Horizon Port was even more chaotic and noisy inside than it had looked from space. Beneath enormous arcades fashioned from abandoned spaceship hulls, crowds jostled shoulder to shoulder. Engine exhaust, cheap synthetic food, alien spices, molten metal, and the body odors of countless species mingled into a bizarre, dizzying stench. Flickering holographic billboards advertised illegal modifications, banned drugs, weapons smuggling, and even contract killers. Arguments and minor scuffles occasionally broke out in corners, only to be brutally suppressed by port guards.
Lin Ye suppressed most of the energy fluctuations around him and blended into the chaotic crowd like an ordinary, travel-worn interstellar wanderer. His [Dimensional Energy Perception] spread silently like an invisible web, filtering the overwhelming noise and picking out useful fragments of information.
"Did you hear? The Zeta Hive fleet is blockading the space outside! Apparently they're chasing someone..."
"Shh! Keep your voice down! Hive spies are everywhere! Don't get us into trouble!"
"The port guards have stepped up their patrols. Looks like the Hive is putting serious pressure on them..."
"The price of 'royal jelly' on the black market has tripled lately! They say the Hive urgently needs it..."
"Things seem unsettled over with the 'Void Exiles' lately. A few big shots are secretly buying up high-powered energy weapons and shields..."
"...There are underground fights at the 'Starbreaker' bar tonight. Huge betting pools. They say there's a mutant creature that escaped from a Kree Empire laboratory..."
The information was a jumble, but Lin Ye quickly identified several key points: the Hive's intimidation was affecting the port, but it had not gained complete control; the black market remained active; other powerful factions, such as the Void Exiles, seemed to operate within the port; and... underground fights offered a way to acquire substantial funds quickly.
He needed money and intelligence,