Sonya drove out of the Elite Hotel and made her way through the bustling streets of Xandar City, heading towards Fallen Star Harbor. As the car approached the harbor, a familiar scene greeted them. A group of dockworkers waved at Sonya as she drove by.
Over the past month, Sonya had visited the harbor almost every day. Her frequent trips and her cheerful, sociable nature had made her a familiar face, and her habit of handing out small gifts didn't hurt either.
Everyone knew this beautiful woman would soon be moving to a private island, forty nautical miles away. With Fallen Star Harbor being the closest port to that island, it was clear they'd be seeing more of her.
"We've arrived, Mr. Kassadin," Sonya announced, pulling the car to a stop on the road leading to the transport ship.
She stepped out of the car, her long legs drawing attention and sparking a few whistles and catcalls from the nearby dockworkers. The men's comments were brazen and not exactly subtle.
"Who's this hottie?"
"Those legs could squeeze a man into paradise!"
"I didn't expect to see someone like her today. Guess I'll be heading into town tonight!"
"Think we stand a chance?"
"Look at her car, man. She's either a rich daddy's girl or some rich guy's mistress."
Dockworkers and sailors weren't known for their restraint when it came to women, especially after being at sea. But despite their loud words, none dared to take things too far. The laws on Xandar were strict. If everything was consensual, the authorities didn't care. But coercion? That was a different story. You'd end up in a cell.
Sonya ignored their comments. She spotted a large cargo ship docked nearby, bearing the hook-shaped insignia of Mingyang Shipping. She knew this company wasn't based at Fallen Star Harbor, so it was unlikely they'd be crossing paths often. Dismissing them from her thoughts, she walked around to the passenger side and opened the door for Harvey.
The moment Harvey stepped out of the car, all eyes turned to him. If Sonya had attracted attention, Harvey commanded it. His tall, imposing figure clad in battle armor and the featureless mask covering his face made it clear this man was no ordinary visitor.
"Everyone, watch your tongues. You might be able to smooth things over if you upset a company rep, but this guy? You cross him, and we're dead men walking," the captain of the large cargo ship muttered to his crew.
"You know who he is?" one of the deckhands asked, his voice full of unease.
"I've never met him personally," the captain replied, "but I know who he is. That's the only Grade 3 bounty hunter in the galaxy, Kassadin, the God of the Void. The rumors were true. He's here on Xandar."
The men exchanged nervous glances. Even the boldest of them went quiet.
Harvey felt their stares—some filled with awe, others with fear—but he paid them no mind.
"Which ship is ours?" he asked, turning to Sonya.
She gestured toward a sleek yacht moored near the dock. "That one," she said. "It's part of our regular route. Three trips a day between the harbor and the island. Once more people join the Church of the Void and need to travel, we'll arrange additional boats based on the demand."
"There will also be a daily supply run," she added. "A small cargo boat will bring fresh produce and supplies, and we've built a storage system to keep the food fresh. For now, a weekly air shipment will supplement the supplies, but if the number of residents grows, we can increase the frequency and size of these shipments."
Harvey gave her a small nod of approval.
"Give me a moment, Mr. Kassadin," Sonya said. "I'll have someone take care of transporting my car to the island. Then I'll walk you through the route we'll be taking. It's a quick trip—only an hour to the island."
Harvey stood by the harbor, feeling the cool ocean breeze against his armor. So far, Sonya has handled everything efficiently. But the real test would be whether or not the island met his standards. If it did, she'd earn her reward.
Sonya soon returned, having made the necessary arrangements for her car, and waved Harvey over to the yacht. The boat was piloted by a tanned man wearing a floral shirt and beach shorts, exuding a laid-back, sunny energy.
"Ms. Sonya, no one else coming aboard today?" the man asked politely.
"No, Mike, just us today," she replied with a smile.
Mike nodded and got to work, preparing to set off. He had a sense of who her companion was but didn't ask any questions. With someone like Kassadin, it was better to keep your mouth shut unless spoken to.
"Please, have a seat, Mr. Kassadin," Sonya said, leading Harvey to a round table on the yacht's deck. "We don't have any professional chefs yet, but I've got some refreshments to tide us over."
She disappeared into the cabin and returned moments later with a few cold drinks from the fridge.
"No problem," Harvey said, taking a drink. He wasn't picky about having the fanciest beverages all the time and didn't mind the simple fare.
"I'm glad you're alright with it," Sonya said, standing beside him. She began explaining the details of the harbor, the island's location, and the planned routes between them. Even though Harvey hadn't asked for this information, she felt it would be useful for him to know.
Harvey listened closely. He needed to understand every detail about the island and how people would reach it, especially with the Church of the Void growing. Soon, many would come seeking answers—and power.