I awoke in my personal cabin one morning a week after the incident at the G3H-7X9 system. I went through my normal morning routine before heading down to the ship’s galley.

  The distinctive chatter of Ruby's laughter fills the galley area as I enter, mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee from the SMR. Lounging in one of the rather plush booths, Ruby grins at me, her emerald eyes sparkling with mirth. Across the table from her, Amy sits cross-legged, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips.

  "There he is! Our fearless captain!" Ruby exclaims, motioning for me to join them. "We were just discussing the finer points of repulsor coil calibration. Thrilling stuff, I know." I gave her a look that said I doubted it but didn’t pry at getting the truth out of her.

  I chuckle, easing onto the sofa opposite them. "Sounds like I missed quite the riveting conversation. Though I'd bet my last credit you two could make even sublight engine maintenance entertaining."

  Amy shakes her head, her dark tresses cascading over her shoulders. "Don't encourage her, Asher. Last time, she had me reciting the entire periodic table while balancing a hydro spanner on my nose." I had to do a double take to that one. In this universe the table had close to three hundred elements, far more than the one hundred and eighteen I remember from my previous life.

  Ruby's laughter rings out again, infectious and warm. I can't help but join in, feeling the weight of command lift from my shoulders, if only for a moment. These stolen pockets of camaraderie, of genuine connection—they're what keep me going out here in the Black.

  As our laughter subsides, I lean forward, elbows resting on my knees. "You know, we've been running together for a while now, but there's still so much we don’t know about each other. What do you say we change that?"

  Ruby arches an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smirk. "Is this the part where we all hold hands and sing 'Kumbaya' around the impulse engine?"

  I roll my eyes good-naturedly. "Hardly my friend. I was thinking more along the lines of sharing a bit about our pasts, our dreams for the future. The things that make us who we are."

  Amy shifts, her gaze drifting to the viewport where the stars blur past in warp. "I'm not sure there's much to tell, at least on my end."

  "I doubt that." I counter gently. "Everyone has a story, Amy. Even if it doesn't seem like much to you, it's a part of what brought you here, to this ship, to this crew."

  Ruby nods, her expression softening. "Asher's right. And besides, if we're going to be trusting each other with our lives out here, we might as well know what makes each other tick."

  I lean back, feeling the worn leather of the sofa creak beneath me. "I'll start. Growing up on Neptune’s Mirage, I always dreamed of the stars. Of exploring the unknown, of finding a place where I belonged, in spite of all the hardships of being little more than a street orphan and now, here I am, captain of my own ship, with a crew I'd trust with my life. But sometimes, I can't shake the feeling that there's something more out there, waiting for me. Like a piece of myself I haven't found yet."

  Ruby reaches over, her hand resting on my arm. "We'll help you find it, Asher. Whatever it is, wherever it leads. That's what family does."

  Family. The word stirs some complex feelings within me. I don’t know what kind of family I may have had in this life, and I miss the family I had from my previous one. Still, I had at least two people I knew I could count on within the hull of this ship, and the third was rapidly on her way to winning my trust back after that incident that split us apart six years ago. I shook my head to clear my thoughts as both Amy and Ruby looked at me with sincere expressions. “Anyway, that’s kind of it in simple terms anyway. How about you take over from here Ruby?” I said trying to get the attention off of me.

  Ruby put a finger to her chin in thought before she spoke. “Much like our illustrious Captain here, I too grew up on the streets of Neptune’s Mirage. One of the many forgotten orphans that ended up in the city slums. The two of us even ran together with four others at one point.” She told us. I knew about this already, but Amy was riveted. “Wait, you two knew each other from before this?” She asked while gesturing to the ship. Ruby nodded. “We certainly did. We somehow ended up in the same orphanage in one of the southeast districts. That place didn’t fit a small group of us, so we kind of left.” Ruby shrugged as she said this, as if it was the most obvious thing to do.

  “Why would you do that? Wouldn’t the orphanage ben safer than the streets?” Amy innocently asked. I snorted from my seat next to her. “You’d think that. You’d really think that.” I said with clear sarcasm. “Anyway, we eventually had a falling out and Asher ended up going to ground somewhere. I only recently found out he met up with a Silver Ranked captain from the guild and got a job working with him.”Amy and Ruby were clearly enjoying the conversation, but I was growing uncomfortable as I knew what was coming next, so I tried to intercede. “What about you Amy? What was growing up in Alliance space like?” Of course, Amy saw right through my attempt to change the subject, curse my luck.

  Amy fixes me with a knowing look, one that says she sees right through my attempt to deflect the conversation. "We'll get to that, Asher. But first, I want to hear more about this falling out. What happened between you two?"

  I shift in my seat, the memories of that day still raw and painful, even after all these years. Ruby's gaze drops to her hands, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. The silence stretches between us, heavy with the weight of unspoken words.

  Finally, I sigh, running a hand through my short, silvery hair. "It was a job gone wrong. One I knew would go wrong from the start, so I told them not to take it on, but a certain someone went behind my back and did it anyway. They took on a contract from a local gang, one with a reputation for brutality. It was supposed to be a simple smash and grab, but..." I trailed off.

  Ruby picks up the thread, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it wasn't. The intel was bad, the security was tighter than we anticipated. We got caught in the crossfire between the gang and a rival faction. We barely made it out alive, and if it wasn’t for Asher showing up to save our hides, none of us would have" Ruby said

  I nod, the memory of that day etched into my mind like a scar, or at least the hospital stay after that was etched. The events of that night however, not so much. Only Ruby’s tall tale after the fact was all I had to go by. “According to what Ruby told me after I woke up in a hospital, I had somehow single handedly devastated the gangs. No member was left alive.” I shudder at the recalling of it. I couldn’t remember it, but I had somehow annihilated no less than what amounted to a medium sized company of brutal gang members. “Her story was so incredulous that I thought she was lying to cover up her mistakes. I was furious with her and told her to take the other traitors and get out of my sight.”

  Ruby looked at me, with all the determination she could muster. “It wasn’t a lie. You transformed like some kind of superhero before going on a rampage I’ve only ever read about in legends! You are special.” She said again, still sticking to that tall tale. I scoffed. “You were the only one who saw these supposed events. The others were already out cold from having been badly beaten by the time I arrived. The only thing I remember is getting so mad I couldn’t think straight. After that I blacked out and everything is a blur until the hospital. After yelling at Ruby that day I slipped out of the hospital and ran into Captain Deckar Raynar who ended up taking me in and training me.”

  Amy reaches out, placing a hand on my arm. Her touch is gentle, grounding. "It wasn't your fault, Asher. You were just trying to survive, to protect your family."

  I meet her gaze, seeing the sincerity in her deep blue eyes. "Maybe. But it took me a long time to come to terms with that. To forgive myself. For a long time, I wondered if I was some kind of ticking time bomb, with who knows what kind of conditions would set off the explosion.”

  Ruby leans forward, her emerald eyes shining with unshed tears. "We've all made mistakes, Asher. But we've also grown, learned from them. And now, we have a chance to make things right. To be the family we always wanted."

  I nod, feeling the weight of the past begin to lift from my shoulders. "You're right. We've been given a second chance, and I don't intend to waste it."

  Amy smiles, the first genuine smile I've seen from her since she joined the crew. "Well, I for one am glad you two found each other again. And I'm honored to be a part of this family, dysfunctional as it may be."

  We all laugh at that, the tension in the room dissipating like a fog in the sunlight. Ruby raises her mug of coffee in a toast. "To family, old and new."

  I raise my own mug, feeling a sense of belonging wash over me. "To family."

  We clink our mugs together with an impromptu toast of coffee. Though I make my coffee on the sweet side, the conversation left a bitter taste in my mouth. “Can we change the subject please? at least for now?” I asked of the other two and they nodded. “How about possible improvements to the ship?” I ask, curious about the others’ opinions. They lived here as much as I did.

  The holographic display flickers to life as I bring up a schematic of the Enterprise's weapons systems. "I've been thinking about upgrading our Variable Energy Array. With the right modifications, we could increase its power output and versatility."

  Ruby leans forward, her eyes sparkling with interest. "What did you have in mind, Captain?"

  I zoom in on the V.E.A.'s power coupling. "If we reroute the plasma conduits and install a secondary capacitor, we could boost the array's recharge rate and reduce the heat buildup."

  Amy nods, her fingers dancing across the display as she makes calculations. "That could work, but we'd need to reinforce the cooling system to handle the increased load."

  "Good point," I acknowledge, making a mental note. "We could also look into integrating some of the Lumari tech we acquired on our last run. Their phase modulation tech could give our beams an edge."

  Ruby grins, her enthusiasm infectious. "I like the way you think, Asher. We could even add a variable frequency oscillator to make our shots harder to deflect."

  As we dive deeper into the technical discussions, bouncing ideas off each other, I feel a sense of excitement building within me. This is what I live for—the thrill of innovation, the satisfaction of pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

  "Let's do it," I declare, my mind already racing with the possibilities. "We'll make the Enterprise the most formidable ship of her class in the Known Systems."

  Ruby's eyes gleam with mischief. "Speaking of formidable, have you tried out the new VR sim at the starstation? I hear it's an absolute rush."

  I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "A VR sim? What's it like?"

  "It's called 'Frontier Citizen,'" Ruby explains, her voice filled with anticipation. "It's an immersive space exploration and combat sim. You get to pilot your own ship, chart unknown regions, and engage in epic space battles." I remember reading somewhere that this VR sim was just a promotional thing for an upcoming large scale galnet gaming project.

  Amy chimes in, her tone eager. "I've heard about that! Apparently, the sensory feedback is incredibly realistic. You can actually feel the G-forces and the heat of the explosions."

  I feel a grin spreading across my face. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's suit up and give it a try."

  We make our way to the starstation's VR chamber, a massive room filled with state-of-the-art equipment. As we step onto the simulation platforms, the attendant hands us each a sleek helmet and a pair of haptic gloves.

  "Prepare to have your minds blown," Ruby says with a wink as she slips on her helmet.

  I take a deep breath and put on my own helmet, the display flickering to life before my eyes. Suddenly, I find myself in the cockpit of a sleek starfighter one of the legendary Hornet-Class, the vast expanse of space stretching out before me.

  "Woah," I breathe, marveling at the incredible detail of the virtual environment. The stars glitter like diamonds against the inky blackness, and distant nebulae paint the void with swirls of vibrant color.

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  Ruby's voice crackles over the comm. "You ready to kick some ass, Captain?"

  I grip the controls, feeling the familiar thrum of the engines beneath me. "Let's do this."

  As we plunge into the heart of a raging space battle, I let out a whoop of exhilaration. The sensations are incredibly vivid—the bone-rattling vibrations of enemy fire, the searing heat of a nearby explosion, the stomach-churning lurch of evasive maneuvers.

  I lose myself in the adrenaline-fueled dance of combat, spinning and weaving through the chaos, my fingers flying over the controls with practiced precision. Ruby and Amy are right beside me, our ships moving in perfect synchronization as we tear through the enemy formations.

  For a moment, everything else fades away—the weight of my past, the uncertainties of the future. There is only the rush of the present, the pure, unadulterated thrill of pushing myself to the limit and beyond.

  As the simulation ends and we emerge from the VR chamber, breathless and grinning from ear to ear, I feel a renewed sense of purpose and determination. No matter what challenges lie ahead, I know that with my crew by my side, we can face anything the universe throws at us.

  After a few hours of having fun and just blowing off some steam we head back to the ship. I have another project I wanted to get started on.

  As we settle back into the familiar confines of our ship, I turn to Ruby and Amy with a determined glint in my eye. "Alright, crew, I've got a new project for us. It's time to upgrade our combat kit."

  Ruby quirks an eyebrow, her emerald eyes sparkling with interest. "Oh? What did you have in mind, Captain?"

  I grin, already envisioning the possibilities. "I want to create custom armor tailored to each of our unique strengths and abilities. Something that will give us an edge in any fight."

  Amy leans forward, her dark hair falling across her face as she speaks softly. "That sounds like a wise precaution, given the dangers we face."

  Nodding, I begin to pace the room, my mind racing with ideas. "Exactly. Now, Ruby, for your armor, I'm thinking we focus on enhancing your agility and stealth capabilities. Maybe some lightweight, flexible materials that won't hinder your movements."

  Ruby grins, her eyes glinting with mischief. "I like the sound of that. And maybe some built-in gadgets for hacking and infiltration?"

  "You read my mind," I chuckle, before turning to Amy. "And for you, Amy, I want to create armor that complements your Force Skills. Something that can channel and amplify your abilities, while also providing robust protection."

  Amy nods thoughtfully, her blue eyes distant as if contemplating the possibilities. "I would appreciate that, Asher. Perhaps some integrated tech to help me focus and control my powers more effectively."

  As I listen to their input, my mind is already whirring with designs and schematics. I can picture the sleek, custom-fitted armor taking shape before my eyes, each piece carefully crafted to enhance our individual strengths.

  "I'll need to take some precise measurements and gather the necessary materials," I muse aloud, my fingers itching to get started. "But I promise you both, these will be the most advanced and personalized combat armors you've ever seen."

  Ruby claps her hands together, her enthusiasm infectious. "I can't wait to see what you come up with, Asher. This is going to be epic!"

  Even Amy allows a small smile to tug at her lips, her reserved demeanor giving way to a flicker of excitement. "I trust in your skills, Asher. I know you'll create something truly remarkable."

  As I set to work, losing myself in the intricacies of design and fabrication, I feel a renewed sense of purpose and determination. With each piece of armor I craft, I pour my heart and soul into ensuring the safety and success of my crew.

  For a moment, my mind wanders to the mysteries of my past and the challenges that lie ahead. But as I focus on the task at hand, those worries fade into the background. Right now, all that matters is equipping my crew—my family—with the tools they need to survive and thrive in this unforgiving universe.

  The workshop hums with energy as I meticulously assemble the custom combat armors, the gleaming materials taking shape beneath my skilled hands. The Armor Fabrication table was an engineering marvel in itself. The top part had a holographic model designer that could be manipulated in real time so I could carve out each type as I saw fit, and after each design was finalized, it would display a list of raw materials that could be feed into a holding case and broken down for use. Then the fabricator acted like the most advanced 3D printer ever and printed each piece layer by layer with all the components right where they needed to be. Using this thing made me feel like a certain comic book character from my past life. I couldn’t imagine what that guy would come up with in a reality like this one.

  As the final components fall into place, I step back to admire my handiwork. Three sets of armor stand before me, each one a masterpiece of form and function. Ruby's armor is sleek and agile, designed to enhance her natural speed and stealth so I dubbed it ‘Infiltrator’. Amy's is more understated, with integrated Force Skill amplifiers to complement her unique abilities which I dubbed ‘Scholar’. And my own armor is a bulwark of strength, built to withstand the toughest challenges which I decided to call ‘Paladin’. Though now that I look at the sets, I can see that recent events have colored my design choices as these look like they could be from a game where you fight big bugs and bots while spreading liberty and democracy to the galaxy.

  "They're ready," I announce, a note of pride in my voice. "Come and try them on."

  Ruby is the first to step forward, her eyes wide with wonder as she runs her fingers over the smooth contours of her armor. "Asher, this is incredible," she breathes, slipping into the suit with ease. It molds to her body like a second skin, the red accents gleaming in the light.

  Amy approaches more cautiously, but as she dons her armor, I can see a glimmer of confidence in her eyes. "I can feel the difference already," she murmurs, testing the range of motion. "The Force Skill amplifiers are perfectly attuned."

  As I step into my own armor, I feel a surge of power and purpose. The weight of responsibility settles on my shoulders, but it is a burden I am ready to bear. Together, we stand as a united front, our armor a symbol of our unbreakable bond.

  "Thank you, Asher," Ruby says softly, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. "For everything."

  Amy nods in agreement, her usually guarded expression softening. "We're lucky to have you as our leader and friend."

  Their words fill me with a warmth that even the coldest reaches of space cannot extinguish.

  The weight of the armor settles comfortably on my shoulders as I step into the training room, the hum of the ship's engines a distant backdrop. Ruby and Amy follow close behind, their footsteps echoing in the cavernous space. I can feel their anticipation mingling with my own, a palpable energy that crackles in the air.

  "Alright, team," I say, my voice amplified by the comm system built into our helmets. "Let's put these suits through their paces. Engage combat simulation Alpha-Six."

  The room shimmers and dissolves, replaced by a war-torn cityscape. Holographic enemies materialize before us, their weapons raised and ready. I feel a grin tugging at my lips as I activate my suit's amplifiers, the familiar tingle of power coursing through my veins.

  Ruby wastes no time, her movements a blur of speed and precision as she engages the nearest target. Her armor's enhanced reflexes allow her to dodge incoming fire with ease, her own shots finding their mark with deadly accuracy. Amy takes a more calculated approach, her suit's advanced targeting system highlighting weak points in the enemy's defenses. She moves with a fluid grace, her attacks methodical and efficient.Amy was focusing on casting buffs and boosters during the sim, and with her armor enhancements she was able to cast at a far faster and improved rate than before. Unfortunately, she couldn’t test any of her offensive abilities as we didn’t want holes blown in the ship.

  As for me, I let instinct take over. It's as if the armor is an extension of my own body, responding to my thoughts before I even have a chance to act. I weave through the chaos of the battlefield, my weapons blazing. Together, we are an unstoppable force, our movements perfectly synchronized, our strengths complementing each other seamlessly.

  The simulation ends, and we stand victorious amidst the fading holograms. I can see the exhilaration on Ruby's face, the pride in Amy's eyes. They feel it too—the rush of power, the thrill of knowing that we are capable of so much more than we ever imagined.

  "That was amazing!" Ruby exclaims, her voice breathless with excitement. "I've never felt so fast, so strong."

  Amy nods, a rare smile gracing her features. "The armor's capabilities are beyond anything I could have hoped for. We're ready for whatever the galaxy throws at us."

  As I watch them, I feel a swell of emotion rising in my chest. My crew, my family—they are the reason I fight, the reason I push myself to be better. With them by my side, I know that we can overcome any obstacle, face any challenge. Though we should probably add Titan into some of the next drills we run with these things so I can see if his systems need any adjustments or upgrades to keep up. He was very good at heavy support.

  "You're right," I say, my voice steady with conviction. "We're ready. But more than that, we're together. And that's what truly matters."

  Ruby clasps my shoulder, her touch a reassuring presence even through the layers of armor. "Always," she says, her eyes shining with loyalty and affection.

  Amy steps forward, her hand resting on my other shoulder. "We're with you, Asher. No matter what."

  In that moment, the weight of my responsibilities, the uncertainties of our future, seem to fade away. All that remains is the unshakable bond between us, the knowledge that together, we are stronger than anything the universe can throw our way. As I look at my crew, my friends, I am filled with a sense of purpose and belonging that I have never known before.

  After putting away the new armors and getting cleaned up, there was a message from the Guild waiting for us. I read through the information sent over and my eyes got a serious enough look to them that the others got worried. Even Titan walked over to find out was up. “Creator Asher, your heart rate has gone up considerably.” He said. The other two looked between us. “Yeah, we got a request from the Guild, routed right to us. Seems like the guys over at the Exoplanet Colonization Division managed to hunt down some interesting clues and passed them over to the Alliance Navy. Seems Commander Anderson is requesting our assistance with this since we were the crew who originally alerted them about the strange bugs on that planet.” I said. Amy nodded. “That makes sense. We have the most experience with these things. They probably want our perspective on how to fight them or something.” She said. “Lots of firepower.” Titan replied.Ruby gave him a look “That’s your answer for most things big guy.” She said. Titan nodded “It works.” He simply replied.Ruby shook her head in exasperation. “So, I take it we are taking the request on, right?” I nodded my ascent to that statement. “No reason not to. The compensation is pretty good, and we’ll be getting a more detailed brief once we meet up with the Ballentine.” The instructions noted that we were to meet up with the Alliance Cruiser in two days at the star system that the Exoplanet Research facility was located, the very same one we originally reported the mission details too. “Looks like we get underway in the morning. It’s about a day’s travel at Warp 6 to get to the destination system.” I said. “Make sure we get some rest tonight.” I ordered before dismissing everyone. I went to my private quarters, located on its’ own deck aft of the bridge module. I sighed as I sat down at my desk. I typed away as I put in my personal logs with the ship’s database. There were things that I couldn’t put in here though, knowing Ruby she had more than likely granted herself access to every single database on the ship, so the only way to keep information out of her hands was to write it down the old-fashioned way.

  I glanced at the leather-bound journal I had picked up for myself. To write down my thoughts and insights that I just couldn’t explain to the others yet. I’m pretty sure they’d think I’d gone mad if I tried to explain my actual origins, or at least how I knew them.

  As I settle into my quarters for the night, my mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The weight of the upcoming mission, the responsibility I feel for my crew, and the lingering questions about my own past all swirl together in a dizzying dance.

  I sit at my desk, the soft glow of the lamp casting shadows across the room. My fingers trace the worn leather of my journal, the one place where I can truly be myself, without fear of judgment or misunderstanding. With a heavy sigh, I open the book to a fresh page and begin to write.

  "Another mission, another step into the unknown," I scrawl, my handwriting uneven with the turbulence of my thoughts. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm truly cut out for this, if I have what it takes to lead this crew, to keep them safe."

  I pause, my pen hovering over the page as I gather my thoughts. "They trust me, Ruby and Amy, even Titan in his own way. They believe in me, but if they knew the truth about my past, about the memories that haunt me, would they still feel the same?"

  The words flow from my pen, a cathartic release of the doubts and fears I keep locked away. "I remember a different life, a different world. One without the wonders and terrors of this universe. Is it possible that I'm not from here, that I've somehow been transplanted into this reality?"

  I shake my head, a wry smile tugging at my lips. "They'd think I was crazy if I told them. Hell, sometimes I think I might be crazy. But I can't shake the feeling that there's a reason I'm here, a purpose I have yet to uncover."

  As I continue to write, I feel a sense of clarity beginning to emerge. "Regardless of my origins, this is my life now. This crew, this ship, they are my reality. And I will do whatever it takes to protect them, to lead them through whatever challenges lie ahead."

  "Another mission, another step into the unknown," I wrote, my hand steady despite the weight of the words. "The strange, hostile lifeforms we encountered on G3H-7X9 have drawn the attention of the Alliance Navy, and now they've called upon us to lend our expertise. I can't shake the feeling that this is just the beginning of something much larger, a threat that could reshape the very fabric of our reality."

  I paused, the pen hovering over the page as I gathered my thoughts. "But even in the face of such uncertainty, I find strength in my crew, my family. Ruby, with her quick wit and loyal heart. Amy, with her quiet determination and untapped potential. And Titan, our steadfast guardian, always ready to face any challenge head-on."

  A smile tugged at my lips as I continued. "Together, we've forged an unbreakable bond, one that transcends the boundaries of space and time. And with our new armor, crafted to enhance our unique strengths, I believe we are ready to face whatever the universe has in store for us."

  I hesitated, the pen trembling slightly as I contemplated my next words. "But there are secrets I keep, even from them. The truth of my origins, the knowledge that I carry from a life lived in another realm. I fear the day when those secrets will come to light, when I must confront the reality of who—and what—I truly am."

  Taking a deep breath, I pressed on. "For now, I will focus on the mission at hand, on protecting those I hold dear. The mysteries of my past can wait, for there are more pressing matters that demand our attention. The Alliance needs us, and we will answer the call, as we always have."

  With a final flourish, I signed my name at the bottom of the entry, the ink glistening in the dim light of my quarters. Closing the journal, I leaned back in my chair, my eyes drifting to the viewport where the stars could be seen glittering like a backdrop of diamonds on a black satin sheet.

  "Whatever the future holds," I whispered to the cosmos, "we will face it together. As a crew, as a family, as the unstoppable force we can become." With renewed determination, I rose from my chair and made my way to my bunk, ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.

  As I prepare for bed, my thoughts drift to the new armor we created, to the strength and unity it represents. With Ruby and Amy by my side, with the power of our bond and the skills we possess, I know that we can face anything the galaxy throws our way.

  I close my eyes, letting the hum of the ship's engines lull me into a restful sleep. Tomorrow, we will set out on a new adventure, ready to confront the dangers that await us. But tonight, I take comfort in the knowledge that I am not alone, that I have a family who stands with me, no matter what the future may hold.

  As sleep claimed me, my last thoughts were of the incredible people I had the honor of calling my own. Ruby, Amy, and Titan—they were my anchor, my purpose, and my reason for fighting. And with them, I knew I could face anything the universe had in store for us.