The dim light of the office casts long shadows across the antique wooden desk as Thalmas Decius examines the encrypted dataslate, the pale blue glow of the screen illuminating his face. His fingers tap a steady rhythm on the polished surface, the only sound in the stillness of the night.

  He stares at the name on the screen, barely daring to breathe. Asher Primus Dragonis. Could it really be him? The kidnapped and missing heir, vanished without a trace all those years ago? If this information is true, it could change everything. The delicate balance of power in the Imperium, the line of succession, the very future of the galaxy.

  He takes a deep breath, trying to quell the rising tide of excitement and trepidation in his chest. He have to be sure. He can't afford to make a mistake, not with something of this magnitude.

  With practiced precision, his fingers dance across the haptic interface, inputting layer after layer of encryption protocols. Polymorphic algorithms, quantum cryptography, mnemo-fractals - every technique he’s learned over his decades of service in the Diplomatic Corps. Each additional safeguard feels like a physical weight, the burden of this knowledge pressing down on him.

  As he inputs the final security code, he hesitates, his finger hovering over the confirmation key. Once he sends this, there will be no going back. The gears of fate will be set in motion, and not even he can predict where they will lead. Is he ready to shoulder that responsibility? To potentially alter the course of history with a single transmission?

  He closes his eyes for a moment, steadying himself. He is Thalmas Decius of House Decius. He has navigated the treacherous currents of galactic politics for longer than most of his peers have been alive. If anyone can handle the repercussions of this revelation, it is him.

  With a final breath, he presses the confirmation key, watching as the progress bar fills and the encrypted packet is sent winging its way across the vastness of space. The die is cast.

  He leans back in his chair, the supple leather creaking softly. His eyes drift to the expansive window, where the glittering lights of the Nexus Enclave System stretch out before him like a sea of stars. Somewhere out there, a young man named Asher is going about his life, unaware of the destiny that may await him.

  A faint smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. "Oh, to be young and unencumbered by the weight of history," He murmurs to himself, his words swallowed by the stillness of the room. "Enjoy it while you can, my boy. For if you are who I suspect... your journey is only just beginning."

  His fingers resume their rhythmic tapping on the desk as he contemplates the myriad paths that now lay before them. Anticipation coils in his gut, tempered by a flicker of caution. Only time will tell what manner of man this Asher Dragonis proves to be... and what role he will play in the great game of power that forever shapes the face of the galaxy.

  With a final, decisive tap, he rises from his chair, smoothing the immaculate lines of his uniform. There is still much to be done. But for now, the wheels are in motion. And he, Thalmas Decius, will be watching.

  The stars blur into streaks of light as the Enterprise hurtles through the void, the familiar hum of the ion impulse engines resonating through the deck plates beneath my feet. I stand alone in the observation deck, my gaze fixed on the endless expanse before me, a canvas of inky black adorned with the glittering jewels of distant suns.

  "Penny for your thoughts, Captain?" Ruby's voice cuts through my reverie, her reflection appearing beside mine in the reinforced viewport.

  I let out a soft chuckle, shaking my head. "Just contemplating the mysteries of the universe, as one does when staring into the abyss."

  Ruby arches an eyebrow, her lips curving into a wry smile. "And here I thought you were just admiring the view."

  "Can't it be both?" I counter, turning to face her. "What brings you up here, anyway? Shouldn't you be down in engineering, making sure we don't fly apart at the seams?"

  "Oh, ye of little faith," Ruby scoffs, folding her arms across her chest. "The ship is running like a well-oiled machine. Besides, I figured you could use some company. You've been spending an awful lot of time up here lately."

  I shrug, my gaze drifting back to the stars. "Just trying to make sense of it all, I suppose. My past, my purpose... everything that's happened since I woke up on Neptune’s Mirage all those years ago with no memory of who I am or how I got there."

  Ruby's expression softens, and she places a hand on my shoulder. "We'll figure it out, Ash. Together. That's what family does."

  Family. The word sends a pang of longing through my chest, mingled with a fierce surge of protectiveness. The crew of this ship, they're more than just my friends, my comrades in arms. They're the only family I've ever really known.

  But even as I draw comfort from Ruby's presence, from the steadfast loyalty shining in her eyes, I can't shake the nagging sense that something is missing. That somewhere out there, the key to unlocking the secrets of my past is waiting to be found.

  "I know," I say at last, mustering a smile. "And I'm grateful for that, truly. But I can't help feeling like there's more to my story than just being a starship captain with a mysterious past. Like there's some greater purpose I'm meant to serve."

  Ruby nods, her gaze thoughtful. "Well, whatever it is, we'll face it head-on. After all, we're the crew of the Enterprise. We don't back down from a challenge."

  A laugh bubbles up in my throat, and I clap Ruby on the back. "Damn straight. Now, what do you say we go round up the others and figure out our next move? Those insectoids aren't going to stop themselves."

  As we make our way off the observation deck, the weight of the unknown still pressing on my shoulders, I can't help but feel a flicker of excitement beneath the uncertainty. Whatever the future holds, whatever truths await me in the depths of space, I know one thing for certain. I'm not facing it alone.

  The briefing room hums with energy as I take my place at the head of the table, the holographic displays casting a cool blue glow across the faces of my crew. I can feel their eyes on me, their anticipation palpable in the recycled air.

  "All right, listen up," I say, my voice cutting through the low murmur of conversation. "We've got a lot to discuss, and not a lot of time to do it in."

  I tap a few commands into the console before me, and a three-dimensional star map flickers to life above the table. The room falls silent as the other three lean in for a closer look, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern, save for Titan whose faceplate makes any emotions he may have unreadable.

  "As you all know, we've been tracking the movements of the insectoids for weeks now," I continue, zooming in on a cluster of systems near the edge of the map. "And thanks to some intel from our contacts in the Rim, we've finally got a lead on their next target."

  I highlight a small, unassuming planet with a flick of my wrist, watching as it pulses with an ominous red light. "This is Zephyr-6, a remote mining colony on the fringes of Alliance space. Our sources indicate that the insectoids are planning to hit it within the next 48 hours."

  A murmur of unease ripples through the room, and I can see the wheels turning in everyone's minds as they process the information. Amy raises her hand, her brow furrowed with worry.

  "What's so special about Zephyr-6?" she asks, her voice tight with tension. "Why would the insectoids bother with such a small, out-of-the-way target?"

  I nod, tapping another command into the console. The hologram shifts, revealing a complex web of trade routes and supply chains crisscrossing the sector.

  "That's the million-credit question," I reply, tracing one of the lines with my finger. "Zephyr-6 may not look like much, but it's a crucial link in the Alliance's ceramite supply chain. If the insectoids take it out, they could cripple the production of warp drives across half the galaxy."

  A heavy silence falls over the room as the implications sink in. I can see the determination hardening in my crew's eyes, the resolve to prevent such a catastrophe at any cost.

  "So, what's the plan, Captain?" Ruby asks, her fingers already flying across her datapad as she starts pulling up schematics and sensor logs. "How do we stop them?"

  I feel a smile tug at the corner of my mouth, a flicker of pride igniting in my chest. This is what I love about my crew - their unwavering commitment to doing what's right, no matter the odds.

  "We hit them hard and fast," I reply, my voice ringing with conviction. "We use every trick in the book - Force skills, cyber warfare, good old-fashioned gunship diplomacy - to take out their ships before they even reach the colony."

  I lean forward, my gaze sweeping across the room, locking eyes with each member of my crew in turn. "It won't be easy. The insectoids are tough, and they fight dirty. But I know that together, we can do this. We can save Zephyr-6, and strike a blow against whatever twisted agenda the insectoids are pursuing."

  As I look around at the determined faces of my crew, the anxiety and confusion of our last mission melting away in the heat of our shared purpose, I feel something rare in the world I inhabit - a flicker of hope. Though I carry the scars of my lost past, here in this battered but unbroken briefing room, I finally feel like I'm on the right track to something real and honest and good.

  "We won't let you down, Captain," Ruby declares and the others echo her sentiment, and for the first time in a long while I feel the peace of knowing that whatever waits ahead, these remarkable beings have placed their trust in my hands. It's a weight of responsibility, yes - but also a precious gift. A reminder that I don't walk this uncertain path alone.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  As we start delving into logistics, contingency plans and coordinating squadron assignments, the shadows of the past recede for a time and I center myself in the bright energy of the present.

  "Let's talk contingencies," I say, leaning forward and resting my elbows on the briefing table. The holographic display flickers, casting a cool blue glow across the faces of my crew. "If we encounter heavy resistance at the target site, we need to be prepared to adapt our strategy on the fly."

  Ruby's eyes glint with a familiar mischievous spark as she chimes in, "I've been working on some new cyber warfare protocols that could give us an edge. If I can infiltrate their command and control systems, we might be able to sow chaos in their ranks and create an opening for our ground teams."

  I nod, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "Sounds like a plan, Ruby. I know I can count on you to work your magic when we need it most."

  She grins back at me, a silent acknowledgment of the trust and understanding we share. In the heat of battle, there's no one I'd rather have watching my back than Ruby Ryujin.

  As the discussion continues, each member of the crew contributes their unique insights and expertise. Titan suggests a two pronged attack with the possible assistance of Alliance Navy ships while Amy suggests that Force Skill users can augment ship’s weapons systems with various effects, enabling us to determine the most efficient usage on the insectoid carrier vessels.

  Throughout it all, I can't help but marvel at the way this disparate group of individuals has coalesced into a cohesive unit. Despite our vastly different backgrounds and skillsets, we operate like a well-oiled machine, anticipating each other's needs and playing to our strengths.

  And yet, even as we plot and plan, my thoughts can't help but drift to the greater mystery that looms over everything - the enigma of my own fractured past and the role I'm meant to play in this unfolding drama.

  What secrets lie buried in the depths of my mind? What will I sacrifice in pursuit of those answers?

  Part of me struggles against a profound reluctance to face the painful truths that surely await me down this road - but another part, perhaps the part shaped by my previous life as a sailor on Earth - whispers that I need to stay the course. I signed on for this mission knowing full well the risks it entailed, and now I had a duty to see it through.

  So I push the doubts aside and re-focus on the task at hand, on the people who are counting on me to lead them through the fire ahead.

  "Alright team," I say, my voice steady with resolve, "let's run through the mission parameters one more time from the top. I want to make sure we're all on the same page before we deploy."

  As the briefing room plunges into a flurry of activity once more, I can't escape the feeling that we're on the cusp of something monumental - a tipping point that will irrevocably alter the trajectory of our lives.

  Amy's eyes sparkle with quiet intensity as she leans forward, her voice soft but clear. "I believe my Force Skills could prove invaluable in this mission. The Buffer Techs, in particular, could enhance our strength and agility in combat against the insectoids."

  Her words hang in the air for a moment, and I can't help but marvel at the depth of her knowledge. It's easy to forget sometimes that beneath her reserved exterior lies a well of power and wisdom beyond her years.

  "That's a great point, Amy," I say, nodding thoughtfully. "Your abilities could give us a much-needed edge out there."

  She smiles, a flicker of pride crossing her face before it's replaced by a more somber expression. "But we must be cautious. The shadowy organization we're up against... I sense there's more to them than meets the eye. A darker purpose we haven't yet uncovered."

  The room falls silent, the weight of her words settling over us like a shroud. The hum of the ship's engines thrums through the deck plates, a constant reminder of the vastness of space that surrounds us - and the countless unknowns that lie ahead.

  Ruby breaks the tension with a wry chuckle. "Well, if there's one thing I've learned from my time as a Net-Hacker, it's that nothing is ever as simple as it seems. There's always another layer to the onion."

  I nod in agreement and I can see the determination hardening in their eyes. They know, as I do, that we're on the cusp of something far greater than ourselves - a conspiracy that could threaten the very fabric of our universe.

  But we won't back down, I think fiercely, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. We'll unravel this mystery, one thread at a time, until we expose the truth at its core.

  The holographic displays flicker and dance around us, casting an eerie blue glow over the faces of my crew. In that moment, I feel a surge of pride and affection for each and every one of them - these brave souls who have chosen to stand with me against the darkness, no matter the cost.

  "Alright, people," I say, my voice ringing with authority. "Let's get to work. We have a galaxy to save."

  As the briefing room erupts into a flurry of activity once more, I catch Amy's eye across the table. In that brief, unspoken exchange, I feel a flicker of something deep and profound - a connection that transcends mere words.

  Together, I think, holding her gaze for a heartbeat longer before turning back to the task at hand. We'll face whatever comes, side by side, until the very end.

  The stars outside the observation deck seem to wink in silent agreement as we race onward into the waiting darkness, our hearts aligned and our purpose clear.

  The hunt is on, and the game is about to change forever.

  As the meeting concludes and the crew disperses to attend to their duties, I find myself drawn to the observation deck once more, seeking solace in the endless expanse of stars. The weight of our mission hangs heavy on my shoulders, but there's something else nagging at the edges of my mind - a faint, insistent tug that I can't quite shake.

  I stare out at the vast tapestry of the cosmos, my breath fogging the viewport in rhythmic puffs. The ship hums with quiet activity around me, the crew preparing for the battle to come, but in this moment, I am alone with my thoughts.

  My fingers drift to the strange metallic slate that hangs around my neck, a talisman of my forgotten past. I've carried it with me for as long as I can remember, though I have no memory of how it came into my possession. Its surface is etched with intricate patterns that seem to shift and dance in the starlight, hinting at some deeper meaning that eludes me. The only things legible that come from it is my first name and a birthdate with no year.

  My fingers absently trace the cool, smooth surface of the dataslate in my hand - the same one that has haunted my dreams since the day I first woke up on Neptune's Mirage with no memory of who I was or how I came to be there. The encrypted files it contains have thus far eluded all attempts at decryption, taunting me with the promise of revelation just beyond my grasp.

  Who am I, really? The question echoes through my mind, a relentless litany that grows louder with each passing day. What secrets lie buried in the blank spaces of my memory, waiting to be unearthed?

  The cool press of the viewport glass against my forehead jolts me back to the present, and I sigh, my breath fogging the transparent aluminum. There are no easy answers to be found here, in the cold, uncaring reaches of space - only more questions, more mysteries to unravel.

  ...

  Light-years away, in the heart of the Imperial Embassy on Nexus Enclave, Thalmas Decius sits motionless before his ornate desk, his eyes fixed on the encrypted dataslate. A soft chime breaks the stillness, and a flicker of satisfaction crosses his features as the confirmation of the packet's successful delivery scrolls across the screen.

  So it begins, he thinks, his expression unreadable as he leans back in his chair. The wheels of fate are turning, and the path ahead grows ever more uncertain.

  Thalmas steeples his fingers, his mind racing with possibilities and contingencies. He knows that his actions today will have far-reaching consequences, rippling out across the stars like a pebble thrown into a vast, cosmic pond.

  But what shape will those ripples take? What new patterns will emerge in their wake?

  Only time will tell, and Thalmas is nothing if not patient. He has played this game for longer than most, navigating the treacherous currents of imperial politics with a deft hand and a keen eye for opportunity.

  And now, a new piece has entered the board, one that could tip the balance in ways even I cannot fully predict.

  Thalmas allows himself a small, enigmatic smile, his gaze drifting to the window and the glittering cityscape beyond.

  Let the games begin.

  I stand alone on the observation deck, the endless expanse of stars stretching out before me like a tapestry woven from the very fabric of the universe. The gentle hum of the Enterprise's engines thrums through the deck plates, a constant reminder of the power and potential at our fingertips.

  But what good is power without purpose? I muse, my thoughts turning inward as I lean against the railing. What use is potential if we never strive to reach it?

  The weight of my past life as a Navy Sailor hangs heavy on my shoulders, a constant reminder of the man I once was and the mysteries that still shroud my true identity. The fragmented memories dance at the edges of my consciousness, taunting me with glimpses of a world I can barely remember.

  But I will remember, I vow silently, my jaw clenching with determination. I will uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

  The stars seem to wink in response, as if acknowledging my resolve. I can feel the thrum of anticipation in my veins, the electric tingle of adventure waiting just beyond the horizon.

  "Asher?" Amy's voice cuts through my reverie, and I turn to see her standing in the doorway, her eyes shining with concern. "You okay?"

  I nod, a half-smile tugging at my lips. "Yeah, just thinking about what's ahead."

  She steps closer, her hand finding mine on the railing. "We'll face it together, you know. All of us."

  I squeeze her hand, the warmth of her touch chasing away the chill of uncertainty. "I know. And I couldn't ask for a better crew by my side."

  We stand in silence for a moment, the stars bearing witness to our unspoken bond. I know that the challenges ahead will test us in ways we can't even imagine, but I also know that together, we are stronger than any force the universe can throw at us.

  “You know, I should tell you..” She started off, but looked a little reluctant. I motioned for her to go on.

  “You know how Ruby convinced me to come see you in your cabin right?” She said with a bit of a blush. Seems like both of us were still a bit awkward about that night. “Yeah, what about it?”

  “Well, it’s just that I asked Ruby why she was pushing me into confessing. You know she’s in love with you right? Has been for a long time.” Amy drops this bombshell of information on me. The shock is pretty clear on my face. I can feel myself sink to the deck as I cover my face with my hands. That would certainly explain part of her obsession with me. “I’ll take that as a no. I did ask her and it was pretty clear to me. I couldn’t figure out why she wasn’t making a move first, seeing as you two have known each other a lot longer than me.” She said. I sighed and stood up. “Things are still a bit tense between us. Probably why I didn’t notice.” I said. “I got much the same answer from her, but she felt that she has to earn back your trust before she can even think of making that kind of move, she said it would be cruel to block my chances with you.” She told me matter-of-factly. I nodded and sighed again. “So, you think you could forgive her? For me? I know you don’t believe her story, but she certainly believes it. She couldn’t lie to me if she wanted to.” This bit of info made me want to pound my head into the nearest bulkhead. This not only meant that Ruby was telling the truth back then, but it also meant I had some kind of hidden superpower. “This…this really sucks.” I said as I pinched the bridge of my nose.

  Looks like my past was even more complicated than I thought. “I’ll consider it.. Just give me some time to come to terms with all of this.” I said.

  Amy smiled and touched my cheek before pulling me in for a kiss. “That’s all I ask.” She said and made her way out of the room.

  I had to snort in disbelief. Why were all the women in my life this awesome? What did I do to deserve them? I had a feeling the universe wouldn’t tell me.

  And so we sail on, I think, my gaze fixed on the infinite possibilities that lie ahead. Into the unknown, chasing destiny and legend in equal measure.

  The stars seem to shimmer in agreement, and I can feel the weight of my past life begin to lift, replaced by a sense of purpose and belonging that I never knew I was missing.

  This is where I'm meant to be, I realize, the truth of it settling deep in my bones. This is who I am, and who I will become.

  And with that thought, I turn away from the observation deck, ready to face whatever the future may hold, my crew by my side and the stars as our guide. The course is set and the Enterprise jumps to Warp, headed for the Nexus Enclave System and the HQ of the Alliance Seventh Fleet.

  Space is a never ending frontier, and these will be the adventures of the crew of the starship Enterprise. Our shared mission is to fully explore this wonderful galaxy we find ourselves in, explore new cultures and find out about my past. We will boldly go where the call of adventure takes us.