if they're watching anyways
The small cruiser rocked as the shining lines of hyperspace reverted to specks of light in the darkness of the void. Only a few hundred meters portside was the otherwise empty star system’s asteroid belt. The system had no name, only a designation. Still, it was fascinating how the geography of the Deep Core could produce such unique celestial formations. The asteroids were far from the standard encrusted space rocks; these asteroids sparkled a brilliant green and were shaped like enormous crystals, dwarfing their tiny research vessel. Were the crystals dense enough to form their own gravitational ring, to resist being pulled into the sun? Or were they extremely light, allowing them to form in such a way without molding into a planet?
To starboard was the white dwarf, casting a warm light on the observation deck of the ASV Hyperion. It wasn’t as flashy as a red giant going supernova or even a neutron star, but there was a beauty in the simplicity of the star. Bundles of superheated gases slowly moving through the stages of nuclear fusion was the greatest gift given to life. In the darkness, light. In nothingness, life.
“I’m so excited.” As she had said, Auteme was indeed gushing with excitement. Most of the other scientists or observers were staying professional, but Auteme couldn’t hold herself back -- she was bouncing on the balls of her feet as she stared out the window expectantly. This was something special that she got to witness. Purrgill migrations were so often missed by the rest of the galaxy because of the great space whales’ aversion to the machines of the so-called sentient races. Their innate navigational sense allowed them to travel to places the other spacefaring creatures of the galaxy had never touched. Even in the Deep Core, one of the most perilous regions in the galaxy, the purrgills found their way.
Today, they were finding their way to PH-3405-8018-7633. Auteme was excited to see this stop of their migration. Still, she hadn’t wanted to come alone -- so just as Charlie had done, Auteme tricked the other padawan into accompanying her to someplace that she found fun in hope of giving the other a little fun, too.
It had been reasonably easy; Auteme had just told Charlie that the science vessel was in need of additional security. Something about pirates. It wasn’t a complete lie -- there were always scattered reports of pirates roaming the Deep Core. Auteme had come to understand why it was so easy and so essential that they were sneaky when dragging each other off on dates. Neither of them were confident enough to ask directly, so for now it was a game of deception. At least, until Charlie worked up the courage. It definitely wouldn’t be Auteme first.
Still, now that they were out, staring into the void of space, Auteme did feel a small swell of satisfaction. This was nice, if a little deceitful. She wanted to see how Charlie appreciated the galaxy. Visiting a unique star system while a herd of purrgills passed through just seemed like the right way to see it.
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