, tracing the golden bangles on my wrists. They'll be gone soon. He smiles.

"I think Halley Andress's train just came in."

Chapter 2! Thanks for being patient, I really like the way this story is heading and I hope you do too!