I‘m working on something big… VERY big

Chapter One

In the vast canvas of a clear, deep-blue sky, a colossal spaceship towered, its sharp lines and gleaming metallic shell creating a stark contrast against the gentle embrace of Mother Earth. The enormity of the vessel was such that it dwarfed everything else in sight, casting a long, intimidating shadow over a solitary figure standing on a platform below. This figure was a young woman named Red.

As Red stood on the cold, steel platform that was bridged to the spaceship's entrance, she was dwarfed by the magnitude of the vessel before her. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming out in short, sharp gasps as she fought against the tide of fear threatening to wash over her. Her eyes, wide and filled with a mixture of anticipation and terror, were locked onto the entrance of the spacecraft.

A cascade of memories surged through her mind, each one sharper and more piercing than the last. She remembered her first mission, how everything had spiraled disastrously out of control. Those memories flickered like ghosts, haunting her every thought, their presence causing a shiver to ripple down her spine.

She was so lost in her fear and reminiscence that she didn't notice the approach of another until he was standing right next to her. The sudden greeting, a simple "hello", jolted her from her thoughts, causing her to jump slightly in surprise.

Turning her head, Red looked up to see a man standing beside her. One of the crew members, perhaps? A friendly, charming smile spread across his face, softening his features and injecting a sense of calm into the otherwise intense atmosphere. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. My name is White," he said, extending a hand towards her.

Red looked at the offered hand, her nerves churning. It took her a moment, but she eventually reached out, hesitantly taking his hand. Her voice, when she spoke, was barely above a whisper. "Red…"

A low chuckle rumbled in his throat, filling the lingering silence. His eyes twinkled with unspoken amusement as he replied, "Nice to meet you, Red." His smile widened, the charm in his expression unmistakable. It was as though he found her skittish demeanor endearing.

The reassuring warmth radiating from his strong grip seemed to seep into her, infusing her with a smidgen of courage that steadied her trembling nerves. He held her gaze, a glint of curiosity sparking in his eyes. "So, what's your role in this mission?" His tone was casual, with an undercurrent of playful curiosity.

"I'm...the astrobotanist," she responded, her voice wobbly. An elongated pause hung between them, a silence as vast as the expanse outside. His eyebrows shot up in pleasant surprise, his lips curving into a wide, appreciative grin.

"Oh, so you're the star of this mission," White's voice floated through the air, tinged with amusement yet underscored by a deep, genuine respect. He crossed his arms over his chest, his muscles flexing under the tight confines of his suit, and a low chuckle rumbled in his throat.

Red's eyes widened at his words, a mixture of shock and anxiety flashing across her features. She couldn't help but take a moment to really look at him, her gaze travelling over the expanse of his physical presence. His frame was imposing, the muscles of his broad shoulders and arms visible even under the fabric of his crew suit. His stature was formidable, commanding a certain respect and awe that was hard to ignore.

But as she allowed her eyes to drift upwards, they met his. They were a rich, deep brown, like the earthy hues of an ancient forest, brimming with a strange mix of authority and kindness. She found herself losing track of time as she gazed into his eyes, their depth pulling her in like a powerful magnet. There was something incredibly soothing about his gaze, a warmth that seemed to lessen the sharp edge of her fear.

Realizing that she had been staring at him for a touch too long, a wave of embarrassment washed over Red. She quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of scarlet.

"It's time we headed in," he suggested smoothly, gesturing towards the giant spaceship looming before them. His words were casual, almost too casual given the impending gravity of their venture. "Our ride's about to take off."

White's words echoed ominously in Red's ears, unleashing a torrent of fear that cascaded through her like an icy wave. The spaceship, with its monstrous enormity, suddenly felt even more intimidating. Her mind was a whirlwind of dreadful thoughts, her past failures resurfacing like ghastly apparitions. The notion of getting aboard, of willingly launching herself into the mysterious expanse of the cosmos, was terrifying beyond belief.

The urge to flee was overpowering. To run from the platform, from the spaceship, from the intimidating labyrinth of the unknown. But she couldn't. Fear held her captive, its icy fingers clutching her tightly as she stood paralyzed on the platform.

In the throes of her anxiety, Red found her fingers curling and uncurling in an unconscious rhythm. It was a vain attempt to anchor herself, to latch onto any shred of normalcy amidst this onslaught of terror. Her gaze was elusive, shifting aimlessly to avoid meeting White's. The platform beneath her seemed unsteady, as though ready to plunge her into a never-ending abyss of her worst nightmares.

White's perceptive gaze caught the silent battle raging within Red. His features softened, the earlier smugness dissipating, replaced with an earnest concern. "Red…" he began, his voice a comforting melody amidst the dissonance of her fears. He wanted to say more, but halted as he noted her fear-stricken eyes purposefully evading his.

An intense silence descended upon them, the air heavy with unspoken words. Red found herself unable to break it, her throat constricting, voice deserting her when she needed it the most. The distant hum of the spaceship coming alive served as a constant, harsh reminder of the looming expedition.

Despite herself, Red's gaze was magnetically drawn to meet White's. His eyes were warm, radiating a gentle reassurance that somehow managed to soothe her fraying nerves. The man, who she had initially found unnerving, was slowly becoming a comforting presence in her chaotic world.

The silence between them was thick, almost palpable, before he broke it with a casual question, "Is this your first flight into space, Red?"

Her heart skipped a beat at the question. Confusion washed over her, mingling with the fear that was already clouding her thoughts. Didn't he know about her? About her past? The rumors and whispers about her first, ill-fated mission had spread like wildfire within the organization. Was it possible that he had not heard?

People she had encountered so far had been cruel, their words harsh and their attitudes even harsher. All because of the damning reputation she had garnered from her failed mission. And here was White, being cordial, friendly even. How was it possible? His congeniality was a stark contrast to the hostility she was accustomed to.

His question lingered in the air, the silence pressing down on her, demanding a response. As if on cue, she found her courage, albeit shaky, and answered, her voice just above a whisper, "It's... it's my second." She made no mention of her failed mission, her eyes darting away to hide the flicker of unease that momentarily passed over her face.

White, taking note of her hesitation, simply smiled. It was a kind smile, full of understanding, as if he knew there was more to her story than she was letting on.