Starborn: Origin of the Stars

Somehow Robin managed to get through their gaming session without losing his head. The map indicated another Drel outpost on Ruca II. One that wasn’t discovered already!

After getting the alien data on his Neuro-Chip, he always felt like he held the key to something special in his hands. It was only now that he realized, just how life changing this could be.

If he found the outpost and handed it over to the authorities, he would be rich. It would be his ticket off this planet and the beginning of his own journey among the stars!

“There is only one problem…how am I able to get over there?” he spoke out his mind as he stretched on his couch.

Ruca II was the property of Apex, a company manufacturing racing ships. They bought that moon years ago and used it as a place for experiments and tests with their new crafts. You don’t just go over there and travel around for fun. Maybe some rich prick could get a ticket for an adrenaline-filled weekend, but he? No way that will happen.

Momentarily stuck with this, Robin turned on his screen and watched the latest news. When the newscaster finished his report without mentioning anything interesting about new leads on the Starborn, Robin was even more frustrated and about to turn it off again. However, an advertisement caught his attention.

“The Jolt V3 is now available for sale! With its new Ion-2 thrusters it's one of the fastest ships in its class! Do you want to start a racing career or just like speeding over the plains of Ruca II? Today is your chance…”

“There should be racing tournaments open to the public, right? I think I’ve read about it once or twice before. Can everyone take part in these?”

He went over to his gaming station and began to search for information about the tournaments on Ruca II. It didn’t take long before he found what he was looking for - his ticket to this moon and an undiscovered Drel outpost!

[*** INFO ***]

Name: Apex Highspeed Cup

Requirements: - Pilot license

- Vehicle approved by Ship Admission Office

- No weapon installed

- Maximal ship size: S

Typ: Knock-out over three stages

Prize pool: 100.000 cr [65.000/25.000/10.000]

Date: 15-04-3223, 08-05-3223, 10-05-3223

Fee: 2.500 cr

[*** INFO ***]

“That’s it!” Robin exclaimed happily and began to study the terms and conditions in more detail. The Melody was S sized and he fulfilled all requirements. The fee was expensive, but still manageable for him. Knock-out over three stages apparently meant that there were three subsequent races - in the first round only the best 25 would advance, in the second one the top 10 and then came the final race. The three dates were already decided and as today was the 24th of the second month, he still had over one and a half months to prepare. The prize pool was enticing, but nothing he would go for. He would just get himself kicked out in the preliminary round and fly to the outpost. There was no way he could compete for real with proper racing pilots.

“I just have to hope that the first track takes place somewhere near that location…did they already provide maps of the three tracks?” Robin mused as he skimmed through more and more information and finally found the data of the three routes.

“Burn in plasma! Shit!” he cursed after reviewing the track's introductions. The first round wouldn’t even be on Ruca II but in some remote location here on Rucasur. He had to hit the top 25 to get a transfer to the moon and as if that wasn’t already bad enough, the second round would take place on the other side of his target location. There was no way he had enough fuel to get out of the race and fly all the distance. Only the third race would happen in a feasible vicinity to the Drel outpost.

“I have to advance twice…how the fuck does this sound manageable?”

Robin didn’t give up just yet and searched for other races and tournaments that would take him to Ruca II. He even looked into the requirements for ‘speeding over the plains’ as Apex advertised for the Jolt. That wouldn’t help either as it was only for Apex customers and in very contained locations.

Unfortunately, he found no other events that matched his needs and finally had to admit that the upcoming Apex cup would be his only chance for success.

“I want to travel among the stars! The ticket out of here is in my head…I have to use every opportunity available…” Robin slumped back in his chair.

“Flying is my representation of freedom, the Melody II is great but in the end, she is only capable of planetary flights. If I really want to explore the universe, then I’ll need an interplanetary ship one day. This is my chance to get there quite fast, without years of working towards a position in the UAS that I may not even get in the end.”

Gloomily Robin got up and went over to a cupboard in the kitchen. He grabbed a bottle of booze and a glass, before he sat on the couch. After filling his cup, he took a sip and closed his eyes.

‘I can’t shy away from this and I can’t afford to lose.’ he took another sip and steeled his resolve.

“I can do it. I have to do it!” he said out loud, maybe to give his decision more weight.

“I’ll take part in a fucking racing tournament, and I’ll reach the finals!”

***

After he finished his work the following day, Robin walked over to his ship. Once again he carefully patted one of its wings.

"You already saved me once, but our journey has just begun! Help me to reach the stars, will you?" he smiled and thought about all the work he already had invested in the Melody II. Now it's time to see how far she will get him.

He took out a datapad and began to list all the required changes and updates that were needed to have a realistic chance to compete in the race.

He obviously will have to repair the thruster, which won't be a big problem. The first upgrade he wanted to install was a better control unit. The one he got from the CTV was too slow to efficiently calculate all the needed adjustments of the vents to support sharp turns. He also would have to exchange the vents itself. They felt sluggish and even if commands came in faster, they lacked reaction speed.

"That will hurt my wallet, damn."

Last but not least, Robin wanted to add a Field Dampener Rig. Tech originally developed for industrial ships intended to reduce damage to the hull from flying shrapnel. Today many used them as cheap alternatives to real shields. They'd help nothing against energy weapons but do wonders under ballistic fire.

"I probably will not need this for the race, so I can delay at least that investment." He mused and went over everything he may or may not need.

"I'm still missing an idea on how to get out of the race and lose the tracking and surveillance systems to sneak over to the outpost without appearing suspicious…"

Not coming to an immediate conclusion, he went looking for Jim, who was sitting in his office with a beer in his hands.

"Hey Jim, did you already get any positive feedback for my transportation offer?"

"Ay mate, no nothing that doesn't burn a hole in your ship, if you take the job." Jim closed his Interface and observed him.

"I need money, Jim, a lot! I won't shy away from a little risk if the pay is appropriate and it's not some crazy weapon smuggling or anything."

"What has gotten into you two lately? Patience also asked for jobs with higher payment than the usual stuff. Do you little punks wanna tell me that you are starving while working for me?"

“Nahh,” Robin waved him off, "I want to take part in the Apex Highspeed Cup and need some upgrades. Time is short, so I'm open for more unconventional tasks…"

"You wanna become a racing pilot? Where does this come from?"

"I'm looking for a hobby as a way to relieve some stress, that's all." Robin explained his sudden idea of participating in a race. "If Patience is also looking for a job, we could take the trip together, if the payout is sufficient. What do you have?"

Jim eyed him for a moment and once again realized the changes that he went through after his encounter with the smugglers.

"'Tch, playing all badass and shit…” he snorted, “You could bring a package from your new friend Slice over to Beakrath, 12k on timely delivery, no questions and no opening of the goods."

"Slice? No questions asked? Hahaha, that's a good one!" Robin laughed, seeing his own terms thrown back at him.

"It seems like you two hit it off well, yeah? Slice told me you’ve handled your visit pretty good." Jim said, squinting his eyes.

"I think it went okay, yeah. He won't put a bomb in that box, will he?"

"Nahh, no worries. That Mohait is shady as hell, but he's not too deep in the really nasty shit. Should be fine, but I suggest you stick to his rules", Jim shrugged.

"I'll give Patience a call. A copilot and bodyguard will be of great help." Robin said, understanding the value of proper backup. He also remembered his list with upgrades for Melody II and what he had pushed to the end of the priorities, just a few minutes ago.

"Right, Jim! Can you get me a field dampener rig? I think it's time to get serious and I don't wanna have any mishaps happen again!"