Passion and Peril on the Frontier

Chapter 1

The tavern was hazy, loud, and filled with all sorts from across the galaxy. A tall, ruggedly handsome man with short black hair and piecing green eyes sat in a corner booth, trying to stay inconspicuous as he sipped at his drink.

Despite trying to be unnoticeable, everyone in the tavern knew who he was, and the armed mech bodyguard standing beside him drew obvious attention.

A woman, also tall and very beautiful, with flowing red hair and blue eyes sitting next to the man made a face as she looked around.

"Why do you love this place your grace?, I feel like I'm going to need several med shots just from sitting here" she said to him.

Prince Maxwell of the Avalon Empire just smirked at his bodyguard and second in command.

"Ava, this is where the real people live and hang out; you're too used to the royal banquet halls" he said with a grin.

Lady Ava Holton, of House Holton and knight of the royal imperial court, sighed, knowing she couldn't change her prince's mind, and took a sip of her drink.

"Well, at least the drinks are good" she admitted begrudgingly.

"That they are," said the prince in agreement.

The prince was currently in the main trade port city on the trading hub planet of Talos Five, near the outer regions, far from the glittering, decadent inner systems of his family's sprawling empire.

He quite enjoyed these parts even though he was royalty and should be more suited to the clean, luxurious halls of the imperial palace on Avalon Prime, but he had no royal duties to attend to, and so he was out exploring the empire, looking for adventure.

"Another drink your grace?" asked Ava.

Maxwell looked at his drink, seeing it was now empty, and nodded.

"Ok, but let's make this the last," he said.

"Too strong?" she asked

"Any more, and he'll have to carry me back to the ship," joked Maxwell, indicating the mech bodyguard.

The mech didn't respond but was very alert, scanning the crowded tavern for any threats, daring anyone to try and attack its prince.

Two plainly dressed men that screamed farmers then came into the tavern. They looked out of place and had nervous expressions. They sat down with a man across the room and began talking animately.

"What?" asked Ava, seeing his expression.

"Not sure," replied Maxwell.

Suddenly the men began arguing loudly, so much so that the room had their attention, and the mech bodyguard, sensing a potential threat, swiftly drew its pistol.

Ava quickly held out her hand, and the mech stood down, reholstering its pistol, but still stayed alert.

The man the farmers were arguing with then stood up, threw some money at them, and stormed out. The tavern was silent for a moment, but then the talking quickly returned, like that sort of thing happens every night.

The tavern owner came over to the prince's booth with a sheepish expression on his face.

"Sorry about that, your grace," he said, placing some more drinks down on the table.

"What was that about?" Maxwell asked him, indicating the farmers, as they too made a quick exit.

"Ahh yes, they are from a farming colony on Nova 3, way further out, near the frontier, and they are looking for ships to transport goods back home," he explained.