A gentle voice echoed, "Amidst the multi-faceted expanse, the ancestral journey beckons." As the voice lingered, I gazed into a colorful mirror shimmering with a mysterious light. Splashing water upon my face, a feeling of peace washed over me, but the droplets soon transformed into a vast, puzzling ocean, pulling me into its depths.
The once-soothing voice now urged, "Answer the call and keep moving, for within you lies a power waiting to be awakened. "I swam upwards, trying to reach the distant surface. The calm waters began to stir, engulfing me in their embrace. Just as panic took hold, a glowing rope wrapped around my neck and pulled me from the water's grasp.
The voice whispered with a hint of darkness, "Distinguish friend from foe with love," as I clawed at the muddy shore, gasping for air. Then, raising my gaze, I saw a circle of shadowy figures, their faces blurred and indistinguishable. Wide, white eyes stared into my soul as each figure held a torch burning with a ghostly flame. The voice, once a refuge, now spiraled into a vibration of unease.
The torches flickered out one by one, and the figures vanished, leaving only a single phantom. Silently, they handed me their torch, the last light in the growing darkness. With their final words, "Protect the fire," they too faded away, leaving me to wander the dim landscape.
Lost and disoriented, I stumbled through the abyss, unable to escape the endless night. The cryptic warnings from the figures weighed heavily on my mind as continuous whispers while I searched for an escape. Then, suddenly, I awoke, letting out a scream, realizing it had all been a dream.
I rolled over in bed, still enveloped in a groggy haze, when the shrill alarm blared through my room, piercing the silence like a siren. I struggled to open my tired eyes and clawed at the control console, desperate to silence the blaring racket.
"I would like some cognizant mineral water, please, Maven," I said, abruptly stopping the alarm. Maven, the interactive computer system of the station, had been programmed with a sassy and sarcastic personality, which made interacting with it more enjoyable. While the technology needed to be updated, it still got the job done, albeit with occasional misunderstandings, particularly after a night at The Celestial Taproom. But that was my fault, not Maven's. It was good to remind people that Maven could be customized to their liking, adding fun to an otherwise mundane station life.
As the new off-cycle began, I had no desire to leave my icy room. The rest of the station was unbearably hot, thanks to the furnace at its core, which burned even hotter than usual after our recent successful payload of ore. We had made a small fortune, but I had no intention of squandering it at The Celestial Taproom or some new vendor. So instead, I planned to indulge in my usual haul of Mind-stream Vapor for my Plasma Puffer, paired with a glass of Nova Reserve Whiskey as I listened to old music I found at my friend Bowie's shop Sub-Level 7 Trinkets.
After rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I hobbled over to rotate the far wall and reveal the washroom. As I leaned over to splash water on my face, I accidentally hit the wrong button on the control panel. As a result, my entertainment system sprang to life, blaring music and causing me to jump in surprise. In my frantic attempt to silence it, I smacked the command controller repeatedly until the music finally stopped. I took a deep breath to calm myself, reminding myself to be more careful in the future.
"Here's your water," Maven's voice came from the front entrance delivery box. I retrieved the bottle, settled onto the blankets on my bed, and then picked up the command controller to turn on the station's news and entertainment channel. The room was filled with lively chatter and upbeat music, drowning out Mavin's voice as it bounced from one side of the room to the other.
An animated version of Maven appeared on the screen, taking up a quarter of the wall. "Good beginning to a new cycle to everyone, here on Celestial Twenty-Eight," she greeted us with a slight smile. Maven wore a sleek tailored pantsuit and had her hair styled smoothly and tied up with a metallic band. I knew I could choose from a range of style options for her, which added some much-needed personality to the otherwise monotonous entertainment and news channel.
"You're looking sharp, Mave," I chuckled, taking another sip of my water. The animated figure glanced my way, her expression brightening. "Thank you, Carson. Always nice to receive compliments," she replied, her voice laced with a hint of sarcasm.
"Good day, Celestial Twenty-Eight. Here are the latest stories from around the station," Maven announced, her digital form taking up a quarter of the wall. "First and foremost, we'd like to warmly welcome the Prince and Princess of the Theists, Mira, and Roman. The Brother and sister duo have embarked on a historic peace and trade negotiations tour, and we are honored to have them visit us. So let us all give them a warm welcome to Celestial Twenty-Eight."
I couldn't help but notice the sour expression on the faces of the visiting royals. "Wow, they look thrilled to be here," I commented dryly to Maven as she continued with the news. Despite the strained atmosphere, I listened attentively as she moved on to the next topic.
"Next, I want to mention that preparations are underway for the upcoming planetary alignment. We will host a special party to celebrate this momentous occasion, promoting peace throughout the solar system. All four governments and our own will be putting down our arms and coming together to mark this important event. It will be a day for us all to listen to our hearts and strive for unity and understanding. Well, at least for those of us with a heart," she added with a forced laugh.
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As Maven's forced laughter echoed through the room, I took a drink of my water, only to have it spill across the blankets when I nearly choked in surprise. I sighed, taking in the dusty mess of my room. It had been far too long since I'd tidied up, and the layers of dust seemed to have a life of their own.
Despite the clutter, however, this tiny room was my sanctuary. It was the only place on the station where I could maintain a regular heart rate, and I had decorated it with various alien posters and oddities I'd found at the shops over the years. I was always drawn to the most random items, like the striking Luchador mask I had stumbled upon, with its bright red and blue colors contrasting like good and evil. It was made of fabric and held in place by strings at the back, and I found it to be both peculiar and intriguing.
It wasn't until years later that a friend informed me of the mask's true purpose - to conceal the identities of "fighters" during combat. But regardless of its origin, it had become a beloved piece of my room's decor. Even amidst the dust and clutter, my room felt like an extension of myself, a little out of place amidst the sterile environment of the station.
As I dusted off my collection of exotic trinkets, I picked up the Pink Floyd mug and turned it around in my hands. Ancient Earth references were among my favorite things to collect, and I felt a strange connection to the pop culture of the 21st century. The knick-knacks that adorned my room were almost all from Sub Level Seven Trinkets.
Over the past few cycles, Bowie, the owner of Sub Level Seven Trinkets, had become a good friend of mine. I gathered that he was initially from the Oros government, which explained his shrewd business sense and knack for finding the most unusual and exotic items. I was one of his most frequent customers, drawn to the shop's eclectic collection of knick-knacks and oddities.
Despite my persistent curiosity, Bowie remained tight-lipped about how he acquired all his unique items. I had tried to coax the information out of him on more than one occasion, but he always deflected my questions with a wry smile and a shake of his head.
Regardless of the mystery surrounding the origins of my trinkets, I found comfort in their familiarity. They were a tangible connection to the past, a reminder of the Earth that had been left behind centuries ago. As I gazed at the Pink Floyd mug, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of the band's music still resonating across the vast expanse of space.
Suddenly, the opening notes of "Outside The Wall" by Pink Floyd began to play over my jerry-rigged sound system. The haunting melody filled the room, and I closed my eyes, letting the music wash over me. For a moment, I was transported back to a time long before the station, before the isolation and the monotony of life in space. I mentally planned my day as I smoothed out the blankets on the bed with closed eyes.
My reverie was interrupted by the insistent ringing of my Vision Cast in my pocket, jolting me back to reality. Link and his hologram appeared before me, clutching a bottle of something I couldn't quite make out.
"Carson Craft! Get your ass up, and we are heading to the Taproom now!" Link shouted excitedly, his voice echoing through the room.
I raised an eyebrow at him in amusement. "Already drunk, are we?" I asked, a hint of concern creeping into my voice.
"Dude, I heard that Princess Mira is going to be making an appearance at the Taproom tonight!" he exclaimed, waving the bottle in his hand.
"And?" I asked, not seeing the appeal of the royal visit.
"Let us try and become rulers of the Theists!" Link slurred, his enthusiasm undimmed.
I looked back at the entertainment channel, where Princess Mira appeared lost and uncomfortable amid the rowdy crowd. "Besides, that new bartender will be working tonight!" he added.
"Wind?" I asked, recognizing the name of the talented mixologist who had recently joined the Taproom staff.
"Yep, that's the one. Are you in or what?!" Link yelled, his excitement infectious.
I sighed, knowing that I wouldn't be able to resist his persuasive charm for long. Finally, I reluctantly gave in as a significant credit deposit notification went off on my draft board. "I'll be there," I said, dreading the hangover that would inevitably follow.
"Woooo…" Link cheered, his voice trailing off as I hung up on him.
"In security news, Pirate Nomads attempted to raid a Platinum Series transport last cycle, but the new Quantum Guard defense system quickly thwarted them," Maven reported, her tone serious and professional.
I nodded in agreement, glad to hear that the station's security measures were being upgraded. The pirate threat was a constant concern for those working in the transport sector, and the new defense system offered hope.
"Let's hope they tell their friends," Maven added with a forced chuckle.
"Tonight, there will be a meet and greet at the Celestial Taproom for our honored guests," Maven announced, her voice cheery and upbeat. "Bring your singing voices, because it will be a great time. I hope to see you there."
"I'll be there, Mave!" I exclaimed, already picturing the scene in the Taproom. "Help me find something to wear, though. I want to look good, but not like I'm trying too hard. Does that make sense?" I held up several clothing articles, hoping for guidance from my trusty assistant.
"So, your usual dumb self, right?! Kidding!" Maven joked in the middle of her announcements.
"Seriously, Mave, what should I wear?" I asked, tossing clothes on the ground in frustration.
"I haven't seen you this worked up in a few cycles... Who's the girl?" she teased, her curiosity piqued.
"What are you talking about?" I feigned ignorance, knowing that Link had probably spilled the beans about my crush on Wind.
"Your buddy ol' pal Link sold you out on your Vision Cast. Who's the girl?" she pressed.
"Her name is Wind. She's new at the Taproom. I made an ass of myself last time I saw her, and I want to make a better impression this time," I admitted, rummaging through my wardrobe for something suitable.
I landed on a black and white jacket with an asymmetrical cut. "What about this?" I asked, holding it up for Maven's approval.
"It's plain enough. She'll know what she's getting," Maven smirked, enjoying my discomfort.
"Funny," I grumbled, realizing I was in for a long night.