The Black Dagger, Docked at Raxis Trade Hub
Year 9783 C.C. – Five Days After the Trial
*****
Kael leaned against the cold metal railing of The Black Dagger's loading bay, staring out at the chaotic sprawl of Raxis Trade Hub.
The station was a bustling hive of outlaws, traders, and mercenaries, but beneath the neon-lit markets and clashing dialects, there was something else—an undercurrent of tension.
He had felt it since the meeting with Saros.
The casual glances that lingered too long. The way conversations hushed when he walked by.
'They know who I am. Or at least, they know I shouldn't exist.'
He wasn't safe. Not here. Maybe not anywhere.
*****
Juno strolled into the loading bay, arms crossed, her ever-present smirk in place. "You're thinking too hard again."
Kael didn't look at her. "How long before someone on this station tries to cash in on me?"
Juno exhaled through her nose. "Depends. Some people here will keep quiet if they think you'll make them money later. Others? They'll sell you out before you finish your next drink."
Kael turned to her. "And you? What category do you fall into?"
Juno smirked but didn't answer right away. Instead, she pulled out a holo-slate and tapped a few commands. A data stream flickered to life, displaying a list of active Dominion bounties.
Kael scanned the feed. His name wasn't there.
Not yet.
"See that?" Juno said. "No public bounty on you. That means your execution wasn't meant to be 'failed'—it was meant to be forgotten."
Kael's grip on the railing tightened. "Then why are people whispering about me?"
Juno locked eyes with him, her smirk fading slightly. "Because someone is talking."
The words sent a chill down his spine.
'The Echelon wouldn't make this public. Someone else is spreading my name.'
But why?
And worse—who?
*****
Kael's Celestial Archive flickered. A system alert.
[Celestial Archive – Passive Surveillance Alert]
► Status: [Unauthorized Access Attempt]
► Source: [Unknown]
► Security Level: [High]
► Trace Log: [Unsuccessful – 89% Blocked]
► Suggested Action: [Remain Cautious]
His pulse quickened.
Someone had just tried to access his system remotely.
'Not Dominion forces. They wouldn't fail. This was someone else.'
Juno saw his expression and frowned. "What?"
Kael showed her the alert. She studied it, then let out a low whistle.
"That's not normal. You're being watched, Veyrin."
Kael already knew that. The question was—by who?
*****
Juno crossed her arms. "So, what's your move?"
Kael exhaled slowly. He had two choices:
► Stay low, keep running, and try to disappear deeper into the Outer Reaches.
► Find out who was looking for him—before they found him first.
Juno was watching him carefully. "Whatever you decide, princeling, you better be ready for the fallout."
Kael's jaw tightened. He had been reacting ever since the trial—running, surviving, barely staying ahead of death.
Maybe it was time to start acting.
He met Juno's gaze. "I want to know who's looking for me."
Her smirk returned. "Now we're talking."
And just like that, Kael took his first step toward war.
*****