ONE

Port B-22, Abaddon Station, Tartarus Sectors

May 23rd, 2505

The dilapidated conditions of Port B-22 made it an excellent spot for illicit deals underneath the watchful eyes of the crime syndicate running Abaddon Station. In abandoned places like these, local and small-time criminals can do their business without a Skaro Syndicate’s watchdog breathing down their neck.

Such as the case with the two dark-clothed smugglers standing at the far side of the port. Their client arrived momentarily, standing on the other side with a briefcase.

“You got the goods?” One of them asked. The client, a double-eared Vernusen, carefully slid the briefcase to the smugglers. The briefcase was opened, revealing itself empty.  “Nera sends her regards” said the client in an ominous tone. Without pause, the two smugglers fell, the side of their heads marked a hole.

“Targets down, Rangers." The client answered on his earpiece.

“Affirmative, Polop. Stand by.” Polop stood by, keeping his eyes on the Ranger duo coming in his periphery.

Special Tactics and Recon, STAR, 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.

As with any faction, big or small, there are rumors about the Rangers. That they used to be the UHD’s secret unit to unleash against any dissent that could threaten the dominion, that they have a secret directive that allows them extrajudicial privileges to denounce and abolish a superpower in case it failed in its mission of safeguarding humanity, or they have untold number of their comrades in cryo ready for activation, the list goes on

But those are just rumors, Polop thought. Pushing his thoughts aside, He 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. They searched through the belongings, not finding anything explicitly incriminating, until… 

“Found something.”, Grim muttered, revealing a flash drive in her hand towards Hawk. “Its encrypted.”, Hawk took the drive and put in her pocket for safekeeping. She switch her comms on, “Eagle Actual. This is Eagle 1. We acquired a package from the ‘’clients’’. Requesting exfil.”

“Copy Eagle 1. Make your way there. Over.”, the comms closed off, Hawk felt coldly, silently noticing an IR laser on her shoulder, likewise with Grim and Polop. “Down!”, She shouted as she and Grim 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, Actual.” 

“Hold position, Eagle One. We’re on our way in 3 mikes. Out.”, Hawk cursed, as hostiles kept shooting. She glanced back at Grim, nodding at her. Grim nodded in return, throwing a smoke grenade in their enemy’s LoS. 

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 Actual, this is Eagle One. Hostiles down.” Hawk pings with her R-COMM, awaiting a 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?”.

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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 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 Actual. 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.

 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 ocassion, 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 Dawn.” Nera hissed.

“Crimson Dawn?” 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. 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 reach. Hoping one day she’ll slip and take the advantage.

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 FSTR (First Strategic Action Recon) agents. Our assignment depends on finding more about Crimson Dawn 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.