This is Ropesk, my home.
Space travel is banned on this planet. Its ruler: Demid Panfilov, has ordered that no one venture out into space.
But still... I don't want to be stuck here on this planet's surface anymore. I want to explore the sea of stars, just like my father did. The stars in the sky have always called out to me, for as long as I can remember.
It was just recently I first heard about Launchers... they act as guides for people like me, and take them out into space. I was desperate and I didn't have any other options anyway. I managed to contact a Launcher, and then, spent every night searching the skies for them.
A week went by, then two. Even as I started to lose hope, I still climbed that hill every night to watch for any sign of my Launcher.
Then one night, with a sudden, bright light that slashed across the horizon.
My guide to the stars, fell from the sky...
That was the last thing he had written in his journal as the streak of light flashed, coming to a stop not too far away.
He clambered back down the hill, heading north towards the place where it had landed, tree branches smacking into him as he went.
He talked to himself as he trudged through the dirt and muck of the forest, heavy footfalls echoing loudly between the sturdy trunks. "It should be around here..."
He stopped mid-sentence, spotting a light glimmering through the trees, and as he walked forward, ducking a low hanging branch, the trees opened up into a small clearing... and he gasped.
A fire flickered and crackled in the darkness, and he could say for sure that the silver-haired woman sitting there was definitely not from this planet. He'd never seen her before in his life.
"Hoo boy!" He heard her say, chin resting glumly on her hand. "I really made a mess of it this time. Now what do I do?"
This was the Launcher. He was sure of it.
He stepped forward, the cracking of twigs and chomping of leaves beneath his feet drawing her attention.
"Huh?"
Looking over, she saw a boy, maybe halfway through his teens step out of the brush. His silver hair reminded her so much of her own, red eyes dancing with excitement in the firelight. His brown pants looked old and worn, held up by a white sash at his waist, that trailed down his right side. The shirt he wore was much too big, torn and ragged, exposing the skin beneath.
In the shadows of the night, he looked like a skeleton, sickly thin and starving. He was poor, that much she could tell. A beggar, she thought.
"What the Grus are you lookin' at! Get lost kid! I don't have time for games."
The smile on his face remained, and he stood deathly still. "Uh... you're the Launcher, aren't you?"
"What?" Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, before her face lit up in recognition. "Oh, yeah. Don't tell me you're my client."
"That's right, I'm Yuri." He said, his smile getting wider, if that was at all possible. "I'm the one who contacted you. But I never thought a real Launcher would ever actually come for me."
"Well, Grus. I'll go anywhere, if the price is right. Why wouldn't I?" Her face turned serious again, changing in a moment from the look of confusion a moment before. "But you know... I wouldn't think a kid like you could afford my services. Do you even have the money?"
"Sure. Here. 1,000G. You can count it if you want. It's all here."
Taking a device from her hip, she held it against the palm-sized currency card... a second of silence passed before the machine beeped.
"Well, I'll be! 1,000G. It really is all here! This must've been hard to come by."
"I've been working in an engine repair shop. So, you have the money. Can we go now?"
"I'd like to tell you we're all set, believe me."
Turning on the spot, putting the light of the fire behind her, she raised her hands, as if conducting a presentation. "But as you can plainly see, I've got one tiny little problem to take care of."
"Oh, yeah."
"I'll have you know, this isn't a reflection of my piloting skills." She added quickly. "I had a little... let's say... unforeseen trouble..."
She trailed off, watching the kid as he squinted in the night, craning his head to get a better look at the ship.
"Okay." He began, turning back to her. "But you know, it doesn't look too bad... I bet I could do something with it."
"Huh?"
"You got some tools I could borrow?"
"Yeah sure."
She stepped back inside, removing the toolbox from its location in one of the bridge's concealed compartments. As she stepped back outside, she could hear him muttering to himself, and followed the noise.
He had located the hatch to the engine compartment, and was already fiddling around with various nobs and hoses as he waited for her to return.
"Thanks." He replied as she set the toolbox down. She watched as he reached out beside him, his fingers deftly feeling around for the tool of his choice with practiced ease.
She watched him for a while as he rummaged around inside the engine bay. Switching on the floodlamps overhead, she left him to it, retreating inside the ship.
The inside didn't look as bad at the first glance, but as she took a closer look, problems began to arise. Electrical systems began to show breaks along the lines, screens blacked out randomly, and one of the wall panels in the bridge needed replacing.
After a while of watching the computer run a diagnostic on the entire ship, she stepped back outside... the light of dawn filtered through the trees; sun peaking over the horizon.
Had she really been in there that long?
As her feet hit the earth below, she heard someone let out a loud breath. Looking over, she found the kid wiping his hands on an old rag, dirt and grease over his brown shirt.
Hearing her approach, he dropped the dirty rag onto the toolbox at his feet.
"There. That ought to do it for now. That should give you at least the bare minimum of power."
"Hey kiddo, you're not half bad. Where'd you learn all that stuff."
"I told you. I've been working in a repair shop. I've been studying, getting prepared so that I could go up into space."
"Well, what do you know?" She said, hands on her hips. "This whole thing isn't just a childish whim with you, is it? Okay, fine. Let's shake on it then. The name's Nia. Nia Lochlain."
She stuck her hand out as she introduced herself.
"I'm Yuri. It's nice to meet you."
"All right then! Come on. Let's get out of here before Ropesk Security Patrol busts us." She said, picking up the toolbox. "Don't you have anybody you want to say goodbye to first? You got any family?"
"No. My family's all dead. I don't have anyone."
"Oh..." She said, letting her words trail off. "Well, let's go then! Into the sea of stars!"
"Yeah! Into the sea of stars!"
A few minutes later, she found herself strapped into the ship's pilot seat, flicking switches and knobs on the console in front.
"Warp Engines! All systems go. Power output: 30...40...50."
The computer answered as the engines began their start up. "Thrusters up. Altitude control, angle elevation, 37. Escape-mode speed, 17,000."
Feeling the DAISY lift up off the ground, she looked over at Yuri, sitting at one of the operator's stations at the front of the bridge. She wasn't sure if the kid knew it, but she could see his knuckles turning white as he held onto the seat's armrests.
Then, she felt the power of the engine shift, and the thrusters flared up, propelling the DAISY out of Ropesk's atmosphere, and into space.
"The subject's sphere of awareness is expanding rapidly. Synchronizing imaging progression..."
"Initializing tracker. Calculating coordinates for initial appearance."
"Starting metamorphosis of existence probability."
"Unh..."
His head felt groggy, and he tried opening his eyes, but they felt heavy too. As he sat there, he tried remembering where he was. The last thing he could picture in his head was a woman, standing in a grassy field looking up at the sky; right hand holding the hair out of her face... left hand trying, and failing, to keep her dress from fluttering around.
Who was she? He felt like he should know her, but he didn't. Though her face looked familiar for some reason.
"You finally awake?"
He tried sitting up in his seat slowly, but felt something holding him down. "What? I -"
"You were out cold. Well, we blasted out of the atmosphere pretty fast, so I guess I can't blame you."
His mind couldn't come up with anything to say, as it tried catching itself up on the events that had just transpired over the last few hours.
"Hey, check it out." Nia called from behind him. "There's your sea of stars for you."
Looking up, his eyes widened, and he finally realized that the safety belt had been holding him in place, forbidding him from moving.
Releasing the latch, he stood, leaning against the console in front as he took in the world around him.
"So, this is... space." He began, muttering more to himself then anyone.
It was surprisingly brighter than he had expected.
"Yup, ridiculously huge, isn't it? Starting today this is your turf. The world of the zero-G dogs."
"Zero-G dogs?"
"That's what they call people who give up their lives on land for ruthless space, where might makes right. And starting today, you're one of them."
Noticing his silence, Nia began to prod. "So, are you scared yet?"
It took a few seconds to register the question, but he spat an answer out after a time.
"If I said I wasn't scared, I'd be lying."
"Heh heh. That's normal kid." She began. "Space can be a pretty freaky place. You're scared because you're not stupid. Don't let yourself get too relaxed, you got that?"
"Okay..."
She watched as his mind mulled over the new information and advice he had just learned. Teaching this kid would be fun. She could tell.
"So, where to now?" She asked, changing the subject to a topic more upbeat. "You said you wanted to go to Central Elgava, didn't you?"
"That's right." He paused. "Elgava's so big. I heard the planets there are really flourishing, way more than Ropesk could ever dream of."
"So, you wanna go there, make a little money, and buy your own ship? Is that right?"
"I would like that."
Looking down at the screen to her left, she watched the waterfall of information. After so long, she had trained her mind to pick out the bits and pieces that she needed... scrapping the rest.
"Okay, I got ya. But we've got to stop at a spaceport first. Central Elgava is too far to go in a wounded ship. We've got to get ourselves fixed up, nice and pretty."
Pointing to the operator's console at the front, she spoke. "See that console... pick which spaceport we go to. You're the boss, so we'll go wherever you say."
Almost fifteen minutes into the trip to Bagut, two more Ropesk Security ships showed up. She wasn't planning on making any mistakes here, not in front of her client.
In a few minutes she had the DAISY switched to AS mode, and the battle engines engaged. Not long after that, the two Ropesk Security ships we're blown into scrap... never managing to even fire off a shot between them.
"Damn. Those Ropesk Security gnats just never give up, do they?" She asked rhetorically, re-engaging the I3 engines.
"The Feudal Lord of Ropesk, Demid Panfilov, put a ban on space travel. He's basically keeping his people prisoner on their own planet. I guess that's why he can't afford to look the other way when even one of them makes it into space."
"Hm. That sounds kinda like the teachings of Adis if you ask me."
The two kept up steady conversation as the DAISY covered the last few thousand miles to Bagut. As the planet's spaceport came into view, she opened up a communications channel to the controller.
"This is NM0097-NIA, requesting permission to enter the spaceport."
"This is spaceport controller E307, Nationality code received from applicant for entrance. Coordinates, right ascension 79 degrees, declination 156 degrees confirmed. Opening frequency code F3, continue at current speed, please proceed past the outer marker."
"NM0097-NIA, passing the outer marker."
"Clearance of outer marker confirmed, guide beacon to slip 155 standing by."
Following the controller's instructions, they found slip 155 empty and waiting: the docking ramp already jutting out from the enormous hangar wall.
Yuri stared in wide eyed fascination as the docking procedure continued, before following her off the ship and up the ramp.
"Phew. Well, here we are."
Yuri followed her slowly, head turning this way and that as his eyes drank in the sights. "Wow. I didn't know that spaceports were so big!"
She gave out a short laugh. "There are plenty of spaceports out there that are a lot bigger than this, and better equipped. Once you arrive in a spaceport, their automatic maintenance system checks out your ship and fixes it for you. So, if you ever take on damage, you've got to get your ship to a spaceport, pronto."
She paused a second, letting him catch up. "Spaceports give your crew a chance to rest up too."
"That sounds helpful."
"I'll say. Now it's time for me to grab a drink. Later."
"Oh, all right."
He watched as she waved cheerfully, before waking off down the corridor towards the orbital elevator.
This doesn't seem real. He thought to himself.
He decided to let Nia have a moment or two to herself before joining her, taking the time to look around the spaceport first.
After getting his fill, and being chased off by a group of thugs guarding a transport ship; Yuri headed towards the elevator.
After touching down on the planet of Bagut, Yuri found himself walking down what he assumed was the main street leading from the elevator terminal. Stores lined both sides of the street. Transport vehicles unloaded goods and supplies to a few shops, and people moved in a hurried sort of manner.
The tavern... a big grey building about halfway down the street, drew his attention. Ignoring the stares of the other people, he entered into a well light room. The inside stunk of stale beer and bread, and he felt himself almost retch at the smell of a man that seemed too drunk to do anything but sleep... surrounded by numerous bottles of alcohol.
Spotting Nia on the far side of the tavern, relaxing in a booth against the wall, he decided to join her; overhearing the conversation an old woman was having with two others.
"Lord Panfilov has devoted his life to building this sector up into something great." She began, downing the shot on the table in one go. "And it's all in an effort to turn this Dominion of Ropesk into the ideal nation!"
As he got closer, Nia waved him over, downing a shot as he sat down.
"Come to think of it, you never told me why you wanted to give space travel a try. So you wanna tell me? Or is it a secret?"
"I don't mind telling you, but do you promise you won't laugh?"
"Cross my heart! Go ahead and bare your soul." She answered, filling up her shot glass again with her left hand, and crossing her chest with her right.
"Okay. Well, you see..." He began, fidgeting in his seat as he played with something at his waist. "I want to figure out what it's all about."
"Huh?"
"My father left it to me when he died. He was an adventurer."
She leant forward as Yuri brought his hands above the table, pressed together, keeping the object aloft. Her eyes narrowed as she got a closer look at the cube, intricate patterns leading into a circle on each side.
Her eyes widened, and she spoke. "But this is..."
The silence between them stretched on. Yuri stayed quiet... and she did too, not able to come up with the words to speak. Her eyes stayed wide, and her mouth opened and closed like a fish.
In the distance, a shot glass broke, and the words came flying out of her mouth before she could stop them.
"You gotta be kidding me. An Epitaph?!"
At Nia Lochlain's words, a stir ran through the gathering of tavern patrons. Realizing her mistake, she hastily lowered her voice.
"Why the Grus would I laugh about this?! This is quite a treasure!" She whispered from across the table. "Epitaphs. He who unravels their mysteries will have the power to change the universe."
"Yeah, my father told me that old saying too. I want to find out for myself if, you know... if it's true -"
"HEY!"
Looking up in confusion, the two suddenly found themselves surrounded by a band of four rough looking characters. The one in the lead was chubby, and the same height as Yuri, with a yellow shirt under a light grey jacket... a bandolier slung across his left shoulder.
"I ain't got no idea what that thing is, but if you say it's an incredible treasure, that's good enough for me." He said, throwing them a cocky smirk. "What Torlo Adkin wants, Torlo Adkin gets! Now hand it over."
Uh oh! Now what? Yuri thought, looking at the four people around them. Realizing that striking first would be better than waiting, he shouted "Go to Grus!" Before pummelling the leader of the gang.
"Aagh! Kachko!" Torlo cried.
"Hey!"
Grabbing at Yuri, Torlo and Kachko began letting their fists fly. "Grr! You son of a -"
Pulling his left hand free of Torlo's grip, he caught Kachko across the jaw who was standing on his right... before elbowing Torlo on his left.
"Damn. This guy is pretty tough!" Kachko told the others as Torlo held his stomach from Yuri's elbow.
"Hey, hold him down guys! C'mon!" Torlo shouted to the others, advancing on Yuri.
Continuing to struggle despite the odds, Yuri managed to take Torlo down with him, just as he pulled out a knife. In the distance, rising over the sounds of the five thugs, Nia's voice shouted.
"HA HA HA! GET 'EM KIDDO!" She said, spilling the alcohol from her shot glass as she raised it up high. "HANG IN THERE!"
With Yuri's hand around his chin, Torlo ground out. "C'mon! Just give up and hand over that Epitaph, nice and easy!"
"Go to Grus!"
With the weight of Torlo on top of him, Yuri continued to struggle, and as he did, he began to realize, that he was kind of outnumbered.
"HERE, LEMME GIVE YOU A HAND WITH THAT."
The sound of a blaster going off sent the fight crashing to a halt, and Yuri found himself looking just beside his head. The floor there was burned, steam rising into the air. The smell of charcoal filled his nostrils.
"N-no way!" Torlo stuttered. "Was that a... maser blaster?!"
"Now this time I'm gonna aim for somebody's head!" Nia called out.
"N-no way... No friggin' way!" Torlo shouted struggling to get off Yuri. The sound of the maser blaster firing again scared Torlo, and he jumped with a*Yikes!*
Kachko yelled, scrambling for the door along with the other two, as Torlo followed them out.
Back at the table, Nia laughed, feet propped up on the only chair, maser blaster resting on the table beside her hand. "Ha ha ha! Buh-bye. See ya later!"
Holding his face, he moaned... picking himself off the floor, and his eyes landed on Nia's laughing form. "Are you crazy? You can't go firing off a maser blaster in here!"
"What that? Just your typical night out on the town." Nia replied. "Ooh, ouch. They got you pretty good huh?" She asked, touching his chin as she examined the bruises.
After her reply, Yuri took a moment to look around the room. The tavern patrons laughed merrily as they continued drinking, and Yuri turned back to Nia. "Yeah well, I was outnumbered. And they did have knives too."
"C'mon kiddo, let's go get you cleaned up... besides? I think I'd better give you a little present." She said, leading him to the door.
"A present?"
Back aboard the DAISY, Yuri sat on a chair in Nia's room. It was so small that Nia's bed hung off the wall like a double bunk, the top one having long since become a storage shelf. A chair sat at a small desk with a monitor in the opposite corner.
Once back on the ship, Nia had patched him up, wrapping some gauze around his left wrist, a medical patch over the big cut on his cheek.
Nia stood on the bottom bunk, throwing and moving bags and the like as she rummaged around her things; Yuri finding himself struggling not to stare at the woman's lovely behind.
Dropping a box on the ground beside her bed with a loud bang, Nia almost crushed Yuri in the process.
"Sorry kiddo." She called over her shoulder, shoving aside another chest. "Just making sure you're not getting too comfortable with my bum."
She swayed her behind, and Yuri took the time to look away, blushing red. "S-sorry Nia... I didn't mean to —"
"Ha ha ha, no reason to be sorry... besides, I like teasing." Ending her sentence with an ah-ha, Nia pulled out a small carry bag, bouncing off the bed and landing with a small pat.
Dropping it onto the small desk, unzipping the bag and letting the contents pour out, she tossed it over her shoulder; landing amidst the clothes on her bed.
Yuri's eyes bulged at the contents of the bag: underwear and bras of all different colours and types.
"Don't worry kiddo, these aren't for you, though I do think you'd make a pretty convincing girl." Laughing at his embarrassment, she began tossing the things aside. "Besides... I think they'd look better on me anyway. Want a demonstration?"
Yuri found himself blushing even more as Nia continued to make fun of him, throwing aside a dress. He was surprised that she even owned one.
Pulling out a bodysuit, and holding it up to the light, he watched her think, before tossing it aside. The next bodysuit she held up was completely different... grey in colour with a light blue pattern on the pants, and white swirls on the shoulder pads.
"I definitely think I've outgrown it." She said, handing it to him. "Here. Try it on."
Disappearing into the adjoining bathroom, Yuri found himself removing his old clothes, bodysuit resting on the basin. Yes. He thought. She's definitely outgrown the bodysuit...
And he had a pretty good guess as to why.
An image of Nia struggling to put on the much too small bodysuit popped into his head, and he felt himself stiffen. Almost as if reading his mind, Nia called out from the other room.
"And don't you go having any indecent thoughts about me either."
After a few minutes, he emerged, dressed in a brand-new bodysuit, much to his embarrassment; Nia continuing teasing him through the closed bathroom door.
"That's right. It's one of my old ones, but it fits you perfectly!"
"A bodysuit?"
"Yeah. It's way better at absorbing impact than regular clothes." She said, examining how the bodysuit sat on him. "And I threw in a plasmic blade for you too."
Looking in the direction she was pointing, he found the blade propped up against the wall near the door. "A plasmic blade?"
"Yep. A plasmic blade emits a pulse that generates plasma, which can easily cut through objects." She explained. "It's not a sword for the average novice adventurer. Let's just say I like to go that extra mile for my clients."
"Wow! Thanks!"
Watching as he examined the sword, Nia leant back against the wall, studying the kid. He knew almost nothing about life in space, though she found he was a quick study.
"So." She began, brushing up against him as she headed towards the door. "Where to?"