Bjorn floated in the void eyes closed in near absolute silence the only sounds the rush of blood and beating of his heart, acutely aware of the light pressure from his vac suit, liner and PM set the only things keeping him alive in the dark of space. Bjorns meditation was interrupted by a soft chirp of his implant letting him know he was cutting it close for getting to school. Opening his eyes Bjorn took a moment to take in the star field surrounding him even after seeing it thousands of times the sheer scale touched him, the limitless possibilities, worlds and adventures that were just waiting in that expanse called to a deep part of Bjorn urging him to go explore.
Sighing and tamping down the wonderlust Bjorn used his PM set, gloves boots and a flat backpack type set containing thrusters that let him manoeuvre in microgravity heading back to the jumper he used to deliver equipment and parts for his fathers business. Bjorns father Jason ran a mechanics where they mostly sold, leased and repaired all the machinery used for mining asteroids. As he nosed around towards home Primus, the star their asteroid belt orbited came into view its bright blue light drowning out any other light in that direction. Bjorn lived in the Puscar mining colony in the second asteroid belt of the primal system. The Primal system was an industrial system due to its rich asteroid belts which supported four large ship yards and industrial platforms.
Bjorn deftly wove his way to the Co-op station, a large asteroid which housed the refineries where the surrounding claims brought their ore to be processed and stored ready for delivery to the platforms. It also housed the community supporting the miners, the school, entertainment and infrastructure to support deep space mining. The asteroid was shaped like an ovoid dome the refineries sat on the flat ‘base’ and the habitation predominantly built into the dome side. The rock was oriented so the dome faced the star and the refinery out into the asteroid field.
Bjorn hurried to land in their companies yard which took up a space on the edge of the refinery side, engaged the magnetic docking clamps and jetted out of the cockpit past the freight lift to a small personnel elevator which took him down into the business’s internal workshop where his HUD let him know atmosphere and 0.5G where being generated. Removing his helmet while hopping further in past neat stacks of equipment and parts surrounding tools and machinery Bjorn jumped up to the mezzanine level to one side of the high ceilinged main floor bypassing the stairs. The low gravity and his natural athleticism making the move look easy. Bjorns implant opened the door on his approach allowing him into a kit room containing vac suits, PM sets and other personal equipment needed to operate in space around heavy machinery.
Here Bjorn removed his outer layers putting everything in its place and topping up consumables for his equipment through habit drilled into him by his father. Finally he entered their main living spaces. A Spartan open plan area to the left a dining area then kitchen to the right their lounge area. Also on the right was their front door to the resit of the habitation areas of the asteroid the the far wall held three doors a mostly unused office Bjorns room and then his fathers. This area like most of the habitation parts of the asteroid were kept at 1G.
Ducking into his room Bjorn put on jeans T-shirt and a pair of boots over his under suit, grabbed his data pad and left home setting out at an easy jog using the wide corridors and various lifts to make his way to the academic part of the station. The school was located towards the core of the asteroid near the environmental system’s theoretically the safest place on a rock floating in space. All citizens under their races majority had to attend six hours of compulsory classroom time each week to supplement the majority of their education which was completed on their own time using the net. All core educational modules were free to download and complete then more specialised courses were accessed by academic record or paying for them. The classroom sessions were to ensure all core subjects were covered and to encourage socialisation further to this extra curricular activities were compulsory for another two hours. The school also offered extra classes and support for students.
Bjorn entered the classroom just on time to slap his best friend Orbo’s rocky palm on the way to his normal seat between Orbo and his other best friend Lilly who gave him a grin as class started. Jake settled in to the boredom, this would be his last compulsory class he had completed all the compulsory courses years ago and had worked through quite a few more advanced courses that had piqued his interest in three days when he turned 18 all the held qualifications would be approved and Jake would become a full adult citizen of the Tradewinds Federation. Jake really didn’t know what he would do. Already working for his father full time he had completed as many engineering courses as he could stomach, but had a good number of random courses that had fought his interest covering a wide range of subjects. Orbo was from a large family of miners and was likely to stay here working a claim, Lilly had already written up her application to the Federation navy’s officer training college and was just awaiting her 18th birthday in a month for formal acceptance.
The class was made up of beings who were all going to graduate in the next standard half year so the subjects of the classroom time were focused on completing any outstanding coursework, completing applications for qualifications and looking to the future.
Bjorn left the last class of his education feeling a little melancholy, nothing had changed his life seemed to be set, working for his father or finding something else to do in the system seemed the likely future it was difficult to leave a system like theirs only military service was a reliable way out and Bjorn’s father had forbidden him from joining up.
The last session Bjorn had to complete was a one on one with an advisor in which they went through the completed courses and made sure the educational AI had all the correct qualifications lined up for final approval. So Bjorn was leaving a classroom alone when his implant gave a warning of an incoming projectile from behind, swaying to his left he tracked a ball flying past his right ear and turned to see Lilly and Orbo her still with hand outstretched from throwing the ball.
Lilly and Bjorn were both Human whilst Orbo was a Gelten a species originating from a world with a much higher gravity than Earth Geltens were a large species two arms two legs and bilateral symmetry they shared with humanity but they differed in many other ways, their skin was much tougher having a slightly gritty texture and a grey tone their faces were similar just lacking a nose, external ears and hair. Orbo was large even for a Gelten, incredibly strong and tough he apparently was pretty close the Gelten ideal physiology. Orbo was the strong and silent type, Orbo kept to himself only really opening up around family and close friends he had a grin on his face watching the smooth dodge.
Lilly had a cute pout going on as they approached. ‘one day I’ll manage to surprise you’ Bjorn just smiled waiting for them to catch up Lilly was a striking girl short and petite with pixie cut black hair she was the ring leader of their group always looking for the next bit of excitement. ‘Let’s go save Trix from her desk and get the Tugs out for a spin.’ Lilly was talking about the fourth member of the group who had recently graduated and worked logistics on the station.
‘Sounds like a plan, let’s go’ the three picked up the pace, Bjorn pinged Trix to meet them at his ASAP as the three charges through the station with youthful enthusiasm Bjorns pensive mood brightened by the presence of his friends. They burst into Bjorns home he grabbed them a snack bar each from the kitchen and they munched while they changed into their vac suits and put on their PM kits Orbo and Lilly had been carrying theirs with them Him because he lived off station and Lilly because she was probably planning this all day. As they exited the changing area and took the elevator back out to the surface of the asteroid they saw a small figure flying towards them in an exo suit, basically a PM that included an exo skeleton that enhanced the users movements. This was Trix jetting towards them. Trix was from a race called Wyns the species was known for their small stature but fierce intellect having a small body two legs, four arms one set above the other and a large head when in space and doing physical tasks they tended to prefer the exo set up to provide them with physical strength Wyns were an single sex species so were referred to as sher in common.
They all met in a corner of the surface yard where a group of tugs were stored pretty basic machines there were thousands in the colony basically a big engine with powerful thrusters strapped to it and a small cockpit. These rugged machines were the backbone of any mining operation built to link up to containers of ore and move heavy loads they were surprisingly fast and manoeuvrable when not attached to anything Bjorns father had given them free reign to salvage from the wrecks that he didn’t want to deal with and from those the four had built a collection of their own tugs Bjorn and Trix did most of the work with Orbo helping with the less technical work. Lilly tried to help but despite having the ability lacked the patience to really get much done. Over the years they had built torn apart and rebuilt quite a few to the point these current four were pretty much the limit of what they could build without investing money or attracting the attention of adults.
Trix greeted them, sher warbling voice coming over their comms ‘thought I was going to die of boredom right at my desk’ tuning towards Bjorn ‘welcome to the freedom from education and the continued boredom of a mining colony’ Getting a grunt in reply.
They all jumped into their preferred Tugs that they had personalised over the years. As they took off Lilly came over comms ‘still don’t know why you don’t come to the navy with me you’re a natural pilot and your father has taught you how to be a soldier. Your academic scores are way above mine you could easily get in and take your pick of postings.’
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‘You know what my dad thinks of military organisations.’
‘Him and your mother were both some sort of military and he’s been training you to be a marine since you could walk. Would have thought he would want you to join up.’
‘Think he left on bad terms, they didn’t treat him or my mum right and he doesn’t want me stuck in whatever situation they were. It’s fine I’ll find something and life out here’s not bad.’ They had had the same conversation many times.
Orbos deep rumble of a voice came in ‘It would be cool to travel the universe though’ Orbo had chosen not to apply because his family had always pushed him to continue mining it was the family business.
All four had fantasised about exploring the universe together but at the moment it looked like Lilly would get to travel with the navy, Trix was looking to get a job on a trade ship which left Orbo and Bjorn to continue their families businesses here.
Shaking off the mood they reached their destination a random point of the asteroid field designated as the starting line for a course their AI’s designed they would always have a different course generated each time playing with the parameters to keep it exiting. This course weaved trough a dense section of asteroids snaking out towards the outer edge of the ring then curving back to the Co-op asteroid. It was a long run but none of them had other plans.
Bjorn felt excitement as their implants synchronised displaying the course for them and starting a countdown. Looking over the track trying to plan ahead whilst double checking he was fully integrated with the tug he awaited the go signal. The four tugs shot off and the race was on Trix was a very technical flyer always calculating the preferred line. Lilly and Bjorn were both instinctive pilots usually winning the races but victims of their hubris when their bold and flashy flying didn’t pay off. Orbo was probably the worst pilot of the four but stayed in contention with dogged determination the odd flair of brilliance and his tough bodies ability to survive heavier forces.
They sped through the asteroid field, the comms full of trash talk, expletives and laughter. As they were approaching the outer edge of the belt Bjorn was in the lead fending off Lilly’s attempts to overtake when his console lit up a red light strobing and as a voice came over the tugs longer range comms.
‘Casting on all frequencies this is captain Sarah Winters of the scout vessel Orion we have been attacked by pirates, our long range comms and main engine have been damaged and we are being pursued by a cutter class pirate vessel if you can render aid it would be appreciated if not please forward the following data packet to the attached address’ the console then chirped to acknowledge the receipt of an encoded data packet and an address.
Bjorn paused the race forgotten noticing his friends had likely received the same message and grouping together. They had heard rumours of pirates in the system becoming more active there had been an increase in attacks over the last few years. Bjorn was thinking hard he had heard the slight strain in Captain Winters voice the knowledge that they were unlikely to escape.
‘We have to help them.’ Lilly was the first to speak over the looping message. ‘What can we do?’
Bjorn didn’t answer but instructed his AI to open an comm link with the Orion. ‘Hello this Bjorn Ragnarsson of the Puscar mining colony we have four tugs on the edge of the asteroid belt, how may we provide aid?’
The screen lit up with a small picture of a seated woman ‘This is Captain Winters we appreciate the offer but you wouldn’t last a moment against a cutter please just forward my message when you can access a long range comm node.’
‘The least we could do is stay in range for if you fight the cutter off so we can help then.’ Bjorn could see the captains conflict not wanting to get them involved but also wanting to give her crew the best chance of survival.
‘Okay but you stay hidden in the asteroid field and if by some miracle we survive this you can help. Are we clear. Stay hidden!’ The last part obviously an order rang with command.
‘We will send us your telemetry and sensor data so we can track you.’ Captain Winters just nodded and muted the call.
The tug only had the small display so Bjorns AI lit up his HUD filling his vision with the incoming data the Orion was limping towards the asteroid belt using only manoeuvring thrusters they had managed to escape an ambush with a short FTL jump using their slip drives but the damage had overloaded the drive stopping them from jumping again. The Pershing vessel had their vector so could drop out of FTL at any moment and easily catch up. Bjorn was sharing all the data with the others and all four sat trying to think of a plan to help
‘We could rush out there and push them back to the colony these tugs could do it easy and the Co-ops defensive guns could easily handle a cutter.’ Lilly as always was first to speak.
‘But if the pirates turn up whilst we’re out there we will be dead in seconds. And it’s unlikely we will have time to even get to them.’
‘But we have a chance.’ Lilly’s thrusters started to light up the impulsive girl ready to act. Bjorn stroked his throttle ready to follow noticing the others start moving as well. They might disagree but they definitely had each others backs.
Before they could leave the shelter of the asteroids though their comms blared an alarm as a cutter dropped into local space.
‘Stop, we go to where the Orion will come into the belt use as little thrust as possible so they don’t see us.’ Bjorn sighed and followed the path his AI calculated to allow them to remain hidden. Keeping an eye on the data from Orion.
The pirate cutter closed quickly laying into the Orion as soon as they were in range. The scout ship was built whilst armed was primarily built for speed and stealth with its main engine down it was no match for the cutter a heavily armed and armoured war ship first the shield was brought down then the cutter started to target the scouts few weapon emplacements. The Scout didn’t just take the beating she pitched and rolled using the secondary thrusters to spread the damage and bring more weapons on target even getting a few shots through the cutters shields. However inevitably the cutter succeeded in removing all weapons then any active thruster before pausing matching the scouts vector.
‘They’re going to board.’ Bjorn whispered even heavily damaged the scout was clearly too much of a prize for the pirates to destroy. Looking to his display which still showed the Orions flight bridge he could see that the crew were all wearing armoured vac suits and rushing about collecting weapons and sealing the bridge the Captain was clearly giving orders and briefly looked in muted the comm.
‘Please make sure that data is delivered, it’s important.’ Then she cut the comms
At some point the two ships had entered the range of the tugs weak sensors and they watched as the s cutter docked with the slightly smaller scout ship. Actually they were barely a minute away at the tugs hardest burn and still closing.
Suddenly inspiration struck Bjorn, communicating rapidly with his AI he called to the others. ‘Slave your tugs to my AI we have to move quickly’ they didn’t hesitate and in moments his AI was making calculations and moving all four tugs into position. It briefly crossed his mind that his father had told him not to reveal how advanced his personal AI was a standard one wouldn’t be able to process so many calculations simultaneously and retain control of the tugs.
The plan was in essence simple they were going to use the four tugs to push a small asteroid out to collide with the cutter. The details though were more complicated Bjorn set the parameters and his AI did the quick math. First the asteroid had to have enough mass to do serious damage to the cutter but also light enough for their tugs to accelerate to a high enough velocity and steer. Also the courses of all parties had to be calculated so they actually collided with the cutter whilst missing the scout. It would get more complicated when the pirates noticed them and started trying to evade.
As the tugs lined up on the chosen asteroid Bjorn signalled Orbo and Trix to leave their tugs double checking the tugs were set up right Bjorn also left his tug and moved over to Lilly’s the other two followed his example. They attached to her hull with mag locks in their boots and gloves. They definitely did not want to be in the tugs when the asteroid impacted the ship so after helping with the initial push Lilly’s tug would detach and hang back ready to help the scout or take them back to the colony if their plan failed.
The tugs synchronised giving everything to push the selected rock out of its place the four young colonists were shaken around and their tugs creaked as they pushed against the asteroids inertia. The cutter the cutter noticed the rock tried to roll the scout into its path whilst firing at it with all available weapons Bjorn sent the highest priority comm request he could to the Orion and as soon as it was answered told the captain to have her crew brace for impact, the tugs managed to correct course and Lilly’s detached dropping decelerating as fast as possible as moments later the Asteroid struck the cutter on the starboard bow a ripple of impact rolled down the armour of the cutter as seams burst and it was torn free of the scout, as it floated away it was a twisted wreck the Asteroid continued its progress the three tugs smushed against its surface unable to survive the collision. The scout ship floated dead in space atmosphere was visibly leaking from various places and there was a large gouge where the cutter had been torn from its hull.
They approached cautiously the Bjorn had lost contact with the bridge but was quickly able to establish a suit to suit link with the captain. ‘Captain, are you okay? What is your status?’
Bjorn heard Captain winters talking to her people for a moment before she replied. ‘What was that? I thought I told you to stay away.’ Quickly regaining her composure the captain continued to give orders to her crew to secure the the ship and make sure the backup power was brought online. As reports came in Bjorn was left muted while Lilly brought them into formation with the much larger but drifting scout vessel. The scout was declared free of pirates emergency power was functioning for all critical systems and after some hasty applications of sealant main crew areas were holding atmosphere. Unfortunately the bad news was the main reactor had shut down in the collision and wouldn’t be starting any time soon. Also all thrust was offline so they truly were drifting. Finally the commotion calmed and Captain Winters returned to the conversation with Bjorn. ‘It seems we owe you for that save though it seems we are adrift, would you be able to go and get us some help? The cutter may not be the only ship following and itself may not be completely inactive.’
Bjorn thought for a moment and queried his AI ‘If it’s ok with you we could tow you with this tug, it will be slow but still faster than us heading home and gathering a crew to come back.’
‘You could do that with a single tug?’
‘We’re miners moving heavy objects is what we do.’
There followed a coordinated gathering of cables from both vessels attaching to hard points on the scouts hull and the tug Bjorn Orbo and Trix joined by some engineers from Orion deftly hooked the two ships up,
As they entered the third hour there was a moment of excitement as Bjorns father having noticed the youngsters were far beyond their expected eta he had been automatically sent when they left, had come searching for them. It was decided not to mess with the tow and Jason simply accompanied them back Bjorn groaned knowing his father would want a thorough debrief when they were alone.
The return was anticlimactic the Orion was helped by a few other tugs to a dry dock there was a flurry of handshakes and thanks before the youngsters were sent to rest at their guardians insistence. They separated Trix and Lilly going to their own Han blocks while Orbo came with Bjorn to camp out there and save a trip out to his family’s claim only to return in a few hours.
Bjorn was glad Orbos presence spared him the interrogation though he made sure to send all the data his AI had recorded through to their homes secure network. As the boys headed to bed Bjorn saw his father heading to the office, probably to start his analysis