Inside Brussels, built deep within the belly of an old starship whose name had long been scraped away by sandstorms and time, stood one of the settlement's most infamous places: The Rusted Halo. From the outside it looked like nothing more than the split-open hull of a retired frigate, its plating patched with mismatched metal sheets, its lights flickering like dying stars. But once you stepped through the pressure-lock door—half functional, half welded into permanent resignation—you entered a world entirely its own.
The interior kept every scar of its previous life. The curved walls were the original ship bulkheads, streaked with rust and burn marks, still carrying fragments of warning labels in languages no one in Brussels could read anymore. Loose cables hung from the ceiling like vines, some dead, some carrying a lazy flicker of current. The deck plates groaned with each step, giving the place the feeling that it was constantly deciding whether to hold together or collapse in protest.
The bar itself was built from a salvaged reactor casing split in half, turned sideways, and reinforced with scav-steel. The top was layered with polished scrap plates, each etched with the name of someone who had won—or survived—one of the Halo's legendary brawls. Behind it, the shelves held bottles of every color imaginable: black-market brews, distilled fungi spirits, off-world synthetic liquors, and a few mysterious jars that even the bartender refused to explain.
The bartender, a square-jawed woman named Marella, ran the place. One cybernetic eye glowed a steady red as she wiped the counter. The other eye, still human, carried the weary kindness of someone who had chosen Brussels as a place to stay rather than a place to escape.
The crowd inside was a living map of half the galaxy's forgotten corners. Wanderers with dust still on their boots. Traders clutching crates of contraband under the tables. Outlaws leaning back in dented chairs, their weapons quietly displayed because hiding them was considered suspicious. No one asked questions in the Halo; the only rule was "Don't bleed on the bar unless you're buying."
Dim amber lanterns—salvaged from cargo pods—bathed the room in warm light that softened the rust and shadows. A low hum of conversation filled the air: muttered deals, sharp laughter, the soft clink of bottles, and occasionally the thud of someone regretting an insult. Music drifted from an ancient sound terminal mounted crookedly on the wall, the speakers crackling but carrying a steady tune that made the atmosphere feel strangely home-like.
In the back corner, a group of scavengers crowded around a holo-table, gambling with fragments of star maps and broken tech pieces. Beside them, a pair of mercenaries argued over whose ship was faster. At another table, two wanderers exchanged stories so wild they had to be lies—but in Brussels, lies and memories often blended into the same truth.
Sitting at the bar was Youri and Oscar, having a drink as per usual. At these times they had nothing to do other than pass time. Marella got behind the bar and asked the two, so when are you gonna leave, they say the galaxy is crawling with empire ships looking for you? Oscar smirked and replied, don't worry Marella, there is no way they can find us here, this place is not called an outlaw haven for no reason. Marella looked concerned, you know this place is not built on trust, 10 million Zells can buy a new life and some, just don't forget that, said Marella as she went to a table to get an order.
Oscar looked at Youri and exhaled slowly, as he spun the drink in his hand, you are blind drunk, aren't you? said Oscar as he grabbed Youri's hand and put it over his shoulder, trying to take him to his place. Suddenly someone rushed into The Rusted Halo, barely holding his breath as he shouted, the empire is here! They just passed the second moon and they will be here in a matter of minutes, everyone get out!
Panic erupted inside The Rusted Halo, as everyone present rushed to their ships and shelters. Oscar placed Youri back on the seat and rushed at the guy who barged in, grabbing him by the collar he rashly asked, how many are there!? The guy just stood and with a shaky voice he said, more than a hundred! Oscar's eyes widened at the man's answer, he quickly rushed at Youri, grabbing him and heading straight to the Atomium where the others were.
At arrival Halley was standing outside confused by the commotion, then she noticed Oscar and went straight to him. She asked, what's going on!? Oscar replied frantically, get everyone ready we have to leave now, the empire has found us! Halley got the message and quickly gathered everyone and made their way towards the base.
Inside the workers were still working on the Tartarusios, but with the news of the empire's presence everyone other than the crew left quickly, hoping to get away before they came. As the crew flooded the ship everyone got to their positions, and with the doors of the hangar opening the crew braced hoping for a quick escape. Just as the ship started elevating suddenly the copper sky turned gray as Terrian intergalactic ships descended to the surface of Antia, long, angular hulls swept forward in razor-sharp silhouettes. From above, the ships resembled predatory spears, twin engine arrays dominated the rear. The central spines of the ships supported multiple weapon systems: long-range particle lances, hull-mounted plasma cannons, and concealed missile pods. All directed towards the Tartarusios.
Once again the empire had encircled them, but this time it was ten times the size. Outside Antia's orbit was surrounded by the other ships, and the first ship to get within striking distance of the Tartarusios was none other than Morphius, the flagship of General Mikhail Rozasar.
At the control room inside the Tartarusios, the crew received a message from the enemy ship, Bjorn told Oscar and the video message was shown. Greeting them was the face of a man they had only heard of, and next to him a familiar face stood, it was none other than Emilia Rozasar, the commander they had gotten away from after leaving Zellion.
Then Mikhail started to speak, Greetings crew of the Tartarusios, I hope I don't have to explain that I don't come in good will, in fact I'm here for one reason and one reason only, to eradicate you! The general's words echoed through the ship, it was not the first time they heard those words and it would not be the last either, but what came next would catch everyone by surprise, even the very captain of the ship. Mikhail continued to speak, I shall give you one last chance to surrender, under one condition and it's not negotiable, surrender Duke Youri Kalethorn and you may die a painless death.