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Exodus, a mass departure of people, and the name of the of the first accelerator gate ever built. A silent spinning ring with a constant beam of light dancing along the center that allowed humans to leave their war ravaged and dying planet. A power that was built out of necessity and desperation. It is not the gate where this story begins, rather, it begins on the colony that serves as the last resting stop before travelers are flung across the galaxy. The colony of Hope, or as it is more sinisterly known Pandora's Playground.


Marquis Stein shouldered the dull olive green duffel bag thankful to finally be stepping off of the skipper shuttle that had brought him to the colony of Hope. It had been his first time off Earth and it was not long before he understood why they gave a relaxer before take off. The port itself was a bustling hub of noise and motion, he felt himself swept up in the waves of new arrivals and kept moving to avoid being squished or trampled. All around him where neon signs advertising anything from housing agents to where to find a good time. Looking to the other side he could make out a mirroring set of multi-level docking stations, though it had been set up for departures rather than arrivals.

At the wall to the entrance of the colony was a large projection that covered the entirety of the port, a broadcast by the Human Earth Alliance, it's message of peace and prosperity blaring over the loud speakers. He almost had to scoff at the paper thin promises, no different than the ones that were fed to those who had to stay behind on Earth. 'We'll send help back to you, soon Earth will be restored.' He had heard that promise his entire life, but the world he had known had never changed. The crowds spilled out of the large doors like a flood expanding across the much more open tram station, giving Marquis some breathing room and allowing him to actually take in his surroundings.

The tram station was a large circular structure with circular tunnels burrowed on all sides except for the one that he had just came from. In the center was the loading platform for the trams, huge rails expanding out from a tall tower that reached from the top to the bottom of the cavernous room. Each rail, entering a different tunnel and disappearing out of sight. Between where he was standing and the loading platform were several bridges.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the business card that was his reason for leaving Earth. It was plain white, but across the front was merely a name, 'Seraph Detectives', written in a golden shimmering text, wings spreading out from either side of the it. Flipping it over he found the word that had perplexed him since the card had been handed to him by a queer little man in an suit that was far too neat back on Earth, 'Forlorn.' The stranger had called it instructions to his place of business, but he failed to mention how it was supposed to be used. One by one, Marquis checked the plaques in front of the trams, seeing if perhaps it was the name of a district or line, with each passing one however it became increasingly evident that it was a fruitless search. He was snapped from his search by a sharp chirping voice from behind him
.
'Can I help you find something, sir?'

He whirled around to find himself face to face with a uniformed android, its face startlingly human except for it's shockingly blue eyes, the tiny cameras inside focusing a few times as it returned his stare.

'Y-yes, do you know where this is?' He took out the card and offered it business side up to the robot.

It seemed to study it for a moment, before looking up at him and returning it. 'Seraph Detective agency is reported to operate out of Housing Sector 9. It is accessed by the line immediately behind you, is there anything else I can help you with today, sir?'

Taking the business card back from its all too tight grip, he shook his head and thanked it for the information before turning around to go. As he boarded the automated tram and scanned his card he got the strangest feeling he was being watched, but when he turned around the android was nowhere to be found. Shaking it off as nothing but paranoia he took a seat and closed his eyes, the tram rocking to life carrying him away. His head was spinning with questions and too little answers, as he heard the estimated travel time come through the P.A.

One hour until arrival at Housing Sector 9

After not having slept at all on the skipper he found himself finally able to doze off and drift into a restful if light sleep. It was an all to short respite however, for as soon as he found himself comfortable the tram came to a rather forceful stop and the doors opened. He took a step out and immediately felt as if he'd stepped right back onto Earth. A bright sunlight fell on everything he could see, people dressed in well worn clothes walked along store fronts. Directly across from the station was a grassy field sprinkled with a handful of trees to provide shade, a fountain even occupied the center of it. For a moment he had to remind himself he was still on a space station.

A few people were gathered in front of the tram greeting family, or friends, one by one departing. Amidst all of them was the short, slender man in the neat suit, a bright smile on his face as if he knew precisely when Marquis was going to arrive. In mere seconds and with an unearthly grace he closed the gap between them and offered his hand.

'Welcome to Housing Sector 9 Mr. Stein, or as we call it the Forlorn District.'

At a cafe down the street two men sat at an outside table, and watched the interaction with deep interest. One was a man of great size, his muscles straining against the fabric of his clothing, long straight back hair pulled neatly into a ponytail that fell to the middle of his back, eyes obscured by dark black shades, loaning to his fearsome visage. His companion was more average in both size and build, a shock of red hair atop his boyish face and frame less glasses perched on his nose.

'Who's Crai talking to?' It was the red head that spoke first.

'Our new set of wings,'