Ghost Sector
“Oh, that’s old news,” Tempera said dismissively as she tried on another ring.
A third guard, a man with orange highlights in his spiky hair, joined in. “The real action is in the Ghost Sector. According to a drunk spacer who was spilling secrets last night, a lot of ships—even Space Forces battle cruisers—are gathering there, despite its reputation.”
The Ghost Sector had earned its name from what had happened to a planet within it, the Fourth Colony, whose entire population had perished when they’d angered disease spirits a few centuries ago. The planet had remained uninhabited ever since, and it was thought to bring bad luck to anyone who tried to land there. Then what was drawing all the ships? I wondered, but I didn’t dare ask my question aloud.
“I guess even Space For
