When Levi heard his friend's word, his eyes narrowed. ''What is it?''
Bennet looked around anxiously. ''If things take a turn for the worse, get Nova off planet. There have been ten murders in the last seventy-two hours. It's alarming. Only two have occurred since the colony was founded.''
Levi's voice became serious. ''Is the church stirring up trouble again like on that one space station?'' he asked.
His friend's face darkened. ''Ever since they discovered the Monolith, their leaders have been pushing to replace soldiers with brainwashed church dogs that infect the army.''
''Interesting, I'll be cautious,'' he replied, recalling something he needed to ask. ''Do you know where I can find Nova? It's been years since I last saw her.''
The young man laughed, taking out a card and handing it to him. ''This is her address. She lives in Hab Block A, Elysium Heights. It's on the other side of the colony, which is secluded. You'll have to get the rail there, but you're lucky; the weapon store is on the way.''
Levi thanked his friend as they entered the colony. Bennett turned around and told him that the two of them would catch up when things calmed down. After saying their farewells, he approached the booth, where a woman spoke professionally. ''I'm Maria. How can I help you, Nomad? Do you have a mission here?''
''Yes. I'm here to pick up a few Orion Biotech employees and shuttle them to Sol,'' he replied, handing over his Dataslab.
Maria took the slab just as shouting erupted behind him. Levi turned to see three individuals in all-white and a creepy eye symbol on their chests, arguing with a group of miners. The scene drew his attention, but she continued while processing his information. ''Tensions have been escalating between the Eternalists and colony workers ever since the Monolith was discovered.''
Levi nodded, asking out of curiosity. ''Has the church claimed it yet? Knowing Sol Gov, they're likely to fight against it.''
''Yes, you're right,'' Maria replied, clicking a few buttons. ''Just be cautious in the colony; the Deacons despise your kind and won't have a problem creating trouble for you.''
''Thank you,'' he replied, stepping into the colony.
She smiled, letting him through. ''Welcome to Lost Horizon.''
Levi watched the large metal door open, revealing a road leading to the rail station that would take him to Elysium Heights. He noticed the streets were wide enough for a Hover Car to glide through. People were heading to their shifts. Nearby, a health clinic hummed, the medical staff rushing about, and a General Store stood quietly on the corner.
The atmosphere crackled with tension as if things would erupt at any second. 'It feels like things are going to explode,' he mused, glancing around.
SDL soldiers patrolled the streets as a procession of Eternalists stood on a nearby corner, screaming out about eternal life and other crazy stuff that he ignored. Levi felt the heavy anxiety in the air, thickened by the fanatics' suspicious glances toward everyone in their huddles in groups.
Each wary gaze heightened the sense of unease he was feeling. He tapped his ear. ''Lumi. Can you show me a map of the colony, please?''
A soft ping echoed, signaling that she had successfully downloaded the information to his HUD. With a quick tap on his wrist, a holographic map of Lost Horizon flickered to life as his helmet snapped over his head. Levi studied the display; it became clear that following this road would lead him straight to the station.
''Where's Star Forge?'' he muttered, searching the map, and soon found it.
He discovered it wasn't far from his location and set off in that direction. Lumi's concerned voice echoed in his ear. ''Master, should I initiate a lockdown on Astralis? Scavs are scouting the ship.''
''Do it,'' Levi replied, his tone firm. ''Make sure the Aegis Hawks are activated and have fresh Plasma Cores loaded.''
His suit confirmed the ship's status, ensuring it was secure. He had paid a lot of credits for the Aegis Hawk Defence Drones, making sure his vessel was well protected from intruders. Equipped with Plasma Blasters, the drones were specifically designed to eliminate threats before they could reach the ship.
Following that, Levi turned and made his way toward the weapon store. Lumi's voice reverberated. ''I've deployed the Silent Watcher. Something feels off; it will alert me to unusual behavior.''
A sense of unease washed over him, and he frowned. ''Keep me updated on any developments and send out the Shadow Stalkers; we need to gather resources before things go to shit here,'' he said, quickening his pace.
'Lucky I stole those drones; they have saved me more than once,' he thought, recalling the close calls he'd faced.
Following that, Levi continued walking down Main Street and passed by dozens of stores. Most were closed, several had security stationed outside, causing him to approach the one he needed. The guard stopped him, asking cautiously, ''What brings you to Star Forge Nomad?''
''I need new weapons. All the stores on the last planet were closed because of a terrorist attack, and my friend Bennett in the SDL pointed me in this direction,'' he replied to the suspicious man.
The stranger studied him for a few seconds before nodding as he moved aside, letting him enter the store. Walking inside, Levi found it well-decorated, with several shelves holding various weapons and fusion packs, which caught his attention. He approached the counter where an older man was nervously sitting.
The shopkeeper looked up, greeting him with a welcoming smile. ''Hello, young man. I'm the owner, Sirius August. How can I help you today?''
''I need a new rifle and blasters,'' Levi replied, placing his worn weapons on the counter. ''Mine are worn out after having them for years.''
Sirius raised an eyebrow, a smile appearing on his weathered face. ''For the rifle, I have the perfect one for you. Give me a second, young man.''
He watched as the man reached into the case, pulling out a carbine he didn't recognize. Its sleek, black surface reflected the shop's lights. The weapon's aerodynamic design, with smooth curves, hinted at its power and perfect design. 'Perfect, I can't wait to try it out when the time comes,' he mused.
''This is the X-9 Pulse Carbine,'' Sirius explained, holding it out for him to take. ''It's lightweight, packs a serious punch. Pulse technology ensures you have rapid-fire capabilities without sacrificing accuracy. Perfect for all scenarios.''
Levi's eyes widened as he examined the weapon, taking it. The grip felt comfortable in his hands, and the matte finish gave it a tactical look that suited his style while thinking. 'This is perfect for Bounty Hunting or fighting against bandits.'
''It has a customizable firing mode,'' Sirius continued. ''You can switch between a standard shot and a charged one when you need extra stopping power. And comes equipped with an advanced targeting system.''
Levi ran his fingers along the sleek body of the carbine, feeling its potential power. ''How much?'' he asked, his voice steady despite the excitement.
''For you? A fair price of twenty thousand credits,'' Sirus replied, a hint of a smile on his lips. ''I can assure you, it's worth the cost, it's durable and needs minimal upkeep.''
Upon hearing the price, Levi couldn't help but grin. He quickly pulled out his Dataslab, and Sirus swiped it to transfer the credits. Once that was complete, the older man handed him the weapon and retrieved another box alongside a belt. ''Here you go, fifty fusion packs and storage for them,'' he said, pushing the box toward him. ''I feel you'll need them with how the colony is going.''
''Thank you,'' Levi responded, as he quickly fastened the pack belt to his armor.
He carefully stored the ammunition, feeling satisfied at having enough. Following that, Sirius took out two more weapons while speaking with a twinkle in his old eyes, ''These are some of my favorites,'' he said, holding them up for him to see.
The blasters were glossy black, and their grips were designed for quick draws. ''They're lightweight and have a rapid-fire capability, perfect for when you need to lay down cover fire or deal with multiple threats at once.''
Sirus showcased its features. He flicked a switch on one, and a soft hum filled the air as the blaster powered up. Levi's eyes widened; he knew they would be perfect replacements for his old ones. ''How much for the pair?''
''Eight thousand each, also swap in your older ones,'' the old man replied with a cheeky smile. ''These were created by my daughter before she left for the Sol a few months ago.''
Levi slipped the blasters into their holsters and they fit perfectly. He grabbed his Dataslab, prompting a smile from the shopkeeper as he paid for the blasters. ''Thank you for shopping at Star Forge. Is there anything else I can assist you with, young Nomad?''