By Gergmaster


For years the space beyond the fringes of known space has been a place of intrigue. This was why the cargo ship Omega had made regular trips to undocumented colonies. It was a location where very few actually decided to venture. Those who ventured into this region had been aware of the dangers of possible Sathar attacks, pirate attacks, and so on. But, the money made on these colonies out-weighed most of the risks.

"Captain we have made contact with the station above Belatu-Cadros and awaiting for their go ahead" replied Omega's communications officer.

The captain looked down at the 3D map of the system Belatu-Cadros. It was a place where they were able to do business and made good money at it. This was the regular spot for selling settlers weapons to ward off the native inhabitants and the occasional Sathar war party that came into the system. The main planet was Belatu-Cadros. Belatu-Cadros was first inhabited by UPF nationals hoping to become a power colony of the UPF. But, long after the first two Sathar wars the Belatu-Cadros people lost hope in becoming a new colony of the UPF. This gave them new incentive to gear towards their own government.

It was said that Belatu-Cadros and half a dozen other colonies decided to create their own patch of space. Now, the newly formed government took the same moral principles from the UPF, also used the UPF cedit to invite UPF businessman, and keep a loose but effective defense of the worlds under their power. But, the only thing that bothered the captain was that there hadn't been a great communication with the private government. In the last few months had carried rumors of rebellious movements working on the developed world Belatu-Cadros. After months of little or no communication these rumors turned out to be true.

The local government was saying they had won a brunt of the battles that had taken place on Belatu-Cadros and a half dozen other worlds in the Belatu-Cadros system. Such a rebellion required weapons and buying weapons required large amounts of money involved. This was what the government that controlled Belatu-Cadros wanted from the captain's next shipment. So, the captain of the cargo ship Omega decided to load almost his entire ship full of weapons, and the munitions required for such weapons. It was going to be a score he hadn't ever landed in any of the other system near or around the Fringes of UPF space.

"Captain we have received a communication from Belatu-Cadros. The trade station Belatu-Cadros Pride has granted us landing at airlock in section 778A." reported the Omega's communications officer.

"Alright have the engineer drop us out of sub-space 1 AU from Belatu-Cadros. Have him continue the engines at 3% of light-speed until we need to break." commanded the captain turning off the 3D map of Belatu-Cadros.

***

Belatu-Cadros

Trade Station: Belatu-Cadros Pride

Geo Sync Orbit

1100 hours local BCST

The trade station lay in non-decaying orbit around the planet of Belatu-Cadros. For the last few months the rebellions had tried to capture the trade station for the money that was made from this station. But, federation soldiers kept the station in check from being taken over by the hundreds of attacks that happened each month after the cease-fires were up. Now, the third cease-fire in a month had been just declared. Both warring sides decided that they needed time to move troops, gather wounded, and ready for the next phase of the fighting. To the commander of the trade station it was ridiculous. Fighting a war that didn't have any kind of purpose, and it was a total waste of well-earned credits.

A nervous, female, human technician came into the trade station commander's room: "Sir...ummm the Federation soldiers are here. They have a visitor."

The yazarian trade station commander rolled his eyes and buttoned his uniform. "Okay let them in, but tell them there are to be no weapons inside my quarters."

"Yes commander" replied the nervous technician as she left the commander's room.

Within a few moments there were four Federation soldiers and a tall strange looking man with them. This stranger did not seem human or any other race he had ever seen before. But, before the yazarian could talk the tall stranger began to speak: "Commander as you know there is currently a war being fought against the Anti-Federation Rebels. But, that is not my concern. My concern is that you have invited outsiders to the Federation's conflict." the stranger paused. "That is a crime that is punishable by death and it is my job to do such a task. Good-bye commander."

The tall stranger pointed his fist at the commander. For a second the yazarian commander laughed. But, before he could finish a reddish-yellow beam came out of the stranger's fist causing the yazarian commander's head to explode. Bits and pieces of the commander's head splattered all across the cabin. The soldiers next to the stranger flinched at the sight as the stranger began to make his way to the commander's computer.