The lively hum of Nara's Nest enveloped the group as they entered, the amber lighting and rustic charm a welcome contrast to the cold, hard realities of battle. Ethan felt a sense of familiarity as he glanced around the cantina, a place that had quickly become a haven for him since his arrival in Valeris City.
Nara, the cantina's owner, was quick to spot him as they walked in. She beamed, waving him over. "Back so soon? Looks like you've been busy."
Ethan returned her smile. "Yeah, a lot's happened since the last time I was here."
"Good to see you again," she said warmly, then glanced at the others. "New friends?"
"Teammates," Ethan corrected, gesturing toward them. "Rourke, Kara, Dax, Leena. They helped me through… well, let's just say we've been through a lot together."
Nara's grin widened. "Well, any friend of Ethan's is welcome here. Grab a seat, I'll get you all something special."
As they slid into the booth, the clinking of glasses and soft laughter from other patrons created a relaxed backdrop. Ethan felt the tension in his shoulders ease as he settled into the cushioned seat, surrounded by people he now considered more than just teammates.
"You seem to have good taste, Ethan," Rourke said, nodding approvingly as he scanned the place. "How'd you find this place?"
Ethan shrugged, keeping it simple. "Stumbled on it after we got back from a job. Liked the vibe, the food's good, and Nara's been great every time I've come by."
Dax leaned back in his chair, arms crossed with a satisfied grin. "Yeah, I can see why you'd come back. This place has character."
Kara snorted, nudging Dax playfully. "You'd think a place with good drinks and a welcoming owner was rare."
Leena, who had been quietly observing, glanced at Ethan. "You've got a knack for finding hidden gems. Didn't peg you as the bar-crawling type."
Ethan chuckled softly. "I'm not. Just lucky, I guess."
Nara returned with a tray of drinks, setting them down with her usual cheer. "Here you go. Try the special brew. It's on the house for you tonight."
The team lifted their glasses in a toast, the warmth of the gesture drawing them closer. As the drinks started flowing, so did the stories.
"So, where are you all from?" Nara asked, sliding into a seat at the end of the booth. "I've never seen you around before."
Kara was the first to speak, her eyes sparkling. "I'm from the Aldaron Sector. Grew up in a trade hub. Always had an itch for adventure, so I left home at sixteen and joined a cargo fleet. Merc work seemed like the natural progression."
"Aldaron, huh?" Nara nodded. "That's quite the journey. What brought you to Kynara and Valeris?"
Kara shrugged, smiling. "Work. And the reputation this place has for skilled mercs. Figured if I wanted to prove myself, this was the place to be."
Dax leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "I'm from the Ganymede Cluster. Far edge of Orion Federation territory. Grew up on a mining colony. Spent a few years hauling cargo before I figured out there was more money in merc work, and a lot less rock dust."
Nara chuckled. "I can't argue with that. Mining colonies can be tough."
Dax nodded, taking a long sip of his drink. "Yeah, but it gives you perspective. After living in those conditions, nothing seems too difficult anymore."
Leena chimed in next, her voice soft but steady. "I'm from Epsilon V. It's a medical hub in the Core sectors. My parents were doctors and I followed in their footsteps, at least for a while. Eventually, I realized I wanted to be out there, helping people in the field, not stuck in a lab."
"Epsilon V?" Nara raised an eyebrow. "I've heard of it. Must be a big change, going from there to mercenary work."
Leena smiled, but there was a hint of melancholy in her eyes. "It is. But it feels more… fulfilling. Being able to save lives directly in combat zones, that's where I feel I make the most difference."
Rourke, ever the quiet leader, spoke up last. "I'm from the Etrian Expanse. Not much to tell. Born into a military family, fought in a few skirmishes for the Federation before deciding to strike out on my own. Mercenary work gave me more freedom and less bureaucracy."
Nara gave him an approving nod. "Military upbringing, huh? That explains the discipline. I could tell right away."
As the group exchanged stories, Ethan found himself quietly sipping his drink, grateful to be among such diverse company. Each of them had come from such different corners of the galaxy, yet they were now bound by the shared experiences of battle and survival.
"So, what about you, Ethan?" Nara asked, turning her attention to him. "You're more quiet than usual tonight."
Ethan hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing his words. "I'm from a smaller, quieter place. Nothing like the big sectors. Did some work that wasn't very exciting, but I always felt there was something more out there. The mercenary life gave me that chance."
"That sounds pretty straightforward," Kara said, her tone light but curious. "Ever think about going back?"
Ethan shook his head, keeping his response measured. "No. This… this feels like a fresh start."
Rourke raised his glass again, his tone warm. "Well, here's to new starts and to surviving our first real mission as a team."
The others lifted their glasses, and a soft clink echoed through the booth as they drank to the sentiment. The conversation drifted from one topic to another, the tension of their recent battles fading with each laugh and shared story.
At one point, Nara leaned in, her smile wide. "You know, I've seen plenty of merc teams come through here, but there's something different about you lot. You've got that tight-knit vibe. It's rare."
"We've been through a lot together," Leena said, her voice warm with affection. "Guess that makes a difference."
"Maybe you'll team up again," Nara suggested. "Even if it's just for the big jobs."
Rourke gave a thoughtful nod. "I wouldn't be surprised. We work well together."
Kara grinned. "And who knows? Maybe next time, we'll be handling something even bigger."
Ethan listened quietly, content in the knowledge that while their team had technically disbanded, the bond they'd forged wouldn't easily break. As the night wore on, Nara brought over another round, the celebration continuing into the evening.
For now, they were mercenaries without a mission, but each of them knew this was only the beginning. And as the laughter echoed through the cantina, Ethan realized that this new chapter of his life, though uncertain, was already more fulfilling than anything he'd ever known before