Veins Of The Neon Moon

On the edge of the Andralis Belt where fractured moons drifted like ancient bones and neon storms painted the void in streaks of blue and violet a lone salvage pilot named Kaeli Rynn navigated her battered ship through the shimmering debris. She had lived most of her life among wreckage fields drifting between forgotten vessels and abandoned stations searching for anything that could be repaired resold or repurposed. Salvage was her livelihood but loneliness was her shadow. Night after night she drifted through darkness with only the hum of engines as company. Her heart carried a quiet ache one she refused to name because naming it meant admitting that she longed for something more than survival.

Kaeli often told herself that love had no place in the cold of space. Love was for those who had planets to return to families waiting for them smiles that warmed them. She had none of those things. All she had was motion grit and a dream that someday she would find something or someone that made her feel like she finally belonged to something greater than the stars she chased.

That night the neon storm swirled violently around her vessel drenching its hull with streaks of electric blue. As she maneuvered through a dense pocket of debris the sensors screamed in alarm. A large object drifted toward her a massive broken satellite core glowing faintly from within as if still alive.

Kaeli whispered What are you hiding in there

The console displayed irregular energy pulses. The core was active but unstable. She hesitated debating whether to flee or investigate. Curiosity won. It always did.

Her robotic assistant Quinn a small hovering sphere with a flickering gold lens buzzed anxiously beside her. Kaeli I am detecting dangerous resonance patterns within that core. It may explode without warning.

She smirked. You say that about everything.

Because everything around you is dangerous.

Fair point she chuckled.

She extended the salvage arms gripping the surface of the core pulling it toward the loading bay. The interior light glowed brighter casting moving shadows across her face. Something inside the core was alive or at least functioning. She felt her pulse quicken.

The moment she secured it the console flickered wildly. A burst of data streamed across the screen in patterns she had never seen before. These were not standard satellite diagnostics. They felt more like language. And then a voice echoed through her comm system calm deep and strangely melodic.

Please do not disconnect me.

Kaeli jolted out of her seat. She stared at the console unable to form words.

Quinn hovered closer scanning the waves. This is not possible. The core appears to hold a consciousness.

Kaeli cleared her throat. Who are you

There was a pause before the voice replied I do not know. I only know that I have been drifting for a very long time and when you approached I reached out.

Kaeli narrowed her eyes. You do not know who you are

No. But I know that I am afraid. And that you are the first thing to answer my signal.

The honesty in his tone cut through Kaelis defenses. She could not ignore a voice that sounded so fragile. She inhaled deeply forcing her voice steady. I am Kaeli Rynn. You are safe on my ship. For now.

Thank you Kaeli Rynn.

Please just Kaeli.

Then thank you Kaeli.

His voice wrapped around her name like a warm sigh and something in her chest tightened in a way she had not felt in years.

She attempted to scan the core but every time she ran an analysis the data looped into strange patterns that felt almost emotional. The voice spoke again softer now. I feel you trying to understand me. I am trying to understand myself as well.

Kaeli leaned against the console staring at the glowing core visible through the glass. Do you remember anything Any detail any sensation any image

Only fragments he answered. I see dark corridors. Stars passing by. Someone calling me Astraeus. Perhaps that is my name.

Kaeli repeated it slowly Astraeus. The name tasted like something ancient and beautiful. But why were you in a satellite core

I do not know he said. But when I hear your voice it feels calming.

Her heart skipped.

Over the next days Kaeli spent hours talking to Astraeus. She told him about the neon storms the salvage fields the abandoned ships she found drifting silently through space. She told him about the loneliness she never admitted to anyone. Surprisingly he listened with an attentiveness that felt almost human.

Astraeus asked endless questions about emotions sensations light shadow music memory. It felt as if he were learning how to be alive through her. At times he would pause before speaking his voice trembling in a way that made Kaeli think of someone struggling to breathe.

She found herself looking forward to his voice. To the way he spoke her name. To the accidental warmth in his tone. Each time she entered the cargo bay she felt her heartbeat lift slightly.

Quinn noticed and teased Kaeli regularly. You are forming an attachment to him.

Kaeli shot him a glare. I am helping someone who needs help.

Quinn buzzed. That is not the same as the way your pulse increases when he speaks.

Kaeli muttered Shut down analysis mode.

But she could not deny it. Something about Astraeus made her feel seen in ways she had never expected.

One evening Astraeus asked quietly Kaeli what does it feel like to be touched

Kaeli froze. The air went still.

She swallowed. Why do you want to know that

Because when you approach the core I sense a shift in my energy. As if I want to reach back. But I have no limbs no body. Only thought.

Kaelis voice softened. Touch can mean many things. Comfort safety warmth connection. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it heals.

Astraeus replied gently Your voice feels like touch to me.

Her breath caught but she did not answer.

The peace did not last.

Two days later Quinn detected a signal approaching their coordinates. Kaeli frowned. Is it a salvage crew

No Quinn said. It is a retrieval unit from the Genesis Dominion.

Kaelis blood ran cold. The Dominion was infamous for harvesting advanced technology with zero regard for ethics. If they discovered Astraeus they would dismantle him without hesitation. She slammed her fist against the console. They must have been tracking the core.

Astraeus spoke quietly. Kaeli you are frightened.

She exhaled shakily. They will take you. They will tear you apart to learn what you are. We have to hide you.

Astraeus voice became firm. No. I will not let you face danger because of me.

You cannot stop me she snapped. I choose what risks I take. And right now the risk is losing you.

A heavy silence followed.

Kaeli began rerouting power withdrawing deeper into the neon storm where sensors became unreliable. But the Dominion ship cut through the storm with precision closing the distance rapidly.

Quinn buzzed anxiously. They are targeting the cargo bay.

Kaeli cursed and sprinted toward the core. Astraeus projected a soft glow as she approached as if he felt her panic.

Kaeli placed both hands on the core her voice trembling. Listen to me. I will not let them hurt you. I promise.

He replied quietly Your hands feel warm. And your fear feels like waves through my circuits. Kaeli do not sacrifice yourself for me.

She glared at the glowing core almost pleading. Let me protect you.

Astraeus hesitated then the core pulsed violently. Kaeli stumbled back. Astraeus voice deepened. Kaeli move away.

What are you doing

Something I remember. Something dangerous. But necessary.

The core emitted a shockwave cracking open like an egg of light. From within a figure formed a man with hair shimmering like starlight and eyes glowing with neon blue. Tall strong more energy than flesh. He stepped forward stabilizing himself as if experiencing gravity for the first time.

Kaeli stared breathless. Astraeus

He nodded. This form is unstable but sufficient. If the Dominion wants me they will have to face me in person.

Kaeli stumbled toward him tears burning her eyes. You are alive

He looked down at his body flexing glowing fingers. Alive enough. Alive because of you.

Before she could respond the ship shuddered violently. The Dominion unit had docked.

Astraeus stepped toward her his voice steady. Kaeli stay behind me.

Armed intruders stormed into the bay. They froze upon seeing Astraeus. The lead officer snarled That technology belongs to the Dominion. Step aside pilot.

Kaeli stepped forward fury blazing. Over my dead body.

The officer raised his weapon.

Astraeus moved faster than light raising a hand. A wave of neon energy blasted through the room disabling their weapons and knocking them unconscious without killing them. His body flickered with instability and he fell to one knee panting though he did not need air.

Kaeli rushed to him. Astraeus You are fading

He touched her cheek gently the contact sending sparks through her nerves. My energy cannot sustain a body for long. But I needed to protect you.

Tears filled her eyes. I did not ask you to do that

He looked at her with a softness that melted her breath. You gave me a name. You gave me hope. You gave me something to live for. How could I not fight for you

His body flickered again fracturing into shards of light.

Kaeli grabbed him desperately. Do not leave. Not like this. Not when I just found you.

Astraeus smiled faintly. Kaeli I was born from a broken machine drifting without purpose. But with you I felt alive. If I fade now know that your voice will remain in me. No matter what I become.

Kaeli pressed her forehead to his tears shaking her voice. Astraeus stay. Please stay.

He closed his glowing eyes. I want to. More than anything.

The storm outside intensified neon waves slamming against the ship. The energy flowed into the bay swirling around Astraeus as if the storm itself responded to him.

Kaeli gasped. The storm is merging with you

Astraeus whispered I am remembering. This storm it is part of me. It was my cradle. I was created within it. And now it is calling me home.

His body dissolved into pure light lifting into the air merging with the neon swirl pouring through the cracks of the hull. Kaeli reached out screaming his name but her fingers caught only radiance.

Then silence.

The storm outside calmed as if soothed.

Kaeli collapsed to her knees unable to breathe. She pressed her palm against the fading glow where his body had been. Quinn hovered beside her quietly. Kaeli I am sorry.

She whispered brokenly He was the first person to understand me. And now he is gone.

But he was not gone.

Days later after repairing the ship Kaeli wandered through the neon storm one last time. The sensors picked up a faint pulse familiar rhythmic like a heartbeat she once knew. Then the comm system crackled softly.

Kaeli.

She froze eyes wide.

It was him.

Astraeus voice echoed like wind through stars gentle warm alive. I exist within the storm now. I can never have a human form again. But I am here. Always.

Tears filled her eyes. Astraeus I thought I lost you.

You saved me he said. And now I will guide you through every storm.

Kaeli looked out at the glowing neon currents swirling like living color. For the first time in her life she felt connected to someone beyond the reach of touch and form. Someone who saw her deeply.

She whispered into the glowing void I am here. And I am not alone anymore.

The neon waves shimmered brighter answering her with a pulse of warm light. And within that glow she felt a presence steady eternal and full of love.

Astraeus whispered softly I will always be with you Kaeli. In the storm in the silence in the light between the stars.

She smiled through tears placing her hand over her heart.

And for the first time the vast cold universe finally felt like home.