"Stilthrovene…"
The commander sits before her, projected as a flawless hologram. There is no static or distortion, only a clear image so sharp she can see the texture of his uniform, the folds of the fabric, even the faint creases along the brim of his cap.
His head hangs low, elbows on the desk, hands pressed against his temples as if he is holding back the urge to slam his head down.
Across from him, Stilthrovene sits in silence. She cannot meet his eyes. Behind her, Mizi rests quietly on the counter, its screen dim and soundless.
She does not need the commander to tell her she has done something wrong. She already knows. She is always late with her assignments. Always.
It is never intentional. She simply cannot help herself. Every planet she is told to pass by, she ends up landing on instead. Some are dull, others dangerous, but this one is different. A world brimming with radiant, otherworldly floral paradise.
How could she possibly resist?
It is not something she will ever see again, not back in her sterile white spire tower.
Stilthrovene musters up her feeble courage and mutters back, "Yes, commander."
The commander sits still in silence for seconds, with every second suffocating Stilthrovene.
He finally looks up. Stilthrovene keeps her gaze on the floor, and behind her, Mizi sits quietly with its screen completely off. The Commander exhales, a faint smile threatening to break through, but he hides it well.
"You're late. I told you to use your drones. They're more efficient".
Stilthrovene can't bring herself to respond.
The Commander continues, his tone calm but firm. "Your team was waiting for you."
She finally speaks, her voice trembling. "Yes, Commander."
He leans forward, voice softening.
"Stilthrovene… you didn't do anything wrong".
She looks up at him, puzzled. The commander always scolds her for being late, every single time. So what's different this time?
"I didn't do anything wrong?"
Mizi's screen flickers to life and it hovers closer to Stilthrovene, equally confused by the Commander's words.
He meets her gaze, his expression soft. "Your wish to land on new worlds and see them for yourself… that's real exploration. That's what defines an expeditioner."
Stilthrovene's eyes begin to glow, shimmering with quiet joy at his words.
"Do you really mean it, commander?"
He nods.
"Back when I was an expeditioner, I was like you… walking through those muddy grounds with my boots sinking at every step. My team loved landing on planets with low gravity. We used to laugh as we jumped around."
He lets out a small chuckle and gestures with his fingers, mimicking himself hopping in the air.
"I jumped the highest amongst my teammates."
Stilthrovene watches him in awe. The thought of him exploring not alone, but together with a team, feels almost unreal.
"... But over time, efficiency became the next priority. We stopped seeking discovery and started chasing results… for the sake of our own home world."
"You explored… with your team?"
The Commander notices the intent behind her question and smiles faintly.
"Yes. Do you want that as well?"
Stilthrovene nods without hesitation, unable to hold back her excitement.
The Commander clears his throat, returning to his professional tone.
"Your teammate, Alekximas, has found a planet with the right resources."
A new hologram appears beside him, displaying a radiant blue planet. He stands and steps toward Stilthrovene, and she rises in response.
"As I mentioned before, your team is waiting for you."
He places his holographic hand on her shoulder. The projection feels real, warm and steady, as if the Commander is truly standing beside her. The technology is so advanced that it perfectly recreates the weight and texture of his touch.
"We need you to be with your team. You will explore this planet that Alekximas discovered. On the ground."
Stilthrovene's eyes gleam with pure excitement. Mizi hovers beside her, beeping softly, sharing in her joy.
"Yes, commander!"
Without thinking, she throws her arms around him. The sudden hug catches him off guard. She feels the rough, firm texture of his uniform against her cheek before stepping back quickly.
She straightens her posture and salutes, pressing her right fist over her left shoulder.
"I will be there as soon as possible!"
The Commander nods, then asks gently, "Tell me, Stilthrovene. How was this planet? What did you see?"
She smiles, eyes distant as she recalls the dense foliage she struggled through, the glittering mud that clung to her boots, and the thick, humid air that filled her lungs.
"I saw magic."
"Magic?"
"You'll have to explore it yourself if you're curious, Commander," she says softly, her smile widening.
He quickly reads the mood and chuckles, realizing she's teasing him, daring him to relive the thrill of true exploration.
"Alright. I will. Goodbye, Stilthrovene."
With a brief flash, the Commander's hologram fades away, leaving only the floating image of the planet, waiting for her to examine it.
Stilthrovene and Mizi are left alone in the quiet hum of her spaceship. She still can't believe it. The commander was just like her. The thought brightens her mood, but what excites her even more is her next mission. This time, she will finally have an adventure not alone, but with her teammates. Something she has wanted for so long.
She squeals out of pure excitement.
"Oh my goodness, Mizi! Can you believe it?"
"Beep beep!"
She hugs Mizi and spins around in joy.
"I'm going to have so much fun!"
"Beeeep!"
"Okay, okay."
Letting Mizi go, she takes a deep breath to gather her thoughts.
"Alright, Mizi. Start the ship. We have to go meet our teammates."
"Beep."
Mizi hovers to the control center and connects to the steering platform. The ship begins to lift off the ground with a gentle rumble.
Stilthrovene looks toward the hologram of the planet. Its shape is unusual, an ellipsoid, gleaming brilliantly. It isn't like the sparkly mud from before. It shines brighter, reflecting every trace of light that touches it.
"A dwarf planet… huh? Or maybe a very large floating asteroid."
It doesn't really matter what it is. She just wants to explore but this time, together with her team. After all, this will be her first time.
"Mizi, go faster. I can't wait much longer!"
"Beep beep!"
Mizi forgets to double check any surroundings and speeds up, just as eager to make Stilthrovene's wish come true as quickly as possible.
Neither of them realizes what lies ahead. A plasma storm, vast and violent, stretches across their flight path. One strong enough to fry the entire ship and end them both in an instant.
Stilthrovene is too absorbed in the glow of the hologram, her mind lost in thoughts of her teammates. Mizi is too focused on navigation, thrusters roaring at full power.
It isn't until the alarm blares that they notice something is wrong. The entire room flashes red as warning lights flicker wildly. Stilthrovene rushes to the control panel.
"A plasma storm…"
Mizi panics and tries to decelerate, but it is already too late. The ship is moving at full speed, and there is no time to avoid the storm.
A red emergency button clicks up from the control panel.
Stilthrovene hesitates to press it. It is the emergency teleport button. The teleportation system is extremely unstable, especially near a plasma storm, where magnetar flares can completely disrupt its navigation.
"Beep beep beep beep beep-" Mizi beeps frantically, its screen showing a crying expression.
"No, Mizi. It's not your fault. I told you to speed up. I didn't check our path either."
Stilthrovene remains calmer than Mizi, but it is not composure. It is despair. Her eyes are the darkest thing in the room. The red lights flash faster, the alarms grow louder, and the plasma storm ahead expands in their view. It is enormous, filling the entire window of the ship until it is all they can see.
"Goodbye," Stilthrovene thinks to herself as she presses the button.
And just like that, in an instant, everything becomes silent and pitch black.