Master's Journey: Shadow Ascent #4

Author's Notes: Liftoff!

[story]

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‭You offer another nod to the admiral. There’s a strange sense of finality and responsibility that you’re unused to, the thought that everyone is waiting on you to get this ship off the ground. Taking in a deep breath, you allow yourself the barest hint of a smile. “Let’s get my uniform, and… and let’s get this thing in the sky.”

Oudega gestures back towards the cramped lift, then follows you towards it. “I’ll be heading back down to base. L-Zero here can get you outfitted, and then… well, then you’ll be on your own. The Basileia’s pre-coordinated destination will bring it into a small nauelli moon in open Crux Space, and from there, you’ll be able to start making decisions regarding your next steps. I suggest conferring with the navigator, Etha, before making any major choices.” As the three of you step on, the elevator brings you rapidly back up to the ship’s bridge, and the crossroads at which the admiral must leave, and you must officially take the helm. Before he leaves, though, he reaches up – rather considerably, given your height difference – and places a hand on your shoulder. “I know this isn’t a responsibility you asked for, but know that I am entrusting quite a great deal to you, here. Financial cost of the ship aside, this expedition is more ambitious than any other ever embarked on, and even attempting it is a slap in the face to the Galactic Moderation Clause. All eyes are going to be on you, Captain. Don’t fuck this up.”

“I’ll do my–” you begin, then pause, steeling yourself. “I won’t.”

“Good.” Oudega shows a small smile, salutes you, and half-turns away. He pauses, looking back over his shoulder. “Dismissed.” He then continues, making his way out of the unsealed airlock and off of the ship. You don’t know exactly when, or if, you’ll see him again… but right now, you’ve got bigger things to concern yourself with.

“Your private quarters are this way,” L-Zero interjects, ushering you in the opposite direction from the ship’s main helm. “The late Captain Hansel insisted on bringing his own furnishings, but they’ve since been removed. Your living area may feel somewhat blank at first, but I’m certain you’ll find new decorations on your journeys.”

You’re led down a hallway, past a few other rooms, and finally to a somewhat larger, more auspicious door, one emblazoned with a crest of command. Heading inside, you see that, indeed, the furnishings of your quarters are terribly sparse – a large bed rests against the far wall, along with an equipment locker, personal computer, and a smaller door that presumably leads to a washroom. A single chair and small, brushed-metal table share lonely company in the room’s corner, upon the latter of which is a tiny case of what appear to be cigars. A tiny holo-note hovers just above them, reading:

Congratulations on the new assignment, Steve! It’s incredible to imagine a human getting a position like this, I know you’ll kill it! Even if I can’t be there with you, I hope you’ll enjoy this gift.

- Mirja <3

One more thing Captain Hansel left to you in death. Unfortunate, though, that you know nothing of this ‘Mirja,’ and have no way of telling them the bad news. Something to, perhaps, look into later. “I certainly like the size of the place,” you muse to yourself, taking more complete stock of your quarters. As you move deeper in, gradually rotating to take it all in, you find yourself once again face-to-face with L-Zero – who, somehow beneath your notice, has managed to fetch your new uniform and appear silently behind you. “Gah! How did you–?”

“I’m pleased that you find your private quarters, however bare, to your liking,” they say, extending their arms to hand you the outfit. “Once you’ve dressed, I’ll be going.”

“Right, yeah,” you nod, beginning to unfasten your jacket, revealing the brawny, feather-covered figure beneath, plumes of blue and purple laying as flat as possible against the flesh under them. You’ll miss the old uniform – the black of a Weapons Officer never really went out of style – but the captain’s jacket is impressive on its own. While it’s also accented with black, and elements of silver trim, the majority of the form-fit, double-breasted affair is colored a dark burgundy, like the nape of a nauelli in heat. As you clasp it into place, you find the coloration to be a fine complement to your own plumage, and the fabric itself a bit softer than you’re used to. At the breast, a slender silver pin of a star shooting through a vortex, with four diamonds just beneath. The insignia of a captain.

L-Zero’s dispassionate stare unsettles you a little as you finish changing, but eventually, you’re finished – and it’s time to face the music. “This is farewell, then. I’ll serve as liaison between Admiral Oudega and yourself, should communication be necessary. A dossier of necessary debriefs and reports is beside your bed.” The android pauses, then says, “Farewell, captain.”

Heading back through to the bridge, L-Zero goes the way the admiral did, and with their departure, the Basileia’s engineers and deckhands begin to prepare for launch – sealing the airlock, sweeping software, and bringing the shadow engine up to an eager hum. You arrive at the helm, nodding to officers and crewmates alike, heart beating in your chest.

“Prepared for takeoff, sir!” Etha calls out to you from her seat, “Pre-coordinated destination linked to navigational tools.”

Durning follows up. “Shadow engine’s hot, and we’re reading for torrential travel as soon as we leave the atmosphere.”

“Shall the Basileia make her ascent, captain?”

You hesitate for only a moment. All this was thrust upon you so suddenly, but now, in the moment, your nerves have calmed. All that remains is excitement. “Take us off this planet, Etha.” Your voice is firm, and the nauelli woman nods. A few moments later, and the Basileia lifts, making its journey from the hangar out into the open atmosphere – the first step on its sojourn into the stars.

Now, you realize, with your uniform donned and your vessel in the sky, the ship is yours to roam. A-Ex, the medical doctor, did request that you stop by for a check-up when you were able, and it may be worthwhile to speak to Etha about potential destinations, but now, it’s up to you – where to go, what to see, who to talk to.