Along The Way

"Uh.....Uh.....Hu..Hello! Anyone there?!"

Orion rubbed his temples, trying to steady himself. His head was throbbing, and his body felt heavier than usual, as if he'd been dragged out of some kind of deep slumber. The dim light around him flickered, giving the room a metallic sheen.

"Orion! You're awake!" A voice broke through the haze, warm yet urgent. A man appeared in his field of view—a middle-aged Indian man with sharp features and graying hair, dressed in a simple kurta and cargo pants, a blend of Earth nostalgia and lunar practicality. It was Adi, his father's old friend and someone Orion had always addressed as "Uncle Adi."

"Uncle Adi? What—why do I still feel so... sleepy? My head feels like it's floating, and everything's spinning..." Orion mumbled, trying to sit up on the steel cot beneath him.

Adi placed a reassuring hand on Orion's shoulder. "Steady, steady, beta. You were tranquilized. The man who brought you here used a stronger dose than needed. It's why you're feeling groggy. I had no idea they'd handle it this poorly. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

Orion blinked hard, piecing together fragments of his memory. "Wait, tranquilized?! Brought here? Where exactly is 'here,' and why did you call me to the moon? The last thing I remember was... my coffee shop..."

Adi sighed, pulling up a chair beside Orion. "It's a long story. You've been caught up in something much bigger than your café on Earth. But before we talk about that..." He trailed off, his face conflicted, as if choosing his words carefully.

Orion's mind, still foggy, drifted to the moment his world shifted. It was just another ordinary day at his coffee shop in Mumbai. The aroma of freshly brewed espresso filled the air, and Orion had been preoccupied with a broken grinder when the notification on his holo-pad pinged.

The subject line read: URGENT: Come to Luna-7 Immediately

The sender: Aditya Menon.

At first, he thought it was a mistake. Uncle Adi hadn't contacted him directly in years, though he occasionally sent a "Happy Birthday" message or updates about his research on the Moon. But this email was different. The text was brief yet alarming:

"Orion, it's a matter of utmost importance. I need you here on Luna-7. It's about your father. Don't trust anyone but me. Enclosed are your flight details. Drop everything and come immediately. Time is of the essence."

The mention of his father—a man who had disappeared years ago under mysterious circumstances—was enough to jolt Orion into action. He closed the shop early, handed over the keys to his assistant, and, with little explanation, caught the next orbital shuttle to the Moon.

He remembered boarding, the hum of the spacecraft engines, and then... nothing. His mind returned to the present as Adi gently shook him.

"Orion, I know you're confused and angry. But I promise, everything will make sense soon. You've been brought here because only you can help us now. Your father... he left behind something—something the entire Lunar Federation is desperate for. And it's hidden in you."

Orion stared at Adi, the words crashing into him like waves. "What do you mean 'hidden in me? And why didn't you just tell me this in the email?!"

Adi looked down, guilt flickering across his face. "Because, beta, they're watching everything. Sending that message to you was already a risk. We have to move fast before they find us.

Adi helped him to his feet, steadying him with a firm grip. The room was small, sterile, and metallic—definitely not the kind of place Orion had imagined waking up in on the Moon. As he struggled to get his bearings, the door hissed open, and a tall, burly man stepped inside. His sharp jawline and military posture gave him an air of authority, but his sheepish expression hinted at guilt.

"This is Shiv," Adi introduced, gesturing toward the man. "He's the one who… uh… overdid the tranquilizer. Apologies, beta. He thought it was necessary to ensure your safety during transport. Clearly, it wasn't the smoothest execution."

Shiv stepped forward, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "Sorry about that, bro. Protocols, you know. Had to make sure no one tailed you, and... well, I miscalculated the dosage." His deep voice carried a hint of remorse, though his tone remained gruff.

Orion glared at him, still wobbly. "Next time, maybe just ask me to come along? I didn't exactly sign up to be drugged and kidnapped."

Adi sighed, stepping between them. "Enough, both of you. We don't have time to argue. Orion, you'll understand everything soon, but first, we need to get to the post at the far end of the township. It's safer there, away from prying eyes and ears."

Before Orion could ask more questions, Adi handed him a sleek, lightweight jacket. "Put this on. The lunar airlocks can get chilly, and I doubt you're used to low gravity yet. Come on, let's move."

The trio exited the room, stepping into a wide corridor bathed in the pale glow of artificial light. The township, built into the rocky lunar surface, was a sprawling network of tunnels, domes, and platforms designed to shield its inhabitants from the harsh environment outside. As they walked, Orion couldn't help but notice the occasional glances they drew from passersby—engineers, miners, and officials going about their business.

They soon reached a docking bay where an anti-gravity vehicle awaited them. The craft was sleek and compact, its rounded edges giving it an aerodynamic look. Its engines hummed softly, the faint blue glow of its anti-gravity drive pulsing rhythmically. Adi climbed into the front seat, gesturing for Orion and Shiv to follow.

"Hop in," Adi said, strapping himself into the pilot's seat. "The post is on the far side of the township, near the outer perimeter. It'll take us about ten minutes if we're lucky. Shiv, keep an eye on the scanners. I don't want any unwelcome surprises."