The Phantom Thief and The Devil's Den (Part One)

Planet Karabian, nestled in the Fuso Solar System, lies within the vast territory of the Lunar Galactic Empire.

To reach it, Logan embarked on a journey that spanned approximately 1,112 jumps through the intricate network of star trails.

For a typical human with a mammalian physique like Logan, attempting such a voyage in a small spaceship all at once would be unwise.

The stresses of consecutive jumps would ravage a regular vessel and its passengers.

However, Logan piloted a state-of-the-art ship, the most advanced of its kind named Dreadnought.

His ship was a technological marvel, a sleek vessel built for speed and stealth.

It is also designed to mitigate the physical toll of interstellar travel on the human body.

Each jump, while still significant, inflicted fewer side effects upon him.

But in the vast reaches of space, rest wasn't solely for the weary traveler.

The ship itself required respite, as did its fuel reserves.

Interstellar travel along these intricate star trails demanded a specialized fuel known as stardust.

A rarity in itself, this unique substance was critical to traversing the celestial highways that connected different star systems.

Logan, finding himself in need of fuel and a moment of respite, had landed his vessel in a desolate space known as "The Kyln," a place where order had eroded.

Here, regulations were but a distant memory.

The Kyln had once been a bustling mining colony, a hub for gathering rare resources scattered across various inhabitable planets.

A century ago, it attracted a workforce of adventurers, daredevils, and occasionally, those on the wrong side of the law.

The hazardous nature of the work and the lure of quick riches attracted outlaws to its ranks.

When the resource market eventually crashed, the colony's workforce seized control, remaking it into the lawless place it is today.

Only a few hundred similar sites existed across the galaxy capable of accommodating ships the size of Logan's.

Any vessel larger than his would be classified as a battleship, a craft typically reserved for military use and prohibited for civilian ownership.

However, there were no such restrictions on weaponry.

Given the ever-present threat of space pirates, civilian spaceships embarking on interstellar journeys were often armed to the teeth.

The bigger, more powerful weaponry didn't always equate to better defense, as Logan well understood.

As his ship touched down in The Kyln's cavernous hangar, a massive door rumbled open, forming a makeshift staircase for disembarking passengers.

Logan, his left eye hidden behind an eyepatch and an almost empty whiskey bottle clutched in his left hand, disembarked unsteadily.

Alcohol had never sat well with him, and it was evident in his unsteady gait that caused him to trip and fall to the ground.

"I'm alright. I don't need any help," Logan insisted, though his words disappeared into the hubbub of the hangar.

People bustled around, engrossed in the business of loading and unloading cargo, with no spare attention to lending to the drunken traveler.

Logan pushed himself to his feet, disregarding the sand and dust that clung to his clothing.

Swaying slightly, he wove his way through the dense crowd of pedestrians, a troubled soul seeking refuge in a bottle.

A group of children approached, their hopeful eyes searching for charity.

"Excuse me, can you spare any units?" one of them inquired, their voices reflecting a sense of desperation.

"Get out of here," Logan grumbled, fishing out some change and offering it to them.

In his inebriated state, he was in no mood for the burdens of the world's children.

As he pushed on through the chaotic sea of humanity, he soon arrived at a building illuminated with neon lights.

Its sign bore the name "Devil's Den." With an air of weary determination, Logan entered without hesitation.

The establishment lived up to its provocative name, a hotbed of debauchery, chaos, and fleeting pleasures.

Amidst the din, the focal point of attention was the Osaboni Race, a vibrant and competitive event that drew a frenzied crowd.

In this unconventional race, native creatures called Osaboni were pitted against each other to determine the fastest and most tenacious among them.

Spectators eagerly placed bets, the excitement palpable in the air.

The Osaboni were curious beings. They boasted a striking appearance, adorned with spikes along their backs and equipped with two legs and two diminutive arms.

Despite their fearsome dental displays, they were, in fact, herbivores by nature.

However, these creatures had a natural predator, a looming threat known as the Naleon.

The Osaboni Race commenced with a straightforward lap, with the Osaboni dashing around the track.

After this initial lap, the Naleon were introduced, and released from concealed chutes to hunt down the Osaboni.

It was a life-or-death pursuit, with the Naleon viciously attacking and consuming the Osaboni, ultimately leaving only one survivor.

The climax of the race was marked by the appearance of random trapdoors on the track, adding an element of unpredictability.

These trapdoors could ensnare either the last Osaboni or the relentless Naleon.

In terms of wagers, if the Naleon emerged as the victor, those who had bet on the Osaboni were left with a mere fraction of the total prize money.

Conversely, if the last Osaboni managed to escape through a small opening, suitable only for its diminutive frame, the victorious bettors received half the prize money.

But if the last Osaboni outwitted the Naleon, steering it into a trapdoor, the bettors were rewarded with the entire jackpot.

Logan was instantly captivated by the spectacle and approached a table where several gamblers, like him, were taking part.

He randomly selected an Osaboni to place his bet, joining the excitement.

To his astonishment, the Osaboni he had chosen turned out to be a nimble and astute participant.

It demonstrated not only incredible speed but also impressive agility in evading the Naleon's relentless attacks.

As a result, the Naleon's pursuit faltered, bogged down by the consumption of four other Osaboni.

The crowd erupted with cheers as Logan's chosen Osaboni secured its victory.

"My Osaboni has won, as I won at all things," Logan boasted, basking in the triumph.

He collected his full winnings from the pot, although, in the grand scheme of his heists and adventures, the prize money appeared insignificant.

"I’m feeling great tonight, so every drink tonight is on me. now let's put more of this liquid into our bodies" he declared, lifting his glass for a celebratory toast, his words engulfed by the jubilant cacophony of the Devil's Den.

The establishment pulsated with the energy of its patrons, the atmosphere filled with laughter and camaraderie.

But as the lively spectacle played out, the entrance swung open, admitting a captivating woman.

She gracefully made her way to the bar, acknowledging acquaintances as she moved.