THE SPACE REQUIEM PART ONE : GENESIS

Tristan navigated the cold expanse of space, his ship humming steadily as it approached the Sector gate. The silence of the void contrasted sharply with the volatile energy of his recent mission. As he prepared to pass through the gate, he braced himself for the inflated fee demanded by the Dexus.

Once through, he set a course for Sector 2, the next stop on his journey to deliver the information plug to Lucy Artorious. Sector 2 was home to Planet Aria, where the Elemach headquarters awaited.

The Elemach were an organization of freedom fighters spread across the universe, a coalition formed in response to the League of Veritas. For over a millennium, the Veritians had waged war and seized control of countless planets, their tyranny met with indifference from the rest of the universe.

The tale of Aaron Artorious, the founder of the Elemach, was one of tragic determination. Witnessing his home planet fall to the Veritians sparked his vow to dismantle their empire. A century and a half later, his granddaughter, Lucy, continued his legacy. Though the Elemach's support was scattered and reliant on donations and the occasional heist of Veritian technology.

Eventually Tristan Approached Aria and began to land his ship outside the headquarters. The cold of Planet Aria cut through Tristan like a knife as he exited his ship. Snowflakes whirled around him, merging with the icy wind that swept across the desolate landscape. The Elemach headquarters loomed in the distance, a fortress of stone and steel against the white expanse. Lucy Artorious and her General, Ryan, waited outside, their woolly coats a stark contrast to Tristan's less climate adapted attire.

Lucy's dark brown hair was caught in the wind, framing her face with a sense of purpose. Beside her, Ryan stood with a stoic presence. He was tall and muscular, his right eye hidden behind a scar, and his glasses glinted under the snow-dimmed sun.

"Not even going to invite me inside?" Tristan quipped as he walked towards them , clutching the information plug. His breath misted in the frigid air, and he rubbed his hands together to stave off the cold.

"Sorry, members only," Lucy replied with a wry smile. She and Ryan were snug in their warm coats, their comfort starkly contrasting Tristan's shivering discomfort.

"Maybe call when your little rebellion pays more money," Tristan shot back, struggling to keep the warmth in his fingers.

"There's more to life than just money. People's lives are at stake," Ryan said, his voice laced with a mix of irritation and concern. His tone carried the weight of the General's frustration and dedication to their cause.

"Relax, General. Tristan claims he has more important stuff going on, such as rotting away in his ship and trying to kill himself with suicidal missions," Lucy said with a touch of sarcasm, which earned an annoyed glare from Tristan.

"Look, just take the plug and pay me," Tristan said, his voice strained. The wound in his upper chest, inflicted by General Night's energy blast, was starting to throb painfully. He winced as the pain flared.

"Are you aware you're bleeding?" Lucy asked, her concern evident as she took in Tristan's pained expression.

"Oh, I don't know. What do you think?" Tristan retorted, his voice edged with irritation and pain.

"We could assist you if you joined us," Ryan said, his voice adopting a more inviting tone despite the underlying tension. His attempt at persuasion was earnest but met with Tristan's usual resistance.

"Shut up and just take the damn plug so I can get out of here," Tristan snapped, holding out the information plug with a mix of desperation and annoyance.