Chapter 8: A Night to Remember 1

The Destiny was more than just a warship. Despite its vast size, its metal hull, and its formidable presence, it was a city in its own right—an ever-moving metropolis of soldiers, civilians, and scientists, all of whom relied on the ship for survival and purpose in the depths of space. Beneath the surface of its steel and reinforced walls was a thriving culture of those who called the Destiny home. And tonight, for the first time since their arrival, Kia, Elias, Sam, and Ally were going to experience the pulse of the ship—the entertainment decks.

The four of them made their way through the labyrinth of corridors, the hum of the engines a constant backdrop to their steps. After the tension of the past few days, the promise of a break—a night to relax and enjoy themselves—was a welcome relief.

"So, what do you think?" Sam asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "A few drinks, maybe a game of holo-poker, or should we hit the dance floor?"

"I'm more in the mood for something less... risky," Ally responded, a playful smirk crossing her lips. "You know how Elias gets when there's a bar involved."

Elias flashed a grin, his posture relaxed as he leaned against the wall. "Hey, I'm just spreading the joy. Some of us know how to appreciate a good drink and a good time."

Kia chuckled softly, feeling the weight of the past few days start to lift from his shoulders. "I'm just here to celebrate," he said, his voice light but full of meaning. "I'm not picky about how we do it."

They reached the elevator bay, and a large lift slid open with a smooth hiss. The group piled inside, and with a press of the button, the lift began its descent. As it moved down, the soft whir of the machinery mixed with the sounds of the ship's activity. People bustled around on every deck, most of them wearing the same uniform as Kia, but their faces were filled with a quiet sense of purpose, just as his had been over the last few weeks.

At least for tonight, that purpose was taking a backseat to fun.

The doors of the entertainment deck opened to a sprawling expanse. Bright neon lights illuminated the area, casting their glow across dozens of shops, restaurants, lounges, and bars. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter, music, and the occasional cheer, a stark contrast to the usual quiet of the ship's military decks.

"Welcome to the good life," Elias grinned, stepping out onto the deck, his eyes scanning the options. The hustle and bustle of the area was infectious, and even Kai felt his nerves slip away as he took in the scene. The entire floor of the deck felt like it had been designed for relaxation—soft, inviting lighting, booths that looked as though they had been crafted to let people unwind, and the hum of voices all around.

Ally was the first to make a move, heading straight toward one of the livelier establishments—a bar called Nebula's Edge. Its sign was a bright blue and flickering, and it had an atmosphere that seemed to beckon the group inside.

"You coming?" she called over her shoulder as she entered.

Kia nodded, following closely behind. "Let's go grab a drink. I'll go easy tonight."

Elias, of course, couldn't resist. "Easy? You're celebrating, man! You've got a whole new life ahead of you! No holding back."

Kia shot him a sideways glance. "I'll keep it under control, I promise."

The bar was bustling, and the atmosphere was a perfect blend of relaxed and energetic. People were gathered around tables, chatting and laughing, while the bartender—a young woman with short, dark hair and bright eyes—shuffled between patrons, serving drinks with practiced ease.

Elias, not one to waste time, approached the bar, flashing a grin at the bartender. "I'll have something special, something that'll make me forget the pain of space," he said with a wink.

The bartender, clearly used to Elias's type, smirked. "I think I've got just the thing for you, handsome," she replied, leaning forward slightly as she grabbed a bottle from the shelf behind her.

Kia rolled his eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at his lips. Elias was always a charmer, and tonight was no different. The bartender served Elias his drink, a colorful concoction that looked like it could give him a headache by just looking at it.

Ally, on the other hand, ordered something straightforward—just a simple glass of wine—and slid into a booth nearby with Sam, who had opted for a light beer. The conversation flowed easily between them, with Ally teasing Sam about his beer choices while Elias regaled them with exaggerated tales of his "daring exploits" on the battlefield that he hadn't gotten around to accomplishing yet.

Kia found himself laughing along with them, the unease from earlier in the day forgotten in the comfort of the group. It wasn't just the drink—it was the camaraderie. After everything they had gone through, this was what it meant to be part of something greater. Tonight wasn't about military duty or the stress of the future. It was about them. About friends. About letting go.

The bartender returned to check on Elias. "So," she began, leaning casually against the bar, "I don't think I've seen you around before. What's your story?"

Elias leaned back; his usual cocky smile plastered on his face. "Just arrived, actually. Got assigned to the engineering crew." He paused for a beat, his smile widening. "And I'll be honest, I'm looking to get a bit more familiar with the fine people of the Destiny."

The bartender raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Elias leaned in, lowering his voice in a mock-serious tone. "Oh yeah. I've heard this ship has the best company in the fleet. And I'm here to make sure I get to know all of it."

She let out a small laugh, clearly amused by Elias's confidence. "Well, in that case, I think you'll find your drink of choice might just help you on that quest."

Kia shook his head but was smiling now. "You're unbelievable, Elias."

Elias just grinned and winked. "You know it. Don't worry, I'll save you a drink when you're ready to join the fun."

Kia wasn't sure what he was more amused by: Elias's unshakable confidence or the way the bartender was clearly enjoying the attention. Still, he decided it was better to let Elias have his fun for the evening. He wasn't about to let the night be overshadowed by anything.

As the night went on, the group made their way through the entertainment deck, taking in the sights and sounds. They played a few rounds of holo-poker, where Sam took the lead, much to Ally's dismay. Elias flirted with anyone who caught his eye, his charm effortless, while Kia simply enjoyed being a part of the group. The laughter was contagious, and the weight of the past few weeks seemed to vanish with each passing minute.

But as the hours slipped by, Kia found himself quietly reflecting on his success. He felt like he'd made it—his design was already being worked on by a team of experts, and the Union had acknowledged his potential. He was no longer just a nameless engineer; he was someone who had made a difference.

His celebration, though, wasn't just about the design. It was a celebration of everything that had brought him here—the hard work, the persistence, and the determination to succeed even if it has to be on a ship in the middle of nowhere like the Destiny.

Elias noticed his quiet demeanor as he took a seat next to him at one of the booths. "Hey, what's up? You're awfully quiet tonight."

Kia looked up at his friend, giving him a wry smile. "Just thinking, I guess."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "Thinking about what?"

"About everything," Kia said, his voice soft. "About how much has changed in just a few months."

Elias nodded slowly, his expression softening. "Yeah, I get that. But you know what? You deserve this, man. You earned it."

The words meant more than Kia could explain. Tonight was a moment to savor, a rare reprieve in a world that never stopped moving forward. For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to just be in the moment, enjoying the company of friends and the uncertain future ahead.

And for once, it wasn't about the battles, the designs, or the cold, calculating expectations of the Stellar Union. It was just about them. Just about the Destiny.

As the night wound down, Kia, Elias, Sam, and Ally made their way back to their quarters, still laughing and joking. The entertainment deck, with all its noise and lights, seemed a distant memory as they returned to the quieter, more somber parts of the ship.

That was until the alarms blared, their shrill tone cutting through the hallways like a scream in the dark.

Kia froze in his tracks, eyes widening. "What the hell," A voice came over the ship's intercom, the calm, authoritative tones of a ship wide announcement that sent a chill down his spine. "All personnel report to battle stations. I repeat, all personnel report to battle stations. Red alert. Red alert."