The drunken rabbit part 1

As the golden hind glided through the vast expanse of space, a strange sight caught their attention. It was an artificial island, hovering amidst the endless darkness like a beacon of light. The island's metallic structure gleamed in the sun's rays, and its size was colossal, far larger than any space station they had ever seen.

Rufus gazed at the peculiar sight, his eyes scanning the island's surface as they tried to decipher its purpose. They could see numerous ships, of all shapes and sizes, docked near the island as if seeking refuge in its mysterious aura. The Sassan gravity ships, which they were accustomed to, were just a few among the many.

Rufus turned to Doreen, his curiosity piqued. "What is that?" he asked.

Doreen shook her head, equally puzzled. "It's an artificial island in the universe? I'm not sure," she replied.

"Should we go closer and have a look?" Rufus suggested, his excitement palpable.

"I agree," Doreen said, her hunger for exploration mirrored in her tone. "Our food rations are running low, and perhaps we can find some supplies on this island."

They maneuvered their ship toward the artificial island.

~~

The golden hind crept closer to the mysterious floating village until they spotted a lone figure standing on the pier. "What the fuck are you staring at? If you want to dock, throw me a rope!" a being with charcoal-black skin and large, blazing red eyes shouted.

Rufus was taken aback by the abruptness of the stranger on the docks. "Fuck, another one from a boonie world..." the stranger muttered.

Without a word, Yosef expertly tossed the rope to the waiting hands of the stranger, who deftly pulled the golden hind closer to the pier and secured the rope.

"Welcome to the Drunken Rabbit, the best resting dock for everyone and anyone," the charcoal-skinned being greeted them with a lackluster sales pitch.

Rufus eagerly jumped to the pier and gazed around the ramshackle village, which looked smaller than a flying fortress and far more rundown. The shacks that passed as buildings had makeshift roofs and the inhabitants seemed to be either drunk or high on drugs.

"You guys buying or selling?" the stranger asked.

"What?"

"BUY-ING OR SEL-LING."

"Buying. We need more supplies," Yosef replied.

"Ah, an Eichi. Glad to do business with your kind," the stranger said.

As the tattooed and charcoaled-skinned being walked away, Rufus leaned in and whispered to Yosef, "Uhm... He is an?"

"An aaruran, from the aaruran heaven. They're pretty common in the universe, but this one seems like a clock watcher in this occupation. I wouldn't be surprised if he was a slave," Yosef explained.

~~

The golden hind came to a complete stop and Edward leaped onto the floating, ramshackle town with an adventurous spirit. Doreen shouted after him in concern, but he was determined to explore the strange and curious environment.

"I'm going too," Suomi exclaimed, mirroring Edward's boldness as she followed him onto the makeshift dock.

"I'll keep an eye on them," Rufus called out, feeling responsible for the safety of the crew. He jogged after the two, scanning the surroundings for any potential threats. The air was thick with the pungent scent of a foreign substance that seemed to intoxicate the inhabitants of this odd community. The rickety buildings appeared to be held together by a combination of rusted nails and sheer willpower.

~~

As the three walked past the narrow and dimly lit street, the sounds of raucous laughter and clinking glasses filled their ears. Edward's eyes locked on a shabby-looking bar, with a signboard that read "The Drunken Rabbit".

"That seems like a place where you can get a cold one," he said, already making his way inside.

As they entered, the place fell silent. All eyes were on the newcomers, sizing them up with suspicion and curiosity. The patrons were a motley crew of different species, from towering aarurans to elegant elves and plain sassans, each engrossed in their own little world.

The tavern was dimly lit, and the air was thick with the stench of smoke and alcohol.

"Welcome to the drunken rabbit. Home of those who do not exist and those who do not want to exist," the bartender said with a wry smile, revealing his pointed teeth. He was a dokkaebi.

Edward, unperturbed by the scrutiny, strode up to the counter and ordered an ale. The dokkaebi reached for a mug, filling it up from a barrel behind him.

"That will be two gold coins," he said.

"Two fucking gold coins. You could buy a round for everyone with that," Edward grumbled, digging out the coins from his pocket.

"Maybe you can buy in the shit place you came from. But not here. This is the only place for millions of miles where you can dock freely, sell your stolen shit without persecution with no questions asked," the bartender explained, his tone tinged with a hint of cynicism.

As they surveyed the room, it dawned on them that they had stumbled upon a sanctuary for the outcasts and the misfits. It was a haven for criminals and those who wished to disappear from the rest of the universe.