May 26th, 3030
The bustling Starbase 10X7Y came into view as their ship pulled up. Itus's eyes widened at the sight of ships of various sizes taking off and landing in the background. I've never seen anything like this, he marveled silently. So many different beings, so many ships... Is this what the rest of the galaxy looks like? Have I been living in a tiny bubble all this time? The area was a hive of activity, filled with merchants, travelers, and dock workers. It was a far cry from the abandoned spaceport they had just left.
“Alright, let's make this quick. In and out,” Tristan instructed the group, his tone businesslike.
Kin turned to Itus. "Stay close. It's easy to get lost in there."
As they walked through the crowded starbase, carrying their bags of salvaged tech, Itus couldn't help but look around in awe. The diverse array of species and ships was unlike anything he had ever seen before. It was overwhelming and exciting all at once.
They approached a small shop tucked away in a corner of the starbase. Inside, the space was cramped, filled with shelves of various technological components. Behind the counter sat an older Mierese man, whom Tristan greeted as Les.
"Tristan! Back so soon?" Les grinned, his eyes lighting up at the sight of them.
Tristan placed their bags on the counter. "Got some prime stuff for you, Les."
As Les began examining the salvaged parts, his eyes widened when he saw the quantum flux regulator - the very device Itus had risked his life to retrieve. "Now this... this is something special," Les murmured, clearly impressed.
While Tristan and Les haggled over prices, Itus found his attention wandering. He drifted towards the shop entrance, watching the bustling spaceport activity. Suddenly, he noticed a commotion nearby. A group of people were gathered around a holographic job board, and curiosity got the better of him. He moved closer to listen. There's so much more out there, he realized. So many possibilities I never even knew existed. Do I really want to limit myself to just one path so soon?
A recruiter was addressing the crowd, his voice carrying over the general hubbub of the spaceport. "We need capable hands for various jobs! Good pay, short-term contracts!"
Itus felt a spark of interest ignite within him. He glanced back at the shop where Tristan and the others were still engaged with Les, then approached the recruiter.
"Excuse me," Itus said, "what kind of jobs are available?"
The recruiter sized him up, a considering look in his eye. "All sorts, kid. Maintenance, cargo handling, even some exploration gigs. You looking for work?"
Before Itus could respond, he felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder. He turned to see Tristan.
"What do you think you're doing?" Tristan asked, his voice low.
Itus felt a surge of defiance. He had proven himself on this job, hadn't he? He deserved the right to make his own choices. "Looking for opportunities," he replied, meeting Tristan's gaze. "I can make my own choices, you know."
Kin joined them, his presence a calming influence. "Everything okay here?"
The recruiter, oblivious to the tension, addressed Tristan. "Your boy here was just inquiring about some job openings. We've got a variety of-"
Tristan cut him off abruptly. "He's not interested."
But Itus wasn't ready to back down. He stepped away from Tristan, turning back to the recruiter. "Actually, I am," he said firmly. "What's the pay like?"
"Depends on the job," the recruiter replied. "But for someone your age, probably 200-300 Atlas a day."
Itus's eyes widened at the figure. It was more than he had ever imagined earning.
Tristan scoffed. "Kid, you know you don't have to go with these people. You can make ten times as much with us in a day."
Itus hesitated for a moment. The money was tempting, but something inside him yearned for more. "Maybe," he conceded, "but I want to hear more about these jobs."
Iero, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Let him go. If he wants to go, that's his choice."
Kin looked at Itus. "Itus, are you sure about this?"
Itus nodded, a mixture of excitement and nervousness coursing through him. "I am. Thanks for everything, but... I need to do this on my own. I have to keep moving."
Tristan stared at Itus for a long moment, then shrugged. "Yeah, I get it." He stuck out his hand, and Itus shook it, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and sadness.
As Tristan and Iero walked away, Kin handed Itus his cut of their earnings - 2,080 Atlas. Itus's eyes widened at the amount. "Thanks! This is so much more than I was expecting."
Kin laughed. "This is actually kind of low for us."
"Really?!" Itus exclaimed, shocked.
"Yeah," Kin confirmed. "Are you sure about your decision?"
Itus laughed, feeling a surge of confidence. "Yeah, I'm sure. The money's great, but I've got more to do with my life than hanging out with treasure hunters."
Kin pretended to be offended, then laughed. "Ouch, I see how it is. Well, this is goodbye then."
"Goodbye, Kin," Itus said as Kin hurried to catch up with the others. This feels right. Like the next step I need to take, he reflected.
Turning back to the recruiter, "So, tell me more about these jobs."
The recruiter grinned, a glint in his eye. "Well, as it happens, we've got an interesting gig just coming in. Ever been to the Outer Rim?"
Itus shook his head, his heart racing with anticipation.
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