Stranded in the Stars

Chapter 1: The Mission Begins

Linda Athanasiadou stood before the massive viewing window at the base, arms crossed, staring at the gleaming body of Nova-9 illuminated by the facility's pale lights. This was going to be her home for the coming months, possibly years if the mission went as planned. Yet, despite the magnitude of the journey ahead, Linda felt no excitement—only a calm, cold certainty. She was prepared for this. She had to be.

The ship before her was not just a vessel; it was a symbol of everything she had worked for, the peak of human ingenuity, and the culmination of years of training, discipline, and sacrifice. Nova-9 was humanity's latest technological marvel, a spacecraft equipped with cutting-edge systems designed for deep space exploration. It was the epitome of progress, and for Linda, it was more than just a means to explore the stars. It was her escape from the complexities of life on Earth, from relationships she had long since distanced herself from, and from emotions she had spent years suppressing.

Linda Athanasiadou had always been a lone wolf, and her chosen path had only solidified that. Growing up, she had never been one for deep connections. Friendships had come and gone, and while her family loved her, there was always a certain distance between them. It wasn't that she didn't care—she did, in her own way—but she had never allowed herself to dwell on such things. It was easier to focus on what she could control, and right now, what she could control was this mission.

For Linda, this mission was the culmination of her entire career. The first interplanetary expedition, a dream many had chased for decades, was now her reality. Standing there, however, she couldn't help but feel a profound distance—not only from the Earth below but from everyone around her. Independence had always been her strength, and emotional isolation a tool to survive in her profession. She wore her independence like a shield, and it had kept her safe from the vulnerabilities others succumbed to.

This was a solo journey, not in the literal sense, but in every way that mattered to her. The crew of Nova-9 might be a team, but to Linda, they were just her colleagues, professionals with whom she would complete the mission. There was no room for personal connections in space. Not for her.

As captain, Linda had earned a reputation for being resilient, methodical, and, some would say, unapproachable. Her focus on the mission above all else had created a wall between her and those she commanded, but that suited her just fine. Few dared to cross that boundary. No one understood this better than Connor Hale, the engineer with whom she had served on several missions. Connor was different from the others. He was the one person whose presence Linda had grown accustomed to, though their interactions were strictly professional. He had his moments—those rare instances where he let slip a joke or a warm smile—but Linda had always brushed those aside, as though acknowledging them would open doors she had long since closed.

She had to admit, Connor Hale was a good engineer—maybe the best she had ever worked with. He had a knack for solving problems under pressure, a calm demeanor in the face of crisis. They had worked together long enough that they no longer needed to speak to communicate; a glance or a nod was all it took. It was comfortable, in a way that unnerved her at times, though she'd never admit it.

Connor was now standing nearby, performing final checks before launch. Tall, with a hint of a smile ever present on his lips, he exuded a calmness that contrasted with Linda's sharp efficiency. Despite having spent years together in space, Linda never allowed herself to become too familiar with him. Work was work, and the mission always came first.

"Ready for the big launch, Captain Athanasiadou?" Connor asked, zipping up his flight suit as he approached her. His voice carried the easygoing tone of someone who wasn't just there for the mission but for the experience, the journey itself.

"Always ready," Linda replied with a curt nod, suppressing the brief flash of amusement she felt at his casual tone. She never allowed herself to indulge in that kind of banter. It was easier to stay detached, to keep her emotions in check. In space, emotional control was survival.

The crew of five was already onboard, each member deeply engrossed in their respective tasks. The objective of their mission was nothing short of monumental: explore the planet K-452, a newly discovered world that, according to preliminary data, might support life. For the past decade, humanity had been searching for a new home beyond Earth's borders, and K-452 was one of the most promising candidates. Nova-9 would be the first to set foot on this alien world, but for Linda, it was simply another assignment. Another challenge to overcome. Another responsibility to uphold.

The crew members were buzzing with anticipation as the countdown to launch began. Some were excited, others visibly anxious. But Linda? She felt nothing but her usual cool focus. She glanced at Connor one last time as they took their positions.

"I hope K-452 gives us what we're looking for," he said, his tone lighter than the situation warranted, a hint of his usual optimism creeping into his words.

"It's not about hope," Linda replied as she adjusted her headset. "It's about the mission. And completing it."

Connor chuckled softly. "Always the realist. Maybe one day, Athanasiadou, you'll let yourself see the stars the way I do—not just as a destination, but as something more."

Linda Athanasiadou ignored his words, her mind already focused on the launch sequence. Emotions had no place here. Not now. The mission was all that mattered. She wasn't here to ponder the beauty of the cosmos or reflect on human connections. She was here to succeed, as she always did.

As the engines of Nova-9 roared to life and the ship lifted from its docking bay, Linda fixed her gaze on the panels in front of her. A long journey awaited them. Months of travel through the cold expanse of space, with only the crew and their objective to occupy their minds.

But what neither she nor Connor knew was that K-452 would test them in ways far beyond the mission itself. It would force Linda Athanasiadou to confront emotions she had long buried—emotions she thought she had left behind on Earth.