N_J_Stevenson

Bounty Hunter, Jack Fox's latest bounty job goes sideways when he runs into Arissa Tusoni—his ex, now a rogue assassin with a score to settle. Then enter Eden, a girl with no past, no records, and powers that defy reason. But Eden’s no ordinary fugitive—she’s a living weapon created by Bennett Tech, a galaxy-spanning corporate empire. And they’ll stop at nothing to reclaim her.
Thrown together with Kane Coulson, a cyber-merc with a sarcastic AI living in his head, Jack and Arissa are stuck on the same side of the fight. Their new mission: keep Eden alive and out of Bennett Tech's hands long enough to uncover the dark truth behind her origins. Turns out, she was made from something beyond the Black Veil—the cosmic wall between universes. And Bennett Tech's not just hunting her—they’re looking to tear through the fabric of reality itself.
Now, it’s not just about surviving the chase. With the universe on the line, this ragtag crew of misfits might be the only thing standing between existence and total annihilation.

EDEN: Dark Universe

Luminis City never slept. The skyline was ablaze with neon, drowning out the night sky in electric hues. The air smelled of ozone and the faint tang of burnt-out thrusters from the shuttles weaving through the towering high-rises. Down at street level, the lights didn't just illuminate—they hunted the shadows, banishing them from every crevice.

Jack Fox stood on the edge of a platform overlooking the lower districts, rolling a kinetic round between his fingers. He wasn't a fan of plasma weapons—too clean, too clinical. Kinetic slugs made a mess. And sometimes, people needed to see what happened when you messed with the wrong guy.

He thumbed the kinetic ammunition into the clip, slid it into the base with ease, and cocked it back with quick force. The weight was familiar. Solid. Reliable.

He had been tracking his target for four days, through six different districts, and now the bastard was finally within reach—inside The Den.

A club of raucous noise, dirty credits, and even dirtier business.

Jack had chased a lot of scum across the galaxy, but the Rabbit was something else—a smuggler, a shadow broker, and a trafficker of information. The kind of guy who knew exactly which hands to shake and which throats to cut.

For years, the Rabbit had lived up to his name—quick, elusive, impossible to pin down. Until now.

Jack checked his pistol one last time and slid it back into the holster. It was time to cash out.

The club pulsed with bass-heavy music, the kind that settled into your bones and rattled around like loose change. Bodies moved in rhythm, a sea of figures dancing, drinking, making deals that would end in regret.

Jack stepped through the entrance, past the flashing holo-signs advertising private booths, exotic drinks, and services that definitely weren't legal.

He spotted The Black Rabbit at the far end of the bar, sipping something blue and faintly luminescent. The bastard didn't even look worried.

Jack adjusted his jacket, ready to move in—

A bouncer blocked his path, lifting a handheld scanner. Jack sighed and stood still as a thin blue cross of light flickered across his face. The scanner beeped, processing.

-FACIAL RECOGNITION COMPLETE-

OCCUPATION: BOUNTY HUNTER – FEDERAL ALLIANCE

The bouncer glanced at the screen, unimpressed. "Bounty hunter, huh? What's your business here?"

Jack gave a humourless smile. "Take a wild guess."

The bouncer grunted. "Everyone in here's wanted for something."

Jack leaned in slightly. "Yeah? Well, my guy's wanted by the Federal Alliance. You know what happens when they send a cleanup crew?"

The bouncer's jaw tightened, considering that for a moment. Then, with a grunt, he jerked his thumb toward the door. "Fine. Do what you need to do. But keep it quiet."

Jack strolled past him, into the chaos of The Den.

Jack moved to an empty lounge in the shadows, where he had a clear line of sight to the bar.

People were easiest to catch when they were moving—getting from point A to point B. He wasn't about to spook the Rabbit by making a scene. He'd wait, let him finish his drink, follow him somewhere quiet, and then collect his payday.

Jack wasn't the only one watching.

Someone who wasn't here for the bounty—but for something else.

Tonight, Jack wasn't the only hunter in The Den.

And he had no idea what was coming.

ONE