Ethan felt every muscle ache as he stepped out of the mercenary guild, his mind still buzzing from hours of intense training. The VR modules had been more punishing than he'd expected, especially the close-quarters combat simulations. He'd made progress, but it was clear that mastering firearms and hand-to-hand combat would take time. His breath fogged slightly in the cooler evening air of Valeris City as he adjusted his coat and headed down the bustling street.
The city was alive, more so at night, with neon lights painting the streets in a vibrant, artificial glow. The familiar hum of small hovercrafts above and the chatter of vendors from makeshift stalls added to the city's gritty charm. Despite its outer sheen, Valeris City was dangerous. Ethan could feel it in the undercurrents, the suspicious glances, and the shadowy figures loitering in alleyways.
As he walked, his mind wandered to his ship that was still docked and in desperate need of repairs. The credits from his first mission were a start, but nowhere near enough for the full overhaul his ship required. He would need to complete a lot more missions before he'd even come close to affording the repairs.
His feet carried him through the winding streets until he found himself standing in front of a modest cantina. The sign above the entrance read Nara's Nest, a name that suited the tucked-away, cozy spot. The cantina was located in a quieter part of the city, but even here, the constant hum of Valeris's chaotic nightlife reached him. He pushed the door open, greeted by the faint scent of aged wood, cheap alcohol, and the murmurs of scattered patrons.
Behind the bar stood a woman who looked like she could take on any mercenary who dared cause trouble. Her name, he later learned, was Nara. An old widow, but she radiated a strength that belied her years. Her long, greying hair was pulled back, and her eyes were sharp as she scanned the room. She moved with purpose, her posture rigid but not unkind.
Ethan walked up to the bar and ordered the cheapest drink on the menu. Nara raised an eyebrow as she poured him a glass. "Haven't seen you around here before. Mercenary, aren't you?"
He nodded, keeping his response simple. "Just got into town."
She set the drink in front of him, her eyes studying him for a moment longer than necessary. "Valeris City chews up rookies like you. You better watch yourself."
Ethan smirked slightly but didn't say anything. He took a sip of the drink. It was strong and sharp, burning down his throat, but not unpleasant. "Not planning on being here long," he muttered.
Nara let out a dry chuckle. "That's what they all say."
He glanced around the room, taking in the sparse crowd. A few off-duty mercenaries, a couple of locals, and some men who seemed too shifty to be anything but trouble. His attention was drawn to a conversation happening at the far end of the bar, between two men hunched over their drinks.
".....they're pushing harder this time. Syndicate's tightening the screws," one of them muttered, his voice low but tense.
"Yeah, heard they've been hitting more businesses lately. Don't know how much longer folks like Nara can keep holdin' out."
Ethan's gaze flicked toward Nara, who had overheard them but was pretending not to. Her jaw tightened slightly as she cleaned a glass, but she didn't say a word.
Syndicates. Ethan's mind flashed back to Earth, back to old stories of the mafia, the Yakuza, and other organized crime families who ran entire cities through fear and extortion. It seemed things weren't so different on Kynara. If a syndicate had its claws in Valeris City, it was bound to cause trouble for people like Nara, or anyone trying to make a living without paying them off.
He made a mental note to stay clear of whatever mess was brewing. The last thing he needed was to get tangled up in local conflicts. For now, it was just background noise. He wasn't about to involve himself in anything that didn't directly concern him.
Nara finished wiping down the bar and leaned on the counter, her sharp eyes locking onto his again. "You're not like the usual mercs passing through here. Too quiet."
Ethan shrugged. "Just trying to keep my head down."
"Smart. But it won't help you forever. Sooner or later, this city makes you choose a side."
Before he could respond, a holographic screen behind the bar flickered to life. The cantina's usual background hum of voices quieted slightly as the holo-news broadcast began. Ethan turned his attention to the screen, where a polished news anchor was delivering the latest updates from across the Orion Federation.
".....political tensions continue to rise in the Haxor Sector, where separatist factions have increased their attacks on Federation supply convoys. The situation remains volatile as the Federation Senate debates the deployment of additional peacekeeping forces."
The scene shifted to another report.
"In other news, pirate activity along the Eastern Trade Route has surged, leading to significant delays in cargo shipments. Several systems have issued bounties for mercenaries to help bolster defenses."
Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly. The news painted a picture of a galaxy in constant upheaval. From political tensions to pirate raids, it was clear that no part of the Orion Federation was stable. This instability meant more work for mercenaries, but it also meant more danger. Ethan couldn't help but feel the ripple effects of the news, even from this quiet cantina.
Nara noticed his focus on the broadcast and gave a small chuckle. "Don't get too wrapped up in it. The Federation's always been a mess. Just keep doing your jobs, and you'll get by."
Ethan nodded, his mind already drifting back to his next steps. As much as he appreciated the advice, he knew there was more to surviving than just keeping his head down. Valeris City was unpredictable, and there was no telling when the calm would break.
"Thanks for the drink," he said, finishing the last of it and standing up.
Nara nodded. "Come back anytime. And keep your wits about you, merc."
Ethan gave her a slight nod, slipping back into the night. The city was quieter now, but the dangers still lurked in the shadows. He shoved his hands into his pockets and began walking back toward the guild. He had credits to earn, a ship to fix, and a galaxy full of chaos to navigate.
And in Valeris City, even the quietest streets had their secrets.