Some places were quiet and serene, their inhabitants harmoniously intertwined with nature. Some societies were lawful and without anarchy, serving as bastions of order amidst chaos. Some cultures were kind and filled with light, their peoples generous and benevolent.
This place was none of those things. Shadow City, they called it—a neon metropolis teeming with people but not with resources. Thieves and murderers thrived here. Gangs and mercenaries roamed its vulnerable streets, ruthlessly stalking any prey that was too weak to defend itself. There was no law here, no price to pay for crimes committed. The only justice served came from citizens who dared to take that responsibility into their own hands, who were brave enough and desperate enough to fight back against their oppressors.
Chaos was in the bones of this city. Every human, alien, and creature in this place was struggling to survive, to earn their place amongst the living. There was no rest to be had here, never too much time to think—never time to dwell on past wrongs and regrets.
And that was just fine with Janet.
There was so much noise, so much ceaseless chatter. It had overwhelmed her at first. But now she embraced it, relished it. She could blend into a crowd and pass unnoticed. She could see without being seen. And best of all, she could act without the permission or approval of anyone else. It was just her now.
But that did not mean she cared for nothing or that she viewed every cause as unworthy of her efforts. The truth was quite the opposite, in fact. Witnessing the plight of these poor people firsthand had propelled her into action. She had thought that perhaps, even in her isolation, she might be able to do some good. Her journey through the mysterious gateway had not been the end she feared it was. Instead, it was a beginning.
Here, she had found a new life—a new purpose. And she was just getting started.
The sound of a door hissing open some distance below her suddenly drew her back to the present. Perched on a steel beam and cloaked in shadow, Janet peered down at the three Balurrians entering the room. They towered over the human man who stood waiting for them—large, burly, and lion-like. Thick manes grew around their fearsome faces, their short noses scrunched in contempt.
"Did you bring the cargo?" the one who appeared to be in charge growled impatiently.
"Yes," the smuggler assured them, lifting the lid from the container that floated in front of him. "I have what you came for."
Janet frowned—more plasma weapons. Automatic rifles, shotguns, grenades—even a rocket launcher.
"Blastaar will be pleased," the Balurrian remarked, detaching a small pouch from his belt and tossing it into the open palm of the dealer.
Oh yes, he would've been, she mused. If he had ever received them. Closing her eyes, she gripped the beam tighter and focused. Every light in the room suddenly went dark. Newly absorbed power pulsed through her veins. But her abilities had grown far beyond the simple conversion of positive energy.
Now, she could sense what existed between all things, the gaps that many referred to as empty space. But they were far from vacant. They, too, were occupied by matter, ever expanding. She could hear every heartbeat, could feel the vibrations of the Balurrians' infuriated voices as they disrupted the steady hum around her. Even in the blackness, she could see them spinning wildly in every direction.
"No!" the smuggler cried, hands flying to his head. "Not her! Not—"
Janet descended in silence. For half a moment, she hung in the air. Then she landed on the man's shoulders, simultaneously striking his head with the grip of her pistol. As he crumpled to the ground, she was already moving on to her next opponent. Several fiery plasma blasts lit up the room, but she glided effortlessly between them.
Dropping into a slide, Janet holstered her gun with one hand and drew her dagger with the other. She passed behind the first Balurrian, slicing the tendon of his right ankle and bringing him to his knees. As his weapon clattered to the floor, she rose and spun, cutting his throat in a single fluid motion.
The second Balurrian lunged toward her, his meaty arms spread wide, but Janet teleported behind him. Raising her pistol, she fired three quick shots into the back of his head and put him down. The flashing of her weapon betrayed her position, and the Balurrians' leader sent a crackling plasma bolt her way. She dropped her gun, both arms remaining extended.
The projectile ground to a halt halfway between them. The creature's feline eyes widened. Only now, when it was too late, did he realize his mistake. Janet smirked behind her mask, allowing the sizzling streak of energy to tremor there a moment longer. Then she clenched her right hand into a fist and yanked it back toward her chest, her left hand thrusting even farther forward and sending the bolt straight through the Balurrian's heart.
It came out his back and crashed into the far wall, leaving a small, smoking crater similar to the one in the creature's chest. With a weak groan, he collapsed facedown onto the floor and moved no more. She slowly lowered her hand, then bent down and retrieved her pistol.
The smuggler had come to, and his fingers frantically found the fallen rifle of a Balurrian. Walking calmly over to him, Janet lifted one booted foot and then crushed them beneath her heel. He screamed, squirming and uselessly trying to pull his hand free.
"You chose the wrong side," she said, glaring disdainfully at his pathetic attempts to flee.
"Please," he begged, "let me go! I haven't hurt anyone! I just—I just sell the weapons!"
"Yes, that's right. You sell them to brutes like Blastaar. And do you know what he does to people?"
"Please—I'm sorry! I-I won't do it anymore! I'll change my ways! Yeah, I'll—"
A single gunshot shattered the air. The fingers beneath her foot became still. Exhaling, Janet holstered her pistol and turned toward the sizable shipment of weapons. Now that they were hers, they would be delivered into much worthier hands. It was time for the people of Shadow City to rise up against the savages who had terrorized them into submission.
This place had stayed the same for far too long. It needed a defender, a protector who would guide it into a better future. It needed her.