Chapter 02: An Unexpected Ally
The hum of her ship’s damaged systems was a constant reminder of the precariousness of Niamh’s situation. Her fingers hovered over the damaged console, but her mind was elsewhere, drifting to the strange figure now tethered to her ship. The more she thought about it, the more the reality of it began to set in: someone, or something, had followed her into the nebula. Why? And who were they? A bounty hunter, a rogue trader, or perhaps something worse? There was no way to know, but Niamh’s instincts told her one thing—this wasn’t just a coincidence.
Her pulse quickened as the small comm panel blinked back to life. The crackling voice of Captain Soren cut through the static again, louder this time. “This is Captain Soren of the Blackstone. We’re approaching your coordinates. We’ll be there in thirty minutes. Sit tight.”
She swallowed, the unease settling deeper in her stomach. The Blackstone? That wasn’t just any civilian vessel. The name carried weight—especially out here in the forgotten corners of the galaxy. The Blackstone was known to most, a heavily armed freighter that was rumored to have ties to some of the more unsavory factions in the galaxy. It didn’t fit the profile of someone who would come to the aid of a stranded wanderer.
Niamh shook her head, pushing the thoughts aside. Right now, she had more pressing concerns. Whoever Captain Soren was, she wasn’t going to just wait for him to arrive. She had to be prepared. She was no stranger to danger in the deep reaches of space, and whatever game was unfolding, she wasn’t going to be caught unawares.
Racing through the ship, she grabbed her tools and made her way to the auxiliary shuttle. If the shuttle was still in good enough condition, it could give her the advantage. She needed to know what she was dealing with before anyone—or anything—got close.
As she prepared the shuttle’s systems, her mind continued to replay the strange encounter on the hull. That figure—so deliberate in their movements—had to be someone trained. They were no amateur, that much was certain. But who were they working for? And more importantly, why had they targeted her?
Niamh’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a metallic thud from outside the ship, followed by a faint scraping. She froze. They were closer now, whatever “they” were.
Before she could make a decision, her comms buzzed again. This time, the voice was more insistent.
“Are you receiving this? This is Captain Soren, again. We are three minutes out. You need to hold position. I’ll explain everything when we dock.”
Niamh gritted her teeth, staring at the panel. She didn’t trust this sudden offer of help, but it didn’t matter. She needed answers. And if Captain Soren was really headed her way, then there was only one thing to do: wait.
Moments later, the unmistakable sound of a heavy engine filled the air as the Blackstone drifted into view. Niamh’s eyes narrowed as the massive ship appeared against the glowing backdrop of the nebula, casting an ominous shadow over her own small vessel. It was a ship built for battle—sleek, dark, and far too dangerous-looking for her liking.
A voice crackled in her earpiece. “Prepare to be boarded,” Captain Soren’s voice rang out, calm but commanding. “Don’t make any sudden moves.”
Niamh’s hand instinctively moved to her blaster, though she doubted it would do much good if things went south. But as the ship docked and the airlock hissed open, a chill ran through her. This wasn’t just a simple rescue. The Blackstone hadn’t come to help her out of kindness. Something else was at play.
The door to the airlock slid open, and there stood Captain Soren, tall and imposing in his dark uniform. His face was shadowed by the low light from the nebula, but there was no mistaking the cold, calculating gaze in his eyes. He was everything Niamh expected—composed, professional, but there was a certain edge to him, something that made her uneasy.
“Don’t make this harder than it has to be,” he said, stepping inside the small cabin. His voice was steady, controlled. “I’m here to help, but you need to understand—this situation is far bigger than just a stranded ship.”
“I’m not interested in your help,” Niamh shot back, taking a step back. “I didn’t ask for your rescue.”
Captain Soren’s lips twitched, though whether it was a smile or a grimace, Niamh couldn’t tell. “I’m not giving you a choice,” he said, his eyes flicking to the shuttle. “That ship out there… it’s no coincidence. You’ve been marked.”
“Marked?” Niamh repeated, frowning. “Marked by who?”
Before Soren could answer, the ship’s console began to beep, signaling an incoming message. Niamh glanced at it, but Captain Soren was already moving toward her, his hand hovering over the panel. His movements were swift, practiced.
“It’s better if I show you,” he muttered, tapping a series of commands into the console. A new image flickered on the screen—a holographic projection of a star system, one that was far too familiar to Niamh. It was the same nebula, but this time, it was zoomed in, highlighting the hidden asteroids deep within the cloud.
“This,” Soren said, “is where things get complicated.”
Niamh’s heart skipped a beat. “What are you trying to tell me?”
“Those asteroids,” he said quietly, “contain something far more dangerous than you realize. It’s not just a random scattering of space debris. It’s a graveyard.”
Niamh stared at the image, unable to make sense of it. “A graveyard?”
“Yes,” Soren said, his tone darkening. “A burial ground for a lost fleet. But that’s not what’s important right now. What matters is what’s still out there. And whoever’s after you, they want it.”
“Why me?” Niamh’s voice was barely a whisper. She had no connection to anything in this sector. She was just a poet, a wanderer lost in the stars.
Soren paused, as if weighing how much to reveal. “You’re more connected than you think,” he said. “And you’re about to find out just how deep this goes.”
Niamh swallowed, her mind racing. She had no choice now. She was tangled in something far bigger than she could have ever imagined, and the only way out was forward.
But one thing was clear: she wasn’t alone in this anymore.
And despite herself, Niamh couldn’t shake the feeling that she was beginning a new chapter of her journey. One that would lead her farther into the unknown than she could have ever anticipated.
