Chapter 2: A Dangerous Path

Chapter 2: A Dangerous Path

The following day, Neoterra's Lower City seemed even more oppressive to Claudius. The narrow, winding streets were crowded with people struggling through their daily routines, heads bent, eyes averted. Overhead, the ever-present dome of artificial lights glowed faintly, never allowing the darkness to fully settle. But for Claudius, it felt as though a shadow followed him, tightening around him with each passing moment.

Hangar 17. Don't be late.

Tobias Draven's words echoed in his mind. Claudius had hardly slept the night before, wrestling with the choice he had made. There was no going back now. Whatever this package contained, whatever consequences it might bring, he was bound by the deal he'd struck.

As he packed a small bag for the journey, his mother noticed his unease. "Claudius, are you sure this is the right thing?" she asked gently from her place by the window. The dull light from the dome made her pale face seem even more fragile.

Claudius paused, glancing at her. "I don't have a choice, Mom," he replied. "This is the only way I can get to Phobos."

She didn't say anything, but her eyes spoke of worry, fear, and love. She knew the danger of making deals in the underground, and so did Claudius. But what other option did he have? He couldn't stay in the Lower City, repairing drones and wasting away like the rest of the forgotten souls here. The stars had always called to him, and now he had to take this risk if he ever hoped to reach them.

Claudius arrived at Hangar 17 an hour before the agreed time. The hangar sat at the far edge of Neoterra's spaceport, a rundown section rarely used by anyone but shady merchants and rogue traders. It was the kind of place where deals were made in the shadows, far from the prying eyes of the Empire's authorities.

As he approached the hangar, he saw the ship that would take him to Phobos. It wasn't much to look at—a freighter, old and weather-beaten, with patches of mismatched metal covering what must have been years of damage. The name Black Horizon was barely visible under layers of rust and grime.

Claudius hesitated at the sight of it, his stomach knotting. Was this really the ship that would carry him to the stars? He had imagined something grander, a sleek transport vessel like those that flew to Mars and Earth. But then again, this was Neoterra. Here, dreams rarely matched reality.

A familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts. "You're early."

Tobias Draven appeared from the shadows, his black leather jacket blending into the dim surroundings. He had the same sly smile as the day before, his eyes scanning Claudius with amusement.

"I'm ready," Claudius said, trying to keep his voice steady.

Draven nodded approvingly. "Good. Follow me."

Inside the hangar, the Black Horizon's cargo bay was already open, revealing stacks of crates and equipment. It smelled of engine oil, rust, and something chemical that made Claudius's nose wrinkle. Draven led him to a small corner where a single crate sat, no bigger than a backpack.

"This is it," Draven said, gesturing to the crate. "You'll take this to my contact on Phobos. Do not open it. Do not ask questions. Deliver it, and your debt is paid."

Claudius stared at the crate, wondering what it could contain. But he knew better than to ask. Whatever it was, it wasn't his concern. He just needed to deliver it and move on with his life.

"And who's the contact?" Claudius asked.

Draven handed him a small holocard. On it was a name: Vera Solis and an address in Phobos City. "She'll be expecting you."

Claudius took the card and slipped it into his jacket pocket. His pulse quickened. This was it. His journey was about to begin.

Draven clapped him on the shoulder. "The ship leaves in an hour. Get settled in. It's a rough ride, but you'll manage."

Without another word, Draven walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the hangar. Claudius stood there for a moment, staring at the crate. The unease in his gut hadn't faded, but the excitement of leaving Neoterra, of finally moving closer to his dream, was stronger.

An hour later, the Black Horizon roared to life, its aging engines groaning as the ship prepared for takeoff. Claudius was seated in a cramped cabin, nothing more than a metal box with a bunk and a small viewport. Outside the window, he could see the edge of the dome, and beyond it, the vast, empty expanse of the lunar surface. Soon, that too would be behind him.

As the ship lifted off, a deep rumble vibrated through the hull, rattling the few personal belongings he had brought with him. Claudius held onto the edges of his bunk, bracing himself against the turbulence. This was it. No turning back now.

The ship broke through Neoterra's atmosphere, the artificial gravity shifting as they entered the black void of space. Claudius felt a strange mix of fear and exhilaration. He was finally leaving the Moon, leaving the life he had always known. The stars were closer now than they had ever been.

But the journey was not without its complications. A few hours into the flight, as Claudius tried to get some rest, the ship's lights flickered. A loud bang echoed through the corridors, followed by muffled curses from the crew. Claudius sat up, heart pounding.

Before he could investigate, the cabin door slid open. A man in a grease-stained jumpsuit, presumably one of the ship's engineers, poked his head in. "You might want to strap in. We've hit a bit of trouble."

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?" Claudius asked, alarmed.

"Pirates," the man replied with a grim expression. "We're being followed."

Claudius felt his blood run cold. Pirates? Here? The last thing he needed was to get caught in a space battle before even reaching Phobos. His mind raced as he fastened the safety harness, bracing for whatever was to come.

From the cockpit, the captain's voice crackled over the intercom. "Everyone hold tight. We've got company, but we'll shake them off."

The ship's engines roared louder, the Black Horizon lurching forward as it picked up speed. Claudius's heart pounded in his chest. He had barely left Neoterra, and already his life was in danger. What had he gotten himself into?

Through the small viewport, Claudius caught a glimpse of the vast, cold expanse of space. Tiny points of light dotted the darkness, stars so distant and unreachable. Yet now, more than ever, he knew: this was the path he had chosen.

The path to Phobos. The path to the stars.

No matter what dangers awaited him, Claudius Roman was determined to reach his destination. Whatever the cost.