Orbist

The ship's engines rumbled to life, a low, resonating hum that seemed to echo through the very air of the hangar. Outside, the lights of Orbis' capital city shimmered like a distant sea, a stark reminder of what you were leaving behind.

You stood on the bridge, your hands resting on the cold, metallic railing as the final checks were being completed. Plavo sat cross-legged on the floor nearby, his back slightly hunched as he balanced a glowing holopad on his knees. The dim light from the device illuminated his eager expression, and his small hands danced over the controls.

"Look at this!" he said, barely glancing up. "It's insane how much is out there! So many systems we've never even touched! Isn't this the coolest thing ever?"

You couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "It's something, alright," you replied, your gaze steady on the viewport ahead. "A lot of people worked hard to get this ready."

The sound of heavy boots on the deck pulled your attention. Turning, you saw General Kael enter the bridge, his posture rigid and his expression unreadable. A veteran of countless campaigns, Kael was a man who carried the weight of his experience with quiet dignity. His armor bore the scars of battles fought long before your reign, each marking a testament to his resilience.

"Everything's ready," Kael reported, his voice low but steady. "The engineers have checked the systems thrice over. The ship's as ready as it'll ever be."

You nodded. "Good. And the crew?"

"They're loyal, though nervous," Kael admitted. "Can't blame them—this is a step into the unknown. But they'll follow you."

Plavo glanced up, grinning. "They should be excited! Look at this!" He waved the holopad, which projected a swirling map of Ilios. "Do you know how many systems are out there? Hundreds! Maybe thousands! There's so much to see, so much to—"

Kael raised a brow, cutting him off with a glance. "Focus, kid. Curiosity's fine, but we've got a mission."

Plavo huffed but didn't argue, instead retreating back to his map, the holographic display swirling as he zoomed in and out of faraway systems.

The final countdown echoed through the ship's comms: "Departure in T-minus 30 seconds."

You exhaled slowly, gripping the railing tighter. This was it—the first step into a galaxy that promised both danger and opportunity. Turning to Kael, you said, "You've been out there before. What should we expect?"

Kael's gaze didn't waver. "Chaos. Alliances that last only until someone gains the upper hand. And civilizations desperate enough to fight over scraps."

You nodded, letting his words settle. "Then we'll tread carefully. Plavo, set our course."

"Aye, aye!" Plavo chirped, his small fingers flying over the controls with practiced precision.

The engines roared, a symphony of power that vibrated through every fiber of the ship. The city lights below faded as the ship rose, cutting through Orbis' atmosphere like a blade through silk.

As the ship broke free into the vast expanse of space, countless lights shimmered in the distance, some steady, others flickering—each a reminder of the unknown waiting ahead.