《Destiny Among the Stars [Sci-Fi] + [LitRPG] + [Adventure]》 Prologue I was slouched at the bar in my dad¡¯s shipyard caf¨¦, tapping my fingers on the worn wood counter. The place smelled like espresso and grease, a weird mix that somehow felt like home. The hot chocolate in front of me was damn near perfect, rich and smooth, the kind that made you forget the station¡¯s busted climate control was letting the cold creep in through every seam. Outside the big plate-glass windows, all you could see was the endless dark of space, the neon red sign buzzing softly like it was trying to stay awake. Cozy, but in that slightly rundown, ¡°we don¡¯t fix things until they¡¯re broken¡± way. Classic Athan Rossi vibes. The door swung open. My old man. Calloused hands, a face that could sell you a starship or rearrange your face, depending on the hour. He spotted me, that little smirk tugging at his mouth, Here we go again, kid. ¡°Hey, Dad,¡± I said, trying not to sound like I was hitting him up for cash. Grinned anyway. It¡¯s a reflex. ¡°Got something I wanna run by you.¡± He slid onto the stool across from me and waved down the server for his usual double espresso. The man could probably drink rocket fuel and still sleep like a baby. "For you, Luca? Always." He leaned back, all casual, like he had all the time in the world. We shot the shit for a bit: family, the crew, whatever small talk we could scrape together. It was mostly him asking about the latest portal delve, me trying to make it sound less dangerous than it was. You know, the usual. ¡°So, what¡¯s the emergency that couldn¡¯t wait?¡± he asked. I leaned forward, elbows on the counter. ¡°Okay, so here¡¯s the deal: the Triumph. The Alpha Centauri ship.¡± ¡°The one Karen¡¯s funding? What about it?¡± ¡°We need to talk ship, literally,¡± I said, lowering my voice. ¡°Look, Genesis builds solid stuff, workhorses, yeah? But this¡­ this needs to be different.¡± ¡°Different how?¡± ¡°Big, Dad. Way bigger than your usual runabouts. Think long-haul, adaptable. Alpha Centauri is just stop one. We need a ship that can be a home out there, for years if necessary.¡± He raised an eyebrow, gaze sharp. "Years? Planning a one-way trip?" "Hell no," I said, maybe too fast. Didn''t want him thinking we were bailing, not after Mom. "But we need to be ready for anything. Private cabins, not bunks. Real galley hall, labs, a hangar. This isn''t a joyride; we¡¯re pushing boundaries. We might even hit past level 60 out there, who knows? We need a ship that can keep up.¡± ¡°And what happens when you run into something out there that pushes back?¡± he asked, now leaning forward, his voice serious. I guess I must have spooked him. ¡°We¡¯ll be ready. Best damn team in the sector. Ryan¡¯s engineering brain, Danny¡¯s science smarts, even Zoe picked navigator at 54. With the right ship, we can handle it. Besides, this is our shot to show the UER what we¡¯re made of. To go beyond.¡± He was silent, stirring his espresso. "It''s more than just seeing new planets for you, isn''t it?" ¡°It''s about a lot of things. Getting away from here, maybe. Seeing something new.¡± I replied quickly. There was a lot I wanted to do: explore the universe and see new stars and new planets. My team needed a break; we¡¯d been delving into portals nonstop, raising money for this mission to commission our ship. I remember that original ¡®System¡¯ message four years ago. The system arrived to all civilizations in the Milky Way. I wanted to see them, I wanted to get there first. "Your mother always said you had stars in your eyes," my dad said, sighing, a hint of sadness in his voice. He must be remembering her, how much she had believed in me, in this crazy dream. "Maybe I do. Is that so wrong?" I asked, an edge to my voice. Maybe I needed this escape, this chance to prove myself. And maybe the team did too. We''d spent years delving, fighting to survive in those damn portals. We deserved a break from the grind, a chance to see something beyond Earth and its endless politics. He sighed. "No. But space is a bitch, Luca. Doesn¡¯t give a damn about dreams.¡± He was right, of course. It had been a bitch setting up the Shipyard and running it; so many teams had been lost on Mars, Europa, and so many other planets and moons, people who went in unprepared, underequipped, or just had bad luck.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°That¡¯s why we need the right ship, Dad. A fighting chance.¡± I pulled out my tablet. Emily said I drew like a kid, but whatever. ¡°Look.¡± I didn¡¯t wait for him to agree before diving in. ¡°Midsize, roomy for eight. Modular so we don¡¯t kill each other in tight spaces. Big, open bridge with map tables and viewports. Private cabins ¨C screw the bunks. A galley that isn¡¯t a closet. Labs, hangar. Comfort and function, that¡¯s the play.¡± I couldn¡¯t stop once I got rolling. My hands were flying everywhere, gesturing like I was already giving a tour of the ship that didn¡¯t even exist yet. ¡°Surveying planets, charting systems nobody¡¯s even named yet. We find a good spot, touch down, and bam, alien landscapes under our boots.¡± My voice got louder without me meaning it to. ¡°Think about it, Pop. We could uncover entire civilizations, or strike it rich on resources no one¡¯s even dreamed of. And the team? My crew? We¡¯re ready to make it happen.¡± He sipped his coffee, slow and steady like he had all the time in the universe. ¡°Quite the adventure you¡¯ve got planned,¡± he said, one eyebrow raised like he wasn¡¯t sure if I was a genius or just full of shit. ¡°And what about when you need some R&R?¡± I threw my head back, stretching, letting the warmth of the chocolate spread through me. "Oh, don¡¯t worry, Pop. We¡¯ve got plenty of comfortable spaces for that too." In my head, I could already see it: the plush lounge, the dim lighting. Perfect for, you know, unwinding after a long day of discovering new galaxies. Maybe with Emily, her laughter echoing softly, or Zoe, leaning in close, whispering about some nebula she just charted. Not that I¡¯d say any of that out loud. ¡°Picture it. Dad: soft rustle of pages, the murmurs of strategy over poker, the kind of vibe that makes the ship feel like home.¡± My eyes lit up as another idea hit me ¡°Or," I said, grinning, "help Zoe whip up one of her famous casseroles in our state-of-the-art kitchen." Okay, so I didn¡¯t really care about casseroles, but imagining Zoe in the kitchen, her apron over her bare shoulders, her ass sticking out? Yeah, that was something. Not that I¡¯d say that out loud, especially not to Dad. No way I was letting him know half the shit rattling around in my brain. Dad sipped his espresso and gave me the look, the one that said, You¡¯ve got big dreams, kid, but do you have the budget? ¡°You know this isn¡¯t going to be cheap,¡± he muttered. ¡°Just the space alone, the engine, building materials, furnishings... Installing that FTL drive.¡± I plastered on my most confident smile, even though my stomach did a nervous flip at the mention of the Drive. "I know it¡¯s a big undertaking, Dad," I said, throwing in a casual shrug like I wasn¡¯t sweating bullets over the numbers. "But I¡¯ve run the math. Between our savings and some financial backing from Karen at the IFC,¡± and that useless level cap holding me back from actually using my ''Starship Navigation Familiarity'' to its full potential¡­ ¡°I¡¯m confident we can make it work." The word confident hung in the air like I had it tattooed across my forehead. Truth was, I was about 80% sure we could pull this off, and that 20% uncertainty? Yeah, I buried that under layers of bravado and blind optimism. What was the alternative? Give up before I even started? Not my style. Besides, if we didn¡¯t figure it out, Emily would definitely kill me, and Zoe would probably find a way to make it worse just for fun. Dad raised an eyebrow, the kind of eyebrow lift that could stop a lesser man in his tracks. "This is... ambitious, Luca. You do realize what you''re asking for, right? This isn''t just a bigger ship. It''s a whole different class." He shook his head slightly, running a hand over his tired face. "The cost... we''re talking 400, maybe 500 million, easy. And that''s a bare-bones estimate. No gravity generator, no supplies." For a second, my enthusiasm dipped like someone had cut the power. Half a billion credits? It was a number so big it didn¡¯t even feel real. But I wasn¡¯t about to show weakness, not now, not in front of him. "I know it¡¯s a lot of money, Dad," I admitted, my voice steady, ¡°but we''ll make it back. We find something valuable out there, a new resource, a new technology... it''ll pay for itself. And Karen, she believes in the mission. She greenlit the Triumph Initiative, remember?.¡± "She greenlit a proposal," he countered, his voice firm. "Building a ship like this... that''s a whole different ball game. I''ll have to clear some schedules, expand the drydock..." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "And Karen''s a businesswoman, Luca. She''ll expect a return on her investment." Of course, she would, why else would she loan us the money? It''s her IFC on the line as well. The United Earth Republic would have her head if we failed. "We''ll give her one. I know we will," I said, my voice ringing with a conviction I hoped I could live up to. God, I hope that doesn¡¯t sound as desperate as it feels. Dad leaned back, studying me with that thoughtful expression he always got when he was deciding if I was full of shit or just stubborn enough to pull it off. "You always were the ambitious one," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Ambitious," yeah, that was one word for it. Maybe reckless or stupidly hopeful would''ve been more accurate. Relief bubbled up as he added, "Alright, let me talk to my engineers. We''ll run the numbers, see what''s feasible. No promises, but I''ll see what I can do." I grinned so wide it hurt. "Thanks, Dad. You won''t regret it." We clinked our mugs together, his espresso against my hot chocolate, and for a second, it felt like we''d already won. Like maybe, just maybe, this crazy dream could actually happen. In the back of my mind, though, the doubts were already lining up, whispering about how much was riding on this. How much I was risking. But I pushed them aside. We''d figure it out. We had to. I wasn''t ready to let this go, not yet. Not ever. Chapter 1 - The Triumph Four months. Four damn months of waiting, planning, and scraping together credits like a broke college kid saving for spring break. And now, here we were, standing by the port window like kids on Christmas morning. The Triumph of Darron, our ship, was finally ready. Well, technically, it was docked nearby, still under the watchful eye of one of Dad¡¯s pilots. But seeing it released from the shipyard clamps was something else. I leaned forward, my hands pressed against the cool glass, trying to soak it all in. ¡°Look at her,¡± I said, barely able to keep the grin off my face. ¡°Is it just me, or does she look even better than the schematics?¡± ¡°She¡¯s gorgeous,¡± Zoe chimed in from beside me, her voice low and a little too smooth. I caught her reflection in the glass, her deep brown eyes shining with intelligence as she tilted her head, her long, dark locks swaying gently. She was always thinking, always calculating. It was one of the things I admired most about her. I knew that look. Zoe didn¡¯t just admire things; she studied them, like she was already figuring out how to make the Triumph her playground. Typical Zoe. Ryan, standing on my other side, gave a low whistle. ¡°Looks fast. Reckon we could race her?¡± He elbowed me, grinning like an idiot. ¡°Yeah, until we leave your sorry ass in the dust,¡± I shot back. But my chest tightened a little at the thought. This wasn¡¯t just a ship, it was ours. It was the culmination of every stupidly ambitious, half-baked dream I¡¯d had since we hit level 32 and focused our paths. And now? Now it was real. Emily brushed past me, her ponytail swishing as she stepped closer to the window. She had that look, all cute and focused, a little too serious for the moment. ¡°You sure it¡¯s ready for us, Luca?¡± she asked, her tone soft but edged with that undercurrent of doubt that always made me second-guess myself. ¡°Hell yes, it¡¯s ready,¡± I said, more for me than her. ¡°We¡¯ve got everything: Dad¡¯s cutting-edge designs and the Vanguard Hyper-Displacement Drive we pulled from Venus. You were there. You saw what we went through to get it.¡± And I wasn¡¯t lying. That level 60 portal on Venus had been no joke, an absolute cluster meat grinder of traps, mobs, and some bastard of a boss who nearly took Ryan¡¯s arm off. But we did it. We made it out, drive in hand, just before the whole portal collapsed behind us. Single-use bullshit. Still, that drive? Worth every scraped knuckle and close call. I looked over at Danny, who had been quiet this whole time, his eyes fixed on the Triumph. Typical Danny, always thinking ten steps ahead. ¡°What do you think, science boy? Ready to leave the textbooks behind and play mad scientist in zero-G?¡± ¡°Only if you promise not to break my labs on day one,¡± he said. ¡°No promises,¡± I said with a shrug, and Zoe snickered beside me. The ship was everything I¡¯d hoped for: a Galactic Surveyor Type MK I, sleek and modular, built for exploration but with enough creature comforts to make long missions bearable. It wasn¡¯t just Dad¡¯s first large ship, it was our masterpiece. And that Vanguard drive? It could push us to .5 AU per second. Half a fucking astronomical unit. It was still hard to wrap my head around speeds like that. ¡°Once we¡¯re past the Oort cloud, we¡¯ll be golden,¡± Ryan said, his voice cutting through my thoughts. ¡°You sure about that corridor to Alpha Centauri? No ice dust, no debris? Sounds too good to be true.¡± ¡°It¡¯s legit,¡± I said, clapping him on the back. ¡°Gravitational pull or system mechanics or some other science shit, whatever it is, it¡¯s clear. Three weeks, give or take, and we¡¯ll be touching down on alien soil.¡± Emily crossed her arms, her expression softening just enough to let me know she wasn¡¯t completely sold but wouldn¡¯t argue. Yet. ¡°Alright, Captain,¡± she said with a small smile. ¡°You¡¯ve got us this far. Let¡¯s see if you can keep us alive for the next leg.¡± ¡°Challenge accepted,¡± I said, turning back to the window. My reflection grinned back at me, cocky as hell. Inside, though, I was buzzing with nerves, excitement, and something I couldn¡¯t quite name. This was it, the start of something big, something crazy. And, yeah, maybe I was imagining Zoe lounging in one of the ship¡¯s plush chairs, or Emily leaning over the bridge console. Sue me. I was twenty, I was human, and I was about to dive headfirst into the unknown with my best friends and the two biggest distractions in my life. What could possibly go wrong?
With the ship now completed, all we had to do was board and take control. Simple, right? Except stepping into the Triumph of Darron for the first time wasn¡¯t just simple, it was fucking magical. The airlock hissed open, and we drifted inside, floating like kids on a zero-g field trip. The ship was pristine, gleaming metal, faint hum of machinery, and the sharp tang of disinfectant in the air. My boots gave a little kick, and I sailed forward, my crew trailing behind. Our breathing echoed in the empty corridors, the sound weirdly satisfying in the silence. ¡°Someone forgot to turn on the gravity generator,¡± I said, grinning like an idiot.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Emily giggled behind me, her ponytail floating in a golden halo. She looked at ease, the low lights catching the curve of her neck and the shape of her hips. I had to look away before my thoughts ran off the rails, again. We moved deeper into the ship, lights flickering on as we passed, painting our path in warm yellows and cool silvers. It felt surreal, like we¡¯d stumbled into a dream. Zoe caught up to me, twisting effortlessly in midair. Her long legs kicked lazily as she floated upside down, her dreadlocks spreading like ink in water. ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to teach me how to drive this thing,¡± she said, smirking. ¡°Drive? Pretty sure this thing flies itself,¡± I shot back, trying not to focus on how her hoodie was riding up, exposing her flat belly. Jesus, Luca. Get a grip. But, seriously, those legs. Emily shoved a datapad into my hand, snapping me out of it. ¡°We finally got it!¡± she said, her grin lighting up her whole face. I took the pad, the edges of pride and excitement bleeding into my chest. This was our ship now. Not Dad¡¯s, not some pipe dream, it was ours. We rounded a corner into engineering, where Ryan floated surrounded by a halo of tools. His cap was barely holding on, his sandy blonde hair sticking out like he¡¯d just rolled out of bed, which, let¡¯s be honest, he probably had. ¡°Already losing tools?¡± I teased, pushing off the wall to get closer. Ryan looked up, a ratchet floating by his shoulder. ¡°Hey, this is new territory, Luca. Tools weren¡¯t meant to fly.¡± He grinned at me, that easy, cocky smile that always felt like a challenge. And damn if he didn¡¯t make even zero-g look good, his broad shoulders filling out his t-shirt just right. Was it normal to notice stuff like that? Probably not. But here I was, noticing. We left Ryan to his floating mess and drifted further into the ship, finding Danny in the science lab. His curly red hair floated like a puff of fire, and he was squinting at a big-ass microscope balanced precariously on a crate. Danny always had this boy-next-door vibe, freckles and dimples making him look like he belonged in a vintage ad for milk or something. But seeing him here, all focused and determined? Yeah, it worked. Emily kicked off toward him, her voice light. ¡°Think you¡¯ll have everything you need?¡± Danny grinned back at her. ¡°Almost. But we might want to move this microscope before Ryan decides to turn on gravity and it crushes something. Like my foot.¡± ¡°Relax, you¡¯d only have yourself to blame,¡± Ryan called out from the corridor, already halfway to help. He planted himself next to Danny, their movements synchronized as they adjusted the microscope. Watching them work together, Ryan¡¯s toned arms brushing against Danny¡¯s lanky frame, it hit me again: a toned ass was a toned ass. Didn¡¯t matter if it belonged to Ryan, Danny, Emily, or Zoe. The whole crew was a walking distraction. Shaking my head, I pushed myself toward the bridge, leaving them to their balancing act. This ship wasn¡¯t going to captain itself, and I wasn¡¯t about to let my hormone-driven brain get in the way of the biggest moment of my life. But, yeah, I¡¯d probably need a cold shower later. Or a long talk with myself about priorities. Preferably both. We floated into the bridge, and Zoe was already in her element, gliding from console to console like she¡¯d been born in zero-g. Her dreadlocks stuck out in every direction, and I swear, she looked like some kind of space goddess, intense, focused, and way too attractive for my own good. She adjusted screens, configured the AI, and didn¡¯t so much as glance back at us, her whole vibe screaming, I¡¯ve got this. Meanwhile, Emily floated beside me, her hand brushing against mine every now and then, sending little sparks up my arm. Her green eyes sparkled like emeralds in the dim bridge light, and her grin could¡¯ve powered the whole damn ship. I had to force myself not to stare at the way her shirt slid up as she twisted to take in the view. Focus, Luca. Focus. We drifted out of the bridge and down the corridors, every new turn revealing another part of the ship that was ours. Ours. It was surreal, exhilarating, and just a little overwhelming. My brain couldn¡¯t stop buzzing with all the possibilities. The bridge console, for one, flat, smooth, and just the right height. I caught myself wondering how easy it would be to clean up afterward if things got messy. Not that I¡¯d ever say that out loud. The tour took us everywhere: the observation lounge, the gym, the engine room, and even the storage areas. Each space was shiny and pristine, full of promise. But it was the cabins that really did it for me. Eight of them, lined up on the top deck, each a little oasis of privacy. My cabin was small but cozy, with a tiny bathroom, a space for a desk, and a bed that would eventually hold a mattress. Standing there, I couldn¡¯t help but let my imagination run wild. This bed¡­ Yeah, it¡¯s gonna see some action. Not that I had much experience to back that up, okay, no experience, but damn, I could picture it. Emily¡¯s playful smirk as she leaned over me, Zoe¡¯s sharp tongue cutting through the tension, even Ryan¡¯s easy laugh as we clinked glasses of¡­ something. Hell, even Danny might show up if things got weird enough. And the lounge? Don¡¯t get me started. All those couches, the low lighting, the view of the stars stretching out forever, prime hookup territory. I made a mental note to add ¡°cleaning supplies¡± to the shopping list. What¡¯s the point of being Captain if I can¡¯t christen this ship in style? Emily¡¯s voice pulled me back to reality. ¡°Okay, Captain,¡± she said, her grin widening as she pulled a device from her pocket. ¡°We¡¯ve got shopping to do!¡± ¡°Got it, Captain,¡± Emily said with a mock salute, ¡°We have shopping to do!¡± The word hit me like a low-voltage shock, spreading warmth through my chest and, okay, maybe a little lower. Her eyes sparkled as she floated out of the cabin, Zoe close behind, both of them laughing like they didn¡¯t have a care in the world. Captain. It wasn¡¯t even supposed to be me. Nobody else wanted the gig, so I¡¯d fallen into it like someone tripping over their own feet at a graduation ceremony. At first, I¡¯d been hesitant, hell, terrified, really. But now? Every time someone said it, especially Emily, it was like a little ego boost I didn¡¯t know I needed. ¡°Captain¡± had a ring to it, a weight that felt... good. And yeah, when Emily said it, I felt a little more than good. Not that I¡¯d ever admit that to anyone. As their laughter echoed down the corridor, I floated there in the cabin, staring at the space like I¡¯d just stepped into the bridge of the Enterprise. My cabin. My ship. My future. The thought made my pulse quicken, and not just because of the ship. The way Emily had grinned at me, the way she said Captain, damn, she could weaponize that word if she wanted to. I took another look around, imagining how it would feel when the place was fully set up. The bed, the desk, maybe a little frame with a picture of my fam, or just Emily in one of those outfits she rocked so effortlessly. A guy could dream, right? And dreaming was safer than facing how my brain short-circuited every time she smiled at me like that. Focus, Luca. Focus. ¡°Hold on,¡± I said, raising a hand to slow her roll. ¡°Let me talk to my dad about food supplies first. He¡¯s got experience with this, helping new captains stock up. You guys handle the furniture. Just make sure everything can be bolted down in case we lose gravity again.¡± Chapter 2 - Getting Ready The next four weeks were a blur of activity, and honestly? It felt like some weird space version of a home makeover show. Every day, more boxes arrived for the Triumph of Darron, and Emily and Zoe turned the bare-bones ship into something that actually felt like home. They didn¡¯t disappoint, mattresses, tables, couches, desks, gym equipment, rugs, and all the little things I didn¡¯t even know we needed until I saw them unpacked. Zoe found this ridiculously comfortable leather couch that somehow fit perfectly in the lounge, and Emily picked out curtains for the observation deck windows. Curtains. In space. I had to admit, it kind of worked. Meanwhile, I¡¯d been neck-deep in logistics with Dad and his team on the Genesis Platform, coordinating food supplies for the voyage. Sure, we had the small greenhouse for herbs and maybe some greens, but the bulk of our meals would come from frozen and pre-prepared rations. You can¡¯t exactly live off basil and lettuce when you¡¯re charting uncharted space. By the end of it all, our quarters didn¡¯t even look like part of a spaceship anymore. The cold steel walls and floors were mostly hidden under soft fabrics, wood paneling, and carpeted walls. My cabin now had a mattress that made me want to skip shifts just to lie on it. The whole ship felt... alive. Cozy. Like it was ours in every sense of the word. As I stood in the lounge, looking at the ridiculous amount of effort we¡¯d put into making this ship a home, I couldn¡¯t help but grin. This was going to be so much fun. Sure, the whole thing had cost a small fortune, north of 550 million credits, and that didn¡¯t even include the street value of the FTL drive, which added another 200 million if anyone felt like doing the math. But who cared? This was our dream. Of course, none of this would¡¯ve happened without the Interstellar Frontier Company. They¡¯d won the Alpha Centauri survey charter from the United Earth Republic and thrown 300 million credits at us to build this ship and make the mission happen. The rest? That had come out of our savings, every credit we¡¯d managed to scrape together. We¡¯d spent weeks convincing Karen and Michael at IFC to back us. I mean, begging wasn¡¯t off the table at one point. This was their big bet on us, and if we screwed it up, the IFC would lose their investment and get their asses handed to them by the UER. No pressure, right? But if we pulled this off? We¡¯d be rich. Like buy-your-own-space-station rich. For now, though, I wasn¡¯t thinking about credits or charters or all the ways this could go wrong. Standing there, surrounded by my crew, my family, it all felt worth it. Every sleepless night, every impossible negotiation, every credit we¡¯d spent. We were ready. And as Captain, still weird, still kind of a turn-on, it was my job to make sure we didn¡¯t screw it up.
The last thing on the never-ending list was uniforms. Uniforms. Just the word made me cringe. I wasn¡¯t exactly the ¡°matching outfits¡± type, and the idea of telling my crew what to wear felt... weird. But Dad had been insistent. ¡°It¡¯s about discipline, Luca. Morale. Presentation. You¡¯ll be among other crews, miners, gas scoopers, shuttle pilots. They¡¯ll expect it.¡± So here I was, dragging Emily and Zoe to a shop called Uniforms Unlimited because, let¡¯s face it, I figured they knew more about colors and clothes than I did. My fashion sense maxed out at ¡°does this have holes in it?¡± and ¡°is it clean enough to wear again?¡± When we walked in, a middle-aged woman with purple hair and a smile like she genuinely enjoyed her job greeted us. ¡°Athan Rossi¡¯s son, correct?¡± she said, extending her hand. ¡°I¡¯m June. A pleasure to meet you, Luca. And you must be Emily and Zoe?¡± I blushed, like, actually blushed. Why do people always know I¡¯m Athan¡¯s kid? ¡°Uh, yeah. Hi, June,¡± I managed, shaking her hand like a nervous intern. ¡°We¡¯re here to, uh, get some uniforms made for our crew.¡± Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.¡°Excellent,¡± she said, leading us into her office, which looked like someone had exploded a rainbow in it. Swatches of every fabric and color imaginable covered the walls and tables. It smelled like coffee and ambition, and she wasted no time pouring us cups from the fancy machine in the corner. ¡°So,¡± June began, sliding into her chair and looking at me expectantly, ¡°what kind of look are you going for? Professional? Casual? Camouflage, perhaps?¡± I hesitated, glancing at Emily and Zoe for backup. ¡°Uh, professional but comfortable?¡± I said, trying to sound like I had a plan. ¡°We¡¯ll be spending long hours on the ship, exploring planets. Maybe a set of uniforms for onboard tasks, something for downtime... gym clothes too, maybe? Neutral colors? Grays?¡± The second I finished, Emily groaned audibly and facepalmed. Literally facepalmed. ¡°Luca,¡± she said, getting up and pushing me toward the door, ¡°we¡¯ll take care of this, okay?¡± ¡°You sure? I was thinking maybe¡­¡± ¡°Nope,¡± Zoe cut in, joining the shoving effort. ¡°We¡¯ve got this. You¡¯re off uniform duty.¡± June raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t stop them. The girls plopped back into their seats as I stumbled out the door, still holding my untouched coffee. ¡°Fine,¡± I muttered, half to myself. ¡°Just don¡¯t make us look like space clowns or something.¡± From the hallway, I could hear Zoe¡¯s laugh echoing. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Captain. We¡¯ll make you look good.¡± And there it was again, that word, Captain. It hit me like it always did, sending a warm buzz through my chest and, yeah, lower. I shook my head, trying to clear the image of Emily and Zoe in perfectly tailored uniforms out of my mind. Focus, Luca. Let them handle it. Still, as I walked away, I couldn¡¯t help but imagine what they¡¯d come up with. Hopefully not something that screamed ¡°space janitor,¡± but knowing those two, they¡¯d figure out how to make us look damn good. I just hoped they didn¡¯t spend too much on it. Actually, scratch that, I hoped they did.
Five hours. Five damn hours since Emily and Zoe had kicked me out of Uniforms Unlimited, and I was still fuming. Not because I didn¡¯t trust them, well, not entirely, but because sitting around while they ran the show left me feeling like a third wheel on my own ship. I was in the command chair, fiddling with the bridge¡¯s user interface, trying to figure out if I could customize the layout. It wasn¡¯t going well. Every time I clicked something, another menu popped up, and none of it made sense. Why does everything in space have to be over-engineered? When I heard the airlock hiss, I glanced up to see Emily and Zoe strolling in like they owned the place. Emily had this smug little grin on her face, and Zoe looked like she¡¯d just pulled off the heist of the century. ¡°How¡¯d it go?¡± I asked, spinning the chair around and leaning back like I was totally cool with being left out of the loop. ¡°It went great, Luca,¡± Zoe said, her smirk almost a challenge. ¡°We¡¯ve got some surprises for the whole crew, but you¡¯ll have to wait and see.¡± ¡°Surprises?¡± I raised an eyebrow, not entirely sure if I should be excited or terrified. Knowing Zoe, it could go either way. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we try them on before we leave? Did you get everyone¡¯s measurements?¡± I asked, trying to sound like a responsible Captain and not like someone secretly wondering how good everyone would look in their new uniforms. Okay, mostly wondering about Emily and Zoe. ¡°June will transmit the design specs over tonight,¡± Emily said, waving off my concern. ¡°We¡¯ll have them before we leave. Don¡¯t worry.¡± Zoe rolled her eyes. ¡°Relax, Captain. We¡¯ve got it under control.¡± And there it was again, that word, Captain. Zoe¡¯s tone was casual, but it still hit me like a well-aimed punch. Captain. My title. My role. My... weird turn-on when she or Emily said it. I tried not to let it show, turning back to the interface and pretending I didn¡¯t feel a little warm under the collar. ¡°Fine,¡± I said, because I did know better than to question them when they were in mission mode. They were a force of nature, and honestly? I wasn¡¯t about to get in their way. Instead, I turned my attention back to the bridge, letting out a slow breath as I scanned the room. The ship was coming together, piece by piece, and it looked spectacular. The consoles gleamed under the soft light, the viewports stretched out to reveal the endless starscape, and my command chair? Perfectly positioned. This was my domain, my sanctuary, my ship. But in the back of my mind, I couldn¡¯t stop imagining what those uniforms might look like, or more accurately, what the crew might look like in them. Especially Emily and Zoe. And maybe Ryan, if I was being honest with myself. God, I was hopeless. Chapter 3 - The Uniforms ¡°What the fuck is this?¡± I muttered, holding up one of the so-called uniforms like it was about to disintegrate in my hands. It looked like it was made for a doll, not a full-grown human being. Around me, the guys were tearing into their own boxes, and judging by their faces, somewhere between stifled laughter and utter disbelief, I wasn¡¯t alone in my confusion. ¡°These are our new uniforms,¡± Zoe said, grinning like she¡¯d just pulled off the prank of the century. She leaned casually against a crate, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief. ¡°Emily and I worked on them based on the specs you gave us. They¡¯re smart-suits, designed for functionality and...¡± Her voice dipped slightly, and her eyes flickered towards Danny for a moment, a playful smirk touching her lips. "...style." She let her eyes drift over him, lingering just a fraction longer than necessary, before returning to the group. Danny, caught off guard, froze, his freckles practically glowing under the hangar lights. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his hand coming up to adjust his collar as if it had suddenly become too tight. Zoe watched him, her grin widening slightly, clearly amused. I looked away quickly, pretending to inspect the ridiculous suit in my hands. God help us. This ship hasn¡¯t even left the dock, and it¡¯s already a mess. The thing in my hands, calling it a uniform felt generous. It was sleek, stretchy, and so form-fitting it looked like it would vacuum-seal to my body. The material shimmered under the hangar lights, and a zipper ran from the neckline all the way to the crotch. It even came with a face mask for emergencies, which was probably the only thing about it that made sense. "Uh, are these... are these supposed to be compression garments? Because I''m not sure about the, uh, the ventilation properties of this material. We might overheat. Or, you know, chafe." He pushed his glasses up his nose, avoiding eye contact with anyone. ¡°Uh, girls?¡± I ventured, waving the tiny, shiny thing at Zoe and Emily. ¡°I think there¡¯s been some kind of misunderstanding. We need practical gear, not... this.¡± My voice cracked a little as I gestured at the suit. ¡°How the hell are we even supposed to put it on? It¡¯s so... tiny.¡± Emily sighed dramatically, crossing her arms like I was the dumbest person on the ship. ¡°Luca Rossi,¡± she said, her tone dripping with exaggerated patience, ¡°you, of all people, should know how important it is to look good while exploring the universe. First impressions matter. Besides, these suits are state of the art.¡± I blinked at her, struggling to find the words. ¡°State of the art? Emily, this thing looks like it came out of a sci-fi strip club.¡± ¡°Well, if we don''t make it to Alpha Centauri, at least we''ll look good in these uniforms when they find our remains,¡± said Ryan as he handled one of the tiny outfits. Great, here we go. Time to find out just how badly they blew the budget. ¡°How much did you spend on this ¡®state of the art¡¯ gear?¡± I asked, bracing myself for the answer. Emily hesitated, her confidence cracking just a little. ¡°Well, we got the smart-suits, gym clothes, shoes, loungewear...¡± ¡°How much?¡± I pressed, my stomach doing somersaults. ¡°I don¡¯t know, about a buck twenty?¡± she said, looking everywhere but at me. ¡°120...?¡± My voice rose, sharp enough to cut through the hangar¡¯s hum. ¡°120,000 credits,¡± she said in a quiet voice, like saying it softly would somehow make it less insane. The hangar went completely silent except for the collective gasp from the guys. 120,000 credits? On clothes? What the actual fuck? ¡°And we worked really hard on them,¡± Zoe added, pouting like she was the victim here. ¡°Don¡¯t you trust our judgment?¡± Trust? Oh, I trusted them to blow through a budget faster than a starship through hyperspace. I glanced around. Ryan looked like he wanted to laugh but was smart enough to keep his mouth shut. Danny was fiddling with his box like it might give him answers to life¡¯s mysteries. No one said a word. Arguing with Emily and Zoe was like arguing with gravity: pointless and dangerous. I let out a long sigh, feeling every ounce of defeat settle on my shoulders. ¡°Fine,¡± I said, throwing up my hands. ¡°Fine. Whatever. The money¡¯s already gone.¡± Emily¡¯s face lit up instantly. ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± she said sweetly, stepping forward to plant a quick kiss on my cheek. And just like that, it was hard to stay frustrated. Damn her. ¡°Exactly," Zoe said, clapping her hands together. "So, moving on! We didn''t just get the suits." She grabbed another box, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Let''s see what else we''ve got, shall we? There¡¯s also the gym uniforms, loungewear, shoes, boots, and other stuff,¡± she added as if that somehow made spending a small fortune on space spandex okay. ¡°Let¡¯s take a look at those,¡± Ryan said, stepping up to another box like he was ready to unravel the next layer of chaos. I leaned back against a crate, rubbing a hand over my face. Fuck me. What did I get myself into? The money was gone, the uniforms were shiny enough to blind someone, and my crew was clearly going to have opinions. But as I watched Zoe and Emily dive into the next box, laughing and chatting like this was all some grand victory, I couldn¡¯t help but smile. This is going to be a shitshow. A fun one, maybe, but still a shitshow. The first thing out of the box was the loungewear: sleek, white, and soft-looking, with personalized color accents for each crew member. But the kicker? It was sheer. Suspiciously sheer. As in, you¡¯d better not be shy about what you¡¯ve got underneath. My mind instantly went into overdrive, imagining Emily lounging on one of the couches in her red-accented set, legs curled up, maybe leaning just a little too far forward... or Zoe, her green highlights catching the light as she stretched out in the observation lounge, totally unconcerned about how see-through the fabric might be. Shit, focus, Luca. Then there were the gym uniforms, moisture-wicking, breathable, and made in the ship¡¯s colors. The shorts were... short. Not tight, but the kind that rode up when you moved, showing just a bit too much leg, maybe even a peek of bum if you weren¡¯t careful. My brain, unhelpfully, conjured up Ryan in those, his sandy blonde hair tousled as he wiped sweat off his face after a workout. Or Danny, lanky but somehow pulling it off, freckles on full display as he ran through drills. Why do I do this to myself?This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡°Hey, these are actually nice,¡± Danny said, holding up his workout gear, completely oblivious to the fact that Zoe was practically undressing him with her eyes. She flashed him a smile so bright and hungry it could¡¯ve melted a lesser man. I swore I saw her fingers twitch, like she was resisting the urge to reach out and adjust his collar or something. God help us all. I forced myself to snap out of it, rubbing a hand over my face as if that would clear the images. ¡°Alright, alright. You win this time,¡± I said, trying to play it cool. ¡°Everyone grab your box, or boxes, rather, and let¡¯s get suited up.¡± As the crew started gathering their new gear, I couldn¡¯t help but glance back at the loungewear, my imagination firing on all cylinders again. This is going to be fun. Sure, it was completely impractical, and I was still mentally calculating how many credits we¡¯d blown on this stuff, but seeing everyone in those outfits? Yeah, I wasn¡¯t complaining. I just hoped I¡¯d survive it without embarrassing myself.
I grabbed my own boxes, the weight surprisingly hefty. Time to see if these things were as bad as they looked. Carrying the three boxes up to my cabin, I couldn¡¯t help but grin like an idiot. Sure, the clothes were skimpy, okay, really skimpy and stretchy, but I couldn¡¯t deny it: the girls had outdone themselves. The color schemes, the ship¡¯s livery stamped on everything, even the socks... They¡¯d thought of everything. My original plan had been simple: matching coveralls for basic protection and cohesion, nothing fancy. But Emily and Zoe had gone full runway fashion show and given everyone a damn wardrobe. By the time I reached my quarters, I was out of breath. I dropped the boxes onto my desk and opened the first one, letting out a low whistle at the neatly folded uniforms. They were soft, almost luxurious. I ran my hand over the material, half-impressed, half-annoyed. Then I spotted the undergarments. Boxer briefs. Of course. I preferred boxers, loose, free, and, you know, breathable. But looking at the tight, form-fitting outfits they¡¯d picked, I knew boxers weren¡¯t going to cut it. ¡°Fine,¡± I muttered to myself. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with.¡± I stripped down, folding my jeans, hoodie, and boxers with the kind of precision Dad would¡¯ve been proud of. The boxer briefs went on first, and I had to admit, they were snug but comfortable. Then came the main event. The bodysuit. Slipping one leg in, I immediately started doubting my life choices. The material hugged my calf like it was trying to choke it. ¡°How the hell is this supposed to fit?¡± I muttered, hopping on one foot as I worked the suit over my thigh. The other leg wasn¡¯t any easier, and by the time I got the thing up to my waist, I was bouncing around the cabin like a madman. ¡°Shit,¡± I hissed, trying to yank it higher without tearing it. Finally, with a deep breath and a lot of effort, I shoved my arms in and zipped the thing up. The fabric clung to me like, like plastic wrap, squeezing every muscle and curve. And yeah, there was definitely a wedgie situation going on. ¡°Fucking hell,¡± I groaned, adjusting awkwardly. I walked over to the mirror, bracing myself for the worst. But when I saw my reflection, I froze. Wide-eyed, I stared at the guy in the mirror, lean, athletic, and... damn. ¡°Damn,¡± I whistled, tilting my head to get a better look. ¡°I look good.¡± The suit wasn¡¯t terrible. It had pockets, which was a win in my book, as well as belt loops to hang a utility belt, and the built-in tech panel on the sleeve was pretty cool. Curious, I tapped the panel and scrolled through the options. It showed my vitals, heart rate, temperature, all that fun stuff, but the color customization caught my eye. I picked silver-gray, watching as the white bodysuit shifted subtly, filling in with a sleek graphic design. The thin V-shaped graphic stretched from my shoulders to my crotch. Right to the crotch. ¡°Oh god,¡± I muttered, staring at the bold design. ¡°This is going to be awkward.¡± I tried to look at the positives. The suit felt comfortable, and it made me look like a proper space captain. But walking around with a crotch-high V and everyone else in matching outfits? Yeah, this was going to take some getting used to. With a resigned sigh, I turned toward the door. Time to face the crew. Let the awkwardness begin. Shaking my head, I decided to just get it over with. The sooner I faced the crew, the sooner this whole uniform thing would be behind us.
The door to my quarters slid shut behind me with a soft hiss, and I stepped out into the corridor, the new uniform hugging every inch of me like it was custom-molded to my body. The matching boots added a little extra spring to my step, and I was already half-wondering how the rest of the crew would react when I saw Emily stepping out of her cabin. ¡°Holy shit!¡± we said in unison, both of us freezing mid-step. My brain short-circuited. Her uniform, all white with red accents, was like something out of my most vivid daydreams. The narrow V design that started right between her legs and ended below her breasts in an upturned crescent drew attention exactly where it was supposed to, leaving nothing to discussion. Her blond ponytail framed her face perfectly, softening the intensity of those green eyes that now had me feeling about five degrees too warm. ¡°You... uh, you look... so hot,¡± I stammered, my voice cracking like a goddamn teenager. And I meant it. The suit clung to her in ways that made my brain do somersaults. Her chest, her hips, every curve, it was like the universe had decided to showcase everything in high-definition, and I wasn¡¯t ready. Emily blushed, her cheeks turning a shade of pink that somehow made her look even more irresistible. She crossed her arms over her chest, but honestly? That just made it worse. ¡°Thanks,¡± she said shyly, looking anywhere but at me. ¡°You look...¡± She trailed off, clearly struggling to find words. I grinned, leaning into the moment. "Like my uniform?" I asked smugly, shifting my weight and subtly flexing my bicep, just enough to make the fabric of the uniform tighten a little. Not like I was trying to show off or anything. Okay, maybe a little. If I couldn¡¯t stop myself from drooling over her, I might as well distract her with some humor. Emily laughed, the sound bright and warm. She stepped forward and gave me a playful punch on the abs, her knuckles brushing against the unforgivingly tight material. ¡°You ass,¡± she said, shaking her head but smiling. "The uniform definitely... suits you." She winked, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Maybe a little too much." Damn, she''s not pulling any punches, is she? And is it just me, or did her fingers linger for a second there? Focus, Luca. Don''t make this weird. Or do... No. Focus! ¡°Come on,¡± I said, offering her my arm. ¡°Let¡¯s go see how the others look in their new threads.¡± As she hooked her arm through mine, she glanced up at me, her teasing smirk firmly back in place. ¡°Did you like the undies we chose?¡± I swallowed hard, my mind instantly flashing to the snug boxer briefs. ¡°They¡¯re... different,¡± I said, trying not to sound like a total idiot. ¡°But I guess I can get used to them. What about you two? What did you pick for yourselves?¡± Emily winked at me, a playful glint in her eye. ¡°Just wait and see.¡± Her arm pressed against mine, and I felt the heat of her body through the thin material of our uniforms. It was innocent enough, a casual touch, but my imagination was already in overdrive. What did she mean by ¡°wait and see¡±? Was her underwear even more revealing? Would I even survive seeing the whole crew in these outfits? My thoughts spiraled, one image blending into the next: Emily lounging on the observation deck in sheer loungewear, Zoe in those gym shorts doing stretches, even Ryan and Danny in their workout gear, because apparently, my brain was equal-opportunity horny. That was it. Game over. The warmth of her body against mine, even through the thin fabric of their suits, was too much. The tightness in my boxer briefs turned into a full-on situation, and I fought the urge to adjust myself right there in the hallway. Shit, shit, shit. Focus on something else. Stars. The ship. Engine specs. Anything but how her chest feels so close. ¡°Easy there, Captain,¡± Emily teased, her voice light but sharp enough to make me want to crawl into the nearest airlock. My face went nuclear. ¡°Sorry, I¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± she said, cutting me off with a gentle squeeze of my bicep. Her touch lingered just long enough to send a fresh wave of heat through me. ¡°I can¡¯t say I blame you.¡± Her words hung in the air, the playful edge of her tone doing absolutely nothing to help my situation. I cleared my throat, trying to regain some semblance of composure. Focus, Luca. You¡¯re the Captain. Act like it. Chapter 4 - Thanks Dad Together, Emily and I made our way to the galley, my heart pounding as much from anticipation as the snugness of my uniform. Every step through the corridors of the Triumph of Darron made me acutely aware of how the suit clung to my body, highlighting everything, everything. And if I felt exposed, I could only imagine what the others would look like. When we reached the galley entrance, Zoe was already there, leaning against the doorframe with her usual effortless grace. Her dreadlocks framed her face, and the form-fitting suit highlighted her long legs. She looked like she belonged on this ship, like she was born for this mission, the material hugging her in ways that should¡¯ve been outlawed. The zipper of her uniform was pulled down just enough to draw attention to her small chest, a tease of deep almond skin, a stark contrast to the white fabric was striking, but no one gave it a second thought. On this crew, it was just Zoe. She caught me looking and smiled, running her hand down her waist like she knew the effect she had. ¡°Damn, Zoe,¡± Emily exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. ¡°You look incredible.¡± Zoe tilted her head, her smirk widening. ¡°Thanks. I guess this suit does have its advantages.¡± Her voice was light, but her eyes were practically daring someone to disagree. Holy shit, I thought, trying to keep my expression neutral. How am I supposed to focus with this going on? Before I could say anything, Joey walked up, his uniform stretching taut over his broad shoulders and chest. And, yeah, there was no missing the way the material left absolutely nothing to the imagination below the belt. Joey didn¡¯t even look embarrassed, in fact, he was grinning like this was the best day of his life. ¡°We¡¯re never going to be able to concentrate with all these distractions walking around,¡± he said, his tone half-joking but clearly checking out Zoe. Ryan strolled in next, his sandy blonde hair as messy as ever, but his uniform made him look like some kind of space model. The sleeves clung to his arms, showcasing muscles that, let¡¯s be honest, deserved to be shown off. He grinned as he approached, flexing just a little as he slid into the group. ¡°Speak for yourself, Joey. I¡¯m just glad I can finally show off my muscles without having to wear a tank top.¡± Okay, Luca, breathe, I told myself. Between Ryan¡¯s casual confidence, Joey¡¯s unintentional thirst-trap vibe, and Zoe¡¯s deliberate smolder, my brain was on fire. And then there was Emily beside me, the warmth of her body brushing against mine, her suit highlighting every curve, damn it, focus. Danny shuffled in next, tugging at his uniform with an annoyed groan. ¡°Can we just appreciate how uncomfortable these new uniforms are? I feel like they¡¯re constantly riding up.¡± I almost laughed at the sight of Danny, freckled, red-faced, and clearly out of his element, but even he managed to make the outfit work. The snug material showed off his lean frame in ways I hadn¡¯t noticed before, and the way his curly hair shifted slightly as he moved made him look oddly endearing. Why is everyone on this ship so ridiculously attractive? ¡°The lady told us they¡¯ll break in,¡± Emily said, her voice soothing. ¡°It should be wicked comfortable after a couple of wears.¡± Meanwhile, Chris walked in behind Danny, cool and confident as ever. His jet-black hair framed his face perfectly, and his suit practically glowed under the galley¡¯s lights. The bulge in his pants was... noticeable, and he clearly didn¡¯t give a damn. Seriously? Is this my life now? I stepped back slightly, my eyes sweeping over the team. Zoe¡¯s dimples, Emily¡¯s curves, Joey¡¯s confidence, Ryan¡¯s charm, Danny¡¯s endearing awkwardness, Chris¡¯s cool swagger, every single one of them looked like they¡¯d stepped out of a fantasy. Years of fighting together, of building trust and risking our lives for each other, had led to this. A crew so hot they could melt steel beams just by walking into a room. My chest swelled with pride, and something a lot less noble as I looked at them. We¡¯re doomed, I thought. Absolutely doomed. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± I said, trying to play it cool as I clapped my hands together. ¡°Let¡¯s focus. Everyone looks... great.¡± We finally gathered around the galley¡¯s oversized table, everyone crammed into seats that were clearly not designed with this many egos in mind. I sat at the head because, well... I was the Captain. My table... was already scratched and scuffed, already broken in, even though we hadn¡¯t left yet. We''d need to be more careful around here if we wanted things to last, I thought, and I drummed my fingers against the surface, stalling for time. The chatter died down, and all eyes turned to me. God, I hated this part. Speeches. They were awkward and unnecessary. Everyone here knew what they were doing, or at least pretended to, and I wasn¡¯t about to act like I had some profound wisdom to drop on them. Still, Captain duties and all that. I leaned forward, elbows on the table. ¡°Alright, listen up,¡± I started, keeping my tone casual because that¡¯s all I had. ¡°I know this whole setup¡¯s new. The ship, the uniforms, the tiny gym shorts. Yeah, it¡¯s tight, and yeah, it¡¯s weird. But we¡¯ll figure it out.¡± I paused, letting my eyes sweep across the crew. ¡°Just don¡¯t fuck up too badly, alright?¡± That earned a few laughs, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile. Humor: 1, Awkward Silence: 0. Leaning back, I stretched my arms behind my head like I wasn¡¯t winging every word. ¡°Let¡¯s get the last of the cargo loaded and get moving. The sooner we¡¯re out there, the sooner we start making history.¡± The crew nodded, murmuring their agreements as they stood to head off to their tasks. The table emptied, leaving me sitting there for a moment, staring at the now-vacant seats. Do we have everything? Hell if I knew. We had food, fuel, and enough gear to at least pretend we were ready. That¡¯d have to be enough. The rest? We¡¯d figure it out as we went, or we wouldn¡¯t. Either way, the clock was ticking, and Alpha Centauri wasn¡¯t getting any closer. This was my team. Flawed, ridiculous, way too attractive for my sanity, but they were mine. And somehow, I had to keep them alive, functional, and hopefully out of each other¡¯s pants long enough to complete the mission.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. ¡°Great pep talk, Captain,¡± I muttered under my breath, standing up and heading for the door. Let¡¯s see if we can survive launch without blowing something up.
The galley had cleared out, leaving me alone. I shook my head, trying to clear my brain. Right. Loading. We needed to finish loading the ship. I headed towards the cargo bay, the hum of the Triumph''s systems growing louder with each step. As I rounded the corner, I saw the crew struggling with a particularly large crate, its metal edges groaning under the strain. Or rather, most of the crew. "Easy, easy!" Danny was saying, his voice tight with anxiety. He was practically hovering over the crate, his hands outstretched as if he could prevent any damage through sheer force of will. "We need to be careful. That contains sensitive calibration equipment. If we jostle it too much¡­" ¡°Relax, you¡¯d only have yourself to blame,¡± Ryan called out from the corridor, already halfway to help. He planted himself next to Danny, their movements synchronized as they adjusted the microscope. Watching them work together, Ryan¡¯s toned arms brushing against Danny¡¯s lanky frame, it hit me again: a toned ass was a toned ass. Didn¡¯t matter if it belonged to Ryan, Danny, Emily, or Zoe. The whole crew was a walking distraction. "A little help here, Ryan?" Emily grunted, her face flushed from the effort. The muscles in her arms were straining against the fabric of her uniform, and for a moment, I was too distracted to be annoyed. "Yeah," Zoe added, her voice low and slightly breathless. "Unless you''re planning on carrying this thing to Alpha Centauri yourself?" Ryan pushed himself off the wall with a lazy grin. "Fine, fine. But someone should''ve grabbed a pallet jack. My back isn''t what it used to be." He sauntered over to the crate, finally deigning to add his strength to the effort. As they inched the crate forward, its metal legs scraped against the floor, making me wince. "Guys, guys! Watch the floor!" I called out, hurrying over. "The ship is brand new! You''re going to scratch it all up." "Maybe if someone helped instead of just supervising," Chris muttered under his breath. He adjusted his grip, his biceps bulging. "Seriously," I said, trying to regain some authority, "We need to lift, not drag. There are pallet jacks for a reason." I gestured to the controls on the side of the crate. "Yeah, yeah," Ryan said, waving me off. "We''re almost there. Just a few more feet." With a final, combined heave, they shoved the crate into place, the sound of metal on metal echoing through the bay. Panting slightly, Zoe leaned against the crate, her chest rising and falling. She shot me a grin. "See? We got it. No scratches." I ran a hand over the floor, inspecting for damage. "Just try to be more careful next time, okay?" I said, trying not to sound too much like a nagging parent. "This isn''t some beat-up freighter. It''s our home now." I paused, then added, "And a very expensive one at that." Danny, ever the pragmatist, was already scanning the crate with a handheld device. "Readings are nominal," he announced, relief evident in his voice. "No damage to the equipment." "See? We''re professionals," Ryan said, clapping Danny on the back a little too hard. Danny stumbled, and I saw Zoe''s hand twitch like she wanted to steady him. Interesting. "Alright," I said, clapping my hands together, "Let''s get the rest of this stuff loaded. And someone grab a pallet jack this time. Please." I shot a pointed look at Ryan, who just grinned back, unrepentant.
I stood near the loading bay, watching them hustle to get the last of our supplies onboard. This was it, the moment we¡¯d been building toward for months. The Triumph of Darron was about to embark on its maiden voyage into the unknown, and I was leading the charge with my closest friends by my side. No pressure or anything. Running a hand through my hair, I tried¡ªand failed, to ignore the wedgie creeping up my butt. The damn bodysuit was tight as hell, but Emily swore it would ¡°break in¡± eventually. For now, it just felt like a polite, fabric-covered assault on my dignity. Still, she¡¯d chosen this for the crew, and I wasn¡¯t about to half-ass it. Fine, bodysuit. You win this round. Emily glanced my way and flashed me a quick smile before returning to her work, her blonde ponytail swishing as she moved. Focus, Luca. Focus on the ship. The mission. Literally anything else. The final crates were secured, and the crew started drifting toward the bridge. For a moment, I felt a pang of sadness. We were leaving everything behind, the station, the platform, the only life we¡¯d ever known. But that was the point, wasn¡¯t it? To go where no man has gone before? As I turned toward the bridge, I saw Dad making his way toward me. His timing was impeccable, as always. Athan Rossi, the man who¡¯d taught me everything I knew about space and survival, now watching me take my first real steps as Captain. It was weird seeing him like this, not as the commander of the Genesis Platform, but just... my dad. ¡°Hey, Dad,¡± I said, pulling him into a quick, awkward hug. ¡°Glad you made it.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t miss this for anything,¡± he replied, his voice steady but warm. ¡°A journey into uncharted territory. I¡¯m proud of you, son.¡± The words hit harder than I expected. I stood a little straighter, nodding as if I wasn¡¯t completely floored. ¡°Thanks, Dad,¡± I said, my voice quieter than I wanted it to be. His eyes flicked down to my uniform, and his lips twitched with the kind of amusement that only a dad could manage. ¡°You¡¯re really going to travel through space in that?¡± he asked, gesturing at my snug outfit. I grinned, even as my cheeks burned. ¡°Emily promised it¡¯ll loosen up after a few wears,¡± I said, tugging at the fabric riding up my thighs. ¡°And hey, it¡¯s supposed to protect against cuts and scrapes. Fashion and function, right?¡± He shook his head, laughing softly. ¡°Well, let¡¯s hope it holds up. I brought you something to make the journey a little easier.¡± He held up two cases of wine, his expression softening in a way I wasn¡¯t used to. ¡°For celebrating new discoveries, or just surviving the day.¡± I froze for a second, staring at him. Celebrating new discoveries? What the hell was that supposed to mean? Was he being literal, like, ¡°Good job finding a new planet, here¡¯s a toast¡±? Or was there more to it? Dad wasn¡¯t exactly the ¡°wink-wink, nudge-nudge¡± type. Since Mom died, he¡¯d been all business, all the time: focused, serious, the kind of guy who measured success in results, not feelings. And yet, here he was, holding wine like we were about to party our way through Alpha Centauri. Was he telling me to cut loose? My mind went into overdrive. Was this some kind of subtle dad-code for ¡°go out there and enjoy the hell out of life¡±? Was he telling me to celebrate everything I discovered? Planets, new species, Emily¡¯s body, Ryan¡¯s tight ass. Holy shit, stop thinking. But seriously, what if he meant it like that? Was this some weird father-son bonding moment where he was low-key telling me to¡­ explore? No. No way. This was Athan Rossi. Mr. Stoic. He couldn¡¯t possibly mean¡­ could he? I tried to shake off the thought, but my brain wasn¡¯t letting it go. Damn it, Dad. Be clearer with your cryptic life advice! I glanced at the cases of wine, my grip tightening around the handles. ¡°Uh, thanks, Dad,¡± I said, my voice steady even as my brain continued its internal meltdown. ¡°I¡¯ll, uh, make sure it gets used for... appropriate celebrations.¡± Smooth, Luca. Very smooth. He gave me a knowing look, the kind that made me feel like he could see through every bullshit layer I was trying to hide behind. ¡°Good,¡± he said simply, patting my shoulder before turning to greet the rest of the crew. As I watched him walk away, I felt like I was missing something, a joke I wasn¡¯t in on, or maybe just another one of those dad moments that only made sense years later. My thoughts drifted back to Emily, the way her uniform looked, and to Ryan, who had no right looking that good in anything. Celebrating new discoveries. Was that Dad¡¯s way of saying, Go live your life, kid? Go screw around? Or just¡­ don¡¯t be afraid to feel something? I sighed, hefting the wine cases. Either way, the man had dropped a philosophical grenade on me and walked off like it was nothing. Fine, Dad. I¡¯ll figure it out. Eventually. Probably. Maybe after a glass of this wine. Or three. Chapter 5 - Separation Okay, here we go. Time to wrangle these idiots. "Alright, everyone," I clapped my hands, trying to sound like I knew what I was doing. Which, let''s be real, I usually didn''t. My eyes snagged on Emily, holy shit. That bodysuit¡­ tight as hell. And it was riding up her back just enough. Damn, she looked amazing. Like, a straight-up firecracker. And she knew it, with that little smirk and a wink. She was doing that on purpose. She sauntered over, pecked me on the cheek, "Alright, Captain," she said, all teasing and batting her eyes at me. She knew she was hot, the way she strutted away, that sway in her hips. Danny shuffled past, his eyebrows practically touching as he tugged at the collar of his uniform. "This thing''s tighter than a vacuum seal," he muttered resignedly. "I swear I just heard it squeak when I moved.¡± And of course, Ryan, that little shit, jumped in. ¡°Here, let me fix that wedgie for you, Danny.¡± Asshole. Tugging at his suit. Danny yelped, "Get your hands off me!" Face bright red. Ryan always had to mess with Danny. I¡¯d probably do the same thing, if I¡¯m being real. ¡°You two are hopeless,¡± I muttered, shaking my head. They were like a couple of toddlers. Still, I¡¯d die for those two knuckleheads, wouldn''t admit it though. They were idiots. Okay, with all the last-minute stuff finally done, we were all in our spots on the bridge of the Triumph of Darron, ready to rock and roll. Zoe, our navigation officer, was front and center, looking like she was born to pilot this damn ship. I¡¯m pretty sure she slept with a star chart under her pillow. To her right, Emily was all focused, her eyes scanning the screens like she was dissecting them. She was a real looker when she was concentrating like that. If I didn''t know better, I''d say she wanted to be here more than me. Maybe I was wrong, but damn if I wasn''t curious. Ryan and Danny were off to the side, like the nerdy science and engineering department, hunched over their consoles. Those two were a pair of tools sometimes, but when push came to shove, they knew their jobs. They were arguing about some pointless crap as usual. On Zoe¡¯s left were Joey and Chris, the newbies, but not really. They were like the older brother types who hung out with us back in the day. Joey''s got this quiet intensity about him, like he was carrying the weight of the world, which he kind of was, what with his dad being a grade-A shitbag and all. But underneath that brooding, he was solid. A good dude. Chris, on the other hand, was all smiles and energy. The guy just radiated positivity, it was almost sickening, bet he was glad to be part of the crew. He was a last-minute addition, someone to bring along with Joey. But all that charm was just hiding the fact that he was a beast in combat, yeah, we had that going for us.
Alright, everyone was in position. I took a deep breath, the kind you take before jumping off a cliff. "Initiate undocking procedures," I said, trying to sound all captain-y. Like I knew what the hell I was doing, well¡­ I did know what I was doing, mostly, with my ''Starship Piloting Familiarity'' and my ''Starship Operation Familiarity'', just enough to make this work without immediately wrecking us, but not enough to truly feel in control, not until 10 anyway. I flicked open my interface because, let¡¯s be real, that¡¯s what you do at the start of an adventure, right? Set the stage, check the numbers, make sure everyone knows where we stand. For all you math weirdos out there, yeah, I¡¯ll update this stuff as we go. Just don¡¯t ask me to explain the math. [Status] Name: Luca Rossi Combat Path: Operative [Perception, Intelligence] Profession Path: Starship Commander [Intelligence, Memory] Level: 60 Experience Points: 1,706,305/1,706,306 [Attributes] Charisma: 22 Intelligence: 50 Memory: 45 Perception: 66 Willpower: 31 When it came to XP allocation, I was a bit of a mess. Zoe and the rest of them? Those guys had it together: a skill plan and skill queue, all orderly and put together. My problem, no, not a problem, my situation, yes that¡¯s what it was, was different. I had to take on additional skills outside my path, you know, for the sake of the team, and, in a sense, it forced me to diversify because I cared. The problem was that at level 60, our cap, we only had a certain amount of XP, and while I had skills that gave me enough knowledge to do my job, everyone else could do it better. I was more of a jack of all trades. So I had my upgraded combat path and my professional path, plus, you know, other critical essentials. Now, our skills weren¡¯t flashy, no magic or special abilities, not yet anyway. These were mostly passive, like the system inserted knowledge into your brain, allowing you to skip college and whatever else. That¡¯s how Danny, at 20 years old, had PhD level knowledge on astrophysics or whatever, but could operate our instruments and actually interpret the data, and Ryan, as much a loser as he was, was a perfect starship engineer, mostly. My piloting skills felt okay; I had a level 4 in Starship Piloting and Operation Familiarity, but when it came to power system optimization? Well, that was just level 3. Anyhow, here are my Starship Commander Skills. I had more, but they weren¡¯t really relevant right now. Starship Piloting Familiarity: Level 4 Starship Operation Familiarity: Level 4 Starship Systems Familiarity: Level 4 Starship Maintenance Familiarity: Level 3 Starship Power Systems Optimization Familiarity: Level 3 Starship Navigation Familiarity: Level 3 "Alright, everyone," I said, settling into the captain¡¯s chair. My voice sounded steadier than I felt, which was all that mattered. "Initiate undocking procedures. Let¡¯s do this clean." ¡°You got it, Captain,¡± Zoe responded, toggling the thrusters. She had that cocky little smirk that said she could do this blindfolded. The Triumph of Darron rumbled softly, the engines humming alive beneath us. The vibrations carried through the deck, like the ship itself was just as eager as I was. "Docking clamps disengaged," Emily reported, her tone steady. "Jetbridge retracted. All systems nominal." ¡°Copy that,¡± I said, watching as Zoe began the delicate work of easing us out of the bay. ¡°Nice and steady.¡± Why the hell couldn''t I have focused more on one thing, like Zoe? Watching her make the maneuvers with such precision, it was hard not to feel the difference between her honed Multi-Vector Piloting skill and my level 4 version. At least my Zero-G Maneuvering Familiarity is at the same level as her. Her professional path had been consistent from the beginning, flying and navigation. Those skills synchronized and built off each other, pushing her navigation skills into the proficiency tier, far surpassing what I could do. Chris leaned into his console, toggling the comms. ¡°Genesis Platform, this is Triumph of Darron,¡± he said, his tone all business. It suited him, even if I could tell he was barely holding back a grin. And who knew what path Chris even had? Sure, he had a DPS combat path, he told me what it was one time, but his professional path? No idea. Who even let him on the ship? The guy probably had a charisma attribute so high it registered as a weapon. A short burst of static came through before the reply: ¡°Triumph of Darron, this is Genesis Traffic Control. We read you loud and clear. What¡¯s your status?¡± ¡°Traffic Control, we are undocked and maneuvering clear of the bay,¡± Chris replied smoothly. ¡°Requesting departure clearance.¡± ¡°Roger that, Triumph,¡± came the response. ¡°You are cleared for departure. Proceed on vector zero-seven-one until you are 10 kilometers clear, then resume your planned course. Safe travels.¡± ¡°Copy, Traffic Control,¡± Chris said. ¡°Proceeding on vector zero-seven-one. Thank you, Genesis.¡± The Triumph glided smoothly away from the platform, Zoe working the controls like the damn artist she was. The massive structure of Genesis shrank in the viewport, its spindly construction like a web against the stars. It looked smaller already, which was saying something. I swallowed a weird lump in my throat. Nostalgia or nerves? Could¡¯ve been both. "Ship¡¯s clear," Zoe announced, her voice calm but smug, like she¡¯d just nailed a perfect landing. Which she had, in reverse. I wished that feeling was just mine. All her skill points, completely focused on ''Starship Navigation,'' made her a natural, whereas I''d had a smattering of skills that allowed me to do the job, but never quite good enough to be truly confident. "Confirmed," Emily added. "All systems green. You¡¯re good to set our course when ready, Captain." Chris switched the comms. ¡°Genesis Traffic Control, this is Triumph of Darron. Clear of the platform and proceeding on departure vector.¡±Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. "Copy, Triumph. You are cleared to engage your next sequence. Safe journey, and we¡¯ll see you on the other side." The radio crackled one last time before falling silent. And just like that, we were on our way. Chris thanked them, ending the transmission. He turned to me, gave me a thumbs-up and a wide grin, all teeth and boyish charm. ¡°That was easy,¡± he said. I tried to keep it cool, but a small laugh escaped my lips. ¡°Don¡¯t get too comfortable yet, Chris. We still have a long way to go.¡± Just then, the comms panel on Chris''s console chirped, a rhythmic pulse indicating an incoming priority message. He tapped a control, his brow furrowing slightly. "We''ve got a priority one hail from Genesis, Captain," he reported, his voice all business. "It''s Commander Rossi." I nodded, straightening up a little in my chair. "Patch it through to the bridge speakers, but keep it formal." This wasn''t just a casual chat; it was a message to the entire crew, and potentially being recorded for the logs. Chris manipulated the controls, as a soft tone echoed through the bridge, signaling the open channel. "Triumph of Darron," a familiar voice filled the bridge, rich with authority. "This is Commander Athan of the Genesis Station. Please confirm receipt." "This is Captain Luca Rossi of the Triumph of Darron," I replied, my voice echoing slightly in the sudden formality. "We read you loud and clear, Commander. Go ahead." There was a brief pause, a moment of static that seemed to stretch on for an eternity. Then, my father''s voice, a little softer now, but no less commanding. "To the crew of the Triumph of Darron, I extend my official best wishes for a successful and safe voyage. You have trained hard, and you are prepared for the challenges ahead." He paused, clearing this throat. "You carry the hopes of many with you," Athan continued, his tone gaining strength. "The success of this mission, the data you gather, will be invaluable to the United Earth Republic, and the IFC. Remember your training, rely on your crewmates, and conduct yourselves with honor and integrity. Genesis Station will be monitoring your progress. We expect great things." "We will do our best, Commander," I said, glancing around at the crew, who were all listening intently. "Thank you for your support." "Don''t worry, Commander," Emily chimed in, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. "We''ll keep him in line." "Good. Remember what I said about sticking together." He paused, then to me, "Luca. Lead them well, son. Make me proud." My throat tightened unexpectedly. "I will, Dad. I promise." "Good. Genesis Station out." The connection closed with a soft click, leaving a sudden silence on the bridge. I nodded, took a deep breath, and turned to face my crew. ¡°Alright, guys,¡± I started, trying to keep the excitement from making my voice crack. ¡°This is it. Our journey begins now.¡± I glanced around at each of them, Emily, focused and ready; Zoe, smirking with anticipation; Danny, a little nervous, but determined; Ryan, already scheming, I just knew it; Joey, looking steady and resolute; and then, back to Chris, who flashed me another bright smile. Was he flirting with me?
Across the bridge, Danny was working on his console, his brow furrowed in concentration as he double-checked the readings. On his screen, the Genesis Platform was already a distant speck, barely visible amidst the swirling chaos of the asteroid belt. Ryan leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms over his head with a satisfied groan as he finished the final systems checks. He shot me a confident wink. "All green, Captain. Ready to punch it." Joey''s eyes swept over the crew, lingering for a moment on each of us. He tapped a few commands into his console, his expression unreadable. When our eyes met, he gave a curt nod. "Vitals are nominal," he reported, his voice calm and steady. I cleared my throat, because, you know, captain stuff. I hated speeches, but sometimes I gotta say something, right? I didn''t want to be captain, no one else did, so here I was, stuck. ¡°Alright, everyone, let¡¯s remember why we¡¯re out here.¡± Ugh, this sounded so lame, the words tasted like ash. I tried to sound like I knew what I was doing, like some action movie hero. ¡°We have a mission to explore the Alpha Centauri system and uncover its secrets.¡± I paused, met each of their eyes, trying to look all serious and professional. ¡°It¡¯s gonna be scary, exciting, and awkward at times, but I know we can handle it.¡± My words got a few chuckles out of them, and I couldn¡¯t help but grin. It was nice when they weren¡¯t looking at me like I was a complete loser. ¡°But seriously, guys,¡± I continued, ¡°this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Let¡¯s make the most of it and discover something extraordinary. If it goes well, we¡¯ll secure funding to continue these sort of missions in the future.¡± Okay, that was enough inspirational captain bullshit for one day. I took one last look at the disappearing platform, a fusion of relief and anticipation swirling inside me before I settled back into my chair, my face set with some kind of determined expression. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get this show on the road. Engage primary thrusters, Mr. Mitchell. Ms. Woods, plot a course for the Oort cloud passage.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir!¡± they shouted back in unison, then burst out laughing. I couldn¡¯t help but laugh with them, they were a bunch of goddamn goofballs. The good kind. Ryan activated his control panel, and the Triumph of Darron kicked into gear, accelerating smoothly away from the asteroid belt. I leaned back, feeling the low hum of the engines vibrating through the ship. To my right, Danny was a statue, his eyes fixed on his sensor readings. Zoe, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of motion, double-checking her coordinates with rapid-fire movements. Her eyes flickered between the console, Danny, and Ryan, a hint of a smile playing on her lips whenever she looked their way, it didn¡¯t take a rocket scientist to know she''s got a crush. I felt a pang of empathy for her, it couldn¡¯t be easy being stuck between those two goofballs. I knew all too well how hard it was to admit feelings for someone when you''re around them all the time, especially if it was complicated. What was she waiting for? They were all idiots. With our duties done, the ship cleared the asteroid belt and set its sights for the Oort Cloud. Chris relayed our destination to flight control, the guy always seemed to know the right thing to say. One by one, they left the bridge, their tasks done for now as the ship shifted to autopilot. And then I was left alone. Fuck. Captain¡¯s log, I muttered to myself, today I gave a horrible speech, and everyone laughed at me.
The cabin door slid shut behind me with a soft hiss, and I was alone, finally. For a minute, I just stood there, taking it all in. The walls were stark, like some kind of military prison cell, the furniture was too damn new to feel like mine, and the overhead lights were buzzing brightly, we should have installed dimmers. It wasn''t much, but it was mine for this trip, or however long this mess lasted. I could smell the sterile plastic, the recycled air, everything felt too clean, too new. I wanted to mark it, leave my stink on the place. I wandered over to the tiny desk by the viewport, placing the picture frame I brought from home right in the center. It was a shot of all of us, my mom, Maddie, smiling with that tired but warm look she always had; my dad, Athan, looking like he''d rather be anywhere but in front of the camera; and my brothers, Matteo and Alessio, grinning like a couple of idiots in matching Christmas sweaters. I ran my thumb along the edge, feeling the ghosts of the last real good holiday before everything went to shit. Before we lost mom. Before everything turned to dust. I shook off the nostalgia that was creeping into my chest, put the picture down, and turned my attention to the bed. The mattress looked like something straight out of a hospital, sterile and unwelcoming. Like they were expecting me to die here. I unzipped the bag holding my comforter and sheets, giving it a few jerky shakes that sent static crackling in the air. The warm, flannel comforter unfolded in my hands, soft and familiar against my skin. I threw it onto the mattress and smoothed it out with a few half-hearted swipes, ¡°Close enough,¡± I muttered. I could still smell the detergent, too clean. Next up were the crates at the foot of the bed. I popped the lid off the first one to find my standard-issue uniforms, neatly folded like I was some kind of military robot. I dumped the uniforms into one of the drawers, stacking them in uneven piles that sort of toppled into the drawers. The plastic smell of the factory still clung to them, a stark contrast to the familiar scent of home I was trying to create. The second box held my casual clothes, mostly gym clothes, those shorts and loungewear. My eyes landed on a set of flannel pajamas, green and black, and I snorted. Zoe and Emily¡¯s handiwork, 100 percent. They thought they were funny, those two. I bet they¡¯d planned this out for weeks. There were three sets, enough for a change, and for when the other two were dirty. They were soft though, they¡¯d be nice and cozy at night. The third box was heavier. Boots, spare gloves, and other gear. I pulled out the boots first, white, matching the bodysuits, with that clean, no-nonsense look that screamed crew uniform. They had magnetic soles, too, for when gravity inevitably decided to take a day off. Practical. Fine. They were even velcro because, apparently, we¡¯re kindergartners now, incapable of handling laces. I bet Emily and Zoe thought that was hilarious. They looked like they¡¯d be comfortable, though. Probably needed breaking in, but they¡¯d do the job. I tucked them into the bottom of the wardrobe carefully, right where boots belonged. Gotta take care of your boots, they¡¯re the only thing standing between you and the vacuum of space. These ones still smelled new, like rubber and whatever synthetic leather substitute they used. It wasn¡¯t bad, but it wasn¡¯t right, either. My old boots? They smelled like leather and sweat, a good smell. Familiar. Like they¡¯d been through hell and back with me. These ones had some work to do before earning that kind of loyalty. By the time I was done, the room looked a little less like a storage closet and more like it might actually belong to me. It was still not perfect. I''ll likely be shuffling all this stuff around for days. I could still smell the emptiness. I sat down at the desk, elbows on the surface, staring out at the endless black through the viewport. Out there, somewhere, was the Oort Cloud, and beyond that, Alpha Centauri. It was huge, almost too big, but then I looked back at the photo and felt a sense of duty wash over me. I had to do this for them, for mom. It was the only way to make the world right. I glanced around the cabin, now slightly more lived-in. I dug into my duffel bag and pulled out my old RISK board game. The worn box felt familiar and grounding. I spent countless hours playing it with my brothers, the sound of our laughter echoing in the kitchen back on Earth. I set it down on the shelf above the desk, letting my fingers linger for a moment. I could almost hear them yelling at each other over the stupid strategies we used to argue about. Then, I pulled out my Energy Tomahawk, its blade gleaming faintly in the dim light. It had been with me on so many missions where stealth and precision meant the difference between life and death. The metal felt cold, but right, in my hand, like a natural extension of my arm. It reminded me of the danger that was always waiting for me, the blood I had spilled. I placed it carefully on the desk beside my laptop, the weight of it both reassuring and a little terrifying. I leaned back in my chair, my eyes drawn to the viewport. The vast expanse of black, punctuated only by the distant pinpricks of stars, seemed to stretch on forever. Out there, somewhere, lay the Oort Cloud, and beyond that, Alpha Centauri. A low hum vibrated through the deck, a constant reminder of the powerful engines that were carrying us further and further from home. I pictured the crew in their own cabins, unpacking, making their own spaces, hopefully not tearing each other to shreds. The picture frame on my desk was slightly crooked. I reached out and adjusted it, aligning it perfectly with the edge of the desk. Mom, Dad, Matteo, and Alessio are all smiling back at me, frozen in a moment of happiness from a lifetime ago. A wave of longing washed over me, so strong it almost took my breath away. Chapter 6 - Unpacking The corridor was quiet except for the soft hum of the ship, a constant, low reminder that we were out in the middle of nowhere. I leaned against my cabin door, glancing up and down the hallway. My brain¡¯s practically screaming at me: Captain, shouldn¡¯t you be doing something important? But there really wasn''t much to do; the autopilot had like twenty uneventful days mapped out ahead, and I was restless as hell. I started with Emily''s cabin, two doors down, because, well, it was Emily. I knocked twice, waited a beat, then peeked my head in before she even answered. ¡°What do you want?¡± Her voice carried from behind a pile of clothes she was tossing onto her bed. Damn, she¡¯d already got everything strewn everywhere, what a mess. I stepped inside, like the oblivious jackass I was. ¡°Just checking.¡± Smooth, Luca, real smooth. ¡°Checking, huh?¡± She stood up, hands on her hips, and she''d got that look in her eyes, the one that said "you''re about to piss me off." ¡°Maybe I can help?¡± I offered, trying to be helpful, maybe a little too eager for her attention. Emily just gave me that look, then sighed, like dealing with me was the most exhausting thing in the world. "Out. I¡¯ve got unpacking to do.¡± Her body language was screaming "space," and for some reason, I couldn¡¯t seem to read the room. Before I could even process what was happening, she was ushering me backward, out through the door. It slid shut with a soft hiss, leaving me standing there, staring at the cold, metallic surface. Okay, maybe I should just let her be. I turned, frowning, and walked towards Chris¡¯s cabin. His door was wide open, which wasn''t really surprising. I glanced inside, his bed wasn¡¯t even made, boxes were scattered on the floor, and he was nowhere in sight. It was like he just dumped everything in there and vanished. ¡°Gym rat,¡± I muttered, shaking my head. Chris was probably already bench-pressing something heavy, sweat-slicked, and grinning like an idiot as he ¡®broke in¡¯ the equipment. I could see him, muscles bulging, the veins in his arms popping, sweat dripping down his chest. It''s the kind of stuff I¡¯d do, if I had more time and energy to be a jackass. Ryan¡¯s cabin was next, so I rapped my knuckles against the doorframe, poking my head in without hesitation. ¡°Luca! Come in, come in!¡± Ryan waved me in from where he was sitting cross-legged on the floor, unpacking a ridiculously fancy poker set. The silver metallic box gleamed in the light, and the neatly stacked chips looked way out of place in this ship. What a show-off. ¡°Fancy,¡± I said, crouching to get a closer look. ¡°Marshalls, you said?¡± My eyes were drawn to Ryan¡¯s hands, the way his fingers moved, quick and agile. ¡°Last-minute buy,¡± Ryan said, grinning like he¡¯d just pulled off a bank heist. ¡°Figured we¡¯d need something classy for poker night on the edge of the universe.¡± ¡°Classy is a stretch,¡± I said, thumbing one of the chips. It did have some weight to it, I¡¯ll give him that. I could feel the subtle grooves of the chip under my finger, felt the subtle weight of it. Ryan laughed, and we were both grinning like idiots. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s see what Danny¡¯s up to. If anyone needs distracting, it¡¯s him.¡± We headed to Danny¡¯s cabin, and it was the complete opposite of Chris¡¯s chaos. Everything was meticulously organized, everything unpacked and squared away. Danny looked up from his desk, where he¡¯d been fiddling with a small holographic star map. He was all focused, his brow furrowed, like he was solving a puzzle. ¡°Hey, guys,¡± he said, leaning back in his chair. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Ryan flopped onto Danny¡¯s bed, not even waiting for an invitation. ¡°Nice place. Tidy, boring, but nice.¡± He rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. ¡°You see Zoe in that uniform? She looks incredible.¡± ¡°Can we not?¡± I said, running a hand down my face. Ugh, here we go. I hated how predictable we were. Ryan propped himself up on one elbow, smirking. ¡°What? You¡¯re telling me you didn¡¯t notice? Come on, Captain, you¡¯re not that professional.¡± He knew how much I noticed. Danny shook his head, already knowing what we were. ¡°Ignore him, Luca. It¡¯s easier.¡± ¡°I''m just saying!¡± Ryan continued, ¡°Zoe is looking like a snack, I bet you anything she''s got one hell of a bubble butt under those pants." He clapped his hands, "Just saying." ¡°And Emily¡­¡± I started, picturing her in my head. ¡°Emily, man¡­¡± The way her breasts strained against the fabric of her uniform, I could imagine burying my face there. ¡°I know what you mean,¡± Ryan said, his eyes lighting up. ¡°It¡¯s like, she can''t help but be a smokeshow. I bet those things of hers are like soft pillows.¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Danny rolled his eyes, ¡°You guys are unbelievable! Seriously? Are you two always going to be like this?¡± He sounded annoyed as hell, and I could see the muscles in his jaw tighten. ¡°What, jealous?¡± I joked, nudging him with my elbow. Ryan chimed in, ¡°Maybe we just need to loosen you up Danny. You¡¯re always so focused on facts and science. How about we go for some girl-watching?¡± I laughed, "That¡¯s rich, you have a crush on everyone." Ryan, chuckled, ¡°Guilty as charged!¡± He paused, his mind wandering, ¡°But, I wonder what Zoe would look like with¡­¡± Danny interrupted, ¡°Okay, okay, enough! Can we please focus on our mission or do literally anything else?¡± Ryan, winked, "Fine, fine, no girl talk." He paused for a beat, "So¡­ back to the mission? Do you think Zoe likes how Emily fills out her uniform more than she does when she sees Emily?" The pervert. I snorted, "Yeah, I can see that. Emily has a huge advantage." I leaned into Danny''s ear, "Poor Zoe, maybe we should make a club for people who get overshadowed by other, larger¡­ assets?" Danny threw his hands up, ¡°I¡¯m done. I¡¯m going back to my star map. You two are hopeless.¡± He shook his head, and turned back to his map.
This day was a blur, like a bad dream where I was forced to move boxes all day long. We were hauling supplies out of the hangar, all those heavy MREs and flash-frozen food, and it was like a never-ending game of Tetris. Me, Ryan, and Joey were taking turns maneuvering these carts stacked so high they looked like they were gonna tip over any second, dragging them across the decks to the kitchen. Every time we hit a corner too fast, the stack teetered like it was about to topple, earning groans from Joey, and laughter from me and Ryan, especially when that stupid package of vacuum-sealed broccoli went skittering across the floor. Of all the things to spill¡­ it had to be broccoli, the most pathetic of the vegetables. ¡°Careful!¡± Danny barked from across the hallway, struggling to keep his own load of science instruments balanced. ¡°That box you just bumped? Yeah, it¡¯s full of very delicate instruments.¡± Ryan just grinned, shifting a box of wires precariously on top of another. ¡°Why do they all look like overpriced soda cans?¡± He was teasing him, that little shit. ¡°Ryan!¡± Danny¡¯s voice cracked with exasperation. The dude was about to blow a gasket, I swear. I shook my head, trying not to laugh. ¡°We¡¯ll be lucky if half your equipment still works by the time it reaches your lab.¡± It was all just a mess, boxes everywhere. The real battle came later when we started setting up the lounge. The pool table alone was enough to make me reconsider the whole concept of recreational furniture. Moving that thing turned us into a pack of sweating, swearing caricatures of ourselves, and by the time it was finally in place, I was ready to swear off pool for life. And it made you wonder, with all the technology we had, why couldn''t they invent robots or androids to handle this kind of work? I mean, we¡¯ve got spaceships that travel faster than light, but we were still lugging around boxes like cavemen. I''d invest my own goddamn credits if we could get some help around here. Seriously, where is the AI when you need it? The lounge finally looked like something resembling livable by the time the sun, or a sad imitation of it from the ship¡¯s artificial lighting, had set. The big TVs were mounted, the video game systems were powered up, and the sleek furniture was arranged around the electric fireplace. It was almost enough to make me forget how much I hated chores. Almost.
That evening, Joey took over the kitchen, all Gordon Ramsay with his ¡®get out of my way¡¯ vibe. He was yelling over his shoulder at anyone who dared to offer help. The result, though? The food was incredible. The smell of garlic, spices, and something sweet and caramelized filled the air. My stomach rumbled, but also, something else¡­ Plates clattered as we sat down at the long table, the sounds of laughter and conversation echoing off the walls. For a minute, it almost felt normal. I could smell the rich sauce, the herbs, it was making my mouth water. ¡°This,¡± Ryan said, shoving a forkful of pasta into his mouth, ¡°is what I call a proper send-off. None of that bland freeze-dried crap.¡± His cheeks were full, and he was grinning. ¡°Enjoy it while it lasts,¡± Joey said, smirking as he waved his fork in the air. ¡°The good stuff¡¯s going to run out before you can blink.¡± ¡°Which is exactly why we need to make the most of what we¡¯ve got,¡± Emily interjected, leaning forward like she was about to make an important announcement. I thought she was about to praise Joey, but no, this was Emily, so of course, she had a plan. ¡°That includes keeping the lounge sacred.¡± Ryan blinked at her. ¡°The lounge?¡± Emily nodded, setting her fork down with authority. ¡°Shoes off, loungewear only. It¡¯s supposed to be a sacred space.¡± Her voice was firm, her eyes gleaming with that weird kind of determination she got whenever she started organizing things. I could see the muscles in her arm tighten as she straightened up. Maybe she should be our leader; that would be hot. I groaned quietly. Here we go. She was on a roll, and I wasn¡¯t about to stop her. Zoe, of course, chimed in immediately, nodding in agreement. ¡°Yeah, nothing¡¯s ruining that vibe. If you want to hang out there, you¡¯ve gotta play by the rules.¡± Those two were totally on the same page, a dangerous combo, to be honest. And I couldn¡¯t deny that their faces had a sort of excited sparkle to them. What were they planning? They were definitely up to something. Danny, chewing on a piece of bread, squinted. ¡°The loungewear is, like, completely see-through, though. Is no one else weirded out by that?¡± Chris leaned back, crossing his arms with a grin. ¡°It¡¯s not completely see-through, and it¡¯s just the seven of us, Danny. If everyone¡¯s in loungewear, what¡¯s the big deal?¡± Oh shit, now this was getting interesting. I looked at Chris, the way his muscles stretched under his shirt, I knew he had to be thinking the same thing. I swear he could read my mind. ¡°It¡¯s the principle of it!¡± Danny protested, his voice rising with indignation. ¡°I don¡¯t want to feel like I¡¯m in some sci-fi fashion magazine ad every time I grab a snack.¡± I was with you on that Danny, but for completely different reasons. My mind was now racing, I couldn¡¯t wait to see everyone in the loungewear. I wondered if I would be able to see¡­ enough. Emily just shrugged, like she was dealing with a toddler. ¡°Consider it bonding. Besides, the rules are non-negotiable.¡± Oh, they were definitely non-negotiable, and I was kind of okay with it. This was going to be a mess, a good mess. ¡°You¡¯re both tyrants,¡± Ryan said, pointing a breadstick at her and Zoe. ¡°I hope you know that.¡± He was probably just as curious as I was. Emily grinned sweetly, like she¡¯d already won. ¡°And you¡¯ll thank us when the lounge is spotless and zen, not smelling like somebody¡¯s sweaty boots.¡± She¡¯d laid down the law, and I was trying to keep my face neutral but all I could think about was getting a full view of their figures. This was going to be interesting. This was my life now. Captain''s log, Luca muttered to himself, today Joey made a feast, Emily became a tyrant, and I was curious as hell about that see-through loungewear. Chapter 7 - On the way After dinner, the crew scattered to their rooms to change into their designated loungewear. I lingered in the corridor for a minute, watching the others retreat, their doors sliding shut with those soft hisses. I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck, that restless energy still bubbling just under the surface. It was hard to believe we were really doing this. Pajamas, uniform bodysuits, and now loungewear? The thought played on repeat as I stepped inside my cabin and sealed the door behind me. Who changes clothes this much in one goddamn day? It was like we were in some kind of intergalactic fashion show. Kicking off my boots, I started peeling off the snug bodysuit, the fabric clinging stubbornly as I tugged it over my shoulders. My muscles, still aching from hauling all those damn boxes, felt immediate relief as the pressure eased. My chest felt all tight and confined. ¡°Finally,¡± I muttered, tossing the suit into the laundry chute. That thing was practically molded to my skin after hours of moving supplies. It had been too tight. I stretched, relishing the freedom and the way my skin tingled. The girls had insisted on packing plenty of spares, which was good because these things were going to need daily washing. Between the sweat and the overall¡­confinement, I doubted anyone could bear to wear the same one twice. I reached for the folded loungewear on the shelf. Pulling on the loose pants and matching shirt, I immediately noticed the difference. The fabric was soft, like air, and so light against my skin. It was a complete reversal from the bodysuits. I glanced down and frowned. My boxer briefs were clearly visible through the sheer fabric of the pants. ¡°Ugh,¡± I groaned, adjusting the waistband as if it would help. Well, at least everyone else was in the same boat. The thought brought some comfort, but not enough to quell the awkwardness. This is what leadership looks like, right? Leading by example, showing my underwear to the whole ship? I had to laugh, the absurdity of it all. I smoothed out the shirt and glanced at myself in the small mirror by my desk. Yeah. Good example. Sure. I rubbed the back of my neck again, then took one last look at my reflection before heading out. My nipples were hard, the fabric was barely concealing anything, I looked like I was ready for a photoshoot. The corridor was quiet, the faint hum of the ship the only sound as I made my way to the lounge. My steps slowed as I approached the doors. What if no one else showed up dressed like this? What if Ryan decided to buck the rules just to be difficult? He¡¯s definitely the type. Maybe I should just go back and¡­ yeah, no. Stop overthinking it, Luca, I told myself. It¡¯s just clothes. Yeah, see-through, practically naked, clothes. Totally normal. I shook my head and pushed through the doors to the lounge, ready for whatever the fuck was waiting on the other side. I could feel the blood rushing to my dick.
I flicked on the lounge lights, the soft glow bouncing off the sleek furniture and the polished pool table. The electric fireplace hummed to life, those simulated flames casting a warm, flickering glow against the walls. It was actually pretty nice, like a real place we could hang out, instead of just a metal box hurtling through space. I dropped onto the plush leather couch in front of the video game console, letting out a long breath. ¡°First one here,¡± I muttered to myself, a smug grin creeping across my face. I couldn''t help it, I was kind of excited about this. Everyone else must be mulling it over, maybe even freaking out a little. I pictured Ryan pacing in his cabin, grumbling about the loungewear rules, and Danny triple-checking his outfit for accidental transparency. I snickered at the thought, then grabbed the controller and powered on the console. The main menu lit up the screen, a colorful collection of game titles that immediately soured my mood. Damnit, most of them required an active internet connection, something that was impossible out here. But then, Ryan came through again, jailbreaking the system before we left. Two-player mode was still functional, a small victory, but a vital one. Fucking Ryan, always the sneaky bastard. The door slid open with a soft hiss. Ryan strolled in first, his usual swagger undercut by the faint blush on his face. He plopped down next to me, his sheer loungewear leaving little to the imagination, and he seemed acutely aware of it. Damn, those muscles were on full display, I thought, admiring the contours of his body. I wondered how he felt under that thin fabric, if he felt as good as he looked. ¡°Alright, Captain, happy?¡± Ryan said, spreading his arms as if to display his outfit. ¡°This better be worth the hype.¡± His voice was a little higher than usual, and I knew he was just as self-conscious as I was. Danny followed close behind, rubbing the back of his neck and avoiding eye contact. ¡°You know,¡± he muttered, ¡°I¡¯m not sure about this whole¡­translucent thing.¡± Okay, so Danny wasn''t exactly thrilled about this. His cheeks were flushed, and he was carefully keeping his arms close to his sides, like he was trying to hide something. He looked like a kid in a new pair of shoes. ¡°No rebels in this crew, huh?¡± I teased, tossing the controller onto the coffee table. I was honestly surprised they actually followed the rules. For a bunch of rule breakers, they were all surprisingly compliant. Ryan snorted. ¡°You¡¯re lucky Zoe and Emily are making these rules, or I¡¯d be in gym shorts and calling it loungewear.¡± He was trying to play it cool, but I could see the way his eyes kept darting down to his own body, checking, double checking. ¡°Sure you would,¡± I said, leaning back into the couch. I was still trying to process the view. Ryan was, as always, a total package of athletic prowess, but then I took a proper look at Danny, and holy shit. He was toned as well, his body not as bulky as Ryan¡¯s, but lean and defined. He hid it so well under his usual clothes. He was hot, like, really hot, in a quiet, unassuming way. I suddenly understood why Zoe seemed to be so into him. We¡¯d been fighting monsters side by side for years, seen each other in the buff plenty of times out of necessity, but this was different, this was our space, in our ship, where we could let our guard down. And now they were here, almost naked, and all I could think was ¡°this was going to be a long trip¡±. This was going to be a goddamn nightmare.
The door slid open again, and Zoe and Emily walked in, chatting animatedly, their loungewear doing little to hide the outlines of their bras and panties. The sheer fabric clung to all the right places, leaving just enough to the imagination, while also leaving plenty not to. They were acting completely at ease, oblivious to the fact that they¡¯d just derailed every coherent thought in my head. The way they moved, it was like a dance, all fluidity and grace.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. My mouth went dry. My eyes darted from Emily¡¯s easy smile to Zoe¡¯s confident stride, catching every subtle detail in between, the way the soft fabric shifted against their skin, the light catching the curve of a hip, the delicate strap of a bra. It was all too much. My brain was screaming at me to stop staring, but my body refused to cooperate, like some kind of horny traitor. My mouth might as well have hit the goddamn floor. I could feel my pulse throbbing in my ears. Holy shit. I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. How was this even legal? Were they trying to kill us all with sex appeal? Their bodies were like sculptures, all curves and lines and soft, inviting skin. The other guys weren¡¯t faring much better. Ryan seemed intensely focused on a random spot on the wall, as if he was trying to memorize the pattern, probably trying to ignore the way he was hard as a rock. Danny had practically buried himself in his seat, like he was trying to become one with the couch cushions. He looked like he wanted to disappear. Emily was the first to break the silence, her smirk as sharp as the edge of a blade. ¡°You boys look cute,¡± she said, draping herself onto the arm of the couch right next to me. Her hip brushed against my shoulder, and I froze, caught between self-consciousness and the overwhelming realization that Emily was right there, touching me. I could smell her perfume, a light, floral scent that made me ache. Zoe rolled her eyes, her own smirk playful. ¡°It¡¯s called equality. If we¡¯re dealing with this, so are you.¡± She moved with a casual confidence that made my skin tingle. I managed to snap my jaw shut, but my thoughts were still racing. Equality, my ass. I¡¯m pretty sure this was just torture, they were doing this on purpose. They had to know how hot they looked, how they were making me feel, it was some kind of cruel game. I wanted to hate them for it, but I couldn''t. Chris entered fully now, his imposing frame filling the doorway. The loungewear fabric clung to his broad shoulders and bulging muscles, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of insecurity as Chris casually tossed a pool cue stick to Ryan. Seriously, was he trying to make me feel inadequate? The way the fabric stretched across his chest¡­ it was a lot. And yet I still wanted to touch him. I was a goddamn mess. ¡°Alright, who¡¯s up first?¡± Chris asked, his grin all confidence. The way his eyes sparkled, the way his muscles rippled under the sheer fabric, it was almost too much to handle. ¡°Me and Danny,¡± Ryan said, grabbing another cue. ¡°Loser buys dinner next time we hit port.¡± He was practically vibrating with energy, a smug little shit. I could practically see the competitive fire burning in his eyes. ¡°Bold of you to assume there¡¯s anywhere to buy dinner,¡± Danny shot back, taking his position at the pool table. He was trying to play it cool, but I could see the faint flush on his cheeks, the slight tremor in his hands. The poor guy, he was probably as overwhelmed as I was. I bet he would break if I touched him. Joey arrived last, muttering to himself as he browsed the movie catalog on the main screen. ¡°What is this crap? Half these movies look like they were pirated by someone¡¯s grandpa.¡± He was clearly not impressed, but then, Joey¡¯s never impressed by anything. He was likely just annoyed that he wasn¡¯t the center of attention. ¡°Welcome to our life now,¡± Ryan said over his shoulder, lining up his first shot. ¡°Better find something good, or Zoe¡¯s picking.¡± He was so focused on the pool table, like it was some kind of life or death competition. I bet he was probably picturing himself as some kind of cool movie star, showing off his skills. The way he leaned over the table, the way the fabric clung to his back¡­ it was a lot to process. Zoe smirked, settling into a chair with a drink. ¡°You say that like it¡¯s a bad thing.¡± She was right, I had no doubt that she''d pick the most terrible movie imaginable, just for the hell of it. I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. I shut the console off, leaning back into the couch and letting the atmosphere of the room wash over me. The hum of the fireplace mixed with the faint clack of the pool balls and Joey¡¯s quiet grumbling as he scrolled through the movie titles. The warm light from the lamp cast the room in a golden glow, making the sleek lounge feel cozy and inviting. It was almost like we¡¯d created a real place to relax, despite it being a metal box in the middle of the void. And I was stuck here, surrounded by incredibly hot people, my mind going a million miles an hour. This was going to be a long, torturous trip. I was so fucked. I glanced around at everyone, trying to ignore the knot that was forming in my stomach. And then, my eyes landed on Emily. She was laughing with Chris about something, their faces illuminated by the electric fireplace, and a pang of jealousy hit me hard. He¡¯s got this easy charm, and Emily was practically glowing in his presence, and it made something inside of me boil. She had that soft, inviting look on her face, like she wanted him, and I hated it. I¡¯d had a crush on Emily since I was, what, 12 or 13? And somehow, it was hitting me all over again, like a freight train straight to the chest. And there was Chris: fucking Chris, all muscle, charm, and that easy, infuriating smile, standing there like a goddamn Greek statue flirting with my girl. Not that she¡¯s my girl, I reminded myself, but still. It felt like a fist squeezing my heart, sharp and sudden, making me want to lash out or punch something. Or maybe just sulk in a corner like some lovesick teenager. I kept hoping and praying that Chris wasn¡¯t actually flirting, that he was just being his usual friendly, annoyingly perfect self. Because if he was flirting? I was screwed. There¡¯s no competing with Chris. The man was a literal masterpiece, and me? I was just... me. The thought made my chest tighten, a pout threatening to creep onto my face, but I buried it. No way was I letting anyone see that. It made me feel like a kid competing with an adult, and I hated it. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Danny sneaking glances at Zoe. It wasn¡¯t subtle, every time she laughed or tilted her head, his eyes flicked toward her like he couldn¡¯t help himself. Danny and Zoe, I thought, smirking slightly. Always a thing, even if they don¡¯t say it out loud. She¡¯d been flirting with him all day, and he¡¯d clearly been soaking it up. The guy was cute, freckles, dimples, the whole package, but he always seemed so unsure of himself. If anyone could pull him out of his shell, it was Zoe. Ryan, meanwhile, was completely focused on Chris, his eyes darting toward him whenever he thought no one was paying attention. So, I¡¯m not the only one feeling threatened. Great. At least I wasn¡¯t alone in the "Chris is stealing our spotlight" department. And Zoe? She was doing what she does best, watching everyone with that sly little grin that said she knew exactly what was going on. Mischief radiated off her like a beacon. She¡¯d caught Danny¡¯s glances, of course she had, but she was taking her time, letting him squirm just enough to make it interesting. Emily, on the other hand, was either oblivious to the tension or enjoying every second of it. She had this knack for walking into a room and becoming the center of everyone¡¯s attention without even trying. And Chris? He was leaning into it, which only made my chest tighten more. Relax, Rossi. It¡¯s just Chris being Chris. For a moment, it all felt strange but... okay. Like we were just existing, all of us in the same space, caught in the absurdity of our situation but somehow making it work. It wasn¡¯t exactly peace, but it was something close. A truce, maybe. I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I closed my eyes, trying to shake off the tension coiled in my muscles. It was a good ache, though, from all the moving and laughing. It made me feel real, alive, like I could handle this. Yeah, I can do this. We can all do this, even if Chris is secretly trying to steal my girl. When I opened my eyes again, something caught the light, Chris, standing just right so his bulge was unavoidably there, clear as day. And Emily? Her eyes weren¡¯t on him. They were on me. She winked. She knew. Heat rushed to my face so fast I thought my head might explode. Damn it. I forced myself to focus anywhere else, but the damage was done. This trip was going to be so much more complicated than I thought. And if Chris wasn¡¯t careful, this wasn¡¯t just going to be a mission to Alpha Centauri, it was going to be hell. Chapter 8 - Deviation The galley buzzed with the sounds of clinking plates and murmured conversation as the crew gathered for breakfast. I stood at the head of the table, carefully pulling out my wedgie, armed with a printed chore list I''d cobbled together the night before, and I felt like the most annoying dickhead ever. I tapped the paper with two fingers, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Alright, listen up,¡± I began, raising my voice over the scraping of utensils. ¡°I know nobody wants to hear this, but we¡¯ve got to keep this ship clean. That means daily chores.¡± A collective groan rippled through the group. Yeah, I know, I''m a buzzkill. I could feel their annoyance, their silent resentment. ¡°First up,¡± I said, glancing at the list, ¡°vacuuming the corridors. All four decks, every day. It¡¯s better to stay on top of it than let things build up.¡± ¡°I call Deck Three,¡± said Ryan immediately. ¡°Shortest corridor.¡± Of course he did, the lazy bastard. He was always looking for the easy way out. ¡°Not how this works,¡± I shot back, glaring over my paper. ¡°We rotate. Everyone takes a deck. And while we¡¯re at it, a quick mop every other day. Not crazy, just enough to keep it looking decent.¡± ¡°I hate mopping,¡± said Zoe, leaning back in her chair. ¡°Can¡¯t we just skip that?¡± Please, don''t give me a hard time first thing in the morning. I could feel a headache forming. ¡°Sure,¡± I said, deadpan. ¡°And we¡¯ll all enjoy slipping and breaking our necks.¡± I wanted to bang my head on the table. Why did I even become captain? Zoe rolled her eyes, but Emily stifled a laugh beside her. I hoped Emily had slept alone in her room last night, and not with him. Oh well. I tried to ignore the pang of jealousy. ¡°Next,¡± I continued, ignoring them, ¡°bathrooms. Weekly chore, thank god, but that means everyone¡¯s taking a turn. I don¡¯t care how ¡®gross¡¯ it is.¡± ¡°Gross is an understatement,¡± said Danny muttering. ¡°Have you seen what Ryan eats?¡± He was probably remembering the last time they had to clean the bathroom. ¡°I¡¯m right here!¡± said Ryan, gesturing with his fork. The way his eyes widened, I could tell he was genuinely offended. ¡°Good. Then you¡¯ll clean the bathroom after breakfast,¡± I replied with a smirk. Take that, you lazy ass. He was an idiot, but he was my idiot. Danny snorted into his coffee, and Ryan glared at him before I pressed on. I had to resist the urge to join in on the teasing. ¡°Dishwashers and kitchen cleaning, daily,¡± I said firmly. ¡°That includes wiping down counters, cleaning the sinks, and making sure the appliances aren¡¯t a biohazard.¡± Joey raised his hand. ¡°Does that include the stove? Because whoever cooked last night didn¡¯t wipe it down.¡± He was being a dick on purpose. ¡°I cooked,¡± Joey added, ¡°so it wasn¡¯t me.¡± Of course it was. He was trying to deflect, but he wasn''t fooling anyone. ¡°That¡¯s part of the job,¡± I said, fixing him with a look. ¡°And folding laundry? Daily. No exceptions.¡± I felt like such a mom, and I hated it. Chris groaned, leaning back in his chair. ¡°Laundry¡¯s one thing, but folding it? Really?¡± His muscles bulged as he stretched, and I couldn¡¯t help but notice. Why was he so attractive, even when he was complaining? ¡°Yes, really, and ironing¡± I said. ¡°Unless you want to wear wrinkled loungewear for the next six months.¡± I internally grinned, I can''t wait to see them in that fabric again. ¡°I¡¯m okay with wrinkles,¡± Chris muttered. Yeah, okay, we all know you have a goddamn God body, Chris. No need to rub it in. I had actually slept pretty well, despite how much I was thinking about Emily. I woke up in my own bed, all alone, and I hoped that she¡¯d been in her room too, but who knows? It would suck if she spent the night with Chris. Anyway, here I was, being a boring captain, trying to keep them all in line, but all I could think about was them. ¡°Lounge cleaning,¡± I continued, raising my voice to drown out the complaints, ¡°Daily as well. That includes picking up after yourself. No leaving dirty mugs, snack wrappers, or whatever else you people drag in there.¡± I swear, you¡¯d think we were all teenagers living in a frat house, not highly trained professionals on a mission. ¡°What about the cabins?¡± asked Emily, raising a hand. Smart question, Emily, very smart. She was thinking the same thing I was, the mess that would inevitably accumulate behind closed doors.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°Cabins are your responsibility,¡± I said. ¡°But if they start looking like disaster zones, I¡¯ll have to inspect them.¡± And then who knows what I''ll find there? ¡°Oh no,¡± said Zoe, feigning shock. ¡°The horror of a Captain¡¯s inspection.¡± She was totally just messing with me, and I wasn¡¯t sure if she knew how much I wished that were a real thing. I could imagine her room, all messy¡­ I needed to stop these thoughts. I ignored her, glancing back at the list. ¡°The recycler doesn¡¯t need to be handled daily, but if it¡¯s full, someone needs to take care of it. No excuses.¡± I swear if I have to deal with a broken-down recycler¡­ I was going to lose my mind. ¡°What if someone doesn¡¯t want to do their chore?¡± asked Ryan, his tone almost gleeful, like he was already planning something. That little shit was always looking for trouble. ¡°The airlock is right there.¡± I said. That got a laugh from the group, even as Danny leaned over to whisper to Ryan, ¡°He¡¯s not joking, is he?¡± I''m not. I wanted to see how far I could push them, what I could get away with. I folded the paper and tucked it into my pocket. ¡°The goal is to bust through these after breakfast. Get it all out of the way so we¡¯re not dreading it the rest of the day.¡± I needed to get this over with so I could have some time to myself. ¡°And then?¡± Joey asked, poking at the last of his scrambled eggs. He wasn''t as enthused as the others about all this work, he was likely already planning on shirking his responsibilities. ¡°Then it¡¯s up to you,¡± I said. ¡°Instrument calibration, unpacking, gym time, whatever you want. Speaking of which, gym¡¯s mandatory, but since the space is small, go whenever it works for you.¡± Now we¡¯re talking. I was already picturing myself there, muscles pumping, sweat dripping. ¡°Finally, a good rule,¡± said Chris, perking up. Of course he likes the gym rule. Show off. He was probably already flexing in his head, the smug bastard, but hey, so was I. ¡°Do I have to?¡± groaned Zoe. She was probably just being dramatic; she enjoyed the gym as much as we all did; I¡¯d seen her enjoying the treadmills back at the Genesis Platform, usually surrounded by her fan club. ¡°Yes,¡± I said firmly, hoping I¡¯d bump into her at the gym. ¡°That includes everyone.¡± The group dissolved into bickering, complaints about chores mingling with jokes about whose turn it was to mop the most annoying corners of the ship. I leaned back in my chair, sipping my coffee. They''d complain, sure, but I could already see the routine settling into place. It was just a matter of making it work, keeping the ship clean, and keeping everyone busy, including myself. I needed to stay focused, stay in control, but they were making it so hard. For now, it was a waiting game, but at least they¡¯d stay busy. And maybe, just maybe, I¡¯d finally get a moment to check out everyone at the gym later. Yeah, that was something to look forward to.
I stepped onto the bridge, the soft hiss of the door fading behind me. The air was cooler here, the hum of the ship¡¯s systems steady and constant. It was a nice change from the stuffy, humid laundry room. Zoe was at the navigation console, her dreadlocks past her shoulder, exposing her neck, and did she look good. She was totally in her element, as she studied the navigation map projected on the main screen, looking flustered. She was checking our location in the route, pausing every few moments as she cross-checked the ship¡¯s position against the plotted trajectory. I could watch her do that all day. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± I asked, leaning casually against the doorframe, still feeling a little damp after dealing with the mess of socks, sweat-soaked shirts, and more stinking underwear than any person should have to handle. I swear, if I have to do that again I''m going to lose it. My hands still felt damp and smelled like dirty socks. ¡°Deviation,¡± replied Zoe without looking up. ¡°Three percent off-course. Not a lot, but over 1800 AU, that¡¯ll cost us days if we don¡¯t fix it.¡± Shit. Not good. I frowned, glancing at the map. We¡¯d plotted a clear route to the Oort Cloud Passage. The last thing we needed was to veer off and slam into some rogue asteroid, or worse, a debris field. The Oort Cloud Passage. Just saying it out loud made it feel like something straight out of a sci-fi novel, but it was real. Two massive, clear-as-day corridors, one from Sol to Alpha Centauri and another from Sol to Barnard¡¯s Star, cutting through the icy chaos at the edge of our solar system. No debris, no rogue ice, no orbiting bodies to worry about. A clean shot, like someone, or something, had cleared the table and left the rest of us guessing why. Nobody knew for sure whether it was natural or another trick from the System, but one thing was clear: without these passages, FTL travel wouldn¡¯t just be dangerous, it¡¯d be suicidal. At the speeds we were talking about, even a microscopic grain of ice could punch through the ship like a bullet through glass. And considering we were all crammed into this shiny tin can of a spaceship, that wasn¡¯t exactly ideal. The passages were discovered a couple of years ago when Earth¡¯s exploration teams started pushing out toward the solar system¡¯s edge. Lucky for us, someone figured out these pathways were the only reason FTL travel could even be possible. That, and the fact that two FTL engines had been scavenged from portals. One was locked up in some UER research lab, getting poked and prodded by university scientists. The other? Sitting on the Triumph of Darron. Our ship. Our shot at making history. The FTL engine itself was... well, complicated. But from what I understood, barely, it worked by slipping us between real space and subspace. Think of it like riding the edge of a wave, but that wave was light speed, and we were pushing past it. The engine generated some kind of field around the ship, shielding us from reality while we burned through the nothingness at speeds we weren¡¯t supposed to be able to hit. The catch? At those speeds, even the tiniest particle could become a nightmare. That¡¯s where the passages came in, giving us a clean, unobstructed runway straight to Alpha Centauri. No ice, no debris, just a long, empty stretch of space to light up the engine and pray it held together. It was genius. Or terrifying. Probably both. So here we were, on the edge of everything, about to push this engine, and ourselves, to the limit. The Oort Cloud Passage was our ticket to another star system, but it came with a hell of a warning label: Don¡¯t screw it up, or there¡¯s no coming back. Chapter 9 - Navigation and the Lounge I stepped closer, focusing on the map as Zoe adjusted the perspective. The plotted route and our current trajectory were out of sync, the discrepancy clear even to my untrained eye. The lines had separated just a bit, and it made my teeth ache. We were talking about outer space here, a small deviation could mean weeks of travel. "I thought Ryan handled that," I said. I mean, plotting the route based on her navigation was his job, right? He was probably screwing off, as usual. Typical Ryan. "He did," replied Zoe evenly, her tone not unkind but far from complimentary. "The autopilot just... misinterpreted them. It didn''t factor in the gravitational pull from the nearby moon." She paused as she adjusted the course on the screen. She moved with such confidence, with such ease. It was mesmerizing. I wished I had her cool composure, her natural grasp of spatial calculations, but my ''Orbital Navigation Familiarity'' was stuck at level 6, which felt about as useful as a paperweight at this very moment. And to make things worse, I could feel my face getting hot watching her, the pull of attraction a distraction I didn''t need right now. As if summoned, Ryan appeared at the doorway, a protein bar in one hand and an unmistakable chip on his shoulder. "What¡¯s wrong with my inputs?" he asked, crossing the room in a few easy strides. He looked all pissed off, his jaw tight. As if this was somehow an attack on him, personally. "They weren¡¯t wrong," said Zoe, her fingers still moving across the keyboard. "The autopilot just... misinterpreted them. It didn''t factor in the gravitational pull from the nearby moon." She paused, her fingers flying, adjusting the course on the monitor. She moved with such confidence, with such ease. It was mesmerizing. And a little distracting. Ryan leaned over her shoulder, squinting at the screen, that familiar cockiness in his expression. "We gave it all the necessary parameters, including gravitational and positioning data. It shouldn¡¯t be deviating,¡± he said. He was probably just trying to save face, like a little kid who got caught doing something bad. "Shouldn¡¯t and didn¡¯t are two different things," said Zoe, her voice calm but clipped. She paused, typing in a set of coordinates, meticulously accounting for the pull, and double-checking the star map before locking in the adjustment. "The autopilot AI can hallucinate sometimes. It¡¯s good, but not perfect. It over-relies on its internal database and fails to account for real-time positional shifts,¡± she said, finally taking her fingers off the keyboard, and looked directly at Ryan. God, she was good. "Did you, by chance, double check the positioning data after inputting the route?" The question hung in the air, innocent enough, but loaded with implication. Ryan frowned. "We spent hours calibrating it back at the platform. You¡¯re telling me it just... got creative?" He sounded genuinely frustrated, but now there was a hint of defensiveness too. "Yes," she replied, finally looking up at him. "Because that¡¯s what it¡¯s designed to do when it encounters variables it doesn''t fully understand, or variables that were not accounted for.¡± She emphasized the last part, ever so slightly. "It¡¯s better than nothing, but it¡¯s not infallible. It''s meant to learn, adapt, even improvise, but that means it can also make mistakes." She met his eyes, her eyes unwavering. I stayed quiet, sensing the tension brewing between them. Ryan folded his arms, his jaw tightening as he stared at the screen. Here we go, I thought, two of them, ready for a fight. Honestly, though, Zoe looked incredible right now. She was so focused, so in control. It was kinda hot, to be honest. If I didn''t know any better, I''d say she was turning him on, too. "I get it," Ryan said after a beat, though his tone suggested otherwise. "But if we keep overriding it every time it hiccups, we¡¯re going to waste more time than we save." He was so stubborn, so sure of himself. He hated being wrong. Typical engineer. Zoe turned back to the console, her voice calm but firm. "If we don¡¯t correct this now, that three percent becomes six, or worse. We''re not just flying from point A to point B; we''re navigating a complex web of gravitational forces, spatial anomalies, and temporal distortions. A minor error now can compound exponentially over time and distance. Trust me, Ryan, this is faster in the long run." She was so focused, so in control. The bridge fell quiet except for the soft tapping of Zoe¡¯s keyboard and the faint hum of the ship. I shifted my weight, glancing between the two of them. The air wasn¡¯t hostile, exactly, but it was heavy, like the stillness before a storm. Goddamn, it¡¯s so obvious, I thought, they need to get laid, probably. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife, and it was all the more obvious because it was two very hot people with a very clear problem. Not that I''d ever been laid, but still, I was sure it was that. They¡¯d been on this ship for two days, and they were already wound tight, like springs waiting to be released. Ryan sighed, stepping back and running a hand through his hair. "Fine. But if it screws up again, we¡¯re recalibrating the whole system,¡± he said. Oh yeah, that was definitely a threat. A childish, pointless threat. Typical. "Deal," Zoe said, not looking up. Her fingers paused over the keyboard as she hit the final command, locking in the corrected course. The map shifted, the new trajectory aligning perfectly with our intended route. She moved with such purpose it made my skin tingle. "Done," she said, sitting back in her chair. "We¡¯re back on track." She looked relieved, a small sigh escaping her lips. Ryan muttered something under his breath and walked out, leaving me and Zoe alone. I hesitated for a moment, then leaned against the console beside her. I could smell her perfume, the faint scent of something floral and spicy. And maybe a hint of frustration. ¡°You okay?¡± I asked. I¡¯m probably making things worse, but I can¡¯t help myself. I was always stepping into situations that didn¡¯t involve me. ¡°Fine,¡± she said, exhaling slowly. Her eyes stayed on the screen, scanning the data as if double-checking her work. She looked so serious, so focused, it made my chest ache. ¡°Just... this stuff matters, you know? If we mess it up, it¡¯s not like we can pull over and fix it.¡± I wanted to reassure her, but I knew I couldn''t. I nodded, understanding the weight she carried in that moment. ¡°You did good.¡± Smooth, Luca. Real smooth. I hated how lame I sounded. Zoe didn¡¯t answer right away, but after a moment, she glanced at me, a faint flicker of gratitude in her eyes. ¡°Thanks.¡± Okay, maybe I didn''t totally screw that up. All I could think about was their unresolved sexual tension, they were so going to make out in the engine room later or something.
The lounge buzzed with energy, the crew settling in for another night of movie-watching. The electric fireplace cast a soft glow, the snacks were piled high, and the opening credits of Terminator rolled on the oversized screen. Joey had already claimed the spot closest to the TV, narrating the movie with his usual mix of trivia and exaggerated enthusiasm, why does he always do this. It was like he was trying to prove he knew more than everyone else, that little know-it-all. ¡°Fun fact: James Cameron sketched this idea on a napkin,¡± Joey announced, tossing popcorn into his mouth like a goddamn seagull. I swear he practiced that move in the mirror. ¡°You¡¯ve told us that three times,¡± Zoe shot back, sinking into the other couch right against Danny, who had tried to scoot over but had run out of space. She stretched her legs out and flicked a pillow at Joey, smirking when it hit its mark. Damn, her legs are gorgeous, I thought for the hundreth time, my eyes lingering on her smooth, warm brown skin. I sorta wanted to sneak a touch, just to feel the texture, but that would make me a creep. And I¡¯d probably get my hand slapped.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. ¡°Hey, respect the classics,¡± Joey retorted, dodging the next pillow with theatrical flair. He was such a drama queen, always trying to be the center of attention. I leaned into the corner of the couch, my focus divided between the screen and Emily, who sat beside me. She¡¯d curled up with a bowl of chips, her green eyes lighting up at the explosions on the screen, and my body felt like it was about to explode as well. Her shoulder pressed lightly against mine, and every so often, her fingers brushed mine as we both reached for the bowl. Stop moving Emily, I thought, you¡¯re going to make me hard. Her touch sent shivers down my spine, little sparks of electricity that had nowhere to go. I had to remember to act casual, cool, like I didn¡¯t notice. I wanted her hand to linger. ¡°You know, Terminator was revolutionary for its time,¡± Emily said, her voice animated. ¡°The way it combined practical effects with early CGI, this movie basically paved the way for modern sci-fi.¡± God, she¡¯s so smart, and beautiful. She knew so much about everything. ¡°You sound like Joey,¡± Ryan quipped from across the room, earning a laugh from Emily. He was such a jealous shit. ¡°Please,¡± Emily said, grinning. ¡°I¡¯m way more insightful.¡± She''s probably right. She was probably way more insightful than all of us put together. The room filled with laughter, but I caught the slight tilt of Emily¡¯s head, the way her ponytail brushed against her neck as she turned to me. Her excitement was infectious, and I found myself watching her more than the movie, my heart threatening to beat out of my chest. When the credits rolled, Zoe grabbed the remote, spinning it in her hand like a baton, and I knew things were about to get messy. ¡°Okay, my turn to pick the next one,¡± she announced, leaning back like she¡¯d already won the argument. She was sitting way too close to Danny. Poor guy was perched by the armrest like he was ready to leap off the couch at any second. His face was flushed, his shoulders stiff, and he kept shifting like he thought maybe, maybe, he could scoot over and escape. Spoiler: he couldn¡¯t. Zoe wasn¡¯t going to let him. She was leaning in, brushing his arm just enough to drive him insane, and I swear, she was doing it all on purpose. ¡°No way,¡± Ryan said, sitting up straight. ¡°You already picked this one.¡± Of course he was ready to argue. He was such a predictable tool. ¡°Excuse me?¡± Zoe raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with mock outrage. She casually shifted closer to Danny, her thigh now pressed against his. He looked like he might explode. ¡°We all agreed on Terminator.¡± She had to be lying. She always did. That didn¡¯t stop her from flashing Danny a sly smile as she said it, her shoulder brushing his. He laughed nervously, the sound halfway between ¡°please help¡± and ¡°I might die.¡± ¡°You pressured us into it,¡± Ryan argued, crossing his arms. ¡°It¡¯s Emily¡¯s turn. She¡¯s the biggest sci-fi nerd here.¡± Oh yeah, she is. She probably knew more about this stuff than most directors. Emily perked up, her grin widening. ¡°Finally, someone acknowledges my superior taste.¡± Goddamn, she¡¯s adorable, I thought, watching the way her whole face lit up. Meanwhile, poor Danny was squirming like he was sitting on hot coals, and Zoe was relentless. She tilted her head toward him, whispering something I couldn¡¯t hear, but the way Danny¡¯s ears turned bright red told me everything I needed to know. The kid¡¯s doomed. ¡°Superior is a stretch,¡± Joey muttered, earning a half-hearted kick from Emily. He was just jealous that she got all the attention. ¡°Fine,¡± Zoe said, waving the remote like it was a sword. ¡°Emily can pick next, but I get the one after that. No backsies.¡± Her tone was playful, but she didn¡¯t stop leaning into Danny, her hand brushing his arm as she adjusted her position. He looked ready to either faint or bolt, and honestly? It was hilarious. Ryan groaned. ¡°Not Blade Runner. It¡¯s so slow,¡± he said. He always liked his movies fast, loud, and stupid. ¡°It¡¯s atmospheric,¡± Emily shot back, her tone firm but playful. ¡°And a masterpiece.¡± I had to agree with her on that one. The debate spiraled from there, with Ryan lobbying for Starship Troopers. ¡°It¡¯s not a crap movie!¡± he argued, gesturing with a half-eaten pretzel. He really loved that movie, it was kind of endearing, in a weird way. ¡°Oh please,¡± Zoe said, crossing her arms as she leaned against the couch, her thigh still pressed against Danny¡¯s. ¡°You just want to see the naked girls.¡± Her tone was sharp, but her grin was playful, her eyes flicking to Ryan like she¡¯d just called out the most obvious thing in the world. She wasn¡¯t wrong. Ryan was that predictable. Danny shifted uncomfortably, his face so red I thought it might start glowing. Zoe, of course, noticed. She noticed everything. She let out a mock sigh, shaking her head like she couldn¡¯t believe what she was about to do, and reached behind the couch. A second later, she pulled out a blanket, spreading it over her lap. ¡°Here,¡± she said, draping it over Danny¡¯s legs. ¡°You look cold. Can¡¯t have that.¡± Danny blinked, his whole body stiffening like the blanket weighed a hundred pounds. ¡°Uh, I¡¯m fine,¡± he stammered, but Zoe just smiled, settling in closer as if that settled it. Her shoulder brushed his, and she tilted her head toward him, her locks spilling over her shoulder. I bit my lip, trying not to laugh as Danny gave a nervous laugh that sounded more like a dying engine. He looked like he wanted to crawl into the couch and disappear, and Zoe? She was loving every second of it. Ryan paused, his mouth half-open to respond. Before he could come up with anything, I leaned back on the couch, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. ¡°Are you sure you want to watch that scene in these clothes?¡± I asked, gesturing at the sheer loungewear, and god I hoped he didn''t. I might lose it. I was already about to lose it just by sitting here with Emily. Ryan blinked, then nodded as if giving the idea serious thought. ¡°Huh. Good point.¡± He was such an idiot, I couldn¡¯t believe how obvious I was. I wanted to smack myself, but it was still funny. The room erupted in laughter, even as Zoe rolled her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re predictable,¡± she said, shaking her head. ¡°It¡¯s honestly kind of sad.¡± She was probably laughing at all of us. ¡°Predictable or consistent?¡± Ryan shot back, leaning into the arm of his chair with his usual smugness. ¡°You say sad, I say dependable.¡± He¡¯s trying, I¡¯ll give him that. Ryan could be so dumb sometimes, but there was something almost endearing about how hard he tried to make his arguments sound logical. Almost. ¡°That¡¯s one word for it,¡± Emily muttered, amusement clear in her voice as she reached for another chip. Her fingers brushed mine, and I swear my entire body lit up like I¡¯d been zapped with a taser. Calm down, Rossi. Don¡¯t be weird. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± Danny cut in, his voice squeaking slightly as he raised his hands like he was calling for a ceasefire. ¡°Let¡¯s settle this. How about The Matrix? Sci-fi, action, no naked people, unless you count Neo in the pod.¡± His voice cracked just a little at the end, and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Good idea, Danny. Please, let¡¯s stop talking about naked people before you combust. Joey, who had been quiet up until now, perked up, his grin widening. ¡°But it¡¯s a really gross pod scene. That should count.¡± Of course, Joey would focus on that. The guy always zeroed in on the weirdest parts of movies. ¡°Not the same, Joey,¡± Danny said, his tone slightly strangled as he dodged a popcorn kernel Joey lobbed at him. ¡°Not the same.¡± Meanwhile, Zoe had made herself at home. She¡¯d leaned her head on Danny¡¯s shoulder, her hands tucked under the blanket she¡¯d spread over the two of them. Where her hands were exactly? No clue. But judging by Danny¡¯s bright red ears and the way his voice kept cracking, I could guess he was losing his mind. She shifted slightly, her body pressed closer, and Danny froze like a deer in headlights. It was hilarious. Poor guy couldn¡¯t even figure out where to put his arms. ¡°Children,¡± Emily muttered, rolling her eyes at Joey and Danny¡¯s antics before turning to Ryan. ¡°The Matrix isn¡¯t a bad idea, but it¡¯s not going to win. We need something with actual artistic merit.¡± She punctuated the point with a look that could have killed any argument dead. ¡°Exactly,¡± Zoe chimed in, a slight blush showing on her face, her voice smooth and playful, as she adjusted herself under the blanket. Danny flinched slightly but didn¡¯t dare move. ¡°Artistic merit. Thank you, Emily.¡± Ryan groaned, leaning back with his arms crossed. ¡°Fine. Just let the women take over, as usual.¡± ¡°Finally,¡± Emily said, her grin widening. ¡°So¡­ Blade Runner? Philosophical androids, atmospheric brilliance, it¡¯s perfect.¡± Ryan muttered something under his breath about pretentious androids, but the decision had already been made. The crew resigned themselves to Emily¡¯s pick, the women victorious again. No complaints here, I thought, leaning back with a smirk. The real entertainment wasn¡¯t on the screen, though. It was Danny, stiff as a board under Zoe¡¯s blanket, trying not to melt into a puddle of awkwardness. And Zoe? She was having the time of her life. Poor kid never stood a chance. At least Emily sat by me tonight, a small victory, I guess, but it was enough to make my brain melt. And Chris seemed happy to sit by Joey tonight, they were sort of touchy with each other, their arms touching, and their legs entwined. Shouldn¡¯t that feel weird and gross? It was like some sort of weird, forbidden fruit that I knew I shouldn¡¯t be looking at, but I couldn¡¯t help it. Oh god, stop it Luca, and focus on Emily. Just focus on Emily, her laugh, her eyes, her gorgeous green eyes. Stop, Luca, I thought, just breathe. Chapter 10 - Alarms The hangar should have been pristine. It was brand spanking new, for crying out loud. The metal walls gleamed under the bright overhead lights, the air still carrying that fresh-off-the-lot smell of new electronics and something vaguely citrusy. But here I was, Captain Luca, on my hands and knees, in a dimly lit corner, waging war against a stubborn, greasy stain that had the audacity to mar my damn floor. It was a dark, ugly blotch, mocking the otherwise flawless surface. I attacked the stain with a scrub brush, my biceps burning, sweat beading on my forehead and dripping into my eyes, and the tight fabric of my bodysuit sticking to my skin. The bristles bristles scraped against the metal, a harsh sound that blended with the rhythmic hum of the ship''s machinery. ''Starship Maintenance Familiarity'' hadn''t exactly covered stain removal, but I knew enough to recognize engine grease when I saw it. Maybe the level 10 ability would allow me to remove this stain once and for all. But fuck me, right? The skill was still at level 4, and since we were level-capped, that meant no more skill XP. "Fucking grease monkey," I muttered, picturing Ryan''s smug face and his usual trail of questionable substances. "You''d think one of these idiots would have the decency to clean up their own damn messes." The stain, however, remained stubbornly unimpressed, a dark smudge refusing to yield. I switched tactics, dousing the area with a cleaning solution that smelled like ammonia and bad decisions. I scrubbed until my knuckles were raw, the once-white cleaning rag now a dingy gray. I paused, leaning back on my heels, to examine my handiwork. The stain had faded, but it was still there, a faint shadow against the gleaming metal. "Son of a bitch," I hissed, grabbing a fresh rag. This stain was a personal affront, a violation of the sanctity of my ship. And I, Captain Luca, was not going to stand for it. The bristles of the brush caught on a rough edge, jerking my hand. I swore under my breath, rubbing my knuckles before diving back in. The smell of cleaning fluid was starting to get to me, it was acrid and sharp. Then the alarm blared.
The alarm blared, a shrill, piercing shriek that sliced through the rhythmic hum of the hangar. I froze, the scrub brush clattering to the floor, my heart leaping into my throat. Red lights pulsed, bathing the hangar in a sickening, bloody glow. "What the fuck is happening now ?" I muttered, scrambling for my communicator. "Bridge, report!" My voice sounded thin and reedy, even to my own ears. Each pulse of the red light felt like a hammer blow against my chest. Ryan''s voice, strained and tight, crackled through the communicator. "Uh... slight issue. Danny and I were, uh, running diagnostics on the reactor. Looks like it, uh, didn''t like that." "Didn''t like it?" I barked, already halfway to the hangar exit, my boots pounding on the metal floor. "Ryan, the ship is screaming like a banshee." My mind conjured images of flames, explosions, the whole damn ship coming apart at the seams. "Yeah, we kinda noticed that," Ryan replied, his attempt at nonchalance falling flat. "We''re working on it." Working on it after they probably blew it to hell. "Define ''working,''" I snapped, sprinting up the stairs and down the corridor. I nearly collided with Zoe, who was also headed toward the bridge, her expression surprisingly calm given the circumstances. "Shit, this is bad," I gasped, my lungs burning, my legs pumping. By the time I burst onto the bridge, the tension was thick enough to choke on. The flashing red lights made the already cramped control room feel even more claustrophobic, turning everything into a disorienting, pulsing blur. Danny was hunched over a console, his fingers on the keyboard, sweat beading on his forehead. Ryan hovered beside him, his arms crossed, but his jaw was clenched, a muscle twitching in his cheek. "What happened?" I demanded, my eyes darting between them. My hands were shaking so badly I had to clench them into fists. Danny didn''t look up. "We were running diagnostics on the reactor''s secondary systems," he mumbled, his voice barely a whisper. "I thought it was isolated, but..." He trailed off, his shoulders slumping. "But it wasn''t," Ryan finished for him, his voice tight. He wouldn''t meet my eyes. Probably too busy blaming himself. "It''s not a reactor failure," Danny added quickly, glancing up at me, his eyes wide. "Just the alarm system. We''re not in any actual danger." Okay, good, not exploding. I took a shaky breath, but the relief was short-lived. "Then shut it the fuck off!" I yelled, the volume of my own voice surprising me. "I''m trying!" Danny''s voice cracked, his fingers fumbling over the keys. He looked like he was about to cry. Zoe, who had reached the doorway, now leaned against the frame, her arms crossed, that cool, collected demeanor firmly in place. "So, this was your brilliant idea, huh?" she said, raising an eyebrow at Danny. "Scare the entire crew half to death for fun?" She didn''t seem angry, just... disappointed. Like she was looking right through him. Danny''s fingers froze above the console. For a moment, he just stared at the keys, his face pale in the flashing red light. He looked utterly lost. Zoe''s expression softened, and she pushed off the doorframe, stepping closer. "Hey," she said quietly, her voice cutting through the noise. "It''s okay. Just breathe and fix it, alright?" She rested a hand on his arm, a brief, reassuring touch. I watched as Danny took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. He nodded, his hands returning to the console, moving with more deliberation now. Ryan murmured something low and encouraging, his hand briefly resting on Danny''s back. A moment later, the alarm cut out, leaving the bridge in blessed, ringing silence. The sudden quiet was almost as jarring as the noise. "Finally," I muttered, pressing my fingers to my temples, trying to massage away the throbbing. "Next time you run diagnostics, triple-check your setup." Maybe I should run a diagnostic on their heads. Danny nodded, still looking a little green around the gills. "Sorry," he mumbled. "Won''t happen again." He swallowed hard, his Adam''s apple bobbing. Ryan clapped a hand on his shoulder, forcing a grin that didn''t quite reach his eyes. "Hey, we figured it out. No harm, no foul, right?" He was trying to play it cool, but a faint tremor in his voice betrayed his lingering anxiety. I shot him a look. "Right, except for the part where I thought the ship was about to explode." My legs felt shaky, and I suddenly realized I was gripping the back of a chair so tightly my knuckles were white. "Minor detail," Ryan said, with a weak chuckle. He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up even more. As the tension began to dissipate, Zoe moved closer to Danny, her voice low and calm. "Seriously, you''re good. You fixed it. Now, go grab a drink or something before Luca starts hyperventilating again." The corner of her mouth twitched, a hint of a smile. She had this way of... diffusing things. Making everything seem manageable, even when it felt like the whole world was falling apart. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.Danny managed a weak smile, and Zoe squeezed his arm before turning to me. "See? Crisis averted." "Yeah," I said, letting out a long breath. "But let''s try to keep the near-death experiences to a minimum, okay? My heart can''t take this shit." I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the dampness of sweat. I was suddenly exhausted. Bone-tired. "I need a drink," I muttered, more to myself than anyone else. I turned and headed for the door, leaving the others in the now-silent, dimly lit control room, the faint scent of ozone lingering in the air - a stark reminder of how close we''d come to... something.
The lounge was a welcome change from the sterile, pulsating bridge. The soft glow of the electric fireplace cast long shadows on the worn, comfortable couches and the mismatched beanbag chairs scattered around the room. A few personal touches were evident - a faded poster of some vintage sci-fi movie, a small, scraggly plant that Zoe was determined to keep alive, and a collection of mismatched mugs that we''d each claimed as our own. The opening credits of Alien, Robocop, or Star Wars, take your pick, we''ve seen ''em all, played on the screen, the familiar soundtracks blending with the low murmur of conversation. We¡¯d sprawl on the floor or couches, snacks passed around, tonight, it was popcorn. It felt like we¡¯d finally settled in, not just as a crew, but as something more. Something closer. ¡°Alright,¡± Emily announced, stretching out on the couch beside me, ¡°who¡¯s picking the next movie? And if anyone says Her again, I¡¯m shoving them out the airlock,¡± she said. She really hated that movie, I could tell. As she stretched, her bare feet peeked out from under her loungewear, the toes wiggling slightly. Focus, Luca, you can do this. Ryan, naturally, had to object. ¡°It¡¯s a good movie!¡± Still salty about that, apparently. ¡°No one¡¯s debating that,¡± Zoe quipped, nudging him with her foot, ¡°but maybe try picking something where people actually stay awake this time.¡± Classic Zoe, cutting right to the chase. They bickered like an old married couple, and I bit back a laugh. I smirked from my spot on the couch, Emily''s arm resting lightly against mine as she settled in. A faint warmth radiated from where we touched, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine. I found myself studying the way a stray strand of her hair curled against her cheek, the gentle curve of her neck. I had to force myself to look away, my brain helpfully supplying a series of inappropriate images. ¡°Predator,¡± Joey declared, pointing at the screen. ¡°We¡¯re doing Predator. End of debate.¡± He was always so dramatic, that one. ¡°Finally, some taste,¡± Chris said from the pool table, where he and Danny were engaged in a surprisingly intense game. I shook my head, my eyes drifting to Ryan. He was at it again, quietly pulling a loose panel off the side of the coffee table, his fingers tracing the wires underneath. Probably trying to distract himself from the fact that he was losing at pool - and losing to Danny, of all people. ¡°Ryan, for fucks sake, leave the table alone, would you?¡± I said, making sure to keep the exasperation in my voice. He was always doing that kind of shit, and it was hard to concentrate. ¡°It¡¯s a reflex!¡± Ryan shot back defensively. ¡°And it was loose anyway. I was fixing it.¡± He was always making excuses for his behavior, like a little kid caught stealing cookies. He had to be doing this shit on purpose. ¡°Right,¡± Zoe replied, rolling her eyes. ¡°Because a loose table panel is such a priority.¡± I found myself laughing more these days, even when Zoe¡¯s jabs turned my way. But I noticed how she often paired off with Danny during pool matches, her competitive streak drawing out the quieter guy¡¯s playful side. There was something magnetic about that relationship; they were really good together, and they made my stomach hurt in a good way. ¡°Nice shot,¡± Danny said after Zoe sank a tricky bank shot. ¡°Nice shot?¡± Ryan mocked from the sidelines. ¡°She¡¯s cleaning your clock, man. You¡¯re one ball away from losing.¡± He was jealous, of course, Ryan was always jealous. ¡°I call it tactical retreat,¡± Danny said, shrugging as Zoe shot him a triumphant smirk. He clearly loved to make her happy. Damn. The lounge wasn¡¯t just a place to unwind; it was where we built trust, bond by bond. These evenings wove something deeper between us than mere friendship, that was for sure. I saw it in Emily¡¯s quiet smiles, the way Zoe pulled Danny out of his shell, even Ryan¡¯s begrudging teamwork when we needed him. It was like, we were all leveling up, and not in the way we had been back at Sandworth, more like we were all getting closer to something. And it was almost scary. Emily, as always, remained a steady presence by my side. She had a way of looking at me when I spoke, her eyes unwavering, that made me feel like she actually cared about what I had to say, like I was the only person in the room. I wasn¡¯t blind to the glances she threw my way, or the way her smile lingered just a second longer when she caught me looking back, and it made me so nervous, and also incredibly excited. She smelled like vanilla, and something else, something spicy and warm.
"You''ve been quiet tonight," Emily murmured, her voice barely a whisper above the end credits. It was like she''d slipped a scalpel under my skin, gentle but precise, laying bare whatever bullshit I was about to feed her. I swallowed, suddenly feeling like a bug under a microscope. "What gave it away?" I nodded, suddenly very aware of how close we were. Her green eyes locked onto mine, and my pulse went from zero to sixty in a heartbeat. I could feel the tips of my ears burning, a blush creeping up my neck like an unwelcome rash. ¡°Yeah. Just¡­ thinking.¡± ¡°About?¡± she asked, tilting her head slightly, her eyes holding mine like she could see straight into my brain. It felt like she could see every dumb fantasy I''d ever conjured about her, like that time I imagined us slow dancing to some cheesy song in the lounge, or how I pictured what it would be like to trace the delicate curve of her, shit, now was not the time. I hesitated, glancing at the others. Zoe was leaning over the pool table, laughing as Danny flailed through some excuse about why he lost, and Ryan was loudly accusing them of hustling. At least someone¡¯s having fun. I dragged my eyes back to Emily, my gut clenching like I''d just swallowed a handful of gravel. ¡°About how¡­ this feels like the calm before the storm, you know?¡± My brain scrambled for an answer that wouldn''t make me sound like a total idiot. That this trip was turning out so much tamer than I¡¯d imagined. When we planned this whole thing, leaving the station, heading out into the unknown, I¡¯d pictured something wild. A bunch of twenty-somethings, cooped up together for weeks on end? I thought it¡¯d be chaos. Hormones flying, people sneaking off to hook up left and right, hell, I figured I¡¯d have gotten laid by now. But no. The crew¡¯s been¡­ weirdly mature. Even-keeled. Like we¡¯re all holding back or something. And now here I was, overthinking everything, especially Emily. Should I make a move? Would she even want me to? What if I screwed it up? What if she said no, and things got awkward, and she didn¡¯t want to talk to me anymore? Just the idea of screwing things up with her sent a hollow ache through my chest, like someone had carved out a piece of me with a rusty spoon, but I didn¡¯t want to blow it. Not with her. The corner of Emily''s mouth quirked up, a hint of a smile softening the intensity in her eyes. She tilted her head, studying me like I was some rare specimen she was trying to decipher. ¡°Then let¡¯s enjoy it while it lasts,¡± she said, her voice warm but steady. Her hand brushed against mine, her fingers lingering for just a fraction of a second before pulling away. When her fingers brushed mine, I flinched. It felt like I''d stuck my hand in an electrical socket, every nerve ending suddenly on high alert. Friends. That¡¯s what we were, for now. Probably. Chapter 11 - Engaging the FTL Drive The Oort Cloud was looming closer, twenty days after leaving the Genesis Platform, and I swear, I could feel the weight of this whole damn thing pressing down on me, like a fat, angry wrestler, and I couldn''t help but wonder what I was doing with my life. The crew wasn¡¯t new to challenges, we¡¯d spent over four years fighting side by side, navigating the dangers of portals, monsters, and the chaos that followed, but at least before, there were backup plans and shit, and if I messed up big time, maybe my dad would be there to help me out. Now? Nothing. Out here, past the asteroid belt, we didn¡¯t have a damn safety net. We didn¡¯t have a Plan B, we didn¡¯t have anyone to call, and it was all on me. And yet, underneath the panic, I could feel a thrill, a shiver down my spine. This was freedom, right? No Earth, no orders from people who didn''t know shit. And yet, it felt like I was about to step off a fucking cliff, instead of into the stars. The thought of engaging the FTL drive was both exhilarating and terrifying, and it was all mixed in up, that was the problem. All of our training, our systems, our routines, this was it. The final test to see if all that shit was worth it. I was going to make sure we made it, even though I felt like I was about to throw up. I wanted to make sure this crew was going to thrive, that I would make sure they all got home safely. I wanted to, but did I actually have what it takes to do all that? Was I even capable of being the captain they needed? The questions ran through my head like a broken record, but the edge of the known was just ahead. It was like the moment you know you¡¯re going to do something dumb, and you just lean into it and do it anyway, there was no turning back now, and honestly, I wouldn''t, I couldn¡¯t. I was excited, and scared, and a mess, and for some reason, that was exactly how I wanted things to be. Maybe. Probably. Then Zoe¡¯s voice crackled through the comms, cutting through the quiet hum of the ship. ¡°Captain, we¡¯re ready to activate the FTL drive and make the jump toward Alpha Centauri.¡± Her voice was steady, but I could sense the anticipation beneath it, that feeling that made you want to run in the other direction. I grinned, pushing off the console and standing a little taller. ¡°Everyone to the bridge, on the double.¡± My voice came out strong, confident. Even if I wasn¡¯t totally sure I felt that way, I¡¯d fake it till we made it. The crew was already assembling on the bridge, slipping into their stations. I looked around at their faces: familiar, steady, each one a little anchor in this vast, terrifying void we were about to step into. Did they know how scared I was? Could they feel it? Probably not. Or maybe they did, and they just didn¡¯t care. That thought didn¡¯t help. All of it: our routines, our systems, every damn thing we¡¯d done to get here, was riding on this moment. The weight of it hit me like a punch to the gut, and for a second, I thought I might puke. Shit. Pull it together, Rossi. I could do this. I had to. I just needed to be... well, a little more me. I tried to force a grin, taking in their faces as they settled into their seats, their eyes flicking to me now and then, waiting for the next move. They were looking to me for answers, and that almost made me laugh. Answers? From me? God help us. But it wasn¡¯t just fear crawling under my skin, it was excitement. A thrill that mixed with everything else and made my chest tighten. And yeah, maybe a little bit of horniness too, not gonna lie. But mostly? I just wanted to see what was out there. What was waiting for us in the dark, and why the hell it felt like it was calling us. My heart pounded as I stood by the captain¡¯s chair, my palms slick against the armrest. Deep breaths, Luca. This was it. Everything we¡¯d planned, everything we¡¯d worked for, right here, right now. I took a long breath, trying to savor the moment before giving the command to activate the FTL engine. This was really it. I was actually doing it. And for better or worse, there was no turning back.
"Everyone ready?" I asked, trying to sound calm, but my voice cracked a little. I was not as cool as I thought I was, and my heart was practically trying to escape through my ribcage. Zoe, ever the professional, added, ¡°All systems are green. Just waiting on your go.¡± I bet she was sweating as bad as I was, but you¡¯d never know it, the cool bitch. "Engage," I said with a grin, trying to ignore the way my palms were sweating as I pressed down on the controls. God, I hated this, I hated that I had to be in control. ¡°What is this, Star Trek?¡± Ryan said, a huge, goofy smile plastered on his face, and I couldn''t help but roll my eyes. Of course, he¡¯d make a pop culture reference, like this was all a big joke. I needed to calm down, but how was I supposed to calm down when I could see the fear in everyone¡¯s eyes, mixed with the excitement? It was like looking into a mirror. ¡°Brace yourselves,¡± Zoe said, her voice tight, barely concealing a slight waver. It was pure adrenaline, a cocktail of what if and maybe we¡¯ll be okay that was making my brain go a million miles a minute. ¡°We¡¯re about to make history.¡± Everyone fumbled with their restraint harnesses, looking way clumsier than they probably wanted to. I caught Danny almost tangling himself up like he was trying to fight the straps, and Ryan rolling his eyes as he clicked his harness into place like it was no big deal. The bridge rumbled as the FTL engine engaged, and a low hum filled the air, vibrating through the deck and up into my chest. Time seemed to slow down, or maybe it sped up. I couldn¡¯t tell. My brain was racing, throwing every what if at me like a machine gun. Did I forget something? Were the numbers right? What if Ryan hadn¡¯t tightened a bolt? Did I even check the fuel levels? Shit. Was that weird light by Ryan¡¯s console supposed to blink like that? And, oh god, did I even put on my harness? I glanced down to see the straps secured across my chest. Through the viewport, the stars outside stretched, twisting into streaks of light before vanishing completely. The sensation hit like a roller coaster drop that just kept going, pulling us through... something. It wasn¡¯t just space. It felt like we were being dragged through a dimension I couldn¡¯t even describe, like everything around us was folding and unfolding at the same time. My stomach flipped, and for a second, I wondered if this was what dying felt like. And then it was over. Just like that, the pull stopped, the hum eased, and we were back to normal speed. I stared out the viewport. Where there had been streaks of light there was now nothing but pitch-black nothingness. No stars, no streaks, just the void. I stared at it, half-expecting to wake up and realize we¡¯d crashed, or maybe that we were just... dead.
Zoe was the first to move, her fingers punching away at her console as she checked the trajectory. Her brow furrowed in concentration, and I found myself staring at her face. Was she scared? If she was, she didn¡¯t show it. Stone cold warrior, as usual. Emily let out a long breath, leaning back in her seat, her eyes locking with mine. That sigh? It might¡¯ve been the most beautiful sound I¡¯d heard all day. I grinned at her, a weird mix of anticipation and pure terror bubbling up in my chest. We did it. We actually did it.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. ¡°Holy shit,¡± Ryan muttered, pulling off his harness with a grin that stretched across his face. He reached over, slapping Danny¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We¡¯re alive, man. Alive.¡± Danny blinked, like he was still processing, before a grin broke out on his face. ¡°Yeah,¡± he said, his voice cracking like he¡¯d just hit puberty all over again. ¡°We¡¯re alive.¡± He lifted his hand for a high-five, and Ryan met it with an echoing smack that made the whole room feel a little lighter. I let out a breath I didn¡¯t know I was holding, the weight in my chest easing up as I looked around. Everyone was smiling now, even Zoe, though hers was faint, more relieved than anything else. Goosebumps prickled along my arms, but for the first time, it wasn¡¯t from fear, it was from the sheer holy shit of what we¡¯d just done. ¡°Well,¡± I said, my voice cracking just enough to ruin the moment. I cleared my throat, trying to sound more captain-y, whatever the hell that meant. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re off to Alpha Centauri. Zoe, ETA?¡± Zoe glanced at her console, her fingers dancing over the keys. ¡°We should get there in two, maybe three weeks,¡± she said, her tone clipped, but there was a hint of excitement behind it. ¡°The ship¡¯s still accelerating. Assuming no major changes in course or unforeseen events, we¡¯ll hit deceleration on time.¡± Her words hung in the air, and for a second, the relief faded just a little. Unforeseen events. Because nothing we ever did was without risk. We were just kids, barely in our twenties pretending to be adults, running headfirst into the unknown. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once. I leaned back, the captain¡¯s chair suddenly feeling way too big and too small at the same time. Captain¡¯s log, I muttered to myself. Today we made the jump to Alpha Centauri, and I almost threw up. The bridge erupted into cheers once Zoe confirmed we were on course. Ryan fist-bumped Danny so hard I thought they might break something, while Joey leaned back in his chair, letting out an exaggerated sigh of relief. Even Zoe cracked a small smile, though she quickly busied herself with recalculating our ETA, probably to avoid acknowledging she had emotions like the rest of us. I didn¡¯t even bother hiding my grin as Emily clapped me on the shoulder, her excitement spilling over into laughter. ¡°We did it!¡± she said, her green eyes sparkling like she¡¯d just discovered a new planet. ¡°Hell yeah, we did,¡± I replied, the tension finally starting to bleed out of me. For a moment, the bridge felt less like a control room and more like a celebration, a shared victory that made all the risk feel worth it. Where¡¯s the champagne? Ryan spun in his chair, pointing at Zoe. ¡°We¡¯re alive and on course. Admit it, you¡¯re impressed.¡± ¡°I¡¯m satisfied,¡± Zoe deadpanned, but there was a glint of humor in her eyes that said she wasn¡¯t as unshakable as she pretended. The celebration didn¡¯t last long. One by one, the crew started peeling off to their stations or other tasks, the burst of energy settling into something quieter. Ryan and Joey headed to engineering to run diagnostics, Zoe stayed at her console double-checking trajectory data, and Danny mumbled something about reviewing inventory before scurrying off, looking half-dazed. Eventually, the bridge quieted, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Well, almost alone, Emily was still at the systems station nearby, tapping away as she finalized the daily schedule. Zoe was still focused on her calculations, her face lit by the soft glow of the monitors.
It was strange, this sense of calm that had settled over the ship. Just an hour ago, we¡¯d been bracing for disaster, holding our breath as we crossed the threshold into the unknown. Now, everything felt... normal. Terrifying, sure, but also comforting in a way I hadn¡¯t expected. The ship was moving. The FTL drive had worked. Ryan had actually pulled it off, Zoe was keeping us on course, and we were alive. Against all odds, it felt like we might actually make it. I was halfway through a mental checklist of maintenance tasks when Emily stood abruptly, stretching her arms over her head, and just like that, my brain short-circuited. Damn it, Rossi, focus. She approached me, her movements light and unhurried, but there was something unreadable in her expression that made my heart hammer in my chest. Bright green eyes locked onto mine, and before I could figure out what was happening, her hands were on my shoulders, pulling me closer. Her lips met mine, and everything else vanished. The hum of the ship, the faint tapping of Zoe¡¯s keyboard, it all faded into the background. The warmth of her touch, the softness of her lips, the faint scent of her hair, it consumed me. My breath caught, my hands hovering awkwardly by my sides before instinct took over and I steadied her gently by the waist. Oh my God, this is happening. This is actually happening. The weight of it hit me, heavy and warm, like something in the universe had shifted and I wasn¡¯t quite sure I was ready for it. When she finally pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, her grin equal parts mischievous and daring. My heart was racing, my face burning, but I didn¡¯t care. ¡°That was unexpected,¡± I managed, my voice rougher than I intended. I felt like I¡¯d been caught stealing something, but I also didn¡¯t want to give it back. ¡°Was it really?¡± Emily replied, her tone light but her expression so earnest it almost knocked the air out of me. I blinked, my thoughts a total mess, a whirlwind of what the fuck mixed with more please. She had just kissed me. Emily. The girl I¡¯d been crushing on since we were, what, twelve? Thirteen? Back when the biggest disasters in my life were high school math tests and trying not to stare at her lips every damn second of the day. Over the years, we¡¯d grown close, much closer than I ever thought possible. Fighting side by side through Sandworth, leveling up, clawing our way back to some version of normalcy. But all that? It was behind us. Now we were here, moving light-years away from everything, floating in the void where there were no rules. We could do whatever the hell we wanted. And this? This was completely unexpected territory. I was lost. I was buzzing. I was so ready for more. Emily tilted her head, her smile softening, her eyes locked on mine in a way that made my chest feel like it might actually explode. ¡°You okay?¡± she asked, her voice dropping to a whisper that sent shivers straight down my spine. My heart skipped... ¡°Yeah,¡± I managed, brushing the back of my neck like that would somehow ground me. I was trying to act cool, but inside, I was freaking out. God, Rossi, get it together. ¡°Just¡­ wasn¡¯t expecting that.¡± Understatement of the century. And I hated that I wasn¡¯t smoother, that I was a stuttering, blushing mess. But she didn¡¯t seem to care. She just laughed softly, leaning in again, and this time her forehead rested against mine. My whole body buzzed, the electricity cranked up to eleven. I could feel her warmth, smell the faint floral scent of her hair, and every nerve ending in my body was screaming. I was officially losing my mind. ¡°I¡¯ve wanted to do that for a long time,¡± she murmured, her voice low and steady, like this was the most natural thing in the world. I exhaled sharply, a laugh escaping before I could stop it. ¡°Glad you did,¡± I said, and it came out so breathless and ridiculous that I almost cringed. But then I saw her grin, and suddenly I didn¡¯t care anymore. I was grinning too, my face heating up like I was on fire. And all I could think about was touching her again. More. Again. Always. Emily, my Emily, had kissed me. On the bridge of our ship. Moving, fuck knows how fast, away from Earth. And somehow, the vast unknown ahead didn¡¯t seem so terrifying anymore. In fact, it felt... possible. Exciting. Like maybe, just maybe, this whole thing was going to be okay. Across the bridge, Zoe sat at her console, pretending to be completely engrossed in whatever calculations she was doing. But I caught the slight twitch at the corners of her mouth, that telltale sign she was enjoying every second of this. She turned away, muttering something under her breath, but the faint sound of her giggle didn¡¯t escape me. She was on to us. And honestly? That just made me want to kiss Emily all over again. Emily nudged my arm gently, her voice low but carrying that spark of mischief that always made my chest tighten. ¡°Wanna head up to the observation deck?¡± she asked, her green eyes locking onto mine, full of something that made it impossible to think straight. ¡°I hear the view¡¯s pretty spectacular.¡± Just like that, the air shifted. We were in a completely different place. A new normal. Something I hadn¡¯t planned for but suddenly couldn¡¯t imagine not having. It wasn¡¯t just exciting, it was electric, the kind of moment that made you feel alive in ways you didn¡¯t even realize you needed. Captain¡¯s log, I muttered to myself as I followed her lead, my heart hammering like I¡¯d just sprinted a mile. Today, Emily kissed me. And I think I¡¯m in love. And also, maybe this is it. Maybe this is where everything starts. Or maybe¡­ I¡¯m just a horny mess. Who knows? Whatever it was, I wasn¡¯t about to miss it. Chapter 12 - The Observation Deck The observation deck was quiet, the kind of quiet that felt too big, like the ship was holding its breath. The faint hum of the systems was the only sound, barely enough to drown out my thoughts. Outside the glass wall, space stretched endlessly, streaks of light from the FTL drive fading into nothing. It was the kind of view that made you feel small. And maybe a little queasy. I leaned against the railing, arms crossed, staring out at the void. It wasn¡¯t just nothingness, it was alive, like it was staring back, waiting. The kind of waiting that made my skin crawl. What the hell are we doing out here? Emily stood beside me, her shoulders relaxed, but her hands fidgeting lightly at her sides. ¡°It¡¯s kind of eerie, isn¡¯t it?¡± she said, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft, hesitant, like she wasn¡¯t sure if she should be speaking at all. ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied, quieter than usual. ¡°Not much to see, but it still feels¡­ huge. Like it¡¯s waiting for us.¡± She turned her head, and I caught the way the light hit her jawline. Damn. My chest tightened, and for a second, I forgot what I was even looking at. ¡°You¡¯ve always liked the big picture stuff,¡± she said, her lips quirking into that small, knowing smile of hers. She always knew. I shrugged, hoping I didn¡¯t look as much of a mess as I felt. ¡°Someone has to think about it. Not like anyone else around here is losing sleep over where we¡¯re headed.¡± Dramatic? Maybe. But it was true. ¡°True,¡± she said, her smile growing. She glanced out at the stars or where they should¡¯ve been, then back at me. ¡°So, what keeps you up at night?¡± Her eyes were steady, cutting right through me like a laser. Damn, she was perceptive. I tightened my grip on the railing, my knuckles briefly brushing the cool metal. How was I supposed to answer that? Everything kept me up at night: the crew, the mission, and the terrifying realization that one wrong call could kill us all. But she was looking at me like she expected an answer, and something about that look made me want to give her one. My eyes betrayed me, drifting down the curve of her body. The light caught on her thighs, the way her uniform looked on her, the soft rise of her breasts. I looked away, suddenly finding the railing very interesting, before I yanked my focus back to her eyes. Get it together, Rossi. ¡°Everything,¡± I admitted. ¡°Keeping everyone alive. Making sure we don¡¯t screw this up. It¡¯s like¡­ we¡¯re out here with no safety net.¡± It felt like spilling my guts, and I hated it. Vulnerability wasn¡¯t my thing. But with Emily, it felt... okay. Like maybe I wasn¡¯t about to get ripped apart for admitting I wasn¡¯t invincible. She didn¡¯t answer right away, her green eyes studying me, like she was trying to figure me out. Her silence wasn¡¯t judging, rather it was grounding. Then, out of nowhere, she reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against my arm. Her touch was warm, even through my uniform, and it sent a jolt straight to my chest. ¡°You¡¯re not alone, you know,¡± she said, her voice soft. ¡°You¡¯ve got us. And we¡¯ve got you.¡± It wasn¡¯t just the words, it was how she said them. Sincere, steady, like she meant it. It caught me off guard, and I just stood there, staring at her like an idiot. For a moment, the knot in my stomach loosened, replaced by something lighter, warmer. I turned my head to look at her fully. She was close, much closer than I¡¯d realized. I could feel her warmth, see the rise and fall of her breath, and the way her eyes lingered on me made my pulse race. My mind was chaos, a jumble of what do I do now? and don¡¯t mess this up, and all I wanted was to pull her closer. Before I could stop myself, my eyes dropped to her lips. Just for a second. Then they snapped back up like I¡¯d been caught stealing something, my ears burned. Smooth, Rossi. Real smooth. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but the words got stuck somewhere between my throat and my tongue, and before I could untangle them, she leaned in, and the world narrowed to just her, just this. Her lips brushed mine. A tentative kiss. My heart skipped a beat, then hammered against my ribs. Is this really happening? Her lips were soft, warm, and for a split second, I just froze, like a total idiot. Then instinct took over, and I kissed her back. My hand landed on her hip, maybe a little too awkwardly, but she didn¡¯t pull away. Instead, she leaned in closer, and the world narrowed to just her, just this. It wasn¡¯t perfect, hell, it wasn¡¯t even close. I had no idea what I was doing, but the moment felt too fragile to mess up. Too much like a dream I didn¡¯t want to wake up from. A really good one. I wanted it to last forever.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. When we finally pulled back, Emily¡¯s cheeks were flushed, her smile small but a little shy. That threw me off more than the kiss itself. She was always so confident, seeing her like this was¡­ different. Intimidating, in a weird way. ¡°Sorry,¡± she murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Her voice was soft, uncertain. ¡°That was probably¡­ sudden.¡± I blinked, still trying to process the rush of it all and my palms were sweating like crazy. A short laugh escaped before I could stop it, my lips pulling into some awkward grin that probably made me look like a complete idiot. ¡°Yeah, sudden¡¯s one way to put it.¡± God, Luca, could you sound like a bigger dumbass? Her smile widened, and I could see her confidence coming back, like she¡¯d figured out I wasn¡¯t about to bolt. ¡°Was it bad?¡± she asked, her voice light, but there was a nervous edge to it. She was cute when she was nervous, really cute. My heart skipped again, like it was trying to kill me. ¡°No,¡± I said, my voice rough enough to make me clear my throat, trying to cover up how close I was to stammering. ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t bad.¡± Holy fuck, that was an understatement. It was incredible, and I was still trying to process what had just happened, replaying it over and over in my head.¡± Her eyes widened just a little, her smile softening, warming, and it hit me like a punch to the chest. I was completely mesmerized. And completely terrified. ¡°Really?¡± she asked, her voice quiet. ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, my voice somehow steadier than I felt. Inside, I was shaking so bad it felt like my bones were rattling. ¡°I just didn¡¯t think you¡¯d ever¡­ feel the same.¡± Because why would she? She¡¯s Emily. Gorgeous, totally out of my league. And now? ¡°Well,¡± she said, leaning in closer, her eyes sparkling in a way that made my stomach flip. ¡°Maybe I was just waiting for the right moment.¡± She was right, of course. She was incredible. Everything about her was amazing, and it made me want to scream. How the hell did I get here? Her fingers slid up my arms, tracing the muscle like she was figuring me out piece by piece. She leaned closer, her breath warm against my cheek, and and all I could think about was how much I wanted to kiss her again. And yeah, maybe do a hell of a lot more than kissing. My hands found the soft fabric of her uniform, just above her hips, pulling her closer until we were pressed together. It was like being hit with an electric shock and wrapped in the softest thing I¡¯d ever felt, all at once. A heated tension thrummed between us, a magnetic pull I couldn¡¯t resist, and didn¡¯t fucking want to. I was exhilarated and scared out of my mind all at the same time. Her lips met mine again, and this time? It was anything but tentative. It was eager, charged, like we were making up for every stolen glance, every thing we¡¯d never said. My head spun, and I was pretty sure I was about to pass out, but I didn¡¯t care. My hands tightened at her sides, then slid up her back, fingers brushing over the smooth fabric of her suit and the heat of her skin underneath. And yeah, I was hard. Of course I was. How could I not be? Her body molded against mine, soft and warm and everything I didn¡¯t know I¡¯d been waiting for. Her fingers curled into my hair, tugging gently, and I swear it sent sparks shooting straight down my spine. For a moment, I forgot about being terrified. Forgot that we were floating in the middle of nowhere, light-years away from everything. All I knew was this. Her. And I wanted it to last. Forever, if possible. ¡°I¡¯m glad you picked these uniforms,¡± I murmured against her lips, my voice rough with a mix of humor and desire. ¡°A bit tight, but, you know¡­¡± I couldn¡¯t help but tease her, even as every nerve ending thrumming with need. Emily laughed, her breath hitching as I trailed my hands down her sides. ¡°You¡¯ve never complained about tight before,¡± she teased, her grin widening as she caught my lower lip between her teeth, and I felt a surge of heat rush through me. ¡°Touch¨¦,¡± I replied, my hands finding their way back up, my thumbs brushing along the curve of her ribs before tracing higher. My fingers grazed her breasts, and I paused, feeling her shudder beneath my touch, and it made my breath catch in my throat. Her reaction sent a wave of heat through me, and I felt like I could do anything. My hands cupped her gently, tracing the soft lines of her body through the thin fabric of her suit. Emily¡¯s breath hitched, and she pressed into me, her movements somewhere between deliberate and instinctive, and I was hanging on by a thread. Her hands skimmed up my back, her fingers trailing along my spine, and every touch lit me up like a live wire. More. I needed more. ¡°You were always the explorer,¡± she whispered, her voice shaking but playful, her lips brushing against mine again. ¡°Always dragging us into one adventure after another.¡± She was trembling, but so was I. ¡°And you always followed,¡± I murmured, my words barely audible against her mouth. We were moving fast, too fast, and I couldn¡¯t bring myself to care. Her soft laugh melted into a gasp as my hands moved, exploring her curves with a mix of curiosity and awe. For all the teasing and urgency, there was this seriousness in how I touched her, like I was memorizing everything, the way her body responded, the way her breath hitched when my hand grazed her side. She was so beautiful, it made my chest ache, and I wanted to remember every inch of her, every second of this. Without breaking her gaze, my hand moved to the zipper of her suit. My fingers trembled as I pulled it down, the soft rasp of the zipper impossibly loud in the quiet observation deck. Cool air hit her skin, and she shivered, her breath catching as the zipper slid lower, stopping just at the curve of her bra. My breath was stuck somewhere between anticipation and disbelief. I paused, leaning in to kiss her again, slower this time, softer, letting myself feel every second of it. Her lips melted against mine, and she responded instantly, her hands sliding up to cradle the back of my neck. I could feel the warmth of her skin beneath my fingers, the rapid rise and fall of her breasts, and I was right there with her. I could hardly believe this was happening, not here, not now; but the thought only fueled the fire. I was so lost in her, so caught up in this moment, that nothing else mattered. Not the ship, not the void outside, not anything but her. Chapter 13 - Takin it Slow With a gentle nudge, she pushed me back toward the glass panel behind us, her eyes never leaving mine. I let her guide me, my breath quickening as the cold surface pressed against my back. Emily stepped closer, her hands finding their way to my shoulders, then sliding down my chest, and every inch of me ached for her touch. The warmth of her body beneath the tight fabric of her suit sent a thrill through me, and I could feel her trembling. One hand slid down to the small of her back, my fingers tracing a slow path down her spine beneath the thin fabric of her uniform. I wanted to feel her skin. Emily shivered, her eyes fluttering closed as my touch left trails of warmth in its wake. My breath brushed against her neck, and she tilted her head, inviting me closer. My other hand gently cupped her hip, my thumb making slow circles, grounding her in the moment, and we were both lost. ¡°You have no idea how amazing you make me feel,¡± I murmured against her ear, my voice rough, raw, and probably a little cheesy, but I didn¡¯t care. I meant it. Every word. Emily let out this soft, musical laugh that filled the observation deck, and even though my neck was burning, I couldn¡¯t help but smile. That laugh? It could fix anything. ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad I could be of service,¡± she teased, her eyes glinting with that mix of mischief and... something else. Nervousness? Maybe. She leaned back just enough to meet my eyes, and I felt like I could get lost in there forever. Honestly? I was ready to. A grin pulled at my lips even. God, Rossi, get a grip. ¡°I mean it,¡± I said, quieter now, like the words might break if I said them too loud. Vulnerable wasn¡¯t really my thing, but with her? It felt... right. ¡°I know you do,¡± she replied softly, her hand drifting to my chest. I felt her touch through the suit, light and deliberate. Her fingers found the zipper of my suit, tugging it just enough to let her fingertips brush against my skin. A shiver ran through me, sharp and undeniable. Her hand rested there, over my heart, like she could feel it racing, and it was grounding and electrifying all at once. And yet, a small part of me wanted to bolt. To run. Because this was big, much bigger than I¡¯d ever let myself imagine. It scared the shit out of me. ¡°So why didn¡¯t you ever ask me out?¡± Emily¡¯s voice was soft, playful, but she searched my face, looking for something real. There was a flicker of insecurity there, something I wasn¡¯t used to seeing from her. It hit me like a punch to the gut. I froze. Like, full-on deer-in-headlights froze. Did she just ask me that? My lips parted, but nothing came out. Of course, you didn¡¯t ask her out, idiot. She¡¯s Emily. She''s everything, and you¡¯re... you. Finally, I managed to look at her, and I knew my face was a mess, a mix of shyness, longing, and whatever else was swirling inside me. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t want to ruin our friendship,¡± I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. It sounded stupid even as I said it, but it was the truth. And now, saying it out loud, I felt so exposed, like I¡¯d just laid my whole heart on the table for her to pick apart. Emily¡¯s expression softened, her lips curving into a smile so gentle it made my chest ache. But her cheeks were pink too, and that small vulnerability in her made me feel less alone. She reached up, brushing a stray strand of hair from my forehead, her fingers lingering against my skin like she was trying to steady me or herself. It felt great. ¡°Oh, Luca,¡± she said with a quiet laugh, warm and teasing but just a little shaky, like she was nervous too. Her tone made my heart swell, like it was trying to burst right out of my chest. ¡°You¡¯re so silly. We¡¯ve been friends for years, and if anything, it¡¯s about time we took things to the next level.¡± The way she said it, like she¡¯d rehearsed the line, was so damn cute it made me want to grab her and never let go. This is happening. I could barely wrap my head around it. Holy shit, this is actually happening. Her words hit me like a shockwave, and for a second, I couldn¡¯t breathe. ¡°Really?¡± I asked, my voice quieter than I wanted, almost disbelieving. ¡°You just¡­ wanted this?¡± ¡°Absolutely,¡± Emily said, her fingers sliding down to intertwine with mine. The warmth of her touch sent a spark straight through me. She gave my hand a light squeeze, tugging me closer, her confidence making it impossible to resist. ¡°Now come here,¡± she said, and my heart pounded so loud it drowned out everything else. This can¡¯t be real. She pulled me into a kiss, her lips warm and eager against mine. Every nerve in my body lit up. I leaned in, one arm wrapping around her, drawing her closer until her body was flush against mine. Emily pressed closer, her free hand sliding up to rest on my chest, and I could feel the rhythm of her heartbeat syncing with mine. I was lost in her, completely. This wasn¡¯t just right, it was everything. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to risk losing you,¡± I murmured, hoarse and breathless, my forehead resting against hers as we paused for air. I needed her to know how much she meant to me, and honestly? I just needed her, period. Her eyes softened as she looked up at me, something in her eyes that made my chest ache. She was trembling just a little, and it hit me how much this meant to her, too. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have lost me, Luca,¡± she said quietly, brushing her thumb along my cheek. Her voice cracked slightly, like she was trying to reassure both of us. ¡°Not now. Not ever.¡±Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. The way she said it, like she was clinging to the words as much as I was, made me feel less alone. We were both lost in this, figuring it out as we went, and that somehow made it even better. Her words hung in the air for a beat before she leaned in again, her lips crashing into mine with a hunger that hadn¡¯t been there before. This kiss wasn¡¯t tentative, it was all urgency, all demand, like we were making up for every second we¡¯d held back. And yeah, it scared me a little. Emily¡¯s hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as I pressed her gently back against the cold wall of the ship. Everything else, like time, space, the fact that we were in the middle of nowhere, just disappeared. My hands roamed up her sides, her suit thin enough that I could feel the curve of her body underneath. I wanted more, needed more. My lips trailed down her jaw, finding the soft skin of her neck, and when she shivered under my touch, it sent a jolt straight through me. I kissed her collarbone, the delicate line of it, dipping lower until her breath hitched, and it was the most intoxicating sound I¡¯d ever heard. Her fingers curled into my shoulders, her nails pressing just enough to make me hiss softly against her skin. She arched into me, her body fitting against mine like this was what we were made for. Every nerve in my body screamed for more. I slid my hands down her back, finally reaching the curve of her lower back, pulling her impossibly closer. I didn¡¯t want this to end and couldn¡¯t imagine it ending. ¡°Luca,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling, full of something that made my heart slam against my ribs. Certainty? Anticipation? Both? Her arms wrapped around my neck, her fingers curling deeper into my hair, and when our kiss deepened, when her tongue brushed mine, all coherent thought vanished. Holy shit. Her nails grazed the back of my neck, and it sent a shiver so sharp down my spine that I pressed even closer to her, instinct taking over completely. But then the reality of it hit me. The tight confines of my suit, the maddening barrier between us, kept everything pent up, leaving my arousal coiled and tense, my entire body practically vibrating with need. My chest tightened as I processed what was happening, my breaths uneven and shallow. Holy fuck, did she really just¡­? I couldn¡¯t stop. Couldn¡¯t fucking think. Emily was all I could feel, all I could see, all I could want, and every ounce of logic in my head had officially clocked out We pulled apart, both breathless, our faces inches apart, and I felt like I¡¯d just landed on an alien planet; new, strange, and completely overwhelming. Emily¡¯s eyes locked onto mine, bright and full of something that made it impossible to think straight. Longing? Mischief? Desire? Probably all of it. Her hand slid down my chest, slow and deliberate, her fingers brushing the unmistakable bulge in my suit. She bit her lip, her cheeks flushing in a way that was equal parts innocent and not, and I felt a jolt of electricity shoot through me, followed by sheer terror. Oh God, her tongue. What just happened? I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. When did she get so bold? The moment felt huge, like all the air had been sucked out of the room. This was everything I¡¯d wanted for so long, but now that it was happening, I was overwhelmed, struggling to take it all in. It was exhilarating and terrifying, like playing a game where the rules changed every second. And God, I didn¡¯t want to mess this up. The air between us was thick, heavy with emotions I couldn¡¯t name, anticipation coiling tight in my chest. It was so much, too much, but I couldn¡¯t look away. Couldn¡¯t move. ¡°I¡¯ve never done this before,¡± I blurted, my voice hoarse and barely audible. My face burned, and I wanted to crawl out of my skin. Why the hell did I just say that? The words hung there, and for a second, I thought I¡¯d ruined everything. Emily¡¯s smile softened, her hand sliding to trace lazy circles on the back of mine. ¡°Me neither,¡± she said quietly, her voice steady but warm. She¡¯s nervous too? That realization hit like a wave, and it was strangely comforting. At least I wasn¡¯t alone in whatever this mess was. We both let out these awkward laughs: hers soft and musical, mine rough and uneven. It broke the tension for a moment, but the pull between us was still there, impossible to ignore. The memory of her tongue darting out to brush my lips flashed in my mind, and I had to physically stop myself from groaning out loud. The laughter faded, replaced by something quieter, heavier. Her eyes softened as she tilted her head, brushing her lips against mine again, and I couldn¡¯t help it, I leaned into her, wanting more. Always more. ¡°It¡¯s okay if we take it slow,¡± she murmured, her voice gentle and grounding. The words hit like a lifeline, and relief washed over me. Slow. I could do slow. But God, I wanted to pull her closer, kiss her again, let her know just how badly I needed her. I exhaled deeply, relief flooding through me as her words settled something inside I hadn¡¯t even realized was broken. My heart felt like it stopped for a second, only to start pounding all over again. I¡¯d been so afraid of messing this up, of disappointing her, but now? Now it felt like maybe I hadn¡¯t. ¡°Okay,¡± I murmured, a sense of calm washing over me, even as the adrenaline still thrummed through my veins. She had completely taken my breath away. With shaking hands, I cupped her face, my thumbs brushing softly against her cheeks as I leaned in again. My chest tightened with want, and yeah, a little bit of terror too. This kiss was different, slower, deliberate, like we were memorizing the feel of each other while trying to navigate the uncharted territory we¡¯d thrown ourselves into. Our lips moved in a quiet rhythm, exploring, promising. I couldn''t stop thinking about her tongue from earlier. God, I wanted to feel that again. Emily leaned into me, her hands sliding to my shoulders, and the warmth of her touch sent a rush of pure need straight through me. The way she sighed against my mouth? Sparks. Confidence. Everything I didn¡¯t know I needed. My fingers tangled in her hair, tugging gently, and when she let out a soft moan against my lips, it sent a tremble through my entire body. I wanted her, needed her; but also, God, I wanted to savor this moment, hold onto it like it was the last thing I¡¯d ever feel. Then she pulled back, slowly, her forehead resting against mine, and it was the perfect mix of right and torture. Her breaths came in soft, uneven gasps, her hands steady on my chest like she was grounding us both. She was calm, but I could feel the heat radiating off her, see it in the way her cheeks flushed. ¡°I think we should stop here for tonight,¡± she said, her voice breathless but firm, her green emerald searching mine for understanding. She was right. I hated that she was right. I nodded, swallowing hard as I tried to get my racing heart under control. ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, my voice rougher than I wanted. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re probably right.¡± Even though every part of me screamed to keep going, to hold onto her just a little longer. Chapter 14 - Dreams Emily smiled, her thumb brushing along my jawline, and my heart did this weird flip, like it couldn¡¯t figure out whether to race or stop altogether. ¡°We have the rest of our lives to figure this out,¡± she said softly, her words landing like a balm on my chaotic thoughts. Say that again. A million more times. I let out a laugh: soft, awkward, and maybe a little giddy. My cheeks burned as I fumbled with the zipper of my suit, more out of nervous habit than anything else. ¡°Yeah. I got you.¡± I was a mess, but it felt... good. A good mess. ¡°I¡¯m glad we did this,¡± I murmured, my lips brushing against her hair. Her scent clung to me, sweet and warm, and I knew it was something I¡¯d never forget. Emily nodded, resting her head on my shoulder. ¡°I feel the same way,¡± she said, and then her voice took on this playful edge as she looked up at me. ¡°And now, you belong to me.¡± I blinked, her words hitting me sideways. What the hell does that mean? My laugh came out soft, but I could feel the heat rising in my face again. ¡°I guess I do,¡± I said, still feeling unsteady, like I was walking on uneven ground. But I didn¡¯t mind. Actually, I liked it. A lot. I was hers, and that realization settled over me like a weird kind of relief. Emily¡¯s arms tightened around me, pulling me closer, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. ¡°You have no idea how happy you make me,¡± she whispered into my ear, her breath sending a jolt right through me, and I could feel my body responding to her like a puppet on a string. She pressed a light kiss against the curve of my ear, her lips warm and lingering, and then that damn hand went down there, again, and I felt hot. ¡°You know,¡± she added, ¡°You got pretty excited down there.¡± She had to do that, didn¡¯t she? Just a little teasing, just to make sure that I would not, you know, get over it. My face felt warm, because yeah, I did, and then my thumb traced the outline of her perky nipples, and I swear, I almost blacked out. ¡°Hey,¡± I said softly, my voice a little shaky. ¡°You got pretty excited yourself.¡± We could both feel this, and I knew it, and maybe that was a good thing. ¡°We can take this at our own pace.¡± I needed a second, and also, I wanted more, right now, and I hated her for making me feel like this, and I wanted her more than ever. Emily let out a nervous laugh, leaning back into me to hide the growing warmth in her face, and that was cute. ¡°You¡¯re really bad at taking hints, you know that?¡± she said, her tone light but edged with something deeper, and I wondered if that ¡®something deeper¡¯ was love, or was it just a physical thing? She rested her head back on my shoulder, ¡°Like back at that portal, the Dust Enclave.¡± I frowned slightly, caught off guard and completely thrown off my train of thought, and then, that jealous memory went off. ¡°The Dust Enclave?¡± What the hell was she talking about? ¡°Level 54 portal, in Mars,¡± Emily said, her words deliberate now, and then I remembered her, that girl. ¡°That girl you tried to ask out. You have no idea how jealous I was.¡± Oh. Oh shit. My jaw dropped slightly. I felt hot and confused. ¡°Wait, you were jealous? Of her?¡± I couldn''t believe what I was hearing; my brain was short-circuiting. That girl was hot, but Em? There was no comparison. Emily pulled back enough to meet my eyes, her own sparkling with a mix of playfulness and honesty. ¡°Yes, of her. She wasn¡¯t right for you, not even close, but you couldn¡¯t see it. And the worst part was I couldn¡¯t tell you why it bothered me so much.¡± And then she smirked, just like she knew exactly what she was doing. I blinked, the memory surfacing with a vivid clarity that made me laugh despite myself. ¡°You mean when she turned me down in front of the whole group? That was brutal.¡± I really did not handle that well, and I was still embarrassed by it. Emily grinned, her cheeks still pink, which was really cute. ¡°Brutal for you. Satisfying for me.¡± She bit her lip, her eyes sparkling, and I just wanted to kiss her, again, so bad. ¡°I didn¡¯t know how to say it back then, but¡­ I guess I¡¯ve liked you for a long time, Luca.¡± And her words were like a drug, and I wanted to hear them every day, every hour, every minute. My breath hitched. ¡°Emily¡­¡± I started, my heart pounding in my chest, and my palms were sweaty again, and I wanted to kiss her, again. She cut me off with a light press of her fingers against my lips, and that made me want her even more. ¡°You don¡¯t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know.¡± What the hell am I supposed to do with that information? I was completely overwhelmed. I caught her hand in mine, holding it against my chest, and I needed to feel connected to her. ¡°I wish I¡¯d known,¡± I said, my voice barely above a whisper, and everything in that moment felt surreal, and perfect. ¡°Maybe things would¡¯ve been different.¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± Emily replied, her smile softening. ¡°But we¡¯re here now, aren¡¯t we?¡± and I suddenly wanted to make that our mantra. I nodded, pulling her close again, unable to help myself. ¡°Yeah. We are.¡± And that was all that mattered, everything in that moment was all that ever mattered. And also, I was hard as a rock. Great, Luca muttered to himself. Real mature. But Emily''s confession about being jealous? That was...unexpected. And the way she was teasing me? That was driving me insane. My fingers gently intertwined with Emily¡¯s as we stood together under the soft glow of the Triumph of Darron¡¯s interior lights, and I could feel that things had changed, that we were never going to be the same. Shit was heavy, and we both knew it, and I was trying so hard to pretend that everything was fine, before I finally broke the silence. ¡°How about we get some rest now?¡± I murmured, my voice low as I leaned slightly closer, and I wanted to kiss her again, right then and there, to lose myself in her again. ¡°We¡¯ve got an early start tomorrow.¡± Ugh, responsibility. And this damn ache in my groin.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Emily pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, her gentle smile, and her green eyes were sparkling, and my heart skipped a beat, like a nervous little idiot. ¡°You¡¯re right. We should get some rest,¡± she agreed, her tone soft but tinged with reluctance, like she was fighting with herself to not ask me to stay, and that was so damn hot. We walked together to our cabins, me keeping her hand in mine as if I was a little kid, afraid of letting go of the only lifeline I had left, and the ship was so damn quiet. The faint hum of the ship¡¯s systems and the muted glow of corridor lights surrounded us, and I wanted to break that quiet, but I wasn''t ready yet. My heart was still racing, and I was a mess. When we stopped at her door, Emily turned to face me, her expression open and unguarded, and I wondered what she was thinking, what she was feeling, and then I suddenly became terrified. She wanted to say something, I knew it, maybe invite me in to her bed, and that thought made my heart hammer against my chest. ¡°Goodnight, Luca,¡± she said, her voice sexy as fuck, and all I wanted to do was kiss her, again. ¡°You too, Em,¡± I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, even though I was internally screaming, and it was hard to do that when I just wanted to touch her. Forcing myself to step back, I watched as she disappeared into her cabin, and I felt a pang of longing hit me, like I had just lost a part of myself. The door slid shut, leaving me standing in the dim hallway with my thoughts, and I felt so lost, and so alone.
I exhaled deeply, running a hand through my hair, hating that she was gone, even if it was just for a while. A part of me felt like I was still there with her, still on the observation deck, her body pressed against mine, her lips on mine. And then reality hit: I¡¯d been this close to losing control, to letting the heat of the moment take us somewhere neither of us was ready to go. It was so damn hard to remember that she had been the one to stop, that we¡¯d both somehow managed to be adults about it. Both of us. And yet, here I was, my body still humming, my mind stuck on the way her touch had set me on fire. Damn. She was perfect. Absolutely, maddeningly perfect. I turned on my heel and made my way back to my cabin. The door slid shut behind me with a soft hiss, and suddenly, the room felt way too small. Stifling. Like the walls were closing in. I leaned against the door, pressing my forehead against the cool metal, trying to steady my breathing, trying to calm the whirlwind in my head. I¡¯m a captain, I reminded myself. Not a horny teenager. But God, it didn¡¯t feel that way. Not even a little. Get it together, Rossi. Stripping off my bodysuit turned into a full-on battle, the damp fabric clinging to my skin like it was mocking me, reminding me of just how close I¡¯d come to completely unraveling. My cheeks burned as I yanked it down and kicked it aside, standing there in the cool air in nothing but my frustration. My heart was still pounding, my body still tense, and I felt so damn inadequate. Not like the guy I wanted to be for her. Just... me. Messy, flawed, barely-in-control me. I glanced toward the small shower unit in the corner, already knowing it was the only way to cool down. Or at least pretend to. With a sigh, I stepped in, letting the hot water pour over me. The heat didn¡¯t help, not really. It just made the ache in my chest worse. The memory of her smile, the way she looked at me, the way she wanted me back... it didn¡¯t make sense. It didn¡¯t feel real. Emily was... everything. She was the girl I¡¯d been chasing forever, the one I never thought I¡¯d have a chance with. And now she liked me back? Liked me. What the hell was I supposed to do with that? The water ran down my face, washing away the sweat and some of the intensity of the evening, but not enough. My thoughts were still spinning, tangled in a web of disbelief and longing and absolute chaos.
That night, my dreams were a blur of Emily: her freckles, the way her hair fell in those loose waves over her shoulders, the way she smiled at me like she knew exactly what she was doing. It was driving me insane. Every detail was so vivid, so real, it felt like she was right there, her body pressed against mine, her confidence pulling me in, and yeah, of course I got hard. I tossed and turned, her presence lingering in my mind like a drug I couldn¡¯t quit, leaving me feeling like a mess. I hated her for it, for the way she could completely undo me, but God, I wanted her more than ever. I probably had a wet dream. Probably. The thought made me cringe, and then that cringe flipped into something darker, deeper. Desire. Need. I just¡­ needed her. When I woke up in the middle of the night, my body was drenched in sweat, the sheets tangled and clinging to me like some cruel joke. My breath was ragged, my chest tight, and it hit me all at once: I¡¯d been imagining her there. With me. Her touch, her scent, her everything. I shoved the sheets aside, sitting up and pressing the heels of my hands against my eyes, trying to get a grip. My body was screaming, and it felt like I was going to explode. It had only been a few hours since I¡¯d kissed her, touched her, and already, the ache was unbearable. The longing for Emily wasn¡¯t just in my head, it was in my chest, my skin, my everything. It was frustrating and electric all at once, like a wire humming with too much current. The thought of pulling her into my bed right now, of walking to her room and kissing her until we both forgot where we were, it was tempting. Too tempting. And it scared the hell out of me.
I leaned back against the cool metal wall of my cabin, staring at the faint glow of the console across the room. This just happened. Everything had changed, and I didn¡¯t even know where to begin. My brain was stuck on an endless loop of what the hell just happened and what the hell happens next. Sleep wasn¡¯t happening. Nope, not with my thoughts spinning like this, and definitely not with the way my body still hummed from her touch. I was frustrated, restless, and already aching for the next time I could hold her again. How was this supposed to work? Months of travel, living in these cramped quarters, with every second spent fighting this pull toward her. And the terrifying, unavoidable thought: What if I¡¯m not good enough? Her legs, her breasts, her smile, her laugh. Her everything. It was perfect, and it was overwhelming, and I was completely screwed. ¡°Just one day at a time,¡± I muttered under my breath, running a hand through my damp hair. The words sounded so hollow, so lame, and I hated myself for saying them. But it was the truth. It wasn¡¯t going to be easy. I wasn¡¯t na?ve enough to think it would be. But for her? For us? Hell, it had to be worth it. She was always worth it. This is it, I told myself. No turning back. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, the cold floor sending a jolt through me, grounding me. With a deep breath, I walked to the small sink in the corner of my cabin. Splashing water on my face, I let the coolness chase away the lingering heat from my restless dreams, but it didn¡¯t help. Not even a little. I still wanted her. Still couldn¡¯t stop thinking about her. Still felt like I was going to explode under the weight of it all, this longing, this fear, this need. I gripped the edge of the sink, the metal cold under my fingers, and stared at my reflection. Focus, Rossi. If I didn¡¯t get my shit together, I wasn¡¯t going to survive this trip. Captain''s log, I muttered to myself, a wry, shaky laugh escaping. Today, I almost lost myself. And I don¡¯t know what the fuck I¡¯m doing. What a mess. I shut my eyes, letting the water soak into my hair, letting myself feel the weight of everything. What a beautiful, messed-up mess. Chapter 15 - The Morning Walking down the corridor to the galley with Emily felt like walking a tightrope, one wrong move, and I was going to fall hard. Her hand brushed against mine, lingering just long enough to make my heart stutter. Or maybe that was just my body, gearing up for something I didn¡¯t even know how to handle. She smiled, looped her arm through mine, and leaned into me as we walked, and fuck, I was so glad we were doing this. I was so glad she was here, that she actually liked me. What the hell is happening? ¡°Someone¡¯s in a good mood,¡± I said, my tone teasing because that¡¯s what I do, right? Be cool, be casual, even though my heart was pounding and all I wanted was to kiss her again. I couldn¡¯t stop the grin spreading across my face, even though I felt like a total idiot. ¡°Can¡¯t imagine why,¡± Emily replied, looking up at me, eyes sparkling like they could see right through me. They were so damn bright it made my face heat up, and yeah, I knew I probably looked like a loser. She rested her head lightly on my shoulder for a moment, letting the silence between us settle, and I was trying and failing to figure out what to say next. Also, trying to stop myself from kissing her right here in the hallway. She was playing me like a damn fiddle, and I hated it. And I loved it. Just before we reached the galley doors, she straightened, slipping her arm free and smoothing her hair in one of those casual gestures that drove me insane. I shot her a questioning look; I couldn¡¯t help myself,but she just smirked, daring me to say something. And God, I wanted her so bad it hurt. We stepped into the galley, the warm smells of breakfast mingling with the low hum of conversation. Most of the crew lingered in their pajamas, taking advantage of the slower morning pace. I was trying to pretend I was over it, over her, over last night, but let¡¯s be honest, I wasn¡¯t fooling anyone. Least of all myself. Emily had this way of pulling me out of my own head with just a glance, and yeah, I could feel her eyes on me. Focus, Rossi. Don¡¯t let her into your head. You¡¯ve got shit to do today. Emily wrapped her arms around herself, glancing sideways at me with that damn smirk she always wore when she was about to throw me for a loop. ¡°I barely slept last night. My cabin¡¯s freezing. I think there¡¯s a draft.¡± Her tone was casual, but there was something about the way she looked at me, like she was waiting for something, that threw me off. Why was she looking at me like that? She had to be testing me. Nope. Nope. I have to focus. I grabbed a slice of toast, keeping my eyes firmly on the food, not her. I wasn¡¯t about to let her pull me in again. Not today. ¡°Huh. That sucks,¡± I said, taking a bite like I had it all together, even though my brain was still replaying last night on a loop. ¡°Mine¡¯s warm and cozy, I slept like a baby.¡± Keep it cool, Rossi. Toast. Breakfast. That¡¯s all that matters right now. The toast was good, buttery and crunchy, and I chewed thoughtfully, letting my brain shift gears. If her cabin was cold, she¡¯d need another blanket. Or two. Maybe three. I could picture her snuggled under a pile of them, her hair messy, cheeks pink from the warmth. Cute as hell. Yeah. That¡¯s what she needs. More blankets. Totally practical solution. ¡°You should grab another blanket from storage,¡± I said, swallowing my toast. ¡°Plenty of extras.¡± Emily stared at me, her lips pressing into a tight line, and for a second, I thought she might actually appreciate my advice. But then her brow twitched, and her expression shifted into something sharp. Oh. Oh no. ¡°Yeah. Thanks for the brilliant idea, Captain Obvious,¡± she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. I grinned, refusing to let her tone faze me. She¡¯d be fine once she had more blankets. She just didn¡¯t know it yet. ¡°Anytime,¡± I said, feeling way too pleased with myself. See? Problem solved. Nice and simple. But Emily? She huffed, turning toward the coffee machine with a flick of her hair, and I got the distinct impression I¡¯d missed something. Again. What? She¡¯s cold. Blankets fix cold. What else could she possibly mean? Nope. Not going there. I shoved another piece of toast in my mouth, focusing on breakfast. Emily was messing with me, sure, but I wasn¡¯t going to let her derail my whole day. Focus, Rossi. Eat the damn toast. You¡¯ve got shit to do.
After breakfast, I headed up to the bridge, trying to shake the lingering buzz of energy that wasn¡¯t from coffee. The FTL drive hummed steadily, the ship¡¯s systems running smooth, and everything was¡­ quiet. Too quiet. It was almost peaceful, but also unnervingly dull, and my brain was already threatening to wander back to Emily. Nope. Not going there. I slouched into the captain¡¯s chair, elbows resting on the armrests as I scanned the displays, trying to look like I had everything under control. Like I wasn¡¯t already climbing the walls. Navigation was locked, power distribution was steady, and there wasn¡¯t a single damn thing happening. I was bored out of my mind. And worse? I had this nagging feeling like I¡¯d forgotten something important. What the hell was I missing? Leaning forward, I stared at the power grid interface, squinting like it might give me an answer. At first, everything looked fine. But then I spotted a small fluctuation in the auxiliary reserves. Nothing big, nothing critical, but it was something. And something was exactly what I needed to keep myself sane. I frowned, reaching for the console with what I hoped looked like deliberate confidence, but my hands were already shaking a little. Cool, Rossi. Look like you know what you¡¯re doing. I hovered awkwardly over the controls, pretending I wasn¡¯t second-guessing myself, and started tapping through the menus. I had to backtrack twice because apparently, I was still an idiot who couldn¡¯t remember where the settings were, but eventually, I got there. And no, I wasn¡¯t thinking about Emily. Not even a little. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. The fluctuation wasn¡¯t a big deal, but it bothered me enough to latch onto it. Adjusting the load balance would give me something to do, even if it was completely unnecessary. My fingers hovered over the controls, more awkward than I wanted to admit, before I finally started redistributing the power. Each input felt too careful, too deliberate, like I was trying to make it seem more complicated than it was. The graphs shifted, the fluctuation smoothed out, and the system looked¡­ fine. I leaned back, nodding to myself like I¡¯d just solved world hunger. ¡°There,¡± I muttered. It wasn¡¯t anything impressive, just a tiny adjustment no one else would probably notice, but it mattered to me. Over the next week, maybe it¡¯d save a few hours of energy. Maybe not. Who cared? At least I¡¯d done something.
I rubbed the back of my neck, staring at the console like it might give me answers, but all it did was reflect how stuck I was. The routine was setting in, and while that was supposed to be comforting, it just gave my brain too much room to wander. And where did it always go? Emily. Her smile, her green eyes, her lips. What¡¯s next? I thought, glancing around the empty bridge. All I wanted was to see her again, and it was messing me up. The crew was fine, mostly. Ryan had been pricklier than usual, snapping at anyone who got too close, and Zoe? Yeah, no. Not touching that with a ten-foot pole. Those two were like magnets, attracting one second, repelling the next and it was terrifying to watch. I exhaled sharply, pushing myself out of the chair. Sitting here was torture, and I needed to do something, anything, to distract myself. What¡¯s Emily doing right now? I shook my head, trying to shake the thought loose. The bridge didn¡¯t need me, but engineering? Engineering was always worth a visit. At least it would get me out of this chair before I completely lost it. Ryan was crouched by the drone bay, a wrench in one hand, his tablet in the other. The faint hum of the room was broken by the occasional clink of tools. ¡°Hey,¡± I called, leaning casually against the doorframe. ¡°Got a sec?¡± I needed a distraction, even if it was just talking to Ryan, and also, what was Emily even doing? Ryan glanced up, raising an eyebrow, ¡°What¡¯s up, Cap?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a fluctuation in the auxiliary power grid,¡± I said, stepping inside and pointing vaguely toward the wall panels, and it was so damn hot in here. ¡°I noticed it earlier. Something tied to the drones¡¯ recharge cycles, maybe?¡± What a nerd. I just needed something to do, something to say, something to distract myself with. Ryan set the wrench down, pulling the tablet into both hands as he scanned the readouts. ¡°Huh. Yeah, I see it now. Just a tiny dip. Nothing critical.¡± He sounded a little too amused by it. ¡°Should we adjust the recharge intervals?¡± I asked. ¡°Spread out the load, or¡­?¡± I wanted to be helpful, and see if I could distract myself from my thoughts. Ryan shrugged, leaning back on his heels. ¡°We could, but it¡¯s not really worth the effort.¡± I frowned slightly, why the hell was he being like this? ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°Because it doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Ryan said, his tone light. ¡°We¡¯ve got fuel for years. This reactor¡¯s running on uranium, remember? You don¡¯t ¡®burn¡¯ through it like gasoline or something. The limiting factor on these systems is time wear and tear, long before it¡¯s fuel consumption.¡± He was right, I knew that, and yet¡­ ¡°Oh.¡± My frown eased, even though I still felt annoyed at him, at myself, at everything. ¡°So efficiency isn¡¯t a big deal?¡± What a dumbass question. What are you even doing, Rossi? ¡°Nah,¡± Ryan replied. ¡°Not at this level, anyway. A percentage here or there isn¡¯t going to change anything meaningful. If it¡¯s making you twitchy, I can smooth it out, but it¡¯s barely a blip.¡± I shook my head, trying to shove all the weird thoughts out of my brain. ¡°Nah, leave it. Just wanted to make sure I wasn¡¯t missing something.¡± Or maybe I¡¯m missing someone. ¡°You¡¯re not,¡± Ryan said, picking up the wrench again. ¡°Relax, Captain. This ship¡¯s got a long road ahead, and she¡¯s built to take it.¡± And yeah, I really hoped he was right about the ship, about everything, because I wasn¡¯t sure how I was going to survive this trip without losing my mind.
With nothing pressing to handle, I decided to hit the gym. Maybe if I pushed myself hard enough, I¡¯d stop thinking about everything, especially about Emily. The ship had settled into its usual rhythm, with the crew scattered to their tasks or hiding in their usual corners. Nobody needed me. That thought crept in, bringing a strange mix of uselessness and panic. If nobody needed me, why was I even here? What did that make me? The ship was basically on autopilot, and I was starting to feel like a glorified babysitter with too much time to think. And of course, my brain spiraled. Why had Emily been so quiet this morning? Maybe she was over it. Maybe she¡¯d realized it was all a huge mistake. Maybe the FTL drive had killed us, and this was hell. Focus, Rossi. Gym. Sweat it out. First, I needed to change, and yeah, maybe show off a little while I was at it. Back in my cabin, I stepped inside and let the door slide shut behind me. The room was still plain, but after three weeks, it had started to feel like mine. My blanket was uneven across the bed, my well-worn RISK board sat propped on the desk, next to my energy tomahawk. It was a little piece of Earth reminding me of who I was supposed to be. Captain. Leader. Scared kid trying to fake it. It was comforting and suffocating all at once, a constant reminder that I was so far away from home, and nothing was ever going to be the same. I reached for the zipper on my bodysuit, peeling it off in one smooth motion. Over time, the suit had softened, molding to my shape without squeezing, and fine, I¡¯d admit it, it looked good. I looked good, we all did. Hanging the suit neatly in the small closet, I paused. Emily and Zoe. My brain immediately went to their faces, their smug little grins when they¡¯d picked these suits out like it was a team-building exercise. Of course, they¡¯d nailed it. As usual. They¡¯d been right about everything, about the suits, about the crew, about me. Even when I hadn¡¯t been right about myself. I shook my head, grabbing a clean set of gym clothes. Gym, Rossi. Just get to the gym. The rest would have to wait. Pulling open a drawer, I rummaged for my gym clothes, the routine feeling oddly hollow. The clothes felt so small, so simple, compared to the mess in my head. I grabbed a pair of shorts and a soft gray t-shirt, tossing them onto the bed. Sliding into them was second nature now; the shirt snugs enough to show off the definition I¡¯d worked for, the loose shorts giving me room to move. I tied my shoes, grabbed a water bottle, and stepped into the corridor. The air felt cooler here, cleaner, and I told myself I was ready to get my sweat on. Anything to stop the spiraling thoughts. I was tired, yeah, but the gym was better than being stuck alone in my head, chasing circles I couldn¡¯t escape. Maybe the gym would clear my mind. Maybe it¡¯d give me something to focus on besides her smile, her voice, her everything. There wasn¡¯t much else to do. The ship didn¡¯t need me right now, and I wasn¡¯t exactly in the mood to boss anyone around, not that I ever really liked doing that. No, I needed this. I felt like I was losing it, like my grip was slipping. Maybe it was my turn to lose control, just for a little while. Yeah. Maybe. Chapter 16 - Danny at the Gym When the gym door slid open, I didn¡¯t expect to see Danny on one of the treadmills, walking at a steady pace while staring at his tablet like it held the secrets of the universe. I paused for a second, caught off guard. Danny? In the gym? The rhythmic hum of the treadmill filled the otherwise empty room, the quiet so sharp it made my ears ring. I suddenly felt like an intruder in his space, watching him so focused, so tuned in. Maybe that¡¯s why Zoe¡¯s so smitten with him. He had this energy, this calm control that made him seem way more put together than the rest of us. And okay, yeah, it was kind of¡­ magnetic. ¡°Didn¡¯t think anyone else would be here,¡± I said, stepping inside. My voice sounded louder than I wanted it to, and I wasn¡¯t even sure why I was talking. I had expected Chris, or maybe Ryan, not Danny. Danny glanced up briefly, flashing a quick grin before looking back at his tablet, like it was no big deal. He looked¡­ good. His red curly hair was all tousled, like he¡¯d just rolled out of bed. Zoe loves that look on him, doesn¡¯t she? ¡°Needed to stretch my legs,¡± Danny said casually. ¡°Been cooped up in the lab too much.¡± I nodded, dropping my water bottle on a bench and stretching my arms overhead. My whole plan to distract myself at the gym suddenly felt shaky. What is it about Danny? What does Zoe see in him? I knew I shouldn¡¯t care, but I did. ¡°Figured you¡¯d be buried under work,¡± I said, trying to sound casual. ¡°Things piling up?¡± Maybe he¡¯d screwed something up, maybe I could actually make myself useful for once. ¡°Not exactly piling up,¡± Danny said, his tone light, like all of this was just no big deal to him. ¡°Just¡­ there¡¯s so much to do. You know how it is when you¡¯re deep into something you love? I could stay in the lab for days if I didn¡¯t force myself out.¡± Nerd. The thought flickered before I could stop it, and I immediately hated myself for it. That was Zoe¡¯s thing, not mine. But, okay, I couldn¡¯t deny it, I was kind of impressed by his energy. And maybe even a little jealous. He looked genuinely happy, totally at ease, while I was over here a walking disaster. Is this envy? Great. Add that to the list. I smirked, grabbing a set of dumbbells and settling into a set of curls. The familiar motion felt good, grounding me a little, helping me work out the tension that had been coiled up since breakfast. I needed this, needed to move, to sweat, to focus on anything that wasn¡¯t her. ¡°Can¡¯t say I relate,¡± I said, my voice dripping with casual self-deprecation. ¡°Half the time, I¡¯m wandering around wondering what the hell to do next.¡± That part? Completely true. And it sucked. The whole captain thing felt more like an empty title most days. What was even the point of being in charge if there was nothing for me to actually do? Danny stepped off the treadmill, slinging a towel over his shoulder as he leaned against a nearby wall. He looked relaxed, but I could see the glint in his eye: focused, sharp, like his brain never stopped working. ¡°That¡¯s because most of your job is keeping us from falling apart, and right now, we¡¯re all doing fine. No fires to put out, no emergencies to manage.¡± I switched arms, focusing on the pull of the dumbbell, the stretch in my muscles. ¡°So what¡¯s keeping you so busy?¡± I asked, glancing at him. His frame was slim, sure, but he was more toned than I¡¯d given him credit for. When did he get that defined? ¡°Not like the mission calls for much until we hit Alpha Centauri, right?¡± Danny¡¯s face lit up, he launched into one of his explanations. It was like he became a completely different person when he talked about his work: focused and alive. Okay, give him some credit, Rossi. ¡°Sure, officially there¡¯s nothing to do until we¡¯re surveying,¡± Danny said, his grin widening, ¡°but come on, Luca, do you know how rare this opportunity is? Moving faster than light? Watching spacetime warp around us? Every instrument I¡¯ve got is running full tilt, pulling in data we barely understand.¡± He was a total nerd, but it was nice to see someone who genuinely enjoyed what they were doing. What do I even enjoy doing anymore? I paused mid-curl, raising an eyebrow. He was so animated, so passionate, it was almost hard not to stare. How does he do that? Where does he find that drive? ¡°Wait, so you¡¯re¡­ making your own work?¡± I asked, genuinely curious and, yeah, a little jealous. ¡°Absolutely,¡± Danny said, his grin turning sharper, his excitement practically radiating off him. ¡°I¡¯d be crazy not to. The things I¡¯m seeing out there, particle interactions, distortions, radiation signatures. It¡¯s like peeling back a layer of reality. This isn¡¯t just about the mission, man. It¡¯s about understanding the universe.¡± The way he said it, like he really believed it, was almost inspiring. Almost. But here I was, spinning in circles, wondering where the hell Emily was. She wasn¡¯t on the bridge, she wasn¡¯t in engineering, and she wasn¡¯t here. So where is she? This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. I shook my head, trying to push the thought aside. Focus, Rossi. Danny¡¯s still talking physics like it¡¯s the meaning of life. ¡°You¡¯re something else, Danny. Here I am griping about having nothing to do, and you¡¯re out here rewriting the laws of physics for fun.¡± My words came out teasing, but the truth burned underneath them. I wished I was half as passionate as Danny, or at least as passionate as I was whenever I thought about Emily. Danny shrugged, his grin widening like he could see straight through me. ¡°Hey, someone¡¯s gotta keep busy. Otherwise, I¡¯ll start losing my mind, and trust me, you don¡¯t want me getting bored.¡± His tone was light, but there was something under it, something I recognized. He was scared. Just like me. ¡°Yeah, no thanks,¡± I said, setting the weights back on the rack and trying really hard to focus on something, anything, other than him. ¡°But maybe take a break every now and then? We¡¯ve got weeks before Alpha Centauri. Don¡¯t burn yourself out before we even get there.¡± My voice sounded steadier than I felt. I needed him, all of them, in top form. If I didn¡¯t have that? I didn¡¯t even want to think about what would happen. ¡°Burnout¡¯s not a problem when you love what you¡¯re doing,¡± Danny replied, tossing the towel over his shoulder. He was smiling, but there was something in his eyes, like he was debating whether to say more. ¡°But point taken, Captain. I¡¯ll slow down¡­ eventually.¡±
He hesitated by the door, his grin faltering for just a second before he turned back to me. ¡°Actually, can I ask you something?¡± His voice was quieter now, less sure. ¡°Uh, yeah. What¡¯s up?¡± I said, my pulse picking up, because Danny never got serious unless it was something big. He rubbed the back of his neck, his red curls a mess from the treadmill, and I couldn¡¯t help noticing how flustered he looked. ¡°How do you handle it?¡± he asked, his words coming out in a rush, like he didn¡¯t want to say them but couldn¡¯t hold them in. ¡°I mean, Emily¡­ she¡¯s into you, right? Like, really into you. How do you deal with that? Because Zoe¡­¡± He trailed off. ¡°Zoe¡¯s been¡­ relentless,¡± he finished, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°It¡¯s thrilling, don¡¯t get me wrong, but also? It¡¯s terrifying.¡± The words hit me like a brick, and I laughed; sharp, awkward, and way too loud. ¡°How do I handle it? I don¡¯t. It¡¯s a huge distraction.¡± My hands went to my hips, my brain spinning faster than I could keep up. ¡°I mean, every time I see her, I lose focus. I can¡¯t stop thinking about her. Half the time, I¡¯m just trying to keep my shit together long enough to get through the day.¡± I shook my head, feeling my face heat up. ¡°So yeah, Danny, I¡¯m probably not the best guy to ask. But Zoe? Dude, I don¡¯t envy you. That girl doesn¡¯t know how to quit.¡± Danny let out a nervous laugh, his hand scrubbing through his hair again. ¡°Tell me about it. She¡¯s everywhere, like, all the time. And it¡¯s not just flirting. It¡¯s¡­ everything. She¡¯s so confident, and I¡¯m just¡­¡± He gestured at himself, his voice dropping. ¡°Me.¡± I snorted, shaking my head. ¡°Trust me, she¡¯s into you, man. She doesn¡¯t do half-measures. If she¡¯s putting in this much effort, you¡¯re not just a crush. You¡¯re the prize.¡± My words came out teasing, but they were also the truth. Danny looked at me, his expression a mix of relief and dread. ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s kind of what scares me.¡± I clapped him on the shoulder, grinning despite the chaos in my own head. ¡°Welcome to the club, man.¡± Danny laughed, waving as the door slid shut behind him, but the weight of the conversation lingered. Emily, Zoe, the whole damn mess of it. Stop it, Rossi. You¡¯re a mess. Just hit the gym, keep moving, and maybe, just maybe, you¡¯ll figure it out before you lose your mind.
The corridor was quiet, the hum of the ship¡¯s systems filling the space like white noise. I¡¯d just stepped out of my cabin, freshly showered and dressed, heading to the galley for lunch. My thoughts were spinning, about the morning, the crew, and mostly, about her. Had she been avoiding me? Or was I avoiding her? It felt like every step was pulling me closer to something I wasn¡¯t ready to face, and yet, I couldn¡¯t stop. Turning the corner, I nearly collided with Emily. She stopped short, her eyes widening in surprise, and for a second, we just stood there, staring at each other. ¡°Hey,¡± she said softly, her voice carrying a mix of nervousness and relief. Her hair was tied back, a few loose strands framing her face, and she looked effortlessly beautiful. Of course, she did. ¡°Hey,¡± I replied, my throat dry. What is it about her that makes me forget how to function? She shifted, her hand brushing her arm like she was trying to decide what to do with it. ¡°Were you heading to the galley?¡± she asked, her tone casual, but there was something under it, hesitation, maybe? Like she was trying to gauge where we stood. ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, nodding. ¡°Needed to grab something to eat. You?¡± ¡°Same,¡± she replied, her lips curving into a small smile, but it didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. For a moment, the air between us felt heavy, like neither of us knew how to bridge the gap that had somehow opened up between breakfast and now. I shifted my weight, rubbing the back of my neck. ¡°We haven¡¯t really seen each other today,¡± I said, my voice quieter than I meant it to be. ¡°Were you¡­ avoiding me?¡± Her eyes widened slightly, and then she laughed, a soft, breathy sound that made my chest ache. ¡°I was about to ask you the same thing.¡± We both laughed, the tension easing just a little, and then she stepped closer, her hand brushing against mine. ¡°I wasn¡¯t avoiding you,¡± she said, her voice gentle. ¡°I just¡­ wasn¡¯t sure if you wanted space.¡± ¡°Space?¡± I echoed, shaking my head. ¡°Emily, you¡¯re the only thing I can think about. Space is the last thing I want.¡± Her smile softened, and she closed the remaining distance between us, her hand lightly resting on my arm. ¡°Good,¡± she murmured, and then she leaned in, her lips brushing against mine in a kiss so soft it made my heart stop. The world narrowed to just her, her warmth, her scent, the way her fingers curled lightly against my arm. I kissed her back, my hand moving instinctively to her waist, pulling her just a little closer. It wasn¡¯t urgent or rushed, just¡­ perfect. When we finally broke apart, her cheeks were flushed, and I couldn¡¯t stop the stupid grin spreading across my face. ¡°So¡­ galley?¡± I asked, my voice light, but my heart still hammering. Emily laughed, her fingers lingering against my arm. ¡°Yeah,¡± she said, her smile brighter now. ¡°But you¡¯re carrying the trays.¡± ¡°Deal,¡± I said, falling into step beside her, and for the first time all day, everything felt right. Chapter 17 - Deathstalker I dragged my well-worn Risk board into the lounge that evening, setting it up on the low coffee table with the kind of care usually reserved for priceless artifacts, or, in my case, elaborate bait. I lined up the colored army pieces in perfect formation, set out the dice and the little dice tower, and leaned back, waiting for someone, anyone, to take the bait. After lunch, I¡¯d bumped into Emily again, somewhere between the storage bay and engineering, and ended up making out like we were teenagers hiding in the back of a movie theater. The way she¡¯d grabbed the front of my suit and pulled me closer, her lips warm and eager, had sent my brain into overdrive. I could still feel the heat of her touch, the press of her fingers, the way she¡¯d laughed when I¡¯d reluctantly pulled away, mumbling something about needing to breathe. And now? Now I can¡¯t stop thinking about it. The crew trickled in, one by one, clad in their loungewear and looking for a place to flop. My eyes kept drifting to the door, waiting for her, even though my head was still full of her from earlier. Finally, Emily walked in, sinking into her usual spot on the couch. My heart flipped, like it always did, because of course it did. She tucked her bare feet under her, completely at ease. I forced myself to look away. Play it cool, Luca. Joey arrived next, took one look at the board, and immediately shook his head. ¡°Nah, man. I¡¯m too tired from, you know, doing nothing all day.¡± ¡°What a guy,¡± I muttered, trying not to roll my eyes as Chris followed him in, already munching on a protein bar. ¡°This game takes forever,¡± Chris said through a mouthful of whatever protein-flavored nonsense he was eating. ¡°And let¡¯s face it, nobody in this room can be trusted. Last time I played, I ended up with no allies and no armies. Pass.¡± Emily laughed, the sound lighting up the room. She leaned her head back against the cushion, and my breath hitched, just a little. ¡°He¡¯s got a point. Risk always ends with someone flipping the board,¡± she said, patting the cushion beside her. ¡°Come on, Luca, sit. Nobody¡¯s playing.¡± I stared at her, then at the board, and tried to keep my eyes from drifting back to her bare feet or the way her loungewear looked just right. Damn it, Luca, focus. ¡°You guys suck,¡± I muttered, sweeping the pieces back into the box like it wasn¡¯t a big deal. I plopped down beside Emily, trying not to think about how natural it felt to be this close to her. Too easy. Too good. Maybe I should have brought more board games. ¡°So, Joey,¡± I said, my voice casual but my eyes fixed on Emily, ¡°What exactly have you been doing for the last half hour? Besides, you know, taking up half the couch." I tried to keep the edge out of my voice, but my eyes lingered on Emily, searching for any reaction. I hadn''t meant to sound so pointed. The truth was, I''d been wondering where she was. Wondering and maybe, okay, obsessing just a little. Emily gave me a sidelong glance, her lips curving into a knowing smile. She didn''t answer where she''d been though. Instead, she winked, her bare foot lightly nudging my leg under the coffee table. The contact, however brief, sent a jolt through me. My senses sharpened, hyper-aware of everything: her foot, the faint scent of her perfume, the way she seemed to know exactly what she was doing to me. Why doesn''t she just say it? Say where she''d been? ¡°Looking for something good,¡± Joey answered, oblivious, slouching back even further with his arms crossed, like he was trying to take up as much space as possible. He shrugged. ¡°Everything¡¯s garbage.¡± Joey clearly wasn''t going to pick anything decent. ¡°Fine. My turn,¡± I declared, grabbing the remote and scrolling quickly through the movie catalog. I stopped on Deathstalker and hit play, maybe a little too abruptly. Honestly? I needed the distraction. And yeah, part of me was curious to see if Emily liked these old-school action flicks. She was hard to read sometimes. ¡°Seriously?¡± Zoe asked, raising an eyebrow as the opening credits rolled. She always had to be so judgmental. ¡°Isn¡¯t this movie kind of... rapey?¡± Ryan shrugged, already laughing at the absurd dialogue as Deathstalker swaggered onto the screen. He was such a dork. What the hell was he even laughing at? ¡°It¡¯s an ¡®80s classic. What¡¯d you expect?¡± ¡°The girl is hotter in Deathstalker 2,¡± Joey chimed in, earning a chorus of groans. I bit my tongue, determined not to comment because if they had any idea what was running through my head right now, I¡¯d never hear the end of it. ¡°What? No, the original¡¯s got a better rack and shows way more,¡± Danny added. Zoe immediately turned and smacked him on the shoulder, her cheeks tinting pink. ¡°Seriously, Danny?¡± she said, narrowing her eyes. ¡°You know who doesn¡¯t have a rack? Me!¡± Her voice carried its usual sarcasm, but there was a flicker of something else, something that made me think she wasn¡¯t entirely joking. Danny winced, his grin faltering for a second. ¡°Oh, come on, Zo, that¡¯s not what I meant,¡± he said, clearly scrambling, putting his arm around her shoulders. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re perfect the way you are.¡± He avoided her eyes, his own cheeks turning red, and I had to stop myself from laughing out loud. This guy was doomed. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Emily chimed in, her tone sharper than usual. ¡°Seriously, though, this is what you guys focus on? Rack ratings?¡± I bit back a laugh, feeling my cheeks heat up. She had a point, and damn, she looked good when she was fired up. Her eyes flicked toward me, and for a second, I thought she could read my mind. My heart did a weird flutter-jump thing. ¡°Oh my god, guys,¡± I said, sinking deeper into the couch, trying to play it cool. Her foot brushed against me again, and a jolt went through me. I tried to focus on the movie, to get lost in the ridiculous fight scenes, but it was hard. Her foot was right there, a light pressure against my leg, and it was messing with my head. "Will you all shut up so we can watch this?" I blurted out, maybe a little too harshly. Chris leaned forward, his eyes glued to the screen as the camera panned to Deathstalker flexing his absurdly ripped physique. I immediately felt the urge to drop to the floor and crank out a hundred pushups. ¡°Look at those delts,¡± Chris said, half to himself. ¡°Do you think he¡¯s a nattie? That¡¯s not just bodyweight workouts, man.¡± Danny snorted, making that half-laugh sound he always did when he thought something was too ridiculous to be serious. ¡°Were steroids even a thing back then?¡± ¡°Oh, they were a thing,¡± Chris replied, rubbing his chin in that way that made his biceps flex just enough to annoy me. ¡°But still, the discipline to get that shredded is insane. Respect.¡± ¡°Respect for what?¡± Zoe cut in, her voice dripping with skepticism. She didn¡¯t even look at the screen, her attention was locked on Danny, her eyebrow raised just slightly. ¡°Dude barely moves his lips when he talks. He¡¯s a talking brick.¡± Chris waved her off, gesturing at the screen like it was obvious. ¡°The muscles, Zoe. The guy¡¯s built like a tank.¡± ¡°Yeah, sure, but what¡¯s the point?¡± Zoe asked, finally glancing at the screen. Her tone was light, almost lazy, but the way she shifted under the blanket said she was anything but. Her foot nudged Danny¡¯s leg, subtle but deliberate, and her lips quirked into a small smile. ¡°All that bulk just slows you down. Toned¡¯s better, lean, fast, and, you know, actually functional.¡± Danny¡¯s face turned pink, and he stared at his tablet like it held the answers to the universe. ¡°Uh¡­ good point, I guess,¡± he mumbled, his voice a little strained. Zoe didn¡¯t respond. She just leaned back, her head resting lightly on Danny¡¯s shoulder, her hands hidden beneath the blanket they shared. Whatever she was doing under there, it had Danny sitting stiff as a board, his eyes locked on the screen but not really seeing it. She didn¡¯t even glance at him, her expression perfectly casual, but the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at her lips. She knew exactly what she was doing. Meanwhile, Chris shook his head, still focused on the screen. ¡°Yeah, well, those delts are still insane.¡± I sighed, sinking deeper into the couch. Why do I even hang out with these people? The movie wasn¡¯t distracting me nearly enough, especially with Zoe working her magic on Danny right next to me. Emily rolled her eyes, and she was so close I could smell her shampoo, some kind of floral scent that made my head spin. I had this crazy urge to lean in, to get even closer, but I held back, afraid of overstepping. "I''d rather talk about the magic," she said, her voice light but confident. ¡°It¡¯s cooler than the sword-swinging. Honestly, I wish the System had given us magic. Imagine having fireballs or teleportation instead of¡± she gestured vaguely at the group. ¡°Whatever the hell this is. All passive skills and no lightning bolts.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Danny cut in, adjusting his glasses. ¡°Magic¡¯s stupid,¡± Danny continued, all serious like he was presenting at a science fair. ¡°All it does is create shortcuts. With our passive skills, we can develop tech that surpasses any magical system. It just takes time and planning.¡± I wanted to laugh at how damn earnest he sounded, but Zoe beat me to it. ¡°Yeah,¡± she said, smirking in that way that made her feel magnetic, like she owned the room without trying. ¡°Because planning is totally this crew¡¯s strong suit.¡± And honestly? She wasn¡¯t wrong.
On the couch, Emily shifted closer, her shoulder brushing mine, and a thrill shot through me. This was new, all of it. This easy closeness, the casual touch that felt anything but casual. I tried to focus on the movie. Deathstalker was actually pretty great, the effects were hilarious, the action was non-stop, and even the dialogue was growing on me. But the warmth of Emily beside me was a constant, happy distraction. When she leaned into me, resting her head lightly against my chest, the world narrowed. It wasn''t that everything else faded, not exactly. I was still aware of the others, of Zoe and Danny''s quiet murmurs, of Chris''s occasional commentary on Deathstalker''s physique, but they felt distant, like background noise. What mattered was Emily. The gentle weight of her head, the scent of her shampoo, something light and floral, and the steady rhythm of her breathing. This was everything I''d been hoping for all day, and it was even better than I''d imagined. My hand twitched. I hesitated for a heartbeat. Was this really okay? Then, before I could overthink it, I lifted my arm and draped it around her shoulders. My heart was pounding, a rapid, excited beat. Would she pull away? But Emily didn¡¯t move. Instead, she reached up, took my arm, and pulled it tighter around her. And just like that, any lingering doubt vanished. She fit so perfectly against me, her fingers resting lightly on my forearm as she snuggled closer, her legs curling under her like she was completely at ease. It felt¡­ incredible. I could feel the rapid pulse in my veins, a physical echo of the excitement buzzing inside me. Every nerve ending felt alive, sparking with a new kind of energy. I relaxed into it, into her, shifting slightly to make her more comfortable. It felt so natural, so right, being this close to her. The movie played on, a fun spectacle. I laughed along with the others at the more ridiculous moments, but my focus kept drifting back to Emily. To the way she felt against me. This was new territory for me, this feeling. And her arm, held close against her, confirmed it wasn''t one-sided. It was a silent acknowledgment, a quiet confirmation that maybe, just maybe, she felt it too. She was leaning on me. Actually leaning on me. And it felt¡­ perfect. Her fingers were warm against my skin, a light pressure that sent a pleasant shiver through me. I could feel the steady rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, a rhythm that seemed to sync with my own. It was nice, this closeness, this shared space. I swallowed hard, my mind a whirl of emotions. Happiness, excitement, a touch of disbelief. It was all there, swirling inside me. I tried to focus on the movie, on the comfortable silence that had settled between us, but every so often, I''d glance down at Emily, at the way her hair fell softly against her cheek, and a goofy grin would spread across my face. I was a goner. Totally and completely gone on this girl. And for the first time, maybe ever, I didn''t mind one bit. This felt too good to be anything but right. Chapter 18 - Mission Charter Okay, so there I was, at the head of the table again, staring at this mission charter like our life depended on it. Three weeks in, two to Alpha Centauri, that¡¯s what Zoe had planned. We had three freaking months to do everything. Shit, time was slipping through our fingers like sand and we hadn''t even arrived yet. I could feel my shoulders tensing up, already picturing us all screaming at each other. ¡°Alright,¡± I started, trying to sound all captain-like, which was a joke. "Three weeks down, we¡¯ll be at Alpha Centauri in about two, which means we got just over three months to get the survey done before we have to haul ass back to Sol." I needed to be more in control. Maybe if I pretended long enough, it would become real. "That¡¯s cutting it close," Emily said. She flipped through her notes, taking notes, punching her keyboard like life depended on it, probably some super-organized shit. She was always so put together, it was actually kind of a turn-on, not that I''d ever say that out loud. Not with Joey and Danny here, they''d never let me live it down. Danny, ever the worrywart, leaned back in his chair, adjusting his glasses. "It¡¯s not just the time, it¡¯s the whole damn thing. The UER wants a full system map, and the IFC is salivating over potential resource exploitation. Then there''s the whole ''search for alien life'' bit. It''s a huge-ass list." He wasn''t wrong. Joey, Mr. Doom and Gloom, chimed in, "Let''s not forget that we''re balls deep in debt to the IFC, 300 million deep, just to be clear." Yeah, Joey, I know the numbers, and why couldn¡¯t you just shut up? Like I needed a fucking reminder that we were one wrong move away from being space-hobos. Trust me, I know how much we owe. I rubbed my eyes, the weight of it all pressing down. ¡°Yeah, exactly. The payouts are there, maybe, but we gotta be fast and efficient. The charter mentions bonuses for ''strategic resource identification.'' So, any high-value asteroids or weird-ass minerals, we need to tag ''em. No screwing around." Emily tapped her laptop, and I found myself wanting to touch her, just a little, ¡°The habitable zone analysis has the big payout, 500 mil if it¡¯s habitable, 200 more for a bio-compatible atmosphere. That¡¯s where we make all our money." That¡¯s right. Cash money, that¡¯s what I like to hear. I wanted her to hear it too, because I wanted to know what she thought of that, to see if she had also, you know, similar needs. Money talks, bullshit walks, and right now, money was screaming my name. And hers, hopefully. Danny nodded, frowning. "Yeah, but what if there are no planets to even consider? The charter does say to document ''any'' planetary bodies, even if they''re barren rocks. And we still need to grab core samples, look for life signs, artifacts, whatever else..." His eyebrows were doing that thing again. Distracting as hell. I leaned back, pointing at the laptop in front of me, and all I saw were random numbers and symbols. ¡°We¡¯ve got the satellites, the probes, all the tools, the whole shebang. Everything we need is right here. We just need to get our shit together so that we can jump into action when we hit Alpha Centauri. Everything needs to be ready." Emily was sitting so close to me, and it was hard to pretend that I was even listening to what was coming out of my mouth. Danny practically yelled, his voice was a bit too shrill for this early in the morning, ¡°That''s what we¡¯ve been doing, you know?¡± Okay, okay, chill the fuck out, Danny, I didn¡¯t say that you weren''t trying. No need to get your panties in a twist. I raised my hand, wanting to avoid a lecture. "I know, I know, I¡¯m just saying we gotta deploy instantly. Get those probes out for the planetary surveys, start analyzing for those signatures, and grab core samples where the charter indicates. Plan the orbits, grab the data, and haul ass." If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Emily raised an eyebrow, giving me that look. The one that said, ''You''re full of shit, but I''m going to let you think you''re not.'' "Luca, you can¡¯t half-ass this. The charter is very specific about the ''comprehensive mapping'' and the ''alien lifeform detection'' protocols. We need to follow procedure. This is the only shot we¡¯ve got at this survey." She was right. Annoyingly right. ¡°I¡¯m not saying to half-ass it, Jesus,¡± I retorted, already feeling my temper flare up. I had to stop myself from being so damn defensive. ¡°I¡¯m saying we gotta be sharp, no wasted effort, no doing things twice. We don¡¯t have time for screwups. If we plan carefully, we can do this fast and right,¡± and I knew that wasn¡¯t true, that we had limited time and a lot of chances to screw this all up, but also, she was so close to me, it was so hard to concentrate. And then, she had to do it, her hand had found its way to my thigh, what a tease, what a damn tease. Danny sighed, and I could almost see the disappointment on his face. I had a moment of clarity that I had lost my point, again. I swear, the guy had more sighs than a depressed cat. ¡°Concise and thorough don¡¯t always work together, Luca. You can''t ¡®optimize¡¯ science.¡± And he had a point. ¡°Look, Danny," I said, leaning forward. ¡°I know you¡¯re the brains, you¡¯re the scientist, I trust you. But three months ain¡¯t a lot when we¡¯re dealing with three stars and whatever the hell else is out there. We gotta go for the mission charter''s shit first.¡± Her gaze steady on me, and it was so hard to focus. ¡°He¡¯s got a point. The IFC doesn¡¯t care what we find unless it lines up with the payouts. So, habitable zones, resources, life signs¡­ that''s where we have to focus," and her fingers, and her touch, they were driving me insane. I really did need to stop. Joey, who¡¯d been quiet for once, and I had to admit, I was a little worried about that too, finally decided to speak. ¡°But what if there¡¯s nothing out there? What if it¡¯s just dead rock?¡± Oh, fuck you, Joey. Don¡¯t jinx us like that, because now, that was all I could think about, and also, I could feel myself getting hard, and it was so damn inconvenient. The room got quiet, the thought hanging there like a turd in a punch bowl, and I had to force myself to take a deep breath. I hated that idea, that we could fail, that we might have bet it all, for nothing, and I was not ready to think about that. Emily broke the silence. ¡°We¡¯ve got more than theories. Five planets based on every observation from Earth. Sure, one might be radioactive, but that still leaves other options.¡± Her hand had moved even higher now, and what was even the point of this whole mission, anyway? Joey looked up, his face less screwed up, but he was still a mess. ¡°Yeah, but ¡®options¡¯ don¡¯t guarantee results.¡± No shit, Joey, they don''t, but what are we supposed to do, cry about it? And also, you have no idea what is happening here, under the table. ¡°No,¡± Emily said, ¡°but it¡¯s better than nothing. We have data, tools, and a kick-ass team that knows how to use them,¡± and then her fingers squeezed my inner thigh, just for a second. Oh my God. ¡°And that counts for a lot,¡± and she was probably trying to distract me, or to keep me quiet, or what, I had no idea. Danny nodded, and he looked kind of smug, and his eyebrows were doing that thing again. ¡°Yeah, those observations give us a start. Once we¡¯re in-system, we can fine-tune everything in real-time.¡± ¡°And there¡¯s probably a valuable asteroid or two,¡± I murmured, trying to act like I wasn''t a complete mess. ¡°If all else fails, we sell that on the black market.¡± Because yeah, that¡¯s what we could actually do. Joey snorted, finally smiling, and he had been looking a little too serious, and I was glad he was letting loose a little, even if it was just a small snort. ¡°Oh, great. Captain¡¯s Plan B is to turn into space pirates. Fantastic.¡± I shrugged, because why not, and it also felt good to let the tension go, even if for just a few seconds. ¡°Whatever keeps us out of debt, right?¡± Maybe if I become a pirate, I could get a cool eyepatch. I really did need her hand off my leg. Emily rolled her eyes, and I wanted to kiss her, but instead, she just made sure to move her fingers just a little higher. ¡°Let¡¯s stick to the mission before you start designing a pirate flag, okay?¡± Yeah, yeah, okay baby. What''s a space-pirate flag look like anyways? ¡°Fine, fine,¡± I said, holding my hands up in mock surrender. ¡°But don¡¯t say I never gave you options.¡± The tension in the room eased, like a breath of fresh air. Danny scoffed. ¡°If this whole exploration thing doesn¡¯t work out, I¡¯m calling dibs on naming the ship for piracy." Alright, that''s actually a pretty good idea, Danny. He might be a genius after all. Or just a really good pirate. He¡¯d be a damn good pirate. Maybe this could be an option, though, Zoe? Yeah, she''d want to name the ship. She¡¯d probably name it something ridiculous, like ''The Star Hopper'' or ''The Cosmic Cucumber''. Zoe was weird like that. But in a good way. Mostly. Chapter 19 - The Plan "You know," Emily said after everyone had scurried away, leaning against the edge of the table, her hip brushing against mine. "Hopefully, Alpha Centauri will bump up our level cap. I¡¯ve got some work to do on my skills.¡± "Tell me about it." I sighed, running a hand through my hair, making a mental note to get a haircut soon. I pulled up my interface, the screen flickering to life, and selected the Status page. "I''m spread thinner than butter on toast." ¡°How¡¯s it look?¡± she asked, scooting closer. She couldn¡¯t see my own interface, so I walked her through it. Normally, everyone¡¯s status page was a well-kept secret, but in our team, at least Ryan and Danny, Zoe and Emily? We always sort of shared our status and what we hoped to accomplish. I brought up the attribute screen, trying to ignore how close she was. My interface flickered to life as soon as I focused, displaying my stats in all their messy glory. I read them out loud for her. [Status] Name: Luca Rossi Combat Path: Operative [Perception, Intelligence] Profession Path: Starship Commander [Intelligence, Memory] Level: 60 Experience Points: 1,706,305/1,706,306 The attributes¡­ that had been a point of frustration among all of us when we first gained the system. We had all hoped, dreamed even, that this thing would have made us strong, more agile, heck, given us magic or some shit. Instead? We got attribute points that helped us with our passive Skill XP gain and skill level-up speed. [Attributes] Charisma: 22 Intelligence: 50 Memory: 45 Perception: 66 Willpower: 31 "They''re... okay, I guess," I said, shrugging. "Perception''s decent, from the Operative path. Intelligence and Memory could be better. Charisma''s shit, as always. And Willpower... well, let''s just say I''m easily distracted." I shot her a sideways glance, and she smirked. ¡°Alright,¡± said Emily, her voice all business-like, ¡°let¡¯s write down your skills, the attributes, and where you are; maybe we can create a skill plan for you.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, Em, sounds like a lot of work,¡± I said; I suddenly felt tired, lazy, and didn¡¯t want to put in the math. This was a lot of work. "Come on, Luca, if we don¡¯t work on this now that we have time, you¡¯ll never do it. You¡¯ve been postponing this for years," she said, her hand on my lap, trying to motivate me. God, that felt nice. "Ugh, fine," I said, giving in. I knew she was right. "Great!" she smiled, one of those smiles that lit up her eyes. God, she was gorgeous, but also, this was going to be a pain in the ass. She took out a pen and paper, because, of course, she had those handy, and got ready to note things down. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s start with my combat skills, ok?¡± I said, dreading this. My skills were great, a bunch of passives that allowed me to do my role well enough. Sure, I didn¡¯t have any at level 10 with abilities unlocked, like Zoe, but I managed. I focused on the skill menu and opened it up. The list made my eyes blur a bit. I wasn¡¯t good at planning this. [Combat Skills] Ranged Weapons Proficiency: Level 7 (102,300/133,613) [Perception/Intelligence] Silent Movement Proficiency: Level 6 (79,300/100,661) [Perception/Willpower] Ambush Tactics Proficiency: Level 6 (74,200/100,661) [Perception/Intelligence] Adaptive Cover Proficiency: Level 6 (83,800/100,661) [Perception/Intelligence] Close Quarters Proficiency: Level 6 (73,208/100,661) [Perception/Willpower] Precision Shots Proficiency: Level 6 (89,100/100,661) [Perception/Intelligence] The first skill, Ranged Weapons, was granted to all of us at level 1 with our recruit class. It was the basic bare minimum everyone got. It basically taught us how to hold a weapon and how to maintain aim and stand. After that, the next five skills, from Silent Movement to Precision Shots, were all part of the Scout Combat Class that I unlocked at level 10. Everyone had different classes; Emily chose the Hunter Class, a mix of short-range and long-range DPS, Danny I think, got the Brawler class, which, you know, Warhammer and smacking things up close. The next set of combat skills were from the Operative Class, a branch upgrade from the Scout at level 32, and you know what? I absolutely loved these skills, except, you know, the whole intel-gathering bullshit. That took a lot of work to level up. Situational Awareness? That was a key skill. Intel Gathering Familiarity: Level 4 (48,100/48,449) [Perception/Memory] Stealth Infiltration Familiarity: Level 5 (71,390/71,620) [Perception/Intelligence] Critical Strikes Proficiency: Level 6 (99,870/100,661) [Perception/Intelligence] Light Armor Proficiency: Level 6 (92,300/100,661) [Perception/Intelligence] Situational Awareness Proficiency: Level 6 (91,200/100,661) [Perception/Intelligence] Blade Expertise Familiarity: Level 4 (47,032/48,449) [Perception/Intelligence] Tomahawk Throwing Proficiency: Level 8 (151,259/172,000) [Perception/Memory] That last skill, Tomahawk Throwing? Yeah, that was not part of the Operative Class. That was a regional skill, only found through skill shards in New England. The system was weird like that. Some skills were regional to parts of Earth, same as some items. The Energy Tomahawk was my absolutely favorite weapon, perfect for scouting or operative missions, silent, deadly, and it delivered a nice whack when it hit its target. And it was just plain cool. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. I went through each skill as Emily wrote them all down. I was glad to see that my own attributes sort of matched these; it meant that I¡¯d be getting a little bit extra if I used these in combat. There had been some debates as to how much extra we got until we sat down and started taking notes. Ryan, who could be so annoying sometimes, or rather most of the time, had worked out the math, but I did not remember most of it. But it had to do with the skill¡¯s primary attribute multiplied times by 5% of the value of your personal attribute or something like that. Basically, the higher you had the corresponding attribute, the faster you¡¯d leveled that skill, hence my Perception attribute being the highest. "Those are from your Operative path?" Emily asked, her voice surprisingly invested. "Yeah, that''s the level 32 upgrade," I confirmed. "Intel Gathering, Stealth, Critical Strikes, Light Armor, Situational Awareness... all 6''s, except for Intel Gathering, which is... 4. And Stealth is at level 5, it¡¯s at 71,390 out of 83,661, so it¡¯s almost there.¡± I paused. ¡°Oh, and Blade Expertise, which is, you know, knives and shit. Also a 4, as I don''t really use daggers. But," I added, with a flourish, "Tomahawk Throwing is a majestic level 8." Emily laughed. "Of course it is. So, basically, you''re a sneaky, tomahawk-throwing badass who can''t gather intel to save his life." "Hey, I resent that remark," I said, but I was grinning. "But yeah, that''s pretty much the gist of it." ¡°So,¡± said Emily, looking up, she had written the long list of combat skills and how much XP each had. ¡°Are you going to walk me through the descriptions of each skill?¡± ¡°Are you kidding?¡± I asked, a little perplexed. There was a freaking encyclopedia of text behind each skill. ¡°Can you at least summarize?¡± she asked. She smelled so good sitting here by me, we should be making out in the observation lounge, not sitting here like two college kids comparing notes. ¡°Fine, let me see,¡± I said, focusing on the second combat skill. She already had her own Ranged Weapons skill so I wasn¡¯t going to repeat that one. [Silent Movement Proficiency] Level: 6 Experience: 79,300/100,661 Primary Attribute: Perception Secondary Attribute: Willpower Description: "Improves the ability to move quietly over various terrains, reducing the likelihood of being detected. Experience gained by sneaking past enemies, practicing stealth movement, or evading detection in high-pressure environments. Improvement Effect: 5% reduction in movement noise per level. Improves the ability to assess the terrain for quieter pathways.¡± Active Ability: Unknown ¡°And,¡± she asked, jotting everything down, ¡°how important is that skill?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± I replied, perplexed. ¡°It¡¯s absolutely critical,¡± because it was. ¡°Okay, okay, no need to get defensive,¡± she replied, ¡°let¡¯s continue.¡± I went through all my skills, each more critical than the previous one, which are absolutely essential skills for operative missions. This was my Swiss army knife, skills that helped me understand how to move silently, blend into the terrain, hide in plain sight, almost land critical hits in combat, etc. Finally, Emily looked up and focused back on my face. She was so pretty but so adamant in going through this exercise. ¡°Let¡¯s look at your Professional Skills,¡± she said. Ugh, ¡°Okay,¡± I said, focusing on the skill menu again. [Professional Skills] Starship Piloting Familiarity: Level 4 (43,800/48,449) [Perception/Intelligence] Starship Operation Familiarity: Level 4 (38/900/48,449) [Intelligence/Memory] Starship Systems Familiarity: Level 4 (31,800/48,449) [Memory/Intelligence] Starship Maintenance Familiarity: Level 3 (27,500/29,927) [Intelligence/Memory] Starship Power Systems Optimization Familiarity: Level 3 (26,350/29,927) [Intelligence/Memory] Starship Navigation Familiarity: Level 3 (28,400/29,927) [Intelligence/Memory] Starship Maneuvering Familiarity: Level 4 (48,001/48,449) [Perception/Willpower] The Profession Path, god, what a pain. These came from two professions; the first, at level 16, was the Pilot Class. I chose it because at the time, my dad needed some help shuttling people back and forth. I figured at the time it was as good as anything. At least better than a lumberjack, or trader, or city planner. Those classes? They sounded boring as fuck. Anyway, I chose the pilot class, which then upgraded into the ship commander class, which is a jack of all trades and master of none. I hope the next upgrade, whenever it is, helps me specialize. In theory, I could upgrade my skills, but I haven¡¯t gotten any to level 15. Everyone had better classes than me. Zoe had her navigation class, which is all navigation, piloting, you know, drawing routes in space, figuring out gravity, and all that. Ryan? He¡¯s actually useful; he had his engineering class focused on Starship stuff and could potentially fix our reactor or thrusters. We had manuals on board and the tools to fix things, but his class gave him nice insights. Danny? He¡¯d got his science class, which, again, is all passives, and got him what he needed. Joey¡¯s got the medical skills, which basically allowed him to bypass 12 years of school and god knows how much real-life experience. Also, he had his little TL8 gadgets that did most of the work. Yeah, those Basic Starship skills? Those were the ones the Ship Commander Class got me. I know they can be upgraded and maybe make myself useful, but again, I got to get them to level 15 first, and that¡¯s a bitch. At level 6,0 we barely had 1.7m XP before we hit the cap, and I had to somehow spread out all the love among my skills. The next five skills were part of the Pilot Class, which was cool but limited to a smaller starship, like a dropship or shuttle, though I imagine they would apply to a fighter if those ever got built. Orbital Navigation Familiarity: Level 4 (39,200/48,449) [Intelligence/Memory] Zero-G Manuevering Familiarity: Level 4 (43,209/48,449) [Perception/Willpower] Multi-Vector Piloting Familiarity: Level 4 (46,756/48,449) [Intelligence/Perception] Atmospheric Handling Familiarity: Level 4 (32,679/48,449) [Intelligence/Memory] Fuel Efficiency Familiarity: Level 4 (8,414/48,449) [Intelligence/Memory] Inspect: Level 6 (73,034/100,661) [Perception/Intelligence] Vehicle Handling Familiarity: Level 4 (32,452/48,449) [Perception/Intelligence] Light Vehicle Operations Familiarity: Level 4 (32,679/48,449) [Perception/Memory] Strategic Planning Familiarity: Level 3 (16,977/29,927) [Intelligence/Memory] Conflict Resolution Familiarity: Level 3 (19,780/29,927) [Charisma/Willpower] Adaptive Leadership Familiarity: Level 3 (21,730/29,927) [Perception/Willpower] The Inspect skill was exactly what it appeared to be: a skill that allowed me to inspect an item, a mob, or other system-related stuff. The higher the skill, the better the distance. The Vehicle Handling and Light Vehicle Operations skills? Those two were related to our Exploration Vehicle below decks in the hangar. I picked up both skill shards since we started using the Peregrine for our mobile outpost. The rest, I figured, would be important, you know, to lead my team to infinity and beyond. Emily was silent for a moment, absorbing all this information. Then, she looked up at me, a strange expression on her face. "Luca," she said slowly, "you''re a mess." "Hey!" I protested, "I prefer ''well-rounded''." "You''re a mess," she repeated, but she was smiling now. "A beautiful, talented, incredibly skilled mess." She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But a mess nonetheless." "So, what do we do about it, oh wise and organized one?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light, even though my heart was doing that weird fluttery thing it did whenever she got too close. "We make a plan," she said, her eyes sparkling with determination. "A plan so brilliant, so foolproof, that even you can''t screw it up." "Oh, I highly doubt that," I said, chuckling. "But I''m willing to be proven wrong." "Good," she said, grabbing a pen and paper. "Because we''ve got work to do. First, we need to figure out what you actually enjoy doing..." "Besides ogling you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Emily blushed, a delightful shade of pink that made me want to kiss her. "Besides that," she said, her voice slightly flustered. "We need to find something that aligns with your skills, your attributes, and, most importantly, your interests." "Hmm, interesting," I said. "And what if my main interest is lazing around and, you know, not dying?" Emily rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling. "Then we''ll work with that. But for now," she tapped the paper with her pen, "let''s talk about your skills. And don''t even think about changing the subject this time." I sighed, knowing she was right. "Fine," I said. "But if this turns into a boring-ass study session, I''m blaming you." "Wouldn¡¯t have it any other way, Captain,¡± she grinned back, all teeth. Then, she leaned in, her lips brushing against my ear. "And maybe," she whispered, "if you''re a good student, I''ll give you a reward later." My breath hitched. "A reward, huh?" I asked, my voice suddenly hoarse. "What kind of reward?" Emily pulled back, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "That, Captain," she said, "is for me to know and for you to find out."
And with that, she turned her attention back to the paper, leaving me with a racing heart and a very specific set of images flashing through my mind. Focus, Luca, I told myself. Skills. Plan. Right. But as she started talking about skill queues and attribute bonuses, all I could think about was that promised reward. And damn, if that wasn''t the best motivation I''d had in weeks. Maybe this skill planning wouldn''t be so bad after all. Maybe, I thought, as I leaned in closer, inhaling her scent, maybe this was exactly what I needed. A plan, a goal, and Emily, all wrapped up in one enticing package. Yeah, this could work. And as her lips curved into a smile, I couldn''t resist. I leaned in and kissed her, a soft, lingering kiss that tasted of wine and promise. When we broke apart, her eyes were shining. "Now," she said, her voice a little breathless, "where were we?" "Skills," I said, grinning. "But maybe we should take a break first?" Her smile widened. "Maybe we should." Chapter 20 - Playing Tag The bridge was quiet, save for the usual hum of the ship''s systems. I sat slouched in my chair, one hand idly tapping on my console as I flicked through various screens. Diagnostics, status reports, navigation logs. Everything¡¯s green. As usual. A week left before we reached Alpha Centauri, and this monotony was grinding on me, and everyone else, I bet. Across from me, Emily sat at her workstation. Whatever she was working on held her attention way better than the meaningless busywork I had been cycling through. I stole a glance at her, momentarily envious of how absorbed she looked. What could she possibly be doing that was more interesting than this shit? I swear she could make watching paint dry look exciting. My console beeped softly, pulling my attention back, thank god. A small red icon blinked on the screen, and I straightened in my seat, a spark of curiosity and excitement jolting me out of my boredom. ¡°Finally,¡± I muttered, pulling up the notification. Something, anything, to break the endless nothing. It didn¡¯t take long to locate the issue, I was getting good at navigating the console now. The gravity generator in the hangar bay had been deactivated. My excitement dulled slightly, but it still lingered. At least it wasn¡¯t another uneventful status update. I tapped the comms line to engineering. ¡°Ryan, you seeing this? Gravity generator¡¯s off in the hangar,¡± I asked. He probably had something to do with it. Ryan¡¯s voice crackled over the line, carrying its usual hint of irritation. ¡°Yeah, I noticed. Chris and Joey are down there. Probably got lazy and turned it off to slide boxes around.¡± Fucking idiots, they¡¯re always doing stupid shit like that. I sighed, leaning back in my chair. ¡°Figures.¡± I stared at the intercom button for a moment, contemplating calling the hangar directly to give them a piece of my mind. But then I stopped myself. What¡¯s the point? A little walk never hurt anyone. Maybe stretch my legs, get out of this chair for a while. Standing, I stretched, rolling my shoulders to shake off the stiffness from sitting too long. ¡°I¡¯m heading down to the hangar,¡± I said, glancing over at Emily. ¡°Chris and Joey are fooling around.¡± I wanted to see if she was paying attention. Emily didn¡¯t look up, but the corner of her mouth twitched in what might have been a smile. ¡°Don¡¯t hurt them.¡± She always said that. I stepped into the corridor leading to the hangar, the faint hum of the ship''s systems echoing around me. As I approached the door, the soft vibration underfoot ceased, a clear sign of the gravity generator¡¯s localized deactivation. I paused for a moment, staring at the red indicator light above the door. Lazy bastards. I can¡¯t wait to see what stupid shit they¡¯ve been doing.
The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing Joey and Chris tumbling through the air, laughing like kids in a playground. Joey was upside down, reaching out to tag Chris, who twisted away with a sharp push off the storage racks. What the hell were these two doing? I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, taking in the scene. My initial irritation wavered as I watched their antics. They weren''t screwing anything up, I thought. They¡¯re just¡­ being them. Dumbasses. And probably all sweaty and gross after turning off the gravity in the hangar. I could only imagine what those two got up to when they thought no one was watching. Probably better not to think about it too much. Joey twisted mid-air, narrowly dodging Chris¡¯s outstretched hand. ¡°You¡¯re too slow, old man!¡± he shouted, his voice echoing in the cavernous hangar. ¡°Old man?¡± Chris shot back, a grin splitting his face. ¡°You¡¯re older than I am!¡± I shook my head, rolling my eyes. So they were playing tag. In zero-g. Like a couple of ten-year-olds. I couldn''t help but smile. It was ridiculous, but it was also kind of... endearing. They needed to blow off some steam, I guess. And who was I to judge? After last night''s strip tease, I didn''t exactly have room to talk. I decided to leave them to their games. No need to interrupt their fun, and frankly, I could use a distraction of my own. I turned and headed towards engineering. If anyone was going to have some interesting gossip, it would be Ryan.
The engineering bay was a hive of activity, a stark contrast to the quiet of the bridge. The space was filled with complex consoles, conduits, exposed wiring, and various components, all bathed in the warm, yellow glow of the overhead lights. The place was both organized and chaotic at the same time. It was familiar, yet always slightly overwhelming. I spotted Ryan near the main reactor, hunched over a console, his brow furrowed in concentration as he fiddled with a component, muttering to himself. It looked like a vital piece of equipment, maybe something to do with the power coupling. He was trying to fix something, which was never a good sign. Soft music, some kind of electronic beat, was playing in the background, barely audible over the din of the machinery. I walked over, bumping his shoulder with mine playfully as I leaned against a nearby railing. "Everything alright, Ryan?" I asked. He looked up, startled, then a relieved smile spread across his face. "Luca! Just the man I wanted to see. This fucking thing is giving me a headache." He gestured to the component in his hands, a mess of wires and circuits. "Think you could give me a hand?" "What''s wrong with it?" I asked, peering at the device. Engineering wasn''t exactly my forte, but my Starship Systems Familiarity skill gave me a basic understanding of the core components. It looked like a power regulator, crucial for maintaining stable energy flow throughout the ship. "Is that the primary regulator for the auxiliary reactor?" "Yeah," Ryan said, sounding slightly surprised. "You actually know what this is." He held it up, turning it over in his hands. "It''s been acting up lately. Keeps throwing error codes, and I can''t isolate the problem. If this thing goes down, we could lose backup power, and that''s a whole can of worms we don''t want to open." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It''s always something, you know? If it''s not the reactor, it''s the thrusters. Or the life support. Or the fucking recycler. It never ends." He fiddled with a small, intricate tool, his movements precise and practiced. "Need a wrench?" I offered, spotting the tool tray beside him. I should have dumped more XP into these engineering skills. I feel pretty useless right now. But at least I could fetch tools. I grabbed the wrench he needed and smacked his arm playfully with it before handing it over. Ryan glanced up, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Sure, Captain," he said, taking the wrench I offered. "Maybe you''re not as useless as you look." "Har har," I said, rolling my eyes. I watched as he tightened a bolt on the regulator. I gave him a friendly shove with my hip, almost knocking him off balance. "So, about those error codes," I said, trying to sound helpful. "Have you checked the diagnostic logs? Maybe there''s a pattern we can identify." If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. "Already did," Ryan said, not looking up from his work. "Nothing conclusive. It''s like the system is glitching, but I can''t pinpoint the source." He grunted as he applied more pressure to the wrench. "This is going to be a long night." "Want me to grab some of those energy readouts from the bridge for cross-referencing? Might help us isolate the problem area," I asked. Ryan paused, considering for a moment. "Nah," he said, shaking his head. "I''ve got a program running a diagnostic sweep. It''ll take a while, but it''s more thorough than anything we could do manually. Besides," he added, with a smirk, "wouldn''t want to deprive the bridge of their fearless leader for too long." I watched Ryan work and a familiar wave of self-doubt washed over me. Here he was, wrestling with a vital piece of the ship''s machinery, keeping us all alive, and what was I doing? Playing chaperone, offering unsolicited advice, and basically just... existing. My so-called "familiarity" with starship systems felt like a joke compared to Ryan''s actual expertise. He was the one who had dedicated countless hours to mastering the intricacies of engineering, while I had dabbled, picking up a few basic skills here and there. Sure, I was the captain, but what did that even mean in this situation? I could plot a course and give orders, but when it came down to it, I was utterly useless when facing a real problem. Danny, lost in his scientific pursuits, was probably making breakthroughs that could change the course of human history. Zoe, with her navigational skills, was the only thing keeping us from getting hopelessly lost in the vast expanse of space. Even Chris and Joey, for all their goofing around, had their roles, their skills, their areas of expertise. And me? I was just... here. A glorified figurehead, good for morale maybe, but ultimately, just taking up space. I should have pushed myself harder, learned more, done more. Maybe then I wouldn''t feel like such a goddamn dead weight. I noticed Ryan chewing on his lower lip as he worked, a habit he''d had since we were kids whenever he was concentrating hard. It was funny how some things never changed. I made a face at him. "Hilarious. So, what were those two idiots doing in the hangar? They''re fucking, right?" Ryan chuckled, his eyes still fixed on the component in his hands. "Yeah, they were blowing off some steam. You know how they get." He snorted, shaking his head. "No shit, Sherlock. You just figured that out? They''re not exactly subtle." "I guess not," I said, grinning. "Still, playing tag in zero-g? That''s a new one, even for them." I punched his arm lightly. "They''re energetic," Ryan said, a smirk playing on his lips. "Gotta burn off that sexual tension somehow. I just hope they cleaned up after themselves. Don''t need any, uh, ''residue'' floating around the hangar." "Ugh," I said, making a face. "Thanks for that image. So, are they like, officially together now? Or is it just a casual thing?" Ryan shrugged. "Who knows? They''re not exactly broadcasting their relationship status. But they''re definitely into each other. It''s pretty obvious, especially after last night." "Huh," I said, leaning back against the railing. "Good for them, I guess." I paused, then added, "So, what about you and Zoe?" Ryan froze, his hand hovering over the component. "What about us?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral. "Come on, man," I said, nudging him with my elbow. "You used to be all about her. Now she''s with Danny." "She''s moved on, Luca," Ryan said, his voice flat. "And honestly, can you blame her? They''re both into the same nerdy stuff. She practically threw herself at him last night. They are probably fucking already." "You don''t know that," I said, although I could see his point. "Have you asked Emily? She''d probably know, and she would tell you." Ryan shook his head. "No way. I''m not asking her about that. Besides," he added, a hint of bitterness in his voice, "she''s got her own thing going on with you, doesn''t she?" "Yeah, well," I said, rubbing the back of my neck, "about that. It''s not really a ''thing,'' you know? We''re just... having fun. It''s not like we''re exclusive or anything. I mean, we''ve been kissing and stuff, ever since we left Sol, but it''s not like we''ve talked about where it''s going. And last night, on the couch. That was... unexpected. A surprise, to be sure. A welcome one." I smiled wistfully, remembering. Ryan looked at me, a complex mix of emotions in his eyes. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You always did have a way with her, Luca. Since we were kids. I guess some things never change.¡± ¡°You know, you really need a haircut. These golden locks are getting out of control," I said, ruffling his hair, messing it up even more. Ryan smacked my hand away, laughing. "Hey, watch it! I like my hair." "It''s not like that," I said, feeling a pang of guilt. But I kept my hand on his head, petting his hair now "You know I''ve always... well, you know." Ryan nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, I know. We both have. It''s Emily, after all. Hard not to fall for her." He paused, then added, "Just... be good to her, okay? She deserves that." He punched my arm, a little harder than necessary. "Hey," I said, rubbing my arm. "What was that for?" "Nothing," he said, but his smile had a slightly forced quality to it. "Just making sure you''re paying attention." "I will," I said, my voice firm. "I''d never hurt her, Ryan. You know that." "I know," he said, clapping me on the shoulder. "Just saying. She''s special." "So," I said, changing the subject, "What about Zoe? You gonna just let her and Danny have all the fun?" Ryan shrugged, turning back to the component. "What can I do? She''s made her choice. She''s obviously into Danny. And it''s not like I can just waltz in there and tell her how I feel. I''m not like you, Luca. I can''t just... put myself out there like that." "Bullshit," I said, rolling my eyes. Though, let''s be honest, I hadn''t exactly ''put myself out there'' with Emily either. She was the one who made all the moves. If it were up to me, we''d probably still be exchanging awkward glances across the room. Still, I wasn''t about to admit that to Ryan. "You''re just scared. And for what? Rejection? So what if she says no? At least you''ll know." "Easy for you to say," Ryan muttered, his eyes fixed on the reactor component. "You''ve got Emily wrapped around your finger. You don''t have to worry about this stuff." "It''s not like that," I said, but even I knew it was a weak argument. And it wasn''t like I''d actually done anything to get Emily''s attention. She was the one who''d initiated things, not me. I was just along for the ride. "And besides," I added, trying a different tactic, "I don''t think Zoe''s the type to stay exclusive. You should at least try and see what happens. Before it''s too late." Especially with a body like hers. I mean, those curves, that confidence... and those nipples. Last night, they were on full display. Hard as rocks, practically poking through her shirt. How could anyone focus on anything else? Ryan was silent for a moment, his fingers tracing the outline of the component. Then, he sighed. "I don''t know, Luca. It''s just... complicated. What if I make things worse? What if she laughs at me?" "She won''t," I said, firmly. Even though I knew that wasn''t necessarily true. Zoe could be unpredictable. But Ryan needed to hear this. "And even if she does, so what? At least you''ll have tried. Look, I know you, Ryan. You''ll regret it more if you don''t at least try. Besides, she''d be lucky to have you. Or Emily for that matter. You''re a good guy, Ryan. You''re smart, you''re funny, and you''re way better looking than me." Ryan snorted, shaking his head. "Yeah, right. Says the guy who''s got Emily practically eating out of his hand." "I''m serious, man," I said, my voice earnest. I punched his arm lightly. "You''re a catch. Don''t sell yourself short." I meant it. Ryan could be a monumental asshole sometimes, well, most of the time, but he was also one of the most loyal, capable guys I knew. He deserved someone who appreciated that. Someone like Zoe, or... well, maybe not Emily. That was different. But still, the point stood. "Maybe," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked up at me, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. "But what if-" "No," I interrupted, shaking my head. "No more what-ifs. Just do it. Talk to her. You never know what might happen." Unless you''re me, apparently. Then you just get dragged along for the ride, whether you like it or not. Not that I was complaining, exactly. "Besides," I added, grinning. "You wouldn''t want Danny to make a move on her first, would you?" Ryan''s head snapped up, his eyes narrowed. "He wouldn''t." "Wouldn''t he?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "They were pretty cozy last night." Ryan scowled, his jaw tightening. Then, he let out a bark of laughter, shaking his head. "You know," he said, "sometimes I forget how observant you can be, Luca. Especially when it comes to... certain things." He bumped his hip against mine, a playful gesture that was also a challenge. "What can I say?" I said, shrugging. "I have a high perception." "Yeah, well," Ryan said, looking down to the component in his hands. "Maybe you''re right. Maybe I should talk to her. I mean, those nipples... they were hard to miss last night. I kept trying to brush my hand against them, but she kept pushing me away. It was... frustrating. And arousing, if I''m being honest." He grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "If we ever make it back to Earth, remind me to buy more pillows for the lounge. You know, for... strategic coverage." "You''re an idiot," I said, laughing. I shoved him again, a little harder this time, and he stumbled, catching himself on the console. But I knew what he meant. Zoe was... distracting. In the best way possible. "Maybe," Ryan said, his grin widening. "But at least I''m an idiot with a plan." He turned back to the reactor component, his expression focused once more. "Now, about this damn thing..." Chapter 21 - Arrival at Alpha Centauri I felt the vibration of the ship deepen, the kind that made my bones feel like jelly as we decelerated into the Alpha Centauri System. The bridge was alive, every crew member locked into their stations or glued to monitors, their focus razor-sharp. Me? I leaned back in the captain¡¯s chair, trying to look as calm as possible, but my heart was doing cartwheels. This was it: the edge of the next frontier. All that waiting, all the prep, and now? Now I was here. And yeah, I was more scared than excited. But also relieved. We made it. We didn''t die in a fiery explosion or get lost in the Oort Cloud. That was something, right? Zoe was hunched over her console, her long dreadlocks draped over one shoulder, her hands hovering near the controls like they were glued there. Even under the dim bridge lights, I could see the way her almond skin practically glowed, and I noticed the way her fingers twitched, her posture tight. She wasn¡¯t saying a word, but I could tell she was wound up. Zoe never let things show, so the fact that even she looked tense? Yeah, it was a mood. Then Joey¡¯s voice broke through like a goddamn cannonball. ¡°Finally, some real stars!¡± he yelled, pointing at his screen like he¡¯d just found buried treasure. Always the dramatics with that guy. I rolled my eyes but didn¡¯t say anything. He wasn¡¯t wrong. This was a big deal, even if he sounded like an idiot. My eyes drifted to the viewport. The stars of Alpha Centauri hung there, faint and distant. Not exactly the brilliant fireworks display sci-fi posters promised. Proxima Centauri, the closest of the three, was just a dot in the void. Alpha Centauri A and B? Pinpricks. Tiny lights separated by distances so huge, my brain didn¡¯t even want to try and process them. It was¡­ kinda underwhelming. Not that I was going to admit that out loud. The crew was buzzing, and I wasn¡¯t about to kill the vibe.
My stomach churned, and I told myself it was just from the deceleration, not the weight of what we were doing. We were the first humans to ever do this, to ever see this. That should¡¯ve felt bigger. Maybe it would later. Right now? It was just a lot. Zoe let out a laugh, short, almost disbelieving and unbuckled herself from her seat. ¡°Holy shit, we¡¯re here,¡± she muttered, running a hand through her dreadlocks. Her boots hit the deck with a light thud as she stood, her excitement radiating like a pulse. She spun on her heel, her eyes scanning the bridge for someone, anyone, to share this moment with. Her eyes landed on Ryan, who sat next to her and was still staring at his console, his fingers tapping away like they hadn¡¯t just made history. ¡°Ryan!¡± Zoe practically screamed. He looked up, startled, just in time for her to throw her arms around him. ¡°We made it, Ry,¡± she said, her words muffled against his shoulder, and I could hear the rawness in her voice. Ryan, caught off guard, hesitated for a second before wrapping an arm around her awkwardly. His face was half-surprised, half-grinning, like he didn¡¯t know what to do but wasn¡¯t about to pull away either. And yeah, that was a sweet moment, I¡¯ll give her that. Around the bridge, the crew started to catch on. Joey whooped, slapping the side of his console like he couldn¡¯t contain himself. Emily let out a relieved laugh, leaning back in her chair and glancing over at me with a grin that made my chest feel tight. Chris raised his fist in the air, letting out a triumphant, ¡°Hell yeah!¡± It was chaos, but the good kind. I stayed in my seat, my hands folded over my chest, watching as high-fives and hugs were exchanged like we¡¯d just won the universe¡¯s most intense game of dodgeball. And maybe we had. A grin tugged at my lips despite myself. They¡¯d earned this moment. Weeks of waiting, grinding through chores, staring at nothing but logs and diagnostics. And now we were here, humanity¡¯s first steps into a new star system. All that tension, all that stress, for this little moment of celebration. And yeah, I was proud of all of them. But mostly? I was just trying not to freak out.
As the initial wave of celebration ebbed, Zoe drifted back to her station. I caught the flicker of hesitation in her expression as she looked at the stars on her display. For all the crew¡¯s excitement, the reality of the system¡¯s vastness was impossible to ignore. At this distance: over 2,000 AUs from Proxima Centauri, and far further from Alpha Centauri A or Rigil Kentaurus as it was named, officially, and Alpha Centauri B, Toliman, the three stars were little more than points of light against the black. The crew had known this, of course. The navigational briefings had been clear: the stars wouldn¡¯t dominate the sky or appear in dramatic proximity to one another. But knowing it logically didn¡¯t make the sight any less underwhelming. And yeah, that reality was sinking in, even for me. This was it, and yeah, I didn¡¯t know how to feel about it. It was amazing, but¡­ also a little bit terrifying. Ryan, ever perceptive, leaned toward Zoe. His sandy blonde hair caught the light as he spoke softly. ¡°It¡¯s not what we expected,¡± he said, his voice steady, ¡°but look at what we¡¯ve done. We¡¯re here, Zoe. We made it.¡± He¡¯s always been good with words, that dumbass. Her lips curved into a faint smile, though her eyes lingered on the screen. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± she said, squeezing his hand briefly. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see what we find.¡± And yeah, maybe that was all we needed to hear. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. I adjusted my console, pretending not to notice their moment, and yeah, I was jealous. She¡¯ll be fine, I thought. We all will. This is just the first step, I needed to tell myself that, too. I glanced back at the stars ahead, feeling the weight of the unknown pressing on me. This system was vast, too vast for one ship to explore entirely in our limited time. Every decision from here on would matter, and every mistake would cost us dearly. And yeah, the responsibility was starting to sink in. Before I could dwell on it too much, I decided to check my interface. It had been weeks, and a small, hopeful part of me figured that maybe, just maybe, the change in system would trigger something. I focused, bringing up my status screen. My eyes immediately went to the skill queue. Still inert. I checked my experience. No daily passive XP. I blinked, then checked again. Nothing. A wave of confusion, then frustration, washed over me. "What the fuck?" I muttered under my breath. Emily, seated beside me, reached over and squeezed my hand, her fingers warm and steady. It was such a simple gesture, but it made my chest tighten in a good way. I turned to her, catching the faint smile tugging at her lips. She didn¡¯t say anything, just let the gesture speak for her. And yeah, it helped, more than I wanted to admit. ¡°Danny,¡± I called over my shoulder, my tone neutral, almost impatient. ¡°Turn on the screen. Let¡¯s see what we¡¯re dealing with.¡± There was a pause. Too long. I twisted in my chair, eyebrows raised. ¡°Danny?¡± He jerked like he¡¯d been caught stealing cookies from the jar, his datapad clutched awkwardly in his hands. His eyes darted from Ryan and Zoe back to me, wide and a little panicked. ¡°What? Oh, yeah, sorry. On it,¡± he stammered, fumbling to bring the interface online. I didn¡¯t miss the way his eyes checked out Zoe for a second longer than it should have, or the faint pink creeping up his neck. It was almost funny, really. He¡¯d been watching them, and yeah, I couldn¡¯t blame him. The way Zoe and Ryan had been leaning into each other, sharing that quiet moment, it was hard not to notice. But Danny? He looked like he¡¯d just been caught watching something he shouldn¡¯t, and that made it so much better. ¡°Focus, Danny,¡± I said, smirking despite myself as I turned back to my screen. ¡°We¡¯re not here to sightsee.¡± I was trying to distract myself from the fact that my skill queue wasn''t working. It didn''t make any sense. ¡°Right. Got it,¡± Danny mumbled, his voice a little higher than usual as he scrambled to pull up the interface. And yeah, I knew he was trying to shake off whatever just happened, but the way Zoe glanced over her shoulder with a subtle smirk? She definitely noticed, too. Emily¡¯s hand stayed on mine for a moment longer, her thumb brushing lightly against my knuckles before she withdrew. The simple touch lingered like an anchor, pulling me back to the moment. This system was already full of surprises, but at least I wasn¡¯t navigating it alone. A moment later, soft lines and markers blinked to life on the viewport, outlining the positions of Proxima Centauri and Alpha Centauri A and B. Data streamed in beside the stars, distances, orbital details. I squinted at the display. Still just dots, I thought, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. Well, at least now we know which dots are ours. All that effort, all that tension, for a couple of damn dots on the screen. The crew returned to their stations, their chatter quieter now, like they were still processing what this meant. The buzz wasn¡¯t gone; it was just different, muted, but charged. No one said it out loud, but you could feel it. This was something bigger than we could grasp. "Hey," I said, my voice a little louder than I intended. "Has anyone checked their interface?" The question hung in the air, and I could feel the shift in the atmosphere on the bridge. Everyone looked at me, a few faces already reflecting the same confusion I was feeling. Emily frowned as she brought up her own interface. "What''s wrong?" "My skill queue is still inert," I said, the words laced with disbelief. "And no daily XP." The effect was immediate. A wave of murmurs rippled through the bridge as the rest of the crew accessed their own interfaces. I could see the same realization dawning on their faces, the same mix of confusion and frustration. "Mine too," Chris said, his voice tight. "What the hell?" "This doesn''t make any sense," Zoe muttered, her eyes fixed on her console as if she could somehow force the system to update. "We''re in a new system. The cap should have lifted." "Maybe it takes time?" Joey offered, but his voice lacked conviction. We all knew the system didn''t work like that. Then, because he could always be counted on to say the absolute worst thing at the worst time, Joey added, "Or maybe we were wrong. Maybe just getting here doesn''t do shit. Maybe there''s some other hidden mechanic we''re missing." I wanted to punch him. Right in his stupid, pragmatic face. "Thanks, Joey," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "That''s exactly what we needed to hear. You know, besides the whole mapping and surveying thing, and getting paid, the whole fucking point of coming here was to level up. To get that tingle, that little rush. You know, that feeling we haven''t had in what almost two years?" I could feel the anger rising in my chest, and it had nothing to do with logic and everything to do with frustration. Ryan, ever the optimist, chimed in, "Maybe we just need to, you know, use our skills. Get things moving." He gestured vaguely with his hands, like he was physically demonstrating the activation process. "Shake off the rust." Zoe shot him a withering look. "I''ve been using my navigation skills, Ryan. It hasn''t done shit." "So... combat skills?" Danny said, his eyes drifting towards the door, then back at us. "That''s how we unlocked the system to begin with, right? Maybe that''s what it takes?" A heavy silence fell over the bridge, yep, you guessed it, we could hear the proverbial pin drop. We were in a new system, millions of miles from home, and our skills weren''t leveling. We were still capped. A sense of unease, bordering on panic, began to spread among the crew. This wasn''t just an inconvenience; it was a serious problem. We relied on those skills, on that progression. And on that rush. That little jolt of pleasure that came with every new level, every skill up. We were junkies, in a way, and right now, we were all going through withdrawal. And right now, we were stuck. I let my eyes drift back to the viewport, taking in Proxima Centauri and its distant siblings. No dazzling bursts of light, no cosmic drama. Just tiny points against an endless, indifferent black. Not exactly the fireworks show we¡¯d all secretly hoped for, huh? But that¡¯s the universe for you. Cold, quiet, and a hell of a lot bigger than we are. Still, we were in it. For real. It was terrifying. And amazing. And it was all on me now. I gripped the armrest a little tighter, trying to keep my nerves in check. There¡¯s no turning back from this. We made it. Now it¡¯s time to make it count. But how were we supposed to do that if we couldn''t even level up? Chapter 22 - Breaking down the Level Cap, maybe. "Maybe a little sparring will kickstart it?" Danny added, trying to sound casual, but I could see the uncertainty in his eyes. "You want us to beat each other up?" Emily asked, her voice laced with skepticism. "Seriously?" "It''s just a thought," Danny mumbled, shrugging. "We''re stuck, aren''t we?" Joey raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "I''ve got space in the infirmary." My stomach twisted into a knot. This was escalating quickly. Part of me wanted to shut it down, to tell everyone to calm the fuck down. But another part, a more primal, frustrated part, was starting to see the twisted logic in it. We were fighters. Maybe that was the key. Or maybe we were all just losing it. "So who''s fighting who?" Chris asked, breaking the silence. His voice was surprisingly neutral, but I could see the glint of something in his eyes. Excitement? Apprehension? A mix of both, maybe. All eyes turned to me. Right. Captain. Decision time. I looked at each of them, trying to gauge their expressions. Zoe was watching me intently, her arms crossed. Ryan looked eager, a little too eager. Emily seemed concerned, and Danny... well, Danny looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. "Fine," I said, the word escaping my lips before I could fully process it. "Let''s go to the gym. But nothing serious. We''re just testing this, got it?" A wave of nods and murmurs of agreement rippled through the bridge. As we headed towards the gym, I could feel the tension rising with every step. This was either going to be a breakthrough or a complete disaster. And honestly? I wasn''t sure which one I was dreading more. The gym was spacious, equipped with everything from weights to sparring mats. The air smelled faintly of ozone and sweat. Not exactly the ideal place for a friendly spar. More like a place where things got real. And yeah, my stomach was doing somersaults now. This was a bad idea. A really bad idea. "So, who''s up first?" Ryan asked, bouncing on the balls of his feet like he was ready to jump into a ring. He was practically vibrating with pent-up energy. Everyone looked at me. Again. Because, you know, captain. "I''ll do it," I said, stepping forward before anyone else could volunteer, or worse, volunteer me. "Ryan, you''re up." Ryan grinned, cracking his knuckles. "You got it, Captain." "Just remember," I said, trying to inject some authority into my voice. "We''re testing a theory. No killing each other." Zoe snorted. "Where''s the fun in that?" she teased, but I could see the hint of concern in her eyes. Ryan and I faced each other in the center of the mat. He bounced lightly on his feet, his blue eyes glinting with challenge and something else. Something that made my stomach clench. Was this a mistake? Probably. But there was no turning back now. We were doing this. For better or for worse. "Ready?" Ryan asked, raising his fists. His blonde hair fell across his forehead, and for a second, I just stared, my mind blank. Then, with a jolt, I mirrored his stance, my heart pounding in my chest like a war drum. This was it. Time to see if a little pain was the key to unlocking our potential. Or if we were all just a bunch of idiots, desperate for a fix. Ryan and I circled each other, our movements mirroring each other. The gym lights reflected off the sweat beading on his forehead, and I could see the focused intensity in his eyes. This was ridiculous. We were supposed to be a team, and here we were, about to beat the shit out of each other on the off chance that it might magically fix our level cap problem. Ryan threw the first punch, a tentative left hook that I easily blocked. It was soft, almost playful. Testing the waters. I responded with a right jab, equally light, aiming for his shoulder. We were feeling each other out, trying to figure out the fight. "Come on, Luca," Emily called from the sidelines. "Is that all you''ve got?" Her voice was teasing, but I could hear the underlying tension. They were all watching us, their faces a blend of anticipation and apprehension. She looked worried for me. I feinted to the left, then threw a right hook towards Ryan''s ribs. He grunted as it connected, but he took it well. And yeah, his abs were tighter than I expected. Like hitting a wall of muscle. Where the hell had that come from? The next few exchanges were more of the same. Feints, blocks, and light punches. I walloped him across the head, and yeah that was weak, more like bitch-slap. We were both holding back, testing each other, testing the theory. But it was starting to feel¡­ real. The air crackled with a strange energy, adrenaline and something else. Something I didn''t want to name. "Still no passive XP gain," Ryan said, his voice a little breathless. He ducked under my left jab and landed a solid punch to my gut. I grunted, more from surprise than pain. How the hell was he checking his interface while we were fighting? "How are you even looking at that right now?" I asked, circling him, trying to catch my breath. My eyes were glued to him, to the way his muscles moved under his skin, the way his blonde hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat. This was a mistake. A huge mistake. Ryan grinned, a flash of white teeth in the dim light. "Multitasking," he said, shrugging. "Gotta stay informed." Then he lunged, a flurry of punches aimed at my head and chest. I blocked most of them, but one connected with my jaw, sending a jolt of pain through me. And yeah, that one hurt. A lot. "Take it seriously, you two!" Danny''s voice cut through the air, laced with a hint of anxiety. "The system might not recognize it if you''re just playing around." "Oh, we''re taking it seriously," Ryan said, his voice low and dangerous. He feinted left, then right, then landed another hard punch to my ribs. I stumbled back, gasping for air. That hurt. And the look in Ryan''s eyes? That wasn''t the look of a teammate. That was the look of a predator. "Come on, hit him back!" Zoe shouted. She sounded excited, maybe a little too much. "Give us a show!" Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. "Yeah," Emily added, her voice laced with excitement, "Make it count!" Were they enjoying this? A little too much? The pain in my ribs flared, a sharp reminder that I was in a fight, not a dance. And maybe, just maybe, Danny was right. We needed to take this seriously. A surge of adrenaline, hot and fierce, coursed through me. My vision narrowed, focusing on Ryan, on the way his muscles bunched under his skin, the sweat dripping down his temples. And yeah, I wanted to hurt him. Not just to test the system, but because he''d hurt me. Because he was standing there, looking at me like he was about to tear me apart, his legs moving like a wanna-be boxer. And maybe, just maybe, because I wanted him to look at me like that. I launched myself at him, a flurry of punches aimed at his head and body. I felt a savage grin stretch my lips as my fists connected with his flesh, bone, and muscle. This was it. This was what we needed. Pain. Exertion. A real fight. And maybe, just maybe, a way to finally break through this fucking level cap. My fist connected with his jaw, and I felt a thrill course through me, quickly followed by a sharp pain in my knuckles. He grunted, staggering back a step, but he didn''t go down. Instead, he shook his head, his eyes clearing, and then he was on me, a whirlwind of fists and elbows. I tried to block, to counter, but he was too fast, too strong. A punch caught me in the temple, and the world spun. Another connected with my stomach, driving the air from my lungs. I stumbled, my legs turning to jelly. And then, with a final, brutal uppercut, Ryan sent me crashing to the mat. The world went black. "Maybe you were right," I heard Joey''s voice, muffled and distant, as if from the end of a long tunnel. "Maybe we are missing something." I tried to open my eyes, to speak, but everything was dark and heavy. My head throbbed, my body ached, and my thoughts were a jumbled mess. Had it worked? Was the level cap gone? Or had we just brutalized each other for nothing? Then, strong arms were lifting me, pulling me to my feet. I blinked, my vision slowly clearing. Ryan was standing over me, his face etched with concern, and yeah, maybe a little bit of guilt. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he just held out a hand, helping me to my feet. "You alright?" he asked, his voice surprisingly gentle. I nodded, my head still spinning. "Yeah," I mumbled, my voice hoarse. "Just peachy." Joey appeared beside me, holding a small spray bottle. "Here," he said, "this will help with the swelling." He sprayed something cool and soothing on my face, and the throbbing in my head eased slightly. "So," I said, turning to look at Ryan, "Did it work?" Ryan shook his head, glancing down at his hands. "Nothing. Still no skill queue." A wave of exhaustion washed over me. We''d pushed ourselves, pushed each other, and for what? Nothing. We were still stuck. Still capped. And now, on top of everything else, I had a throbbing head and a bruised ego. "Well, shit," I said, slumping against the wall. "Now what?" Then a thought struck me, a very obvious, very stupid thought. "Hey, Ryan," I said, my voice a little dazed. "Do you even have a hand-to-hand combat skill?" Ryan blinked, his grin faltering for a second. "Uh... no," he admitted, scratching the back of his head. "Do you?" I stared at him, then at the others, who were now looking at each other with dawning realization and sheepish embarrassment. "No," I said, my voice flat. "None of us do. We have weapons skills. Guns, mostly. You know, for shooting things. Not for... this." I gestured vaguely at my own face, then at the gym around us. I wanted to facepalm, but my face hurt too much. Of all the dumb, impulsive, illogical things we''d done, this had to be near the top of the list. We were idiots. Well-meaning, desperate idiots, but idiots nonetheless. Ryan, of course, chose that moment to grin again, that infuriatingly charming grin that made me want to punch him all over again. "Well," he said, clapping me on the shoulder, "at least we got a good workout in." I glared at him, but even I had to admit, it was kind of funny. In a messed-up, we''re-all-going-crazy-in-space kind of way. Though, I thought, maybe I should invest in a hand-to-hand combat skill if I ever came across a skill shard. Emily would probably kill me, though. We had spent hours working on my skill plan. Eh, what was one more skill?
We were a sorry sight as we stumbled into the lounge. I could feel every single bruise throbbing, a technicolor map of pain blossoming across my body. My face felt like one giant bruise, and I was pretty sure my ribs were cracked. But, at least Ryan was sporting a nasty shiner, so I wasn''t the only one who''d paid the price for our little experiment. We were laughing, though, a slightly hysterical edge to it, fueled by adrenaline, relief, and the sheer absurdity of what we''d just done. "Idiots," I muttered, shaking my head. "We''re fucking idiots." "Speak for yourself," Ryan said, wincing as he touched his swollen eye. "But hey, at least we tried." I dimmed the lights in the lounge, letting the starlight spilling in through the wide windows take over. It was so goddamned romantic, I thought, glancing around for Emily. The soft glow from the small lamps bathed the leather couches and armchairs in a warm light, and yeah, I had to admit, the setup looked good. Like, better-than-usual good. I grabbed two bottles of wine from the stash my dad had handed me before we left, carefully opening them, trying not to spill like an idiot. This was a milestone, and we deserved to celebrate. Even if we were sporting fresh bruises. Pouring the wine into glasses, I raised mine in an easy toast, the grin on my face more crooked than I¡¯d planned, thanks to my swollen lip. ¡°To surviving the Oort Cloud Passage and finally coasting into Alpha Centauri,¡± I said, my arm wrapped around Emily¡¯s waist as she stood beside me. She looked amazing tonight, and yeah, so did the rest of the crew. There was something about making it through a mess like the Oort Cloud that made everyone shine a little brighter. We all raised glasses, the soft clink of glassware blending with murmured agreements. It had been a rough couple of days, constant course adjustments, tension so thick it could¡¯ve clogged the FTL drive, and no room for error. But now? We¡¯d earned this. A breath, a slice of calm after all the chaos. Emily passed out slices of pizza, the smell of melted cheese and pepperoni filling the room, and damn, it hit just right. ¡°Courtesy of Luca¡¯s oregano,¡± she teased, sprinkling some over Zoe¡¯s slice with a flourish before handing it over. She paused as she passed me, her eyes tracing the colorful bruises blooming on my chest, visible beneath my sheer white shirt. She moved around the room like she owned it, making everything feel better, easier, she had that magic about her. And then, before I could even process it, she was on my lap, settling in like it was the most natural thing in the world. My heart skipped a beat, and yeah, I was totally screwed. Every slight shift of her weight sent a jolt through my aching muscles, but I wasn''t about to complain. Not when she felt this good pressed against me. Zoe leaned into Ryan, biting into her slice with her eyes closed, practically humming with satisfaction. ¡°God bless the hydroponic garden. Who knew oregano could taste this good?¡± ¡°Me,¡± I shot back, adjusting Emily on my lap and trying and failing to not focus on how good she felt pressed against me. Or how every slight movement made me acutely aware of just how badly Ryan had pummeled me. How was I supposed to be normal like this? Across the room, Joey scrolled through the movie catalog like it owed him something, a deep frown etched on his face. ¡°Man, is it just me, or do we have, like, no good movies left?¡± he griped, scrolling past the same tired titles we¡¯d already seen twice. What a clown. Danny laughed, leaning over the pool table as he lined up a shot. ¡°That¡¯s because you burned through anything decent weeks ago. Don¡¯t blame the catalog, blame your garbage taste.¡± Always the smug bastard. Chris swirled his wine like he was in some fancy parlor, his tone dripping with mock sophistication. ¡°A man who devours Deathstalker four times in a row has no leg to stand on,¡± he said, smirking. Joey shot him a glare, sticking his tongue out like a five-year-old before going back to his pointless search. I leaned back, letting the sound of laughter and friendly jabs wash over me. This was nice. Normal. We¡¯d made it. Everyone was here, and for once, everything felt right. For now, at least. And with Emily sitting on my lap, her warmth radiating through me like some kind of antidote to the universe¡¯s bullshit, I couldn¡¯t help but feel like maybe, just maybe, things were starting to look up. Even if my body felt like it had been trampled by a herd of space elephants. Chapter 23 - Dishwasher Boy As the party started to wind down, I found myself lounging on the couch with Emily sprawled comfortably on my lap. Her weight against me felt so natural, and yeah, it was definitely making things¡­ complicated. The sheer loungewear didn¡¯t help, and my brain was doing its usual thing, overthinking everything. Specifically, one question that had been gnawing at me all damn night: Was she wearing a thong or a g-string? My ribs ached with every slight movement, a constant reminder of Ryan''s fists, but even that wasn''t enough to distract me from this particular dilemma. I couldn¡¯t shake it. The thought had wormed its way into my head early in the night, and now it was like an itch I couldn¡¯t scratch. The problem? I didn¡¯t actually know the difference. I mean, I¡¯d heard of both, obviously, but I couldn¡¯t have pointed one out in a lineup if my life depended on it. Was a thong just thicker? Was a g-string basically a shoelace? I didn¡¯t know, and it was driving me nuts. Emily shifted on my lap, her hips wiggling slightly, and yeah, my whole body lit up like a Christmas tree. This was getting harder to hide. I gripped her hips instinctively, keeping her steady so she didn¡¯t notice, or at least, didn¡¯t make it worse. A sharp pain shot through my side, and I winced. Note to self: bruised ribs and lap dances don''t mix. Finally, I caved. I leaned in, my voice low enough that no one else could hear. ¡°Emily,¡± I whispered, ¡°are you wearing a thong?¡± She froze for a second before turning to look at me, her green eyes glittering with amusement. And yeah, I knew I was in for it. A slow, mischievous smile spread across her lips. ¡°Luca Rossi,¡± she said, her voice dripping with playful scorn. ¡°You are such a naughty boy.¡± Before I could reply, she leaned in, her lips brushing my neck in a way that sent shivers all the way down my spine. My bruised muscles protested, but honestly, I didn''t care. Not when she was this close. Her laugh was soft and wicked, and I could feel the heat rising in my face, and everywhere else. This was a mistake, wasn¡¯t it? ¡°Well,¡± I said, trying to match her energy, even though I was completely out of my depth. ¡°Now I really need to know.¡± My grin felt lopsided, but she didn¡¯t seem to mind. She leaned back slightly, her hands trailing lazily up my chest as her eyes locked on mine, filled with that teasing glint that drove me insane. ¡°You¡¯re adorable,¡± she said, shaking her head as if she couldn¡¯t believe I¡¯d actually asked. ¡°But tell me, Luca, what do you think the difference is?¡± ¡°A thong¡¯s¡­ thicker?¡± I ventured, my voice hesitant. ¡°And a g-string is, like, thinner? Or¡­ stringier?¡± My cheeks were burning now. God, I sounded like an idiot. Emily laughed, a full, genuine laugh that made her whole body shake against mine. I bit back a groan as her movement jostled my sore ribs. Worth it. ¡°Oh, Luca,¡± she said, her voice dropping into a soft, seductive purr. ¡°You really are a novice, aren¡¯t you?¡± Her fingers toyed with the hem of her loungewear as she tilted her head, considering me. Then, in a move that nearly stopped my heart, she lifted the waistband just enough to reveal a sliver of red. ¡°This,¡± she whispered, her voice both daring and playful, ¡°is a g-string.¡± I swallowed hard, my throat dry, as my eyes locked onto the sliver of fabric. My brain was screaming at me to say something, anything, but all I could manage was a strangled, ¡°Oh.¡± Emily leaned closer, her lips brushing my ear. ¡°So now you know,¡± she murmured, her breath warm against my skin. And yeah, I was definitely not going to survive this. ¡°Is that what Zoe was wearing the other day?¡± I asked, my voice dipping low with curiosity, and yeah, I¡¯d been paying attention. Probably way too much. My bruised ribs throbbed in protest as I shifted slightly, trying to get a better look. Focus, Rossi, focus. Emily smirked, her green eyes narrowing as if she could see right through me. ¡°Yeah,¡± she said, her voice dripping with amusement. ¡°They can be quite¡­ revealing.¡± Her fingers traced small circles on my arm, her nails barely brushing my skin. ¡°But then again, they¡¯re just as comfortable as a thong.¡± Was she trying to kill me? Because it was working. My thoughts raced, tripping over themselves in an effort to focus on anything but the visual she¡¯d just planted in my head. And the growing ache in my pants wasn''t helping. And then she leaned in closer, her body pressing flush against mine. Her lips hovered inches from my ear, and I could feel her breath, warm and teasing, as she whispered, ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask Zoe about it? Something tells me she¡¯d be happy to show you.¡± My brain flatlined. Completely shut down. Was she serious? Was she actually telling me to ask Zoe about her underwear? The idea made my stomach flip in a way that wasn¡¯t entirely unpleasant, but it was overshadowed by the fact that Emily¡¯s lips had just brushed my ear, and yeah, thinking was not an option right now. ¡°Yeah, uh¡­ maybe another time,¡± I muttered, trying to sound casual and failing miserably. My voice cracked slightly, and I immediately wanted to punch myself. Or Ryan. He was the reason I was in pain in the first place. Emily pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, her grin softening but losing none of its mischief. ¡°I¡¯m just teasing,¡± she said, her tone playful but with an edge of sincerity that made my chest tighten. Her hand came up to cup my cheek, her thumb brushing lightly over my skin. ¡°But, hey, no judgment if you¡¯re curious.¡± Curious? That wasn¡¯t the half of it. I let out a weak laugh, my hands tightening instinctively on her waist as I tried to regain some semblance of control. Every slight movement sent a jolt of pain through my ribs, but I didn''t care. Not when she was this close. ¡°You¡¯re gonna kill me, you know that?¡± Her smile widened, but there was something softer behind it now, something that made my stomach twist in a completely different way. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it,¡± she murmured before leaning in and pressing a featherlight kiss to my lips.
Joey, who had been pretending to browse the movie catalog but was clearly keeping one eye on us, cleared his throat loudly. ¡°Uh, guys?¡± he said, trying to sound casual and failing miserably. ¡°I think it might be time for bed.¡± He jabbed a thumb toward the clock on the wall, which read 02:00, and yeah, I knew he was just trying to bail me out of my predicament. Thanks, Joey. Maybe. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. The crew groaned in unison, the late hour catching up to them. One by one, they began to gather their things, stretching and yawning as they shuffled toward the door. Zoe, already tucked under Danny¡¯s arm, shot me a knowing glance that sent my stomach into knots. She knew. Of course she knew. ¡°Night, Captain,¡± she called over her shoulder, her tone dripping with amusement. And yeah, she definitely knew what was up. Emily untangled herself from my lap with deliberate slowness, her teasing smirk still firmly in place. I exhaled sharply, realizing I¡¯d been holding my breath the whole time. Snatching up a pillow, I strategically placed it over my lap, my ears burning. "This is all Ryan''s fault," I muttered under my breath, glaring at the pillow like it was his fault I was hard and in pain. I muttered, ¡°I¡¯ll clean up,¡± before standing, hoping the motion would somehow distract from the situation below my waist, and yeah, it wasn¡¯t working. If the other guys noticed, they mercifully chose not to say anything. Joey, though, couldn¡¯t resist giving me a thumbs-up, already halfway out the door with Chris trailing behind him. ¡°Good man,¡± he said with an exaggerated wink that made me want to launch the pillow at his head. Instead, I clenched my jaw and let him have his moment. Next time, Joey. Next time. As the room emptied, Emily stretched luxuriously on the other couch, her arms reaching above her head like she didn¡¯t have a care in the world. The movement drew my eyes, not that I had any control over it, and when she propped her head up on a pillow, she caught me staring. Of course she did. ¡°Come on, silly,¡± she said, motioning for me to join her. Her tone was light, but her eyes carried that same playful edge it always did, the one that tied my brain in knots and made me forget how to think straight. ¡°I¡¯ll wait while you clean up.¡± Her smile was teasing, but there was a promise there too, and yeah, I was already counting the seconds. I hesitated, caught between the gravitational pull of her invitation and the nagging sense of duty telling me to actually finish what I¡¯d started. And yeah, let¡¯s be honest, the pull was winning. ¡°Uh, yeah, just give me a minute,¡± I muttered, my voice cracking slightly. Smooth, Rossi. Real smooth. The cleanup was mercifully quick. I moved through the room, gathering glasses and plates scattered around like I actually had some purpose. The sink filled with a low hiss as I started loading the dishwasher, the rhythmic hum of the machine spinning into action helping calm my nerves. Barely. My thoughts, though? They were still in the lounge, laser-focused on Emily sprawled out on the couch behind me. I could feel her eyes on me, like she was watching my every move, waiting, and yeah, this was going to be a long night. A good one. But still, a long night. My body ached, my head throbbed, and my dick was still hard. Yep, definitely a long night.
¡°Alright, Emily,¡± I said, closing the dishwasher, trying to sound like I had it all together, ¡°Time to get you back to your room.¡± I¡¯m starting to think I should have just let her sleep on the couch. Every step was a reminder of Ryan''s fists, and my body was protesting loudly. She was fast asleep, and looked so peaceful, and yeah, I could have just stayed there and watched her sleep, but I knew I couldn¡¯t. Sitting down near her feet, I rested my elbows on my knees, unsure of what to do next, and yeah, I felt like an idiot. I rubbed the back of my neck, glancing at her loungewear, and yeah, it was far too revealing, though I supposed that wasn¡¯t news by now. I still couldn¡¯t wrap my head around how Zoe and Emily had managed to convince the lady at the uniform shop to sell them these, it was ridiculous. Even the guys¡¯ underwear was visible through the thin fabric, though none of us seemed to care. It was like some bizarre, see-through uniform. We were all into sports, I mused, my eyes drifting to the dim lights of the lounge. Locker room rules, I guess. But the girls¡­ I sighed, the thought trailing off, yeah, the girls brought a different energy to our evenings. Emily, with her playful teasing, always seemed effortlessly alluring, and Zoe, with her confidence, didn''t even need to try. They were both something else. And now, thanks to Ryan, I was feeling every single one of my bruises. Great. Occasionally, Zoe would arrive without wearing a bra. Though her breasts were barely there, she still made an effort to draw attention to them. The outline of her dark nipples pressing against their long lounge shirts certainly did the trick. Despite the flirtatious atmosphere amongst our crew, there seemed to be some level of restraint as there had been no news of any extracurricular romance. Was this a typical normal? I didn''t want to think about it too much, after all, we were having fun. I was just glad that my arousal was finally subsiding, and yeah, that was a relief. My eyes flicked to Emily again, and I took a deep breath when I realized her bra had slipped loose at some point, one breast now exposed. She must have known or done this on purpose, probably, yeah. My heart thudded as I looked away sharply, forcing myself to focus on the blank wall ahead. Okay. Nope. Not going there, I told myself. What the hell, man? After a beat, I grabbed a nearby blanket and carefully draped it over her, tucking her in gently. Just cover it up, that¡¯s right. Problem solved. But as I adjusted the blanket, my eyes betrayed me for a second, catching on the tiny knot at her waist where her g-string was tied, and yeah, I was a mess. It had the ship¡¯s logo printed on it, just like the rest of our clothes. Even the underwear, I thought wryly. What a ridiculous use of my budget. She was beautiful, and yeah, I wanted her. ¡°Come on Emily, time for bed,¡± I sighed after a moment, touching her shoulder, trying to sound like I had it under control, but yeah, I was a mess. As Emily stirred awake, I couldn''t help but smile at the sight of her sleepy eyes and disheveled hair. She was beautiful. ¡°Mmm, what time is it?¡± she asked, and yeah, she was still half-asleep. ¡°It''s time to say goodnight, sweetheart,¡± I replied, and yeah, I was such a sap for her. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get you back to your room.¡± Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, Emily reached into her shirt and unclipped her loose bra, letting it fall beside her. She stretched, her bare chest now exposed, her movements deliberate, and yeah, I was trying so hard not to look, and failing miserably. Her arms extended out, giving me a glorious view of her fully exposed breasts just a foot away, and I was pretty sure my brain stopped working. Slowly, she reached out and ran her fingers through my hair, pulling me closer, and yeah, I felt like I was going to pass out. ¡°I had so much fun tonight,¡± she breathed before leaning in to kiss me. My ribs screamed in protest, but I ignored them. This was worth it. My heart raced as I returned her kiss, my hands instinctively finding their way to her hips, and yeah, she was so good, and I was so lost. We broke apart after a moment, both slightly breathless. And I was now, officially, fully awake. And hard. Again. Great. ¡°Me too, Em. We¡¯ll do it again sometime,¡± I admitted with a smile, and yeah, I wanted to do that again, soon. ¡°But it¡¯s late, and you should get some rest.¡± Emily pouted, looking at me with those big green eyes of hers. ¡°Do I have to?¡± she asked, tracing circles on my chest with her finger, and yeah, I could get lost in her eyes. And her fingers weren''t helping with the whole ''bruised ribs'' situation. Or the other situation. I felt myself growing warm under her touch. ¡°We have a lot of work tomorrow, come on, I¡¯ll walk you,¡± and yeah, I needed to get out of here, fast. With a sigh, Emily nodded. ¡°Definitely, Captain.¡± And yeah, that was it, she had me, I knew it. I stepped away, allowing her to get up off the couch, the blanket falling off her. Then, I guided her out of the lounge toward her quarters. As we approached her cabin door, Emily shivered, goosebumps visible beneath her sleeves. Her big, forlorn eyes met mine as she whispered a soft ¡°Goodnight.¡± And yeah, I could see that she was tired, that she was letting her guard down, and that was a privilege. ¡°Goodnight, Emily,¡± I replied gently, watching her step inside, kind of hoping she would invite me in, yet dreading it, before heading back to my own cabin once the door slid shut. My body ached, my head was pounding, and my dick was still hard. What a fucking night. Chapter 24 - Sleep Over! Once inside, I changed into my warm pajamas. Despite the lack of flannel, the fabrics Emily and Zoe had chosen felt surprisingly good, soft, breathable, and insulating against the ship¡¯s subtle chill. As I settled under my comforter, I made a mental note to check the thermostat in Emily¡¯s room. She was always cold; maybe it was malfunctioning. I was a little worried about her. Just as sleep began to tug at my eyelids, a soft knock came at my door. I knew exactly who it was. ¡°Emily?¡± I asked, opening it. My heart was practically coming out of my chest. She stood there, teeth chattering a bundled-up, adorable mess in her buttoned-up pajamas. ¡°I can¡¯t take the cold anymore,¡± she stammered, her voice small. Fuck, she¡¯s cute. ¡°Can I stay with you?¡± Please, please, please, I thought, even though I also knew this was a bad idea. I glanced quickly down the empty hallway before stepping aside. I knew this was going to be a disaster. ¡°Come in.¡± I couldn''t help the little smile that had started forming on my lips. Emily didn¡¯t wait for an invitation to do anything else. She went straight to my bed and burrowed under my comforter, shivering so hard the mattress shook beneath her. I shut the door, leaning against it for a moment, staring at the now-occupied bed, and sure, my mind was racing. Where am I supposed to sleep now? This is a terrible idea, I thought, but I couldn''t stop the smile that had now formed on my lips. ¡°Stop standing there and get in,¡± Emily called from beneath the blanket, her voice muffled but insistent. She peeked out, her face rosy from the chill. She was cute as hell. ¡°You¡¯re warm. I need you.¡± That did things to me. I hesitated. Part of me wanted to jump in, the other part knew this was awkward as shit. Finally, I caved, climbing in beside her, closer to the cold bulkhead. My bed was warm, sure, but then her ice-cold limbs hit me. Jesus Christ she was cold. Oh, wait, these were actually good for my bruises, maybe this is not a bad idea after all. A sharp pain shot up my side as Emily shifted, pressing against my sore ribs from the fight earlier. I winced, but didn''t say anything. Didn''t want to ruin the moment, you know? "Holy shit Emily, are your feet made of actual frost?" I yelped, jerking back as her toes, like little icicles, grazed my legs. She giggled, all sleepy and cute, curling closer. "Come on, don''t be a baby. I''m thawing out." As she moved, her knee bumped my chest, right where it was bruised. I bit back a groan. Man, that hurt, but her cold skin actually felt kinda good on the throbbing blue and purple mess. ¡°Thawing out? You¡¯re trying to freeze me solid!¡± I grumbled, pulling the blanket tighter around us, she was playing with me. ¡°How are you even alive with feet that cold? You¡¯re like an actual ice elemental.¡± I was probably being dramatic, but they really were freezing. Emily wiggled her toes against my calves. "You''re exaggerating. It''s not that bad." She had to know she was driving me nuts, and yeah, I was starting to think she liked it. Her arm brushed my chest, sending a jolt of pain through me. I sucked in a breath. "It is exactly that bad," I retorted, but my voice softened as her arms wrapped around my waist. She felt so good, even if she was a damn popsicle. Her head rested on my chest, breath warm against my skin, a total contrast to her freezing hands and feet. My heart was beating so hard, I swear it was trying to escape. Another wave of pain, this time from my shoulder, as she snuggled closer. "Goodnight, Captain Complaints," she murmured, planting a quick kiss on my cheek. This was getting out of control, fast. I winced as she pressed against my side again. ¡°Goodnight, Frost Queen,¡± I replied dryly, but my hand found her hair, stroking it slow. Despite her being a walking ice cube, she was warm in a way that made my heart do stupid things. I was totally gone. As Emily drifted off, breathing all soft and steady, I stared at the ceiling, my mind racing. She was going to give me hypothermia, but damn if it wasn''t worth it. Probably pathetic, right? But I couldn''t help it. She had me wrapped around her finger, body pressed against me, and I was okay with that, even if every movement was a painful reminder of that fight. I''m such an idiot. A happy, bruised idiot. That poor idiot, Ryan, was probably grimacing in pain in his room alone, nursing that shiner I gave him and that nice chest of his, I had gotten a couple of good hits in there. We really went at it today, huh? Good times, good times. I didn''t regret it, not really. It was fun, in a painful, we''re-all-idiots kind of way. I smiled to myself, picturing Ryan''s stupid face. He''d probably give me shit for it tomorrow, but he''d be smiling. We''re all just a bunch of idiots, in our own ways, but we have each other''s backs. And right now, I have Emily''s. Even if she''s a beautiful, freezing, pain-inducing, wonderful problem. My problem, at least for tonight.
The next morning, I woke to find Emily curled up against me, her arm draped across my chest. The warmth of her breath tickled my neck, and as my eyes adjusted to the dim cabin light, I froze. Her shirt had come unbuttoned at some point during the night, leaving her bare, glorious breasts exposed in the soft glow. Of course, I thought. Just my luck. I swallowed hard, trying to look away and focusing on the ceiling, trying to will my thoughts into something less incriminating, but that was a losing battle. But come on, I had to look. She was beautiful, all peaceful and comfy, hair a mess on my pillow. The moment felt¡­ I don''t know, fragile? Like if I moved, it would shatter. Part of me wanted to just stay there forever, soaking it in. The other part was like, Dude, get the hell out of here. But for now? It was pretty damn nice. I tried to slide out of bed, ninja-style, but a jolt of pain shot through my ribs as I moved. Damn, still sore. Emily stirred, her arm tightening around me for a second, right on the most tender spot on my chest. I bit back a hiss. Then her eyes fluttered open. She yawned, stretching like a cat, and oh my god, the movement was pure torture, especially when her knee bumped my crotch. I couldn''t stop staring, even though every slight shift of my body reminded me of the fight. She was a goddess, a beautiful, distracting goddess who was currently using my bruised body as a pillow. "Good morning," she mumbled, voice all husky and sleep-ridden. Too beautiful. Way too beautiful. Those green eyes, that little nose... fuck. "Good morning," I replied, sitting on the edge of the bed, trying to act like my heart wasn''t about to explode. I risked a glance back, and yeah, my eyes betrayed me. Straight to the goods. Emily sat up behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist, chin on my shoulder. Her bare chest pressed against my back, warmth spreading through my thin shirt. Holy hell. "Last night was great," she whispered, playful as shit. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°It really was,¡± I agreed, though my grin quickly turned into a grimace of restraint. I cleared my throat and added, ¡°We¡¯ve got a lot of work ahead of us today, mapping the system, deploying the first satellite¡­¡± My words trailed off as Emily shifted, clearly in no rush to move. I was enjoying this way too much. With a sigh, she reached for her shirt, buttoning it up slowly. "So, what happened?" she asked, all casual but with that glint in her eye. ¡°You fell asleep,¡± I replied with a smirk. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to wake you. You looked¡­ happy.¡± She did. ¡°Oh.¡± Emily paused, her expression shifting briefly before a teasing smile replaced it. ¡°Well, at least your bed is warm. And so are you.¡± She reached out suddenly, her fingers darting toward the very visible bulge in my pajama pants. She wasn¡¯t making this easy. ¡°Emily!¡± I yelped, leaping off the bed like a startled cat, clutching my waistband as she laughed hysterically. I was a mess, but I was also enjoying this. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Captain?¡± she teased, still sitting cross-legged on the bed, her shirt now mostly buttoned, her breasts put away. ¡°Scared of a little attention?¡± ¡°From you? Absolutely,¡± I shot back, my face flushed as I tried to maintain some shred of dignity. I was a goner, but I wasn¡¯t fighting it. I leaned down, planting a quick kiss on her lips, catching her by surprise, before bolting toward the shower. ¡°Gotta stay professional, right?¡± I called over my shoulder, still laughing. I really was, I needed to cool off. Emily flopped back against the bed, a satisfied grin on her face as she watched me go. ¡°You¡¯re so dramatic,¡± she muttered to herself. She was right and oh so sexy. One day Em, one day. As the water ran in the shower, I leaned against the wall, grimacing as the hot spray hit my tender chest. I ran my hands over my face, wincing as my fingers brushed a particularly sore spot on my ribs and letting out a long, exasperated sigh. This is fine, I told myself. I just slept with Emily. We didn''t do anything, but hey, small wins, right? Totally fine. Just another day with her, driving me completely insane, while I''m also aching like I went a few rounds with a heavyweight champ. And I was actually okay with that. I mean, who wouldn''t be? She''s Emily, for crying out loud, and she chose to be with me, even if it was just to cuddle, drive me up the wall, and inadvertently use me as a human heating pad for her ice-cold feet.
I waited for Emily to finish dressing in her room, took her sweet time, too. I might''ve spent a little too long staring. We went down a deck to the galley for breakfast, fashionably late, of course. Breakfast was bacon and eggs. We were running low on fresh stuff, 44 days in. Dry goods, frozen crap, and freeze-dried mystery meals were the norm now. Everyone was hoping for a habitable planet with edible plants and animals, but that was a long shot. Goldilocks zone and a hint of an atmosphere was the best we could hope for, and even that felt like a pipe dream. I sat by Ryan and Danny, who were already arguing about the deployment of the satellites, while Emily sat by Zoe, who, yeah, I could tell she was already dying to catch up, and probably ask Emily about last night. I leaned back in my chair at the breakfast table, half-listening to Ryan animatedly explaining some technical detail to Danny about reactor efficiencies. My coffee mug was warm in my hands, but my mind was only half in the conversation. Across the room, the murmur of hushed voices caught my attention. Emily and Zoe, huddled close, their heads bent together, whispering with occasional bursts of giggles. I had a bad feeling about this. "So," Zoe whispered, loud enough for me to hear, "How did it go?" Here it comes. "How did what go?" Emily asked, playing dumb. She was good at that. Zoe leaned closer, her voice dropping lower, but I caught just enough. ¡°Didn¡¯t you spend the night at Luca¡¯s? I want all the juicy details.¡± Shit, they were talking about me. I froze, almost choking on my coffee. They''re talking about me? I tried to focus on Ryan, who was now gesturing wildly, a bruise on his cheekbone, a souvenir from our little sparring match yesterday. Looked good on him. But my Perception attribute was a bitch, and I was locked onto the girls conversation. Too convenient. I winced as I shifted, my ribs protesting. That was thanks to Ryan''s surprisingly hard left hook. I''d hit him as hard as I could yesterday and it was like punching concrete. "It was nice," Emily said softly, a smile in her voice. My heart did a stupid flip-flop thing. "Just nice?" Zoe pressed, probably with those damn eyebrow waggles. They were having way too much fun. Emily¡¯s response was quieter now, but I caught the tail end: ¡°...fall asleep... didn¡¯t want to get too carried away.¡± That was a relief, and also, a little disappointing, not going to lie. I swallowed, mind racing. Too carried away? I shifted again, trying to act like I wasn''t eavesdropping. My focus on Ryan and Danny was gone. I was feeling it, the heat in my cheeks. A dull ache pulsed in my shoulder, another gift from Ryan. He packed a mean punch for an engineer. ¡°Oh, what I would have done to him...¡± Zoe said dramatically, her voice teasing, earning a muffled laugh from Emily. ¡°You two make such a cute couple.¡± She knew I was listening, I was sure of it, we shared some skills and stats, I bet her Situational Awareness was higher than mine. My grip tightened on my mug, my ears burning and I wanted to crawl under the table. I resisted the urge to turn and look. A cute couple? Is that what she thinks? I had to get a grip, we had a lot of work to do. "Luca? You with us?" Ryan''s voice startled me. He was looking at me funny, probably noticed the shiner I''d given him was throbbing. "Huh?" I blinked, forcing a smile. "Yeah, sorry. Just... zoned out." Great, now everyone knew I was a mess. I winced, feeling the dull ache in my chest. He slaps like a bitch. ¡°More like for a whole minute,¡± Danny joked, shaking his head. He wasn''t wrong. Across the room, Emily''s voice rose. "No wonder I''ve been freezing at night! Tell him to fix it right away." What the hell was she talking about? "Fix what?" I muttered, pretending to be focused on my companions. What were they scheming? I was starting to feel a little scared. I shifted again, uncomfortable, my grip tightening on my coffee. The girls'' voices, soft and conspiratorial, kept drawing my attention. I caught Zoe''s voice, defensive. This was never going to stop. "I didn''t think he''d actually do it," she said, sheepish. Do what? ¡°Do what?¡± I muttered to myself. Across the table, Ryan¡¯s head turned toward the girls, and my stomach sank. Oh no. Don¡¯t walk over there, Ryan. Don¡¯t¡ª Ryan stood up, walking toward Emily and Zoe, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I''m sorry," he said, his voice low but clear. "I thought it was just a harmless prank." What the hell is this about now? Was everyone in on this except for me? I barely resisted a groan. I glanced at Danny, who was scribbling on a napkin, muttering about drone calibrations. How could he be so calm? Emily''s glare softened. "It''s okay," she said, gentle but firm. "Just please fix it. I can''t sleep in a cold room every night." I was going to have a talk with him later. Ryan nodded. "Yeah, alright. I''ll do it after duties tonight." He turned and strode toward the engineering lab, sandy-blonde hair catching the light. I was sure they had been talking about him. My attention snapped to Emily and Zoe, who exchanged glances and burst out laughing. "That''s another hottie," Emily said with a sigh, her eyes lingering on Ryan. "When did these boys grow up? They were just goofballs we had to shake off in high school, and somehow, they turned into hunks overnight." I nearly choked on my coffee. Hotties? Hunks? What the actual- Zoe shrugged. "Okay, so sabotage didn''t work," she admitted. "What''s our next plan of action?" Sabotage? My ears perked up, but I kept my eyes on Danny, trying to look busy. Next plan? What plan? This was going too far. "I don''t know...maybe we should just let things happen naturally?" Emily suggested. "But we only have a limited amount of time on this mission," Zoe argued. "We can''t waste it waiting for something to happen between us and the boys. Honestly, I''d be glad for any of them." My pulse quickened. Was everyone in on this? They were trying to get laid. I couldn''t say I hated that. My brain short-circuited. Any of them? My coffee mug hit the table with a thud. I stared blankly at my reflection. Do they just... talk about us like this? This was getting way too interesting. Danny finally noticed my dazed expression. "You okay?" he asked, tapping his pen. "You''ve been zoning out a lot today." I really hadn''t been doing a great job at pretending I had everything together. "I''m fine," I said automatically, lifting my mug to cover my face. I tried to drown out the girls, but their voices still carried. My cheeks burned. How much scheming had they been up to, and how long before it involved me again? I knew I wanted to be a part of it, whatever "it" was. Even if it meant dealing with a sore body and a bruised ego, courtesy of Ryan. Chapter 25 - Satellite Deployment After breakfast, I buried myself in the mission brief. The highlight? Deployment, configuration, and calibration of the infrared satellite. This was it, the start of our real work. Once we launched that thing, it would map out the system, and a communications satellite would follow to extend its range and send a message back to Sol. The real beginning of our mission. No pressure, right? The satellite launch itself was pretty uneventful. The ship had a deployment chute for satellites and probes: easy, automated, and done in minutes. We just guided the ship along a parallel trajectory to keep things lined up. Honestly? It was a little anticlimactic. I mean, we were starting something historic, and it felt more like flipping a switch. If only the rest of the mission were this simple. The next step, though, was manual. And dangerous as fuck. We had to get out there, manually connect an F-Type Energy Cell, and confirm the satellite was responsive. The F-Type would power it for years, but yeah, it also meant someone had to actually step outside and do it. That part sat heavy in my chest, a lead weight of dread. My job, my team, my responsibility. And what a fucking mess it already was turning into. Emily and Chris were on the bridge, monitoring the satellite¡¯s telemetry and running calibration checks. Danny and Ryan? They were suiting up for their first EVA to service the thing. It was the first time anyone on our crew had to leave the safety of the ship, and sure, I was nervous. More than nervous. I was picturing everything that could go wrong: a snag in the tether, a slip that sent them drifting, some microscopic debris ripping through their suits. This wasn¡¯t a game anymore. Zoe was working on Danny''s suit while I helped Ryan. She was meticulous, double-checking every seal, every tether, her hands moving with quick efficiency. Danny stood stock still, looking more like a mannequin than a person, probably terrified. Nervous, yeah, but trying not to show it. Probably thinking about Zoe. Or maybe about not dying. Ryan, on the other hand, was cracking jokes like he wasn''t about to step into the void. His grin was too wide, too forced, and I could tell he was covering the same nerves I felt in my gut, amplified by the fact that they had fucked up. Royally. How the hell do you forget the battery for a satellite? Were they too busy making googly eyes at each other? Probably. Fucking Ryan, always goofing off. It''s a miracle we even made it this far with him on board. Though, Danny wasn''t much better. Too busy daydreaming about Zoe, probably, with those damn dimples and freckles and that stupidly cute curly red hair. God, they were both infuriating. Ryan probably wouldn''t have been so distracted if he was not so goddamn friendly with Danny. They probably just forgot the battery pack because they were fucking around. No, they''re professionals, they wouldn''t do that... right? They fucked up, big time. "This is the fun part, right?" Ryan quipped, his voice tinny over the comms as I adjusted the seals on his helmet. He winced as I tightened a strap over what was probably a tender spot from our fight. Serves him right. His tone was light, but his grip on the edge of the table said otherwise. "Fun, sure," I muttered, not bothering to look at him. "Just don''t screw it up, or it''s going to be a very short trip." And don''t forget any more essential components, you fucking idiot. Zoe shot me a glare from across the room, her expression saying, Not helpful, Captain. She turned back to Danny, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You''re good, Danny. Just stick to the routine." And try not to let Ryan distract you into oblivion. Out there, in the relative vacuum of space, they''d look like they were barely moving, just floating alongside the satellite. But we all knew better. They''d be hurtling through space at thousands of miles per second. A mistake out there? Fatal. No retries, no do-overs. Isaac Newton would make sure of that. And now, thanks to those two idiots, the danger just got ratcheted up to eleven. I was trying not to think about how much could go wrong. But as their captain, I had to. Especially now. Now that I knew they were capable of making monumental fuck-ups. My hands were shaking, and it wasn''t just from the adrenaline. It was from the sheer, unadulterated terror that was coursing through me, mixed with a healthy dose of anger. We were so fucked.
I cleared my throat, drawing their attention. "Alright. Let''s get this done." I hated how shaky I sounded; I needed to pull it together. Fake it till you make it, Luca. Danny and Ryan were now completely encased in their hardened EVA suits. We had designed the bodysuits to be compatible with this equipment, so we just needed to raise the pants of the hardened suit to their waist, then lower down the top portion from the winch and secure them, making sure the seal was tight. The room before the airlock wasn''t tight per se, but with the bulky suits on, there wasn''t much elbow room left. They looked like a couple of overstuffed dolls. Or two idiots who forgot the damn battery. Once sealed, they turned on their oxygen supply, making sure everything was working. I strapped them both to the tether cable, my hands moving automatically, but my mind was screaming. This is real. This is really happening. The tether would be hooked up directly to the inside of the airlock room. Once the exterior hatch opened, that room would be exposed to vacuum, allowing them to exit the spacecraft while tethered safely. They''d each have another tether they would secure to the outside of the ship, as a secondary safety measure if the first failed. Finally, their EVA suits had positioning jets that allowed them to move, somewhat clumsily, towards their destination, in this case, our telescope satellite. Our telescope satellite that''s currently useless, thanks to them. Zoe and I shared a moment alone as the airlock door closed, separating us from Ryan and Danny. With a smile and a wave, Ryan and Danny turned to face the exterior hatch and pressed the button, removing the air and finally opening the exterior door. I felt a tightness in my chest, a knot of dread that had taken up permanent residence there. This is it. We were actually doing it. And I was terrified they''d find another way to screw it up. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. "You think they''ll be ok?" Zoe asked, and I could feel her hand trembling in mine, and I suddenly wanted to hug her. She was scared, and also, I was probably also making it worse. I hated how much that terrified me, and she grabbed my hand. She''s scared, too. "They''ll be fine," I said, I was lying, and I could feel my own hands clenching into a fist, holding her hand in mine. I was trying to sound convincing, but I was also trying to reassure myself because what the hell was this all about, also, what if they got hurt, and what if this was all just another mess? "They''ve done this before," but I wasn''t feeling it, and my gut felt like I had swallowed a black hole, and I hated all of this. In simulations. Where they couldn''t forget vital components. Zoe nodded, taking a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves and I suddenly wanted to kiss her, to make it all better, and that made me even more pissed. She knew the risks as well as I did. We all did, and that was also, part of the problem. Why did we always have to do things the hard way? Because apparently, we like to make things harder on ourselves.
On the command bridge, Chris and Emily were monitoring their every move, like they were all hooked up to them, and they were in control. While Joey was tracking their vitals, and I was sure that he was also terrified for his little brother. I hated being stuck on the sidelines, because this was it, and they were out there, and I wasn''t. I should be out there, not stuck here watching. Danny and Ryan pushed off from the safety of the airlock, and what was with them always trying to show off, it wasn''t like it was a competition. They could have been a little less enthusiastic, my gut clenched, I had to fight the urge to call them out on that. Showoffs. I watched them float away from the ship and into the void, and it was like they were suddenly so small, and I wanted to pull them back, even if I was also feeling like they deserved to be there. Maybe a little scare will teach them a lesson. Their positioning jets fired, and they started heading for the telescope satellite, and they looked so small out there, it made my gut clench. As they approached their destination, Zoe and I were monitoring their progress, and I felt like I was going to throw up. I wanted her to see that I also cared, even though I wasn''t as brave, as competent, as good as them. Each minor adjustment from Ryan and Danny''s jets felt like it took forever to get them to the satellite, and it was like I was watching this in slow motion, and that was the worst kind of slow motion. "Forty meters¡­ thirty meters¡­ slow down a bit¡­ twenty meters¡­ Danny, slow down¡­ ten meters¡­ you''re almost there," Emily''s voice came steadily over the intercom, her calm tone a lifeline. At least someone''s calm. I stood at the airlock, and it felt too smooth, too much like what a real captain would be doing. I hated that I was starting to play the part, my arms crossed tight as hell, watching the telemetry feed. Zoe was beside me, her hand was still in mine, her eyes fixed on the live footage from the EVA suits'' cameras, and I could almost feel her anxiety. Ryan and Danny were tiny against the vastness of space, and their movements were painfully slow, and they were also so small. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ryan¡¯s voice crackled through the comms. ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± he said, his breathing heavy and strained, and I could finally breathe again. For a second. ¡°Alright,¡± Emily replied, her voice firm and measured. ¡°We¡¯re going to do this slowly and take our time. No rushing.¡± I just wanted them to hurry the fuck up. Danny and Ryan tethered themselves to the satellite, and they looked like they knew what they were doing, and their figures bobbing in the zero-g. Methodically, and they were doing this so damn slowly, they started to install that F-Type energy cell, each movement deliberate, every tool change a slow, careful effort, and my brain was on fire, and I wanted it all to be done. Every muscle in my body was tense, and I felt like I was holding my breath. That was probably exactly what I was doing. I needed to stay calm. Hurry up, you idiots, before you break something else. My fingers tapped restlessly against the viewport as I watched the process. I fought the urge to chime in; it wasn¡¯t my place right now, but goddamn, I wanted to. The tension in the room was palpable, a weight pressing down on everyone on the ship. After what felt like hours, Ryan''s voice broke the silence. "The battery''s in place," he said, a mix of exhaustion and relief coloring his tone. I held my breath. Please, please let it work. Emily leaned forward, her hands on the keyboard as she began the remote system checks. ¡°Alright, hold tight while we test the connections. Don¡¯t unhook yet.¡± Zoe exhaled audibly, her posture relaxing slightly as the satellite¡¯s systems began to respond to Emily¡¯s commands. The diagnostic data streamed in, and I caught the faintest hint of a smile on Emily¡¯s lips as the results populated. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s working perfectly,¡± she announced, her voice triumphant. Thank god for small mercies. ¡°Hell yeah,¡± Ryan muttered over the comms, his tone lighter now. Danny let out a small laugh, the tension in his voice finally easing. ¡°Great work, guys!¡± Emily exclaimed. ¡°Now, make your way back to the ship. Nice and steady.¡± I needed them back. On the screen, and it was like I was now watching this on repeat, the two figures started their return, using their positioning jets in short bursts to close the distance to Triumph, and I had to stop myself from looking. Everyone was silent, that was so unlike us, tension lingering till the airlock hissed closed behind them, and it felt like a release, and also, like the start of something new. As the feed cut off, and the indicator lights on the airlock panel turned green, Zoe leaned back, and I suddenly saw that, she was also a mess, like I was. Sighing loudly, ¡°They¡¯re back,¡± she murmured, relief washing over her face. ¡°Good,¡± I said simply, my voice steady, and I was trying so hard to not look like the mess that I was, but my shoulders finally relaxed, and I could breathe, again. I turned to Zoe, and I hated how vulnerable I suddenly felt. ¡°Let¡¯s head down and meet them.¡± I just needed to see them with my own eyes, that¡¯s all, I needed to make sure that they were real. And maybe yell at them for being such colossal screw-ups.
The science lab was abuzz, and it was too damn loud. Though Danny looked like he might lose his mind, I could see the vein popping out on his neck, he was definitely about to have a meltdown. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, clearly irritated, and his glasses were all askew, as the rest of the crew crowded around the consoles. ¡°Would you people stop breathing on my screens?¡± he muttered, swatting at Ryan¡¯s hand as it hovered near one of the displays, ready to touch something, anything, just to make the scene all the more chaotic. Ryan, who was grinning, pulled back. ¡°Relax, man. I¡¯m not touching anything. Yet.¡± I stood by the doorway, leaning against the frame with my arms crossed. I didn¡¯t need to be in the lab, but there was no way I¡¯d miss this. The first scan data from our deployed satellite was coming through, and everyone was itching for a glimpse of the Alpha Centauri system. What would we find? Finally, numbers began to flicker across the screen. Danny¡¯s irritation gave way to focus as he scrolled through the incoming data, his brow furrowing in concentration. He pulled up a simplified model of the system, a web of light representing the three stars, planets, and asteroid belts. It wasn¡¯t much yet, but it was enough; this was the real deal. Chapter 26: Dress Uniforms "Well, there it is," Danny said flatly, gesturing at the screen. He had to ruin the moment, even if he was still a nerd. At least he was good at his job. Unlike someone else I knew. Cough, Ryan, cough. Was that even Ryan¡¯s fault? Probably. "Alpha Centauri," Emily whispered, her voice soft, like she was talking about a ghost. Her eyes were fixed on the model of the solar system. I couldn''t help but want her to want me as much as I wanted her. I found myself wanting to take her hand, to share this with just her. The holographic display slowly resolved into a basic representation of the system. It was beautiful, even if it was so simple. Alpha Centauri A and B spun in their tight binary orbit, surrounded by their planetary entourage - a collection of dots and lights that somehow made us feel both incredibly small and unbelievably significant. Proxima Centauri lingered farther out, a faint, single dot. It was all a bit anti-climatic, but still¡­ "So¡­ what are we looking at?" Joey asked, squinting at the screen. Idiot. Danny sighed, his focus intense as always, clearly not in the mood to explain the basics. ¡°Three stars. A and B are binary, and Proxima¡¯s orbiting the pair, but we knew that already. The planets¡­¡± He sighed again. ¡°Sixteen of them,¡± Ryan interrupted, jumping in before we could all breathe. He pointed at the data feed, looking so damn proud of himself. ¡°Sixteen confirmed bodies so far, plus moons and asteroid belts.¡± Sixteen¡­ that''s a lot of exploring to do. The room went quiet for a moment, the enormity of it sinking in. I could feel it too, a thrill of anticipation, and yeah, maybe a little bit of nervousness. I wanted to grab Emily, be with her, alone, to share this. For centuries, this system had been a distant dream, and now, it was no longer just a theory. That made it all the more real, and for the first time, I truly felt the weight of our mission. We were really here, right on the edge of discovery. What were we going to find? And what were we going to do if we found something dangerous? ¡°Proxima Centauri b,¡± Zoe said, pointing to the faint dot near the third star. ¡°That¡¯s the one we¡¯re after, right?¡± Danny nodded. ¡°That¡¯s the theory. Likely in the Goldilocks zone, but we¡¯re not going to know much until we get closer and run more detailed scans.¡± Emily crossed her arms, her brow furrowing. She always looked so powerful when she was thinking. I was starting to realize that she was not what I thought she was, that she was so much more than I had given her credit for. ¡°So basically, we¡¯ve got numbers and dots,¡± she concluded. I found myself wanting to know what she was really thinking, what drove her. ¡°For now,¡± Danny admitted, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. He was practically vibrating with excitement. This was his element. ¡°This is just the first pass. The good stuff comes when we get closer and start doing orbital surveys.¡± I grinned, already imagining what we might uncover. Joey leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Well, it¡¯s not exactly the sci-fi poster I was expecting,¡± he commented. I smirked. "What were you hoping for? All three stars lined up with planets orbiting like clockwork?" I was suddenly so damn tired of being the captain, and yet, it was also, probably the best thing that had ever happened to me. ¡°Maybe some epic space dragons,¡± Joey shot back with a grin. "Alright, let''s not get carried away," I said, straightening up. A grin tugged at my lips. Space dragons would be a hell of a discovery. "Danny, Ryan, keep parsing the data. Prioritize orbital patterns and radiation levels, especially around Proxima b. We need to start planning the next phase before we get too close." It was time to get to work, but my mind was racing with possibilities. And with how much I wanted to get Ryan alone and punch him for that battery stunt and for beating me up like a bitch. ¡°Looks like we have a destination,¡± I said. ¡°And a potential payday.¡± The IFC had supported our voyage and had financed a large portion of our ship and supplies. They would be paid a bonus for finding new habitable planets, resourceful asteroids, or other strategic locations, like high-level portals or new technology. My team had been the first to be awarded the finance for this project because of our max level 60s and the fact that we had acquired the right FTL drive to make this trip a possibility. We were going to make them pay us for it. ¡°According to mission protocol, we need to send out our communications probe now that we¡¯ve mapped the system,¡± Chris stated, always with the rules. ¡°In case anything happens to us, we have to make sure our data gets back to Earth.¡± ¡°Good call, Chris. Ryan, Danny, let¡¯s get the logs ready and organized,¡± I instructed. ¡°We also need to do our first recording,¡± Emily added enthusiastically. ¡°Ugh, I completely forgot about that,¡± I groaned, though a part of me was excited to document this moment. ¡°Where should we set up for it?¡± Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. ¡°The observation deck is the best spot, lots of room to pose. Let¡¯s change into our recording outfits!¡± Zoe exclaimed. ¡°Change? Aren¡¯t these uniforms enough?¡± I asked, looking down at my bodysuit. I had gotten so used to wearing it that I didn¡¯t even think there were other options. "No way! We can''t be seen in these outfits, these are just for us." Emily replied. "Captain, Zoe and I will distribute the dress uniforms. Everyone meet us in the observation deck in two hours." Dress uniforms? What the hell are those going to look like? I swear, if they make me wear something ridiculous, I''m blaming Ryan. It''s always his fault.
I scanned my team, assembled on the observation deck. It felt surreal, like a scene ripped from a movie, or maybe a bad dream where I''m suddenly in charge of things and have to give speeches. God, I hated public speaking. But, a small, ambitious part of me thought maybe, just maybe, I could get good at this. Imagine, commanding the masses, announcing our future discoveries to the world. Yeah, that¡¯d be awesome, the great captain Luca and his crew of lunatics. I caught the little touches that Zoe and Emily had clearly obsessed over in our uniform selections. They were really proud of their work, and honestly, it showed. Emily stood beside me, her infectious grin and sparkling eyes showing just how much she was enjoying this moment. She caught my eye and winked. Great, now I''m blushing. Focus, Luca. The new dress uniforms were definitely a step up from our usual bodysuits. They did look good, even if I felt like a complete impostor in mine. And damn, Emily looked good in hers. That skirt was doing things to me. The guys wore crisp white shirts under sleek jackets, the pins denoting their officer roles: Engineer, Scientist, Medical Officer, and so on, gleaming under the observation deck''s soft lights. Our blue slacks were tailored just enough to look professional without feeling restrictive. I adjusted my own jacket, feeling a strange sense of formality I hadn''t anticipated, especially given the observation deck''s official function; this was our designated make-out spot. Especially about all the times I''d been up here with Emily. I¡¯m pretty sure this was a favorite spot for Zoe and Danny too, probably Chris and Joey too, I just hoped kissing was all they¡¯d done up here. Oh god, where¡¯s the blue light? Zoe and Emily had opted for flowing skirts that added a formal yet practical flair. And damn, did they both look incredible. Zoe, all curves in all the right places, even if she was a bit flat, but with legs and an ass that went on for days. And Emily, just... fuck, she was stunning. We all looked sharp, almost like the kind of crew you''d see stepping off a naval vessel docked at some high-profile port. It was a good look, one that spoke of professionalism and unity, even if it felt a bit out of place in a room more known for stolen kisses than official business. God, I hope no one brings that up during the recording. I felt a surge of pride for everyone, even myself, though I still wasn''t entirely sure how I ended up in charge of this whole operation. The observation deck had been transformed. It was the best place on the ship for a romantic rendezvous under the stars. The view of the stars was phenomenal. Tonight though? Ryan had hooked up a large screen on one wall, currently displaying the logo of the Triumph Initiative. The camera was set up on a tripod, its red recording light blinking like a watchful eye. It seemed almost sacrilegious to be using this space for something so¡­ official. I half expected the speakers to start playing mood music. I nodded to Ryan, who stepped forward and pressed a button on the console, probably enjoying the hell out of this. Show off. A soft chime indicated the start of the official recording. I cleared my throat, the silence of the observation deck amplifying the sound, making me feel even more awkward. I hate this. Why did I agree to this? Oh right, mutiny. It was time. "Alright," I began, my voice surprisingly steady, despite the tremor in my hands. I gripped the edge of the console, trying to project an image of confidence I definitely didn''t feel. Don''t screw this up, Luca. I looked at each of my crew members, their faces a blend of excitement, nerves, and determination. Even Joey''s, the party pooper. "This is it. The first humans in history to travel to Alpha Centauri." I paused, letting the words hang in the air, the weight of them settling upon us. The gravity of our achievement wasn''t lost on me, nor on anyone else, I could see it in their eyes. This was it, the moment we''d all been working towards, the culmination of years of saving, training, sacrifice, and dedication. And here I am, Captain, because no one else wanted the job. "And we''ve already made discoveries that go beyond what any of us could have imagined,¡± I said, hoping we found something useful out here, for the IFC''s sake, and for ours. We needed a win. Also, Dad would be proud. I hope he and the boys were doing okay back home. Focus, Luca, grandiose speech. I gestured to the screen behind me, which switched from our gorgeous Triumph Initiative logo to a breathtaking infographic. It displayed our findings so far: 16 planets orbiting the three stars, their estimated sizes and orbital paths, moons orbiting their planets, and asteroid belts weaving paths through the system. The visuals were mostly estimates, thanks to Danny''s handiwork, we needed a hell of a lot more data. Please, let there be something valuable out here. "We represent the best of humanity," I said, correcting myself smoothly when I nearly defaulted to ''America.'' We weren''t supposed to use America anymore, just the United Earth Republic or UER; that was the warning we''d received from Karen; it was propaganda for unity or whatever. Since they funded the project, we''d be their little mascots. My voice carried a weight that matched the occasion, a solemn pride that resonated within me, even if I felt like a fraud. "We are explorers and adventurers, driven by need to push the boundaries of what we thought was possible." I looked at my crew. Each of them had earned their place here, and I couldn''t be prouder to lead them, even if I''d rather be doing literally anything else. There was Chris, all muscles and diplomacy. Ryan, who I wanted to punch him half the time, especially after he beat me up, and he fucked with Emily¡¯s thermostat, and the battery incident and god knows how much other shit he¡¯d pulled. Zoe, a complete knockout, who could probably kick my ass. Danny, the freckled nerd. And Joey, the only one who seemed remotely mature, even if he was a buzzkill sometimes. Emily¡­ need I say more? I could feel a swell of anticipation in my chest, a shared sense of purpose that bound us together. "Together, we''ll uncover the mysteries of this system and carve our place in history." I actually believed it, despite my doubts. We were going to make history, to leave a mark that would last for generations. Or at least, that''s the plan. And maybe, just maybe, I''ll get good at these speeches. Cover Change - Poll Happy Tuesday! I''m looking at changing the cover of my book. I worked REALLY hard to get the current cover, but I''ve since learned of a new way to bring to life what I was hoping to portray. Please see the options, I''d love for you to vote on the next cover. The cover affects readership, follows and favorites. It''s very important. I honestly love my current cover, I think it''s cute. But here''s the other options. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Option 1 - Current Cover Option 2 - Realistic Cover Option 3 - Stylized Cover 1 Option 4 - Stylized Cover 2 Option 3 - Stylized Cover 3 Option 4 - Stylized Cover 4 Chapter 27: New Dawn After I was done with my little charade, which felt like it lasted a lifetime, we moved on to the crew messages. One by one, each member of the crew stepped before the camera to deliver their pre-written message. "Try to keep it short, people," I mumbled, earning a glare from Emily. I couldn''t help but think that these messages, drafted by Karen''s PR team back on Earth, were a bit¡­ much. I mean, deep and somber messages of hope? Sure, why not. Though I was pretty sure none of us actually felt that way. Danny, officially our Science Officer, went first. He cleared his throat, adjusted his glasses, and gave the camera a nervous little wave. He spoke about the scientific importance of our findings, his voice filled with a quiet intensity that was so Danny. He talked about the data, the potential for discoveries, and something about our place in the universe. I zoned out a bit, picturing what kind of alien life we might encounter, and if any of it was edible, but it sounded impressive. Pretty sure he stuck to the script, more or less. "Good job, Danny," I said, giving him a thumbs-up as he stepped away from the camera. He blushed, muttering a "thanks" and nearly tripping over a cable on his way back to his seat. Ryan was more animated, flexing his biceps as he stepped in front of the camera. Show off. "Alright, people, let''s talk tech!" he began, grinning like a maniac. This was his element, and it showed. He detailed the technical challenges we had overcome to get here, pointing at different parts of the observation deck as if they were exhibits in a museum. He spoke with passion about the intricacies of the ship, the innovative solutions we''d implemented, and the sheer ingenuity required to travel such vast distances. I think he even mentioned my name a couple of times, which was nice of him, even if it was probably in the script. And even if it made me want to punch him. Just a little. "Don''t forget to mention the part where you almost blew us up," Joey called out from the back, earning a round of laughter. Ryan just winked, unfazed. "That was a minor setback," he said, "But we learned from it, didn''t we? Always learning. That''s the motto of this mission." He finished with a flourish, striking a ridiculous pose that made even Emily giggle. Joey, our medical officer, ever the optimist, talked about how important it was for us to stay healthy on this trip. He gave a pointed look at Ryan and me. "Especially after that little stunt in the gym," he added, making me wince. "My infirmary is well-stocked, but I''d rather not have to use it on idiots." He mentioned the challenges of keeping a crew healthy in space and some potential for medical breakthroughs. Then, because it''s Joey, he also managed to slip in a comment about resource exploitation, his eyes gleaming. "Imagine the medical applications of alien flora," he said, a little too enthusiastically. "We could be looking at cures for diseases we haven''t even encountered yet. And yes," he added, with a wink, "there''s money to be made." Classic Joey, always thinking about profits. Chris, ever the diplomat, bless his heart, actually seemed to believe the whole "international cooperation" and "representing humanity" bit. He stood tall and delivered his lines with a sincerity that was almost painful. I swear, the guy could sell ice to an Eskimo. He spoke about collaboration, transcending national boundaries, and our shared responsibility. He also emphasized his contribution to the recording''s visual aspect, which, to be fair, was pretty good. Karen''s team would be pleased. Muscles and morals, that''s Chris. Zoe shared her hopes for discovering new life, her words painting a vivid picture of the wonders that might await us. She paced back and forth in front of the camera, her skirt swirling around her legs. Distracting, to say the least. She talked about charting unknown territories, navigating a new star system, and the possibilities that awaited us. I found myself getting caught up in her enthusiasm for a moment. Maybe this won''t be so bad after all. Even if the message was a bit cheesy, she delivered it well. And looked damn good doing it. As she nervously stepped up to the camera, I heard Ryan and Danny calling out to her in a playful voice, "Zoe... Zoe... Zoe!" She rolled her eyes and smiled, shaking her head at their antics as she returned to her seat, her tone teasing. "Think we''ll find any hot aliens? Our pickings here on this ship aren''t exactly top quality," she said, turning to Emily with a grin. Emily just laughed, shaking her head. "One can only hope," she replied. Emily, my second-in-command, my XO, and so much more, standing beside me, caught my eye and gave me a reassuring smile before stepping forward. God, she''s amazing. Even reading a script probably written by some marketing intern, she managed to sound genuine. Her voice was filled with that quiet strength that always captivated me. She spoke about the human spirit, our need to explore, and understanding the universe. She talked about the courage it took to leave everything behind and the importance of holding onto our humanity. Okay, maybe Karen''s team earned their pay on that one. It almost made me feel better about this whole thing. Almost. And I was deadly afraid of what was to come, us being alone, together, for months on end. Especially after that whole g-string conversation. And the way she kept looking at me. Like she knew all my secrets. Shit. Finally, it was my turn. I stepped before the camera, feeling the weight of the moment, the eyes of my crew upon me. And the camera, recording everything for posterity, or at least until the probe crashed into something. I took a deep breath. I basically stuck to the script, talking about the challenges we had faced, the uncertainties ahead, and the belief that had brought us this far. I mentioned our hopes for the future, the discoveries we might make, and the legacy we hoped to leave behind, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt. "Don''t mess this up," I muttered under my breath, earning a chuckle from Ryan. "Just read the damn teleprompter," he whispered back. Asshole. I talked about the incredible team I was somehow leading, their dedication, resilience, and shared dream of exploring the stars, and for a moment, I almost believed I was the right person for this job. Almost. Maybe this whole captain thing wouldn''t be so bad. And maybe, just maybe, I''d get to make one of those grandiose speeches for real someday. Without a teleprompter. When the last message was recorded, I nodded to Chris, who ended the session. The red light on the camera blinked off. A collective sigh seemed to ripple through the crew, a release of tension, and maybe a little bit of embarrassment. We had done it. We had created a record of our journey, a message in a bottle cast into the vastness of space, full of words written by someone else. Now, hopefully, we can find something out here that makes all this worthwhile. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. After the official recording wrapped, the atmosphere relaxed slightly. The communication probe was prepped for launch, its storage packed with the mission''s early findings, the official recording, and personal video messages from each crew member. I leaned against the console, watching as Ryan and Zoe finalized the probe''s trajectory. This was really happening. We were sending a piece of ourselves back to Earth, a testament to our journey, I guess. Or at least, that''s what I told myself. I hoped they edit the fuck out of this video before it goes live across the UER. Now, if only we could find a planet made of solid gold, we''d be set.
As they uploaded our data, I glanced toward Emily, who was reviewing her own message one last time. "Think this thing will beat us back to Earth?" she asked, her voice tinged with hope and nervous energy. And that cute little furrow in her brow. "If we stick to schedule, we''ll beat it by weeks," I replied, though the thought of timing felt secondary to the monumental task ahead of us. The probe''s smaller FTL engine meant it would take twenty to thirty weeks to reach Sol, if all went well, the crew of the Triumph of Darron would already be sharing our findings firsthand before the probe even arrived. That was the plan, at least. Assuming we don''t all die out here. I stood beside Emily, the hum of the ship a faint backdrop to our moment of quiet. I rested a hand on her shoulder, my thumb absently brushing the fabric of her uniform. Smooth, Luca, real smooth. The weight of the speech, the data, the mission ahead, all of it lingered in my mind, fueling my excitement. And the longing to be closer to her, to stay like this for a little while longer. "Do you ever think about where we''ll be in four years?" I asked, my voice low, filled with a sense of wistfulness. The four-year mark. It seemed so arbitrary, and yet, it held so much weight. It was when everything had changed, when the ''system'' had arrived and turned us all into something... different. We were just kids, 16 years old. And now here we were. On the edge of a new solar system. Emily glanced up at me, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Her eyes held a hint of hope, and also, something that felt like sadness, or longing. "I''m hoping I''ll be with you, Luca," she whispered, almost to herself. "Wherever ''it'' happens to be." My breath caught in my throat at her words, but I forced myself to remain calm. I hoped that, too. More than anything. I couldn''t imagine my life without her in it. I couldn''t imagine my life at all in four years without her, and the thought of being alone in this vast nothing was terrifying. Her green eyes sparkled as she met mine, and I knew we were both thinking the same thing: that there was something deeper connecting us, something that transcended the mission, the ship, and everything else. She knew, and I think, she hoped that I did as well. Then I glanced at the console, and a message popped up, indicating that the upload was complete. It was time to move on, I guess, so I pushed my feelings to the back burner to let the reality of our situation take over.
The probe was officially on its way back towards Earth, doing its thing. "Alright, now what?" I said, stretching and trying to inject a bit of levity into the room. "Anyone hungry?" Honestly, I tuned out most of the tech talk. Ryan and Danny were chattering like chipmunks, heads buried in screens, probably having some secret nerd party only they understood. I just focused on the screen, the one showing Alpha Centauri, all shiny and new. Danny and Ryan had whipped up some CGI version of the system, and it looked pretty damn cool. Then I noticed they had quietly excused themselves, their heads close together, and they were talking in hushed tones as they made their way towards the door. They looked like a couple of kids sneaking out of class, giggling like little girls. As I focused on them, I noticed how flushed they both looked. And their bodysuits, all tight and with suspicious wedgies visible. Were they going to go make out in the science lab now? Seriously? Zoe asked about the asteroids. "Are those actual asteroids?" she said, squinting at the display. "They''re so, like, organized." as if they were like, some fake props on a movie set. Joey, ever Mr. Confident, was practically preening, "Yep," he said, sounding like he¡¯d personally sculpted each rock in orbit. Apparently, the fancy telescope they had was sucking up data faster than I could finish a coffee. Which, to be fair, was pretty fast. Then Chris, naturally, had to go full capitalist on us. "Think of the resources," he practically drooled. "Metals, rare minerals¡­" Dude was already mentally counting his profits. Okay, fine, I''d thought about that too. We weren''t exactly swimming in cash; if anything, we were drowning under a mountain of debt. A big score out here could change everything. It''s not like we were here on some pleasure cruise. But man, the sheer speed he jumped to resource extraction was¡­ Chris. Gotta love him, though. Emily was more on my wavelength. She leaned closer, her hand brushing against mine as she pointed at the screen. "I want to know if there¡¯s life," she announced, eyes all lit up. "Intelligent life, preferably. Not just some space mold." I had to grin. "That''s the dream, isn''t it?" I said, feeling the same rush of pure possibility. To find something else, something¡­ more. It was a wild thought, and I liked it. I glanced over at her, and yeah, that intensity was kind of... distracting, but in a good way. The others were buzzing, tech talk and resource debates and the sheer freaking wonder of it all. I was right there with them, maybe for the first time. Taking it all in. We were actually doing this. It was ridiculous and amazing. Then, bam. The door slid open and Danny busted in, looking like he¡¯d just won the lottery, tablet waving around like a flag. ¡°Hey guys, we just got the latest readings from the telescope. You''ve gotta see this.¡± Of course, he did. What now, I wondered. Probably another screen to stare at. But also, maybe something actually amazing. My stomach flipped, not sure if it was anxiety or excitement. Probably both.
Danny had something up on the screen. Everyone leaned in, all quiet. Holy shit, it was a planet. A real planet, not just some random rock. It even had a ring system. Looked like something straight out of a damn movie, but way cooler. White clouds swirled across its surface, hiding the details, but, it was breathtaking. Ryan was next to Danny, "This," he said, all serious, "is one of the two potentially habitable planets we''ve identified. The theorists were right, it''s Proxima b, but I¡¯m calling it ''New Dawn.''" New Dawn. I liked it. A fresh start, a new beginning. The room was buzzing now, everyone geeking out. The gravity of it was hitting, even me. Could this be it? The place where we set foot? First damn humans on another planet, like, really? A whole new world to explore. Holy shit. My pulse kicked up a notch, but I tried to keep it cool. No time for daydreaming, not yet. This wasn''t some feel-good story, it was a mission, and we had a shit ton of work to do. But, a small part of me was like, fuck, this could be something. Hope started creeping in. I tried to push it back, gotta keep it real. Gotta keep focused on the numbers and the data. But still¡­ a whole new world¡­ The crew was going apeshit. Theories flying around like crazy, everyone was suddenly a damn expert, forgetting all about asteroids and shit. They were all hyped about it, the potential, all that bullshit. New planet, new possibilities. Hours later, everyone was mostly gone, just me and Emily in the lounge. Starlight spilled through that giant window, making the floor all glowy. The void outside was just endless, like a fucking abyss. And the ship, humming away, pulling us further into the system. Emily was at the window, just staring, silhouetted against the stars, peaceful, but I could see the spark of wonder in her eyes. I felt something tug in my chest. No idea what the hell it was. Maybe the quiet, maybe the fact that it was just us here, together, doing this crazy shit. I walked over, glass in my hand. Raised it a bit, caught her attention. "To New Dawn," I said, my voice steady, but my head was a mess of excitement and anticipation. And pure, unadulterated terror about what''s about to happen. She turned around, smiled. A small, knowing smile. Maybe she knew what the fuck was going through my head. Raised her glass, the sound clinking against mine in the silence. "To New Dawn," she said, her voice all warm and¡­ I don''t know, it just, felt¡­ right. Felt like something, even if I couldn''t name it. The pit of my stomach did a little flip. I knew what was coming. Weeks of sneaking around, making out, waiting for the right moment. It was here. All alone in the lounge. And she had that look in her eyes. Only one thing she wanted now, probably. Some private celebration, with me. Shit. I''ve never done this shit before. Sure, I''ve got some ideas, but, fuck, I like her too much to disappoint her. But, this was it. Time to man up. Scared shitless, but, it''s happening. No turning back now, Luca. You got this. Maybe. Chapter 28 - Celebration [+18 Warning] "It¡¯s late. We should turn in," I said, but the words felt weak, like a fucking suggestion, not like a command. "We need to celebrate," Emily replied, no argument in that tone. Her green eyes, yeah, locked onto mine, all certain. Like she already knew what was happening. Caught off guard, I just stared at her for a second, then nodded. Idiot. "Do we?" I asked, even though I knew the answer. "Yes, Captain, will you escort me?" she replied, all serious. Like this was some official thing. Or a goddamn execution. We started walking, the corridor all soft with light. I felt something, yeah, a good feeling. Contentment, maybe? This shit, space exploration, I always wanted it. And now, I''m doing it. Living the dream, they say. Well, shit, maybe I am. We reached my quarters, and she turned to me, that mischievous smile on her face. "Captain, permission to enter your cabin?" Shit, yeah, nervous as fuck. ¡°First mate,¡± I said, forcing a smile, ¡°permission granted.¡± Here we go. Fucking hell.
I opened the door to my quarters, letting Emily inside. Small room, but cozy enough. Big window looking out at space, Emily went straight to it, staring out at the stars like they were some kind of miracle. "I still can¡¯t believe we¡¯re here,¡± she said. ¡°What a ride it has been." Yeah, it had been a ride, alright. A fucking crazy one. She turned around, a glint in her eye, looking right at me. Excitement and anticipation. I felt it too, that same buzz. She stepped closer, closing the space between us. My heart started pounding like a drum solo as she reached up, her fingers tracing my jawline. "Luca," she whispered, her voice soft. "I''m glad we''re doing this together." Holy shit, are we? Oh my god. We are. We really are. I leaned in, couldn''t help it, and kissed her. Soft, lingering kiss. When we pulled back, I felt¡­ warmth, comfort. Something good. I smiled down at her, hands resting on her waist, lightly. "You''ve really outdone yourselves with these uniforms," I said, my voice a bit rough. Smooth, Luca, real smooth. Compliment the clothes. "You¡­ you look amazing." Emily tilted her head, cheeks all flushed, making my pulse race even faster. "Thank you, Captain," she replied, her voice soft and teasing. "I¡¯m glad you like what you see.¡± Before I could say anything, she leaned in again, kissing me. Her hands moved up to my neck, into my hair. Her lips moved against mine, no doubt about what she wanted. I froze for a second, caught between the weight of the moment and her touch. This is happening. She¡¯s here, and this is happening. Fuck. I kissed her back, my hands slipping around her waist, pulling her closer until our bodies fit together perfectly. When Emily let out a quiet moan, a low sound escaped me too. Raw, yeah, that was desire, been bottled up for years. Don¡¯t screw this up, Luca. Don¡¯t be an idiot now. We broke apart for air, my forehead against hers, breath all unsteady. ¡°Emily¡­ I¡¯ve wanted this, wanted you, for so long,¡± I admitted, voice barely a whisper. Felt like ripping off a bandaid, exposing shit I kept buried. She smiled at me, fingers brushing my jawline. "Me too," she said, her voice all warm, melting all my doubts. Taking her hand, I led her to the bed. We sat side by side, her head on my shoulder, looking out the window at the stars. I swallowed hard. The ship hummed around us, a constant reminder of this crazy journey. Man up, Luca. She¡¯s trusting you with this. I turned back to her, my hand moving to the little bow at her collar. My fingers hesitated, touching the soft fabric. Emily tilted her face up, eyes full of encouragement. Just go slow. Don¡¯t overthink it. I leaned in, kissing her again, fingers working the clasp behind her neck. The bow came undone, and I pulled back a bit, looking at her. A flush spread across her skin. I kissed the corner of her mouth, then her jawline, then the curve of her neck. She tilted her head back, sighing softly, hands threading through my hair as I kissed my way down to her throat. One button. Then another. My fingers worked slowly, until her shirt opened enough to show a flash of red lace underneath. I paused, catching my breath. Red? She¡¯s wearing red lace? Emily smiled against my lips, expression all mischief and vulnerability. "You like it?" she whispered, her voice amused. I swallowed hard, voice barely working. "Like it? Are you fucking kidding me? You look..." I trailed off, my thoughts completely jumbled, "...you''re incredible," When my eyes fell on the lacy red bra Emily wore, my breath hitched. It looked great, yeah, in a way that made it impossible to look away. How does she manage to look this perfect? I swallowed again, trying to keep my thoughts coherent. ¡°I, uh¡­¡± I started, my hand brushing against the delicate fabric. ¡°I love your bra,¡± I managed, voice embarrassingly uneven. I leaned in for another kiss, using the excuse to hide my flushed face. My fingers traced the lace cautiously, marveling at the contrast between its intricate design and the softness of her skin beneath. Emily let out a soft sigh, leaning into my touch, her eyes locked onto mine. It was enough to make my head spin. ¡°You haven¡¯t seen anything yet,¡± she whispered, a playful glint in her eye. Before I could respond, Emily gently pushed me back onto the bed, her hands deftly working to unfasten my dress uniform jacket. As she slid it off my shoulders, my breath quickened. The layers felt like a barrier between us, and I was grateful she seemed just as eager to remove them. Once the jacket was discarded on the floor, she reached for my tie, her fingers brushing my collar. I let out a shaky laugh, my nerves getting the better of me. ¡°So, uh, you like the uniform, huh?¡± I joked weakly. Emily glanced up with a grin that could melt steel. ¡°It has its perks,¡± she teased, tugging the tie loose with deliberate slowness. Her hands moved to the buttons of my shirt. She undid them one by one, her lips grazing my chest with every button she released. My muscles tensed under her touch, the sensation both exhilarating and maddeningly teasing. When she finally opened the shirt, her hands roamed across my chest, her fingers brushing over the defined lines of my torso. My face burned under her eyes, my nerves buzzing with equal parts excitement and disbelief.
I reached up to caress her cheek, my fingers brushing softly against her warm skin as she leaned in for another kiss. Her lips were soft and addictive, and for a fleeting moment, I wondered how I¡¯d managed to go so long without this. Without her. Every press of her lips against mine sent a jolt through my chest, and I silently vowed never to let this moment end. Her tongue slipped into my mouth, exploring, teasing. I responded, my own tongue dancing with hers. The kisses grew more urgent, our breaths mingling in the dim light of my cabin. When Emily pulled back slightly and slid off my lap, I blinked, momentarily dazed. My eyes followed her as she stood at the edge of the bed, the faint curve of a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. With deliberate slowness, she unbuttoned her shirt and shrugged it off her shoulders, revealing the intricate lace bra beneath. My heart thudded in my chest as I sat up, my feet brushing the floor. How is this real? I thought, my eyes tracing every detail of her figure. She was beautiful, absolutely radiant, and yet, it was the way she held herself, balancing shyness and confidence, that left me breathless. ¡°You¡¯re beautiful,¡± I said, my voice low but sincere. Emily blushed, a faint pink coloring her cheeks, but the slight curl of her lips betrayed her delight at my words. Her confidence swelled, and she stepped closer, her fingers finding the buckle of my belt. As she moved, I let my own hands roam across her back, my tongue exploring the curve of her neck and shoulder. As her hands worked to free the clasp, my mind raced. This is happening. She¡¯s here with me, and I can¡¯t believe how lucky I am. My breath hitched as her movements became more deliberate, and I quickly mirrored her urgency, shedding my uniform until only my gray boxer briefs remained. I could see the desire in her eyes, and the way she moved, yeah, she wanted this just as much as I did. The small logo of our ship was embroidered near the waistband, and for some reason, it amused me that even now, our mission marked every detail of our lives. Emily¡¯s eyes flickered down to my briefs before meeting my eyes again, a twinkle of amusement in her own. ¡°Allow me,¡± I said, my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my stomach. I knelt in front of her and gently took the hem of her skirt, sliding it down and letting it pool at her feet. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Holy shit. The red g-string, yeah, the one I saw before? Up close, it was like, whoa. Straps everywhere, crisscrossing her hips, framing her like some kind of, I don''t know, work of art or some shit. Playful and bold? Yeah, that''s it. My pulse was hammering in my ears, I swallowed hard. Fucking hell.¡°Wow,¡± I breathed, a smile spreading on my face. ¡°What a view.¡± Emily laughed, soft and warm, like sunshine, and it actually calmed my nerves a bit. She grabbed my hands, laced her fingers through mine, and pulled me close. Okay, this was it. I had to not fuck this up. I scooped her up, gently. Like she was made of glass or some shit. "Come here," I said, voice all soft, feeling a little awe, a little something else too. I carried her back to the bed, real careful with each step, laid her down like she was the most precious thing ever. Fucking hell, what was happening. I hovered over Emily, our bodies almost touching. The heat between us was insane, the tension building like a goddamn pressure cooker. Shit, was this really happening? "Be gentle," she whispered, looking up at me, all desire and¡­ shit, vulnerability too. My stomach did a flip. "I will," I promised, voice a little rough, leaning down to kiss her. I was so fucking happy, and so nervous I might puke, but, this was it. Her lips on mine. We melted together, exploring each other''s mouths, tongues dancing together. It was like, finally, everything I¡¯d wanted was right here. Emily''s hands roamed over my back, feeling the muscles, I guess. She was probably freaking out too, but yeah, it felt good, like she was actually into this. She couldn''t believe how good I felt against her? What the hell, I hoped I was doing this right. As we kept kissing, my hand moved down to her breast, under the bra. Cupping it, so warm and soft. She moaned into my mouth, arching her back, pressing into my hand. Fuck, this was¡­ intense. With gentle movements, I unhooked her bra, tossed it aside. I took a moment, just looking at her bare chest. Then, I leaned down, kissing each breast, soft kisses. I sucked and nibbled a bit on her nipples, and she writhed under me, all these little sounds escaping her. Okay, deep breaths, Luca. Feeling bold as fuck, Emily reached down and slipped off my boxers. She gasped, eyes wide. ¡°Oh my God,¡± she said, ¡°it¡¯s so big.¡± I smiled. Never had a compliment like that before. Made me feel like, a fucking god or something. Was it big? I don¡¯t know, never really compared it before. She reached for it, hesitantly, her hand wrapping around me. ¡°How¡¯s it feel?¡± she asked, a slight blush on her cheeks, but her eyes full of mischief. My mind was blank, everything was just sensation, fuck. "So good," I whispered, my eyes locked on hers. She started to stroke me, slow, feeling the firmness and heat in her hand. I could see her watching me, a small smile playing on her lips as she felt me react to her touch. Each touch was like fire. My breaths got all ragged. "Do you like that?" she asked, all teasing. "God, yes," I replied, my hips moving on their own, I couldn''t help it. Like, every nerve ending was concentrated there, in her hand.My mind was blank, everything was just sensation, fuck. "So good," I whispered, my eyes locked on hers.
I couldn''t believe how much I was enjoying this. I''ve never been so turned on before, and the fact that it''s with Emily... fuck. She released me from her grip and moved down to take me in her mouth. Oh fuck, I swallowed, Is this really ok? Trying to contain myself. Her tongue swirled around my tip before taking me in deeper. I could feel the warmth of her mouth closing in on me as she continued to pleasure me. I didn¡¯t mean to moan, but I couldn¡¯t help it, my hands gripping Emily''s hair, but she didn''t seem to mind, moving with me, her tongue flicking, driving me wild. Oh god, this is too much, I thought, I can¡¯t hold on. But just as I was about to reach the edge, she paused, sensing it, maybe. She looked up at me, a question in her eyes. As much as I want her, I wasn''t sure if she was ready for me to finish in her mouth. ¡°Was that okay?" Emily asked shyly. I looked down at Emily and whispered, "It was amazing.¡± Pulling her up to kiss her again, my lips finding hers, then moving down to kiss her breasts. "But are you sure you''re ready for this?" I watched Emily hesitate, her body tense with uncertainty. She''s nervous, I get it. I could see the inner battle raging within her, but my desire for her only grew stronger. Her eyes met mine, and I saw the love and trust in them. She''s the one, I know it. I knew that she was the one I wanted to take this step with. "I want to be with you," she said, her voice confident. I gently helped Emily onto her back and trailed kisses down her body until I reached the edge of her g-string. I pulled my fingers between the little strings, slid them off of her hips, and tossed them aside; her hips were nice and warm now. ¡°Wow,¡± I breathed, smiling at her. She''s so fucking beautiful. The sight of Emily completely bare before me took my breath away. I took a moment to admire her, running my hands over her thighs and hips before settling between her legs. I kissed her softly on the inner thigh, teasing her with my warm breath. Okay, Luca, don''t fuck this up. Emily moaned in anticipation as I slowly parted her folds, exposing her tight pink entrance. My fingers explored every inch of her, seeking out my target. Here we go. I leaned in, kissing one thigh, then the other, before pushing in and licking her, once, twice. Hope this is ok. Emily gasped as my tongue invaded her core. It was unlike anything I had ever done before. My tongue flicked and probed, tasting her, feeling her response. Her whole body seemed to tighten, and a little shiver ran through her. She gripped my hair tightly, pulling me closer as she moaned in delight, her hips starting to move almost instinctively. I must be doing something right, I thought, smiling to myself. As my tongue continued to tease and explore, Emily''s hips began to move in rhythm with my movements. She arched her back, pushing herself further into my mouth. Her pussy clenched around my tongue, seeking more of my attention, her legs clamped down on my head. Feeling the tremors of impending climax, I gently pulled away from her wetness. Shit, that was intense. "Are you ready Em?" I asked softly, my voice almost a whisper. Please say yes. "I think so, Luca, please be gentle," she replied, her voice soft but sure. I positioned myself at her entrance, hoping I was at the right place, and slowly pushed inside. Breathe Luca, breathe. Her eyes were open, looking up at me, a bit of nervousness and excitement in their depths. She bit her lower lip slightly, her hands finding my shoulders, her fingers digging in slightly. She wants this. She wants me. Emily moaned, her breath catching, as she shifted her position, her hands coming down to guide me, her fingers wrapping around me, showing me the way. Her hips lifted slightly, meeting my thrust. Oh, fuck, that''s it. Her tight walls gripped me tightly, welcoming me deeper inside. ¡°Ouch, hold on," she said, grimacing. "Yeah, sorry," I said, looking down at her, my heart pounding. Shit, was I hurting her? "Let me know," I added, trying to keep my voice steady. I took a moment to adjust, just breathing, trying to calm the fuck down, before starting to move slowly into Emily''s wet heat. My thrusts matched our ragged breathing. As I picked up speed, Emily threw her head back, her long hair, a mess, on the pillow beneath her. "Is that better now?" I asked, worried. "Yeah, much better," she replied, raising her knees a bit, her hands guiding my hips. Okay, we''re doing this. With every thrust, I could feel Emily''s walls pulsing around me, urging me onward. Holy fuck, this is actually happening. I kissed her softly on the lips, our tongues dancing together as we reached the peak of our passion. Emily''s body tensed up as she let out a long, drawn-out moan. I felt her wetness intensify around me, pulling me deeper into the vortex of pleasure that we had created together. As our orgasms crashed over us, Emily wrapped her legs tightly around my waist, a soft cry escaping her lips, never wanting this moment to end. Me neither. We both panted heavily for air but couldn''t keep our eyes off each other. Emily and I lay spent in each other''s arms, our bodies still tingling from the intensity of our lovemaking. We stared into each other''s eyes, feeling a deep connection that went beyond physical pleasure. Something real. I felt her hand move on my chest, tracing small circles. ¡°Wow,¡± Emily finally managed to whisper, breaking the comfortable silence between us. ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied with a satisfied grin. Yeah? Are you fucking kidding me, Luca? This is... everything. We cuddled closer together, the warmth of our bodies radiating between us. Emily traced her fingers over my chest. The faint, sweet scent of our lovemaking lingered in the air, a uniquely intimate fragrance. It was the smell of Emily, of me, of us, all mingled together, a comforting and welcoming aroma. ¡°I can''t believe this is happening,¡± Emily said, her voice barely above a whisper, a contented sigh escaping her lips. ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked, stroking her cheek gently with my thumb. ¡°I mean, I never would have imagined being with you tonight...and now here we are. It was... amazing," she added, a slight blush rising on her cheeks. I smiled at her words and leaned in for a soft kiss. She has no idea. This is only the best moment of my entire life. ¡°I feel the same way,¡± I said. Same way? Try times a million, Em. Then, she shifted slightly, a little, embarrassed laugh escaping her lips. "I''m, um, all wet," she said, her cheeks flushing a deeper pink. "Yeah, you are," I said, grinning, unable to resist teasing her just a little. "We, uh, made a bit of a mess, huh?" Smooth, Luca, real smooth. "Hang on," I said, scrambling out of bed, a little clumsy in my haste. I grabbed a towel from the bathroom, my heart still pounding. Back in bed, I handed her the towel and helped her clean up. She was still a bit flushed, but she met my eyes with a shy smile, and I couldn''t help but smile back. This was so new, so unexpected, but so... right. Emily nestled closer to me, her head resting on my chest. Her breathing was soft and steady, and I could feel the warmth of her against me. My arm was draped around her, holding her close. I stared at the ceiling, the faint hum of the ship filling the quiet room. Everything felt surreal, like the culmination of a moment I¡¯d never been brave enough to hope for. How the fuck did this even happen? I glanced down at her, her hair spilling over my chest, her lips slightly parted in a peaceful expression. She looked at ease, and it filled me with something I couldn¡¯t quite describe: pride in knowing her, affection, and a tinge of awe. How did I get here? I wondered. Emily had always been the girl I admired from afar, the one I thought was too good for me. And she is. Way too good. And now, she was here, in my arms, and I didn¡¯t want the moment to end. The smell of our lovemaking still lingered faintly in the air, a reminder of the incredible intimacy we had just shared. As my eyes shifted to the rumpled sheets, a small, dark stain caught my attention. My breath hitched. Fuck. It wasn¡¯t just a physical reminder of what we¡¯d shared; it was proof of something far more significant. Emily had given me a part of herself she could never give to anyone else. The weight of that realization pressed down on me, making my chest ache, not in regret, but in sheer reverence for her trust. I don''t deserve this. I don''t deserve her. I swallowed hard, my hand gently tracing a line down her shoulder. What do I even say to her about this? I thought. It wasn¡¯t just about what we¡¯d done. It was about what it meant. She had chosen me, trusted me with something irreplaceable. How the fuck do I live up to that? Emily stirred slightly, her lips curling into a soft smile as she murmured something I couldn¡¯t quite catch. I tightened my arm around her, brushing a kiss against her hair. ¡°Thank you,¡± I whispered, barely audible even to myself. It wasn¡¯t enough, not even close, but it was all I could think to say in that moment. I exhaled deeply, closing my eyes. For the first time in what felt like forever, the constant weight of responsibility on my shoulders had lessened. This wasn¡¯t just about our physical connection, no, it was about something far greater. As the ship quietly carried us through the void of space, I vowed silently to be worthy of the gift Emily had shared with me. I will not fuck this up. This was the beginning of something new, something I would never take for granted.
Chapter 29- Morning After I stirred to the faint hum of the ship¡¯s systems, the ever-present white noise of our voyage. I saw a tangle of sheets and limbs, Emily¡¯s warm body still curled beside me. Stark naked and radiating a soft contentment, she looked impossibly serene. God, she¡¯s perfect. The reality of it all, of her being here, with me, settled over me like a warm blanket. I could get used to this. I ran a hand through my hair, glancing around at the chaos of our impromptu night. The sheets were everywhere, barely covering either of us. The uniform I¡¯d been so careful to fold was now crumpled on the floor, mingling with Emily¡¯s discarded red lingerie. It was a scene so absurdly intimate that I let out a quiet laugh. We really made a mess of the place. I sat up, pulling the sheet with me and moved to sit on the edge of the bed, my back to Emily. Emily stirred, her fingers brushing my chest before she opened her eyes. She blinked a few times, then a slow, sleepy smile spread across her face. "Morning, Luca,¡± she murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep. Her green eyes sparkled, though, and I found myself unable to look away. I turned my head, smiling back at her. ¡°Morning,¡± I said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. My lips quirked into a grin. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± Emily stretched lazily, her bare skin brushing against mine. ¡°Amazing, actually,¡± she said, her smile widening. ¡°Though a little¡­ sore,¡± she added with a slight wince. She sat up and glanced around at the disheveled state of my quarters, then looked down at herself, then back at me, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink. "It was wonderful, though," she said, her voice soft, meeting my eyes. "You were very... thorough." She stayed in bed, shifting closer, wrapping her arms around me from behind, her breasts pressing against my back. She rested her chin on my shoulder, her breath warm against my neck. "Thank you, Luca," she whispered. I leaned back against her, closing my eyes, enjoying the feel of her body against mine. A warmth spread through me, and yeah, I definitely felt a stirring beneath the sheets, so much for a graceful exit. Her hand slipped down, her fingers teasingly brushing against my growing erection. "Someone''s eager for round two," she murmured playfully. She let me go and took a step toward the bathroom, then paused, glancing back at me over her shoulder. ¡°Though, uh¡­ I think I need to drain the main tank, if you know what I mean,¡± she said with a wink. ¡°Like, really drain it.¡± I blinked, caught between embarrassment and amusement. ¡°Uh, that¡¯s¡­ uh¡­¡± Smooth, Luca. Real smooth. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she cut in, stepping into the bathroom. ¡°I think I can handle it.¡± The door clicked shut, leaving me sprawled in the chaos of our night, my face buried in my hands. I pressed my palms against my cheeks, the heat radiating through my skin. What the hell just happened? The contentment lingered, but so did the blush. I wasn¡¯t used to this kind of openness, especially not with Emily. Yet, it didn¡¯t feel wrong, it felt natural, easy, like a missing puzzle piece finally clicked into place. The door creaked open a moment later, Emily¡¯s voice drifting out. ¡°So¡­ do we tell the others?¡± I straightened, still feeling a bit flushed, as I moved to the edge of the bed. "Do we have to? It''s not like it''s anyone''s business." Her laugh floated through the air, light and teasing. ¡°Zoe already suspects everything, you know. I¡¯m surprised she hasn¡¯t plastered it on the daily logs.¡± ¡°Zoe suspects everything,¡± I muttered, shaking my head. ¡°Let¡¯s just¡­ keep it low-key for now. The last thing we need is Ryan taking bets or Joey making weird comments.¡± Emily stepped out of the bathroom, the towel draped loosely around her like a toga. ¡°Low-key? With this crew? Good luck, Captain.¡± She leaned in, kissing my cheek before heading toward her clothes. "I can''t exactly walk around like this," she added, nudging her discarded uniform with her foot. "And there''s no way I''m walking out there like this." Still seated on the edge of the bed, I gestured vaguely toward her cabin door. ¡°You¡¯ll have to sneak back to your room for a fresh suit.¡± Emily arched a brow. ¡°Sneak back? What is this, high school?¡± ¡°Considering the alternative is running into Ryan or Joey dressed like that?¡± I grinned. ¡°Yeah, sneaking sounds like the better option.¡± Emily huffed but didn¡¯t argue. Instead, she flopped onto the bed, clearly in no hurry. ¡°Fine. You shower first. I need to plan my escape.¡± If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. I grabbed the other towel and headed for the bathroom, muttering something about how this situation was making my head spin. The sound of running water filled the cabin moments later. As the hot water cascaded over me, I leaned my head back against the cool tile, my mind replaying the events of the previous night. Every touch, every kiss, every whispered word. Holy shit, that actually happened. I scrubbed at my face, then ran my hands through my hair, a nervous energy thrumming through me. I still couldn''t quite believe it. Emily, the Emily, had just spent the night in my bed. My bed. With me. I closed my eyes, a goofy grin spreading across my face. When I reemerged, my hair was damp and slicked back, the towel draped around my waist. The cramped quarters didn¡¯t leave much room for modesty, and as I shuffled toward my drawer for a fresh bodysuit, Emily let out a low whistle.
¡°Well, Captain,¡± she teased, leaning back on the bed, her eyes raking over me. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you came with a six-pack.¡± My ears tingled. I could feel the heat rising in my face. ¡°Emily¡­¡± I warned, trying to ignore her mischievous grin as I grabbed my uniform. The bathroom was too small to get dressed in, so, awkwardly balancing the towel, I turned my back to her. ¡°Just¡­ don¡¯t watch.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m absolutely watching,¡± Emily said, sitting up and folding her arms, clearly enjoying my embarrassment. Grumbling under my breath, I dropped the towel, pulled on my boxer briefs, and started pulling the bodysuit up my legs. The fabric clung immediately, as bodysuits always did, and I fumbled with it, struggling to get the snug material past my thighs. ¡°You¡¯re doing great,¡± Emily commented dryly, her eyes twinkling with mischief. ¡°I don¡¯t need an audience,¡± I snapped, tugging the suit higher and nearly losing my balance in the process. ¡°Let me help,¡± Emily said, sliding off the bed. Before I could protest, she was at my side, tugging the suit upward. She was surprisingly strong for her size, and I couldn''t help but let out a small grunt when she got the suit over my hips. "Easy there," I muttered, but she just smiled innocently. ¡°Just making sure it¡¯s snug,¡± she said, her voice a little husky. Her hands moved from my back to my chest, fingers gliding across my skin, smoothing the material with deliberate slowness. Her fingers lingered longer than necessary, tracing the lines of my muscles. I could feel the heat of her touch right through the fabric. As I struggled with the zipper, her hands slid lower, brushing against my abs, my sides, her fingers dancing just at the edge of my¡­ well, you know. ¡°Want a hand with that zipper?¡± she asked, her voice almost a purr. I could feel the warmth creeping up my neck, a sure sign that my cheeks were burning. I zipped up the front as fast as I could, trying to ignore the fact that I was basically a blushing mess. ¡°You¡¯re impossible,¡± I muttered, avoiding her eyes as I grabbed a hoodie from my shelf. I tossed it to her. ¡°Here. Put this on.¡± Emily pulled the oversized hoodie over her head, the hem falling well past her thighs. Looking so goddamned cute. She buried her face in the fabric, inhaling deeply, then looked up at me, her eyes sparkling. "It smells like you," she said, her voice soft. A slow smile spread across her face as she snuggled into the hoodie. "You know," she said, her tone thoughtful, "it kinda sucks that we never got to do the whole high school graduation thing. Or college. I always imagined... I don''t know... borrowing my boyfriend''s hoodie. And I know it would have been your hoodie, Luca. I''ve always known. Guess this is close enough." My heart did a flip at her words, and a warmth spread through my chest. She''d always known? Was she saying that... that she''d always seen me that way? It was like she''d just casually dropped a bomb, a wonderful, life-altering bomb. I''d been so oblivious, so sure that she was out of my league, that I never even considered the possibility that she might have felt the same way. All that time... wasted. But, no. We had this now. This moment. And that was all that mattered. "Yeah," I said, a little breathless. "Close enough... Well, it¡¯s better than a sheet. Now, let¡¯s get you out of here before anyone sees.¡± I cracked the door open, peeking into the corridor. The coast was clear. ¡°Okay, go,¡± I whispered, gesturing for her to move. Emily darted past me, giggling as she made her way toward her cabin. ¡°Thanks, Captain,¡± she called softly over her shoulder. I sighed, shaking my head. ¡°This is insane,¡± I muttered to myself. ¡°I¡¯m sneaking people around my own ship. What¡¯s next?¡±
After Emily disappeared into her cabin, I snuck into the kitchen, grabbing a cup of what I hoped was coffee. Now, I leaned against the wall outside Emily¡¯s cabin, my coffee cup in hand, staring at the swirling liquid. The thick sludge was direct proof that Ryan was already up. ¡°How does he manage to brew tar every time?¡± I muttered, setting the cup down on a nearby ledge. I could almost hear Emily¡¯s teasing voice in my head: Maybe you should make it next time, Captain. The door to her cabin slid open, and my thoughts derailed. Emily stepped out, freshly showered and dressed. Her hair was damp, loose around her shoulders, and her skin seemed to have a glow to it that had nothing to do with the dim corridor lighting. The curve of her waist, the outline of her hips. I couldn¡¯t stop checking her out. Focus, Luca. Emily caught me staring and smirked, one eyebrow raising. ¡°What, no good morning?¡± I blinked, snapping out of it. ¡°Good morning,¡± I managed, straightening and offering her my arm. I gestured down the hall. ¡°Shall we?¡± "Hmm, maybe," she said, stepping closer, a playful glint in her eyes. She tilted her head back, and before I knew it, she''d hooked her arm around my neck, pulling herself up to press a soft kiss on my cheek. "There," she said, her voice a soft murmur against my skin. "Now I''m ready." She slid her other arm through mine, and I could feel the warmth of her body against my side. I smiled, trying to focus on the feel of her hand in mine and not the soft press of her side against mine. ¡°I just can¡¯t get past Ryan¡¯s coffee. You¡¯d think after four years he¡¯d figure out how to brew something drinkable.¡± Emily laughed, the sound warm and easy. ¡°Maybe you should make the coffee next time, Captain Perfect.¡± Chapter 30 - Delta V We walked into the galley together, the hum of morning conversation filling the space. Emily unlinked her arm from mine and made her way to Zoe¡¯s side without hesitation. I watched her go, noticing how her bodysuit emphasized her movements as she walked. Her confidence only made her glow more, and I found myself smiling like an idiot before heading to the kitchen. Smooth, Luca. Real smooth. I pulled a box of Eggo waffles from the freezer, tossing two into the toaster. While waiting, I took another sip of my coffee and grimaced. ¡°This stuff could strip paint,¡± I muttered, setting it aside. I glanced over at Emily and Zoe. The two were already deep in whispers, Emily¡¯s giggles punctuating their conversation. Zoe leaned in closer, her dreadlocks swinging as she tilted her head conspiratorially. Uh oh. What are those two up to? I shook my head and turned my attention back to my waffles as they popped up. Whatever they were sharing didn¡¯t matter. Over the years, I¡¯d learned that Emily and Zoe had no secrets from each other, and it didn¡¯t bother me in the slightest. If Emily wanted to talk about what happened between us, she would. No need to stress over it. Carrying my plate, I joined Ryan and Joey at their table, nodding at their conversation about satellite data. Joey was mid-sentence, gesturing at a tablet. ¡°...so the readings show the planet¡¯s atmospheric density might be higher than we initially thought. That could change things.¡± I nodded, taking a bite of my waffle. ¡°Let¡¯s go over it again. I want to make sure we¡¯re prioritizing the right targets.¡± Focus, Luca. Work now, daydream about Emily later. As Joey began explaining, my attention drifted momentarily. Emily¡¯s laughter carried across the room, light and unguarded, and for a split second, I couldn¡¯t help but look in her direction. Her cheeks were flushed, her smile wide, and she gestured animatedly as Zoe said something back. It was a look I¡¯d seen hundreds of times, but now it meant something different. She wasn¡¯t just Emily, my best friend, she was... well, I wasn''t sure what she was to me now. But it was something. Something incredible. She was my Emily.
The command bridge was full that day as I leaned over my console, reviewing the updated trajectory. Okay, deep breaths, Luca. You got this. Or rather, Zoe''s got this. And Emily. And Danny. Just try not to screw it up. Zoe, at the navigation station, had her focus split between multiple displays. Damn, she¡¯s already on it, plotting our approach like a pro. Thank god for Zoe. ¡°Alright, Zoe,¡± I said, standing straight and crossing my arms, trying to project some authority. Fake it ''til you make it, right? ¡°Let¡¯s finalize the course for Proxima Centauri b. On the way, we¡¯ll deploy the probes and satellites for Proxima d and c. Timing is key. We¡¯ll drop them now, so they¡¯ll intercept those planets¡¯ orbits later when the alignments are right.¡± Zoe gave a quick salute, already focused on the monitors ahead, programming our navigation or something. Unlike Ryan, who''s probably just farting around as usual. ¡°Understood, Captain. I¡¯m mapping out the intercept trajectories now. It¡¯s a bit tricky since c¡¯s orbit is more eccentric, but we¡¯ll make it work.¡± Thank god someone on this ship knows what they''re doing. I glanced at the holographic display that showed our ship¡¯s path relative to Proxima Centauri. Tiny dots labeled ¡°Probe-D¡± and ¡°Satellite-C¡± lit up, representing the payloads we¡¯d be dropping off. ¡°Good. Make sure they have enough delta-v to fine-tune their paths if the timing isn¡¯t perfect.¡± Delta V? It¡¯s got to do with the change in velocity or whatever. Basically, they have to be fast enough to catch up to the planet¡¯s orbits but not so fast as to fly past them; we want them to slide into their gravity wells so we can get good readings without crashing or whatever. At any rate, Zoe knows what she¡¯s doing. Don''t want any screw-ups. ¡°Already accounting for that,¡± Zoe replied, her tone slightly smug. She knows she''s good. Behind me, Emily sat at her station, monitoring the probe diagnostics. ¡°All probes are operational and prepped for deployment,¡± she said, her voice calm and focused. I glanced at her briefly, catching the small smile on her lips as she worked. My stomach flipped in a way that had nothing to do with the ship¡¯s gentle vibrations. God, she''s amazing. And she''s with me. How did I get this lucky? Ryan leaned against the bulkhead, sipping his mug of tar-like coffee. ¡°Not to be the buzzkill,¡± he said, ¡°but if any of these little guys miss their orbit, it¡¯s going to be a hell of a pain to retrieve them.¡± Seriously, Ryan? Way to bring down the mood. Maybe someone should just lock him and a certain someone in a room until he''s less tense. Or maybe he just needs to get laid. ¡°We¡¯re not missing anything,¡± Zoe said flatly, shooting him a glare. You tell him, Zoe. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Danny, hovering near the bridge console with a tablet in hand, chimed in. ¡°Relax, Ryan. These babies have precision thrusters. Plus, we¡¯re accounting for orbital drift. They¡¯ll be in position when the planets pass through their orbits.¡± Thanks, Danny. Always the voice of reason. At least someone on this ship, other than Zoe and Emily, has their head screwed on straight. I smirked, shaking my head. ¡°Let¡¯s hope so. Otherwise, we¡¯ll be explaining to Karen why her fancy equipment is drifting off into deep space.¡± And that would be a shitshow. As Zoe plotted the course adjustments and the crew ran final checks, I stared back at the display. It felt monumental, these small objects being cast into the void to perform their duties long after the Triumph of Darron had passed by. We''re making history here. This is it. Our legacy. The plan was sound, but the execution had to be flawless. Anything less meant wasted resources, or worse, missed opportunities. And I''m in charge. Me. Oh, boy. ¡°Alright,¡± I said, my voice steady, trying to project confidence, even though my insides were doing somersaults. Just don''t fuck it up, Luca. ¡°Let¡¯s get this done. Deployments begin in twenty minutes.¡±
That evening, I took over the galley, determined to make an authentic Italian carbonara linguini for the crew. Gotta give them a taste of home, even if it''s light years away. The pancetta sizzled in the pan as I grated Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano, the rich aroma filling the ship¡¯s galley. I added a touch of defrosted heavy cream, though it didn¡¯t quite have the silkiness I was used to. Damn, I miss real cream. Still, the white pepper, cheese, and pancetta blended well, and the dish turned out just shy of perfect, good enough to earn second helpings the crew. Dinner was lively. We ate at the galley table. Emily sat beside me, stealing bites from my plate even though she had her own, her head lightly leaning against my shoulder every so often, her leg moving against mine under the table. She smelled so good, like that vanilla-scented shampoo she used. I didn¡¯t mind, it made the whole evening feel even better. Like we''re a real couple. Like this is normal. After the plates were cleared and the crew sprawled out in the lounge, Danny insisted on playing A Beautiful Mind. ¡°Come on,¡± he said, waving the remote, ¡°It¡¯s a classic. Plus, all that math stuff is kinda cool.¡± Gotta give him that, it is a classic. And Danny does love his numbers. As the movie started playing, Emily scooted closer, her body pressed against mine. So close. She grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch, draping it over both of us. "Cozy," she murmured, snuggling in. I slipped my arm around her, pulling her even closer, my hand resting on her waist. Under the cover of the blanket, my fingers started to move, tracing slow circles on the soft skin just above the waistband of her pants. I couldn''t resist, I needed to touch her. She rested her head on my shoulder, and I could feel her breath on my neck. Her hand found mine under the blanket, her fingers interlacing with mine. I couldn''t help but smile, my heart doing a little flutter. It was like every nerve ending in my body was focused on her touch. As the movie progressed, she started playing with my fingers, running her thumb over my knuckles, tracing the lines on my palm. It was such a small thing, but it sent shivers down my spine. My fingers moved higher, slipping under the hem of her shirt, the warmth of her skin sending a jolt through me. I traced the curve of her waist, then moved higher, my hand finally resting just below her breast. I could feel the soft swell of it through her shirt, the gentle rise and fall of her breath. She wiggled slightly, her hand tightening on mine for a second, her eyes meeting mine in the dim light, a silent warning, but one that held no real heat. And, hell, I couldn''t resist. I brushed my thumb lightly against the underside of her breast, feeling her breath catch. She didn''t pull away, but her eyes flashed, a playful challenge in their depths. Instead, she turned her head, her lips finding mine in a soft, lingering kiss. In front of everyone. And I kissed her back, because I couldn''t not, not with her this close, this open, this... mine. Every now and then, she¡¯d give my hand a gentle squeeze, and I¡¯d squeeze back, a silent conversation passing between us. Ryan, sprawled on the couch, made some comment about Nash''s delusions, but I barely heard him. My entire focus was on Emily, on the warmth of her body, the softness of her skin, the way she made me feel like I was the only person in the room, the only person in the universe. This is what I¡¯d dreamed of. How did I get this lucky? I remained on the couch, my arm still draped around Emily. She shifted slightly, looking up at me with a soft smile. ¡°I think I¡¯ll turn in,¡± she murmured, but her eyes lingered, her meaning clear. She wanted to stay, with me. My chest tightened, excitement and trepidation running through me. But mostly excitement. A lot of excitement. ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, my voice a little rough. ¡°Me too.¡± I could barely contain the grin that was spreading across my face. I stood up, pulling her up with me, my hand lingering on hers. We walked together through the softly lit corridor, holding her hand. I could feel the energy between us, a palpable tension. It felt like we were the only two people on the ship. As we reached my cabin door, Emily paused, her hand brushing against mine. She turned to me, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Race you to bed?" she whispered, her voice a playful challenge. I grinned, my heart pounding. "You''re on," I said, and before she could react, I scooped her up in my arms, bridal style. She let out a surprised laugh, her arms wrapping around my neck. I pushed the door open with my foot and carried her inside, kicking it shut behind us. Inside, the small cabin felt cozier than ever. The faint hum of the ship¡¯s systems filled the silence. I set Emily down on the edge of my bed, and she immediately started pulling the blanket over herself, her expression playful. ¡°Well? Don''t just stand there," she teased, patting the space beside her, her eyes full of anticipation. I smiled, my nerves from earlier replaced with a rush of adrenaline. I moved to join her, practically diving under the covers. She nestled against me, her head finding its familiar place on my shoulder, and I knew this was just the beginning of another incredible night. Interlude The lounge was quiet, the kind of quiet that only hit when the whole ship had gone to bed. The faint hum of the Triumph¡¯s systems filled the space, blending with the occasional clink of beer bottles. The main source of light came from the flashes of color on the screen in front of us: Mortal Kombat, classic mode. I landed a solid Get over here! on Ryan, yanking Sonya into Scorpion¡¯s waiting fists. Ryan grunted, shifting next to me on the couch. "Why you pouting?" "I¡¯m not pouting." Reflex. Automatic. I didn¡¯t even look at him, just kept my attention locked on the game. Ryan wasn¡¯t buying it. He never did. "C¡¯mon, I know you, man. You¡¯re too quiet tonight. What¡¯s up?" I flicked my eyes to him for half a second before dodging another attack. "It¡¯s nothing." Ryan exhaled through his nose. ¡°Really? You should be fucking happy. You finally got to be with Emily!" I smirked, shaking my head. "I know, I know." Ryan tilted his beer toward me like he was making a toast. ¡°Then what? You suddenly having performance anxiety?" I snorted. "Eat shit, Ry." He laughed, but I could tell he wasn¡¯t gonna drop it. I should¡¯ve known better than to think I could just sit here in silence without him poking at me. I paused the game. "It¡¯s the story, man. It¡¯s not picking up like I thought it would." Ryan frowned. "What do you mean? You¡¯ve got, what, almost ten thousand views?" I scoffed. "Yeah, but readers? Barely a thousand have read the prologue¡­ and then the numbers nosedive. We¡¯re 35 chapters in, and I feel like we¡¯re just laying the groundwork." Ryan leaned back, considering. "You just gotta give it time, dude. They¡¯ll come." On screen, Sonya grabbed Scorpion¡¯s leg, flipping him into the dirt. "Hey!" I laughed, shoving Ryan¡¯s shoulder. "Suck it up, Captain," Ryan shot back, grinning. I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "I even fixed the Prologue, updated the last section of chapter five, patched the story holes." This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Ryan nodded. "So, what¡¯s the problem then?" I breathed out, letting out some of the tension in my chest, setting my controller down for a second. "The problem, Ry, is that there is no problem." Ryan gave me a confused look. "Huh?" "Like¡­ what¡¯s our driving force right now? There¡¯s no main conflict, and nothing urgent is pushing us forward. So far, it''s just been a slow burn of setup, mission planning, and getting our shit together." I picked up my beer, swirling the last bit in the bottle. "And I¡¯m worried that¡¯s boring the readers." Ryan nodded slowly, rolling his controller in his hands. "I get what you¡¯re saying. We got Emily, sure, and this week¡¯s got a couple of, uh¡­ smoky chapters coming." I smirked. "A couple?" Ryan snorted. "Okay, maybe more than a couple." "Yeah, but then what?" I asked, leaning forward. "We land... do our thing. It¡¯s not bad, but it¡¯s not gripping. Readers want action, tension. And here I am, sitting on multiple chapters of smut, wondering if I should just cut it and get to the action faster, because it''s literally around the corner." Ryan¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Wait, wait, wait. You¡¯re thinking about cutting the smut? Are you sick? Is this a cry for help?" I laughed and shook my head. "I¡¯m serious, dude. What¡¯s the balance? Too much buildup, we lose readers. Too much action, we lose depth. Too much sex, we get flagged or, worse, just become another one of those stories." Ryan hummed, rubbing his chin. "Alright, so what do you think we need?" I huffed, what do we need? "I don''t know. The conflict is that we have to complete the mission or everyone back home suffers. But it doesn¡¯t affect us. You, me, Danny, the girls, Chris, Joey, we¡¯re just here, doing our thing. Making plans, setting up for a big first step, sure, but it¡¯s mostly just us building up drama between each other." I swirled the last bit of beer in my bottle. "I just don¡¯t know if that¡¯s enough." Ryan shrugged, not looking too concerned. "People love drama." I let out a short laugh, picking up the controller again. "Yeah, but they love a reason to care more." Ryan nailed me with a well-timed leg grab, flipping Scorpion into the dirt. I shot him a glare. "Well," he said, smirking as Sonya followed up with a brutal combo, "what drove you to write this thing anyway?" I sighed, dragging a hand through my hair. "I just love the idea of exploration. Visiting planets, stepping onto new worlds, seeing shit no one¡¯s ever seen before. And, you know¡­ budding relationships." Ryan grinned. "Yeah, I bet that last part is a real priority for you." I smirked, shaking my head. "I mean, look at the name we gave the planet. New Dawn? Shit¡¯s kinda cringe, right?" Ryan scoffed, nudging me. "Fuck off, I named it. Sounds optimistic. Fresh start." I snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Still sounds like the name of a wellness retreat." Ryan rolled his eyes, taking another swig of beer. "So... there''s more chapters planned?" I groaned, rubbing my face. "Yeah. Too many to change things. I¡¯ve got, like, almost 120 in backlog." Ryan blinked. "Oh." For a second, neither of us said anything. The game sounds filled the silence, Scorpion throwing a punch, Sonya countering with a nasty uppercut. "You should write what you like to write," Ryan added, leaning forward. "And if people like it? Then great. If not? It¡¯s your story. We¡¯re gonna get banged up anyways in the very near future, so we''re just a few chapters from action anyhow." I didn¡¯t answer right away. I just kept playing, thinking about it. Sonya roundhouse-kicked Scorpion into a Fatality. Ryan leaned back with a grin. "Boom, bitch." I groaned, tossing my controller onto the couch. "Fuck you." Ryan smirked, cracking open another beer. "Nah, but seriously. Just ride it out, man. People are here for the long haul. And if not? Fuck ¡®em." I exhaled, cracking open my own beer. "Yeah. Maybe." Should we dump extra chapters this week to get to the action? I stared at the screen, watching the replay of Scorpion getting wrecked.
Chapter 31 - Making headway [+18 Warning] We were humming along on the way to our destination, still four days to go before we''d reach Proxima b, the second planet of the third star in the Alpha Centauri system. Not to be confused with the other two stars, Rigil Kentaurus, the first star, or Alpha Centauri A, or Toliman, which would be Alpha Centauri B. Proxima Centauri was actually designated as Alpha Centauri C, but properly called Proxima Centauri, and its second planet would be Proxima Centauri b, or Alpha Centauri Cb, and I found myself with nothing urgent to do. Well, that''s not true, I guess. There were always a million things on the to-do list. Check the data logs, run diagnostics, and re-calibrate the sensors. It was endless. But nothing demanding my attention at that precise moment, at least nothing I couldn''t put off for a little while longer. So, naturally, I headed to the gym, determined to focus on something other than Emily. Arm day. Just the ticket. I started with bicep curls, trying to lock into the burn, the rhythm of the weight, but it was a losing battle. Every couple of reps my brain went rogue, replaying the feel of Emily¡¯s arms around me, the taste of her lips, that way she looked at me this morning like she was seeing a goddamn vision. ¡°Focus, Luca, focus," I muttered to myself, like that would actually do something. After a few sets, I switched to hammer curls. It was arm day for chrissakes and these puppies needed some extra love. I glanced at the clock, like a prisoner, and barely ten minutes had gone by. Damn. This workout was gonna be a long one. I tried to get lost in the routine, the counting, the lifting, the controlled movements, but my eyes kept drifting towards the door, hoping, anticipating¡­ Then, about ten minutes in, the door hissed open, and Chris walked in. Because, of course, the one day I needed to be alone, the ship''s resident muscle man would show up. He gave me a nod, then started his own routine. He moved with an economy of motion that I envied, each exercise precise and controlled. The guy¡¯s a machine, I swear. What the hell did Chris even do all day anyway? He''s the communications officer, and we''re four and a half light years from Sol. It''s not like anything we''re saying is getting back home anytime soon. I mean, for real, what the hell did he have to do? Maybe we should rethink some of these positions. After a while, he ambled over, all casual, with his unsolicited advice like it was a gift. "You''re flaring your elbows too much," he says, his voice rumbling like a goddamn earthquake. "Keep them tucked in. You''ll get a better contraction." "Right, thanks," I said, trying to process his words, but my brain was already halfway back to Emily, wondering what she was up to. I probably looked like I didn''t hear a word, because, honestly, I didn¡¯t.
As if on cue, the door hissed open again, and in walked Emily and Zoe, back from whatever it was they were doing, a burst of energy and laughter. They were both now wearing their workout gear, those tiny shorts and tight tank tops, and they were practically bouncing on the balls of their feet. What did Zoe do, give her a triple shot of espresso? Zoe flashed me a huge smile, and Emily playfully elbowed her, both of them giggling like little kids, then headed straight for the treadmills. The way they moved, it was like a magnet for my eyes. I tried to focus on my workout, but it was impossible. Every few seconds, I''d find myself glancing over at them, at the way their shorts rode up their thighs as they ran, the way their tank tops clung to their sweat-slicked skin. Focus, Luca. Arms. Weights. Muscles. Not Emily. Or Zoe. Nope. After a few minutes, Chris grunted, gave me a curt nod, and headed out, leaving me alone with the girls. No sooner had the door slid shut than Emily hopped off the treadmill, grabbing a towel and wiping her face. She walked over to me, her movements fluid and graceful, even after a workout. Zoe headed for the exit, shooting Emily a knowing smirk and raising an eyebrow in my direction. Did she...? Did Emily set this up? "Hey, Captain," she said, her voice a little breathless, like she¡¯d run a marathon and not some lame-ass cardio. ¡°Fancy meeting you here.¡± "Hey yourself," I replied, trying to act casual, though my heart was doing that little flutter-kick thing again. "Didn''t expect to see you here." "Oh, you know, just getting my cardio in," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She leaned against the bench, her hand resting on my arm. "So, what''s on the agenda for today? Pumping iron?" I couldn''t help but grin. "Something like that," I said, my eyes glued to the curve of her neck, the way her tank top was stuck to her damp skin. God, she was so pretty. She followed where I was looking, then looked back at me, a playful glint in her eyes. "Like what you see?" "Maybe," I admitted, my voice a little rough, but also a lot honest. She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Maybe you should get a closer look." Before I could react, she grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the corner of the gym, behind a row of weight machines. It wasn''t exactly hidden, but it was out of the direct line of sight from the door. "Emily," I warned, my voice full of apprehension but excited. Fuck it. "Someone could walk in," I said, but even I could hear how weak my protest sounded. "Relax," she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "They''re all busy. And if they''re not..." She shrugged, a playful smile on her lips. "We''ll give them a show." Fuck, she''s so hot when she''s like this.
She pressed herself against me, her body warm and damp from her workout. The thin fabric of her tank top did nothing to hide the outline of her sports bra, and I could feel her heart pounding against my chest, as frantic as my own. I was hard as a rock, throbbing, and it took everything I had not to just tear her clothes off right then and there. My hands found their way to her waist, my fingers tracing the edge of her shorts. I could feel the sweat on her skin, and when I leaned in, my lips brushing against her ear, I could taste the saltiness. "You''re playing a dangerous game," I whispered. I was trying to focus on not ripping her clothes, but fuck me if it wasn''t hard. Literally. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "Maybe I like dangerous," she whispered back, her hands moving from my waist, down, further down, until she was cupping my bulge through my shorts, her fingers squeezing gently. A jolt of pure, animalistic lust shot through me. She tilted her head, her lips finding mine in a soft, lingering kiss. But there was nothing soft about what she did next. The kiss deepened, becoming urgent, almost desperate, her tongue sweeping into my mouth, tasting, exploring. My hands moved lower, sliding beneath the waistband of her shorts, but instead of pulling them off, I just hooked my thumbs under the elastic, pushing them down just enough to give me access, along with her panties. I needed to feel her skin, all of it. I cupped her ass, my fingers digging into the firm flesh. I pulled her closer, grinding my hips against hers, letting her feel exactly how much I wanted her. She let out a soft moan, and that was it. I didn''t care if we were in the goddamn gym, I needed her, now. I pressed her against the weight machine, the cold metal a shock against her bare skin. She gasped, but she didn''t pull away. Her hands were everywhere, on my chest, my abs, my back, her fingers digging into my muscles. And then, she wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me closer, and I entered her, slowly at first, then faster, harder, deeper. We moved together, a frantic, desperate rhythm, fueled by lust and the thrill of the risk. My head was spinning, the sounds of our ragged breath filling the small space around us, and I never, not ever, wanted this to end, not even if the ship blew up around us. The world narrowed down to her, to the feel of her skin, to the taste of her lips, to the way she was moving with me, inside of me, and for that single, perfect moment, nothing else mattered. Then, I took control, pulling back just enough to break our rhythm, and with a low growl, I scooped her up in my arms, her body slick with sweat, her shorts barely hanging on, my own arousal a painful, throbbing reminder of how badly I wanted her. She gasped, her hands finding my neck as I backed towards the weight rack, then, I decided against it, I didn''t want us on the cold metal. It was her fault, anyway, she was the one who started this, the little firestarter. I carried her towards the far wall, stumbling a bit, her legs wrapped around my waist, and then, I lowered her onto a pile of yoga mats, finally finding a spot where we could just, be.I followed her down, my weight pressing her further into the mats, and then, without another word, I started moving again, pounding hard against her, my body a desperate, primal force. Her nails dug into my back, a fucking painful, yet unbelievably arousing sensation that sent shivers down my spine. She was all fire and raw need, and I swear, I could feel myself reaching the edge, every thrust pushing me closer to the brink. Her moans grew louder, more strained, her breath catching in her throat as she started to shudder beneath me, her body clenching around mine. And then, holy fuck, it happened. She spasmed, her body shaking out of control, and a warm, wet sensation spread across my stomach, my legs, the yoga mat beneath us. It was like a goddamn geyser, and I realized, with a jolt, that she was a squirter. Holy shit, my mind screamed! My brain went offline for a second, a mix of shock and pure, unadulterated awe. Did Joey and Chris really do it in this room? I wondered, my mind going a million miles an hour. This place is soaked, holy hell. And then, I was there, right on the edge, and I couldn''t hold back any longer. I pushed harder, faster, feeling the walls closing in, until finally, I exploded, a guttural groan ripping from my chest as I spilled myself into her. We stayed locked together, our bodies slick with sweat, and now, her own juices, our hearts pounding, the only sound the ragged rhythm of our breath, and for a few moments, the world outside of the yoga mats didn''t exist. This was wild, holy fuck, this was wild. Who is going to clean this mess up? It¡¯s got to be me, Emily¡¯s too disheveled.
Afterward, we stood there, catching our breath, pressed against each other in the semi-seclusion of the weight machines. My heart was hammering, my body on fire. I could feel the sweat dripping down my forehead, matting my hair, and my own shorts were soaked. It was like I''d just run a marathon, not just from the exertion, but from the sheer intensity of it all. And Emily... she was a glorious, sweaty mess. Her tank top clung to her, damp with perspiration, and her cheeks were flushed a deep red. Her hair was all over the place, and her eyes, her eyes were wide and a little wild, like she couldn''t quite believe what we''d just done. I looked at Emily, and all I could think was, Fuck, I''m so gone for this girl. "We''re going to get caught one of these days," I said, my voice rough, echoing my earlier sentiment, trying to catch my breath. She just smiled and kissed me again, a quick, fierce kiss. Then, she leaned back, her hands on her hips, her chest heaving. "Damn," she said, her voice breathless, fanning herself with her hand. "That was... intense." She paused, her eyes widening slightly as she looked down at herself. A slow smile spread across her face, "And a big one, apparently," she added, her voice a little husky. I followed where she was looking. A very noticeable puddle had formed on the floor beneath her, and she was still, well, dripping. She cupped herself with her hand for a second, then looked back at me, her cheeks flushing an even deeper red, if that was possible. "I, uh, think I need to find a bathroom," she said softly, her eyes sparkling with a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "Here," I said, my voice still a little rough. I grabbed my gym towel from the bench and handed it to her. "For, uh, you know..." I gestured vaguely. She took the towel, a grateful smile on her lips. I looked at her, really looked at her, standing there all flushed and sweaty and gorgeous, and I couldn''t help but wonder, Where did this girl come from? And how did I get so lucky? I was the first to leave the gym, after making sure to wipe down any, uh, evidence of our activities from the weight machine. Priorities. I peeked out the door, checking the corridor. Empty. I gave Emily the all-clear sign, and she slipped out, her cheeks still flushed from our encounter, a lingering, almost wistful smile on her lips. She paused, her hand brushing my arm, and leaned in, pressing a quick, soft kiss to my cheek. "Thanks, Captain," she whispered, her eyes sparkling. Then, with one last, lingering look back over her shoulder, and a bright, almost blinding smile that made my heart skip a beat, she darted off down the corridor, heading towards her cabin, a slight bounce in her step. I watched her go, relief and lingering desire swirling in my gut. What is happening to me? Back in my cabin, I stripped off my damp clothes and headed for the shower. The hot water pounded against my skin, washing away the last of the sweat and the lingering scent of Emily. This is nuts, I thought, leaning my head against the cool tile. We''re sneaking around like teenagers, having sex in the gym and¡­ well¡­ But still. At first, I thought I was the one with the problem, the lust-driven maniac. But Emily? She was... insatiable. Not that I was complaining, not really. It was just... a lot. A whole lot of a lot. I mean, two days ago, I was terrified of even touching her. Now, I couldn''t seem to keep my hands off her. And she definitely wasn''t helping matters. She''s the one who started it, after all. I turned off the water, stepping out of the shower and grabbing a towel. We need to get some work done, I thought, running the towel over my hair. We have actual responsibilities. Chores, duties, you know, Captain stuff. It was my turn to mop the four decks today, which under normal circumstances, I wouldn''t have minded. It was a mindless enough task, one that usually gave me time to think. But today, all I could think about was Emily. What was she doing now? Was she thinking about me, too? Was she as turned on as I was, even now, hours later? Stop it, Luca. Focus. There were still four days to go before we reached Proxima Centauri. Four days of sneaking around, stealing moments, and trying to keep our hands off each other in public. Four days of pretending like everything was normal, when nothing felt normal anymore. How the hell are we going to manage this?
Chapter 32 - Poker Night Dinner the next day was a disaster. Not a small, oops-we-burned-the-toast kind of disaster, but a full-on, existential crisis for anyone who liked food. I stared at my plate of MRE slop, labeled ¡°Tuscan Beef with Cannellini Beans and Vegetables,¡± because apparently, someone thought fancy words could trick us into thinking this wasn¡¯t just brown mush. It didn¡¯t even smell like food. It smelled¡­ beige. I glanced around the table, trying to figure out who I could pin this one on. Not me, no way. Sure, my dad recommended these, and yeah, I was the one who approved the order, but Ryan was the one who confirmed the final inventory. Right? Yeah, let¡¯s go with that. Stupid Ryan. Always so efficient, except when it matters. Honestly, I was too tired to even try and figure out who to blame, Emily had been running me ragged. I swear, she had more energy than a hummingbird on crack. She¡¯d chase me down the corridors, her laughter echoing off the metal walls, and I swear, I just couldn''t outrun her. Not that I was trying all that hard, of course. Okay, maybe I was, a little, but mostly because I was trying to save my energy. Or that''s what I told myself. It didn''t matter, she was a relentless, beautiful force of nature, and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it, even if I was perpetually exhausted. Emily sat beside me, poking at her ¡°Chicken ¨¤ la King,¡± which looked more like cat food in sauce. She caught my eye and made a face that said, This is your fault, and I hated that she was right. I hadn¡¯t just ordered these, I¡¯d called them ¡°the best-tasting option.¡± Thanks, Dad. I stabbed at the brown mush with my fork, trying to convince myself it wasn¡¯t that bad. It was. Every bite was worse than the last. Across the table, Ryan seemed unbothered, eating like a man with no taste buds. Of course he didn¡¯t care. The guy probably eats protein powder straight out of the tub. Joey, on the other hand, was pretending his ¡°Pasta Primavera¡± wasn¡¯t just noodles drowning in what I could only describe as glue. ¡°This is¡­¡± Zoe started, pausing dramatically as she waved her fork in the air. ¡°Wow. Luca, where did you find this stuff?¡± ¡°It¡¯s food, Zoe,¡± I muttered, trying to sound defensive, but my voice cracked. ¡°It¡¯s got all the vitamins and calories we need. Survival-grade. That¡¯s what matters.¡± God, I was lying through my teeth, and the exhaustion was making it even harder to sound convincing. ¡°Survival-grade?¡± she shot back, arching an eyebrow. ¡°Didn¡¯t know we were starring in a post-apocalyptic drama.¡± The table erupted in laughter, and even Emily couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as she pushed her plate aside, clearly done with her meal. I sighed, slumping back in my chair, the weight of the day, and the lack of sleep, finally catching up to me. ¡°Fine,¡± I muttered, glaring at Ryan. ¡°Next time, you¡¯re picking the menu.¡± It wasn¡¯t fair, but fair had left the building the moment I opened that MRE packet, and to be honest, I was just too tired to fight anymore. Despite the tragic state of dinner, the conversation shifted to something less soul-crushing, the latest images from our probes. Proxima Centauri b, our big red target, was looking increasingly alien under the light of its red dwarf star. I tried to focus on that, but all I could think about was finding some way to bribe Zoe into making something, anything, that didn¡¯t taste like regret. "Maybe it''s covered in red plants," Danny suggested, always the optimist. "Or red sand," Ryan countered, ever the pessimist. "A giant, red desert. Just our luck." I tried to join in the conversation, but my mind was elsewhere, completely hijacked by the chaos that was Emily. Every few minutes, her leg would brush against mine under the table, sending a jolt of electricity straight to my core, like a live wire had been attached to my balls. She''d give me a little smile, her eyes sparkling with that damn mischief, the one that promised all sorts of trouble, and then go back to her meal, as if nothing had happened. It was a goddamn torture tactic, and I was willingly walking right into the trap. Poor me, I thought, but I wasn''t really feeling that sorry for myself. And then there was the food stealing. She kept spearing the few recognizable pieces of "beef" from my plate, her fork darting out like a hummingbird''s beak, and honestly, it was the most attractive thing I''d seen all day, which was saying something considering I had already spent about three hours with her, but it was true. I didn''t mind, not at all. In fact, I found myself deliberately pushing the better-looking bits to the edge of my plate, just to give her an excuse to to steal from me, to mess with my head even more. She''s playing with me, I thought, a grin spreading across my face. And I''m letting her. It was like a game, a silent conversation played out under the table, amidst the chatter and the clatter of utensils. A game I was more than happy to play, a game I was begging her to keep playing, because deep down, I couldn''t wait for her to jump my bones again. I was completely gone for this girl, and she knew it.
The evening after that MRE disaster, we all traded our uniforms for loungewear and, as per ship rules, went barefoot into the lounge. My plan was simple: a quiet night on the couch with Emily. I imagined her curled up beside me, maybe her legs draped over mine, a blanket covering us, and my fingers, you know, "exploring." Yeah, that sounded perfect. A man can dream, right? If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. But my plans were quickly derailed. Ryan and Danny, in a rare display of shared enthusiasm, were adamant about having a poker night. Figures. Everyone bought in with their 500 credits, and before I knew it, I was sitting at the table, trying to remember the difference between a flush and a straight. Shit. This is not how I envisioned the evening going. I thought, glancing over at Emily, who was already engrossed in a conversation with Zoe. She looked relaxed, comfortable, and completely oblivious to my internal turmoil. Surprisingly, the game was fun. I usually bowed out early, claiming to have forgotten the rules rather than admit I was just terrible at poker. But tonight, maybe because my mind was elsewhere, or maybe because luck was finally on my side, I wasn''t the first one out. I even managed to win a few hands, which was a shock to everyone, myself included. Maybe I should play poker more often. Though, now that I thought about it, Ryan was winning a suspicious amount of hands. And was that an ace up his sleeve? Or was Chris just really good? Hard to tell with those two. They were both playing it cool, but something felt off. Something was always off with those two, it seemed. Still, my focus kept drifting back to Emily. I watched the way she laughed at something Zoe said, the way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the way she kept subtly, or not so subtly, trying to catch my eye. Each time she did, my heart did a little flip, and I had to force myself to concentrate on the game. And on not staring at Zoe, who was sitting between Danny and Ryan, and seemed to be on a mission to poke, prod, and generally annoy the hell out of both of them. She kept yanking their shirts, messing with their hair, all with this innocent look on her face. It was kinda hot, in a weird way. I could tell they were both flustered, but trying not to show it. She''s definitely playing them, I thought. But which one is she after? Or is it both? I made a mental note to ask Emily about it later. She''d know. And speaking of Emily, she was playing her own game, her knee bumping against mine under the table, her fingers "accidentally" grazing my hand whenever she reached for a chip. It was subtle, but it was enough to send my pulse racing. Two can play this game, Em. I thought, leaning forward slightly, as if to get a better look at the cards. My hand slipped behind her, finding the small of her back. I let my fingers linger there for a moment, feeling the warmth of her skin through her shirt. Then, slowly, deliberately, I slipped my hand beneath the waistband of her lounge pants. A silent gasp escaped her lips, and her whole body seemed to tense for a moment. I held my breath, my heart pounding, my own body throbbing in response. It was a silent conversation, a question, and an answer; all conveyed through touch. I left my fingers there, wanting to go deeper but not daring to, for a heartbeat, two, then slowly, reluctantly, withdrew my hand, leaving a lingering warmth on her skin and, hopefully, a fire burning in her core. All this, right under the noses of our crewmates. The thought was intoxicating. Ryan and Danny were too busy trying to avoid Zoe''s constant pokes, and Chris and Joey were engaged in their own little world, to notice anything. Still, the risk of being discovered only added to the thrill. It was like we were sharing a secret, a delicious, dangerous secret, right there in plain sight.
The night wore on, and even though I didn''t win, I found myself enjoying the game, the back and forth, the shared sense of anticipation that hung in the air. It also helped that I was raking in the chips, which was unusual. To mark the occasion, and to celebrate the fact that I hadn''t completely embarrassed myself at poker, I even brought out a couple of bottles of wine I''d been saving. There was no specific celebration, but our spirits were high. "New Dawn," as Ryan had started calling it, was getting closer and closer. We were actually going to make it. And then there was the way Chris kept looking at Joey, when he thought no one was watching. A soft look, a lingering glance. And Joey, for his part, kept finding excuses to touch Chris''s arm, his shoulder. Huh. Maybe there was something there. Not that it was any of my business. Still, interesting. As the poker game wound down, we all migrated to the couches, settling in for some low-key conversation before calling it a night. Emily, without hesitation, climbed onto my lap, straddling me, her arms draped around my neck. I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her close, burying my face in her hair for a moment. It was a bold move, even for her, but it felt... right. We were past the point of hiding, at least not entirely. And if anyone had a problem with it, well, they could deal with it. "Comfortable there, Em?" I asked, my voice a low murmur against her ear. "Very," she replied, her breath warm on my neck. She leaned back slightly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You don''t mind, do you?" "Not even a little," I said, my hands moving on their own accord, tracing the curve of her back, the swell of her hips. Nope, not minding at all. Danny and Ryan settled on the couch opposite us, and Zoe, in a move that surprised no one, practically launched herself into the space between them, effectively separating the two. She was in a mood, that much was clear. A harassing mood. She kept poking them, pulling at their shirts, messing with their hair, all with this innocent look on her face. Poor guys, I thought, watching the display. They have no idea what they''re in for. But then again, maybe they did. Maybe this was some kind of weird foreplay. It was hard to tell with those three. Then again, maybe Zoe was feeling a little left out. Or maybe, a lot left out. It wasn''t exactly a secret that she had a thing for both Danny and Ryan. And here we were, all coupled up and cozy, especially Emily and me. It was pretty obvious we''d been... busy. Maybe she just needed to get laid. Hell, even Ryan looked like he needed to get laid. A fleeting, and frankly disturbing, thought crossed my mind - maybe I should offer my services, as Captain, of course. Just to, you know, ease the tension. As a purely altruistic act. And besides... Emily shifted on my lap, her butt pressing against my growing erection, and any thoughts of playing hero, or Captain Cock, vanished. Yeah, I thought, my hand instinctively moving to her hip, feeling the curve of her ass through her loungewear. Definitely not thinking about that right now. Not when I have all this right here. She was like a damn magnet, pulling all my attention, all my focus, to her. And I wasn''t complaining. My other hand found the soft skin of her belly, beneath her shirt. Nope. Not complaining at all. Chapter 33 - On Approach The next few days were a blur. We were on the final approach to Proxima Centauri b, and the excitement on the ship was palpable. Days were spent monitoring the probes and satellites we''d deployed, making sure they were on track to intercept the orbits of planets "d" and "c." Everyone was busy, focused, driven by the mission. But even amidst the intense activity, I found myself constantly drawn to Emily. It was becoming¡­ a lot. The bridge was quiet, the only sounds the soft hum of the ship and the gentle tapping of Emily''s keys on her console. It was just the two of us, surrounded by blinking monitors and the vast, star-studded expanse beyond the viewport. It was a scene that should have been peaceful, serene even, but all I felt was a knot of tension coiling tighter in my gut. I was supposed to be reviewing the latest telemetry data, but the numbers on the screen swam in front of my eyes, meaningless. All I could focus on was Emily. The way her hair curled around her face as she leaned over her console, the focused furrow of her brow, the way her lips pursed in concentration as she worked, intently focused on the monitors ahead. She was completely absorbed in her work, oblivious to the storm raging inside me. And fuck, she was beautiful. I tried to focus on the data, I really did. But it was useless. My attention kept drifting back to her, to the curve of her neck, the delicate line of her jaw. Get a grip, Luca, I told myself. You''re the Captain, act like it. Just being near her was¡­ distracting. ¡°Taking a break,¡± I murmured, coming up behind her and gently turning her chair. She looked up, surprised, and I just leaned in, my voice low. ¡°You¡¯ve been running me ragged, you know that?¡± I said, referencing a certain moment on this very bridge that still made my pulse quicken. She just smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes, before turning back to her console, leaving me to try and regain my focus on the mission, which felt like a losing battle.
Later, in the lounge, trying to unwind with a game, Emily joined me. It was late, and everyone else had already turned in. Her presence alone made it impossible to concentrate. She was close, the warmth radiating from her a clear dichotomy from her icy appendages in bed. Things escalated quickly, and soon we were caught up in a moment that was rapidly going out of control. Just then, the corridor light flared, and Ryan walked in, searching for his tablet. Adrenaline shot through me as I quickly threw a blanket over Emily, the unspoken tension hanging thick in the air until he left, oblivious. Emily emerged from under the blanket, a flushed smile playing on her lips, and I couldn''t help but shake my head. ¡°You are going to be the death of me,¡± I whispered. She just laughed softly, that knowing look back in her eyes.
The galley was a goddamn ghost town, the only sound the constant hum of the ship and the tap-tap-tap of my fingers on the laptop. It was mid-morning, and everyone was off doing their own thing, which usually meant I was stuck dealing with all the crap nobody else wanted to touch. I''d managed to snag the large stainless steel table, which was usually a battleground during meal times, but right now it was just me and my increasingly cold coffee. Today''s mission: Zoe¡¯s flight plan. I''d been staring at the damn thing since breakfast, trying to make sense of all the lines and the waypoints. It was a standard flight plan, nothing too fancy, which meant Zoe was probably bored out of her mind. I scanned over the route, from the Triumph of Darron to the drop point, then to the landing zone near the equator. This was going to be a piece of cake, for someone like her, or Ryan. I wasn¡¯t really sure why I was going over it. As long as we landed, it was all good in my book. But I had to sign off on it, because Captain stuff, which was seriously the most pointless crap. I took a swig of my coffee, grimacing at the lukewarm, slightly bitter taste. Then there was the inventory list, a never-ending scroll of equipment, supplies, and other crap we were lugging down to Proxima Centauri b for a couple of weeks of sample collecting and survey work. I scanned through it again, my eyes glazing over at the long lists of probes, sensors, rock hammers, food rations, and, of course, the ever-present supply of protein bars. I swear, Ryan must have some kind of protein bar fetish. The guy was a lazy piece of shit, but he had a really nice ass and I found myself fantasizing about it more often than was probably healthy. Speaking of Ryan, I bet he was probably in his engineering bay, taking a nap or whatever he did when he wasn''t fucking around with Danny or napping. It was amazing he got anything done, but I knew, deep down, he was actually useful when he wasn''t being a lazy ass. That''s more than I can say for Chris, the gym jock who called himself a communications officer. Who the hell was Chris even talking to? Space squirrels? This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. I scrolled through the list, wondering if anything was missing. Then it hit me. Where the hell was all our armor and energy weapons? We were level-capped at level sixty, and we were all itching to get past that, hoping Proxima Centauri b would be the key. That meant we needed to make damn sure that we had all our energy cells, energy weapons, and our armor. I pulled up a separate inventory log, because of course that information was on a separate database, and started cross-referencing, a frown creasing my forehead. Yep, something was missing, a whole bunch of something. I made a note to check with Joey, that little shit was always messing with my gear, I swear. Probably hiding my damn blaster again. Other important things, like extra socks or maybe some real coffee, were also missing. It was my turn to do laundry, and with the way Emily had been chasing me down the corridors of this goddamn ship, all my socks were probably soaked with sweat. Seriously, that girl was a menace, a beautiful, unstoppable, chaos-inducing menace. I was probably running a permanent fever just from the heat that radiated off her, and my brain was always fried from lack of sleep. I should really just call her in here now. I sighed, rubbing my temples, willing the coffee to magically become caffeinated, and for Emily to just show up already. Maybe if I closed my eyes for a minute... no, no, get back to work, Luca. I had to assign duties, decide who was carrying what, what our first, second, and third priorities would be when we landed, what gear we¡¯d be lugging around. I glanced at the clock, wondering when Emily would grace me with her presence. She hadn¡¯t been to the mess hall all day. Was she avoiding me? No, she would never be able to resist... I shook my head. Focus, Luca. There were lists to be managed, people to be organized, a planet to be explored, a level gap to break. I needed another coffee.
The clock on my laptop flashed 11:58, almost lunchtime, which meant I could finally escape the drudgery of the flight plan and inventory lists. I quickly closed everything down, stowing the laptop in its case, and headed for the lift. As the doors hissed open on my deck, I saw her, Emily, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She looked incredible in that tight white bodysuit, the fabric showing every curve, and my mouth went dry. She straightened as I approached, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Hey, Captain," she said, her voice a low purr. "Hey yourself," I replied, trying to sound casual, but my pulse was already quickening. I unlocked my cabin door, stepping inside, and she followed, her eyes never leaving mine. I tossed my laptop case onto the small desk, turning to face her. We were only inches apart, and the air between us felt charged. Before I could say anything, her hands were on me, not pulling me close, but guiding me back, towards the bed. She was playful, dominant, her eyes locked on mine, and I found myself stumbling backwards, landing on the edge of the mattress. Then, with a small, confident movement, she climbed in after me, straddling my lap, her hands resting on my shoulders, her weight settling comfortably on me. It was definitely a power move, and I was enjoying being under her spell. My hands instinctively moved towards the zipper of her suit, wanting to feel her skin underneath, but before I could, a thought struck me. I pulled back a little, my hands pausing near her zipper. ¡°Hey,¡± I began, a slightly more serious tone entering my voice. ¡°We need to¡­ be careful, right?¡± She stilled, her fingers tracing the line of my jaw, her gaze softening slightly. ¡°Careful?¡± she echoed, a hint of playful confusion in her voice. ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, feeling a bit awkward suddenly shifting gears. ¡°I mean¡­ about¡­ you know¡­¡± I gestured vaguely downwards, feeling my cheeks flush a little. ¡°Are we¡­ are we equipped for¡­ you know, that kind of careful?¡± The word ¡®pregnancy¡¯ felt too heavy to say out loud in this charged moment, but the implication hung in the air. I loved her energy, loved this, but a sudden wave of responsibility washed over me. Emily¡¯s expression softened into something warm and amused. She cooed softly, reaching out to poke me gently on the nose. ¡°Oh, Luca,¡± she said, her eyes sparkling. ¡°You worry too much. It¡¯s actually kind of cute.¡± ¡°Cute?¡± I repeated, a little bewildered, but also relieved she wasn¡¯t annoyed. ¡°Cute,¡± she confirmed, poking my nose again. ¡°Relax, Captain. We¡¯re on birth control.¡± ¡°We are?¡± I asked, surprised. ¡°Since when?¡± ¡°Since before we left Sol,¡± she replied, her smile widening. ¡°Zoe and I. It was a direct requirement from Karen, remember? Part of the whole ¡®long-duration mission, responsible crew¡¯ briefing.¡± ¡°Right,¡± I said slowly, did I miss that briefing? Karen had been thorough. ¡°I just¡­ hadn¡¯t really¡­ thought about it, I guess, with¡­ everything.¡± I gestured between us, the underlying tension still humming. Emily¡¯s smile softened further. ¡°I know,¡± she murmured, leaning closer again, the playful energy returning, but now tinged with a comforting reassurance. ¡°But yes, Captain. We¡¯re covered. So you can relax¡­ and focus on other things.¡± Her fingers traced the zipper of my own suit, and the earlier heat began to build again, the worry momentarily receding. And then, just as things were definitely about to shift back into a different gear, the ship-wide intercom crackled to life, shattering the intimate bubble. ¡°Come on you lovers, it''s lunchtime,¡± Ryan''s voice boomed through the cabin, laced with that familiar sarcastic tone. "We''re all waiting for you." I pulled back, a frustrated groan escaping my lips. Of all the people, why did it have to be Ryan? I glanced at Emily, who was now giggling, a smug smile playing on her lips. "Looks like we''re out of time," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she adjusted her bodysuit, the zipper closing with a soft shick. She leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to my lips. "Don''t worry," she whispered, "we''ll continue this later." And with that, she slipped out of my cabin, leaving me standing there, frustrated, aroused, and now also feeling a little foolish for my sudden bout of worry. "What an asshole," I muttered about Ryan, running a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the lingering effects of Emily''s touch. I sighed, adjusted my own suit, and then followed her out of the cabin. And then, just like that, it was day eight. Arrival day. Proxima Centauri b loomed large, a swirling canvas of reds and oranges, filling the viewport. We''d made it. We''d actually made it. Chapter 34 - Proxima Centauri b Okay, so there we were, orbiting Proxima Centauri b, the Triumph of Darron doing its usual thrumming thing. It was like a white noise machine, you know, but constant, I guess, we got used to it. And looking out at that planet, hanging there like a giant, swirling jawbreaker, was pretty damn intense. Greens and blues all mixed together - looked like someone threw up a rainbow. But not in a bad way, I swear. Still, my chest tightened up, like some kind of warning signal going off. Probably the "you¡¯re in charge, don¡¯t fuck up" alarm. ¡°Alright, crew,¡± I called out, trying to sound like Captain Fucking Cool, ¡°gather up for the final briefing.¡± Honestly, I had jack shit planned, but whatever. Gotta sound like you know what¡¯s going on, right? Fake it till you make it, and all that. The crew shuffled over, Emily last as usual, slipping into her spot next to Zoe with that little smile she always gives me. Damn, she looked good, all serious and focused with her hair pulled back. Okay, brain, stop. Planet. Crew. Not Emily¡¯s perfect everything. I cleared my throat, turned to the rest of them, pretending I wasn''t just staring off into space. ¡°This is it,¡± I said, trying for a firm voice. ¡°Proxima Centauri b. We¡¯re about to make history.¡± Cheesy, yeah, but hey, it¡¯s space. Gotta be a little dramatic, right? Zoe leaned forward, her dreads swaying. Seriously, those things are like living art. ¡°Probes are prepped and ready. I¡¯ll take point on the deployment,¡± she said, all calm and collected. Like launching probes into the unknown was no big deal. Which, for her, maybe it wasn''t. ¡°Good,¡± I replied, nodding like I knew anything about probes. ¡°Danny, Ryan, you¡¯re on sensor calibration. Make sure we know exactly what¡¯s down there before we open the hatch.¡± Danny gave a thumbs up, already glued to his tablet like a freaking cyborg. Ryan muttered something under his breath, probably about wanting a nap. The lazy bastard. Emily cut in, ¡°Captain, I¡¯ve set up the secondary atmospheric filters as a precaution. We¡¯ll have baseline readings in five minutes.¡± She made it sound like she¡¯d been doing it in her sleep. Efficiency was her thing. A very, very hot thing. ¡°Perfect,¡± I said, trying to sound like I wasn''t completely distracted by her. The crew scattered back to their stations, and the ship got quiet, the hum of the engines the only sound. It was that kind of quiet that made my palms sweat. I ran a hand through my hair, probably making it look like a rat¡¯s nest. ¡°Probes ready for deployment,¡± Zoe called out, her voice cutting through the silence. I watched as she ticked off some boxes in her workstation. She might as well have been on autopilot. Except she wasn''t. She just made it look easy. ¡°Deploy,¡± I ordered, my heart trying to punch its way out of my chest. The Triumph gave a soft thump, almost a sigh, as the first probe launched. Then another, and another. On the external cameras, they looked like tiny fireflies zipping into the dark, a little ¡°fuck you¡± to the void. ¡°Probes away,¡± Zoe confirmed, her voice as steady as ever. I swear, I saw a flicker of something in her eyes, maybe excitement, maybe pride. Or maybe I just needed to chill. It was space. Everyone was probably a little wired.
Okay, so Danny and Ryan, those two dorks, were huddled over their console, faces lit up like they were watching porn or something, but it was just sensor readouts. Danny, with his mop of red curls bouncing around, was all serious, brow furrowed like he was solving the goddamn universe. And Ryan, that smirking bastard, was leaning in, looking like he was about to pull some kind of prank. ¡°Sensors are primed and ready,¡± Ryan reported, his voice all mischievous. ¡°Time to take our first whiff of alien air, eh, Danny?¡± He probably thought he was hilarious. Danny, glued to his console, didn''t even look up. ¡°Let¡¯s just hope it¡¯s not too spicy for our delicate Earth palates.¡± Yeah, like Danny was the most delicate guy in the galaxy. He probably eats ghost peppers for breakfast. I snorted, just a little, the tension easing off a notch. It was good to have those two idiots around, even if they were annoying as hell. I leaned back in my chair, letting my eyes sweep over the crew. They were all locked in, focused, like a bunch of goddamn pros. And they were so young, like barely out of high school, but here they were, making history or something. A weird feeling hit me then, this swell of something I guess you could call pride. Like someone punched me in the throat, but in a good way. These weren¡¯t just my crew, they were my friends. We''d grown up together, fought alongside each other, and dreamed about all this space crap. And now we were doing it, actually living it. I shook my head to get rid of that sappy shit. There''d be plenty of time for feelings later, probably when we''re all drunk in the galley. ¡°Chris,¡± I said, ¡°start recording. I want every second of this documented.¡± ¡°Of course, Captain,¡± Chris replied, sounding as smooth as ever, giving me one of those smiles of his. The first data trickled in from the probes, numbers and crap scrolling across the displays. It was like getting a sneak peek into the planet''s diary. Atmospheric stuff, magnetic readings, and temperature crap, a little window into what we were about to step into. Each piece of info was like another step closer to figuring out this weird alien world. It was a lot of data, but I knew enough to see we weren''t going to be landing in a puddle of lava, and that was good enough for me.
The probes were streaking through Proxima Centauri b''s upper atmosphere, leaving these little ghost trails behind them like they were signing their names on a cosmic wall. I watched the main screen, this shimmering, crazy display, and my fingers started tapping on the armrest. It was a nervous tap, a "don''t screw this up" tap. The bridge was buzzing, everyone holding their breath, waiting for the numbers to roll in like some kind of lottery. Zoe, from her station, leaned closer to her console, her eyes going wide like she''d just seen a ghost. Damn, she looked good, all intense and focused. Her dark eyes, the way her dreads framed her face...shit, she was sexy as hell. ¡°Oh my god,¡± she murmured, mostly to herself, like she couldn¡¯t believe what she was seeing. Then, louder, ¡°Danny, Ryan, are you seeing this?¡± Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. I glanced over at them. Danny was all up in Zoe¡¯s space, his red mop of curls almost touching her shoulder as his fingers danced over the controls. ¡°Oxygen¡­ nitrogen¡­¡± he muttered, sounding like he was about to faint. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s almost like home.¡± Home, huh? That¡¯s some crazy shit. Almost home. But home wasn''t what we were here for, not really. My gaze flicked to the sensor readings, searching for something else, something more. Portals. Had the initial scans picked up anything? Anything at all? We''d sunk years, fortunes, everything into this mission, chasing the whisper of a way past the level cap, a hint that Proxima b might be touched by the System. And if there were no portals¡­ This sucks. At least we would hit some of those mission charter bonuses¡­ but still. Ryan, standing a bit back, let out a low whistle, that trademark grin of his spreading across his face. ¡°Would you look at that? The universe rolled out the welcome mat.¡± He always had to be a smartass, even when we were making history. I didn¡¯t miss how Zoe¡¯s shoulders tensed. That little hitch in her breath. A planet so far away, with an atmosphere we could actually breathe? That was insane. The kind of crazy discovery that could make us all famous, if we didn''t screw it up. But fame wasn¡¯t the real prize either, was it? ¡°Let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves,¡± Zoe cautioned, her voice steady, even if you could hear a little bit of excitement in it. ¡°We still need to check for toxins, pathogens, radiation levels¡­¡± She was right, of course. Gotta be careful, even if the universe was throwing us a party. My crew had this tendency to dive in headfirst, and I was the one who had to keep them from drowning. ¡°Anything on portal signatures in that data stream?¡± I cut in, trying to sound casual, but the question felt heavy in the suddenly charged air of the bridge. I needed to know. Was this it? Just¡­ a nice planet? Emily looked up from her station, a thoughtful expression on her face. ¡°Nothing definitive yet, Captain. Cursory scans are clean. No unusual energy fluctuations consistent with portal activity.¡± She paused, then offered a small, hopeful smile. ¡°Maybe¡­ maybe that¡¯s not such a bad thing, Luca. No portals, no System interference. Maybe we can actually explore for once without fighting for our lives.¡± Joey, ever the pragmatist, snorted from his comms station. ¡°Don¡¯t get all soft on me now, Em. No portals doesn¡¯t equal paradise. Could be carnivorous critters, flesh-eating bacteria, radiation pockets we haven¡¯t mapped yet. Plenty of ways to die on an uncharted planet, portals or no portals.¡± Leave it to Joey to bring the party down. Still, I felt this twinge of pride, watching them. Zoe, all sharp and steady, even when she was a little awestruck. Danny, buzzing like he¡¯d just downed a case of energy drinks, and Ryan, with his usual confidence, like he was just chillin¡¯ on a Saturday morning. And even Joey, the eternal pessimist, keeping us grounded. Okay, snap out of it, Luca, you''re supposed to be leading here. My eyes flicked over to Emily at her station, keeping her cool as usual. She looked up, a little smile playing on her lips. She was so damn good at this, so smart, and god, so hot. I knew I''d be seeing her later, which helped me focus on the task at hand. Right, planet stuff. But portals¡­ damn it.
Okay, so the probe data kept scrolling, and I was juggling atmosphere composition, toxin levels, and still trying not to let my gaze linger too long on Zoe¡¯s station. Captain multitasking at its finest. Everyone was buzzing, prepping for planetfall. Well, we were prepping for planetfall. The Triumph? She was staying put. Built in the zero-g cradles of the asteroid belt, she was an orbital queen, not a gravity well wrestler. Trying to land this behemoth on a planet would be like trying to parallel park a whale. No thanks. That''s what the Percival and Peregrine were for. I leaned back, toggling the intercom to the medical bay. ¡°Joey, Chris, med bay check. Pod prepped for Percival?¡± We were only taking one med pod down. Space was tight in the dropship, even packed to the brim as it was. Joey¡¯s voice crackled through, crisp and professional. ¡°Regenerative fluid cartridge, check.¡± Good, textbook Joey. Reliable. Chris¡¯s voice followed, smooth as synth-silk. ¡°Antiseptic and antibiotic cartridge, loaded and ready.¡± Annoyingly perfect Chris. Could practically hear the confident smirk in his tone. Competent, ruggedly handsome, and disgustingly efficient. The universe had favorites, and I was pretty sure Chris was on that list. Those two in the med bay¡­ they were a unit. A reassuring, annoyingly competent unit. And probably fucking. Definitely fucking. ¡°You two sound like you¡¯re reading from a damn script,¡± I said, a wry edge to my voice. ¡°Just double-check everything. This med pod is our lifeline down there.¡± ¡°Understood, Captain,¡± Joey replied. A soft rustle, like fabric shifting, then a slight pause. ¡°Hey, Chris¡­ you ever think about where this thing came from?¡± My finger froze above the intercom toggle. Med pod history? Now? But I kept listening. ¡°The pods?¡± Chris¡¯s voice was thoughtful. ¡°Tutorial portals, right? First month of the System.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Joey murmured. ¡°Crazy to think.¡± Tutorial portals. Four years ago. The System¡¯s chaotic arrival on Earth. The tutorial portals had been¡­ brutal, chaotic, but also a twisted gift. A fast track to Level 10, combat classes, and basic gear for those who survived the astronomical casualty rates. And the loot¡­ yeah, the loot. Medical pods had been surprisingly common finds, tucked away in corners of those bizarre, one-time-use scenarios. Our Peregrine, that armored RV waiting in the hangar? Pulled straight from the Sandworth tutorial portal, along with this very med pod, if I remembered right. Sandworth, New Hampshire. My old stomping grounds. Felt like a lifetime ago. ¡°Reverse-engineered tech, born from chaos,¡± Chris continued, his voice a low hum. ¡°Now they¡¯re standard issue. Crazy how fast things change.¡± ¡°Makes you think, huh?¡± Joey said softly. Then, a barely audible chuckle. ¡°Glad someone grabbed one of these back then. Could save our asses down there.¡± ¡°Especially with you patching us up,¡± Chris replied, his tone warm, intimate. ¡°We¡¯ll be fine.¡± Definitely fucking. Undeniably. I cleared my throat, finally pressing the intercom button again. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± I said, injecting a healthy dose of sarcasm. ¡°Enough reminiscing about the good old apocalypse. Pod ready?¡± ¡°Ready, Captain,¡± Chris answered, his voice cheerful, unfazed. ¡°Double-checked and waiting for transport within the Percival.¡± ¡°Good,¡± I said, cutting the comm. Lovebirds. Seriously. But yeah, the med pod. Lifeline indeed. And the Peregrine¡­ our mobile base, our armored home away from home. All thanks to those insane, deadly, tutorial portals. We¡¯d come a long way since Sandworth. Now, Proxima b. Let¡¯s hope we didn¡¯t need to use that med pod too much. ¡°Got it, Captain,¡± Joey replied. There was a faint shuffle, like he was moving things. Then, after a pause, his voice took on a slightly lower, more personal tone. ¡°Hey, Chris¡­ you feeling good about this? About what¡¯s down there?¡± My hand hovered over the intercom, but I paused, curious about Chris¡¯s response. I expected confidence, maybe even a little¡­showmanship. ¡°Knowing we¡¯re working together,¡± Chris said, his tone steady and reassuring, ¡°yeah, I think we¡¯ll be alright.¡± It was a simple statement, but there was something in his voice, a quiet certainty, a calm reliance on their partnership that¡­ yeah, it was still infuriatingly Chris. Through the static, I caught a soft chuckle from Joey, almost like a relieved exhale, quickly followed by the distinct clicks of cartridges locking into place. They were in sync, those two. Always in sync. I swear to god, they were fucking. They had to be. All that intense teamwork and those quiet reassurances? It was some kind of medical bay romance novel unfolding before my eyes, with two perfectly fitted, disgustingly efficient parts. I leaned forward again, speaking into the mic, trying to sound brisk and all-business, and definitely not jealous. ¡°Good to hear. Keep at it, and let me know when you¡¯re done.¡± ¡°Roger that, Captain,¡± Chris replied, his voice still cheerful, that inherent confidence still present. Fucking Chris. Chapter 35 - The Percival Joey grunted as he helped Chris lift the medical pod, its sleek blue surface gleaming under the dropship''s lights. They maneuvered it carefully into their dropship, the ¡®Percival¡¯, the ship''s interior seeming to hum with anticipation. "Easy does it," Chris said, dark hair flopping over his forehead as they wrestled the pod into the dropship. "Don¡¯t want to bust anything important." Joey nodded, wiping sweat off his face with his arm. "Yeah, wouldn¡¯t be great if the damn thing broke down the second we landed." His head was already spinning with all the shit that could go wrong on this planet. Alien bugs? Poison air? Who knew. They started going through the medical crates, ticking stuff off the list. Joey¡¯s hands were a little shaky. Chris saw it and put a hand on Joey¡¯s arm. "Hey, Red, you¡¯re wound tighter than a spring," Chris said, quiet but perceptive. "Everything okay?" Joey sighed, turned to face Chris. "It¡¯s just¡­ this is it, man. We¡¯re actually doing this. Landing on an alien planet. For real." Chris just smiled, warm, easy smile. "That¡¯s the whole point, right? Finding out what¡¯s out there?" "Yeah, but¡­" Joey¡¯s voice was tight. "We can handle whatever''s there," Chris said. Joey nodded, a small smile finally showing on his freckled face. "Yeah, okay." They went back to work, the dropship humming around them. But Joey still seemed wound up. Like a guitar string stretched too tight. Later, when Chris was distracted checking the oxygen tanks, Joey muttered something under his breath, almost to himself. "Those idiots are going to get themselves killed," Joey said, staring towards the crew quarters. He wasn¡¯t smiling anymore. He was watching the space where Luca, Ryan, and Danny were probably getting ready, and he looked¡­ worried. Not for himself, but for them. Chris turned back, catching the tail end of it. "What''s that, Red?" Joey shook his head, trying to play it off. "Nothing. Just¡­ reminding myself to double-check the first-aid kits. For when those three inevitably do something stupid." Chris just chuckled, knowing Joey was still on edge. "Hey, they''re impulsive, sure. But you¡¯ve got eyes in the back of your head, Red. You''ll keep them in line. Besides," he added with a playful nudge, "you secretly enjoy playing older brother, don''t you?" Joey¡¯s jaw tightened a little. "Yeah, but not like this. Not¡­ out here. No backup, Chris. No quick ride home if things go south. It¡¯s just¡­ us." He ran a hand through his red hair, messing it up even more. "And I''m responsible for keeping everyone healthy. Everyone." Joey¡¯s lips twitched again, a hint of a real smile this time. "Yeah, well, someone¡¯s gotta keep them breathing." Chris stepped closer, put both hands on Joey¡¯s shoulders this time, looking him straight in the eye. "Hey. You are responsible. And you¡¯re damn good at it. You always have been. Remember all those times back home? Patching up after so many close calls, even getting Luca to finally take his meds when he was sick?" He paused, then cupped Joey¡¯s face gently, his thumbs brushing his cheekbones. "You got this, Red. You always do. And I''m right here with you, every step of the way." Joey¡¯s lips curved into a real smile this time. "Yeah, okay." He took a deeper, more conscious breath. "You¡¯re right. We''ve got this." Chris squeezed Joey¡¯s shoulders, then let go, picking up another medical crate. "Come on, partner," Chris said, a confident grin spreading across his face. "Let''s show this planet what we''re made of. Together." Joey finally let out a real laugh, the tension in his shoulders easing a little more. "Yeah, alright. Idiots or not, gotta keep ¡®em alive." He started checking off items on his datapad again, moving with more purpose now, the earlier shakiness gone. He still looked serious, focused, but the edge was off. Chris had a way of doing that. Always had.
Zoe tapped away at her keyboard, staring at her display, like she always was those last few days before landing. Face all screwed up in concentration. She¡¯d been glued to that damn thing for hours, plotting our drop, making sure we didn¡¯t become a smoking crater. Blue lines, ghostly blue, glowed in the air in front of her, showing the planet¡¯s atmosphere or some shit. Looked complicated as hell, even to me, and I¡¯ve seen complicated. Ryan came up behind her. Like he was trying to figure out the best way to defuse a bomb, or maybe just trying to figure out how to ask her out without getting blown up himself. Looking back, it was kinda painful to watch, honestly. He shifted his weight, fiddled with his comm badge, then finally took a breath. Here we go! I was rooting for him. Go for it, buddy. This was probably his only shot, his big move. They¡¯d both been crushing on each other since we left Earth, dropping hints so obvious a blind guy could see ¡®em, and Ryan¡­ Ryan had been just Ryan. Hesitating, being all awkward-charming. He moved towards her, slow and careful, like approaching a spooked animal. Then, he put his hands on her shoulders. Warm hands, I knew, Ryan¡¯s always running hot. Zoe went rigid instantly. Like someone had flipped a switch. I remember wincing, even from across the bridge, already knowing this wasn¡¯t going to go well. ¡°Not now, Ryan,¡± she muttered, voice tight, not even turning around. She shrugged his hands off like they were bugs. Ouch. Poor bastard. Ryan¡¯s hands just hung there for a second, then dropped to his sides. I could practically see the air deflate out of him, even from where I was standing. ¡°Come on, Zoe,¡± he said, voice softer than usual, almost¡­ pleading? ¡°You¡¯ve been at this forever. Just a quick break. Come on.¡± Zoe spun her chair around, fixing him with a pointed look. "A miscalculation could mean the difference between a smooth landing and burning up in the atmosphere. Is that the kind of ''break'' you want?" This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Ryan held up his hands in surrender, his usual cocky grin faltering. "Alright, alright. I just thought¡­" "You thought wrong," Zoe snapped, immediately regretting her harsh tone. She softened slightly, adding, "I appreciate the gesture, but this isn''t the time." Ryan just nodded, shoulders slumped. He got it. He always gets it, eventually. He just had to try anyway, bless his heart. He backed off, slow, like he was retreating from a fight he knew he¡¯d lost before it even started. Turning back to her calculations, Zoe pushed the interaction from her mind. The mission would have to come first.
Across the bridge, Ryan found Danny hunched over a console, poring over incoming data from the surveyor probes. He slumped into the chair beside his friend, sighing heavily. Danny glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "Zoe shoot you down again?" "Am I that obvious?" Ryan asked, running a hand through his tousled hair. Danny chuckled, patting Ryan''s shoulder. "Only to everyone with eyes, mate. Here, help me sort through this data. It''ll take your mind off things." Ryan leaned in, grateful for the distraction. As they scrolled through readouts and sensor logs, his eyes widened. "Wait, are those¡­" "Animal signatures," Danny confirmed, excitement creeping into his voice. "All over the planet. Nothing that screams ''intelligent life,'' but definitely complex organisms." Ryan whistled low. "Incredible. To think, we''re about to set foot on a world teeming with alien life." Curiosity piqued, I strolled over, trying to look casual, Captain-like. ¡°So, what¡¯s got you two glued to the screen?¡± Ryan straightened up, glancing at me. ¡°Captain, we¡¯re just going over probe data. And uh¡­ getting some pretty interesting readings.¡± ¡°Interesting how?¡± I asked, genuinely curious. Danny, ever the scientist, practically vibrated with enthusiasm. ¡°Luca, we¡¯re picking up widespread biological signatures. Animal life. Complex, diverse¡­ it¡¯s everywhere.¡± I let out a low whistle. ¡°Shit. Really?¡± Okay, even I was impressed. ¡°Really,¡± Danny confirmed, grinning at Ryan. ¡°Ecosystem looks vibrant. We¡¯re still analyzing the specifics, but initial scans are¡­ well, it¡¯s incredible.¡± ¡°Alright, alright, I get it, you two are having a science boner,¡± I said dryly, hovering over them. ¡°But we need more than ¡®incredible,¡¯ Danny. Can we get a better look at this fauna? Weather patterns? Geology? Before we land on the planet?¡± Ryan chimed in, an idea sparking in his engineer brain. ¡°I¡¯ve got an idea. We could deploy one of our two geostationary survey satellites. Slap it into orbit above our target zone. Give us real-time, high-resolution scans. See what¡¯s actually moving down there.¡± ¡°Alright then,¡± I decided. ¡°Ryan, get that satellite prepped for deployment. Danny, you coordinate with Zoe to optimize scan parameters once it¡¯s in position. Let¡¯s not waste any more time flying blind here. Try installing a battery before you deploy this one.¡± Goofballs. Maybe I should supervise them.
Next up, I needed to talk landing logistics, but honestly? I was also hoping for a quickie with Emily before we headed down. There''d be no privacy down in the planet, and I fucking knew how this announcement would go. ¡°All hands to the bridge,¡± I said over the ship¡¯s intercom, trying to sound professional. The excited chatter died down pretty fast. I knew they were all just as amped as I was, but I still had to pretend I was in charge. The crew filed into the cramped space, and you could feel the tension in the air, like a damn lightning storm was brewing. I stood at the head of the table, scanning their faces, trying to keep my eyes off Zoe¡¯s neck. ¡°Alright, team,¡± I began, running a hand through my hair, which was probably a mess. ¡°We¡¯ve got a situation. The Peregrine¡¯s only got sleeping space for six, but there are seven of us.¡± Emily piped up from my right, that mischievous glint in her eyes. ¡°I volunteer to bunk with the captain. Problem solved!¡± She knew exactly what she was doing. The crew laughed, the tension breaking a little. Emily always knew how to lighten the mood, especially when it came to stuff like this. My cheeks flushed, but I tried to play it cool. ¡°Nice try, Em. But someone needs to stay behind on the Triumph.¡± The room erupted into protests, all of them talking at once. Zoe''s voice rose above the others, ¡°We¡¯ve come this far together. You can¡¯t expect one of us to sit out the most important moment of the mission!¡± Yeah, I knew. I was just trying to be responsible, which was not my strong suit. I raised my hands, ¡°I know, I know. But it¡¯s a matter of safety and practicality.¡± Yeah, practicality, that was me. As the argument went on, I just wanted to get everyone to agree to everything and maybe sneak away with Emily. I looked at each of them, my friends, and saw that same fire in their eyes. The same crazy need to explore and make history. How could I deny any of them that? I let out a long sigh. ¡°Alright, alright. Suit yourselves. We¡¯ll make it work somehow.¡± If we all had to sleep sitting up, fine. As long as we went down there, I guess. The tension in the room dissolved into cheers and high-fives. As they all dispersed, buzzing with energy, Emily caught my eye. She gave me that knowing smile and a wink, and I could feel my pants getting a little tight. ¡°Come on, Captain,¡± she said, grabbing my hand. ¡°Let¡¯s make sure our ride¡¯s ready.¡± I was all for making our ride ready.
We made our way to the Triumph¡¯s docking bay, where the Percival, our sleek dropship, gleamed under the lights. The thing looked ready to go, and so was I, to be honest. The hum of the docking bay was almost a sexy background noise as we approached, and I could almost taste what was coming next. Almost. The hangar was mostly deserted, the vast space echoing with the occasional hum of machinery. It was the perfect place to steal a few moments alone, or so I thought. I''d barely stepped inside when I heard Ryan''s voice, grumbling about something, probably some malfunction only he could perceive. "Typical Ryan," I thought, my hand automatically going to the small of Emily''s back, guiding her further into the shadows. A moment later, Ryan emerged from behind a stack of crates, still muttering to himself. He walked right past us, oblivious, heading toward the exit. I held my breath, pressing myself against Emily, feeling her heart beating against my chest. As soon as Ryan was gone, Emily let out a soft giggle, the sound muffled against my shoulder. "Close call," she whispered, her breath warm against my ear. "Tell me about it," I said, my voice a little shaky. But even the near-discovery couldn''t dampen the thrill that was coursing through me. Not when Emily was this close, her body pressed against mine. We made our way to the dropship, the familiar scent of hydraulic fluid and metal filling the air. It wasn''t exactly romantic, but with Emily, it felt like the most intimate place in the universe. She leaned against the cool metal of the cargo hold door, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, Captain," she said, her voice low and teasing. "Where were we?" Before I could answer, she reached for the zipper of my bodysuit, her fingers brushing against my chest. A shiver ran through me as she slowly, deliberately pulled it down. The rasp of the zipper was loud in the sudden silence, and I could feel myself hardening, my breath catching in my throat. "Emily," I warned, full of apprehension. "Someone could¡­" "Relax," she said, cutting me off. "Ryan''s gone, and everyone else is busy. We have plenty of time." Her fingers, which had been tracing my abs, now slipped lower, below the waistband of my briefs. Emily''s cold hands slipped inside my suit, making me jump. "Emily," I tried to warn her. She just smiled, a slow, knowing smile that made my heart pound even faster. "You were saying?" she murmured, her voice low and husky. She leaned in, her lips brushing against my ear. "Tell me to stop, Luca," she whispered. "Tell me you don''t want this." I closed my eyes, my head spinning. This was insane, reckless, and completely out of character for me. But with Emily, it felt... necessary. I couldn''t stop, not now, not when she was this close, her body pressed against mine, her breath warm on my skin. I needed this, I needed her, like I needed air to breathe. Instead of answering, I reached for her, my hands finding the zipper of her own suit, pulling it down with a rough, urgent motion. Chapter 36 - Inventory Checkup The air in the Percival''s hangar was thick with the smell of fuel and ozone, a cramped mess of metal and tightly packed gear. Crates were stacked high, lashed down with netting, leaving barely enough room to move. The Peregrine, our home away from home, loomed large in the center, its shadow stretching across the crowded space, it¡¯s massive wheels chained down to the floor. Locked together in the co-pilot seat, we finally caught our breath. Emily leaned against me, her head tucked under my chin, the rapid beat of her heart a frantic echo of my own. Passion still thrummed beneath our skin, mixed with the sharp tang of fear ¨C the risk we¡¯d just taken hung heavy in the air. "Come on," I said, squeezing her gently. "Duty calls. Mission prep, remember?" I gestured to the damp seat. Emily laughed softly, a blush rising on her cheeks, and quickly stood up. "I, uh, need a minute," she muttered, smoothing out her clothes, her face still warm. Before I could say anything, she ducked out and ran to the bathroom off the side of the hangar. In a few moments, she came back, adjusting her bodysuit, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles, and avoiding my eyes for a moment.
She turned towards the cargo bay, a playful smirk still dancing on her lips. I watched her go, the lingering warmth of her kiss still buzzing on my skin. We moved further into the Percival''s hangar, navigating the tight corridors between stacks of equipment. The science gear and sample cases Danny and Ryan had loaded earlier were secured, but the armory section was our next stop. Every square inch of the hangar felt utilized, crammed with vital supplies for Proxima b. ¡°Alright,¡± I said, pulling up the inventory manifest on the wall-mounted console. My voice was a little drier than usual, and I mentally cursed myself for not being able to control my reactions better. But fuck, it was hard to think straight with Emily standing so close. ¡°Let¡¯s make sure everyone¡¯s gear is in place. Last thing we need is someone walking onto a new planet with a faulty suit or missing weapon.¡± Emily nodded, already opening the first locker. ¡°Agreed. Zoe would never let us live it down if her suit ripped mid-mission.¡± She paused, a slight blush rising on her cheeks, and I knew she was thinking about the mess we''d made. I wanted to reach out, to touch her, to pull her close and continue what we''d started, but I forced myself to stay put. Focus, Luca. You''re a damn Captain, not a teenager. I cleared my throat, trying to ignore the way my own suit felt a little damp and uncomfortable. "Maybe we should, uh, check the environmental controls in here," I mumbled, gesturing vaguely at the air. "Seems a little... warm." Smooth, Luca, real smooth. I smirked at the thought, running my hand along the reinforced crates containing our tactical gear. Then, I saw my chance. She was lifting Ryan''s medium armor out of the locker, her back to me, her movements slightly strained with the effort. I leaned in, pressing a kiss to the side of her neck, tasting the saltiness of her skin. "Need some help with that?" I murmured, my voice a low rumble in her ear. "Luca," she giggled. She didn''t pull away, though. Instead, she leaned back into my embrace, her head tilting to give me better access. I kissed her again and felt her pulse racing beneath my lips, and it sent a jolt of excitement through me. My hands moved on their own accord, tracing the lines of her body, feeling the way her muscles tensed beneath my touch. She turned in my arms then, her hands wrapped around my neck. "Two can play this game, Captain," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Then, she was kissing me, her lips hungry, demanding, and I was lost. "We should... probably... finish the inventory," I managed to say, my voice a little breathless, between kisses. "Probably," she agreed, but she made no move to stop me. Instead, she leaned into my touch, her body pressed against mine, as I deepened the kiss.
We worked, well, as well as we could with me constantly finding excuses to touch her, to kiss her, to pull her close. I don¡¯t know what had come over me, she was so intoxicating. I found myself looking for reasons to get closer to her, brushing against her as I reached for a tool, letting my hand linger on her back a little too long when I handed her a scanner. The armor suits: lightweight enough for exploration but durable enough for combat, were stored alongside an array of weapons: energy rifles, pistols, and even Danny¡¯s Energy Warhammer. Each piece of equipment was critical for both safety and adaptability on the uncharted surface below. ¡°Here¡¯s mine,¡± Emily said, pulling her own Tethys Vanguard Medium armor from its locker. The dark metallic plates caught the light as she ran her hands over them, inspecting the seals and structural integrity. She knew it inside and out, had spent enough time in it to trust it with her life. But that didn¡¯t stop me from watching, from admiring just how damn good that set was¡ªhow good it looked on her, how good it would perform when shit inevitably hit the fan. The Tethys Vanguard was a beast of a suit. Level sixty, top-tier for medium armor. Took us forever to complete¡ªhelmet, chestplate, leg guards, boots, arm guards¡ªall scavenged from different level sixty portals around Saturn¡¯s moon, Tethys, each one a fight to get our hands on. And once it was all together? Beautiful. Dark metallic panels locking seamlessly, lightweight enough for speed but tough enough to handle kinetic and energy rounds. Stolen story; please report. Its HUD was sharp as hell, running enhanced targeting systems that bumped up accuracy by highlighting enemies. The Integration system? Best part. Once activated, it transformed into a complete armored suit, maximizing protection without slowing you down. And then there was Precision Strike¡ªthirty seconds of sheer carnage, every shot hitting like a goddamn freight train. A solid balance of defense and offense, exactly what we needed for whatever the hell Proxima Centauri b was about to throw at us. ¡°You better not scuff it up if you need me watching your back,¡± she teased, her grin infectious. But there was a slight tremor in her voice, a hint of breathlessness that mirrored my own. We were both struggling to act normal, to pretend like we hadn''t just turned the Percival''s cockpit into our own private playground. She turned to face me, and I could see the desire in her eyes, mirroring my own. I wanted nothing more than to pull her close, to kiss her again, to pick up where we''d left off. But we were in the middle of the dropship, with the whole crew just a few corridors away.
I rolled my eyes but couldn¡¯t hide my amusement. "Wouldn''t dream of it," I said, stepping closer, my hand finding hers. I gave it a gentle squeeze, a silent promise of what was to come. ¡°Noted, Em. And here¡¯s mine,¡± I said, pulling out my own scout suit. Its dark blue padding looked as flexible and ready as the day I found it. The Dione Vanguard Scout Suit was perfection. The closest thing to wearing nothing at all while still being wrapped in tech that made me a goddamn ghost. The fabric, if you could even call it that, was smooth under my fingers¡ªsleek, form-fitting, and impossibly lightweight. I ran my hand along the segmented panels, each one designed to flow and shift seamlessly with my movement. The passive camouflage alone made me practically invisible if I stayed still, but the real prize? Active Camouflage. Thirty seconds of bending light, turning me into a mirage, a ripple in the air. Perfect for slipping past enemies, setting up ambushes, or just fucking around with the when I felt like giving them a heart attack. But the best part about the scout suit? Zoe had one too, and damn, she looked like a total babe in it. A foxy infiltrator. The way the material hugged her frame, the way she moved like she was made for it¡ªyeah, it was unfair how good she looked. Half the time I couldn¡¯t tell if I was watching her execute a flawless infiltration or if I was just completely distracted by the view. Emily¡¯s eyes flicked to mine, her expression somewhere between amusement and something else, something that made my pulse spike. ¡°You and that suit,¡± she murmured, shaking her head. ¡°It¡¯s like you¡¯re in love with it.¡± I grinned, pressing the chest piece to my face in mock offense. "You wound me. But yeah, maybe a little. You can¡¯t blame me¡ªlook at this thing. Level sixty, best stealth armor we¡¯ve ever pulled from a portal. It¡¯s got my back more than half the people we know." She snorted. "I better not hear you whispering sweet nothings to it when you think no one¡¯s listening." I gave her a cocky smirk. "No promises." "Danny¡¯s is good to go too," Emily added, giving his heavy armor one last check. The bulky suit was a fortress, built to take hits that would pulverize anything less reinforced. Every piece was accounted for¡ªhelmet, gauntlets, reinforced chest plate, leg guards, gloves. A walking battering ram with enough defensive layering to tank through just about anything. "If anyone''s walking through hell and coming out the other side, it¡¯s him in that thing." I gave it a thorough inspection. "Looks like we¡¯re all set." ¡°Almost.¡± Emily crouched near the base of the lockers, opening up a crate of neatly labeled C-Type power cells. I watched as she bent over, the fabric of her suit stretching taut over her curves, and I had to clench my fists to keep from reaching out and touching her again. I forced myself to focus as she checked the inventory against the manifest, raising an eyebrow. C-Type Power Cells were the bread and butter of everything the System dropped. Compatible with weapons, armored suits, drones¡ªhell, even some of the vehicles if you had the right adapters, though we used F-Type cells for those. The System had a way of keeping things uniform, ensuring that every piece of loot that dropped from a portal ran on these things. Kill something big? Chances were, it would drop a power cell or some other goodie. We¡¯d hauled a couple of crates of them from Sol, just in case Proxima b threw something unexpected our way. So far? No active portals, no signs of System interference, but it didn¡¯t hurt to be prepared. If things went sideways, we weren¡¯t about to get caught with empty reserves. Emily smirked as she set a few aside. ¡°Don¡¯t forget these. Danny might think we overpacked, but better safe than sorry.¡± I nodded. ¡°Agreed. If Proxima b throws anything unexpected our way, we¡¯ll be glad we brought everything down with us.¡± We exchanged a look, a silent acknowledgment of the double meaning in my words. We both knew that "unexpected" could mean a lot of things, and not all of them had to do with the mission. I couldn''t help but grin, the image of her sprawled on the co-pilot seat flashing through my mind. She raised an eyebrow, as if reading my thoughts, and her lips curved into a teasing smile. As we finished our checks, I leaned back against the wall, watching Emily stow the last piece of gear. I felt a surge of protectiveness, mixed with a healthy dose of possessiveness. ¡°Good work,¡± I said simply, offering her a genuine smile. ¡°The Percival is ready.¡± But is it? I wondered. And are we? Emily wiped her hands on her bodysuit and grinned back. "Just remember, Captain," she said, her voice low and teasing, stepping closer, her hip bumping against mine. "You owe me one." She leaned in, her lips brushing against my ear, and whispered, "And I plan to collect." Before I could react, she pulled away, leaving me breathless and wanting more. I chuckled, a low rumble in my chest that I was pretty sure she could feel. "Looking forward to it," I said, my hand finding hers, giving it a squeeze. I couldn''t resist, I pulled her closer and kissed her, a quick, hard kiss that left us both breathless. The gear check wasn''t just armor and weapons. We had the medical pod packed into the Peregrine, in case anything went south. Science equipment was all accounted for, neatly stored alongside atmospheric sampling kits. The Peregrine, our armored all-terrain vehicle, sat waiting in the hangar bay, engines primed and ready. Everything was there. No surprises, no missing pieces. Just us and whatever the hell Proxima b was hiding. Chapter 37 - The Ride Down As I settled into the pilot¡¯s seat, I ran through the pre-flight checks, flicking on the panels and different displays. The hum of the ship''s systems coming online was reassuring, the fusion cells powering up with a gentle thrum that pulsed through the frame. I glanced at the viewscreen, where the docking clamps still held us securely to the Triumph, and took a deep breath. Beyond the bulk of the Triumph of Darron, the unexplored planet filled the view: deep crimson oceans reflecting the dim red light of Proxima Centauri, continents cloaked in dark, rust-colored vegetation, and swirling clouds painted shades of violet and maroon. It looked alien, surreal even, but the quiet beauty of the scene was tempered by the reality of the unknown dangers that might await them. And here we go. "All systems green," Zoe reported, her voice calm despite the palpable tension. She was sitting in the co-pilot seat, right where Emily had been, just a couple of hours ago. I could still picture Emily there, all flushed and breathless. Now, Zoe was in her place, her dark dreadlocks framing her face as she glanced back at me, a confident smirk on her lips. I couldn''t help but imagine her in the same position, her dark skin glistening with sweat, her eyes wide and wild. Damn it, fuck. I needed to focus. At least the smell is gone, I thought, grateful for small mercies. Hopefully, Zoe doesn''t suspect anything. Though, if Joey''s monitoring our vitals, he probably knows. Fuck. I nodded, my fingers hovering over the controls, taking a steadying breath. My Tactical Navigation skills kicked in as I reviewed our descent path on the holographic display. The projected trajectory adjusted automatically based on atmospheric density readings, but I made a subtle manual correction, ensuring our landing zone stayed within an optimal margin of error. Just like I practiced. A thousand times. In the simulator, at least. "Docking clamps ready to release on your mark, Captain," Zoe added, standing just beside me. Her hip brushed against my arm, and I had to suppress a shiver. Get it together, Luca. "Alright," I said, flipping the intercom switch. "This is Luca. Prepare for undocking. We''re heading down." The docking clamps lifted the Percival gently, sliding it out of the Triumph¡¯s hangar while the large door swung open. The smoothness of the mechanism allowed for stress-free deployment, a design I had insisted on during construction. At least I know I''m good for something. "Releasing clamps," I announced, my voice steady. The dropship detached with a soft shudder, drifting free of the Triumph¡¯s protective frame. For a brief moment, the Percival floated in space, weightless and still. Then, with a light touch on the controls, I engaged the engines. The hum of the fusion thrusters filled the cabin as we accelerated toward the planet¡¯s surface. "Engines are responding perfectly," Zoe noted, her sharp eyes scanning the readouts. "Course locked." I felt the comforting weight of my Orbital Navigation skill as I fine-tuned their approach. I adjusted the vector-thrust systems slightly, the dropship responding with fluid precision. The thin upper atmosphere met them with a faint resistance, a shift that I instinctively countered. Just like breathing. Almost. Zoe grinned, sensing my confidence. "We¡¯re in good hands, Captain." She gave me a quick wink, and for a second, I could have sworn I saw a flash of something else in her eyes, something that looked a lot like... Nah, couldn''t be. Could it? The viewport offered a sweeping view of the planet below: vast red continents below the atmosphere bordered by deep blue oceans, swirled with wisps of white cloud. The dropship¡¯s trajectory held steady, guiding us toward the open plateau that had been designated as our landing zone.
¡°Initiating descent sequence,¡± I announced, my hands steady on the controls, but my heart doing a frantic tap dance against my ribs. Around me, the crew strapped into their seats, running final checks. I could sense the nerves rippling through them, but also the anticipation, we were on the verge of something monumental. No pressure, Luca. Through the cockpit glass, I caught sight of the Percival''s twin energy miniguns retracting into their housings, the system humming faintly as it prepared for atmospheric entry. I didn¡¯t anticipate needing the weapons on this descent, but it was standard procedure to keep them secure. They¡¯d be a last resort if things went sideways after landing. Let''s hope it doesn''t come to that. "Ready for this?" I glanced at Zoe, seated beside me. She was working on the computer, fine-tuning our trajectory. Honestly, she was probably the better pilot. I could handle a ship, sure, but Zoe? She was something else. A natural. Me? I was more of a "by the book" kind of guy. Good thing she was here, just in case my skills weren''t enough. Zoe turned to me, her dark eyes sparkling with determination. "Born ready, Captain. Let''s make history." I chuckled, trying to shake off the nerves. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen,¡± I began, my tone dropping into a mock-serious cadence. ¡°This is your Captain speaking. Please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Fasten your seat belts securely, and stow all carry-on luggage beneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Thank you.¡± Nailed it. The laughter that erupted from the cabin behind me was immediate and unrestrained. Even Zoe smirked, shaking her head as she returned her attention to the readouts. For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to savor the levity. It wasn¡¯t often we got to laugh like this, not with the weight of their mission looming over us.
As the dropship angled downward, I toggled the autopilot, watching as it took over to smooth out our descent, following Zoe¡¯s preplanned route. Yeah, let the computer do the work. I''ll just, uh, supervise. Outside, the Triumph of Darron loomed like a silent sentinel, its massive silhouette gradually receding against the endless expanse of stars. For a moment, it felt as though we were truly alone, just us and the planet below. The soft chime of reentry alarms snapped me out of my thoughts. The cockpit lights shifted to a dim red, casting an eerie glow over the interior. It was a necessary adjustment, reducing glare and easing the strain on our eyes during the most intense part of atmospheric entry. Through the cockpit glass, the planet¡¯s curvature came into sharper focus. A thin line of atmosphere flickered faintly, a hint of blue dancing along its edges. Proxima Centauri b stretched out before us, a tantalizing mix of reds and purples, shrouded in swirling clouds. Showtime. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. "Entering the atmosphere in T-minus 30 seconds," Zoe¡¯s voice crackled through the my headset, calm and measured. "Brace for turbulence, folks." I tightened my grip on the controls, taking a deep breath to steady myself. My atmospheric handling skills guided my instincts, but I couldn''t help but feel a knot of anxiety in my stomach. This was it. No turning back. The weight of responsibility pressed against my shoulders, but I welcomed it. This was what I was trained for, what I was born to do. Or so they told me. As we plummeted through the alien sky, fire licking at the edges of our viewports, I felt the familiar weight of gravity return, pressing down on me like an unrelenting hand. The restraints dug into my chest, but I barely noticed. My focus was laser-sharp, fixed on the controls and the shifting numbers on the readouts. Adrenaline surged through me. This was it. We were really doing it. A flicker of memory surfaced, childhood adventures in Sandworth, our ragtag group pretending to be heroes, and later, the harrowing battles against the monster hordes that had taken so many of our classmates. Those moments had shaped me, but nothing compared to this: humanity¡¯s first expedition to another star system, and I was at the helm. No pressure. Glancing around the cockpit, I checked out my crew, my friends, my family. Strapped into their seats, their faces betrayed a bit of fear and exhilaration. Joey muttered something to Ryan, earning a chuckle that cut through the tension, while Emily stared out the viewport with wide eyes, her fingers gripping her armrests. I wished I could see her face, know what she was thinking. Was she scared? Excited? Proud? Did she have any idea how much her faith in me meant? My lips twitched into a faint smile. ¡°Let¡¯s do this,¡± I murmured, more to myself than anyone else, my voice barely audible over the hum of the engines and the roar of atmospheric friction. Beside me, Zoe¡¯s hand found mine on the thruster, her touch firm yet grounding. "Let¡¯s go," she said softly, her tone carrying both reassurance and shared determination. She gave my hand a quick squeeze, and I couldn''t help but wonder if she knew how much I needed that simple gesture. Did she know how much I doubted myself sometimes? I nodded, exhaling slowly as I adjusted our descent vector. The ship shuddered, turbulence jostling us as if the planet itself was testing our resolve. Each vibration echoed through the cockpit, but my hands stayed steady on the controls. My Tactical Navigation instincts kicked in, guiding every motion, but even so, I couldn''t help but feel a sense of relief that Zoe was here, her expertise a reassuring presence beside me. ¡°Altitude dropping rapidly,¡± Zoe announced, her voice clear and unwavering as she leaned forward. Her dreadlocks shifted slightly, catching the red light of the readouts. ¡°Adjusting trajectory for optimal landing zone.¡± ¡°Roger that,¡± I replied, easing back on the throttle. I felt the ship resist, the engines straining to maintain balance against the atmosphere. The fiery cloud cover loomed closer, glowing faintly like the opening curtain to an impossible theater. Almost there. ¡°Everyone hold tight,¡± I called out, my voice steady even as my pulse raced. ¡°We¡¯re about to break through the cloud cover.¡± Here goes nothing.
The Percival burst through a dense layer of cloud, revealing the alien world in stunning clarity. Fuck, it''s beautiful. Lush, rolling hills of vegetation stretched out beneath us, shimmering in hues of green and deep red. Winding rivers glinted like silver veins, twisting their way through the wild, untamed landscape. But there was no time to admire the view, the landing zone was approaching fast, a small clearing near the base of a ridge, nestled close to a gleaming blue river. Easy does it, Luca. Don''t fuck this up. "Zoe, can you confirm our landing coordinates?" I asked, my voice taut, trying to keep the tremor out of it. I scanned the terrain for anything unexpected, jagged rock formations, strange shadows that might conceal obstacles, anything that could disrupt our descent. Anything that could kill us. "Affirmative," she said, fingers flying over the touchscreen. "I''ve locked in a clearing near a water source, but... we''re getting some turbulence from the thermal drafts off the ridge. It¡¯s going to be a little bumpy." She sent the data to my display, and the landing marker blinked bright green, steadily closing in. A little bumpy? Great. I felt a bead of sweat roll down my temple, my grip tightening on the control yoke. "Copy that. Preparing for manual override." Shit. Manual. Just like the simulations. But this isn''t a simulation. The thrusters adjusted, angling downward as the ship shifted to a vertical descent. Outside, plumes of dust began to rise, swirling around us as the Percival lowered itself over the clearing. The engines roared, straining to keep the descent smooth against the unpredictable gusts, and my hands moved with precise, fluid motions, small corrections, tiny shifts that felt like balancing on a knife¡¯s edge. Easy, Luca. You''ve done this a thousand times. Sort of. "Steady... steady..." I muttered, eyes flicking between the external cameras and the sensor readouts. The turbulence fought us every step of the way, as if the air itself was trying to nudge us off course. Every bump and shudder was a reminder that this planet was still a mystery, its forces unpredictable, its terrain uncharted. The Percival dipped slightly, and I reacted instinctively, nudging the thrusters to compensate. The ship stabilized, but it was a constant struggle, like guiding a feather to land on a pinpoint. I could hear the engines straining, the hum deep and guttural, reverberating through the cockpit. Almost there. "We''re coming in hot," Zoe called out, the slightest edge of tension creeping into her voice. "Ease back just a touch, Luca." "Already on it," I said, rolling my shoulder to loosen the stiffness settling in. With a careful twist of the throttle, I adjusted the thrust, slowing our descent just enough to bring us into a controlled hover. Almost. Almost. "Final approach," I announced, my voice calm but laced with concentration. The ground loomed closer, the clearing widening beneath us, a perfect spot amid the rough terrain. Dust clouds billowed as the thrusters fired, and I held my breath, guiding the ship down with gentle, measured pressure. The Percival touched down with a muted thump, the landing struts absorbing the impact. For a moment, everything was still, the engines winding down to a low, throbbing hum. The dust settled, revealing the alien perspective through the cockpit glass, serene and strange in the daylight. I exhaled slowly, flexing my aching fingers as I released the controls. A small, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "We''re down," I said, glancing at Zoe. Her grin mirrored my own, her earlier tension finally giving way to relief. But as I met her eyes, she winked, a slow, deliberate wink that sent a jolt through me. It was a wink that said more than just "good job." It was a wink that said, "I see you, Captain. And I like what I see." Was she... flirting? With me? Now? I couldn''t help the way my smile widened, a rush of heat flooding my cheeks. Damn, she''s hot. Nailed it. "Not bad, Captain," she said, her voice carrying a spark of pride and something else, something that sounded a lot like... mischief. "Smooth enough for me." She held my eyes a beat longer than necessary, her dark eyes sparkling, and I could have sworn I saw a hint of a challenge in their depths. Holy shit, is she actually coming on to me? I turned on the intercom, unable to resist a little flair. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Alpha Centauri b, ¡®New Dawn.¡¯ Local time is¡­ anyone¡¯s guess. The ship is now secure; you may release your seatbelts." The cabin erupted in cheers and laughter. Somewhere behind me, Ryan shouted, "Thank you, Jesus!" and Chris groaned, "Holy shit, what a bumpy ride!" Their voices were a blur, energy crackling through the crew like static. I could hear Emily laughing, and the sound sent a wave of warmth through me. I turned, catching her eye. She gave me a thumbs-up, her grin wide and bright. She''s proud of me. And for some reason, that meant more than anything else. I focused on the cockpit glass. Outside, the alien landscape stretched endlessly before us, raw, untouched, waiting. My pulse quickened as the possibilities unfurled in my mind. I pressed my palm against the viewport, feeling the cool vibration of the glass beneath my fingers. We made it. Now the real work begins. Chapter 38 - The Landing I was sweating a bit as I strapped on my hard EVA suit, the armored material feeling heavy over my bodysuit. I caught Emily¡¯s eye, and I grinned. ¡°Ready to make history, Em?¡± Our combat suits, which were very comfortable, were just as pressurized and armored, but Danny insisted on having us wear these cumbersome suits for some reason. ¡°Born ready, Captain. Let¡¯s show this new world what we¡¯re made of.¡± Her eyes were sparkling, full of that same excitement that was thrumming through me. It was infectious. We were about to step foot on an alien world, and I was leading the damn charge. This wasn¡¯t Sol, where bases had already been built and protocols were in place. ¡°Alright, team,¡± I called out, my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach. ¡°Emily and I will take the Peregrine out. The rest of you, wait for my signal before exiting the airlock.¡± ¡°Luca! Who gets to step on the planet first? Shouldn¡¯t we be recording this?¡± Chris asked. It was a good question, even if it was coming from irritatingly handsome Chris. I smiled at my crew, the way you would with a group of kids excited about Christmas. ¡°We¡¯ll all take turns stepping onto the planet,¡± I said, gesturing for them to follow me to the airlock. ¡°And yes, Chris, we should definitely be recording this.¡± Gotta have that for the history books, or the socials or whatever. Before we went anywhere, I reached out, cupping Emily''s face in my hands. I pulled her in for a kiss, a quick, fierce press of our lips. It was a kiss full of everything: excitement, nerves, a little bit of fear, and a whole lot of desire. "For luck," I murmured against her lips. Emily grinned, her eyes sparkling even brighter than before. "I don''t need luck, Captain, but I''ll take the kiss anyway." With that settled, Emily and I made our way down the stairs from the crew compartment and into the Peregrine. The thing was a beast, all sleek angles and heavy armor, like someone had taken a military transport, crossed it with a high-end RV, stuck on an airlock and slapped an energy turret on top just in case things got interesting.
Its official name, when scanned, came up as an LCV-R Peregrine, some fancy acronym that meant "light combat vehicle - reconnaissance class." But to us? It was home on wheels, our ticket into the unknown, our forward base, and, if things went south, our best shot at survival. I ran my hand over the reinforced plating, feeling the armor beneath my fingertips. This thing had already proven itself on the moons back in Sol, rolling out on terrain that should¡¯ve left it stuck, buried, or flipped. Maybe we couldn¡¯t drive it into Venus and expect it to come back in one piece, but if a place had gravity, the Peregrine could make it work. And if a place had nightmare-fueled carbon hounds trying to rip it apart, it could handle that too. I still remember the first time we found it into a portal, a pitch-black, no-mercy delve against a swarm of carbon hounds. Things had gone to hell fast. We were knee-deep in loot, trying to haul ass back to the exit, when the beasts came down on us like a landslide of teeth and muscle. The Peregrine had held strong, but the damn things were relentless, slamming into the sides, trying to flip us, trying to tear through the armor. I¡¯d been on the roof, taking potshots, when one of them, a hulking brute with a jaw big enough to snap me in half, leapt up and damn near dragged me off. I could still feel the sheer panic, my fingers scrabbling for purchase as the truck rocked beneath me. Then, the turret spun to life. A burst of energy fire seared through the night, slamming into the hound just as it was about to pull me over the edge. Alessio. My little brother had been inside the Peregrine; he¡¯d been twelve years old at the time, but he¡¯d kept his head, flipped on the turret, put on the headset and blasted that thing straight to hell. By the time we drove out of that portal, the Peregrine was ours. Chris, of course, had to ruin the moment by poking his head in. ¡°So, are we going or are you two just gonna stand there making out with the truck?¡± Emily rolled her eyes, pushing past me toward the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Shut up Chris. We¡¯ll make out in the truck if you can¡¯t take a chill pill.¡± With a goofy grin now plastered on my face and my stomach full of butterflies, it was time to go. "Let''s get the show started," I murmured once I settled into the driver¡¯s seat, more to myself than to Emily. Chris and the rest of the crew had gone back into the crew compartment of the Percival and sealed the door. The dropship¡¯s ramp lowered, exposing us to the alien atmosphere. I eased the Peregrine forward, inch by inch, the first human-driven vehicle on this world.
We parked a few yards from the dropship, its bulk still looming behind us. I stepped off the driver¡¯s seat, heading for the airlock, Emily at my heels. I cycled through, the hiss of pressure equalizing filling my ears. Then, the door unlocked, and I was free. And I saw Proxima Centauri b with my own eyes. Holy shit. The sky stretched wide above me, bathed in a soft pinkish glow from the red dwarf hanging low in the sky. Not the deep, bloody red I¡¯d imagined, but something softer, gentler. A diffuse, warm light, painting everything in shades of rose and coral, it must have been the atmosphere acting as a filter. If Earth had a golden hour, this was something else, something surreal and alien, a never-ending blush that kissed the land in a way I knew we''d grown used to. And above it all, barely visible, a set of rings curved across the sky. Faint but undeniably there, ghostly arcs of ice and dust, catching the star¡¯s light just enough to whisper of their presence. I turned slowly, taking in the landscape. We had landed in a meadow near those cliffs that caused so much turbulence, the meadow stretched out in rolling waves of tall, red grasses that swayed gently in the breeze, closer to rust color or wine. Among them, alien flora bloomed, their shapes strange and unfamiliar but strikingly alive. Short plants stretched toward the sky with curling, fern-like tendrils, while others clustered low to the ground, thick and bulbous like something adapted for drought. A stream cut through the land a short distance away, its water glinting with an eerie, glassy clarity. And the silence. No birds, no rustling of hidden creatures, just the whisper of the wind through the alien grass, the distant gurgle of the stream. The noise of our descent must have scared away anything that lived here, but for now? It was just us. I let out a slow breath, my pulse hammering in my ears. First human, baby. It felt surreal, like stepping into a dream. The gravity was familiar, maybe a touch heavier than the Triumph¡¯s artificial field, but nothing crazy. I flexed my hands, adjusted my stance, testing the pull against my boots. It felt¡­ stable. Solid ground, under my feet, on an alien world. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. I turned back toward the dropship where the rest of the crew waited, practically vibrating with anticipation. ¡°It¡¯s safe to come out,¡± I said, my voice steady, but my heart pounding. The moment was finally here.
Emily and I walked up to the dropship, its hull still radiating heat from entry. The airlock exterior flashed green, indicating pressure had stabilized. We could see movement inside, the rest of the crew, crammed together like a bunch of overstuffed sausages in their EVA suits, waiting to be let out. Chris''s voice crackled over comms. ¡°Alright, here we go. Don¡¯t forget to smile for the history books.¡± The airlock door slid open with a hiss, and the first thing I saw was Ryan lugging the camera rig down the ladder, grumbling under his breath. ¡°Careful with that, man,¡± I called up. ¡°You drop it, and our first step on an alien world gets remembered as your dumb ass breaking the tripod.¡± Ryan shot me a look. ¡°I hate you.¡± Chris clapped him on the back as he passed. ¡°He¡¯s right, though. You drop it, we¡¯re making ¡®Ryan Fumbled First Contact¡¯ a thing.¡± ¡°Shut up and stand still so I can frame the shot.¡± Ryan muttered, setting up the tripod. The rest of the crew was still inside, watching through the airlock window. This was it, their turn. One by one, they would step onto an alien planet, a moment that no human had ever experienced before. Chris turned back toward the others and slapped the control panel, releasing the ladder. ¡°Alright, who¡¯s first?¡± Danny went first, boots thudding against the metal rungs as he climbed down. As soon as he touched the ground, he raised his arms like he¡¯d just won a championship. ¡°Fuck yeah! Alien planet, bitches!¡± Ryan snapped the first photo.
As soon as we were clear, I activated the atmospheric sampler. The damn thing whirred to life, sounding like a small, angry vacuum cleaner, sucking up data that could mean life or death for all of us. Joey''s voice crackled over the comms, excitement practically jumping through the static. "Initial readings look promising, Luca! Oxygen at 23%, nitrogen at 76%. It¡¯s like Earth with a twist, it¡¯s almost too good to be true!" My hand instinctively moved to my helmet, ready to lift the visor and taste this new world. I mean, how often do you get to be the first person to taste a brand-new planet? But before I could, Joey''s voice rang out again, this time with a note of caution. "Wait! Don''t remove your helmet yet, Luca. We need to check for pathogens, microbes, anything our bodies might not be prepared for." I froze, my fingers hovering near the release. Fuck, I almost killed myself, I thought. I''d been so caught up in the moment I''d almost done something stupid. "Good catch, Joey," I said, relieved. "Remind me to thank you properly when we''re not on an alien planet." I meant it too, the guy had just saved us all from possibly some horrific alien plague. Or maybe I just would have gotten a really bad headache. Who knows? Those little bitches might have wanted to infect me and my crew, little shits. As Joey rattled off a list of potential dangers, my mind wandered. We were standing on a world light-years from Earth. It was simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating, like jumping off a cliff and finding out you could fly, but you were also carrying a bag of explosives. "Earth to Luca," Emily teased, nudging me with her elbow. "You still with us, Captain?" I grinned, focusing back on the present. "Just taking it all in, Em. We''re making history here, after all." It was a cheesy line, but it was true. We were here, on New Dawn, as Ryan had called it. Asshole. As we waited for Joey''s all-clear, I checked the alien landscape stretching before us. It was¡­ peaceful. The sky was a soft lavender, and the trees in the distance looked like something out of a dream. New Dawn, indeed. "All clear!" Joey¡¯s voice rang out, waving his little microbe scanner thing. "No detectable pathogens or toxins. But stay alert, this isn¡¯t Earth. If anything feels off, report it immediately." Okay, that was all I needed to hear. Time to breathe some alien air. Time to not be a dumbass, but still breath some fresh, alien air.
Through the visors, I could see their faces, a bit of anticipation and hesitation, like they were strapped into some insane roller coaster, just waiting for the drop. Which, let¡¯s be honest, we kinda were. With a deep breath, I gripped the release and twisted. The seal broke with a soft hiss, and I lifted the visor, letting the helmet tilt back onto its hinge. The cool air of New Dawn hit my face ¨C crisp, faintly metallic, and tinged with an earthy scent that reminded me of fresh rain on dirt. It was weirdly familiar, and for a second, I forgot I was standing on another planet. For a moment, I just stood there, taking it in. My chest rose and fell slowly as I adjusted to the sensation. The air felt... good. Not like the recycled, filtered crap on the Triumph or even Earth¡¯s urban skies. This was pure, untouched atmosphere, and it filled my lungs with peace and exhilaration. It felt¡­ right. Like I¡¯d been breathing the wrong air my entire life until now. A slight breeze brushed against my face, and I found myself smiling, a stupid, goofy smile, but whatever. "It¡¯s... perfect," I murmured, not even realizing I¡¯d spoken aloud. I probably sounded like an idiot. The crew watched me intently, and after a beat, Emily stepped forward. "Captain?" she asked, her voice carrying a note of curiosity. She looked so damn good even with a bulky helmet on. I turned toward them, my grin widening. Then, I staggered back suddenly, clutching my throat. Gasping. Choking. Eyes bulging like I was about to keel over. Ryan shouted. Joey lunged forward like he could somehow medically save me from across the ramp. Zoe shouted ¡°FUCKING HELL, LUCA!¡± and nearly fumbled her own helmet release. Then I straightened, totally fine, grinning like an absolute bastard. ¡°Kidding.¡± Dead silence. Then, Emily punched me in the chest. ¡°FUCKING HELL, LUCA.¡± Ryan muttered something that was probably a string of curses, he was breathing hard. Joey looked five seconds away from beating me to death. Zoe was just shaking her head, pacing in a circle, processing her life choices. Ryan sighed and lifted his camera. Click. First group photo. I was still laughing when I turned back toward them. "Go ahead," I said, voice full of mischief. ¡°Take a breath.¡± If I was gonna die from this, I was taking everyone with me. One by one, the crew followed my lead, lifting their visors cautiously. Faces lit up as they experienced New Dawn¡¯s air for the first time. It wasn¡¯t just breathable ¨C it felt alive, vibrant, like the planet was giving us all a big hug. Okay, maybe I was getting a little carried away. Zoe let out a low whistle, a rare crack in her demeanor. "Well, I¡¯ll be damned," she muttered. "It¡¯s better than home." Zoe, impressed? That was saying something. I glanced at her and then at the rest of my team. For the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to feel the weight of our journey lifting, replaced by the awe of standing on a world no one had ever touched. It was a pretty damn big deal, and even I was feeling the weight of it all. With our helmets off, the crew exchanged hesitant but excited glances. The exhilaration of breathing the alien air gave way to the next task, getting out of our bulky EVA suits. I gestured toward the dropship. "Let¡¯s store these back in the Peregrine. No need to lug them around." Time to ditch the astronaut crap and get down to business.
The crew worked together as a team, carefully detaching their helmets and storing them in the dropship¡¯s compartments. Zoe, already nimble as hell, stepped over to help Danny, whose red hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat. "Hold still," Zoe instructed, her deft fingers working at the release clasps on his back. "You¡¯re like a toddler in a snowsuit." "Hey, I resent that," Danny grumbled. As Zoe pulled the heavy suit free, he let out a relieved sigh and stretched his arms. "Thanks. That thing was starting to feel claustrophobic.¡± Seriously, how were those two not dating already? Nearby, Ryan was helping Emily, his larger hands easily maneuvering the clasps on her suit. Okay, that was a little too much touching for my liking. Jealous? Maybe. She grinned up at him as she slipped free, playfully elbowing him in the ribs. "I could¡¯ve managed, you know." Yeah, yeah. "Sure you could¡¯ve," Ryan teased. "But we¡¯ve got a schedule to keep, and watching you wrestle with it would¡¯ve taken all day." He was always teasing her, and she always loved it. I swear, those two had some weird, unspoken thing going on. Chris and Joey were such nerds, getting out of their suits in no time and storing them neatly in the dropship locker. "Amateurs," Chris quipped, shooting a smug grin at the others. God, the guy was insufferable, but I secretly admired his skills. Joey laughed, ruffling his short hair. "You should see us in zero-G. It¡¯s all about technique." I swear, those two were so goddamn annoying. Meanwhile, I was having a decidedly harder time. I twisted awkwardly, trying to reach the stubborn clasp on my arm. "Come on," I muttered under my breath, my tone growing more frustrated with each failed attempt. I managed to free one side of the suit, only to have the other jam as I bent my arm in the tight confines. I was starting to look like a goddamn contortionist. From the corner of my eye, I saw Zoe smirking. "Need a hand, Captain?" she called out, her tone dripping with amusement. She loved it when I struggled, the little sadist. "I¡¯m fine," I replied, though my reddening face betrayed my words. I twisted again, this time almost toppling over as the suit resisted my efforts. Finally, with a sharp tug, the clasp gave way, and I yanked the suit off, muttering a string of curses under my breath. Thank god, I was free. Now, no one would see how much of a klutz I was. Chapter 39 - The First Night With our helmets and EVA suits stored, the crew naturally began spreading out, stretching their legs on solid ground for the first time in weeks. The gravity was just a touch heavier than Earth¡¯s, but nothing crazy, it only made each step feel more real. The weather? Warm, 82 degrees. Danny theorized we were in a summer cycle. Zoe ran a hand through the red alien grass, watching the way it swayed back, almost lazily. ¡°Weird,¡± she muttered. ¡°It¡¯s not stiff like Earth grass. It¡¯s softer¡­ thicker.¡± ¡°Like fur?¡± Emily asked, she was helping me unload a folding table from the Peregrine. ¡°Nah, not quite. It¡¯s just different.¡± Zoe plucked a strand and twirled it between her fingers before stuffing it into one of Danny¡¯s sample bags. Speaking of Danny, he was already crouched near the treeline, scanner in one hand, notebook in the other. Joey was with him, flipping open a medkit, probably already obsessing over plants and biology and stuff, or, toxins and invisible death spores, I didn''t ask. Maybe I should have. Ryan had his arms crossed, watching the river. ¡°Water¡¯s moving fast,¡± he noted. ¡°Might be clean.¡± I followed his eyes. The river really was something, wide, clear, shimmering in the soft pink light of New Dawn¡¯s sun. It looked inviting. Romantic, even.
¡°We should set up camp,¡± I announced. ¡°It¡¯s been weeks since we¡¯ve felt solid ground beneath our feet.¡± And maybe we¡¯d do a little more groundwork later, if you catch my drift. Skin-on-skin contact under the stars sounded like a damn good way to welcome ourselves to this planet. Joey stepped forward, frowning. ¡°Hold on, guys. I know that river looks tempting, but we have no idea what might be in there. Let¡¯s keep our distance for now.¡± Fucking buzzkill. Always looking out for our health, ruining my river escapades before they even started. I sighed. ¡°Good point.¡± It was time to deploy our camper. ¡°Everyone, move away from the Peregrine, I¡¯m activating the outpost mode.¡± The crew backed up as I tapped the control panel. With a low hum, the Peregrine¡¯s hull expanded outwards, armored plates shifting outward, forming a perimeter of reinforced walls. Supports extended, securing the structure, while deployable sensor arrays snapped into place. Home. Instant, armored, camping. ¡°Hey, Luca,¡± Zoe called out, snapping me back to reality. ¡°How about a bonfire? Just like our camping trips back home.¡± She had to be reading my mind. She always did. A bonfire. Flames dancing. The heat of the fire. The coolness of the night air¡­ Yeah, that could work. I grinned. ¡°Now that¡¯s an idea I can get behind. Let¡¯s do it.¡± Danny, who had been collecting soil samples like a kid in a candy store, visibly frowned. ¡°Is that really necessary? We¡¯re going to pollute the air just as we arrive? I need to take my samples.¡± Okay, yeah, that was a little annoying, Danny. He was killing my vibe. ¡°We can take samples tomorrow,¡± I replied. ¡°We¡¯ll do some traveling, and you can get what you need.¡± Danny scowled but sighed, relenting. ¡°Fine.¡± Ryan clapped him on the back. ¡°C¡¯mon, man. Live a little.¡± ¡°I am living,¡± Danny grumbled. ¡°That¡¯s why I want to make sure the planet isn¡¯t trying to kill us.¡± It was a valid concern. Still, we had a fire to build. Emily nudged me. ¡°Where are we even getting firewood?¡± Right. That. I turned toward the treeline. The trees were weird, their bark a dark, almost purple color, with thick, curling leaves hanging low. No dead branches, no obvious kindling. But there were fallen logs, wood scattered along the forest floor. ¡°Chris, Ryan, Zoe,¡± I called out. ¡°Let¡¯s grab some of those fallen logs. We¡¯re making a fire.¡± Zoe cracked her knuckles. ¡°Hell yeah. First fire on an alien world.¡± Chris, predictably, smirked. ¡°First thing we do on a new planet? Play with fire. Humanity in a nutshell.¡± Ryan shrugged. ¡°If it works, it works.¡± Emily sighed. ¡°Let¡¯s just try not to burn the place down.¡± I grinned. No promises. "Beautiful night," Emily murmured, settling down next to me. She wrapped an arm around me. Even through the bodysuit, I could feel her warmth. "Hard to believe we''re actually here." I nodded, an arm around Emily, holding her closely, but wishing I could hold her closer. I looked up at the sky above, the stars and constellations so bright and clear that it was almost overwhelming. The rings of New Dawn hung faintly in the sky, their ghostly arc barely visible. "It''s incredible. Though I can''t shake this feeling that we''re so exposed out here." I knew the Peregrine would keep us safe, but still, the vastness of this place was a little unnerving. And it was definitely cramping my style.
As the night deepened, Zoe drifted away from the group, her mind tangled in the day''s events. She spotted Ryan standing near the edge of the firelight, his frame silhouetted against the alien sky. Taking a steadying breath, she approached him, her pulse quickening. "Ryan," she began softly, touching his arm. "I wanted to apologize for earlier. When I snapped at you during the landing calculations... I wasn¡¯t fair. You were just trying to help." Ryan turned to her, his blue-green eyes catching the flicker of the firelight. "Zoe, it¡¯s fine," he replied, his tone calm. "We were all on edge. I get it." Zoe shook her head, not letting him brush it off so easily. "No, it wasn¡¯t right. You¡¯ve been solid this whole mission, and I pushed you away when I should¡¯ve trusted you more. So¡­ I¡¯m sorry." Ryan¡¯s expression softened, a small smile tugging at his lips. Without a word, he stepped closer, his hand gently brushing her cheek as he leaned in. The warmth of his lips on hers was unexpected but electric, the tension between them breaking like a dam. Zoe felt herself relax into the kiss, her hands sliding up to rest against his chest. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. When they finally pulled apart, her breath hitched. "Wow," she whispered, with surprise and amusement. Ryan grinned, his fingers brushing a stray dreadlock from her face. "I¡¯ve been waiting to do that all trip.¡± Zoe smiled, but before either of them could say anything else, a familiar voice broke through the moment. "You know," Danny called out, his lanky frame swaggering toward them, "I seem to remember being yelled at earlier too. Shouldn¡¯t I get an apology as well?" Zoe turned toward Danny, a smirk on her lips. "Oh, is that so?" she teased, her hands resting on her hips. Danny grinned, his black eyes twinkling with humor. "Absolutely. Equal opportunity and all that." Zoe rolled her eyes, but her smile deepened as she reached out, grabbing Danny by the front of his jumpsuit and pulling him into a quick, playful kiss. His laugh rumbled against her lips, and when they broke apart, he looked equal parts shocked and amused. "Happy now?" she quipped, glancing between the two of them. Ryan chuckled, sliding his arm casually around her waist. Danny leaned against her other side, still grinning like he¡¯d won the lottery.
I stretched out on the Peregrine¡¯s ramp, the cool metal beneath me a welcome contrast to the humid alien air. Overhead, the alien sky blazed with stars, vivid, chaotic, infinite. Somewhere out there was the Solar System, Earth. It made me feel small, not in a bad way, but in that holy shit, I¡¯m really here kind of way. Like I¡¯d somehow snagged a front-row seat to the greatest show in the universe, and I still couldn¡¯t believe I had the ticket. But the quiet? The quiet was wrong. I frowned, looking toward the darkness beyond our camp. We¡¯d seen shadows moving earlier, creatures lurking at the edges of the treeline, probably sniffing us out. That was expected. That was normal. But where were the mobs? No portal signatures. No hostile spawns. Not even a whisper from the System. If this were anywhere in the Solar System, we¡¯d have been jumped by now. The moment we stepped foot off the Peregrine, we should have had some kind of threat, a scout party, an ambush, something. Instead? Nothing. That was the part that pissed me off. We¡¯d come to Alpha Centauri to survey the system and all that, but our own motivations? To break through the level 60 cap. To grind, to fight, to push past the ceiling that had kept us locked down. But if the System had never arrived here, if there were no portals, no way to level¡­ Fuck. I chewed on the inside of my cheek, frustrated. Maybe the portals were just hidden. Maybe we just needed to find the right place. But the fact that we hadn''t stumbled onto anything yet? It wasn¡¯t right. The quiet gave me space to think. About the crew. About Emily. And, yeah, about how damn lucky we were. We were just a bunch of 20-somethings with more bad ideas than good ones, somehow managing to pull this off. Another planet. Another goddamn star system. And somehow, we weren¡¯t dead yet. That had to count for something. I¡¯d been putting this off long enough, but the idea of walking into the Peregrine and laying my sleeping bag on the floor still didn¡¯t sit right with me. Captain sleeping on the floor? Not exactly inspiring. But, you know, ¡°first come, first served,¡± and I¡¯d decided to make myself the last to come in. Totally strategic, not humiliating at all. Not like anyone would care, but still. My thoughts drifted, where else? To Emily. She was... something else. A total knockout, no denying it. The way she moved, like every step turned heads, even in a clunky spacesuit. And her hair? Perfectly wild, even when she tried to tie it up. But it wasn¡¯t just that. She had this way of looking at you, like she could see straight through the bullshit. Not just smart, she got things. Some people were intelligent but still idiots. Emily wasn¡¯t. I wasn¡¯t sure how I¡¯d lucked out to be her boyfriend, her boy toy, or whatever the hell I was. But it was hot, it was awesome, and I was definitely in love with her. Not that I was going to say it out loud. Gotta keep ¡®em guessing. But man, was I frustrated. We¡¯d had eight days of non-stop physical contact on the Triumph¡ªand now? Suddenly, it was like forced chastity. No privacy, nowhere to be alone, and definitely no chance for any hanky-panky. Like the universe itself was teasing me and dangling Emily in front of me but keeping her just out of reach. And to make things worse? There was Zoe. God, Zoe. She was just¡­ chef¡¯s kiss, you know? So different from Emily, but just as irresistible. Slim, flat-chested, but with those long legs, that bubble butt, and those damn dreadlocks. A walking temptation. A shuffle of footsteps broke my train of thought. Emily appeared, her silhouette outlined by the soft glow of the Peregrine¡¯s interior lights. Even in the dark, she looked incredible.
"You coming to bed, Captain?" Emily leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, that knowing smirk on her lips. She always knew how to get to me. I groaned, hauling myself to my feet. "Yeah, yeah. Just appreciating the scenery." I stretched, feeling the pleasant ache of the day¡¯s work settle into my muscles. "Besides, don¡¯t you think the captain deserves some alone time? Keeps me mysterious." Emily rolled her eyes, but there was a smile there. "Yeah, sure. Real mysterious. Staring off into space like a lost puppy." She gestured back toward the Peregrine. "Come on, before someone eats all the blankets." Once inside, I made a beeline for the forward compartment, rummaging through our stash of gear for my sleeping bag and blanket. The place was cramped as hell, but we made it work. We always did. I spread my blanket on the floor, wedging myself into the tight spot between the kitchenette and the bunks. Not exactly a luxury suite, but at least I wouldn¡¯t have to deal with anyone kicking me in the face in the middle of the night. I muttered to myself, cursing my own stupidity for not grabbing a bed earlier. What the hell was I thinking? I wasn¡¯t, obviously. And now here I was, slumming it on the floor.
¡°What are you doing?¡± Emily¡¯s voice cut through my pity party, and I looked up to see her standing there with her arms crossed, one eyebrow raised. That eyebrow was deadly, it had this uncanny ability to make me feel like a total idiot with one lift. And yeah, it was working. ¡°Uh, what does it look like?¡± I said, gesturing to the floor like it was the peak of luxury. ¡°I¡¯m sleeping here. Floor¡¯s good for the back. Builds character.¡± She gave me that look, the one that screamed are you kidding me right now? ¡°No, you¡¯re not. Come on, we¡¯ll share the big bed.¡± I blinked, my brain doing a double-take. ¡°You¡¯re joking.¡± She couldn¡¯t be serious. A shared bed? That was like hitting the jackpot. But also¡­ Zoe. Damn it, why did my brain have to go there? She arched a brow. "Do I look like I¡¯m joking?" Before I could respond, a loud cheer erupted from the bunks. Of course. Of fucking course. I groaned, realizing the rest of the crew had been listening in, hanging on every word. Nosy bastards. ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake, you guys,¡± I called out, throwing my hands up. I could already feel my face heating up, but I couldn¡¯t stop the grin tugging at my lips. ¡°Don¡¯t you have something better to do? Like, I don¡¯t know, sleeping?¡± Ryan¡¯s voice cut through the laughter, dripping with jealousy, probably. ¡°Way to go, Captain! Don¡¯t mess it up!¡± I rolled my eyes, muttering under my breath, ¡°You¡¯re just jealous.¡± Chris, ever the smug shit, chimed in with a laugh. ¡°Mess what up? He¡¯s already won. The floor¡¯s a huge upgrade.¡± ¡°Alright, alright,¡± I said, standing up and holding my hands up in mock surrender. ¡°Get your heads out of the gutter. Go to sleep, all of you. Some of us have standards.¡± As I turned back to Emily, she was grinning at me like she¡¯d just won the lottery. And yeah, maybe she had. Or maybe I had. Either way, I wasn¡¯t about to argue anymore. The teasing subsided into muffled laughter as I followed Emily to the bed. She had already claimed the middle, leaving Zoe on one side with a blanket practically cocooning her. Zoe¡¯s dreadlocks poked out from the top, her expression full of annoyance and resignation. This was going to be a long night. Sharing a bed with Emily was one thing, but sharing it with Zoe too? That was a whole other level of torture. A delicious, agonizing torture. "You owe me," Zoe muttered as I clambered onto the other side of the bed. "She snores." Her grin was pure mischief, and she wasn¡¯t even trying to hide it. "That¡¯s a damn lie, and you know it," Emily shot back, rolling her eyes with a smirk. She didn¡¯t snore, never had. We¡¯d shared enough nights for me to know that much. But Zoe? She lived for the chaos. "Sure, sure," Zoe replied, her voice dripping with mock innocence as she snuggled into her own spot. "Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re still saying that by morning." I adjusted my position on the bed, trying to get comfortable. Emily was tucked securely in the middle, her back pressing lightly against my chest, and Zoe was on her other side, sprawled out like she owned the place. I wasn¡¯t sure if Emily had picked the middle spot to act as a protective barrier or if she just liked being the center of attention. Emily shifted slightly, pushing against me. My arm, draped over her waist, felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. I couldn¡¯t decide if it was nerves or something else entirely, but my entire body was wound tight. She let out a soft sigh, her fingers brushing over mine briefly as she adjusted the blanket. Meanwhile, Zoe was on the other side, not saying a word but making her presence known in every way that mattered. Her legs stretched out under the blanket, occasionally brushing against Emily¡¯s, and I was hyper-aware of every little shift, every accidental touch. Or maybe they weren¡¯t accidents. Zoe didn¡¯t do ¡°accidents.¡± She was bold and unapologetic, and she knew exactly how to make things worse, or better, depending on your perspective. Emily was right there, so close I could feel her heartbeat if I focused, and Zoe was just out of reach. What the hell is this situation? I thought, as I drifted off to sleep. Chapter 40 - Science Expedition The night had been restless. Not because of Zoe shifting in her sleep or Emily¡¯s warmth pressing against me, though, yeah, that had its own set of challenges, but because something was moving outside the Peregrine. Scratching. Poking around our gear. At first, I¡¯d thought maybe we were finally about to get our first system-registered encounter, some kind of night predator or scavenger-type mob. Something to fight. Something to prove the System existed here. But every time I used Analyze, the results were the same. Nothing. Just¡­ local fauna. No beast classification. No level. No System signature. And that? That was fucking weird. Back in the Solar System, everything that moved had a System tag. Even the harmless critters that scurried around planetary outposts had some low-tier classification, vermin, scavengers, ambient wildlife. But here? The System wasn¡¯t touching them. Like it had never arrived. I¡¯d watched them for a while, small, quadrupedal things with sleek bodies and flicking tails, their eyes catching the low light like a cat¡¯s. Curious, but not aggressive. They sniffed at our equipment. I considered shooting one. Just to see if it would drop loot. But something held me back. If the System wasn¡¯t touching them, then what did that mean? Was it because they weren¡¯t threats? Or because this world didn¡¯t have System interference? Back on Earth, after the System arrived, it hadn¡¯t just affected people. It had changed everything. Animals that survived those first brutal months, the ones that fought off low-level mobs, they leveled up. They evolved. Some of them had abilities. Some had stats. Some were even teetering on the edge of sapience. Humanity had kept them from getting too high-level, apex predators weren¡¯t gonna overtake civilization anytime soon. But level 30-40 beasts? That was a real thing. Even in controlled zones, you didn¡¯t just wander into the wild alone. But here? These creatures didn¡¯t even register. Like they weren¡¯t a part of the System at all, that should¡¯ve been a relief, a world where we weren¡¯t constantly fighting for survival. That felt wrong. And if that was the case, if Alpha Centauri had never been integrated into the System¡¯s grand, universal game of survival. Then this would trip would suck. Sure this planet was ripe for an outpost, but then what? We didn¡¯t just come here to plant a flag and farm potatoes. We came here because this was supposed to be the next step. The key to breaking the level cap. At some point, exhaustion won out, and I¡¯d given up on watching the strange, unregistered creatures. I¡¯d crawled back into the bed, forcing myself to stop thinking, stop analyzing, stop trying to piece together something that didn¡¯t make sense.
I stirred, the soft, rosy glow of dawn filtering through the small porthole above. It was a gentle wake-up, not like the jarring alarms on the Triumph. The light painted the interior of the Peregrine in warm hues, bouncing softly off the metal walls and casting long shadows across the gear and clutter scattered around. I blinked against the light, squinting as I shook off the last tendrils of sleep, and that¡¯s when I realized something: I was sandwiched between Zoe and Emily. Their warmth pressed against me on either side, the weight of Emily¡¯s arm across my chest keeping me pinned like some kind of human burrito. How the hell did I end up in the middle? I distinctly remember agreeing to sleep on the edge last night. Emily had practically commandeered the space beside me, and Zoe had curled up on the other side. Somehow, in the chaos of sleep, we¡¯d all shuffled around, and now here I was, stuck. Not that I was complaining. To my left, Zoe was sprawled out, her dreadlocks fanned across the pillow in a chaotic halo. Her almond-toned skin glowed faintly in the morning light, smooth and flawless, and her lips were parted just enough to show a glimpse of her teeth as she breathed softly. She looked almost serene, which was ironic given how she was usually a whirlwind of activity and chaos when awake. Even asleep, she was magnetic, the kind of beauty that didn¡¯t need effort. She made it look effortless, and yeah, that was equal parts impressive and unfair. On my right, Emily was a mess of tangled blankets and wild blonde hair. She had buried most of her face in the pillow, but what little I could see of her features, the curve of her jaw, her slightly parted lips, and the faint blush on her cheek, was enough. Her arm was slung across my chest, her fingers lightly curled against my skin, and yeah, that was doing things to me. She wasn¡¯t just beautiful; she was Emily, the girl who could unravel me with one look and knew exactly how to keep me on my toes. I carefully slid out of bed, steadying myself as the chill of the metal floor sent a shiver up my spine. Cold floor, new planet. No way to forget where we are. I glanced back at the bed, watching Zoe and Emily, still cocooned in sleep. They were both so damn beautiful, each in their own way. And me? Just the idiot stuck in the middle, trying not to think about how little space there was in this bed. I padded over to the small bathroom, rubbing the sleep from my face. My fingers hovered over the sink controls for a second before turning the water on, watching it stream down the drain in slow, thoughtful spirals. The Peregrine¡¯s water supply was limited. Back in the Solar System, that meant strict rations, maybe six or seven days before we had to resupply. But here? Here, we had options. If the river checked out, if the water was safe, we could replenish the tanks. That meant we weren¡¯t racing against dehydration. We could stay longer, explore more, take our time. I let the water run over my fingers a little longer before finally stepping into the shower. The thankfully hot water chased away the lingering cold, and some of the, uh, tension. By the time I zipped up my uniform, the snug fabric locked me back into focus. Just barely. I met my own eyes in the mirror, blue, tired, but resolute. New Dawn¡¯s waiting. No time to stall. No time to think about Zoe¡¯s legs or Emily¡¯s breasts. Nope. Focus, Luca. Focus. When I stepped back into the cabin, the sight nearly undid me all over again. The blanket had slipped off the bed, revealing a tantalizing sliver of Emily¡¯s hip, pale against the darker tones of the blanket, and far too much of Zoe¡¯s long, smooth legs. The soft rise and fall of their breathing filled the quiet space, and for a moment, I just¡­ stood there. My mind tried to argue with itself. Look away, Rossi. But my feet were rooted in place. Without thinking, I grabbed the blanket and threw it over them again. The weight of it settled over their sleeping forms, and I lingered a moment, taking in the sight of them like an idiot. Just a few more minutes, I thought. They deserve that, at least.
In the cramped kitchenette of the Peregrine, I found the guys already stirring. Early light slanted through the small windows, casting sharp shadows across the metal floor. Ryan and Danny sat at a tiny dinette; their hoodies pulled low, each nursing a steaming cup of coffee. The faint scent of burnt grounds in the air, an aroma that was as close to home as they¡¯d get out here. And it smelled like shit, to be honest. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Ryan glanced up first, his lips quirking into a sly grin. ¡°Morning, Captain. Sleep well with your women?¡± He always had to push it, that guy. I smirked, grabbing a packet of oatmeal from the counter. ¡°Like a baby,¡± I replied, tearing it open and pouring the dry contents into a mug. Memories of being wedged between Zoe and Emily flickered briefly in my mind. It had been less glamorous than Ryan¡¯s tone suggested, and a hell of a lot more crowded, but I wasn¡¯t about to explain myself. Or the fact that I¡¯d woken up with a raging hard-on, thanks to the two of them. Danny snorted, leaning back precariously in his chair, legs kicked up on the table. ¡°Right. A baby,¡± he echoed, his grin broadening. ¡°Must¡¯ve been so rough keeping the two of them warm all night. We were over here, freezing our asses off in the bunks, while you had your pick of prime company.¡± He wasn''t wrong about the two of them. Those two were fire. I poured boiling water into my mug, watching the oatmeal puff up and swirl. ¡°Yeah, real cozy,¡± I said dryly. ¡°You try sleeping between those two. Zoe kicks like a mule, and Emily¡­¡± I paused, catching myself. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I got about two inches of mattress to myself.¡± And about zero inches of personal space. Plus, Zoe¡¯s legs kept pressing against me all night. It was torture. Ryan barked a laugh, nearly spilling his coffee. ¡°Uh-huh. Sure. And what¡¯s your excuse for that stupid grin you¡¯ve been wearing since you walked in here?¡± I shrugged, stirring the oatmeal with deliberate nonchalance. ¡°What can I say? Some of us are just morning people.¡± Danny rolled his eyes, though the teasing light in them hadn¡¯t dimmed. ¡°Right, because that¡¯s why you¡¯re blushing like a schoolboy.¡± I shot him a look but couldn¡¯t keep a grin from tugging at my lips. ¡°You¡¯re just mad it wasn¡¯t you stuck in the middle.¡± I mean, they were jealous, the dorks. But I couldn''t blame them. Ryan leaned back, crossing his arms with a mock-serious expression. ¡°That¡¯s true. I wouldn¡¯t mind being the meat in that sandwich.¡± He was probably serious. I snorted into my coffee. ¡°Keep dreaming, Romeo.¡± The laughter faded, and a quiet settled over us, the usual morning banter replaced by a more serious undertone. Time to act like a big boy and assign chores. We had a planet to survey, after all. That was the mission, and that was how we got paid.
"Alright, here¡¯s the plan for today," I said, my voice echoing in the tight space, drawing all eyes to me. Zoe and Emily shuffled in from the room, still shaking off sleep but alert, while Joey and Chris appeared from the storage area in the back, their expressions turning serious as they gathered around. They were all looking at me, waiting for instructions. Like I actually knew what I was doing. I turned to the holographic map of New Dawn, projected on the wall, the planet¡¯s terrain flickering in shades of red and purple. It looked pretty, but I had no idea what any of it actually meant. "First priority is water." I pointed to the nearest river source, already mapped from our descent. "Ryan, Danny, and Zoe, you¡¯re on water analysis. Test for potability, microbial life, heavy metals, basically, figure out if we can drink this stuff and refill our tanks without growing a third arm." I paired Zoe with those two nerds because, honestly, it was the safest option. And maybe the most strategic. Zoe was still on the prowl, according to Emily. After weeks of trying, she hadn¡¯t landed either of them. It was like watching a cat toy with two mice that didn¡¯t know whether to run or give in. Maybe it was my job to nudge things along. Who else was going to do it? If I paired them up and gave them some time alone, maybe they¡¯d stop skirting around whatever weird tension they had. And yeah, part of me thought Zoe needed a win. At least it kept her from setting her sights on Chris. Or me. Definitely me. I moved on. "Emily, Joey, you¡¯re on core sampling." I pointed to a marked rock formation, something exposed and jagged, maybe some kind of weathered sediment deposit. "Check for mineral composition, trace metals, anything interesting." If we were lucky, we¡¯d find something valuable. If not, well, at least they¡¯d look professional chipping away at rocks. I paired them together, hoping Joey was ''safe'' enough. He seemed more into Chris these days, anyway. Chris turned toward me, waiting for his assignment. I smirked. "You and I are doing a microbial life assessment. We need a baseline on the ecosystem before we can even think about a long-term outpost." Which was a fancy way of saying: poke at plants, scoop some dirt, and try not to catch alien parasites. Chris arched a brow, arms crossed. "And by ''we,'' you mean me, right?" I grinned. "Obviously. I¡¯ll be supervising." "Naturally,¡± Chris replied. With a final glance at the map, I waved them off. "Gear up. We¡¯re heading out in ten." Ten minutes. Enough time to chug the rest of this god-awful coffee that Ryan made. Seriously, I was going to forbid him from making coffee ever again. Before they scattered to gear up, I glanced toward the weapon rack near the Peregrine¡¯s storage compartment. We hadn¡¯t seen anything hostile yet, just skittish fauna and an unsettling silence. But that didn¡¯t mean it would stay that way. ¡°Grab a sidearm,¡± I said, keeping it casual. ¡°Just in case.¡± Emily was already ahead of me, reaching for her energy blaster. She strapped it to her thigh, the sleek weapon clipping snugly against the curve of her leg. I was staring before I realized I was staring. She noticed. Smirked. Yeah, she definitely did that on purpose. I cleared my throat, looking away like it didn¡¯t affect me. Ryan slung his scatter rifle over one shoulder, lightweight but packing enough punch if something decided we looked tasty. Chris grabbed his sidearm, giving it a quick check before sliding it into his belt holster. And me? I grabbed my blaster, securing it to the magnetic lock on my hip.
Before they all scattered, I wandered over to where Ryan was hunched over the Peregrine¡¯s main console, deploying our local antenna. Chris stood beside him, watching the screen. I leaned over Ryan¡¯s shoulder, watching as he flicked a switch, sending a soft hum through the vehicle. Power cycling. Outside, the Peregrine¡¯s antenna extended, unfolding like a mechanical limb as it activated. ¡°Alright,¡± Ryan murmured, adjusting the controls. ¡°We should have a 50-mile comms network now.¡± Chris nodded, leaning in slightly. ¡°That¡¯ll cover most of our initial survey zone. Let¡¯s see if we pick up anything weird.¡± With another flick of a switch, a green connected light lit up, showing the system linking up with the geostationary survey satellite overhead. The display flared to life, the map expanding, stretching across hundreds of miles in sharp detail. This was the moment. If there were any portal signatures out there, we¡¯d see them now. Ryan fine-tuned the filters, dialing in for energy distortions, unstable rifts¡ªany of the telltale signals of a portal. We all watched the screen. Waited. Then... a blip. Just for a second. A flicker of something. ¡°Hold up.¡± I leaned in closer. ¡°What was that?¡± Ryan¡¯s fingers moved quickly over the controls, refining the scan. The blip disappeared. He adjusted the sensitivity, scanned again. Nothing. He sighed. ¡°Just an anomaly. Signal interference, maybe something from the satellite relay.¡± I frowned. ¡°You sure?¡± Chris glanced at him. ¡°If it was a portal, we would¡¯ve seen it again.¡± Ryan rolled his shoulders back, dismissing it. ¡°It didn¡¯t match a portal signature. Just some weird noise.¡± We all stared at the screen for a few more seconds. The readout ran another pass. Still nothing. Ryan exhaled, his shoulders slumping. ¡°No signatures. Nothing at all.¡± Chris sighed, rubbing a hand over his jaw. ¡°I don¡¯t get it. Even on Earth¡¯s dead zones, there¡¯s at least some ambient System interference. Here? It¡¯s like the whole planet¡¯s clean.¡± I frowned, staring at the screen as if I could will it to show something. Anything. I felt like slapping the damn thing to see if that would make it do something. We didn¡¯t come all this way to find nothing. Alpha Centauri was supposed to be the key to breaking past the level cap. If there were no portals, no System interference at all¡­ I pushed off the console, forcing a grin. ¡°Alright. First sweep doesn¡¯t show anything. But that just means we¡¯re not looking in the right places yet.¡± Ryan gave a half-hearted chuckle. ¡°Sure, Cap. Whatever you say.¡± Chris didn¡¯t even try to hide his doubt. Yeah. I felt it too.
I lingered by the counter, letting the last sip of coffee burn its way down. I stared at the map, tracing our route in my mind. Today wasn¡¯t just another mission, it was the beginning of something much bigger, a step into the unknown. And hopefully, a step towards a big payday. They stowed their wrappers and double-checked their gear, the excitement in the Peregrine palpable. It was clear they were itching to get out there, to see this new world with their own eyes, to feel the unfiltered air, to experience something completely unknown. I couldn''t blame them. I was feeling it too. I made my way over to Emily at the counter. She was adjusting the straps on her gear, her bright green eyes alive with excitement. ¡°Ready?¡± I asked. She glanced up at me, her lips curving into a confident smile. ¡°More than ready,¡± she said, her tone brimming with enthusiasm. She always had this way of making me feel like we could actually do this, like we weren''t just a bunch of idiots playing astronaut. That¡¯s what I need, I thought, nodding as I clapped my hands together, the sharp sound pulling all eyes to me. ¡°Alright, team. Grab your gear. Let¡¯s get out there and see what this place has to offer.¡± My tone lifted, carrying a hint of excitement. ¡°Big payday ahead if we prove this world¡¯s worth colonizing, so let¡¯s make it count.¡± And maybe, just maybe, we''d find some time for a little privacy along the way. A guy could dream, right? Chapter 41 - Exploring Outside the Peregrine, the crew stepped onto the alien terrain, boots crunching softly on the dew-covered ground. The warmth of the reddish sun filtered through wispy clouds, casting elongated shadows that danced on the shimmering hues of the earth, deep purples bleeding into vibrant blues. The horizon stretched endlessly, a surreal invitation into the unknown. It was like stepping into a goddamn painting. A really, really, pretty painting. ¡°Set up time," I called out, because, you know, captain and all. But the words felt weird coming out of my mouth. I glanced at the others, and I could see it on their faces too, that same mix of "holy shit" and "what the fuck are we doing here?" They were all staring, probably feeling the same thing I was. We started unloading gear. The science tent went up right next to the large imposing vehicle, shimmering in the light of the pink sun above, like some kind of alien beacon. I moved to help with the stakes, fumbling with the damp straps because my hands were a little shaky. The air smelled metallic, mixed with the scent of crushed alien grass, and it was kind of intoxicating. Zoe and Ryan walked past, their usual banter a little quieter than normal. Danny followed, carrying a bunch of gear that jingled with each step. For a second, I envied how easily they could just¡­ be. I was always too busy worrying about the next fuck-up to just relax. Emily appeared beside me, nudging my arm. ¡°Bossy much?¡± she asked, her voice light but with that edge she always had. I glanced at her, trying not to grin like an idiot. ¡°Someone¡¯s gotta keep this circus in line,¡± I retorted. But her eyes, damn, they always got to me. ¡°Let everyone breathe, Cap,¡± she said, her voice softer now. ¡°We just set foot on this planet. Let them have a second.¡± I hesitated, looking at the crew again. Chris was already setting up the microbial kit, muttering to Joey. Zoe was pointing at the distant water, talking to Danny. They weren''t slacking, they were just¡­ taking it in. And for a moment, I felt like a total asshole. Like I was the only one who couldn''t just chill the fuck out for once. I was too busy worrying about schedules and logistics to enjoy the fact that we''d actually made it. ¡°Fine,¡± I said, the word feeling heavy as it left my mouth. ¡°Let¡¯s give an hour. Walk, stretch, do whatever. After that, we start the real work.¡± Emily¡¯s grin widened, her green eyes flashing. ¡°See? That wasn¡¯t so hard.¡± She turned, her voice rising. ¡°You heard the captain! We¡¯ve got an hour of freedom. Don¡¯t waste it!¡± The crew¡¯s mood lifted instantly, like a weight had been lifted off their shoulders. Zoe and Ryan wandered off towards some weird, red plants, looking curious. Danny stretched his arms wide, like he was trying to shake off the weeks spent cooped up in the ship. And finally, finally, I let myself look past them to the landscape stretching out before us. Towering rock formations jutted out of the ground like frozen waves, their surfaces glinting in the pale light. The distant water shimmered under a sky that was the wrong shade of blue, hazy clouds casting strange shadows across the land. My fingers twitched at my sides. I wanted to see it all. To climb those rocks, to feel the alien soil beneath my hands, to figure out how this world worked, what secrets it held. I turned to Emily, my pulse kicking up for a completely different reason now. ¡°Come on,¡± I said, already moving. She grabbed my arm, stopping me just long enough to pull me into a kiss, quick, warm, and full of adrenaline, like we were stealing something just for us before the world pulled us back in. When she pulled away, she grinned. ¡°Now we go.¡± Laughing, we took off together, sprinting across the alien terrain, the thrill of discovery and the weightlessness of the moment making us feel unstoppable.
Zoe, Ryan, and Danny unloaded equipment boxes onto the rocky ground, the heat of Proxima Centauri b wrapping around them like a muggy blanket. Zoe maneuvered a bulky water sensor, her almond skin gleaming with sweat under the alien sun. Ryan followed, carefully extracting delicate filtration tools from their protective casing. Danny, not one to be outdone, wrestled with a heavy crate of vials, his muscles straining as he lugged it over to the setup area. As Ryan knelt to calibrate the sensors, Zoe shot him a teasing glance. ¡°Having trouble there, space cowboy?¡± she quipped, her eyes glinting with mischief. Ryan rolled his eyes but couldn¡¯t help the smirk that tugged at his lips. ¡°Very funny, Woods,¡± he muttered, struggling to twist open the sensor¡¯s control panel. Suddenly, Ryan stumbled forward as a boot nudged the back of his legs, sending him sprawling into the red dirt. Danny burst out laughing, his eyes gleaming with mischief. ¡°Whoops, clumsy me,¡± he said, barely containing his grin. Ryan brushed himself off, glaring. ¡°Fuck off, Danny.¡± Without missing a beat, he shoved Danny hard enough to make him stagger back a step. ¡°Alright, you two, knock it off,¡± Zoe cut in, shaking her head. ¡°We just got here. Try not to break each other before the planet even gets a chance.¡± Danny smirked but didn¡¯t push it further, and Ryan muttered something under his breath as he dusted off his pants. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.
The leaves rustled, all purple and blue, shimmering like some kind of alien disco in the filtered sunlight. It was pretty, in a weird way, but it also reminded me of the woods back in New Hampshire, back on Earth. That was a punch to the gut I didn''t need. I shook my head, trying to clear the image. No time for that sentimental bullshit. I scanned the camp. The crew was busy, doing their thing. Machinery hummed, boots crunched on those weird-ass, pulsing plants, and some alien birds chirped in the distance. It was a whole symphony of weirdness. Down by the stream, Ryan and Zoe were huddled over that water sensor thingy. Zoe¡¯s laugh cut through the air. Whatever she said, it cracked that permanent serious look on Ryan¡¯s face, making him smile. Good for them. Maybe Ryan would finally grow a pair and make a move. Up the hill, Emily and Joey were wrestling with the core drill, Emily cussing up a storm, like usual. They¡¯d manage. Emily could be a real pain in the ass, but she got shit done. And Joey, for all his worrying, was solid. I turned back to our makeshift lab, all solar panels and shiny fabric. It looked cool, but those panels weren¡¯t pulling their weight. The red dwarf sun wasn¡¯t cutting it, and our F-Type Battery was doing most of the work. Not good. We needed a better power solution, and fast. I made a mental note to yell at someone about that later. Probably Ryan. A rhythmic beep pulled me out of my thoughts. Chris was hunched over the microbial test kit, looking all focused and serious. I stepped closer, about to say something, when he looked up, his dark eyes intense. ¡°Hey, you gonna help, or just keep babysitting everyone?¡± he asked. He gestured at the equipment, his focus split between setting up and monitoring the readouts. I glanced at him, a little surprised, but not really. ¡°Just making sure things are running smoothly,¡± I said, trying to sound casual. ¡°Yeah, and they are,¡± Chris said, nodding toward the crew. ¡°But they¡¯ve got their jobs, and we¡¯ve got ours. I need you here, not running around like a watchdog.¡± He gestured to the setup in front of us. ¡°This survey¡¯s about more than just pretty pictures. If we¡¯re going to identify biomes, we need to focus and get as much data as we can while we¡¯ve got the window.¡± He was right. I was being a control freak, hovering around like I didn''t trust them to do their jobs. And the truth was, they knew what they were doing. They''d been preparing for this mission since we started this damn voyage. Me? Not so much. I hated studying back in school, and I sure as hell hadn''t done my homework for this mission either. I was winging it, as usual, but they weren''t. They were pros. I was the one who needed to get his shit together. And the colors of this planet? They were cool, I had to admit. I sort of wanted to study art, back in the day, before the System arrived and fucked everything up. But that was a lifetime ago. No time for that now. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do this,¡± I said, trying to sound like I hadn''t just been mentally slapped. Chris picked up a handheld analyzer, all sleek and shiny, handling it like it was some kind of delicate flower. ¡°The goal here is to catalog as much variation as we can, different areas, different conditions. Air, soil, plant life, anything we can find that shows how this planet¡¯s ecosystems work," he explained, his voice all low and serious. Mr. Universe was turning into Mr. Science. "The more unique biomes we can identify, the better we¡¯ll understand the interplay between microbial life, larger flora and fauna, and the overall environment.¡± He inserted a glass slide into the device, snapping it into place with a flick of his wrist. The analyzer hummed, its screen lighting up with squiggly lines. ¡°We¡¯ll start with spectroscopic analysis. It¡¯s a quick way to flag interesting organic compounds. If we find something that looks promising, we can dive deeper with cellular-level scans.¡± He was really into this shit, tapping the screen, isolating some peaks on the graph. ¡°See this?¡± He pointed at a cluster of blips, his finger tracing the pattern. ¡°That could be a complex protein. If it is, it might mean we¡¯re looking at a significant biological process, something that¡¯s helping shape the biome here.¡± I leaned in. ¡°Alright, so what¡¯s next?¡± ¡°Culture tests,¡± Chris said, pulling out a sterile swab. ¡°We¡¯ll take soil samples, introduce them to a growth medium, and monitor for bacterial colonies. If something starts growing, that¡¯ll tell us there¡¯s active microbial life, and it might give us clues about how it interacts with the environment.¡± I slipped on a pair of gloves and crouched beside him. We started scraping dirt into little tubes, like a couple of kids making mud pies. But, you know, science mud pies. Our job was to gather enough data so that the scientists back on Earth, the real experts, could figure out how this planet worked. We weren¡¯t here to answer questions; we were here to make sure the right people could ask the right questions. We had to make sure we were taking the samples the right way, cataloging the collection methods, and keeping everything labeled. Each sample meant something: a piece of the ecosystem, a clue to how life here functioned, a variable in the grand equation that would determine if this planet was viable for long-term settlement. That was the mission. Collect. Record. Send it home. ¡°What about the air?¡± I asked, looking up at the misty air around us. It felt fine, but who knew what kind of alien crap was floating around in it. Chris handed me this metal tube thing with a mesh on the end. ¡°Air sampler. Open it up and let it draw in a few liters. We¡¯ll check for particulates and see if any match known microbial structures.¡± I clicked it on, and it made this soft whooshing sound as it sucked in air. Fancy. I couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how much tech we had packed into this little thing ¨C it made the process feel both routine and extraordinary, but also, like, we were playing with toys. ¡°Why the push to identify biomes?¡± I asked, because I honestly had no idea. ¡°We¡¯re only here for a short survey.¡± Chris looked at me like I was an idiot. I really should have studied up the briefings. ¡°It¡¯s not just about finding life, it¡¯s about understanding how it works. Each biome tells a story about how this planet functions, how resources are distributed, and how life here might interact with us. If we can map the key biomes, we can prioritize areas for future study, or even settlement.¡± Okay, that made sense. I guess. ¡°We¡¯ve got something,¡± I said. ¡°See? All you needed to do was focus,¡± he said. ¡°Now let¡¯s make sure we¡¯re not about to discover something that¡¯ll wipe us out.¡± I grinned, but I was also thinking, ¡°Or something we can use.¡± I looked out at the alien landscape, the weird-colored plants swaying in the breeze. ¡°This planet could be a goldmine if we figure out how it works.¡± Chris nodded, getting all serious again. ¡°Well, we¡¯re not going to figure it out just by standing around. Let¡¯s get these samples back to the lab and start testing. We¡¯ve got a whole world¡¯s worth of secrets to uncover.¡± So, we gathered our shit, packing up the samples like they were made of gold. The rest of the crew was still busy doing their thing, but I felt this new sense of purpose. Like maybe we were actually doing something important. And maybe, just maybe, Chris was more than just a pretty face and a whole lot of muscle. He was¡­ interesting. And I was starting to think this mission might not be so boring after all. Chapter 42 - Zoes Phenomenon Ryan crouched by the stream, adjusting the water sensor as it hummed softly, its small screen flickering with readouts. The stream¡¯s clear, steady flow rippled over stones worn smooth, reflecting faint, reddish hues from the filtered light overhead. Proxima Centauri¡¯s sun, muted by the thick canopy, cast the water in dark, coppery tones. Zoe stood beside him, her almond skin gleaming with sweat, it was hot and humid. Summer, Danny had explained. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like it,¡± Ryan murmured, stirring the water gently with his gloved hand. It shifted, rippling outwards, but something about the movement caught his attention. Zoe¡¯s eyes followed the ripples, a thoughtful crease forming between her brows. ¡°It¡¯s weird, right?¡± she said, her voice low. ¡°The flow... it¡¯s like it¡¯s responding to something.¡± She looked at Ryan. ¡°You think there¡¯s something biological going on here?¡± ¡°Could be,¡± Ryan said, noncommittal. He pulled out the portable spectrometer, positioning it over the stream. ¡°Let¡¯s see what this thing has to say.¡± As the device began scanning, Danny strolled up, wiping the back of his neck with a rag. His red curls clung to his forehead, darkened with sweat. ¡°So, what are we looking at?¡± he asked, leaning over Ryan¡¯s shoulder. Zoe pointed to a spot where the water seemed to be swirling, creating a small, tight vortex. ¡°There. It¡¯s been doing that on and off. Doesn¡¯t feel natural.¡± Danny peered at it, his black eyes narrowing as he processed what he was seeing. ¡°Interesting...¡± He grinned, glancing at Zoe. ¡°You know, it¡¯s almost like it¡¯s reacting to you.¡± Zoe blinked, caught off guard. ¡°What? How?¡± Ryan, catching on, smirked. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s drawn to your charm, Zoe. You¡¯re making the water dance.¡± Danny nodded, putting on a mock-serious expression. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s definitely a Zoe-specific phenomenon. We should probably document this, ¡®The Woods Effect.¡¯¡± Zoe¡¯s eyes narrowed suspiciously, darting between the two of them. ¡°You¡¯re messing with me, aren¡¯t you?¡± Ryan struggled to keep a straight face. ¡°No, no, seriously. Stand right there.¡± He pointed at the spot she¡¯d been in before. ¡°Now, move a little to the left.¡± She stepped aside, and the swirling slowed. She moved back, and the vortex picked up again. Her mouth dropped open slightly. ¡°Wait, is it really?¡± Danny couldn¡¯t hold it in any longer and burst out laughing. ¡°Oh man, you should¡¯ve seen your face!¡± Zoe¡¯s eyes flashed as she realized she¡¯d been had. She punched Danny¡¯s arm hard enough to make him wince. ¡°You guys are jerks.¡± Ryan chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Alright, alright, sorry. We couldn¡¯t resist.¡± ¡°But seriously,¡± Danny said, more sober now, ¡°it is reacting to something. Not you, but maybe the trace elements in your suit or even the equipment you¡¯re carrying.¡± He pointed to the spectrometer, which had finished its scan. ¡°Let¡¯s see what we¡¯ve got.¡± Ryan angled the screen so they could all see. ¡°Looks like there¡¯s a high concentration of iron and a few other metals dissolved in the water. But there¡¯s also... something else. This spike here,¡± he said, tapping the display, ¡°it¡¯s showing traces of organic compounds. Could be microbial.¡± Danny¡¯s eyes lit up, and he snapped back into scientist mode. ¡°Alright, now we¡¯re getting somewhere. Those organic compounds mean we¡¯ve got native microbial life. We need to collect a sample, run a culture test, see how it behaves in isolation.¡± Ryan reached into the equipment case, pulling out a set of sterile vials and a long, thin pipette. He handed them to Danny. ¡°Here, you do the honors, Science Officer.¡± Danny dipped the pipette into the swirling water, drawing up a small sample and transferring it carefully into the vial. He sealed it, then shook it gently, watching the liquid inside. ¡°It¡¯s faint, but see how it glows?¡± he pointed out. Under the dim light, a faint, eerie green pulsed and faded. Zoe¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Is that... bioluminescence?¡± ¡°Looks like it,¡± Danny said, holding the vial up. ¡°Probably a byproduct of whatever microbial process is going on. We¡¯ve seen stuff like this on Earth, but the exact wavelength is different.¡± He looked at Ryan. ¡°We need to get this back to the mobile lab. If these microbes are producing light, it could mean they¡¯re using some kind of photonic or chemical energy.¡± Ryan nodded. ¡°Maybe they¡¯re adapted to the low light levels under the red dwarf. It could be a way to photosynthesize or communicate. Either way, it¡¯s definitely worth checking out.¡± Zoe crossed her arms, her earlier irritation forgotten. ¡°So, what you¡¯re saying is, there might actually be something here reacting to us?¡± Danny nodded. ¡°Or at least to the environment we¡¯re creating around us. It¡¯s possible the vibrations, the electromagnetic fields from our equipment, or even just the heat from our bodies are affecting the water. The real question is what that tells us about this ecosystem.¡± Zoe smirked, jabbing Danny¡¯s shoulder again, this time lighter. ¡°Alright, you¡¯re off the hook, for now. But I¡¯m not falling for any more of your tricks.¡± Danny raised his hands in mock surrender. ¡°Scout¡¯s honor. But hey, at least we got you to pay attention to the science.¡± ¡°Shut up,¡± she said, but there was a grin on her face. ¡°Let¡¯s get this back to camp. Luca¡¯s gonna want to hear about this.¡± This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Joey adjusted the core sampling drill, tightening the clamps around the rocky ground to keep it stable. The loud mechanical screech of the drill filled the air, grinding into the strange, untouched world. He glanced up at the towering, purple-hued trees, their leaves shimmering like metallic scales under the muted red light. He tapped his comms, connecting to the base. ¡°Luca, you reading this?¡± His voice crackled through the channel, clear but tinged with concentration. ¡°Make sure the drill data¡¯s coming through. We need those core readings logged as we go.¡± I glanced at the Peregrine¡¯s monitor, watching as the data streamed in real-time. Density readings, mineral composition, and preliminary fluid detection scans flickered across the screen. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m getting it,¡± I replied. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re hitting mixed mineral deposits, some rare metals in there. Could be worth something.¡± Joey grinned, feeling a flicker of satisfaction. ¡°That¡¯s what I like to hear. Keep an eye on it. I don¡¯t want to lose any of this data if the connection drops.¡± ¡°Relax, Joey,¡± I replied. ¡°It¡¯s solid. Just keep that drill steady and try not to break anything.¡± We had one drill, some spare bits up in the ship, but just the one machine. No need to burn it out. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m the careful one,¡± Joey shot back, adjusting the controls as the drill dug deeper. ¡°You focus on keeping things running back there.¡± ¡°Copy that. Keep me updated. This looks promising.¡± Nearby, Joey and Emily crouched beside the drill, carefully packing soil samples into sterile containers. ¡°We¡¯ll bag the core samples for full analysis later,¡± Emily said, sealing another vial. ¡°But I¡¯ll run a quick scan, it might give us an idea of the deeper composition.¡± She pulled out a handheld scanner, passing it over the freshly unearthed core. The device beeped, displaying a breakdown of elemental signatures. Joey nodded. ¡°If we¡¯re lucky, we might find something valuable, or at least get a clearer picture of how this planet¡¯s crust formed.¡± The drill hummed, extracting a dense core of layered rock and soil. Joey tilted his head, inspecting the distinct bands of color that hinted at the planet¡¯s geological history. ¡°You¡¯re doing good work, Em,¡± Joey said, his tone softer, more mentoring. ¡°Just remember, it¡¯s not about rushing to find the big discovery. It¡¯s about gathering all the pieces, letting the data speak. Our job is to make sure the smart folks back home have everything they need to put the puzzle together.¡± Emily looked up, a bit of soil smudged on her cheek. ¡°I know, but it¡¯s hard not to get excited. Every time we hit a new layer, it¡¯s like unwrapping a gift.¡± Joey chuckled, nodding as he glanced at the core sample in his hand. ¡°I get it. But don¡¯t forget, if we screw up the data collection, all those gifts go to waste. Slow and steady, alright?¡± Emily smiled. ¡°Yeah, I get it. I¡¯ll be careful.¡± Joey tapped a few buttons on the drill¡¯s console, activating the next sequence. The machine whirred to life, boring deeper into the alien soil. ¡°Emily, keep an eye on the fluid reservoir,¡± he said, glancing at her. ¡°We¡¯re looking for any underground water or liquids. I¡¯ll monitor the seismic feedback for any signs of tectonic activity.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Emily replied, crouching near the equipment, her hands steady as she worked with the samples. The faint vibration of the drill echoed through the ground as she checked the display, her expression calm and focused. Joey studied the readout as it updated. ¡°Hmm. Low-level tremors, seems like inactive plate movement. That¡¯s good news for stability.¡± ¡°Stable ground makes for a safer outpost,¡± Emily said, not looking up from her task. ¡°We¡¯ll confirm with additional data, but so far, this spot checks out.¡±
The sun dipped below the horizon, throwing long, coppery shadows across the alien landscape. The air turned crisp, the kind of sharp cold that sneaks up on you after a long day. Even the weird pulsing plants seemed to dim their glow, like the whole world was winding down for the night. Above us, the planet¡¯s rings stretched across the sky, faint but undeniable, with two moons hanging like silent sentinels. Yeah, that was a sight. I took a slow sip of lukewarm, bitter coffee, leaning back against a crate, watching the crew settle in. The exhaustion hanging over everyone wasn¡¯t the bad kind, it was the earned kind. The kind that came from a damn solid day¡¯s work. Over by the Peregrine, Joey crouched next to the portable transmitter, his datapad casting a faint glow in the growing darkness. A neat row of core samples sat beside him, each one sealed, labeled, and double-checked. He tapped at the screen, triggering the upload command. The transmitter hummed, its antenna extending skyward, data shooting up to the Triumph, still hanging in orbit. I glanced at the progress bars filling up on his screen, mineral compositions, soil analysis, radiation readings, everything we¡¯d gathered was being logged and stored. A digital footprint of our first real day on this world. Joey didn¡¯t move, watching the screen like a hawk, waiting for errors that wouldn¡¯t come. There was no interference of any kind, clean air, no radio signals, and our transmitter? Rock solid. When the final confirmation blinked green, he exhaled, leaning back on his heels. Data secured. Mission accomplished. Emily and Danny had finally finished packing the last of the soil samples, and Danny muttered something about falling asleep standing up. ¡°Not my fault you work slow,¡± Emily quipped back, stuffing the last container into the secured case. Danny groaned, running a hand through his hair. ¡°I¡¯m gonna start labeling these with insults if I have to keep doing this shit.¡± I smirked, taking another sip of coffee. ¡°You do that, and I¡¯ll make sure every scientist back on Earth sees your tired-ass handwriting.¡± Danny grumbled, but the tension was light. The day was over, the work was done, and for the first time since we landed, I felt like we were actually making progress.
Zoe and Ryan were still by the stream, packing up their gear, her sarcastic voice carrying over the crackling fire. Something about drinking alien water. Ryan laughed, easy, natural, like they weren¡¯t circling each other like a couple of dumbasses. Maybe they didn¡¯t notice it. Or maybe they did. Either way, it wasn¡¯t my business. The firelight bounced off the strange purple plants, their glow dimming as the alien night settled in. Around me, the crew was unwinding, Joey making sure everyone had food and coffee, Chris already halfway through his MRE, Danny looking like he was about to fall asleep standing up. But I wasn¡¯t watching them. I was watching Emily, the firelight catching in her green eyes as she sat cross-legged on a blanket, looking like she belonged here more than any of us. This was the part of the day I looked forward to the most, the quiet, the crew together, no tech malfunctions, no one yelling, no surprises. And yet, my mind kept drifting. I wanted to grab Emily¡¯s hand and disappear into the dark, find somewhere we could forget about the mission, the crew, everything, for just a little while. Ryan¡¯s voice cut through the quiet, dragging me back. ¡°And no portals.¡± He was smirking, the bastard. ¡°Not a single one. Kinda makes you wonder, doesn¡¯t it?¡± I shot him a look. ¡°Ryan. Don¡¯t.¡± Zoe lobbed a twig at his head. ¡°Shut it.¡± But I could tell it was on everyone¡¯s mind. No System interference. No threats. Just us, an entire alien planet, and... peace. Danny leaned forward, poking at the fire. ¡°Still weird, though. Feels almost normal.¡± Zoe shrugged, eyes on the sky. ¡°Almost.¡± I let my gaze wander past the flames, toward the dark horizon, where nothing lurked. No portals. No mobs. Nothing. It should¡¯ve been a relief. But it wasn¡¯t. Emily leaned into my side. ¡°It¡¯s kind of romantic, isn¡¯t it?¡± she murmured. I looked down at her. ¡°Sure, Em. Romantic.¡± I kissed her, quick and soft, because I wanted to, because I always wanted to. She must¡¯ve felt it too because after a moment, she whispered, ¡°Come take a walk with me.¡± That was all I needed to hear. - - Intermission - - So... I figured I would share some eye candy first, if you care for that stuff... then I''ll share the progression of what it took to get the Peregrine created. Usually, I do heavy Photoshop for my images, but since I have no time and I''m traveling this week, you get some crappy fingers here. I''ll likely fix these at some point. Also, I don''t use Photoshop; I use Affinity Photo, which is on sale two or three times a year, and it''s a perpetual license. No monthly fees. I was just messing around trying to create an ad so we can get the story widely published: So that''s that. Every other picture I generated had too many fingers... And yes, I know... If I have money for ads, I should pay for a real artist. I know. So, I''ll be selling my motorcycle to fund the hobby. I promise, though, once we have some money, I''ll be looking for someone to do our book cover! Unfortunately, our chapter scenes would be prohibitively expensive to recreate manually. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
Below is the progression of what it took to build out the Peregrine, which is, honestly, my favorite vehicle in the story... First iteration: Second iteration (We needed an antenna to communicate!) Third iteration (I didn''t like that the interior space became shorter here - we need room for storage and everything else!!) Fourth iteration (almost there) But wait a minute! We need a vehicle that can withstand high pressure, that''s air tight and can ride around the moon! That''s too much, plus it doesn''t align with our color scheme and what we''re trying to do here, let''s try again: That one is cool, but no windows. One more try! I think that one hits everything we need: a vehicle that''s believable, that can travel to other worlds, has high temperatures, and looks realistically armored.
So, before I bid you a good weekend, here are two more images. The first one I rejected as a potential cover/ad. It''s nice... but not the style we''re going for. And finally, let''s give Zoe some love. She comes up a LOT in the next bunch of chapters. I''m going to mess around with this style of images and see what else we can come up with. Chapter 43 - Contamination Emily was not focused on the task at hand, as she should have been. She darted ahead, stepping over these twisted roots that pulsed faintly, like veins or something. Her laughter echoed through the dense, alien forest, all bright and playful, like she didn''t have a care in the world. I was trying to examine this fern-like plant with tiny, glowing pods, when suddenly she pounced, jabbing her fingers into my sides. I jerked, startled, and dropped the damn fern. ¡°Emily!¡± I scolded, trying to sound serious, but I couldn''t. I could never keep a straight face around her. ¡°Come on, Luca,¡± she teased, leaning in close and batting her eyelashes like some kind of cartoon character. ¡°Lighten up. We¡¯re on an alien planet! Have a little fun.¡± She pinched my cheek, then skipped away, her laughter trailing behind her. ¡°Besides, what¡¯s the point of exploring a new world if you¡¯re just gonna act like an old man?¡± I shook my head, giving her a pout. ¡°I¡¯m not that old.¡± But as I bent to retrieve the fallen plant, I saw it. A small plant with a long, thick stem shooting straight up, ending in this round, bulbous thing on top. I could already hear Emily¡¯s commentary before she even opened her mouth. ¡°Oh wow,¡± she said, appearing beside me, all fake innocence. ¡°What do we have here?¡± She pointed at the plant, barely containing her grin. ¡°Looks like someone¡¯s compensating for something.¡± I rolled my eyes but couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°Very mature, Em.¡± I stole a quick kiss, just a peck. Emily shrugged, poking the plant with a gloved finger. ¡°I call it like I see it.¡± She straightened up, glancing around. ¡°But seriously, this place is wild.¡± ¡°It¡¯s quite suspicious; you think this is a system-designed planet? What are the odds that there¡¯s an Earth-like planet one star system away from Earth? It¡¯s like the system has prepared this for us,¡± I said, finally managing to grab a sample of the fern and store it. I started to crouch down to cut another sample, when Emily suddenly jumped me, tackling me to the ground. ¡°Gotcha!¡± she yelled, straddling me, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. I grunted, I loved Emily, but the ground was rugged and it was a bit painful. ¡°What the hell, Em?¡± I said, trying to sound annoyed. ¡°You were being too serious,¡± she said, leaning down, her lips brushing against mine. ¡°Time for a little fun.¡± And then she kissed me, a deep, passionate kiss that made me forget all about the alien plants, the mission, and the fact that we were probably visible from camp. I was surprised but not exactly complaining. We ended up rolling around in the dirt, kissing and laughing. And then, she started getting handsy. I mean, really handsy. We were hidden by the foliage, but still close enough to the others that we could have been spotted at any moment. But she didn''t care, she loved to torture me. She somehow managed to unzip me enough to pull me out, and then she just¡­ Right there in the dirt, with the red sun shining down through the canopy and the sounds of the others nearby. It was reckless and insane, and probably the hottest thing that''s ever happened to me. She pulled back at the last second, and it shot out, arcing through the air, landing somewhere in the undergrowth. She aimed it away from us, then winked at me like it was no big deal. Like she hadn''t just blown my mind. Then she cleaned me off, kissed me again, and went back to looking at plants like nothing had happened. I was left there, trying to pull myself together, my heart still pounding out of my chest, my brain trying to process what the fuck just happened. Wait a minute, a thought finally surfaced through the haze of pleasure. Did... what¡­ just? My eyes darted to where my juices had landed. A patch of weird, purple moss. Are we even supposed to be doing that? I''d been so careful about contamination, about not disturbing the ecosystem, except, you know, the nightly bonfire. We were supposed to be observers, not participants. What if my bodily fluids fucked up the delicate balance of this place? Could that cause some kind of chain reaction? An ecosystem collapse? Fuck. I''d been so worried about everyone else trashing the place, and here I was, letting Emily make me jizz all over the alien foliage. But another thought quickly followed: It''s just a little bit. Probably won''t do any harm. Right? Besides, it wasn''t like I could exactly go and clean it up now. And Emily was already back to examining plants like nothing had happened. Maybe I was overthinking it. ¡°Emily...¡± I said, grinning up at her, trying to shake off the sudden wave of anxiety. ¡°You can''t do that.¡± Emily grinned back, her eyes sparkling. ¡°Do what?¡± She leaned down and gave me a quick kiss on my forehead. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get back to work, Captain. Before someone sees us.¡± And before I had time to dwell on the potential ecological collapse of our little escapade. I groaned, but I knew she was right. We had a job to do. But as I got to my feet, brushing dirt off my uniform, I couldn''t help but think that maybe, just maybe, this alien planet wasn''t so bad after all. We had finally managed to collect enough samples for the day, thank god. My back was starting to ache from all the crouching, and my patience was wearing thin. As we began to make our way back to camp, Emily, of course, couldn''t resist one last jab. She nudged me, pointing at another one of those damn strangely-shaped plants. ¡°Hey, look at that one,¡± she said, her voice all mock-serious. ¡°I think we¡¯ve found your long-lost twin.¡± This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. I groaned, shaking my head. Of course, it probably looked like another dick. "Ha ha, very funny," I said, trying to sound annoyed. "Come on," I muttered, grabbing her hand and pulling her along. "Let''s get back before it gets dark." We were close enough to camp that someone was bound to see us, and as much as I loved Emily, I wasn''t quite ready for that kind of show. Not yet, at least.
Meanwhile, Zoe, Ryan, and Danny were further out, gearing up for their own task, hunting for fauna to analyze. Zoe adjusted her rifle, checking the tranquilizer darts and making sure the safety was on. ¡°Ready?¡± she asked, a grin spreading across her face. Danny managed a weak smile, his cheeks flushing. ¡°Great. That¡¯s... comforting.¡± "Alright, boys, ready to bag us some alien wildlife?" she asked. That girl lived for this kind of chaos. Ryan, predictably, was eating it up. "Hell yeah," he said, adjusting his rifle strap across his chest. He looked ready for action, his blonde hair sticking to his forehead in damp clumps. The dude practically thrived on adrenaline. "But let¡¯s be honest, if these darts don¡¯t work, we¡¯re going to learn the hard way. You think an alien predator is gonna shrug this off and laugh?" Danny trailed behind them, already looking like he regretted signing up for this. He fumbled with his instruments, his face pinched in that nervous way he got when he was trying to keep cool but failing. "I¡¯m just saying," he started, his voice cracking a little, "what if we¡­ you know¡­ accidentally provoke something? What if the darts don¡¯t work? Or worse, what if it works and we just piss it off before it drops?" Zoe turned on him, walking backward so she could face both guys. Her smirk widened, sharp and confident, her hip cocked just slightly as she rested the butt of the rifle against her shoulder. "Relax, Danny. That¡¯s why I¡¯m here. If anything jumps out at us, I¡¯ll keep you safe. Besides," she added, "aren¡¯t you curious to see what¡¯s out there?" Danny¡¯s cheeks flushed instantly, his eyes darting to Ryan for support. But Ryan wasn¡¯t paying attention. He was scanning the horizon, rifle in hand, a grin creeping across his face as though he couldn¡¯t wait for something to jump out at them. "Don¡¯t worry, Danny," Ryan said, clapping him on the back hard enough to make him stumble. "Zoe¡¯s got your back. And hey, maybe whatever we find will be more scared of us than we are of it." "Or maybe it¡¯ll decide we¡¯re the perfect snack," Danny muttered under his breath, his grip tightening on the tranquilizer gun. He wasn¡¯t used to this, no armor, no war hammer, just this silly tranquilizer gun, but he¡¯d try anyway. Probably because Zoe was watching. The group pressed on, the thick foliage swallowing the light behind them. Zoe slowed, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the shadows. "Hear that?" she whispered, holding up a hand. The air felt heavier suddenly, like something was watching them. Ryan leaned in, his voice low. "What is it?" Zoe grinned, her confidence somehow irritating and impressive at the same time. "Not sure yet. Could be our lucky break. Or it could be something with claws. You ready, Ryan? Danny?" Danny swallowed hard, gripping his gun like it was the only thing keeping him alive. "Define ready." Zoe¡¯s laugh was low and teasing. "Stick with me, and you¡¯ll be fine." The sound came again, a rustling from the dense underbrush, followed by an unsettling, clicking noise. Ryan tightened his grip on his rifle. "Okay, that doesn¡¯t sound like anything I want to meet." "Relax, Ryan," Zoe said, her tone deliberately calm as she adjusted her stance, aiming the tranquilizer rifle toward the noise. "It¡¯s probably just a herbivore." "And if it¡¯s not?" Danny asked, his voice strained. "Then we¡¯ll find out together," she said, casting a sideways glance at him. "Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll protect you." Danny¡¯s face turned an even deeper shade of red, but he didn¡¯t argue. Ryan, on the other hand, just chuckled. "You¡¯re loving this, aren¡¯t you?" Zoe didn¡¯t answer immediately. She shifted closer to Danny, her shoulder brushing his as she moved into position. "Maybe I am," she admitted. "Let¡¯s see what¡¯s out there, boys." The jungle grew darker, the noises more alien, the shadows longer. And yeah, I wasn¡¯t there, but I could imagine the look on Danny¡¯s face, half terrified, half thrilled, as Zoe¡¯s laughter echoed softly through the trees. That girl always knew how to keep things interesting. The question was, for how long? In a regular delve, these three were the perfect team-mates, each in their own element. But in the jungle, exposed and without their armor and internal comms? They were acting like children. Maybe they should have worn their armored suits.
A flicker of movement caught Zoe¡¯s eye. She raised a hand, signaling the others to freeze. ¡°Shh,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible. They stopped in their tracks, and the forest seemed to hold its breath. The bushes ahead rustled, and suddenly, a creature exploded from the shadows. Sleek and covered in dark, iridescent scales, it moved skittered forward, its long tail whipping behind it. A ridge of spines shimmered like molten metal under the red light. It hissed, a low, menacing sound, needle-like fangs flashing before it bolted, disappearing as quickly as it had come. Zoe lowered her rifle and let out a laugh that was half exhilaration, half triumph. ¡°Did you see that? Holy shit, that was incredible!¡± She turned to Ryan and Danny, her dark eyes alight with energy. ¡°We have to track it. That thing¡¯s worth every dart in the chamber.¡± Ryan clapped her on the shoulder. ¡°Relax, Woods. You¡¯ll scare the next one off with all that excitement.¡± His grin was easy, but his knuckles were white on his rifle grip. Danny, though, hadn¡¯t moved an inch. His wide-eyed stare was locked on the bushes where the creature had vanished. ¡°Did you see its scales?¡± he whispered, almost reverent. ¡°The way they caught the light? That¡¯s got to be an adaptation to the red dwarf. I mean, we¡¯ve never¡­¡± ¡°Danny.¡± Zoe¡¯s voice cut through his rambling. ¡°You¡¯re adorable when you nerd out, but let¡¯s keep moving before our shiny friend gets too far ahead.¡± Danny¡¯s face turned a brilliant shade of red, and he stammered something unintelligible before Ryan barked out a laugh. ¡°Come on, Doc,¡± Ryan teased. ¡°Let¡¯s see if we can track it. And try not to trip over your own feet.¡± Zoe smirked as she brushed past Danny, her hand holding his for a moment. ¡°You¡¯re doing great, Danny. Really. Just stick close to me, okay? You know, in case something big decides it doesn¡¯t like how cute you are.¡± Danny froze, his brain clearly short-circuiting, and Ryan shot him a knowing smirk. ¡°Don¡¯t get her hopes up, dude. She¡¯ll eat you alive.¡± She turned, her dark eyes locking on Ryan¡¯s with a challenge. ¡°You volunteering, Mitchell? ¡®Cause I¡¯ve got room for two.¡± Ryan coughed, his bravado faltering for a split second before he recovered with a crooked grin. ¡°I¡¯m good, thanks. But hey, if you need someone to carry you back after you trip over your own ego, I¡¯ll be here.¡± She laughed. ¡°Careful, Ryan. You keep talking like that, and I¡¯ll start thinking you¡¯re jealous.¡± Chapter 44 - The Reeds [+18 Warning] Joey crouched by the edge of the river, his portable lab balanced on a flat rock beside him. He dipped a sterile pipette into the crystal-clear water, carefully drawing up a sample and transferring it to a small vial. I guess he deemed the samples Ryan and the others had taken were unnaceptable. Joey¡¯s fingers moved deftly over the controls of his analyzer, his brow furrowed in concentration as he waited for the results. Chris stood nearby, his eyes occasionally drifting up to the tree line, alert for any signs of movement. He was like a damn guard dog, always on watch. He glanced over at Joey, watching him work. ¡°You look like you¡¯re trying to crack a safe,¡± Chris said. ¡°Feels like it,¡± Joey muttered, his eyes never leaving the screen. ¡°These readings need to be precise, especially after Ryan and Zoe¡¯s initial analysis. If we¡¯re going to consider this water safe, we need to know exactly what¡¯s in it.¡± Chris ambled over, leaning in to get a closer look. The analyzer beeped softly, and Joey tapped a few more buttons, bringing up a detailed breakdown of the water''s composition. The screen displayed a series of green bars, each representing different elements and compounds found in the sample. ¡°Good news?¡± Chris asked. ¡°Looks like it,¡± Joey said, a smile starting to form. ¡°We¡¯re seeing typical water composition, H2O, with trace minerals like calcium, magnesium, and even some iron. Nothing harmful in the mix, and no dangerous microorganisms that we can detect. Basically, it¡¯s as clean as it gets.¡± He pointed at one of the readouts. ¡°See here? The microbial count is low, and the few that are present aren¡¯t pathogenic, at least not by any standards we know.¡± Chris nodded, his eyes scanning the screen. ¡°So, safe to drink?¡± ¡°Yep,¡± Joey confirmed, letting out a relieved sigh. ¡°This source looks good. If I had to guess, I¡¯d say there¡¯s a natural filtration process happening upstream. Probably explains why the water¡¯s so clear.¡± He capped the vial and began to pack up the rest of his equipment. ¡°We could even drink straight from it, but we¡¯ll run it through the filters just to be safe.¡± Chris grinned. ¡°Well, that¡¯s one less thing to worry about.¡± Joey continued, his expression grew a bit more serious as he closed the portable lab. ¡°Yeah, but we can¡¯t make assumptions based on one spot. Just because this stream is clean doesn¡¯t mean every water source on this planet will be. We¡¯re going to need to check other areas, see how consistent the quality is. If we¡¯re looking at long-term viability, we have to cover all the bases.¡± He was always thinking ten steps ahead. ¡°True,¡± Chris agreed, his hand coming to rest on Joey¡¯s lower back, his fingers splayed gently, warmly, almost possessively. ¡°But at least we know it¡¯s safe here, and that¡¯s a good start. We¡¯ll map out a few more locations and get samples. We¡¯ve got time.¡± Joey¡¯s shoulders relaxed slightly under Chris¡¯s touch, but there was still a flicker of impatience in his eyes. ¡°I just want to make sure we¡¯re not missing anything, you know? I mean, we can¡¯t send back a half-assed report. It¡¯s gotta be solid.¡± He paused, glancing at Chris, his tone softening. ¡°And... I don¡¯t want to let anyone down.¡± Chris¡¯s expression softened, and his hand moved, his thumb tracing a small, comforting circle on Joey''s back. ¡°Hey, you¡¯re doing great, Red. We¡¯ll make sure we get it right.¡± Joey nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Thanks, Chris.¡± He finished packing up the gear, stashing the analyzer in his backpack. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head back and let the others know the good news. And tomorrow, we start mapping out more sites. No shortcuts.¡± Chris nodded, and the two of them stood, looking out over the river one last time. The water sparkled under the red-tinged sunlight, flowing steadily and silently downstream. It was strange, almost surreal, to see something so familiar in such an alien place. ¡°Who knows,¡± Chris said, as they began to walk back towards camp, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, ¡°maybe we¡¯ll find a waterfall next. Could use a good swim.¡± He bumped his hip against Joey''s, a playful glint in his eyes. "Or a skinny dip." Joey blushed, but he couldn''t help the small smile that tugged at his lips. ¡°Yeah, as long as it¡¯s not hiding any nasty surprises.¡± Chris raised an eyebrow, smirking. ¡°Oh, come on, where¡¯s your sense of adventure? Besides, what''s the worst that could happen?" ¡°But seriously,¡± Joey said. ¡°We¡¯ve got to check more sources. We can¡¯t rely on this one spot to tell us what the whole planet¡¯s like. A single stream isn¡¯t going to define the entire biosphere.¡± They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds their footsteps and the gentle rustling of the alien foliage.
The earlier analysis confirmed what I had hoped: no harmful microorganisms, no strange compounds, just clean, cool water. About damn time we got some good news. I raised my voice. ¡°Water¡¯s good, guys!¡± ¡°Alright, everyone! Time to take a breather!¡± I called, my voice cutting through the lazy hum of midday. ¡°Gear off, and let¡¯s cool down.¡± Fuck yeah, it was hot as balls out here. Without hesitation, the crew began shedding their protective suits, revealing sweat-soaked T-shirts and shorts underneath. It didn¡¯t take long before they stripped down further, down to underwear and whatever base layers they had on. There was no room for modesty after weeks cooped up together on the Triumph, and the heat of the day left little choice but to ditch as many layers as possible. Plus, who was going to complain about seeing everyone half-naked? Not me. Ryan yelled, "The last one in is a rotten egg!¡± He quickly removed his shirt and ran towards the water, his light green briefs fitting his curves. That asshole. With whoops and laughter, the crew raced each other to the edge, some diving headfirst, others wading in carefully. Zoe and Ryan took flying leaps, creating loud, messy splashes, while Danny tiptoed in, shivering as the cool water hit his skin. What a wimp. Joey stripped down to his tight, blue trunks and dove in, the cold water a welcome shock against the warmth of the day. For a moment, as he glided beneath the surface before surfacing again. I envied him for a second. Emily and I were in the shallows, splashing each other like a couple of idiots. We were wrestling around, and I was trying to dunk her, but she was quick. ¡°Come on, Captain, is that the best you¡¯ve got?¡± she teased, her eyes all bright. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Not even close,¡± I grinned, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her into a playful tackle. We both went under, coming up for air gasping and laughing, water streaming down our faces. It was fun, yeah, but also, she was in her soaking wet underwear and it was taking all my willpower not to drag her off somewhere private. Danny, wading nearby like a damn stork, spotted something in the water. ¡°Look at this little guy,¡± he said, pointing at some small, fish-like thing darting around. Ryan, of course, had to try and catch it, splashing Danny in the process. Those two were something else. If Zoe didn''t hurry up and claim one of them, they''d probably end up throwing themselves at each other. I could just picture it, all that pent-up sexual tension finally exploding. ¡°Missed it, bro,¡± Ryan said, grinning. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be quicker than that.¡± Joey, ever the instigator, swam closer to the group. ¡°Alright, listen up!¡± he shouted, getting everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°How about we make this a little more interesting? Let¡¯s have a friendly competition, first one to grab one of those little critters wins!¡± The crew cheered, because who doesn''t love a stupid competition? Everyone scattered across the river, diving and splashing, all determined to catch one of those slippery little fuckers. The water turned into chaos, splashing, shouts, and laughter echoing all over the place. It was like a bunch of kids on a sugar rush. And then, Zoe emerged victorious, holding up a small, iridescent creature she¡¯d somehow managed to snag. Her vibrant green bra was soaked, plastered against her skin, and I had to look away before I embarrassed myself. She was grinning like she''d won the lottery. "I got it!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing across the water. Everyone cheered and applauded, even though we all knew it was just a dumb game. ¡°Well done, Woods!¡± Ryan said, swimming over to clap her on the back. A clap on the back? Seriously, Ryan? She''s not a guy, you dumbass! That deserved a full-on kiss, tongue included! Just look at her! Her tiny bra and even smaller panties were barely containing anything, and you give her a clap on the back? Ugh, someone shoot that guy, please. Maybe he needed a class or something. "How to Treat a Lady 101." ¡°Always underestimate me,¡± Zoe replied, smirking. ¡°That¡¯s your mistake.¡± Joey surfaced nearby, looking all excited. ¡°I thought for sure Ryan had it, but you pulled through, Zoe. Nice work.¡± If Ryan and Danne weren¡¯t careful, Joey was going to land her for sure. ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Ryan said, rolling his eyes. ¡°I was giving her a head start.¡± Sure, he was. Idiot. ¡°Oh, sure,¡± Zoe teased, poking his shoulder. ¡°Keep telling yourself that.¡± Damnit, Ryan, are you blind? Zoe was practically offering herself on a silver platter, and you just can''t see it? Oh my god, what an idiot. Where''s Danny? This was his chance! They were both so damned oblivious. The fun wound down, and everyone started drifting toward the shallow end, the excitement fading into this lazy kind of play. People were floating on their backs, leaning against rocks, just chilling in the water. It was nice, I guess, but I was still a little too wound up to relax. And the sight of Emily, all wet and gorgeous, wasn''t helping. Neither was Zoe, for that matter. Damn, this planet was going to be the death of me.
Emily and I had wandered off into the reeds, chasing after one of those little glowing critters. She was so determined, it was kind of adorable. She held her breath and stuck her head underwater, trying to catch the damn thing as it darted between the roots. I was right next to her, and well, I couldn''t resist. I took advantage of the moment to tickle her waist, making her jump out of the water with a loud splash. She sputtered and coughed. "Not fair," she said, splashing me back. I laughed. "You were so focused on catching that thing, you didn''t even notice me." "Well, I definitely noticed now," she said, a determined glint in her eye. And then she dove back underwater, like a damn mermaid, determined to catch that elusive creature. I followed her, but instead of chasing the critter, I swam up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. "You''re such a cheater!" she exclaimed between giggles, reaching for my excited bulge, which was threatening to escape my briefs. We were deep enough in the reeds to be out of eyesight, but still close enough to hear the rest of the crew splashing around. ¡°Hey!¡± I shouted, then whispered, as I wrapped my arms around her, kissing her neck. ¡°Be careful!¡± I could feel my heart pounding as we kissed, the water swirling around us. Emily''s hands roamed over my back, her lips hungry on mine. I could feel something building between us, this raw, primal energy that was getting stronger with every touch, every kiss. Without breaking the kiss, I slid my hands down to her hips and hoisted her up, lifting her out of the water. She wrapped her legs around me, still kissing me like there was no tomorrow, as I carried her deeper into the reeds. I wanted to take her right there, under the alien sky. But of course, we couldn''t have that. A loud splash and laughter from the rest of the crew broke the spell. Startled, Emily and I broke apart and turned to see Zoe doing cannonballs into the river, like a big kid, while Ryan cheered her on. Emily laughed along with them. It felt like I was caught up in a dream, being here with her, with our friends.
Emily gave me a grin, stepping away from me and into the deeper reeds. "Looks like someone has a little crush on me," she said with a playful wink. "A little crush?" I scoffed, following her. "You have no idea." I reached for her hand, pulling her closer. "Come here," I whispered. "Let me show you just how much of a crush I have." But where? We were surrounded, and I was about to lose my mind. Emily playfully laughed and splashed me with water, then dove under and swam beneath me. The minx couldn''t resist pulling down my briefs and teasingly playing with my already hard cock before coming back up for air. Oh, she was going to pay for that later. "Living in such close quarters will be tough over the next few weeks," she said as she stood up next to me, gently stroking me below the water. She was referring to our sleeping arrangements on the Peregrine, and the fact that we had zero privacy. "We need to make use of any privacy we can get." "What are you doing?" I whispered, looking around nervously. My hands were around her waist now, holding her close. Towering red reeds completely surrounded us, but we were still close to the others. And now, Emily had positioned herself in front of me, one arm holding me close, the other guiding my cock between her legs. "Just relax, Captain," she teased as she slid me inside of her. Holy fuck. "You did give us permission to take a break, right?" Emily began to move her hips, slow and deliberate, grinding her wet pussy against me. Her chest pressed against my chest. She met my eyes and smirked before taking my lips in a passionate kiss, her tongue dancing with mine. I groaned, deep in my throat, as she slid up and down on me, the silky smooth walls of her pussy milking me. I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer, and thrust my hips forward, driving myself deeper. My other hand clenched into a fist at the base of her head, holding her still, partly to steady myself, partly because I was losing my damn mind. Emily squirmed beneath me, arching her back to give me better access. "Oh yes, Captain," she whispered breathlessly between kisses. ¡°Show me how it¡¯s done.¡± Her words were like gasoline on a fire. I increased the pace, grunting with each thrust, feeling myself sink deeper inside of her. The sound of our skin slapping together, the water splashing around us, our heavy breathing and soft moans. We had to be quiet and sneaky, because well, everyone was literally there. Suddenly, Emily broke the kiss and cried out, her body convulsing around me as she came hard. I groaned, low in my throat, unable to hold back any longer. With one last powerful thrust, I emptied myself inside of her. We stood there for a moment, catching our breath. I pulled out, leaning against one of the rocks for support, my legs still shaky. I looked down at her, she was flushed, breathing hard, and covered in sweat. And she was still holding on to me. ¡°Shhhh,¡± she said, winking at me while readjusting her panties. Her nipples were hard, pointy beneath her wet bra. She released me slowly, with another kiss, before she went under the water again. Her golden hair was dripping water as she came out, and with a last, knowing look, she swam away, back towards the group. What the fuck just happened? I stood there, dazed, trying to process it all. I couldn''t shake off the feeling of confusion. Who was this girl? Where was my familiar, shy Emily? Had I missed something? Was she not who I thought she was? My mind was a whirlwind of questions, and I had no answers.
"Hey Luca, you joining us?" Emily called, her voice all innocent and playful, a mischievous smile on her face. I quickly slid my briefs up and jumped into the water, swimming to catch up with the rest of the group, my brain still trying to catch up with my body. I was contaminating the planet. Chapter 45 - Forbidden Fruit After a while, the cool water and the exertion started to catch up with us. I was ready for a warm towel and a nap. "Where are the towels?" I called out, hoping someone had the foresight to bring some. Ryan groaned, running a hand through his wet hair. ¡°You¡¯re telling me no one brought a single towel?¡± He sounded genuinely distressed, the poor guy. Emily splashed him, laughing. ¡°Of course not! We¡¯re explorers, not Boy Scouts¡­ we left them at the Peregrine.¡± Zoe shook her head, wringing out her dreadlocks. ¡°Guess we¡¯ll just have to air-dry. Anyone mind if I steal a spot in the sun?¡± ¡°Be my guest,¡± Joey said, already stretching out his toned body on a flat rock. ¡°Not like I¡¯ve got a better idea.¡± After Zoe emerged from the water, she walked towards Joey, who was waiting for her on the shore. Then, right there in front of everyone, she untied her bra and lay down on the soft purple moss, revealing her smaller breasts and erect black nipples. She closed her eyes, soaking up the warm sunlight, her panties damp against her skin. Holy shit, that girl had no shame. And I was not complaining. As soon as Ryan caught sight of her, a grin spread across his face. He wasted no time and laid down beside her, positioning his arms outstretched in a calculated way, hoping that Zoe would take advantage and use his arm as a pillow. She arched an eyebrow at him inquisitively before breaking into a smile and scooting closer to rest her head on his chest, basking in the soothing, warm rays of the sun as it dried them off. I had to give it to him, that was a smooth move. Maybe he wasn''t such an idiot after all. The rest of the crew scattered, finding their own patches of sun along the water¡¯s edge. Danny found a spot near a cluster of red-barked trees, leaning back and closing his eyes. Probably dreaming about data or some shit. Chris joined Joey on a rock, chatting quietly as they dried off. I swear, those two were practically joined at the hip. And speaking of hips¡­ Chris¡¯s were on full display, his wet briefs clinging to him tightly. The guy¡¯s bulge was a monster, no wonder Joey was always following him around. If he ever made a move on Emily¡­ well, I didn¡¯t know what I¡¯d do. Probably hide under a rock somewhere. I settled next to Emily, trying to keep my eyes to myself, which was hard, considering she was still damp and her top was clinging to her. She nudged me with her elbow. ¡°Not a bad call, Captain,¡± she said, glancing at me with a teasing smile. ¡°Though next time, maybe plan ahead and pack some towels, huh?¡±
We continued our little jungle expedition, supposedly collecting samples of the local flora. The plants here were seriously out of this world. Some had these huge, waxy leaves, dark as night, while others had these delicate, glowing fronds that looked like something out of a fairy tale. The deeper we went, the weirder it got, twisted vines, spiky ferns, and these bulbous things that pulsed like they were breathing. It was all very¡­ alien. Emily, being Emily, was more interested in messing around than actually working. Every chance she got, she¡¯d try to tease me or poke me in the ribs, the little minx. ¡°Come on, Captain,¡± she teased, grinning when I tried to swat her hands away. ¡°Can¡¯t you lighten up for once?¡± ¡°Emily, focus!¡± I said, trying to sound stern, but the grin tugging at the corner of my mouth gave me away. It was impossible to stay mad at her for long, especially when she looked at me like that, bright-eyed, playful, and completely unrepentant. ¡°We¡¯re supposed to be gathering samples, not playing tag.¡± ¡°Who says we can¡¯t do both?¡± she shot back, her grin widening as she ducked under a low-hanging branch, her ponytail bouncing behind her. She was impossible, and yeah, that was part of the problem. We pushed aside a thick curtain of ferns, and the air seemed to shift, heavier, warmer. Then we saw it: an entire grove of gnarled, alien trees, their twisted trunks reaching skyward like skeletal hands. The ground beneath them was blanketed in a soft, spongy moss that glowed faintly, casting the scene in an eerie, otherworldly light. The trees were chock full of these bizarre fruits, hanging heavily from the branches like the planet was trying to show off. Each fruit was oval-shaped, with a glossy, deep purple skin that seemed to shimmer, almost like it was sweating. Thin, veiny tendrils curled out from the stems, twitching faintly, like they were alive. They pulsed in sync with the dim glow of the moss below, and the whole grove felt¡­ suggestive. Like it was alive. Watching. Judging. And yeah, I was trying not to read too much into it, but this planet had a way of making you feel things, you know? Emily stopped dead beside me, her hand brushing my arm as she stared at the trees. ¡°Whoa,¡± she whispered, her voice tinged with awe. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ kind of beautiful.¡± Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! ¡°Beautiful,¡± I echoed, plucking one of the fruits from a low-hanging branch. The skin was smooth and warm to the touch, with just enough give when I pressed it to suggest it was ripe. Or something else entirely. ¡°I was going to go with creepy, but sure, let¡¯s call it beautiful.¡± Emily leaned closer, her shoulder brushing against mine as she inspected the fruit in my hand. Her eyes gleamed with curiosity, the corners of her lips curling upward. ¡°Think it¡¯s safe to eat?¡± she asked, her tone light but her eyes lingering on the pulsing tendrils. She paused, then added with a smirk, ¡°Or is this our forbidden fruit?¡± I raised an eyebrow, catching her drift. ¡°The Garden of Eden, huh? Well, we don¡¯t exactly have a snake around here to warn us, but I¡¯m not taking any chances,¡± I said, slipping the fruit into a sample bag. ¡°Let¡¯s bring it back to the lab and run some tests before we start snacking on alien produce.¡± Emily laughed, plucking a second fruit from the tree and holding it up to the light. ¡°Fair enough, Captain. But you have to admit, it¡¯s tempting. Look at it, like it¡¯s daring us to take a bite.¡± The fruit''s skin reflected the reddish light, making it glisten. We collected a few more samples, stowing them in our packs. As we prepared to head back, Emily glanced back at the fruit-laden tree, a thoughtful look on her face. ¡°You know, it does feel a bit like the Garden of Eden,¡± she said softly. ¡°Beautiful, mysterious, and maybe a little dangerous.¡± I looked at her, my expression more serious now. ¡°Yeah, and we¡¯re the ones trying to figure out if it¡¯s paradise or poison,¡± I said. ¡°Either way, we¡¯ve got to be smart about it.¡± With that, we made our way back through the undergrowth, the samples secured. We had no idea what those tests would show, but for now, the mysterious, suggestive fruit would remain untouched. At least until we knew it wouldn''t kill us. Or turn us into horny, alien-fruit-addicted zombies. Emily was going to be the death of me.
Meanwhile, Zoe, Danny, and Ryan had gone out again, their earlier banter replaced by a sharper edge as they pushed deeper into the alien vegetation. Their mission was simple enough, track the creatures, document their behavior, grab some samples, but simple never really worked out for us. Especially not with Zoe in the mix. Still, this was important. The wildlife wasn¡¯t just pretty to look at; it could be the difference between humanity thriving here or running back to Earth with our tails between our legs. Disease, predators, competition, any one of those could shut the whole mission down. Zoe, naturally, took the lead. She moved through the underbrush like she was born for it, her steps quiet, her sharp eyes scanning everything. And yeah, I wasn¡¯t there, but I could picture it: her long legs flexing with every step, that confidence radiating from her. She always had a way of making even the jungle seem like it was her territory. Ryan and Danny trailed close behind but they weren¡¯t exactly subtle. Danny was probably tripping over roots every two steps, and Ryan? Let¡¯s be honest, he was probably too busy sneaking glances at Zoe¡¯s ass to focus properly. They stopped when Zoe spotted movement ahead, a cluster of small, sleek creatures darting in and out of the shadows. Long, spindly legs. Iridescent scales. They shimmered like living jewels, flashing green and violet as the reddish light from the canopy caught them. Ryan let out a low whistle. ¡°Well, that¡¯s new.¡± ¡°Quiet,¡± Zoe hissed, shooting him a look that could¡¯ve frozen fire. She raised a hand, signaling them to stop. ¡°There,¡± she whispered, pointing toward the group. ¡°They¡¯re fast, but we can get one. Danny, stay back, you¡¯ll scare them off.¡± She grinned, her tone teasing but her eyes locked on the prize. ¡°We wouldn¡¯t want that, would we?¡± Danny flushed, gripping his dart gun tighter. ¡°I¡¯m not that loud,¡± he muttered under his breath, earning a quiet laugh from Ryan. Ryan lifted his dart gun, aiming carefully at one of the creatures. Its shimmering scales glinted as it darted through the underbrush. ¡°Let¡¯s see if these darts actually do something for once,¡± he whispered. The soft pop of the dart gun echoed, and the projectile sailed through the air, hitting the nearest creature square in the flank. The creature twitched, but that was it. No dramatic collapse, no slowed movements. It just kept skittering along like nothing had happened. Danny frowned. ¡°That should¡¯ve worked,¡± he said, his voice shaky. ¡°That dosage is enough to knock out something twice its size.¡± Zoe sighed, lowering her rifle. ¡°Yeah, well, this isn¡¯t Earth, Einstein. These things are built different. Maybe they metabolize it too fast or-¡± She stopped mid-sentence, a mischievous glint lighting up her eyes as she turned to Ryan. ¡°Or maybe you just suck at aiming.¡± Ryan scoffed, straightening up like the cocky bastard he was. ¡°Oh, please. That shot was perfect. Watch and learn.¡± He reloaded his dart gun, ready to fire again, but Zoe stepped in close, her hand brushing against his wrist. ¡°Easy, cowboy,¡± she said, her voice low and teasing. ¡°We don¡¯t want to piss them off before we know what we¡¯re dealing with. Besides,¡± she added, her eyes flicking to Danny, ¡°maybe Danny wants a turn.¡± Danny blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Me? Uh, yeah. Sure. I can, uh, I can try.¡± His fingers fumbled with the dart gun as Zoe stepped behind him, her hands sliding over his shoulders. She leaned in close, her breath warm against his ear. ¡°Just aim nice and steady,¡± she murmured, her tone dripping with something that made Ryan roll his eyes. Danny¡¯s face turned crimson. The jungle was quiet except for the faint rustling of leaves and the pounding of Danny¡¯s heart, yeah, I¡¯d bet money on that. Meanwhile, Ryan muttered under his breath, ¡°Yeah, because this isn¡¯t distracting at all.¡± Zoe smirked, letting her fingers linger on Danny¡¯s arm a moment longer before stepping back. ¡°Go ahead,¡± she said, her voice sweet, but her smirk screamed trouble. ¡°Show me what you¡¯ve got.¡± Danny raised the gun, his hands trembling just enough to make Zoe bite her lip to stifle a laugh. The dart fired, zipping toward another creature. This time, it hit dead-on. The creature twitched, just like the first one, but again, nothing happened. It darted off into the shadows like it hadn¡¯t just been shot with an alien tranquilizer. ¡°Great,¡± Ryan said, exasperated. ¡°So now we¡¯ve got two pissed-off lizard-things and no samples.¡± Zoe stepped forward, her expression suddenly serious as she scanned the underbrush. ¡°They¡¯re not pissed,¡± she said, her voice lower now. ¡°But they¡¯re watching us. Waiting.¡± Chapter 46 - Analysis Ryan looked at Danny. ¡°Guess we¡¯re doing this the hard way.¡± Danny hesitated. ¡°I don¡¯t like it either, but we need to study these things.¡± He raised his energy blaster, tracking one of the shimmering creatures darting through the underbrush. His finger hovered over the trigger before he exhaled sharply and fired. The bolt struck true, the creature¡¯s head erupting in a quick, brilliant flash. It collapsed instantly, its glowing scales dimming as it hit the ground. Zoe winced, her shoulders stiffening. ¡°This sucks,¡± she murmured, her voice tight. ¡°They¡¯re beautiful, and we¡¯re just¡­ killing them.¡± Ryan stepped beside her, his expression softer than usual. He placed a hand on her shoulder. ¡°I know, Zoe. But this isn¡¯t just for us. We have to understand them, what they are, what they mean for this planet. If they¡¯re carrying diseases or if they¡¯re predators that could wipe out settlers, we have to know. It¡¯s shitty, yeah, but it¡¯s necessary.¡± Zoe¡¯s jaw tightened, but she gave a small nod. ¡°Yeah, I get it. Doesn¡¯t make it suck any less.¡± Danny lowered his rifle, his voice quiet. ¡°It¡¯s not just about us either. If we don¡¯t understand how they fit into the ecosystem, we could screw it all up just by being here. We¡¯ve got to figure out how to coexist or know when to back off.¡± The trio approached the creature cautiously, its iridescent scales now dull under the alien light. Ryan knelt beside it, pulling out a sterile scalpel and sample containers from his kit. ¡°Let¡¯s make this quick,¡± he said. ¡°Tissue, blood, whatever we can get. We¡¯ll let the lab onboard do the heavy lifting.¡± Zoe crouched a few feet away, her rifle slung across her back as she snapped photos of the creature. The light from her wrist display illuminated its sleek, alien features. ¡°Do you think we¡¯ll see more like this?¡± she asked, her tone quieter now. ¡°Or is this just one isolated species?¡± Danny shrugged, squatting next to Ryan. ¡°We¡¯ve barely scratched the surface of this biome. There¡¯s gotta be more. The probe showed movement all over the place. One spot in the jungle doesn¡¯t tell us much about the planet as a whole.¡± Ryan nodded, his hands steady as he worked. ¡°Exactly. This is about the bigger picture. If we don¡¯t know how everything here interacts, prey, predators, the whole food chain, we risk throwing it all out of balance when we bring people here. Or worse, getting them killed because we missed something.¡± Zoe sighed, her fingers brushing against the creature¡¯s scales before pulling back. Her voice held a hint of determination. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s just make sure this isn¡¯t for nothing. The less we have to do this, the better.¡± Ryan straightened, sealing the sample containers. ¡°Agreed. Let¡¯s keep moving and see what else we can find. Water sources are key; we¡¯ll check the next one.¡± They rose, the mood heavier now as they moved deeper into the jungle. The glowing flora shifted and swayed in the faint breeze, casting strange patterns across their path. Each of them stayed alert, their eyes scanning for more movement, their steps careful. It was slow, meticulous work, but there was no other way. This was their mission: uncovering the secrets of this alien world, one step at a time.
Joey and Chris emerged from the jungle, their boots crunching on the underbrush as they made their way back to camp. Their silhouettes stood out against the shifting hues of the alien sky, and even from my vantage point, I could tell Chris had that extra bounce in his step. He was practically glowing. God, these two. I leaned against the Peregrine, pretending not to notice them while very much noticing. Joey looked his usual self, calm, collected, but every now and then, his eyes would drift toward Chris, and it was painfully obvious. Chris, on the other hand? He was all grins and easy charm, practically radiating smug satisfaction. If he weren¡¯t such a good guy, I¡¯d probably hate him. The rest of the crew was sprawled under the canopy, buzzing with energy and trading stories about their day. The earlier swim had done wonders for morale. Even I had let myself relax for a minute in the shallows, catching a rare moment with Emily before the chaos of reality kicked back in. But Joey and Chris? Yeah, they¡¯d been on their own wavelength ever since. It wasn¡¯t like they were subtle, either. As they got closer, I caught Joey adjusting the strap on his gear bag, his hand brushing Chris¡¯s arm for just a second too long. I rolled my eyes. Those two were so sickeningly obvious it was almost cute. Almost.
¡°You should¡¯ve seen it,¡± I said, ¡°A whole forest of these deep purple fruits. We¡¯re bringing them back to the lab to test, but Emily¡¯s already nicknamed them the ¡®forbidden fruit.¡¯¡± Emily laughed, her cheeks flushed. ¡°I mean, look at them! They practically scream, ¡®Eat me,¡¯ but I wasn¡¯t about to take a bite without running it through the lab first,¡± she said. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Zoe leaned in, her eyes bright with curiosity. ¡°I have to see those,¡± she said. ¡°But first, you guys need to hear about the creatures we found.¡± She launched into a lively retelling of their encounter, describing the different jungle critters. ¡°We had to use one of our guns, the tranquilizer didn''t work,¡± she said, her tone more serious now. Ryan nudged Zoe¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ll get ¡®em next time,¡± he said, his voice light, drawing a reluctant smile from her. ¡°Besides, you still managed to bag one. That¡¯s something.¡± Danny nodded, his fair complexion and bright freckles contrasting with Zoe¡¯s almond skin as he added, ¡°We need to learn how everything interacts out here. If we¡¯re going to make this place livable for future colonists, understanding the fauna is just as important as the water or the soil.¡± He was right, of course, but I was more interested in the flora at the moment. Especially that damn fruit. I stood up, stretching my back and looking around at the crew. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get everything packed and get back to the camp,¡± I said. ¡°We¡¯ve got a lot to log, and tomorrow, we¡¯ll move to another site. But for now, I¡¯d say we¡¯ve earned a break.¡± The group groaned in agreement, gathering their gear. As we made our way through the underbrush, Emily sidled up to me, nudging me playfully. ¡°So, what¡¯s on the menu tonight, Captain? More forbidden fruit, or do I have to wait for that smoothie?¡± I shook my head, trying not to think about what else she might have meant. ¡°You¡¯re going to have to wait until I¡¯m sure it won¡¯t poison us, Emily.¡± Joey, who had been walking a few paces behind, chimed in. ¡°We can run it through the analyzer now, before we put it away, and see if it¡¯s edible.¡± His tone was casual, but there was a bit of curiosity in his eyes. ¡°No harm in getting a quick readout, right? Besides, it¡¯ll be nice to know if we¡¯re carrying back a snack or a pandemic waiting to happen.¡± I raised an eyebrow, considering it. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do it.¡± I glanced at Emily. ¡°But no taste tests until we get the all-clear.¡± Emily laughed, raising her hands in mock surrender. ¡°Understood, Captain. No snacking¡­ or otherwise, on alien fruits until the science says it¡¯s safe.¡±
As we reached the camp, everyone gathered around the portable lab, eager to see what the analyzer would reveal about our "forbidden fruit." Joey carefully took one of the dark purple fruits out of the sample bag and placed it on the analyzer¡¯s tray, cutting a small sliver carefully and laying it out on a glass thingie, you know, for the microscope to analyze. The machine we were using was the newest tech, a merge of presystem science and new technologies. It beeped softly as the sample slid in, and the internal sensors began working. Everyone watched as the small screen began to display chemical readings. ¡°I wonder if it¡¯s anything like Earth fruits,¡± Zoe said, leaning over to get a closer look. ¡°It smells sweet, but that doesn¡¯t mean much. Could be full of weird compounds that we¡¯d never find back home.¡± Danny, the lovable nerd, adjusted his glasses, scanning the data as it appeared. ¡°Well, sugars aren¡¯t impossible,¡± he said thoughtfully. ¡°Plants develop them on Earth because they¡¯re a great way to attract animals for seed dispersal. If there¡¯s a similar ecological pressure here, there¡¯s a chance these fruits could have developed sugars too.¡± God, he was so smart and had all this forbidden knowledge. ¡°Everyone knows that Danny,¡± Ryan said, rolling his eyes. They did? We did? Yeah, that made sense. I¡¯d never really dwelled on that before. The analyzer beeped again, and a detailed breakdown of the fruit¡¯s composition appeared on the screen. Joey¡¯s eyes lit up as he read it. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got something close. There¡¯s a compound similar to fructose, which means it could actually taste sweet. No toxic markers so far, but...¡± He hesitated, scrolling down the screen. ¡°It does contain traces of an alkaloid. We¡¯d have to run a deeper analysis to understand what it does.¡± Ryan, who had been lounging on one of the equipment crates, perked up. ¡°What kind of alkaloid? Anything dangerous?¡± He was probably just thinking about himself, the selfish bastard. ¡°Not necessarily,¡± Chris said, peering over Joey¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Alkaloids can be anything from caffeine to morphine or even an aphrodisiac, so it¡¯s a wide range. It could be harmless, or it could make you see double. We won¡¯t know until we test it.¡± Emily leaned closer, her smile playful but her eyes curious. ¡°What if it¡¯s some kind of alien coffee?¡± she suggested, turning the fruit over in her hand. ¡°You know, a natural stimulant? We could¡¯ve just stumbled on the local equivalent of a morning pick-me-up.¡± She shot me a pointed look, her lips curving into a smirk. ¡°God knows we could use something better than Folgers. Seriously, Luca, Folgers? That¡¯s what you packed for this trip?¡± ¡°Hey, it¡¯s reliable,¡± I shot back, crossing my arms defensively. ¡°And affordable.¡± She rolled her eyes, waggling the fruit in her hand. ¡°Reliable doesn¡¯t mean good. This thing might actually taste decent. And who knows? Maybe it does more than keep you awake.¡± She wiggled her eyebrows. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± I asked, narrowing my eyes. She shrugged, her grin widening. ¡°Just saying, Luca. It¡¯s got those veiny tendrils and this whole¡­ vibe. Maybe it¡¯s more than just coffee.¡± I rolled my eyes, but I couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Or it could just knock us out for twelve hours. Let¡¯s not get carried away.¡± I was trying to be the voice of reason, but honestly, I was just as curious as everyone else. And yeah, a little disappointed that we wouldn''t be making smoothies with that fruit, I mean, not yet. Joey entered a few more commands, setting the analyzer to run a deeper scan on the unidentified compound. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll get this to run overnight. We¡¯ll have a better idea in the morning.¡± He sealed the fruit back in the sample container and set it aside. ¡°But I have to admit, I¡¯m curious to see what this stuff does.¡± ¡°So, if it turns out to be safe and, let¡¯s say, mood-enhancing,¡± Ryan said with a grin, ¡°what¡¯s the plan, Captain?¡± Mood-enhancing? Was that code for boner-inducing? And did he have to say it like that, with that knowing look in his eyes? I shook my head, fighting back a laugh. ¡°The plan is we send a report back with the data and let someone else figure out what to do with it. We¡¯re not here to set up an alien wine bar.¡± Though, a bar didn''t sound like a bad idea. ¡°Speak for yourself,¡± Zoe said, pretending to pout. ¡°A little side business wouldn¡¯t hurt.¡± Danny jumped in, grinning. ¡°Yeah, ¡®New Dawn Delights.¡¯ I can see the brochure now: ¡®Come for the sunsets, stay for the fruit that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.¡¯¡± Joey snorted, closing up the analyzer. ¡°Alright, alright. We¡¯re not marketing anything until we know it won¡¯t kill us. Let¡¯s see what the scan says in the morning, and maybe, just maybe, we¡¯ll have an alien fruit that¡¯s safe and tasty.¡± Chapter 47 - The Anomaly The dinette table was crowded, elbows bumping as we huddled around with mugs of liquid disappointment, aka Ryan¡¯s god-awful coffee. The bastard had beaten me to the pot this morning, and of course, he¡¯d ignored the measurement guide again, dumping in way too many grounds. The coffee was strong enough to dissolve paint, and I was pretty sure my tongue was still numb from the first sip. I cradled my mug anyway, because caffeine was caffeine, and I needed to wake up. The crew looked a little worse for wear, still shaking off sleep as they poked at the breakfast rations. ¡°Alright,¡± I said, clearing my throat and setting my mug down. ¡°Once we finish breakfast, let¡¯s get the camp cleaned up and prep to move out. We¡¯ve got more ground to cover.¡± Ryan stretched in his chair, the smug look on his face almost as irritating as his coffee. ¡°Finally. I¡¯m starting to feel like we¡¯ve been camped here for weeks.¡± ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ve been here four days,¡± I muttered, but he ignored me. Asshole. Zoe nudged her half-eaten ration pack aside, leaning forward on the table like she was ready to bolt. ¡°Agreed. We¡¯re not going to learn anything new just staring at the same trees. Let¡¯s see what else this planet has to offer.¡± She said, her eyes flicking between Danny and Ryan. She was getting antsy, and she was going to pounce on someone soon. Joey cleared his throat, setting down his tablet with a triumphant air. ¡°Speaking of learning new things,¡± he said, looking around the table like he was about to drop a bombshell. ¡°I¡¯ve got some preliminary results on the fruit samples.¡± The chatter died down instantly. Even Ryan put his spoon down, leaning forward with interest. ¡°And?¡± I asked, trying to sound casual but failing. Was it actually safe to eat, or were we going to find out it was laced with some alien neurotoxin? Joey grinned, clearly enjoying the attention. ¡°Well, the good news is, it¡¯s safe. No toxins, no weird proteins, nothing that would cause an immediate reaction.¡± ¡°And the bad news?¡± Zoe asked, raising an eyebrow, already suspicious. ¡°No bad news,¡± Joey said, holding up his hands. ¡°But there is¡­ a catch. The fruit contains an alkaloid compound similar to ones we¡¯ve seen on Earth. You called it Em, it¡¯s an aphrodisiac.¡± Ryan snorted, nearly choking on his coffee. ¡°An aphrodisiac? Seriously? What kind of planet did we land on?¡± ¡°You mean I landed on?¡± asked Emily. Truth be told, I landed on it when she tackled me, but details, right? ¡°Relax,¡± Joey said, rolling his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s mild. Barely noticeable in low doses. You¡¯d have to eat a bunch of them for it to have any real effect, or you know, ferment them into a drink or something.¡± Emily leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ¡°So, what you¡¯re saying is, it¡¯s perfectly safe unless someone decides to gorge themselves on alien fruit.¡± She shot me a knowing look, and yeah, I knew exactly what she was thinking. I shook my head, trying to focus on Joey¡¯s explanation instead of her lips. Zoe smirked, her gaze flicking to Danny and Ryan again. ¡°Well, that explains a lot about the design of the fruit. Those veiny tendrils? Definitely trying to send a message.¡± Danny blushed, staring hard at his plate. Ryan looked like he was torn between laughing and throwing his coffee at her. Joey, still scanning through his results, frowned slightly. ¡°Actually¡­ there¡¯s something else. Side effects. High doses could cause more than just, uh, arousal. We¡¯re talking heightened aggression, impaired judgment, mood swings, maybe even violent behavior. Like, the way some aphrodisiacs on Earth can push people into fight-or-flight mode instead of just-¡± He waved a hand vaguely, ¡°-the fun stuff.¡± That got everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°So, wait,¡± I said, leaning forward. ¡°You¡¯re telling me if someone eats too much of this, they don¡¯t just get horny, they might lose their shit and start a brawl?¡± Joey nodded. ¡°Potentially. It depends on the person. Some might just get a little more¡­ uninhibited. Others? Could go full berserker mode.¡± Ryan let out a low whistle. ¡°Great. So it¡¯s not just space Viagra, it¡¯s space PCP.¡± Emily shot a glance at Zoe, then at me. ¡°Remind me to keep this stuff away from you two.¡± ¡°Oh, ha ha,¡± I muttered, shaking my head. ¡°Joey, are we logging this as edible or not?¡± ¡°Edible,¡± Joey confirmed, his grin widening. ¡°But maybe not something you want to bring to a first date.¡± The table erupted into laughter, the tension breaking as everyone relaxed. I leaned back, sipping the terrible coffee and watching the crew banter. This planet, this crew, this fruit, it was all insane. But at least we weren¡¯t bored.
As we continued eating, our mostly-silent-and-therefore-useless ship AI, broke the quiet hum of our conversation. ¡°Alert: Anomaly detected. Significant energy patterns located 53.1 kilometers northeast of current location. Analysis suggests presence of an active portal.¡± Everyone froze, forks and mugs suspended mid-air. The usual light-hearted banter vanished like smoke in a windstorm. I felt the weight of the announcement settle over the table. My hand tightened on my coffee mug as my stomach dropped. ¡°A portal?¡± I asked, half under my breath. A fucking portal. Here? Now? If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Ryan, who¡¯d dropped his mug and had run to the computer, replied. ¡°Correct. The energy signature matches! A little stronger than what we¡¯ve seen in Sol.¡± I leaned back in the bench, folding my arms as the weight of the words hit me. A portal. After weeks of nothing, zilch, now, out of the blue, this? Where the hell had it been hiding? My jaw tightened. "Well, that changes things,¡± I muttered, trying to tamp down the knot of unease curling in my gut. Across the table, Emily¡¯s chair scraped against the floor as she leaned forward, her green eyes narrowing. ¡°What about the fruit?¡± she asked, her voice tight, almost pleading. ¡°We barely have four or five samples. We were supposed to study it, Luca. We don¡¯t even know what it could mean for us yet!¡± She looked crushed, her frustration spilling into the room like a dam had broken. Her hands gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles white. ¡°We can¡¯t just abandon this!¡± I met her gaze, my chest tightening at the sight of her distress. Damn it, I wanted to dive headfirst into this fruit thing too, test it, analyze it, maybe even gorge myself and let Emily make me one of those smoothies she teased about. But a portal? That wasn¡¯t something we could put off. This was the whole reason, the years of savings and mission charter, the survey work, an opportunity to break the level cap? Maybe. ¡°We can¡¯t ignore this,¡± I said, keeping my voice steady, even though I hated seeing her like this. ¡°Emily, I get it. The fruit¡¯s important, but this is bigger. If the System¡¯s active here, we need to know why it¡¯s been so quiet until now. A portal changes everything, about this mission, about this planet.¡± And yeah, maybe it was fucking with our priorities, but it had to be done. She looked down at her hands, then back up at me, her lips pressed into a tight line. I could see the fight in her eyes, the way she wanted to push back. ¡°We don¡¯t even know if it¡¯s stable, Luca,¡± she said, her voice soft but firm. ¡°What if it¡¯s dangerous? What if it destabilizes the area or brings something through?¡± Her words carried the weight of experience, of knowing what portals could unleash. I exhaled slowly, reaching out to cover her hand with mine. ¡°That¡¯s why we got to go check it out. We don¡¯t rush in blind. But we have to go, Em. It¡¯s not just about the mission, it¡¯s about understanding this place. If we don¡¯t investigate, we¡¯re leaving ourselves in the dark.¡±
Zoe smirked, her dreadlocks catching the firelight as she shifted. ¡°You know what this means, right? I was starting to think this planet was too good to be true.¡± Danny hesitated, his brow furrowing. ¡°Or the System took its time to wake up. What if it¡¯s not the same as back home? New place, new rules... and we have no idea what¡¯s on the other side of that thing.¡± He had a point, but still, my heart was hammering, this was it, what we were looking for. ¡°Exactly,¡± Joey cut in, his voice measured. ¡°It could be an opportunity. Resources, data, hell, even treasure if it¡¯s like what we¡¯ve seen before. But we need to approach this carefully. No charging in blind.¡± Ryan nodded, his sharp eyes glancing between Danny and Joey. ¡°If we can get close enough to analyze it, that might give us answers. Hell, it might tell us why it didn¡¯t show up until now.¡± I let the silence linger as I mulled it over. My team¡¯s instincts were sharp, their ideas sound, but the stakes loomed heavy. A portal here, now? What had triggered it? Was it something we¡¯d done, or was this planet hiding its own secrets? And why did everyone sound so excited about it? I leaned back, letting their conversation play out as I studied their faces. There was excitement, sure, but it was edged with tension. Even Ryan, the eternal optimist, looked a little too eager for my liking. And Emily, she was the wild card. Horny as hell one minute, cautious and measured the next. She had this way of pulling me out of my head and grounding me, but right now? She was all caution. Maybe she¡¯d forgotten the rush of fighting mobs, the thrill of the unknown. Or maybe she just knew better. Portals didn¡¯t play fair, and I wasn¡¯t going to pretend they did. ¡°We¡¯re not rushing into anything,¡± I said, cutting through the chatter. ¡°We¡¯ll finish packing up, then head out and take a closer look. We¡¯re done with this site anyways. If the portal is stable, we¡¯ll set up the Peregrine nearby and analyze it from there. No one goes in until we¡¯re sure it¡¯s safe.¡± I wasn''t about to let anyone, especially not Emily, get hurt. Emily¡¯s shoulders relaxed slightly, though her expression remained wary. ¡°I can get behind that plan. But if anything looks off, we pull back. No heroics.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± I said. ¡°I¡¯m not looking to get anyone killed over curiosity. But we need more information about this place. That¡¯s why we¡¯re here.¡± We had a job to do, after all. Even if part of me just wanted to stay here, in this weird, peaceful place, and forget about portals and monsters and the rest of it. It had been idelic, all quiet and romantic and stuff. I could see myself settling down here with the forbiden fruit and Emily and... Chris, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. ¡°And if it is a portal, we¡¯re prepared. We¡¯ve got the gear, and we¡¯ve got each other. That¡¯s all we need.¡± He said it so calmly, like he was talking about a walk in the park. I had to admire his confidence, even if I didn''t entirely share it. He was probably looking forward to it more than I was.
As everyone got up from the table, moving to gather their gear and dismantle the camp, there was this renewed energy in the air. Like a bunch of dogs who''d just been told they were going for a walk. We had a long day ahead, and plenty of unknowns, but the prospect of uncovering a new mystery gave everyone a sense of purpose. Even me. I took a last sip of my now-cold coffee, then scanned the horizon. The faint red light of New Dawn¡¯s sun cast long shadows over the rocky outcrops and tangled vegetation. Four days on the surface, and it still felt strange to breathe air that didn¡¯t sting the lungs, to walk under a sky free from the pulse of active portals. It was almost... peaceful. Almost. But four days without a single hostile encounter felt wrong, like a calm before a storm we hadn¡¯t seen coming. If this was anywhere in Sol, we¡¯d already be dodging attacks, our supplies half gone by now. Nowhere was safe there, not unless you shelled out for a Territory Control Tower to set up a safe zone. And even those weren''t foolproof. ¡°Everything¡¯s packed and ready,¡± Ryan called out, hoisting a crate onto the back of the Peregrine. I could sense the restlessness beneath his casual confidence. Four years of grinding portals, and now we were level-capped, stuck at level sixty with nothing to show for it but gear we barely needed. I understood; we¡¯d all been craving something new, a challenge, and New Dawn was supposed to be it. A fresh start, a chance to explore without always watching our backs. But now... this portal. Emily approached, wiping her hands on her suit, a streak of dirt smudging her cheek. She looked kind of cute, all smudged and determined. ¡°We¡¯re good to go,¡± she said, her voice upbeat but clipped. She was trying to keep the mood light, but I could tell she was just as on edge as the rest of us. And as on edge as I was, I wanted nothing more than to be back on the Triumph, naked with her in my bed. ¡°Ready to head out?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied, though I hesitated, looking over the treeline. It wasn¡¯t quite paranoia, but I¡¯d learned not to trust the quiet. ¡°Let¡¯s send the latest data to the Triumph before we move, just in case.¡± Emily gave me a quick peck in the cheek, then jogged back to help Ryan, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Seven weeks to get here, years of planning, and now we were just ticking off items on a list. But the portal alert... that had changed things. We¡¯d scanned the system up and down, and nothing had shown up until now. Like a switch had been flipped. Or like something had been¡­ awakened. Chapter 48 - Entering the Portal I checked out Zoe leaning against the Peregrine. ¡°Feels weird, right?¡± she said, catching my eye. ¡°Four days in, and not a single thing has tried to eat us. Almost makes me miss Earth.¡± ¡°Almost?¡± I shot back, letting a faint smile slip through. ¡°Starting to think I¡¯ve been hallucinating all these years, the way it¡¯s been out here.¡± Zoe grinned, more to release tension than anything. ¡°Yeah, well, don¡¯t get too comfortable. Could be nothing... or it could be the jackpot.¡± She was such an adrenaline junkie, it was kind of hot. Hotter than Emily complaining, that''s for sure. Not that I didn''t love Emily, but the rush of fighting monsters, the life and death scenarios, that was living. Zoe understood. ¡°Or a trap,¡± I added, the smile fading. ¡°We¡¯ve seen that before.¡± ¡°True.¡± Zoe¡¯s gaze flickered, but her grin stayed in place. ¡°But if there¡¯s one thing we know how to do, it¡¯s handle a portal.¡± And she was right. Four years of grinding had left us confident, even if we hadn¡¯t gotten the levels we¡¯d wanted. But this wasn¡¯t Sol. Here, we had no idea what a portal meant, or why the landscape was so eerily quiet. I watched Danny and Joey emerge from the dropship, arms full of gear, Danny animatedly discussing new samples, Joey¡¯s steady grin grounding him. It was a familiar sight, a piece of home they¡¯d carried with them. I''d seen it play out a hundred times, and it reminded me why we were here, why we kept pushing even when the grind felt endless. ¡°All set?¡± Joey asked as they approached, his tone steady, as if this was just another routine scan. ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied, nodding. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get going. We¡¯ll take it slow, see what we¡¯re dealing with. If it¡¯s a dungeon, we prep like usual, and if it¡¯s anything else... we adapt.¡± I was trying to sound confident, but honestly, I had no idea what to expect. Chris chimed in from the back. ¡°And if there¡¯s loot, dibs on first pick.¡± That earned a chorus of groans and a few playful shoves, the crew¡¯s usual banter filling the space around the Peregrine, cutting through the quiet of New Dawn¡¯s wilderness. I took one last look at the camp before climbing into the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°You guys ready?¡± Ryan and Danny were already suiting up, retrieving their armor from storage. I swear, those two were itching for a fight. Zoe, meanwhile, polished her Energy Sniper Rifle. She was a badass, that one. Emily sighed softly, settling into the passenger seat beside me. She looked tense. I eased the Peregrine into gear, the hum of its electric engine vibrating through my hands as the vehicle rolled forward, leaving the dropship behind. The thrill of the unknown pulsed in my chest, a familiar feeling I hadn''t realized I''d missed. Four years, four light-years away, and still, we had more questions than answers. Maybe this portal would give us something concrete. Something useful. Or maybe it would just give us something to kill. Either way, I was ready.
The first few kilometers passed easily enough, the ground firm beneath the Peregrine¡¯s tires. Everyone was quiet, lost in their own thoughts. Even Ryan wasn''t being his usual, asshole self. Joey occasionally tapped on his tablet, cross-referencing our satellite images with what little geological data we had. Emily sat next to me, her hands resting lightly on her lap, glancing out at the passing scenery. She looked good, even with that little pout she always got when she was worried. It was a rare sight, the alien flora brushing against the windows, a soft mix of purples and blues swaying in the breeze. Almost serene. Almost. But the terrain got rougher the farther we went. Rolling hills turned into jagged outcroppings of rock that jutted out of the soil like broken teeth. The Peregrine bounced hard as I maneuvered us through a narrow valley, the suspension groaning under the strain. I swore under my breath, gripping the wheel tighter as we climbed a steep incline. ¡°Could¡¯ve warned me about the hill,¡± I muttered, glancing over at Joey. ¡°The elevation change is in the computer,¡± Joey replied. Yeah, thanks for nothing. ¡°Right,¡± I grumbled, my focus shifting back to the uneven trail ahead. ¡°Next time, underline it.¡± Or maybe just speak up when it''s important? The vehicle lurched as we splashed through a shallow stream, the water spraying up against the hull. Zoe, sitting behind me, craned her neck to get a better view. ¡°This place is wild,¡± she said, her tone somewhere between admiration and unease. ¡°It¡¯s like... untouched wilderness. Almost too perfect.¡± She was practically drooling. Adrenaline junkie. ¡°Don¡¯t jinx it,¡± Danny quipped from the back, one hand gripping the overhead rail as we hit another bump. He was such a cutie pie, even when he was being a smartass. ¡°Are we going to discuss how this planet is surprisingly bio-compatible with Earth?¡± Joey asked from his seat. ¡°What do you mean,¡± Zoe asked. ¡°That¡¯s a great point, isn¡¯t this terribly convenient? A planet that¡¯s for all intents and purposes compatible with us? We can breathe the air, we can eat the plants and animals, hell, even the gravity is similar, and it¡¯s like the next system over from Sol.¡± Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. ¡°You know what I think?¡± I said. ¡°It¡¯s probably part of the whole system bullshit, like the Oort cloud, or the genesis platform. The system is pushing, shoving us even, to expand outside the solar system.¡± ¡°But why? that¡¯s the big question,¡± said Emily, joining the conversation. We had no answers, just a hell of a lot of speculation.
The ground beneath us grew even more treacherous as we got closer, the soil loosening into patches of fine gravel that slid dangerously under the Peregrine¡¯s weight. I adjusted our speed, carefully guiding us around a cluster of twisted alien trees with bark the color of rust. The tires crunched over rocks as I steered us toward a ridge, the portal¡¯s signal growing stronger. ¡°Halfway there,¡± I announced, my voice cutting through the low hum of the engine. ¡°How¡¯s everyone holding up?¡± ¡°Just fine,¡± Emily replied, leaning forward to check the map. ¡°Though, at this rate, my spine might disagree.¡± Ryan snorted. ¡°Better than walking 53 kilometers. I¡¯d take bumpy over blisters any day.¡± Spoken like a true masochist. Another stretch of rough terrain forced me to focus as the Peregrine teetered over a rocky incline, the rear tires slipping slightly before catching hold. My hands tightened on the wheel, heart pounding as I eased us forward. We crested the ridge and descended into a shallow valley, the portal¡¯s coordinates now less than ten kilometers away.
When we finally emerged on the other side, the ground leveled out into a wide, barren plain. In the distance, a faint shimmer hung in the air, like heat rising from asphalt on a summer day. The portal. I stopped the Peregrine, letting the engine idle. ¡°There it is,¡± I said, my voice low, trying to ignore the knot of anticipation in my stomach. Once we stopped, I shifted the Peregrine into Outpost mode. The vehicle transformed, deploying sensors and stabilizers. I flicked on the shield for the first time. We hadn¡¯t had to use it yet as it would draw from the battery, but now? This was it. An honest to goodness portal, where mobs would spawn from. No one said a word as we suited up, the quiet clicks of armor locks and the hum of weapons powering on breaking the silence. It was like gearing up for a big boss fight, except we had no idea what we were facing. And honestly, I was starting to get a bad feeling about this. I watched as one by one, we armed up.
In the early days, mobs dropped basic weapons: energy rifles, standard armor, consumables like energy bars, stim packs, and med supplies. Nothing fancy, but it kept us alive. As we leveled up, the loot got scarcer but better. Advanced guns, modular armor, more specialized gear. But once we started hitting level 60 portals? That was it. No more new System loot. Just scraps, scattered here and there, depending on the planet, the portal, or pure dumb luck. That¡¯s when the corporations stepped in. They started developing their own gear, custom weapons, retooled armor, but it all needed rare-earth materials. Asteroid mining helped, but even then, supply was tight. Some teams went all-in on modified gear, but us? We were purists. Unmodified System armor and weapons. Reliable. Consistent. Never failed. Plus, System gear gave you that extra boost to your attributes, +2 to each of them if you had a complete set. The System still gave us variety, though, with types like Devastator, Thunderbolt, Farstrike, and Vanguard. Eighteen different models for each weapon class. The problem was that you needed all set pieces to match. But everyone knew the truth. Vanguard was king. Peak accuracy, damage, and range. The best of the best.
I¡¯ll start with Joey. Our healer. Our Field Medic. The guy who kept our dumb asses alive. His armor? Rhea Vanguard Heavy Powered Armor. Full set: helmet, chest, arm guards, gloves, boots. Once he suited up and activated it, the pieces locked together, granting him full protection and forming a reinforced exoskeleton that gave him superhuman strength. Cool as hell. Also loud as fuck. And massive. But Joey preferred it that way. The heavy plating let him charge through danger, grab any of us, and haul our broken bodies to safety. And the Vanguard class? That meant extra buffs to defense, energy efficiency, and ability duration. Best part? The Taunt ability. When he activated it, the armor pulsed with an energy signal, grabbing enemy attention like a goddamn beacon. Didn¡¯t always work, but when it did? It saved our bacon. Joey¡¯s main weapon was his level 54 Hyperion Truestrike Energy Blaster. System-named, obviously, Hyperion, like one of the moons of Saturn, everyone knew that. Some of the best portals in Sol. Truestrike meant better aim, integrated compensators, stabilizers, the whole deal. Then there was his Level 54 Energy Shield. The thing could take a beating from both ballistic and energy weapons, but its real trick? It could expand into a full protective bubble. Perfect for when Joey needed to patch someone up mid-fight without getting torn to shreds. The weapons didn¡¯t really have levels, but we associated them with the portals in which they were found. And, of course, he always had his medical kit, sprays, foams, stimulants, the works. Back in Sol, having a medic wasn¡¯t always necessary. As long as you could make it out of a portal, the support network was there, medical bays, healing pods, IFC medics. But out here? No hospitals. No backup. No safety net. We needed Joey. More than ever.
Next up, Chris and his bulging muscles. His path? Suppressor. Basically, high DPS, laying down suppressive fire, and wrecking anything big enough to be a problem. Unlike Joey, he wasn¡¯t lumbering around in a walking tank. He wore the Tethys Amplify Medium Armor, sleek, mobile, and just enough protection to keep him in the fight without slowing him down. Same basic setup, five-piece set with a visor, pouches, and mods, but no powered exoskeleton. Just armor. That meant he, Ryan, and Emily were quieter, faster, more flexible. Its special ability? Power Surge. The armor could sync with most energy weapons, using its power cells to supercharge a shot. Sounded badass, and it was, until your gun overheated and became a useless hunk of metal. Still, these were the last TL8 variations from Sol. Top of the line. Reliable. Hadn¡¯t let us down yet. His weapon of choice? The Ganymede Helix Devastator Energy Driver. A charge-based energy rifle that amps up its damage the longer the trigger is held. Devastator? That meant it was optimized to unleash the pain train. When fired, it released a spiraling energy beam: high penetration, precision-focused. Ideal for melting through armor and tearing into heavy targets. The longer he held the trigger, the more potent the beam. The Tethys Amplify Medium Armor synced almost seamlessly with it, letting him overcharge shots without frying the rifle as long as he didn¡¯t hold the trigger too long. Chris and Joey were the newest members of the crew, but they weren¡¯t rookies. They¡¯d had their own team back in Sol, that is, until they stopped delving. Now? They were with us. Considering where we were headed, that was probably the best decision they ever made. Chapter 49 - The Lineup Next up? Danny. Another Rhea Vanguard Heavy Powered Armor user, meaning he was a walking tank, same as Joey. But unlike Joey, he didn¡¯t carry a shield or med kit. Oh no. His combat path? Crusher. And Danny? He brought a goddamn Devastator Energy Warhammer. A twice-upgraded monster of a weapon he¡¯d traded on our first trip to the Moon Base from a group of cute German girls. Danny never talked about them much, but sometimes, when he thought nobody was watching, he''d run a hand over the Warhammer¡¯s grip, his expression unreadable. Absurdly heavy. Stupidly destructive. Every swing hit with a concussive energy field, turning it into a shockwave of devastation. Bludgeoning damage on steroids. See, while most energy rifles and standard weapons were System drops across Earth, some weapons, like my Tomahawk, were regional. The Warhammer? That was a Bavarian regional weapon, supposedly based on the Teutonic Warhammers from ye olde knight-smashing times. It was big, brutal, and designed to crush armor like tin foil. And Danny? Danny was obsessed with it. Paired with his powered armor, it turned him into a wrecking ball, devastating against heavy targets, fortifications, or anything dumb enough to stand in his way. The only problem? He had to get there first. And yeah, he was a tank, but he wasn¡¯t a sprinter. Still, at least he could take the heat, literally and figuratively.
And then there was Ryan. An asshole first, a terrible shot second. Which was hilarious, considering he was a Combat Engineer, a guy loaded with firepower but somehow always managing to miss the easy shots. But Ryan? Nope. He made up for it with his Oberon Devastator Energy Scattergun, which, in plain English, was a sci-fi shotgun. A long-range scattergun that fired a wide cone of energy bolts, giving him the best chance of hitting something, anything, in front of him. At least he could adjust the spread, and yeah, he usually shot in the right direction. Not that Ryan relied on his gun alone. That wasn¡¯t his job. He was here to control the fight, lock down the battlefield, and funnel enemies into kill zones. Between his Tethys Medium Armor and Power Surge ability, he was as much about shaping the fight as he was about surviving it. And then there was his gear. Because, of course, Ryan wouldn¡¯t be Ryan without a backpack full of explosives and bad decisions. Slung across his back was his deployable turret, the heavy-duty kind that chewed through energy cells like a starship at full burn. He carried it like it was no big deal, probably because he was too stubborn to admit it was slowing him down. The damn thing was bulky as hell, but once it was set up? It provided automated suppressive fire, locking down lanes and cutting off enemy flanks. Then there were the grenades. Because Ryan? He never went anywhere without enough firepower to level a small building. Four of the stunner grenades hung from his belt, ready to blind and disorient anything dumb enough to get in his way. Inferno Gel Grenades, two of them, filled with sticky, napalm-like gel that clung to anything it touched and burned like hell. And if that wasn¡¯t enough, he had Shardburst Grenades, which were just shrapnel bombs designed to tear through anything with flesh. And then, of course, the tank mines. Because why not? Two heavy-duty pressure mines, meant for vehicles or something big enough to ruin our day. He had them strapped to the side of his armor, looking like the world''s most unstable fashion statement. And, of course, Ryan had his Arcwave Disruptor, because just shooting wasn¡¯t enough for him. The device was barely bigger than his palm, strapped to his arm. To use it, he had to slide it forward like a goddamn Ghostbusters trap. It would skid across the ground, lock into place, and release a charged pulse, an electric shockwave that fried biological nervous systems, locking up muscles and causing temporary paralysis, along with other fun side effects. The range was garbage, but for close combat and zone control? It was perfect. The catch? He had to be right up in their faces to use it effectively. Which was either stupid or ballsy as hell. And finally, because he wasn¡¯t completely stupid, he carried an armor repair kit, complete with a compact welder to patch up damage on the go. And because Ryan burned through energy like an idiot, he had an energy cell recharger strapped to his hip, letting him restore up to four energy cells in an hour. At first, we thought it was a great idea. Extra energy, easy reloads, what¡¯s not to love? And then Ryan started collecting shit. The deployable turret? A bottomless pit for power cells. The Arcwave Disruptor? Drained faster than Ryan¡¯s patience in a strategy meeting. The armor repair kit? It was cheaper to hope for an armor loot drop than to repair the damn things. What was supposed to be a boon for the team had turned into Ryan¡¯s own personal life support system. We weren¡¯t even sure if the recharger was helping us anymore, or just barely keeping his dumb ass operational. All in all? Ryan was a walking supply depot with a bad attitude. He wasn¡¯t precise, but precision wasn¡¯t his job. His job was to make a fight as miserable as possible for everything in front of us. And in that? He was damn good.
Emily, oh Emily. Unlike Ryan, she could actually shoot. She grew up around guns, her dad had been a cop, and she¡¯d always had a bit of an obsession with weapons. Swords too. Big sci-fi nerd. You can probably guess what kind of swords she liked. The problem? Swords break. Even with all her skills, she knew durability mattered. So instead, she packed two Hyperion Devastator Energy Blasters. Same model as Joey¡¯s, but while Joey¡¯s was Truestrike-enhanced for aim assist, Emily¡¯s were modded purely for damage. Add in her Deadeye path skills, and yeah, she was our best DPS by far. No thanks to Ryan. Chris might be able to outgun her, but we hadn¡¯t seen him in action yet. The way people talked about him, though? Could just be his fan club hyping him up. Guess we¡¯d find out soon enough.
Zoe, Zoe, Zoe. Assassin Path. Master of long-range takedowns, silent kills, and generally making things miserable for anyone on the wrong side of her rifle. Her armor? Same as mine. Dione Vanguard Light Armor Suit. Or, as we called it? The Scout Suit. The original Level 10 version had been called that, and no matter how many upgrades we slapped on it, that name was never changing. And honestly? This thing was a technological masterpiece. Like the others, it had five core pieces, helmet, chest, gloves, legs, boots. Once equipped, it wasn¡¯t like normal armor. Nope. Instead, a black, elastic material spread from each piece, merging together into a form-fitting bodysuit. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. And when I say form-fitting? I mean, this thing clung to you and squeezed. A little scandalous at first, sure, but it moved like nothing else. Unlike Medium Armor, which gave you mobility and some protection, the Scout Suit gave you mobility and zero protection. But the benefits? They were worth it. Passive camouflage: always blending into the background. Harder to see, harder to hit. Active ability? Full camouflage for 30 seconds. Turning us completely translucent, day or night, moving in total invisibility. Problem? Cooldown was a bitch, 2 minutes and counting. And if you weren¡¯t seen? You couldn¡¯t be hit ...That was the theory, anyway. Zoe didn¡¯t just snipe from a distance; she dominated it. Her Enceladus Devastator Energy Sniper Rifle was her pride and joy, a weapon that could melt skulls from miles away. The rifle had pinpoint accuracy, a long-ass effective range, and the power output to punch through most armor like it was wet paper. If she had a shot lined up, the fight was usually over before anyone knew it had begun. Headshots weren¡¯t just her specialty,they were her personality. And if something, or someone, was stupid enough to get close? That¡¯s where her Phobos Devastator Energy Dagger came into play. Most people didn¡¯t take energy daggers seriously. They saw the small frame, the sleek handle, the humming energy field around the blade and assumed it was just a fancy knife. They were dead wrong. The thing cut through armor like butter, burned straight through flesh, and cauterized the wound on the way out. Quick, quiet, efficient. I¡¯d seen her use it before, fast, brutal, and usually over before her target even realized they were dead. Zoe didn¡¯t fight fair. She didn¡¯t need to. Zoe was built for the shadows. And whether she was lining up a shot or sneaking up behind someone, you¡¯d never know she was there, until it was too late.
Finally, there was me. Operative Path. Same Scout tree as Zoe, but instead of focusing purely on long-range kills, my combat path leaned into hand-to-hand combat, infiltration, and hacking. The Dione Vanguard Scout Suit adapted to my body, molding itself snugly, offering full mobility at the cost of actual armor. The thing was downright revealing, but it more than made up for it in performance. And yeah, you didn¡¯t wear much under it. I mean, you could, but it¡¯d feel like being shrink-wrapped alive. While all our armor was airtight and could keep us alive in a vacuum, they weren¡¯t all created equal. Joey and Danny¡¯s Rhean Powered Armor? Built to handle insulation, temperature control, and negate body heat buildup. The Scout Suit? Let¡¯s just say things got hot and steamy real fast. The material wasn¡¯t spandex, but... yeah. It was tight. And the wedgies? Until I took the scout suit off, literally, that thing just rode up my ass. Or, more accurately, it rode up Zoe¡¯s gorgeous bubble butt. For weapons, I carried my trusty Energy Tomahawk, a New England regional drop, twice upgraded with System mods, and still my favorite weapon. My dad had one too. Lightweight, deadly in close quarters, and great for quick, brutal takedowns. But when I wasn¡¯t getting up close and personal, I had my Enceladus Farstrike Energy Sniper Rifle. Yet, regardless of how good our armor was or how much firepower we carried, the truth was, we all got dinged. We hadn¡¯t lost any extremities permanently. Not yet. But time in the medical pods was a necessary evil. Whether it was resting, recovering, or regrowing a few fingers, we¡¯d all been there. And considering what we were about to walk into? We were probably gonna need them again real soon.
I led them to the portal¡¯s edge, my scout armor fitting snugly around me, the familiar weight of my sniper rifle resting at my back and my tomahawk at my side. I raised my palm, and my own interface lit up, a display shimmering in the air, covering my vision: [System Message: Operation Site] Description: A massive underground hive has been discovered beneath the ruins of Outpost Theta. Swarms of insectoid creatures have begun emerging, attacking supply convoys and devouring everything in their path. Your mission is to infiltrate the hive, eliminate the Queen, and destroy their breeding chambers before they overwhelm the region. Gateway: Inactive Recommended Level: 64 (Entry allowed at level 60) Maximum Level: 76 Mission Objective: Defeat the Hive Mother Difficulty: Easy Time Limit: N/A Activate: Yes || No [End of Message] My breath caught as I read the message. Level 64? What the fuck. That shouldn¡¯t be possible. We¡¯d all been capped at 60 for years, no matter how many portals we cleared or how many of these dungeons we dived into. It was like the System was taunting us. And "inactive"? We¡¯d never seen a gateway locked down before. It was as if the whole thing was waiting for something, waiting for us. ¡°What the hell?¡± Ryan¡¯s voice was low, almost a whisper, as he leaned in to read the message over my shoulder. ¡°Level 64? How is that even a thing?¡± He sounded pissed, but also kind of excited, the dumbass. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Zoe said, shaking her head. ¡°We¡¯ve cleared dozens of portals back in Sol. Level 60 was always the ceiling. Now we¡¯re suddenly looking at a cap of what, 76?¡± She glanced at me, her brow furrowed, her dreadlocks swaying. ¡°This doesn¡¯t make sense.¡± ¡°Maybe this is a glitch,¡± Danny said, but there was no conviction in his voice. He sounded like he didn''t even believe it himself. ¡°Or some kind of... special event? A one-off?¡± ¡°Or maybe it¡¯s a trap,¡± Joey muttered, his eyes dark with unease. ¡°We¡¯ve never seen a closed portal before. What if it¡¯s locked because it¡¯s not meant to be opened?¡± Ryan crossed his arms. ¡°Or it¡¯s locked because it¡¯s the trigger. Come on, guys. This could be it, exactly what we¡¯ve been looking for. Something bigger. If there¡¯s a chance to level past 60, we need to take it.¡± He was practically vibrating with anticipation, the idiot. Didn''t he get it? This was dangerous. ¡°Is it though?¡± asked Emily, who had been watching the exchange quietly and was finally stepping forward. ¡°It could also be the opposite,¡± she said, her tone deliberate. ¡°Think about it. We¡¯ve been on this planet for four days, and we haven¡¯t seen a single hostile. If this portal¡¯s inactive, what if that means the whole system is dormant? What if... by activating it, we¡¯re waking everything up?¡± She looked at me, then the rest of the crew, letting her words hang in the air. ¡°Do we really want to be the ones to trigger that?¡± It made a kind of fucked-up sense, didn¡¯t it? The silence, the stillness... it wasn¡¯t natural, not for a planet tied to the System. Back in Sol, we dealt with constant mobs, portals churning out threats like clockwork. There was always something to fight, something to fix. But here? It was like the world was holding its breath, waiting. Waiting for someone, us, to make the first move. Her green eyes, fuck, those green eyes, they always hit me like a punch to the chest, locked onto mine, sharp and unrelenting. It wasn¡¯t just a question; it was a challenge, a plea for sanity in a situation that made none. She didn¡¯t look away, like she was waiting for me to pull some kind of brilliant answer out of thin air. Spoiler: I didn¡¯t have one. "Do we really want to be the ones to trigger that?" she asked, her tone softer now. "You''re saying we could activate this, and suddenly the whole system goes live?" Joey asked, his voice quiet but steady. "That''s a hell of a risk." "Maybe," Emily said, still holding my hand. God, that felt good, but she was still pushing for caution. "Or maybe nothing happens. But if we¡¯re wrong... this could make Sol look like a playground." Zoe stepped forward, hands on her hips, goddamn, that woman had curves in all the right places, looking like she was ready to take on the world. "But if it is dormant, and we don¡¯t check it out, someone else will. And if this is how the system starts, then it¡¯s going to happen sooner or later. Might as well be us, right? We¡¯re the ones who¡¯ve been grinding for this." My head was spinning. Ryan was right, we¡¯d been stuck at level 60 for too fucking long, itching for something new, something to break this endless fucking cycle. But Emily¡¯s words were like a damn alarm bell in my head. If we lit this thing up, and it triggered something across the whole system... were we ready? Could we handle that shit? I love Emily, I really do, but this is what we came here for, this is what I came here for. I looked at them all. They were all staring at me, waiting. Fucking always me. The pressure was crushing, but I couldn¡¯t show it. They needed me to be the guy with the answers, even when I didn¡¯t have a fucking clue. Emily¡¯s hand tightened around mine for just a second. "If we do this," I said slowly, "we do it carefully. We don¡¯t just dive in blind. We¡¯re not here to set off a chain reaction we can¡¯t control." Emily¡¯s expression softened a little, but her eyes, they were still worried. "And if it does activate more than just this portal?" "Then we adapt," I said, meeting her gaze. "We¡¯ve been through worse, and we¡¯re still here. Whatever happens, we deal with it." Ryan grinned like a goddamn maniac. "Hell yeah, we do. Let¡¯s crack this thing open." I adjusted the strap on my rifle, rolling my shoulders. The armor was all tight, sleek, and weightless. I barely felt it. Meanwhile, Ryan looked like he was prepping for an entire goddamn war. ¡°Jesus, Ryan,¡± I said, eyeing the turret strapped to his back, the grenades bouncing off his belt, the extra energy cells wedged into every available pocket. ¡°You bringing the whole armory with you, or do you just like looking like a walking tank?¡± Ryan grunted, shifting under the weight. ¡°Some of us actually come prepared, noodle boy. Not all of us can prance around in spandex armor and pretend we¡¯re untouchable.¡± "Hey!" Emily interrupted. "He''s not all noodle." I smirked, stretching out one leg like I was about to run a marathon. ¡°Jealous?¡± Ryan scoffed. ¡°Yeah, sure. I¡¯d love to be one energy bolt away from streaking through a dungeon.¡± Emily snorted. Zoe, not missing a beat, cocked her head, eyes twinkling. ¡°Would be a real shame if something happened to that suit, huh?¡± I flipped her off. ¡°Seriously though,¡± I said, nudging one of the two tank mines strapped to Ryan¡¯s thigh. ¡°Do you really need all this crap?¡± Ryan gave me a flat look. ¡°Let¡¯s see... a turret that keeps us from getting swarmed, grenades to clear tunnels, a recharger because, oh yeah, I actually use energy cells like a normal person, and a fucking Arcwave Disruptor that just saved your ass last time.¡± He patted the bulky pack on his hip. ¡°Yeah, I think I¡¯ll keep it.¡± I shook my head, grinning. ¡°You¡¯re gonna throw your back out before we even make it to the first fight.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± Ryan shot back, grinning now too. ¡°And you¡¯re gonna get flattened by the first thing that sneezes on you.¡± Emily, ever the mediator, sighed. ¡°Can you two flirt later? We¡¯ve got a job to do.¡± I held up my hands. ¡°Fine, fine. Just making sure our engineer doesn¡¯t collapse under his own loadout.¡± Ryan cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, Cap. Just keep looking pretty in your rubber suit, and let the real soldiers handle the heavy lifting.¡± I grinned. ¡°I¡¯ll remember that when you need me to save your ass. Again.¡± Turning back to the display, I focused over the "Activate" option. My heart hammered like a fucking drum solo. Emily¡¯s hand slipped away, but not before one last squeeze. It was like she was saying, Don¡¯t fuck this up. "We¡¯re explorers," I said, mostly to myself. "And this is what we do." The portal shuddered. A low hum vibrated through the ground. The dark energy started swirling, getting brighter, spinning faster. The air felt... electric. Like something was about to pop off. "We¡¯re going in,¡± I said. Chapter 50 - Inside Right, showtime. The crew tightened up before we all faded into the void. My voice crackled over the comms, "Seal your suits. Visors down." Hisses all around as helmets locked on. Suddenly, it was just us, in our own little bubbles of silence, except for the breathing and the occasional ping through our communication units. I checked the team''s status on my interface, a quick tap, and we were synced. "All green?" A chorus of "yeps" and "affirmative," some more confident than others. Ryan, that fucker, mumbled something stupid, and Danny told him to shut it. Same old shit, just a different portal, I thought, grinning a little. "Let''s move." Just another dungeon. We got this. Emily stepped up beside me. Her Medium Armor was the same style as Chris'' and Ryan''s, not too heavy, not too light, just right. But the system, it had done something... different. The chest plates were pushed out a bit, the hip piece adjusted. Made her look... fuck, she looked good. Gotta focus. Ahead of us, Danny lumbered along in his Powered Armor, looking like a goddamn tank. You could probably hit that thing with a nuke, and he''d just shrug it off. We walked into the portal. It was like being squeezed through a tube made of Jell-O. My stomach did a flip, and for a second, I was just floating in disorientation. Then, bam, boots hit the ground. Gravity was lighter here, fucked with my stride for a sec, but the suit''s neural interface fixed it.
It was dark as shit, oppressive and cold. We turned our helmet lamps on. My visor¡¯s heads-up display (HUD) kicked in, helping make sense of the cavern. There was this weird glowing moss pulsing on the walls, making everything look green and slimy. Shadows were dancing like they were alive. The portal behind us closed. "Fuck," Ryan''s voice crackled. "Welcome to the nightmare cave." I frowned, my eyes narrowed. My intel gathering skill gave me some insight and shit, like a patch of moss that had been disturbed, a weird pattern on the floor. "Stay focused," I snapped. "We didn''t come here to sightsee." Zoe crouched, rifle ready. Her passive camouflage made her practically invisible, just a faint shimmer in the dark. "Keep the chatter down," she muttered, all business. "We don''t know what''s down here yet." There was this pressure in the air, like the whole damn dungeon was holding its breath. My visor¡¯s HUD wasn¡¯t picking up any thermal signatures, but that didn''t mean shit in a place like this. "Anyone else feel like this place is trying too hard to be creepy?" Danny''s voice crackled, trying to be funny. I could hear the nerves, though. Fucking dork, just shut up. "Like, alright already, we get it. You''re a spooky cave." Emily let out a short laugh. "Will you be quiet, Danny. Last thing we need is a surprise." She was tense. I could hear it. I need the old Emily back, the one who''d laugh at this shit. We moved forward, steps light, almost bouncy. This low gravity was weird, but kind of cool. The stone under our boots was slick, cold, and covered in these weird spirals that followed the walls. "These carvings look... fresh," Joey murmured, voice tight. "Like someone just scratched them in." Dude, this is a portal, a fake-ass instance created by the system. Of course, it''s fresh. "Or something," Ryan added. "I doubt the Queen''s been redecorating." Thanks, smartass. Why even bring up the Queen? This portal''s already way above our level, don''t fucking jinx it. Was I tense? No. As calm as Lake Winnipesaukee in February. Well, maybe a little tense. ¡°Quiet,¡± I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Joey, keep an eye on those carvings. Everyone else, form up. We''re heading deeper, to find the hive core." Might as well keep Joey busy, that guy can be creepy as fuck sometimes. And Ryan just needs to shut the hell up. Emily stepped closer, shoulder brushing mine. Normally, this would be... distracting, especially in that armor. But I was basically wearing a rubbery bodysuit, and her armor was all angles, so it didn''t really... translate. "Think this is just another hive dungeon?" she asked, her voice low. "Or are we about to find out how wrong we are?" Why are you so negative all of a sudden? I thought. This is fun, right? A scary cave, weird sounds, probably about to be swarmed by giant bugs. Classic stuff. Yeah, so, everything we¡¯ve handled has been level 60 or below; this is level 64. But the system is predictable. We¡¯ve done some hive scenarios before, we just need to not get fucked, not too much anyways. What we knew about portals was that the higher the level, the longer they were. The scenarios? They didn¡¯t vary too much. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Emily¡¯s hand reached out, gave mine a quick squeeze. That was nice. Alright, so we walked through this huge chamber. The moss was going crazy, all over the walls and ceiling, pulsing like that shit in the movie Alien. It was fucking cold, seeping into my bones even through the suit. My HUD pinged with a faint signal, it was further ahead, somewhere in the dark. The mission directive popped up: [Mission Objective: Defeat the Hive Mother] Yeah, no shit. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I murmured, the mission pulling us like a damn magnet. "Stay close. Call out anything unusual." Zoe took point, her passive camouflage doing its thing, making her almost disappear into the shadows. Even her footsteps were silent. I followed close, that familiar mix of dread and excitement churning in my gut. We were all on the same wavelength, calm but intense. Even Danny and Joey were being cautious, their bulky-ass power armor whirring away, making a racket. In the stillness of the underground? Yeah, fucking loudspeakers announcing our presence. The large chamber led to two tunnels. It¡¯d be easy to get lost in here if you hadn¡¯t done these sort of scenarios before. A hive scenario usually involved a queen. Where would the queen be? In the central chamber, somewhere low below you. The tunnel on the left sort of led downward, so that¡¯s what we did. The tunnel we chose was getting tighter, like we were walking down the throat of some giant, sleeping monster. Every step felt heavier, every little sound echoed. My HUD was flickering, mapping the cramped space ahead. My situational awareness was on high alert. Every detail was screaming at me, the sharp edges of the walls, the uneven ground, the scuff of boots behind me. We''re sitting ducks here, perfect for an ambush. I held onto my energy sniper rifle. If something''s going to happen, it''s going to happen here. Then, the silence exploded. A sound like thousands of needles scraping metal tore through the tunnel, skittering, clacking, the dry rustling of chitin rubbing against itself. My HUD lit up red, and my visor was filled with movement, fast, erratic, closing in. I knew it. I fucking knew this was going to happen. It always happens. "Incoming!" I yelled, dropping to one knee, rifle up. "Form up! Stay tight!" They poured out of the darkness, all legs and armored plates, their carapaces glistening with condensation in the dim bioluminescent glow. Their claws scraped against the stone, sending sharp echoes bouncing down the tunnel. Some were scrambling along the walls, some darting ahead, some pausing as if trying to assess us. My critical strikes skill kicked in, highlighting the soft spots on these things: joints and underbellies. I fired, the energy sniper rifle spitting out a blue bolt of energy that slammed into one of the creatures right at a joint. It screeched and stumbled but kept coming. "Aim for the weak points!" I yelled, voice tight. "Joints, underbelly, find the gaps!" Ryan darted to the left, actually being useful for once, his Energy Scattergun spitting out short bursts. "These things are tanks!" he yelled, his shots mostly bouncing off their shells. "What are they made of, starship armor?" Then the drones reacted. Like a switch had flipped, their hesitation vanished. The moment the first few dropped, the rest rushed us. "Focus fire!" Zoe''s voice cut in, calm and steady. She''s in her element, the sexy badass. Her own devastator sniper rifle fired in quick succession, hitting a charging bug in the legs. It stumbled, fell on its belly. I pivoted, took aim, and finished it off with a shot to the exposed underside. Danny barreled forward, his massive energy warhammer humming. Normally, Danny was this quiet, nimble, cute kid, but in that powered armor with that giant hammer, he was a fucking beast. His slim figure was hidden inside that machine, but the way he moved... it was like poetry, but with more smashing. "Time to make some bug soup!" he roared, swinging the hammer in a wide arc. He looked fucking awesome. The impact cracked a big one''s shell, sending it flying back into the others. "Soft enough for you now?" Ryan seized the moment, lined up a headshot, and pulled the trigger. The bug''s head exploded, greens slime hitting the wall behind it, and it dropped like a sack of shit. "Nice assist, big guy!" Ryan yelled, grinning. I targeted another bug, my rifle snapping to its underbelly. The shot hit home, the energy blast burning through. "These things don''t stop," I muttered, already lining up the next shot. Our weapons weren¡¯t really cutting it. We''re underpowered for these monsters. We were at least working well as a team. This is our element. This is what we do. And I''m gonna fucking own it. The cavern was going nuts. Shapes surged up the tunnel ahead, dozens of them, their skittering claws scratching the ground like a tidal wave of chitin and legs. The air hummed with energy fire, flashing off the tunnel walls as we lit them up. "Joey, cover the rear!" I yelled, snapping my rifle up to cover the front. "Don''t let them flank us!" "On it!" Joey''s Energy Shield flared to life, a shimmering barrier around him. The bugs slammed into it, hard, but it held. His voice was calm over the comms, even with all this shit going down. "Keep moving!" Emily was moving, finally out of her funk, her twin Energy Blasters spitting energy bolts as she targeted the weak points Zoe had identified. She twisted and rolled, dodging claws. ¡°They''re too fucking fast," she growled. "We need to slow them down, or they''ll swarm us!" "Working on it!" Chris grunted. Like a goddamn action hero, I watched as his non conventional Energy Driver started shooting out a concentrated beam of energy, kicking in his hands as he tried to clear a path. "I''ve got a stunner grenade ready!¡± yelled Ryan. "Make it count," I said, dropping to one knee and aiming. I aimed at the joints on a bigger bug charging Joey''s position. I squeezed the trigger. The shot hit the knee joint, and the thing went down. "Nice shot!" Chris shouted. Ryan aimed the stunner, bracing himself. The air hummed, and then, crack! The stunner detonated. A wave of energy washed over the bugs, freezing a bunch of them in place. "Now! Focus fire!" Zoe commanded, her voice sharp. There she is, my girl. She was firing quick shots, precise and deadly. I saw her kneeling, aiming, fucking perfect form. We all followed, bolts of energy converging on the frozen bugs. Shells cracked, green goo sprayed, limbs went flying, and bugs dropped like flies. Danny roared, charging in with his Warhammer glowing like a miniature sun. His Aggro Beacon flared, pulling the bugs'' attention. "Come on, you ugly bastards!" he yelled, swinging the hammer. It connected with a huge one, shattering its shell and exposing the soft flesh underneath. Chris and Emily moved up, firing in together. Even Ryan was pulling his weight, for once in his life. Their shots hit the exposed creature, making it twitch and jerk. But it wasn''t enough. Chapter 51 - Bugs? Giant Bugs! "They just keep coming!" Ryan shouted, swapping his overheated weapon for his Energy Blaster. No shit, Sherlock. "We''re chewing through energy cells like it''s candy." ¡°They¡¯re taking to look to go down,¡± Zoe muttered, her rifle kicking as she fired. "For every one we kill, two more crawl out." My eyes darted around, searching for something, anything, a chokepoint, a bottleneck, something to slow these fuckers down. I nailed one sneaking up on Emily, dropping it. Stay alive, Em. My mind raced. This was supposed to be routine. But these things... they were shrugging off hits, adapting. We''re gonna be overrun if we don''t do something. "Danny, clear us a path!" I yelled, my tone sharp. My critical strikes skill highlighted the weak points in their formation. "We need to move before they box us in!" Danny grunted, his Aggro Beacon flaring brighter. He''s got this, the big lug. "On it!" he shouted, swinging his warhammer. Bugs went flying, limbs snapping as Danny pushed forward, making a hole. "Joey, keep that shield tight!" I continued, pivoting to cover our flank. ¡°Chris, Ryan, stick to Danny''s sides. Don''t let anything sneak through! Emily, with me, we''re taking down the big ones. They''re holding this swarm together." Emily was beside me, her twin blasters firing in sync with my sniper shots. She was focused, sharp. That''s my girl. "Right here," she said, her voice hard. "Let''s tear them apart." Ryan activated Power Surge, his scatter rifle spitting out amplified shots that ripped through the bugs'' shells. Each shot hit hard, sending them sprawling. "Fuck yeah!" Ryan shouted, his confidence surging. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes. Chris, standing his ground against a wave of bugs, activated the same ability. Fucking A, Chris! The stream of his beam punched through the swarm, slicing through and creating a small gap. "That''s a dozen down," he called out, sweat dripping under his visor. "But they''re still coming!" Emily''s voice cut through the noise. "Clear a path!" Her blasters glowed as she, too, finally activated it: Power Surge ability. Double trouble, let''s go! Her shots were devastating. I moved with her, no words needed. My weak spot analysis was lighting up the bugs'' weak points, and my sniper rifle was tearing them apart. We were moving together, flowing through the swarm, our firepower relentless. Chris shouted over the comms, ¡°Grenade going out!" He lobbed it into the thickest part of the swarm. The explosion shook the whole damn cavern, throwing bugs back in a mangled mess. "Push through!" I called, my voice firm, cutting through the chaos. "We need to find the source. take out the Queen, or we''re going to get chewed up." Joey''s shield was holding the rear, Chris''s rifle was covering the flanks, and Danny''s hammer was a fucking wall of destruction, clearing space with each swing. Ryan and Zoe were moving up, cutting down any stragglers. Then the path ahead split. The tunnel system forked in three different directions, each one twisting into darkness. The Hive was a maze, a labyrinth of shifting tunnels that could lead anywhere, or nowhere. At least the minimap in my visor¡¯s HUD was filling in the details, sketching out where we¡¯d been and what we hadn¡¯t seen yet. Better than nothing. Zoe activated Active Camouflage, disappearing into the shadows. "I''ll find us a way through," she whispered over comms. Her voice was barely there. Emily''s hand held mine as we regrouped. "We''re getting there," she said, her voice calm despite all the shit we just went through. I nodded. "One step at a time," I said, my voice steady.
The cavern fell silent, the sounds of the fight fading into the stillness. We stood in a loose circle, breathing hard, our helmet lights casting sharp shadows on the dead bugs littering the floor. Smoke rose from cracked shells, filling the air with a sharp, nasty smell. I kept my rifle up, scanning the tunnel ahead. My HUD showed nothing, no heat, no movement, just this eerie quiet. "I''ve got something up ahead," Zoe said. "Big space. Really big. I haven¡¯t gone in yet, but the lighting is different, bioluminescence, casting everything in green. No movement so far, but I don¡¯t like how wide open it is." A large chamber. That usually meant one of two things: either a breeding ground, or something even worse. I exhaled, adjusting my grip on my rifle. "Alright, come back," I said. "We¡¯ll regroup before we move in." My grip on my rifle relaxed a bit, but my pulse was still hammering. "Sound off. Everyone good?" What a mess. Ryan''s laugh broke through the tension, cocky and loud. "Man, did you see those bastards run when Danny started swinging that hammer? Big guy''s like a walking nuke!" Ryan couldn''t be more gay for Danny, and honestly? Danny was kicking ass, maybe that was why Zoe had been chasing his tail for so long. That kid could swing it. Before anyone could say anything else, Joey''s voice cut in, excited. ¡°Check this out!¡± He was standing over one of the bigger bugs, where a faint light was glowing. "Loot boxes!" Danny said, eyes lighting up as he bounded over. "Finally, some rewards!" "Everyone, check the mobs,¡± I ordered, but I couldn''t help but feel a little jolt of excitement myself. Maybe this won''t be a total bust. "Let''s see what we''ve got." We approached the glowing containers. As we got closer, the glow solidified, revealing sleek, metallic boxes. I crouched down, opening the flaps on one of them. It clicked open with a hiss, and my HUD lit up. As the lid hissed open, a soft blue glow pulsed from within. Nestled inside the sleek metallic container was a rifle, but not like anything I''d seen before. It had the general shape of an energy rifle, sure, long barrel, ergonomic grip, smooth lines, but this thing had weight. Not just physically, but in its presence. It was denser, heavier than it should be, like the materials packed more punch than their size suggested. The main body was matte black, broken up by faint veins of cobalt energy running along its length, pulsing in time with my own breath, as if syncing to me. The barrel was reinforced, wider at the base, narrowing into a precision-focused muzzle, with a coiled energy chamber just behind it. Unlike traditional energy weapons, which always felt a little fragile, this one felt solid, reliable, like I could drop it, smash it into someone''s face, and still fire off a shot without issue. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. [Item Acquired: Plasma Rifle - TL9] "Plasma?" I muttered, surprised as hell. Holy shit, is that what I think it is? I reached in and pulled out the Plasma Rifle. This is insane. We''re pulling plasma gear? Here? A grin spread across my face. Fuck yeah. I ran my thumb along the side, feeling the faint hum of power coursing through it. I tried to use my Analyze skill on it¡­ and nothing. No readout, no stats. Maybe my Analyze skill wasn¡¯t high enough. Weapons usually came with a full breakdown, damage output, durability, range, even mod slots if they had them. Ryan was beside me in a flash, practically bouncing. "Dude, let me see that!" Always the gear hound. He grabbed the rifle, testing its weight. "Oh man. This thing''s gotta have some serious kick." Across from us, Emily carefully lifted something out of her box, a slender, curved handle. She pressed a button, and a blade of shimmering, electric-blue plasma extended, humming softly. A fucking light saber. Can I even say that? Hey, I''m just thinking it. "It''s a... plasma sword," she said, her voice almost reverent. "Like, a real plasma sword." She swung it experimentally, the blade buzzing through the air with a satisfying whoosh. "Holy shit, this is insane!" Zoe''s eyes lit up when she saw it. "No way! Emily, can I try it?" "Everyone, calm down!" I said, but I was laughing. These are great toys. "We need to figure out who gets what. This isn''t just about showing off." "Oh, come on, Captain," Ryan teased, still holding the Plasma Rifle like it was the best thing he had ever seen. Of course he is."I vote we just call dibs. I''m pretty sure I''ve got dibs on this baby." Zoe rolled her eyes, stepping closer to examine the rifle. "Sure, Ry, because you''re known for your marksmanship," she said with a smirk. "You''ll end up shooting at the walls half the time." "I don''t see you with one of these," Ryan shot back, grinning. What an asshole. I shook my head. "We''ll figure it out. But you''re right, it¡¯s incredible gear. We''re talking TL9 tech, next level. We''ve never seen anything like this back home." This is insane. "Exactly!" Danny said, grabbing one of the Power Cells and twirling it. Like a goddamn fidget spinner. "It''s like we''ve hit a loot jackpot. Plasma weapons? Next, they''ll be handing us mech suits." Joey was in total nerd mode. "Do you realize what this means? We''ve been capped at level 60 forever, and suddenly, we''re finding gear that''s way beyond that. It''s like Alpha Centauri just unlocked... the next tier." "Or it''s been sitting here, waiting for someone to find it," Chris added, his voice full of anticipation. "And that someone is us. We''re going to be the first to use this stuff. That''s huge." A sleek, red-and-silver injector, roughly the size of my thumb, its glass cylinder filled with a swirling blue liquid. The label on the side blinked in System script: [Item Acquired: Stim Pack ¨C TL9] Next to it, another crate held Nano-Bandages, far more advanced than the ones we¡¯d gotten on Earth. The fine, mesh-like material practically shimmered, pulsing faintly under Joey¡¯s touch. I exhaled, feeling the excitement in my chest dip into something more uneasy. Weapons? Cool. Energy cells? Necessary. But system-based injectables? I didn¡¯t love it. ¡°Alright,¡± I muttered. ¡°That¡¯s new.¡± I exhaled slowly, staring at the new weapons. TL9. The future, right here. The system hadn¡¯t even been active all this time, and now? [+111,515 XP] [+41,625 credits] [Level up! Level 61, +5 attribute points] [Skill Level up! Situational Awareness Proficiency Level 6 -> Level 7] [Skill Level up! Adaptive Cover Proficiency Level 6 -> Level 7] [Skill Level up! Precision Shots Level 6 -> Level 7] [Skill Level up! Light Armor Proficiency Level 6 -> Level 7] Goosebumps ran up my arms, and I swear my heart skipped a beat. A rush of heat rolled up my spine as my interface flared to life. For a second, I felt weightless, no, not weighless, like the fucking floor had just dropped out under me. My knees almost buckled. XP again. And so much of it. A real fucking level-up. My breath caught, throat tight, fingers gripping my sniper rifle like an anchor against the tunnel floor. We¡¯re free. Free of the cap that¡¯s held us back for two fucking years. My whole body buzzed, an electric pulse in my veins, my brain struggling to process what just happened Level 60 had been a wall, the System¡¯s absolute ceiling. It didn¡¯t matter how many portals we delved, how many monsters we killed, how much training we did. No progress, no growth. Just stuck. Now? Level 61. Five more attribute points. I could breathe again. Ryan''s shout broke through. "Holy shit! Level 61? No way! I thought we were stuck forever." Danny let out a wild, almost manic laugh. "Fuck yeah! The System''s been holding us back for years. Feels good to break through." Emily''s voice chimed in, calm but with a hint of awe. "It''s real. Five attribute points. I''m already allocating them." She glanced at me, her green eyes gleaming. "What do you think it means?" I swallowed hard, forcing air into my lungs. My mind was racing. "It means," I said slowly, "that this place, this star system is an upgrade from Sol, like a new fucking area." I flexed my fingers, still tingling from the aftershock, and pulled up my status screen. For two years, this screen had been frozen, a fucking monument to wasted XP. And now? It moved. [Status] Name: Luca Rossi Combat Path: Operative (Perception, Intelligence) Profession Path: Starship Commander (Intelligence, Memory) Level: 61 Experience Points: 1,817,820/2,275,075 Credits: 172,625 [Attributes] Charisma: 22 Intelligence: 50 Memory: 45 Perception: 66 Willpower: 31 +5 Attribute Points [Combat Path Skills] Ranged Weapons Proficiency - Level 7 (Primary: Perception / Secondary: Intelligence) Silent Movement Proficiency - Level 6 (Primary: Perception / Secondary: Willpower) Ambush Tactics Proficiency - Level 6 (Primary: Perception / Secondary: Intelligence) Adaptive Cover Proficiency - Level 7 (Primary: Perception / Secondary: Intelligence) Closer Quarters Proficiency - Level 6 (Primary: Perception / Secondary: Willpower) Precision Shots Proficiency - Level 7 (Primary: Perception / Secondary: Intelligence) Intel Gathering Familiarity - Level 4 (Primary: Perception / Secondary: Memory) Stealth Infiltration Familiarity - Level 5 (Primary: Perception / Secondary: Intelligence) Critical Strikes Proficiency - Level 6 (Primary: Perception / Secondary: Willpower) Light Armor Proficiency - Level 7 (Primary: Perception / Secondary: Intelligence) Situational Awareness Proficiency - Level 7 (Primary: Perception / Secondary: Intelligence) Blade Expertise Familiarity - Level 4 (Primary: Perception / Secondary: Intelligence) Tomahawk Throwing Proficiency - Level 8 (Primary: Perception / Secondary: Memory) [Passive Skill Queue: ACTIVE] Inspect Proficiency: Level 6 -> Level 10 Tomahawk Throwing Proficiency: Level 8 - > Level 10 Silent Movement Proficiency: Level 6 -> Level 8 Ambush Tactics Proficiency: Level 6 -> Level 8 Intel Gathering Familiarity: Level 6 -> Level 8 Stealth Infiltration Familiarity: Level 5 -> Level 8 Critical Strikes Proficiency: Level 6 -> Level 8 Starship Operation Familiarity: Level 4 -> Level 5 Starship Systems Familiarity: Level 4 -> Level 5 Starship Maintenance Familiarity: Level 3 -> Level 5 Starship Power Systems Optimization Familiarity: Level 3 -> Level 5 Starship Navigation Familiarity: Level 3 -> Level 5 Starship Manuevering Familiarity: Level 4 -> Level 5 [Total XP Required: 597,893] [Estimated Completion: 49 Days] I stared at the numbers on my interface, heart hammering like I¡¯d just won the goddamn lottery. Because I had. There were millions of people back in Sol waiting for this opportunity. The passive skill queue was running again. For two years, it had been a dead thing, a useless fucking list in my status screen, locked behind an XP wall we couldn¡¯t break through. I had planned this queue with Emily, refining it, optimizing it, and for what? To sit there. Unmoving. No progress. No growth. But now? Now it was moving. I let out a slow, shaky breath, grinning like an idiot. 12,083 XP per day. That was real, actual progress rolling in automatically, pushing my skills toward something usable instead of sitting at half-trained mediocrity. Inspect? Going to level 10! Stealth? Getting better. My goddamn Tomahawk Throwing? Hitting Level 10, baby! Hopefully unlocking whatever ability was behing that level. THANK YOU, JESUS. Emily caught my expression and smirked, nudging me with her elbow. "Feels good, doesn''t it?" "Emily," I said, voice thick with gratitude and possibly religious fervor, "I could kiss you right now." "Please do," she grinned. I actually might have if Ryan hadn''t shoved between us, clapping me on the shoulder so hard I almost dropped the rifle. "Dude. We¡¯re fucking back." Yeah. Yeah, we were. Chapter 52 - Sneaking ahead I exhaled slowly, trying to keep it together. Two years stuck at 60, no matter how many dungeons we cleared, no matter how perfect our runs were. Now? The numbers on the screen didn¡¯t just mean progress. They meant freedom. Holy fuck, we¡¯re finally moving. The skill bumps weren¡¯t massive, not yet, but I¡¯d take them. Better aim. Faster reactions. Smarter movement. My shots would land cleaner, my cover instincts sharper, and my armor usage would be more efficient. And the best part? Every skill that hit Level 10 unlocked a new ability. Which ability? No clue. The System didn¡¯t exactly hand out spoilers. But I¡¯d find out soon enough. I checked my attributes. Perception was solid. Willpower was holding. Charisma, though? Yeah, that could use some love, but when the hell was I charming anyone in a hive dungeon? Maybe I should try with one of those bugs. Focus, Luca. Five points. Where do they go? Perception was tempting ¨C more accuracy, more situational awareness. Intelligence? It could give my planning that extra edge. But then I thought about it, the way attributes fed into skills. Higher attributes didn¡¯t just mean better reactions, sharper aim. They boosted how much XP I earned. I knew attributes affected XP gains, higher stats meant more skill growth when we fought. But I never really dwelled on the math. That was Danny and Ryan¡¯s thing, the two of them obsessing over skill paths and XP multipliers like it was a goddamn science. I just knew that my Perception was high, and that meant my Ranged Weapons skills leveled fast. Every shot, every kill, the System was funneling XP into my skills way faster than someone with lower stats. It made me better. Stronger. More dangerous. And after two years of stagnation, finally seeing that progress again? Yeah, I was pumped. Around me, the team¡¯s voices buzzed over the comms as they adjusted their own attributes. Ryan¡¯s voice cut through the chatter, practically vibrating with excitement. ¡°Holy shit, do you realize what this means? The multipliers are insane now! Luca, you¡¯re getting like, what, six times base XP per kill? Maybe more?¡± I rolled my eyes, grinning despite myself. Of course, he was already running numbers. ¡°Dude, if we were still capped, I¡¯d be sick right now,¡± he continued, probably pacing in circles, hands in his hair like a mad scientist. ¡°But we¡¯re not. Which means we need to rerun all our skill growth projections. Danny, I¡¯m serious. We can optimize the hell out of this. The efficiency curve¡­¡± Danny laughed, cutting him off. ¡°Ryan. Breathe. We just leveled up. We¡¯re not writing a goddamn research paper on it.¡±
I closed the profile screen, the display blinking out. Decisions could wait. Right now, we still had a Queen to hunt. Focus on the mission, I reminded myself, gripping my rifle tighter. But fuck yeah, it feels good to be leveling again! We''re gonna fuck shit up! Emily¡¯s voice cut through my high. ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky.¡± I turned. She wasn¡¯t smiling anymore. Her grip on the plasma sword was firm, her shoulders tense. ¡°We¡¯re in a TL9 dungeon with TL8 gear,¡± she said, her eyes hard. ¡°The System isn¡¯t just handing this stuff out for fun. It means we¡¯re under-equipped for what¡¯s ahead. One wrong step, and these things will tear through us. We¡¯re not invincible, Luca.¡± Way to ruin the mood, Em. I exhaled, pushing down the buzz of excitement. She was right. I hated that she was right. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong,¡± I said, keeping my voice steady. ¡°But we can¡¯t pretend this isn¡¯t a game-changer. We¡¯ve been grinding the same dungeons for two years, and now? Now we¡¯ve got a shot at something better.¡± She held my gaze, her jaw tight. Then, finally, her shoulders relaxed, just a little. A sigh. ¡°Yeah. Just don¡¯t get yourself killed proving a point.¡± A reluctant smile tugged at her lips as she flicked the plasma blade on again, the glow casting sharp shadows across her armor. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡± I grabbed her hand, just for a moment. ¡°We¡¯ll watch each other¡¯s backs. We always do.¡± Ryan, ever the showman, swung the rifle up dramatically, pretending to aim it at some imaginary enemy. ¡°So, who¡¯s getting this beauty, anyway?¡± he asked, grinning. ¡°Captain, you wanna rock the new tech?¡± I hesitated, my fingers brushing the stock of my sniper rifle at my side. ¡°You take it, Ryan,¡± I said finally, shaking my head. ¡°You¡¯re better up close, anyway, and we¡¯re gonna need someone to test this thing in action. Besides, I¡¯ve got my sniper.¡± Emily still had the plasma sword in her hands. I turned to her. ¡°You keep that. I know you know how to use it.¡± She grinned, her confidence flaring as she ignited the blade again. The sound it made was sharp, alive, and yeah, it was pretty sick. ¡°I won¡¯t let you down, Captain.¡± Zoe let out a dramatic sigh, throwing her hands in the air. ¡°I swear, I better get something cool soon, or I¡¯m throwing a fit. I want a plasma bazooka or something.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°You¡¯ll get your chance,¡± I said. ¡°Everyone¡¯s going to get their shot at the new gear. But right now, we¡¯re not done. We keep pushing forward, see what else is down here.¡±
Then, as we started checking supplies, that buzz? It soured. I popped open my energy cell pouch, checking my energy cells. My stomach dipped. We each brought eight energy cells. That should¡¯ve been more than enough. A full loadout, even for a long delve. But we weren¡¯t burning through them at normal speed. I glanced around. Everyone was reloading, slotting in fresh cells, swapping overheated ones. Ryan¡¯s scattergun alone had chewed through three already. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Fuck. My fingers tightened around my rifle. This wasn¡¯t normal. In any other dungeon, we would¡¯ve dropped these mobs faster. But these weren¡¯t normal enemies. They were stronger, tougher. TL8 weapons weren¡¯t cutting it. I shifted my weight, trying to ignore the gnawing unease creeping up my spine. We¡¯d gotten a Plasma Rifle, a Plasma Sword, that was a good start. But aside from that? Nothing. No extra energy cells. No armor upgrades. Would we have enough to make it to the end? I exhaled, forcing my shoulders not to tense. No one else had noticed yet. Or if they had, they weren¡¯t saying it. Not the time. We keep moving. We figure it out later. Chris was practically salivating as he shoved those Stim Packs and Nano Bandages into his pockets. "If this is just a taste," he said, "then I can''t wait to see what''s at the end of this dungeon. We''re talking serious upgrades." Danny hefted his Warhammer. "And we''re getting that boss kill, too. Plasma gear or not, I want to see what kind of loot the Hive Mother''s hiding." Of course you do, Danny. It''s always about the loot. "Then let''s not waste any time," I said. "We keep moving, but we stay sharp. We''re the first ones to see this, and we''re going to make it count." Fuck yeah, we are. We regrouped, tightening our formation. The path ahead seemed less daunting now. Maybe it was the new toys. Or maybe I was just high on adrenaline. This is what I live for. We moved forward, Ryan''s new Plasma Rifle humming, Emily''s Plasma Sword crackling. Hot damn, that''s a sight. We were finally breaking through the bullshit. The system had finally thrown us a curveball, and we were more than prepared to hit it out of the park. Let''s do this. I just hoped we had enough left to finish the delve.
Zoe led the way, moving like a shadow deeper into the tunnels. It was quieter now, the skittering horde thankfully left behind, but the air still hummed with that weird energy. And the tunnel¡­ it was opening up, widening. Then we stepped out of the narrow passage and into¡­ what the fuck? If it wasn¡¯t for the lack of a sky, I would think we were outside. This fucking cavern was huge. Like a goddamn universe down here. The tunnel opened onto a massive cavern, so huge I couldn¡¯t even see the other side through the swirling fog. Fog, thick and green, clung to the ground, swallowing everything below knee level in a damp shroud. Above, towering shapes loomed ¨C giant mushrooms? Fungi? Bigger than buildings, their caps glowing with this sickly green light, casting impossible, dancing shadows everywhere. And plants, vines as thick as my arm, weird alien ferns that dripped with moisture, all hung from the unseen ceiling and walls. This was weirder than New Dawn. ¡°Whoa,¡± Ryan breathed, actually sounding awestruck for once. ¡°This is¡­ insane.¡± Insane didn¡¯t even cover it. It was like stepping onto another planet, a whole ecosystem thriving in the dark. The air was heavy, thick, and wet, and smelled like¡­ damp earth mixed with something cloying, something sweet and decaying at the same time. My visor¡¯s environmental sensors were flashing warnings, picking up all kinds of unknown bio-signatures in the air. It was still breathable, though. ¡°Fog¡¯s a bitch,¡± Zoe said, her voice coming in through the communication link. ¡°Visibility¡¯s zero down low. Keep your eyes peeled, especially for movement in the mist.¡± Right. This was why we did this as a party. And Ryan? Ryan was good at this. Breaking down situations, assigning roles, and seeing the fight before it started. I was good at getting in and out, spotting threats before they spotted us. We all had our parts to play. "Alright," Ryan''s voice cut through. "Listen up, nerds. We stick to the plan. Zoe and Luca scout ahead. Everyone else stays tight. Joey, Danny, try not to sound like a goddamn freight train back there." Cue immediate complaints. "Booo," Chris groaned, "Why the hell do you get to lead?" Emily, ever the diplomat, sighed. "Are we really doing this now?" Danny, traitorous bastard that he was, clapped Ryan on the back. "Let the guy have his moment. He loves this shit." I smirked, adjusting my rifle. "Exactly. Ryan lives for this. Plus, this way, I get to run ahead and do my thing." ¡°Oh, of course,¡± Emily said dryly. "You just want to sneak off and play lone wolf." "No," I shot back. "I just don¡¯t want to be stuck listening to Ryan¡¯s tactical lectures all night." "Aww, babe," Ryan cooed, "you love my tactical lectures." Zoe cleared her throat, already moving forward. ¡°Less talking. More walking.¡± And that was that. Zoe moved first, vanishing into the misty expanse. I followed, my visor flicking through thermal scans, trying to pierce through the haze. Behind us, the others followed. Danny and Joey stomped in their Rhea Vanguard suits, each step a metallic thud. Emily and Chris flanked Ryan, watching for threats. Ryan, of course, was already complaining about terrain visibility and muttering about how great a deployable sensor grid would be right now. And me? I just kept my rifle steady and my breathing slow. Time to find out what the hell was lurking in this place. The fog was everywhere, this thick, swirling green soup that clung to everything. It was like wading through a cloud made of cold sweat. My armor was sealed, but I still felt it, that damp, clammy chill creeping under my skin. The air smelled stale, dense with rot and something oddly¡­ sweet. Zoe moved ahead, slipping through the mist like a ghost, her presence more felt than seen. Our private comms were already linked, just the two of us. The rest of the team? Noisy as hell behind us. Heavy boots on damp stone. A muttered curse from Ryan about visibility. The occasional hum from Chris adjusting his gear. They were stomping through the cavern like they were on a damn parade. We moved ahead, slipping through the mist like shadows, keeping our steps light. "I love this part." A whisper over private comms. "Just us. No distractions. No waiting for Ryan to take an hour setting up his turret. No getting stuck behind Danny when he forgets he¡¯s basically a walking tank." I snorted. "Right. Because you hate spending time with those two." She clicked her tongue. "No, dumbass. I¡¯m trying to land one of them, and they¡¯re too fucking oblivious to notice." Oh, here we go. I kept my rifle steady, pretending I wasn¡¯t grinning. "Right. And that must be so frustrating for you, huh?" "Infuriating," she replied. Bull. Shit. If Zoe loved anything more than the thrill of a fight, it was shamelessly chasing those two idiots around. And them? So fucking dense it was almost tragic. Danny? A big lovable moron, completely blind. Probably thought Zoe was just messing with him, the way she messed with all of us. Ryan? Overconfident, cocky as hell, but somehow too goddamn clueless to realize when Zoe was practically throwing herself at him on a silver platter. And, of course, I was totally above all that nonsense. "Uh-huh," I deadpanned. "You hate it. Totally." Zoe just huffed. "Fuck you." I chuckled, keeping my eyes sharp as we moved deeper into the cavern. Just the two of us, slipping through an unknown world, the first to ever set foot here. I smiled. "You just love sneaking around like a little shit." "Duh," she said, and I could practically hear the grin. "What¡¯s the point of being an Assassin path if I can¡¯t abuse the hell out of it?" I didn¡¯t argue. We both loved these moments. Comfortable. Private. Just us, the two of us, moving through an unknown world that nobody had ever set foot in before. For a second, I caught her looking at me. Something in her eyes, just a flicker of something before she glanced away, back to scanning the fog. The fog swirled as I stepped forward, and then I saw them. Shapes. Shifting in the haze. My grip on my rifle tightened. At first, I thought they were more of the bugs we fought in the tunnels. The same chitin-plated bastards, big and armored. But they weren¡¯t attacking. They weren¡¯t even looking at us. Some of them were hacking at the giant fungi, using branch-like appendages to carve glowing chunks into woven sacks slung across their backs. Others were clustered around bulbous resinous growths on the cavern walls, scraping at them with delicate precision. It looked¡­ methodical. "What the hell are they doing?" I whispered. Zoe crouched next to me, scanning the scene. "Harvesting? Farming?" She sounded almost amused. "I thought we¡¯d be fighting a hive of killers, not space beetle farmers." "Yeah, well, I don¡¯t see any pitchforks," I muttered, adjusting my scope. "And the last time I checked, farmers don¡¯t have mandibles that can take your arm off." Behind us, Ryan¡¯s voice crackled in over comms. "Luca, you seeing this?" "Yeah." "You thinking what I¡¯m thinking?" I sighed. "That depends, are you thinking about shooting them?" Chapter 53 "I mean¡­ not yet. But I am thinking those glowing rocks look real valuable. And those resin nodes? Bet they¡¯ve got industrial applications. Just saying, this could be a payday." Of course, Ryan would see dollar signs in alien bugs scraping glowing minerals off the walls. Chris chimed in next, his tone sharp. "He¡¯s not wrong. Whatever this is, it''s new. There were a few resource portals back home, but nothing like this. If these bugs are farming it, they value it. And if they value it, we should be taking notes." Danny, ever the scientist, sounded just as intrigued, but for different reasons. "It¡¯s not just the minerals. Look at the organic matter, fungal networks, resin nodes, bio-luminescent growths. We could be looking at an entirely new ecosystem here, something engineered by the System or adapted to it. Either way, it''s huge." Zoe smirked. "So what I¡¯m hearing is that we loot the shiny stuff and sample the gross stuff." Chris snorted. "Damn right we do. That¡¯s the economy at work." I tuned them out for a second, shifting slightly in my crouch. I was trying to stay focused, but Zoe made that annoyingly difficult sometimes. Her scout suit was fucking tight. And in this dim bioluminescent glow, her toned legs and perfect little bubble butt were¡­ Nope. Not doing that. I had Emily. And Zoe? She was chasing after both of my best friends. Still. Annoying. I forced my eyes back to the drones, pushing the distraction out of my head. Something about them bugged me. Not the harvesting, as that was weird enough. But the way they moved. It was too¡­ organized. Something wasn¡¯t right. Then, one of them stopped. A drone, larger than the others. It lifted its head, antennae twitching, sensing¡­ something. Its multi-faceted eyes glowed faintly in the green mist. And then? It turned right toward us. Shit. A small group of six turned toward us. They stopped whatever the hell they were doing, their antennae twitching more frantically now, and turned directly towards us. They were definitely locking onto us, focusing those multiple eyes. The moment stretched, eerie and thick, as more of them started pulling away from whatever the hell they were harvesting, drawn toward us like sharks catching the scent of blood in the water. ¡°Incoming!¡± I snapped over comms, already backing up. ¡°They¡¯ve spotted us, we¡¯re coming back to you now, get ready.¡± Zoe was already moving, barely a whisper against the damp ground. "We waiting to see if they¡¯re friendly, or-" ¡°Run.¡± I didn¡¯t need to tell her twice. We bolted, weaving through the bioluminescent cavern, the mist swirling in our wake. The sound of chittering and scraping surged behind us, legs moving, exoskeletons grinding as the bugs finally decided we were worth chasing. Ahead, the rest of the team was already shifting into position. Ryan, ever the tactician when shit hit the fan, was barking orders. ¡°Chris, Emily - frontline with me. Joey, Danny, hold the left, keep pressure on the choke. Set up suppression now.¡± Danny¡¯s powered armor thudded heavily as he moved into place, his massive warhammer ready. Joey was beside him, energy shield flickering as he prepared to hold the line. Chris, grinning like the bastard he was, loaded a Shardburst grenade into his launcher. ¡°You know,¡± he said, casually, ¡°we could have just let them farm. But nah, let¡¯s poke the alien bees.¡± Emily¡¯s plasma sword ignited with a sharp hiss, casting a violet glow over the mist. ¡°Less talking, more killing.¡± Ryan slapped his turret down, its stabilizers locking into place. ¡°Luca, Zoe, get your asses here or I swear I¡¯m setting the Arcwave off early.¡± "Almost there!" Zoe called, feet barely touching the ground as she vaulted a thick tangle of roots. I risked a glance behind me. The bugs weren¡¯t slowing down. If anything, they were moving faster, the cavern amplifying the sound of their clicking mandibles and pounding legs. ¡°Brace for impact,¡± I growled, tightening my grip on my rifle. And then? The swarm hit.
The bugs closed in, their skittering legs making wet, sucking sounds on the damp ground. They were faster than they looked, and they were definitely aggressive now, mandibles snapping, antennae twitching like they were honing in on our heat signatures. "Alright, hold the line! Joey, Danny, brace! Luca, Zoe, give me angles! Chris, keep the suppressive fire going!" Ryan barked, already slamming his deployable turret onto the damp rock. "Turret¡¯s hot! Let¡¯s burn these bastards down!" The turret whirred to life, its stabilizers kicking in as it started spitting out rapid-fire energy bursts. The first few shots slammed into the closest bug, staggering it, but not dropping it. The turret¡¯s firepower wasn¡¯t enough. I snapped my rifle up and fired. The energy bolt struck center mass, searing a chunk out of the chitin, but the thing barely slowed. Tough bastards. Ryan let loose with his Plasma Rifle, and that was different. The shot howled through the cavern, a deep, violent crack of energy. It slammed into one of the bugs and blew a molten crater straight through it. The thing collapsed instantly, twitching as steam rose from its scorched internals. ¡°Holy shit!¡± Ryan shouted, a manic edge to his voice. ¡°This thing¡¯s a goddamn cannon! That¡¯s how you drop ¡®em¡­ finally!¡± Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Emily moved in, plasma sword flaring with blue fire, the hum sharp and deadly. She sliced through mandibles and legs with fluid grace, twisting between attacks, using the fog and her speed to her advantage. Green goo sprayed with every cut. She was beautiful in motion, confident, lethal, sexy. Danny swung next, his warhammer slamming down with a thunderous impact, the kinetic energy rippling through the ground in a concussive wave. The force sent a bug skidding back, its carapace cracked, but it didn¡¯t shatter. The energy field that should have caved its armor in one hit barely did more than dent it. Danny gritted his teeth, adjusting his stance as he brought the hammer down again, then again. The outdated kinetic system wasn¡¯t delivering the full punch against TL9 enemies, forcing him to keep hammering away, breaking through piece by piece. What should have been a single devastating strike had turned into a war of attrition. Chris¡¯s Ganymede Helix Driver burned through another bug, the beam drilling into its shell. But the damage was too slow, forcing him to adjust his aim, shifting to a weaker spot. They just wouldn¡¯t fucking drop fast enough. Zoe was already lining up shots, her sniper rounds tearing through joints, disabling the faster ones before they could close the distance. One leapt toward Danny, mandibles spread wide, but her shot took its leg off mid-air. The thing crashed hard before Danny swung down, finishing it with a sickening crunch. Another lunged at Ryan¡¯s turret, legs curling to crush the machinery, but I was already moving. My energy tomahawk spun through the air, burying itself directly into the bug¡¯s head. It spasmed, its momentum throwing it off course before it collapsed into a twitching heap. "Nice save!" Ryan yelled, already pulling something off his belt. His Arcwave Disruptor. He slid it forward like a goddamn Ghostbusters trap, the little device skidding across the damp ground before activating with a sharp, electric crack. A shockwave surged outward in a tight six-yard radius, the energy wrapping around the bugs, frying their nervous systems- For half a second. They twitched, staggered¡­ then kept moving. Ryan¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve gotta be shitting me!¡± The bastards were too strong. Ryan barely had time to throw himself back before a clawed limb swiped through the space he¡¯d just been standing in. "Arcwave¡¯s no good!" he shouted. ¡°They recovered almost instantly!¡± Fuck. TL8 gear wasn¡¯t cutting it. We were burning way too much ammo, way too many energy cells. The plasma weapons were doing work, but we didn¡¯t have enough of them. The fight dragged on, a brutal grind. The air stank of burnt chitin and alien gore, green luminescence reflecting off the thick, hanging mist. Then, finally, we stood panting in the fog, surrounded by the twitching remains of at least ten of those armored bastards. And, as if on cue, two loot boxes shimmered into existence right over their steaming, goo-covered corpses. Because the System didn¡¯t care if it was fucking disgusting. [+18,083 XP] [+6,750 credits] [Skill Level up! Ranged Weapons Proficiency Level 7 -> Level 8] The notification hit my HUD at the same time as everyone else¡¯s. XP-share in action. We all got a cut, even if we didn¡¯t land the kill ourselves. Item-share worked the same way, any loot that dropped was auto-logged in everyone¡¯s interface, though the one who grabbed it got first dibs. Ryan snatched the first box, peering inside. Ryan was already on it, popping open the first box with greedy fingers. His eyes widened, his usual cocky grin replaced by genuine excitement. [Item Acquired: Graphene Processor Wafer Schematic - TL9] ¡°Schematic?¡± he breathed. ¡°Wait a minute¡­ TL9? Graphene? Danny, you gotta see this!¡± Danny perked up immediately, his curiosity overriding exhaustion. ¡°Graphene? As in real graphene? Not that shitty polymer blend they pass off in Sol?¡± ¡°Looks like it,¡± Ryan said, holding it up. ¡°Which means if we can print these wafers...¡± ¡°We¡¯re looking at next-gen processors,¡± Danny finished, his voice full of scientific hunger. ¡°Just grab it,¡± I said, already reaching for the second box. [Item Acquired: Power Cell - TL9] ¡°Power Cell?¡± I muttered, examining it closely. ¡°Looks different.¡± Curious, I popped out the half-drained energy cell from my sniper rifle and slid the Power Cell in its place. It clicked in smoothly, a perfect fit. My HUD flickered, and then the ammo counter on my rifle display spiked. It jumped from the 20 or so shots I had left in my current cell¡­ all the way up to ¡®99¡¯. Two digits. Just ¡®99¡¯. But something told me, it was a lot more than just ninety-nine shots worth of energy. The counter just didn¡¯t have space for three digits, maybe more. ¡°Holy shit,¡± I breathed, staring at the ¡®99¡¯ on my display. ¡°Ninety-nine? This thing¡¯s juiced.¡± Ryan whistled, leaning in for a closer look. ¡°No way. Let me see that.¡± He peered at my rifle display, then back at the Power Cell in my hand. ¡°Damn. That¡¯s gotta be¡­ what? Double capacity? More?¡± ¡°Feels like it. Let¡¯s not waste it yet, though.¡± As cool as the new power cell was, I wasn¡¯t about to burn through it on these mobs. I popped the Power Cell back out, carefully sliding my old energy cell back into the rifle. The ammo counter dropped back down to where it was. I tucked the new Power Cell into one of my utility pouches, patting it gently. ¡°Power Cell, huh?¡± Emily mused, watching me pocket the new ammo. ¡°Maybe these things are the key to actually hurting these bugs without draining our reserves dry. Regular cells just aren''t cutting it.¡± ¡°Definitely,¡± I agreed. ¡°We gotta find more of these. Or figure out how to make them.¡± Which brought us back to the schematic. Ryan was still holding the wafer like it was a dirty diaper. ¡°Danny, look!¡± Ryan exclaimed, his voice high-pitched with enthusiasm. ¡°Graphene Processor Wafer! TL9 schematic! Do you know what this means?¡± Danny, who had been examining the Power Cell, turned his attention to the schematic. He took it from Ryan, his black eyes widening behind his visor as he read the item description on his HUD. He held the wafer up to the green glow of the fungi, turning it slowly, his expression shifting from curiosity to outright awe. ¡°Damn,¡± Danny breathed, his voice hushed with reverence. ¡°Graphene Processor¡­ TL9¡­ Ryan, you¡¯re right, this is huge.¡± ¡°Huge for what?¡± I asked, still a little skeptical, though their excitement was starting to get to me. ¡°Another fancy blueprint for something we can¡¯t even build?¡± Ryan scoffed, shaking his head dismissively. ¡°Luca, you¡¯re missing the point! This isn''t just any blueprint. This is TL9 tech! We¡¯re TL8, back on Earth? Barely scratching the surface of TL8! This¡­ this is a generational leap! This is like finding the goddamn Rosetta Stone of System tech!¡± Danny nodded rapidly, his red curls bouncing under his helmet. ¡°Exactly! Graphene processors¡­ they¡¯re probably the backbone of TL9 systems. Understanding this schematic, reverse-engineering it¡­ it could revolutionize everything! Our weapons, our armor, our ship systems¡­ everything could be upgraded!¡± ¡°Think about it,¡± Ryan continued, his engineer brain clearly firing on all cylinders. ¡°Faster processing speeds, more efficient energy transfer, stronger materials¡­ This isn¡¯t just a schematic, Luca, this is the key to unlocking a whole new level of tech! This could be the base for a whole new industry back home!¡± Chris chimed in, a sly grin spreading across his face. ¡°You know what else it is?¡± he said, his voice laced with excitement. ¡°It¡¯s a goddamn goldmine. Imagine being the first ones back home with a TL9 schematic? We¡¯re gonna be rich, boys. Filthy rich.¡± Okay, now I was starting to get it. Rich? Revolutionary tech? Suddenly, a schematic didn¡¯t sound so useless after all. If this thing really was the key to TL9 technology¡­ Danny carefully slipped the schematic wafer into a secure pouch on his armor, handling it like it was made of spun gold. ¡°We need to study this,¡± he said. ¡°Analyze every detail, every layer. Back on the ship, we¡¯re going to lock ourselves in the lab and dissect this thing until we understand it inside and out.¡± ¡°Alright, alright, I get it,¡± I said, finally seeing the light. ¡°Professor Thompson and Engineer Mitchell have their new favorite toy. But uh, professors?¡± I gestured to the fog-choked cavern stretching endlessly in front of us, and the lingering stench of bug guts. ¡°We¡¯re still in the middle of a goddamn hive. Queen¡¯s still waiting, and I¡¯m pretty sure she¡¯s not going to be impressed with our tech breakthroughs if we¡¯re all dead.¡± ¡°Right, right,¡± Ryan said, shaking his head, but his grin was still wide. ¡°Schematic¡¯s priority one after we get out of this hellhole. But yeah, bugs first, riches later.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Zoe said, nodding towards the fog-choked cavern ahead. ¡°And we¡¯re not getting out of here anytime soon. Let¡¯s move. Queen¡¯s still waiting, and I¡¯m getting seriously creeped out by this fog.¡± She was right. TL9 tech was exciting as hell, but it wasn¡¯t going to get us out of this cavern. We still had a long, wet, bug-filled way to go. And something told me, the ¡®easy¡¯ difficulty setting on this delve was a goddamn lie. But hey, at least we had a potential goldmine in Danny¡¯s pouch. That was something, right? Chapter 54 We moved toward the area where the drones had been harvesting, stepping over the twitching, bisected remains of their dead. The smell of burnt chitin and that weird, sweet decay clung to the air, thick enough to taste. The ground shifted beneath our boots, a mix of firm stone and something¡­ softer. Pulsing, slick, wet in places. The closer we got, the weirder it felt. The fog swirled around glowing veins of rock, embedded in the cavern floor like molten cracks. Danny crouched near one, his visor scanning the mineral structure. ¡°This is incredible,¡± he muttered. ¡°I should¡¯ve brought a sample case. I mean, look at this! We don¡¯t even have a baseline for-¡± Joey dragged him back before he could poke it. ¡°Or you could not. Just in case it¡¯s, I don¡¯t know, radioactive?¡± Danny sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°Damn it. Should¡¯ve packed the damn rad scanner.¡± ¡°Should¡¯ve packed a lot of things, nerd.¡± Ryan grinned, stepping forward. ¡°But that¡¯s why you¡¯ve got me.¡± And then? Ryan stuck his finger straight into one of the glowing, slimy pools between the rock formations. Zoe choked on a laugh, while Emily smacked him on the back of the head. ¡°Ryan!¡± Joey barked. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?¡± Ryan pulled his dripping, faintly glowing glove back, watching the viscous substance slide off. ¡°What? It¡¯s not burning. Feels kinda nice, actually. Like hot slime.¡± Joey pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°When you mutate into a glow-in-the-dark jackass, I¡¯m not treating you.¡± Chris snorted, already scanning the area for anything worth money. ¡°Forget the rocks. If this is some kind of bio-material, we might be looking at high-value alchemic components. Someone on Genesis would pay for it.¡± Ryan, still staring at his hand, flexed his fingers. ¡°Yeah, so would a strip club.¡± Zoe lost it. Full-on laughing now. Emily sighed, grabbing Ryan¡¯s wrist and wiping his glove down with a sterile cloth from her belt pouch. ¡°You¡¯re lucky this stuff isn¡¯t eating through your suit.¡± ¡°Yet,¡± Joey added flatly. Danny grumbled, finally stepping away from the glowing minerals, defeated. ¡°Fine, we don¡¯t take samples. But if we see more ahead, I¡¯m getting one.¡± I exhaled, eyes still scanning the twisting shadows beyond the glowing veins. This was all too weird, the harvesting, the bugs, the eerie cavern. We needed to move. ¡°Let¡¯s keep going,¡± I said, checking my rifle. ¡°We¡¯ve spent enough time poking alien shit.¡± Ryan waggled his slime-covered fingers at me. ¡°Some of us more than others.¡± Emily smacked him again. ¡°Keep moving.¡± We pressed on. Another group of drones appeared ahead, but we were ready this time. The fight was cleaner, faster. Less wasted shots, more focused fire. They dropped. And the loot? [+14,560 XP] [+5,625 Credits] Another power cell. Another boost forward. I exhaled, flipping my rifle¡¯s energy readout. We were getting so much more experience here, way more than back in Sol. Was it because this was the first portal delve in Alpha Centauri? Or was this just what leveling past 60 looked like? We¡¯d know soon enough. By the time we reached the far end of the cavern, the fog was thinning, and the tunnels beyond? They were getting narrower. More organic. And the temperature was rising.
We pushed deeper, the tunnels tightening, the air thickening with heat. The fights kept coming, small packs of drones that flared red on our HUDs, their carapaces cracking under plasma fire. We were gaining XP fast. Too fast. For two years, we¡¯d been stuck at level 60, grinding the same dungeons, clearing them to perfection, and still? Nothing. But now? Every fight poured XP into our HUDs, like the System had flipped a goddamn switch. [+37,857 XP ] [+14,625 Credits ] [Item acquired: Power Cell (x2)] [Item acquired: Proxima PR-64 ¡®Starfire Lance¡¯ Plasma Rifle - TL9] Was there some kind of XP buff in Alpha Centauri? Or were these level 64 mobs just that much juicier than the level 60s we were used to farming? Either way, something was different. The notifications kept rolling in, but I barely glanced at them. We were moving too fast to stop and check how much xp each mob was giving out, and honestly? We didn¡¯t need to. We were getting stronger. Faster. Sharper. Zoe¡¯s movements were crisper, her shots more instinctive. Danny¡¯s warhammer strikes landed with less resistance, the armor-piercing impact starting to take effect. Even Ryan, God help us, was actually hitting something. And me? I could feel it. My accuracy was better. My situational awareness felt sharper. Every shot landed more intuitively, every dodge came a fraction faster. Another Plasma Rifle. Chris grabbed it, he was a much better shot than Ryan anyway. A second power cell, good. And then? Jackpot. Our first armor upgrade. [Item acquired: Centauri Phantom Mk-64 Tactical Vest - TL9] A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. I lifted the Light Armor Vest, the sleek, matte-black plating catching the dim glow of the cavern¡¯s eerie bioluminescence. It was light, way too light. My mind instantly flagged it as bullshit. No armor this light should feel this sturdy. But the moment I ran my hand over it, I felt the difference. The surface was smooth as glass, but beneath my fingertips, I could feel integrated nodes humming just below. Power-distributing channels ran through the interior, almost too advanced for something labeled just ¡®Light Armor.¡¯ And the fit? I knew it would be perfect. The system adjusted the armor as soon as you put it on. Quantum nanites was the theory, but that was above my paygrade. My heart pounded just a little. This wasn¡¯t just any drop. This was TL9 armor. Even a chest piece alone could boost my mobility and damage resistance beyond anything my TL8 suit could manage. I should have swapped it on immediately, but I hesitated. Because the truth was? Zoe could use this just as much as I could. Maybe even more. She was the faster one, always darting ahead, always the first into danger. And I had no doubt, none at all, that she¡¯d look insanely good in this sleek, form-fitting piece. My mind flashed, unbidden, to the way it would hug her waist, the way the flexible material would curve¡­ Nope. Not going there. I coughed, shaking it off. I opened the box. I had dibs. That¡¯s how this worked. Zoe gave me that look, one eyebrow cocked, already seeing through me. Probably wondering if I was already imagining my victory poses. I smirked. "Not switching out until I¡¯ve got the full set," I told her, trying to sound all strategic and shit. "My current suit still gives me that complete-set bonus." Yeah. That¡¯s it. Strategic. Not like I was imagining how badass I''d look rocking a full TL9 set or anything. "Suit yourself, Cap," Zoe said, winking. "But you better hope we find the rest soon, ¡®cause I wanna see how you look all decked out." Did she just¡­ Was that a hint of¡­? Nah. She was probably just messing with me. Still, the thought of her actually seeing me in the full set... Blood rushed south. Fuck. Get it together, Luca. We¡¯ve got a dungeon to conquer.
As fun as dungeon delving was, we were starting to drag. It had been hours now, and everyone was on edge. "Alright, break time," Ryan called, practically dropping his oversized pack with an exaggerated grunt. He¡¯d burned through a few grenades, but he was still lugging around those tank mines and that obscenely large turret. We were in a relatively quiet part of the hive. For now. And by quiet, I meant the walls weren''t actively trying to kill us yet. Which was¡­ good? The deeper we got, the more this place stopped feeling like a tunnel and started feeling like something alive. The walls had shifted from rough-hewn stone to a semi-organic surface, pulsing faintly in places, as if it breathed in slow, sluggish movements. I swear it was reacting to us. Like it knew we were here. I shoved that thought away and focused on the moment. The air? Still breathable, for now. But it was getting thicker, heavier, hotter. We could still take off our helmets, but something told me that luxury wasn¡¯t going to last. This might be the last time we¡¯d get to rest before shit got real. Not that I minded. I lived for this. We took a break there, but it wasn¡¯t too long before I was up again, ready to go.
Zoe had already slipped ahead, moving like a shadow. Of course. With a grin, I switched to private comms and chased after her through the tunnels, leaving the lazy bastards behind. Chris was already mocking Ryan and Danny, loudly declaring that they were weak and impotent as he stretched. Solution? Chris would put together a Gym routine when we got back to the Triumph, including me. Ryan shot back something about benching Chris like a fucking dumbbell. I ignored them. Zoe was already moving. And I had better things to focus on. Like keeping up. And, let¡¯s be real, admiring the view.
We slid through the narrowing tunnel, the walls pulsing faintly, veins of dark red and sickly green threading through the once-solid stone. The air was thick now, swamp-heavy, clinging to my armor like a second skin. Then, the tunnel opened. And fuck me, it was like stepping into a goddamn oven. My HUD flickered warnings across my visor. [O2 Levels: 14.6%] ¨C Respiratory Alert [Ambient Temperature: 103¡ãF | 39¡ãC] ¨C Extreme Heat Detected] I sealed my helmet fully, locking in my oxygen. Beside me, Zoe did the same, her visor reflecting the twisted hellscape ahead. Eggs. Everywhere. Huge, bulbous masses, translucent and twitching, their thick membranes shifting as things moved inside. "Well," Zoe muttered, her voice crackling in my comms. "This isn''t horrifying at all." I swallowed. ¡°Not quite the honeymoon suite I imagined, but hey, we¡¯ve got ambiance.¡± She snorted. "Right? Just needs some scented candles, maybe some smooth jazz." ¡°Oh, don¡¯t tempt me. I bet Ryan¡¯s got a playlist for this exact scenario.¡± ¡°Ugh. Don¡¯t. He¡¯d absolutely name it something gross, too. Like ¡®Egg-Laying Beats¡¯ or some shit.¡± ¡°You¡¯re just mad you didn¡¯t think of it first.¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± We shared a grin, but beneath it, my gut churned. This was bad. Not just the heat. Not just the humidity that made my armor feel twice as heavy. It was the sheer silence. The drones sat perfectly still among the eggs, their grotesque bodies almost blending into the pulsating chamber. Waiting and watching.
I lay flat on my stomach, rifle propped up, feeling the cool, damp ground pressing against my bodysuit. The heat in this chamber was brutal, thick enough to make my visor fog at the edges. The air was dense, humid, and ripe with the scent of something¡­ organic. Alive. Ahead of us? A shitload of eggs. Big ones. Hundreds. Lined up in uneven clusters, each pulsating slightly, the thin membranes barely concealing the things shifting inside. And beyond them, more drones. Silent. Watching. Waiting. I scanned the area through my scope, tracking movement, feeling pretty damn pleased with myself. Yeah, this was the kind of scouting I loved, peace, quiet, and just enough tension to keep things interesting. Then I noticed it. Zoe¡¯s side, pressed right up against mine. I turned my head, and there she was, stretched out next to me, rifle in position, visor reflecting the eerie glow of the cavern. And she was grinning. Grinning. She turned her head and looked at me, winked, then casually went back to her scope like this was nothing. Yeah, sure. Nothing. I swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of how close we were, of the curve of her body next to mine, of the warmth radiating off her even through the suit. Focus, Rossi. I exhaled slowly, forcing myself back to my scope. Eggs. Bugs. Threats. Not the way her hip was pressed against me. Definitely not that. "Alright," Zoe murmured, her voice smug as hell. "Let''s make this interesting." I narrowed my eyes. "What do you mean, interesting?" She smirked, adjusting her grip on her rifle. "I mean, furthest kill wins. Unless you¡¯re scared." I scoffed. Oh, it¡¯s on. She rolled her shoulders, adjusting her grip on her rifle. "Just saying, one shot, one kill hasn¡¯t exactly been your thing lately." I shot her a look. "Excuse me?" "Your aim¡¯s been... I dunno. Sloppy?" "Wow. Okay. I see how it is." She tapped her visor, smug as hell. "Look, I just think it''d be a damn shame if I had to carry this whole run." I scoffed, already lifting my rifle. "Furthest kill wins. No whining when I crush you." Zoe locked onto a drone near the far edge of the chamber. Distant. Obscured by heat shimmer. A nightmare shot. Perfect. "Got mine," she said. "Hope you brought your A-game, Cap." I exhaled slow, lined up my shot and fired. The energy bolt flew through the humid air¡­ And pinged harmlessly off the drone¡¯s thick carapace. Fuck. Zoe let out the most obnoxious gasp. "No. Way." "Shut up." "Did you¡­ did you just miss?" "It was a bad angle," I snapped, reloading. "Go ahead, show me how it''s done, hotshot." She adjusted her aim. Fired. Her shot hit¡­ not quite a kill, but it clipped the drone''s leg, sending it toppling sideways into one of the eggs. The egg burst open. A wet, skittering mass of chitin and snapping mandibles erupted from the ruptured sac, flailing and screeching. The drones, which were previously motionless, instantly locked onto us. A horrible pause. A moment where I felt the tension snap¡­ Then the drones charged. "Run!" I shouted, grabbing Zoe¡¯s arm. We bolted, barely dodging the first wave as claws swiped through the air where we''d been. The fog churned around us, thick and damp, heat pressing against my lungs. Zoe was laughing, the absolute psycho, ducking under a grasping limb and pushing me forward. "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" I gasped between breaths. "You missed, Luca!" she cackled. "This is your fault!" "My fault?!" I vaulted over an egg, nearly slipping on something disgusting. "You''re the one who hit it! Shit, left!" We banked hard, sliding into a narrow passageway, our boots kicking up damp filth. Drones skittered after us, mandibles snapping. Somewhere in the distance, I heard Ryan over comms. "Luca? Zoe? What the actual fuck are you two doing?" "Tactical retreat!" I wheezed. "Oh, tactical? With giggling?" I hated how much he sounded like he was enjoying this. Zoe grabbed my arm again, practically dragging me into another corridor, this one tight, the walls almost closing in. Too close. Too warm. And very, very aware of the way our bodies pressed together as we slid down to catch our breath. Shit. My brain wasn¡¯t ready to process that right now. Zoe panted beside me, breath fogging her visor. "Okay," she murmured, grinning. "That was fun." "You are insane." "Admit it," she nudged me. "You love it." I opened my mouth to retort. Then Ryan''s voice barked over comms. "INCOMING. Get your asses back here, now." More skittering. More movement. Zoe and I exchanged a look. Then we ran. Chapter 55 [+20,385 XP ] [+7,875 Credits ] [Item acquired: Power Cell (x2)] The valve-like doorway at the end of the chamber pulsed. It was alive. I stared at it, half-expecting it to start breathing. The thing twitched, rippling like muscle under skin, the slimy membrane glistening under the dim glow of our HUD lights. A thick, translucent film covered the opening, flexing in slow, wet convulsions. It was the single most disgusting thing I¡¯d ever seen in my life. Emily took one look at it and backed up so fast I thought she was about to turn around and leave the entire dungeon. ¡°Nope. No. Absolutely not. I am not touching that.¡± Honestly? I agreed with her. Ryan, however, let out a low whistle. ¡°Huh. That¡¯s nasty.¡± Danny, because he has no sense of self-preservation, stomped right up in his massive, armored bulk and flexed his metal-clad fingers. ¡°Oh, come on. It¡¯s just an organic barrier. Probably just needs some force.¡± He pressed his hands against it and pushed. The wall convulsed, then... SPLURCH. A wave of thick, steaming, viscous slime erupted from the membrane, drenching Danny from helmet to chest in a layer of freshly secreted alien mucus. We stood in silence, staring up at Danny in his powered armor. Then Zoe lost it. ¡°Oh my god, Danny!¡± she wheezed, doubling over laughing. ¡°That was so much worse than I thought it¡¯d be.¡± Danny stood there, frozen, dripping with goo. Joey, not to be outdone in manly problem-solving techniques, stomped forward, determined. ¡°It¡¯s probably just stuck. If we apply even pressure-¡± FWOMP. Another explosive splatter of slime, this time right on his visor. Ryan wheeze-laughed, practically falling over. ¡°Oh my god, they¡¯re, they¡¯re getting birthed by it.¡± Chris, wiping tears from his eyes, wheezed, ¡°You guys look like¡­ like you just slid out of-¡± ¡°Do not finish that sentence,¡± Joey growled. The door, of course, was still very much shut. And that¡¯s when we heard it, that low, wet glurping noise. The membrane twitched, then flexed. In my head? Yeah, the whole thing was pretty suggestive. Then, like a living sphincter, it parted open. Four drones stepped through, completely unbothered, their antennae twitching. And the second they saw us, they attacked.
It was quick, brutal, and sloppy. Zoe and I landed headshots left and right, Ryan lit up the tunnel with his Plasma Rifle, and Emily¡¯s Plasma Sword sliced through exoskeletons like butter. Danny, still dripping in mucus, slammed his warhammer into one and sent it flying. Joey crushed the last one with an armored stomp. By the time the last carapace crunched, everyone was panting. [+11,648 XP ] [+4,500 Credits ] [Skill Level up! Situational Awareness Proficiency Level 7 -> Level 8] [Item acquired: Power Cell (x2)] Ryan nudged a corpse with his boot. ¡°Okay, so¡­ why did the door open for them?¡± Danny, deep in scientific mode, crouched next to the corpses, rubbing his slimy chin. ¡°It¡¯s pheromones,¡± he declared. I blinked. ¡°The fuck do you mean, pheromones?¡± "Like at that stream?" asked Zoe, looking at the mangled, goopy remains. "Yeah, something like that," replied Ryan. "Something about these reacts with the valve up ahead allows them to pass through." Danny gestured at the still-steaming corpses. ¡°These drones must emit a chemical signal that tells the door to open.¡± I stared at him. ¡°And how the hell are we supposed to do that?¡± Ryan grinned. That stupid, shit-eating grin. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s easy,¡± he said, crouching next to one of the corpses and giving it a shake. Emily¡¯s voice shot up an octave. ¡°Oh my god, Ryan, no!¡± Ryan waggled his brows. ¡°We just need a gland.¡± Chris gagged. ¡°That¡¯s fucking vile.¡± Danny nodded enthusiastically. ¡°Makes sense! If we extract the organ producing the pheromones, we might be able to mimic their biological passcode.¡± Ryan clapped his hands together. ¡°We need to gut one of these boys.¡± Emily gagged. ¡°I hate you both.¡± If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
No one wanted to do it, but Ryan insisted that since Emily was the proud owner of the plasma sword, she was the designated butcher. Plus, it was the only thing sharp enough to get through the TL9 carapace. Zoe, of course, was all in on the action and couldn''t wait to try her energy dagger against the carapace, and it just didn''t work. Emily let out a long, suffering sigh. ¡°I swear to god, if this gets in my hair, I¡¯m murdering you all.¡± Then she plunged the sword into the drone¡¯s gut. The heat of the plasma blade reacted with whatever insides the bug had, giving off nasty sizzle and pop sounds as the organs were fried or boiled, depending on your take on the situation. Thank God I still had my armor fully sealed as the stench hit us immediately. Joey gagged while Chris turned green. Danny? Completely fascinated. ¡°Look at that,¡± he murmured, leaning in to examine the melting insides. ¡°These segmented structures here must be the enzyme-producing glands responsible for breaking down organic matter! And over here...¡± ¡°Danny, shut the fuck up,¡± Emily snapped, pinching her nose. ¡°This is already bad enough.¡± Ryan held out a collection vial. ¡°Scoop out the nasty part, Em. We should be taking photos and cataloging these.¡± Emily¡¯s face contorted in revulsion. ¡°I swear to god, Ryan.¡± ¡°I know.¡± She carved deeper, her Plasma Sword hissing through alien guts. And there it was, a swollen, pulsating gland, dripping with yellow-green sludge. Emily hissed in disgust. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s fucking gross.¡± Ryan grinned. ¡°Perfect.¡± Danny clapped his gooey hands together. ¡°Alright! Time to see if this works.¡± I just stood there, staring at this absolute nightmare scenario, and wished I¡¯d stayed in bed.
The next tunnel was hot. Not just warm or just humid. Fucking hot. The deeper we went, the worse it got. My HUD¡¯s temperature gauge was climbing steadily, from 100 degrees to 110. I could feel the heat seeping through my armor, turning my bodysuit sticky against my skin. The air was so thick with humidity I could almost chew it. Then we stepped into the chamber, and holy shit, this was next level. The walls moved. Not just pulsed, but moved, shifting rhythmically, like a massive lung inhaling and exhaling. A low, wet squelching noise filled the cavern, layers of veiny tissue rippling in the dim glow of bioluminescent sacs. Goopy slime kept dripping from the ceilings into large, hot puddles throughout the chamber. The whole place was alive, a breeding ground, and it reeked. Eggs. Hundreds. Maybe thousands of semi-translucent, pulsating eggs, lined the walls, the floors, and clustered in writhing nests of sticky resin. Some were empty, cracked open, their occupants already loosed into the tunnels. Others¡­ weren¡¯t. And the drones were here too. They moved between the eggs, working, tending, like creepy alien nurses tending to their horrible mutant infants. More drones than we¡¯d seen before. "Jesus Christ," Chris muttered. "I¡¯m gonna have nightmares about this shit for weeks." Emily let out a slow, steady breath. "Let¡¯s move. Get through this fast, quiet, and clean."
We stuck to cover, slipping between the disgusting, mucus-covered eggs. "Stay in formation," Ryan reminded, setting up his turret. "No overextending. No pulling a second wave. And Luca, no stupid hero moves." I scoffed from my position up on the ridge. "Yeah, yeah, Mom. Maybe focus on hitting your shots instead of lecturing me." Zoe snickered beside me, sighting down her energy sniper rifle. "Seriously, Ryan. You gonna try aiming with your eyes open this time, or are we just spray-and-praying like usual?" Ryan flipped her off. "How about you snipe something before talking shit, Woods?" "Don''t have to," she purred. "I let my work speak for itself." Chris crouched behind his cover below, rolling his shoulders as he powered up his Energy Driver. "Less talking, more shooting. We hit them in waves, take them down in order, and no one pulls too much aggro." Danny twirled his energy warhammer in one hand. "Or we just let them all come at me. I could use the workout." "Yes, let¡¯s definitely get you swarmed," Emily deadpanned, dual blasters already primed. "That always works out great." Joey, holding his blaster like it was more of a suggestion than a weapon, sighed. "Can we just not make my job harder today? I like having a quiet shift." "Too late for that," I muttered. Below us, the hive pulsed, walls of resin shifting as the first wave of drones skittered forward, antennae twitching, bodies clicking as they locked onto us. I lined up a shot. My energy sniper rifle hummed as I fired, the TL8 bolt streaking forward, slamming into the nearest drone¡¯s armor. The impact sizzled, scorching the carapace, but the thing barely stumbled. This was going to be fun. Not a one-shot kill. Zoe fired a split second later, her shot punching into the same drone, finally dropping it. "Gotta love outdated weapons," she muttered. The moment the first bug hit the ground, the rest shrieked and charged. The hive was awake. Chris let out a low curse and fired his Energy Driver. A beam of crackling light lanced forward, punching into one of the incoming drones. Its chitin smoldered, cracking, but it kept coming. "Goddamn it," he muttered, adjusting his aim. "If I hold this too long, it''ll overheat." Ryan¡¯s turret opened fire next, energy bolts hammering into the drones. Unlike the rest of our TL8 weapons, his turret could at least weaken them at a faster rate, but at a huge energy expense. But it was still taking too long. We weren¡¯t putting them down fast enough. At least these things weren¡¯t shooting at us. No energy bolts, no acid spit, no weird sci-fi hive bullshit like exploding sacs or poison gas. Just good ol¡¯ fashioned close combat bugs, ugly, fast, and tough as hell, but predictable. We could work with predictable. Emily ducked between cover, her dual blasters rapid-firing into the swarm. One bug¡¯s leg shattered under the barrage, but it still dragged itself forward, screeching. "Okay, fuck this," Emily growled. Holstering both blasters in one smooth motion, she pulled her Plasma Sword, the blade igniting with that distinct hum. Blue light flickered across her armor, outlining every sharp movement as she darted forward. She was so fucking good at this. One second, the drone was lunging for her, mandibles snapping. The next, she stepped to the side, blade flashing in a perfect arc, clean cut, no wasted motion. The thing dropped in two pieces before it even realized it had been bisected. Jesus Christ. I swallowed, shifting in my spot. Yeah, okay, my brain was definitely in the gutter. How was I supposed to focus when she moved like that? Every step, every strike, graceful, lethal, ridiculously sexy. It wasn¡¯t fair. "Showoff," I muttered, mostly to cover the fact that I was definitely staring. We were going to have a private conversation when this was all over about her exposing herself like this and putting herself at risk. Yes. Definitely. Probably behind a bush or something. Ryan shouldered his Plasma Rifle, the only other TL9 weapon in our arsenal, and took careful aim. Unlike the rest of us, he didn¡¯t have to whittle down armor. His first shot punched clean through a drone¡¯s head, sending molten chitin spraying. "You see that, Zoe?" he grinned. "Perfect shot." Zoe rolled her eyes. "Oh wow, you actually hit something. Mark the calendar." "Keep talking," Ryan smirked. "Maybe I¡¯ll start calling my kills like you." "Yeah? Call this one." She fired again. Another drone staggered but didn¡¯t fall. Ryan lined up a shot, right as another wave of drones came barreling around the corner. Chris groaned. "Shit, we pulled too many." "Ryan!" Emily snapped. "You had one job!" Ryan didn¡¯t bother defending himself. He fired another plasma shot, burning a hole through one drone¡¯s torso, but we were already swamped. The chittering rose in pitch. The second wave was closing in fast. "Danny!" I barked. "On it!" His Aggro Beacon flared to life, pulsing bright red. The drones veered toward him, drawn by the artificial pheromone signal. The moment they clustered, he slammed his warhammer down. A kinetic boom rippled through the ground. Bugs went flying, stunned, twitching. It bought us a second, but only just. "Ryan, Arcwave!" I yelled. Ryan slid his trap in front of him and activated the device. A shockwave blasted outward, electricity crackling over the battlefield. The drones seized up, their limbs spasming from the surge. Emily wove between their twitching forms, her Plasma Sword carving them apart. Joey, still chilling in the back, sighed. "I really hope none of you need medical after this." "No promises," I muttered, lining up another shot. [+35,601 XP] [+13,500 credits] [Skill level up! Precision Shot Proficiency Level 7 -> Level 8] [Skill level up! Light Armor Proficiency Level 7 -> Level 8] We weren¡¯t done yet, and Chris? Yeah, he needed to start using his Plasma Rifle, what the hell. Chapter 56 The second wave hit hard, but we managed. Chris¡¯s Energy Driver overheated at the worst moment, forcing him to switch to his Plasma Rifle, which he should have done from the beginning. Danny took a claw to the shoulder before slamming his warhammer into the drone¡¯s head like he was teeing off at a driving range. Ryan¡¯s Arcwave went off twice, the second pulse frying what was left of the remaining swarm. And Emily? She carved through them like a demon, her Plasma Sword practically singing with every precise strike. Meanwhile, I was up on a ridge, pretending my TL8 sniper rifle was worth a damn. At least Zoe was actually getting kills. Me? I was a glorified alarm system, ding! Target¡¯s mad now, someone please finish it off. My shots weren¡¯t doing much more than pissing the bugs off before the rest of the team had to finish them. And my Energy Tomahawk? Absolutely useless from up here. What was I supposed to do, chuck it from this distance? Yeah, that¡¯d go great. My fancy Dione Vanguard Scout Suit? It might as well have been paper. Ryan was tanking hits in his Medium Armor, Danny was shrugging off blows in his Heavy set, and me? If I got looked at too hard, I¡¯d be reduced to a smear on the ground. Yeah... noodle armor, thanks Ryan. It worked wonders when I could one-shot enemies. Here? I''d be a laughing stock. When the last drone twitched and collapsed, we took the breather we desperately needed. [+41,535 XP] [+15,575 credits] "Everyone still in one piece?" Joey asked, looking at us all with a raised brow. Danny, still shaking out his arm, grinned. "Define ¡®one piece.¡¯" Emily was already rummaging through the still-smoking corpses. "Let¡¯s see if we get anything good out of this." Looting wasn¡¯t exactly glamorous, but at least the System made it easy. The moment the last drone twitched and died, shimmering loot boxes materialized within their remains, glowing faintly. I reached into one, the interface flickering as I claimed a compact TL9 power cell. Oh wow, more ammo for my glorified flashlight. Ryan snorted and tossed me another from his own haul. "Better hope we keep finding these, or your sniper rifle¡¯s gonna be a fancy club soon." I sighed. "It¡¯s already a fancy club. Except a club would actually do some damage." Zoe, gagging, wiped her hands on her pants. "Ugh, these energy bars are warm. And squishy." "You¡¯ve eaten worse," I pointed out. "Yeah, but at least those weren¡¯t actively gross. What the hell do they make these out of anyways?" Chris whistled as he turned over a sleek, deep-red grenade in his palm. Thermal Incendiary Grenade. "Now this is something I can work with." Great, even the loot is telling me I¡¯m useless. Ryan gets a TL9 Plasma Rifle. Chris gets an Incendiary Grenade. Danny gets to be a walking wrecking ball. And me? I get to watch from the sidelines with my peashooter and a pack of regret-flavored rations. Joey pulled a Neural Boost Capsule from a drone¡¯s remains, raising an eyebrow. "Anyone wanna feel like their brain¡¯s moving at hyperspeed for four hours?" Ryan was already reaching for it, but Joey smacked his hand away. "You? No. You need less distractions, not more." Ryan rolled his eyes. "You¡¯re all so mean to me." I scoffed. "We should be. You nearly got us swarmed." Not that it really mattered. I wasn¡¯t exactly tipping the scales in our favor up here. Ryan grumbled something under his breath but didn¡¯t argue. With what loot we could salvage in our packs, we moved deeper into the chamber.
I frowned at the numbers. "This isn''t just a ramp-up. This is a straight-up power curve shift." "Feels like a power fantasy," Zoe muttered, flicking her interface open and scrolling through her logs. "I''m not complaining, but yeah¡­ this much XP this fast? Feels off." Danny was already doing the math. "If we keep this pace, we¡¯ll be level 63 in a few hours." Ryan¡¯s eyes had that far-off look, indicating he was looking at his own interface, now deep in thought. "Look at the XP delta for 62. It jumped to 570k. That''s way more than the jump from 60 to 61. The system is scaling exponentially." "Scaling for what?" I asked. Ryan shrugged. "Best guess? TL9 combat skills and class evolutions." Oh. Oh, that was going to hurt. My skill XP was already spread too thin across too many skills, and higher-tier abilities would need even more to level up. I scrolled back through the log, frowning at the numbers. [System Log] 2026-10-28 ¨C Defeated Vexillary Drone (Level 64) 2,966 XP gained, 1125 credits 2026-10-28 ¨C Defeated Vexillary Drone (Level 64) ¨C 2,966 XP, 1,125 credits 2026-10-28 ¨C Defeated Vexillary Drone (Level 64) ¨C 2,966 XP, 1,125 credits 2026-10-28 ¨C Defeated Vexillary Drone (Level 64) ¨C 2,966 XP, 1,125 credits Danny leaned against a large boulder, shaking out his arm. ¡°It¡¯s the same reason we¡¯re seeing TL9 drops. The system¡¯s preparing us for the next tier. Back in Sol, all the drops were Tech Level 8, near-future stuff, 20 to 50 years ahead of what we had pre-System. But here? This is all TL9. The next step up.¡± I furrowed my brow. "Right, but TL8 already gave us a ton of overpowered crap. Med Pods that can regrow limbs, schematics, and blueprints for working fusion plants, nanotechnology¡­¡± "And spaceships, orbitals,¡± Ryan added. ¡°Spacecraft capable of traveling around the solar system, near-c lightspeed drives, and some early inertia dampeners." Danny nodded. "Yeah, and even that felt too advanced. Med Pods? We went from barely understanding stem cell regrowth to ''Oh yeah, just hop in, we¡¯ll print you a new liver'' overnight. That was TL8. Now we¡¯re skipping to TL9? What¡¯s next, immortality?" Ryan smirked. "Oh, absolutely. The System¡¯s been force-feeding us progress, but the TL9 jump? This is different. If TL8 was a massive leap forward, TL9 is a whole new game. I wonder what sort of tech we¡¯re going to find. The Graphene Wafer schematic is barely the first, I¡¯d bet.¡± Zoe let out a low whistle. ¡°So, what? The system¡¯s just¡­ speedrunning us to whatever¡¯s next?¡± I stared at the logs again. 535 XP per drone. 570,000 XP just to reach Level 62. And we were plowing through it like nothing. Chris, turning the incendiary grenade over in his hand, finally spoke. ¡°We¡¯re in a tutorial portal.¡± That made us all pause. Ryan¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Well¡­ yeah. Maybe. I mean, it makes sense. This is the first and only portal we¡¯ve found in Alpha Centauri. The system probably expects us to be feeling things out. Getting used to the combat scaling.¡± ¡°And it¡¯s throwing XP at us like candy,¡± Joey added. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. I rubbed my temples. ¡°So what, we¡¯re supposed to just accept this is normal now? That the system is fast-tracking us for some higher-tier version of reality?¡± ¡°Basically,¡± Ryan said. ¡°We¡¯ve all seen the theories. Some people think the system is prepping humanity for some universal war. Like, some nearby galaxy is trying to level up partners in the fight. Others think it¡¯s just an AI that wants to push civilization to the next phase.¡± He waved a hand. ¡°Either way, TL9 is the next step. And we¡¯re getting shoved into it.¡± Emily crossed her arms. ¡°I mean, what else would it be? The system doesn¡¯t do things randomly. There¡¯s a reason we¡¯re getting this much XP.¡± I snorted. ¡°I don¡¯t care about theories. I care about what this means for me. And I¡¯ll tell you what it means-¡± I focused back at my logs. ¡°It means I¡¯m already overspread with too many skills, and now we¡¯ve got a whole new tier of stronger skills that are going to need even more skill XP.¡± Ryan smirked. ¡°Sucks to be you, huh?¡± I flipped him off.
The rest of the chamber was, well, relatively easy. More of a grind than high stakes. Zoe and I would take our positions, firing shots to draw agro. The worker drones would scuttle toward us, and the team would mow them down. A little slow, a little tedious, but efficient. Ryan¡¯s turret did most of the heavy lifting, thinning out groups before they got too close. Chris kept his Energy Driver to short bursts, careful not to overheat it again. Danny bashed through anything that got past the first line, his warhammer sending bugs flying. Emily, dual-wielding her blasters, weaved through the fight. She only used her Plasma Sword when something got too close, but every time she ignited it, a drone went down instantly. Like a well-oiled machine, we raked in the kills and XP. Danny and Ryan''s theory? Any new levels from here on out would require much more XP moving forward. I didn''t care, I was finally leveling up my shitty skills, one kill at a time. [+139,438 XP] [+52,875 credits] [Skill level up! Ranged Weapons Proficiency: Level 8 -> Level 9] [Skill level up! Situational Awareness Proficiency: Level 8 -> Level 9] [Skill level up! Adaptive Cover Proficiency: Level 7 -> Level 8] [Skill level up! Light Armor Proficiency: Level 8 -> Level 9] Unfortunately, no more TL9 weapon drops. Just enough power cells to keep our ammunition stocked and some more sand-flavored rations. Nothing exciting, but at least we weren¡¯t running dry. Zoe groaned as she loaded another cell into her sniper rifle. "We get one fancy grenade, and the rest is bug chow? This hive officially sucks." "Come on, at least we¡¯re stocked up," I said, stretching out my sore arms. "Yeah, yeah," she muttered. "But I was really hoping for something cooler."
It came through the far end of the chamber, stepping past the pulsing, veined doorway. It was different from the drones. Two meters tall, longer limbs, sleeker build. A raised, segmented head, its mandibles clicking, its six sharp limbs twitching. Unlike the worker drones, this one looked designed to kill. And then it spat a barbed projectile, fast as a bullet. "Cover!" Emily shouted. We scattered just as the projectile slammed into Joey¡¯s shield. It crumpled inward, the impact so hard it sent Joey and his heavy powered armor staggering back. "Fuck!" Joey grunted, bracing. "That thing hits like a goddamn truck!" Another barbed spike slammed into the wall, splattering corrosive liquid. The nearest eggs melted instantly, dissolving into a stinking puddle. "No plasma fire!" I barked. "If we hit the walls, we¡¯ll be swimming in acid!" "Well, that¡¯s just fucking great," Chris growled, ducking behind an egg cluster. Ryan gritted his teeth. "Okay, Plan B, Danny, you¡¯re up!" Danny, already stomping forward, charged. His powered armor thumped against the organic ground, the heavy steps shaking through the humid chamber. He raised his Devastator Warhammer, locking on to the target. The scout drone didn¡¯t wait. It moved fast. Way faster than the bulky tank of a man charging at it. Danny swung. The hammer whooshed through empty air. The bug vanished, ducking low before Danny could adjust, skittering around his flank. "Shit!" Ryan cursed. "We need another plan!" "Fuck it," I snapped, running. I sprinted full speed, closing the gap before I could think about how bad of an idea this was. The scout twisted, sensing me and raising its limbs. I jumped and landed right on its back, burying my Energy Tomahawk into the side of its neck. I felt a guttural need to whoop as I hacked at it. The beast screamed, flailing, legs buckling under the sudden weight. I held on, gripping its carapace, hacking again, again, desperate to bring it down. Its blood splattered over my arm. It burned against my suit. I hissed, gritting my teeth, trying to ignore it. One last swing and the fucker collapsed. I rolled off, panting, my visor fogging from the heat. Dead. [+23,297 XP] [+9,000 credits] [Skill Level up! Tomahawk Throwing Proficiency Level 8 -> Level 9]
I was still catching my breath when I heard her, sharp and angry. "What the fuck were you thinking!?" screamed Emily. I barely turned before she grabbed my arm, her eyes blazing behind her visor. "You just- just jumped on that thing!" Her voice spiked, vibrating through the comms. "You could have been- Jesus, Luca!" Zoe snorted, grinning, clearly enjoying my near-death stunt. "I mean, it worked, right?" Emily whipped around, glaring at her. "That is not the point, Zoe!" Zoe just shrugged. "Looked pretty badass to me." I raised my hands, trying to calm her down. "Em, I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s dead. We didn¡¯t have a choice." "You always have a choice!" she snapped. "Like, I don¡¯t know - using the plasma rifles like we¡¯re supposed to?" I sighed, rubbing my neck. "We couldn¡¯t. First shot splattered acid. Not worth the risk." She clenched her jaw. "And jumping on its back was the better alternative!?" I opened my mouth, closed it, then shrugged. She groaned, turning away, frustrated. "You are such an idiot," she muttered. Ryan, ever the opportunist, clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Well, I for one think you did great, buddy." Emily shot him a look that could melt steel. Ryan quickly removed his hand. "Right. Yeah. I¡¯ll shut up." Zoe just chuckled. "Bet that adrenaline rush felt real good, huh?" I exhaled, the heat still in my veins, the fight still buzzing in my muscles. Fuck, yeah, it did. But instead, I just nodded. "Yeah," I admitted. "It really did."
Finally, we hit this stupid fucking crack in the wall. Seriously? The irony wasn''t lost on me. Tight spaces, unknown dangers, this was what it was all about. Veiny tendrils stretched along the walls, pulsing slowly, like a heartbeat. The organic, fleshy texture made my skin crawl, and when I reached out to touch it, because I¡¯m a dumbass, it moved. Not a simple shift. It contracted under my palm, like it had felt me. I yanked my hand back. Scanners showed a chamber beyond. Of course it did. It''s a dungeon. What, did they expect us to just stroll through a wide open door? Bring it on, System. We¡¯d fought through wave after wave of drones, taken down a goddamn scout, and now? Now, we had to squeeze through a claustrophobic, pulsing, disgusting gap in the wall. Ryan, drama queen extraordinaire, let out this huge groan. "Seriously? We¡¯ve been blasting through these monsters like pros, and now we¡¯re reduced to crawling through a hole? Whose idea of fun is this?¡± "Guess they want to keep us on our toes," Danny chimed in, grinning. "Or on our hands and knees, apparently." Holy shit, did he just say that out loud? Zoe, of course, had to add fuel to the fire. "Oh, I don¡¯t know, Danny. I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re not bad on your hands and knees." She gave him a playful nudge. Damn, she was good. Danny nearly choked on air, turning bright red, while Ryan gave Zoe a flat look. "Really?" Ryan muttered. "You¡¯re the worst." Zoe just grinned and patted his cheek. "Oh, sweetie, I know." And then, because she was completely unbothered, she slung her rifle over her back, dropped to her stomach, and crawled right in. No hesitation. Just vanished into the tight, pulsing darkness. Emily followed right after, slipping through like it was nothing. "You guys are ridiculous," she tossed over her shoulder, but she was smiling. "And maybe a little obsessed with your own butts.¡± Speaking of butts¡­ hers disappeared into the darkness. Focus, Luca. Joey gave Danny this mock-resigned look. ¡°Well, if everyone else is going, I guess we¡¯ll just have to follow, huh?¡± He deactivated his shield, good call, and shimmied in. Chris and Danny followed behind. Now it was just me and Ryan. And this fucking hole. I stared at it. At the pulsing, fleshy crack in the wall. It was tight, dark and it was moving. Fuck. My breathing slowed. My chest tightened. I could hear it now. Not just see it. Feel it. The walls had a wet, sucking pulse, like a throat preparing to swallow. Faint squelching noises came from within, a slow, rhythmic contraction. It was stupid. So fucking stupid. I was a goddamn Infiltrator. I was built for tight spaces, stealth, recon, slipping through cracks just like this one. But this wasn¡¯t just a crack. This was a living, suffocating throat ready to swallow me whole. Ryan clapped a hand on my back, the bastard. Like he didn''t know I was about two seconds away from losing my shit. "You¡¯re up, Cap. I¡¯ll cover the rear.¡± My mouth was dry as a desert. I swallowed, shook my head, and tried to smile. It probably looked like I was about to vomit. ¡°Nah, you go ahead. I¡¯ll be right behind you.¡± Ryan frowned. Shit. "Luca..." He knew me too well. "Just go, Ryan," I said, voice tighter than I meant it to be. "I¡¯ll be right there.¡± Just thinking about being in that tight space¡­ Not in this goddamn claustrophobic nightmare fuel of a tunnel. What if the whole damn mountain decided to take a nap on top of us? Ryan studied me, then glanced at the tunnel. You could practically see the gears turning in his head. "Ah, hell. You¡¯re not gonna freeze up on me now, are you?¡± He tried to sound light, but there was this... Like he actually gave a shit. He kept looking at me, eyes all narrowed. ¡°Yeah, okay,¡± he said slowly. ¡°Except I¡¯m not going without you, you know that, right?¡± My fists clenched. Breathe, Luca, breathe. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine, just... go on ahead.¡± He hesitated, glancing at the tunnel again. ¡°Alright, fine. But Emily¡¯s on the other side, waiting. You gonna make her wait longer?¡± I exhaled sharply. That asshole. ¡°You¡¯re a jerk,¡± I muttered. Yep,¡± he shot back, slapping me on the shoulder. Hard. ¡°So, what¡¯s it gonna be? We can crawl through this together, or we can wait until Emily comes back and drags your sorry ass through herself.¡± Before I could answer, Danny¡¯s voice crackled over the comms, all sunshine and rainbows. ¡°All clear! Just crawl on through, guys. Nothing on this side but a big empty room. We¡¯re good!¡± Ryan raised an eyebrow, giving me that damn look. The "I told you so" look. "See? Told you the walls weren¡¯t gonna eat you, Cap. Now get your ass moving." ¡°Fine,¡± I said, my voice tighter than I wanted. "We¡¯ll go together.¡± Ryan grinned like an asshole. ¡°Atta boy.¡± Then, with zero hesitation, he crouched and slid in, making a big deal of wiggling his shoulders. The wall making a slurp sound as he pushed into the crack. "See? Nothing to it." Yeah, well, you¡¯re not the one suffocating on air that won¡¯t go down right now, are you? I forced myself forward, my hands sinking into the material. The walls pressed against my arms, my ribs, my back, too close. Way too fucking close. Every instinct was screaming to get the fuck out. The moment I entered, it was hot. Thick, humid heat, like stepping into the mouth of something alive. The air clung to my suit. A slow, wet contraction rippled down the tunnel. I froze. Did it just breathe? Focus on the movement. The scraping. The chatter on comms. Don¡¯t think about the walls. Don¡¯t think about being buried alive. Don¡¯t think about mom. Almost there. Chapter 57 Joey, our medic, finally started carrying his weight a little and tossed out nutrient bars. ¡°Alright, refuel time,¡± he said, sliding down the wall like he was about to pass out. ¡°Boss is up ahead, so eat up. Last thing we need is someone¡¯s stomach growling mid-fight.¡± Ryan caught his bar and, of course, sat right down next to Emily. ¡°You know, Em, I¡¯m pretty sure I saw you checking me out back there,¡± he said, leaning in like he had all the energy in the world. ¡°I mean, can¡¯t blame you. I was kinda awesome, wasn¡¯t I?¡± Emily, completely unbothered, just smirked. "You wish, Ryan," she said, unwrapping her bar. "I was actually impressed with how you managed to not trip over your own feet while shooting. A real miracle, honestly." Ryan grinned, unfazed. He lived for the challenge. "Hey, I¡¯m smooth. What can I say?" He leaned just a little closer. "But if you want, I can give you a private demonstration later. You know, up close." Emily laughed and nudged him. Laughed. "Yeah, I¡¯ll pass, thanks," she said, taking a bite of her bar like he hadn¡¯t just hit on her in front of me. I just shook my head, chewing on my own bar. I¡¯d already had this conversation with Ryan more than once. He liked Emily. Emily didn¡¯t seem to mind. And me? I wasn¡¯t about to start acting like some possessive asshole. She could flirt, Ryan could shoot his shot, and I wasn¡¯t about to lose my shit over it. Still, I had to give the guy credit for trying. "Keep at it, Ry," I said, smirking as I leaned back against the wall. "One of these days, she might even let you hold her hand." Zoe snorted from across the room. "Yeah, right. Ryan, if you ever get past first base, I¡¯ll personally throw you a party." Ryan shot her a grin. "Don¡¯t make promises you can¡¯t keep, Woods." Emily just rolled her eyes, amused, but she didn''t shut him down completely. Interesting. I popped the last bite of my bar into my mouth and let it slide. Ryan was gonna do his thing. Emily wasn¡¯t mine to control. And honestly? If he made her happy, who the hell was I to complain? Across the room, Zoe grinned at Danny as he groaned, shifting uncomfortably against the wall. He was wrecked. Even with powered armor, exhaustion was setting in, his legs probably felt like concrete. ¡°Oh, come on,¡± Zoe drawled, stretching her arms dramatically. ¡°You¡¯re telling me that big, bad Power Armor isn¡¯t helping with circulation?¡± Danny snorted. ¡°Yeah, tell that to my legs.¡± He rolled his shoulders, trying to ease the tension. ¡°Next time, I¡¯m strapping in a cooling system.¡± Zoe made a mock gasp, placing a dramatic hand over his chestplate. ¡°Oh no, the mighty Danny Thompson, Slayer of Bugs, Crusher of Chitin, needs a leg massage? What will the history books say?¡± Danny rolled his eyes. ¡°I swear to God, Zoe.¡± Joey perked up immediately. He held up a hypo, smirking through his visor. ¡°Oh, please. Tempt me. I¡¯ll dose you up so good you won¡¯t feel your legs.¡± Danny shook his head. ¡°Yeah, because that¡¯s exactly what I need before we fight a goddamn Queen. Totally trust you, Joey.¡± Zoe chuckled. ¡°Too bad we can¡¯t take our helmets off. Otherwise, I¡¯d give you a real massage.¡± She paused for effect, tilting her head just enough to make it sound suggestive. Danny blinked. ¡°¡­Wait, seriously?¡± Zoe smirked, stepping past him toward the ammo packs. ¡°Nope.¡± Danny let out the most defeated sigh I¡¯d ever heard. The banter, the teasing, it should have been reassuring. But all I could focus on was the passage ahead. The narrow tunnel leading to the final chamber loomed at the edge of my vision, its walls pulsing slightly with organic growth. It had been hours. We were exhausted, running on stims, nutrient bars, and pure adrenaline at this point. But there was no turning back. I checked my HUD. The layout of the chamber ahead flickered into view, a wide, open space, but full of shadows. Perfect for drones to hide in. And in the center? A massive form. The Queen.
My heart was still hammering from that damn tunnel, but this¡­ this was different. This was the good kind of adrenaline. The kind that made you want to charge in, guns blazing. The kind that made you feel alive. Almost made all that crawling through tight spaces worthwhile. Almost. Let¡¯s just get this over with and hope we don¡¯t have to squeeze through any more fucking holes to get out. Ryan was already talking, going over positioning, making sure everyone was ready. Good. That was his job now. He¡¯d handle crowd control with Chris, keeping the small fry off our backs. Zoe would snipe from somewhere high, picking off anything that got too close. Joey would hang back, keeping shields up and patching us up when things got rough. And Emily¡­ She¡¯d be right there with me. Close. Fast. Slicing through defenses with that plasma sword. Normally, just the thought of her moving like that, all grace and deadly precision, would have me practically drooling. But right now? I needed my head in the game. No distractions. I exhaled, forcing myself to focus. The team was slumped against the wall, laughing, bantering. Tired, yeah, but ready. We¡¯d come too far to turn back. And they trusted me. Fuck. That was a lot of pressure. Especially when I was still trying to shake off the feeling of being buried alive. Ryan caught my eye, sharp as always. He tilted his head toward Emily, lowering his voice just enough for only me to hear. ¡°You good, Cap?¡± I blinked. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m good.¡± He didn¡¯t buy it, not for a second. Ryan knew me too well. But he just smirked and clapped my shoulder. ¡°Then focus up. I¡¯ve got the plan, you do your thing.¡± I exhaled, nodding. Right. Ryan was handling it. I wasn¡¯t in charge in here. That was the whole point. We knew how this worked. The System wasn¡¯t that creative. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. We¡¯d done Hive Queen fights a hundred times before in Sol. The delves were shorter, the monsters weaker, but the setup? Always the same. First, the swarm. Drones pouring in, trying to overwhelm us. Maybe another Scout or five to make our lives hell. Then, finally, the Queen. The fight always had two phases, more if you weren¡¯t fast enough, wipe the small ones fast, then take on Momma Bug. Ryan adjusted his grip on his plasma rifle, his cocky grin already in place. ¡°Alright, formation. We do this clean.¡± Danny rolled his shoulders, lifting his warhammer. ¡°Same setup as always?¡± Ryan nodded. ¡°We burn the swarm first.¡± Emily and Danny take point. Danny could take the hits, Emily was fast enough to weave around him, using him as cover while she carved through the bastards. Chris and Ryan set up on opposite flanks, offering covering fire with the plasma rifles. The drones were tough, but the new rifles shredded them way faster than our old energy weapons. Joey stays in the rear, keeping an eye on our health and ready to push up with his shield if things go south. Zoe and I stay at the back, sniping anything trying to flank us. Once the swarm was down? We¡¯d be the ones closing the distance on the Queen if needed. I flicked my scope up, adjusting my rifle¡¯s settings. ¡°We burn them fast,¡± I said. ¡°No dragging this out. The longer we take, the worse it gets.¡± Ryan smirked. ¡°Yeah, yeah, we know the drill, Cap. Try not to let Em steal all the glory, alright?¡± Emily didn¡¯t even bother looking at him. ¡°Just keep the bugs off my back, Ryan.¡± I exhaled, tightening my grip. This was always the hardest part of the delve. Zoe stretched, cracking her knuckles. ¡°Sounds good. Can we get moving before Ryan starts thinking he¡¯s the boss of me?¡± Ryan grinned. ¡°Sweetheart, I¡¯ve been your boss since day one.¡± She flicked an empty bar wrapper at his chest. Direct hit. ¡°Shut up and let¡¯s go.¡± Chris rolled his shoulders, gripping his plasma rifle. ¡°Formation set. Call the play, Luca.¡± I took a breath, nodding. ¡°Alright. We burn the swarm fast. No dragging this out. Everyone stick to the plan, and we come out of this in one piece.¡± I lifted my rifle, my gut still tight, but my focus locked in. No more second-guessing. No more thinking about Ryan or Emily or any of that shit. We had a Queen to kill. Time to get this show on the road. This was it. Time to kill a Queen and hopefully not die in the process. And maybe, just maybe, once the adrenaline settled and the claustrophobia faded, I could get back to appreciating a certain sword-wielding badass the way she deserved.
We moved to the entrance of the tunnel, shifting back into mission mode. One last check, gear secured, visors down, weapons primed. The tension in the air was thick, but I lived for this shit. So did Zoe. She shot me a look, that sharp, mischievous grin just barely visible under her visor. "Scout Leader, you ready?" I smirked. "Try to keep up." We activated our Active Camo, slipping into the dark. For thirty seconds, we were ghosts. The tunnel opened into the Queen¡¯s chamber, and holy shit, this place was huge. Like some kind of twisted cathedral, the walls jagged and pulsing faintly with organic veins. The air? Thick, humid, and toxic as hell. My HUD threw up multiple warnings, but my focus was locked on the thing in the center. The Queen. Fucking massive. Five meters tall, her segmented body coiled at the far end, mandibles clicking, multi-faceted eyes scanning the dark. And that sac on her abdomen? It was glowing. Pulsing. Alive. Eggs were scattered across the floor, dozens of them, shifting slightly. Movement. More of those drones. But not just drones. There, another one of those spitting scouts, the same kind that nearly skewered us earlier. Fuck. This wasn¡¯t just a breeding ground. It was a goddamn war zone waiting to happen. Zoe shifted next to me, voice low over private comms. "Tell me that thing doesn¡¯t remind you of-" "Alien. Yeah. I know." "Like, we¡¯re seconds away from some facehugger bullshit." I rolled my eyes. "Stay focused, Woods." She grinned but kept moving, scanning the chamber from her scope. I did the same. Two elevated ledges on the sides, decent sniper positions. The ground was a maze of eggs, half-formed chitin, and slime. The Queen was settled near the back, partially protected by the terrain, which meant we¡¯d have to clear the small fry before engaging. Our camo flickered, warning us time was almost up. We needed a better vantage point. The ledge above had a clear shot at the Queen, and from up there, we could cover the team and thin the horde before they got overwhelmed. I nudged Zoe and pointed up. "Ledge. We take it." She grinned. "Thought you''d never ask." I crouched, cupping my hands together. She stepped into my grip without hesitation, and with a sharp push, I hoisted her nimble, tight little frame up onto the ledge. Damn, she made that look effortless. She landed light as a whisper, rolled to her feet, and turned back, reaching down. ¡°Come on, Scout Leader, before I take all the kills.¡± Her smirk was pure adrenaline. I grabbed her wrist, and she hauled me up with surprising strength, or maybe I was just too distracted by the view. Yeah. Okay. Bad time to notice how good Zoe looked when she was in her element. I landed next to her, shaking off the thought. Focus, Luca. We settled into position, rifles raised, just as our camo flickered out completely. Zoe exhaled, nudging my shoulder. "Alright, Boss. Time to bring in the big, loud boys." I flicked to squad comms. "Clear. We¡¯ve got movement in there, drones, eggs, another scout like the one that tagged Joey¡¯s shield earlier. Queen¡¯s in the back, partially covered. Snipers can use the ledges. We burn the small ones first, then focus fire on her." Silence. Then Ryan¡¯s voice, smug as ever. "Translation: Ryan and Chris get to work while the rest of you try not to fuck up?" Emily cut in. "Just shut up and shoot straight, Mitchell." Ryan chuckled. "Don¡¯t worry, Em. I¡¯ll keep you covered. Can¡¯t let you have all the fun." I ignored them, eyes still on the chamber. The Queen¡¯s sac pulsed again, and two more drones twitched, beginning to stir. Showtime. "Move in," I ordered, gripping my rifle. "Hit them hard." And then the Queen let out a screech that sent a shiver down my fucking spine. Eggs burst open. Drones rose from the muck. The cavern shook.
Zoe and I hunkered down on the ledge, steam curling up from below, obscuring the battlefield in shifting layers of green mist. The Queen¡¯s hive was hot, humid, disgusting, but we could still make out the team moving through it, their HUD markers glowing bright against the mess of bodies and eggs. ¡°You got eyes?¡± Zoe murmured, her rifle aimed down. ¡°Always.¡± I zoomed in, spotting a cluster of drones shifting in the fog, moving toward Ryan¡¯s flank. ¡°Five, moving left. Danny, Ryan, watch your three!¡± Danny¡¯s aggro beacon pulsed, and just like that, the fuckers changed course, swarming straight for him. The big guy didn¡¯t even flinch. His warhammer came down like a meteor, cracking through carapace, sending green goo spraying. Emily moved like a goddamn phantom, darting in with her plasma sword, carving through the next one before it even had a chance to react. Ryan and Chris were pouring hellfire downrange, their plasma rifles burning holes through anything dumb enough to charge. Every shot lit up the chamber, a flashing red-blue inferno against the hive¡¯s sickly green glow. Chris''s Energy Driver? A fucking star in a collapsing galaxy. ¡°Heads up, three coming from the back!¡± I called out, sighting them just as they lunged from the walls. Zoe didn¡¯t wait. Her rifle cracked, and one of them jerked mid-air, tumbling down. ¡°Got one,¡± she muttered, shifting her aim. ¡°Two more, moving fast.¡± I squeezed the trigger. My sniper round punched through another¡¯s eye, dropping it instantly. ¡°Last one¡¯s yours, Zoe.¡± She grinned. ¡°Race you to it.¡± Both of our rifles fired at once. The drone staggered, screeching, but its chitin barely cracked. ¡°Shit. Didn¡¯t drop it.¡± The bug twitched, already recovering, until Zoe put another shot straight into the soft gap at its side. It collapsed, legs curling inward. ¡°Confirmed weak point.¡± She grinned. ¡°Now, let¡¯s kill some more.¡± Below, the battlefield was chaos. Danny was a goddamn fortress, his exo-powered armor swinging that warhammer like the hand of God. Ryan¡¯s Power Surge ability kicked in, overclocking his systems as he burned through energy cells, plasma shots streaking into the mass of bodies. Emily? Emily was fucking poetry. Her plasma sword danced, slicing through chitin, carving open thoraxes. She spun, severed legs, ducked under mandibles, and I was so goddamn distracted watching her move that I almost missed a drone scuttling toward her from the side. "I¡¯ve got you!" I fired. One shot, right through the bastard¡¯s open mandibles. She didn¡¯t even look back. Just kept moving, hacking, cutting. And then? Because the universe hates us, something low and fast, one of those goddamn cockroach scouts, broke through the formation. ¡°Ryan! Left flank!¡± The bug hocked a loogie of green acid, straight at Chris. He screamed. The kind that curdles milk and makes grown men want to cry. His arm hit the ground first. Then his knees. Then the sizzling smell of acid eating through armor, melting through his goddamn skin. Double. Fuck. Chapter 58 "Chris is hit!" Joey shouted, his energy shield snapping up like a goddamn riot barricade, blocking another soldier-drone. "I¡¯ve got him, but he¡¯s out of the fight!" Chris gritted his teeth, his arm charred and smoking, but he wasn¡¯t screaming anymore. He was fucking pissed. Joey¡¯s hands were a blur, slapping a coagulant spray on the wound, working fast. Shit. Shit, shit, shit. That was one of our plasma rifles out of commission. We were already fighting uphill, already underequipped for this TL9 hellhole, and now? Now, we were down a gun. And that bitch of a Queen was still standing. My grip tightened on my rifle. My HUD was a mess of alerts, low ammo, armor damage, and squad status flickering. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, a mix of adrenaline, exhaustion, and something colder. Not just excitement anymore. Fear. I clenched my jaw, forcing it down. We needed to end this. Now. Emily was still in the thick of it, a goddamn Valkyrie, weaving between the drones with that plasma sword like she was untouchable. Danny was a human wrecking ball, taking hits, drawing aggro, smashing through whatever got in our way. And Zoe? Zoe was already lining up the next shot, cool as ice, like none of this fazed her. We were close. So fucking close. I sucked in a sharp breath. "Zoe, cover Joey! Everyone else, keep pushing!"
Emily glanced back, up toward me, her eyes fierce and determined. ¡°We need to take her out now, Luca. We can¡¯t let any more spawn.¡± Damn. The way she said it, like there was no other option, no hesitation? It was a hell of a turn-on, even if this whole situation was pure nightmare fuel. If we survived this? We were going to be very busy tonight. I smirked, steadied my grip on my rifle. ¡°Then let¡¯s finish this.¡± Squad comms clicked. ¡°Everyone, focus on the Queen! Take her down!¡± And just like that, the battlefield shifted. We weren¡¯t just fighting anymore, we were fucking hunting. Plasma beams lit up the chamber, cutting through the fog and the swarming drones. Zoe¡¯s sniper cracked again and again, each shot clean, precise, covering Joey and Chris. Below us, the others tightened formation, pushing forward like a battering ram. Danny held the line like a goddamn fortress, his aggro beacon pulling the smaller ones toward him. His warhammer was a blur of impact, each swing caving in chitinous skulls. Ryan and Emily? A goddamn tag team of destruction. Every time Zoe or I exposed a weak spot, they were already there, power surges and plasma fire slamming home. The Queen thrashed, her grotesque sac pulsing, mandibles clacking in fury, but we were fucking relentless. My rifle flared, snapping a shot at a drone creeping up behind Emily. She didn¡¯t even look back, just kept moving, slashing through the sac, melting through layers of flesh with every strike. Then, a soldier drone lunged for Danny, jagged claws swinging for his helmet. Ryan, quick as a whip, saw it first. His power surge flashed, one precise shot, shattering the drone¡¯s claw mid-air. ¡°Nice shot, Ryan!¡± Danny grunted, swinging his hammer into another soldier. ¡°Keep pushing, we¡¯re close!¡± The Queen screeched, limbs spasming, rearing back, but she was weakening. We closed in, a pack of wolves circling the kill. Emily moved in for the final strike, her sword a trail of blue light cutting into the Queen¡¯s engorged sac. ¡°Now, Emily!¡± I shouted. ¡°Take the shot!¡± Her eyes locked on the weak point, blade shifting mid-motion, precision and power in one lethal strike. The plasma sword drove deep, searing through the sac, severing it completely. The Queen let out one last, deafening screech, her entire body convulsing, before she collapsed. The ground shook with the impact; dust and debris flew everywhere, then silence. System notifications flickered across my HUD. [+186,863 XP] [+69,750 credits] [Skill Level up! Ranged Weapons Proficiency 9 -> Level 10] [Ability Unlocked: Target Lock Assist: For 10 seconds, the character''s interface highlights a selected target, providing enhanced visual tracking and trajectory data. The ability stabilizes the weapon against movement (such as recoil or sway) and offers subtle aim correction, making it easier to stay locked on the target. Ideal for landing precision shots under high-stress conditions. Highlights the target in the character¡¯s interface, including movement direction and speed. Reduces weapon sway and recoil by 30% during the duration. Provides a 15% aim correction assist for better accuracy. Cooldown: 5 minutes.] [Skill Level up! Situational Awareness Proficiency Level 9 -> Level 10] [Ability Unlocked: Heightened Awareness: For 15 seconds, gain full awareness of all nearby movements or threats, even in low visibility. Cooldown: 5 minutes.] [Skill Level up! Adaptive Cover Proficiency Level 8 -> Level 9] [Mission completed! Destroy the Queen and Escape, reward: 157,800 Skill XP, 120,000 credits] [Level Up!: Level 62 +5 attribute points]
We stood there, breathing hard, the bodies of those ugly bastards scattered around the fallen Queen. We''d done it. We''d fucking done it. But it had cost us. Chris was down, and we were all running on fumes. Another close call. Another victory that felt like it could have gone the other way. But we were alive. The room went silent, the last of those little shits skittering back into the shadows. We stood there, breathing hard, but we''d fucking done it. We''d won. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. I lowered my rifle, the adrenaline still coursing through me. I looked around at my team, their faces lit by the glow of the fallen Queen. "We did it," I said, a smile breaking through. "Hell yeah, we did it." Ryan whooped, high-fiving me. "You see that? That was badass. We''re legends!" "Yeah, yeah, get a room," Zoe teased, grinning as she leaned her rifle on her shoulder. "But first, let¡¯s see what kind of loot this big bug was hiding." The Queen''s final screech faded, and with it, the pulsing energy of the dungeon seemed to ease. The room was still, the glow of the dim lights flickering off the now-lifeless sac. Then, the system message popped up, bright and bold on our HUDs. Fuck. Yes. Danny grinned, his chest heaving. "Hell yeah, level sixty-two! I can feel those extra attribute points already." He flexed, striking a pose. "Gonna hit even harder next time." Joey smirked, still kneeling by Chris. But his smile faded, his focus on Chris''s injury. "Celebrate later, guys. We need to check on Chris." Right. Chris. The adrenaline started to fade, replaced by a wave of exhaustion and a dull ache in my muscles. We''d won, yeah, but it had been close. Too close. We needed to get Chris patched up and get the hell out of here. My smile vanished as I moved over, kneeling beside Joey. Chris was slumped against the wall, his armor fucked up, melted where that acid shit had hit. The skin underneath was covered in a nano bandage, glowing faintly. Joey had done what he could, but seeing Chris''s arm, red and raw, burned down to the fucking bone... it was rough. My gut twisted. "How is he?" I asked quietly. "He¡¯s stable," Joey said, his voice flat. "The nano bandage is doing its job, but... he¡¯s going to need the med pod as soon as we¡¯re back. The acid ate right through to the bone. I¡¯ve seen worse, but not by much." Emily knelt down beside them, her face softer than I''d seen it in a while. "We¡¯ll carry him out," she said firmly. "He¡¯ll make it." I exhaled, some of the tension in my shoulders easing. Chris had gotten hit head-on. I¡¯d only taken splash damage earlier, acidic blood spraying when I¡¯d hacked into that scout. My armor was a little melty, edges warped and discolored, but intact. It had held. Chris¡¯? Not so much. The difference between a near miss and a direct hit. "Good," I said, nodding. "We¡¯ll keep Chris steady and make sure nothing gets near him." Joey worked on a makeshift sling, securing Chris''s arm. "He¡¯s tough. He¡¯ll be fine," Joey said, but there was doubt in his voice. It hurt to see one of us like this. Especially for Joey, who was always the one patching us up. With Chris as secure as we could make him, I stood up and took a deep breath. "Alright," I said, trying to sound more in control than I felt. "Let¡¯s check the loot. Then we get the fuck out of here." We''d won, but it didn''t feel like much of a victory right now. But we were alive, and we were leaving together. That was something, at least. We moved around the fallen Queen, grabbing the glowing loot boxes that had popped up near her carcass. One by one, we opened them, finding armor pieces that glittered with the same sleek, dark design as that chest piece from earlier. Medium armor, perfect for Ryan, naturally, and a heavy set that Danny picked up, his eyes lighting up like a kid on Christmas morning. [Item Acquired: Centauri Guardian Mk-64 Exo-Frame] [Item Acquired: Centauri Juggernaut Mk-64 Gauntlet Actuators] "Now we¡¯re talking," Danny said, grinning as he tested the weight of the new gauntlets. "I¡¯m gonna look like a tank in this." "Medium armor?" Ryan said, holding up a polished breastplate. "Oh yeah, this is definitely an upgrade. Feels lighter than my old set, too. I¡¯ll be bouncing around like I¡¯m on skates." Of course, he would. Gotta make sure that ass is mobile, wouldn''t want to cramp his style. The last box held a sleek, long-barreled rifle, its matte finish glinting in the dim light. I lifted it out, feeling the cool, smooth metal. The scope was integrated, streamlined, a Plasma Sniper Rifle. I turned, meeting Zoe''s expectant gaze. Legs for days, that one. And those eyes? Trouble. [Item Acquired: Proxima LR-64 "Solar Flare" Sniper Rifle - TL9] "This one¡¯s yours," I said, holding it out to her. "You¡¯ve always been a better shot." Zoe''s eyes lit up, and she took the rifle with a smile. Damn, she was sexy as fuck. "Oh, Luca, you shouldn¡¯t have," she said, her tone teasing, but there was genuine warmth there. She winked at me. "I¡¯ll pay you back for this one day, I promise." "I¡¯ll hold you to that," I replied, my smile returning, if only briefly. Maybe I just scored some brownie points. Wouldn''t mind cashing those in later. But the excitement of the loot was already fading, replaced by the pressing need to get Chris back to the Peregrine. "Alright, let¡¯s wrap this up. What was the Queen guarding?" We turned our attention to the device nestled behind the Queen¡¯s remains, still glowing faintly. From a distance, it had seemed small, but up close? It was embedded deep into the stone floor, sleek, alien, and humming with an energy that made my skin prickle. Ryan, because of course Ryan, crouched down and pulled out his item analyzer. The thing let out a low beep as it started scanning. [Item Acquired: Advanced Deflector Shield Schematic - TL9] "Well?" Danny asked, leaning over like a kid on Christmas. "What¡¯s it do?" Ryan¡¯s eyes widened. "Holy shit. It¡¯s an advanced deflector shield schematic." I blinked. "Like, for a starship?" Ryan nodded slowly, tapping at his screen. "Not just any deflector. This thing has inertial dampening. If we get this built and install it on the Triumph of Darron, we could pull high-G maneuvers like they were nothing. No more stress on the hull. No more redlining the inertial compensators. This is next-gen TL9 shit." My interest spiked. "That¡¯s insane. We could maneuver through asteroid fields, dodge incoming fire-" "If we can power it." Ryan¡¯s excitement dimmed just a little as reality kicked in. "As it stands, our power plant can¡¯t handle something like this. The energy draw would fry our whole system. We''d need a serious upgrade first." "So it¡¯s useless," Zoe said, crossing her arms. Ryan shot her a look. "Not useless. We just need to find a way to get more power. If we can upgrade the plant, we can equip this, along with anything else we find like it. This is a major step up, but we¡¯ve gotta put in the work." Of course, he says that like he¡¯s the only one who does any work around here. Asshole. Danny clapped his hands together, grinning. "Well, we¡¯ve been doing nothing but work since we got here." He shot me a look. "What¡¯s a little more?" I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "We take the schematic, we get Chris back to the Peregrine, and we figure it out from there." I stared down at the schematic, frustration gnawing at me. We¡¯d found something huge, a goddamn starship upgrade, and we couldn¡¯t even use it. "We¡¯ll figure it out," I said, voice firm. "If there¡¯s one thing we¡¯re good at, it¡¯s pushing past limits." Ryan clapped me on the back, hard enough to sting. "Damn right. And when we get this thing running, I¡¯m taking her for a spin first." "You wish," Zoe snorted, nudging him off balance. "You¡¯ll be watching while I dodge asteroids like a pro." "Yeah, yeah," Joey cut in, stretching. "Let¡¯s not talk about dodging asteroids until we actually have the shield installed. First things first, we get Chris back to the ship. That med pod¡¯s waiting." I glanced at Chris. Still out, breathing steady, his arm wrapped up tight. Joey had done what he could, but the damage? It looked bad. I exhaled and turned to Emily, reaching to wrap an arm around her waist, a little instinctive pull to bring her close. Maybe just to ground myself after all of that. She stiffened. Then stepped forward, slipping right out of my grasp. Right. "We wouldn¡¯t even be dealing with this if we hadn¡¯t gone through," she muttered. It wasn¡¯t loud. It wasn¡¯t directed at anyone, not really. But it was there. My stomach twisted. She hadn¡¯t wanted to do this portal in the first place. And now Chris was down. Ryan must¡¯ve caught it too because his usual cocky grin faded, his expression unreadable for a second before he shouldered Chris¡¯s weight. "Let¡¯s move," he said. We lifted Chris carefully, balancing his weight between us. The mood wasn¡¯t light anymore, it was heavier now, sharper. We¡¯d won, sure. We¡¯d gotten loot, XP, and something to chase after. But the cost was right there, unconscious, burned, and barely patched together. I clenched my jaw. "Alright, team," I said, voice steady. "We¡¯ve got what we came for. Let¡¯s get the hell out of here." I was excited to get those two new abilities; they had been a long time coming. I¡¯d been hoping for something flashy, like some of the abilities I¡¯d seen back in Sol. Instead? I got Target Lock Assist, which was basically aimbot lite, and Heighted Awareness, which, okay, sounded cool on paper, but in reality? I¡¯d already been keeping my eyes open, hadn¡¯t I? They weren¡¯t bad abilities. Hell, they were actually really practical. But I¡¯d been picturing something... sexier.
We stepped through the exit portal. Light rushed back into my visor as we emerged on the surface of New Dawn. The sun was out, golden and warm against the alien sky, a brutal contrast to the cold, dark hellhole we¡¯d just left. I took a breath, forcing myself to relax. We¡¯d done it. We¡¯d leveled up, survived the first real TL9 dungeon, and walked out stronger. Emily moved ahead, walking close to Chris, eyes locked forward. Ryan caught my eye, but for once, he didn¡¯t say a word. Zoe stretched, groaning. "I don¡¯t know about you guys, but I need a long shower and at least one meal that doesn¡¯t taste like protein chalk." I barely heard her. We had Chris to fix, a ship to upgrade, and an entire new fucking level of tech to figure out. And I had some shit to work out with Emily. Chapter 59 The forest around us was dense, alive with sounds, leaves rustling, alien birds calling, and the low hum of the Peregrine powering down. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting these weird, shifting shadows on the ground, lighting up patches of glowing fungi. My focus was elsewhere. I swiped through my interface, reviewing my latest System updates. It still felt unreal. The moment we activated the first portal, the System had unblocked our progress. First things first, attributes. Attribute Points Available: [10] Charisma: 22 ¡ú 25 (+3) Intelligence: 66 Memory: 45 ¡ú 50 (+5) Perception: 66 Willpower: 31 ¡ú 33 (+2) Memory had to hit 50. That was a milestone. The higher it got, the more I could juggle at once and the faster I got XP from using my passive skills, tactical awareness, all of it. Charisma? Eh. Couldn¡¯t hurt, I didn¡¯t want to leave it behind. Not that I was out here trying to sweet-talk the wildlife, but reading people, negotiating, getting under someone¡¯s skin? That was worth the investment. Willpower was always useful. More mental endurance meant staying sharp longer, resisting mental effects, and keeping myself from spiraling when things got rough. Applied. Done. Now for the real prize. Skill XP. The Scenario Completion Bonus had left me sitting on 157,800 XP, unallocated and begging to be spent. I scrolled to my Skill Queue, smirking as I locked in my first choice. Inspect Proficiency. Sitting pretty at level 6 and not that useful with TL9 items, giving me no information. To hit level 10, I needed to apply the unallocated skill XP to my queue. [Skill Level up! Inspect Level 6 -> Level 10] [Ability Unlocked: Enhanced Inspect (Active) Gain a detailed analysis of an object, system, or enemy within 500 meters, revealing key details. Cooldown: 10 minutes. ] Finally. Inspect was one of those skills that never seemed to matter, until it did. Being able to scan something in-depth, pull up system details, know exactly what we were dealing with before it tried to eat us? That was priceless. In this new TL9 world we now had a tool to help us. And the best part? That was just the first skill in the queue. The leftover XP rolled down to the next in line: Tomahawk Throwing Proficiency. Already at Level 8, just shy of the next milestone. It needed about 30,000 XP to hit Level 10. Just a few lucky mobs in the next fight. Because at Level 10? That meant another Ability Unlock. This is what I had been missing in Sol, too many low level skills and no abilities.
We moved through the clearing, packing up gear, securing crates, and loading samples into the cargo hold. The air smelled like damp earth, alien plants, sweat, and machine oil. A regular fucking picnic. I hefted a crate of dirt into the Peregrine, wiping a streak of grime from my visor. We''d been at this site for hours, cataloging plants, taking readings, running scans. Tedious, repetitive shit, but necessary if we were going to map out the viable zones of New Dawn. This place was teeming with life, rich and bio-compatible, whatever the fuck that meant. But every day out here felt like a goddamn marathon, a constant fight to stay ahead of whatever the hell we''d unleashed after that first dungeon run. "Careful with that one," Ryan called out, glancing over from where he was strapping down a crate of weird-looking roots. "We¡¯ve got enough samples to last us a month. Last thing we need is to spill half of it on the way back." As if I didn''t know how to handle a fucking crate. "Don¡¯t worry, I got it," I replied, securing the crate. "Make sure the scanners are packed. Abby¡¯s not going to be happy if we leave anything behind." Nearby, Emily was folding up a portable antenna, all graceful and efficient. She glanced over and smirked, that teasing glint in her eyes. "You know, I¡¯m starting to think I was right about that whole portal thing. Maybe we shouldn¡¯t have gone in after all." I rolled my eyes. "Oh, here we go again." "I¡¯m serious!" she said, walking over, helmet tucked under her arm. She looked good. Too good. "Since we stepped through that first portal, we¡¯ve had creatures popping out of nowhere, harassing us every time we try to work. Not exactly the peaceful survey mission we signed up for, huh?"
"You call this harassment?" Danny piped up from the other side of the clearing, dismantling a sensor array. "I call it target practice. Besides, it keeps things interesting." "Right, because getting ambushed by six-legged lizards is your idea of a good time," Joey said, shaking his head as he packed up his med kit. "I don¡¯t care what you say, Danny, I¡¯m keeping my shield on next time." If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Zoe hopped down from the roof of the Peregrine, where she¡¯d been securing solar panels. "You love it, Joey. Admit it. A little danger never hurt anyone.¡± Joey shot her a deadpan look. "Tell that to Chris¡¯s arm." There was a momentary pause, a flicker of tension, but then Ryan broke it with a laugh. "Hey, he¡¯s healing up fine. The med pod¡¯s working wonders, right? Besides, we¡¯re learning. Every time something attacks, we figure out how to handle it better." Emily leaned in close, her voice lowering conspiratorially. "Yeah, but every time they attack, I get to remind you that you didn¡¯t listen to me. So really, it¡¯s a win-win." I huffed, shaking my head. "If you¡¯re trying to make me feel guilty, it¡¯s not going to work. I¡¯ll just remind you how much new gear we¡¯ve gotten since then." And how good you looked down on your knees that one time by the phallic smoothie fruit. She grinned, leaning in even closer, her lips barely a whisper away. "Touch¨¦, Luca... I miss the times we could, you know, walk down a ways and lose everyone for a moment alone." Oh, she was playing dirty now. I chuckled softly, my breath tickling her skin. "Yeah," I replied, my voice low and husky. "That was great..." Fuck, that had been amazing. We continued walking in silence for a few moments before Emily spoke again. "Do you think we''ll ever get that kind of privacy here again?" I draped my arm over her shoulders, pulling her closer. "To be honest, I doubt it," I said while kissing her cheek. "Things are becoming more dangerous." And it was a damn shame. A crying, fucking shame. The easy banter cut off as my wrist comm let out a sharp ping. I glanced down, a fresh data stream scrolling across the screen. The casual vibe around camp snapped like a wire under tension. My stomach tightened. "What the hell is this?" I muttered, tapping the notification to expand it. Emily leaned over my shoulder, her brow furrowing as she read along with me. The text was blunt, almost mocking in its simplicity. [Signal detected. Source located 439 kilometers north-northeast. Artificial patterns detected. Signal is stationary.] Ryan stepped closer, curiosity bleeding into his usual cocky tone. ¡°What kind of signal?¡± I shook my head, scrolling for more details. ¡°Artificial, but not portal-related.¡± My gut twisted. Portals were bad enough, at least we understood what they did, even if they tried to kill us. This? This was something new. Something different. And I wasn¡¯t sure I liked it. Then the next update hit, and it was worse. New data logged: Over 54,300 active portals detected across New Dawn. Energy signatures consistent with System-generated activity. Activation times correlate to the first portal interaction. "Fifty-four thousand?" Emily¡¯s voice spiked, sharp and breathless. "Since we activated the first one? That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s exponential." Ryan let out a low whistle, rocking back on his heels. "Looks like we kicked the damn hornet¡¯s nest." "What the actual fuck?" I muttered, my thumb mindlessly scrolling through the flood of coordinates. They were everywhere, scattered across the planet like landmines. This was just like Sol. We fucked up. Ryan crossed his arms, shooting me a sideways glance. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan, fearless leader? Besides dying horribly when this whole planet blows up.¡± Emily turned on me, and this time, she wasn¡¯t just annoyed, she was furious. "No. Absolutely not." I blinked. "What?" She stabbed a finger at my wrist comm. "Portals are one thing. This? This is something else. You don¡¯t even know what the hell that signal is, but you¡¯re already looking at it like it¡¯s our next mission." I opened my mouth to argue, but she wasn¡¯t done. "We barely understand the fucking portals we activated and now you wanna chase after some mystery signal like we¡¯re in a goddamn adventure movie?" "Em-" "No!" She folded her arms, jaw tight. "You dragged us into this mess already, Luca. And now Chris is in the med pod, we¡¯re walking around armed just to take a piss, and this whole planet is a goddamn hazard zone! So forgive me if I don¡¯t feel like running toward the next shiny disaster!" "We don¡¯t have a choice," I cut her off, my voice firm but steady. "Our mission charter dictates the survey work. If there¡¯s an artifact, we need to know what it is. Sitting back isn¡¯t going to fix this." Her shoulders dropped slightly, but I caught the way her jaw remained tight. Stubborn. Always stubborn. "Then we do it carefully," she said, her voice softer now. "We can¡¯t afford to screw this up, Luca. Not with everything we¡¯ve already set in motion." That edge in her tone, the worry underneath the frustration, I felt it too. But this was bigger than fear. It was bigger than the risks. Every instinct I had screamed that this was important. And yet, under all the tension, under the responsibility, under the weight of what we had already done... There was excitement. This was why we were here. The kind of discovery that rewrote everything. We¡¯d already kicked the hornet¡¯s nest; might as well see what the sting felt like. I stepped in closer, placing my hands on her shoulders, grounding her. Her green eyes, sharp and wary, flicked up to meet mine. "It¡¯s going to be okay." I meant it. Her lips parted slightly, her breath still a little uneven, but she didn¡¯t pull away. Instead, her hands brushed against my waist. I tilted my head, leaning in, pressing a slow, steady kiss to her lips. Warm. Familiar. A moment of quiet in all this fucking chaos. When I pulled back, she sighed, eyes closing briefly before opening again. "I hate that you make me believe you when you say shit like that." I smirked. "Because you know I mean it." She rolled her eyes, but she wasn¡¯t pulling away anymore. That edge of frustration was still there, but beneath it¡­ something else. I brushed my thumb across her jaw, letting my voice drop just for her. "Look, I know things have been insane. I know we haven¡¯t had a second to ourselves." I leaned in a little closer, just enough that she could feel the warmth of my breath against her skin. "But we will. I¡¯ll make sure of it. Just us. No distractions." Emily¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line, her fingers tightening briefly against my waist before she sighed, some of that tension finally melting away. "You better, Rossi." I grinned. "Scout¡¯s honor." She snorted. "You were never a scout." "Yeah, but I am your captain." I winked, earning myself a reluctant smile. "Fine," she said. "Let¡¯s go figure out what the hell this thing is."
And then I finally saw it, movement on the edge of the clearing. I swear this happened. Danny and Zoe. Heads against each other, whispering like they were plotting something. Finally. My eyebrows shot up as Zoe grabbed Danny¡¯s wrist, her fingers curling around it just enough to make my heart fucking soar. Was she¡­? Oh! She was! She was leading him toward the treeline. Victory. It¡¯d taken her weeks, weeks of teasing, flirting, nudging, throwing herself at him on a silver platter, for this moment. Danny, bless his dense, lovable heart, was finally going along with it. Maybe he¡¯d finally figured it out. Maybe she¡¯d finally get what she wanted. I could already hear Emily¡¯s told-you-so voice in my head. See, Luca? Patience pays off. She¡¯s got this. And honestly? I was rooting for them. My girl deserved this win. But then- Chapter 60 - Block and Tackle Danny and Zoe. Heads against each other, whispering like they were plotting something. Finally. My eyebrows shot up as Zoe grabbed Danny¡¯s wrist, her fingers curling around it just enough to make my heart fucking soar. Was she¡­? Oh! She was! She was leading him toward the treeline. Victory. It¡¯d taken her weeks, weeks of teasing, flirting, nudging, throwing herself at him on a silver platter, for this moment. Danny, bless his dense, lovable heart, was finally going along with it. Maybe he¡¯d finally figured it out. Maybe she¡¯d finally get what she wanted. I could already hear Emily¡¯s told-you-so voice in my head. See, Luca? Patience pays off. She¡¯s got this. And honestly? I was rooting for them. My girl deserved this win. But then, because the universe is a cruel and unforgiving place¡­ Ryan fucking Mitchell noticed. He turned mid-sentence, his gaze snapping to them, and his grin widened like the smug shit he was. No. No. NO. ¡°Hey!¡± he called, loud enough to send every single bird within a hundred meters scattering. Danny flinched. Zoe stiffened. My soul left my body. Ryan, what the actual fuck? Let them live. God, what a tool. Danny stopped dead, guilt written all over his face. Zoe, meanwhile, turned at a speed that would make a sniper jealous, eyes locked onto Ryan like she was about to murder him in broad daylight. I rubbed my temples. Ryan. My brother. My best friend. My literal partner-in-crime. Why are you like this? ¡°Oh, come on, Ryan,¡± Zoe groaned, her voice dripping with I will set you on fire later. ¡°We¡¯ve been out here for hours. Can¡¯t we take, like, a ten-minute break? I need some¡­ air.¡± Air. Danny, still clueless, nodded way too earnestly. ¡°Yeah, air.¡± I winced. Jesus Christ, Danny, don¡¯t make it worse. Ryan, already insufferable, smirked. ¡°Ohhh, is that what they¡¯re calling it now?¡± And Joey, because he¡¯s a traitor and lives for drama, fucking jumped in. ¡°Yeah, totally. Air. Very believable. I, too, frequently wander into the woods for no particular reason at all.¡± Zoe shot him a death glare so sharp it should¡¯ve counted as a combat skill. ¡°Yes, Joey, fresh air. Not all of us want to sit around jerking off over tech schematics all day.¡± Ryan grinned, completely unbothered. ¡°Well, save it for after we finish packing. I¡¯m sure Danny can wait a few more minutes.¡± Danny made a sound that might have been actual pain. Hands up. Completely red-faced. ¡°Fine, fine.¡± Zoe huffed, then stuck out her tongue at Ryan like she was twelve, but not before flashing one last, unfiltered, ¡®I will ruin you¡¯ glance. Goddamn. I stood at the edge of the clearing, watching the slow-motion wreckage of Zoe¡¯s sex life in real time, biting back a grin. She was playing the long game. She¡¯d win, eventually. But Ryan? Ryan was a menace. A walking, talking cockblock, radiating third-wheel energy so hard I was surprised he hadn¡¯t been classified as an environmental hazard. And the worst part? I was pretty fucking sure he was doing it on purpose.
Zoe¡¯s mind wasn¡¯t on the fire, or the mission, or even the goddamn alien signal. Her eyes flicked toward Danny, watching as he strapped down the last of the crates with practiced ease. She let out a dramatic sigh, stretching her arms above her head. ¡°You know,¡± she said, voice light, teasing, ¡°weird signals on alien planets? That¡¯s usually the part where the horror movie music kicks in.¡± Danny smirked, not looking up as he yanked the strap tight. ¡°Yeah? Who do you think bites it first?¡± Zoe tilted her head, pretending to consider. ¡°Hmm. Joey¡¯s the medic, so statistically? He¡¯s got survivor energy.¡± Danny snorted. ¡°And me?¡± ¡°Oh, you?¡± She grinned. ¡°Big guy like you? You¡¯re making it to the final act for sure.¡± His hands stilled for half a second, and when he looked at her, his expression softened just a little. ¡°And you?¡± Zoe rolled her eyes. ¡°Obviously, I live. I¡¯ve got the best reflexes.¡± Danny laughed, shaking his head. ¡°Right, right. You¡¯d be the badass taking out monsters left and right.¡± She waved a hand. ¡°Exactly. And let¡¯s be real, I¡¯ve got an advantage.¡± Danny raised an eyebrow. ¡°Yeah?¡± Zoe smirked, leaning in just a little. ¡°I¡¯ve got you and your big warhammer to keep me safe.¡± Danny blinked, his brain clearly short-circuiting for a second before he let out a nervous chuckle. ¡°Oh. Uh. Yeah, well, I guess that¡¯s true. I mean¡­ it¡¯s got a lot of stopping power.¡± ¡°Oh, I bet,¡± Zoe said, biting back a smirk. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Danny finally looked at her, something flickering in his eyes. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something, finally, Zoe thought, but instead, he just reached out, squeezing her hand lightly. We¡¯ll get there, Zo,¡± he said, voice low but sure. ¡°Promise.¡± Zoe blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Her first instinct was to make a joke, to play it off. But instead, she let the moment settle, let herself feel the warmth of his hand against hers. She squeezed back. Just for a second. ¡°Yeah,¡± she said quietly. And just like that, the moment passed.
I watched them, my arms crossed, and tried not to laugh out loud. Zoe, ever the relentless force of nature, was finally getting somewhere. But damn it, Ryan, I thought, glaring at the idiot still yammering about pre-System tech. Just shut up and let them have their moment. The crew resumed their tasks, but the atmosphere had shifted. What had started as a routine wrap-up was now charged with tension and anticipation. I could see it in the way they moved, quicker, more alert, their earlier lightheartedness replaced with a sense of purpose. This wasn¡¯t just another day. That signal was a game-changer, and we all knew it. As I secured the last of the crates, my eyes drifted to the dense, shadowed forest surrounding us, the trees towering and still, hiding God knows what beyond them. Portals. Beasts. System bullshit. And now? An unknown signal, pulsing like a goddamn invitation. ¡°Alright,¡± I called out, raising my voice so everyone could hear. ¡°We¡¯re heading out as soon as we¡¯re loaded. Gear up, stay sharp, and let¡¯s see what¡¯s waiting for us.¡± Danny grinned as he hoisted his equipment onto the Peregrine, clapping Joey on the back. ¡°Guess we¡¯re not done with target practice yet.¡± ¡°More like jumping straight into the next level,¡± Joey replied, smirking. ¡°Hope you brought your A-game.¡± Ryan flicked a switch, retracting the last of the survey equipment, and shot me his usual shit-eating grin. ¡°Coordinates are locked, Cap. Satellites have the source pinpointed. Just say the word, and we¡¯re off to poke the cosmic bear.¡± I exhaled, adjusting my rifle strap. ¡°Let¡¯s see what kind of trouble we¡¯ve stirred up this time.¡± We climbed into the Peregrine, securing gear as the systems hummed to life. Normally, we¡¯d take the Percival, the dropship would get us there faster, but we still had survey work to finish along the way. There were samples to collect, terrain to map, resources to tag. This wasn¡¯t just about chasing some weird beacon, we had a planet to learn, and New Dawn wasn¡¯t making it easy. The hum of the Peregrine¡¯s systems came to life as the crew buckled in. The survey mission was officially behind us, but something bigger was waiting on the horizon. Emily leaned forward from her seat, eyes sharp, voice steady. ¡°You sure about this, Luca?¡± There was concern there, but not hesitation. She knew me. She knew we were going, whether or not it was a good idea. ¡°Not even a little,¡± I replied, giving her a crooked grin. ¡°But we don¡¯t have the luxury of sitting this one out. Whatever it is, we need to know.¡±
Emily was sulking. And yeah, I got it. I really did. We¡¯d changed everything. The moment we stepped through that first portal, we¡¯d shifted the balance of this entire planet. Before, the wildlife had been wildlife. Just normal creatures, living normal lives in an ecosystem untouched by progression and stats and System interference. But now? Now everything was a mob. It wasn¡¯t just us who were gaining XP. Every predator, every scavenger, every poor little alien bug was now considered a beast by the system, and they were leveling up, adapting, evolving. Ryan, the smug bastard, was thrilled about it. Emily? She was pouting. And that¡¯s when we heard the thumps. Something landed on the roof. Then another. Then another. I stopped the Peregrine and stood up, heading to the monitors. Ryan turned, practically vibrating in his seat. ¡°Oh, hell yes.¡± I sighed, already knowing where this was going. ¡°What now?¡± A chirping trill sounded from above, followed by an eager chattering noise. Ryan was grinning like an idiot before he even checked the exterior cameras. "Oh, Luca," he said, far too excited for what was likely just some overgrown lizard. "You really wanna see this." I glanced at the camera feed. Jesus Christ. They were adorable. Little four-legged bastards, sleek bodies covered in iridescent, feathery scales, about the size of a wolf. They had big, bright eyes, massive hind legs built for speed, and long, curled tails that flicked back and forth as they perched on the Peregrine¡¯s armor like curious birds. Zoe, of course, was already gushing. "Oh my God," she cooed, practically pressing her face against the glass. "Luca. Luca. Tell Ryan not to shoot them. Look at those little faces!" Ryan, already climbing up to the roof hatch, ignored her completely. "Zoe, they¡¯re mobs. I¡¯m absolutely shooting them." Zoe turned to me, wide-eyed. "Can''t I keep one?" I sighed. "No, Zoe. You can¡¯t tame the wildlife." Before she could argue, I activated my new Inspect skill, my HUD flaring with fresh data: [Gale Strider] - Level 6 Temperament: Cunning, Inquisitive, Opportunistic Pack behavior: Highly cooperative, coordinated pack hunters Description: Sleek quadrupeds with iridescent, feathery scales that shift in color. Large, bright eyes adapted for tracking movement. Powerful hind legs enable extreme bursts of speed and vertical leaps. Long, prehensile tails provide balance and limited grasping ability. Weigh around 30-35 kg. Habitat: Dense forests of New Dawn. Diet: Carnivorous, favoring fast-moving prey. Known to scavenge when food is scarce. Weakness: Fragile bones, high-speed impacts or concussive force can be fatal. Emily groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Of course they¡¯re attacking us. Of course they are. No more natural behavior, no more working food chains, no more peace, just endless waves of XP, because somebody couldn''t keep it in his damn pants!" She shot me a look. I chose to ignore it mostly because I was not about to get into a whole argument while Ryan was unloading plasma rounds into the cutest damn monsters I¡¯d ever seen. The moment he fired, all hell broke loose. The Peregrine bucked slightly as the little bastards scattered and swarmed, dozens of them leaping from the trees, their clawed feet scrabbling against the hull. A wave of them came bounding through the underbrush, their long tails whipping through the air, their eyes locking onto us. Danny, already out of the vehicle, laughed like a goddamn maniac, gripping his warhammer in both hands. "Oh, come on!" he called, gleeful. "You little guys think you can take me?" One of them lunged, and Danny just swung. Crunch. Then he activated Taunt: the effect was instant. The large pack of Gale Striders went still. Heads snapped toward Danny in eerie synchronization, their glowing amber eyes narrowing. Then, as one, they charged. Ryan, watching from above, groaned. "Oh, come on. That¡¯s not fair." Danny just grinned as the first wave slammed into him. Their claws skittered uselessly against his heavy armor, their teeth barely making a dent. Meanwhile, his warhammer was a blur, sending them flying in all directions. Zoe, still pouting, sighed dramatically. "Poor babies." Ryan fired a few quick plasma shots, the high-pitched whine of his rifle cutting through the air. One of the critters yelped, flipping midair before hitting the ground. Zoe shot Ryan a glare of pure betrayal. Joey, leaning against the window, pinched the bridge of his nose. "Guys," he muttered, his voice low and exasperated, "Chris is still in the med pod. Can we try to be quiet while he¡¯s recovering?" Danny bodyslammed one of the Striders. Another got its tail stepped on. Ryan took three more shots, and Zoe was still dramatically mourning for their cuteness. Yeah. This was not a quiet battle. [+0 XP] [+138 Credits] Level disparity was real.
Emily? Still pouting. I wasn¡¯t sure what was more frustrating, the fact that she was blaming me for the entire ecological shift of an entire goddamn planet, or the fact that I desperately needed some TLC. I ran a hand down my face, exhaling slowly. This was fine. Everything was fine. Except for the fact that we hadn¡¯t had a single moment alone since the system activated, and Emily was pissed at me, and I was on the verge of losing my goddamn mind because nowhere was safe enough to sneak off and blow off some steam. Too many goddamned portals and now we had the wildlife to contend with. No more sneaky makeouts. No more stripping off armor and getting lost in each other out in the trees. Nothing but 0 XP and mobs and Ryan ruining everything. I turned my head slightly, watching Emily out of the corner of my eye. Her arms were crossed, her jaw was tight, and her gaze was locked firmly on the battlefield of adorable chaos outside. She caught me looking- Chapter 61 - Making Camp "What?" she muttered, cheeks slightly pink. I hesitated for half a second before reaching out and patting her head. Just once. "You''re cute when you''re mad," I said. Emily smacked my arm, but not before I saw the smallest twitch of a smile. Then I felt Emily¡¯s arm slip around my waist. I glanced down at her, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you were mad at me." She smirked, tilting her head just enough to brush her lips against my jaw. "Mmm," she mused, her voice teasing. "I still am. A little." My hand instinctively found her hip, my fingers pressing into the curve. "Oh, really?" She hummed, leaning in, just close enough to make me desperate for more. "I like watching you squirm." Fucking hell. I had never wanted privacy more.
The Peregrine jolted as I steered it over another boulder, the suspension groaning under the weight of the terrain. It was hard to find a route forward, the forest ground was shit. Twisting, uneven, riddled with roots and loose rock. I had to keep both hands tight on the wheel, but even then, it was a fight. Whoever colonized this planet would have their work cut out for them. Emily sat beside me, quiet, her arms folded, gaze distant. Yeah. She was still pissed. Had a nasty bitch face on, as though she wanted me to comment on it. So I took the bait. I exhaled through my nose, watching the way her fingers drummed against her knee. Measured. Tense. Like she was holding something back. I glanced at her between turns. ¡°Emily, can we talk about it?¡± She didn¡¯t look at me, just let out a breath that was almost a laugh, except there was no humor in it. ¡°It¡¯s not just about the portals, Luca.¡± Her voice was steady, but I knew her well enough to hear the weight behind it. ¡°It¡¯s the way you went through with it without really¡­ listening to me. When you do that, it...¡± She hesitated, her fingers curling slightly. ¡°It brings up a lot of old shit.¡± I frowned, focusing back on the road. ¡°What do you mean?¡± She stared ahead, her jaw tightening. ¡°My dad left when I was a kid. One day he was there. Then he wasn¡¯t.¡± She shook her head. ¡°After that, I spent years feeling like I didn¡¯t matter. Like my voice didn¡¯t matter. I don¡¯t ever want to feel like that again.¡± A sharp pang hit my chest. I knew Emily¡¯s parents had split, but she¡¯d never said much about it. Now, suddenly, it all made sense, why she got so pissed when I ignored her warnings, why she needed to be heard. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize it was like that for you,¡± I said carefully. ¡°Em, I swear, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t value what you say. I just, I was focused on what we needed to do.¡± She finally turned to me, her eyes sharp. ¡°But that¡¯s the thing, Luca. You¡¯re the captain. You make the calls. And I trust you.¡± Her voice softened, just a little. ¡°But I also need to know you trust me, too.¡± Shit. I swallowed, gripping the wheel a little tighter. That one stung, because she was right. I hadn¡¯t meant to dismiss her, but that¡¯s exactly what I¡¯d done. The Peregrine jerked over another ridge, sending her leaning against my shoulder for half a second. I took the opportunity and let my hand drop to her thigh, squeezing gently. ¡°I do trust you,¡± I said. ¡°I just¡­ didn¡¯t think about it like that. I should have.¡± She exhaled, her tension easing just slightly. ¡°This isn¡¯t just about me, Luca.¡± She turned back to the window, watching the trees blur past. ¡°You saw what happened to Chris. You saw what¡¯s happening to this planet. This System bullshit has changed everything. And now, it¡¯s not just portals, it¡¯s the wildlife, the environment, everything. We don¡¯t know how dangerous it¡¯s going to get.¡± She let out a quiet laugh, but there was no amusement in it. ¡°You think I want to lose anyone else? You think I can?¡± Ah. There it was. I ran a hand through my hair, my chest tightening. Her team, our team, wasn¡¯t just some crew to her. They were her real family, the one she¡¯d built for herself. The thought of losing them? Losing me? It scared the shit out of her. I swallowed hard and nodded. ¡°I get it.¡± ¡°I love how reckless you are, Luca,¡± she admitted, shaking her head. ¡°You make me feel alive. But sometimes, I just need to know you see me in all of it, too.¡± Silence settled between us, just the hum of the engine and the scrape of tires against stone. Then, after a long moment, I smirked. ¡°So¡­ what you¡¯re saying is, you actually like me being reckless. You just want me to run my crazy plans by you first?¡± My grip tightened on her leg, my heartbeat picking up. Damn. Then she sighed dramatically, glancing at me from under her lashes. ¡°Maybe, just maybe, next time, you could talk to me before you activate something that turns the whole planet into a goddamn video game?¡± Stolen novel; please report. I laughed under my breath, lifting her hand to my lips and brushing a kiss over her knuckles. ¡°I¡¯ll try to behave.¡± ¡°Liar.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± This time, when she leaned into me, she didn¡¯t pull away. And just like that, we were okay again. For now.
A voice broke through my focus. ¡°Luca?¡± Emily. Her voice was calm but firm. I had zoned out as the hours passed, maneuvering through the terrain, and met her eyes from across the cockpit. ¡°We¡¯re coming up on a clearing. Might be a good time to stretch, check the route.¡± I pulled the Peregrin to a stop, its engine cutting off with a sputtering groan that left the clearing quiet. The kind of quiet that settles in your bones and reminds you how far from home you really are. I stretched my arms over my head, feeling the stiffness in my shoulders ease as I leaned back against the seat. Two days of driving across alien terrain wasn¡¯t exactly a joyride, but at least the navigation software said we were making progress. The crew stirred around me, groaning and unbuckling like we hadn¡¯t just been on another world for weeks already. The stillness outside was strange, almost too quiet, but a quick glance at our remote sensors confirmed the good news: no portals in sight. We had miles of nothing between us and the nearest one, which meant, for once, we might actually get to breathe. No mobs, no chaos. Just us and this weird, beautiful planet. ¡°Finally,¡± Ryan muttered, rubbing his eyes as he leaned back in his seat. ¡°A little peace and quiet. No screeching mobs, no wild beasts. I might actually sleep tonight.¡± ¡°Yeah, unless something decides to sneak up on us while we¡¯re drooling on our pillows,¡± Joey said, unbuckling and stretching. ¡°Always the quiet places, you know?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t jinx it, Joey,¡± Zoe said, grabbing her pack from the overhead compartment. ¡°I¡¯m claiming this as our one safe spot, and I¡¯m not letting you ruin it.¡± I was about to chime in when Emily leaned over, her green eyes sparkling. ¡°Hey, Luca. Did you catch that in the last scan? Waterfall nearby. I think we need to check it out. Stretch our legs, splash around a little. What do you think?¡± For a second, my brain flicked back to our summers back in Sandworth Falls, New Hampshire, back before everything changed. That waterfall. The one buried in the forest, where the air always smelled like pine and wet stone, where we¡¯d spend whole afternoons leaping off the rocks into the lagoon below, screaming like idiots. Hot sun, cold water, lazy picnics on smooth boulders with Emily, Ryan, Danny, Zoe, and so many of our friends, before we all had responsibilities. Before the System arrived. I smiled, shaking my head. ¡°Of course you¡¯re thinking about a waterfall. Alright, fine. We¡¯ll make camp here, and whoever wants to play tourist can head that way. But someone¡¯s still setting a perimeter.¡± I threw a pointed glance at Ryan, but he just grinned like the jackass he was. Zoe didn¡¯t wait for another word. She was already out of the Peregrine, slinging her rifle over one shoulder and heading straight for the treeline. ¡°I¡¯m going,¡± she called over her shoulder. ¡°If it¡¯s anything like that last spring we found, I¡¯m not missing it.¡± Danny scrambled out after her, almost tripping over his own boots in his eagerness. ¡°Wait up! You need someone to watch your back, right?¡± Ryan snorted, shaking his head as he stepped out into the clearing. ¡°Yeah, sure, Danny. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s all about safety and not the fact that you¡¯re hoping Zoe finally lets you hold her hand.¡± Danny flipped him off without turning around, his pace quickening as Zoe laughed and kept walking. I caught the glint in Ryan¡¯s eye, and yeah, I could tell he wasn¡¯t as cool about this as he pretended to be. The guy had been stringing Zoe along for months, whether he realized it or not, and now that Danny was stepping up, it was killing him. Good. Maybe he¡¯d learn not to be such a cockblock.
As the rest of us started unloading gear, Emily leaned in close to me, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. ¡°Hey, maybe we should hold off on the waterfall for a bit.¡± I frowned, glancing at her. ¡°Why? I thought you were all about it.¡± ¡°I am,¡± she said, her lips curving into one of those knowing smiles that usually meant trouble. ¡°But, you know... Danny and Zoe. I think they could use a little time to themselves. We¡¯ll get our turn later.¡± It took me a second, but the gears finally clicked into place. My brow furrowed, then I gave a slow nod. ¡°Oh... right. Yeah, okay. We can wait.¡± I had no idea what exactly they¡¯d get up to, but I wasn¡¯t stupid. If Zoe was dragging Danny along with that gleam in her eye, they weren¡¯t going to be focusing on alien wildlife. Emily laughed softly, patting my arm. ¡°You¡¯re cute when you¡¯re clueless, you know that?¡± ¡°Thanks... I think,¡± I muttered, shaking my head but grinning. ¡°Alright, fine. Let¡¯s give them some space. Ryan can wait his turn to ruin their vibe later.¡± We stepped out of the Peregrine, the forest air cool against my skin as we made our way toward the others. Ryan and Joey were already unloading the perimeter sensors, Ryan muttering something about how the stakes never went in straight. ¡°Need a hand?¡± I asked, walking up to Joey. ¡°Yeah, here,¡± Joey said, passing me one of the compact sensor units. ¡°Set this one by those rocks over there. If anything bigger than a squirrel comes near camp, it¡¯ll trip the alert.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± I took the sensor and started toward the rocks, the quiet buzz of camp life behind me. Part of me was relieved to let Danny and Zoe have their time, but a tiny part couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit envious. They had their moment, their escape. Me? I was Captain Sensible, stuck with perimeter duty. ¡°Next time,¡± I muttered, placing the sensor down and watching its tiny red light blink to life. ¡°Next time, I¡¯m sneaking off with Emily first.¡±
Ryan was on the other side, tinkering with another sensor. ¡°Let¡¯s just hope we don¡¯t have to use them. I¡¯d rather enjoy a quiet night for once.¡± I shot him a look as I adjusted the last sensor by the rocks. ¡°Says the guy who spent the last two days complaining about how boring things have been. Make up your mind, man.¡± Emily walked by, arms full of gear, passing a camping chair to Ryan before heading toward the edge of the clearing. She glanced back, smirking. ¡°You know, for once, I¡¯m with Ryan. A quiet night sounds perfect. Besides, the map says we¡¯re clear, so I¡¯m going to trust it. Not that we have a choice.¡± As we worked, the conversation shifted, circling back to Chris, still laid up in the Peregrine¡¯s medical pod. ¡°How¡¯s he doing?¡± Ryan asked, glancing toward the med bay, where the faint hum of the pod was the only sign of life. ¡°Think he¡¯ll be back on his feet soon?¡± ¡°Should be,¡± Joey said, his tone brightening. ¡°The med pod¡¯s worked miracles. The scans say his arm¡¯s almost fully healed. Just needs a few more hours, and he¡¯ll be good as new.¡± ¡°Good,¡± I said, stepping back and folding my arms as I surveyed the camp. ¡°I¡¯ve been missing his terrible jokes. The sooner he¡¯s back, the sooner we can start ragging on him about being the first one to get hit.¡± Ryan chuckled, leaning on his knees. ¡°Yeah, poor guy. He¡¯s never gonna live that down. First major injury on New Dawn, and it¡¯s because he couldn¡¯t dodge a bug. Classic.¡± ¡°Cut him some slack,¡± Joey said, shaking his head but smiling. ¡°The guy did get his arm melted. I¡¯d say that earns him a little sympathy.¡± ¡°Sympathy?¡± Ryan said, feigning shock. ¡°What¡¯s that? This is New Dawn. We heal fast, then we roast each other. That¡¯s the rule.¡± As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows through the trees, I glanced around the camp, taking it all in. Ryan was fiddling with the stove, looking like he was trying to perfect some masterful recipe with our shitty rations. Joey was off by the perimeter sensors, checking them for what had to be the fifth time, like he didn¡¯t trust the damn things to keep us safe. Emily was adjusting the spotlights; her attention to detail was ridiculous but kind of endearing. She shifted one just slightly to cast the perfect glow over the camp. It was peaceful, like we¡¯d carved out this tiny little haven in the middle of all the chaos New Dawn could throw at us. I knew it wouldn¡¯t last. Peace never did, not for us. That¡¯s when the forest went silent-- Chapter 62 - The Waterfall I turned toward the treeline, frowning. The hairs on my neck stood up. Ryan glanced over from the stove. ¡°You hear that?¡± I nodded slowly, eyes scanning the trees. ¡°Probably nothing,¡± I said. He raised an eyebrow. ¡°Sounded big.¡± ¡°Could¡¯ve been an echo. Rocks mess with sound here.¡± I wasn''t about to let Ryan come between me, the waterfall, and Emily. ¡°Alright,¡± I said, raising my voice. ¡°Good job, team. We¡¯re set up, so let¡¯s enjoy it while it lasts. Poker¡¯s still on for later. And yes, Ryan, you¡¯re going to lose again.¡± Joey snorted from across the clearing. ¡°As long as Danny doesn¡¯t come back gushing about how romantic it was, I¡¯ll be happy.¡± ¡°Knowing Danny?¡± Ryan said with a grin, shaking his head as he tested the stove. ¡°We¡¯re gonna hear all about it. In excruciating detail.¡± I shared a glance with Emily. She just shook her head, smiling as she came to stand beside me. ¡°Well, at least someone¡¯s getting their alone time,¡± she murmured, her hand brushing against mine before giving it a quick squeeze. Ryan and Joey grabbed their gear, chatting quietly as they got ready to head out. They were going hunting for dinner, and maybe figure out what made that sound. Ryan slung his plasma rifle over his shoulder, looking way too pleased with himself, while Joey checked the charge on his compact scanner, the faint glow of its display lighting his face. Joey hesitated, glancing at the trees like they were hiding something. ¡°You sure this is a good idea?¡± he asked, not looking convinced. ¡°I mean, I¡¯m all for fresh meat, but what if we end up hunting something that decides to hunt us instead?¡± Ryan smirked, the cocky bastard. ¡°Oh, come on. We¡¯ve tested everything we''ve found, and nothing¡¯s tried to eat us yet. The area¡¯s clear, remember? It¡¯ll be fun. Like a field trip. Except with more guns and no whiny kids, mostly.¡± He added, grinning at Joey. God, I wish Joey would wallop him sometimes. That guy had so much patience. Joey sighed. ¡°Fine. But if we run into something with fangs, you¡¯re the one distracting it while I run back to camp.¡± Ryan clapped him on the back, laughing. ¡°Deal. Let¡¯s see if we can¡¯t rustle up something worth throwing on the grill.¡± I watched the two of them disappear into the underbrush, shaking my head as I adjusted the last perimeter sensor. ¡°They¡¯d better not wander too far,¡± I muttered to myself. ¡°Last thing we need is to lose our cook for the night.¡± The Peregrine was safe, for now. The shield was active, and Chris was in the med pod, out of danger. Over the last few days, Joey had burned through half the cartridges we brought down: regenerative fluids, tissue sealants, vascular repair, hemostasis: the works. The acid had eaten straight to the bone, so they¡¯d started with coagulants to stop the bleeding, followed by deep tissue trauma and vascular repair to keep the arm viable. Then came the heavy hitters: tissue regenerators, bone fusion, and a round of regenerative fluids to rebuild what the acid had melted away. Even the pod had beeped at Joey like ¡°are you serious right now?¡± But it worked. Chris was stable. He¡¯d be sore as hell when he woke up, but he¡¯d wake up. Both arms intact. ¡°They¡¯ll be fine,¡± Emily said, stepping up beside me, her arm slipping through mine like it belonged there. She leaned in close, her warmth against my side chasing away the lingering stress of the day. ¡°And if they bring back something good, we¡¯ll grill it.¡± I turned to her, a small smile tugging at my lips. ¡°So, you ready to check out this waterfall?¡± I asked, my tone casual, though the idea of a quiet moment with her had my heart picking up a bit. ¡°Or are you going to make me wait even longer?¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m ready,¡± she said, her eyes sparkling in the soft glow of the fading light. She always had this way of making the world around her seem brighter. ¡°I think Danny and Zoe have had enough time to do... whatever it is they¡¯re doing. Besides, if they¡¯re still there, we can just crash their date.¡± I smiled at her, she was so cute, honestly, pulling her a little closer as we started down toward the waterfall. She had strapped her [Proxima PS-64 ¡®Solar Edge¡¯ Plasma Sword] to her belt while I had my trusty [Hyperion Devastator Energy Blaster]. There were no portals nearby, or so the reading from our satellite had stated. The forest seemed to close in around us as the sounds of the camp faded into the background, replaced by the quiet rustling of leaves and the faint trickle of water in the distance. The way forward was jumbled, full of vines and roots everywhere, but easy enough to follow, the air just a tad bit cooler now, carrying the unmistakable scent of damp earth and fresh water. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. ¡°Think they¡¯re actually having a moment, or is Zoe still dragging him by the ear?¡± I asked, grinning as we stepped over a moss-covered log. Emily laughed, shaking her head. ¡°Oh, she¡¯s definitely in charge, but I think Danny¡¯s finally catching on. Took him long enough, though. I mean, two months of her practically begging?¡± She glanced up at me, her smile softening. ¡°You¡¯re not that oblivious, are you?¡± I snorted. ¡°Please. I¡¯d have figured it out by month one. Maybe.¡± I nudged her lightly, feeling the weight of the day lift with each step. ¡°Anyway, if they¡¯re still at the waterfall, we¡¯ll just have to remind them this planet isn¡¯t exactly the best place for private time.¡± Emily¡¯s laugh was light, easy. ¡°Or we can just scare them off. Bet Zoe would love that.¡± ¡°Tempting,¡± I said, the faint sound of rushing water growing louder ahead. ¡°But maybe we give them a break. Danny¡¯s got enough to deal with already, and Zoe¡¯s been working overtime to make this happen.¡± ¡°True,¡± she said, her tone softer now. ¡°But if she doesn¡¯t land him soon, I might just step in and do it for her.¡± I shot her a look, catching the playful glint in her eye, and shook my head. ¡°You¡¯re unbelievable.¡± Emily¡¯s grip on my arm tightened a bit as she glanced up at me, her playful smile making it hard to focus on anything else. ¡°You know, I¡¯m still surprised you didn¡¯t figure out why I wanted to wait earlier.¡± ¡°What, letting Danny and Zoe have some alone time?¡± I shrugged, doing my best to act like it wasn¡¯t a big deal. ¡°Sure, I get it now. But it¡¯s not like they¡¯d be the first to sneak off for some private time.¡± She raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into that teasing grin that always got under my skin. ¡°You¡¯re adorable. Honestly, for someone so sharp, you can be really dense sometimes.¡± ¡°Hey,¡± I shot back, feigning indignation. ¡°I¡¯m focused on the mission. Can¡¯t always pick up on the... subtler things.¡± ¡°Uh-huh,¡± she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°I¡¯m sure that¡¯s it.¡± We kept walking, the banter light and easy, punctuated by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of some alien bird. It was quiet, peaceful even, something we didn¡¯t get to enjoy much on New Dawn anymore. The kind of moment that made it easy to forget where we were or how far from home this place really was. For a little while, it was just us, the path ahead, and the sound of the waterfall growing louder with each step. When we finally pushed through the last line of trees, the waterfall came into view. It cascaded down a jagged rocky incline into a wide, deep lagoon that sparkled under the faint glow of the twin moons. The mist rising from the falls caught the moonlight, creating this soft, silvery haze that made the whole scene look like something out of a dream. The air smelled fresh, clean, almost like Earth, but better, somehow.
Emily gasped, and I swear to God, her eyes practically bugged out of her head. ¡°Wow,¡± she breathed, barely loud enough to hear over the rush of the waterfall. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful.¡± Yeah, it fucking is. I kept my eyes on her, though. On the way her face lit up like a goddamn Christmas tree, lips parted, all soft and¡­ shit. ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, my voice a little rough. ¡°It is.¡± She caught me staring, and I could see the blush creeping up her neck. She elbowed me, all playful and shit. ¡°Stop it, you sap. We¡¯re here to enjoy the view, not make it weird.¡± ¡°Hey, I¡¯m just appreciating the scenery,¡± I said, flashing her a grin as I snaked my arm around her waist. And what fine scenery it is. ¡°But I guess I can do both.¡± Smooth, Luca. Real smooth. We started picking our way down to the edge of the pool, but Emily stopped dead, crouching and yanking on my hand. I nearly lost my balance as she pulled me down. ¡°Whoa,¡± I said, giving her an eyebrow. ¡°What the fuck?¡± She shushed me, waving her hand like I was some kind of idiot, and pointed towards the water. ¡°There they are,¡± she whispered, eyes flicking to the edge of the lagoon.
There who are? Then I saw them. My jaw hit the fucking floor. Danny and Zoe. Naked as the day they were born, going at it like rabbits right there by the edge of the water. Holy shit. And fucking finally. Zoe had been chasing Danny''s tail for the past eight weeks. Eight long weeks of her trying to get this tool alone, and by the grace of God, she''d done it. About damn time she lost that V-card. And to Danny? Lanky, cute, totally-whipped Danny? Perfect match. He was practically made for those long legs and that bubble butt of hers. They looked good down there, her creamy dark skin against his pale, toned body. Damn. I whipped my head around, feeling my face burn hotter than the goddamn sun. But I couldn''t help the thought: It looks hot as hell down there. His hands grabbing her ass as she straddled him. Good for you, Zoe. ¡°Uh¡­ maybe we should give them some privacy?¡± I choked out. Emily snickered, the little minx, clearly loving my discomfort. ¡°Come on, they can''t see us from here,¡± she said, eyes sparkling with mischief. ¡°Let¡¯s just watch for a bit.¡± I shook my head, but even I couldn''t deny the little jolt of¡­ something that shot through me. I mean, it was Danny and Zoe, two people I actually cared about. But also, holy fuck, they were naked, right there. And Zoe was finally victorious. I took a peek. Like some kind of idiot, I had to. They were completely lost in their own world, all tangled up and naked skin, moving together like they were made for it, right there at the edge of the shore. Danny was whispering something in Zoe''s ear, making her giggle as she wrapped her legs tighter around him. ¡°How romantic,¡± Emily sighed, sounding like she was about to melt into a puddle. Yeah, about that... My brain was scrambling. Am I jealous? Horny? Relieved for Zoe? It didn''t matter. It was wrong. And yet... After watching for a bit longer than was decent, okay, maybe a lot longer than was decent, Emily finally stood up. ¡°Alright,¡± she said, that mischievous grin still plastered on her face. ¡°Let''s leave them to it and go enjoy the waterfall ourselves.¡± I nodded eagerly, a wave of relief washing over me. Finally, though... a tiny, traitorous part of my brain was like, just another minute or two? It was like a car crash; you couldn''t look away. Shut up, brain. To avoid being seen, because, yeah, that would be awkward as fuck, Emily and I snuck around to the other side of the lagoon. We reached the edge of the water, and started shrugging off our protective armor and weapons. No beasts nearby, I hoped. Finally, some fresh air. I needed to feel that cool water on my skin. But then Emily went a step further. She unclipped her bra, letting it drop to the ground. Then slid her panties off, too. - Freebies - Intermission - Hey all! I hope you''ve enjoyed the ride so far. I''ve been asked to share some of the scenes in a larger format for those interested in a new desktop background. I haven''t spent as much time as I would have liked on these, but I figured I would share a couple. These images should be large enough and, therefore, should meet most people''s screens. If you have a giant 4k monitor and need higher resolution, let me know. If there''s a background in the previous chapters that you''d like me to resize, please let me know in the comments below. First Background The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Second Background Third Background Fourth Background Fifth Background And finally... Ryan and Luca foolin'' around. Chapter 63 - Lagoon [+18 Warning] My eyes went wide. ¡°What are you doing?¡± I asked, glancing around nervously. Are we really doing this? Here? ¡°I think it''s time for a swim,¡± Emily said, her grin turning positively wicked. ¡°You should join me.¡± My heart was doing a drum solo in my chest as I watched her. Naked Emily. Right here. I wasn''t sure I could handle this. But then she gave me this playful little wink and slipped under the water with a splash, leaving me standing there like an idiot with my clothes on. Fuck it. I ripped off the rest of my clothes in record time and dove in after her. I surfaced next to her, gasping, the cold water a welcome shock to my system. ¡°Isn''t this refreshing?¡± Emily exclaimed, laughing as she splashed me. ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, a wide, goofy grin spreading across my face. ¡°It feels amazing.¡± And you look amazing. My brain was short-circuiting again. Naked Emily. Naked Luca. Waterfall. This is insane. But also... kind of perfect. We swam around for a bit, enjoying the cool water, and, yeah, okay, enjoying the fact that we were both naked. Then Emily suggested we try out the waterfall. Hell yes. Together, we made our way over, our bodies brushing against each other every now and then. The roar of the waterfall grew louder and louder, like some kind of crazy loud natural soundtrack to this whole insane scene. ¡°Ready?¡± Emily asked, her voice buzzing with excitement. I nodded, feeling more alive and free than I had in¡­ well, maybe ever.
We took one deep breath and dove under the cascading water. The force of it was incredible, pushing and pulling at us, but in a good way. A really good way. We surfaced on the other side, below an overhang of sorts, laughing and shouting like little kids. This was just like New Hampshire; it felt like home. The waterfall was massive, a stunning backdrop to our own private show. The wall of water was now behind us. We drifted closer, and I gently brushed my hand against Emily''s cheek, then leaned in for a kiss. Finally. The moment our lips met, it was like a bomb went off inside me. Desire, raw and intense, coursed through my veins. Her body, warm and slick, pressed against mine as we swayed in the water, the waterfall drowning out everything else. My hands had a mind of their own, roaming over her naked skin, tracing every curve, every dip. She moaned softly into my mouth, her arms wrapping around my neck, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss. Our mouths clashed like wild, hungry hippos. God, it had been a long time since we had some privacy. Her bare breasts pressed against my chest, and I could feel her nipples hardening under my touch. It was driving me insane, making the kiss even more intense, making the hardness between my legs almost painful. Emily broke away, breathless, her lips red and swollen. She looked into my eyes, that mischievous glint back, then dove under the water again. With a grin, I followed, and we were suddenly playing this crazy game of underwater tag. Our laughter echoed in the small space behind the waterfall as we chased each other, all flashing limbs and splashes. At one point, I caught her by the waist from behind and pulled her close. We surfaced, gasping for air, our bodies pressed together, catching our breath. ¡°I''ve never been skinny-dipping like this before,¡± I said, my voice drowned in the roar of the water. ¡°Me neither,¡± Emily replied, with a playful giggle. ¡°But I have to admit, it''s quite liberating.¡± We found a small, dry alcove by the wall under the waterfall. I lifted myself up, watching Emily glide through the water like some kind of water nymph. God, she''s beautiful. The constant roar of the falls faded into the background, like white noise meant just for us, wrapping around this stolen, secret place. Emily swam closer and pulled herself up beside me, her slick body pressing against mine. Her fingers traced soft lines down my chest, sending shivers everywhere they touched. Then she kissed me, slow, deep, hungry. My mind went blank. I was lost. I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her as close as humanly possible, I was hopeless. I wanted more, needed more. All of her. Emily broke the kiss, her breath hot against my ear. ¡°You like that?¡± she whispered, her voice husky and low. The words, the idea, sent a jolt of pure electricity through me. I nodded, eager, my eyes wide. Yes. Fuck yes. Emily smiled, playful, wicked, and gently pushed me back, straddling my waist. Her eyes locked on mine, searching, teasing, daring. Every nerve in my body was on fire. She leaned down, brushing her lips along my jaw, my neck, my shoulder, until I was practically vibrating beneath her. Time slowed. Our bodies found a rhythm, slow and electric, every movement sending sparks across my skin. She moved with this quiet confidence, like she knew exactly how to undo me, one kiss, one press, one slow grind at a time. We didn¡¯t rush. We didn¡¯t need to. Just the warmth of her skin, the sound of our breathing, and the waterfall crashing behind us. It was wild and soft, chaotic and perfect. We held on tight, riding every wave of heat and emotion until everything broke wide open, like stars behind my eyes. And then... stillness. A quiet, glowing stillness. ¡°That was awesome.¡± I kissed her neck as she collapsed on top of me, breathing heavily, a beautiful, sweaty, satisfied mess. Emily collapsed against my chest, breathless, warm, her fingers still tangled in my hair. I kissed her shoulder, my heart still thudding like I¡¯d just sprinted a mile. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. For a while, we just lay there, listening to the falls and the rush of our own hearts. It was perfect.
I looked out towards the waterfall, and for a second, I thought I saw something¡­ movement, out in the water. What the¡­? ¡°Let¡¯s go, Em,¡± I said, suddenly feeling exposed and vulnerable. ¡°Do we have to¡­?¡± she mumbled, nuzzling my neck, clearly not ready to leave our little paradise. We took turns standing under the waterfall, letting the cold water pound down on us, washing away the sweat and, yeah, the evidence of what we''d just done. It felt¡­ cleansing, somehow. Then we swam back to each other, the feel of the water on our bare skin still a novelty, still a thrill. After a while, I spotted them. Danny and Zoe, also swimming in the lagoon... and heading our way. ¡°Crap,¡± I muttered, suddenly feeling naked and exposed. Well, because we are naked and exposed. Under the bright moonlight, there was no hiding anything. And the idea of Danny seeing me like this¡­ with Emily¡­ shit. ¡°Don¡¯t be a hypocrite,¡± Emily teased, her voice light but with a definite edge. She clung to me, her bare legs wrapping around my waist as we floated, her body pressed against mine in a way that was definitely not helping the situation. ¡°Hey, you two!¡± she called out, way too loud for my liking. Zoe and Danny swam over, but Danny pointedly avoided looking directly at me. His cheeks were a little red, and I had a feeling he knew we''d seen them earlier. Awkward. ¡°Hey, you guys!¡± Zoe said, all bright and cheerful, completely oblivious to the tension radiating off of Danny. Or maybe she just didn''t give a shit. It was Zoe, after all. It looked like clothes were optional in this little lagoon over four light years away from Sol. I was not complaining, no sir. "What a perfect evening to go for a swim," Emily said, her grin positively wicked. She was totally enjoying the power she had over us two guys at this moment. I mean, we were all swimming around completely naked, and Danny, I was pretty sure, was convinced we had seen him fucking Zoe. But neither of the girls seemed to give a shit. In fact, they seemed to be relishing it. "Should we head back to camp?" Danny asked, his voice a little strained. He was looking hopefully towards the shore, anywhere but at me, really. "Nah, let''s stay out here for a bit longer," Zoe replied, hanging off Danny¡¯s neck, her legs wrapped around his body. Subtle, Zoe. Real subtle. "I''m with Zoe on this one," Emily said, that grin still plastered on her face. Her breasts were pressed against my chest, clear as day. I was starting to feel like a goddamn exhibit in a museum. "We can''t waste such a beautiful night."
I mumbled something that sounded like agreement, and we all started swimming around again. I noticed that Danny was being quieter than usual, which, for Danny, was saying something. Emily noticed it too, of course. She swam over to him, her breasts just¡­ hanging there. Zero shame. Or maybe she was doing it on purpose. I wouldn''t put it past her. In fact, I was pretty sure she and Zoe had planned this whole thing. "What''s going on?" she asked him, all innocent-like. ¡°Did you guys¡­ see us?¡± he asked, looking down, then quickly darting his eyes to the side, like he was trying to spot a shark or something. Before Emily could answer, I jumped in. ¡°Yeah, we did¡­ we tried to give you space¡­ Sorry about that, we didn¡¯t mean to intrude. We meant to give you time.¡± Smooth, Luca. Way to throw yourself under the bus. Emily looked at me, a flicker of something in her eyes. Understanding, maybe? She glanced over at Danny, and I could practically see the guilt radiating off of him. "It''s okay," she said, her voice surprisingly gentle. "We understand. We were just having a bit of fun ourselves." Danny let out a sigh of relief, like she''d just lifted a ten-ton weight off his shoulders. "We''re good?" Danny asked me, finally making eye contact. "Yeah, man, don''t worry about it," I said with a smile, then punched him on the shoulder, maybe a little harder than necessary. "We''re all human." "Hey, what the fuck, man," Danny said, but he was smiling now, and he splashed me playfully. I splashed him back, and we swam off, wrestling around like a couple of idiots.
¡°Boys¡­¡± said Zoe, watching us go with a sigh and a roll of her eyes. We''d moved further away, leaving her alone with Emily. ¡°So,¡± said Emily, turning to Zoe with a knowing smile, ¡°how was it? Was that it? Your first time?¡± Zoe smiled and nodded, the warmth of the water and the company of her friends easing away any remaining nervousness or embarrassment. She leaned against Emily as they swam slowly around in the warm, calm waters. "Yeah," she admitted with a shy smile. "It was... amazing." "I could tell," Emily said, grinning at her friend''s flushed cheeks. "You were practically glowing when we saw you earlier." Zoe blushed even deeper but couldn''t stop smiling. Good for her. Meanwhile, I''d managed to pin Danny underwater. ¡°Do you yield?¡± I yelled, when I finally let him up for air. ¡°Okay, okay, I yield,¡± Danny said, gasping and laughing, splashing me again. ¡°You pervert! Put some underwear on. God!¡±
Emily leaned her head against my shoulder, letting out a contented sigh. ¡°We should do this more often,¡± she said. ¡°Just... take a break. Get away from everything, even if it¡¯s just for a little while.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± I said, my voice low as I stroked her hair, still damp from the water. And smelling faintly of that weird alien moss. Whatever, still hot. ¡°It¡¯s easy to forget what it¡¯s like to have a quiet moment. We¡¯re always moving, always looking for the next thing. It¡¯s nice to just... stop.¡± After some time, we all made our way out of the water and lay down on the moss to dry off under the stars. Emily and I put our underwear back on before joining them. Thank god for small mercies. At least now I won''t get arrested for indecent exposure. Zoe and Danny had strategically chosen a different spot to sit than where they had initially been found. Probably for the best. Don''t need a repeat performance, thanks. We lay there for a while, close together, letting the sound of the waterfall fill the silence. It was a brief reprieve, and we all knew it wouldn''t last. Soon enough, we¡¯d be back to the grind, back to the constant vigilance that came with exploring a new world. And probably almost getting killed by some giant alien bug or something. But for now, we had this. Emily lifted her head, tilting her face up to look at me. ¡°You think we¡¯ll ever get a chance to relax? Like, back on Earth, where we could just... take a vacation and not worry about anything?¡± I thought about it, my brow furrowing. Earth. Right. Like that''s ever gonna happen. ¡°I hope so,¡± I said finally, because what else was I gonna say? ¡°But even if we don¡¯t, I think we¡¯ll find ways to make it work. Little moments like this. It doesn¡¯t have to be perfect. Just... enough.¡± She smiled, leaning in to kiss me softly, the mist from the waterfall cool on our skin. ¡°I can live with that,¡± she murmured against my lips. ¡°For now.¡± Me too, Em. Me too. We lingered there a little longer, stealing a few more moments before the responsibilities waiting back at camp could intrude. Finally, I pulled back, glancing in the direction of our campsite. ¡°We should head back soon. Don¡¯t want to leave Ryan and Joey alone with the grill for too long. Who knows what those two assholes will end up cooking.¡± Probably something that''ll give us all food poisoning. Danny laughed, helping Zoe to her feet. ¡°Good point. Joey was never a good cook.¡± You can say that again. The air shifted. Just as I bent to grab my boots, the jungle behind us breathed. That¡¯s the only way I can describe it, like the trees exhaled. A low, tremoring gust that made the leaves shiver. Then... ROOOOOAAARRRR. A sound like the world ripping open. It echoed off the cliffs, drowning the waterfall. It felt deep and close. We froze. Not a single bird chirped. Not a single insect buzzed. Zoe whispered, ¡°What the hell was that?¡± Chapter 64 - Uneven Heat We made our way back through the trees, the sounds of the camp growing louder. Joey had turned on his music player, blasting some ancient rock tune. The scent of smoke and charred meat drifted toward us; it looked like Ryan and Joey¡¯s hunt had been successful. That, or they''d burned the whole damn forest down. As we broke through the line of trees, the camp came into view. The center was dominated by a makeshift firepit, flames flickering and crackling as Ryan, ever the boy scout, flipped strips of meat on the grill. Nearby, Joey was setting up plates and utensils on a folding table. On another table lay an animal, already skinned and prepared for cooking. Mystery meat special. The fire before us was safe. [Bonfires], once the System arrived, were different from normal ones, you didn¡¯t just get warmth and light. Once the fire reached a specific potency, a safe zone anchored itself around the flames, stretching outward in a protective radius. For the next eight hours, nothing was getting near us that we didn¡¯t want. No prowling creatures, no stray mobs. It meant we didn¡¯t have to power up the Peregrine¡¯s shielding and didn¡¯t have to sleep in shifts. Just one night where we could relax. But what really caught my attention, and Emily¡¯s, too, judging by the way she took off like a shot, was Chris. He was awake and sitting in the only real chair in camp, his face lit up by the glow of the fire. He looked tired but alert, his bandaged arm resting in his lap. The moment Emily spotted him, she broke into a run, Zoe following close behind. "Chris!" Emily called out. She reached him first, throwing her arms around his shoulders, careful not to jostle his arm too much. Zoe was right behind her, ruffling his hair playfully before pulling him into a tight hug. Seriously, does the guy have a gravitational pull or something? "Look who¡¯s back from the dead!" Zoe said, grinning as she pulled away. "How¡¯s the arm, tough guy?" Chris chuckled, his voice still a bit hoarse but steady. ¡°Better than it was, that¡¯s for sure. Med pod did its job. Feels stiff, but I¡¯ll take stiff over missing any day.¡± And he''s already making jokes. Some things never change. Emily stepped back, her eyes scanning his arm, noting the smooth, new skin peeking out from under the bandages. ¡°You scared the hell out of us, you know that?¡± she said, her voice softer now, but still carrying a hint of scolding. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re okay.¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Chris said, smiling as he waved her concern away with his good arm. ¡°I wasn¡¯t going anywhere. Had to stick around just to see you all worry about me.¡± What a tool. I approached more, giving the others a moment before I spoke. ¡°Chris,¡± I said. ¡°Good to see you up. You feeling alright?¡± Chris nodded, flexing his hand and wincing slightly. ¡°I¡¯m good. Still a bit sore, but it¡¯s all there. Joey did a hell of a job patching me up.¡± I turned to Joey, who was now setting out the last of the utensils and gave him a nod of appreciation. ¡°I mean it, Joey. Thank you. We¡¯d have been in a real mess without you.¡± Joey looked up, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t thank me. Thank the med pod. I just followed the instructions.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t sell yourself short,¡± Ryan chimed in, flipping another piece of meat onto the tray. He didn''t say anything about the waterfall, but he didn''t have to. The way he was so focused on the grilling, avoiding looking at me or Emily, said it all. He knew. And, yeah, I felt bad for the guy. But he''s too damn nice to do anything about it. ¡°You were the one who kept him stable until we got him into that pod. That¡¯s more than most could¡¯ve done.¡± Emily, still standing next to Chris, turned to Joey, her expression sincere. ¡°Really, thank you. We don¡¯t say it enough, but we¡¯re lucky to have you.¡± Joey shrugged, a sheepish smile tugging at the corner of his lips. ¡°Well, someone¡¯s gotta keep you all in one piece, right?¡± We would have been screwed without him. Zoe grabbed one of the plates from the table, loaded it up with freshly grilled meat, and handed it to Chris. ¡°Here. Eat up. You look like you could use about a dozen of these.¡± Chris took the plate. ¡°I missed this,¡± he said, digging in without hesitation. ¡°And by ¡®this,¡¯ I mean everything, being out here, with all of you, instead of stuck in that med pod.¡± ¡°Well, get used to it,¡± I said, pulling up an empty crate to sit on. ¡°You¡¯re back, and we¡¯re not letting you slack off just because you had a close call. We¡¯ve got a long way to go yet.¡± Chris laughed, but there was a gratefulness in his eyes as he looked around at the crew gathered around him. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t have it any other way.¡± As everyone settled around the fire, the atmosphere began to lighten, the earlier tension of the day fading away, the meat was good. Ryan passed around plates, and soon the camp was filled with the sounds of eating and laughter. ¡°So,¡± Chris said between bites, looking up at me, ¡°I hear you¡¯ve been playing chauffeur while I was out. How¡¯s it feel driving this rowdy bunch around without me?¡± I smirked, leaning back against the crate. ¡°I¡¯ve managed. But it¡¯s a lot quieter without you being a backseat driver.¡± If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡°Yeah, well, you¡¯re welcome. We''ll see how you do tomorrow.¡± Chris shot back, grinning. Zoe nudged Danny, who was sitting beside her, and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, ¡°If Chris is back, does that mean he¡¯s joining poker tonight? ¡®Cause I¡¯m not letting him win just because he¡¯s injured.¡± Chris raised his eyebrows. ¡°Who said anything about letting me win? I plan on wiping the floor with all of you.¡± Ryan shook his head, pretending to be disappointed. ¡°Great. Just what we needed: another overconfident player. I¡¯m starting to think we should make Joey the dealer, so at least someone stays honest.¡± Joey scoffed, grabbing a piece of meat for himself. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m not getting dragged into this. I¡¯m just here to make sure none of you end up needing my help again tonight.¡± Smart man. As the conversation flowed, I glanced around the camp, feeling a sense of warmth settle in my chest. Damn, I''m getting sentimental in my old age. Seeing Chris up and eating, Ryan and Joey joking as they prepped dinner, and Emily and Zoe teasing each other over the meal was a reminder of why we kept pushing forward, why we were out here in the first place. The discoveries, the portals, the constant risks, none of it would matter without moments like this to ground us, to remind us of the bonds we had built even if Ryan was left out.
Emily caught my eye, her expression softening as she noticed the way I was looking at the group. She nudged me lightly with her elbow. ¡°You okay?¡± I nodded. ¡°Yeah. Just... glad we¡¯re all here.¡± And that I finally got some action, even if the whole camp probably knows about it now unlike poor Ryan. I leaned in, lowering my voice. "What do we do with Ryan, though? He needs some TLC, stat. Poor bastard''s too nice for his own good." Emily followed my gaze, landing on Ryan, who was currently laughing at something Joey sai, but still seemed... off, somehow. She smacked her lips thoughtfully, then a slow, almost predatory smile spread across her face. "I don''t know," she whispered back, her voice a little husky. "He''s a grown man. We can''t exactly force him to... you know." "Yeah, but he''s like a puppy dog, Em," I said, keeping my voice low. "A big, clueless puppy dog. I bet he''d jump if either you or Zoe even looked at him sideways." Shit, I''d put money on it. A funny idea occurred to me. "Speaking of, who do you think would crack first? You or Zoe?" Just then, Zoe sauntered over, overhearing the last part of our conversation. "Crack first at what?" she asked, a glint in her eye. "Luca''s taking bets on who''ll be Ryan''s first," Emily said, smirking, but her eyes were fixed on Ryan in a way that made me shift uncomfortably. "He''s got 50 credits on you." I did not say that. Zoe raised an eyebrow, looking amused, but then she, too, turned to look at Ryan, her expression shifting. It was like watching two lionesses sizing up a particularly juicy gazelle. "Oh, really? And what makes you so sure, Luca?" she whispered, but she wasn''t even looking at me. I cleared my throat. Shit. ¡°Uh, I dunno, Zoe. You¡¯ve been on a roll lately. Newfound confidence and all that. Plus, you¡¯ve got that look in your eye, like you¡¯re not done conquering yet.¡± "Confidence is key, isn''t it?" Zoe mused, her eyes still fixed on Ryan. She groaned softly. "But have you seen those shoulders? And that sandy hair, just begging for someone to run their fingers through it..." "Oh, I''ve noticed," Emily chimed in, her voice low and thick. "He''s got that roguish, bad-boy thing going on, but underneath it all, you can tell he''s a total softie. The kind of guy who''d be rough in all the right ways, then cuddle you after and tell you how much he adores you." "And those eyes," Zoe added, with a dreamy sigh. "So blue. Like you could just... fall right into them." I shifted uncomfortably, feeling a blush creep up my neck. What is going on? Are they seriously doing this right now? "Uh, yeah, he''s great," I mumbled, trying to regain control of the conversation. "So, fifty credits, Zoe?" ¡°Fifty credits is insulting for a man like that," Zoe said, shaking her head, finally turning away from Ryan, but only to wink at Emily. "Make it a hundred.¡± ¡°A hundred?¡± I feigned shock, though honestly, I was just trying to distract them from their Ryan-fest. "You trying to clean me out?" "Maybe," Zoe winked. Emily smacked her lips again, loudly, and I swear both of their eyes darkened, "I bet he''s amazing in bed," she said, thoughtfully licking her lower lip. "All that muscle... he''d have stamina for days." I choked, feeling my face burn. "Okay, seriously?" I said, a little louder than I intended. "Can we not do this right now?" "Do what?" Emily asked, all innocence, but the smirk on her face told a different story. "Just admiring our friend. You started it." "Yeah, Luca," Zoe added, with a playful pout. "Don''t tell me you''re jealous." "Jealous? No!" I said, maybe a little too quickly. "Just... not hungry anymore. That''s all." Zoe giggled, then leaned closer, conspiratorial. "So? You in?" I exhaled heavily, feeling like I was walking into a trap. "Fine. A hundred credits." Zoe grinned triumphantly. "Good boy." "But," I added, pointing a finger between them, "if Emily ends up with him, you both owe me two hundred." Emily laughed outright. "You''re both unbelievable." "Hey now, you didn¡¯t deny it," Zoe pointed out, all smug satisfaction. "So what do you say, Em? In or out? If you get him first, Luca and I will both owe you." Emily pretended to think it over, then shot me a wicked grin. "Fine. But I want two hundred from both of you if I win." "Done," Zoe said without hesitation. I immediately regretted everything. Who would win how much? I was so confused. Wait. Wait. What the fuck just happened? Emily was my girl, right? My girlfriend? We were exclusive-ish, or so I thought. I guess it was an open thing, but not that open, not casually-making-bets-about-sleeping-with-Ryan open. We hadn''t really committed to anything, had we? And Zoe? Zoe just lost her virginity to Danny. Literally hours ago. Where the hell did this energy come from? I glanced between them, trying to read their faces, half-expecting them to start laughing and tell me they were screwing with me. But no. They were dead serious. Was this a bit? A joke? A power move? Or was I just still too blissed-out from Emily rocking my goddamn world by the waterfall to process anything properly? Emily caught my expression and smirked, all teasing, but her eyes flickered with something... like she was enjoying watching me struggle. ¡°Something on your mind, Luca?¡± Yes. So much. ¡°No,¡± I lied, keeping my tone even. ¡°Not a damn thing.¡± Zoe and Emily exchanged a look, and I did not like it. I was so screwed... still, who would win what? A few hours later, and 1,500 credits poorer, we put away the Poker game and got ready to turn in. I still wasn''t sure how Ryan kept winning, but at this point, I wasn''t asking questions. My wallet hurt.
Everyone was asleep. Or pretending. I lay there in the middle of the bed, as usual, a prisoner to these two girls. Emily¡¯s arm was draped across my chest. Zoe¡¯s back was warm against mine. It should¡¯ve felt perfect. Captain¡¯s log, I muttered to myself, today I have unleashed the banshees. I''m not sure if it was a good idea. Chapter 65 - The Bonfire I stared at the ceiling, my heart thudding far too fast for sleep. My brain wouldn¡¯t shut up, kept circling the same fucked-up loop, replaying the banter from earlier. The bet. The teasing. The way Emily¡¯s voice had dipped when she talked about Ryan. The way Zoe looked at him like he was dessert. And me? I was just... here. Sandwiched between two women I loved being around, who might have been joking. Or might not. Slowly, carefully, I slid out from under Emily¡¯s arm. She murmured something incoherent, shifted, and settled back in. Zoe didn¡¯t move. I padded barefoot to the kitchenette. The tiny space felt cavernous in the dark. I grabbed a cup, filled it with water, and sat on the bench, the one by the viewport. The stars were streaked in color through the atmosphere. Alpha Centauri, our new home. New rules, right? I took a long sip of water, then just sat there, swirling it in the cup, listening to it slosh quietly as the walls closed in. What the hell are we even doing? I love her. Emily. That¡¯s not in question. Never has been. She¡¯s everything. The way she smiles at me when no one else is looking. The way she puts her hand on my knee when I¡¯m stressed out, like she knows when I need grounding even before I do. The waterfall... Jesus. But the way she looked at Ryan tonight? I¡¯d be blind not to see it. And I¡¯m not mad. Not really. Ryan¡¯s my best friend. Has been since forever. If she wants him, hell, if they want each other, I get it. Of course I do. He¡¯s smart, handsome. Charming. Has that lopsided grin that makes people melt. But fuck, it hurts. I took another sip, trying to cool the heat behind my eyes. This wasn¡¯t jealousy. Not exactly. This was fear. That I¡¯d misread everything. That maybe I wasn¡¯t enough. That maybe all this, the affection, the comfort, the sex, was just temporary. Fun. Experimental. She says she loves me. And I believe her. I do. But then she flirts with Zoe and Ryan and... what am I supposed to think? And Zoe? God, Zoe was practically in my lap during the portal delve. She¡¯s fun and wild and dangerous in a way that lights a fire in me I don¡¯t know how to put out. But what would Emily say? Would she even care? Was that the point of the bet? Was she giving me permission? I exhaled hard through my nose, leaning forward to press my elbows to my knees. Swirled the water again. Watched the reflections shift. I hate this. I hate not knowing the rules. Back on Earth, everything was clearer. You dated someone, you had boundaries. But here? Out here in the stars? There¡¯s no roadmap. No parents. No culture. Just us. Figuring this out as we go. It¡¯s supposed to be fun. We¡¯re young. We¡¯re alive. We¡¯re in a new fucking star system. So why do I feel like I¡¯m drowning?
The Peregrine rumbled forward, its massive wheels crunching over uneven terrain, lurching slightly as it maneuvered through the dense forest. The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting flickering patterns of light and shadow across the armored hull of the vehicle. Inside, the atmosphere was surprisingly lively given the hours we¡¯d already been on the move. I was behind the wheel, eyes focused ahead, my hands steady as I guided the vehicle over roots, rocks, and the occasional dip in the path. Beside me, Chris sat in the passenger seat, freshly recovered and enjoying the simple pleasure of being out of the healing pod and back with the crew. Great. ¡°Gotta say,¡± Chris began, flexing his fingers a bit, as if testing out his freshly healed arm. Show off. ¡°It feels damn good to be out of that pod. I was starting to forget what real air felt like.¡± I glanced over at him. Yeah, well, enjoy it while it lasts before Emily and Zoe start throwing themselves at you again. They might even take bets on it, probably. ¡°Yeah, well, it¡¯s good to have you back, even if it means I have to listen to your backseat driving again.¡± Chris grinned, unfazed. Of course, he is. The guy''s ego is bigger than the Peregrine. ¡°Hey, somebody¡¯s gotta keep you sharp. Can¡¯t let you get too comfortable, Captain.¡± The thick, towering trees that had surrounded us for kilometers started to thin out, giving way to shorter, younger growth. The dense underbrush that had slowed our progress earlier was now sparse, replaced by patches of open ground and smaller, scraggly trees. The ride smoothed out, the constant bumping and jostling less severe as the terrain became more forgiving. Chris looked out the window, scanning the landscape as we moved through the thinning forest. ¡°You see that?¡± he said, pointing out the clusters of smaller trees. ¡°Looks like this area got hit by a forest fire, maybe years ago. All this young growth... it¡¯s like the forest is trying to come back.¡± Great, Captain Obvious has returned. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. I nodded, my eyes following Chris¡¯s line of sight. ¡°Makes sense. Explains why it¡¯s been easier going. The old forest must¡¯ve been wiped out, and now it¡¯s all starting over.¡± ¡°Good for us, I guess,¡± Chris said, leaning back in his seat. ¡°Means less wrestling with tree roots and boulders for you. Although...¡± he glanced at me, a teasing smirk on his lips, ¡°I was just starting to enjoy the bumpy ride.¡± ¡°Keep it up, and I¡¯ll drive us straight into a swamp.¡± I tried to keep my voice light, but even I could hear the hint of an edge to it. It''s not that I didn''t like Chris. He was a good guy. A great guy, even. It''s just... he was too great. Too perfect. Too much of a threat to any guy with a pulse and a pair of eyes. And with his perfect muscles and that jet black hair that always looked effortlessly cool... ugh. It was exhausting.
The rest of the crew was scattered in the back, making the most of the journey. Emily and Zoe were seated near the back, heads close together, whispering and giggling about something that occasionally broke into soft laughter. Probably about the bet. And me. Whatever the joke was, it had Emily biting her lip to keep from bursting out, and Zoe was leaning in, her eyes sparkling with mischief, like a damn cat that got the canary. ¡°I swear, you two sound like you¡¯re back in high school,¡± Ryan called over his shoulder, pretending to be annoyed but grinning all the same. He was trying, bless his heart. Trying to be part of whatever "it" was with Emily and Zoe. He had no idea. ¡°What¡¯s so funny back there?¡± ¡°Oh, nothing,¡± Emily said, a playful lilt in her voice. ¡°Just girl talk. You wouldn¡¯t get it.¡± ¡°She means you wouldn¡¯t be able to handle it,¡± Zoe added, winking at Ryan, who just shook his head, a faint blush rising on his cheeks. Poor bastard. He''s like a lamb to the slaughter. Danny, meanwhile, was stretched out on one of the benches, arms behind his head as he joined Joey and Ryan in a heated debate about movies. Probably still floating on cloud nine after finally getting it on with Zoe. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, they just don¡¯t make action flicks like they used to,¡± Danny said, sounding exasperated. ¡°Everything¡¯s so... digital now. I miss practical effects.¡± ¡°Preach,¡± Joey said, nodding emphatically. ¡°Give me a good old-fashioned car chase any day. None of that CGI nonsense.¡± ¡°Yeah, well, good luck watching any of that on this trip,¡± Ryan said, gesturing around the cabin. He was trying to steer the conversation away from whatever the girls were giggling about. Smart move. ¡°I love the Peregrine, but man, I¡¯d kill for a big screen right now. We need to rig something up for next time.¡± ¡°Tell me about it,¡± Danny said. ¡°We get back to the Triumph, and I¡¯m scheduling a marathon. I¡¯m talking classics, no interruptions.¡± The conversation continued, drifting from movies to old TV shows and their favorite series, filling the cabin with the easy banter that had become the crew¡¯s trademark. The Peregrine pressed on, crossing streams and navigating the occasional obstacle, but the journey felt less like a grind and more like a road trip, each bump a reminder of the adventure we were on. And, yeah, a reminder that I was apparently the only one who knew about the ticking time bomb that was Ryan''s virginity and the bet that was riding on it. We were making progress, but it was slow. Whoever colonized this planet, yeah... they''d need to pave the hell out of it.
We had been traveling some days now from that fateful day at the waterfall, and it had been great. The wildlife was still low-level, so short excursions outside the camp were still feasible. Danny and Zoe had spent plenty of time ''exploring'' or ''collecting samples,'' but they didn''t fool anyone. The fire that night crackled, sparks snapping upward, swallowed by the canopy above. The scent of charred meat lingered in the air, rich and savory, mixing with the crisp bite of pine and damp earth. One of New Dawn¡¯s moons hung overhead, pale silver against the darkness, its craters and ridges visible even with the naked eye. And beyond that, threading across the sky in a vast, luminous band, were the planet¡¯s rings. They shimmered faintly, reflecting the [bonfire]''s glow, casting a ghostly light over the treetops. Not quite as bright as Earth¡¯s moon, but eerie, beautiful. The creature Ryan had killed, something lean and fast, all muscle and sinew, had actually tasted decent once we¡¯d thrown it on a spit and let it roast over the open flames. Now, full and warm, we sprawled out in the fire¡¯s glow, the tension from the day¡¯s drive bleeding away into the night. Emily must have noticed the way my gaze lingered because she shifted, tucking her chin against my shoulder, following my line of sight. ¡°Still not used to it, huh?¡± she murmured. I exhaled softly. ¡°Nope.¡± She was curled into my side, her head resting against my shoulder, fingers absently tracing along the seam of my bodysuit. Zoe was doing the same with Danny, but unlike Emily, who was fully committed to being cozy, Zoe was only half-present, the other half dedicated to her usual pastime: messing with Ryan. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t kill you to admit that was good, would it?¡± Ryan was lounging across from me, leaning back on his elbows, looking like he didn¡¯t have a care in the world. Zoe smirked, tilting her head back against Danny¡¯s chest. ¡°Oh, it was fine. A little gamey. Might¡¯ve overcooked it.¡± Ryan scoffed. ¡°Overcooked? I nailed the sear.¡± Chris chuckled, stretching out his legs toward the flames, hands laced behind his head. ¡°She¡¯s just getting under your skin, man.¡± ¡°Should¡¯ve packed some actual seasonings,¡± Joey muttered, nudging Chris with his knee. ¡°Not all of us are savages.¡± The warmth of the fire seeped into my bones, and for a moment, I let my mind drift. Nights like this, they reminded me of home, Sandworth Falls, New Hampshire, deep in the woods, hiking with my dad, his voice guiding me through the trails. My mom, Maddie, laughing as she tried to keep up, my two younger brothers running ahead. Before the System. Before everything changed. Hell, even back then, I¡¯d spent just as much time hiking with Ryan and Danny, our own little world carved out in the forest, pushing deeper, seeing who could find the best spot to build a fire, who could catch the biggest fish, who could hike up the trail the fastest. Mt. Percival, Mt. Morgan, our usual trails. Here? No names yet. No paths or stories were passed down. That would be up to the colonists. We wouldn''t be naming landmarks. We were just the first footprints in the dirt. I sighed, shifting slightly to pull Emily closer. ¡°Someone should have grabbed some blankets from the Triumph,¡± I muttered. She hummed, nuzzling against my neck. ¡°Mmm. You should¡¯ve grabbed some blankets.¡± I smirked. ¡°We were in a rush.¡± Zoe stretched, her voice dripping with mock concern. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me our fearless captain is cold?¡± ¡°Not cold,¡± I shot back. ¡°Just appreciating the fact that I could be warmer.¡± Danny exhaled a laugh, squeezing Zoe¡¯s waist. ¡°You¡¯re always cold, though.¡± Chris shifted, his eyes flicking toward the trees. ¡°Anyone else noticing the wildlife getting louder?¡± Chapter 66 - Threshold We all paused, listening. The forest was alive. Not just with wind and rustling leaves, but movement. Growls. The distant, shrill cry of something I didn¡¯t recognize. I frowned, eyes narrowing at the darkness beyond the fire¡¯s glow. ¡°How fast do you think the local wildlife is leveling up?¡± Ryan scratched at his jaw. ¡°Fast.¡± Danny nodded. ¡°Portals might be spawning mobs already.¡± I chewed on that, staring into the flames. It was only a matter of time before we¡¯d have to deal with them, before the wilderness around us would stop being just wilderness and start being something a lot more dangerous.
We¡¯d been driving for hours, putting more and more miles behind us, when the quiet hum of the Peregrine was interrupted by a chime from the control panel. I glanced down at my GPS, noticing a new icon blinking a few kilometers ahead. Huh. My hands tightened on the wheel, my eyes narrowing. ¡°A portal? Right on our path to the signal?¡± I muttered, more to myself than anyone else. ¡°Great,¡± Chris said, leaning forward, his eyes bright with excitement. Of course, he''s excited. Any excuse to show off. ¡°Right when things were starting to get boring. Think we should check it out?¡± The chatter in the back went quiet, and I could feel everyone¡¯s eyes on me, waiting for me to say something. I thought about it for a moment, weighing the options. Stopping to delve the portal would take time, and we still had the signal to investigate, but portals often meant gear, supplies, and credits. And this one was practically begging us to explore it. Plus, it would give Ryan something to do other than brood. Honestly, we all needed new weapons, armor and those juicy [power cells]. We were outclassed. ¡°Could be worth it,¡± Zoe said, breaking the silence. ¡°I mean, last time, we found some pretty sweet gear. And it¡¯s not like we¡¯ve got a deadline on this signal, right?¡± ¡°Right,¡± Danny said, perking up. Probably hoping for something to impress Zoe with. ¡°And who knows? We might find something that helps us when we get to the signal. Better armor, maybe another plasma weapon.¡± Emily glanced over at me, her expression thoughtful. ¡°I know we¡¯re focused on the signal, but it might not hurt to take a quick look. We¡¯re well-equipped, and if this portal has anything new, it could be worth the detour.¡± And it might finally shut you two up about Ryan. Ryan chimed in, his tone more pragmatic. As usual. ¡°We should be careful, though. We¡¯re not exactly in a rush, but we don¡¯t want to waste a whole day here. If we go in, we need to make it quick. Hit it, grab what we can, and get out.¡± If only it were that easy, it¡¯s never that easy. Joey nodded, still thinking it over. ¡°I¡¯m with Ryan. If it¡¯s an easy clear, we should go for it. But let¡¯s not get sidetracked. We¡¯ve already put a lot of miles behind us today.¡± Chris rolled his shoulder again, like he wanted everyone to know his arm was fully functional. ¡°Hey, I could use the practice,¡± he said, grinning like we were gearing up for a friendly spar instead of walking into who-knows-what. ¡°Don¡¯t want to get rusty.¡± I shook my head. ¡°Just don¡¯t overdo it. You¡¯re fresh out of the pod, not invincible.¡± As the wildlife leveled up, we would need to keep up. So far, our Energy Weapons and armor were more than enough, but if these critters leveled past level 60? We''d need a hell of a lot more. ¡°Close enough,¡± he shot back with a cocky shrug, clearly loving his chance to show off. Classic Chris.
Around the cabin, the energy shifted as everyone started getting ready. The lighthearted banter thinned, replaced by that quiet focus. I felt it too, that edge-of-your-seat thrill that came with diving into something new. My heart was pounding, and yeah, I was trying to play it cool, but the truth? I was hyped. A new challenge, a potential jackpot, this was exactly why we were out here. Zoe was already securing her new LR-64 "Solar Flare" plasma sniper rifle, her grin sharp and dangerous. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re about to have some fun,¡± she said, her voice laced with excitement. That sparkle in her eye? She was so ready for this. Zoe thrived in the chaos, and honestly, I admired the hell out of her for it. ¡°Don¡¯t let your version of fun get us all killed,¡± Emily chimed in, going through her gear. She wasn¡¯t exactly worried, just practical. ¡°We¡¯re not here to break records, Zoe. Let¡¯s just get in and get out.¡± If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Zoe rolled her eyes, but her grin didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Relax, Emily. We¡¯ve got this. You¡¯ll see.¡± Chris laughed, leaning against his seat like he hadn¡¯t just spent days being useless in the med pod. ¡°Seriously, Em. We¡¯ve done this a hundred times. This one¡¯s no different.¡± ¡°Except it is,¡± Emily shot back, her tone firm. ¡°The more runs we¡¯ve done, the cockier you get. And that¡¯s how mistakes happen.¡±
I checked the map on the Peregrine¡¯s control panel, seeing the blip marking the portal¡¯s location almost dead ahead. ¡°Alright, everyone. We¡¯re making this quick. Let¡¯s see what¡¯s waiting for us.¡± I eased the Peregrine forward, the vehicle rumbling as it pushed through the thinning forest, heading straight for the portal. The sun was high, casting long shadows as they approached, and the air felt cooler, a slight breeze rustling through the young trees. As the kilometers ticked down, I could see the energy signature on the display growing stronger, the portal¡¯s presence pulsing on the map. Whatever it was, it was close. And with any luck, it would be worth the detour. The terrain had leveled out, making for a smoother ride, and the young growth around them allowed more light to filter through, casting dappled patterns across the hood of the vehicle. The mood inside was still one of anticipation, but the familiar pre-dungeon buzz of excitement was starting to settle over the crew. In the back, Ryan was checking over the charge levels on his PR-64 "Starfire Lance" plasma rifle, giving the barrel a quick polish with a rag. Zoe, sitting across from him, had her feet propped up on a storage crate, her own gear laid out beside her. She watched him for a moment, a sly grin slowly creeping across her face. Here we go. ¡°You know, Ryan,¡± she said, her voice light and teasing, ¡°you¡¯re spending an awful lot of time making sure that rifle¡¯s shiny. Hoping it¡¯ll make up for your aim?¡± Ryan looked up, catching her smirk, and raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry, Zoe. I didn¡¯t realize we were handing out advice on shooting now. I mean, you do have that fancy plasma sniper, but when was the last time you hit something smaller than a barn door?¡± Zoe¡¯s grin widened, and she leaned forward, her eyes twinkling. Oh, she''s laying it on thick now. ¡°Pretty sure I saved your ass the last time near the river, remember? If I hadn¡¯t been there, you¡¯d be a lot shorter right now.¡± Ryan snorted, shaking his head. ¡°Yeah, okay, sure. But let¡¯s not forget how many shots it took you to get that perfect hit. What was it, three? Four?¡± Zoe¡¯s eyes narrowed, and she sat up, tossing the rag she¡¯d been holding at him. ¡°Keep talking, and you¡¯re going to find out just how many it¡¯ll take to shut you up.¡± God, she''s really trying.
I checked the map on the Peregrine¡¯s control panel, seeing the blip marking the portal¡¯s location, almost dead ahead. Showtime. ¡°Alright, everyone. Let¡¯s see what¡¯s waiting for us.¡± I could see the energy signature on the display growing stronger, the portal¡¯s presence pulsing on the map. Stronger than usual. As we crested a small hill, the forest opened up, revealing a stretch of flat, rocky ground ahead. In the center of the clearing, glowing with a familiar, eerie light, was the portal, a shimmering oval of energy hovering just a few feet off the ground. It pulsed as if waiting for us to approach. Or daring us. I slowed the Peregrine to a crawl, bringing it to a stop a safe distance from the portal. I could hear the crew shifting behind me, preparing for what was to come. The earlier banter died down, replaced by a focused, alert silence. Game time. ¡°Well, there it is,¡± Chris said. I nodded, my hands still on the controls. ¡°Alright, everyone. Gear up. We¡¯re going in, but we¡¯re not staying long. We grab what we can, and then we head straight for the signal.¡± Emily and Zoe exchanged a quick look before checking their weapons. Partners in crime. Ryan and Joey were already double-checking their gear, adjusting straps, and securing their packs. Danny, seated near the back, had a determined look on his face, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced with a readiness for whatever we might find.
I took a deep breath, feeling the familiar anticipation settle over me. Here we go again. I settled the Peregrine into ''Outpost Mode,'' its stabilizing legs hissing into position, digging into the earth, and leveling our vehicle against the rough terrain. The low hum of the energy shield activated around us. The shimmer of our oval shield caught the light from the portal ahead, making it look like a mirage at the edge of reality. My heart was already racing; it was that high you only got before a portal mission. This was my specialty, and it was like the portal was calling to me. The others didn¡¯t get it, not like Zoe and I did, and probably Ryan. For us, this wasn¡¯t just another job. It was the thrill, the adrenaline hit we lived for. The crew began to file out of the Peregrine, the air outside cool and crisp, carrying the faint hum of the portal¡¯s energy. We gathered our weapons, put on our armor, and formed a loose circle in front of the shimmering portal, each of us falling into our familiar roles. I stepped forward, glancing at each member of my team, my eyes lingering on Chris for a moment, gauging his readiness. He gave me a nod. Good. He''s ready. ¡°Alright, you all know the drill. We move in, clear it out, and we don¡¯t take unnecessary risks. Let¡¯s see what¡¯s waiting for us this time.¡± I said, stretching my leg a little; my scout suit was already riding up. Ugh. As the portal¡¯s light reflected off our armor, I felt a surge of confidence, bolstered by the trust I had in each of them. We had done this before, and we could do it again. Hopefully without anyone almost dying this time. [System Message: Operation Site] Description: Intelligence reports indicate that a long-abandoned military base has reactivated its defenses, posing a potential threat. Your mission is to infiltrate the ruins, bypass or disable the defensive systems, and hold the command center for 10 minutes to establish remote control. Gateway: Stable Recommended Level: 64 Maximum Level: 76 Mission Objective: Secure the command center for 10 minutes. Environmental Hazards: Chemical Warfare Time Limit: N/A [End of Message] Chapter 67 - Toxic The crew clustered around as the portal¡¯s details popped up on everyone¡¯s interface. My eyes locked on the screen, and my pulse skipped a beat when I read the environmental hazard. Chemical warfare. Great. My scout suit suddenly felt a little tight. I''d gone into environmental hazards before, but that was all below level 60, and I¡¯d be lying if I said I wasn¡¯t already running mental calculations on whether it¡¯d hold up. It was designed for stealth and mobility, not hazmat duty. But hell, I¡¯d figure it out. I always did. Ryan let out a loud groan, dragging a hand down his face. ¡°Chemical warfare? Seriously? Why can¡¯t these portals ever just be full of kittens or something?¡± ¡°You want to face a swarm of toxic kittens?¡± Joey asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Because honestly, I wouldn¡¯t put it past this planet or the System. This is typical System bullshit." Emily crossed her arms, frowning at the display. ¡°Level 64 chemical warfare¡­¡± Her voice was tight and controlled, but I could see the way her fingers flexed. ¡°We don¡¯t even have full TL9 armor sets. If our seals don¡¯t hold, if this stuff is corrosive, or worse, neurological, we won¡¯t last a minute in there.¡± Joey shrugged. ¡°Only one way to find out.¡± Emily¡¯s eyes focused on me, something unreadable behind her eyes. "That¡¯s the real question, isn¡¯t it? Do we actually need to go in there? Or do we skip this one and find a safer option?¡± I exhaled sharply, already tired of this argument. ¡°We¡¯ve dealt with worse.¡± A half-truth. We¡¯d dealt with plenty of shit, sure, like Venus and it''s 800 degree temperature for like a second or two between the portal and the transport. But hey, we made it. A little chemical warfare? Just another day on the job. Backing out now? Not an option. Zoe¡¯s voice cut through their complaints like a blade, her tone sharp with excitement. ¡°Oh, quit whining, you bunch of babies.¡± She slung her plasma rifle over her shoulder, her eyes gleaming as she studied the swirling portal. ¡°This is what we signed up for. High stakes, big risks, bigger rewards. You think chemical warfare scares me? Please.¡± I smirked, feeling her energy ripple through me. She got it. She always got it. Infiltration missions weren¡¯t just work; they were a drug, a rush that hit harder than anything else. ¡°Glad someone¡¯s got the right attitude,¡± I said, catching her eye. ¡°Ready to dance, Woods?¡± Her grin widened. ¡°Always. What¡¯s life without a little danger?¡± Ryan rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath about adrenaline junkies, but I barely heard him. My focus was on the portal and the challenge waiting beyond it. The rest of the crew? They¡¯d get their heads in the game once we were inside. For now, it was just me and Zoe riding that high, already a step ahead. "Alright," I said, turning to the crew. "We don''t know what''s on the other side, so we''re going in prepared for anything. Check your armor, make sure your seals are tight. Double-check your weapons, and make sure your energy cells are topped off. Once we''re through, we''ll assess the situation and make a plan. Stick together, keep your eyes open, and try not to breathe anything nasty." Still, a flicker of doubt crept in as I adjusted my suit. Was it enough? The scout suit was reliable, hell, it¡¯d saved my ass more times than I could count, but it wasn¡¯t designed for this. I could feel the frayed edges of its capabilities every time I pushed it past its limits. I¡¯d be fine, though. I had to be. The thought of lagging behind, of not being able to keep up, wasn¡¯t an option. Not with Zoe practically vibrating with excitement beside me. "Easy for you to say," Ryan muttered. "You and Zoe get the fancy scout suits. We''re stuck in these bulky things." He gestured to his medium combat armor, then to Emily''s. "These offer more protection," Emily pointed out, always the pragmatist. "And your engineering skills are more important than your fashion sense, Ryan." "Speak for yourself," Zoe said, adjusting the fit of her scout suit with a smirk. "Some of us can manage both." I shook my head. "Alright, enough chatter. Let''s gear up. We''re going in."
I took a moment to check my own gear. My scout suit felt familiar and comfortable, snug as usual. I ran my hand along the edge of my energy tomahawk, feeling the faint hum of its blade. My weapons were an extension of myself, and I was intimately familiar with their weight and balance. I trusted them. It was the damn chemical hazard that had me on edge. "You okay?" Emily asked, stepping up beside me. Her voice was soft, her eyes full of concern. "Yeah," I said, meeting her eyes. "Just thinking." "About the chemicals?" "About everything," I admitted. "This feels... different. Bigger, somehow." Zoe rejoined us, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Alright, you guys ready to do this?" I took a deep breath, pushing aside my doubts and letting the familiar thrill of anticipation wash over me. This was it. Time to see what the System had cooked up for us this time. "Let''s go," I said, my voice steady and determined. We gathered at the edge of the portal, the swirling energy casting strange shadows on our faces. The crew looked at me all excited. They trusted me to lead them, to make the right calls. And I trusted them to have my back, no matter what. "Alright, team," I said, my voice amplified through the comms. "Let''s move. And remember, keep those visors down until we know what we''re dealing with." I stayed behind for a moment, my eyes fixed on the portal. The glow was steady, pulsing faintly, almost like it was waiting for us. I swallowed hard, running my hand along the edge of my scout suit. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Was this thing really going to hold up against chemical hazards? It was good tech, but it wasn¡¯t exactly cutting-edge anymore. Still, I wasn¡¯t about to sit this one out. This was my class, my element. I thrived on this stuff, sneaking, infiltrating, breaking into places we weren¡¯t supposed to be. The thrill of it was like a drug, and I was hooked. And with that, I stepped through the portal, into the unknown.
The world shifted as we walked through, that familiar, stomach-lurching weightlessness grabbing hold for a second before we landed, solid and steady, on the other side. I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the dim, hazy light. The forest of New Dawn was gone. Instead, we stood on a rocky ledge, overlooking what could only be described as a sprawling, ruined military base. The place was massive, stretching out like a fortress from some dystopian nightmare. Crumbling walls and fortified towers jutted out of the thick, yellow-green mist, their jagged edges silhouetted against a dull gray sky. A haze distorted everything, making the distant structures seem to shift and sway like they were underwater. It reminded me of old castles I¡¯d seen in Europe, once powerful, now battered by time and whatever hell had landed here. Movement caught my eye along the perimeter. Small figures were pacing back and forth, stopping occasionally to adjust something or scan the area. I raised a hand, signaling the crew to stop, my heart already thumping harder as I activated my helmet''s integrated HUD and zoomed in. The image sharpened, and I got my first good look at the figures. Humanoid, but not human. They were tall, lean, and covered in sleek, dark fur. Their faces, behind clear masks, were sharp, almost rodent-like. Weasels, I thought, though that didn¡¯t quite fit. And they weren¡¯t primitive, far from it. They carried weapons that gleamed even through the mist, their armor sleek and fitted perfectly to their wiry bodies. It was impossible to tell what they were thinking, what they were feeling. They moved with a fluid grace that was both unsettling and mesmerizing. I ran my analyze skill on one of them: [Varnathi Skirmisher] - Level 64 Temperament: Cunning, Inquisitive, Opportunistic Description: Sleek, humanoid with fur-covered, sinewy frames. That''s it? That''s all the info I get? Where''s the details, special abilities, weaknesses? I scowled at the lack of details. Level, temperament, and a vague-ass description? I had a whole-ass ability dedicated to this, and the System still wanted to play coy? I ran [Enhanced Inspect], hoping for a deeper breakdown. My interface flickered, lines of data scrolling before snapping into focus. [Varnathi Skirmisher] ¨C Level 64 Classification: Mid-tier Infantry Unit Threat Level: Moderate (Escalates with Group Size) Observed Combat Behavior: Prefers ambush tactics and hit-and-run engagements. Agile and difficult to pin down. Frequently employs plasma-based melee weaponry and compact firearms. Armor Rating: Lightweight adaptive plating. Resistant to small arms fire; vulnerable to concussive force and energy disruption. Abilities: Unknown. Better. Still vague as hell, but at least now I knew what I was looking at. Their armor was TL9, which meant these weren¡¯t just some random scavengers playing dress-up with old tech, they had gear that was straight-up better than ours. Not a comforting thought. I swallowed hard, my voice steady but low as I whispered into the comms. ¡°Hold position. We¡¯ve got company.¡± ¡°Well, this is new,¡± Zoe muttered over the comms, her voice crackling slightly in my ear. ¡°Furries with plasma guns. That¡¯s a first.¡± ¡°Yeah, and they look like they know how to use them,¡± I replied, my tone sharp. My eyes scanned the base, trying to get a sense of the layout, the defenses, the potential entry points. "We''re not going in through the front gate," I murmured, more to myself than to the others. "So, what''s the plan?" Chris''s voice crackled through the comms, tense but controlled. "We can''t just stand here all day." Ryan¡¯s voice cut through the comms, steady and decisive. ¡°Alright, listen up. Luca and Zoe, you two are going in first. Light, fast, and quiet. Your job is to find a way to open that main gate from the inside and disable any automated defenses. If things go sideways, exfil and regroup. Don¡¯t try to be heroes.¡± I adjusted my grip on my rifle, shifting my weight as he talked. Ryan was good at this. Too good. The way he took control, rattling off orders without hesitation, like he was built for it. And maybe he was. Back on the ship, I called the shots. Out here, in the thick of it, when plans and tactics mattered more than gut instinct? This was Ryan¡¯s wheelhouse. It was impressive. A little annoying, too. ¡°Sounds like a party,¡± Zoe quipped, the grin evident in her voice. Ryan ignored her. ¡°The rest of us hold position near the gate, out of sight. We don¡¯t know what kind of sensors they¡¯re running, and we¡¯re not about to find out the hard way. The second that gate opens, we move in fast and hit hard.¡± I clenched my jaw, swallowing down the urge to say something. Maybe make a joke. Maybe push back, just a little. But what was I gonna do? Argue? The plan was solid. Hell, I probably would¡¯ve said the same thing, just¡­ not as smooth. Not with that natural confidence that made people listen. He turned to Emily. ¡°Emily, I need you on overwatch. Find a vantage point and cover their approach. Use those blasters of yours to pick off any stragglers, but don¡¯t fire unless necessary. We don¡¯t want to draw heat until we¡¯re committed.¡± ¡°Copy that,¡± Emily said, her voice even, but I caught the flicker of tension underneath. She didn¡¯t love this. Neither did I. But we were doing it anyway. ¡°Danny, Chris, you¡¯re with me,¡± Ryan continued. ¡°We set up a defensive position, but stay mobile. If we need to, we¡¯ll create a diversion or lay down suppressing fire.¡± Danny let out a low exhale. ¡°Got it.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be ready,¡± Chris added, ever steady. Ryan shifted his focus. ¡°Joey, stick close. We¡¯re counting on you to keep people patched up. And try not to get shot.¡± Joey let out a dry chuckle. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it.¡± Ryan gave the plan one final once-over, then nodded. ¡°Alright. Luca, Zoe, you¡¯re up. Let¡¯s get this done.¡± I took a slow breath, shaking off the weight that had settled in my gut. This was how it always went. Ryan took command, and I did my part. And yeah, it made sense, this was his thing. But that part of me, the part that ran on instinct and impulse, hated being the one following instead of leading. Hated feeling like I was a step behind. I turned to Zoe, masking the frustration behind an easy smirk. ¡°Ready to make them look slow?¡± Her grin widened. ¡°Always.¡±
I took one last look at the base, my eyes scanning the perimeter, searching for a weakness, an entry point. The haze made it difficult, but there, to the left, I spotted a section of wall that looked more damaged than the rest, with what appeared to be a collapsed section of an old watchtower. It was a long shot, but it might just work. An opening, maybe? Or a way to climb over? "Alright, Zoe," I murmured, turning to her. And fuck, she looked good. Pitch black scout suit, hugging every curve, blending seamlessly into the dark like she belonged there. Confident, dangerous, sexy as all hell. She radiated that sharp, predatory energy, like she was meant for moments like this. I forced my brain to focus. Not the time, Rossi. "Let''s check it out," I continued, voice lower. "Visors down, stay low, and don¡¯t breathe in any of this chemical crap. We don¡¯t know what it does yet, and I¡¯d rather not find out. Keep it quiet, keep it clean. We¡¯re in and out before they even know we¡¯re here." And let''s hope my suit holds up. Zoe grinned, her eyes gleaming with excitement behind her visor. "Just the way I like it." Damn, she''s fearless. Or maybe just crazy. I nodded, tightening the straps on my gear and double-checking my weapons. My tomahawk rested at my side, and my blaster strapped to my waist. My rifle? My pulse quickened, the familiar focus sharpening my senses. This was the kind of challenge that made everything else fade away. I moved first, slipping forward into the mist. Zoe followed, silent as a shadow. And just before we vanished into the dark, her voice crackled through the private comms, low and teasing. "Try to keep up, Scout Leader." Shit. This mission was going to be dangerous in more ways than one. Chapter 68 - Silent Entry We moved out, our suits'' adaptive camouflage shifting to blend with the rocky terrain and the swirling, yellowish-green haze that blanketed the ruined base. The chemical mist was even thicker here, distorting shapes and muffling sounds. Visibility was down to maybe ten feet, and every breath tasted like burnt metal and something else, something sickly sweet that made my stomach churn. This was worse than I''d anticipated. But as we crept closer, the scale of the structure loomed larger, swallowing the sky. I had to suppress the sudden, unwelcome thought curling at the base of my spine: maybe we¡¯re in over our heads. Up close, the fortress was massive, overwhelming in a way that made my stomach tighten. The jagged, angular walls stretched impossibly high, their dark surfaces cracked and pitted, but still standing, defying time and whatever it was that had tried to bring them down. The faint blue glow of embedded conduits pulsed erratically, casting eerie flickers across the ruins. It wasn¡¯t abandoned. Not entirely. Zoe shifted beside me, her breathing controlled, precise. ¡°Shit,¡± she murmured, barely audible through comms. ¡°This thing¡¯s a damn fortress.¡± I swallowed, my throat dry. ¡°Yeah,¡± I muttered. ¡°Starting to feel real small.¡±
We were two scouts, creeping along the bones of a dead war machine, and I wasn¡¯t sure anymore if we were hunters or the ones being hunted. We shouldn¡¯t be here. The thought hit me hard, unshakable. We weren¡¯t some elite black ops squad, not some legendary infiltration team. We were two twenty-year-olds in barely upgraded suits, playing ghost in a place that had swallowed bigger, badder people than us. And all it would take was one slip-up, one wrong step, one unseen trigger, and this whole mission would end with our bodies crumpled on this poisoned ground, lungs burning from some unseen toxin. Zoe shifted slightly, her eyes still locked on the fortress as we crouched behind the low, crumbling wall. ¡°You ever wonder if these places are real?¡± she whispered. ¡°Like, does the System just make them up, or is it pulling from something that actually existed?¡± I frowned, following her gaze up the massive, towering walls. That was a damn good question. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted, keeping my voice low. ¡°But looking at this? Feels too¡­ deliberate to be random.¡± Because who the hell builds something like this unless they have to? This wasn¡¯t just a fortress, it was a statement. The sheer scale of it, the layers of reinforced plating, and the remnants of automated defenses were still humming with latent power. Zoe exhaled slowly. ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s what¡¯s messing with me. If the System pulls from real events, real places, then¡­ who the hell needed this? And against what?¡± I didn¡¯t have an answer. But the thought curled in my mind like a cold blade pressing against my ribs. ¡°Someone who was scared,¡± I muttered finally. ¡°Someone who knew what was coming for them.¡± I shook my head, forcing my focus back on the mission. No room for hesitation. No room for doubt. Just another run. Just another infiltration.
"Visibility is shit," I muttered, more to myself than to Zoe. I moved carefully through the haze, my steps guided by instinct, but it felt like walking through a toxic dreamscape. "Tell me about it," Zoe replied, her voice low in my ear, coming in through our private comms. "Gives me the creeps. But hey," she added, her tone shifting, becoming lighter, teasing, "at least we won''t have to worry about anyone seeing us coming." "Let''s hope not," I said, scanning the area. My HUD was having trouble picking up anything through the haze, the readings fluctuating wildly. "Stay close. And keep your eyes peeled. This stuff is messing with the sensors." "Always, Cap," she said, and I could hear the smirk in her voice. "Wouldn''t want to lose you in the fog." That was Zoe for you, always finding the fun even when we were neck-deep in danger. And yeah, it was part of why we worked so well together on these runs. Infiltration missions were our thing, our chemistry was dialed in like we were tuned to the same frequency. Private comms helped. "Enjoying the view, Scout Leader?" Her voice crackled softly in my ear, laced with that teasing tone that always got under my skin in the best way. I smirked, keeping my eyes on the path ahead. "Just making sure you don¡¯t trip over your big ego, Woods." And trying not to stare at your ass in that suit. Her quiet laugh echoed through the comms, and I could practically see her grin. "You¡¯d catch me if I did." Damn right I would. I didn¡¯t bother responding.
The towering fortress loomed above us, its immense walls stretching into the hazy sky like jagged monoliths. Up close, the scale of it was even more overwhelming, thick blackened plating, reinforced with heavy ridges and those glowing energy lines running in uneven pulses across its surface. Zoe and I moved carefully along the base of the wall, our adaptive camouflage keeping us blended with the rocky terrain. The ground here was uneven, a mix of weathered metal, cracked stone, and fissures that vented wisps of toxic vapor. My boots crunched softly over debris, my mind racing as I scanned for a way in. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Zoe nudged my arm lightly, tilting her head upward. ¡°There.¡± I followed her gaze to a collapsed section of the outer wall, about thirty feet up, where jagged metal beams jutted out like broken ribs. The structure have taken quite a bit of damage at some point, whether from an old battle or just time eating away at it. I exhaled. ¡°Alright. We go up.¡± Zoe¡¯s grin was instant. ¡°Finally, something fun.¡± I rolled my eyes. ¡°You have a weird definition of fun.¡± She just winked before stepping back, then sprinted forward as she placed a foot in my waiting hands. I barely had time to brace before she pushed off, and I thrust upward, giving her the momentum she needed to launch herself onto the lowest beam. Her hands snapped onto the ledge effortlessly, her movements sharp and her body twisting. She hoisted herself up in one swift motion. I followed right after, vaulting up onto the first ledge, my hands finding quick grips on the warped metal. The climb was tough, the beams were slick with condensation, the structure¡¯s surface still humming faintly with energy beneath my gloves. I pulled myself up fast, muscles burning, boots finding precarious purchase against the structure¡¯s angled surfaces. Above me, Zoe had already reached the top. She turned, dropping into a crouch, one hand bracing the ledge while the other reached down, waiting. I didn¡¯t hesitate. I sprinted up the last section, pushing off the wall at the last second, completely trusting her to be there. Her fingers locked around my wrist instantly, strong and steady, and she yanked just as I kicked off the wall, giving me the extra momentum to swing up beside her. I landed on the ledge, our helmets an inch apart. "Gotcha," she whispered, her voice soft. My pulse jumped, but I just grinned, pretending like I wasn¡¯t feeling anything. "Knew you would." And yet¡­ My eyes flicked up, just for a second, and fuck, the way Zoe moved. Effortless, precise¡­ sexy as hell. There was a certain grace to her, even when scaling a hostile alien fortress like it was a playground. ¡°Eyes on the climb, Scout Leader,¡± she teased over comms, her voice light. I smirked, gripping the next ledge. ¡°Maybe don¡¯t make it look so good, then.¡± She let out a quiet breath, but didn¡¯t argue. We moved fast, scaling the side of the fortress with the ease of seasoned infiltrators. Our suits muffled any sound of metal shifting under our weight. The higher we climbed, the thinner the mist became, giving us a better view of the massive structure around us. From this height, I could see other breaches in the fortress walls, gaping holes where something big had ripped through. And suddenly, that sinking feeling in my gut grew heavier. This place had been built for defense, and it had been attacked. By what? And more importantly, where was this? I clenched my jaw. Focus, Luca. One problem at a time. Zoe reached the top of the breach first, crouching low as she peered inside. I pulled myself up beside her, my breath steady despite the pounding in my chest, from the climb, from the adrenaline, from the looming unknown inside this place. "Welcome to the abyss," she murmured, her voice almost reverent. I exhaled sharply, scanning the dark, hollow corridors stretching before us, shadows twisting and shifting in the chemical haze. "Yeah," I muttered. "Let''s try not to get lost in it."
From the top of the breach, we had a clear view of the perimeter, a low wall that was mostly rubble, with an opening guarded by two of those weasel-like bastards. Short, wiry, and armed to the teeth with plasma rifles? Yes. They were chatting in that weird ass growl-chitter language. I looked at Zoe, catching her eye, and tapped my Energy Tomahawk. Her grin widened as she nodded, pulling out her Energy Dagger and giving a small spin for emphasis. That was her way of saying, Your move, but I¡¯m right behind you. We crept closer, the suits doing their job, adjusting to the shadows cast by the ruined structure. The heat radiating off the walls hit me like a furnace, mixing with the oppressive humidity and making the inside of my helmet feel like a sauna. Every breath felt heavy, the air thick and damp, but I pushed past the discomfort. My Stealth Movement Proficiency was doing its thing, guiding my steps to avoid anything that might give us away. It was like my body just knew where to step and how to move. Zoe was right there with me, every bit as quiet and deliberate. Damn, she was good. And that ass¡­ Focus, Luca. When we got close enough to see the shimmer of heat rising off the guards¡¯ armor, I slowed, crouching behind a chunk of rubble. My fingers brushed against the hilt of my Energy Tomahawk, and for a second, I let myself feel that familiar thrill. The System¡¯s drop mechanics were always weirdly specific, but I wasn¡¯t going to complain. The tomahawks had turned out to be my favorite weapon. Light, silent, and precise. Perfect for infiltration. They weren¡¯t much use to anyone without the skill to handle them, though. Lucky me, I''d leveled up my skill with the tomahawk so much it felt like an extension of my arm. And Zoe with that dagger... like she was born to use it. I motioned to Zoe, pointing to the guards. She nodded, her grin sharp, and gestured to her Energy Dagger. I adjusted my grip on the tomahawk, the faint hum of its blade activating under my fingers. This was the moment, calm, focused, every movement deliberate. I tightened my grip on the tomahawk, feeling the energy coursing through it, the slight vibration of the active blade humming beneath my fingertips. My new ability, Trajectory Focus, flickered in my mind, a tempting tool, but not here. Not yet. I didn¡¯t need it. This was a guaranteed hit; no reason to start the cooldown when we had no idea what else was waiting for us beyond this gate. With a flick of my wrist, I sent the tomahawk spinning through the air, its energy blade sparking faintly in the dim light. I didn¡¯t even have to think; I just knew where it would land. The arc was perfect, the motion ingrained deep in my muscle memory. The blade struck the first guard clean in the chest, embedding itself with a crackling burst of energy. The creature froze, its chittering cut off mid-sentence. Its eyes widened behind its mask, and a strange, milky froth began to bubble from beneath the edges as it crumpled to the ground, lifeless. Its rifle hit the dirt with a hollow clatter. Zoe didn¡¯t waste a second. She was on the second guard before it could react, her Energy Dagger flashing as she slid it effortlessly between the armor plates. The creature let out a strangled sound, the same white froth bubbling from its mask as its eyes rolled back. It slumped forward, dead before it hit the ground. [+22,860 XP] [+9000 credits] Two for two. We make a damn good team. The clearing was silent now, the only sound my own quick breaths and the faint hum of the tomahawk in my hand. I adjusted my grip, the handle warm from the energy still coursing through it, and glanced at Zoe. She stepped in close, her eyes sparkling through her visor, a satisfied grin on her lips. ¡°Still your favorite toy?¡± she teased, her voice low over the private comms. I smirked, flipping the tomahawk idly in my hand before sliding it back into its holster. ¡°Always.¡± And you¡¯re still a close second. Zoe chuckled, pressing past me, her voice dripping with mischief. ¡°Good thing, Captain. Wouldn¡¯t want you losing your edge.¡±