The call of the void.
31 Mar 2022MrKilla
After a year long break, I dusted off the old 'vette and blasted off to the nearest haz res to rid the galaxy of some more scoundrels. 6 years I've been at this, 5 spent chasing after a childhood dream of mine. One year spent enjoying the realization of that dream. 15 million credits in bounty claims later, a thought intruded my mind. All those tales I've heard from veteran explorers; the sights, the dangers, the adventures in the void. It all came flooding in. Why, after 6 years of bounty hunting did these memories decided to crop up? Why today? "A couple million credits as usual?" Her jovial yet cold voice rang out in the authority office.
"As usual" was my reply. The same reply I gave her the last hundred times we've spoken.
"You know, after 5 years of killing pirates you'd think you would enjoy that corvette of yours a bit more."
I instantly froze in place. Our interaction with each other had never gone beyond a simple transaction of credits. Yet just now her cold, professional tone changed to that of a warm and casual conversation. I stood in shock and was dumbfounded for a moment as to what I just heard.
"Yeah, I do enjoy flying that thing around. I mean, I've worked 5 years for the privilege of owning one, it would be a shame if I wasn't happy with it." I gave a nervous smile, still somewhat unnerved by her sudden change in demeanour.
"Oh really?" She gave a sceptical smile, "then what's with the sudden break? You know, I haven't seen you smile since you sold your old Vulture."
Before I could interject, she continued,
"You know, I would go mad if all I did was the same thing everyday for 5 years. Maybe try something a little different."
Upon hearing those words, the same thoughts I had earlier came worming its way into my mind. She was right. I needed to do something different. I paused, deep in thought, the world around me blurred as I entertained taking the same path those explorers did, or even blazing my own trail at some point. I must have looked like some sort of madman with how long I stood there, contemplating those thoughts. After what seemed like an eternity, I looked back up at her.
"I think that might have been the best advice I've received in 6 years, thank you" I replied.
Back in the hangar, I purchased an AFM, mounting it on my Krait Phantom, the Longreach. Already outfitted with an engineered frame shift drive and the largest fuel scoop I could fit, the former space taxi was finally fulfilling its proper role and namesake. Climbing into the command seat, I planned a route to the Lagoon Nebula. '100 jumps' was what stared back at me in the navigation panel. Looking out the front canopy, I steeled my mind as I ordered my ship to be returned to the surface for launch. And so began my first trip into the void.