Disclaimer. I do not own Starfield or its dirivitives. I do, however, have a rather nice toaster.
Jack's eyes sprang open, heart thundering in his chest from the primal fear elicited by the nightmare that had awoken him. The echoes of gunfire and the sound of agonized screams of long dead soldiers slowly subsided from his conscious mind as the soft hum of the ventilation systems filled his ears. Inhaling deeply, the clean, filtered air began to replace the lingering memory of the copper-tinged scent of blood.
'Will this ever stop?' He thought. 'It's been nearly ten years and still…'
Jack Carver had lived with an underlying feeling of melancholy ever since his years in the Corps. As a former Marine in the United Colonies Armed Forces, he was no stranger to the dark underbelly of the universe. But now, he was supposed to be starting over. This was to be a new chapter in his life, but it's one he hadn't quite figured out or come to terms with yet. He was a fresh recruit, about to begin working for a mining company by the name of Argos Extractors. In just a few short hours, he'd be heading to their outpost on the moon, Vectera, to mine aluminum and nickel.
Yet, here he was. Forced to relive those battles fought long ago, night after night.
Sighing and wiping away the sweat, Jack stood and made his way to the refresher to splash some cool water on his face, the artificial lights of his home slowly coming to life in their attempt to emulate a sunrise as he did.
Catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror, he paused to study his reflection. Even now, after 10 years, he still had trouble reconciling the man he gazed upon with the one he had been in the final years of the war. To some, he was a highly decorated veteran, a hero. To others, a ruthless tactician and a demon on the battlefield. Perhaps he was all those things, yet all he saw now was an ordinary man. A man who'd had far to many restless nights with far too little sleep.
Fatigue was taking it's toll. His somewhat handsome, yet angular features looked almost thin and drawn. His slightly tanned skin doing nothing to hide the dark circles beneath the pale green eyes that stared back at him from deep hollows. He bent down to splash himself once more before standing up straight, using his hands to sweep his shoulder length brown hair back into place.
Moving into the kitchen, he poured himself a steaming cup of coffee before making his way to the balcony overlooking the lush landscape of Muphrid IV. The scents of the planets native flora, invaded his nostrils as he looked out over the place he called home with appreciation. The delicate aroma of blooming flowers intertwining with notes of jasmine, lavender, and hints of citrus to form a symphony of fragrances. Amidst the early autumn landscape, the trees had donned a kaleidoscope of warm hues – golden yellows, rustic reds, and burnt oranges mingled with the vibrant pinks and purples that the plant life normally held. The cool breeze carried a gentle cascade of falling leaves, creating a mesmerizing dance as sunlight filtered through the branches, casting a warm, amber glow on the fading foliage.
'I sure will miss this' he thought.
Having grown tired of the hustle and bustle of the settled systems, Jack had built himself a small outpost on this planet almost 4 years ago, and had found something akin to peace in the silent solitude it brought, at least during his waking hours.
However, during these past six months, something within him had shifted. A relentless feeling of wanderlust now gripped his soul. It was a magnetic pull, urging him to chase horizons, taste unfamiliar air, and let the stars unveil their secrets and put an end to this feeling of complacent stagnation that festered within him. It was similar to when he had originally enlisted in the Marines, yet somehow…different.
He had wanted to see space back then. To set foot on far away alien planets that no human had ever seen. Foolishly, he had believed his recruiter's promises with all the impetuous naivety of a typical 20 year old. To be fair, those things definitely had happened. He had indeed seen distant planets, but only as he and his team of Marine Raiders had cut a bloody swathe through enemy forces, though that was never what he wanted. He had desired discovery, true exploration in its purest form. What he got was anything but..
'Hopefully this job at Argos will help a little.' He mused. 'Even if I'm only seeing the inside of the mines, at least I'll be somewhere new.'
After savoring the last of his coffee, Jack made his way back into the refresher to shower and begin making all the necessary preparations to depart. It was, after all, nearly an hour long journey through hyperspace to Akila City in the Cheyenne System, and he would need to turn in the Class A Rambler II starship he had leased in order to accommodate his sparse trips into the settled systems for supplies at the port's technician booth.
Once he had finished with his morning rituals, having enjoyed a light breakfast, Jack's mind meandered as he began to methodically power everything down. It took about an hour, but he completed the finishing touches of safeguarding his solar system by unhooking the battery banks, ensuring a corrosion free hiatus. With one final look, Jack was satisfied that everything was in order. Turning on his heel, duffle bag in one hand and a storage crate in the other, and with a feeling of hopeful anticipation, Jack stepped onto his vessel. Securing his belongings in the snug storage, he navigated to the cockpit, settling into the pilot's seat, ready to chart his course through the stars.
Swiftly checking the diagnostics interface to ensure all systems were go, Jack flicked a few switches, igniting the ship into a vibrant ascent. Gripping the controls, he guided the craft upward, deftly disengaging the landing gears. It took only a handful of minutes to break through the atmosphere, something he always enjoyed. Watching as the sky transformed from the pale blue of the planets morning sky into a vast sea of the blackest black, marred only by the twinkling of distant stars, Jack's breath caught momentarily at the spellbinding beauty and vastness of space.
Quickly switching to auto pilot, Jack brought up the navigation system and typed in the coordinates for Akila while simultaneously adding power to the grav drive with deft and practiced hands. Almost instantly, the stars outside the ship's window blurred into streaks of light. As the vessel surged into the depths of hyperspace, he let his mind ease into the state of tranquility that only space travel seemed able to give him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It seemed like hardly any time at all had elapsed before the ships systems began beeping, alerting him of his imminent arrival at Akila. Not even a full minute passed before the grav drive disengaged, the streaks of light that had been his view seamlessly exchanged for that of the planet that was his destination.
From up here, in orbit, Akila really was a sight to behold. Swirls of azure oceans embrace vast continents painted in hues of green and brown. Wisps of white clouds danced across the atmosphere, casting shadows on the surface below. The fragile beauty of this celestial oasis suspended in the cosmic ballet captivated him. It looked reminiscent of old Earth, like in the holo-images he'd been shown in history classes as a child.
A voice coming over the ships comms broke through his musings, "Welcome. You've entered Freestar Space, please maintain your current coarse while we scan your ship for contraband."
"Copy that.", he replied, his voice somewhat hoarse from disuse.
"Scan complete. You're free to land.", the same voice over the comms, mere seconds later. "Enjoy your time in Akila City."
Jack thrust the controls forward, hurtling toward the planet below. Through the cockpit window, Akila City's bustling port came into sharp focus. Breaking through the atmosphere, he deftly eased off the speed, guiding the ship precisely over the landing pad. With a practiced move, he cut power to the rear engines, redirecting the craft to rely solely on landing thrusters and stabilizers. Jets of propulsion whispered across the asphalt, creating a loud hiss that resonated through the landing area. As Jack masterfully guided the ship, a gentle thud echoed as the spacecraft gracefully nestled into its designated place.
Exiting the ship, his personal effects in tow, the squelch of his boots in the mud and the melodic patter of rain created a harmonious backdrop as he made his way towards the small shack that was the port technician's booth. As he neared his destination, idly taking in the massive walls that fortified the city to his left, his ears were filled with a blend of indistinct chatter and the occasional burst of laughter coming from the city's citizens. It had been a long while since he'd been to Akila, nearly 3 months if his estimations were correct. He briefly considered stopping at the local tavern, tempted by the promise of camaraderie, the frothy embrace of a good beer dancing momentarily within his mind. However, resolute in his purpose, he resisted the allure, mindful of the imminent arrival of the shuttle to Vectera.
Entering the worn shack, Daniel, the perpetually friendly technician, welcomed Jack with a wide grin. "Jack, my man! It's been ages. Another round of repairs for that old Rambler of yours?"
Jack smirked, shaking his head. "Nah, not this time. Turning it in and canceling the lease."
"Oh," Daniel responded with genuine surprise, his technician's façade momentarily dropping. "Everything alright?"
Jack chuckled, an amused glint in his eye. "Yeah, everything's good. Just snagged a new gig at Argos and won't be needing it anymore."
"Congratulations!" Daniel exclaimed with sincere warmth. "I hear the pay is pretty good. But, I gotta say, I'm a little surprised. I never got the feeling you were needing the credits. You've always paid in advance for everything."
Jack grinned, a hint of self-awareness in his reply. "Yeah, I guess I don't. But I need a change of scenery, you know?"
"Totally get it. I've been thinking about a transfer myself," Daniel admitted, his tone taking on a more surreptitious note. "Had an offer from—"
Whatever he had been about to say was cut short, however, as a sudden sonic boom rattled the shack, announcing the arrival of a spaceship. "Shit," Jack muttered, glancing towards the disturbance. "Looks like my ride's here. I better get going."
"Good luck!" Daniel's voice trailed after Jack as he headed for the door.
"Thanks, Daniel," Jack called over his shoulder. "And good luck with that transfer of yours! Maybe we'll catch up in the cosmos sometime!"
With that, Jack quickly made his way over to the shuttle's landing site. In the noisy expanse of the launch pad, Jack came to the realization the he stood on the threshold of a new chapter. The starship, a shining metallic behemoth poised for interstellar travel, loomed before him. The hum of distant engines and the flickering lights of the launch sequence created an atmosphere of anticipation.
As Jack faced the vessel that would carry him to another planet and a fresh start, a peculiar feeling enveloped him. The air seemed to hold its breath, allowing a moment of profound curiosity to settle in. Jack's gaze lingered on the sleek lines of the spaceship, which seemed to reflect the uncertainty and promise that awaited beyond the stars.
In this pregnant silence, Jack's mind sifted through a myriad of emotions and considerations. A blend of excitement and apprehension danced within him, mirroring the duality of embarking on this new journey. The weight of leaving behind the familiar and stepping into the unknown hung in the air, almost palpable.
The distant sounds of mechanics and the gentle hum of the spaceship's systems underscored the gravity of the decision. Jack took a deep breath, the air tasting of anticipation and rocket fuel. It was a breath that bridged the gap between the past and the future, a deliberate inhalation of courage.
Jack's foot, momentarily hesitant, hovered near the boarding ramp. This pause, this suspended moment of reflection, was a canvas on which the past and the future painted themselves in delicate strokes. Each step, each creak of the ramp beneath his weight, echoed with the significance of the transition about to unfold.
As he finally placed his foot on the threshold, the spaceship's hatch hissed open, revealing the promise of distant planets and untold adventures. The pause of thoughtfulness lingered in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the journey about to commence. With resolve in his eyes, he stepped onto the spaceship, carrying the echoes of contemplation into the boundless expanse of the cosmos.