Primordial Expanse: I have the Strongest Talent!

The bustling bar, nestled in one of the many asteroid cities that edged the Federation's outer territories, felt like a world all its own.

The metallic walls were covered with various memorabilia from all corners of the galaxy, trophies from battles, keepsakes from lost ships, and stolen artifacts proudly on display.

A motley crowd filled the tavern, some nursing drinks in silence, others gambling or debating, and nearly everyone casting suspicious glances around the room.

Despite the raucous sounds of laughter and loud arguments, a palpable tension seemed to weave through the place tonight, much stronger than usual.

Two shadowy figures exchanged nervous glances at a corner table, lowering their voices.

"Did you hear?" one of them whispered, keeping his voice low as he leaned in close.

"The Roko brothers are gone. Wiped out." Your next read is at empire

The other figure, a towering creature with sleek, chitinous armour, narrowed his eyes sceptically.

"Just a rumour. The Roko brothers had defences. Systems built to withstand attacks from Federation ships themselves."

The first figure shook his head, glancing around nervously before responding.

"Doesn't matter. There's not a trace left. No bodies, no black box, just scraps. If that's not enough to shake you, maybe this will — rumour has it it was done by a single ship. An… 'unofficial' Federation ship, if you catch my drift."

A murmur passed between nearby tables as eavesdroppers picked up on the conversation, and it wasn't long before whispers of "the traitor" and "Alex" echoed across the room.

At one table, a silver-skinned alien scoffed at the mention, banging his fist on the table and catching everyone's attention.

One might wonder why there would be aliens mixed in with these pirates, but it was actually the case that many of these alien pirates sensed the opportunity from the Federation's unrest and their focus on the war against the Red Demons and decided to join in on the action.

"Are you lot seriously afraid of one Federation castoff?"

He snarled, his voice laced with contempt.

"The man's just another criminal, no different than the rest of us. Only difference is, he's made a lot more enemies than friends, and he's a damn fool if he thinks he'll last out here."

Nearby, a cloaked figure sat alone, a visor concealing his face but his body language betraying that he was listening intently.

As more speculation spread about Alex, the cloaked figure leaned forward, the hum of a recording device quietly activating within his helmet.

"What's he supposed to be, a saint?"

A gravelly voice muttered from the back, cynicism dripping from his words.

"Since when does takin' out some criminals make you a hero? And since when does defying the Overseers make you a leader?"

The silver-skinned alien leaned back, taking a slow sip of his drink, the liquid glowing as it slid down his throat.

He grinned, eyeing the crowd around him.

"Well, heroes or traitors, it doesn't much matter. Someone out there has decided Alex needs to be put down, and they've placed a nice, fat bounty on his head. Half the galaxy'll be chasing him now."

One of the younger patrons, a fresh-faced mercenary with starry-eyed awe, leaned forward, clearly spellbound by the conversation.

"But didn't Alex have a point? I mean… the Overseers. They've held power far above our pitiful human race for so long, and nobody really knows what they're after. Maybe he just… wanted to be free of them."

A rumbling laugh spread through the crowd, the scarred patrons shaking their heads and snickering at the mercenary's naivety.

The chitinous alien spoke up again, addressing the mercenary directly.

"Kid, nobody in this galaxy is free. Not even the Overseers. Everyone has someone even higher up to answer to. Alex might talk about freedom, but all it's gotten him is the hatred of the entire Federation. And what's he got to show for it? A death warrant on his head and a galactic manhunt."

The cloaked figure continued recording, catching every sceptical remark and jaded observation.

If Alex was building a reputation, it was one soaked in defiance and wrapped in controversy. Some admired his resolve, but many more seemed indifferent or downright hostile.

They saw him as a lost cause, a fool challenging powers that could squash him like a bug.

The figure lowered his visor, cutting off the recording feed with a quiet chuckle.

"He'll be easy pickings if he keeps this up." He murmured to himself before blending into the shadows and slipping out of the tavern, already formulating a plan.

***

Elsewhere, light years from the chaotic noise of the pirate's den, Alex and Mira were surrounded by a serene, almost eerie silence as they travelled through the vastness of deep space.

They sat in the cockpit of Alex's sleek, Federation-crafted vessel, the stars streaking past them in silent streaks of white and blue as they drifted through warp.

Alex leaned back, crossing his arms as he brooded in his seat, staring at the console but seemingly lost in thought.

Mira glanced over, her gaze sharp but filled with quiet understanding. She had known Alex long enough to recognize the feelings he was carrying, the unspoken regrets and the frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior.

The recent ambush by the so-called "Federation Council's" hunters had only deepened his introspection.

"Does it bother you?"

She asked quietly, breaking the silence.

"Knowing that even some of our own people see you as… well, the enemy?"

Alex glanced at her, his jaw clenched.

"I'd be lying if I said it didn't. The Federation was my home once. I fought for them, gave everything to uphold their ideals. And now… now they've made me into some kind of monster in the eyes of our own people."

Mira leaned back, crossing her arms thoughtfully.

"They needed someone to blame. The Overseers are untouchable, unreachable. But you? You're the closest thing to an Overseer they've ever had a chance of challenging."

Alex scoffed, though there was no humour in it.

"Ironic, isn't it? The Overseers promised to end the war if I did as they wanted. To hand over control of my power, my freedom, to them. But I couldn't —"

He stopped himself, his voice tense.

"And now, because of that choice, our people are tearing each other apart."

Mira shook her head, her voice firm.

"But that's not your fault, Alex. Anyone who knows what the Overseers demanded of you would understand why you couldn't just give in. They would've taken your freedom, your agency, turned you into a pawn. And the rest of the galaxy? They'd still be fighting their wars, one way or another. You don't owe them your life for a promise they may not have even kept."

Alex considered her words in silence, the weight of his choice pressing down on him. He knew Mira was right, but the guilt lingered, a nagging voice in the back of his mind.

After a long moment, he sighed, pushing himself to his feet.

"Enough of this," he said, forcing a determined look into his eyes. "The Overseers aren't going to stop hunting me, and the Federation Council is doing its best to paint me as the villain. But that doesn't mean I'm giving up. There's too much at stake to back down now."

Mira nodded, her face set with determination.

"Then we'll fight them both if we have to. The pirates, the Council, the Overseers — if they think they can take us, they're sorely mistaken."

A wry smile tugged at the corners of Alex's mouth as he looked at Mira. "I think it's a bit early to speak of such lofty goals… We should stick to winning the war against the Red Demons for now."

Mira chuckled, punching him lightly in the arm. "Someone has to keep you grounded. Can't have you turning into one of those moody, brooding anti-heroes."

Their moment of peace was cut short as the console lit up, alerting them to an incoming transmission.

The screen flickered before displaying a priority message, the Federation's insignia emblazoned across it.

Alex stiffened, his gaze darkening as he read the message.

It was a notice, a proclamation from the newly formed "Federation Council," officially declaring him an outlaw and promising significant rewards to anyone who brought him to justice.

They even listed a contact for those interested in "joining the righteous cause to bring down the traitor Alex."

Mira's expression turned to one of disgust.

"Unbelievable. They're turning the whole galaxy against you."

"Let them try." Alex's voice was cold, resolute. "They can send every mercenary, every pirate, every bounty hunter. I'll face them all."

"But haven't you wondered why the S tiers haven't done something about this Federation council yet…?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Mira asked.

"I think we both know the answer to that."

Alex's response was short, but it was all that needed to be said.

For the S tiers to not be able to do anything about this Federation Council, for now at least, it was almost certain that one, or perhaps even more, S tiers were backing up this new government…

The idea left Alex and Mira with chills.

It essentially meant they had become enemies with one or more powerful S tiers…

Their desire to increase their power only deepened.

As they exited warp, they found themselves staring out into the vastness of the nearest star system, one marked with multiple distress signals and Federation red alerts.

The holographic display in the cockpit showed numerous planets in this sector under siege by raiders and pirates, their territories fragmented and overtaken by the chaos that had erupted in the wake of the Federation's disarray.