Rex "Rusty" Collins sat in the cockpit of his space semi, the hum of the engines a comforting lullaby. The dashboard was a chaotic orchestra of blinking lights and raster graphics, each telling a story only he could understand. He took a long drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling lazily in zero gravity.
"Another day, another delivery," he muttered, glancing at the map displayed on the largest screen. His destination was a distant colony, far beyond the reach of the usual routes.
Luna stood on the edge of a small asteroid, her figure illuminated by the soft glow of her portable CRT device. Her appearance was striking, a mix of punk and practicality, with a full-body suit adorned with neon accents.
"Need a lift?" Rex's voice crackled over the comms.
"Only if you don't mind a little company," she replied, her voice smooth and confident.
Rusty and Luna exchanged stories as they traveled. She was a wanderer, a hitchhiker of the stars, with tales of distant worlds and forgotten technologies. He was a veteran of the spaceways, each delivery a new chapter in his book of interstellar adventures.
"You ever think about settling down?" Luna asked, her eyes reflecting the passing stars.
"Nah, the highway's my home," Rex replied, tapping the dashboard affectionately.
"Hold on tight!" Rex shouted, gripping the controls with practiced ease. The semi swerved, dodging the comet's unpredictable path.
"Looks like you got your hands full," Luna quipped, her gaze steady even as chaos unfolded around them.
Rex let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. The journey resumed its rhythm, the stars a constant companion.
"Thanks for the ride, Rusty," Luna said, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"Anytime," he replied, a hint of camaraderie in his tone.
Rusty guided the semi into the docking bay, the engines winding down with a satisfied hum. Luna gathered her things, preparing to disembark.
"Safe travels, Rusty," she said, her silhouette framed by the pulsating lights of the stop.
"Until next time," he replied, watching as she disappeared into the crowd of intergalactic wanderers, the promise of new stories lingering in her wake.
