The Pirates of Ersatz

Bron Hoddan grew up on the world of Zan, where battered rockets and whispered rumors of piracy were the norm. Determined to shed that reputation, he meticulously plotted a stowaway run to planet Walden, hoping to prove himself as an electronic engineer, earn enough wealth, and win the heart of the charming Nedda. The journey forces him to hop between star‑systems, trading favors and labor for passage, all while clinging to a vision of a future. By the time he reaches Walden, his confidence is as high as the city’s soaring spaceport towers.

Walden dazzles with its immaculate streets, abundant luxuries and a society so comfortable that boredom is its only danger. Bron settles into an apartment, his plans seemingly within reach, when the peace shatters—police burst in, accusing him of a murder he swears he didn’t commit. His old friend Derec appears, torn between loyalty and the mounting evidence, leaving Bron to wonder whether his pirate past will finally catch up with him. The opening sets a tense clash between ambition and accusation, promising a thrilling struggle for truth.