We're in Space ... So What?

Chapter 30: Caught in the Net

Though their stay was brief, each member of the crew made the most of the time they had in Ryan's home village. Judah, intrigued by the quiet life of the locals, found himself down by the docks. He stood watching as the fishermen cast their nets into the shimmering water, their movements precise and practiced. Approaching a group, Judah struck up a conversation, asking about their trade and how they navigated the icy waters of the mountain rivers.

"The fish we catch here are unique to this region," one of the older fishermen explained, his weathered hands tying up a net. "We've been fishing these waters for generations, but it's not as easy as it used to be. The government keeps raising taxes on our catches."

Judah listened intently, noting the deep frustrations in the man's voice. "That must be tough. Have you considered finding new markets?" he asked.

"We would if we could," the fisherman replied, shaking his head. "But with the way things are going, even just getting by is hard enough."

Meanwhile, Jamie ventured into the village market, his eyes scanning the bustling stalls and shops filled with local goods. He chatted with the workers there, curious about their lives. Like the fishermen, they expressed similar grievances about the increased government control over trade. Many spoke in hushed tones about the fear that gripped them under the rule of a man named Gabe.

"He's been making life harder for everyone," one shopkeeper whispered to Jamie. "Taxes, restrictions, and if you try to speak out? You'll regret it."

As Jamie absorbed this information, Angelia took a different approach to her time in the village. She went hiking with Ryan's sister, Lila, up the nearby trails that overlooked the valley. The cool air filled her lungs as they climbed higher, and Angelia found herself appreciating the peace of nature. Lila showed her some of the local plant life, explaining the medicinal herbs they used.

"You're lucky to live in a place like this," Angelia commented as they reached the top of a hill, the panoramic view of the valley stretching out before them.

Lila nodded. "It's beautiful, but it's also difficult. Things have changed so much since Gabe came to power. People are afraid to speak out, and it feels like we're being strangled."

Back in the village, Alex spent his time playing with Caleb and his friends. They introduced him to a local sport, something like a mix of soccer and handball, played in the dusty village square. Caleb's friends immediately took to Alex's carefree nature, and before long, he was laughing and racing around with them, enjoying the simplicity of the moment.

But while the others explored, Ryan sat with his parents in their cozy home, listening to their worries. His mother's voice was filled with concern as she explained how the government had tightened its grip on their village. His father spoke more bluntly.

"Gabe's the one behind it all," his father said with a frown. "He's been pushing people around, making life difficult for anyone who doesn't fall in line."

Ryan felt a deep pang of pity for his family. They had always been hard workers, proud of their independence, and now they were being crushed under the weight of a regime that cared little for their well-being.

"I don't like hearing this," Ryan said, his voice low. "There has to be a way to stop Gabe."

His mother reached out, placing a hand on his. "We're just glad you're safe, Ryan. Don't get involved in something that could get you hurt."

But Ryan couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility. Gabe had taken control of the region, and from what he gathered, was turning it into a place of fear and exploitation. As the crew gathered back at Ryan's house later that evening, the topic weighed heavily on his mind.

"I don't know if we can just leave it like this," Ryan finally said, looking at Judah and Jamie. "I can't leave my family knowing what they're going through."

Judah and Jamie exchanged glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. Gabe was clearly a powerful force in the region, and taking him on wouldn't be easy. Still, they had faced difficult odds before.

"What do you think, Judah?" Ryan asked.

Judah leaned back, considering. "If this guy's as bad as you say, we should at least figure out what we're dealing with before making any moves. But I get it. I wouldn't want to walk away from something like this either."

Jamie nodded in agreement. "Let's gather some information. We'll figure out a plan."

As the night settled in, the group agreed to stay a bit longer in the village. They would learn more about Gabe and decide how best to help Ryan's family before moving on.

The crew again enjoyed life in their respective places. But as time went on, they started to see the governments intervention even more. Soldiers would terrorize the villagers and make them feel uncomfortable. And once, in the city, in the market, Jamie glimpse of Gabe. And had a verbal tussle with him. Jamie, talking back to the main leader, got thrown in jail again, prompting the group to act. Alex, admitted he's not much of a fighter, but still wanted to be of use.