LAST CALL AT THE BROKEN HAMMER
Dylan takes Tyr, Trance and Beka to a desert wasteland in search of a former government leader, Isabella Ortiz, because Dylan reckons she'd make a powerful ally to the Commonwealth. Ortiz once formed an alliance with more than twenty different worlds and has been hiding as a fugitive for years
When they arrive on the desert planet they enter a run-down bar - The Broken Hammer - but it's not long before it becomes under attack by the Kalderans, Ortiz's enemies who have been attacking all the planets in the system trying to kill the former leader. In the bar, among all the lowlives in there is the woman they're looking for.
Dylan suspects the doctor called Cory is actually Isabel and makes his suspicions known to her. She says appearances can deceive. Now this part gets confusing. Some of the others trapped in the bar are Sophia, the bartender, Gorejon and Jadis, a pregnant woman. Gorejon is killed during the attack despite Beka and Tyr's attempt to protect the people. Another casualty is Trance who loses her tail.
Sophia gives Jadis a gun to protect herself and her unborn baby. Jadis panicks and when she learns Dylan suspects Cory is the reason her child is in danger, she kills her. Sophia blames herself for giving Jadis the gun.
Dylan changes his mind about who Isabela Ortiz is. He now belives it is Sophia. She eventually confirms his suspicions. The group finally work together and win the battle. Sophia/Ortiz reluctantly agrees to go with Dylan and help restore the Commonwealth.
