Chapter Two: "The Outlaw Haven"
The planet loomed in the viewport, a gray and rust-colored orb dotted with faint pulses of neon light where settlements clung to survival. Dr. Brown leaned forward in his chair, his brow furrowed.
"Welcome to Shatterhold," he muttered, almost to himself.
Sophia stood behind him, her synthetic frame disguised beneath a tattered cloak. The crew had warned her about this place—a haven for those who thrived on chaos. Pirates, smugglers, and bounty hunters roamed freely, and survival depended on knowing who to trust, or more importantly, who not to trust.
As the ship descended, the static-laden voice of a dockmaster crackled over the comms. "Landing clearance granted, Dock 47. Payment upon arrival. And don't try anything funny, or your ship will be scrap before you blink."
Sophia glanced at Dr. Brown, whose lips curled into a tight smile. "Hospitable, as always."
The docking bay was a mess of patched metal and oily puddles. As the crew disembarked, they were greeted by a group of rough-looking individuals armed with scavenged blasters. Their leader, a stocky alien with mottled green skin, stepped forward.
"Docking fee. Triple the usual rate for outsiders."
"We're not here for trouble," Dr. Brown replied, his tone calm but firm. "You'll get the standard rate."
The alien sneered. "This is Shatterhold. My rules. Triple or no ship."
Sophia's gaze flicked to Dr. Brown. She could see the tension in his stance, the way his hand hovered near his hidden blaster. But before the standoff could escalate, a wiry figure emerged from the shadows.
"Let them through, Klorr. They're with me."
The new arrival was Dr. Elias Torvyn, a former Republic scientist turned rogue. His sharp features and cybernetic eye scanned the group as he stepped between them and the pirates. Klorr grumbled but backed off with a wave of his hand.
"Welcome, old friend," Torvyn said with a sly grin. "Let's get you off the street before someone decides you're worth more alive than free."
Torvyn led them through winding alleys and dimly lit corridors, where makeshift markets thrived in the shadows. Alien merchants peddled illegal tech, weapons, and substances Sophia didn't recognize. She kept her hood up, her synthetic skin blending seamlessly with the dim light.
Inside Torvyn's lab—a cluttered mess of wires, tools, and strange devices—Dr. Brown began discussing the upgrades Sophia needed to stay undetected.
"She's extraordinary," Torvyn admitted, examining her from a distance. "But if the Empire's looking for her, you've got a problem. They don't forget loose ends."
"They won't find us," Dr. Brown insisted.
Sophia listened silently, her eyes scanning the room. Torvyn had what they needed, but the price for secrecy was often steep in places like Shatterhold.
As Torvyn began working on the upgrades, he suggested they remain discreet. "While I'm handling this, you might want to keep yourselves busy. But don't wander too far—the Empire's agents have a way of showing up when you least expect it."