The Nexus Awakens: The Nexus, #1

The Nexus Awakens

BY NINON LONTSI

COPYRIGHT © 2024 BY THE ESTATE OF NINON LONTSI

Dedication

To the visionaries who dared to gaze beyond the stars, whose creativity forged worlds yet unseen, and whose collaboration breathed life into every photon and quasar of this expansive universe. This series is dedicated to the scientists, artists, editors, and supporters whose boundless enthusiasm and tireless efforts propelled us light-years beyond the imaginable. Your contributions have woven together a tapestry of wonders, where imagination dances with the laws of physics.

To My Mum V.T,

To L  

To The Past, Present, future

They won't,

Jarek

Table of contents

Chapter 1: Zylox Shadows 

Chapter 2: Whispers of the Past 

Chapter 3: The Oracle's Vision 

Chapter 4: The Defector 

Chapter 5: Acheron's Embrace 

Chapter 6: The Trap 

Chapter 7: Vorek's Revelation 

Chapter 8: The Betrayal 

Chapter 9: Escape from Acheron 

Chapter 10: The Zylox Uprising 

Chapter 11: The Hidden Refuge 

Chapter 12: The Dominion's Wrath 

Chapter 13: The Sacrifice 

Chapter 14: The Birth of a Symbol 

Chapter 15: The Gathering Storm 

Chapter 1: Zylox Shadows

The Smuggler's Den

The air in Chalmun's Cantina hung thick with the mingled scents of exotic spices, cheap booze, and sweat. A raucous symphony of guttural alien dialects, the clatter of sabacc tiles, and the forlorn crooning of Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes washed over the patrons. But in one dimly lit corner, away from the main hubbub, a different kind of transaction was taking place.

Jarek slouched at a table etched with the initials of countless other ne'er-do-wells who had passed through this establishment. His face, a roadmap of old blaster burns and knife scars, was set in a mask of bored indifference. His cybernetic eye, a dull red orb, scanned the cantina's patrons, cataloging each species and their potential threat level. He didn't trust anyone in this wretched hive, but business was business.

Across the table sat Garindan, a long-snouted Kubaz informant known for his discretion and inflated prices. He fidgeted nervously, his antennae twitching as he glanced around the room. You sure about this, Jarek? The Dominion doesn't take kindly to leaks.

Jarek let out a low chuckle that sounded more like a mechanical rasp. That's why you're getting paid, Garindan. For your discretion, remember?

Garindan's compound eyes narrowed. Discretion only goes so far when you're dealing with stolen Imperial data. If they trace this back to me...

They won't, Jarek interrupted, his tone hard as durasteel. You'll be long gone by then, swimming in credits on some backwater world. Just tell me what you know about Project Omega.

The Kubaz hesitated, his antennae twitching faster. It's...sensitive. High-level Dominion research. They're developing a new weapon, something with the potential to... He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

Jarek leaned forward, the dim light catching the glint of his cybernetic eye. To what, Garindan? Destroy a planet? A star system? Tell me, or the deal's off.

Garindan gulped, his fear momentarily overcoming his greed. I don't know the specifics, he confessed. But the rumors...they say it's a weapon of unprecedented power. A game-changer.

Jarek leaned back, a predatory smile spreading across his scarred face. A game-changer, huh? That's exactly what I'm looking for.

Unbeknownst to them, a pair of bioluminescent eyes watched from the shadows. Anya, a figure shrouded in mystery, sat at a secluded table nursing a glass of luminescent blue liquid. Her gaze remained fixed on Jarek, her senses tingling with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.

Anya had heard whispers of Jarek's reputation as a skilled mercenary, a man who operated on the fringes of the galaxy, taking on jobs that others deemed too dangerous or morally questionable. But there was something about his intensity, his unwavering focus, that drew her in.

She had come to Chalmun's seeking information, a lead on a Dominion outpost rumored to be conducting illicit experiments. But as she listened to Jarek's conversation with Garindan, a new possibility emerged, a path that could lead her closer to her ultimate goal: revenge against the Dominion for the destruction of her homeworld.

As Jarek finalized the deal with Garindan, Anya slipped away unnoticed, her mind racing with a newfound purpose. The whispers of Project Omega had awakened a dormant resolve within her. She would find Jarek again, learn what he knew, and together, they would uncover the truth behind the Dominion's sinister plans.

The first threads of the Nexus were being woven, drawn together by a shared hatred of oppression and a thirst for justice. The galaxy trembled on the brink of change, and Anya, with her bioluminescent eyes and unwavering determination, was ready to embrace her role in the unfolding drama.

●  Scene 2: The Hunter's Prey:

The neon signs sputtered and hissed in the perpetual twilight of Zylox's underbelly, casting a sickly glow on the slick, refuse-strewn alleyways. The air was thick with the miasma of alien body odors, cheap intoxicants, and the underlying tang of industrial runoff. Kael, a towering Trandoshan with sun-baked scales and eyes that burned like molten gold, moved through this urban jungle with the predatory grace of his ancestors.

He was a hunter, born and bred in the dense forests of Trandosha, where the thrill of the chase was as intoxicating as the kill itself. But on Zylox, the prey was not a fleeing herbivore but a cunning predator in its own right: a Dominion agent code-named Wraith.

Kael's nostrils flared, inhaling the pungent aroma of the city's underbelly. But beneath the usual symphony of smells, he detected a faint trace of something else: a musky, metallic scent that he recognized from a previous encounter. Wraith's scent.

A low growl rumbled in Kael's throat as he followed the scent trail, his senses heightened by his reptilian physiology. He moved with the silent agility of a jungle cat, his footsteps barely disturbing the grime-encrusted cobblestones.

The trail led him deeper into the labyrinthine warren of alleyways, past shuttered storefronts and darkened doorways. The only sounds were the occasional scuttling of vermin and the distant echoes of revelry from the more populated areas of the undercity.

Kael rounded a corner and found himself in a dead-end alley. A single door, its paint peeling and metal frame rusted, stood as the only exit. Kael's lips curled into a predatory grin. He knew Wraith was close.

He drew his energy blade, its humming edge casting an eerie glow in the dim light. With a swift, powerful kick, he shattered the door, splinters of wood raining down around him.

The room beyond was a dingy storage area, cluttered with crates and barrels. A lone figure, cloaked in shadow, stood in the center of the room, their back to Kael.

Wraith, Kael hissed, his voice a guttural rasp. Your time has come.

The figure turned slowly, their face obscured by the hood of their cloak. Kael, they replied, their voice a distorted whisper. I've been expecting you.

Kael lunged forward, his energy blade arcing through the air. But Wraith was faster, their movements blurring as they dodged the attack.

The two figures engaged in a deadly dance, their blades clashing and sparking as they fought for dominance. Kael's strength and ferocity were matched by Wraith's agility and cunning.

The fight raged through the cramped storage room, crates splintering and barrels toppling as the two combatants ducked and weaved, their blades locked in a deadly embrace.

Kael landed a glancing blow on Wraith's shoulder, drawing a hiss of pain. But Wraith retaliated with a lightning-fast counterattack, their vibroblade slicing through Kael's scales, leaving a bloody gash on his arm.

The two warriors circled each other, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. Kael could sense Wraith's desperation, the knowledge that their time was running out.

With a final roar, Kael charged forward, his energy blade glowing with an intense heat. He brought the blade down in a powerful overhead strike, aiming for Wraith's heart.

But Wraith was ready. They sidestepped the attack, their vibroblade flashing upward in a desperate attempt to disarm Kael.

The blades met with a deafening screech, sparks showering the room. For a moment, the two warriors were locked in a stalemate, their muscles straining and their eyes blazing with primal fury.

Then, with a final surge of adrenaline, Kael overpowered Wraith, his energy blade slicing through their vibroblade and burying itself deep in their chest.

Wraith's eyes widened in surprise, their body collapsing to the floor with a sickening thud. As they gasped their final breath, their hood fell back, revealing their true face for the first time.

Kael stared down at the fallen figure, a mix of triumph and sorrow warring within him. He had finally avenged his people, but the taste of victory was bitter, tinged with the knowledge that the Dominion's reach extended far beyond this one agent.

The hunt was far from over.

The Oracle's Chamber

The Oracle's chamber was a stark contrast to the grime and chaos of Zylox. It was a sanctuary of tranquility, carved deep into the heart of a dormant volcano. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the only sound was the gentle dripping of water from the stalactites that hung from the ceiling like crystalline teeth.

The Oracle, a spectral being shrouded in shimmering robes, floated in the center of the chamber, their form flickering like a mirage. Their face was hidden beneath a cowl, but their eyes, twin points of pure energy, radiated an otherworldly wisdom.

The chamber was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow, emanating from the myriad of crystals that lined the walls. These crystals were not mere decorations, but conduits of power, channeling the energy of the Force that flowed through the galaxy.

The Oracle had spent decades in this chamber, meditating on the Force and communing with the spirits of the ancient Jedi. They had seen visions of the future, glimpses of the galaxy's destiny, and they knew that a great storm was brewing.

Now, as the Oracle entered a deep trance, their consciousness expanding to encompass the vastness of space and time, they saw a new vision. It was a vision of five individuals, each a beacon of hope in a galaxy consumed by darkness.

Jarek, the battle-hardened mercenary, his body a testament to his resilience and his cybernetic eye a window into his troubled past. Anya, the enigmatic pilot, her bioluminescent eyes reflecting a depth of wisdom that belied her youthful appearance. Kael, the Trandoshan warrior, his rage tempered by a thirst for justice and a longing for redemption. Seraph, the enigmatic android, its synthetic mind a repository of knowledge and its programming evolving towards a greater understanding of sentience. And Wraith, the master of deception, their true allegiances shrouded in shadow and their motives a mystery even to themselves.

The Oracle saw these five individuals, drawn together by fate and united by a common purpose. They were the Nexus, a force for change in a galaxy yearning for freedom.

The vision shifted, revealing a series of events that would shape the destiny of the Nexus. They would face trials and tribulations, betrayals and sacrifices. But through it all, their bond would grow stronger, their resolve unwavering.

The Oracle saw the Nexus rising from the ashes of the old order, their light shining brighter than ever before. They would become a symbol of hope for the oppressed, a beacon of defiance against the tyranny of the Dominion.

The vision faded, leaving the Oracle breathless and exhilarated. They had seen the future, and it was filled with both darkness and light. The path ahead was perilous, but the Nexus was destined to walk it.

The Oracle opened their eyes, the ethereal glow in the chamber dimming as they returned to the present moment. They rose from their meditative pose, their robes swirling around them as they moved towards a hidden alcove.

Within the alcove, a small device rested on a pedestal. It was a holo-communicator, its sleek design a testament to its advanced technology. The Oracle activated the device, their fingers dancing across its controls as they composed a cryptic message.

The message was addressed to five individuals, each with a unique skill set and a shared hatred of the Dominion. It contained a set of coordinates, a time, and a single phrase: The Nexus awaits.

The Oracle sent the message, knowing that it would reach its intended recipients. They had seen the future, and they knew that the Nexus would answer the call.

The Oracle returned to the center of the chamber,