Etha every muscle ache as he stepped out of the merary guild, his mind still buzzing from hours of interaining. The VR modules had been more punishing than he'd expected, especially the close-quarters bat simutions. He'd made progress, but it was clear that mastering firearms and hand-to-hand bat would take time. His breath fogged slightly in the cooler evening air of Valeris City as he adjusted his coat and headed down the bustling street.
The city was alive, more so at night, with neon lights painting the streets in a vibrant, artificial glow. The familiar hum of small hovercrafts above and the chatter of vendors from makeshift stalls added to the city's gritty charm. Despite its outer sheen, Valeris City was dangerous. Ethan could feel it in the undercurrents, the suspicious gnces, and the shadowy figures l in alleyways.
As he walked, his mind wao his ship that was still docked and in desperate need of repairs. The credits from his first mission were a start, but nowhere near enough for the full overhaul his ship required. He would o plete a lot more missions before he'd even e close to aff the repairs.
His feet carried him through the winding streets until he found himself standing in front of a modest tina. The sign above the entrance read Nara's , a hat suited the tucked-away, cozy spot. The tina was located in a quieter part of the city, but even here, the stant hum of Valeris's chaotiightlife reached him. He pushed the door open, greeted by the faint st of aged wood, cheap alcohol, and the murmurs of scattered patrons.
Behind the bar stood a woman who looked like she could take on any merary who dared cause trouble. Her name, he ter learned, was Nara. An old widow, but she radiated a strength that belied her years. Her long, greying hair ulled back, and her eyes were sharp as she sed the room. She moved with purpose, her posture rigid but not unkind.
Ethan walked up to the bar and ordered the cheapest drink on the menu. Nara raised an eyebrow as she poured him a gss. "Haven't seen you around here before. Merary, aren't you?"
He nodded, keeping his response simple. "Just got into town."
She set the drink in front of him, her eyes studying him for a moment lohan necessary. "Valeris City chews up rookies like you. You better watch yourself."
Ethan smirked slightly but didn't say anything. He took a sip of the drink. It was strong and sharp, burning down his throat, but not unpleasant. "Not pnning on being here long," he muttered.
Nara let out a dry chuckle. "That's what they all say."
He gnced around the room, taking in the sparse crowd. A few off-duty meraries, a couple of locals, and some men who seemed too shifty to be anything but trouble. His attention was drawn to a versation happening at the far end of the bar, between two men hunched over their drinks.
".....they're pushing harder this time. Syndicate's tightening the screws," one of them muttered, his voice low but tense.
"Yeah, heard they've been hitting more busiely. Don't know how much longer folks like Nara keep holdin' out."
Ethan's gaze flicked toward Nara, who had overheard them but retending not to. Her jaw tightened slightly as she ed a gss, but she didn't say a word.
Syndicates. Ethan's mind fshed back to Earth, back to old stories of the mafia, the Yakuza, and anized crime families who raire cities through fear aortion. It seemed things weren't so different on Kynara. If a syndicate had its cws in Valeris City, it was bound to cause trouble for people like Nara, or arying to make a living without paying them off.
He made a mental o stay clear of whatever mess was brewing. The st thing he needed was to get tangled up in local flicts. For now, it was just background noise. He wasn't about to involve himself in anything that didn't directly him.
Nara finished wiping down the bar and leaned on the ter, her sharp eyes log onto his again. "You're not like the usual mercs passing through here. Too quiet."
Ethan shrugged. "Just trying to keep my head down."
"Smart. But it won't help you forever. Sooner or ter, this city makes you choose a side."
Before he could respond, a holographic s behind the bar flickered to life. The tina's usual background hum of voices quieted slightly as the holo-news broadcast begahan turned his attention to the s, where a polished news anchor was delivering the test updates from across the Orion Federation.
".....political tensions tio rise in the Haxor Sector, where separatist fas have increased their attacks on Federation supply voys. The situation remains votile as the Federatioe debates the deployment of additional peacekeeping forces."
The se shifted to another report.
"In other news, pirate activity along the Eastern Trade Route has surged, leading to signifit deys in cargo shipments. Several systems have issued bounties for meraries to help bolster defenses."
Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly. The news painted a picture of a gaxy in stant upheaval. From political tensions to pirate raids, it was clear that no part of the Orion Federation was stable. This instability meant more work for meraries, but it also meant more danger. Ethan couldn't help but feel the ripple effects of the news, even from this quiet tina.
Nara noticed his focus on the broadcast and gave a small chuckle. "Don't get too ed up in it. The Federation's always been a mess. Just keep doing your jobs, and you'll get by."
Ethan nodded, his mind already drifting back to his steps. As much as he appreciated the advice, he khere was more to surviving than just keeping his head down. Valeris City was uable, and there was no telling when the calm would break.
"Thanks for the drink," he said, finishing the st of it and standing up.
Nara nodded. "e baytime. And keep your wits about you, merc."
Ethan gave her a slight nod, slipping bato the night. The city was quieter now, but the dangers still lurked in the shadows. He shoved his hands into his pockets and began walking back toward the guild. He had credits to earn, a ship to fix, and a gaxy full of chaos to navigate.
And in Valeris City, even the quietest streets had their secrets.
