Chapter 10: A Chance Encounter

The hum of the engines vibrated through Adam's ship as it approached the drifting Arcadia-class jumpship. The vessel floated silently in Earth's orbit, its hull battered and scorched, the lights dim.

Blush's light pulsed as she activated the comms. "We're in range. Let's see what's going on."

Adam leaned forward and keyed the radio. "This is Adam. You've got a dead ship out here. What's the problem?"

A crackle of static came through the comm before a calm, synthesized voice responded. "Hello, Guardian. This is Nix, Ghost of the jumpship's pilot. We're stranded. Hold on… waking Weiss now."

Inside the drifting ship, Nix's light glowed brighter as he hovered beside Weiss. She was curled up in the pilot's chair, her breathing slow and steady.

"Weiss," Nix said gently, "we've got company. Someone's here to help."

Weiss stirred, blinking groggily as she sat up. "Nix? What's going on?"

"A Guardian named Adam just hailed us," Nix explained. "He's asking what the problem is."

Weiss rubbed her eyes, her mind still foggy from sleep. "Tell him… tell him we're stuck."

Nix's eye flickered as he relayed the message. "Our ship's engines are fried. We took damage during a hasty escape, and we can't make repairs in orbit. We're dead in the water."

Adam's voice came back, steady and calm. "Understood. Hold tight. We're coming alongside."

Weiss shook her head, trying to shake off the remnants of exhaustion. "Nix, who is this Adam?"

"A Guardian," Nix replied. "And he's got a ship that's still flying. This might be our ticket out of here."

Weiss exhaled slowly, her fingers tightening around the armrests. "Alright. Let's see if this Adam is really here to help."

As Adam's ship drew closer, the outline of the Arcadia-class jumpship became clearer. The scars of battle were evident, but hope sparked in the silence of the void.

"Hang on, Weiss," Nix murmured. "We might just have a way out."

Adam's voice remained steady. "Understood. We'll get you out of there. Hang tight."

Nix's jaw relaxed slightly. "Thanks, Adam. I appreciate it."

"No problem," Adam replied. "Listen, the docking mechanisms are shot, so we can't dock directly. Weiss is going to need to get into her environmental suit and space walk to the hatch of Wilt. The cabin on your end is already depressurized since the seal failed. We'll have the main hatch open and ready for her."

Nix turned to Weiss. "Did you get that?"

Weiss nodded, a determined glint in her eyes. "I'm ready. Just give me the word."

"Good," Adam continued. "We'll guide you every step of the way. Blush is preparing the approach now."

"Copy that," Nix said, relief seeping into their tone.

The line went silent. Nix leaned back, exhaustion momentarily overtaking them.

As Weiss suited up, Nix switched comm frequencies. Static crackled for a moment before a familiar voice came through.

"Wilt to stranded vessel. Preparing docking procedure. Hold tight."

Weiss froze mid-motion, her eyes widening. "Wait… that voice…"

At the same moment, Blake's voice crackled over the channel.

"Yang, did you hear that?" Blake's tone was tight with surprise.

"Yeah," Yang replied, a mixture of disbelief and excitement. "That's Weiss."

"Weiss," Blake's voice came through more clearly now, "what's going on?"

"No time to explain," Weiss replied, securing the last clasp on her suit. "I need to space walk to the hatch. Adam's going to open it for me."

"We'll be here to help," Blake assured her. "Just be careful."

"I'll be fine," Weiss said, her voice steady.

Moments later, Weiss stepped out of the airlock into the cold, silent void of space. The wrecked ship loomed behind her, its damaged hull a stark reminder of how close they'd come to disaster. Wilt hovered a short distance away, its main hatch open, the soft glow of interior lights beckoning her forward.

"Alright, Weiss," Nix's voice guided her. "Take it slow and steady."

Weiss pushed off gently, propelling herself towards Wilt. Each movement was precise, measured. The emptiness of space wrapped around her, cold and infinite, but her focus remained sharp.

As she neared the open hatch, Blake's voice came over the comm.

"Almost there, Weiss. I'm ready to close the hatch once you're in."

Weiss gripped the edge of the hatch, pulling herself inside. The moment her boots touched the deck, she turned and nodded.

"I'm in."

"Closing the hatch," Blake confirmed.

The hatch sealed with a reassuring clunk. The compartment remained silent and cold—it couldn't be pressurized due to the failed seal. Weiss's breath fogged inside her helmet, the reality of the damaged environment settling in.

Blake appeared in the corridor, her voice filled with relief. "Welcome aboard, Weiss. We'll figure this out."

Weiss smiled faintly behind her visor. "It's good to be here."