Hours later, the ten mining shuttles had filled the cruiser’s storage bay to the brim. The hum of the engines echoed through the cramped cockpit as Grek expertly maneuvered their shuttle toward the docking bay, while Varek and the kid kept an eye on the other shuttles lining up behind them.
As they touched down with a soft thud, Grek’s voice cut through the tension, his piratish accent thickening with excitement. “Alright, lads, welcome back to the cruiser! Now, let’s get this sorted.” He unclipped his harness and turned to face them, a twinkle in his eye. “Listen up! During your training period, you won’t be able to receive your incentives. All that lovely ore we’ve just mined? It’ll go to me. But don’t you worry! I’ll be sure to share the spoils with you two. Consider it a little thank-you for your hard work.”
Varek and the kid exchanged glances, a mix of disappointment and anticipation dancing in their expressions. “What do you mean by share?” the kid asked, leaning forward, his curiosity piqued.
Grek waved a dismissive hand, chuckling. “You’ll see! Just know that it’s not all bad. We’re in this together, and I won’t leave you high and dry. Besides,” he added with a conspiratorial grin, “if everything goes according to plan, we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other.”
Varek felt a rush of hope at the prospect. “What do you mean?”
Grek leaned closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. “Once I finish putting enough credits together for my personal mining ship—a frigate-sized beauty—I’ll take you both on as my crew. We’ll become independent miners! No more sitting around waiting for orders or depending on the Mining Union for scraps. We’ll chart our own course and make our own rules!”
The kid’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Really? That sounds amazing!”
“Bloody right it is!” Grek replied, thumping the console with enthusiasm. “Just imagine it! We’ll have our own ship, our own crew, and the freedom to mine wherever we please. But until then, keep your heads down, learn what you can during this training, and help me fill my coffers. I promise you, it’ll be worth it.”
Varek felt a swell of ambition rising within him. The thought of being part of a crew, of creating something greater than themselves, was exhilarating. “I’m all in, Grek. Just tell me what you need me to do.”
Grek nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. “Good lad! Now, let’s get these containers unloaded and report to HQ. We’ve got a lot to discuss, and I want you two ready for whatever comes next.”
As they exited the shuttle, the smell of metal and machine grease filled the air. The busy sounds of other crews echoed around them, a symphony of hard work and ambition. Varek felt a rush of excitement coursing through him; they were part of something bigger now, a journey that was just beginning.
“Stick close, and let’s get this done quickly,” Grek instructed, striding ahead, his weathered frame full of purpose. Varek and the kid hurried to keep up, their minds racing with thoughts of the future, dreams of independence, and the adventures that awaited them in the vastness of space.
As the cruiser touched down in the hangar for the day, the mining shuttles buzzed out of their respective positions like hornets, crews eagerly heading toward a large hallway that led deeper into the heart of the base. Amidst the bustle, Grek, Varek, and the kid—who had finally introduced himself as Jax—remained in the hangar, watching the scene unfold.
“Alright, lads,” Grek said, glancing at the newly updated crew designation list on a screen nearby. “Officially, we’re a crew now: me, Varek, and Jax. I can already feel the camaraderie brewing!”
“Does this mean we get matching jackets?” Jax joked, a cheeky grin spreading across his face.
“Only if you design them yourself,” Grek shot back, chuckling. “Now, Varek, it’s time for you to get your hands dirty. I’ll teach you how to handle repairs and maintenance on the shuttle. It’s all part of the job.”
He handed Varek a datapad, its surface glowing to life with intricate diagrams and schematics. “This is an engineer’s datapad. It’s got everything you need to know about our shuttle’s mechanics, how to repair systems, and even a section for designing your own personal ship. The AI will assist in calculating the allocation of resources and total credits you’ll need to save up. It’s a valuable tool; treat it well.”
Varek accepted the datapad with a mix of gratitude and excitement, flipping through the pages filled with technical information. As he scrolled, he came across Grek’s ship design. It was bulky, almost fortress-like for a frigate, clearly built for storage and durability.
“I like it,” Varek said, his mind racing with ideas about modifications. “It looks tough.”
“It is tough,” Grek replied with a nod of approval. “Perfect for hauling ore and surviving a skirmish. But we’ll need to make sure it’s not just heavy. I want it to pack a punch, too.”
“Definitely!” Varek replied, a surge of enthusiasm flooding through him. “We can figure out the best weapon placements and additional storage options.”
“Good thinking! Now let’s head to the mess hall for dinner,” Grek suggested, starting to walk toward the exit. “We’ve earned it.”
As they stepped into the bustling corridor, Jax glanced over his shoulder. “Hey, Grek, why hasn’t the dreadnought come back yet? Shouldn’t it have returned by now?”
Grek smirked, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “The competition out there is brutal, lad. The dreadnought’s still out there gathering the common ores, and you can bet it’s looking for the best veins. The cruiser’s captain knows the spots where the riches are hiding, but it comes at a cost. Each mining shuttle has to give up 2% of their incentives for the privilege.”
“2%? That’s a steep cut!” Jax exclaimed, frowning slightly.
“Welcome to the mining life, kid. Everything comes with a price,” Grek said, his tone matter-of-fact. “But that’s why we’re here. We’ll make our own way and build our own empire—one haul at a time. Besides, if we play our cards right, that 2% won’t mean a thing compared to what we can pull in ourselves.”
As they made their way to the mess hall, Varek felt a rush of excitement and determination. The prospect of building something from the ground up with Grek and Jax was exhilarating. They were no longer just miners; they were a crew with aspirations, dreams, and the drive to make their mark in the vast expanse of space.
After dinner, Grek led them through the dimly lit corridors of the HQ and into their shared quarters—a room that was functional but far from luxurious. “Home sweet home,” Grek grunted, pointing at the three bunks lined against the wall. “We’re still roommates for now, but once we’re independent, we’ll have our own quarters on the ship.”
Varek, however, barely acknowledged the sleeping arrangements. His mind was elsewhere, locked onto the datapad, where he was deep in thought, meticulously redesigning Grek’s ship. The original design, while practical for hauling ore, lacked finesse. Varek saw the potential for so much more.
As the hours ticked by, he transformed Grek’s bulky frigate into a sleeker, more maneuverable vessel without sacrificing its cargo capacity. The mining lasers were upgraded from two to four, allowing the ore processor to handle multiple targets at once. He simplified the controls while integrating a shared display system between the pilot and the ore processor, improving operational efficiency.
The final touch was a stealth coating—a layer of material that would make the ship invisible to radar detection and enemy scans. This way, they could slip in and out of dangerous areas without drawing unwanted attention.
Across the room, Grek was fiddling with an old piece of equipment, unaware of what Varek was cooking up, while Jax peered over Varek’s shoulder, his eyes widening with amazement. “Damn, Varek, I’ve never seen anything like that before. It’s… perfect.”
Varek smirked slightly but kept his focus, making the final adjustments. He finally glanced up and handed the datapad over to Grek. “Take a look.”
Grek squinted at the screen at first, then his eyes grew wider as he flipped through the new design. The ship was completely transformed—functional, efficient, and fast. “Well, bloody hell,” Grek muttered, rubbing his chin. “You took my ol’ hunk of scrap and turned it into something that might actually make me look like I know what I’m doing.”
Varek grinned. “I optimized the mining lasers and added stealth. The total credits required to build this are actually 5% less than your original design.”
Grek let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. “You just shaved off 5% of the cost? Hell, lad, I owe you big time for this. And not just credits. You’ve got a damn good mind for this.”
He leaned back in his bunk, tapping the datapad thoughtfully. “If the Mining Union gets wind of this redesign, they’ll scoop you up faster than you can blink. Hell, even the Outer Rim Republic would offer you a shipwright position in a heartbeat.”
Jax piped up, excitement in his voice. “You could be famous, Varek! Imagine designing ships for the biggest fleets out there!”
Varek shook his head, trying to downplay it. “I’m not looking for fame. I just like making things better.”
“Well, I’ll tell you what,” Grek said, standing up and clapping Varek on the back. “You’ve just made my life a whole lot easier. And I’ll make sure you get your fair cut, not just for the ore but for this design. I’d be a damn fool not to pay you for this.”
Varek smiled, his mind already drifting to the next challenge. Designing was in his blood, and while he didn’t crave the spotlight, the thought of perfecting ships—of leaving his mark across the galaxy in subtle ways—filled him with a quiet satisfaction.
Grek stretched, letting out a loud yawn. “Now, let’s get some shut-eye. Tomorrow’s a new day, and we’ve got more ore to haul. But don’t think I’m lettin’ you off easy, Varek. You’ve still got repairs to learn.”
Varek chuckled, stowing the datapad away. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
6 Days Later.
The blaring alarms echoed through the corridors of the HQ, jolting everyone awake. The station—an amalgamation of a refinery and a mining hub—had no natural way to indicate day or night. In the void of space, time was a distant concept, easily muddled for newcomers. The only way anyone knew what time it was, was by glancing at the ever-present clock.
It was early. Too early.
Varek groaned, rubbing his eyes, while Grek was already on his feet, grumbling about the lousy alarms as he pulled on his gear. "Get up, lads! We’ve got rocks to smash and credits to earn!" he barked, a grin spreading across his weathered face despite the rude awakening. "In two hours, we’ll be back at it, breaking rocks and hauling ore. Can’t say I’m not excited, though."
The trio shuffled their way toward the hangar where their shuttle sat parked. The dull thrum of activity echoed throughout the massive space as miners readied themselves for the day ahead. Grek wasted no time diving into his usual routine, popping open panels and checking the recent fixes he’d made to the shuttle.
"Right, Varek, come on over here," Grek said, crouched beside an open panel. "Remember the repairs I showed you last night? I wanna make sure you’ve got it locked in. If not, you’ll learn real quick how much of a bastard it is to fix this thing mid-job."
Varek, already wide awake now, nodded and joined Grek by the panel. "Got it," he muttered, quickly grabbing a toolkit and getting to work. He had been picking up the basics over the past few days, and Grek’s hands-on approach was starting to pay off.
Jax, standing just a few feet away, watched intently. "I’ll be next up as engineer, won’t I?" he asked, excitement mixed with nervous energy. "The roles change every week, right?"
Grek glanced up with a grunt. "That’s right, kid. This week you’re on ore processing, but next week you’ll get to tinker with the guts of this shuttle. Every role is important, and if you screw up, well…" He shot Jax a crooked grin. "We all go boom."
Jax swallowed hard, his enthusiasm dampened slightly by the reality of the situation. "No pressure then."
Varek chuckled as he tightened a loose bolt. "It’s not that bad, Jax. Grek’s just trying to scare you a little. Once you learn the basics, it all falls into place."
"Basics, eh? You might be good with a wrench, Varek, but don’t get cocky just yet," Grek teased, standing up and brushing his hands on his jumpsuit. "Still, you’re catching on faster than most. I reckon you’ll be fixing things blindfolded soon enough."
They continued working on the shuttle, making small adjustments, checking systems, and ensuring everything was ready for another day of mining. Every so often, Grek would bark instructions, testing Varek’s memory and knowledge of the repairs. Jax watched closely, absorbing everything like a sponge.
The atmosphere in the hangar was a strange blend of tension and routine. For the veterans, it was another day in the life of a miner—wake up, fix the ship, break rocks, and hope nothing exploded. For Varek and Jax, it was still fresh, still something to get used to.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
As they finished up the final checks, Grek stood up and clapped Varek on the shoulder. "Alright, lad. You did good. We’re set for the day. Now let’s see if the damn ship holds together when we hit the rocks again.
Varek wiped his hands and stood up, feeling a small surge of pride. "She’ll hold, Grek. I made sure of it."
Grek grinned, eyes twinkling with the same mischievous glint that seemed to never leave him. "We’ll see about that. Now, let’s get ready to haul in another load of credits. And remember, the rocks won’t break themselves.
After their quick, no-frills breakfast in the mess hall, the familiar scene unfolded. The usual 20 mining shuttles raced out of the hangar, streaking toward the bulk of the dreadnought like a swarm of eager flies. The remaining 10, including Grek's shuttle, stayed back—destined once again for the cruiser. It was routine by now, but there was always a buzz in the air when the engines fired up, the adrenaline of another day’s work ready to kick in.
As they made their way to the shuttle, Grek gestured for Varek to take the pilot’s seat. "Alright, kid, today’s your day. Time to show us what you've picked up."
Varek hesitated for a second, glancing at the controls in front of him. He’d been watching Grek closely the past few days but hadn’t expected to be handed the reins so soon. The console was intimidating in its complexity—various levers, switches, and screens displaying information in real time. Jax stood behind them, watching with wide eyes, excitement barely contained.
Grek gave him a reassuring grin. "Relax. I ain’t throwin’ you into a black hole. Just a nice, steady cruise to the hangar. It’s like learning to walk—shaky at first, but soon enough you’ll be running."
Varek took a deep breath, placed his hands on the controls, and started the ignition sequence. The engines hummed to life, vibrating the entire shuttle. He could feel the slight tremor beneath his fingertips as the shuttle lifted off the ground.
"Easy now," Grek coached from the co-pilot seat. "Don’t go pushin’ her too hard. She’s got a temper, but treat her right, and she’ll be your best friend."
The shuttle jerked forward as Varek fumbled with the throttle, his movements unsure. The nose dipped awkwardly before he corrected it, the ship swaying slightly from side to side. Jax, gripping the back of Grek’s seat, tried to suppress a laugh but couldn’t help the wide grin spreading across his face.
"Steady there!" Grek barked, though not unkindly. "She’s sensitive, like a lady at a fancy ball. You don’t go stompin’ around, you move her nice and smooth."
Varek muttered a quiet curse under his breath, trying to steady the controls. Sweat beaded at his brow as the shuttle wobbled through the hangar bay and out into space. The expanse of stars greeted them, and for a moment, Varek marveled at the view. Then, with a sharp exhale, he focused back on the task at hand.
"Good… good," Grek murmured, watching him closely. "Not bad for a first time. Just keep her steady on the approach to the cruiser. You don’t want to scrape the paint on our baby."
With Grek’s guidance, Varek eased the shuttle into a more stable flight path. The wobbles were still there, but less pronounced as he adjusted to the shuttle’s temperament. The cruiser loomed ahead, its sleek form cutting through the black void. Varek could feel the tension in his muscles start to ease, but he knew the hardest part was still ahead—docking.
"Alright," Grek said, leaning forward slightly. "Now’s the tricky bit. You’ve gotta bring her in slow and steady. No hero landings, just smooth as butter. You got this."
Varek nodded, his focus sharpening. He nudged the shuttle’s thrusters, slowing their approach as the docking bay of the cruiser grew larger on the screen. His hands shook slightly as he adjusted the yaw, trying to line up perfectly with the docking clamps.
The shuttle lurched slightly as he miscalculated the angle, but Grek reached over and gave a minor correction with a swift nudge to the controls. "There you go, lad. Almost there."
Varek bit his lip, his heart pounding. With one final adjustment, the shuttle glided into the docking bay, the clamps latching on with a satisfying clunk. He exhaled heavily, finally releasing the tension in his shoulders.
Grek clapped him on the back with a booming laugh. "Not bad, Varek! Not bad at all! You didn’t kill us, and that’s a win in my book."
Jax let out a cheer from behind them. "That was awesome! A bit shaky at first, but you nailed it!"
Varek grinned, the adrenaline still coursing through him. "Thanks," he said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I didn’t think it would be that nerve-wracking."
Grek leaned back in his seat, folding his arms across his chest. "That’s ‘cause you care, lad. A good pilot knows their ship’s quirks and moods. You’ll get used to it. Soon enough, you’ll be flyin’ like you were born in the cockpit."
Varek’s heart swelled with pride. He’d done it. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start.
"Now," Grek said, unbuckling his harness, "we’ve got some rocks to break. You two better be ready—because after today, we’ll see just how much ore we can pack into this baby. And who knows, maybe next time you’ll be handling her during the mining runs, too."
Varek chuckled. "Let’s just focus on getting the ship back in one piece first."
As they stepped off the shuttle, ready to begin the day’s work, Varek couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement for what lay ahead.
Hours later, the cruiser’s storage bay was filled to the brim, and with a familiar thrum, it warped back to the HQ hangar’s vicinity. The transition was always smooth, and though they weren’t hauling in as much as the dreadnought’s shuttles, the day’s work had been solid. Varek, Grek, and Jax were all feeling the weight of a job well done as they guided their shuttle back toward its designated parking bay.
The landing went without a hitch this time—Varek had gotten more comfortable at the controls. Grek watched him carefully from the co-pilot seat, his arms crossed, a look of approval etched onto his face as the shuttle touched down with barely a jolt.
"Not bad, Varek," Grek said with a nod as they unstrapped. "You're gettin' the hang of her. Won’t be long before I don’t have to keep an eye on ya like a hawk."
Jax, bouncing up from his seat, was practically buzzing with excitement. "Varek’s killin’ it out there! We’ll be flying circles around those dreadnought folks in no time."
The trio stepped off the shuttle and into the hangar, joining the rest of the crews that were offloading their containers for processing. The usual hum of activity filled the massive space as miners bustled about, moving containers, chatting, and sharing stories from their runs.
As expected, a few miners from the dreadnought shuttles were standing nearby, leaning against their bulkier ships with smug grins plastered on their faces. One of them, a burly man with a thick beard and a chip on his shoulder, eyed the cruiser’s shuttles and called out with a grin, "Hey, how's life in the little leagues, Grek? You boys hauling in enough ore to fill a teacup?"
The rest of the dreadnought crew burst into laughter, their teasing echoing across the hangar.
Grek, who had heard this kind of banter more times than he could count, simply smirked and exchanged a glance with the other veterans who’d been on the cruiser. They all let the humor roll off their backs like water off a duck. It wasn’t worth the argument. The dreadnought miners were always boasting about their capacity, but Grek and his crew knew the truth—they may not have the bulk, but they had the brains.
"Yeah, yeah," Grek called back, waving a dismissive hand. "When you lot figure out how to fit more than half a brain into your haulers, let me know. Then maybe we’ll talk."
The dreadnought crew snickered, but the good-natured ribbing quickly fizzled out. They all knew Grek had been in the game long enough to shut them down without even trying. Varek, standing beside him, had a newfound appreciation for the old man’s ability to keep cool under fire.
Jax, still fresh to the miner life, looked around nervously. "Do they always do that?" he asked, glancing between Varek and Grek.
"All the time," Varek replied with a shrug. "It’s just part of the job. The dreadnoughts have size, but that’s about all they’ve got going for them."
Grek chuckled, motioning for them to follow him toward the offloading area. "Let ‘em yap, lads. We’re gettin' paid all the same, and we don’t need a massive hauler to get the job done right. Besides, what’s the use of haulin’ twice as much ore if half of it’s worthless?"
Jax nodded, though he still looked somewhat perplexed by the unspoken rivalry between the dreadnought and cruiser miners. It wasn’t long before the trio was busy helping unload their containers, marking them with the standard magnetic markers to signify ownership, and heading off to await their next assignment.
As the day wound down, Grek slapped a hand on Varek’s shoulder. "You did good today, lad. Another couple runs like that, and we’ll be laughing all the way to the bank. Keep workin’ like this, and I might just trust ya with a solo haul."
Varek smiled, feeling the quiet satisfaction of a job well done. It wasn’t glamorous, but the thrill of space, the crew, and the steady work was starting to feel like home.
"You think the dreadnoughts will ever stop teasing?" Varek asked, leaning against the shuttle.
"Not a chance," Grek said with a grin. "But who cares? As long as we keep haulin’ in good ore, I don’t give a damn what they say. Credits speak louder than any idiot with a big ship."
As they entered the mess hall, the scent of overcooked nutrient paste and synthetic protein wafted through the air, a familiar but underwhelming aroma that reminded Varek of his new life. He took a seat next to Grek, while Jax chatted animatedly about his day, recounting tales of how he’d helped with the offloading process.
But soon, another veteran slid into the seat beside Varek, leaning in with a conspiratorial whisper. “You’re the one Grek’s been raving about, right? The kid who redesigned his ship?”
Varek turned slightly, surprised by the attention. He nodded, feeling a mix of pride and anxiety.
“Nice work,” the veteran said, his eyes gleaming with interest. “If you could whip me up a mining shuttle design, I’d be willing to pay you two thousand credits for it.” He kept his voice low, scanning the hall as if worried someone might overhear.
Varek’s mind raced. Two thousand credits was no small amount, but the total cost of Grek’s newly redesigned ship had been 110,000 credits. A standard mining shuttle would typically run around 10,000 credits at a minimum. The difference in numbers made him hesitate.
“What kind of design are you looking for?” Varek asked, trying to sound casual while gauging the veteran's intentions.
“Something sleek but efficient. I want to be able to get in and out of the asteroid belts without much fuss,” the veteran replied, his voice dropping to an even quieter tone. “And I need it to have a good balance of speed and cargo capacity. I’ve been eyeing a few upgrades, but I can’t quite make it work.”
Varek considered it. He could definitely help with the design, but he’d have to tread carefully. He didn’t want to overpromise and underdeliver. “I can help with that,” he said, keeping his tone measured. “But I’ll need to do a full analysis and some calculations first. The design you want will depend on the resources you have available and how much you want to spend overall.”
“Fair enough,” the veteran replied, looking pleased. “I can give you some baseline specs and we’ll go from there. I’m just looking to make my runs more profitable. With the way things are heating up out there, we need every edge we can get.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Varek said, mentally calculating how much time he’d need to devote to this side project. “Just remember, if you want something truly unique, it’ll take time.”
“Time is something I have plenty of. I’m stuck here until we make another run,” the veteran replied with a smirk. “Just don’t let Grek catch wind of it too soon. I’d rather keep this between us for now.”
Varek nodded, glancing over at Grek, who was engrossed in a conversation with Jax about the merits of different mining lasers. It was clear that Grek was still well-connected with the other miners, and he had a reputation to uphold. Varek wasn’t sure how Grek would feel about him taking on side jobs, especially with other veterans.
As they finished their meals, the veteran slid a small data chip across the table. “Here’s a few specs I put together. Take a look when you can. I trust you’ll keep this on the down-low.”
Varek pocketed the chip, feeling the weight of new responsibilities settling on his shoulders. He couldn’t help but wonder how far he could take this newfound opportunity. The credits could help him build his own ship eventually, a thought that sent a thrill through him.
“I got your back,” Varek assured the veteran, sensing the excitement and possibility of this arrangement. “Just keep me updated on what you want.”
With a nod, the veteran stood up, patting Varek on the shoulder before disappearing into the bustling mess hall. Varek looked over at Grek, who was still animatedly discussing ship modifications with Jax. Maybe this side project was just what he needed to secure his place among the miners and carve out a path toward independence.
“Everything alright?” Grek asked, noticing Varek’s distracted expression.
“Yeah, just thinking about the next run,” Varek replied, forcing a smile. “We’ll make a killing out there.”
“Damn right we will,” Grek grinned, slapping Varek on the back. “Now let’s get some rest. Tomorrow, we’re back to the grind, and I’ll need you sharp.”
As they headed out of the mess hall, Varek couldn’t shake the feeling that the wheels were already in motion for a new chapter in his life. With the right designs, he might just be able to build something extraordinary—and maybe even earn the respect he sought among the miners.
With Jax and Grek already fast asleep in their bunks, Varek found himself wide awake, the quiet of the HQ hangar wrapping around him like a blanket. He felt a surge of inspiration wash over him, compelling him to dive deeper into his design work. He pulled out the datapad the veteran had given him earlier and set to work.
First, he began by sketching out a new hull design for the mining shuttle. The standard issue model was bulky and slow, but Varek envisioned something streamlined—more akin to a predator stalking its prey in the vastness of space. He meticulously adjusted the contours, focusing on reducing drag while maintaining the shuttle’s cargo capacity. The key was to keep the cargo hold intact; he didn’t want to sacrifice efficiency for speed.
As he worked, Varek recalled the specifics of Grek's design and the specifications he’d noted from the veteran’s request. The existing mining shuttle had a single mining laser, but Varek added another one, creating a dual-mining setup. This would allow for quicker ore extraction and increased productivity on their runs. He tweaked the placement of the lasers to ensure they could cover a broader area without hindrance.
Next came the engine. Varek dug into the technical specs, brainstorming ways to enhance maneuverability and speed. He focused on the thrusters, adjusting their output and increasing their response time. With the modifications, he imagined the shuttle weaving nimbly through asteroids, able to dodge debris and quickly reposition for optimal mining angles. He envisioned it soaring through the asteroid belt like a sleek fish, quick and agile.
His fingers flew across the datapad, making calculations and adjustments, ensuring that every component worked harmoniously. The design slowly took shape, morphing from vague ideas into a sleek, practical reality.
After what felt like hours, he leaned back, eyes scanning over the finished design. It was efficient, faster than the standard mining shuttle, and boasted dual lasers for maximum extraction. He felt a rush of satisfaction wash over him—a sense of accomplishment that came from creating something new and functional.
Varek saved the design and then took a moment to look around the dimly lit bunks. The faint sounds of Jax’s soft snoring mingled with the distant hum of machinery, creating a soothing backdrop. He felt a pang of guilt at the thought of keeping this project a secret from Grek, who had taken him under his wing. But this was his opportunity, a chance to carve out his niche in the mining union.
He double-checked his calculations one last time before transferring the data onto the small data chip the veteran had given him. The design was solid, and now it just needed to be presented.
As the first light of dawn began to creep through the hangar’s porthole, Varek tucked the datapad back into his pocket and made his way to his bunk. He felt a mix of exhilaration and anxiety, knowing that he had taken a step toward independence. Whatever happened next, he was ready to face it head-on.
----------------------------------------
The next morning, the alarms blared again, jolting him from a restless sleep. He rubbed his eyes and glanced at the others—Jax was still snoozing, while Grek was already stirring, his rugged features showing a mixture of weariness and determination.
“Rise and shine, kid!” Grek called out, stretching his arms overhead. “Another day, another haul!”
Varek threw off his blanket and jumped out of bed, a sense of urgency driving him. “You ready for today?” he asked, feeling the adrenaline kick in.
“Always,” Grek replied, a grin breaking across his face. “We’ve got a solid plan for today’s run. I’m looking forward to seeing how much we can bring in. And you, Varek? You’re ready to pilot again?”
“Absolutely,” Varek said, masking his excitement about the new shuttle design with his usual calm demeanor.
After a quick breakfast, they gathered their gear and headed towards the hangar. The bustling atmosphere greeted them, miners exchanging banter and preparing their shuttles for the day’s work.
As they approached their shuttle, Grek glanced at Varek. “Ready to show me what you learned yesterday?”
“Yeah, let’s do it,” Varek replied, stepping up to the controls with renewed confidence. He felt the weight of the datapad in his pocket, a reminder of the project he was embarking on.
As the crew prepped the shuttle for launch, Varek stole a glance at the other ships in the hangar, spotting the dreadnought miners preparing for their own runs. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of determination.