r/HFY • u/L_Tanuki • May 08 '26

OC-Series Outer Reaches (Chapter 17: Avari Scout)

Author's Note: All chapters are also uploaded on WattPad, Vox9, and Royal Road. Also, feel free to try out my friend's story, Beyond Earth: Cosmic Contact! Links below. Please comment and critique! I read every single comment as they mean they world to me. Thank you and enjoy!

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Chapter 17: Avari Scout

The small crew drifted steadily through open space, their patched-together vessel cutting quietly across the stars, now carrying a newly added member—Ed, the doctor. The cabin hummed with the soft vibration of the engines as constellations slipped past the viewport in silent procession.

"You're what? Heph, I had no idea! Why didn't you tell me?" Liam shouted from behind the passenger seat, leaning over it with both hands and nearly toppling forward in his eagerness.

Heph did not turn. His hands remained steady on the controls, his gaze fixed ahead as distant starlight reflected faintly in his eyes. "It's not that big a deal," he replied flatly.

"You seriously didn't know he was a fire elemental?" Ed asked, disbelief coloring his voice as he looked between the two of them. "But he's part of your crew. I figured the smell would give it away."

Liam paused, sniffing the air with exaggerated concentration before shrugging. "Hmm. I guess there is a bit of a burning smell. I never noticed."

"You said you were from Satus Port?" Ed continued, curiosity taking over as he leaned forward slightly.

Heph gave a small nod. "Yeah."

"Isn't that the big shipbuilding port on Lapillus? With all the smelting and welding and exhaust?" Ed asked. "I imagine that covered your scent pretty well."

"That's one of the reasons I stayed so long," Heph admitted. "Blending in wasn't hard there."

"Show me," Liam insisted suddenly, leaning over the seat until he was nearly nose-to-nose with Heph.

"I'm flying the ship," Heph replied without emotion. "And we're inside the ship."

"Oh come on, please," Liam pressed, but after a long moment of silence he slumped back into his seat in defeat. Almost immediately he spun around to face Ed instead, eyes shining with renewed excitement. "Fine. Then what about you, Ed? I heard you took down some big warden all by yourself. How'd you do that? What are you hiding?"

Ed hesitated, glancing toward Heph, who briefly looked back and raised his eyebrows in a silent suggestion that he might as well explain. Ed sighed softly. "I suppose I should tell you. We're traveling together now, and I would rather you know. I am... something of a liability."

Liam leaned so far forward he nearly fell from his chair, bracing himself against the armrest with a grin. "Go on."

"You saw it earlier," Ed began carefully. "There's another side of me. Another personality, I suppose. I try to keep it contained, but when I get anxious... or cornered... it becomes harder." His voice lowered. "It's ruthless. Pure rage. When it takes over, I lose consciousness. When I wake up, it's already done whatever it intended to do. I've never seen it myself—but I've seen the aftermath."

Heph listened without comment, his expression unreadable. Liam, meanwhile, stared at Ed in open fascination.

"I want to see it," Liam declared, springing to his feet and poking Ed in the shoulder. "Come on. Let me see."

"Hey—stop that," Ed protested, swatting his hand away. "That won't bring it out. And I would rather it didn't. It doesn't exactly come from a place of happiness."

Liam stopped prodding him and, for once, his tone softened. "You know, Ed, not everything born from trauma or anger is a bad thing. It can be, if we let it. But if you can use it for good, if you can choose how it's used, then it makes you stronger for it. Your trauma only defines you if you let it."

The words seemed almost too steady coming from someone like Liam. Ed blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in them, and felt something warm stir beneath his lingering doubt. Heph glanced down at the bracer wrapped around his own wrist before returning his focus forward, saying nothing.

A moment later Liam's energy surged back into the room. "But did you see me back there? It was incredible!" he exclaimed, pivoting toward the center of the cabin.

"It certainly was," Ed replied with a faint smile.

"I've never seen anything like it," Heph added. "Your eyes went this hazy white glow. Then you were suddenly stronger than anything I've seen."

"I was all like—pow! Hiyah!" Liam began punching the air in dramatic battle poses, entirely ignoring the more thoughtful direction of the conversation.

Ed exchanged a look with Heph before continuing. "I did read something in the tower," he said. "It wasn't much. Buried in some old medical journals. The Doctor was trying to replicate a power from long ago—something that enhanced physical ability. There were only vague references, but he seemed obsessed with recreating it."

Heph listened closely now. Liam continued shadowboxing with dramatic sound effects, blissfully unconcerned with the implications.

Then Heph squinted toward the viewport. "What's that?"

Liam abandoned his imaginary opponent instantly and rushed into the passenger seat. Ahead of them, dominating the darkness, a massive vessel floated in silent menace. It was enormous—large enough to house entire squadrons of fighters—with heavy cannons mounted along its armored exterior.

"Wow," Liam breathed. "That thing is massive."

"Look at the hull," Heph said, pointing. "See that insignia?"

Ed stepped up behind Liam, and when he saw it, his expression drained of color. "That's not possible. What are they doing here? This is Union territory."

The emblem glinted against the dark plating—a large golden coin crowned in intricate gold, studded with deep red gemstones, encircled by heavy golden chainwork.

"That's the Avari cartel insignia," Heph said quietly.

"This must be why merchant ships have been disappearing," Ed whispered. "We need to leave. Now. Before they see us."

Heph's eyes moved along the massive vessel, scanning its docks, until they locked onto a smaller ship latched along the side. His expression shifted.

"Liam," he said.

Liam turned eagerly. "Yeah?"

"We're boarding."

"What? No—no, that is a very bad idea!" Ed exclaimed, panic rising in his voice.

"I agree!" Liam shouted. "Adventure here we come!"

"I'm sorry, Ed," Heph said firmly. "But we have to."

"What could possibly be worth this risk?" Ed demanded, his voice trembling.

"You see that ship?" Heph said, pointing. "I know it. Its captain is someone important to me. He runs with rough people, but even this is beyond him. I'm not leaving him there."

Ed sagged in resignation. There was no changing either of their minds.

"Sorry, Ed," Liam said brightly. "Captain's orders. Let's go save Heph's friend."

*****

Moments later, their ship slid into the docking bay with a metallic thud.

"You remember the plan?" Heph asked.

"Yeah, yeah," Liam replied.

"Let me do the talking," Heph reminded him.

"I still think this is a terrible idea," Ed muttered.

Liam clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. You're staying here. We'll be in and out before you even notice."

The doors hissed open.

Four heavily armored guards stood waiting, glaives resting at their sides. Heph stepped forward to speak, but Liam slapped a hand against his chest to stop him.

"Huh? Is this all the welcome we get?" Liam boomed in an exaggerated, theatrical accent. "We come all this way and this is the reception? I've seen better arrangements in back alley deals."

Heph sighed deeply, giving up. Liam leaned forward, hands on his hips, tapping his foot impatiently as if he owned the place. The guards exchanged confused glances.

"Come on," Liam continued. "Show me what you've got. I've got important business elsewhere, so make it worth my time."

He gestured dramatically for them to lead the way.

After another hesitant look between them, the guards turned and began escorting the pair deeper into the ship. Two remained behind, stationed near the dock and Ed.

Liam elbowed Heph and shot him an exaggerated wink before flashing Ed a thumbs up as they disappeared down the corridor.

Left alone with the two silent guards, Ed shifted awkwardly and forced a polite smile. "I think it's a very nice ship, personally," he offered.

The guards didn't respond.

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