Kal moved swiftly through the dense forest of Telorinan, following the faint tracks left behind by the mysterious figure. The trail was hurried, footprints pressed into the soil as if the person had been fleeing for their life. But this was no ordinary fugitive—Kal knew the man he pursued was a scientist, someone with knowledge about a certain object that had the Federation breathing down his neck. What kind of scientist carried secrets valuable enough to send the galaxy's top bounty hunters into a race to capture him?
The forest began to thin, giving way to an open clearing, and Kal slowed his pace. Ahead, he saw faint lights flickering in the distance, illuminating structures that rose out of the forest in a quiet symmetry. He'd reached the Maelar village.
The village itself was a sight to behold. Nestled deep within the forest, the homes of the Maelar people were crafted from a blend of natural and synthetic materials, looking like an organic extension of the land itself. The structures were formed from woven tree branches and resilient, plant-based polymers that shimmered with bioluminescent veins, casting a soft, ethereal glow over the area. Homes sat nestled in tree groves or carved into cliffsides, with bridges made of vines and stone connecting them like a network of veins. The air smelled of rich, earthy aromas mixed with faint hints of a floral incense the Maelar used to honor their ancestors.
Kal's arrival didn't go unnoticed. The Maelar were a peaceful, farming-focused species, deeply attuned to the balance of life on Telorinan. Their large, amber eyes watched him with curiosity and caution as he passed by. Taller than most humanoids, the Maelar had elongated limbs, and their skin shimmered with subtle hues of greens and blues that camouflaged them within their forested environment. Adorned in simple, earthy garments decorated with woven vines and glowing beads, they seemed otherworldly as they studied Kal's every movement.
He continued through the village, each step intentional and measured. He didn't want to alarm them—he wasn't here to disturb their way of life. But he caught a glimpse of his target just ahead, darting through a narrow alley between two homes. Kal's pulse quickened, and he picked up his pace, moving silently through the crowd of onlookers.
The figure he pursued was closer now, a man who ran with a pronounced limp, clutching a small satchel close to his chest. Kal recognized the signs of desperation, and he knew that if this man had resorted to hiding among the Maelar, he was on the run from something—or someone—far more dangerous.
Suddenly, the scientist made a sharp turn, disappearing into one of the village homes. Kal pressed forward, weaving between the gathering villagers who parted for him with wary glances. He had almost reached the man's hiding place when a sharp crack filled the air, and the scientist stumbled, clutching his leg as he crumpled to the ground. A crimson stain spread across his pant leg.
Kal looked back to see the bounty hunters he'd tangled with earlier, weapons drawn as they closed in. One of them, the same woman with the precise sniper aim, had her rifle trained directly on him. He knew he couldn't afford to fight here—not in the heart of the Maelar village, where a stray shot could turn a peaceful community into a battleground.
With no other choice, he charged into the home where the scientist lay, half-dragging, half-carrying the man inside. He knelt down beside him, his hand steady as he glanced around the room, noting potential exits and any makeshift defenses he might need. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings depicting Maelar legends and symbols of protection, and the soft glow of bio-lights cast shadows that danced over the scientist's strained face.
Kal knelt and gently moved the satchel away from the man's bleeding leg. Breathing heavily, he took a moment to calm his racing thoughts before slowly reaching for the man's mask. He wasn't entirely sure who he was chasing—only that this man had knowledge others would kill to protect. But as Kal peeled back the mask, his eyes widened in surprise.
Underneath, the face was both familiar and unexpected. For a heartbeat, memories flashed before his eyes, memories of a time long ago. It was a face from his past, someone he thought he'd never see again.