The End Of the Beginning

The hatch of the Ravenblade sealed shut with a soft hiss, the sounds of the bustling hub outside fading into the quiet hum of the ship's interior. Asus moved with purpose toward the cockpit, the weapon case still in hand, while Crystal followed, her arms full of the bags they'd picked up during their stops. The ship's artificial lighting flickered briefly as the systems adjusted to their presence, and the low hum of the engines became a steady rhythm beneath their feet.

Asus set the weapon case beside his seat and slid into the pilot's chair, his fingers already moving over the console as he activated the ship's systems. The displays blinked to life, holographic maps and diagnostics projecting in midair. Without a word, he began plotting their next course, the glow of the navigation panel illuminating his helmeted face.

Crystal, meanwhile, dropped the bags onto the couch in the break room and stepped into the cockpit, her curiosity piqued by his abrupt focus. She leaned against the doorway, crossing her arms as she watched him. "So, what's the rush?" she asked, her tone casual but carrying a hint of suspicion.

"Plotting the next jump," Asus replied without looking up, his hands moving deftly over the controls.

"You've been awfully quiet," Crystal noted, her tone cautious as she followed him.

"Thinking," Asus replied.

Crystal leaned against the doorway, watching him for a moment. "Thinking about what? How you just casually dropped that coin thing on me back there?"

Asus didn't look up. "No. Plotting our next course."

Crystal raised an eyebrow, stepping closer as the map on his display shifted and zoomed out. A red line arced across the holographic galaxy, connecting a series of waypoints before settling on a region marked as the Harwen Fringe. She frowned, her arms uncrossing as she leaned over the back of the co-pilot's chair. "Wait... Harwen Fringe? Are you serious?" she said, her voice rising slightly. "That's... not exactly a tourist destination, Asus."

"Good thing we're not tourists," Asus replied without missing a beat, his fingers gliding over the controls to finalize the route. Asus keyed in the final coordinates, the console beeping softly in acknowledgment as the plotted course stabilized. "Also, yes. Very serious." he said, his voice calm.

Crystal leaned forward, gripping the edge of the console as her turret HUD in the bottom left corner populated with the plotted course. Her stomach tightened as she scanned the path. "Do you even know what kind of space that is? That's outlaw territory! It's barely mapped, full of debris fields and rogue drones, not to mention—"

"It's where we need to go," Asus interrupted, his voice calm but firm as he leaned back in the pilot's seat. The faint glow of the console reflected off his helmet, obscuring any hint of expression.

Crystal's mouth opened, then closed as she processed his words. "Need to go? Need to? Asus, are you hearing yourself? What could possibly be there that makes it worth the risk?" She threw her hands up, pacing a few steps before turning back to him. "That's not an answer! What could possibly be worth risking the Fringe? Do you know what's out there? Abandoned outposts, rogue colonies, black market dens—and that's just the nice parts! The rest is—"

"Uncharted territory," Asus finished for her, his tone steady but firm. "And that's exactly why we need to go. What we're looking for won't be in civilized space."

Crystal's eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms again. "And what exactly are we looking for, huh? Because unless it's some galaxy-saving artifact, I'm not seeing the logic here."

Asus was silent for a moment, his helmet tilting slightly as if weighing how much to say. "Answers," he said, his tone flat but weighted. "There's something in the Fringe—an old Primordial archive. It's where we'll find the information we need to complete this mission."

Crystal let out a sharp laugh, though it lacked any humor. "An archive. Right. And let me guess, it's just sitting there, untouched, perfectly accessible?"

"Not untouched," Asus admitted, his voice steady. "But accessible enough if we're prepared."

Crystal threw her hands in the air. "Oh, great. 'Accessible enough.' That's so reassuring. You do realize this is how people end up as space debris, right?"

"It's a lead," Asus said simply, his tone unwavering and Crystal ran a hand through her hair, her frustration palpable as she leaned against the co-pilot's seat again.

"What does that have to do with anything?" she asked, deflecting.

"Everything," Asus said simply. "This mission isn't optional. The risks are real, but so are the stakes. If I thought this route was suicide, I wouldn't take it. But it's not. It's necessary."

The cockpit fell silent for a moment, the hum of the ship filling the space as the plotted course locked in with a final tone. Asus glanced at her, his posture unyielding but not unkind.

"Look," he said, his voice softening just slightly. "I get it. The Fringe isn't somewhere you'd go without a damn good reason. But this is that reason. If we're going to get you to Primordial Prime, this is the path we have to take."

Crystal sighed, leaning back in her seat as she stared at the glowing map. "I don't like it."

"You're not supposed to," Asus replied. "But you'll be ready for it."

Her gaze flicked to him, her irritation tempered by a reluctant trust. "You're really not giving me a choice, are you?"

"No," Asus said, a faint trace of amusement in his tone. "But if it helps, I wouldn't trust anyone else to handle the turret if things get rough."

Crystal let out a frustrated laugh, shaking her head as she moved to the co-pilot's seat.

Crystal let out a frustrated laugh, shaking her head as she moved to the co-pilot's seat. "Fine. But if we end up getting shot at—or worse—I'm holding you personally responsible."

Asus keyed in the final command to prepare the ship for the jump. "Noted."

As the Ravenblade powered up, the navigation panel flickered, and the red course line glowed brighter. The ship vibrated softly, the engines shifting into a low hum as the slip-space drive began its warm-up sequence. Crystal glanced at the map one last time, her unease lingering as the Harwen Fringe loomed closer.

The Ravenblade sat poised on the docking platform, its sleek, dark frame gleaming under the pale-blue glow of the hangar's lights. The ship was a predator even at rest, its angular design and faintly glowing thrusters radiating a sense of readiness. Asus sat in the pilot's seat, his hands moving deftly over the controls as he activated the comms.

"This is Ravenblade, designation TK-7, requesting departure clearance from hangar 49-Delta," he said, his voice steady as the ship's systems came online. The cockpit lights dimmed slightly, casting the control panels in a faint, ethereal glow.

The response crackled through the speakers, brisk and efficient. "Ravenblade, you are cleared for departure. Follow vector 2-1-7 for exit. Maintain minimal thrust until you clear the station perimeter. Safe travels."

"Understood," Asus replied, his fingers gliding over the console to input the assigned vector. He tapped the thrusters gently, and the ship hummed in response, its landing clamps releasing with a faint hiss. The Ravenblade rose smoothly, hovering just above the platform as its engines flared softly.

Crystal leaned back in the co-pilot's seat, her fingers drumming idly on the armrest as she watched the station's interior fade behind them. The ship glided forward, the thrusters' faint pulses of blue light pushing it effortlessly through the hangar's energy barrier. As the ship passed through, the field rippled like liquid, shimmering with prismatic colors before settling back into place.

Outside, the vast expanse of space stretched endlessly before them, dotted with the distant lights of other vessels and the faint glow of the station's many hubs. The Ravenblade adjusted its trajectory, the guidance systems aligning them with the plotted course. The faint hum of the engines deepened as Asus increased thrust, pushing them further from the station.

Crystal's gaze drifted to the viewport, the station's massive structure shrinking in the distance as they moved closer to open space. The ship's movements were precise, fluid, a testament to Asus's control. Despite her lingering apprehension about their destination, she couldn't deny the aesthetic beauty of their departure—the seamless blend of mechanical precision and the endless wonder of the galaxy.

Asus toggled the slip-space drive, the console emitting a soft chime as the navigation systems locked onto the first jump point. "Initiating slip-space jump," he announced calmly, his hands steady on the controls. The faint whine of the drive built in intensity, the energy conduits along the ship's frame glowing brighter as the system charged.

Crystal tilted her head slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of him from the corner of her eye. He was focused, as always, his posture unyielding, his every movement deliberate. Her thoughts swirled as she watched him, her own doubts and uncertainties rising to the surface.

Does he ever question himself? she wondered, her fingers tightening slightly on the armrest. Does he ever doubt the choices he makes, or is he really that sure of everything?

The ship jolted faintly as the slip-space drive activated, the stars outside the viewport stretching into long, blurred streaks of light. The transition was seamless, the ship slicing into the fabric of slip-space like a blade through water. The cockpit was bathed in a soft, bluish glow, the ethereal hues of the slip-space corridor reflecting off the panels.

Crystal's thoughts continued to churn. He makes it all look so effortless. Plotting courses, handling the ship, making decisions like it's second nature. Does he ever stop and think about what happens if he's wrong?

She glanced back toward the viewport, her gaze tracing the mesmerizing patterns of slip-space. The ship's movements were steady, smooth, a reflection of the calm control Asus exuded. Yet, the silence between them felt heavy, as if the weight of their journey had settled in the small space they shared.

And what about me? What am I even doing here? she thought, her chest tightening slightly. I'm not like him. I wasn't made for this. What happens if I'm the one who screws up?

Asus's voice broke through the quiet, calm and matter-of-fact. "We'll reach the first jump point in fifteen minutes. After that, it's a straight path to the Fringe."

Crystal blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. She nodded, though he wasn't looking at her. "Got it," she said, her voice quieter than usual. She turned her gaze back to the viewport, the streaks of light casting faint patterns across her face.

The ship continued its silent journey through slip-space, the hum of the engines a steady companion to the unspoken thoughts that lingered in the air.

The steady hum of the Ravenblade filled the cockpit, the soft glow of slip-space streaks painting the room in shifting blues and whites. Crystal sat quietly in the co-pilot's seat, her elbow resting on the armrest as her eyes lingered on the mesmerizing patterns outside the viewport. The weight of their mission hung in the air, unspoken but ever-present.

A sudden, light bump against her elbow broke her trance. She blinked, glancing down to see a dark, metallic object nudging against her arm. When she looked over, Asus was holding out a massive holstered sidearm, his helmeted head tilted slightly in her direction.

"Take it," he said, his voice calm and steady.

Crystal hesitated, her gaze falling on the weapon. The holster itself was a rich, black leather, worn just enough to suggest it had seen its share of action. But it was the weapon inside that caught her breath.

The hand cannon was a work of art. Its massive frame was sleek yet commanding, the dark, matte metal etched with intricate patterns along the barrel and grip. The muzzle had a faintly flared design, giving it an aggressive edge, while the chamber gleamed faintly with a burnished silver sheen, the cylinder engraved with spade symbols between the grooves. The grip was wrapped in a textured material that promised both comfort and control, and the trigger guard was wide and reinforced, designed for quick, decisive action. Along the side of the barrel, faint lettering was engraved in elegant script: "Trust in the Last Shot."

Crystal stared at it, her voice faltering. "What... is this?"

"Hand cannon," Asus said simply. "Primordial make, adapted for human use. It fires custom rounds—high-caliber, armor-piercing. Kicks like hell, but it'll drop anything that gets too close." He nudged it toward her again. "You'll probably never need it, but I'd rather you have it and not need it than the other way around."

Crystal slowly reached out, her fingers brushing the holster before gripping it fully. The weapon was heavy, solid, the kind of weight that spoke of its raw power. She turned it over in her hands, taking in the fine craftsmanship, the way every piece fit together with precision. It wasn't just a weapon—it was a statement.

"Thanks," she said softly, her voice subdued. She stood, slipping the holster's belt around her waist and tightening it to her right side. The leather rested against her hip, the weapon's weight a constant reminder of its presence.

As she adjusted the strap, her thoughts darkened, a slow, creeping realization settling over her. He doesn't expect me to use this unless something goes terribly wrong, she thought, her chest tightening. What kind of situations does he think we're going to face?

Her fingers fumbled briefly with the buckle as her mind spiraled further. I'm not him. I'm not built for this. What if I freeze up? What if I can't pull the trigger when it counts?

She exhaled sharply, trying to steady herself, but the weight of the gun felt heavier with every passing second. What am I even doing here? He's handing me a weapon like it's a lifeline, but what if I'm the one who screws it all up?

Crystal's gaze flicked to Asus, who had returned his attention to the console, his movements calm and deliberate. He didn't seem worried, didn't seem fazed by the decision to arm her. But that only made the unease gnaw at her more. He trusts me to handle this, but I'm not sure I trust myself.

The holster finally secured, she sank back into her seat, her fingers brushing the edge of the gun's grip. Her thoughts swirled, heavier than before, as the realization of what they were walking into pressed down on her like a storm cloud.

"Crystal," Asus said suddenly, his voice cutting through her haze. She looked up, startled. He didn't turn toward her but kept his gaze on the display. "You'll be fine."

Crystal nodded faintly, though the reassurance did little to lighten the weight in her chest. She glanced at the viewport, her reflection faintly visible against the streaking slip-space beyond. The weapon at her side felt like both a shield and a challenge, a silent reminder of what lay ahead.

Her thoughts clouded over, the light of the stars beyond dimming against the dark corners of her mind.