The stars shimmered like currency in Kai's eyes as his shuttle creaked through hyperspace. He wasn't heading to a tourist planet, a rich hub, or even a black market port.
Beacon 9A was an obscure node—a mid-tier trading post floating in neutral space, halfway between forgotten sectors and dangerous fringe worlds. It wasn't on most maps.
That made it perfect for private deals.
He wasn't stupid. He kept one hand near his emergency teleport rune and a tracker hidden in his boot. But he couldn't afford to miss this meeting.
"You're that upstart with the Earth Whisper Scroll. I want in on your supply."
That message had burned itself into his thoughts.
No one should've known he had that relic—especially not someone in the network.
Beacon 9A: Rusted Gold
The station came into view—a floating, circular bazaar built out of scrap metal and patchwork domes. Traders drifted between stalls in gravity boots, robotic limbs buzzed, and languages clashed.
Kai docked in Bay Delta-4, paid 0.5 CU to anchor, and made his way inside.
No fanfare. No welcoming committee.
Just the scent of ionized grease, stale spice, and credits.
He scanned the domes and found the meeting place—a nondescript tea stall with a glowing triangle on the awning.
Someone was already sitting inside.
A New Player
She was young—maybe in her twenties—with slick red-tinted goggles and a sleek trader's coat stitched with minor merchant guild runes. She wasn't just anyone.
"Zareth?" she asked, tilting her head.
Kai nodded cautiously and sat across from her.
"You're the one who listed a Cultural Echo from Sector Earth-099," she said. "That item was blacklisted four cycles ago—thought to be extinct."
Kai froze. "You tracked me from one listing?"
"I track everyone," she smiled. "But don't worry. I'm not here to report you. I'm here to offer a trade route."
He leaned forward. "I'm listening."
The Deal
She introduced herself as Rynn Virex, a Rank 5 trader with access to mid-level markets, a private courier botnet, and her own underground client list.
She needed rare cultural relics—objects with emotional resonance, historical context, or artistic uniqueness. Things Kai could get from Earth.
"I'll give you a standing contract," she offered. "You deliver one relic per rotation. I buy at guaranteed 8–10 CU base rate, no questions asked."
"That's fair," Kai replied. "But why me?"
"Because you're invisible. A nobody," she said bluntly. "Which makes you cheap, efficient, and below the scanner."
Kai blinked. Then grinned. "Alright. You've got yourself a supplier."
They shook hands—digitally and physically.
First Bulk Sale
Back on the Vault interface, Kai quickly compiled the rest of his low-level cultural goods: ancient novels, faded paintings, two phonograph recordings, and even an old Earth board game.
He packaged them, sent the delivery request, and watched the screen ping:
[Delivery to Rynn Virex – In Progress]Items: 5Delivery Cost: 1.5 CUBase Rate Accepted: 10 CUBonuses: +1 CU (Condition Quality Bonus)
[Transaction Complete: +11 CU][Vault CU: 27]
That was his highest sale yet.
He had just gone from zero to a trade route partner in under a week.
Seeds of a Sovereign
That night, Kai returned to Deraxis with a shipment of mid-tier survival gear, glowstones, and herbal teas. All cheap in the Hub. All expensive back home.
And the first person he sold to? The local chief enforcer, who bought an emergency medkit for 2 CU—triple the market price.
By the end of the day, Kai had moved two more items.
He was finally stacking profits, not just credits.
And he wasn't just earning—he was starting to be noticed.
Status Update:
Kai Zareth, Rank 3 Initiate Trader, had secured a standing interworld buyer, opened consistent outbound trade from Earth's relic pool, and begun rotating Hub-purchased goods into Deraxis' market.
His balance was still modest—but growing steadily.
Vault Inventory:
Herbal Soothe Blend (x2)
Glowstone Shards (x3)
Basic Medkit (Sold)
Polished relic chessboard (Incoming)
Current CU: 27Reputation: Minor RisingTrader Rank: 3Delivery Credits Remaining: 8/monthMarket Tier Access: Basic + Custom Deal Route