Planetfall On Kessara Prime
Sitting in the cockpit of the Valkyrie, Lucas stared at the star map projected on the ship's interface. A swirling mix of planets, moons, asteroid belts, and space stations stretched before him, each destination marked with detailed descriptions.
His gaze settled on one name glowing faintly in the system: Kessara Prime.
"Alright, let's think this through," he muttered to himself, drumming his fingers on the armrest.
Kessara Prime was notorious in the game's lore. The planet was a desert world, littered with ruined cities and overrun by lawless factions. Pirates, mercenaries, and smugglers were known to use it as a haven, setting up black-market outposts and makeshift settlements. It wasn't exactly a safe place, but it was the closest option within his current fuel range.
"Do I really want to risk it?" Lucas sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sure, it's not like there's an intergalactic Hilton nearby."
He leaned back in his chair, weighing his options. Staying in orbit wasn't ideal—he had limited supplies, and the Valkyrie wasn't equipped for indefinite living. But descending to Kessara Prime carried its own risks.
"I've seen what happens on that planet," Lucas muttered. "Random encounters with pirates, ambushes in the sand, hidden land mines…yeah, no thanks."
He pulled up the ship's planetary scan, reading the data:
• Planet Name: Kessara Prime
• Terrain: Arid deserts, rocky canyons, and sparse vegetation
• Population: Estimated 5,000 (unregistered)
• Danger Level: High
• Known Factions: Corsair Syndicate, Black Dune Marauders, Independent Traders
• Stationary Zones: Outpost Xerxes (Neutral Hub)
Lucas frowned at the last entry. Outpost Xerxes was marked as a neutral zone in the game, a place where combat was forbidden and traders could gather to exchange goods. While it wasn't guaranteed to be safe, it was probably his best bet for finding shelter and supplies.
"Well," he said with a shrug, "it's either that or starve to death in orbit."
As the Valkyrie broke through Kessara Prime's atmosphere, the ship trembled under the strain. The planet's harsh winds whipped against the hull, and the desert below stretched endlessly in every direction.
Lucas gripped the controls, keeping the ship steady as he scanned for a landing zone near Outpost Xerxes. The console beeped, and a map of the area appeared, highlighting a flat stretch of land a few kilometers from the outpost.
"Alright, here we go," he said, guiding the Valkyrie toward the coordinates.
The ship touched down with a soft thud, kicking up a cloud of dust and sand. Lucas powered down the engines, the hum fading into silence as he unstrapped himself from the pilot's seat.
Standing in the ship's airlock, Lucas hesitated. He adjusted the strap on his holstered plasma pistol, his fingers brushing against the weapon's grip.
"Let's hope I don't need this," he muttered.
...
The airlock hissed open, and Lucas stepped out onto the planet's surface. The heat was the first thing he noticed—a dry, oppressive wave that made him instantly regret leaving the ship. The second thing was the sheer emptiness of the landscape.
In the distance, he could make out the faint outlines of Outpost Xerxes, its metal spires glinting in the sunlight.
As he made his way toward the outpost, Lucas couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. The desert was eerily quiet, save for the occasional gust of wind.
Reaching the gates of Xerxes, he was greeted by a pair of guards—grizzled men in mismatched armor, armed with crude blasters. They gave him a once-over before stepping aside to let him pass.
The outpost itself was a chaotic mix of ramshackle buildings and tents, with traders shouting over each other to hawk their wares. The air was thick with the smell of oil, sweat, and something vaguely metallic.
Lucas kept his head down, moving through the crowd as inconspicuously as possible. He spotted a cantina near the center of the outpost and decided it was as good a place as any to gather his thoughts.
…..
Inside, the cantina was dimly lit, the air filled with the hum of conversation and the clink of glasses. Lucas found an empty booth in the corner and slid into the seat, his back to the wall.
As he sat there, a familiar blue window appeared in his peripheral vision, startling him.
[ALERT: NEW LOCATION DISCOVERED]
Outpost Xerxes:
• Status: Neutral Zone
• Trading Opportunities: Available
• Threat Level: Moderate
[MISSION LOG UPDATE]
• Rest and Resupply at Outpost Xerxes
• Remain Vigilant for Hostile Activity
Lucas dismissed the notification with a wave of his hand. He still wasn't entirely used to the system interface popping up like that, but it was reassuring to know it was working as it should.
A waitress approached, her expression bored as she set a drink on the table.
"First time here?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Lucas replied, his voice casual. "Just passing through."
"Word of advice," she said, leaning in slightly. "Keep your head down and your blaster ready. This place might be neutral, but that doesn't mean it's safe."
Lucas nodded, watching as she walked away. He took a sip of the drink—it was bitter and tasted faintly of metal, but it was better than nothing.
As he sat there, he couldn't help but wonder what his next move should be. For now, he had shelter and a chance to rest, but the dangers of Kessara Prime—and the universe beyond—were still very real.
"Alright," Lucas muttered to himself. "Let's see if there's anything of use here."