The cockpit was quiet.
Beyond the curved glass of the viewport, the stars of the Ashen Sector scattered across the black like a fine dusting of white fire. Pinpricks of history, motionless and eternal, glowing far beyond reach. The Obsidian Wraith moved with a subtle hum beneath Ethan's boots, steady in its drift past the outskirts of Ashen Prime's outer orbital grid.
Ethan sat alone, back in the pilot seat, one leg casually propped over the other. His hands were still, his eyes locked on the void. It was the first real moment of stillness since leaving the station.
His mind wasn't on Ashen Prime anymore.
It was on the galaxy.
He took a breath, let it out slowly, and gave a quiet command.
"Iris. Show me the map."
A soft chime answered him, followed by a brief pause. Then the cockpit dimmed slightly as a hidden projector in the console came to life.
From the center of the bridge, a grand structure of light began to rise. A sweeping map bloomed into existence, first as a wireframe, then as a fully rendered three-dimensional lattice of systems, sectors, and territory lines. The map spun slowly at first, pulsing with color-coded lights and shifting geometries.
A voice, cool and composed, accompanied it.
"Displaying full-scale galactic overview of the Orion Federation."
Ethan watched as the projection expanded further, tilting with a gesture of his hand. It wasn't just a map, it was a living model. The Ashen Sector pulsed at the edge of the projection in deep violet, its borders surrounded by glowing constellations and flickering data streams. Sectors were labeled in fine gold script, some stable and clean, others highlighted with softer red for active conflicts, unrest, or dense pirate activity.
The stars shifted under his fingers like water.
"Begin overview," he said quietly.
Iris responded immediately.
"The Orion Federation is comprised of seventy-four fully recognized galactic sectors."
"Fifty-three of those are Outer Sectors, designated frontier territories. Mining zones, remote colonies, deep-space research corridors. Many remain underpopulated or lightly governed. Mercenary contracts are abundant, but infrastructure is thin and stability is inconsistent."
The Ashen Sector pulsed again at the edge of the ring, surrounded by sparsely labeled neighbors.
"Eighteen are classified as Inner Sectors," Iris continued.
"Heavily developed. These systems house the Federation's economic spine: trade routes, megacities, orbital complexes. Heavily patrolled, but increasingly susceptible to internal corruption and corporate lobbying."
Ethan watched as the projection zoomed inward. The Inner Sectors pulsed with gold and silver , rich, busy, crawling with traffic lanes and satellite networks.
Then the center of the galaxy turned a vibrant white.
"Only three are designated Core Sectors," Iris said.
"Caryth. Solmere. Talveth. These serve as the Federation's administrative, military, and cultural foundation. Entry to these sectors is strictly regulated. Home to Senate chambers, Fleet Command headquarters, and the Grand Halls of the Mercenary Guild."
Three sectors shimmered in tight orbital bands, each haloed with digital rings symbolizing major relay hubs, military fleets, and fortified trade arteries. They pulsed steadily, the nerve centers of galactic civilization.
But just beyond them, almost tucked into the heart of the projection, a much smaller region began to glow with a light distinct from the rest.
"And one more," Iris added, her voice softening subtly.
A fourth cluster emerged, smaller than any other, but marked with heightened clarity and data locks. Its border shimmered not with territorial defenses, but with tightly packed encryption glyphs and layered diplomatic seals.
"The Orion Sector."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"That one wasn't mentioned before."
"By design," Iris replied.
"The Orion Sector is not officially classified alongside the Core Sectors due to its unique political status. It functions as a sovereign administrative enclave, the seat of the Federation High Council, the apex of legislative, diplomatic, and interstellar arbitration authority. Entry is restricted to ranked delegates, top-tier command personnel, and special envoys."
The sector's projection pulsed once, pale silver and deep blue, like a heartbeat behind a sealed vault.
"It is also believed to house the central archives of the pre-Federation age, including preserved Imperial records, Separation War artifacts, and the founding codex signed by Silvan Elos Orion himself."
Ethan stared at it for a moment, the name Orion carrying a distant weight. That was the name every citizen knew. Not just a founder, but a myth. A revolutionary noble who had shattered the Empire's hold and carved a new nation from star-wracked rebellion.
A silent sector for a silent throne.
"So," he said, sitting back slightly, "three sectors that run the Federation… and one that remembers how it was built."
"An apt summary, Captain."
Iris paused, then added:
"Collectively, the Federation spans thousands of inhabited systems. Estimated population exceeds fourteen trillion. Registered orbital and planetary habitats number in the low millions. Active warp corridors: over two thousand. Civilian traffic rate across all sectors: 5.7 billion vessels per cycle."
Ethan gave a soft, slow whistle.
"And I've only stepped foot on one planet and a space station."
The Wraith's hum filled the silence.
He swiped his hand gently, rotating the galactic map to get a better view of the northwestern territories. The systems shifted and rearranged with a shimmer of digital light, revealing sector codes and data on population flow, piracy activity, trade congestion, and known anomalies.
He sat with it for a while, just observing.
It was beautiful. Immense. Almost cruel in its scale.
Each spark of light was a sun. Each flicker, a system. Some named, some still coded as prospect designations, waiting to be charted.
He turned the map again until the Ashen Sector came into focus, the edge of known comfort. And beyond it, stretching like a wall of quiet potential, was everything else.
"Hard to believe I started with a wrecked ship, and no idea what any of this meant," he muttered.
Kynara felt so far behind him now. Planetary dust. Blood on a contract. That first night in Valeris City where he'd stood outside the Mercenary Guild brench, staring up at a sky that felt foreign and endless.
And now here he was on his own ship, armed with knowledge, and standing at the edge of something far larger.
The scale still unnerved him a little. But it didn't stop him from reaching forward.
The galaxy didn't care where he came from.
But maybe, just maybe, it would start remembering where he was going.
The projection paused, recentering on the Ashen Sector as Iris spoke once more.
"Navigation pending. Please confirm next destination, Captain."
Ethan didn't answer right away. He kept his eyes on the glowing sectors beyond.
Not all of them were friendly. Not all of them were safe.
But they were his path forward.
"Let's have a closer look at what's beyond the borders," he said at last, his voice steady.
The map began to zoom outward again, pulling the Ashen Sector into the background.