Stargazing in the Void
Stargazing in the Void
Kash leaned back in the pilot’s seat at the helm of the Alley Cat Savant, the soft glow of the ship's dashboard casting faint shadows across his rugged features. The ship was in geosynchronous drift outside the Paritha Nebula, its engines quiet, save for the faint hum of life support systems. Kash rarely allowed himself moments of peace like this, but Calynn had insisted. And when Calynn insisted, she usually had something up her sleeve.
Behind him, Kash heard the familiar click of boots on metal, followed by the soft whir of the cargo bay doors opening. He turned in his seat, brow raised.
“Calynn, what the hell are you doing? That’s an atmospheric barrier, not a force field. You know how thin those things are—one slip, and we’re space debris.”
Calynn stood in the wide-open cargo bay, her arms stretched above her head as though reaching to touch the endless sea of stars. The shimmering field of energy buzzed faintly, separating the oxygen-rich interior from the infinite vacuum of space. Beyond the barrier, the swirling blues and golds of the Paritha Nebula danced like living watercolors, a cosmic masterpiece spanning light-years.
“You’re such a killjoy sometimes,” Calynn teased, her voice carrying over the comms link in his earpiece. She spun on her heel, her wide grin catching the nebula’s light. “I triple-checked the integrity of the atmospheric barrier myself. And look!” She pointed dramatically at the swirling expanse beyond. “Tell me that isn’t worth bending a few safety protocols.”
Kash grumbled, but curiosity got the better of him. He unstrapped himself from the pilot’s chair and made his way to the cargo bay, his boots thudding on the deck plating. When he reached the open bay, the sight stopped him in his tracks.
“Damn,” he muttered under his breath. The nebula stretched out before them, an immense field of glowing gases that shimmered and shifted as though alive. Star clusters sparkled like jewels scattered across a painter’s canvas, and streaks of gold shot through the azure mists like veins of precious metal.
“Told you it was worth it,” Calynn said softly, stepping closer to the edge of the barrier. She folded her arms across her chest and tilted her head back, letting the view envelop her.
Kash stepped beside her, glancing over his shoulder at the atmospheric barrier. His instinct to worry about the thin field separating them from certain death was nearly overridden by the breathtaking display in front of him.
Nearly.
“This better hold, or you’re explaining to Rinktee why I spaced myself,” he muttered, crossing his arms.
“Oh, please,” Calynn smirked, giving him a playful nudge. “If anything happens, I’ll just rig up a solution. You underestimate my brilliance, Kash. Again.”
The two stood in silence for a while, the grandeur of the nebula drawing them in. For Kash, it was rare to let go of the ever-present tension in his chest—the weight of responsibility, the ghosts of his past, the constant fight to stay ahead of enemies who seemed endless. For Calynn, it was a moment to simply be, to let the beauty of the universe remind her that she wasn’t just an advanced piece of tech with a purpose but a living, feeling being.
“Reminds me of the skies on Eltara,” Kash said after a long pause, his voice uncharacteristically soft. “The way the gases shift like auroras. Spent a week grounded there once, watching storms dance across the horizon.”
“Eltara,” Calynn mused. “That’s the one with the yellow oceans and green mountains, right? I’ve only read about it.”
“Guess we’ll have to add it to the list,” Kash replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Calynn chuckled, “That list is getting pretty long. You sure we’ll have time to see it all?”
Kash looked at her, the nebula's glow reflected in her dark eyes. “With you around, I figure we’ll have all the time we need.”
The two fell into another easy silence, content to share the moment with only the stars as witnesses. For all the chaos, for all the battles, betrayals, and escapes, it was these rare instances of stillness that gave their lives depth.
As the nebula swirled and shimmered beyond the atmospheric barrier, Kash found himself grateful for the unlikeliest of blessings: a synth with more heart than most humans he’d ever known.
“Alright,” he said finally, his voice returning to its usual gruff tone. “You’ve had your nebula fix. Now close the damn door before the barrier decides it’s bored.”
Calynn grinned, tapping a panel on the wall. The cargo bay doors slid shut with a soft hiss.
“Admit it,” she said as the view disappeared behind the metal bulkhead. “You loved it.”
Kash gave her a side glance and a half-smile. “You keep doing reckless shit like that, and someday I’ll space myself just to beat the rush.”
Calynn laughed, a sound as vibrant and alive as the nebula they’d just left behind.
Kash shook his head, heading back to the helm. Maybe he didn’t say it out loud, but yeah, he’d admit it: moments like these were worth bending a few safety protocols.
Final Note to the Reader
Life has a way of handing us unexpected pauses. Like Kash and Calynn staring out at the Paritha Nebula, you might not always know what to do with the quiet moments. But that’s their beauty. Embrace them. Share a laugh, a drink, or a story. And if you’re lucky, find someone who makes the quiet feel like home.
As you sit down this Thanksgiving, remember the things worth giving thanks for—the people, the memories, the moments. Let the noise fall away, and let gratitude take its place.
From my family to yours,
Happy Thanksgiving.
