Chapter 1: A New Beginning
26 Jun 2023Lucius Astathor
Dyson City, orbiting Paresa 326th June 3309
"Docking clamps are engaged and secure, ground crew are on standby. It's a pleasure to have you back with us Captain"
Lucius sent a signal pip back to the flight controller as he powered down the ship, the low rumbling of the Aquitaine's engines slowly being drowned out by the bustling hubbub of the Starport as they spooled down, the ship finally coming to a rest after her long voyage. Lucius grabbed the jacket he had slung over his pilot's chair, putting it on before grabbing his bag off his bed as he made his way to the rear of the ship, opening the rear airlock and stepping out onto the gangway.
Stepping out of the Aquitaine for the first time in about a month, his real eye took a moment to adjust to the sudden change in light, the stark white coupled with the flickering neon advertisements bombarding him with a riot of colour and sound, his first breath of stations atmosphere, the strong stench of hydraulic lubricant, engine oils and the oh so familiar human sweat assaulting his nostrils, a sudden change from the sterilised recycled air he had been breathing for a month. Putting on his black aviator shades as he descended in the elevator down to the landing pad, he allowed a slight smile to form, happy that he was finally back where he called home.
Ground crew had already started their work by the time he stepped onto the landing pad, teams swarming the Aquitaine's hull like ants, connecting fuel hoses and beginning their standard maintenance checks. Lucius paid them no mind pulling out a hip flask from his jacket, briefly looking over the design on its front before taking a swig of the strong alcohol inside as he strode towards the far side of the docking bay, boarding an elevator that would take him into the main station complex.
He made his way to his old quarters which had been assigned to him during his time away. As he walked through the hallways, he was greeted by the curious glances of the station's inhabitants. He knew he looked out of place, still dressed in his old Imperial Guard uniform and sporting his cybernetic eye and arm, a few hushed whispers and murmurs which he tried his best to ignore. As he made his way through the complex network of streets in the station's upper levels, trying to remember the route. After about 20 minutes he found his apartment. It was a modest place, sparsely furnished, with only the essentials: a bed, a table, and a few chairs, but to him, it was home.
Throwing what few belongings on the table he took a seat, leaning back as he pulled a cigarette and his lighter out from his jacket, sparking it up as he took a series of drags as he tried to relax and gather his thoughts, yet he found no solace he needs something to do, some kind of purpose. He was a soldier without a war, finally without the thing he had been made to do.
As he sat there, lost in thought, he was suddenly interrupted by a knock on his door. He got up and opened it, revealing a young man in a well-kempt Nova Navy fatigue a Lieutenants patch on his right shoulder
"Captain Astathor, welcome back," the man said, saluting him.
"Thank you, Lieutenant. What can I do for you?" Lucius replied, returning the salute.
"I'm Lieutenant Jaxon, I've been assigned to be your liaison by Nova Paresa command, they are keen to ensure you settle in well" Jaxon handed Lucius a data pad he had been holding
Taking the data pad slightly perplexed Lucius looked back up to the Lieutenant. "I must enquire why Nova wishes to keep tabs on me, I have not had any contact with them since I was here three years ago?"
"Unfortunately sir I am not privy to that information, I can, however, ask my superiors if you wanted to arrange a meeting with them?"
Lucius took another drag of his cigarette as he leaned against the doorframe, tilting his head to blow the smoke away from the Jaxon. "That would be perfect if you could arrange such a thing, but right now I simply want to settle in, I've spent a long time out of port so I just want to settle back in"
"Of course sir I shall let my superiors know and leave you to settle in. I hope you have a good rest Captain" Jaxon saluted once more and turned away beginning to head off"
Lucius taking another drag, about to close the door had a sudden thought, leaning through the door into the open corridor. "Lieutenant, is The Golden Lion still around?"
"Aye Captain, it is on the same deck"
The Golden Lion was known for serving the best whisky in the entire city. As he walked in, the familiar smell of smoke and alcohol hit him, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. He took a seat at the bar and ordered a whisky, savouring the burn as it went down his throat, lighting up a cigarette and taking a long drag, allowing the bliss to sweep over him.
As he sat there lost in thought, swirling his whisky slowly in its glass, a young woman, no more than early her 20s approached the table he was at and even while uninvited pulled up a chair and sat opposite him. Lucius perplexed more than anything simply looked over at her his expression pretty much unchanging. "Can I help you, Miss?"
"Maybe, my friends bet me I wouldn't go and say hello to the tough-looking Guardsman, but now they owe me a drink" She pointed at a table in the far corner of the bar, a group of other women sat there trying their utmost not to burst out laughing. "Anyway seeing as I'm here I might as well introduce myself, I'm Alia" she offered Lucius her hand across the table as her friends failed to contain their laughter.
"Lucius, it's nice to meet you Miss Alia" He took her hand and shook it firmly before taking another drag of his cigarette as he studied the woman, his eyes falling on a small emblem tucked underneath her jacket. "Imperial Navy huh, what unit?"
"Convoy escort, mostly miners who were too scared to go anywhere alone but it paid well enough" She smiled as she took a sip of her drink. "How about you, I think I've seen an Imperial Guardsman like twice in my service, usually around a Senator"
"This is my home, well it is now at least, long story how it came to be and most of it is probably classified beyond belief" He took another sip of his whisky, followed by another drag of his cigarette, taking two out of his jacket and offering one to her.
"Ahh, so Imperial Special Operations, they always the secret lot" Alia lit up the cigarette Lucius has offered her, taking a short drag. "So you retired then or just on leave?"
"Officially I'm now in the administration side of things, so I'll be here from now on, I probably won't be going back to Achenar any time soon" Taking a final drag on his cigarette before stubbing it out and finishing the last of his whisky he looked down at his watch, it was getting late and he wanted to try and sleep to avoid the Jet lag from being back on a station with a set time rotation. "Anyway I must be going, I have something to attend to, I hope to see you around some time"
"Of course, it's been a pleasure" As he stood up Alia slid him a small card, with what Lucius assumed to be her contact information as he put the card away inside his jacket. "If you ever want a drink call me" She smiled as she stood and went back over to her friend's table who were all still giggling like a bunch of schoolgirls.
As he got back to his apartment he head straight for his shower, cranking the heat right up as he stepped into the steaming torrent of water, letting it wash over him as he inhaled deeply letting the steam fill his lungs. He stood, head up to the water for quite a while his mind wandering as the hot water allowed his muscles to finally relax and wash away the several months' worth of grime that the shower in his ship just couldn't. After nearly an hour he got out, and took care of the rest of his hygiene needs, mostly including maintaining his cybernetic arm as he pulled on some loose-fitting clothes and lay atop his bed. It was much different to sleeping aboard his vessel, a better bed and stronger gravity for one, as he felt his limbs almost pulled into the soft mattress. Turning off his light he simply lay awake in the dark as was usual, his mind racing however hard he tried to relax. Sleep would eventually find him but it would not be peaceful
To Be Continued