Humans are strange creatures, their first profession was warriors, they fought for food and wimen trasures and for the so called honor of theirs... They say, they are a honorable race, but could we truly agree with them? Knowing their history...

Back in the middle of the second millenia humans have nearly killed their mother earth, or at least were near to... Earth was overpopulated, polluted and exhausted of its mineral reserves. But the humans needed more, their nature was to get more and more... The solution they decided was to go into the stars and search for new worlds, now not making the old mistakes they had made on the mother earth. As the last resources werer poured to make gigantic liveships, who would fly into the stars, and there become new mobile cities and industrial centers for humans.

The plan was to first populate and try terraform mars, while gathering resources from the asteroid belts and passing comets. This plan worked, first domes were built on mars, best techs and scientists went on it to live there and help to further work on the planets terraforming. Incoming materials from the asteroid belt greatly helped, and when they were able to put a few comets into a stable orbit around the earth and mars everybody believed that the future only held success.

But seeing this success all the people left on earth wanted to leave for that new paradise in making.. Revolts and wars started on the old earth, the fools have destroyed it finally, after the war what was left of it was a big ball with an ongoing nuclear winter, scorched earth and pollution, no longer fit to live. Yet all the people on mars were relieved, now they wouldnt have to feed all those people back there.

Time passed and by the middle of the third millennium mars mars was now a beautiful green world, where domes were no longer needed, technological advancements allowed for almost any kind of illness to be treated, traveling from asteroid belt to the planet became like a walk to your neighbors door.

But as time passed the old problems began to arise – the comets were stripped of their resources and asteroid belts would too be soon empty of all the minerals... A new solution was needed.

And a solution was offered - to mine their new home – mars, this wasnt done yet, trying to keep it clean and firmly agricultural world. With majority of the humans disagreeing a new proposition was made – to mine the other planets of the solar system.

At first they went on to mine at mercury, digging into the very core of the planet for metals. Huge industrial cities were built underground the planets surface, and fields beyond the horizon of solar panels on the surface. Now, having enough metals they went onto the other planets.

Venus was used as a huge heat reactor – making energy for ships traveling around the solar system with the special flying power plants. Second step was soon to be taken on this planet, to dig into its core just like on mercury, but humans still lacked technology to shield bigger structures form this heat and radiation of the planet.

A few centuries later, when their technology evolved enough and the very first sub-space drives were built humanity began their second expansion this time out of their solar system.

This new age was called the golden age of humanity – the old earth was on its way to be restored, to its former glory in a few hundred years, advancements in space travel were supposed to bring even more wealth to humans and make them prosper even more. Yet, not everyting went as planned for humans.

Their very first trip led them to discover a race much older and much, much more advanced than themselves. And this race wasnt too friendly. Wen the first fight broke out – humans were outmatched in minuted, their ships now just melted graves for their people... And yet lady luck decided to smile at humans again even if a little – the enemy race – Tvaars didnt have the sub-space drive, they instead used warp drives of their own making, that didnt allow instant jumps from system to system, yet allowed to propel their ships to great speeds, making them extremely mobile.

Beaten and defeated last ships of explorers came back to solar system. They were tracked and only god knew, how much time they had, before Tvaar's fleet would arrive. So humans began to prepare themselves – building great motherships and fleets and fleets of battleships to fight their enemy. Fortifying their planets with the most advanced defenses they could make they waited for their enemy to come. And their enemy came... Even faster than they had expected.

Just like humans reverse engineered Tvaar technology, so did Tvaar reverse engineered human technology, to create the sub-space drives, it took them two years to do that, and humans werent ready yet, close, but still not ready. Though, this time the battle wasnt so one sided as before. Humans now equipped with Tvaar weapons and their own improved shielding systems managed to hold on a few battles. Seeing that Tvaar decided to destroy the human supply lines, mining colonies were burned to ashes by Tvaar stealth bombers, thousands of combat drones hidden in asteroid fields kept humans from mining critical resources, to repair their fleets. Slowly, but surely humans were loosing again, mars though, was holding up fine, finally mining the planet with those heavily fortified defenses on the planet Tvaar were unable to take over the planet.

Humans now, receiving resources directly from the planet again were ready to continue the fight... But Tvaar werent stupid, they saw that and took the only option, that was left to them. They destroyed the planet...

one day a Tvaar cruiser entered the space near Mars, deployed shield with strength never seen before and after a day of charging its single and only weapon fired at the planet... Earthquakes and cataclysms began on the surface of the planet after this, the very core of the planet was attacked, and unbalanced beyond repair.

The fleets seeing this had no choice as to leave, their supply routed blocked or destroyed, asteroid belts unaccessable to them they left their home.. The solar system. After hundreds if, not thousands of jumps away from Tvaar, now exhausted fleets decided to try and build new home in a planet they recently discovered, already having a good breathable atmosphere, with organic vegetation growing on the planet it was almost perfect, needing only very little terraforming.

But over the years traveling some of the fleets people got used to it, driven by an old fear of Tvaar they wanted to leave, to continue traveling and traveling. Many were of suck mind, but even more wanted to stay, so the fleet had divided into a few smaller ones.

As years passed the friction between them grew and eventually war happened. Many died, even more left injured and empty shells of the former selves. But time heals all wounds, so does a strong leader. After the second war, an admiral of one of the fleets began uniting one fleet after another, those who didnt join him were destroyed... In time the Empire of man was born, now, having their emperors orders humans began to fortify their new home, their ships and their new home system, as they were preparing for a new expansion this time a much much more prepared one.

Now, when going to new systems, to search for other races friendly on not, a fleet fo former motherships, now rebuilt and upgraded into flying fortresses would fly there. If a race was found they would try to contact it, to start friendly relations – but if it was aggressive, urging to fight them the fleet would scorch their worlds without hessitation, burn their homes and take their people as slaves to work in their mines. The conquered worlds would be assimilated into the empire and those who made friendly contacts would become the empires allies.

A new golden age arose to humans, the empire of man was in its peak again – led by their mighty emperor – Lion Ironfist the first.

=== Empire of Man, frontier station – The Laser EYE. ===

Ethan was packing his things, he was finally 21, the legal age to start his life in this shithole station. It was boring for him here, he wanted to see the stars, to discover something, that would make him famous and rich, so he could live the way he wants – wherever he wants. He also was tired of his parents controlling him.

Standing near the entrance into his room was his father, with his usual calm, yet smart look on his face. He was looking at his son packing his things, preparing to leave his familys nest to finally find or make his own, as he thought that.. his mind wandered off thinking, how very few years are left until his daughter will leave too.

--packed everything? - Father asked Ethan.

--Yeah, I think so... - was his sons reply.

Checking his bag again Ethan had a small grin on his face, finally his real life was about to begin. As he thought so, small soft footsteps could be heard from behind him, and he felt a soft hug on his back. He turned around, and returned it to his sister Alicia. They didnt speak, no words were needed, she nodded to him, and left... small tears could be seen in the corners of her eyes.

--So... remember to write, whenever you will have a chance.. and dont forget you always have us, whatever happens. - said his father when they finally reached the door out of the flat, this was their last time seeing eatch other perhaps for a few years.

Father offered Ethan a firm handshake, he didnt pat him on the back anymore he wasnt a child anymore either, so now he treated him like a man he was. This handshake meant much more to Ethan than anything else.

Finally Ethan called a cab and went to airport, it was a hour long drive so out of boredom his mind wandered off to the time just three days ago, when he got his golden ticket out of this station.

=== Empire of Man, frontier station – The Laser EYE.=== Time : Three days ago. ===

=== Ethan POW===

It has already been a month, since his 21st birthday, he now was almost fully prepared to leave... Almost, because he still needed a place to go where he could get some work.

He was currently standing in a line at the Brokers office, patiently waiting for his turn. He was third in line currently, his turn would come up soon.

Ethan rubbed his sweating palms into his clothes, trying to get rid of the sweat. He was nervous – the Broker's were quite an organization with a little more, than shady reputation, but thei did their job well – you needed a weapon? Not a problem, they wouldnt get it to you, because that would be illegal... but no one stopped them from selling you information on, where to acquire one. Or lets say, you needed work? Just like Ethan right now? Sure thing they would say, and would give you of all the job applications you looked for, it was up to you then, to impress your future employer. Or maybe you had this common problem – need money? They will ask - what are you willing to do? And by the degree of your willingness they will offer you a choice... Ethan heard about such deals, that the Broker's have offered to people – from selling limbs and organs, to getting a loan or pledging one owns freedom.

The line moved slowly, but he was already next to enter, once the previous person left. He noticed, that none of the previous people stayed there more than half an hour, brokers work fast were his thoughts.

Just as he thought that the previous person left, she was quite a good looking woman... But he didnt have time to oogle her and entered. Once he passed the door, he was inside a small room, there were one more door to the left of his, in front of him was a desk with an old man sitting there – smoking a pipe.

--Come on, come on lad, no need to be shy... take a seat and lets talk. - the broker said.

--Yes sir. - quickly Ethan took a seat in front of the mans desk.

The man was bald, had a nice, well cared beard with quite some gray in it, his left eye was a cybernetic one, his left arm too. The ma shifted trough papers on his desk – quickly sorting them in neat piles, and then focusing his sharp eyes on Ethan.

--Place your palm there on the scanner... Good, now then – how may I Broker Edvard help you? - he politely asked.

--I need money and employment sir.

--I see, so shall we talk about employment or money first? - a strange light entered Edvards cybernetic eye.

--I... I dont know sir, I would like to be self employed... to travel see the universe for myself...

--Haha, good good lad. - Edvard laughed heartily. - I see then why you need money, starting ones own business isnt easy... So, let me ask this good old question – what are you willing to do?

--Almost anything sir... just say, what is an option and I will say if im willing to do it.

--Good, lets see... You want to travel and see the universe, so probably want to have your own ship? And ships arent cheap... hmm... mhmm... Okay, lets say for your first ship I could offer you a multipurpose frigate class ship...

An image of the frigate appeared inbetween them, projected somwhere from the ceiling. Broker rotated it, showed Ethan its parameters and specifications, gave him a quick summary, of what the ship has been used to do before also the ships status. Overall the ship was in quite a good condition, it needed some improvements here and there, but for a ship as old as Ethan it was really well preserved. But when Ethan saw the price of the ship he gulped.... rather loudly – one hundred thousand chits was the price of the ship, more than his father earned in his business over three years.

--Okay, what do you say about the ship?. - smilling Edvard asked this young man sitting in front of him, he clearly saw, how shaken by the price of the ship he was, but it was the best offer they have checked. With a quick glance into the clock he was that, he was taking more than usual time, to deal with a client, but he didnt care, not now, when the client reminded him so much of his own son, who left to search for adventure just a few years back too.

Stolen story; please report.

--Yes, it will do. But I fear I dont have enough to offer in exchange for it... - was Ethan's sad reply.

--No worries my boy, we will figure something out.

Edvard began to look at the file of Ethan - the boy finished basic school with excellent grades, then took pilot/mechanic profession training up to intermediate level, also with excellent grades. Looking further into the file, Edvard found no genetic diseases in the boys genome, she had a green light for body part selling if he agreed to that. Next was the boys possessions, inheritances and such – he had none, except for the small sum, he gained as a gift from the empire, for being one of the top students.

This was quite a hard case to solve.

--Okay, so I have a few options for you, to get money for the ship... first you can sell a copy of your knowledge, from school and other studies. Is that okay?

--Yes, how much would I get for them?. -Now curious Ethan asked.

--for a single copy no less than four thousand, and with your health you can make maybe up to eight, maybe nine copies I think, so that makes 32-36 thousand. So, you would still need about 70 thousand... And the next offer I can give you is your body part selling... unless you are willing to postpone your journey for a few years, maybe a decade and get some work, here on station.

--No. I am willing to sell my body parts, how many of them are we talking about?. - answering with determination Ethan said.

--Well, for that ship you will need some implants, since the newer neuro-link interface is too expansive... let's say you can sell your hair buds from your head, thats quite a popular thing to sell, next since you will need implants In your skull you can sell a part of it, that will also leave you with the ability to more easily install implants and other thing you might want to get in the future, then selling some of your skin, maybe about five feet... with these it would come to about 20 more thousands into your budget.

Ethan was sitting silently, listening to the broker... he will have, to sacrifice a lot to get this ship.

--Next I think you can sell your limbs... I'm thinking about both arms, sine they have to be replaced to install the cybernetic prosthesis that is the part of the ships control system, both of them will make you about fifteen thousand more chits, so we still need 35 more... Next on our list would be one of your kidneys, that would make you 7.5 thousand more, then next maybe one of your lungs or a leg, I can also offer you to sell one of your eyes or both of them, your choice of course... I think that would make more, than enough for the ship, with a little left to spare for its upgrades. Now, what do you say Ethan?

--I accept, for the eyes, I think both of them and my left leg too...

--Oh, very good! That will leave you with even more chits to spend, I estimate all the sum to be about 120 thousand.. and dont vory boy! When you earn some chits in your exploring you can buy some bodyparts yourself haha. Now then, I will make the usual contract, within a week you have to get to the frontier station “Great Forest”, there is your ship, also there will be all the operations done to you, you of course will get basic prosthetic parts installed, and will be free to go on your way.

Finishing all the formalities Ethan was now free to go, to enjoy his last days as a human, before he became a cyborg.

=== Empire of Man, frontier station – Great Forest.=== Time : Two days after leaving home. ===

=== Ethan POW===

Ethan was now sitting at the doctors office, waiting for his turn to get on the table. He cleched his arms, felt his hair, his leg, looked into the mirror to see his eyes... Maybe for the last time, but he swore to himself, that one day... he will get them back, maybe not the same ones, not the original ones but he will get them back.

Steeling himself for what was about to come, he thought about his future, his ship will be coming into the station after an hour or too – the Broker organized a free of charge delivery service for him. There will be a ton of work for him to do, once he will get to his ship.

Doors into the operating room opened, and a man left... Ethan saw, how he entered being a human and now, he saw how the man left as a cyborg, his arms and shoulders replaced... He looked cool though, even if these prosthesis he was equipped currently were cheap basic ones.

A small man, with much more advanced medical prosthesis followed him out and turned to Ethan later.

--Well young man, I am doctor Cho – your surgeon. Come inside please, we have a lot of work to do.

And Ethan followed - “Everything has a price” were his thoughts as we was sedated for the operation.

=== Empire of Man, frontier station – Great Forest.=== Time : Just after operation. ===

=== Ethan POW===

It was done, he lost a lot... But he gained just as much – he finally was independent free to forge his own path. Doctor Cho lead him into a room, full of mirrors - to see his new self.

Now, in the mirror stood a Cyborg 1.76 tall, with partly replaced skull, cybernetic eyes – basic of course, cybernetic arms and a leg, without one kidney... he no longer was handsome, no... Now he looked more fierce or mature one would say... his black prosthetic limbs just sharpened the contrast, and his now gray glowing cybernetic eyes truly added to that.

--I believe you will find your way out, when yo are ready young man yes?. - Cho asked.

--Yes sir, I will. Actually im leaving right now, got to attend some business.

--Well then good luck yo you Ethan, Fly safe.

--You too doctor.

As he left, he began to use his newly acquired augmentations functions... You know, not everything is bad for being a cyborg – for example – he now could access the station map easily, by downloading it into his integrated memory and there just setting a point where he wants to go – by doing that his eyes would automatically highlight him a way to the place. He also now could monitor his body easily, as the information was all displayed in his integrated HUD. He will be able to upgrade it later, for now, he decided to go see the ship for the first time.

He set his way point as the docks, and a path leading there was highlighted, with the help of this new abilities he got there pretty quickly merely in five minutes. He arrived there, just as his ship was docking, and the delivery pilot exited it.

Ethan quickly approached the delivery man, this would save him quite some time – if he had missed the man, he would have to go to the stations administration center to sign all the documents needed for finishing the ships ownership transfer. The man was about to lock the ship, when Ethan finally reached him.

--Wait! Dont lock the ship, im Ethan the new owner.

The man turned around, he too was augmented, but not with basics.. Ethan clearly saw, the guys augments were far better than his, so was the man dressed better too.

--Mister Ethan?. - The man quickly checked the datapad, he was holding. - Ah, good – this will save us both quite some time. Shall we proceed with the transfer?

--Yes please. Lets get this done quickly, I can wait to check the ship.

The courier only smirked at Ethans words, and extended him the datapad.

--Very well then, beam your verification codes into the IR sensor of the datapad, and it will authorize you to download the ownership documents.

Ethan did as he was told - beamed the code – that was now his new hand print so to say after the amputations, and gained access to the ownership documents.

--Good, so good luck and enjoy your purchase!

The courier quickly left, but Ethan didnt care, he now looked and admired his new ship.

Thirty seven meters long, twelve high his ship was a Frigate of the C3 class. A multipurpose one at that, meaning it could be upgraded almost freely if only you had the chits to. It was painted green, as washed just recently, Ethan decided since he couldnt see any space dust on it.

Waiting no longer he opened the pressure doors, by beaming an access code into the console, near the door. Once inside he looked around before closing the door. Inside the ship too was clearly seen to be cleaned just recently probably before delivery. Ethan tried to access the ships local network, but it was offline, so he slowly – enjoying himself took a walk around the ship. He looked at the engine room, where the power core was installed, together with the warp drives and the sub-jump engine. He checked everything else, living quarters, med-bay, the ore holds and the cargo holds, the the emergency life pods... Everythin was in good condition, as old as himself, but in good condition. With a little investment the ship will be damn good.

When he entered the command center, Ethan activated the systems and ran full diagnostic looking for any missing parts, or crashed systems. It would take awhile, until the diagnostics will be complete, so he called up a holo-screen, sat down in the commanders chair and began to check, what he wants to upgrade with his current funds. And his funds werent large, barely enough for one or two system upgrades. Still he couldnt do them until the diagnostics were over.

Hawing nothing better to do, than to wait Ethan looked at the old logs of the ship. What he found there didnt really surprise him, the ship really was just as old as him, it belonged to some man named Drayden, or whatever his name was. The poor fucker was caught just after buying the ship, apparently he wanted to use the ship for smuggling, but was caught by the patrols on his very first run, because he didnt have the chits to install the stealth systems – the cargo that he was delivering was illegal boosters and some illegal ammunition. The ship was cofiscated, its previous captain locked away behind the cold cell doors for long years, with his money and life gone. What a poor man... But this all now explained why the ship was almost new.

As he finished reeding the logs, he saw a pop up message informing him of the finished diagnostics, he checked all the data. Everything was good and well, for his first first upgrades Ethan chose to install new mining lasers, he spent on them 5thousand chits and then three more on an upgrade to the ships power core – increasing its recharging rate. His order was sent to the station administration and they replied, that the parts he requested will be delivered withing two hours.

Pleased with this quick delivery time he began to look around the ships systems... so to say getting familiar with them, since he trained to fly and control at least ten year newer ships, so some of the ships programs needed a big update, but all that will be solved after a few mining runs, or at least he had hoped so. While checking them one by one, setting his own settings he found one, quite large program deactivated. Curious he looked it up in the ships documentation, but there was nothing there.

His curiosity got better of him, and he activated the program. As he did so, all the light s went out and all the ships computer began to reboot. A bit frustrated, Ethan began to look around... Could he have crashed his ships systems? Could that program be some kind of a virus or something? Sweating a little he waited, for the systems to boot.

Slowly the systems boot up, nothing looked out of place, and relief washed over Ethan, looks like it wasnt anything bad...

--Please identify yourself, or you will be terminated withing ten seconds. - a female voice resounded in the command center.

Ethan just looked around, looking for the person joking like that. But he saw no one.

--Who are you? Where are you! Show yourself! I Bought this ship legally trough a broker!

--I am this ships AI, I am the ship. If you bought me, deliver the owners code. You have three seconds remaining.

A small needle gun revealed itself from the wall and aimed at Ethan.

He quickly sent the code over and waited to see, what happened next.

--Verifying. Verification complete, the code is real – you are the owner of the ship. Would you like not to be shot?

–...

--That was a joke owner.

--Not the best one... Call me Ethan.

--Understood owner Ethan.

--Not so formally maybe? Just Ethan is fine.

--Very well Ethan, any orders?

--Can you install upgrades to the ship yourself? There will be parts delivered within two hours time to the cargo hold.

--I can, using the maintenance bots. Should I inform you when it's done?

--Yes please, how do I call you? How did your last owner call you?

--Call me however you want Ethan, the last owner had disabled me, because of my advice not to carry illegal cargo.

--I see, how would Thalia sound to you?

--Good Ethan, will you be calling me like that from now on?

--Yes. Well then im off to sleep a bit. Check your systems, install the upgrades when they will arrive and try to calculate our efficiency as a mining ship for now.

--Understood, have a good rest Ethan, I probably wont forget to enable the air recycling system in your cabin.

–...

--That was a joke.

--Try to look for some new jokes online, will you?

--Understood.

--Im off then.

Ethan vent into his cabin, actually all of them were now his, he chose not the biggest one, but the one conveniently positioned near the command center. After a good shower, and a few bland protein bars, he went to bed... the sweet sleep was finally waiting for him.

///AN///

if you have a better suggestion to name the chapter, post it in the comments, or just pm me. Appreciate the suggestions.