In the year 2100, Earth bore witness to an eclipse unlike any in recorded history. The sun vanished behind a void darker than night itself, and with it, millions of people disappeared. Cities were left in confusion, families torn apart by an event no scientist could explain. For ten years, the world remained haunted by loss and unanswered questions—until the missing returned.

They did not come back empty-handed.

Their return marked the dawn of a new age. They carried knowledge of the cosmos, of hyperspace travel, of civilizations far beyond human reach. Earth was no longer isolated. It became part of something greater—the Hyperspace Human Union—and so began the Samon of Eclipse, a new calendar counting humanity's rebirth among the stars.

It is now the year 1570 S.E. Humanity thrives across countless planets, moons, and stations, expanding ever outward into the vast unknown. But no matter how far civilization reaches, some things never change.

" It's 1570 S.E., and I'm still stuck in the same place I was born."Ryan said to himself as he walked in the hallway, its walls bringing with intelligence

"I've lived my entire life in Colony Fluerost, out in the East Glade sector. It's not the worst place to be, but it's not great either. Just another mid-tier industrial hub. Factories, traders, workers—people who keep things running but never really go anywhere."Ryan continued

"I'm an engineer. The Normal Type. Not a captain, not a soldier, not some genius scientist charting the unknown. Just a guy who really just oversee things."

"Not that I hate my job. Engineers are important, after all. We keep things running. I even get three days off a week, and the pay's not bad. But that's the problem—it's all just a cycle. Wake up, work, go home, sleep, repeat. Year after year. And where am I? Still in Fluerost."

I've been saving up to change that. If things go as planned, I'll finally be able to afford a Mk52 Space Strider—a simple spacecraft, but enough to get me off this colony. Enough to see the stars for myself.

"For now, though, I still have to make it through another shift."

The factory hums with the usual energy—automated systems handling most of the work, but human engineers still needed to keep things from falling apart.

"Morning, Ryan!" someone calls.

 "Morning."Ryan responded to a coworker 

"People smile at Ryan they watch him. I'm not exactly popular, but I get along with most. I do my job, help out when needed, don't cause trouble. That's all you need to make it here."Ryan continued

'Same routine, different day.'Ryan thought

A man approached Ryan as he was greeting others, He had shrewd eyes covered by pristine glasses and a long face

This was Wilm, another Coworker of Ryan

'Wilm. There's something about him that feels off—like he's always watching, always listening. Maybe it's the way his glasses catch the light, hiding the sharp glint in his eyes.'Ryan thought

"Ryan," he says, stepping up beside him.

Ryan sighed, "What is it?"

"Manager Plar would like to see you."

Ryan frowned. Manager Plar? That was unexpected.

Plar was… well, Plar was one of those guys. The kind who enjoyed the benefits of his position but never seemed to do much work himself. Ryan had never spoken to him beyond mandatory meetings, and now he was being summoned directly?

Something wasn't right.

Ryan glanced at Wilm again, noting the faint glint in his eyes. Was it amusement? A hidden agenda? He couldn't tell.

"Alright" Ryan said, masking his unease.

He made his way through the factory, passing rows of machinery and holo-terminals, until he reached the Manager's Office.

Knock. Knock.

He rapped his knuckles against the door, waiting.

"Come in," came the response.

Ryan stepped inside.

Plar sat behind a sleek metal desk, arms crossed as he gestured toward a chair. "Sit down."

Ryan complied, though his gut told him he wouldn't like whatever came next.

"I've heard about your achievements."

Ryan kept his expression neutral. "Achievements?"

'What achievements?, What's this glutton scheming?' he thought.

Something felt off.

Plar tapped on his desk. "Several trading vessels recently docked at the colony." He paused, then added, "They were attacked by outlaws before making it here."

Ryan's brows furrowed slightly.

"They had mercenary escorts, but still took heavy damage." Plar slid a document across the desk. "Here are the ships details."

Ryan picked up the document but barely glanced at it. Instead, he asked, "Why am I being assigned to a repair job instead of my usual duties?"

Plar waved a dismissive hand. "Don't worry, you won't be alone. Others from your team will be with you. It's just a one-time thing—the colony is running short on manpower."

Shortages? There's always been a shortage of engineers. Not many choose this job, and with all the recent accidents in the colony… Ryan thought, but he kept his mouth shut.

Instead, he nodded. "I'll head there now."

Plar gave him a thin smile. "Good. I knew I could count on you."

_______________________________________________________________

Ryan had gotten to the docking site and was greeted by Wilm

"Ryan, your a bit late"Wilm said

"Is this all we have to work with"Ryan said to Wilm

Wilm, a bit irritated at his notion being ignored answered, "Yes, Just four for now" as he adjusted his glasses

'For now?'Ryan thought, thinking over what Wilm had said, however Ryan didn't put much thought into it

"The first one's we'd have to check is the Floyd1200 Series"Ryan said he and two others walked away from Wilm