The ventilation rattled every few minutes, sending a draft through the space that made Luca pull his jacket a little tighter, but his dad didn't seem to notice.
Across the small table, his dad had a double espresso that looked like it could strip paint. Emily sat beside him, her tablet open but mostly ignored as she picked at a pastry.
The rest of the team was scattered around the cafe. Ryan and Chris were at the counter arguing about something technical, their voices carrying over the hum of machinery from the shipyard beyond the windows. Zoe had claimed a window seat, her tablet propped up as she scrolled through navigation charts for their upcoming tour stops. Danny sat with Joey near the far wall while Alessio scratched behind Pixel's ears. The Nixocatus had taken to Luca's youngest brother immediately, and the feeling seemed mutual. The little creature purred loud enough to hear from across the room.
Ten kilometers away, the Triumph sat stationary relative to the Genesis Platform. They'd be heading to the IFC base at Mare Tranquillitatis on the Moon after breakfast, samples and armor already loaded in their shuttle.
"So," Athan said, setting down his espresso with the kind of precision that made Luca think he'd been waiting for this conversation. "What's next?"
Luca exchanged a glance with Emily. They'd talked about this on the way in, rehearsed it even, though he knew his dad would see right through any bullshit.
"We need help," Luca said. "The ship's empty, Dad. Eight decks and most of them are just... waiting."
"Crew," Athan said.
"Crew. Uniforms. Equipment for all the labs Danny wants to set up." Luca leaned back in his chair.
Athan nodded slowly, his expression unreadable in that way that always made Luca feel like he was being measured. "I figured as much. You planning to pay for all that with the charter rewards?"
"After we pay off our debt, that's the idea." Luca took a sip of his hot chocolate, buying himself a second to think. "But there's something else. You mentioned wanting scans of the Triumph. To start working on a larger class of ship."
"I did." Athan's eyes sharpened just a fraction. "Design work's already started, but scans would speed things up. Save me a few months of extrapolation."
"I can do you one better," Luca said. "Full schematics. Everything. TL9 tech, the whole package."
Athan went still. He was already doing the math.
"What's the price?" he asked.
"Five hundred million credits."
Athan's eyebrows climbed. Not much, but enough that Luca knew he'd landed the opening high. His dad set down the espresso and sat back, arms crossed.
"What?"
Athan's mouth twitched, almost a smile but not quite. "That's a lot of credits, Luca."
"I know, Dad." Luca spread his hands. "We need to refit the interior, buy supplies, outfit all the labs, set up the armory, and stock the hangar. It adds up fast."
Athan shook his head. "Alright. I could do a hundred million credits."
Luca opened his mouth to counter, but Emily beat him to it.
"Four hundred million," she said, her voice calm and matter-of-fact.
Athan turned to look at her, and Luca saw the flicker of amusement in his dad's eyes. He'd always liked Emily.
"That's still too much," Athan said. "I have all my credits tied up in inventory, materials, and recruitment bonuses. What about a hundred and fifty million, plus five percent royalties on anything I build with those schematics?"
Luca felt the corner of his mouth pull up. Now they were talking. "Ten percent."
"Seven," Athan countered. "And that's final."
Luca glanced at Emily, who gave a small nod. He looked back at his dad and extended his hand. "Fine, Dad. That works."
Athan shook it, his grip firm and warm. "Good. I'll have the credits transferred once you send the schematics."
"There's more," Luca said. "We're going to need some ships ourselves. Dropships. Horizon-class, if you've got them in the pipeline. Eight of them. Four configured for troop transports, two gunships, two heavy transports."
Athan let out a low whistle. "That's going to take some time."
"We have until the end of the tour. Six months. Can you make it work?"
Athan stared at him for a long moment, then nodded. "I'll see what I can do. No promises, but I'll make it a priority."
"Thanks, Dad."
Athan picked up his espresso and drained the last of it, then stood. "You take care of that ship, Luca. And your crew."
"I will."
His dad clapped him on the shoulder, gave Emily a nod, and headed back toward the shipyard floor. Luca watched him go.
"That went well," Emily said.
"Yeah." Luca took another sip of his hot chocolate. "Now we just have to hope Karen's check clears."
Emily snorted. "It will. Come on. We've got a shuttle to catch."
As they gathered the crew, Luca glanced over at Alessio and Pixel. The Nixocatus was curled up in his brother's lap now, her bioluminescent markings pulsing softly as she dozed.
"You sure you're okay watching her?" Luca asked.
Alessio scratched behind Pixel's ears, earning a contented chirp. "Are you kidding? This is the best part of you coming home."
"She'll be safe here," Athan said from the doorway. "Alessio's still grounded anyway."
The flight from Genesis to the Moon took three hours. Luca spent most of it reviewing the recruitment list Emily had put together, occasionally glancing up to watch Earth grow larger in the viewports. It was strange seeing home from this angle again after five months away. Orbitals dotted the space near Earth as new constructions had gone up over the time they had been away. The blue looked brighter than he remembered.
By the time the Mare Tranquillitatis base came into view, the crew had settled into the comfortable quiet of people who'd spent too much time together in small spaces. The dome rose from the lunar surface, reflecting bright sunlight that made Luca's eyes water even through the shuttle's polarized windows. Their shuttle descended through the opening dome, landing on a platform that clanked and groaned as it locked into place.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Michael waited in the hangar with an IFC security detail and a team of UER workers in gray canvas coveralls, ready to receive their cargo. "Luca Rossi. Welcome to Tranquillitatis base."
Emily leaned close to Luca, grinning. "You almost picked those uniforms, remember?"
"Dodged a bullet," he murmured back.
The unloading took an hour, Danny hovering over every crate like a nervous parent. When the last sample was secured in the IFC's containment facility, they followed Michael into the modest headquarters and found Karen waiting in a small conference room.
"There they are," she said.
Luca couldn't help but grin. "Hey, Karen."
She crossed the room in three strides and pulled him into a hug that surprised him with its fierceness. When she let go, she stepped back and looked at all of them, her gaze sweeping over the crew like she was checking for injuries.
They handed the digital copies of their mapping data, surveys, habitable zone analysis, and other vital information to Karen, who was waiting at the head of the table. As they watched, she uploaded everything to the UER portal, submitting the last piece of evidence for their completed mission. The process was handled through the System, which governed the charter between the IFC and the UER. All they had to do now was wait for confirmation.
Karen laughed. "Sit. Let's see how you did."
They found seats around the small conference table, and Karen pulled up a holo-display with a flick of her wrist. Numbers appeared in the air, glowing softly.
"First things first," she said. "The charter payment."
Moments later, Karen's face lit up as she read the notification. The System had validated their submission, moving the funds into the IFC's account. With a smile, Karen took the 10% commission for the IFC, then transferred the remainder to the Triumph Initiative. "Congratulations," she said warmly, as she turned her computer over to them.
Luca's interface lit up with a Company notification.
[Charter Complete: Alpha Centauri Survey Expedition]
+2,000,000 CP
+1,975,500,000 credits
Followed by another notification.
[Company - Level Up!]
[Triumph Initiative - Adventuring Company] Level 2 --> Level 3
Company benefits unlocked:
- Company HQ Upgrade - Level 3
- Company reclassification available
- Company membership expanded from 500 to 2,500
- Expanded Company Store now includes structural upgrades [Requires Company HQ]
- Company Missions now provide 1.5x CP [Requires Company HQ]
- Company Communications Network Upgrade - Sensor Mesh [Requires Company HQ]
The crew erupted. Ryan let out a whoop that echoed off the conference room walls. Chris was grinning so wide it looked painful. Even Danny, who usually kept his excitement contained to a raised eyebrow, was staring at the numbers with his mouth slightly open.
Karen's tablet chimed.
She frowned, thumb flicking across the screen. "That's odd."
"What?" Luca asked.
Karen didn't answer right away. She stood, pacing a step away from the table as she accepted the call. "Marisol."
The room went quiet.
Karen listened, her expression shifting from curiosity to something sharper. "Yes, I'm looking at it now. The System approved the release under the charter terms. All of it."
A pause.
"No," Karen said calmly. "I submitted every objective they completed. The charter didn't specify partial submissions."
She glanced back at Luca, her eyes unreadable. "I understand that the UER assumed otherwise. That doesn't make it an error."
Another pause.
Karen exhaled slowly. "We can discuss revisions for future charters."
She ended the call and set her tablet down, but the tension in her shoulders had eased. When she looked up, there was a grin tugging at the corner of her mouth that Luca hadn't expected.
"They're not going to fight this," she said. "They can't. The System approved the charter, and that's the end of it."
She leaned back in her chair, and the grin spread wider.
"But they're going to ask for a concession. Something to save face, something to make up for the budget shortfall." Her eyes found Luca's. "Looks like we're having that auction after all."
Luca stared at the numbers still floating in the air. He'd known the payout was going to be big, but seeing it written out like that made his chest feel tight.
"That's... a lot of money," he said.
"It is," Karen agreed. "An astronomical sum. The UER didn't expect the charter to be completed so thoroughly. They budgeted that money for other things."
There was no judgment in her voice, but Luca felt the weight of it anyway. They'd earned this. They'd risked their lives, traveled farther than anyone in human history, brought back data and samples that would change everything. But she was right. It was a lot of money, and apparently someone in the UER had been counting on them to fail.
The crew released their collective breath, the relief and pride almost palpable as they exchanged glances. They had done it, they'd completed the mission, fulfilled their contract, and secured a reward far beyond their wildest expectations. With the additional 150 million from Athan, and the 350 million from Alpha Centauri achievements, they were now sitting on a massive 2,475,500,000 credits.
Luca, as the head of the Triumph Initiative, took a moment to handle some unfinished business. He transferred 300 million back to the IFC, repaying the initial loan that had made it possible to commission the Triumph of Darron in the first place.
Luca took a steadying breath, glancing around at the crew he had come to rely on like family. "We did it," he said, his voice filled with both pride and gratitude.
Ryan clapped him on the shoulder, grinning. "Debt-free and loaded. Now we're really ready to outfit our ship."
Emily beamed, squeezing Luca's hand as she looked around at the crew. "One chapter closed, and a whole universe waiting."
[Triumph Initiative - Adventuring Company]
Level: 3
Membership: 7/2,500
Contribution Points: 3,113,025/12,000,000
Credits: 2,175,500,000
Debt: 0
Tax Rate: 0%
Affiliation: Interstellar Frontier Company (IFC)
Assets:
Triumph of Darron - Exploration Frigate, Centaur-class Exploration Frigate Mk-I TL9
Unnamed - Advanced Shuttle, Personnel Transfer Class TL9
Centurion - Light Combat Vehicle, Reconnaissance Class TL9
Specter - Ultralight Vanguard Tactical Vehicle TL9
[Expand for complete list...]
Officers:
Company Leader: Luca Rossi – Level 74 – Starship Commander
Mission Control: Emily Berrow – Level 74 – Operations Executive
Science Officer: Danny Donahue – Level 74 – United Theorist
Medical Officer: Joey Donahue – Level 74 – Clinical Strategist
Quartermaster: Ryan Mitchell – Level 74 – Integrated Engineer
Exploration Officer: Zoe Woods – Level 74 – Spatial Analyst
Field Operations Officer: Chris Valtz – Level 74 – Tactical Systems Engineer
Objectives:
- Recruit 20 members to establish permanent headquarters – [Pending]
- Complete missions to advance Company Level – [In Progress]
- Define contribution objectives – [Pending]
Contracts & Charters
- Alpha Centauri Survey Expedition Charter – [Complete]
- Echoes of the Varnathi - [Pending]
"What's next?" Karen asked, folding her hands on the table.
Emily pulled out her tablet and slid it across to Karen. "Here's the updated recruitment list. We refined it after our last conversation."
Karen nodded, scrolling through it. "Good. I've been looking into those adventuring teams you asked about. Found a few potential matches, though finding the right fit for your requirements is still tricky."
"We're looking for more than just skill," Emily said. "We need people who'll fit in with our crew."
"I know you're planning to build from scratch," Karen continued, "but I'd suggest bringing in some experienced leaders. Sabine, for instance. Or Erik."
"Karen," Luca said carefully, and felt Emily's hand find his under the table.
They didn't want Karen's people on their ship. It wasn't personal, at least not entirely. Sabine and Erik were good at what they did, sure, but they were Karen's operatives. And the Triumph wasn't an IFC asset, not really.
Karen's eyes flicked between Luca and Emily, and Luca saw the exact moment she understood.
"I see," she said.
Luca felt like an asshole anyway. "It's not that we don't trust them—"
"You don't need to explain," Karen interrupted gently. "You're building your own crew. I get it. But let me offer an alternative." She turned the tablet around. "What about other adventuring groups from within the IFC? Teams that have their own identity. Hyeon Logistics, for example."
Luca leaned forward, looking at the list.
"Izumi Tomiko," Karen said, tapping one of the entries. "She runs a tight operation, specializes in logistics and combat support. Her team helped extract Matteo from that mess in Kharun Bay. She's young, competent, and she's not one of my people. She's her own."
"We'll think about it," Luca said. "Maybe we can schedule an interview with her during the tour."
Karen smiled. "That's all I'm asking. Just keep an open mind."
She pulled up her tablet again. "Alright, here's the welcome tour. First stop is the gala in Washington, but you'll have some downtime beforehand. I've scheduled appointments with those furniture makers in Pennsylvania you wanted to visit. Custom pieces, treated with fire retardant for shipboard use. You can pick out whatever you want and they'll handle shipping to the Moon."
Emily perked up. "Perfect. We want to see it in person, not just order from a catalog."
"You're sure about real furniture?" Karen asked. "Most ships use modular composites."
"The Triumph isn't most ships," Luca said. "We've got artificial gravity and environmental controls. If we're going to live there for months at a time, it's going to feel like home, not a barracks."
"Do you need help with outfits for the gala?" Karen asked.
Luca shook his head, smiling. "No, we're good. Chris and I have our black-tie outfits from a portal delve in Alpha Centauri."
Emily grinned, sharing a glance with Zoe. "And the rest of us got ours from another portal delve, some high-end orbital mall. They're all TL9 clothing with advanced defensive enhancements. We'll definitely make an impression."