The stars outside the Ardent Horizon were a silent audience as Elric adjusted the power relays in Section C-9. He'd become adept at juggling his responsibilities aboard the cargo ship with his secret work on the corvette. Every movement, every task, was calculated—done just well enough to avoid scrutiny while saving energy for his true ambition.
"Vale," Harris's voice rang through the comm, startling him.
Elric wiped his hands on his jumpsuit and pressed the button on his earpiece. "Yes, sir?"
"Diagnostics are overdue in the reactor bay. Get moving," Harris said, his tone clipped.
"On it," Elric replied, already stuffing his tools into his bag.
As he made his way to the reactor bay, he felt the familiar hum of the Ardent Horizon underfoot, the steady rhythm of its engines a stark contrast to the chaotic excitement of the corvette.
For the past 14 days, Elric had lived a life of precision. Each stolen moment aboard the corvette was balanced against the demands of his job on the Ardent Horizon. Sigma had been instrumental, tracking schedules and monitoring crew activity to ensure Elric's absences went unnoticed.
"The captain's been keeping an eye on you," Sigma had warned him three days earlier. "Your performance on routine tasks has dipped by 7.4%. It is advisable to maintain appearances."
Elric had taken the advice to heart. Every shift, he redoubled his efforts, pushing himself to meet and exceed expectations. It was exhausting, but it worked. Harris stopped asking questions, and the other crew members paid him no more attention than they did to the ship's automated systems.
On the evening of the 14th day, Elric stood aboard the corvette, his heart pounding as the system's familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[Quest Complete: Sustaining the Secret.]
Reward: Enhanced Reputation. Subsystem Upgrade Unlocked.
The holographic interface flashed before him, detailing the rewards. His reputation among the crew of the Ardent Horizon had risen subtly, reflected in how Harris and the others now seemed to trust him more without question.
"Enhanced reputation," Elric muttered, smirking. "Doesn't feel like much, but I'll take it."
Sigma appeared beside him. "Your efforts have successfully diverted suspicion. This will allow for more flexibility in future operations."
The subsystem upgrade drew his attention next.
Subsystem Upgrade Available: Cloaking Array I
Description: Reduces the ship's visibility on standard sensors, improving stealth capabilities during operations.Cost: 10 Universal Credits.
Elric's grin widened. "Cloaking? That's a game changer."
"Implementation is recommended," Sigma said.
Elric nodded. "Do it."
The corvette's systems hummed as the upgrade integrated, faint ripples of light spreading across the ship's hull like liquid metal.
[Cloaking Array I Installed. Stealth Rating Increased.]
Later that evening, Elric sat in the corvette's bridge, staring out at the endless expanse of stars. The ship felt alive, its systems humming with quiet efficiency. RX-47 was in the cargo bay, sorting salvaged materials, while the Sentinel stood sentinel at the entrance to the engineering bay.
"This is what we're building," Elric said softly, his voice almost lost in the hum of the ship. "A place where I'm not just following orders—where I'm actually making something of my own."
Sigma appeared beside him. "Your progress is commendable. However, the path ahead remains fraught with challenges."
Elric smirked. "When isn't it?"
[New Quest Unlocked: 'Breaking Free.']
Objective: Prepare the corvette for independent operations.
Requirements: Fully operational subsystems, fuel reserves at 80%, and a minimum crew of 5.
Reward: Independence Status. Unique Ship Skill Unlocked.
Elric's pulse quickened as he read the quest details. This was it—the first concrete step toward leaving the Ardent Horizon behind.
He clenched his fists, determination burning in his chest. "We're not there yet," he said, his voice steady. "But we will be."
Sigma's hologram flickered, a faint hint of approval in its neutral expression. "The stars await, Commander."
Elric's gaze drifted back to the viewport, the vastness of space stretching out before him. He didn't know how long it would take or what obstacles lay ahead, but he was ready.