The Start
The beginning of Rhajaro's new life after active military service.
This is the first of a few upcoming Sci-Fi based short-stories around Rhajaro and a few OC's I've got. Newer to writing, please provide constructive critique as it helps an artist grow. Or let me know if you like it!
It was a particularly bitter sweet day, Rhajaro felt as though it would never come. June 26th, 2939, Rhajaro Mantra was granted an honorable discharge after 5 years active service as a pilot & operator in the Vanguard Class, E-Warfare fighter nicknamed, Sparky.
Leaning back, he recalls moments of various tours and warzones he was in and the hellish drama of it all while being safely shuttled back to civilian airspace. One particular time he can think of was a Vanduul Tour he was deployed to.
The Vanduul, an alien species that hates all others but their own.
The mission was to liberate a moon of Vanduul oppression and secure it. Making great strides in their favor years past, the top brass decided a leadership change was in order. Despite knowing the impending shitstorm involved with a change in command, a new commander was transferred into the veteran theater of which he was unfamiliar. The battalion knew he got to where he was by daddies money connections pulling a few strings.
No one under the new leadership liked the tenderfoot, and for good reason. He sent Rhajaro and his scout & intercept squad into an intel zone that had been long confirmed to be compromised, but insisted undiscovered intel was ripe for plucking. His call couldn't have been more wrong. Sending the interceptors into an active dogfighting zone, almost costing the team their lives if it weren't for the top gun hornet pilots in the air to stave off the fray while they escaped.
Gently clutching his cup of lemon tea, he chuckles a bit to the memory, letting out a soft sigh.
Pulling out an old-earth like smartphone device he taps a claw to the screen to wake it, enabling the connection to the net to check his email hoping to see his discharge email.
The one he was expected to find appeared at the top. Clicking the message eagerly, it reads;
Subject: Thank you for your service
From: [REDACTED][ENCRYPTED GOV'T MESSAGE]
Thank you for your hard work and devotion while enlisted. As previously arranged with your former division commander, the undelivered Phoenix Class - Constellation cruiser you discovered during a tour has been cleared for your receipt. It will be delivered to your Goss hangar.
Additionally you have been gifted a discharge package of an undisclosed monetary amount as agreed upon your enlistment.
Best of luck.
Amonda Sha'jki
Rhajaro perks up to the notion of his discovery being his to keep, tail swishing happily behind him. Looking around a bit, he does not recognize any of the passengers. Though one thing he has in common with the rest of them is the feeling of an unburdening relief. A relief that doubles on itself as the sound of the ship's arrival indicator echo's through the cabin, eliciting an tired and exasperated murmur of joy from the company. The trek from headquarters back into normality is complete.
Finally touching down, the cabin doors depressurize and swing open, letting in the Fresh Air of Sol. The fresh air of a new start.