The simulation chamber had barely powered down when Cain was ushered through a new wing of Base Theta-4. Sira and Krassok walked at his side, their steps heavy with contrasting grace and weight. Cain still wiped sweat from his brow, his shirt clinging to him after the long trial. He felt wrung out, but beneath the exhaustion was a faint thrum of pride.

The corridor here was quieter than the hangars, muted lighting, polished floors, the hum of office work behind glass panels. Human staffers tapped at keyboards, conversed in hushed tones, and shuffled files stamped with DELT insignia. Compared to the alien bustle of the bays, this was the administrative heart of the operation.

Sira stopped at a door marked Communications Division: Handler Office.

"Before you run your first real haul, you'll meet your Handler," Sira said,"every Runner stationed out of Earth works with one. They're your voice here, your shield, and sometimes your leash. Treat them with respect, or you'll regret it immediately."

"Do not fight with Handler, they control your access," Krassok rumbled low,"they can starve you of jobs faster than any Syndicate."

Cain nodded, straightening his posture to look more professional .

"Got it," he said,"don't mouth off to the one who controls my paycheck. Understood."

Sira gave him a faint smile and pressed the door panel. Inside, the office was neat but lived-in, a large desk sat near the window, a digital display showing Earth orbit and the Guild's nearest trade lanes. A woman in her mid-thirties sat behind the desk, hair tied back in a neat bun, sleeves rolled up as she tapped furiously at a holographic console.

She looked up as they entered, brown eyes sharp but warm. Her accent carried faint traces of Mexico City when she spoke.

"So this is Elias boy huh," she asked, then she stood, extending her hand across the desk,"Sofia Alvarez, DELT Earth Operations, and your Handler."

Cain stepped forward, shaking her hand firmly. Her hand was soft, but it held firm, meaning she wasn't just a desk jockey.

"Cain Mercer, Runner trainee," Cain said,"and still trying to wrap my head around the job title."

"You'll get used to it, " Sofia said,"I'm here to make sure you don't get lost in bureaucracy, or in space. Every mission you run will go through me. I'll brief you before departure, debrief you after return, and handle the fallout. Good or bad."

"Fallout, meaning if I make mistakes and such?"

"Exactly, step on toes, anger someone you shouldn't or piss off the Syndicate. My job is to smooth those edges, keep you flying and keep Earth's standing intact from it."

"She speaks truth," Sira said as she nodded in agreement,"Elias relied on her office more than once."

"Wait, you worked with my grandfather too," Cain asked, edger to hear

Sofia's expression softened, a trace of respect in her eyes. She didn't say it, but Cain looked exactly like Elias, just younger, but filled with the same youth and energy he had back then.

"Well not directly, but I met him," Sofia admitted,"just once, brief and professional. He had a presence, you'll understand one day when people say the same about you."

Cain rubbed the back of his neck, unsure what to say. He was learning more about his grandfather than he knew there was, he only knew the man who taught him how to repair an engine, hunt and fish, stuff Cain learned since he was a kid. And now he was learning about the side of his grandfather he didn't know, a space traveling cargo hauler for multiple species

"Big shoes to fill no doubt," he said

"Don't fill them, no one is expecting you to be the same as Eias," Sofia said,"instead make your own, that's how Runners survive."

"She is correct," Krassok said,"you are not your grandfather Cain, do not try and be the same man, to satisfy people to make them like you. Forge your own path, in your way, no one else's."

"Got it," Cain said as he nodded,"so um whats the Handlers role? Besides covering my ass?"

Sofia smiled and sat back down, then tapped her console which pulled up Cain's new profile. His face, details, and Seal authorization filled the screen.

"Alright let's make it clear here," Sofia said,"you're not military or a cop. You're a Runner, independent to work on your own, but tied to the Guild as a whole. That means freedom, but it also means accountability. Every report, every haul, comes through me and the DELT reported by the Guild. If you damage the Guild's reputation, I'll hear about it before you land."

"So you're technically my boss," Cain asked

"Not your boss, thats the Guild and the Guildmaster. More like your lawyer, therapist, and parole officer wrapped into one. Trust me, you'll need all three before long. Some Human Runners have difficulties with the job, so we try to make it easier for them."

Krassok gave a low rumble of amusement, while Sira's lips curved in approval.

"She will save your life more than once," Sira said,"take her words seriously."

"Message received," Cain said and raised his hands,"no jokes with the Handler."

"Jokes are fine," Sofia said,"just don't make them at the wrong time. Or in the wrong bar, Elias learned that the hard way."

"...How so?"

"Let's say a Vornic doesn't like being called a Bigfoot," Krassok said

"...A what?"

"Since you're new, let's set a few ground rules," Sofia said, trying to move forward,"Rule one, always check in after a mission, even if you think it's nothing. Silence makes people assume the worst. Rule two, don't get clever with Lumens, the Solarii notice everything. Try to hide earnings or fudge numbers, and they'll shut you down. Rule three, never accept food or drink in a Guild Hall without knowing what it is. Trust me, you'll thank me later."

"Already had the lecture," Cain said with a faint smirk,"space tequila bad. Space jerky worse."

Sira's silver eyes glinted with faint amusement, but Sofia didn't crack a smile. She liked how he collected himself, using humor as a shield and a way to stay grounded

"Good, then you're ahead of some rookies I've had," Sofia said,"now the last thing you need to remember  is that you represent Earth out there. Every mistake you make reflects on all of us. Elias knew that, and now it's your turn."

Cain's jaw tightened as he nodded, her words settling heavy on him. He knew now it was time to grow up and take this seriously, his grandfather gave him this job and trusted in him 100% with this. He may not be Elias...he damn sure was gonna make sure his legacy was remembered

"Understood ma'am...I won't let ya down," Cain said with a smile

After explaining him on important matters, the meeting finally wound down. Sira and Krassok gave their parting nods before stepping out, leaving Cain alone with Sofia. She studied him for a long moment, then let out a slow breath.

"You'll be fine," Sofia said,"just remember: the Guild doesn't hand out second chances easily. Keep your head clear, your cargo secure, and your mouth shut when it needs to be. You'll learn the rest as you go."

"Sounds simple enough," Cain said with a managed smile,"haul the crates, don't die, and don't embarrass Earth. Easy job."

For the first time, Sofia laughed softly, shaking her head.

"If only it were that easy," she said,"welcome to the galaxy, Cain Mercer."

Cain stepped out of her office, the Red Jackal waiting in the hangar beyond. For the first time, he didn't feel like a kid stumbling into something bigger or living in Elias shadow. He felt like a Runner, untested, unshaped, but ready to show he was ready. He sighed as Krassok walked by him, tilting his head to tell him to follow him, which Cain did.

They walked for a bit until they reached a heavy door opened to reveal a space that felt more like a stone lodge than a military room. Smooth black rock formed the walls, etched with geometric reliefs that shimmered faintly with embedded Maskra crystals. A low fire pit glowed in the center, vented with perfect precision to keep the air warm but clear.

Weapons of elegant, alien design hung along one wall, a long, green-orbed Korthan rifle powered some kind of fuel, a double-headed shock axe, and a small collection of ceremonial knives. Beside them rested a modest shelf of human curios, photos of Elias and Krassok on a ship, an old baseball glove, a carved wooden bear.

"You have some of Grandpa's stuff," Cain said

Krassok gave a slow nod, eyes glinting with memory.

"Elias gave them to me long ago," Krassok said,"said they belonged to both of his families."

Krassok motioned for Cain to sit on a wide stone bench while he retrieved a heavy decanter and two cups shaped like polished meteor fragments. The liquid inside was a rich amber that caught the firelight in molten swirls. Cain could smell it, it smelled like cooked amber, with sugar melted into crystals and crushed, forming a strange aroma that Cain loved

"This is Uvosak Hearthbrew, safe for Korthans and humans alike," Krassok said,"strong, but no poisons for your species. It is used in rites of honor and homecoming."

Cain accepted the cup, breathing in a scent like roasted cedar and distant rain.

"Smells like a campfire after a storm," he said,"not bad."

Krassok settled across from him, the bench creaking under his massive frame. He lifted his own cup, which Cain followed up with his own.

"To the hatchling who now flies his own routes," Krassok said

Then they drank their cups. The Hearthbrew burned gently, leaving a smoky sweetness that warmed Cain from chest to fingertips. Cain exhaled, smiling as he felt his body loosen up from the training and strain of studying everything over the last few days.

"Damn thats really good," Cain said,"beats anything ELias allowed to me have, that was just regular whiskey."

Krassok's laugh was like stones rolling in a deep river.

"Whiskey is for keeping your nerves calmed,"Krassok said,"this is for keeping hearts strong."

After a quiet moment, Krassok set his cup aside and reached for a small wooden box inlaid with jade-green veins of Maskra crystal. He opened it with careful hands. Inside lay a braided cord of dark metal and leather, threaded with tiny beads of faintly glowing ore.

"Cain, in Korthan custom, a young one is called a Hatchling until they prove themselves through journey and trial," Krassok said,"then they stand as their own warrior, we mark the moment with the Binding of the Star-Cord. Your grandfather once received this honor among my people. Tonight, you will as well."

"Krassok...I-I ain't even a Runner yet," Cain said

"True, but you have achieved much in a few weeks, you have shown you have are worthy of being a Runner."

"...T-Thank you, I don't know what to say."

"Say only what is true in your heart. I will speak the words."

He stood, towering in the firelight, and began a low, resonant chant in his native tongue. The syllables were deep and rolling, like the sound of tectonic plates shifting. As he spoke, he looped the Star-Cord once around Cain's right wrist, then twice, letting the faintly luminous beads rest against the skin. Then he in Galactic Common, a common language all species speak

"By the stone that birthed us and the stars that guide us, this hatchling is no longer bound to nest or tutor," Krassok said,"he is free among the endless sky. His path is his own, but his bonds are unbroken."

He fastened the cord with a knot so clean it seemed to seal itself.

"From this night, you are Sky-Kin to the Korthan people," Krassok said."wherever you go, our hearth is open to you."

Cain looked at the glowing cord around his wrist, throat tight.

"I... thank you, Krassok," Cain said,"I'll wear it with honor."

Krassok placed both massive hands on Cain's shoulders, the gesture at once solemn and warm.

"And we will remember," Krassok said,"Elias was my brother in spirit. Now his grandson stands beside him in the stories of my clan."

They sat again, letting the silence fill with the quiet crackle of the hearth, turning the cup in his hands.

"You know, with everything that's happened, I thought I would be alone," Cain said,"huddled up in the cabin, staring at the TV, just walking through the woods and fishing for days without catching anything...no purpose in life."

"Do you regret taking this position?"

"Honestly...I think about it sometimes. But really, I didn't have much going for me outside of this. Going from one job to another, nothing would fit as I always felt like it was...to easy or I just didn't feel like I fit in."

"You were trained early by Elias, were you not?"

"Yeah, Grandpa trained me in everything, repairing, fishing and learning how to handle a gun."

Cain stopped as he looked at Krassok, who clicked his mandibles in a way that made Cain think it was a smirk. Cain rubbed his face, the pieces finally setting in.

"Grandpa was training me even before I knew about all of this," Cain said in shock

"Indeed, Elias would send me transmissions saying he was training you to be ready for the Cargo Runner life," Krassok said,"cause Elias knew when you dropped out  of college, you were lacking purpose in life."

"Yeah, I dropped out cause everything felt so...mundane. Like it's hard to stay in a place that felt so...boring and stale, that we're learning things that wouldn't change anything."

"Elias felt the same after World War 2, that no matter what Earth will evolve, but things will stay the same," Krassok said,"thats why he took the opportunity to become a Runner, to see and explore the galaxy, he found meaning in the Guild, hopefully you will as well."

Krassok's mandibles curved in what Cain had learned was a Korthan smile. Cain smiled at that, feeling good that someone was supporting him and giving him a chance to find purpose. Cain sipped his drink, then suddenly had a thought.

"Hey Krassok, can I ask a question," Cain asked

"Go ahead Sky-Kin," Krassok said

"How did you and grandpa meet?"

Krassok stared at Cain, then soon he made a scratchy and clicking noise, a Krothan laugh for what he can tell. He then gave a slow nod, eyes catching the firelight, as if he remembering the past.

"I was barely older than you are now, a fresh Runner with more strength than sense," Krassok said,"back then I believed only Korthans, S'erlith and Vehlari could withstand the Guild's hardships. When the Council announced they had accepted a human recruit, Elias Mercer, I laughed that. I said a being from a single, fragile world would crack like thin ice on the Marris Drift."

Cain smiled faintly, already guessing the ending of this.

"I take it he proved you wrong at some point," Cain asked

"Completely, but not at first," Krassok said, with a low, gravelly chuckle escaping his lips.

Krassok's gaze grew distant, as though he were watching the memory unfold in the glow of the fire.

"Our first joint assignment was a high-risk medical haul," Krassok said,"a plague had broken out on the mining moon Avaos-Beta, and we were to deliver stabilizing serum to the outpost before its life-support failed. The route cut across the Marris Drift, a region of shifting planetoids and unpredictable gravity eddies. Even experienced pilots dreaded it."

He sipped his drink and continued.

"From the moment we launched, I expected the human to slow me down with his inexperience. Elias was cheerful, asking questions about every sensor and safety lock. I mistook curiosity for weakness."

Cain pictured his grandfather, probably cracking quiet jokes as he studied every detail. Then when asked serious questions, he would shock people with the knowledge he picked up

"Halfway through the Drift, disaster struck," Krassok said,"an unseen eddy slammed our convoy, scattering ships like pebbles in a storm. My hauler took a direct hit. Shields collapsed. I was thrown against the controls and blacked out as my vessel tumbled into a dead zone."

Krassok's mandibles tightened, as if a bit mad that a simple small asteroid crashed into him.

"When I came to, alarms screamed, showing power was failing and showed multiple hull fractures spreading. No one had found me, except Elias."

Krassok leaned forward, voice soft but vibrant.

"Your grandfather had every reason to keep running," he said,"the serum shipment was critical, and the Guild Code does not require risking one life for another if it endangers the cargo. But Elias Mercer chose differently, he chose to save me."

Cain's grip on his cup tightened as he listened.

"He cut power to his own ship, letting the gravitational current drag him into my dead zone. It was a move no one trained for, it looked like suicide on every sensor. But Elias had studied the drift patterns as we talked on launch. He had learned the rhythm of the eddies in a single conversation."

The Korthan's eyes gleamed with remembered awe.

"He matched his ship's spin to mine, grappled my crippled hauler, and used his engines to pull us both clear. And when my life support finally collapsed, he boarded my ship without a suit, using nothing but a borrowed Vehlari breather mask and sheer stubbornness, to drag me to safety."

For a long moment Krassok simply stared into the fire, remembering everything he and Elias had down since then. How he saved dozens of people, done thousands of runs with the skills he picked up and how he upheld the Code with honor.

"When we reached Avaos-Beta, I tried to repay him," Krassok said,"he only laughed and said, 'Next time you can buy the drinks'. From that day forward, I called him brother, not in jest, but in the Korthan way. Among my people, that is a vow deeper than bloodline."

The great warrior looked at Cain, eyes glowing softly.

"Many runs followed after that day, from pirates, to collapsing slip-lanes and Syndicate ambushes. Each time Elias proved that courage and cunning know no species. He taught me that the Guild is not about the shape of one's bones, but the strength of one's word."

Cain swallowed hard, the warmth in his chest more than Hearthbrew.

"The guy who taught me to fish did insane stuff," Cain said,"he told stories about the stars, and acted like it was no big deal. He never told them, hell he probably couldn't until I was ready, but if I had known, he wouldn't have bragged about it. That wasn't the man he was, to him...helping a friend doesn't need payment."

"That was his way," Krassok said,"deeds are of action, not boasts."

Cain smiled as the Korthan warrior refilled both cups and raised his own high. Cain touched his cup to Krassok's, the ring of metal on stone echoing like a quiet promise.

"Tonight, Cain Mercer, I give you the same vow," Krassok said,"by the stone that bears my name and the stars that mark my path, I call you brother of the Drift. As Elias was to me, so you are to my clan."

"Thank you...Krassok," Cain said,"I'll carry that with me, everywhere the Jackal flies."

Krassok drank deeply, then rested a massive hand on Cain's shoulder, the weight reassuring rather than heavy.

"Then our story continues, your grandfather saved my life and proved a human could stand among the stars," Krassok said,"now you carry that light farther. Whatever storms come, know this: you will never face them alone."

"Thanks Krassok, feels good knowing I won't be alone out there," Cain said

"The Guild will be your family soon," Krassok said as he stood up,"now head to your quarters, tomorrow is a big day for you."

"Why's that," Cain asked

"Cause tomorrow...we head to space."

Next day

Cain stood at the base of the Red Jackal in the hangar, duffel bag slung over his shoulder. Inside were the few things he called his own. some clothes, his grandfather's fishing photo, and the pistol from the box, it was Elias. Everything else now belonged to this ship, this life he chose, to not just honor his grandfather, but to have a purpose in life.

The engines of the Jackal thrummed low, warming for departure since he activated it this morning when he went for breakfast. Sira stood at the foot of the ramp, her arms folded, silver eyes sharp as always. Krassok loomed beside her, massive arms crossed, mandibles clicking idly as Cain walked to them.

"You've trained, you've fought your first simulation," Sira said,"you've learned the basics. Now you take your first step as a Runner, today we leave Earth."

"We go to Port Epitaph, one of the many Guild Halls in the galaxy," Krassok rumbled out, his voice low and steady.,"there, you will be tested. Inducted and accepted...or rejected."

Cain swallowed hard but kept his chin up.

"And what happens if I'm rejected," Cain asked

"Then you go home back to Montana," Sira said,"back to dust and silence. But if you're accepted, your name enters the Ledger. You'll be one of us, a Cargo Runner."

Cain took a deep breath, looking up at the scarred crimson hull of the Jackal. He placed his hand on the plating, whispering softly as if speaking to Elias to the behind.

"Alright, Grandpa," Cain said,"here goes nothing...or everything."

He climbed the ramp, followed by Sira and Krassok, and when he looked outside of the cargo doors, he thought for a second he saw Elias again, wearing his signature grey vest, smiling at him. Cain stared until the hatch sealed shut, the bridge lights flaring to life as Cain blinked again and walked to the bridge, then slid into the pilot's chair.

Sira strapped into the co-pilot's seat, running through the checklist. While Krassok sat in the other chair, allowing the straps to come out and strap him in. Cain did a full diagnosis check of the systems before they departed to the port.

"Engines stable, shields cold but functional and weapons are safed," Sira said,"now it's your turn, Cain. Take her out."

Cain tightened his grip on the yoke, exhaling slowly to steady his nerves. He eased the throttle, the Jackal lifted slightly, the grav-thrusters whining as the hangar floor dropped away. Through the viewport, the bay doors split open, sunlight spilling across the ship.

"Do not hesitate," Krassok said as his mandibles clicked,"ships smell fear."

Cain's jaw clenched, trying to focus on the task and not be interrupted by Krassok words. He pushed forward, and the Jackal rumbled out of the hangar, engines kicking as they rose into the Nevada sky. Clouds whipped past as Cain steadied the ship, guiding her up into the blue until it darkened to black.

Stars spread across the void, the hotness of the sun turning cold as they exited the exosphere. Earth curved below, vast and breathtaking from the angle they had. Cain froze for a moment, awestruck as he was in space and looking down onto Earth for the first time in his life.

"...That's my home, all of it," he said,"and we're leaving it behind."

"Every Runner remembers their first time," Sira said, but her voice was softer than usual,"the moment you see your world as just one among countless others. Treasure it."

Cain let the silence linger, eyes fixed on the glowing horizon of Earth, the beautiful glow of green and blue. Then he turned back to the controls, his hands gripping the yoke. He sighed as he made it locked in his choice, he will become a Runner, for him and Elias.

"Alright, where to," Cain asked

Sira keyed a set of coordinates into the nav console, which Cain looked and saw it was in the Alpha Centari system.

"Port Epitaph," she said,"now lock in the PlusFold Drive."

"The what," Cain asked

"It allows you to achieve Faster the Light travel," Krassok said,"makes multiple day trips into lesser travel times, say 4 days can become a single day."

"The PulseFold Drive engine builds up a dense field of compressed quantum energy," Sira said,"then it releases it in a controlled pulse. Briefly folding space so that two points can touch."

"So the ship can simply "step across'' and the fold collapses behind me," Cain said

"Indeed, though further the distance, the longer the trip takes," Sira said

"Like Krassok said, 4 days into 1 day, got it. I'll need to read the manual, make sure I don't open a wormhole."

"Chances of that are low...especially after the last time 40 years ago," Krassok said

"...Starting the PulseFold drive," Cain said as he tapped the sequence keys

Cain's hands flew around as he engaged the sequence. The console beeped, energy building in the Jackal's core. The stars outside warped, stretched into streaks of light, and then collapsed into the shimmering tunnel of jump space. The Jackal shook as though fighting the currents. Cain gritted his teeth, holding steady as they flew through the small corridor of bright blue light.

"Do not fight against it, instead flow with it," Krassok said,"ride the current, like river through canyon."

Cain eased his grip, letting the ship drift with the pull and not trying to force it. The vibrations smoothed, the ship humming instead of bucking. He exhaled slowly as it smoothed out, fleeing like he was flying normally.

"Alright, alright, I've got it," he said

"Good, your grandfather learned that lesson the hard way," Sirasaid, her lips curved into the faintest smile,"you learned faster."

"...Do I even want to know," Cain asked

"Unless you want to know how Vehlari nobles have parties in space that involves less clothes and lots of alcohol."

"...Nope."

The tunnel collapsed into starlight again, and there it was, Port Epitaph.

The station filled the viewport like a city wrapped around a star. Sprawling rings of metal latticed with docking bays and spires glowed with thousands of lights. Dozens of ships moved in and out, Vehlari couriers, Korthan haulers, Ravik freighters, human craft like Cain's, even Solarii vessels that shone like polished chrome. The sheer scale dwarfed anything Cain had imagined.

"Holy shit," Cain said,"is that the Guild?"

"One of them," Sirs said,silver eyes gleamed with pride,"Runners from nearby hundred worlds gather here. Here and at other ports, the Code is law. And here, you will be judged."

Krassok rumbled deep, mandibles clicking in a pattern like prayer.

"The Haul is Sacred, remember it," Krassok said,"speak it, when they ask. It will decide your fate."

"The Haul is Sacred," Cain said, swallowing hard.

The Jackal approached the station, docking lights guiding her in. Cain followed the path carefully, aligning with the clamps until the docking collar locked with a metallic thud. Systems whined down, the ship settling into place, Cain sighed as his training finally paid off. He unhooked the straps and began the sequence to shut the Jackal dow, then he pulled the Ignition Chip

The hatch hissed open, and Cain stepped out onto the station's docking platform. The air smelled faintly metallic, tinged with spices from alien markets deeper within. The noise and smell hit him immediately, a thousand voices, in a dozen tongues, overlapping into a constant hum of life.

Vehlari traders argued with Ravik vendors, yelling carrying through the air. Korthan loaders lumbered past with massive crates, as S'erlith carried pads. Solarii units glided overhead, their glowing optics scanning transactions as they processed transactions. Cain stood frozen for a moment, overwhelmed by the sight and smell, like he stepped into Star Wars or Star Trek.

Krassok stepped beside him, his voice calm but firm.

"This is your family now, not just me and SIra, all of them," Krassok said,"treat them with respect, and they'll respect you. Fail them, and they'll never forget. Now eyes forward and walk strong. Do not look weak, they smell weakness."

"Alright, let's do this," Cain said, straightening his shoulders

Sira and Krassok led him forward, deeper into the Guild Hall. Towering banners hung from the ceilings, each bearing the Guild's insignia. At the center of the hall, Cain saw it, the Ledger Chamber, where the Guild operates from in each port.

A massive circular room filled with glowing records, the names of every Cargo Runner inscribed in light. At its heart stood a raised dais, where a figure in ornate Guild robes waited, flanked by senior Runners of every race.

"That is where you will speak the Code," Sira said, her voice lowered to a whisper,"here you will swear your oath. And where you will learn if the Guild accepts you."

Cain's chest tightened as he looked at the glowing names, stretching endlessly upward into the dark. Somewhere in that light, his grandfather's name was etched Elias Mercer, Human Runner. Cain took a deep breath, everything falling into place.

"Guess it's time to add mine," he said and he stepped forward.

The Ledger Chamber loomed before them, its walls alive with glowing names, each etched in shifting light. Cain's eyes darted upward at the endless spiral of inscriptions, the sheer weight of history pressing down on him. This was where legends lived forever, and where failures were erased. At the chamber's center stood a wide circular table, with the table made from the blackest metal.

Around it sat the Guild Council, senior Runners and representatives of each major race. Their faces turned as Cain, Sira, and Krassok entered, multiple eye's staring at them. The air was heavy, not hostile, but watchful, like seasoned predators sizing up a cub coming in for the first time. At the head of the table sat the Guildmaster.

He was human, but older, late sixties perhaps, with a lean, weathered frame and piercing green eyes that missed nothing. His hair was silver, his skin marked with faint scars. He wore the traditional Guild cloak, dark crimson, embroidered with the insignia of countless worlds stitched into its trim. His presence radiated calm authority, the kind that came from decades of commanding both respect and fear.

"Cain Mercer, grandson of Elias Mercer," the Guildmaster said,"please allow me to welcome you to Port Epitaph."

Cain swallowed and inclined his head.

"Thank you, sir."

The Guildmaster's gaze lingered on him for a moment before shifting to Sira and Krassok.

"Captains Veylan and Varn," the Guildmaster said,"you were tasked with his preparation. Has he received the necessary training?"

Sira straightened, her voice sharp and clear.

"He has, in eapons, cargo handling, hull maintenance, and piloting basics," Sira said,"he's passed every simulation set before him."

Krassok rumbled low, his mandibles clicking in rhythm.

"Sky-Kin fights and learns," Krassok said,"he is not dead yet, worthy of testing."

Cain resisted the urge to flinch at the world "Sky-Kin", but the Guildmaster gave a faint nod, as if Krassok's blunt approval carried more weight than flowery words. One by one, other council members spoke up. A Vehlari woman with skin the color of emerald leaned forward, her silver eyes appraising Cain.

"Does he understand the Code," she asked, eyes staring at him,"or will he stumble the first time temptation crosses his path?"

"He understands," Sira said,"he's repeated the Code, and he respects it."

Cain forced himself to speak, showing he wasn't a screw up.

"The Haul is Sacred," he said,"that's not just words, I understand it."

The Vehlari gave a faint, approving nod, with a hinge of a smile. Next, a towering Korthan Councilor rose, his armor-like carapace gleaming under the chamber lights. His was a deep dark grey, he was a bit taller then Krassok.

"Can he endure the weight," he asked,"the cargo, enemies and isolation? Elias was iron, is Cain iron...or clay?"

"He is not iron yet, but he bends," Krassok said as his mandibles clicked,"he does not break. With time, he will harden."

The Korthan's mandibles scraped in approval, as Krassok did the same. Then a Solarii unit spoke, its voice metallic but smooth, reverberating across the chamber.

"Financial aptitude: untested, Debt risk: unknown," the Solarii councilor said,"Probability of survival: sixty-two percent. Recommend observation."

"Anything above fifty is good, I guess," Cain muttered under his breath

Sira shot him a look, but the Guildmaster's lips twitched faintly, as though amused by the remark. Finally, a Ravik councilor, a wiry ratlike figure with twitching whiskers, leaned forward.

Can he bargain, can he trade, can he turn one Lumen into ten," the Ravik Councilor asked, his whiskers twitching ","or will he waste every coin on fuel and repairs like a fool?"

"That remains to be seen," Sira said,"but Elias' blood runs strong in him."

"We shall see," the Ravik chittered, tail flicking behind him

The Guildmaster rose from his chair, cloak swaying as he circled the table. He came to stand directly in front of Cain, green eyes fixed on him.

"Elias Mercer was more than a Runner," the Guildmaster said,"he was proof humanity could rise to the Guild's standard. He swore the Code, and he lived it until his last breath. Now his Seal is yours, but legacy means nothing without conviction. The Guild does not hand out names lightly. You will earn yours today."

Cain nodded, his throat dry but steady.

"I'm ready," Cain said

The Guildmaster studied him for a long, silent moment before turning to the Council.

"Then let us prepare for the ceremony," the Guildmaster said,"let his name be tested against the Ledger."

The councilors nodded in unison, the room humming with approval.Sira and Krassok led Cain to a smaller chamber adjoining the Ledger Hall. It was quieter here, dimly lit, the walls lined with banners bearing the insignia of legendary Runners.

A long table sat in the center, with ceremonial items laid out: a small Guild Seal, a simple blade for oath-taking, and a datapad linked to the Ledger itself. Sira adjusted Cain's jacket, her movements sharp but almost maternal. Cain for a second looked at her like she was a mother making sure her child was ready for his first day of highschool...it felt...nice

"Stand tall, speak clearly," she said to him,"do not falter when they ask you to repeat the Code."

Krassok loomed close, his mandibles clicking rhythmically, like a chant he recited a lot.

"The Haul is Sacred," he said,"remember it and say it as truth. Not as words, cause if you lie, the Guild will see."

Cain took a deep breath, his chest tight with the weight of it all.

"I won't lie, I want this," Cain said,"for him...and for me."

Sira gave him a long, appraising look, then finally nodded.

"Then you are ready," Sira said

Through the open doorway, Cain could see the glow of the Ledger Chamber. He could hear the murmur of gathered Runners, hundreds of voices waiting for the induction. His pulse hammered in his ears.He glanced once at Sira and Krassok, then at the Guild Seal resting on the table. His grandfather's legacy, now his to begin.

He took a deep breath and with that, he walked toward the chamber where his name, if he earned it, would join the stars.

The Ledger Chamber was alive with light. Cain stood at the center dais, the Guild Seal table before him, the towering wall of glowing names rising above. Around the chamber, Runners of every race watched in silence, Vehlari in sharp uniforms, Korthan hulks leaning on heavy weapons, Ravik chittering from ledges, Solarii standing perfectly still with their glowing optics fixed and S'erlith watch as their eyes stared art him.

At the head of it all, the Guildmaster stepped forward like a graceful leader. His crimson cloak swept across the floor, his voice deep and clear, echoing through the chamber, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Cain Mercer, grandson of Elias Mercer," he started,"you come before the Guild not as legacy, but as yourself. You stand at the threshold of our order, untested in the stars, but chosen by Seal and ship. Today, you will swear the Code. Today, you will choose if you are one of us."

Cain stood straight, hands clenched at his sides. His chest felt heavy, but his resolve was steady and he choice final.

"I'm ready," Cain said

The Guildmaster nodded once, then gestured.

"Bring forth the Seal," the Guildmaster said

Sira stepped forward, carrying Elias' Guild Seal in a small case. She placed it on the table before Cain, a simple, heavy medallion etched with the insignia of the Cargo Runners: a freighter cutting through a starburst. The metal gleamed faintly, worn smooth by decades of use. Krassok rumbled low, standing close enough that Cain could feel the vibration through the floor.

"Touch it, swear it and become it," Krassok said

Cain reached out, pressing his palm to the Seal. It was cold at first, then warm, as though alive. His reflection stared back at him in its polished surface, distorted by the engraving. The Guildmaster raised his voice, reciting each law of the Cargo Code in turn. After each one, Cain repeated it, his voice firm and with determination.

"The Haul is Sacred," the Guildmaster said

"The Haul is Sacred," Cain said

"The Contract is Law."

"The Contract is Law."

"No Fire First."

"No Fire First."

One by one they went, Cain's voice steady, each oath sinking deeper into him: Respect all ports. No cargo, no kill. Guild over gold. Eyes open, mouth shut. No deal with the Syndicate. Inspect, secure, deliver. Leave it better.

By the end, Cain's chest felt tight, but not from nerves, but from conviction. The Guildmaster placed a simple blade on the table, it was a dark colored blade, but it also looked like it was moving. Its edge gleamed faintly under the chamber lights.

"Every Runner swears with steel," the Guildmaster said,"blood ties us to the Code, as it has for generations. Will you swear it, Cain Mercer?"

Cain swallowed once, then nodded a few times. He took the blade, pressed it to his palm, and drew a shallow cut. The sting burned, a thin line of red welling out of the cut he gave himself. He pressed his palm to the Seal, leaving the mark behind.

"I swear it, the Haul is Sacred and the Code is my law," Cain said,"I am a Cargo Runner."

The Seal glowed faintly, absorbing the oath, the light flickering across the chamber. The Council nodded, the glow reflecting in their eyes. The Guildmaster studied Cain for a long, silent moment. Then he placed a hand on Cain's shoulder, something that made Cain remind him of his grandfather.

"Elias Mercer's line stands again," the Guildmaster said,"Cain Mercer, by your oath, by Seal and by ship, you are now one of us. Rise, Cargo Runner of the Guild."

The chamber erupted in sound of applause and cheers. Korthan struck their chests in thunderous rhythm, Vehlari raised their hands in salute. Ravik chittered in approval and jumped in joy, and even the Solarii's optics pulsed once in recognition and S'lerith clapped with smiles.Cain rose to his feet, his palm still pressed to the Seal, his breath unsteady.

For the first time, the weight in his chest didn't feel like a burden. It felt like belonging somewhere he had purpose . Sira stepped forward, her silver eyes gleaming as she grabbed a paste and rubbed it on his had.

"Well done, Runner," she whispered to him

"Not hatchling anymore," Krassok said as he rumbled low, mandibles clicking once,"Elias would be proud of you."

Cain managed the faintest smile, looking up at the wall of names. Somewhere among them, Elias' name glowed faintly, and now his would join it. As the chamber quieted, the Guildmaster raised his hand, calling for silence.

"Your name will be entered into the Ledger," the Guildmaster said,"from this moment forward, Cain Mercer, you are bound by the Code. Honor it, and you will be remembered. Break it, and you will be forgotten. Welcome, Runner."

The light of the Ledger brightened, and Cain felt it wash over him, as though the entire Guild itself acknowledged him. He wasn't just Elias' grandson anymore. He was Cain Mercer, Cargo Runner.

"Let's start this journey," he said to himself, ready to begin his career