Chapter 2: A New Door Opens
The chill of the night air brushed against Blake's skin as he stood outside The Rusty Cog, his eyes tracing the pinpricks of starlight dotting the sky. The hum of laughter and chatter from the bar faded behind him, leaving him alone with his thoughts. His memories were a constant whirlpool, tugging at him with every choice he considered. The future felt both exhilarating and overwhelming, its weight settling heavily on his shoulders.
"Lost in thought again, huh?"
Blake turned to find Ray standing beside him, hands in his jacket pockets, his usual confident smirk softened by the dim glow of the streetlights.
"You could say that," Blake admitted, managing a small smile. "Just trying to figure out what's next."
Ray nodded, leaning casually against the railing. "Not an easy question, is it? You've got the talent, Blake, but talent without direction is like a mech without a pilot."
Blake chuckled dryly. "And where's my pilot, then?"
Ray tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. "Maybe closer than you think. Look, I know you've had it rough, and I know you're probably not the type to ask for help. But I came out here because I wanted to talk to you about something."
Blake raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"My dad," Ray began, straightening up, "runs a private mech company. It's mostly focused on transporting goods across planets and systems, but he's expanding. He wants to start a mech design branch, and he's looking for people to join the team. I think you'd be a perfect fit."
Blake blinked, caught off guard. "A mech design branch? Are you serious?"
"Dead serious," Ray said, his grin widening. "He's got the resources and the connections to make it happen. You'd have the freedom to design, to experiment, to build something that's your own. You wouldn't just be another cog in the machine, Blake—you'd be at the forefront of something new."
Blake's mind raced. The offer was tempting, almost too good to be true. A steady job with creative freedom was rare in the mech industry, especially for someone fresh out of school. But then, his memories resurfaced—memories of Ves Larkinson and the trials he faced, not just in building a mech company but in surviving wars that reshaped the galaxy.
He remembered the Bright-Vesian War, the Sandman invasion, and the Komodo War. The chaos and destruction were vivid in his mind, even if they felt distant. He also remembered Ves's meteoric rise and the questionable methods he employed to get there. Blake had always been irritated by Ves's slippery nature, but there was something captivating about the way Ves made his mechs come alive, imbuing them with a sense of spirituality.
Could he do the same? Did he even have that kind of ability?
Blake took a deep breath. "Ray, I won't lie—what you're offering sounds amazing. But I need to ask… if I take this job, will I be able to design my own mechs?"
Ray grinned. "Absolutely. That's actually part of the plan. My dad wants to invest in new designs, something unique that can give us an edge. He's not just looking for engineers; he's looking for visionaries. You'd be one of the first designers in the branch. You'd have a chance to prove yourself."
The words ignited a spark in Blake. The opportunity to design his own mechs, to carve out his path in the industry, was exactly what he needed. Yet, the thought of starting his own company someday lingered in the back of his mind. He didn't have the resources or connections Ves had, but this could be a stepping stone—a chance to learn, to grow, and to build something that was truly his.
Blake nodded slowly. "Alright, Ray. I'm in."
Ray clapped him on the back, his grin widening. "That's what I like to hear! My dad's going to be thrilled. I'll set up a meeting for you with him tomorrow. Trust me, Blake, you won't regret this."
As they walked back into the bar, Blake felt a sense of clarity he hadn't felt in weeks. The road ahead was still uncertain, but he had taken the first step. This wasn't just about survival anymore—it was about forging his destiny.
And for the first time, he allowed himself to hope.