The soft glow of simulated sunlight filtered through the panoramic window, slowly shifting across the room as the artificial dome above Ashen Prime eased into its programmed morning cycle. The light wasn't harsh like a real sunrise, no blinding burst, no piercing warmth, but it was convincing enough to stir Ethan from his rest.
He blinked once, then again, adjusting to the ambient brightness. The adaptive mattress beneath him gently adjusted to his movement, reshaping itself to support his frame as he rolled onto his back and stretched. There was no groggy weight behind his eyes, no ache in his spine, no tension in his shoulders. The quality was just the same, if not better than his ship's improved sleeping quarters.
He'd slept deeply. Peacefully.
Something he couldn't say often until recently.
A soft chime from the suite's wall interface echoed through the room, followed by a gentle voice:
"Good morning, Mr. Walker. Local station time is 07:00. You have one scheduled appointment today. Escort arrival: approximately 08:30."
He exhaled through his nose and sat up slowly, letting the stillness of the moment settle around him.
Routine mattered, even in a world so far removed from the one he came from.
He made his way to the bathroom. The lighting adjusted to his presence, casting a cool, silver tone across the stone-textured walls. He stripped off his sleepwear and stepped into the shower chamber, selecting a cold setting with a single swipe.
The jets activated immediately, spraying a perfectly distributed mist of near-freezing water over his skin. He didn't flinch. Cold showers had been a habit since his teenage years back on Earth. A way to center himself, to cut through fatigue and mental haze. Even now, in a galaxy that had no idea Earth existed, he clung to the ritual like an anchor.
Once finished, he stepped out and approached the mirror-screen, which came alive as soon as it recognized his face. A soft outline traced his jaw and cheeks, highlighting areas for shaving. He lathered up, used the provided grooming kit, and let the machine offer small adjustments in angle and precision.
These days, the Obsidian Wraith offered a similar level of comfort. Personal space, advanced systems, even a smart bathroom module. But this? This was true Federation luxury. And he hadn't known anything close to this during his long, brutal campaign against the Black Sun Syndicate and the bandit warlords. Back then, it had been dust, sand and blood. Days when even a lukewarm shower was a rare indulgence.
He wasn't that man anymore.
And this wasn't that world.
He dressed in his casual mercenary attire. Nothing too flashy, but durable, professional. The pants were reinforced at the knees and hips, the jacket lined with light armor plating across the shoulders and upper spine. There was a practicality to the look, but enough polish to stand out if needed. Not militant. Just sharp.
Still himself.
He slung his data pad across his shoulder and tapped into it, fingers dancing across the interface until Iris' icon pulsed softly to life.
"Morning, Iris," he murmured.
"Good morning, Ethan," came her voice, clear and composed through the audio link. "All systems aboard the Obsidian Wraith remain nominal. External diagnostics have completed with no anomalies detected. Docking integrity is stable. Power output holding at 97 percent efficiency. No unauthorized scans or breaches recorded overnight."
He smiled faintly, relief curling at the corners of his mouth.
"Appreciate it. Keep running passive sweeps but conserve processing cycles. I'll check in again after the meeting."
"Understood."
Connection closed. And just like that, the quiet returned.
A soft chime at the door broke the silence. Ethan turned as it slid open and a Rellian server stepped gracefully inside. Tall, with smooth indigo-blue skin and a delicate gait, dressed in a uniform bearing the Spire View's sigil. The server's three eyes blinked in perfect unison, bowing slightly as they set a silver tray down on the dining counter.
"Your requested breakfast, Mr. Walker. May the new day meet you kindly."
Ethan nodded in thanks. "You too."
Once the door closed, he approached the tray and paused for a moment.
It was almost too beautiful to eat.
The meal looked like something out of a painting. Perfectly portioned, expertly plated, balanced in color and texture:
A bed of braised Solari root strips, caramelized at the edges and glazed in a citrus-spice reduction that shimmered slightly under the light.
A side of steamed fracta greens, their leaves embedded with tiny micro-crystals that popped and fizzled gently as they hit the air.
Delicate slices of Thavari sunfish, arranged like petals, soaked in a pale bluefruit extract that released a cool, fragrant aroma.
A tall, chilled glass of sparkling Zerun berry infusion, tinged purple, with a natural buzz of mild stimulants designed to sharpen the mind without spiking the body.
He sat down slowly, cutting into the Solari root first.
The flavor bloomed in his mouth, sweet and tangy, followed by a slow heat that lingered at the edges of his tongue. The fish was tender and clean, the greens strangely fun to chew. He ate at a measured pace, enjoying it more than he expected.
It was a world apart from the hearty, spice-laden meals of Kynara. Those desert wraps, fire-roasted cuts, and bold stews that carried the warmth of the people there. Kynaran cuisine had soul, a rugged authenticity that filled the body and left you feeling grounded.
But this… this was something else. Refined, carefully balanced, crafted for precision as much as pleasure. Every flavor was measured, curated. Not better, just different. Where Kynara fed the spirit, Ashen Prime fed the senses.
And as he took another sip of the sparkling berry infusion, Ethan realized that this probably wasn't even the best breakfast he'd had in recent weeks, and that was saying something. The gastronomy in this new universe was a revelation, a vast and imaginative canvas of flavors, textures, and techniques that far surpassed anything he'd experienced back on Earth. Both places he visited so far brought something unique to the table.
And the sheer novelty of it all, the discovery, the surprise, pleased him more than he cared to admit.
Once finished, he moved to the panoramic window, reclining into a nearby chair as he opened his datapad again. The station's daily briefings played across the display, offering snippets of trade negotiations,military reports, and civilian stats.
Beyond the glass, Ashen Prime cycled into its midday glow. High-speed rail lines shimmered with light. Drones danced silently between towers. The dome above rippled slightly as it adjusted atmosphere levels.
Ethan watched it all in quiet stillness, half-lost in thought.
Thirty minutes passed.
Then came the soft chime from the suite's comms panel.
"Mr. Walker," a composed voice said over the intercom, "your escort has arrived in the lobby. They await your convenience."
Ethan rose from the chair, tucked his datapad into his jacket, and slid on his boots. One last glance at the room. He hadn't touched half the amenities.
Didn't matter.
Time to move.
He stepped toward the elevator, ready to follow wherever this day would lead.