Kai looked at his home for the past few months and said a final, “Goodbye.” He closed the small door to the equally small portable shack built as a temporary housing solution for miners like him. Beyond his shack, hundreds of others lay scattered across the barren red desert floor like forgotten remnants of a transient life.

It was hard to believe that just five days ago, he had been nothing more than a refugee—a man who escaped the devastation of his homeworld, Velmorra. The Empire’s invasion turned his city into a war zone, fleets of imperial bombers reducing everything to rubble. Ever since, he had wandered from place to place across the galaxy, eventually becoming a miner on Drakmoor.

Kai didn’t own much. He had left Velmorra in a hurry, grabbing only what he could before the bombs fell. Now, as he shouldered his worn backpack, he realized it still held everything he owned.

But this time felt different. His dream was finally coming true. The universe had chosen him to discover the buried ship, a relic of the past that could change humanity’s future. For the first time, he didn’t feel lost. He didn’t feel empty. And most importantly, he didn’t feel alone.

Kai turned to see Eliana already waiting for him, smiling. She looked so different now, but just as beautiful in the crisp Black Swan uniform.

The uniform was sleek, black as night with subtle silver accents outlining its sharp edges. It hugged her figure in all the right places but remained functional, exuding authority and poise. Her black hair was tied back into a neat ponytail, her hazel eyes, shifting between green and gold in the morning light.

“Ready to leave all this behind?” she asked, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

Kai met her gaze and, for the first time in a long while, couldn’t stop himself from smiling back.

Behind Eliana, a sleek four-seater craft stood on top of a sand dune, its polished surface gleaming faintly under the sunlight. Kai glanced at the craft, then back at her, raising an eyebrow.

“You flew here?”

“How else do you think I got here?” Eliana chuckled, a teasing glint in her hazel eyes.

Kai smiled and shook his head. “I’m sorry, it’s just… I’ve never seen you fly before.” He stepped toward her, the desert wind brushing against them.

Eliana opened her arms, pulling Kai into a warm hug. “You’re in for a surprise then,” she whispered, grinning.

They climbed into the craft, the cockpit canopy lowering smoothly around them with a soft hiss, sealing them inside. Eliana settled into the pilot’s seat, her movements confident and precise, while Kai slid into the co-pilot’s seat to her right.

Kai’s eyes scanned the interior. The control panel was sparse, with far fewer instruments than the rugged drop ship Ray flew. Every surface gleamed with polished precision, clean lines, and a touch of luxury. The ship’s design was elegant and minimalist, yet undeniably high-end—something more like an art peice than an actual ship.

“It’s like a sports car,” Kai murmured, running his hand along the smooth edge of the console.

Eliana smirked as her fingers danced across the controls, lighting up the ship. “I guess you could say that. Just one that can fly.”

Kai shook his head in awe, settling back into his seat. “You really are full of surprises, Eliana.”

“And this is just the beginning,” she replied, her smile confident as the engines hummed to life.

Kai noticed that, besides the dual joysticks for the pilot and co-pilot, all other controls were streamlined into a sleek center console—a large touchscreen embedded seamlessly into the dashboard.

The controls were remarkably simplified. To prepare the ship for takeoff, all Eliana had to do was tap the “Start” button on the screen. No switches to flip, no endless rows of dials or instrument clusters to monitor. This ship wasn’t built for utility or rugged use; it was designed for one purpose: transporting the wealthy in absolute comfort and style.

As the cabin pressurized with a soft hiss, Eliana smoothly lifted the craft straight up. Kai watched as the view outside tilted slightly when she added forward thrust, the ship picking up speed effortlessly.

The acceleration pushed Kai back into his seat, the force pressing against him in a way that made him grin like a child on his first ride. His heart raced with excitement.

"Wanna give it a try?" Eliana asked, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.

"Of course!" Kai replied, unable to hide his excitement.

Eliana tapped the center console and handed over the controls to the co-pilot seat. “All yours, just don’t crash.”

Kai started with small, cautious maneuvers. The controls felt surprisingly smooth and intuitive. The left stick adjusted the ship’s vertical and horizontal movement, while the right controlled pitch and yaw. Two pedals beneath his feet turned the craft left or right.

His hands began to warm up again, the subtle sensation of the liquid coursing inside him making him hyperaware of every motion. The ship responded to his touch with precision, like an extension of his body.

Kai grinned as confidence surged through him. He pushed the ship lower, weaving between the sand dunes. The vessel glided effortlessly, dodging the natural obstacles with breathtaking agility. Dust kicked up behind them in shimmering plumes as Kai flew closer to the ground, making the ship dart left, then right, before climbing sharply and leveling out in a smooth arc.

Eliana, clutching her seat, let out a nervous laugh. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” she teased, though her smile betrayed her excitement.

Kai didn’t answer; his focus was sharp, his movements deliberate yet daring. The craft dipped and rolled, mirroring the kind of maneuvers Ivan had done with the Black Swan.

Eliana watched him closely. She could see his confidence growing with every twist and turn. At first, her fingers tightened around the armrest, but the longer she watched, the more she began to relax. A grin spread across her face as the thrill washed over her, and she couldn’t help but cheer as Kai pulled another crazy stunt.

“This is insane!” she shouted over the hum of the engines. But deep down, she was impressed. She liked watching Kai fly. His face was focused, radiating a quiet confidence that she found somewhat...sexy. There was something about the way he handled the ship, smooth, precise, completely in control. It suited him. Eliana found herself smiling, unable to look away.

Kai guided the ship back into the sky, the wingtips carving graceful arcs through the air, leaving behind two shimmering vortex trails. He leveled the craft, letting it glide smoothly before releasing the controls, allowing the autopilot to take over.

A laugh escaped Kai, pure and unrestrained, as he turned to meet Eliana’s gaze. She was panting slightly, her face touched with a faint blush, but there was no mistaking the exhilaration in her wide grin.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn’t awkward; it felt natural, filled with something unspoken yet understood. Kai noticed the way the light reflected in Eliana’s hazel eyes, shifting between gold and green. Eliana, in turn, caught the faint, mysterious glow in Kai’s pupils, a soft, otherworldly blue.

Time seemed to pause as they simply looked at each other, Kai saw Eliana lean in slowly, and for a moment, he thought she was going for a kiss. His instincts told him to lean in too, but his logic screamed at him to stop. There was too much at stake. She was the daughter of one of the most powerful and wealthy men on the planet. He was just a miner—someone who, only months ago, didn’t even have a place to call home. His gaze broke away, shifting awkwardly to the side.

Eliana noticed the flicker of hesitation in his eyes, the faint glow dimming. She pulled back, feeling a pang of embarrassment. What am I doing? she thought. Was she really about to kiss a man she’d only known for a few days? She didn’t want to seem impulsive, let alone easy, but the feelings that had driven her were undeniably real.

For a brief moment, neither of them knew what to say. The hum of the engines filled the silence between them as Eliana turned her face away, staring out the window. Her heart still raced, her thoughts a tangled mess.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Kai opened his mouth as if to say something, but closed it again, unsure of the right words. Finally, Eliana let out a small, nervous laugh, breaking the tension. “You flew really good for a beginner,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her.

Kai managed a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Thanks,” he replied, his voice equally quiet.

They both knew something had almost happened. A line had nearly been crossed, but for now, it remained unspoken.

Luckily, Kai quickly found a topic to ease the tension in the small craft.

“How was your visit home? I imagine your mother wasn’t happy about you leaving,” Kai asked.

Eliana eagerly jumped on the topic. “That’s what I thought too, but she was surprisingly open about it. I guess it has something to do with the possible invasion, and she thinks I’ll be safer elsewhere.”

Kai nodded thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on the horizon. A silent countdown loomed in his mind, ticking toward a war that felt inevitable. He hoped, somehow, there’d be a way to stop it. The last thing he wanted was for anyone else to experience the same pain he had. “What about your father? He didn’t seem too happy about your decision.”

Eliana’s expression softened. “My mom talked him through it. They’ll be staying, though. Drakmoor and Draco Mining are everything they have. My father wants to help the Federation prepare for the attack.”

Kai frowned, a shadow passing over his face. “I don’t think the Federation will be able to fend off the Empire’s forces… Their fleet is simply too powerful.”

Eliana’s mood darkened too. Drakmoor was her home—the only place she’d ever known. She couldn’t imagine losing it. “I don’t know why the Empire would suddenly break the peace treaty like this… Do you think it has something to do with the buried ship?”

Kai considered it. “It’s possible. The True Kin somehow knew about it, so I can’t imagine the Empire wouldn’t find out as well.”

Eliana smiled optimistically, “Seems like all we can do now is follow the lead of the True Kin.”

Kai nodded, lost in thought for a moment.

“Look,” Eliana pointed ahead, drawing Kai’s attention.

He followed her gaze. “It’s the Black Swan.”

Green and red strobe lights flashed in the distance, piercing through the clouds. Kai’s eyes narrowed as he made out the familiar silhouette of the Black Swan hovering majestically above. A small port began to open on the side of the ship—a landing bay waiting for them to dock.

“Want to do the honors?” Eliana teased, her voice playful. “Since you’re such a good pilot and all.”

Kai grinned, confidence sparking in his eyes. “Challenge accepted.”

He took over the controls, steady hands guiding the craft upward until it leveled with the Black Swan. He adjusted the angle of their approach, aiming the nose of the ship perfectly for the open landing bay. As they neared, Kai made precise adjustments, the craft gliding effortlessly into the hangar.

At the last second, Kai deployed the landing gear and eased the craft down in one motion. It touched the landing pad smoothly with barely any feedback.

Kai turned to Eliana, an expectant look on his face. She smirked and gave him an approving nod. “Well done, pilot.”

A satisfying hiss sounded as the canopy opened. Eliana and Kai climbed out of the four-seater and stepped onto the landing pad. Commander Grayson was already waiting for them, his tall frame and sharp gaze radiating unyielding authority.

“Eliana. Kai,” he greeted them.

“Commander Grayson,” they replied in unison.

“I’m glad to see you both arrived safely,” he said, one eyebrow raised. “Care to explain why the flight log showed that the craft was flying meters above the ground on multiple occasions?”

Eliana and Kai exchanged a guilty look. Kai cleared his throat awkwardly. “Sorry, Commander. I was just… testing the ship a little.”

“If you wanted to improve your piloting skills, there’s a state-of-the-art training room onboard the Black Swan,” Grayson said, his voice stern. “You didn’t need to endanger yourself or Eliana.”

“I wasn’t in any danger,” Eliana added quietly, folding her arms.

Commander Grayson fixed them with a hard stare, his expression unreadable. Then, suddenly, he burst into laughter, the deep sound echoing through the landing bay. “I’m just messing with you two. Relax. You weren’t in any real danger. Ivan was shadowing your flight the entire time, ready to take over if Kai made a mistake. And between us, I think he’s a little jealous of how good you are for a beginner.”

Kai and Eliana’s shoulders eased as guilt turned to relief. Eliana smiled brightly and threw her arms around Commander Grayson. “I knew you were messing with me.”

Commander Grayson chuckled, patting Kai firmly on the back. “Seriously though, kid, you’ve got talent. You handled that ship like a natural. If you want, I can shape you into a proper pilot.”

Kai blinked, surprised at the unexpected compliment. He glanced at Eliana, who gave him an encouraging smile.

“It will be an honor, sir,” Kai said, standing a little straighter.

Commander Grayson gave him a firm pat on the shoulder and looked at them both. “Come, let me give you a tour of the ship while Teresa figures out where that Corsair drop ship went. As official members of the Black Swan crew, you’ll need to know where everything is and how each area functions. And yes, that includes you, Eliana.”

Eliana smirked but nodded, standing tall beside Kai. “Understood, Commander.”

Kai followed suit, “Yes, sir.”

“Good,” Grayson said, turning sharply on his heel. “Let’s start with the basics—you’ll need to know how to pull your weight around here. Everyone has a job on this ship, no exceptions.”

Eliana shot a playful look at Kai as they followed the commander deeper into the Black Swan, her tone teasing, “Looks like I’ll finally get to see if you’re good at more than just flying.”

Kai rolled his eyes but smiled, keeping pace with Eliana. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you outshine me.”

Commander Grayson glanced back with a half-smile. “Keep that energy up, you are going to need it. Follow me now as I guide you through each area of the ship." He waved his hand for Eliana and Kai to follow.

The commander led the two new crew members out of the landing bay and into the cargo room, a space they were already familiar with from their first visit. It was where workers had loaded supplies for the mine. From there, the three took the elevator up to the second level.

“This level houses most of the ship’s essentials for daily life,” Commander Grayson explained.

He gestured to the crew quarters first, three rows of compact yet functional bunks designed for efficiency. Alongside the bunks, there were three individual guest rooms. “You two can each pick one to stay in,” Grayson said, nodding at Kai and Eliana. “Consider it a small luxury for the two of you.”

Continuing through the corridor, they arrived at the medical bay. Bright, sterile, and filled with top-tier technology, the room featured an all-in-one medical bed capable of performing advanced diagnostics and treatments autonomously. “This is where you come if anything happens,” Grayson said, his tone firm. “You’ll find no better medical equipment on most ships.”

Moving toward the midsection, the group passed the galley on one side—compact yet functional—and the adjacent R&R area, a cozy space with a few seats, a table, and a screen for entertainment. “You’ll find this is where most of the crew spends their downtime,” Grayson added casually.

At the bow of the second level was the bridge, an area both Kai and Eliana were already familiar with, alongside the captain’s quarters and the small but well-equipped meeting room.

“Alright,” Grayson said, leading them to a small one-person lift. “We’re headed to the top level now. One at a time.”

Eliana went first, then Kai, and finally Grayson joined them at the top level. The bow housed the training room—a surprisingly large space with simulators and open areas for physical training.

“This is where you’ll sharpen your skills,” Grayson said. “You’ll need them.”

Moving toward the midship and stern, the group reached the engineering bay. The hum of the ship’s systems filled the air, and the room was alive with the soft glow of status panels and machinery. Grayson didn’t linger long, though, merely offering a glance at the core systems—the engines, reactors, and the Black Swan’s quantum drive.

“I won’t get into too much detail here,” Grayson said, waving a hand toward the sprawling systems. “You’ll need time to learn it all. Operating a starship isn’t something you learn in a day.”

Turning to face them both, Grayson’s expression grew serious. “Flying a ship like this isn’t a one-person task. It’s a symphony—a coordination of every crew member working together. That’s why I want both of you to start learning everything, even outside your designated roles. Knowing how the ship operates can save lives when things go wrong.”

Kai and Eliana exchanged a look, both of them absorbing the weight of his words. Grayson gave a small nod of approval. “You’re part of this crew now. You’ll learn, you’ll adapt, and soon enough, you’ll understand what it means to work as a team on the Black Swan.”

With that, the tour was complete, and the three took the elevator at midship down to the second level, making their way to the bridge.

“Just in time, Commander,” Teresa said as they stepped in. Her sharp eyes flicked between her console and the group. “We’ve got a match to their jump signal, sir. It’s in the Eryon System.”

“That’s two jumps away from here,” Commander Grayson replied, immediately taking his place at the center of the bridge. “Ivan, plot a course and prepare for launch.”

“Already on it, Commander,” Ivan responded, his hands flying across the controls as the Black Swan’s systems hummed to life.

“Teresa,” Grayson continued, “what’s our estimated time to intercept?”

“A full day, sir,” Teresa replied confidently. “We’ve got more advanced quantum drives and sensors than their ship. Once we’re on their tail, it won’t take long to catch up.”

Kai felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as he looked out through the bridge’s forward viewport to the stars beyond. The vertical thrusters beneath them began to vibrate as the Black Swan’s fly upwards and away from the planet.

Eliana stepped up beside him, her voice low but steady. “A full day gives us little time to prepare."

Kai nodded, his gaze fixed on the star-filled expanse ahead. “Let’s just hope we’re ready when we find them.”

Commander Grayson’s voice cut through the quiet hum. “All stations, prepare to jump. We’re going hunting.”