Chapter 2
The Eclipse touched down on Taris Station with a soft thud, its landing gear groaning under the weight of the ship. Kael sat in the cockpit for a moment, his black eyes scanning the bustling outpost through the viewport. Taris Station was a sprawling maze of metal and neon, a haven for smugglers, mercenaries, and those who preferred to stay off the Empire's radar. It was the perfect place to resupply—and to gather information.
Kael grabbed his hooded cloak and stepped out of the ship, his Gaian markings faintly glowing under the fabric. The station was alive with activity, the air thick with the scent of oil, sweat, and something faintly metallic. Merchants shouted over the din, hawking their wares to anyone who would listen. Smugglers huddled in shadowy corners, their voices low as they negotiated deals. Kael moved through the crowd like a ghost, his ki cloaking him from unwanted attention.
The Merchant
His first stop was a small shop run by a grizzled old man named Jorran. Jorran was a known supplier of rare tech and weapons, and he had a reputation for discretion. Kael approached the counter, his voice low.
"I need supplies," he said, sliding a list across the counter.
Jorran glanced at the list, his eyes narrowing. "This isn't exactly standard fare. What are you planning, kid?"
Kael's expression didn't change. "That's my business."
Jorran studied him for a moment, then shrugged. "Suit yourself. But it'll cost you."
Kael handed over a small pouch of credits, his mind already calculating the next steps. As Jorran gathered the supplies, Kael's eyes wandered to a holographic display in the corner of the shop. It showed a map of the galaxy, with Zorvax-controlled systems highlighted in red. One name stood out: Veylor-9.
Kael's jaw tightened. Veylor-9 was a mining colony, rich in rare minerals and heavily fortified. It was also one of the locations the Zorvax soldiers had mentioned earlier. If the Empire was struggling to maintain control there, it might be the perfect target for his next move.
The Informant
As Kael left Jorran's shop, a figure stepped out of the shadows. It was a woman, her face partially obscured by a hood. She moved with a fluid grace, her eyes sharp and calculating.
"You look like someone who's looking for something," she said, her voice low and smooth.
Kael's hand twitched toward the energy blade hidden under his cloak, but he stopped himself. The woman didn't seem like a threat—at least, not yet.
"Information," he said simply.
The woman smiled, revealing a row of sharp teeth. "Information costs extra. But I might be willing to trade."
Kael studied her for a moment, then nodded. "What do you know about Veylor-9?"
The woman's smile widened. "Veylor-9? That's a dangerous place to be asking about. What's your interest?"
"That's my business," Kael replied, his voice cold.
The woman chuckled. "Fair enough. Veylor-9 is a mess. The Zorvax are trying to hold onto it, but the locals aren't making it easy. There's been unrest for months—sabotage, attacks on supply lines, that kind of thing. The Empire's stretched thin, and it's starting to show."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Do you know anything about their defenses?"
The woman leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Heavily fortified. Automated turrets, patrol drones, the works. But they're undermanned. The Zorvax are pulling troops to deal with bigger problems elsewhere. If you're thinking of hitting them, now's the time."
Kael nodded slowly. The information matched what he had overheard from the Zorvax soldiers. But he needed more.
"What about the locals?" he asked. "Are they organized?"
The woman shrugged. "As much as anyone can be under Zorvax rule. They've got a leader—someone called Ryn. She's been causing the Empire a lot of headaches. If you're looking for allies, she might be worth talking to."
Kael's mind raced. Allies were a risk, but they could also be an advantage. If the locals were already fighting the Zorvax, they might be willing to help him.
"What do you want in return?" he asked.
The woman's smile returned. "A favor. Nothing too complicated. Just a little help with a… delicate situation."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "What kind of situation?"
The woman leaned back, her expression unreadable. "Let's just say I have my own reasons for wanting the Zorvax to suffer. Meet me at the Rusty Nebula tonight, and we'll talk."
Before Kael could respond, she melted back into the crowd, leaving him alone with his thoughts. He didn't trust her—not yet—but he couldn't afford to ignore a potential lead. The Zorvax Empire was vast, and he needed every advantage he could get.
The Rusty Nebula
The Rusty Nebula was a seedy bar located in the heart of Taris Station. It was the kind of place where deals were made in the shadows and secrets were traded like currency. Kael stepped inside, his hood pulled low over his face. The air was thick with smoke and the faint hum of conversation.
The woman from earlier sat at a corner table, her hood still obscuring her face. She gestured for Kael to join her, her eyes gleaming in the dim light.
"I was starting to think you wouldn't show," she said, her voice teasing.
Kael sat down, his expression unreadable. "I'm here. Talk."
The woman leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I don't know who you are, and I don't care. But if you're serious about hitting Veylor-9, you're going to need more than just guts. The Zorvax might be stretched thin, but they're still dangerous."
Kael nodded. "What do you suggest?"
The woman's smile faded, replaced by a look of grim determination. "You'll need a way in. The Zorvax have the main routes locked down, but there's a supply tunnel on the southern edge of the colony. It's not heavily guarded, and it leads straight to their command center. If you're careful, you can use it to bypass their defenses."
Kael studied her for a moment, then nodded. "And the favor?"
The woman's smile returned. "I'll call it in when the time comes. For now, let's just say we're helping each other."
Kael didn't like it, but he didn't have much of a choice. He needed the information, and she was the only one offering it.
The Next Move
As Kael left the Rusty Nebula, his mind raced. Veylor-9 was a dangerous target, but it was also an opportunity. If he could strike a blow against the Zorvax there, it would send a message—to the Empire, and to anyone else who might be willing to fight back.
But first, he needed to prepare. The Eclipse was fast and well-armed, but it wasn't invincible. He would need to upgrade the ship, stock up on supplies, and gather as much information as he could about Veylor-9.
As he made his way back to the ship, the pendant on his chest pulsed faintly, its light a constant reminder of the past—and the future. Kael's fingers brushed it briefly, his jaw tightening with resolve.
Kael stepped back into the Eclipse, the ship's interior dimly lit by the soft glow of the control panels. He set the supplies he'd purchased from Jorran on the workstation, his mind already racing with plans. The information he'd gathered from the woman at the Rusty Nebula was valuable, but it also came with risks. Veylor-9 was a heavily fortified mining colony, and even with the Zorvax stretched thin, it wouldn't be an easy target.
He activated the ship's holographic display, pulling up a map of Veylor-9. The colony was located on a barren, rocky planet, its surface scarred by massive mining operations. The Zorvax had built a sprawling complex at the center of the colony, surrounded by automated defenses and patrol drones. The supply tunnel the woman had mentioned was marked on the map—a narrow, unassuming passage on the southern edge of the complex. If he could get in undetected, it might be his best chance to strike at the heart of the Zorvax operation.
But first, he needed to prepare.
The Upgrades
Kael spent the next few hours working on the Eclipse, installing the upgrades he'd purchased from Jorran. The ship's stealth systems were already advanced, but he added a few modifications to make it even harder to detect. He also installed a new targeting system for the ship's weapons, ensuring that he could take out Zorvax patrols with precision.
As he worked, his thoughts drifted back to Gaia. The memories were still vivid, the pain still raw. He could still hear the screams of his people, the roar of the Zorvax warships as they descended on the capital city. He could still feel his mother's hands on his shoulders, her voice trembling as she told him to run.
"Find the Eclipse. It's your only chance."
Kael's jaw tightened as he tightened a bolt on the ship's engine. He had survived when so many others hadn't. He had a duty to them—to his parents, to his people—to make the Zorvax pay. And he would, no matter the cost.
The Plan
With the upgrades complete, Kael turned his attention to the mission ahead. He studied the map of Veylor-9, marking the locations of the Zorvax defenses and the supply tunnel. The tunnel was his best bet, but it wouldn't be easy. He would need to navigate the colony's perimeter, avoid the patrols, and find a way to disable the automated defenses.
He also needed to consider the locals. The woman had mentioned a leader named Ryn, someone who had been causing the Zorvax trouble. If he could make contact with her, she might be willing to help. But alliances were risky, especially when trust was in short supply.
Kael leaned back in his seat, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the map. He didn't like relying on others, but he couldn't do this alone. Not forever. For now, though, he would have to take things one step at a time.