Season 2 is finally here. I don't have much to say except for one simple change to how I format star systems. I'll use LHS-730 as an example.
LHS-730A - A1, the first A means what star A = first while B would = second. The second A = what planet it is and works the same as stars. The number indicates the moon. In this example I would be talking about the first moon around the first planet of the first star in the LHS-730 system. Sorry if that's confusing, it mainly helps me with world building.
Now let's get started.
"KILO UNIFORM VICTOR - 6583 enter holding pattern, we've had more traffic than usual lately. Also SDF lieutenant Sylvis wants to meet with you." The flight controllers finally started giving Kilo reasons for delays instead of the usual orders. The mention of Sylvis waiting for him almost made him call off his landing but he was far too fatigued from the extensive FTL flight.
The wait was long and dull, drifting in and out of consciousness as the ships auto pilot took over. The channel crackled to life jolting him awake as the flight controllers gave him landing permission. Sylvis was naturally waiting for him as Kilo exited his ship, but exhaustion got the better of him. Sylvis could only watch as Kilo finally collapsed, slamming into the cold, hard landing pad.
Blinded by the infirmary lights he slowly came to taking in the surroundings to find Sylvis sitting in a chair next to the bed. It was the last thing Kilo needed with Sylvis immediately starting his speech.
"I'll admit the plan to kill you went sideways and I still need you gone to please my superiors, however I don't think they see the potential you have as a freelancer but I do so I'll give you a chance. I'm putting my ass on the line, don't make me regret it." The warning was obvious enough but Kilo simply couldn't take orders from the SDF once again.
"Sylvis let me put this real simple for you." Sylvis could see the words coming from a mile away but it still stung coming from someone he couldn't intimidate. "FUCK OFF! If you ask anything from me again I will take this to the system authorities and higher if need be. This is your last warning." Sylvis had seen cold eyes but not like Kilo's, it made him flinch as shivers coated his body.
"Just think about it." With that Sylvis finally left the infirmary allowing Kilo to rest properly.
Finally well rested he started looking for more of the odd jobs to earn his living. The contract hall was busier than Kilo had ever seen it, hundreds of lifeforms filled the hall making it difficult for Kilo to reach the queue for one of the more infamous brokers. The immense noise of echoing voices through the hall slowly chipped away at Kilo's sanity as his line slowly pushed forward. The contract broker's face showed Kilo what true exhaustion was, the old Ventrix lifeform had dark sunken eyes, chipped and cracked beak with their feathers in disarray, whatever battles they fought it showed.
"Freelancer eh? Don't get too many of you anymore." The Ventrixian lifeform's voice was rough after decades of abuse from harsh conditions beyond belief. Pulling up a list of contracts he asked Kilo which he'd take. "Good try freelancer, no courier contracts from me. Show me the freelancer spirit your kind once had." Chuckling softly Kilo chose an appropriate contract to show the freelancer spirit.
It was an escort contract for the research vessel Ardent into an anarchy declared system. The Ventrix crew of the Ardent had little hope left to turn profit before they'd need to sell off their ship. The Ardent commander commissioned the contract using the little credits remaining with little hope of finding valuable data.
"Freelancer Kilo at your service." Kilo said while simultaneously extending his hand toward the Ventrix lifeform.
"Ardent Commander Keres at yours." The commander accepted Kilo's handshake silently confirming their shared honour in the contract. "I trust you're equipped given your freelancer status, exploring anarchy systems is dangerous work ya'know but this one is different. No pirate activity." Kilo was taken aback for a moment at the mention of no pirates in an anarchy system of all places, he knew in that instant something was off.
Kilo and the Ardent crew readied themselves for departure into the LHS-730 system. With a single star the system was home to billions across three planets and three moons along with the starport. LHS-730A - B, the planet was hellish for most but suited the Yetrin and Artrin lifeforms. Covered by colossal deserts, high winds created almost constant sandstorms. The sand has since long covered every visible trace of the cities scattered across every plateau the planet offered. Its moon was barren with little to offer until it eventually broke apart due to the planet's gravity, the destruction gave the planet a small asteroid belt and a high concentration of rare metals that had been buried deep with the moons core. LHS-730A - C was an Earth-like planet allowing most lifeforms to thrive easily with vast cities covering the continents. The inhabitants blended with nature while creating a home suited for all. Nature was quick to take over the planet-wide megacities where inhabitants once coexisted with the planet. The moon LHS-730A - C1 was left halfway through terraforming with colonies slowly degrading as asteroids smashed many to dust. LHS-730A - D was once an energy hub for the system but primitive nuclear reactors melted down in the thousands, releasing enough radioactive material to render the planet uninhabitable for thousands of years with no sign of dissipating. The moon was useless with nothing of value ever found. The once vibrant starport now spins aimlessly in decay.
Looking over Kilo's starship Keres quickly saw it was just as outdated as the Ardent. The paint was worn with the ship's name barely visible, hydraulic fluid and coolant dripping from the landing legs and engine mounts. Preparations for the expedition took days as the Ardent was loaded with supplies and research equipment while Kilo could only spare enough credits for basic supplies and refueling. Kilo was finally briefed on the course they would take through the system, the plan was to gather data from the once inhabited planets and moon before investigating the starport if it could even be found.
After days of work they were finally ready to depart from Prospect Station. "Kilo Uniform Victor - 6583 / Alpha Whisky Oscar - 1822 you are cleared for departure." The traffic controllers gave the long awaited clearance finally allowing the two ships to whir to life before blasting blue-white flames from their engines, evaporating the leaked fluids from the landing pads. The Ardent roared off the landing pad before the ship's autopilot slowly guided the ship through the airlock with Kilo in close pursuit. "FTL threshold clear. Safe flights." The traffic's automated message played over the channel signaling they're on their own.
The ship's manoeuvring thrusters fired in small bursts as Kilo stared LHS-730 down light years away, slowly pushing the throttle forward he followed the Ardent into faster than light travel as the two ships began to emit a white glow. In an instant the two ships let off a flash of blinding white light before disappearing into the cosmos. Light stretched into thin bands shooting past as they smashed through gigantic cosmic gas clouds and nebulae. The galaxies hidden beauty locked away behind interstellar FTL travel, nearing the end of FTL flight giant orange-red gas clouds filled the sky reflecting light off creating a sparkle as they punched through into LHS-730.
The red giant loomed over them showing off the swirls of violent plasma churning through the star as solar flares shot out of the star threatening to destroy the two ships. The Ardent immediately shot over a series of solar flares riding their arcs across the star to reach their first destination. It had been years since Kilo had seen a red giant of this magnitude but he didn't allow it to distract him from his duties. Sitting in orbit of LHS-730A - B Kilo watched colossal sandstorms roll over the planet leaving little room for clear planetfall conditions. Whatever the Ardent crew were doing in orbit it was a lengthy process.
"Freelancer we've completed orbital surveys and located an artificial structure, prepare for planetfall." Keres transferred the coordinates to Kilos computer before beginning their plummeting descent with Kilo in hot pursuit.
Leaving streaks of plasma through the sandstorm with molten glass slipping off the ships the two flew in perfect formation. The sandstorm blasted the little paint remaining on the ships stripping them back to their bare hull. Levelling out just above the sandy wasteland the ships landing thrusters blasted the sand below turning it molten before plunging into the glassy sand. From the ship's cockpit they sat in sandy blindness waiting for the storm to pass.