Northern Kestrel Point

It was the little chipmunk's first time skipping classes and first time traveling toward a Contaminated Zone.

Although he learned about it through the books he'd managed to obtain, nothing could compare to seeing the demarcation line himself.

And by the looks of it, the habitable map had really shrunk with each year that passed by.

It was alarming and tragic.

So many people have been displaced trying to keep a safe distance from the encroaching corruption, but with the Contaminated areas increasing in size, where else could they go?

These zones were scattered throughout the Empire, and nearly every galaxy had its own Contaminated Zone, but that meant being pushed into a corner as everyone tried to figure out where else to hide.

Just like the original inhabitants of Kestrel Point.

They were either dead or displaced.