Orion Zystro's Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Orion Zystro pressed their blue hands against the cold metal wall of the cargo bay. The pirate ship hummed beneath their feet. They needed the captain to trust them. Trust meant access. Access meant the restricted intel files hidden deep in the ship's mainframe. Orion had spent three rotations on Nereidum's moon ports, searching for this crew. Now they just had to prove their worth without blowing their cover. The bay doors opened with a hiss. Outside, crates of supplies waited on the dock. A sleek cargo claw stood ready, its metallic arms gleaming under the port lights. Orion stepped forward and grabbed the controls. The machine responded smoothly. They guided the articulated arms toward the first heavy container. The claw gripped it firmly and lifted it into the ship. Another crew member watched from the doorway. Orion moved faster, loading crate after crate. Sweat would have dripped down a human's face, but their blue skin stayed dry. The work was hard, but it was working. The crew member nodded and walked away. Orion allowed themselves a small moment of satisfaction. One step closer to the captain. One step closer to the files they needed. The shift ended at dusk. Orion followed the crew through the port district toward the Galactic Center. The tavern rose ahead, titanium and copper panels catching the last light. Inside, voices mixed with the clink of glasses. Pirates from a dozen ships filled the tables. Orion spotted the captain in the back corner, surrounded by her officers. This was where business happened. This was where trust was earned or lost. Orion walked to the bar and ordered a drink. They would wait. They would watch. And when the moment came, they would make their move. A crowd gathered in the square outside the tavern. Orion pushed through to see what drew everyone's attention. A small copper cone sat on a crate in the center. Purple light burst from it, forming a humanoid figure in fighting stance. The holographic sparring partner shifted and threw a punch at the air. Two pirates stepped forward to test their skills against it. They dodged and struck, but the hologram moved faster. The crowd cheered and laughed. Orion saw their chance. They stepped into the circle and faced the shimmering figure. The hologram attacked. Orion blocked and countered with precision. Their movements were sharp and controlled. The crowd went quiet. Even the captain emerged from the tavern to watch. Orion finished with a swift kick that passed through the hologram's chest. The projection flickered and reset. The captain smiled and gestured for Orion to follow her back inside.