Red guided me through the bustling cafeteria towards an empty booth, his hulking frame parting the crowd with ease. The savory aromas of sautéed meats and steaming noodles reminded me I hadn’t eaten since yesterday.
“Best grub in any of the docks outside of Thalass,” Red boasted, patting his belly.
I had to remind myself that every planet had a real name. The founders named our planet New Venus, but everyone called it Two B. The Second planet circling the second star of the Trinary system.
Judging by his look, I gathered he hailed from Thalass, the ocean paradise that was our system’s fourth planet. His pride was so strong for his home planet that I could see a blush through his darker skin.
Red slid a screen in front of me as he struggled to fit his muscular build into the human sized chair. Every inch of the menu was crammed with options.
He waved down a server bot and rattled off an order, not bothering to ask for my input. I sat quietly, eyes roaming over the diverse patrons packed in the cafeteria.
I watched a broad mix of fashion garb and augmentations that went far beyond anything I had encountered before.
At a nearby table, a porcelain-pale woman picked through her salad. Emerald veins wove beneath her skin like threads in a spider’s web. I tried to make out what they were, but glanced away before I stared too long.
After I finished scanning the diverse patrons, Red reclined back in his seat. “You’ll get used to the crowds soon enough.”
The metal joints in his chair creaked under the strain as he continued. “This here’s the only decent food we can access. Damn, Union’s so tight with the class restrictions here. Place gets all types passin’ through. Nothing like my cooking, though.”
I tore my attention away from the other diners. “Do you cook on the ship?”
Red chuckled. “And then some! Our girl’s got state-of-the-art culinary gear, so I can fabricate just about any ingredients we need. Allows me to experiment with new fusion dishes using flavors from the colonies we visit.”
He launched into an excited breakdown of his latest creations, complete with pantomimed stirring and chopping. My lips quirked upwards. I had never met someone so passionate about food preparation.
With no kitchen in my studio and no cooking skills, I resorted to pre-packaged rations or vendors for my meals. After Red finished detailing his signature 12-planet soup, I cleared my throat. “Sounds like you’ve done a lot of research.”
“Sure have! You gotta find joy where you can out in the black.” His eyes crinkled. “The sights keep me going too. Pictures and Sims can’t compare to seeing the rings of Ursek IV with your peepers.”
He leaned forward, barrel arms resting on the table. “So what drew you off Union Rock, kid?”
I hesitated, weighing how much of my past to share with him. No one here knew my true origins. I could define myself instead of remaining chained to the past.
Somewhere along the line, I started hating myself. Thanks to my father’s arrangements, I had a new identity in the Lower District. I adapted quick enough to the life he set me on thanks to the month of education, but I hated the current me.
I had the chance to shed my past and become someone new, but wouldn’t share everything.
“Grew up in the Lower District slums,” I began slowly. My hands fidgeted as I thought of what else to say. “Got into hunting. This job was a ticket off-world for a spell. Wanted to see what’s out there.”
Red whistled. “A hunter, huh? I thought they were just sending a tech. You’d get along well with Jerok—that’s our captain. He poached trophy creatures in the Kapteyn Belt before going legit. Still got those military-grade weapons, though.”
I perked up at this common ground, remembering my fight last night and the recent beast.
As we were talking, a lithe figure suddenly materialized behind Red’s shoulder. Before I could react, she drove her fist playfully into his stomach.
“Oof!” Red bent over theatrically before letting out a booming laugh. “And I was gonna paint you like an angel. Maybe I’ll just talk about you and your misspent youth, you old delinquent.”
He nudged the slim woman towards me. “Ella, meet my troublemaking wife, Cassi, our communications expert and copilot.”
Cassi enveloped me in a brisk hug, her short crimson hair tickling my cheek. She gave me a dazzling grin, her golden eyes crinkling. Some odd shimmering spots flecked her brown skin, almost like embedded glitter. Probably a mod, though not one I’d seen before.
“Hope my oaf of a husband hasn’t bored you to death yet with his recipes and tall tales.” Cassi elbowed Red in the ribs.
Red feigned indignation. “I’ll have you know Ella here was riveted by my account of the great Belter Chili cook-off on five nine.”
Cassi rolled her eyes before focusing back on me. “Don’t mind him. Red buddy’s up quick with everyone. Be thankful you’re not a man. Him and Jerok would have you drunk on Vis Nectar by now.”
Red looked to the ceiling and feigned innocence. I think Cassi thought I was uncomfortable, but it was nice. Easy to talk to, like Stella. I liked that. Cassi seemed like the type who liked talking too.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
“We go way back, the three of us—me, Red, and Jerok,” Cassi continued, explaining away Red’s behavior. “We grew up together right on Thalass, joined up with the academy together too. I try to keep them in line.”
My throat tightened at the casual way she described lifelong friendship. Since my father made me, I was either in isolation or living in secret among strangers.
Cassi’s stories unfurled like forgotten tapestries, vivid and tinged with history. Red got out the occasional word of resistance to bring clarity.
Their banter washed over me, conjuring a feeling I couldn’t place. I barely noticed as we finished our food, cleared our trays, and meandered back towards the docks after Red suggested giving me a tour.
Distracted by my thoughts, I nearly collided with a figure exiting the cafeteria ahead of us. My breath caught as I took in the pink-haired woman’s outfit—the type seen in adult fashion modules.
Cassi’s face soured, and she nudged Red sharply as the provocatively dressed woman sauntered closer on mile-high heels.
“For God’s sake Sera, have some decency...” Cassi spat through gritted teeth.
Unfazed, the woman glided right up and pulled me into a deep embrace. Before I could react, her full lips crushed forcefully against mine. Every muscle in my body seized.
Cassi ripped her back violently by her collar, fire in her golden eyes.
“What the hell Sera!?” Cassi roared, shaking with rage. “I’ve told you to stop this crap, but you just don’t listen!”
Sera shrugged, readjusting her plunging neckline as Cassi fumed. “She’s cute, so I said hello.”
Red patted my back. “Don’t take it personal. Sera’s, ah, overly affectionate. Was raised in one of those ‘free love’ communes out in the Kepler belt.”
Despite the lingering embarrassment and bewilderment, I mustered a weak nod, my cheeks still tinged with heat. Cassi shot Sera a murderous glare before firmly steering me away from her, hands clenched tight at her sides.
“Sorry,” Cassi said once we sat down, her expression pained. “I should have warned you ahead of time about her boundary issues.”
I took a deep breath, willing my nerves to settle. “It’s alright, just caught me off guard.”
“See, she doesn’t mind,” Sera chimed in. “Not everyone’s a prude like you.”
Cassi shot a “shut up” face to Sera, who appeared to not care.
Red leaned in and whispered, “Be careful. Sera’ll sneak into your bunk and use you as some type of cuddle partner if you let her.”
With those doe eyes and full lips that landed on everyone, I could see how people would struggle to kick her out. I changed the subject to our departure. Other than installing portals, I had no idea what they did.
Cassi calmed herself with a sigh. “We picked up the contract gig with HexaGen for extra cash, but usually we transport cargo or people between colonies.”
She smiled proudly. “The Nyx might not look like much, but she’s rugged and roomy. Also, 100% owned by us, no financing. Took a lot of scrimping and sacrifice to earn her.”
Cassi’s obvious affection for their ship softened my initial disappointment. I had pictured boarding a gleaming new vessel made by HexaGen for my first flight, not an old hauler.
But owning it outright meant true independence. They weren’t beholden to HexaGen or bank creditors.
We headed back to the docks, and I scanned the rows of ships: Sleek cruisers, imposing warships, fast couriers—each vessel had different roles.
Red followed my gaze, pointing out various models and their capabilities as we walked. He was either great at bullshitting or an expert on every model in the dock. I could see why he was the chief engineer.
Eventually, we arrived at an unassuming bay. My steps faltered. This rusty hulk was the Nyx? Judging by the patchwork metal and mismatched parts, the ship had seen better days.
Sensing my hesitation, Red swept a hand towards the vessel proudly. “Now I know she ain’t much to look at, but the old girl’s got it where it counts. Upgraded the drives myself, stripped the hull, and reinforced everything from cabins to cargo. Safety and reliability are top-notch.”
He began highlighting custom modifications made to improve efficiency and longevity. My doubts lessened as he detailed the extensive work done to keep her space-worthy. The ship might be outdated, but Red’s care was obvious.
Cassi squeezed my shoulder. “She’s not pretty or prestigious, but the Nyx is home. We’ve got freedom to roam. No corporate overseers breathing down our necks. Out here you make your own way.”
Her words hit me. My entire life had been on rails. Following the road my father made. But Cassi and the others had their own path.
I reached out and rested my palm on the pitted metal hull. “She’s perfect.”
Red’s grin split his grizzled face. He escorted me aboard, his earlier energy returning. I stowed my belongings in the empty crew cabin before Red led me through the “Old Girl”.
Most of the tour blurred together. The rumbling engines, wall-mounted data nodes, hydroponic gardens, and other ship systems were new to me. My pulse raced at the thought of leaving everything I knew behind.
Before the tour could end, a yell and clang of boots on metal broke the mood. We rounded a corner, and I froze at the sight.
A naked man sprinted up the loading ramp, clutching a bundle of clothes, a larger figure in pursuit. Cassi barreled past us, shouting into her headset as she raced to the bridge.
Red grumbled under his breath, pulling through the mess hall. He fastened me to a seat and handed me a headset. “Get ready for a rough take-off!”
My heart raced as he took off. No training, no warning, not even a proper tour. I was completely unprepared.
I willed myself to stay calm, tightening the restraints. The ship rumbled around me, Cassi’s voice echoing through the headset.
“10...9...”
As adrenaline surged through me, my heart pounded against my ribs and I struggled to breathe. I wasn’t ready for this.
“3...2...”
Without reaching the countdown, a colossal pressure slammed down as the ship blasted upwards. The g-forces pinned me down, crushing my chest. Gray spots dotted my vision and the engine’s roar combined with the shaking made me dizzy.
After an eternity, the crushing weight eased, and I gasped for breath. Every muscle in my body quivered. A chuckle brought my blurred gaze upwards to see Red hovering over me.
“Gotta watch for Cassi’s curveball countdowns. She doesn’t waste time when it’s time to go.” He helped me to my unsteady feet. “Let’s get you up to the bridge.”
Still shaky, I followed him through the narrow corridors decorated with paper printouts and hatches. The compact bridge contained an array of screens and controls. Cassi grinned over her shoulder at my overwhelmed expression.
“Come, take a look.” She waved me forward to peer out the sweeping viewport. Two B, no, New Venus shrunk beneath us, a ruddy sphere crisscrossed with faint lines marking the habitable craters.
I pressed my fingertips to the glass. We were leaving the only world I had ever known. My chest tightened.
It hadn’t hit until I saw the planet disappearing. I was in a floating box with four people I didn’t know. Wasn’t this too fast? Did I board a slaver’s ship? Why didn’t I research anything?
Cassi squeezed my arm, misreading my thoughts. “Don’t worry, you’ll get your space legs soon enough. The next few weeks in transit will be rough, though.”
“Well, well, who do we have here?” A gravelly voice interrupted.
I turned to see the previously naked man swaggering onto the bridge. He gave me a lopsided grin, hand extended.
“Name’s Jerok. Captain of this beauty.”
Cassi shoved past him, expression stormy. “You better have a damn good reason for that stunt back there, or so help me. I’ll eject you out the airlock myself.”
Jerok held up his hands. “Now, now, no need for threats, Cass.”
Their voices faded into the background as I gazed out into the darkness. Did I make the right choice?