Destiny Among the Stars - Scifi - LitRPG - Adventure

Across the bridge, Ryan made his way to Danny's station, dropping into the adjacent chair. The excitement from the atmospheric readings was still buzzing through him, and he needed to channel that energy somewhere productive.

Danny glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "Can't sit still either?"

"Not even close," Ryan said, leaning forward eagerly. "What else are we seeing down there?"

Danny chuckled, gesturing to his displays. "Help me sort through this data. There's more here than just breathable air."

Ryan leaned forward, his engineering mind already engaged. As they scrolled through the readouts and sensor logs, his excitement only grew. "Wait, are those biological signatures?"

"Complex animal life," Danny confirmed, his voice rising with excitement. "All over the planet. Nothing indicating sapient species, but the biodiversity readings are off the charts."

Ryan whistled low. "Incredible. To think, we're about to set foot on a world teeming with alien life."

Luca approached their station, drawn by their animated discussion. "What's got you two so focused? Please tell me it's good news."

Ryan straightened up, glancing back at him. "Captain, we're just going over probe data. And uh… getting some pretty interesting readings."

"Interesting how?" Luca asked, genuinely curious.

Danny, ever the scientist, was practically shaking. "Luca, we're picking up widespread biological signatures. Animal life. Complex, diverse… it's everywhere."

Luca let out a low whistle. "Shit. Really?"

"Really," Danny confirmed, grinning at Ryan. "Ecosystem looks vibrant. We're still analyzing the specifics, but initial scans are… well, it's incredible."

"Alright, alright, I get it, you two are having a science boner," Luca said dryly, hovering over them. "But we need more than 'incredible,' Danny. Can we get a better look at this fauna? Weather patterns? Geology? Before we land on the planet?"

"That's where things get interesting," Ryan interjected, his engineering mind already working through possibilities. "I want to deploy one of our geostationary survey satellites. Position it above our target landing zone for real-time, high-resolution monitoring."

"Alright then," Luca decided. "Ryan, get that satellite prepped for deployment. Danny, you coordinate with Zoe to optimize scan parameters once it's in position. Let's not waste any more time flying blind here. Try installing a battery before you deploy this one."

The infirmary's soft lighting felt like a sanctuary after the bright intensity of the bridge. Luca stepped through the doorway to find Joey adjusting settings on a monitoring console. The medical pod's glass canopy stood open like a transparent shell, no longer sealing Emily away from the world.

She sat upright in the pod, tablet in hand, studying atmospheric data like she hadn't just survived a radiation storm. When she saw him, her face lit up with that smile that never failed to make his chest tighten. Color was slowly returning to her cheeks, a welcome change from the waxy pallor she'd had hours ago. Even exhausted, she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

And she was wearing his red hoodie. The oversized garment practically swallowed her small frame, the sleeves pushed up to her wrists. Zoe must have brought it down from her quarters.

Luca raised an eyebrow. "Nice hoodie."

Emily shrugged, pulling the fabric a little tighter around herself. "It's cold in here."

A faint blush colored her cheeks, and she looked away for a moment before meeting his eyes again. "I hear you've been taking over without me," she said softly, her voice carrying just a hint of her usual strength beneath the fatigue.

Luca moved closer, noting how Joey had positioned additional pillows to make her more comfortable. "How are you feeling?"

Emily shifted slightly, wincing at the movement. "Like I got hit by a bus and then some." She managed a weak laugh. "The pod works miracles, but apparently those miracles come with a price tag."

Joey looked up from his console, checking Emily's IV line. "The cellular repair process is intensive. Her body's been working overtime to heal the radiation damage. I've got her on pain meds to keep her comfortable, but nothing too strong. We need her alert."

Luca pulled a chair closer to the pod, settling beside her. "Do you need anything? Water, food, entertainment? I could have Ryan hook up a TV for some of those terrible movies you like."

Emily's smile widened despite her obvious discomfort. "My movie taste is impeccable, thank you very much. But I'm okay for now. Joey's been taking excellent care of me." She paused, studying Luca's face. "You look tired. And excited. What did I miss?"

"Animal life," Luca said simply. "Danny and Ryan found biological signatures all over the planet. We deployed a geostationary satellite to get better readings."

Emily's eyes brightened with interest, though the effort clearly cost her. "And I want to review the satellite data myself tomorrow. I have some ideas about optimal landing zone selection based on the biological distribution patterns. That's incredible. Any signs of intelligence?"

"Nothing sapient from what we can tell, but complex ecosystems. Danny's practically bouncing off the walls."

"I bet he is." Emily closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again, focusing on Luca with visible effort. "Complex ecosystems... that indicates stable climate patterns. If the biodiversity is that extensive, we're probably looking at a planet with reliable water cycles and established food webs. That's actually better for landing safety than finding intelligent life would be..."

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Hey," Luca said gently, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her forehead. "You're not missing anything. The planet will still be there when you're ready."

Joey approached with a fresh dose of medication. "I want to keep you here overnight for observation, but your recovery is progressing exactly as expected. You should be good to go tomorrow." He paused, glancing between them. "Just... take it easy, Emily. Light duty. Your body's been through a lot."

Emily made a face. "Light duty. I'm the XO of a ship about to make first contact with an exoplanet."

"You're the XO of a ship whose captain needs you healthy," Luca corrected firmly. "We're not landing until you're cleared for duty. That's not negotiable."

"Luca—"

"Not negotiable, Em." He said. "Besides, Zoe's still calculating atmospheric entry parameters, and Ryan's busy coordinating satellite deployment. We've got time."

Emily studied his face for a long moment, then reached up and caught his hand. "Luca. I'm okay. But I need you to be okay, too." She squeezed his fingers. "Go get some sleep. That's an order from your XO."

"I promise." Luca stood, squeezing her hand gently. He hesitated for a moment, then leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. She was warm and alive under his lips, and the relief of that simple fact nearly overwhelmed him. "Get some rest."

"Yes, sir," Emily murmured, her eyelids already growing heavy. But there was something in her expression, a softness that made his heart skip.

Luca lingered for a moment, watching her face relax as sleep began to claim her. God, he'd almost lost her. The thought of this ship, this mission, this life without Emily in it... He pushed the thought away. Not now. Not when she was vulnerable and medicated and needed rest more than she needed his feelings complicating everything.

He moved back to the chair beside her pod, settling in. "I'll stay for a while. Keep an eye on things."

"No, you won't," Joey said firmly from across the room. "You need sleep, Luca."

"As captain, I can make that call," Luca replied, not looking away from Emily's peaceful face.

Joey moved to the monitoring console, tapping the display showing Emily's vital signs. "See this? Her heart rate spiked while you were here. She's trying to be strong for you instead of resting." He fixed Luca with a steady look. "Medical officer's orders. You go get some sleep and let your XO recover. That's my call to make."

Luca wanted to argue, but the readout didn't lie. Emily's heart rate had indeed been elevated during their conversation. With a reluctant sigh, he stood. "Fine. But if anything changes—"

"You'll be the first to know," Joey assured him. "Now go. Both of you need rest for what's coming."

Luca turned to go, but paused when Joey spoke again.

"You know," Joey said conversationally, adjusting another monitor, "there are plenty of blankets available if she gets cold."

Luca felt heat creep up his neck. "I'm sure there are."

As the infirmary doors closed behind him, Luca allowed himself a moment to process the emotions he'd been pushing aside. Emily was safe, recovering, and would be back at his side soon. And maybe, when she was healthy and strong again, when they weren't dealing with radiation poisoning and alien worlds and the weight of making history... maybe then he'd find the courage to tell her what she meant to him.

The ship's gym was one of the few places on the Triumph where Luca could actually think. The steady clang of weights, the burn in his muscles, the grounding repetition. It was one of the few routines he still had control over. Out there, in the vacuum of space and the chaos of command, everything was unpredictable. But here, he could sweat and focus and pretend, for an hour, that the weight on his shoulders was just physical.

He was midway through his third set of deadlifts when Ryan strolled in, towel slung over one shoulder, hair still wet from a quick shower. He looked like he'd just finished sparring a whole pack of alien baboons and was ready for more.

"Alien animals, man," Ryan said without preamble, grabbing a towel from the rack. "Actual alien fucking animals. We're about to be the first humans to see life that evolved on another world."

Luca set the bar down with a controlled thud, sweat already beading on his forehead. "Yeah, it's incredible." He grabbed his water bottle, taking a long drink.

Ryan smirked and dropped into a hamstring stretch. "This the first time you've stepped away from the infirmary since the flare hit. Figured I'd find you here once you finally cracked."

"Needed to clear my head." Luca grabbed his water bottle. "Lots to think about."

Ryan glanced over at him. "Yeah. Like Emily?"

Luca didn't respond. He started loading more weight onto the bar.

"Don't look at me like that. You sat outside the med pod for eight hours. Joey was ready to sedate you, too."

"She was hurt," Luca said flatly. "And she's my XO."

"Bullshit. We both know that's not the only reason."

Luca adjusted his grip on the bar. "It's not that simple."

Ryan sat back on his heels. "It kinda is. You're not blind, Luca. She's been playing couch koala for two months now. Every time we walk into the lounge, she's got her feet in your lap or she's poking you under the table."

Luca didn't look up. "I know."

"Then what's the problem?"

"The problem..." Luca started, not really sure how to explain it. "What if it doesn't work? What if I screw it up and we can't go back? She's too important to lose."

"Dude," Ryan leaned back on his hands. "You've been dodging this since high school. Even when she was with Pierre, she still made time to hang out with you alone. Remember that last night on the Genesis Platform? Everyone else had gone after the pizza party, but she stayed. And when you forgot your hoodie on the couch? She grabbed it like it was hers and didn't say a word. You think that was an accident? She's not subtle."

Luca paused, blinking. "You saw that?"

"I see a lot of things. Like how you act like it's a mystery, but you're the one too afraid to pull the trigger. She's not going to wait forever, man."

Luca racked the weights, chest rising and falling. "I'm going to talk to her. Once she's off her meds and we're not mid-crisis, I'll say something."

"What?" Ryan raised an eyebrow. "You're going to ask Joey for an all-clear before you declare your love?"

"Shut the fuck up, Ryan," Luca replied, grinning despite himself.

Ryan laughed. "Seriously though, man. The way you hovered in that med bay? You were standing guard with your whole heart on the line."

Luca let out a breath, almost a laugh. "Wasn't exactly subtle, huh?"

"You weren't subtle at all," Ryan confirmed.

"Think I have a chance?" Luca asked, vulnerability creeping into his voice.

"You do. But hey. If you mess it up, she can always date me."

Luca gave him a dry look. "Zoe would throw you out the airlock."

Ryan grinned. "Zoe's got legs for days, man. But she's not trying to marry me. Emily? She looks at you like you hung the moon."

Luca didn't answer right away. He toweled off, staring at the mirror across from the rack. His reflection looked worn. Serious.

"I'll talk to her," he said again, quieter. "I'm done pretending we're just friends."

Ryan nodded once. "Then go get your girl, Captain."

They left the gym together, side by side.

Luca didn't feel lighter. Just hollowed out, like he'd lifted something inside that was heavier than any barbell in the room.

This was harder than any level 60 portal, harder than any monster boss or high-stakes decision he'd faced since leaving Earth. There was a pit in his stomach that no workout could burn away.

But yeah, he was going to do it.

Soon.

Maybe.

One day.

Yeah. For sure.