Aldric bolted from the gym, covering the short distance to his house in what felt like mere seconds. His strides were long and powerful, driven by a renewed sense of urgency, as if something in the air had ignited a fire within him. The familiarity of the city blurred around him as he focused entirely on his goal, barely noticing the sights that had become routine in his years of retirement.
The moment he reached his front door, he wasted no time. He went straight to his control panel and accessed his personal accounts, running through his assets with meticulous precision. His investments, land shares, and various holdings accumulated over 300 years of service were substantial, but Aldric wasn't one to take chances. His finger hovered over his home sale option for only a moment before he confirmed it, setting the immediate sale of his property in motion. He didn't need the place anymore—not when he had his sights on something far greater.
Every credit mattered, and despite the comfortable financial cushion that his military pension afforded him, Aldric understood the value of preparation. This wasn't just about comfort or luxury but about equipping himself for the unknown.
He mentally tallied his next steps, scanning through a list of specialized gear, medical enhancements, and tactical supplies he might need for the journey ahead. His mind raced with possibilities, each item and decision part of the arsenal he was building for a new beginning, a leap into the stars—or perhaps, somewhere far stranger than he had ever imagined.
As Aldric meticulously reviewed his finances, each decision carefully plotted for the mission ahead, a sudden notification flashed on his control panel. The house AI chimed in, its calm voice breaking the silence.
"Incoming call," it announced, projecting a holographic interface in the air before him. The name of the caller appeared—President Orion Gray.
Aldric raised an eyebrow, surprised but not unsettled. Orion was not just the President; he was Aldric's closest friend, a brother forged through countless battles and years of camaraderie. They had fought side by side, often trusting each other with their lives in situations where failure wasn't an option.
"Aldric..." the President's familiar voice filled the room, steady yet tinged with a note of urgency. Orion's face appeared on the hologram, his expression both determined and slightly uneasy. "Getting ready for your space exploration?"
Aldric nodded, his typical reserved demeanor softening at the sight of his friend.
Orion continued, "Listen, Aldric. There's opposition—people who don't trust you because of who you are and what you can do. They see you as a potential threat, a weapon that could turn on them at any moment."
He paused, looking down for a moment, perhaps weighing his words.
"They call you a biological nuke waiting to go off. The best way to keep you safe—and free—is to let you go out there, far away from here."
The President's face softened, but his resolve was unmistakable. "And I'm not letting you do this alone. I'm funding it. With my own assets, quietly, so no one can interfere. I want you to have the best gear and ship… everything you need to explore the stars safely."
Aldric felt a surge of gratitude, though he masked it with his usual stoic look. He wanted to refuse, to assure his friend he was prepared, but he knew Orion too well. If Aldric turned him down, Orion would find a way to make sure the funds reached him regardless. And sure enough, a soft chime indicated a sudden deposit into Aldric's account. The President, clearly flustered, gave an embarrassed cough.
Aldric's eyes glinted with humor. "Couldn't wait, could you?"
Orion returned the smile. "Just like old times. I don't take no for an answer."
The two shared a moment of unspoken understanding before the President grew serious again. "Aldric… I'm sorry it has to be this way. I'm sorry they treat you like a weapon, not a hero. But out there—out there, you're free. And who knows? Maybe you'll find something that makes it all worthwhile."
Aldric inclined his head, a subtle nod of respect and gratitude. "Thank you, Orion. And don't worry—I'll make this mission count."
With that, the transmission ended, and Aldric was left standing in the silent room, the weight of both gratitude and resolve settling over him. The journey ahead would be unlike any he'd ever known—a chance for adventure and freedom.
Aldric felt the fire reignite within him once again. With the best ship and equipment funded by the person he trusted most, he was ready to face the unknown.
----
After five meticulous months of preparation, Aldric finally stood in New Earth's vast space hub, ready to check his gear and inspect the high-end space cruiser he'd secured for the journey. As he stepped into the docking bay, he paused, puzzled. The entire hub was silent and empty—a strange sight for one of the busiest terminals on the planet.
Standing alone in the center of the bay was a familiar figure, someone Aldric hadn't expected to see. It was Ren Althar, the legendary head of the Department of Space Exploration, the wealthiest person alive, and Aldric's old friend. Ren was not a man who could be summoned or seen on a whim; his time was as closely guarded as the wealth he'd amassed over three centuries. And patience wasn't one of his virtues. But here he was, waiting, just for him.
A sense of foreboding washed over Aldric as he approached.
"You've done something again, haven't you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
Ren threw his head back, laughing heartily.
"You know me too well, old friend," he chuckled.
He gestured toward the massive structure looming in the docking bay, a ship that dwarfed anything Aldric had expected. What lay before him wasn't just the cruiser he'd purchased with the pooled funds from himself and the President—a substantial ship, far above standard by any means. This mothership was a behemoth equipped for the most rigorous missions, hundreds of times larger, more powerful, and bristling with advanced technology.
Ren turned to him, grinning mischievously. "Meet the 'Arcadia,'" he announced.
"With this beauty, if you ever felt like taking over New Earth, you'd have a solid chance of wiping out half of it before they could stop you." Ren winked, laughing as Aldric took in the sight.
"Oh, and don't worry—there are a few more surprises inside. But I'll leave those for you to discover."
As Aldric knew, Ren wasn't just a bureaucrat but a multi-trillionaire, the greatest businessman New Earth had ever seen. With over three centuries of accumulated wealth and power, his influence was nearly untouchable, his fortune immense. His genetic enhancements, like Aldric's, had prolonged his life, making him sharper and wealthier with every passing decade.
Aldric shook his head in disbelief.
"Ren, is this really okay? This… this is far too much, even as a gift."
Ren chuckled and gave him a playful punch on the arm. Amused by Aldric's sudden hesitation.
"For you? This is nothing, my friend. Nothing..." Ren's gaze lingered on Aldric, and as he looked at his old friend, memories washed over him, vivid and unbidden.
He remembered a time long ago when Aldric had saved his life in a brutal mission—Ren had been nobody back then, an illegitimate heir to the powerful Althan family, an outsider scrambling to prove himself in a world that barely acknowledged his existence. Yet Aldric had been there, time and again, standing by him without question.
One memory, in particular, surfaced: Aldric, unconscious and battered, his armor torn and bloodied, forcing himself back to his feet to reattach his arm and leg after they'd been nearly torn from his body in the fight. Ren had watched in awe, barely believing the sheer resilience and loyalty of the man who'd sacrificed so much for him just because he was a friend. Back then, Aldric had no reason to protect him. Ren had no titles, no influence—he'd just been a castaway scion, a name without power. But Aldric hadn't cared.
And over the years, through missions and battles, Aldric's friendship and loyalty had never wavered. Ren had become a trusted ally, someone Aldric truly cared for, not because of family or power but because of who he was. They'd built a bond forged in a struggle that had carried Ren through to the heights he'd reached now.
As Ren looked at Aldric standing in the empty docking bay, ready to take on the unknown, he felt that same sense of gratitude and admiration. He placed a steady hand on Aldric's shoulder, his voice quiet with a mix of pride and resolve.
"No matter where you go, Aldric, or what you face, I'll be behind you. All of us will. Orion... erm the President, our friends, and everyone who knows what you've done for us are with you. And we've made sure no one could stop you this time."
A smirk tugged at Ren's lips. A tinge of anger could be seen: "Some wanted to try, but we all know this is where you're meant to go. So we had to take measures ourselves."
Aldric could only sigh but thought nothing of it.
---
After a few more words and a firm handshake, Ren gestured to a group of sleek, humanoid figures waiting by the Arcadia's ramp. At first glance, Aldric almost mistook them for human crew members until he noticed their movements' faint metallic sheen and precision. These were the latest Althar models of Automated Crew Units or ACUs.
Designed to replicate the skills of top-tier specialists, each ACU was programmed for a specific role: navigation, engineering, supply management, and communications. Ren had personally selected them to ensure Aldric had the best robotic assistance available.
The ACUs moved forward synchronously, each introducing its role in smooth, modulated tones. The navigator and engineer would assist with course-plotting and repairs, while the supply and communications units managed inventory and long-range contact protocols.
Though Aldric would be flying solo regarding human company, the ACUs were designed to cover every aspect of ship operations, ensuring he'd lack nothing on his journey.
Once aboard, Aldric's eyes widened as he took in the stocked armory on the lower decks. Advanced weaponry filled the walls: energy rifles, plasma grenades, tactical drones, and even modular parts for his arsenal. More impressive was the towering supercomputer nestled in the command center—a marvel of Althar's latest tech. Sleek and state-of-the-art, the machine's processing power far exceeded anything Aldric had ever seen.
"This is the Centurion model," Ren announced with a grin, catching Aldric's raised eyebrows. "Fresh from Althar labs and not yet on the market. I thought you might appreciate an edge."
Aldric let out a low whistle of appreciation. The Centurion, he knew, was rumored to be a powerhouse of computational abilities, though few even knew it existed. With the Centurion at the heart of the Arcadia, this wasn't just a ship—it was a command center with nearly limitless processing power.
As Aldric inspected the bridge, Ren's tone shifted, becoming more serious. "One last thing, Aldric," he began, lowering his voice. "We've had reports of a few exploration teams going missing recently. No signals, no trace—just vanished. We're still investigating, but for now, I'd advise extra caution."
Aldric nodded, his expression calm. "Missing teams, unknown space… sounds like any other day."
Ren laughed, his voice carrying a note of pride. "That's why I'm not too worried about you. Space exploration is as easy as breathing to you." He paused, looking over the Arcadia. "But remember, you're not as alone as you might think."
With a final pat on Aldric's shoulder, Ren stepped back, giving him room to take command of his new ship.
As the ACUs began final preparations, Aldric felt a surge of anticipation. With the Arcadia and the cutting-edge support Ren had arranged, he was more than ready to face the unknown.