[2343 A.D., Zala City, Luna]
Elias adjusted the collar of his jacket as he and his girlfriend stepped out of their hotel and into the bustling streets of Zala City. The city itself was alive with the rhythmic hums of both energy and industry as the people scurried about as if they all had somewhere to be. It was the kind of environment that was a far cry from what the man was used to seeing back home. And as a cool breeze drifted in through the structures and buildings around them, Elias couldn't help but relish in the faint yet oddly satisfying scent of machinery mixed with freshly blooming flowers that permeated the air around them.
Although this particular lunar city was a far cry from the rigid, utilitarian designs of the military facilities Elias was used to visiting in this area, he couldn't help but feel a certain sense of peace within its organized chaos. After all, it wasn't very often that he got to spend time in places like these, especially the ones that reminded him so much of his home colony of Trafalgar.
It was still early in the evening according to the man's watch. A fact that was made evident by the long shadows stretching across the wide boulevards before them. It was the perfect time for the young couple to walk around and get a real feel of what the culture of the city was truly like. Which is exactly what they had in mind for this little excursion of theirs.
"I wonder where we should go first...." Marida Hull, Elias's long-time girlfriend, wondered out loud as the couple began walking down the sidewalk.
Just like Elias had expected, the woman was clearly in her element here. After all, she had spent most of her childhood in large, industrial cities like this one. It was a major reason why she wanted to spend their vacation here and not somewhere more extravagant, like the Utopia colony.
As the woman began pointing out little details of the city he hadn't noticed before, Elias couldn't help but appreciate how pretty Marida looked at the moment. Her thick, dark hair and pale-blue eyes created quite a pleasant image. And the warmth that she was always giving off had a habit of making Elias feel at ease whenever he was with her.
However, as Marida began rambling on about some of the local artisan shops they were about to visit, Elias's mind kept wandering back to everything that had happened in the last few weeks.
It was still so hard for him to believe that at just 25, he had been promoted to the rank of Commander in the Colonial Navy. It was an honor that should've felt like a grand triumph for someone like him. But in reality, the weight of it all sat heavily on Elias's shoulders. Along with a healthy amount of disbelief mixed in for good measure.
He'd only just finished his stint as a Lieutenant, and now he was about to be in charge of a ship and given his own crew to lead on missions. Elias would be lying if he said that he didn't get a slight thrill at the thought of being in command of his own vessel. However, there was also a substantial amount of anxiety that came with that kind of responsibility. The man had always been passionate about exploring space and his duty in the Navy, but now the stakes were totally different. Much different from what he was previously accustomed to.
"Hey!" Marida's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "You're being awfully quiet. Something on your mind?"
Elias gave the woman a reassuring smile before responding. Trying his best to hide the underlying tension that he was currently feeling. "I guess you could say that. I'm just still getting used to all of the changes, y'know?"
"You mean your promotion? Or something else?"
The man let out a slight sigh as he looked up at the city's artificial lighting system. "Honestly, a bit of both. It's just... I guess that I'm just having trouble taking it all in. Like, seriously...I'm only twenty-five and I'm about to be given command of an entire ship. And I'm not entirely sure that I'm ready for all that just yet."
Marida's brow furrowed slightly. After a second of contemplation, the woman took her boyfriend's hand and gave it a soft squeeze. "You're more than ready, babe. Your superiors wouldn't have given you the responsibility if they weren't absolutely sure that you could handle it. If anyone's earned it, it's you."
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Elias nodded. However, the woman's words didn't help to alleviate the pit he felt in his stomach.
It was moments like these when the spot where his left eye used to be began to itch. An acute reminder of the risks involved with a job like his. His fiery passion for exploration had never wavered, but now there was more to it. A deeper understanding of what it was going to take to make sure that everyone under his command made it home safely. And to make sure that no one had to suffer the same failures that he had.
"I just hope that I can live up to everyone's expectations." He murmured, almost to himself.
Marida couldn't help but laugh as she trailed her fingers down his arm. "Believe me, you already have."
The couple then wandered further down the street. And soon enough, they had gotten caught up in the ebb and flow of people moving about in search of their next meal, some good entertainment, or the latest merchandise.
Zala City was famous for its automated manufacturing plants and cheap production of commercial goods. It was the kind of place where you could find designer items that were way underpriced compared to anywhere else on Earth or in the colonies. That being said, Elias had never seen the city through this lens before. Marida's family had deep connections here, the kind of connections that gave them access to some of the finer, more in-the-know establishments that didn't rely on the bustling crowd. And his girlfriend was determined to take advantage of those connections the entire time they were here.
As they passed by a set of elegant glass-fronted shops, one place in particular caught the man's eye.
It was a small artisan's workshop, one with models of carefully crafted prosthetics lined up along the windows. Such a place wasn't an uncommon sight in areas that had large mining industries. After all, even with all the advancements in technology humanity had made since moving into space, there was still a need for people to do the actual dirty work from time to time. And those very same people ran the risk of losing an appendage or limb whenever they did their jobs. Thus, there was a need for places such as this one.
Elias subconsciously paused as he began inspecting the pieces on display. He had never really considered getting a new prosthetic eye before. The one he wore now was perfectly fine in his opinion. And it didn't make him stand out as much as the eyepatch he occasionally wore whenever he didn't feel like shoving a ceramic cap into his eye socket. That being said, it would be nice to get a new one. Besides, it was always good to have a spare just in case he needed it.
"You think these guys could make me a new eye?" Elias gestured toward the display, his voice tentative.
Marida stopped beside him and began studying the intricate craftsmanship of the prosthetic limbs on display. "I think they could. If you want, we can go inside and see what options they have."
Elias chuckled softly. "I wasn't expecting to get one here. But... maybe I should. I did just get promoted, after all. I don't see why I can't buy myself something nice to celebrate."
Marida's smile widened, glad to see that the man's spirit was finally lightening up. So without any hesitation, the two stepped inside the shop. The moment they did so, the warmth of the building wrapped around them. It was a welcome contrast to the chill of the evening air outside.
As they wandered through the shop, admiring the pieces on display, Elias allowed himself to forget about his responsibilities for the time being. Right now, he was just a young man on vacation with the woman that he loved. Everything else could wait until he got back home. And for the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to truly relax. All while basking in the simple pleasure of just being here, in this moment.
Like always, the stars were waiting. But for tonight, Elias Thorton decided to simply take a moment to breathe.