In the year 2371, on planet Earth, humanity achieved a significant milestone: reaching Type I civilization status on the Kardashev scale. This accomplishment marked the culmination of centuries of progress in science, technology, and global cooperation.

Advances in sustainable energy sources, space exploration technologies, and the establishment of colonies on celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars propelled humanity into a new era of civilization. Even with high technology, humanity still cannot find life beyond Earth.

By the year 2551, as centuries passed, many began to believe that humanity had hit a wall, and they believed the only way to break humanity's limits was to develop a light-speed spaceship—a feat that seemed impossible with all the solar system's planets already explored and studied.

Despite the government's assurances that they would find a solution, they had yet to make any significant progress. Instead, they continued to divert funds for their own selfish reasons, leaving many feeling disillusioned and frustrated.

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A man with black hair and mismatched eyes—one a piercing blue, the other jet black—walked through the vast expanse of the space station, heading towards the central lift. He carried a large box full of technology supplies, easily weighing 200 kilograms, yet he managed it effortlessly with both hands. His face held a blank expression, devoid of any emotion. This was astra.

The station was a marvel of human engineering, a sprawling hub orbiting Earth that connected countless spacecraft and housed thousands of people. Its gleaming metallic corridors, lined with panoramic windows, showcased breathtaking views of the blue planet below and the endless stars beyond.

Astra carried a box effortlessly, filled with various pieces of advanced technology, making his way toward a lift. As he walked through the spaceport, he passed by a small shop. The shop's entrance was marked by a holographic display, and as he approached, a hologram of a girl appeared, greeting him with a cheerful voice.

"Welcome!" the hologram said, her image flickering slightly.

Astra did not respond, heading straight to the vending machine inside the shop. He selected three soft drinks from the display, his fingers moving with practiced efficiency. A screen above the machine lit up, showing his selections, and the hologram reappeared, this time beside the machine.

"Please confirm your purchase."

Astra placed his hand on a biometric scanner. The machine processed his payment through fingerprint recognition.

"Thank you for your purchase," the hologram said, smiling.

"Yeah, yeah, sure," he replied dryly, taking the drinks from the machine.

Astra continued his journey to the lift, carrying the drinks along with the box of technology. The spaceport was a hive of activity, with people moving about, engaging in their daily tasks or preparing for their journeys to the stars.

As he walked, a spaceship flew overhead, its shadow briefly casting a dark streak on the ground. The hum of its engines was a familiar background noise, and no one around seemed to pay it any attention. He glanced up, his expression unchanged, before resuming his path.

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The floor beneath his feet hummed with the subtle vibrations of the station's engines. Overhead, soft, ambient lighting bathed the hallway in a serene glow, highlighting the intricate designs and functional elegance of the station's architecture.

The lift doors opened with a soft chime, revealing a cramped space.

Why's this lift gotta be so small? I thought the last time I complained, they had already fixed it. Ugh, maybe I should just take another lift.

He walked toward another lift, but it was already packed inside. Throughout his life, there had been many things he despised, with cramped spaces topping the list and crowds coming in a close second. Although the lift appeared spacious at first glance, the crowd made it feel far more confining than the previous one.

Sigh. Never mind; it won't take too long anyway.

He returned to the previous lift and stepped inside. The interior was sleek, featuring touchscreens and holographic displays that provided information about the station's various sections. As the doors slid shut, a rush of heat washed over him. The confines of the lift felt like they were closing in.

He closed his eyes, blocking out the overwhelming sight of the cramped interior, and focused on his breathing. Inhale. Hold. Exhale. He counted silently, tapping his fingers rhythmically against his thigh as a physical anchor.

One, two, three, four…

Cracking an eye open, he peeked at the holographic display. The calming blue light helped distract from the sensation of confinement.

Eight, nine, ten, eleven…

He held on to the feeling of the cool buttons beneath his fingers, bringing a small sense of control to the chaos around him.

Finally the lift doors opened, revealing a busy open area filled with unusually large numbers of people from all walks of life—scientists, engineers, and workers. The open area was a smaller version of the space station itself, a blend of practicality and comfort, designed to accommodate the needs of its diverse inhabitants.

He shifted the box to balance it better with one hand while using the other hand to cover his mouth.

Seriously? Why are there suddenly so many people?

He made his way towards the crew quarters, the box still balanced effortlessly in his hands. He entered the base where his team was stationed, a sleek and well-equipped area filled with advanced technology and comfortable living spaces.

Jaxon, the crew's mechanic, was hunched over a console, tools scattered across his workstation. His brown curly hair was partially hidden beneath a worn cap, and oil stains marred his jumpsuit.

"Yo, Jaxon, I got your supplies," Astra said, setting the box down on the table with a heavy thud.

Jaxon glanced up, wiping his greasy hands on a rag.

"Thanks, cap! You saved me; I was just about to run out of parts," he said, his voice filled with gratitude as he gave Astra a quick nod of appreciation.

"Yeah, yeah, no problem," Astra replied, handing him one of the soft drinks.

Jaxon cracked it open and took a sip. "Also, what's wrong with you? You look sick."

"Nah, don't worry about it," Astra said with a dismissive wave.

Astra then turned to the rest of the crew. Elara, the blonde woman with glasses, was still engrossed in her work at the console. She barely glanced up as Astra walked by.

"What's up? Did anything new happen?" Astra asked as he handed her a soft drink

She finally looked up, accepting the drink with a polite smile.

"Nope, nothing new, just like always," she said, her eyes lighting up as she opened the can.

Astra then turned to Mark, a young man with dark hair, who was busy with maintenance work nearby. He handed Mark the last drink.

Mark looked up, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Thanks, Cap," he said with a nod of gratitude, cracking open the can and taking a sip. "Just the same boring routine checks and maintenance tasks."

"So, just like every day, huh? Anyway, I'm going out to my room for a bit. If anything major comes up, tell me."

They all nodded and went back to their duties, keeping an eye on their consoles and scanning the horizon for any signs of trouble.

Astra entered his quarters, the door sliding shut behind him with a soft hiss. The room was small, with a single bed against the wall and a messy desk covered in data pads and blueprints. He dropped into his chair, activating the holographic display with a quick swipe. Rows of data and blueprints flickered to life before him.

He stared at the screen, his mismatched eyes scanning propulsion theories for the light-speed project. His focus wavered as his eyelids grew heavier.

Ugh, damn it! Why do my eyes suddenly feel so heavy?

he thought, rubbing them in frustration.

I can’t fight it… Did I eat anything weird today? I think it’s okay… I’m going to sleep just a little bit.

His head dipped forward, his arms giving way as he slumped onto the desk.

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