At a spaceport nestled on the outskirts of a bustling metropolis, a man in his mid-twenties named Astra stood outside a dimly lit workshop, his crisp captain's uniform contrasting against the grease-streaked walls. He wasn’t the one to get his hands dirty in the mechanics—he left that to Jaxon, the ship’s dedicated mechanic.

Inside the workshop, Jaxon—a rugged, broad-shouldered man with curly brown hair, perpetually covered in grease—was busy tinkering with a small machine. His worn mechanic's uniform was smeared with oil, as usual. He had been working tirelessly to prepare the Nova Star for its upcoming mission.

"Jaxon, how’s it going with the ship?" Astra asked as he entered the workshop, scanning the rows of tools and parts strewn about.

"Almost finished, Captain," Jaxon muttered, standing up and wiping his hands on a rag.

"Just a few more adjustments, and she'll be good to go. These older ships need a lot more hands-on work compared to the newer ones."

Astra nodded, grateful for Jaxon’s expertise.

Suddenly, a series of alerts sounded from the control console, catching Astra's attention. Elara hurried over to investigate.

"Captain, we've received new orders. They want us to retrieve a sample from Mercury for further analysis," she informed Astra.

"Mercury again? Haven't we studied that rock a hundred times? What difference will another million studies make?" Astra let out a resigned sigh, his frustration evident.

"Those geezers keep making us do useless tasks,” Astra said.

"What can we do? It's not like we can overthrow the government," Mark interjected, his voice tinged with resignation.

"Let's make it quick. We have other tasks to complete," Astra said, his tone filled with determination.

Astra conducted a thorough check of the ship's systems, ensuring everything was in optimal condition. With a nod of assurance, he ascended the ramp and entered the cockpit, greeted by the familiar hum of technology and the soft glow of the control panels.

"Command, this is Astra aboard the Nova Star, requesting clearance for launch," he transmitted over the intercom.

"Nova Star, you are cleared for launch. All systems are green. Safe travels, Captain," came the response from the command center.

"Copy that, command. Thank you," he acknowledged. He began the pre-flight sequence, powering up the ship's engines. The thrusters ignited with a powerful roar as the Nova Star lifted off from the platform.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

⊶☽☬☾⊷

As the Nova Star rose into the boundless expanse of space, Astra experienced a surge of excitement pulsating within him. The stars shimmered in the emptiness, calling out to him. With unwavering hands, he steered the vessel through the expansive void, maneuvering around celestial bodies and asteroid fields.

The journey to Mercury was relatively short, but it required precision and vigilance. The crew remained focused, running checks and calibrations to ensure everything was in order.

"Astra, approaching Mercury's atmosphere," Elara reported, her fingers dancing over the controls.

"Prepare for descent," Astra instructed. "Mark, secure the equipment. We need to be ready as soon as we touch down."

Mark nodded and moved to the cargo hold, making sure everything was in place. The ship descended towards Mercury's surface, its barren expanse stretching out beneath them. Astra expertly guided the ship through the thin atmosphere, landing with precision.

"Alright, everyone," Astra said, his voice calm and steady. "Let's gather the samples quickly and efficiently. We don't have much time."

The crew disembarked, donning their protective gear. They deployed drones and specialized equipment, swiftly setting to work. Advanced scanning devices pinpointed the most promising locations for their collection, and they moved with a sense of purpose and urgency.

Elara monitored the operations from the ship, coordinating their efforts. "We're making good progress," she reported. "Keep it up."

As they neared the completion of their task, Elara's urgent voice crackled through their comms. "Astra, Mark, emergency! Return to the ship immediately!"

Startled, Astra and Mark exchanged a quick glance before hurrying back to the Nova Star. As they boarded, they noticed the ship's interior bathed in an ominous red glow, indicating an urgent situation.

"We've received orders from command. An immediate return is required. No questions asked. Prepare for departure," Elara instructed, her voice urgent and commanding.

With a sense of urgency, Astra and Mark wasted no time. They quickly secured the samples and powered up the ship's systems, ready to depart at a moment's notice. The thrusters roared to life as they lifted off from the surface of Mercury, leaving behind a trail of dust and uncertainty.

⊶☽☬☾⊷

As the Nova Star accelerated towards the safety of space, an unexpected jolt rocked the ship, sending alarms blaring and lights flashing red. Astra's grip tightened on the control panel as he fought to stabilize their trajectory, but before he could react, another impact rattled the ship.

"What's happening?" Mark exclaimed, his voice strained with urgency.

"We're under attack!" Elara shouted, her fingers flying across the console as she initiated evasive maneuvers. Flashes of energy weapons lit up the darkness of space as unseen assailants closed in on the Nova Star.

"Jaxon, status!" Astra yelled.

"Engines are damaged, Captain! I’m trying to keep her together!" Jaxon shouted back from the engine room, his voice strained with effort.

A third, more powerful impact sent shockwaves through the ship. Astra's vision blurred as pain flared through his body. He struggled to maintain consciousness, his senses fading into darkness as the ship shuddered violently. With a groan, he slumped forward, his mind slipping into unconsciousness.

The unknown enemy had struck swiftly and without warning, leaving the crew of the Nova Star reeling and defenseless in the cold, unforgiving void of space.

𓆩✧𓆪