The lights of Exprimation Station flickered as the transport ship docked, its heavy landing thrusters kicking up a gust of air that rippled through the station's docking bay. Dominic's pulse quickened. The large hangar was filled with the unmistakable hum of energy fields, cargo moving between trade platforms, and the muted clamor of the station's mechanical heart. This place was alive—alive with the flow of credits, weapons, and the unspoken deals that governed the black market of the stars.
He had done business here before, but this was different. This time, he wasn't a nameless scavenger. He was the one with the goods. And the goods, as he'd soon discover, would speak louder than any words.
Dominic stood at the entrance of the station's auction hall, his eyes scanning the room filled with wealthy corporate buyers, military contractors, and influential figures from all corners of the galaxy. They were all here for one thing: to buy what they could not build themselves. War machines. Mechs.
The first mech, the Scythe-class, had already been moved onto the auction floor. It stood tall, gleaming under the bright lights, its sleek, powerful form catching the attention of several interested bidders. Dominic could feel the buzz in the air, the excitement of the crowd as the auctioneer raised his gavel.
"Lot 121," the auctioneer's voice boomed, "A custom-built Scythe-class mech, fully upgraded and operational. The starting bid is one million credits. Who will start the bidding?"
Dominic barely heard the murmurs of the crowd as he watched the bids start to rise. The CMC's presence in the room was palpable—corporate agents in crisp uniforms whispered amongst themselves, eying the mech with greedy intent. But Dominic knew better. He wasn't selling to them. He wasn't going to hand it over to the same people who had exploited him. His eyes settled on a small group of buyers near the back of the hall, members of an independent mercenary faction that had been operating in the outer rim. They looked at the Scythe-class like it was a prized gem.
He smiled faintly. This would be easier than he thought.
The bid quickly reached 920,000 credits—a respectable price for a mech that had once been a battlefield casualty. But then, one final offer pushed the price over the edge:
"One million credits!" shouted the mercenary leader, his voice cutting through the room.
Dominic knew the deal was done. The buyer was a seasoned contractor, someone who would put the Scythe-class to good use, unlike the wasteful bureaucracy of the CMC. He didn't waste time watching the formalities unfold; the deal had already been sealed in his mind.
The auctioneer slammed his gavel down. "Sold! The Scythe-class for one million credits! Congratulations to the winning bidder."
The crowd erupted in applause, but Dominic's focus had already shifted. He was here for a bigger prize.
The second mech, the Juggernaut-class, was being wheeled onto the auction floor as the noise settled. It was massive—towering above the other machines, its heavy body casting a long shadow across the hall. The Juggernaut was an older model, but it had been heavily modified by Dominic. Its firepower was unparalleled, and its armor was nearly impenetrable. This mech would fetch far more than the Scythe-class. He could already feel the tension in the air, the anxious energy that radiated from the bidders in the room.
The auctioneer's voice echoed across the hall, amplifying the tension. "Lot 122: The Juggernaut-class battle mech. Fully restored and upgraded. A true force to be reckoned with. We begin the bidding at one million credits."
Dominic allowed himself a small, satisfied smirk. The starting bid was low, but he knew it would rise quickly.
Almost immediately, the price shot up, bids flying back and forth like an intense game of high-stakes poker. Corporate buyers, military officers, and independent warlords all placed their offers. Dominic's eyes scanned the room, watching carefully. The Juggernaut was a highly sought-after machine, and the bidders weren't holding back. He knew that the CMC had been eyeing this particular model for months, ever since rumors of its capabilities spread through the underworld. But the mech was his, and he wasn't going to let them have it without a fight.
Finally, after a tense moment of silence, a new voice broke through the chatter.
"1.7 million credits," a gravelly voice called from the back of the room. The offer was sudden, decisive, and it silenced the crowd.
Dominic turned to see a hulking figure standing tall in the shadows—a leader of one of the galaxy's most notorious mercenary factions. The man was known as "Crater," a ruthless warlord who had been buying up the most destructive mechs in the galaxy. Dominic's heart skipped a beat. The man had been rumored to be the one responsible for the CMC's recent defeats in the outer rim.
Crater's bid was high, but not too high. The deal was almost certainly going to close on his terms. Dominic could feel the weight of his gaze, the calculating intensity in his eyes.
For a moment, Dominic considered his options. Should he try to push for more? Test the waters? But then, a thought flashed in his mind—this wasn't about getting the highest price. This was about control. The CMC wasn't going to get its hands on the Juggernaut-class, not if he could help it.
"1.7 million credits," the auctioneer called out. "Going once… going twice… sold!"
Dominic stood still for a moment, the reality of the sale sinking in. The Juggernaut was now in Crater's hands, but he wasn't done. Not yet. The money was his, but the war for power was just beginning.
As the crowd erupted into applause once again, Dominic's mind was already shifting toward his next move.
He had made the sale, but this was just the beginning.