Chapter
05 - Departure
Early
in the morning, the first faint rays of sunlight penetrate the narrow
curtain of the small, spartan room that Pilgrim and Valkyrie have
taken in the accommodation for traveling pilots. The room smells
slightly of stale alcohol, and the throbbing of a classic hangover
pulsates in Pilgrim's head as he slowly awakens.
Still
half dazed, he realizes that he is lying in a bed – and not alone.
Next to him, on the other side of the narrow mattress, lies Valeria.
His eyes widen as he realizes the gravity of the situation. Had
they...?
"Damn..."
he murmurs quietly and sits up abruptly, which immediately triggers a
sharp pain in his head. He closes his eyes and holds his head as his
heart beats faster.
Valeria,
awakened by his sudden movement, blinks sleepily and turns to him.
With a slightly crooked grin, she observes his panicked reaction and
raises an eyebrow. "What's up, Pilot?" she asks, her voice
rough from sleep but amused.
"Um...
did we...?" He gestures vaguely between them, unsure how to
broach the subject.
Valeria
starts to laugh, a soft, throaty laugh that echoes through the room
and embarrasses Pilgrim. "Really?" she says with a broad
grin. "Do you really think we...?"
Pilgrim
looks at her uncertainly. "I mean, we woke up in bed together,
and I can't remember anything..."
"Calm
down, Commander." She sat up and rubbed her eyes, causing the
blanket to slip and reveal two small but shapely breasts. Pilgrim
turned away hastily.
"Nothing
happened. We just slept. Don't worry, we didn't have sex." She
grins at him even more broadly. "Why? Would
that
been so bad?"
Pilgrim
breathed a sigh of relief, but her cheeky grin made him laugh
nervously. "No, no... I was just... confused."
Valeria
laughs again. "Man, you guys are really nervous in the morning."
* * *
Valkyrie
steps out of the door of the accommodation and pulls her uniform
jacket tighter as the cold rain brushes her face. Just as she is
about to cross the street, she hears a familiar, deep voice behind
her.
"Val,
you little devil!" Gunny Thomas, a giant of a man with a shaved
head and a broad grin on his face, stands in front of her. The rank
insignia of a Master Gunnery Sergeant flashes on his uniform. "Where
are you headed?"
Valkyrie
turns around in surprise. "Gunny! What are you doing here?"
"Just
running a few errands before I head out on my next mission.
But
you look like you're on the move too."
Valkyrie
nods and smiles slightly. "Yes, I'm leaving soon. Pilgrim and
I... we've become partners. We're planning to start out as
freelancers."
Thomas
raises an eyebrow. "You and the Navy pilot? Now this is getting
interesting." He laughs softly before asking, "And how did
that happen?"
"It
just happened and somehow felt right," she explains, shrugging
her shoulders. "It started with a small private retirement
party, one thing led to another, plans were discussed... I think we
complement each other well."
Thomas
nods thoughtfully. "Navy and Marines... that's an exciting
combination. But I always thought you were someone who went her own
way."
He
looked at her thoughtfully. "You know, Val, my service is almost
over.
Thirty-five years in the Corps is enough. But what comes next? No
idea."
Valkyrie
looks at him seriously. "Maybe a job in security?
With
your experience, you'd surely find something suitable." Thomas
scratches his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, could be.
I'll
think about it."
The
two exchange a long look, and finally Valkyrie pulls the old warhorse
into a firm hug. "Take care of yourself, Gunny. Whatever you do,
I wish you every success!"
Thomas
returned the hug after a moment's hesitation and smiled.
"You
too, Val. You've always gone your own way. And make sure you keep
your Navy buddy under control."
With
a final pat on the back and a nod, they parted ways, both deeply
connected but ready to go their separate ways.
* * *
Arriving
at the spaceport, thick clouds rolled over the runways and rain fell
incessantly. Pilgrim and Valkyrie meet there, their clothes already
soaked, and although they hardly notice the rain, their expressions
reveal the weight of the moment. For both of them, this day marks the
end of a long chapter—years of military service, battles, and
sacrifices—and the beginning of an uncertain future.
The
rain beats down hard on the metal hulls of the two E7C Eagles, which
stand imposingly on the runway, ready for takeoff like crouching
predators. Pilgrim and Valkyrie exchange a brief, wordless nod before
beginning their final checks on their machines. As they walk between
the thick, aerodynamic wings, they wipe heavy drops from their faces
and concentrate on checking every detail of their spacecraft.
Pilgrim, in his typical manner, meticulously checks the weapons and
sensors,
while Valkyrie more pragmatically checks the chassis and engines.
"A
little different from the E7A, isn't it?" Pilgrim murmurs with a
sideways glance as he studies the Eagle's far more civilian
equipment. Valkyrie nods in agreement, her hands running over the
fighter's hull as she goes through the differences from the military
model. The F7C Eagle had been slimmed down – compared to the F7A,
the basic equipment was identical, but the armament had been reduced.
"It
may lack a little bite, but it definitely has the same charm as its
evil sister in the Navy," Valkyrie comments, patting the shiny
wing with a satisfied smile.
"Yes,
it's still a real beast," replied Pilgrim, nodding in agreement.
As
the checks continue, the hours pass and the damp cold slowly creeps
through their clothes. Slowly, the darkness of evening begins to
engulf the runway. Suddenly, fog sets in. At first, only light wisps
creep across the ground, but soon the fog mixes with the rain to form
dense, impenetrable veils that wrap around the runway lights and the
bright position lights of the fighters.
The
effect is almost surreal. The fog, stirred up by the Eagles' powerful
radiators, forms thick, swirling clouds that envelop the silver
fuselages of the aircraft. The flashing position lights cut through
the fog, casting long shadows and lending the scene an eerie, almost
mystical atmosphere. It seems as if the two pilots are standing in
the middle of a mythical ritual, ready to embark on a heroic journey.
Pilgrim,
who has become pensive, takes a step back and observes the scene. He
can feel the melancholy that permeates the moment—the rain, the
fog, the flickering lights. It feels like a final farewell to the old
world. At the same time
,
amid the quiet hiss of the runway lights and the deep hum of the
ship's engines, a sense of departure and adventure grows. They are
both ready for what lies ahead.
"Ready?"
asks Valkyrie with a smile that flashes lightly across her face,
despite the wetness and rain running down her forehead.
"More
than ever," Pilgrim replies calmly, even though the storm inside
him is still subsiding.
After
checking all systems to their satisfaction and stowing their luggage
in the overhead compartments, the two slip into their flight suits,
Pilgrim in a typical Navy blue-gray suit, Vakyrie in a black suit
with gold appliqués and a black helmet with an opaque visor, which
is certainly not a standard fleet design.
She
responds to his questioning look with only a mischievous
"Design
of Test Squadron 232."
The
two E7C Eagles are ready, their engines humming quietly, waiting only
for the order to take off. In the pouring rain, the ships' position
lights flash, while the damp air around the radiators continues to
form wafts of mist that envelop the machines in mysterious veils.
Pilgrim
and Valkyrie exchange a final nod through the cockpit windows. In
perfect synchronization, both ships took off vertically, pausing for
a moment in the rain-soaked air while the landing gear was retracted,
then they applied thrust, the engines roared, and they rose like two
arrows through the thick cloud cover into the night sky until they
disappeared as two glittering dots.
Gunny
Thomas stands on the roof of the spaceport. Rain pelted his uniform
jacket as he looked up and watched the simultaneous launch with mixed
feelings. He took a deep breath, wistful but also proud, and
whispered softly, "Take care of yourselves, kids."
* * *
Once
in orbit, Valkyrie's Eagle turns toward Pilgrim's wing. Her voice
comes through the communication system, relaxed but focused: "What
now, boss? Set course and start the flux drive?"
Pilgrim
smiles in his cockpit, his gaze fixed on the stars.
"You
don't have to call me boss, we're partners!"
"That
may be true, boss, but one of us has to be the spokesperson, and I'm
completely unsuitable for that, I have no illusions about it... so
you're the boss, boss!"
"All
right, how about we pretend we're on a military patrol? Old habits
and all that."
"Why
not?" replies Valkyrie. "It's better if we stay in practice
anyway."
Both
activate their navigation computers, synchronize the data for the
journey, and set course for the jump point to the Elias system.
Pilgrim checks the parameters again. "Everything okay with you?"
"Everything's
running smoothly," Valkyrie confirms, her voice professional but
with a hint of anticipation.
"Let's
go," says Pilgrim, and almost simultaneously they activate their
flux drives. A deep rumble fills their cockpits as the machines
prepare for the journey. The stars in front of them blur into long
streaks of light, and with a lightning-fast jolt, the Eagles
accelerate into flux drive – on their way to a new adventure.
As
they fly to the jump point, Pilgrim opens up a little more and tells
Valkyrie about his childhood in the Carcosa system. "I come from
a small transit station run by my family, in the middle of nowhere.
My family was pretty big—I have eight siblings." Valkyrie
looks at him with interest and asks, "That sounds like a tough
life. What was it like growing up with so many siblings?"
Pilgrim
smiles slightly and continues, "It was... loud. And cramped. We
didn't have much, but you learn to stick together. It was normal for
the older siblings to look after the younger ones. But at 18, you had
to leave and find your own way. That's just how it was—there wasn't
room for everyone."
"And
why did you decide to join Starfleet of all things?" Valkyrie
presses, while attentively monitoring the sensors of her Eagle.
"Spaceships
have always fascinated me. The way they move through empty space, the
freedom you feel when you're out there..." He pauses, as if
reviving an old, deep-rooted dream. "Even as a child, I dreamed
of becoming a pilot. So I applied to the fleet as soon as I could.
For me, it was the only way out of the mine dust and cramped living
quarters."
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Valkyrie
nods understandingly and asks curiously, "Have you ever thought
about going back? To your family?"
Pilgrim
sighs quietly and shakes his head. "Not really. They live their
lives and I live mine, and besides, it's difficult to keep in touch
when the family is scattered across several solar systems. I've found
my way – in space, on these ships. But every now and then I wonder
what my brothers and sisters are doing now. Whether they made it out
too." Then he grins crookedly. "Maybe one of them is flying
now too. Wouldn't surprise me."
Valkyrie
takes a deep breath before she starts talking about herself. "I've
always been a free spirit, but that was okay with my people and never
really got me into trouble – until the day I lost my family.
Pirates attacked us when I was still young." She pauses briefly
and looks out of the cockpit window. "After that, I ended up in
Ashfall, on Ironhold in the Eryon system... a really nasty dump, and
that's putting it mildly... well, I lived more on the streets than in
the orphanage, keeping my head above water with petty crime
to
keep my head above water. Theft, fencing, whatever it takes to
survive." Her voice is calm, but the weight of her words hangs
heavy in the air.
"And
then?" Pilgrim asks quietly, without taking his eyes off her.
"Then
came the day when the Investigators arrested me, incidentally the
same agent who pulled me out of the rescue capsule after I lost my
family. I was lucky that it was an Imperial agency and not corporate
security, otherwise I'd probably be slaving away for the rest of my
life as a corporate slave. The Investigators gave me a choice: either
prison or the military. The choice wasn't really difficult. To be
honest, in retrospect, I was almost excited about the second option."
A
faint smile flits across her face. "I thought it was my chance
to be part of something bigger, something that transcended me. Sure,
with my personality, I didn't always fit smoothly into the system.
Critical, independent—that wasn't always easy for my superiors. But
it also helped me change."
"And
you did it," Pilgrim observes, lost in thought. "From a
petty criminal to an elite pilot."
Valkyrie
nods slowly. "Yes, but the price was high. Still... I have no
regrets."
* * *
The
two Eagles glided through the system toward the jump point to the
Elias system, where an impressive collection of civilian and military
ships had already gathered. The mighty silhouettes of Polaris
frigates stood out majestically against the backdrop of the stars,
their gray hulls still as familiar as when Pilgrim and Valkyrie were
stationed on these giants.
Small
patrols of Hawks routinely circled overhead, and as the two Eagles
flew by, the squadron of E5A fighters sent a brief, respectful radio
signal—a greeting among Navy pilots.
"Reminds
me of when I flew patrol myself," Pilgrim murmurs into his
helmet as he lets his eyes wander over the fleet.
"It
wasn't that long ago, was it?"
"Yeah,
like it was yesterday," replies Pilgrim, who briefly fixes his
eyes on a Pegasus hovering lazily above the planet as if it were a
shield over the Arcturus fleet base.
They
pass a cluster of merchant ships—Goliaths, Titans, Hermes, and
Leviathans, heavily laden with cargo for the journey. The massive
freighters, which look like giant floating cities, are in motion,
while smaller ships such as Wraith fighters and Wanderer-class ships
maneuver between them, a constant buzz of activity.
The
multitude of ships shows the pulsating energy of the system and the
importance of the Arcturus region.
"Over
there, look at that," Valkyrie says suddenly, marking the shape
of a Vanguard on her HUD. The angular ship, with its distinctive
asymmetrical wing structure, immediately catches her attention.
"That's it... the Vanguard."
For
a moment, a comradely silence reigns between the two as they gaze at
the ship. The Vanguard hovers near a freighter, radiating a rough,
determined aura. The asymmetrical wings, considered a design flaw by
many pilots, and the red-lit cockpit fascinate Valkyrie. "It's
kind of a beast, isn't it? Unconventional, but powerful."
"Exactly
what we need. Robust, versatile, and the weaponry is nothing to
sneeze at," says Pilgrim. He nods unconsciously as he forms the
image of the ship in his mind, already longing for the
longing
for the day when they would call a Vanguard their own.
"Someday
we'll be sitting in there. And I bet we'll make the asymmetrical
wings our trademark," says Valkyrie with a grin, picturing her
future adventure.
Pilgrim
laughs softly. "I bet we'll rock that thing. And then everyone
will say it's always been that way."
Both
lose themselves in their thoughts for a moment, the rain that had
fallen on Arcturus seemingly forgotten, and the dark universe before
them opens up its infinite possibilities.
After
precisely reconfiguring their flux drives for the jump point, Pilgrim
and Valkyrie gave the command to enter. The jump point appears before
them like a shimmering, pulsating maw in space, narrowing into a
twisted tube of energy. Their two Eagles are hurled through the
vortex of energy, the distorted colors and frantically flickering
lights around them creating a surreal backdrop. Despite the extreme
speed and jerky movements, both maintain control of their ships,
their experienced hands firmly on the control sticks.
The
flight through the jump point is anything but smooth. Again and
again, their fighters are slightly deflected from their course, and
Valkyrie feels the vibrations through the cockpit. "Pretty bumpy
here," she comments dryly over the comm channel, while Pilgrim
replies with a smile, "That's what you get when you take the
best routes."
* * *
Finally,
after several minutes of nerve-wracking travel through the chaotic
vortex of energy, they glide out of the jump tunnel and enter the
Elias system. The space in front of them expands
out,
and their multifunction displays immediately fill with a flood of
information. The system lies before them in all its bustling glory.
Elias is not just another star system—it is a hub of interstellar
traffic, a crucial location between the two most important systems in
the Empire: Sol and Paradise, the seat of government of the Human
Empire.
Their
scanners detect the system's 13 planets, scattered like glowing
spheres along the orbital lines around the sun. Three of the planets
are particularly striking, as they are heavily populated and serve as
major transit worlds. Valkyrie looks at the sheer volume of ship
traffic and murmurs, "A true center of transportation. No wonder
everything converges here."
Everywhere
in this section of space, there is a bustle of activity. Gigantic
Goliath-class cargo ships move sluggishly through the vastness of
space, loaded with tons of mineral resources from the mines of the
surrounding planets. The mighty Goliaths carry incredible container
loads on their booms, as if they were giant steel colossi
transporting essential resources to the factories on Prime and Earth.
Titans and Leviathans, fully loaded with goods, fill the space, while
countless smaller ships such as Wanderers, Hermes, and smaller
Auroras navigate their paths between them. Valkyrie clicks her tongue
in admiration. "There's more traffic here than in a brothel on
Arcturus."
Pilgrim
nods, his gaze fixed on the various ships. "The five jump points
attract everything. No wonder there are so many here. It's an
important hub for all kinds of cargo."
"Yes,
and don't forget the five colonized planets."
Between
the cargo ships, they also notice a military presence. A
Warlord-class destroyer is making its way through space, and
Polaris-class frigates are patrolling the area, their massive
silhouettes standing out sharply against the backdrop of space.
Pilgrim and Valkyrie share
a
silent moment of respect – they have both spent years on such ships
and know their peculiarities and their power. Next to the frigates,
they spot a patrol of four E5A Hawks, whose pilots briefly send a
greeting message over the radio. Valkyrie grins and returns the
greeting as the fighters pass by, their engines glowing brightly.
As
they headed for the jump point to Aetheris, Pilgrim pondered the
strange nature of jump points. They had been known for centuries, but
the mystery of how they worked had not yet been fully explained.
A
jump point was not a normal portal. When a ship entered the vortex,
it was pulled into a kind of winding tube whose walls seemed to be
made of pure light and energy. These walls did not appear to be
physical, yet colliding with them could cause considerable damage.
Scientists had been searching unsuccessfully for an explanation for
this effect for over 700 years.
"It's
like flying through an abstract work of art," Valkyrie murmured
over the radio as her Eagle glided through the tube of the jump
point. She kept the ship steady, always on guard not to get too close
to the energy walls.
After
the two pilots successfully passed the jump point to Ellis, they
resynchronized their navigation systems and set course for a small
cargo station located in a remote area on the edge of the system.
Their ships, the E5C Eagles, have a considerable range, but the Elias
system is known for its size. To ensure they don't unexpectedly run
out of fuel, they decide to make a first stop here as a precaution.
In
the system's pale light, the station itself appears like a steel
monolith floating alone in space. As they approach, they see that the
station has seen better days. The shields and paint are peeling, and
some of the outer docking
platforms
appear abandoned. But the welcome is friendly enough—a monotone
voice greets them and assigns them each a docking bay.
"Welcome
to Cargo Station Beta-4. Please prepare your ships for refueling."
The voice of the station computer echoes over the open communication
channel.
As
they fly into the station, Valeria suddenly speaks over the radio:
"It's strange how empty it is here. You'd almost think this
station was outside of time."
Pilgrim
grins, even though Valeria can't see him. "Maybe it's just not
visited very often anymore. But I bet they have the best coffee on
this side of the system."
Valeria
laughs softly. "Coffee doesn't sound bad."
After
both have safely parked their ships in the station's hangars, the
refueling process doesn't take long. Nevertheless, they take the
opportunity to get out for a moment, stretch their legs, and relax a
little. The station's corridors are narrow and old-fashioned, the
light flickering slightly. They move together toward a small canteen
that serves station employees and rare visitors like them.
Inside,
it smells of metal and the synthetic aroma of brewed instant coffee.
They order two cups, and as they sit at one of the metal tables,
Pilgrim looks over at Valeria. "I feel like we've just traveled
back in time. This station... has something rustic about it."
Valeria
nods thoughtfully. "Yes. But somehow I like it. It reminds me
that not everyone lives as modernly as the people in the core
worlds."
After
a short time, the ships are refueled and ready for takeoff.
With
a slight sense of melancholy, they leave the station and continue on
their course toward the jump point to the Aetheris system.
* * *
The
flight through the Paradise system is tedious. Due to the size of the
system, they have to stop several times at different space stations
and refueling stations to replenish their fuel. The stations vary,
some modern and busy, others—like Beta-4—more remote and
neglected. But the routine they develop and the steady progress of
their journey create a growing sense of anticipation in both of them.
Every
time they refuel and set off for the next coordinates, it's as if
they are getting a little closer to their new life.
After
a quiet night at the Paradise-Aetheris transit station, Pilgrim and
Valkyrie feel refreshed and ready for the next leg of their journey.
The station is bustling, ships coming and going, cargo being loaded,
and the typical sounds of a busy station filling the air. Both pilots
make their way to their E7C Eagles, check the systems once more, and
take off into the dark space, this time without incident.
The
flight is calm, almost monotonous. In the silence of the vacuum, they
both remain silent, each lost in their own thoughts. Valkyrie begins
to hum softly the melody of the fleet anthem, an old tradition among
Navy pilots. Her voice sounds clear over the comm system, and without
thinking, Pilgrim joins in. Their voices intertwine, the melody
creeping through the empty space like a silent companion on their
journey.
It
is a melancholic but familiar mood that reminds them both of times
past. The anthem tells of camaraderie, of lost friends, and of the
strength that lies in unity. Pilgrim smiles slightly as they reach
the last note, and through the comm system, he says with a grin, "Not
bad, Lieutenant. Maybe we should give a duet a try in a bar on
Aetheris."
Valkyrie
laughs, "Maybe, but I think we'd better stick to our piloting
skills."
Their
mood is more relaxed, but at the same time, anticipation for the next
stage of their journey is growing.
At
the jump point into the Aetheris system, there is heavy ship traffic,
similar to the last point. Freighters, fighters, and civilian
transporters jostle in orderly chaos as they wait for clearance to
jump. Pilgrim and Valkyrie scan the ships around them and begin a
casual discussion via radio about the different models. Pilgrim
observes a massive Goliath hovering lazily above them and notes that
such freighters form the backbone of interstellar trade, while
Valkyrie raves about the nimble Falchions and Daggers that fit into
the gaps between the large freighters.
"Look
at that old Starliner," says Valkyrie, pointing to a massive
tanker passing by slowly. "I hope our refueling doesn't take as
long as that one."
Pilgrim
laughs and adds, "At least it won't run empty.
That's
more than we can say!"
After
a few hours of waiting and more conversations about ship types and
specifications, they finally get clearance for the jump. Almost in
sync, they fire their flux drives and dive into the winding tube of
the jump point. The jump is smooth, and some time later they enter
the Aetheris system.
Once
in the Aetheris system, they land at the Aetheris Paradise transit
station. The station has a rough, edgy feel that matches the system's
notorious reputation. Here, on the edge of the empire, the atmosphere
is less orderly, less military than in Arcturus or Elias. After
landing, Pilgrim and Valkyrie find their quarters on the station.
Both treat themselves to a much-needed rest, this time in separate
rooms, and sleep through the rest of the night.
The
next morning, refreshed, they start their ships and briefly orient
themselves in space before setting course for the planet Aetheris II,
also known as Monsoon—the home of Orion Dynamics. Both feel a
slight excitement as they approach their destination, for the thought
of the Vanguard, the centerpiece of their new partnership, is
gradually becoming a reality.
As
the garbled distress signal echoes through the cockpit, the
atmosphere suddenly shifts from calm routine to tense concentration.
Pilgrim casts a critical eye over his instruments, while the signal
is almost incomprehensible due to interference, but individual
fragments come through: "...Mayday... Attack... Help..."
"Doesn't
sound good," he murmurs quietly to himself. He finally asks
Valkyrie over the radio, "What do you think? Should we ignore
something like this?"
After
a short silence, Valkyrie's voice comes through, sharper than
expected:
"No!
Definitely not! Someone out there could be in serious trouble. I'm on
it."
Pilgrim
nods, even though she can't see him. "I'm with you. Set course."
Together,
they synchronize their onboard computers, and the target coordinates
appear on their MFDs. The signal source is far away, off the regular
flight routes, in a rather remote sector of the Aetheris system. An
area that pirates in particular like to use as a hideout. An uneasy
feeling creeps over Pilgrim as he quickly raises his Eagle's shields
to maximum power. Valkyrie does the same.
"If
this is a trap, we'd better be prepared," Pilgrim says coolly.
"Wouldn't
be the first time," Valkyrie replies with a slight grin in her
voice, even though the tension is unmistakable.
As
they fly in formation, they cross vast, silent areas of space
illuminated only by the faint glow of distant stars. Their ships cut
through the darkness silently, while the distress signal breaks off
and resumes again and again, like a final cry for help drifting
through space.
The
minutes pass as they get closer, and the atmosphere grows thicker.
"Scans show nothing unusual," Valkyrie reports, her eyes
fixed on the sensors. "But that can change quickly."
Pilgrim
remains focused and calm. "We should keep an eye on that. Who
knows what awaits us there."
The
closer they get, the stronger the distress signal becomes. Now
individual words are clearer: "...attack... we need... help..."
Finally,
the HUDs show that they are almost at their destination. The two
pilots exchange a final glance over the radio channel before flying
into the unknown territory, ready for whatever awaits them.
Next week, we continue with Episode 2 – Aetheris, in which my heroes' adventures really take off. First, the two of them find themselves in a bitter defensive battle against brutal pirates that pushes them to their limits, and then in sinister intrigues for control of a large corporation.
But enough spoilers! If you want to know how the story continues, you can buy the first two books in my Void Striders series on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0FY3516BZ?binding=kindle_edition&ref_=saga_dp_ss_dsk_sdp&qid=1770197287&sr=8-2
