Kai sat patiently in his room, gazing out the large window into the expanse of space. The faint reflection of Eliana’s determined face in the glass caught his attention as she stood behind him, razor in hand, its soft hum filling the otherwise quiet room. A cape draped around his shoulders shielded him from the falling strands of hair that gently landed on the floor like tiny whispers of the past.

Eliana was in a particularly good mood. Just a few days ago, they had helped Aria Celeste, the Federation's most renowned singer, rediscover her passion for music. That success had left her glowing with pride and joy. Now, she was fulfilling another wish of hers—giving Kai a much-needed haircut.

Kai’s medium-length hair had been his signature, usually tied back into a loose bun, but it had grown unruly, much to Eliana’s disapproval. She didn’t dislike his hair, but its messy state had reached the point where she couldn’t ignore it anymore. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She’d spent hours watching tutorial videos from the station's database, feeling confident that she could manage a simple cut.

“Hold still,” she said with a playful grin, her fingers combing through his hair as she worked.

“I am still,” Kai replied, his voice tinged with amusement. He couldn’t see what she was doing, but he trusted her. If the worst happened and she botched it, he reasoned, he could always buzz it all off and let it grow back. The thought wasn’t comforting, but it was practical.

As Eliana snipped away, Kai’s gaze returned to the window. He watched as a sleek ship maneuvered into one of the docking tubes. Something about it caught his attention. It was moving faster than the standard approach speed, almost as if it was in a hurry. His sharp eyes noticed damage on one of its wings—part of the structure was chipped away, revealing an intricate network of wiring and supports beneath the ship’s polished exterior.

“What’s up?” Eliana asked, noticing his furrowed brow.

“Nothing,” Kai replied, his eyes still fixed on the ship. “That ship coming in—one of its wings looks damaged. Could’ve been from debris.”

“Debris? I thought the space around the station were patrolled for that,” Eliana said, her hands pausing for a moment.

“They are, but it still happens sometimes,” Kai explained. “A small piece of space debris—something the size of a briefcase—could cause a lot of damage if the ship was moving fast enough. That’s why there are strict laws about littering in space.”

Eliana nodded, her focus shifting back to her task. Kai’s explanation made sense. While space travel had come a long way, it wasn’t without its risks. Despite the regulations and the countless scavenger ships patrolling to collect stray objects, accidents still occurred.

Kai kept watching the ship until it disappeared into the docking bay, then shifted his attention back to the reflection of Eliana in the window. She had a concentrated look on her face, cutting his hair slowly and carefully.

“Done!” she exclaimed with satisfaction, stepping back to admire her work.

Kai turned to look at her, then caught sight of his reflection in the mirror. His hair was shorter, neatly trimmed, with the kind of care that spoke to Eliana’s effort. It wasn’t a professional cut, but it suited him.

“Well?” Eliana asked, her voice full of anticipation.

Kai smiled, running a hand through his now-sleek hair. “I think you just found yourself a backup career.”

Eliana laughed, playfully swatting his shoulder. “Good thing it turned out well. I don’t think I could’ve handled the guilt if I’d messed it up.”

Kai chuckled. “I’m glad you didn’t. Otherwise, you will be the one that endure the bad look.”

“Deal,” Eliana replied with a grin. Then her expression softened. “Thanks for trusting me, Kai.”

“Always,” he said simply, standing and pulling her into a quick hug before turning back to the window. Something about that damaged ship lingered in his mind, like an itch he couldn’t quite scratch.

Something always come up when Kai gets a haircut. And that something was clear when Kai and Eliana rejoined everyone else in the lobby.

The ceremony for the Black Swan’s redesign was as grand as expected. When Kai and Eliana rejoined everyone in the station’s central lobby, the energy in the room was palpable. The Forge had clearly recognized the importance of the moment, treating it as a celebration not just for the Black Swan but for the craftsmanship and innovation it represented.

The designer in the wheelchair rolled onto the stage, the spotlight illuminating his weathered face. Beside him stood Commander Grayson, his posture straight and proud. The two shook hands, exchanging a few words before the designer took the microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the designer began, his voice strong despite his age. “Today, we unveil the future of long range exploration: the redesigned Black Swan.”

The lights dimmed, and a massive holographic display lit up above the stage, revealing the new blueprint of the Black Swan. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as the design slowly rotated, showcasing every detail.

The ship was larger, more imposing, yet retained the luxurious elegance that had always set it apart. Its sleek lines and polished surfaces glimmered under the holographic lights, a perfect blend of function and style. The designer gestured toward the display, his voice steady as he detailed the upgrades.

“The Black Swan has been outfitted with dual jump drives, allowing for staggered cooldowns and significantly faster travel over long distances. A state-of-the-art fuel scoop will enable the ship to harvest energy directly from the stars, ensuring extended operation even in the most remote regions. We’ve increased its defensive capabilities, adding more weapons to protect against unforeseen dangers.”

He paused for effect, his eyes scanning the audience. “A larger power plant will power these enhancements, while the interior has been redesigned for efficiency and comfort. The expanded living arrangements now accommodate up to twelve crew members, providing everyone with the space they need for long journeys.”

The blueprint zoomed out, revealing the full scale of the ship. It was just a little over 100 meters long and 40 meters wide. Kai couldn’t help but notice the envious glances from members of other crews in the audience. The Black Swan was a marvel, a dream ship for any spacer.

As the designer concluded his speech, a guard hurried onto the stage and whispered something in his ear. The designer’s face darkened with concern. He leaned toward Commander Grayson, and the two exchanged quiet words for a few seconds.

Commander Grayson stepped off the stage and motioned for the crew to gather. His expression was grave, and the excitement of the ceremony quickly gave way to unease.

“There’s been an accident,” Commander Grayson said, his tone serious. “During the collection of materials for the Black Swan’s construction, the mining vessel was struck by a stray rock. Their mining expert has been injured, and the operation is currently stalled.”

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The crew exchanged worried looks. The news cast a shadow over the celebration. Kai’s chest tightened. As a former miner, he knew all too well how dangerous the job could be. He hoped the injured miner would recover but couldn’t ignore the weight of the delay on their mission.

“We can’t afford this delay,” Kai said, an idea suddenly forming in his mind. “Commander, I’ve worked in the mine. Let me replace the expert and continue the collection.”

Commander Grayson’s eyes narrowed as he considered the proposal. “Do you know about vortex mining operations?”

“Yes,” Kai replied firmly. “I know the risks are high, but I'm also the only one here that remotely knowns thing about it. If anyone should go, it’s me.”

Commander Grayson hesitated, glancing at the crew. “I’ll speak with the operation manager. Wait here.”

As Grayson walked away, the crew remained silent, the weight of the situation settling over them. Eliana grabbed Kai’s arm, her grip firm. “You can’t do this. It’s too dangerous.”

Kai turned to her, his expression resolute. “Eliana, we don’t have time to spare. This expedition is too important. We can’t let a delay stop us now.”

Eliana shook her head, her eyes filled with worry. “There has to be another way.”

Before Kai could respond, Commander Grayson returned, his face devoid of the confidence they had hoped for. “The operation manager has approved the request,” he said, his voice heavy. “But make no mistake—this mission is extremely dangerous. The maelstrom is unpredictable, and there’s no guarantee of success.”

Kai nodded, his decision unwavering. “I’ll go.”

Eliana stepped in front of him, her voice pleading. “Kai, please. Don’t do this.”

Kai placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice soft but firm. “Eliana, I have to. No one else here knows what to do, and we can’t afford to wait. I’ll be fine.”

Eliana searched his face, tears threatening to spill. She knew she couldn’t change his mind, but the thought of him in danger was almost too much to bear.

"I'll be fine Eliana, I promise." Kai said.

"Please comeback safely." Eliana said and held onto Kai's hand.

Commander Grayson placed a reassuring hand on Kai’s shoulder. “We’ll prep the equipment and go over the plan. Be ready.”

Kai nodded, stealing one last glance at Eliana before following Grayson. He could feel the crew’s eyes on him as he walked away.

The hangar was buzzing with activity as Kai followed Commander Grayson. Before him stood the ship he had seen from the window earlier, now under repair. A portion of its wing was missing, the jagged break exposing intricate internal components. Around its hull were scorched and dented sections, a clear testament to the impact of the stray rock. Kai speculated that either the debris from the wing or the rock itself had struck one of the miners, causing the injury that had delayed their mission.

The ship's design was unusual and immediately caught Kai’s attention. Its wings extended from the top, giving it a birdlike appearance. Two open-sided sections flanked its fuselage, leaving it exposed to the elements. Kai recognized the purpose of this configuration from Ship Head magazine. This was a "Tugboat," a vessel customized specifically for dive mining in the Maelstrom. The open areas allowed miners to quickly deploy, secure cables to drifting rocks, and return before the vortex’s gravitational pull reclaimed the minerals.

Several engineers worked tirelessly on the ship, sparks flying as welders sealed the damaged wing. Another technician calibrated exposed cables with practiced precision. Kai couldn’t help but admire their speed and efficiency. Barely an hour had passed since the ship docked, and the repairs were already nearing completion.

A woman approached them, her stride confident and purposeful. She wore a dark green pilot uniform, its crisp lines accentuating her no-nonsense demeanor. Her short-cropped hair framed a face etched with experience, and her sharp eyes scanned them with practiced authority. A name tag stitched onto her uniform read "Rachel Raven".

Rachel extended her hand to Grayson. “Commander Grayson, I presume? I'm Rachel Raven, pilot of the Tugboat.”

Grayson shook her hand, matching her firm grip. “It’s a pleasure, Ms. Raven. I’m sorry to hear about your injured crew member.”

Rachel sighed, her expression hardening. “It’s part of the job, unfortunately. Dive mining is high risk work. That’s why we offer top tier services and charge accordingly.” She gave a dry chuckle, though her tone betrayed no humor.

Grayson nodded and gestured toward Kai. “This is Kai. He’ll be stepping in as your temporary miner for this operation.”

Rachel’s eyes shifted to Kai, assessing him with a critical gaze. “He’s young,” she said bluntly. “Are you sure he understands the risks involved here?”

Kai stood a little straighter, meeting her gaze. “I do,” he said firmly, his voice steady despite the nerves bubbling beneath the surface.

Grayson’s tone was unwavering. “Kai’s one of my best. He’s a former frontier miner with experience in high risk operations. If anyone can handle this, it’s him.”

Rachel raised an eyebrow but ultimately shrugged. “Alright, if you say so. But let’s be clear. This isn’t child’s play. The Maelstrom is unforgiving and it had already claimed the lives of manyy.”

Kai nodded, suppressing the flicker of unease Rachel’s words stirred. He’d read extensively about the Tugboat and the perilous mining operations it performed in the Maelstrom. The process, known as “dive mining,” involved tethering cables to minerals ejected from the vortex. Once attached, the Tugboat would haul the rock out before the gravitational forces dragged it back into the vortex.

The challenge lay in timing. The rocks will only remain in the operational safe zone for a short period. A delay in securing the cable or insufficient power to pull the rock away meant possible death for the crew as the vortex claimed its victims.

Kai’s eyes lingered on the ship as the engineers performed final checks. The success of the Black Swan’s upgrades—and their mission to uncover humanity’s forgotten past—depended on this operation.

Delay was not an option.

Rachel cast one last critical look at Kai before turning on her heel. “Follow.”

Kai obeyed, stepping into the Tugboat behind her. The interior was simple and utilitarian—two rows of seats lined the walls, facing each other.

“You’ll need to suit up before we start,” Rachel said, motioning toward a compartment beneath one of the seats.

Kai crouched and pulled out a compact bundle. As he unwrapped it, a surge of familiarity struck him. It was the mining suit he’d read about in Ship Head magazine—the specialized gear used for dive mining in the Maelstrom. The suit was sleek but sturdy, with a propulsion system on the the boots and arms, allowing for quick maneuvering in the weightless environment of space. There were no fancy automated controls or secondary safety measures—success relied entirely on the operator’s skill, reflexes, and bravery.

Kai slipped into the suit, the reinforced material fitting snugly around his body. He felt the weight of the propulsion device settle on his legs and arms. Adjusting the helmet, he took a deep breath, steadying his nerves.

Rachel watched him with an unreadable expression. Once he was fully suited, she launched into a detailed briefing on the operation. Much of what she said was information Kai already knew, but he listened intently, absorbing every word.

The ship’s repairs were complete, and the crew began filing back onboard. First came Johnson, the copilot, a burly man with an air of calm professionalism. He greeted Kai with a firm handshake.

Next was Rook, the ship’s engineer, who wore a faint scowl that softened only slightly when he introduced himself.

Finally, Earl, the dive master, climbed aboard. He exuded confidence despite the tension in his expression, a no-nonsense demeanor that reminded Kai of seasoned miners he met back on Drakmoor. Earl’s job would be to guide Kai through the operation, directing him from the ship as he executed the dive.

Each crewmember shook Kai’s hand, though the weight of their previous loss hung heavy in the air. Kai tried to force a reassuring smile, but his own nerves betrayed him.

“Alright, everyone, strap in,” Rachel barked as she slid into the pilot’s seat.

Kai and the crew followed her command, securing themselves in their seats and donning helmets. The hiss of pressurization filled the helmet as their suits sealed, preparing them for the vacuum of space.

The engines roared to life, their deep, guttural sound reverberating through the ship.

Soon, they will be in the vortex again, risking their lives.