The planet Zuria shimmered beneath a golden sun, its surface blanketed in endless fields of grain and flowering orchards. it was a world of peace - untouched by the many conflicts that plague the seven galaxies. The Lion's Gaze descended through a sky streaked with lavender clouds, its presence drawing curious glances from the locals.
Leonidas stood at the viewpoint, "Peaceful. Feels strange. I have grown accustomed to the bustle of life amongst the stars to the point that all of this seems so alien to me."
Titus grunted. "Too quiet."
Ezran adjusted his rifle. "Too clean."
Leonidas smiled. "That is why my contact is here. No one would expect a tech expert to hide amongst farmers and dirt."
They landed near the outskirts of a small settlement called Virel Hallow, where solar panels lined the rooftops and irrigation drones buzzed through the air. Their destination was a modest workshop nestled between two silos - a place marked only by a rusted sign that read: Q-Tech Solutions.
Inside, the air smelled of solder and engine oil. Screens flickered with code. Tools hung from every wall, and at the center of it all sat a young man in a grease stained hoodie, typing furiously while sipping from a mug labeled: I Void Warrenties
"Quinton," Leonidas said.
The man looked up from his workk, blinking behind thick glasses. "As I live and breath, Leonidas?"
Leonidas grinned. "It's been some time old friend. I wish it were under much different circumstances but here we are. I am in need of answers."
Q stood, brushing himself off. "You are here my friend that's all that matters."
Leonidas pulled out a encrypted black box taken from the ship they disabled. The only thing he had asked of Kaelin, it was the piece of the puzzle that could complete the final picture. To open it, he thought of one man.
Quinton of Kandor. This young man of nine and ten, had been born on the volatile disputed planet. A war orphan who made a life for him self by working for some unsavory fellows in that part of the Empire. A young Leonidas had caught him alongside smugglers, but instead of incarceration he gave him a choice to work as an informant. The chance at a better a life, a choice he had never had from the beginning. Along the way their relationship had blossomed into genuine friendship.
"We need answers," he said. "This crew was not normal, Q. Died during interrogation. Brain failure. No traceble cause. I trust no else to find me something."
Q whistled. "That's some deep ops stuff. You suspect it's corporate?"
"I have no doubt," Leonidas replied. "My question is who?"
Q turned the box over in his hands. "I can just tell this thing is gonna be locked tighter than a senators expense report. But I can crack it. Just need some time. "
"I do not doubt it" he answers.
Q smiled. "Then let's peel this thing open and see what secrets it's hiding."
As the sun set over the fields of Zuria, the crew settled in for the long haul.