Sunrider Story Part 1


Chapter 1: Get Up and Go!
  “Goddamnit… outta gas again!?” I heaved a heavy sigh, swirling my near-empty can of starship fuel… about enough to fill a shot glass, if only. I grabbed my credit chip and got ready to head down to the Stardust Bakery. Yes, a Bakery… for shairship fuel. Long story short, a shy, yet cute girl named Chigara runs a Starship port along side a Bakery. 2 in 1 joint of you ask me, I can refill myself and my ship at the same time. I better hurry… my next shift starts in half an hour and Sophitia, my employer, almost went ape shit last time I was late. Regardless, I arrived at the Bakery and meet Chigara at the counter.
   “Oh, hello again Alexa.” Chigara smiled and waved as I approached.
   “Hey, how have you and Asaga been holding up?” I asked, breathing heavy from the run here.
   “Asaga’s just turning up the Backjack. And me, I actually seen an increase in bakery sales.” Chigara smiled brighter. 
   “Hey, speaking of witch, I’d like to contribute some more…” I laughed… vause really, I’ve been coming here to refuel since I started working for the Mining Union. A solid forty years and counting. 
   “Of course, what can I get you?” Chigara asked.
   “Can you refill this for me?” I placed my empty fuel can on the counter. “Oh, and I’ll take my usual.” I added.
   “Okay, four litters of starship fuel and one Blueberry Muffin coming up.” Chigara took my empty can and disappeared into her storage room. As I was waiting, I heard footsteps near the back door… Asaga walked in holding a dirty rag. 
   “Ey, I knew I heard a familiar voice.” Asaga laughed as she saw me.
   “What’s up Asaga, the Union been keeping you busy?” I walked over to her and we shared a fist-pump.
   “You know it! Just came back from anter run in with some pirates.” Asaga winked.
   “Was Cosette there?” I asked.
   “Nah, the little brat didn't dare show her face. One of their bombers got a nasty hit on me though.” Asaga admittied. A moment later, Chigara came back holding a full can and a wrapped muffin.
   “Here we are! And hello Asaga, all done with repairs?” She smiled, placing the products on the counter.
   “Yup, Blackjack is good to go!” Asaga held up the peace sign as Chigara counted out my total.  
   “That’s good to hear! Anyway, you're Total is $35.25. I assume you have you're Credit Chip, Alexa?” Chigara told me.
   “Yes I do!” I held it up. After swiping, I took my items.
   “Thanks for stopping by the Stardust bakery, come again soon!” Chigara smiled and waved again.
   “You know I will, catch you two later.” I replied, making my exit. After refueling, I climbed into the cockpit of my fighter and got ready to launch.
   “This is Alexa Shimmerstar, pilot of Mining Fighter 2235 callsign Gravedigger, clocking in. How copy?” I reported though my radio.
   “About time you got on!” Sophitia’s nagging voice echoed to life.
   “Sorry boss, I had to go on a resupply run.” I replied, checking my ship’s systems.
   “You should of planned ahead… like really..” Sophitia sighed. “Anyway, get up their already! We just discovered a new ore deposit on the outskirts of our space. Get digging! Asaga will be on standby if anything happens.” She added.
   “Understood boss, launching now.” I blasted off into space.  


Chapter 2: Mystery of The Sunrider          
      As I approached the coordinates Sophitia gave me, this massive rock went tumbling past me… and I could see the sunlight shimmer off the ore from here. Rubbing my hands together, I turned to face it. Activating my Mining Drones, hatches along the sides of my fighter opened and they launched out. Locking on to the giant rock, I gave the command to dig for ore. 
   “Go get it, boys!” I laughed as my drones swarmed the rock. I watched as they separated useful ore from chunks of rock, placing the ore into their storage containers and throwing the rocks back into space. A couple hours passed and we weren't even a third of the way through….a dn the drones had to make several return trips back to my fighter to drop off their payload. I almost fell asleep.. But my fighter picked up a incoming warp siguntre. Jolting back into reality, I activated my fighter’s radar to pinpoint the warrp… on the other side of the planet, a Flagship bearing Cera’s Signatures flashed on screen. What’s a Cera Flagship doing all the way out here? I barely had time to theorize…. A split second later, Pirate flags warped in. Including the Havoc, Cosette’s ryder. She rules over most uncharted space around here, picking on civilian ships and low-end supply convoys. Looks like the Cera ship is in for a bad time…
   “Asaga, this Alexa, a Ceran Flagship just warped in… and they are surrounded by pirates! Cosette is here to!” I quickly got on the radio.
   “I read you, loud and clear… but a Ceran Flagship?” Asaga didn't seem to believe me…
   “I shit you not, they are on the opposite side of the plant.” I replied.
   “Alright, I’ll be there soon!” Asaga hung up. Keeping a close eye on my radar, Asaga’s ID tag came up. Watching the battle on screen, it took about half an hour for the Pirates to bug out. Then, both the Unknown Ceran ship and Asaga docked at Chigara’s Bakery. 
   “Hey Sophitia, I’m going on brake.” I reported. Without another word, I recalled my drones and went back to the surface. 


   I walked into the Stardust Bakery to see Asaga, Chigara, and two others in Ceran Navy uniforms talking…
   “So, when can you get started on repairs for my ship?” The tall, Captain looking one was asking Chigara.
   “Ah, yes… it seems the worst fo ti is on the hull, it shouldn't take long at all.
   “Perfect. Ava, I’m leaving you in charge of overseeing the repairs. I’ll be in my quarters.” The Captain replied.
   “Understood, Captain” The one named Ava saluted, and the Captain guy wandered off. Ava and Chigara then left as well. Before Asaga could leave, I caught up with her. 
   “Hey, what was that all about?” I asked.
   “Agh! Alexa? How long were you here!?”  Asaga jumped.
   “Sorry… I was just curious.” I sighed.
   “Well… apparently Pact got the nerve to attack Cera… and nuked the capital city. All but the Sunrider remained.” Asaga explained.
   “Damn…” Was all i could come up with.
   “Yeah, they’ve been on the run ever since. Said they are planning on building up a fleet.” Asaga added.
   “Really…” I rubbed my chin.
   “Yeah, the Captain already offered to ley me and Chigara join up after we deal with the pirates.” Asaga perked up.
   “Really? Yo, I wanna go too!” I finally admitted. 
   “You sure?” Asaga asked.
   “Of course I am! I want adventure just as much as you do, and you know that!” I replied.
   “What about the mining union?” Asaga pointed out.
   “Pah, almost everyone on this planet is a miner. They can find someone just as good as me to fll in my position.” I countered. 
   “Alright, alright… I’ll see if I can’t get you on board. But it’s up to you to clear things up with the union.” Asaga sighed.
   “Simple, wither they let me go, or I quit.” I reassured Asaga. She nodded and left. I went back to my garage to think on how I’m gonna tell Sophitia.


Chapter 3: Adventure Awaits! 
    “So… what you're saying is you want to leave the Mining Union to help a rogue ship you know nothing about?” The look on Sophitia’s face was not impressed.
   “Asaga and Chigara are already going, and they didn't need a permission slip!” I countred. “Listen, The Sunrider are planning a war on PACT, and they need all the help they can get.” I added.
   “And who is even in charge of this… Sunrider?” Sophitia asked. Before I could even come up with an excuse, my radio started buzzing. I clipped it off my work belt and hit the receiver.
   “Hello? This is Captain Kayto Shields of the Starship Sunrider, I understand I am speaking to Alexa Shimmerstar of the Mining Union, correct?” The voice on the other end played.
   “I am Alexa, correct.” I responded. Sophitia looked quite shocked… to be honest, I am too. I did not expect Asaga to convince the Captain himself to contact me. 
   “Well, one of my Ryder Pilots, Asaga, says you're interested in joining a fleet.” Kayto explained.
   “Yes. In fact, I’m speaking with my current employer at the moment regrading my possible departure.” I replied.
   “Well, if they can hear this, I’d like to inform them that I am in fact trying to build a fleet for the War against PACT. They destroyed my home and many others. But the Sunrider is but one ship, and I only have a couple of Ryders in stock. I could always use more able fighters.” Kayto finished, and Sophitia’s expression was priceless.
   “Well.. I guess there's no harm in it. We have plenty of able miners here anyway.” She scoffed.
   “Wonderful. Alexa, I expect to see you on board within the hour. No time to delay.” Kayto ordered.
   “Yes, Captain!” You're trust in Arsaga's words will not be in vein!” I replied gleefully. I ran out of Sophitia’s office and straight back to my garage. “Alexa to Sunrider, I’m inbound and hot.” I radioed in.
   “Copy that Alexa, you're cleared to board as soon as you arrive.” Kayto replied. With a wide smile, I blasted off into space.