The mining outpost of Vesta-7 sat on the edge of a lonely planet. Its big machines and tall towers cast long shadows across a landscape of endless, rusty dunes. Once a busy place for getting resources, Vesta-7 was now in decline after years of nonstop mining used up all the best stuff. Dust storms swept across the horizon like ghosts, covering the sky with a constant haze that seemed to reflect how hopeless the people who lived there felt. For Aidan Lorne, this empty wasteland was both a prison and a place to test his strength. It was a place where hopes were broken, but where he could learn to be strong.
Vesta-7 wasn't just any mining outpost; it belonged to the powerful Darnath family, one of the richest and most important families in the galaxy. The Darnaths owned many planets, and their wealth came from making people like Aidan work hard in mines. They got rich by finding and taking rare minerals and resources that were important for the galaxy's beast taming industry - 'Luminarite'. Vesta-7 had a lot of Luminarite, a special mineral that helped beast tamers connect better with their animals. This mineral was needed to make taming collars, devices that give energy, and even special healing medicines for animals, It is also an alternative to lithium for electric devices. This made the planet very valuable for beast tamers, but it also meant that the Darnaths didn't care much about the people who worked there. They saw them as just tools.
Aidan wiped the sweat from his forehead as he carefully moved his loader mech through the rough and uneven ground of the mine. His work shift was almost over, but he felt very tired. The hard work had made him look older, and his arms hurt from all the lifting. The air was thick with dusty metal, making it hard to breathe. The loud noise of the machines kept ringing in his ears even after he finished work.
He wanted more than this. He wished he could feel the wind in his hair and see stars that weren't hidden by the always-dusty sky. He dreamed of going to new and strange places, meeting creatures from other planets, and feeling the excitement of the unknown. But these were just dreams, things he imagined that didn't make his life any better.
'What was the point of it all?' he wondered, his gaze sweeping across the desolate landscape. He worked tirelessly, his body breaking under the strain, only to earn enough credits to survive another day. There was no joy in his labor, no sense of purpose. He felt like a small part of a huge, uncaring machine. His life was just a boring and endless cycle of the same thing every day.
He felt a wave of sadness and hopelessness wash over him. Was this all his life would be? Would he spend the rest of his life working in the mines, and his dreams would never come true because he was too poor and unhappy? He felt angry and bitter towards the Darnaths. They were rich because of people like him, but they didn't care about the suffering they caused. He was also angry at the universe because it was unfair and cruel. It had taken away his family, and now he felt lonely and hopeless.
But then, he felt a spark of defiance inside him. He wouldn't let this defeat him. He wouldn't let them take away his hope. He would find a way to escape this life of poverty and find a life worth living. He would prove to himself and everyone else that he was more than just a miner, more than just a small part of their machine. He would find his own way, a way to be free and find out who he really is, even if it meant going against the system that tried to keep him down.
The mech said, 'Cycle complete,' which finally broke the boring routine. Aidan sighed in relief. He turned off the machine and climbed out, his boots making a crunching sound on the rocky ground. The mine was a huge, ugly place with sharp rocks and loud machines. Bright lights made long, scary shadows. Other miners were finishing their work too, and they all looked very tired.
Aidan secured his haul and began the trek toward the depot, his mind already drifting to the meager meal awaiting him. He clutched the data slate containing his work report tightly, knowing that every credit counted. The path to the depot was lined with towering machinery and conveyor belts, their rhythmic clanking a constant backdrop to life on Vesta-7.
As Aidan walked towards the depot, he noticed a group of miners hanging around near the entrance. Garrick, their leader, was leaning against a big beam, looking mean and threatening. His face was covered in scars, showing that he had been in many fights. His eyes were cold and calculating, like a predator's, and his knuckles were cracked, meaning he often used his hands in violence. The way he stood tall and proud showed that he liked having power over others. Aidan gripped his slate tighter. He knew exactly what was going to happen as this routine is very common for him.
"Well, if it isn't Lorne," Garrick drawled, pushing off the beam and sauntering toward him. "Let's see what you've got today."
"I'm not in the mood, Garrick," Aidan said, his voice steady despite the knot forming in his stomach. He tried to step around the man, but Garrick's cronies blocked his path.
"Not in the mood?" Garrick echoed, mock surprise coloring his tone. "Come on, Lorne. Don't be like that. Share the wealth."
Aidan glared at him but said nothing. Garrick snatched the slate from his hands and scanned the report, his lips curling into a sneer. "Pathetic haul, as usual. How do you even survive on this?"
"Give it back," Aidan demanded, his voice low and firm.
"Or what?" Garrick taunted, tossing the slate to one of his lackeys. The group laughed, their jeers echoing in the cold night air.
Aidan clenched his fists, every fiber of his being screaming to fight back. But he knew better. Garrick and his crew thrived on provoking others, and any retaliation would only make things worse. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to relax.
"Enjoy your fun," Aidan said evenly. "I'll be reporting this."
Garrick's grin faltered for a moment before he chuckled. "Sure you will. Now get out of here before we decide to take more than just your slate."
They tossed the slate back at him, and Aidan caught it, his jaw tight with suppressed anger. Without another word, he walked past them and entered the queue in the depot to submit his slate. The clerk barely glanced at him as he submitted his report and collected his credits—a paltry sum that barely covered his living expenses.
He checked his total credits: 3,983. "Soon..." he thought. Even though it would still take a lot of time to reach 5,000 credits, it felt possible. He was still very young, after all. Sixteen years old, and already he'd been working in the mines for eight years. On Vesta-7, every child was required to start mining work at the age of eight. It was mandatory.
Aidan desperately needed 5,000 credits to escape his harsh reality and start a new life on another planet. A large part of his savings came from the support his parents provided him before they tragically passed away. His father, who worked tirelessly to give his family a better future, succumbed to malnutrition and exhaustion five years ago. His dream of moving their family to a better world remained unfulfilled. Sadly, his mother, overwhelmed by grief and despair after losing her husband, also passed away soon after, leaving Aidan and his sister to face the challenges of life alone.
Life in the mines was incredibly tough. The air was so polluted that it was dangerous to breathe, with the air quality index often reaching 300, a level considered harmful to human health. His sister's accident in the mine, which resulted in the loss of her arm, was a terrible tragedy. While Aidan grieved for her, he also felt a strange sense of relief knowing she wouldn't have to endure the constant danger of the mines anymore.
But stories about amazing beast masters, shared by the workers during short breaks, gave Aidan hope. He dreamed of escaping this terrible place with his sister and becoming a beast master himself. He had only seen one beast master in the mines: Orlan, the manager. Even though people said Orlan wasn't very strong outside the mines, he had complete control over everyone there.
Aidan's father once told him a scary story about a man who tried to kill Orlan. The attempt failed terribly when Orlan's pet beast—a panther-like creature with very sharp claws—quickly hurt the man. Orlan was so angry that he burned the man alive in front of everyone as a warning. After that, no one dared to disobey him.
There were also darker rumors, people whispered that even if you saved enough money to leave, it didn't mean you were really free. Some said that a family who paid their debts and tried to leave was killed by Orlan's beast. Whether these stories were true or not, they made the workers feel even more hopeless and afraid.
"Well, that's for the future to worry about," Aidan muttered to himself as he entered the canteen. The stark, utilitarian space reeked of grease and sweat, its walls stained with years of neglect. He grabbed a tray of food, a few withered potatoes and a chunk of stale bread and found a seat at the edge of the room. The other miners paid him little attention, their exhaustion keeping them silent.
Aidan barely touched his food, lost in thought. This was all he'd ever known – a never-ending cycle of work and just trying to survive. But he couldn't stop feeling like he was meant for something bigger. Somewhere out there, beyond the dust storms and the emptiness, there was a world full of possibilities. He just needed to find a way to get there.
His musings were interrupted by the sound of laughter from a nearby table. Garrick and his crew had entered the canteen, their boisterous voices grating against Aidan's nerves. He kept his head down, focusing on his meal, but their presence was a constant reminder of the powerlessness he felt.
The comms crackled to life, cutting through the din. "Attention, all miners," Orlan's gruff voice announced. "Shift schedules for tomorrow are posted. Check your assignments before leaving."
Aidan quickly finished his meal and stood up. He tried to avoid looking at Garrick as he walked towards the exit. The night air felt cool on his skin, a nice change from the hot and stuffy canteen. He looked up at the sky, but he could barely see the stars because of the dust and pollution.
'One day', he thought. 'One day, I'll leave this place behind'.
As Aidan walked back to his room, the sounds of the machines and the miners talking started to get quieter and quieter. Aidan was already thinking about what to do next. Every credit he earned brought him closer to leaving Vesta-7. But for now, he had to survive. He knew that if he could survive, he would be one step closer to freedom, and he was determined to do it.