‘One more job’. That’s what Cal had said. It’s what he always said, yet here we were on yet another barren world trying to find something of value. I screwed up my eyes as I looked into infinity. It was still daytime but the black sand that stretched out before me absorbed the light. It absorbed me. The dunes were flawless, no footprints, the wind had blown them away. The surface shimmered, a molten sea of darkness. I didn’t understand why Cal had picked this place, there was nothing here. We had managed to land on a rocky outcrop. The sensors had told us it used to be volcanic. They also revealed how thin the air was. My breather unit was uncomfortable but without it, I would slowly suffocate. Cal had gone on ahead and I could just make out his outline at the top of a dune. He had a map, presumably from our employers, whoever they were. Grave robbers, that’s what they would have called us long ago. I didn’t even know the name of the planet. Cal only told us what we could expect to find. The wind moved the sand in slow, mesmerising patterns. I wondered who had lived here, where they had gone? The only worlds we visited were dead ones. It was safer in our line of work. I wasn’t proud, but it was a living. The rest of the crew were walking up the dune to where Cal was waiting so I thought I’d better join them. It was hard going. For every step, I slipped back two but eventually made it.
  “Not much of a view, is it?” Cal said.
  “So why are we here?” I asked. He grinned. Once I would have been taken in by his smile, his talk of how rich we were going to be. At first I found him exciting, dangerous. He’d experienced so many things, but our relationship had soon soured and now we were partners in crime only.
  “The ultimate in riches, Dahna.” Cal said.
  “Who told you that?” Zeb laughed loudly. He was a giant of a man and had been with the crew from the beginning after Cal had saved him from a penal colony. Although he was beholden to Cal, he seldom agreed with him and never hid what he thought. He was my only real friend. He was funny, kind and loyal but he also understood that I wanted more than running around the galaxy, ransacking dead worlds. I wasn’t brave enough to leave.
  “What sort of riches?” I said.
  “Jewels, precious metals, statues.” Cal replied.
  “It’s just sand and rocks.”
  “Our employers for this excursion have it on good authority that the beings that once inhabited this planet left their wealth behind.”
  “It sounds far fetched to me.” I muttered.
  “Well they believe it and they will give us forty percent of any spoils.”
  “Forty?” I was surprised. Our usual commission was twenty.
  “They know our worth.” Cal said. “Anyway, I’m not planning on sharing this time.”
  “What?” Zeb looked at me.
  “You heard me. Whatever we find, we’re keeping.”
  “We have a reputation for doing the job and delivering. We don’t double cross the people we work for.” I said.
  “We’ll take all we want. Besides, we’re putting our lives on the line this time.”
  “Don’t be so melodramatic.” I said.
  “What aren’t you telling us?” Zeb asked. Cal shifted his gaze to look at the horizon.
  “Others have come here, before us,” he said.
  “And?” I prompted.
  “There’s a rumour no-one’s ever returned.”
  “You mean this is suicide mission?” Zeb bellowed.
  “No, this is the big score we’ve always dreamed about.”
  “As plans go, this is our most foolhardy yet.” I said.
  “Sand storm.” Taryl, the ship’s engineer shouted and pointed from where she was standing. We all looked. In the distance, a whirling spiral of black moved ever closer.
  “Take cover.” Cal said.
  “Where?” Zeb said. There was no shelter, no hint of a civilisation of any kind. I watched the waves of sand being swept up.
  “This isn’t right.” I said, above the sound. “No wind can be causing this.”
  “What do you mean?” Zeb’s voice boomed in my ear.
  “I mean this isn’t a natural phenomenon. A minute ago, there was only a gentle breeze. Where has this tornado come from?” I never heard his reply, as darkness rained down on us and I felt myself falling into an ocean of sand.

I couldn’t breathe. Panic rose up inside me but I couldn’t even scream. Sand was in my throat, my ears, everywhere. I reached up, trying to find the sky above. I was entombed on this world forever. A large hand gripped mine and I felt myself being pulled sideways. Sand rushed in to fill the space that my body left but I was free. I coughed, choking on sand, saliva and relief. I was lying at the bottom of a newly formed dune, some distance from where I had started. I brushed the dark grains from my eyelashes and opened my eyes properly. Cal and Taryl were breathing as deeply as they could and my rescuer was kneeling beside me.
  “Thanks, Zeb.” I rolled over and spat.
  “Any time.” He grinned at me, before hauling me to my feet. I grew accustomed to the light again and gasped.
  “What’s the matter?” Cal said. I pointed, and they turned.
  “We’ve found it.” Cal shouted. In the distance was a strange structure. It hadn’t been there before. Its base covered a small area but it was tall, like the spire of a cathedral. I could barely see the top of it.
  “There’s no way it was buried under here.” I said.
  “Who cares?” Cal ran towards it, so we reluctantly followed. Up close, the tower was covered in tiny markings. We had seen runes before but never anything so intricate. The surface sparkled as if silver and gold had been poured in all the cracks and crevices. It was beautiful.
  “Is there a door?” Taryl asked.
  “Not that I can see.” Zeb replied, after walking round it.
  “Then we’ll have to make one.” Cal said. “Zeb, see if you can break it.”
  “Do you think that’s wise?” I asked. “Not a good idea if it comes down on top of us?”
  “Dahna, when I want your advice, I’ll ask.” Cal said. Zeb tried hitting the tower with the axe he carried. It rebounded off without leaving a mark and a curious ringing came from the structure, as if it was made of metal.
  “We’ll have to get some tools off the ship.” Cal said.
  “That will take forever.” Taryl muttered.
  “Just do it.” She trudged off, trying to wade through the soft sand. While we waited, I took the opportunity to examine the runes in more detail. I kept a written journal where I recorded anything of interest to me. It was nearly full, I had seen and learnt a lot during our expeditions. It always annoyed Cal, today was no exception.
  “We’re here to work, not on a sightseeing trip,” he said.
  “This is fascinating.” I said. I had a degree in ancient history which was going to waste. There was nothing left to excavate on Earth so now historians had taken to the stars. I never imagined I would end up looting treasures from the dead. Sometimes I felt ashamed but still needed the money. I had never seen such a structure. I put my journal away and leant back against it, my hands flat, feeling its cold surface. I heard a click.
  “Cal?” I shouted, turning to face it. He came over.
  “What?”
  “I heard a noise, from that.”
  “What did you do?”
  “I touched it.”
  “Do it again.” I placed my palm against it and it began to hum. The metallic seams shimmered. They were moving, like long winding rivers that had come alive on its surface. I trembled in anticipation, not from fear but excitement. There was something different about this planet. I wasn’t interested in treasure but the people themselves. There was another click and a door slid open. A bright light forced us to shield our eyes, a stark contrast against the black sand.
  “What is it?” Zeb asked.
  “A tunnel.” Cal said, poking his head inside.
  “Shouldn’t we wait for Taryl.” I said.
  “We don’t need her.” Cal said. He looked at the other members of his crew. Matteo and Fran were brother and sister. The former was our pilot while the latter had replaced me in Cal’s affections. She was welcome to him.
  “Matt, Fran, stay here and wait for Taryl. Follow us then.”
  “Why doesn’t Dahna stay?” Fran said.
  “Because she’s more useful to me in there.” He spoke plainly. I was used to it but Fran actually believed they were going to have a life together. I smiled as she glared at me.
  “Come on then.” I stepped through, Cal and Zeb following. After my eyes had adjusted, I could see the tunnel walls were covered in writing. The alien text was an art form in itself. I couldn’t resist recording some of it until Cal pushed past me.
  “We haven’t time for that,” he said.
  “It could be important.” I replied. We continued on, descending a gentle incline until the tunnel opened up into a large chamber. It was empty, apart from a rectangular stone casket.
  “A burial chamber.” Cal said.
  “Could there be treasure inside?” Zeb asked.
  “There are no artefacts around it.” Cal said. “There’s only one way to find out.”
  “Do we have to?” I was unwilling to disturb a grave.
  “If you don’t want to be here, go back. I’m sure we can split anything we find five ways instead of six.”
  “That’s not fair.” Zeb said.
  “We haven’t got anything yet.” I retorted.
  “Zeb, help me.” Cal gestured to the lid. Zeb rolled his eyes at me but nevertheless helped him push the top of the casket. I could see sweat forming on Zeb’s forehead, his muscles taut as he attempted to open it. Cal watched, he never was very strong. It was refusing to budge. I went and tried to help. As I touched the casket, it suddenly became as light as a feather and crashed on to the floor, making us stumble.
  “How?” Zeb looked at me. I shook my head. The lid had broken into large pieces. Now we could see inside.

My gasp echoed round the chamber. I had been expecting a body, skeleton, decayed remains of some kind. Instead, the casket was full of jewels, gold coins, necklaces, bracelets. I had never seen so much.
  “What did I tell you?” Cal said. I heard footsteps in the tunnel. Matteo, Fran and Taryl came in.
  “We did it?” Fran rushed over to the casket. She picked up a handful of gems, letting them run through her fingers, a waterfall of colour.
  “Don’t you think this is too easy?” I said. “If you can just walk in here and take it, why hasn’t someone done it already?”
  “I’m getting fed up with your constant negativity.” Cal glared at me.
  “If you don’t want to be part of this, then why don’t you go?” Fran said.
  “Maybe I will.” I replied.
  “We need to get this loaded on to the ship.” Cal picked up a large jewel and turned it around, gazing into its facets. Something inside of me changed. There was an empty feeling. I looked at the treasure and suddenly it meant nothing.
  “You can have it.” I said.
  “What do you mean?” He put it back.
  “I don’t want any of the treasure. You can drop me off at the colony and we’ll go our separate ways.”
  “All the more for us.” Fran said.
  “Dahna, you can’t leave us.” Zeb’s brow creased.
  “I’m sorry, Zeb. It isn’t fun any more.”
  “That’s fine with me.” Cal said. “Let’s pack it up.” Matteo stepped forward. He had two large canvas bags. He was just about to scoop up the first load when the walls of the chamber began to glow. Writing that had not been there before appeared all around us.
  “What’s going on?” Taryl said, her voice trembling.
  “I don’t know.” I said, staring at the text.
  “Something’s happening.” Zeb pointed. The walls began to vibrate and suddenly disappeared into the floor. All that was left was the stone we were standing on and the casket.
  “What’s that?” Fran stared behind me. I turned round and saw a person walking towards us. They moved as if they were walking just above the sand.
  “Someone else after this?” Cal stood in front of the casket and drew a weapon.
  “I don’t think so.” I murmured. The stranger was tall, humanoid but not human. Its skin shone like porcelain, eyes of the palest blue regarded us one by one. Long golden hair was plaited and twined round its head. Its facial features were smaller than a human. I had never seen anyone like it. The white robe it wore stood out against the sand.
  “What are you doing here?” Cal spoke first.
  “My name is Selka.” Its voice was mellow but I could understand. “Why are you on my world?”
  “You live here?” Zeb said. He was the only one who could look the alien in the eye.
  “I do.”
  “I was told this was a dead world.” Cal interrupted.
  “Do I look dead to you?” Selka asked.
  “We saw no sign of civilisation.” I said. The alien looked down at me.
  “You came for our treasure?”
  “Finders keepers.” Cal said. “We have the advantage.”
  “You mean to take what you want by force?”
  “If that’s what it takes.”
  “These are but mere trinkets.” Selka said.
  “What do you mean?” I asked. “This is a fortune.”
  “Not the biggest prize.”
  “What is then?” Fran asked.
  “The ultimate treasure. Is that not why you are here?” Selka smiled.
  “What do you mean?” Matteo said.
  “Life itself.”
  “We’re already alive.” Cal said.
  “I’m talking about everlasting life.” Now the alien had all our attention.
  “Immortality?” I said.
  “You’re offering that to us?” Zeb said.
  “I’m living now. We all have to die at some point. Until then, I’ll just keep doing what I do.” Cal said.
  “You only want to take what you see then?” Selka said, gesturing to the casket.
  “Yes. Don’t try and stop us.” Cal pointed his gun at Selka. The situation was escalating quickly and without hesitation, I stepped between them so it was pointing at me instead.
  “Have you lost your mind?” I said.
  “Get out of my way, Dahna.” Cal’s tone was low, and I knew the look on his face. He would shoot.
  “No. I won’t let you hurt this person.” I replied, trembling as I lunged for the gun. His surprise was obvious as it slipped from his grasp and landed on the sand. It sank instantly and was gone.
  “Now look what you’ve done,” he shouted. Selka caught my gaze and smiled. I nodded.
  “Very well. You may have it, but you are the leader so must trade something in return.” Selka replied.
  “Like what?” Cal shrugged.
  “One of your crew.” We all started to protest.
  “No deal, you’re just one person.” Cal said.
  “Really?” I was aware of someone behind me. When I looked, another alien was there. The others also turned and found their paths blocked.
  “Where did they all come from?” Zeb said.
  “The same place I did.” Selka said. “Now, I believe we were talking about a trade?”
  “You can’t expect me to choose someone to leave behind?” Cal said.
  “Then you may go, empty handed.” I watched Cal gaze at the casket. I stiffened. I knew he wasn’t going to leave without it.
  “All right. Take Dahna.” He pointed at me. Selka regarded me and nodded.
  “Very well. Bring her.” The alien’s hands touched my shoulders. I knew I wouldn’t be able to escape.
  “You can’t do this.” I said. “He doesn’t own me.” I scowled at Cal.
  “I need Taryl and Matteo. I wouldn’t want to give up Fran, would I?” Fran smiled at me, then took Cal’s hand.
  “Take me.” Zeb said suddenly. Selka looked at me, then him.
  “Very well.”
  “No, I won’t let you sacrifice yourself, Zeb.” I said.
  “Take them both.” Cal said. “Even less to share with.”
  “Is that your final decision?” Selka asked.
  “Yes.” Cal nodded.
  “Is that it then?” I said. “That’s all I’m worth?”
  “It’s business. Besides, you wanted out, didn’t you?”
  “I’m not a bargaining chip.” I said. Cal shrugged and turned his attention back to the jewels and they began putting them in the bags.
  “Why do you want me?” I looked at Selka. The alien said nothing, merely watching the rest of the crew.
  “Goodbye Dahna.” Cal never gave me a second look as I watched them trudge back to the ship. They struggled under the weight.
  “You should go with them.” I said to Zeb. He shook his head.
  “Let them go. I’m not leaving you.” I smiled at him.
  “Come with us.” Selka nodded to its companions and I was propelled forward.
  “Are you going to kill us?” I said, trying not to shake. Selka smiled.
  “No. All will be answered.” We crossed the sand and came to a halt.
  “Behold.” Selka said. I looked at Zeb.
  “There’s nothing there.” I said.
  “Isn’t there?” Selka moved its hand and the space in front of us shimmered. My eyes widened. The dunes were gone and I was gazing up at a a golden city.

We stepped forward into the city, mesmerised. More aliens like Selka, but also beings from other races were coming and going. Small flying ships darted from building to building that rose up towards the clouds. I saw jets of the purest water cascading from fountains constructed from the same metal and stone as the monument. Sculptures adorned the junctions of every pavement.
  “What is this place?” I said. Here, the air was clear and there was no further need for the breather units.
  “This is our city.” Selka replied.
  “But the sand?” I looked back but there was just the city.
  “To protect us. We exist on another plane. We only reveal ourselves when we need to.”
  “You mean when someone believes the story of the treasure and comes to find it?” Zeb said.
  “There is another reason.”
  “What?” I was desperate to look around but I still didn’t know our fate.
  “I tried to explain before. Everlasting life is still on offer.”
  “You mean to us?” I was confused.
  “You interested us. We watched you when you landed and I sensed your passion for history. You did not want the jewels.”
  “I decided I’d had enough of stealing.” I said.
  “Why did you want Cal to trade?” Zeb asked.
  “We needed to assess all of you, your suitability to be offered this. Dahna risked her life to save a stranger and nobody else spoke up for her apart from you when your leader chose the treasure instead. We made the right choice.”
  “What exactly do you want with us?” I still didn’t completely understand.
  “Stay here, with us. As you can see, others have come before you and made the choice too.”
  “Why? What would we do?” I said.
  “You can study our city, learn our language, you can study any culture you want. You would never grow old and have every comfort.”
  “Seems too good to be true.” I said.
  “In turn, you will enrich our society. We also crave knowledge of other races but we cannot leave this place.”
  “What if we want to leave?” Zeb said.
  “You may whenever you wish but time works differently here so the ageing process would accelerate. It is the caveat of immortality.” Selka said.
  “We could stay a few years, see what happens?” I said, looking at Zeb. He smiled at me and I knew we would be all right.
  “What about Cal and the others?”
  “They were willing to sacrifice you both. Do you think such disloyalty should be rewarded?”
  “What do you mean?”
  “Come.” We followed Selka to a large building. The people seemed very happy, smiling at us as we passed them. I relaxed a little. We went inside. There was the same writing all around the walls but nothing else except for an opening in the centre of the room.
  “What’s that?” I asked.
  “Our window to the universe.” Selka stood in front of it. “Show me the humans.” To my surprise, the void started getting brighter and I could see an image forming. I looked at Zeb. We could see the bridge of the ship. Cal was opening one of the bags. We could hear them as well.
  “Why did you let them take Dahna and Zeb?” Taryl asked. Cal smirked.
  “Dahna made her feelings clear about the treasure and her future with us. Zeb was stupid for offering himself. He showed his true colours as well.  We don’t need either of them.” I watched as he undid the straps.
  “They’re our friends.” Taryl said.
  “Not any more.” Fran said. “The aliens can do what they like. We got what we came for.” I shook my head. There really was no loyalty among thieves.
  “They don’t matter any more,” Zeb said. We continued watching as Matteo opened the other bag. They upended them and tipped out the contents. Their looks of disbelief and anger gave me instant satisfaction. On the floor of the deck was a large pile of black sand and nothing else.
  “What happened?” Matteo said.
  “We’ve been tricked.” Fran said, frantically digging for the treasure.
  “Those aliens outplayed us.” Cal kicked the sand in anger. The image faded.
  “Serves them right.” Zeb burst out laughing.
  “What’s going on?” I asked Selka. It looked down at me.
  “The treasure was never real, merely an illusion. It just serves to gauge greed. He did not pass the test.”
  “So they carried bags of sand back to the ship?” I also began to laugh.
  “It amuses you?” Selka smiled.
  “Oh yes. I can only imagine how angry they’ll be. Our employers won’t be happy either.”
  “Hopefully they’ll blame Cal. I expect Fran will make excuses for him.” Zeb added.
  “You need not concern yourself with them any more. You may use this at any time. It will show you whatever you wish to see. Now, if you’ll come this way, I will take you to your new quarters.” We left the building.
  “You want nothing else in return?” I asked, marvelling at the city.
  “No, we are happy to have you here. I give you my word that you will be safe.”
  “Thank you Selka.” I said.
  “You are welcome. You will have many lifetimes to learn and fill many journals.” We were led up to a set of rooms, luxurious compared to what I had been used to. There was a large bed for me and Zeb had a room close by.
  “I will leave you to settle in.” Selka said. “Anything you need will be provided.” I reached out and grasped its hand. It was cool to the touch. "I am glad I was right about you.” Selka bowed and left us alone.
  “Who’d have thought today would end like this?” Zeb said.
  “I never thanked you for standing by me, trying to take my place.”
  “What are friends for?” I went over to the small balcony and looked out over the city. The sun was setting and the buildings shone with a brassy hue.
  “It’s beautiful.” I murmured. Zeb stood beside me, his arm round my shoulder.
  “I wonder if Cal has managed to get rid of all that sand?” He chuckled.
  “I’ll never think about him again.” I said. We stayed together, watching as new stars emerged above us and I thought about the adventure that awaited me in this new heart of gold.