The Nexus marketplace

The glowing of the neon signs, the lights that ran through the many pre-fab pods that make up The Nexus, a massive space station at the very heart of Free Space. The glow of the many hi-tech wares, the hollering of the merchants and clerks trying to get the attention of the myriad of different species and customers and the hum of the many clients talking and bartering fueled the life of the marketplace of the massive space station at just a few steps from the blast doors of the disembarking gate, strategically placed there to suck as many credits as possible from the tourists itching to spend their money on as many trinkets, mementos as gifts as they could to bring back home, the off-duty soldiers and security personnel looking to unwind and forget all about the battlefields and the back alleys they serve at and wishing to find the bar with the stiffest drinks and best of companions, and the refugee and political escapee, looking to loose themselves in the crowd to start anew, and to smartly spend whatever meagre resources they could take with them as they lives were being destroyed, or to see who would hire them, or enslave them...

You could find it all between the crowded stalls and the filled stores, a place that never regardless of the time. Bottles and vials filled with a rainbow of colors, the ones at the front are all meant for merrymaking and having at good time, and those meant to stop it... Well you better ask out back
Provisions, MREs, medical supplies ranging from basic bandages and tourniquets to highly advanced nano-medical applicators plus limb repair and regeneration modules, the cutting edge of medical technology which not to many people will see in action, or experience.
Combat provisions, ammunition, bullets, custom cartridges in all sizes, power packs, plasma vials, grenades, armor powered and not, garments of all colors, shapes and sized meant for humans, aliens and whatever else came through those doors it was all a bliss of moment and excitement that could make you dizzy!

It was a dangerous thing to be exposed to this whirlwind of sensations alone, the overwhelming lights and sounds could make you fall prey to one of the guides. Caring and helpful, they would offer their services depending on what you wished to find
For the many tourist and pleasure seekers
"Ah yes, you do have the look of spacers about you, come I can take you to the tourism center, there you can find any number of amenities, entertainment and hotels for you and your family... All of course for a nominal fee"

For the seasoned mercenaries and soldiers
"My, a true-to-life mercenary. You must indeed be something to survive out there... Don´t want to talk about it? I understand, and yes I can take you to the military sector, I heard a new shipment of MVII Shield adaptors for the Gladius-type Powered armor just arrived in stock. Of course warrior, I would ask a small fee for my services"

And more often that not, the disheveled refugee or opportunity seeker
"A wonderful sight isn´t it? The nexus is truly a place of splendor and opportunity if only you knew where to look. Say friend, you look like you´ve seen better times... Yes, we´ve heard of the riots at Ostia IV, the regime didn´t look all too forthcoming to the scholarly type, but don´t fret! I know just the place where you can get yourself some supplies, food and water, a place to stay and maybe a change of clothes, if for no other reason than to cause a... Better first impression eh? Follow me and I´ll take you there, for a small fee of course"

A small fee that wasn´t so small, a place far from the cameras and the guards that kept the movement and bustle of the marketplace in order, of a sort, and supplies that were earned after a beating, a shock collar attached to the neck of another fool refugee looking to escape, like so many others before. For the hauling of goods is a dangerous work, the floors need to be kept clean, the power ducts repaired and a myriad of other chores need to be tended too.

The marketplace is a trap for all, a credit trap for those who can afford its costs, and a life trap for those who can´t. One way or another it will extract its price from all who arrive to the Nexus, one or another, you will pay your toll.

This short story was the result of dynamic we have going on #Freewrites, were a prompt is given and you have to write something with it in 5 minutes or less. If you want to join and participate, feel free to look us up or to follow the link https://steemit.com/trending/hive-161155