The Bragi Expanse, a dense asteroid belt northeast of the Baldr Sector, is a critical resource zone for the Baldr star sector. Lacking natural resources on their homeworld, Baldr relies heavily on the asteroid belt for raw materials, particularly crystallized ore, used in starship construction and energy production. The ore is also essential for powering the Baldr star sector's cities during the long, harsh winters caused by their star's erratic solar cycles.

 

However, the Bragi Expanse is not just a treasure trove of resources—it’s also a dangerous region teeming with xenobeasts, raiders, bandits, and pirates. Despite the risks, the Baldr star sector cannot afford to abandon the Expanse. The ore is too vital to their survival.

 

Scattered throughout the asteroid belt are maintenance outposts, small stations equipped with basic living quarters and repair bays for mining equipment. These outposts are used by asteroid miners, bounty hunters, and Baldr star sector patrols. Access is restricted to those with Baldr star sector clearance or guild authorization, but the outposts have no security locks.

 

Naturally, this has led to widespread misuse. Unauthorized scavengers, rogue traders, and even pirates often squat in these outposts, using them as temporary hideouts. That’s why guild members like us are tasked with periodic patrols. But the system is flawed. Authorized users often overlap, leading to cramped conditions and conflicts over space. It’s a mess, and something needs to be done about it.

 

 

 

The outpost loomed ahead, its docking bay dimly lit and strewn with debris. Each of us brought our ships in for a landing, their engines winding down one by one. The silence of the Bragi Expanse settled over us as we stepped out onto the creaking platform.

 

I was first, boots hitting the deck with a dull thud. The metallic tang of the thin, artificial atmosphere clung to the air. others followed, moving lightly as their gaze swept over the dismantling site nearby.

 

“I’m picking up life signs inside the outpost. And outside… looks like a dismantling site.”

 

Near the outpost is an open docking bay, littered with half-finished mining drones and chunks of raw ore. Hanging from nearby is a severed limb, likely from a space narwhal, petty beast in this Expanse. The limb is tangled in a magnetic snare trap, the kind with barbed spikes designed to pierce through tough hides. The creature must have thrashed wildly, embedding the spikes deeper until it tore free, leaving the limb behind.

 

“People inside the outpost.” 

 

“How many? I hear voices, but it’s hard to tell.”

 

“Miners, maybe? Or scavengers?”

 

“Let’s find out.”

 

I examined the magnetic snare. The design is unmistakable—homemade, nonstandard, and illegal.

 

"Ahh jeez."

 

It matches the trap we confiscated earlier. No doubt about it: the people inside are the ones setting these traps.

 

“We’ve got a problem,” I muttered.

 

“No kidding. We could’ve ignored it, but…”

 

I exchanged glances with Lunar, Diana’s leader. She looked as reluctant as I felt.

 

Minor infractions are one thing, but stumbling across illegal activity during an investigation? We can’t just pretend we didn’t see it. The real issue is that they’re already inside the outpost, and nightfall is approaching. We’ll have to spend the night here, sharing space with petty criminals. Just thinking about it is exhausting.

 

 

 

 

 

“Let’s move before it gets too late. Lunar, how do you want to handle the outpost squatters?”

 

We gathered near the airlock, our steps cautious on the worn metal. The faint hum of the station’s aging systems underscored the silence. Lunar keyed open the airlock, her voice steady. 

 

“Actually, I’d like you to take the lead, Narwhal.”

 

“Me? Why? You’re the one with the rank and authority.”

 

“I want to see how you handle people, especially criminals. We’ll back you up if things go south, but I’d like you to take point.”

 

Great. She’s dumping the dirty work on me. Fine, but don’t let anyone shoot me by accident.

 

“Alright. I’ll try to keep it peaceful. But just to be clear, we’re not sharing the outpost with them, right?”

 

“Absolutely not. We can’t give rogues an inch. Restraining them is the minimum. Who knows what they might try?”

 

Lunar’s sense of duty is unshakable. With an all-female team like Diana, I’m sure she’s had her share of bad experiences with untrustworthy types.

 

“Be careful, Mr. Narwhal,” said Aioi, our sharpshooter, as she prepped her plasma bow.

 

“I will.”

 

I knocked on the outpost door. The chatter inside stopped, and after a moment, footsteps approached.

 

“Who’s there?”

 

“Guild patrol. Mind if we come in?”

 

“Uh… sure.”

 

Inside were three young men, dressed in scavenger gear. They were sorting through chunks of ore and what looked like space narwhal meat. They didn’t seem like hardened criminals—more like desperate rookies trying to make a living.

 

Can't say if I'd seen them at the guild. Newbies for sure, though. At least they clearly weren't "bandit" types, so I felt relieved. Almost certainly still the rogues who set illegal traps, though.

 

“Three of you, huh? That space narwhal limb outside—your handiwork?”

 

“Yeah. Small one, but it put up a fight.”

 

They’re not even trying to hide it. That makes things easier—and harder.

 

“Hey, you.”

 

“Oh, crap…”

 

Too late to play dumb now.

 

Ahh, so that's decided it. Damn. What to do with these guys.

 

“You’ve been setting illegal traps, haven’t you? We confiscated one earlier.”

 

“!”

 

“No point denying it. I recognize your gear. You’re newbies, right? You should know better.”

 

The three exchanged nervous glances. They’re armed with plasma cutters and giant vibroblades—dangerous tools in close quarters.

 

 

 

“Listen, old man—”

 

“I’m not that old. Call me Narwhal.”

 

“Seriously, Narwhal? Your folks hate you or somethin’?”

 

“Nah, they just really loved marine mammals. Could’ve been worse. Nearly went with Manatee.”

 

“...Manatee. Heh.”

 

“See? Suddenly ‘Narwhal’ doesn’t sound so bad. Now let’s—”

 

“Narwhal, we’re just trying to survive. Times are tough. We messed up with the traps, but it’s not like we’re hurting anyone, right? Let it slide this once. We won’t do it again.”

 

Typical excuses. Desperate people say desperate things.

 

“Sorry, but we’re here on official business. Ignoring this would compromise our credibility. The Bragi Expanse is Baldr star sector territory. The guild has a responsibility to uphold the law.”

 

“Can’t you just look the other way?”

 

“And let you think illegal traps are no big deal? Not happening.”

 

Won't get involved with guys who clearly won't follow simple rules. Pointlessly dangerous without any appeal. And promises to quit are as flimsy as a puff of breath. Only one illegal trap found today, but surely searching would reveal countless more, right?

 

“...Notch. Jest.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“We’ve got no choice.”

 

The three reached for their weapons and started advancing. Great. I hate dealing with bloodshed.

 

“Let’s take this outside,” I said, stepping back to give myself some room to maneuver. “Too cramped in here.” I gestured towards the station’s narrow corridor, cluttered with mining equipment and spare parts. “Unless you want to risk damaging this place.”

 

“...You alone, Narwhal?”

 

"Nah, not alone. Five outside."

 

"Huh?"

 

“Nope. Got a full team outside. Silver and gold ranks. Sharpshooters, a close-combat specialist, and more. You’re outmatched.”

 

They hesitated, but one of them scoffed.

 

“Bullshit. You’re bluffing.”

 

"Damn right, it's a bluff!?"

 

“Then take a look outside. See for yourself.”

 

"...There may be others outside. But the numbers and gold stuff is crap. This old guy's bronze. No way he'd team with them."

 

Nice! Wrong yet reasonable deduction! My rank is so awful! Spot on!

 

"We'll kill the old guy first, then take out the ones outside too!"

 

"Yeah!"

 

Negotiations broke down, huh. Should've had Lunar come from the start...!

 

"Sorry everyone, no good!"

 

Saying that, I dashed outside. And the three rogues rushed after me, weapons in hand, advancing.

 

“Don’t shoot! I’ve got this!”

 

"!"

 

The moment they stepped out, they froze. Lunar’s team was already in position, weapons trained on them.

 

I yanked out my half-spec blaster, its edge catching the leader’s massive vibroblade with a bone-shaking clash. Before the blade could push through, I fired point-blank, the reinforced shot tearing through the clash and sending his weapon veering off course. My half-spec blaster isn’t just any weapon—it's more like an extension of my will. The blaster is tuned to resonate with my unique power, something akin to ‘the Force’ from my previous world. Against a shot like that, there was no hope of him holding his ground.

 

Followed by a kick to his stomach sent him sprawling, forcibly crouching him, and I pressed my blaster to his throat.

 

"Drop your weapons and surrender. I won't do you dirty at least."

 

"...! Don't kill him."

 

"I won't kill him if you drop the weapons. Both of you.... Diana, fire if they try anything."

 

"Of course."

 

The other two reluctantly disarmed. We bound them with the same magnetic ropes they’d used for their traps. Poetic justice.

 

 

 

"For just one quick shot, that was splendid."

 

The bound young men sat with gloomy expressions, muttering to each other here and there, but probably not plotting escape. Doubt it's talk worth eavesdropping on.

 

“That was well done,” Lunar said later, as we watched the captives from a distance.

 

“Just deflected his blade.”

 

"You seemed a bit soft on those trying to kill you."

 

"Yeah."

 

“And you went easy on them. One mistake, and someone could’ve gotten hurt.”

 

“I know. No excuses.”

 

By the book, I should’ve killed them the moment they drew their weapons. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Exit and have Diana shoot them quickly. That would have been the safe tactic, the orthodox move. They weren't worth showing mercy by this world's standards...anyway.

 

“Still, I’m glad you’re not the type to kill without hesitation.”

 

“...Is that a compliment?”

 

“Take it as one.”

 

 

 

As Aioi and Yunikon prepared a meal from the space narwhal meat, Lunar turned to me.

 

“You’ve earned your place with us, Narwhal.”

 

“Glad to hear it.”

 

“If you’re interested, you could join Diana. We could use someone like you.”

 

“No thanks. I’m not cut out for an all-female team.”

 

Lunar laughed. “Too bad. With you, we’d have a second male member after Yunikon.”

 

“Wait, Yunikon’s a guy?!”

 

“Surprised?”

 

“...Very.”