Koda station, Outer Rim
1731 hours***
Hustle and bustle. For the first time in ages, THAT was the term that best described Koda station. Normally this place wasn't even 1/10th as busy as it was now, or as crowded. Every race, gender and species flooded the corridors, each one buying selling or transporting a level of good rarely seen in a backwater system like this. They all moved about on urgent business, stumbling over one another as they went about
very important business. Whether it was gathering more air canisters, selling goods and food, or secreting the most recent issue of
'Tales of Tails' (a questionable flimsiplast magazine, featuring females of several species dressed in either little or nothing at all) into cargo headed for the
Janzoon II, everyone had a task they were rushing to complete before evening. Regular of the station -bored farming youths or smugglers- would say they'd been invaded! Ever since the announcement that Koda Station would be the final point of departure for an expedition into wild space territory, a veritable flood of new faces had boarded and set up shop. Kiosks that had been empty for months, even years, were leased within weeks and living quarters that had been void long enough to gather dust were renovated with shocking turnaround. The Republic, with its plush, upper class citizens, demanded superior accommodations; money now lined the bulkheads. Diplomats, scientists, entertainers, and soldiers -those that did the real moving and shaking of the galaxy- had snatched up contracts and leases, setting up offices, laboratories and barracks faster than seemed possible. The locals couldn't believe their eyes, even ones that already lived on the station.
Yet, there it was: the biggest influx of business any of them had seen in their lives. All thanks to the Republic's hunger for new territory.
The fresh infusion of credits into the region and the attention that accompanied it was wonderful. But the longest inhabitants of the station continued to have mixed feelings about the new faces. At first, when the newest arrivals docked, there appeared to be a sense of hesitation amongst the locals. At first, many of the arrivals mistook this for xenophobia and acted poorly toward the inhabitants of the nearby systems. However, as time went by, it was clear to the fresh faced mid-rimmers and core world inhabitants that these people -farmers, nerf-herders and 'transportation specialists'- seemed to
pity them. When that came to light the new arrivals' moods shifted back into friendly territory and business assumed its new, monstrous pace, dumping money into the station.
It was no secret that the Republic was anxious to claim a foothold into new territory out there in wild space. Just like it was no secret that this particular land grab had been attempted before. Sure, plenty of stories and rumors still persisted about the
Janzoon I. It was still common knowledge around here for the oldest species still living in the region. Everyone knew about the previous blitz into wild space from their station but the most vocal had been hushed up by PR specialists quickly after the official announcement by the chancellor months ago. It hovered over their heads like dantooine mist, floating above the endless forests that covered the southern hemisphere. One hundred and thirty eight years. That's how long it had been. Everyone knew it, they just didn't speak of it.
Regardless of the dreary faced locals, life was moving quickly and excitement filled the air! Adventure, change, discovery, the very life blood of the young and the spirited. Faces, both young and old, fresh and wise had filled Koda station until it seemed ready to burst at the seams. The sweet tonic of new opportunities had not graced this place in decades and these new men and women were eager to drink up as much as possible. They wouldn't have to wait long either. This was the final day; the final stretch of time before things got very interesting, very quickly.
For now, those that were about to take on a new frontier, it was either finish preparations...or drink.
***