The Nomad's Odyssey

[Kyra_Vosotros]

Aiming for weekly additions…

Chapter 1: The Wormhole

The void whispered.

In the vast expanse of New Eden, the ISS Nomad drifted silently, its sleek, silver hull reflecting the distant starlight. Inside, the crew were scattered across various sections of the ship, each engrossed in their tasks.

Lysa Voss stood on the bridge, her piercing green eyes locked on the console displaying the anomaly. Tall and lean, with short-cropped dark hair, she wore a custom-fitted jumpsuit adorned with various gadgets and tools. Her face, marked by a few scars from past expeditions, reflected her intense focus. The bridge was dimly lit, the glow from the console screens casting a soft light over the utilitarian design, with sleek metal panels and reinforced glass windows providing a panoramic view of the star-studded void.

“Draven, I need those readings now,” Lysa’s voice crackled over the intercom, breaking the silence.

Draven, with his long, unkept brown hair partially covering his AR glasses, typed furiously on his console. “I’m on it, Lysa. This thing is unlike anything we’ve seen before. The energy readings are…”, he paused for a moment to make sure he was reading correctly, “off the charts,” he replied, his tone a mix of excitement and concern. The Cyber Operations Center was cluttered with various terminals, wires, and holographic displays, reflecting his style of disorganised chaos.

“Engineering, what’s your take?" Lysa asked.

Razeek, the ship’s engineer, was hunched over a panel, his muscular frame covered in filthy, grease-stained overalls. The bay was a maze of pipes, engines, and spare parts, all meticulously maintained. “This new wormhole type could be a jackpot or a death trap. We need to be careful,” he grumbled, his deep voice resonating through the comm.

Often in the exchanges on board the medic, Aria, a tall and slender girl with long black hair tied back and large calm grey eyes had been left out. The medical bay was pristine and sterile, with advanced medical equipment lining the walls. She was organising medical supplies and was listening to her favourite podcast until the ship comms took over. She paused, listening to the conversation. “Lysa, if this leads to uncharted space, we must be prepared for anything. I’m getting the med bay ready for emergencies,” she said, her voice soft but firm.

Back on the bridge, Lysa weighed up their options. There is no way they could send a probe without removing the protection of the ships cloak. She asked, “Am I able to uncloak for just a few seconds to get a probe away and reactivate the cloak while we get results?”

Draven’s sigh was audible over the comm. "No can do. The cloak will interfere with the probe’s signal. We’ll have to decloak for a few minutes while we run any tests I’m afraid.”

Razeek chimed in, “We’ll be exposed like a fish at a cat convention. If there’s anyone, or anything, hostile in this sector running a scan, they’ll spot us instantly.”

Draven, ever the sharp and witty one, quipped, “Well, we could just ask if they’d prefer their fish grilled or fried.”

Razeek snorted, “Yeah, and when they answer with laser fire, you’ll be the first to hiss ‘I told you so.’”

Aria’s calm voice cut through the tension. "It’s a risk, but if this wormhole is as unique as the initial readings suggest, it may well be worth it. If we don’t find out we’ll only be wondering where it goes. We’re explorers we need to find out.”

Lysa took a deep breath. "Alright, we’ll decloak. Everyone, be ready. Draven, prepare the probe. Razeek, keep the engines primed in case we need to make a quick exit. Aria, stand by in the med bay and prepare the drug injectors in case we need them.”

Razeek glanced at his console, frowning. "Hold on. The sensors might be acting up. I’ll run a quick diagnostic to make sure we’re not missing anything.”

Draven’s voice came through, tinged with impatience. “Or maybe your sensors are just as cranky as you are.”

“Or maybe it’s your AR glasses, dumb ass,” Razeek shot back. “Running the diagnostic now.”

The ship’s hum seemed to deepen, with a few extra clicks and clacks almost seeming it was preparing for what lay ahead. In the quiet of the engineering bay, Razeek’s fingers flew over the controls, checking and rechecking the sensor readings. “Everything checks out, Lysa. Sensors are good. No glitches.”

“Thanks, Razeek,” Lysa replied. “Draven, are we ready?”

Draven’s fingers danced over the keyboard. “Copy, decloaking in three… two… one."

The ship hum raised in frequency and momentarily shuddered as it decloaked, the shimmering field dissipating around them.

“Probe away,” Draven reported, tension evident in his voice. “Stand by for data."

The probe shot out from the Nomad, its sleek form gleaming as it was swallowed by the swirling anomaly of the wormhole. It hurtled through the void, a solitary speck against the vast, star-studded backdrop. The probe’s thrusters flared as it adjusted its trajectory, guided by the ship’s precise commands.

The wormhole yawned before them, a dark, roiling maw that seemed almost alive. Its edges pulsed with an eerie, iridescent glow, casting ghostly reflections across Nomad’s hull. Tendrils of energy snaked out from the depths, flickering like spectral lightning and illuminating the swirling vortex in shades of deep violet and obsidian.

The heart of the wormhole throbbed with a sinister rhythm, as if it had its own pulse, echoing through the void and resonating with the ship’s systems. The darkness within was punctuated by bursts of light that seemed to flare and fade, as if the wormhole itself were breathing, inhaling and exhaling cosmic energy.

Occasionally, glimpses of otherworldly landscapes appeared within the swirling chaos, shadowy and indistinct, hinting at realms beyond comprehension. The swirling mists within the wormhole twisted and coiled, forming fleeting shapes that suggested eyes watching from the abyss, then dissolving into the dark currents.

The probe’s instruments flickered and glitched as it was enveloped by the wormhole’s energies. The anomaly seemed to reach out, grasping at the probe with invisible tendrils, testing and scrutinising the intruder. The readings were erratic, the data streams corrupted by the wormhole’s unfathomable influence. The air on the bridge of the Nomad grew tense, the crew unable to tear their eyes from the mesmerising, yet menacing display.

Lysa’s eyes narrowed as she watched the data stream. “Keep it steady, Draven. What’s happening?”

“The probe… it’s encountering some kind of interference. The data is… oh no,” Draven said, his voice dropping. “The probe just vanished.”

Razeek’s voice came through the comm, gruffer than usual. “What do you mean ‘vanished’? Is it destroyed?”

“I don’t know,” Draven replied, frustration tinging his words. “One second it was there sending data, and the next… nothing.”

The ship’s hum quietened as the crew wondered what to do next. Suddenly, three repeated high-pitched alarms cut through the silence as Draven’s screen lit up with new data. “I’m picking up something on d-scan. Looks like… a ship. And not just any ship—it’s an Amarr battleship. A Paladin , heavily armed.”

Lysa’s heart skipped a beat. “Can they see us?”

Draven quickly checked the readings. “Not sure, maybe. But if we stay uncloaked for too long, they definitely will. They’re on a direct course to our position.”

Razeek’s voice was tense. "We need to make a decision now. If we cloak again, we may lose the chance to go through. If we don’t, we might have to face that battleship, and take it from me, we don’t want to do that.”

Lysa looked at the swirling wormhole on the screen, then at her crew’s faces on the comms. “This is it. We either go through, or we turn back.”

She turned her gaze back to the viewscreen, where the wormhole loomed, a dark and mesmerising abyss that seemed to pulsate with a life of its own. The swirling vortex of shadow and light beckoned to them, its edges shimmering with an otherworldly iridescence. It was as if the wormhole were alive, a sentient entity reaching out with tendrils of energy that flickered and danced in the void. The deeper they looked, the more they felt it drawing them in, a siren’s call of the cosmos that was impossible to resist.

The wormhole’s depths throbbed with a rhythm that resonated through the hull of the Nomad, a deep, almost hypnotic pulse that seemed to sync with the heartbeat of the ship itself. Strange, ethereal lights flickered within its core, casting fleeting, spectral shadows that hinted at unimaginable realms beyond. It was a portal to the unknown, filled with both promise and peril, a gateway to discoveries that could change the very fabric of their understanding of the universe.

As the crew stared into the anomaly, they felt a collective shiver of awe and trepidation. The wormhole was not just a passage, but a challenge, a test of their courage and resolve. It was as if the universe itself were daring them to venture forth, to face whatever mysteries and dangers lay beyond its swirling veil. The vast, uncharted territory beyond the wormhole seemed to whisper secrets, promising rewards for those bold enough to brave its depths.

Lysa felt the weight of the decision pressing down on her, the enormity of what lay ahead. This was not just a choice between safety and danger, but a defining moment that would shape their journey and their fates. The wormhole seemed to pulse with anticipation, as if aware of their hesitation, its dark, roiling energies reaching out to envelop them in its enigmatic embrace.

The crew’s faces on the comms reflected the gravity of the moment, each of them feeling the pull of the unknown, the irresistible allure of the uncharted. Lysa knew that turning back now would mean more than just a missed opportunity; it would be a retreat from the very essence of exploration, a surrender to fear over the pursuit of discovery. The wormhole beckoned them forward, a silent, compelling invitation to cross the threshold and embrace the dark beyond.

With a final, resolute breath, Lysa made her decision. They would go forward, into the depths of the wormhole, and face whatever awaited them on the other side. It was the only choice for true explorers, driven by the unyielding quest for knowledge and the thrill of the unknown.

Draven’s sharp voice cut through. “We’re explorers. We didn’t come this far to turn back at the first sign of trouble.”

Razeek nodded. “I’m with Draven. Besides, I doubt that battleship is here by coincidence. They might be after the same thing we are.”

Aria’s calm voice was the final vote. “We’re prepared for this, Lysa. Whatever happens, we can handle it.”

Lysa’s decision was already made and now cemented. “Alright. We go in. Full speed ahead.”

The crew braced themselves as the Nomad accelerated towards the wormhole. The ship’s hum grew louder, almost excited as it bound forward, resonating in unison with the hypnotic energy that surrounded them.

Draven’s voice suddenly broke the silence. “Lysa, the battleship is hailing us.”

Lysa pondered for just a moment. “Put them through.”

The bridge screen flickered to life, revealing the stern face of an Amarr captain. “This is Captain Morvan of the Amarr battleship Purity. You are ordered to stand down and prepare to be boarded. We have reason to believe you are harbouring a fugitive.”

Lysa’s jaw tightened. “This is Lysandra Voss of the Independent Starship Nomad and I can assure you we have no fugitive on board our vessel.”

The captain’s eyes narrowed. “We know Draven Kallis is aboard your vessel. He is wanted for crimes against the Amarr Empire. Hand him over, and we will allow the rest of you to go free.”

Draven’s face turned pale, his fists clenching. “Lysa, you can’t let them take me. You know what they’ll do.”

Lysa glanced at Draven, her mind racing. She knew the stories of the Amarr’s brutal punishments, especially for those who had defied their empire. “Captain Morvan, Draven is a member of my crew. We’re on a peaceful mission of exploration. We have no intention of interfering with Amarr affairs.”

The captain’s expression remained cold. “Your intentions are irrelevant. He is a criminal and must face justice. You have one minute to comply, or we will open fire.”

“We will give you our answer shortly” Lysa said. She switched off the hail and announced on ship comms “We go in. Full speed ahead."

The Nomad’s engines roared to life as they surged towards the wormhole. The battleship’s weapons systems lit up on the scanner, preparing to fire.

Draven’s fingers flew over his console furiously. “Deploying electronic countermeasures… now!” he announced.

Nomad’s systems emitted a burst of electronic noise, scrambling the targeting systems of the Amarr battleship. For a moment, the tension on Nomad was palpable. Lysa watched the scanner, breath held, as the battleship’s targeting locks flickered, struggling against the interference.

“Come on, come on,” Draven muttered, his eyes glued to the console. The Nomad hurtled towards the wormhole, the gap closing rapidly. The battleship’s systems recalibrated, slowly overcoming the countermeasures.

“Just a few more seconds,” Lysa urged, her voice pleading with anticipation.

The scanner showed the targeting systems regaining focus, inching closer to a lock. Nomad’s engines strained, the wormhole now a gaping maw just ahead. As the first warning alarms began to sound, indicating imminent lock, Nomad plunged into the swirling anomaly, escaping into the void just as the battleship’s lasers discharged into empty space.

The crew held their breath as the ship was enveloped by the swirling energies of the wormhole. The viewscreen displayed a hypnotic array of colours and lights, a surreal and disorienting spectacle that captivated their senses. The wormhole’s energies wrapped around the Nomad like the tendrils of a predator ensnaring its mesmerised prey, drawing it deeper into its embrace. The ship shuddered violently, as if caught in the throes of a powerful force, the strange energies interfering with their systems and making the very air within the ship thrum with a palpable, almost sentient intensity.

Razeek’s voice was tense. “Lysa, we’re experiencing massive power fluctuations. I’m doing what I can to stabilise, but we’re taking a beating.”

The ship’s hum grew louder, a resonant thrum that seemed to vibrate through every surface. The crew clung to their stations, eyes fixed on the data streaming across their consoles.

The Nomad emerged from the wormhole, its hull shimmering as the residual energies dissipated. The transition was abrupt, from the tumultuous embrace of the wormhole to an eerie, almost oppressive silence. The viewscreen displayed a vast, untouched void, a realm of space that seemed to have been undisturbed for eons. The darkness was profound, the distant stars mere pinpricks of light in an otherwise black expanse.

The crew took a collective breath, the tension of their escape from the Amarr battleship momentarily replaced by awe and relief. They had crossed the threshold into the unknown, leaving the immediate danger behind. The stillness was almost palpable, a stark contrast to the chaos they had just endured. It felt as if they had stepped into a hidden sanctuary, a part of the universe that had remained concealed and pristine.

Lysa scanned the area, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene. There were no signs of pursuit, no hostile ships on their sensors. The wormhole looked as if it had visibly halved in size making the pursuit of the battleship unlikely. Just the quiet expanse of space, waiting to be explored. The crew’s monitors showed nothing but vast stretches of emptiness, interspersed with the occasional celestial body, distant and faint.

The silence was both comforting and unnerving. It was a reminder of their isolation, but also of the opportunity that lay before them. This was uncharted territory, a blank canvas on which they could write their own history. The mysteries awaiting them were vast and unknown. They were explorers, driven by an insatiable curiosity and a relentless quest for discovery.

As the initial relief settled, the crew began to prepare for whatever lay ahead. Instruments were recalibrated, systems checked and rechecked. The sense of anticipation grew, the promise of new discoveries rekindling their spirits. They had escaped the immediate threat, but their journey was far from over.

Lysa turned to Draven. “We need to locate that probe. Where did it go? Did it survive the passage?”

Draven nodded, “Initiating a deep scan now. Let’s see if we can pick up any signals.”

If you, dear reader, wish to uncover the secrets that await the crew of the Nomad, if you yearn to traverse the uncharted realms of space alongside these brave explorers, then you must read on. For the universe is vast and filled with mysteries, and the story of ISS Nomad is just beginning. Prepare yourself for a journey into the unknown, where every discovery brings new questions, and every answer leads to further adventure. The fate of the Nomad and its crew lies ahead, in the pages that follow.

[Kyra_Vosotros]

Chapter 2: The Scan

The scanner whirred.

As the Nomad’s deep scan began, the ship’s sensors emitted a low hum, reaching out into the surrounding space to locate the missing probe and any other anomalies. The viewscreen displayed a slowly expanding grid, each sector lighting up as data streamed in. The crew anxiously watching the scan’s progress, hoping for the probes signal.

Lysa turned to Draven. “We need to have a chat, let’s discuss this in my quarters," she said, her voice low. Draven nodded, following her through the narrow dusty corridors of the Nomad, the muted lighting casting long shadows on the walls.

Lysa’s quarters were small and cloister-like, like most spaces on the Nomad, but she had added personal touches – a few holo-photos of her past expeditions, a spiky potted plant secured to a shelf, and a worn, leather-bound journal. She motioned for Draven to sit on the small couch against one wall while she moved to a chair opposite him.

Draven sank into the couch, his posture tense. His long, wild, dark brown hair partially obscured the left side of his copper coloured AR glasses, but Lysa could see the lines of worry etched into his features. “What the hell happened, Draven? Why is the Amarr Empire so intent on capturing you?”

Draven hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck, his hands moved forward, shaking slightly as he carefully removed his AR glasses exposing his electric blue eyes. “It’s a long story, Lysa. You remember how I was a hacker before I joined the Nomad, right?”

Lysa nodded, leaning forward slightly. “Go on.”

Draven took a deep breath, his eyes distant as he began to speak. "It started about five years ago. I was working freelance, taking on jobs for anyone who could pay, you know what it’s like. One day, I got a job offer from a group within the Minmatar Republic called M18. They claimed they wanted to expose corruption within the Amarr Empire and they believed data existed that they said would reveal high-ranking officials involved in illegal activities.

He paused, his fingers tapping nervously on the armrest of the couch. “I was young, idealistic, hungry and skint. I thought I could make a difference and help them out, you know? So, I took the job. I managed with one of their insiders to hack into the Amarr central database and I accessed files that I now wish I never saw. M18 were delighted with me and I got paid well for my skills. What I didn’t appreciate was just how radical they were and that they wanted to incite a rebellion. The information I released to them caused utter chaos. There were riots and attacks on Amarr facilities. A lot of people, innocent people died.” Draven’s voice cracked and his eyes welled up, the sheer weight of his actions bearing down on him.

Lysa’s expression softened, but she remained focused. "You didn’t know what would happen. We all do stupid things when we were young, cut yourself some slack. You know it may be worth chatting about this with Aria sometime. She’s not just our medic, she’s good at helping people work through their past.”

Draven shook his head, his voice tinged with guilt. “I didn’t know what would happen, but that doesn’t change the fact that it was my actions that triggered it. The Amarr Empire launched a massive manhunt for me. I went underground, changed my identity a few times, kept on the move and did everything I could to disappear. But they never stopped looking.”

Lysa leaned back, processing his story. “So, that’s why they’re after you. They blame you for the deaths and the chaos.”

Draven nodded, his eyes meeting hers for the first time since they had started talking. “Yes. And they’ll do whatever it takes to bring me to justice, or at least their version of it.”

Lysa sighed, running a hand through her short hair. “The Amarr Empire won’t stop, it’s not in their nature, and now we’re all involved. We have to figure out how to navigate this without getting caught in their crosshairs.”

Draven leaned forward, his expression earnest. "I’m sorry, Lysa. I never meant to drag you or the crew into this. If you want, when we are back in normal space I’ll leave the Nomad. It’s not fair for anyone on this ship to be dragged into my mess.”

Lysa shook her head. "No it doesn’t work like that. You’re part of this crew, Draven. We face these challenges together. We just need to be smart about it. Right now, let’s focus on the task at hand. We need to find that probe and figure out what’s in here.”

Draven nodded, a small spark of determination returning to his eyes. “Right. Let’s get back to the bridge and see what the scan has picked up.”

As they returned to the bridge, the deep scan was finally nearing completion. The grid on the viewscreen was almost fully illuminated, revealing the intricate layout of the system, along with the locations of some cosmic signatures. One of the signatures was of a unique type and the ships computer categorised it as likely to be some sort of ancient relic site.

Lysa’s eyes widened as she examined the data. “Look at this, everyone. We have a unique signature here. This could be something extraordinary.”

Draven, now back behind his AR glasses and at his console, was already running additional diagnostics. "Whatever this is, it’s ancient and unchartered.”

Lysa nodded, her excitement growing. “This is exactly the thing I live for. I can’t pass up this opportunity. Draven, cloak up set a course for the signature. Let’s get a closer look.”

The ship groaned with a low, resonant frequency as the cloaking device engaged. The hull shimmered, dissolving into the surrounding void, the silver surface becoming a translucent veil that merged with the star-speckled darkness. The Nomad seemed to vanish into thin air, the light bending around it as the cloaking field enveloped the ship. Inside, the ambient noise subtly shifted, a soft hum filling the air as the systems adjusted to the cloaked state. The transition was seamless, the ship now a phantom drifting silently towards the mysterious signal, hidden from any prying eyes.

The viewscreen displayed the rapidly approaching coordinates, the cosmic signature growing clearer with each passing moment. Draven monitored the ship’s systems closely. “We’re getting closer. The readings are becoming more defined. It’s definitely is an ancient relic of some kind.”

Razeek’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Imagine the knowledge and technology we could uncover. This could be a breakthrough of epic proportions.”

Lysa shared his enthusiasm but kept her focus. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We need to approach this carefully. Maintain full sensor sweeps and keep an eye out for any potential hazards.”

Finally, after what seems like an age the Nomad came to stop. The crew all gathered around the bridge absorbing the sight before them. The ancient site was vast, its architecture a testament to a bygone era. The primary structure was a massive, circular platform suspended in the void, surrounded by several smaller, interconnected rings and docking arms. The dull metal surface of the station was aged and weathered, covered in a patina of rust and cosmic dust that gave it an otherworldly appearance. It was a stark contrast to the sleek, modern design of the Nomad.

Dormant ships floated silently around the station, their designs unlike anything the crew had ever seen. These vessels, dark and foreboding, were covered in strange glyphs and markings that hinted at an advanced but long-lost civilisation. Their hulls were jagged and asymmetrical, as if they had been crafted with a purpose that defied conventional understanding. Some were partially disassembled, their components floating freely, while others appeared intact but lifeless.

The entire site was bathed in an eerie, dim light emanating from the distant sun, casting long shadows across the metal surfaces. The faint glow highlighted the intricate details of the station’s construction, revealing ornate carvings and patterns that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. It was as if the station itself were a living entity, slumbering through the ages, waiting for something to awaken it.

The silence was almost tangible, weighing heavy on the crew as they slowly crept closer. The Nomad’s sensors picked up faint energy readings, suggesting that the station, though ancient, was not entirely devoid of power. Every flicker of light, every shadow seemed to move with a purpose, creating an atmosphere thick with suspense.

Lysa stood on the bridge, her eyes scanning the readouts with a mixture of awe and caution. "What do you make of it, guys?”

Razeek’s voice crackled through the comm. “I’m picking up dormant power sources all over the place. It’s like it’s in a deep slumber.”

Draven added, “If those ships wake up, we could be in serious trouble. This whole place feels like a coiled spring waiting to be sprung."

Aria, in the medical bay, monitoring the crew’s vital signs. “Everyone, keep calm. This place is designed to instil fear. We need to stay focused and rational.”

Draven’s console streamed in more data. ”There she is”, he said, “our lost probe’s signal. It’s weak, but it’s there. Looks like our probe is located near the central structure of the station."

Razeek leaned in, his eyes narrowing at the display. "We need to be cautious. If the probe got there and didn’t activate any defences it is likely because of its small mass.”

Lysa nodded, her gaze fixed on the ancient station. “Alright, we’ll proceed carefully. Draven, Razeek, get your EVA gear on and prepare for a manual retrieval mission.”

Draven and Razeek disappeared into their respective quarters to climb into their EVA suits. Razeek followed the dimly lit corridors lined with conduits and panels humming with the ship’s lifeblood of energy and data. The engineering bay, where Razeek headed, was a stark contrast to the rest of the Nomad. It was a meandering space filled with machinery, tools, and parts. The heart of the ship’s systems thrummed with a steady, reassuring rhythm. Pipes snaked along the walls, interspersed with control panels flickering with diagnostic lights. The air was tinged with the scent of oil and metal, a testament to Razeek’s continuous work that kept the ship operational.

Razeek began suiting up, his hands moving with practiced efficiency over the clasps and seals of his EVA suit. He tapped his comm unit transmit pad on his left sleeve. “Lysa, can you come down here for a moment? I need your help with something.”

Lysa arrived moments later, stepping into the organised chaos of the engineering bay. Razeek was adjusting the fit of his suit, a look of concentration on his rugged face.

“What’s up, Razeek?”

He grunted, not looking up. “Help me with this seal, would you? Can’t seem to get it right.” Lysa moved closer, fastening the stubborn clasp that adjoined the suit’s right sleeve to the glove. Razeek sighed in relief. “Thanks.”

As she worked, Razeek’s expression darkened. “Listen, Lysa, I’ve got to get this off my chest. You know I’ve never trusted Draven. There’s always been something off about him.”

Lysa glanced up, eyebrow raised. “Not this again.”

Razeek gestured vaguely, frustration evident in his movements. "The way he joined the crew, his secretive nature, and now this whole mess with the Amarr battleship. The Amarr Empire don’t send a marauder class battleship for any trifling matter, you know. I knew there was more to him than he let on. He’s always buried in his AR glasses, suspiciously muttering to himself, like he’s in his own world. And now we find out he’s got the entire damn Amarr Empire after him. He’s a total liability.”

Lysa nodded slightly, acknowledging Razeek’s concerns. “I get it, Razeek. His past is more complicated than we thought.”

Razeek continued, his voice rising with frustration. “You know what the Amarr Empire are like, they didn’t think about all the innocent people like your family they killed or enslaved. They don’t stop at anything and are a bunch of total righteous knuckleheads. Is that why you let him join our crew despite my reservations at the time?”

Lysa sighed, finishing the clasp on his suit. “Yes, Razeek, I did. Because despite everything, Draven has skills that we need. And if we abandon him now, what does that say about us?”

Razeek shook his head, “That’s a decision that’ll probably come back to bite you in the ass. Someone with a past like that may well be the end of us. I don’t want to be around when his stupid mistakes come home to roost. I vote we get rid of him when we get the chance.”

Lysa shook her head slowly, but understanding his point. “No. What we’ll do is keep an eye on him. But right now, we need his scanning and tech skills, he’s the best hacker I ever come across. We couldn’t do without him.”

Razeek grunted awkwardly in agreement, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.
“Alright. Let’s get this done. But just know, I’ll be watching him very closely.”

Lysa clapped him on the shoulder. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. Let’s get that probe and find out what’s really going on with this place.”

Draven and Razeek finished securing their EVA suits in their quarters. They both made their way slowly to the airlock chamber, an area not used often at all. It was a cramped space, just large enough to accommodate two fully suited individuals. The hum of the ship’s systems and the occasional hiss of pressurised air were the only sounds that filled the silence between them.

As they waited for the airlock to cycle, Razeek adjusted the tether connecting them. The feeling of being tethered together was both reassuring and awkward, a constant reminder of their dependence on each other despite the ever present underlying tension. Draven fidgeted with his helmet, his unease evident despite the visor. He caught Razeek’s piercing look of disapproval through his still-raised visor.

The comms crackled to life with Aria’s voice, calm but carrying an edge of concern. “Be careful out there. We need you back in one piece.” There was a slight pause, and then, more softly, “Razeek, especially you.”

Razeek glanced at Draven, a fleeting look of irritation crossing his face before he responded. “Don’t worry, Aria. I’ll be fine.” His tone was gruff, but there was a softness underneath that betrayed his feelings. He lowered his visor, “Ready, inner door sealed. Decompress and activate exit.”

The airlock doors opened with a metallic groan, revealing the expanse of space beyond. The void stretched out before them, vast and endless, dotted with distant stars. The ancient station loomed large, its hulking silhouette casting eerie shadows.

The moment they stepped out, now away from the ships gravity generator the sensation of weightlessness took over. It was an alien feeling, both freeing and disorienting. The tether connecting them swayed gently, a lifeline in the boundless void. Razeek took the lead, his movements practiced and efficient, while Draven followed, his gaze scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.

The station’s structure was massive, a relic of a forgotten time. The closer they got, the more intricate details they could see—carvings and glyphs that hinted at an advanced yet long-lost civilisation. The station’s surface was covered in a layer of cosmic dust, giving it a ghostly appearance.

The silence of space was profound, the only sounds being their own breathing and the occasional crackle of the comms. Every flicker of light, every shadow seemed to move with a purpose, creating an atmosphere thick with suspense. The fear of waking this sleeping giant was a constant undercurrent, each movement made with painstaking care to avoid triggering any dormant defences.

“Approaching the central structure,” Razeek reported, his voice steady but tinged with tension. Draven’s voice came through the comms, cautious and alert. “Copy that. Stay sharp, Razeek. This place gives me the creeps.”

Razeek’s eyes were fixed ahead, scanning for any signs of movement. “Just do as I say and we’ll be fine.”

As they got closer, the details became clearer—ancient symbols etched into the metal, long-forgotten scripts that seemed to pulse with a faint inner light. The sight was awe-inspiring, but the tension between the two men made it hard to fully appreciate.

They moved cautiously, each step measured and deliberate. The tether between them was both a lifeline and a reminder of the necessity to work together despite their differences. The vastness of space a silent witness to their mortality.

“Stay sharp,” Draven reminded, his voice tinged with unease. “The last thing we need is a surprise.” Razeek bit his tongue and didn’t reply thinking Draven and nasty surprises go together like white on rice.

The airlock to the central structure was now visible, a massive, reinforced door covered in ancient markings. The silence around them was almost tangible, the eerie calm before a storm. The feeling of being watched was almost palpable, as if the ancient station itself was aware of their presence.

The door was a marvel of ancient engineering, a seamless fusion of function and artistry. The metal surface was etched with intricate patterns and glyphs that glowed faintly, with an inner light that hinted at dormant power. The carvings depicted scenes of what might have been daily life or significant events for the civilisation that built the station, their meanings lost to the sands of time.

At the center of the door was a large, circular emblem, its design reminiscent of a starburst, radiating lines that seemed to draw the eye inward. Surrounding the emblem were smaller symbols, arranged in concentric circles that likely held the key to unlocking the door. The metal itself was a dark, almost tungsten-like material, reflecting their suited figures in a distorted, ghostly manner.

Adjacent to the door was a console, equally as mysterious. It was embedded into the wall, framed by a series of ornate, metallic arches like the branches of an ancient, petrified tree. The console’s surface was smooth, with various touch-sensitive pads and holographic displays flickering erratically.

Draven moved closer to the console, his visor reflecting the soft, eerie glow of the symbols. His hands hovered over the controls, the AR interface within his helmet beginning to scan and analyse the ancient technology. He could see that the console was not just a simple locking mechanism but a complex security system, likely designed to repel intruders and safeguard whatever lay beyond the door.

He felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. This was exactly the kind of challenge he thrived on, yet the stakes had never been higher. The ancient technology was sophisticated, its design elegant and efficient. Draven’s mind raced as he began to formulate a plan, poised to initiate the hack.

The Nomad floated silently in the void behind them, a vigilant sentinel. The tether connecting Draven and Razeek swayed gently in the zero-gravity environment, a lifeline in the face of the unknown. Razeek kept a wary eye on their surroundings, his earlier frustrations with Draven momentarily set aside in the face of their shared mission.

Draven took a deep breath, his fingers finally making contact with the console. The ancient interface reacted instantly, symbols shifting and realigning in response to his touch. His AR glasses flickered with streams of data, the ancient system beginning to reveal its secrets. He knew this would not be easy—one wrong move could trigger dormant defences or lock them out entirely.

As the first layers of security began to peel away under his dexterous manipulations, Draven felt a surge of confidence. This was his domain, the realm where his skills truly shone. He glanced back at Razeek, a silent nod of reassurance passing between them. They were on the brink of discovery, standing at the threshold of an ancient enigma.

Draven focused his attention back on the console, ready to delve deeper into the complex system. The door and its secrets awaited, and he was determined to unlock them.

If you wish to uncover the secrets of the ancient station and witness the perilous journey of the Nomad’s crew, turn the page and embark on the next chapter of this grand odyssey. Draven’s dexterous fingers and razor-sharp mind may hold the key to unimaginable discoveries—or unleash a sleeping menace that could spell doom for them all. The true test of their courage and ingenuity lies ahead.