Stranded in Chains Teaser 3D Render, Digital Artwork by emarukk

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Stranded in Chains Teaser

3D Render by emarukk

CNS Cantan, an Antares-class destroyer, glided through the vastness of space on its mission to guard the exclusion zone of Khorian in the remote star system EX34-EXO4582-C-4. For eighty-four days on mission, weeks at destination, the vessel traversed the silent void, its hull occasionally illuminated by the ethereal glow of nearby blue nebulae and the distant shimmer of starlight, diffused through a gentle blue haze. Initially, this cosmic scenery appeared mysterious and breathtaking, a mesmerizing dance of celestial beauty. Pleasure to watch in the beginning, however, as the weeks of monotonous patrol stretched on, the allure of the starlit tapestry faded, and the once-enchanting spectacle became just another backdrop to the endless routine of duty.

Reina Xiao, petty officer third class and quantum mechanic of the engineering section, sat on the chair in the engine room's control section, her eyes half-closed as she lost herself in the pulsing rhythms flowing through her wearable Vanthelix-7 media device. The sleek wearable device with a display interacting with her retinal display had earcups covering her ears. The device was designed for jumprats and people in noisy environments. She would have preferred her cochlear augmentation, also Vanthelix tech, AuralLink that could pipe music directly into her auditory nerve, but the Katla drives generators housed in the next section behind reinforced layered durasteel roared with the distinctive oscillating whine of contained antimatter reactions, punctuated by subsonic thrums that vibrated through the deck plates. The cacophony forced her to use the noise-canceling wearable device, which filtered out the mechanical symphony of the ship while letting the music flow unimpeded.

Working a shift in the engine room, nestled at the aft of the ship, was a monotonous yet all-consuming task. The majority of the controls were operated from the bridge. The gleaming, new, state-of-the-art Katla drive of the life cycle updated CNS Cantan required minimal attention. The engine room was a tunnel of polished metal and humming machinery, with the air thick with the scent of recycled air with a metallic tang, and the loud, constant thrum of the ship's heartbeat. The highlight of the shift, if it could be called that, was performing routine inspections on the generator core. Inspection involved checking the intricate network of wires and circuits, ensuring everything was in perfect working order, all under the soft glow of fluorescent lights reflecting off the polished surfaces.

Reina let music disconnect her from boredom. Resolute Rules, an electrifying fusion of fast-paced beats and rhythmical electronic music paired with catchy yet straightforward vocals, was all the rage back on her home world, Sonos, when CNS Cantan set sail from Avernus Prime. Most likely, there was already a new hit song, but she would know that only if a jump line courier with a media update would visit the ship. The song surged with defiant energy, its rebellious spirit aimed squarely against the newly appointed military governor of Ahstad-Sonos. Reina had stumbled across a song on a pirate broadcast, and without a second thought, she recorded it. The message of the song, steeped in resistance, didn't particularly interest her; it was the way the melody ebbed and flowed, reminiscent of the vibrant pulse of her homeland, that captivated her. While listening to the beat of her home world, she dreamed of the spicy food they had, and warm sunlight bathed evenings at the edge of the desert, mountains of black glass shimmering in the distance. For Reina, the political tug-of-war between Ahstad and Confederation-appointed Hudson was of little consequence. In her eyes, Sonos was merely an exoformed dustball, a barren landscape with ambitious plantation projects scattered across its surface.

Military conscription had rescued her from a life bound to the soil, sparing her the relentless toil and simplicity of a farmer's existence. Yet, in the beginning of conscription, a nagging fear lingered in her mind, the possibility that she might be assigned to one of the farming stations, with Verdantia being the most desirable among them. Fortunately, her aptitude for mechanics shone brightly. After undergoing a series of rigorous initial tests and enduring the challenging rookie period, she received her assignment to Polaris Ascendant. Although she was not keen on technology, she knew machines from the farm. Thanks to that, in Polaris, she would immerse herself in the intricate mysteries of the Katla drive and the advanced onboard technology, unlocking the secrets that powered their world beyond the stars. That was the path that led her to CNS Cantan, where she was met with the monotonous routine of military life. The days blended into each other, filled with endless drills and repetitive tasks. The sterile gray walls of the base and the constant hum of activity became her new reality, a stark contrast to the vibrant life she once knew and the adventures promised in conscription posters.

The proximity alarm on her headset jolted her from her nostalgic reverie. The device, snugly covering her ears and displaying information on its sleek visor over her eyes, interrupted with a soft chime, and a notification appeared on display. The music flowing through her earphones faded to silence as a familiar masculine voice, reminiscent of a famous character from a starship novella, whispered intimately in her ear: "Elevator operated and doors opened, steps of one person approaching."

Intrigued, Reina activated her retinal display, her gaze shifting away from the tablet cradled in her hand. Simple handheld display device was her personal mirror, disconnected from networks. The live feed from the automaton's cameras flickered to life, revealing the scene behind her. A familiar silhouette emerged, drawing nearer, and recognition sparked a warm smile on her lips. It was her favorite stationer, the embodiment of wine and pleasure from the Portis Vellum station. Though he carried no wine today, he held a six-pack of Fizzarca Blaze, the very elixir Reina had been yearning for.

Nils Harrison, a slim and tall figure with a muscular build, was a stationer hailing from Portis Vellum Station. Fortuitously, he found himself on the same mission as Reina. Trained meticulously as part of the Military Police, Nils was an integral member of the weapons team on board the CNS Cantan. The role of an onboard MP was multifaceted; they were the peacekeepers who stepped in to break up disputes among sailors, ensuring that any tempers flared by the tedium of ship life were swiftly cooled in the brig. These MPs were also the first line of defense, well-versed in the art of combat within the ship's narrow, labyrinthine corridors, making them formidable in both defense and offense. Nils donned the MP's characteristic red, a stark warning color that signified authority and readiness. He was fully equipped with a baton, a sidearm, and a formidable energy rifle, each weapon a testament to his preparedness. The captain, perhaps sensing an unspoken threat, had issued an order for all MPs to patrol the ship fully armed, as if anticipating the sudden emergence of a boarding party from the void of space.

"Hey, planeteer, here is some energy from Corehammer!" Nils called out, his augmented smile revealing teeth so unnaturally white they gleamed like polished ceramic against his crimson lips on pale skin. Teeth were one of many "enhancements" the Military Police offered their conscripts. He thrust forward a six-pack of Fizzarca Blaze, the aluminum cans slick with condensation, their matte black surfaces interrupted by jagged crimson lightning bolts that framed the company's iconic mascot: a running spaceman with an explosion of shooting stars. The drink was the pride of the Pinecore system, brewed in Fizzarca's sprawling zero-gravity facility that hung like an industrial spider at the edge of the Industrial Circle.