Chapter 1: The Pioneer’s Gambit

Dax Morgan adjusted his wide-brimmed hat against the thin breeze that swept over the crimson sands. Beneath the faintly orange sky, his ranch—a small dome cradling experimental wheat fields—was a speck of defiance against the inhospitable Martian wilderness. He mounted his six-legged rover, the "Dust Stalker," and headed toward a nearby settlement to collect supplies. The frontier offered no free handouts; every brick, bolt, and breath was hard-earned.

The settlement of Edgewater was a ramshackle cluster of modular buildings and prefabricated shacks. Solar panels sprawled haphazardly over roofs, and wind turbines groaned under the weight of accumulated dust. As Dax rolled into town, he caught sight of the bounty board outside the saloon. New wanted posters fluttered, announcing rewards for rogue terraformers, water thieves, and the occasional smuggler.

Inside, the air was thick with the smell of synthetic whiskey and the low hum of recycled oxygen. Dax sidled up to the bar, exchanging nods with a few locals before catching the barkeep's eye.

"Got any reactor-grade isotopes left, Jed?" Dax asked, sliding a credit chit across the counter.

Jed shook his head. "Not since the Southern Raiders hit the last convoy. Folks say they've been hitting homesteads too. You'd best keep that rifle close, Morgan."

Dax's jaw tightened. He'd heard the stories but hoped they were exaggerated. Raiders on Mars weren't your average bandits—they were ex-miners or ex-militia who knew how to hack drone defenses and strip domes for parts before anyone could respond.

As Dax turned to leave, a figure stepped in front of him. She was tall, wearing a dust-streaked duster and a pistol strapped to her thigh. Her piercing green eyes locked onto his.

"You're Morgan, right? I heard you've got the only functional aquifer for miles."

Dax's hand drifted instinctively toward his holster. "Depends on who's asking."

"Name's Lyra Kane. I'm looking for work, and you need protection. Raiders are circling your land like vultures. I can keep them at bay—for a price."

Dax studied her for a moment. The frontier was no place for trust, but he'd learned that alliances often made the difference between life and death. Finally, he nodded.

"Fine. But you cross me, and you'll wish the raiders got to you first."