Then when Varek and the other 49 miners arrived at the orientation room, a man in a jumpy suit burst in, clearly just finished fixing something on the equipment strapped to his back. He wiped a streak of grease from his forehead with the back of his hand and flashed them a grin that was equal parts friendly and chaotic.

“Alright, folks! I’m your orientation officer today, but I’ve got a few screws loose on the other side of the hangar, so we’ll keep this short and sweet. Follow me!” he said, his voice a mix of excitement and urgency.

The miners exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of confusion and curiosity, but they complied, trailing after him. They stepped outside, and their jaws collectively dropped at the sight before them.

Rows of mining shuttles lined the hangar, some gleaming under the harsh lights while others were in various stages of repair. The hangar itself wasn’t luxurious; it had that rugged, utilitarian charm that only space stations could muster. But it was what hovered just outside that caught their breath—a massive dreadnought, seemingly frozen in time, its dark hull absorbing the light of distant stars.

The other miners, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, pointed and murmured to one another, their hearts racing at the sheer scale of the ship. “Holy shit,” one of them whispered, a tone of awe thick in his voice. Varek’s eyes sparkled as he took in the spectacle, feeling a mix of trepidation and exhilaration. This was it—the start of something monumental.

Then the orientation officer cleared his throat, commanding the attention of the wide-eyed miners. “Alright, crew! I’m Officer Drax, and that magnificent beast behind me,” he gestured dramatically at the dreadnought, “is gonna be your baby from now on. Welcome to the team!”

He took a moment to let the gravity of his words sink in. “You’re going to be split into three groups, each assigned to one of the mining shuttles. And just so you know, we’ve got twenty shuttles lined up for the big guy. Each one will be paired with a veteran miner—your guide, your mentor, and if things go sideways, your babysitter.”

The miners exchanged nervous glances, the reality of their new roles beginning to settle in.

“The roles on your mining shuttle are always shifting,” Drax continued, pacing slightly as he spoke. “You won’t just be a miner; you’ll learn everything from piloting to repairs. One week of practical training is what you’ve signed up for. And believe me, you’ll be knee-deep in asteroids faster than you can say ‘space rocks.’”

A chuckle rippled through the group, easing some of the tension.

“Now, I know what you’re thinking—‘Where’s the pay for all this hard work?’ Well, there’s a catch.” Drax paused, letting the weight of his words hang in the air. “You won’t see a single credit during your training week. You’ll be working for experience, not for money. But trust me, what you learn out there is worth its weight in gold. By the end of the week, you’ll be ready to hit the real mining jobs, and then, oh boy, the credits will roll in.”

Officer Drax clapped his hands together, energizing the group once more. “Alright, listen up! Those twenty mining shuttles will be housed in the belly of the dreadnought. Every time she launches, she’ll take you to a random region in the asteroid belt. The excitement? You never know what you’ll find out there—gold, platinum, maybe even some rare space crystals if you’re lucky.”

He paused, letting the prospect of hidden treasures simmer in their imaginations. “But it’s not all sunshine and asteroids. If any pesky pirates decide to crash the party while you’re mining, don’t worry! Our baby here is equipped with some serious firepower. The dreadnought will fry any approaching pirate ships before they can even say, ‘Hey, look, free loot!’”

The miners laughed nervously, glancing back at the massive dreadnought, its dark silhouette looming behind them like a guardian.

“And here’s the best part,” Drax added with a grin, “you’ll each get one day off each week. Use it wisely! Explore the station, catch up on sleep, or maybe just stare out at the stars—whatever floats your spaceship. But remember, you’ll want to be well-rested because once we hit the belt, it’s go-time!”

With that, he pointed towards the nearby shuttles, excitement sparking in his eyes. “Now, who’s ready to get this show on the road? Because the asteroids aren’t going to wait for us to finish our chit-chat!

Officer Drax stepped aside as the newly recruited miners began to gravitate toward their assigned veteran miners, who were already sizing them up like a coach evaluating new players. “Your equipment is stashed on your shuttle,” he called out. “And don’t forget your rifles for protection—safety first, folks!”

Varek felt a tug on his shoulder as an old miner with a grizzled face and a distinct piratish accent approached him. “Aye, lad! I’m Grek,” he said, his voice gravelly but not unkind. Next to Varek stood a random new recruit, a young guy with wild hair and a look of barely contained excitement.

As the first mining shuttle rumbled toward the dreadnought hangar, a few veterans hurried their recruits along like drill sergeants, barking orders and tossing gear into their hands. Varek and Grek, however, trailed behind, the old man seemingly unfazed by the hustle around them.

“Why aren’t we rushing?” Varek asked, curiosity piqued.

Grek chuckled, scratching his scruffy beard. “The dreadnought can only fit twenty of us, but look around—there are thirty shuttles here. Means we’ll be taken by a cruiser instead.” He paused for dramatic effect, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “But here’s the bright side, lad—no competition! Less fuss and more room for us to breathe.”

“Still sounds a bit sketchy,” Varek muttered, glancing at the chaotic scene.

“Aye, but think of the Mining Union’s incentives! For every haul of valuable minerals we gather, we get a nice bump in our salaries. Just keep your eyes peeled, and maybe we’ll strike it rich together,” Grek replied, his tone shifting from playful to serious. “Stick close, and we’ll navigate these rocks like true space rats.

Then the remaining ten mining shuttles rolled toward the cruiser hangar, engines humming with anticipation. Unlike the dreadnought’s rusty, bulky design, the cruiser was sleek and aerodynamic, its polished surface gleaming under the harsh lights. Varek couldn’t help but admire its form, the sharp lines making it look almost predatory.

Grek nodded toward the cruiser, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. “That’s a real beauty, ain’t it? The Mining Union snagged this derelict cruiser from the United Earth Coalition. See that eagle sword insignia?” He pointed, and Varek squinted to catch a glimpse of the emblem etched into the hull, a stark reminder of a long-lost era of space exploration.

“Looks fancy,” Varek remarked, shifting his weight.

Grek chuckled, “Fancy indeed! Unlike the dreadnought, this ship has a faster warp speed, quicker charge times, and a built-in reactor shield generator. She’s built for speed, not brawn. But you know what? The Mining Union don’t give a damn about this ship. They’ve got their eyes set on the riches in the asteroid belt, and that’s where we come in.”

As they boarded the cruiser, Varek felt a thrill pulse through him. He couldn’t shake the idea that they were flying an old warhorse that had seen its fair share of battles. Grek led the way, gesturing for Varek and the other recruit to follow him into the cockpit.

“Buckle up, lads!” Grek called out, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “We’re about to make some space history. Let’s hope those asteroids are feeling generous today!”

As the cruiser glided smoothly into the random region of the asteroid belt, a low hum filled the cockpit. The sleek ship began to scan the surrounding asteroids with its modified scanner, beams of light crisscrossing the rocky field like a spider's web. Data streamed in, displaying valuable minerals and resources, and it was quickly sent to the waiting shuttles.

“Alright, you lot!” Grek barked, his voice cutting through the hum of machinery. “Time to hustle! Prioritize the most valuable ore! Move it, move it!” The shuttles surged out from the cruiser, eager to dig into the rocky treasure trove.

Grek turned to the kid, who still had a look of awe plastered across his face. “You!” he pointed. “You’re on ore processing. Keep an eye on the quantities we’re hauling in—can’t have you daydreaming about space pirates while we’re working!”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The kid nodded vigorously, almost knocking his helmet against the dashboard in his enthusiasm.

“Varek!” Grek called out, turning his attention to him. “You know how to fix things?”

Varek nodded, recalling his previous mechanical experiences back on Dunelock.

“Good enough for me! You’ll be my trainee when we get back to HQ hangar,” Grek said, grinning. “For now, just watch how it’s done. No fixing just yet—we’ll get plenty of practice once we start hauling in the good stuff.”

With that, Grek slid into the pilot’s seat, fingers dancing over the controls with practiced ease. “I’ll take the helm. Keep your eyes peeled for any anomalies out there. You never know what might be hiding among the rocks,” he added, his eyes glinting with excitement.

Varek watched intently as the old miner navigated through the asteroid field, expertly dodging the floating masses while the shuttles darted in and out, mining arms extended like eager claws. This was it—the thrill of the hunt was finally beginning.

As Varek leaned closer to the kid’s screen, a flurry of data cascaded down, illuminating the cockpit with colorful graphs and mineral readings. He watched as various minerals popped up in bright, bold letters. “Look at this!” the kid exclaimed, pointing excitedly. “Carbonite, rhodiumite, and—whoa! Energium!”

Grek’s eyes gleamed at the mention of energium, and he immediately set their course toward a sizable asteroid rich with the sought-after resource. “That one!” he called out, steering the mining shuttle closer. “Get ready to fire the mining laser and prioritize the energium!”

The shuttle’s mining laser hummed to life, and the kid’s hands flew across the controls, guided by the auto-targeting system. It locked onto the energium deposit, the screen flashing green to confirm its selection. “I’ve got it!” the kid shouted, exhilaration evident in his voice.

“Then fire away!” Grek commanded, his focus unbroken as he expertly maneuvered the shuttle into position.

With a swift pull of the trigger, the mining laser shot out a concentrated beam of energy, slicing through the asteroid's rocky exterior. Sparks flew as the laser drilled deeper, sending small fragments of debris tumbling away into the void.

“Look at that! It’s working!” the kid shouted, his eyes wide with disbelief. Varek couldn’t help but grin at the sheer enthusiasm radiating from his fellow recruit.

“Keep an eye on the ore processor’s readout,” Grek instructed, his tone steady and authoritative. “The more we extract, the better our haul. You’re going to want to adjust the targeting as the mineral levels change.”

As the energium began to flow into the shuttle’s cargo hold, Varek felt the adrenaline coursing through him. This was it—the thrill of mining, the camaraderie of the crew, and the promise of treasure. He turned to Grek, who was already preparing for their next move. “What’s next?” Varek asked, eager to dive deeper into the process.

“Next, we’ll extract some rhodiumite while we’re at it,” Grek replied, glancing at the readings on the console. “No point in leaving good stuff behind. After that, we’ll head back to the cruiser and see what else this asteroid belt has in store for us!

As Varek continued to watch the data readings on the kid's screen, a new wave of information rolled in, detailing the various minerals littering the asteroid region. He scanned the list, noting the most common ores appearing in every asteroid they passed.

“Looks like we’ve got a wealth of resources here,” Varek announced, excitement bubbling in his voice. “Carbonite is everywhere, and there are small traces of rhodiumite in almost every rock. Plus, we’ve got platinumite, tritanium, and even osmium crystals!”

Grek leaned over, his eyes narrowing as he examined the readings. “Platinumite and tritanium? Those are valuable! If we can snag some of that while we’re mining the energium, we’ll be swimming in credits!” His voice dripped with anticipation, as if he could already feel the weight of the fortune in his pockets.

“Alright, kid, keep processing that energium,” Grek ordered, then turned to Varek. “Let’s prioritize those platinumite deposits next. They should be easy pickings while the kid finishes up with the energium.”

Varek nodded, adrenaline surging as he glanced out at the surrounding asteroids. “Over there!” he pointed toward a cluster of rocks glinting in the cruiser’s lights. “Looks like some of those have platinumite!”

“Good eye!” Grek grinned, swinging the shuttle around to get a better angle. “We’ll go in for a closer look. Kid, once you finish with the energium, get ready to switch targets. We’re gonna hit that platinumite hard.”

The kid nodded, focusing intently on his console as he kept the energium flowing into the cargo hold. Varek felt the thrill of discovery wash over him—this was what they had come for. Each asteroid held untold riches, and they were just getting started.

As they approached the platinumite deposit, Varek’s heart raced. “This is it,” he said, half to himself and half to Grek. “We’re going to make a killing today.”

As the cargo hold chimed an alert, signaling that they had reached capacity, Grek clapped his hands together, a broad smile spreading across his face. “Storage is full, lads! Time to unload and make room for more! We’ll swap out the full container for an empty one.”

Varek felt a rush of excitement at the thought of their haul, but Grek’s voice cut through his daydreams. “And don’t forget to mark our storage container with magnetic tags! We need to make sure everyone knows it’s ours when we head back to the cruiser.”

“Got it!” the kid replied, his fingers already moving to grab the tags from the nearby compartment. Varek watched as he carefully attached the magnetic markers to the full storage container, ensuring it would stand out among the others.

“Good thinking,” Varek said, impressed. “We can’t let anyone else try to claim our hard work.” He joined the kid, helping to secure the tags as they prepped for the transfer.

“Alright, let’s get this show on the road!” Grek said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm as he maneuvered the shuttle closer to the unloading bay of the cruiser. “We’ll drop off the full container, swap it for an empty one, and head right back out. There’s still plenty of ore to be mined, and I want to maximize our time out here!”

As they docked with the cruiser, Varek felt a mix of anticipation and pride. This was their first haul together, and it was going better than he could have imagined. They quickly moved to unload the full storage container, the weight of it a testament to their hard work.

With the container secured, they pulled out an empty one and stowed it in place. Grek grinned at the sight of their marked container, now nestled among the others in the cruiser’s hold. “That’s how it’s done, boys! Now, let’s head back out there and see what other treasures we can find. Ready for round two?”

Varek exchanged a glance with the kid, both of them beaming with anticipation. “Absolutely!” Varek said, feeling the thrill of adventure surge within him once more. The asteroid belt awaited, and they were ready to seize every opportunity.

As they navigated through the asteroid field, Grek’s enthusiasm bubbled over once more. “You know, lads, my personal mining ship is nearly finished. A frigate-sized miner that’s gonna make my life a hell of a lot easier.”

Varek’s ears perked up at the mention of a personal ship. “Personal mining ship? What’s that all about?” he asked, intrigued.

Grek nodded, his eyes gleaming with pride. “Well, once a miner has fully built their personal mining ship, the Mining Union will declare them independent. They’ll buy your ores at market price and only charge a 7% fee for tax and transaction costs on every deal. Pretty sweet, huh?”

“That sounds amazing!” the kid chimed in, visibly excited. “What about if someone builds a mining shuttle instead?”

“Same deal, but they’ll charge 15%,” Grek explained. “That covers tax, transportation, protection, and transaction fees. But trust me, it’s worth it in the long run. You get more control over your operation and a better slice of the pie.”

Varek’s mind raced at the thought. “Building your own ship? Really?”

“Aye!” Grek affirmed, his voice booming with enthusiasm. “You’ll get to design your ship from the ground up. You can choose how many modules you want, what kind of weapons to equip—anything your heart desires! But here’s the kicker: you’ll need to save either your entire salary or at least 50% to put toward building your ship. The AI will help you figure out how much more money you’ll need for the entire ship and all the modules according to your design.”

“That sounds like a huge commitment,” Varek said, pondering the implications. “But it also sounds incredible.”

Grek grinned, clearly enjoying the conversation. “Exactly! That’s why you see so many different ship designs around here. Those are already independent miners who’ve taken the plunge. They’re out there making a name for themselves. One day, that could be us!”

Varek’s heart raced with the possibilities. The dream of independence, crafting his own ship, and exploring the stars on his own terms—it was an intoxicating prospect. “I’m in,” he said, determination flooding his voice. “I want that.”

“Good attitude, lad!” Grek replied, clapping him on the back. “Now let’s get back to mining so we can make that dream a reality. More ore means more credits, and we’re just getting started!”

As Varek contemplated Grek’s words, a thought struck him, igniting a spark of creativity within. “What if I took on a side job as a ship designer?” he suggested, excitement creeping into his voice. “I could help others design their ships for a price. You know, consult and get paid for it.”

Grek raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You know how to design ships? Seriously? That’s a valuable skill!”

Varek hesitated for a moment, weighing his words carefully. “I’ve helped design some ships in the past,” he replied, steering clear of any specifics. “I’ve got a good eye for what works and what doesn’t.”

“Alright, then!” Grek grinned, clearly impressed. “If we get back to HQ and you’ve got some ideas ready to show me, I might just ask you to design my ship. But remember, it can’t just be all flashy looks. We need practical functionality too.”

“Absolutely!” Varek responded, his confidence growing. “I can help figure out the best modules for efficiency, weapon placement, even cargo capacity. It’s all about balance and making sure the ship serves its purpose.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Grek said, his enthusiasm infectious. “Once we’re back, I’ll be watching how you put those designs together. I’d love to see how you approach it. Just make sure to keep an eye on the budget!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be practical about it,” Varek assured him, feeling a surge of excitement at the thought of applying his design ideas. “I want to make sure it’s not just a beautiful ship but also one that can hold its own out there.”

Grek chuckled. “Alright, then! Let’s get back to mining. We’ll talk design when we return. Who knows? You might just become the go-to ship designer for all of us miners!”

With that, they plunged into the next mining site, a renewed energy buzzing between them. The prospect of working on ship designs added a new layer of excitement to Varek’s journey, one he was eager to dive into while keeping his past under wraps.