Port A-22, Quadrant A, Abaddon Station, Tartarus Sectors

  May 23rd, 2505

  The dilapidated conditions of Port A-22 made it an excellent spot for illicit deals underneath the watchful eyes of the crime syndicate running Abaddon Station. The port itself was abandoned for a while, filled with dirt, rust, and wear. A perfect place for illicit deals underneath the Skaro Syndicate’s noses, for sometimes circumstances like these require subtlety.

  Such as the case with the two individuals wearing crimson-colored clothing, who stood at what used to be where port workers kept an eye on cargo coming out from a docked starship. A small glint came up in their periphery, on the other side of the port, probably where they authorize starship entries. They were nervous, though that dissipated when their client arrived, with his briefcase in hand.

  “You got the goods?” One of them asked. The client nodded, a Vernusen. A mammalian species well known for sporting skin colors and pigments, as well as bio-luminescent eyes. They’re also known for sporting double ears and sharing similarities with human beings when it comes to hair.

  As the Vernusen slid the briefcase to them, the two individuals pick it up and open it, revealing itself empty. “Nera sends her regards” said the Vernusen in an ominous tone. Without pause, the two crimson-clothed individuals fell, the side of their heads marked a hole.“Targets down, Rangers." The Vernusen answered on his earpiece. [Affirmative, Polop. Stand by.] ,Polop stood, keeping his eyes on the Ranger duo.

  Special Tactics Recon, STR, or better known as Rangers are an elite paramilitary force nestled in the Frontier Regions of the Galaxy. Their primary goal being keeping the Human Colonies of the Frontier Regions free from United Human Dominion’s control, a plutocratic human superpower.

  Polop crossed his arms while the Ranger duo Hawk and Grim arrived in tow. He gestured them towards the dead “clients”, giving the Rangers some space. To kill some time during their search, Polop asked them, “Been hearing rumors. That you Rangers used to be death squads for the UHD in the past, silencing any dissent against them. Or have a secret directive. Or you have comrades in cryo on standby. That true?”

  After few seconds of silence, one Ranger gazed at Polop. Her helmet sported a claw decal on the front. Is it a way to individualize themselves or something else?, Polop thought. “Need to know basis, Polop. You know better than that”, Hawk snides at him, leaving Polop in the dark. He shrugged. Sometimes rumors are just that. Rumors, Polop pushed his thoughts aside, focusing on the mission.

  The Rangers searched through the belongings, not finding anything explicitly incriminating, until… “Found something.”, Grim muttered, revealing a flash drive in her hand towards Hawk. “It’s encrypted.”, Hawk took the drive and put in her pocket for safekeeping. She switch her comms on, “Eagle Castle. This is Eagle 1. We acquired a package from the ‘’clients’’. Over..”

  [Copy Eagle 1. Make your way out of this port and towards the RV half a click from your current position. Out.], the comms closed off, Hawk felt coldly, silently noticing an IR laser on her shoulder, likewise with Grim and Polop. “Down!”, She shouted as Grim and herself dived below the railing before they met purchase with projectiles. Polop was not so lucky, with him shot over and collapsing.

  Projectiles whizzed while both Rangers in cover. [I hear gunfire, Eagle 1. Report.], Hawk’s R-COMM pinged while shooting her rifle at the hostiles, “Hostiles shooting at us from from the side exit, Castle.”

  [Hold position, Eagle One. We’re on our way in 3 mikes. Out.], Hawk cursed, as hostiles kept shooting. She glanced to Grim, and nodded at her. Grim nodded in return, and threw a smoke grenade in the line of sight of the enemy.

  The hostiles fired through the smoke, but couldn’t find purchase. As the mist of smoke dissipated, they find the Rangers were not in cover. They search for a few seconds, finding nothing except the dead body of Polop. One of them spits on it, cursing in his own language. Within moments, one of them fell on the floor. In panic, they sight their weapons to find a good shot. But one by one, they fall. As the last of them hugs a wall, he breathes heavily, trying to collect himself. He felt a hand in his mouth, then felt blood spill from his throat, gurgling, life slipping out.

  “Eagle Castle, this is Eagle One. Hostiles down.” Hawk pinged with her R-COMM, awaiting response. [Affirmative, Eagle One. What about Polop?].

  Hawk glanced at Grim who was checking in Polop. Grim shook her head. Hawk sighed, “Polop’s KIA.”, the silence went for a few seconds. [Understood, I’ll inform Nera. Make your way out of this port. Out.], Hawk’s R-COMM was cut. “Nera isn’t gonna be happy.” Grim remarked coldly, Hawk glanced at her, “Is she ever happy?”.

  Grim shrugged, “Probably not. Package still in one piece?”, Hawk brought the drive from her pocket, showing it is still intact. But before they make their leave, Hawk takes a few captures using her helmet to ascertain the hostiles she and Grim killed and had saved it. Those hostiles were dressed in crimson-colored combat gear. But aside from that, both Rangers have no idea who they are.

  “Smart. Alright, let’s get the fuck outta here and see what colorful insults Nera will have in store for us.” Grim remarked sarcastically, making her way out of Port B.

  “Cheeky, Grim.” Hawk retorted, following her comrade in turn.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Tension filled the air in Nera’s office. The office itself was filled with amenities that a crime boss desires. Shelves, a desk, and a poker table for some old-fashioned gambling. Hawk and Grim glanced to Nera as she looked coldly at Ranger Raptor, aka Eagle Castle. Among the crime bosses that form up the higher-echelon of Skaro Syndicate, many of them are ruthless, share no empathy nor mercy, and use fear to take a firm hold in their territories, regardless of the damage it could cause to the populace of Abbadon Station.

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  The Vernusen Nera, on the other hand, has been well known to use generosity to help the people living in her territory; education, cultural venues, and so forth. Of course, that generosity happens to be funded by smuggling, raiding, and the occasional murder/rivalry between the other Skaro crime bosses. Still, she helped the Rangers on occasion, which was a boon for their operations in these sectors. But just like any other crime bosses, Nera has limits.

  “So… Raptor. Mind explaining me how the ambush went south and one of my subordinates was killed?” Nera asked coldly, her eyes narrowly gazed towards Raptor. Raptor took a breath, then spoke “As I said, a dozen of hostiles intercepted the deal. They must have been sent by a rival organization or a third party.”

  Nera’s face twisted, not wanting to believe in vague answers. “Do you… have a proof for this claim?”, Raptor glanced at Hawk, and gestured. Hawk came forward, plugging a wire from Nera’s portable device to a port in her helmet. “I have made a few captures of the hostiles we dealt with through my helmet. All I can tell is that they were wearing gear colored in crimson.”

  As Nera looked through those captures, her face went cold, as if she looked at something she wished she didn’t know. “Fucking hell, Crimson Iron.” Nera hissed.

  “Crimson Iron?” Raptor asked,

  “Interstellar Private Contractors. Works for whoever pays them the highest. Nasty and dangerous. They were known for their involvement in the Hilvari Incident. Got investigated, but no evidence came up for their guilt. Scuttlebutt says the investigators were murdered or disappeared by them.” Nera clarified, sharing what she knew.

  Raptor glanced at Hawk for a moment, then returned her gaze towards the crime boss. “Do they use smugglers to transport contraband and illicit items?”, She asked. Nera narrowed her eyes at Raptor, trying to ascertain the Ranger’s intent. “Mostly third-party, but only if they have a secret code. Why?”

  Raptor glanced again to Hawk, whom she gestured towards. Hawk nodded and stepped forward. Nera’s eyes went wide and understood. “I see. But I should warn you it would not be easy. It’ll require years of building trust and commerce with them in order to enter their inner sanctum.”, Nera gestured her hand towards Hawk. “But is she up to the task?”

  “Hawk is one of the Rangers I trust the most on this mission, Miss Nera. I wouldn’t delegate this task to anyone else.”, Raptor looked at Grim, her body language showing a level of apprehension.

  “Understood. I’ll make arrangements in the next few weeks. And please, call me Nera.”, she gestured them to leave the office. The three Rangers nodded and left in return. The hallway outside the office was empty and dirty, only dim lights and two guards who were guarding the office. To keep it discreet, the Rangers agreed to go to an apartment to discuss things.

  A little later, the Rangers go to an apartment in the Exitium District owned by one certain smuggler codenamed Magpie. She is well known for a years as a reputable smuggler who could find and sell contraband that are rare or not easy to attain. That reputation made her enemies with other smugglers, though given her combat experience, they stay out of her way. Hoping one day she’ll slip and take the advantage. But what they don’t know is Magpie’s actual identity.

  As they entered the apartment, Hawk felt tense and anxious, given the upcoming mission she’s being delegated to. Raptor could tell the weight of this mission it puts on her comrade a she put a hand on her shoulder. “I understand if you’re stressed, Kate. But you and Grim are FSR agents, and First Strategic Recon is First for a damn good reason. Our assignment depends on finding more about Crimson Iron and their agenda. This is a high-risk mission, so I won’t blame you if you want out. But it wouldn’t be easy finding a fitting agent for this than you two.”

  Hawk took a deep breath, looking at Raptor. “I’ve been in this for a few years, Emilia. I won’t quit just because it’s gonna be tough.” Raptor nodded. “Alright, you’ll need to be within two days. Briefing will come at 1 PM sharp. Be there.” Hawk nodded intently, then went to the other room in the apartment to get things ready.

  Raptor looked at Grim, “Taylor, can I trust you to keep an eye on Kate Hawkins for this mission? As a friend?”, Grim looked to where Hawk went, then glanced back to Raptor. “She’s my best friend, Emilia. I’ll try to keep her grounded. I’m more worried about her in regards the fight against the UHD (United Human Dominion). I’m sure you read what happened few years after that massacre in Primus, right?”

  Raptor nodded, given she read Hawk’s background in her dossier. Psychological assessment stated concerns that her hatred against the UHD could come to borderline obsession. “I do. Which is why I need you with Hawk if things go south. She’s one of our best, but can be impulsive at times.”

  Grim chuckled a bit, “I’ve grown up with her, Emmy. I know how to use her impulsiveness to our advantages and reign it in if need be.”, Raptor scoffed, “Emilia, Taylor.”,

  “In any case, I’ll leave you two to get ready. In the meantime, I’ll have a data ship on standby to ensure secure comms. Dismissed.” Both Rangers bumped fist two times near their left shoulder in solidarity, then Raptor left the apartment.

  Grim went to Hawk’s room where she looked at her friend getting ready like there’s no tomorrow. She sighed slightly. Their mission is gonna be a tough one. But then again, Grim never ran away from a challenge.