Hana's eyes opened as turbulence rattled the bulkheads. The ship's descent was swift and efficient, but not smooth. As the walls around her rattled, she looked out of the nearest window to try and gain her bearings. Light from the nearest sun clipped over a ridge and reflected off the galvanized steel of her ship, casting a white and gold glint into her eyes. Down below she could see her destination.
"Almost thereeeeee!" she sang to herself. Her hands instinctively pulled her belongings closer to her chest as her shoulders danced with excitement. Harnesses across her waist and torso kept the celebratory dance restrained but she let the joy radiate through her small frame nonetheless.
"I can't believe I actually slept that long. Thank you chamomile and valerian!" she whispered to herself as she stretched her legs and welcomed the popping of her joints and ears.
All around her, other passengers began to awaken. Hana's gaze drifted across the cabin to survey her comrades. Quiet exhaustion, isolation, and nervousness seemed etched across the faces of the other passengers.
"Miners and Salaries." she whispered.
"No - Future guests!"
Tremors shook the walls around her again.
"Alert for passengers: We will soon be arriving." said a robotic voice.
"Please make sure all items are secured and harnesses are connected as we begin our final descent."
"Please be safe. Please be safe." Hana whispered as her hands clenched along her luggage's hardbody exterior.
"Only bag you got?" came a voice from beside her.
Hana looked across her shoulder harness mount to see a gruff, tired man in his latter working years eying her with curiosity. Lines of labor and unfiltered sunlight etched memories across his face like terrain.
"I… have a suticase up front." she replied.
His eyes glanced once more at her closely held luggage. A familiar tinge of concern drifted through her thoughts.
As though sensing it, the man chuckled.
"Not gonna rob you ma'am. More just curious what's in there that makes you cling to it like your life depends on it."
His accent was strange to her. A quick glance revealed pulsing bionic augments stuck out from their embeddings his temples and cheekbones. An unfamiliar flower shape was tattooed under his left eye. Metallic knuckles and quietly whirring servos revealed his hands and lower arms to be bionic as well.-
"Well, you could say my livelihood depends on it," she smirked.
"Tools? Goods to trade?"
"Please brace yourselves as our shuttle begins docking protocol,"
"Nothing to trade. But yes you could call them tools."
He smiled and tilted his head back against the bracings between his shoulder mounts.
"Your accent. Where are you from?"
"Louisana. United Federation. You?"
"Kyoto. Neo-hon."
"I always wanted to go to the Japans when I was a terran. Heard it was nice. I'm LeBlanche.Shreve LeBlanche."
Thrusters fired on the starboard side and Hana felt the weight in her stomach shift. Even after a dozen starroutes, she had yet to become completely familiar with space travel.
"What do you do, Shreve LeBlanche?" she asked, turning her head to face him through the mounts.
"Raker.Twenty-two years."
Something in his eyes hinted at embarrassment. Hana couldn't help but think he did seem older than someone who would only be twenty-two years into his laborer contract. Her decorum instincts kicked in and she gathered her thoughts.
"Well, thank you for all that you do. I know rakers provide an enormous amount of comfort to the terrans. I wish you the best on your work!"
She spoke with sincerity that caught him off guard.
"Thank you ma'am. Gotta make sure the Earthers are taken care of…" there was a tone of sarcasm in his voice.
A soft thud echoed through the cabin and a gentle shake signaled the shuttle was attaching to its dock.
"Docking sequence complete. Please prepare for decontamination procedures."
Tension released in the harnesses and Hana felt her body drift ever-so-slightly from her seat. Low-budget level ships like theirs didn't have perfectly balanced gravity simulators like the luxury tourism and executive craft. Blood flowed through her body as it released itself from the tightness of the harnesses. For the slightest moment, there was a hesitation in her thoughts to undo her straps and take a step forward. Space itself seemed to spill into her chest as the pull of doubt and uncertainty teetered on the verge of crushing anxiety. She knew this feeling all too well, and began her mantras.
"I am strong. I am here. I am supposed to be here. I am strong. I am here. I am supposed to be here. I am strong. I am here. I am supposed to be here."
With that, her hand briefly released her belongings and pressed the release trigger on her harness. Anxiety washed away with the contaminants in the air as purification purges cycled through the cabin filtration systems. She stood and braced her small frame as LeBlanche rose as well, throwing a single duffle bag over his shoulder and popping his neck.
.
Nervous habit overtook her and she began to tie her dark brown hair into a bun. The cabin doors opened, beckoning them to exit. Hana took a deep breath and let the taste of the incoming air bind itself to her memories.
"I am strong. I am here. I am supposed to be here."
Each word became a step. In an instant, she was at the front of the ship, and her suitcase was in her hands. The doorway waited for her. LeBlanche paused and looked back in waiting. Her hands moved in tandem, placing her carried luggage into a locking mechanism atop her suitcase. Snapping brackets tightened them together. A padded belt was pulled across the top in one final precaution. Hana rose and faced the doorway.
"I am strong. I am here. I am supposed to be here."
Steps felt like leaps. LeBlanche was there with her now. The doorway greeted them and a soft gust of processed air rushed by as the docking entrance opened up to reveal her new home; Colony Outpost 1117.
The enormous dome curved above them and reached out for several kilometers, offering its circular coverage for over ten thousand residents. The dome was the central hub, with seven other spokes branching out into smaller hubs where residents were assigned based on their labors. Neon lights flashed descriptions and directions. Drones flew overhead in a buzz of activity. Hover cars passed in designated lanes. The dome's ceiling was clear, showing off the crushing infinite void of space that waited for them on the other side of those seven inches of reinforced glass.
Awe became a brief guest in the midst of Hana's nervousness and she dared to let herself bathe in the wonder of her new environment. A smile appeared then spread across the entirety of her face. And with that, the fear and doubt was gone and excitement was her primary sensation.
Giddy claps erupted from her hands and her shoulders began to twist and shimmy with happiness. She closed her eyes and shook her fingers as the pleasantness of new beginnings overtook her. LeBlanche noticed and smirked to himself.
"First time rockside?" he asked.
He wasn't taunting.
"Ye… Yes! It's incredible! Mankind can do amazing things."
He grinned and looked out at the stars.
"I guess we can. What sector are you stationed?"
Holographic details popped up in Hana's palm as she recalled her posting details.
"Seven! I have to take the rail four stops then connect onto the monorail. Then ride that for two stops." she recounted.
"Nice. I'm Sector Six. We're sector neighbors."
LeBlanche nodded his head towards his right as he spoke, motioning towards the rail station. Hana skipped forward to catch up with him.
"Seven, huh? That's the services and wares sector. You a merchant?"
"I am!"
She was feeling more comfortable with him now. Each time she caught sight of his face, she noticed a disarming melancholy to him. She didn't sense danger, just distance and stillness.
"What sort of merchant?" he asked.
They reached the station and boarded the mostly empty hover rail. Hana watched the worker automatons loading racks of supplies into the cargo holds. The new world around her filled her heart and she smiled at LeBlanche. She undid the lid of her luggage and released two safety guards. Her hands reached into the casing with care and slowly lifted out a stone lid. LeBlanche cocked an eyebrow with interest. Hana removed another piece to reveal a stone pot with a carved wooden handle. She set the lid on the top of the pot and faced LeBlanche, holding the pot firmly in both hands.
Hana's eyes opened as turbulence rattled the bulkheads. The ship's descent was swift and efficient, but not smooth. As the walls around her rattled, she looked out of the nearest window to try and gain her bearings. Light from the nearest sun clipped over a ridge and reflected off the galvanized steel of her ship, casting a white and gold glint into her eyes. Down below she could see her destination.
"Almost thereeeeee!" she sang to herself. Her hands instinctively pulled her belongings closer to her chest as her shoulders danced with excitement. Harnesses across her waist and torso kept the celebratory dance restrained but she let the joy radiate through her small frame nonetheless.
"I can't believe I actually slept that long. Thank you chamomile and valerian!" she whispered to herself as she stretched her legs and welcomed the popping of her joints and ears.
All around her, other passengers began to awaken. Hana's gaze drifted across the cabin to survey her comrades. Quiet exhaustion, isolation, and nervousness seemed etched across the faces of the other passengers.
"Miners and Salaries." she whispered.
"No - Future customers!"
Tremors shook the walls around her again.
"Alert for passengers: We will soon be arriving." said a robotic voice.
"Please make sure all items are secured and harnesses are connected as we begin our final descent."
"Please be safe. Please be safe." Hana whispered as her hands clenched along her luggage's hardbody exterior.
"Only bag you got?" came a voice from beside her.
Hana looked across her shoulder harness mount to see a gruff, tired man in his latter working years eying her with curiosity. Lines of labor and unfiltered sunlight etched memories across his face like terrain.
"I… have a suticase up front." she replied.
His eyes glanced once more at her closely held luggage. A familiar tinge of concern drifted through her thoughts.
As though sensing it, the man chuckled.
"Not gonna rob you ma'am. More just curious what's in there that makes you cling to it like your life depends on it."
His accent was strange to her. A quick glance revealed pulsing bionic augments stuck out from their embeddings his temples and cheekbones. An unfamiliar flower shape was tattooed under his left eye. Metallic knuckles and quietly whirring servos revealed his hands and lower arms to be bionic as well.-
"Well, you could say my livelihood depends on it," she smirked.
"Tools? Goods to trade?"
"Please brace yourselves as our shuttle begins docking protocol,"
"Nothing to trade. But yes you could call them tools."
He smiled and tilted his head back against the bracings between his shoulder mounts.
"Your accent. Where are you from?"
"Louisana. United Federation. You?"
"Kyoto. Neo-hon."
"I always wanted to go to the Japans when I was a terran. Heard it was nice. I'm LeBlanche.Shreve LeBlanche."
Thrusters fired on the starboard side and Hana felt the weight in her stomach shift. Even after a dozen starroutes, she had yet to become completely familiar with space travel.
"What do you do, Shreve LeBlanche?" she asked, turning her head to face him through the mounts.
"Raker. Nineteen years."
Something in his eyes hinted at embarrassment. Hana couldn't help but think he did seem older than someone who would only be twenty-two years into his laborer contract. Her decorum instincts kicked in and she gathered her thoughts.
"Well, thank you for all that you do. I know rakers provide an enormous amount of comfort to the terrans. I wish you the best on your work!"
She spoke with sincerity that caught him off guard.
"Thank you ma'am. Gotta make sure the Earthers are taken care of…" there was a tone of sarcasm in his voice.
A soft thud echoed through the cabin and a gentle shake signaled the shuttle was attaching to its dock.
"Docking sequence complete. Please prepare for decontamination procedures."
Tension released in the harnesses and Hana felt her body drift ever-so-slightly from her seat. Low-budget level ships like theirs didn't have perfectly balanced gravity simulators like the luxury tourism and executive craft. Blood flowed through her body as it released itself from the tightness of the harnesses. For the slightest moment, there was a hesitation in her thoughts to undo her straps and take a step forward. Space itself seemed to spill into her chest as the pull of doubt and uncertainty teetered on the verge of crushing anxiety. She knew this feeling all too well, and began her mantras.
"I am strong. I am here. I am supposed to be here. I am strong. I am here. I am supposed to be here. I am strong. I am here. I am supposed to be here."
With that, her hand briefly released her belongings and pressed the release trigger on her harness. Anxiety washed away with the contaminants in the air as purification purges cycled through the cabin filtration systems. She stood and braced her small frame as LeBlanche rose as well, throwing a single duffle bag over his shoulder and popping his neck.
.
Nervous habit overtook her and she began to tie her dark brown hair into a bun. The cabin doors opened, beckoning them to exit. Hana took a deep breath and let the taste of the incoming air bind itself to her memories.
"I am strong. I am here. I am supposed to be here."
Each word became a step. In an instant, she was at the front of the ship, and her suitcase was in her hands. The doorway waited for her. LeBlanche paused and looked back in waiting. Her hands moved in tandem, placing her carried luggage into a locking mechanism atop her suitcase. Snapping brackets tightened them together. A padded belt was pulled across the top in one final precaution. Hana rose and faced the doorway.
"I am strong. I am here. I am supposed to be here."
Steps felt like leaps. LeBlanche was there with her now. The doorway greeted them and a soft gust of processed air rushed by as the docking entrance opened up to reveal her new home; Colony Outpost 1117.
The enormous dome curved above them and reached out for several kilometers, offering its circular coverage for over ten thousand residents. The dome was the central hub, with seven other spokes branching out into smaller hubs where residents were assigned based on their labors. Neon lights flashed descriptions and directions. Drones flew overhead in a buzz of activity. Hover cars passed in designated lanes. The dome's ceiling was clear, showing off the crushing infinite void of space that waited for them on the other side of those seven inches of reinforced glass.
Awe became a brief guest in the midst of Hana's nervousness and she dared to let herself bathe in the wonder of her new environment. A smile appeared then spread across the entirety of her face. And with that, the fear and doubt was gone and excitement was her primary sensation.
Giddy claps erupted from her hands and her shoulders began to twist and shimmy with happiness. She closed her eyes and shook her fingers as the pleasantness of new beginnings overtook her. LeBlanche noticed and smirked to himself.
"First time rockside?" he asked.
He wasn't taunting.
"Ye… Yes! It's incredible! Mankind can do amazing things."
He grinned and looked out at the stars.
"I guess we can. What sector are you stationed?"
Holographic details popped up in Hana's palm as she recalled her posting details.
"Seven! I have to take the rail four stops then connect onto the monorail. Then ride that for two stops." she recounted.
"Nice. I'm Sector Six. We're sector neighbors."
LeBlanche nodded his head towards his right as he spoke, motioning towards the rail station. Hana skipped forward to catch up with him.
"Seven, huh? That's the services and wares sector. You a merchant?"
"I am!"
She was feeling more comfortable with him now. Each time she caught sight of his face, she noticed a disarming melancholy to him. She didn't sense danger, just distance and stillness.
"What sort of merchant?" he asked.
They reached the station and boarded the mostly empty hover rail. Hana watched the worker automatons loading racks of supplies into the cargo holds. The new world around her filled her heart and she smiled at LeBlanche. She undid the lid of her luggage and released two safety guards. Her hands reached into the casing with care and slowly lifted out a stone lid. LeBlanche cocked an eyebrow with interest. Hana removed another piece to reveal a stone pot with a carved wooden handle. She set the lid on the top of the pot and faced LeBlanche, holding the pot firmly in both hands.
"My name is Hana by the way! I'm a teamaker and I'm opening a Chashitsu for this outpost!"