Page 15 of Primal Bond

This was a place for those who had turned their backs on the rigid structure of Borraq society, seeking fortune or freedom among the stars.

For those who were just like him.

As he navigated the crowded walkways, Zanik's mind churned over the information Finn had provided. Drezak, a supplier who should have been loyal to Zanik, was apparently in Rivek's pocket. The betrayal stung, but more than that, it was dangerous. In his line of work, loyalty was currency, and Drezak's treachery could cost Zanik dearly.

Zanik's fingers twitched, longing to wrap around the hilt of his blade. He imagined the satisfying crunch of bone as he drove his fist into Drezak's face, the gurgle of blood as his knife found its mark.

But no, not yet. He needed confirmation first. Measure twice, cull once.

Still, the thought of impending retribution sent a cold thrill down his spine. He'd show them all what happened to those who thought they could betray Zanik and live. His reputation as a ruthless smuggler lord wasn't built on mercy, and he had no intention of softening now.

Zanik pushed through a cluster of merchants haggling over some mechanical parts. The air was thick with the smell of fried food and the constant murmur of voices. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the stalls, searching for any sign of Drezak.

His mind wandered back to Finn’s information. The human claimed he saw Rivek talking with a Borraq named Drezak. But Borraq names were not easy for humans to grasp… There was a chance Finn had heard wrong.

Human names always sounded soft and weak compared to the hard, guttural sounds of Borraq names. Humans themselves were soft, fragile creatures. If Finn had indeed misheard the name, it wouldn’t be surprising. Borraq names were a challenge for human ears, their harsh sounds clashing with the soft tones humans were accustomed to.

To get a real confirmation, Zanik needed to show Finn Drezak in the flesh — or as close to it as Finn could get, anyway. The camera hidden in his collar sent a live feed back to the ship, where Finn watched with rapt attention.

Zanik moved with purpose, his sharp eyes flicking over the faces of those around him. Finn’s voice crackled through the earpiece, a constant presence. “This place is wild. Is that a live animal in that cage?” Finn’s voice held a mix of wonder and curiosity.

Zanik glanced at the cage, barely giving it a second thought. “A Korvian Razorbeast. A common pet for traders. They’re good for protection.”

Finn’s low whistle of astonishment echoed in his ear. “Protection? That thing looks like it could eat someone alive.”

Zanik smirked. “That’s the point.”

As he continued, he tried to see the station through Finn’s eyes. The stalls overflowing with alien goods, the vendors shouting in various languages, the neon lights casting eerieglows on everything. To Zanik, it was routine. But to Finn, it was clearly a marvel.

“Those lights,” Finn said, awe creeping into his voice. “They make everything look... I don’t know, like it’s from another world.”

Zanik raised an eyebrow. “To you, itisfrom another world.”

“You know what I mean,” Finn replied, a hint of exasperation in his tone.

Zanik finally reached Drezak's regular shopfront, a dingy establishment crammed between two larger, more reputable businesses. The neon sign above flickered, casting erratic shadows on the grimy facade. He pushed open the rusty door, the bell above tinkling an off-key note.

The assistant behind the counter looked up, eyes widening as he recognized Zanik. He swallowed hard, visibly nervous.

“I need to speak with Drezak,” Zanik said, his voice a controlled growl. “Now.”

The assistant's hands trembled slightly as he set down the device he’d been tinkering with. “Uh, of course. Right away, sir.”

He scurried off through a back door, casting a few anxious glances over his shoulder. Zanik watched him go, his expression impassive. Was the assistant's fear a sign of guilt, or merely the natural reaction to Zanik’s presence?

"He's jumpy," Finn's voice crackled in his ear.

Zanik leaned against the counter, keeping his gaze fixed on the door. "What else do you remember?"

Finn’s voice took on a thoughtful tone. "The guy Rivek called Drezak talked a lot about shipments, specific dates. Rivek was always impatient, wanted things done yesterday. They argued a lot, but Drezak always gave in. Spineless, really."

Zanik’s eyes remained fixed on the door the assistant had disappeared through, his mind already calculating the different ways this meeting could go. Patience was not his strong suit,especially when he felt like a target was slipping through his fingers. The tension in his muscles made him feel like a coiled spring, ready to snap at any moment.

In his ear, Finn’s voice cut through the silence. “You know, this station isn’t half bad. Kind of reminds me of the fairs back home. Ever been to a fair?”

Zanik’s jaw tightened. “No. I have no interest in fairs.”

“Shame,” Finn continued, his tone light and teasing. “You might enjoy them. Lots of good food and music."

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