[001] Dusty Indeed
02 Sep 2023Persephone Thrace
My whole story begins, as most people's do, with my birth. Born to Quintin and Saoirse Thrace on lovely New Homestead, my early life was an absolute gem. The kind of childhood that you usually hear about and groan, because you just know the person grew up to be insufferably happy. Fear not, imaginary reader, for my tale is one filled with plenty of woes. At the ripe young age of 16, my parents simply disappeared from my life. They told me they were going on one of their routine cargo hauls to the Trade Authority on Mars, that they'd be back soon. Sometimes I like to think they abandoned me and went to live a better life in another system. But I know the truth in my heart. All the UC patrol found of their ship was some scorch-marked hull plating floating in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Crimson Fleet or Spacers maybe, who knows?But there I was, barely 16 and already on my own. The Administration on New Homestead thought 16 was plenty old enough to take care of myself though, no assistance needed. I'm glad I left that place behind. And so, I've spent the last 7 years skipping through the Settled Systems, jumping from gig to gig, trying to keep myself alive. And then I bumped into Lin. No, literally. Knocked the drink right out of her hand in a bar. No idea what she saw in a clumsy little runt, but after we got to talking, she offered me a mining job right then and there. She could probably see the sparkle in my eye, I was so excited! Finally, I would have a solid wage, maybe even make some friends.
The training ended up being grueling, but I made it through. Had to wait a little while for my first job, the crew was all full. Eventually I got in though, apparently some woman, a mother, washed out. It's sad, I guess, but it cleared the way for me. I'm done living off Chunks. When I get my first pay, I'm buying a Synthameat Steak. Anyway, my shift is going to start soon. I should get some sleep. Supervisor Lin said she has a special job for me down in the mine tomorrow.