Vindril focused on the detailed holographic map that was being projected by the advanced lens that was at the center of the oval table. Its bluish light tinted the whole room in a blue hue that looked like out of a movie. To be honest, it was such a surreal feeling that he didn’t exactly register what was going on. He remembered being told to follow the Instructor out that small dome; just as he remembered entering that subterranean room he was currently in with other people after descending a flight of stairs that had seemed endless. But the moment that projector had come to life, he sort of forgot what he was doing. Maybe the heat had gotten to him after all.

“You all know why you’re here.” said Instructor Klevaric sharply. “The Empire has a constant need of talent. And you’ll have been deemed good enough to be of help.”

With a flick of his finger, the image that was being projected shifted. Now, instead of the perfectly detailed image of Keelo Prime, a rocky plain was being shown. A village, or a sort of settlement, or any kind of activity that required housing to operate, stood right in the middle of it. Or at least that was the impression Vindril was having. It was a satellite reconstruction, so it wasn’t as clearly defined as the planetary hologram. A fact that all present found…irritating, if Vindril had to guess by the murmur that began spreading like wild fire.

“This is your objective. Or better, your objective lies within it.”

A man with long raven hair took a step forward. “’sorry to interrupt. Truly am. But, what is that?”

If the Instructor was angered by that unwanted interruption, he certainly didn’t show it on his face. He turned his head slightly in the direction of that man, staring at him coldly. “…That is a hideout. Or at least, the reckon team that was sent ahead believe it so.”

“Sorry again. But if that is indeed a hideout…who’s hiding in there? If my eyes are not mistaken, those plains are-”

“The Plains of Desolation. The Empire is well aware of it.”

Almost everyone, save some rare exceptions, looked nervous. And for a good reason!

Anyone who knew anything about Keelo Prime, even something tiny and superficial, must have heard at least once about these Plains. It was literally the most infamous spot in the whole planet. And that was saying it all. Even the deadly Rocky Mountains, with their rocky and unstable ground that tried constantly to kill anything brave or stupid enough to be on its surface, or the exclusion zone deep into the deserted aridness that reached temperatures so high that could kill any living being in mere minutes if they didn’t have any protective suits to shield them from the heat looked like a walk in the park in comparison.

The Plains of Desolation topped all that. Really, it was a place so dangerous that anyone smart enough stayed clear of it. With its constant heat that wore down even the most iron willed, or the toxic clouds of sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide that came out the old mining holes left wide open by past mining expedition, it was the less life friendly place on the planet. That was a fact.

Vindril had to look over once again at the holographic image that was being projected. Yep. There were no doubts. Those were The Plains of Desolation. Shit. Who in the hell decided that living there was a good idea? And better yet, why did he have to be sent there?

As if sensing all his questions, the Instructor launched himself into a lengthy explanation that was going to provide all the answers he was looking for.

“Your objective is to retrieve a box like this.” he said as he placed a small projector on the table, setting it right beside the one that was already functioning. In a heartbeat, a second projection that clearly depicted a metallic box the size of small container appeared in the same bluish light.

“…What is inside it?” asked a man. Or maybe it was a woman. Vindril couldn’t tell with the full-face helmet and the red metallic armor they were wearing. One thing was certain. Even through the distorted voice they were using, it was clear they were a professional. And a good one at that. The way the pistols were hanged around his belt was proof of that.

“You don’t need to know.”

“I insist.”

“Not this time.” interrupted the Instructor. “You don’t have the clearance, nor the need to be know what is in there. Don’t worry. It’s nothing dangerous or harmful, and that is the only thing I can tell you. Now, let that be enough for you. Or you can leave now and don’t come back. The choice is yours.”

“…Very well.”

“Good. As I said, your goal is to retrieve a box identical to this one from the pirates occupying that settlement. You will do this in exactly three months.”

Ah. So they were pirates. One less unknown.

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“Why in three months?”

“…That is unimportant. Let’s say there are matters that must be addressed with the utmost urgency before dealing with this theft. Anyway, remember, exactly four months from now, be ready to strike out. As for the time being, you’re free to meddle with the staff and students if you like. You can also attain lessons, as long as don’t pose a bother. Let me be very clear: No nuisances will be tolerated. None.”

Nobody uttered another word.

“Good. Dismissed.”

//////

Everyone climbed those stairs, popping out of the ground like mushrooms. Some were visibly disliking the hot temperature, which by now must have reached around 46° Celsius, sweating profusely; others instead looked like completely unfazed by it.

Vindril turned his head in the direction of the person clad in armor from head to toe. He didn’t know why, but he felt like he had to know that person better than what normal working relationship allowed. He just had to.

Ready to initiate a discussion, he called them out; but the only reaction he got was a shrug, only to be ignored once again. Well, so much for a first attempt.

Now that he had secured his position for that job, he had time to waste. So what better way to pass the time, at least for the time being, than wonder around the many domes and activities the Academy offered to its students and personnel? For example, if his eyes weren’t deceiving him, that thing at the other side of the camp was a bar. That was just perfect. With the thirst he was feeling, a good old glass of water, or maybe one of those colourful cocktails was going to feel heavenly.

Just thinking about that was enough to make him salivate. Well, not exactly salivate, given how dry and rough his throat was, but that was the gist of it.

In a moment, sidestepping through all the other people that were standing in his path, he reached the dome. It didn’t have a physical door to keep the strangers, or in rare cases, the unwanted out. Instead, a cream-coloured awning made of lengthy cotton threads that almost reached the floor was fluttering in the weak breeze that was blowing that hot day. As if it wasn’t hot enough without it…

He stepped inside, using his right hand to open a way through the threads. A pungent aroma of citrus, flowers, and maybe even freshly cut fruits, which were an expensive delicacy to acquire on Keelo Prime, hit him in all its strength. A man that looked perfectly human, were it not for his short height and the peculiar colour of his iris, which were a shed of blue that just didn’t look natural, at least as human iris went. He was an Halwerian. A half man. From planet Halwer-1. To not be confused with the Dwagrein, the dwarven race of planet Dwegr. Relations between them weren’t exactly…calm, to say the least.

“Who are you?” asked the half man, who looked younger than Vindril. But maybe it was just an impression. He hated to admit it, but Vindril wasn’t the best in guessing other people’s age. No matter how much he tried, he always came up with a number that was either too small or was just too big.

“I could ask you the same.”

“You could.” admitted the half man, wearing a smirk on his perfectly shaven face. “But then again, you wouldn’t obtain whatever you’re so keen of drinking. And you would quickly find yourself face down in the dirt before you even had the chance to say what. My friend there doesn’t like getting bothered.”

The gigantic thing seated at the table on the far left, hiding in the shadows to hide from direct sunlight, made Vindril gasp. Now that was a big ass man. “Damn! A nulnarian. Now that’s a thing you don’t see every day.”

If that remark had bothered that man, he didn’t show it on his face. He simply ignored him, in order to favour the brass-coloured liquid that was inside the gigantic mag in front of him.

“Yeah. So, care to tell me who you are?”

“I’m Vindril.”

“And why are you here, Vindril? You’re not an Instructor. Nor you’re part of the Empire’s hierarchy. You’re also no student.”

“So what am I?”

“A freelancer. Or maybe a mercenary. Or maybe some kind of strange mix between the two. In any case, you’re not part of the Academy.”

Vindril smiled. He had just met him, but he was already liking him. Maybe it was worth getting to know him more deeply.

“What makes you say that? Maybe I’m disguising myself.”

The half man smirked confidently. “Impossible.”

“Why?”

“Because the Empire won’t waste a trained spy by sending it here. That just isn’t going to happen. No, Vindril. I told you. You’re either a mercenary or a freelancer. Just like the other people that started appearing in here since last week. The question is, why? Why are here?”

“To work. That’s all I can say.”

When silence fell on them, the half man cursed. “Shit. I don’t like it.”

“What?”

“The whole thing. Last time something like this took place, things didn’t turn out good. And trust me, I’m getting the same feeling I got that time.”

Vindril rubbed his temples. Last time? Even if he sort of lived on Keelo Prime, and had connections with pretty much the whole planet, he had never heard about it. But maybe his wondering around the galaxy was to blame.

“Anyway, let’s leave all that for another time, eh? So, what can I get you?”

“Anything liquid. I’m dying of thirst.”

“…Anything?”

“Yes!”

The half man turned around, grabbed a ceramic pitcher, and filled a glass he took from the counter with a bright red liquid that remembered liquid lava. That didn’t look all that appealing. But Vindril was so thirsty he didn’t care. He simply paid the drink, and wolfed half of it down like it was nothing.

“What is that?” asked Vindril through wide eyes. The burning sensation he was feeling inside his throat wasn’t that unpleasant. He just wasn’t prepared for that.

“Special mix. Pretty strong, but not too overwhelming. Can get you pretty smashed though if you’re not careful with it.”

“Couldn’t you just give me water?”

The half man looked at in the eyes. “No. We’re running low on that. Only staff and students can drink that.”

Vindril finished the other half in mere minutes. Then as he got up to leave, he remembered he didn’t know his name. So he turned around and asked him.

“Sullevin. Just call me Sully.”

“Alright. Thanks. See ya.”

Before Sully had a chance to reply, Vindril sneaked out. The heat was almost unbearable, but he didn’t care. He had secured the job, and his own starship was on the way of taking shape. Life, after many years, was finally taking shape.