Ethan stretched as he stepped out of his ship, taking a deep breath as the bustling sights and sounds of Valeris City greeted him. After days of high-intensity missions and the constant pulse of adrenaline, a day off to recharge was exactly what he needed. The sun cast a warm glow over the markets and narrow streets winding through the mercenary hub. Valeris, with its gritty charm and diverse crowds, had started to feel like a second home.
As he wandered through the market, he took his time browsing the various stalls, which displayed everything from weapon components to exotic foods from distant sectors. A few traders recognized him from previous visits, nodding in acknowledgment. Although he preferred to keep a low profile, the familiarity was welcome.
His first stop was a weapon maintenance shop tucked in a corner of the market. The shopkeeper, a tall, green-skinned alien named Hovrek, was already at work fine-tuning a set of blaster parts.
"Back again, Ethan?" Hovrek's gravelly voice rumbled as he glanced up from his workbench, his deep yellow eyes narrowing slightly in a friendly way.
Ethan nodded, setting his gear on the counter. "Just a maintenance check. Figure I'd be wise to keep everything in top shape."
Hovrek chuckled as he inspected Ethan's favorite pistols and armor. "Good plan. You'd be surprised how many come in here with half their gear held together by luck and duct tape." He ran a diagnostic, occasionally muttering to himself.
After a few minutes of adjustments and tune-ups, Hovrek handed the equipment back. "Looks like you've been keeping it in good condition, but your core module's responsiveness is a bit sluggish. I'd replace it when you can, it might not hold up to heavier fire much more."
"Thanks, Hovrek. I'll make sure to keep that in mind," Ethan said, securing his gear back in place.
As he left the shop, he made a mental note to upgrade his core module soon. Valeris's markets were filled with gadgets and tech that could provide an edge, and it didn't hurt to have a few reliable contacts like Hovrek to help maintain his equipment.
Continuing through the market, Ethan stopped at a gadget and equipment store that catered specifically to mercenaries. It was busy with customers browsing specialized tech and gear, so he quickly restocked on essentials: ammunition, smoke and plasma grenades, and a few compact EMP devices that he could easily conceal. The devices were powerful enough to disable most electronic locks or small drones, a tool he'd come to appreciate during his missions.
With his supplies replenished, Ethan headed toward the guild headquarters to take care of a few administrative tasks. Weaving through the crowds of mercenaries and locals, he noticed a group of children playing in the street nearby. They were huddled around a small droid toy, their excited chatter turning to disappointment as the droid seemed to malfunction, its parts scattered across the ground.
Ethan paused, crouching down with a small smile. "Need a hand with that?"
The oldest of the children nodded eagerly. "It's broken! Can you fix it?"
Taking a quick look at the toy, Ethan saw that a couple of wires had come loose—likely from the wear and tear of rough handling. After a few adjustments, he handed the toy back to the child, now fully functional.
The kids cheered, eyes wide with gratitude. "Thank you!"
Ethan chuckled. "No problem. Take good care of it, all right?"
As he continued on his way, he felt an unexpected warmth from the interaction. Living the life of a mercenary meant he rarely had moments like these. But helping out a few locals, fixing a toy here, and assisting a vendor there....it reminded him of the everyday simplicity he hadn't experienced in a long time.
Arriving at the guild, Ethan walked up to the counter where Kael, the guild's secretary, was busy managing data on a sleek holo-display. Kael glanced up, giving Ethan a quick nod.
"Ethan. Back for more training already?" Kael asked, a hint of curiosity in his tone.
"Not quite. Just here to extend the hover truck rental," Ethan replied. "I'll need it a little longer, just in case."
Kael tapped a few commands on his screen, processing the extension. "All set. And remember, the guild offers discounts on rentals if you're staying in the area longer-term. Just a heads-up if you're planning on sticking around Valeris."
Ethan filed away the advice. "Appreciate it. By the way, anything new in stock for members?"
Kael perked up, clearly pleased by the question. "We just received some tactical gear from the Aldaron sector. Guild-exclusive items: upgraded armor, medkits with enhanced nanobot healing, and helmets with advanced comms and vision modes. Not cheap, but they're well worth the points if you're looking to upgrade."
Ethan browsed through the selection Kael displayed on the holo-screen. The items were high-quality, and he was tempted to pick up one or two. However, he decided to hold off for now, keeping his points in reserve until he had a clearer idea of his needs for future missions.
"What about high-paying contracts?" Ethan asked, nodding toward the screen showing active jobs. "Anything big?"
Kael nodded, tapping on a few options. "There's a high-paying escort mission from a wealthy client and a bounty posted by a regional council. Both are exclusive, high-reward contracts, though they require a solid track record. You're close to qualifying for these types of jobs. Keep up your good work, and it won't be long."
Ethan appreciated the encouragement. Although the lure of bigger payouts was strong, he knew he'd need more training before diving into high-stakes work. "Thanks for the info, Kael. I'll keep it in mind."
As he exited the guild, the sun was higher, casting a warm light over the lively streets of Valeris. He decided to grab a quick meal at a small food stand he'd come to appreciate on past visits. The owner, an elderly woman with wrinkled blue skin and a warm smile, greeted him.
"Long day ahead?" she asked as she served him a steaming bowl of delicious Kynaran stew.
"Not today," he replied with a slight grin, taking a spoonful of the hearty meal. "Just taking it easy. Needed a break from the usual routine."
She chuckled, a deep, throaty sound. "Everyone needs rest now and then, even tough mercenaries like yourself."
They shared a brief, easy conversation while he finished his meal. Ethan savored the rich flavors, enjoying the simple pleasure of good food and a warm meal. When he'd finished, he thanked her, feeling refreshed as he moved on.
Walking through the market again, Ethan helped a few more locals with small tasks. He moved a few crates for a shop owner, and even caught a runaway pet for a family near the market's edge. These little moments, while mundane, added a sense of normalcy to his life on Valeris, grounding him in the reality of the world around him.
As the day drew to a close, Ethan returned to his ship, a sense of contentment settling over him. The city of Valeris was rough around the edges, filled with mercenaries, traders, federation operatives and thugs, but it was also brimming with everyday resilience and life. Despite the chaos of his profession, he felt connected to this place in a way he hadn't expected.
Settling back into his seat in the cockpit, he took a final look at the vibrant city below before closing the hatch. Tomorrow, he'd resume training and dive back into honing his skills, but tonight, he'd let the calm of the day linger, carrying him into a well-deserved, restful sleep