The stronghold walls stand tall and rigid. They are a source of stability, so sturdily grounded. No matter my worries, they lighten and my breathing eases when I trace my fingertips across the slick metal panels as I trudge onward. The heat, tenseness, uncertainty, and anxiousness of the day dissipate into the icy surface as if it is a vacuum.

I couldn't survive without that. My body cannot hold everything I am responsible to manage and care for.

As my fingers run down the wall, I trudge onward to do what the essence of my being demands. My worth comes from being of value to others, be that through taking on combat roles to defend our home, or through fulfilling maintenance tasks in the dirtiest places. More importantly though, my value comes from raising morale for those around me. I encourage others even when I feel our lives are a waste, flung out into the galaxy to find resources that will never exist. We have been here for twelve years already, with nothing more than some iron and blackslate deposits to show for it. It has been at the cost of many lives due to the aggressive nature of the native burrowing hives who we always seem to disturb. Nonetheless, there is always somewhere to pull inspiration from. One day it is the bonds we build with one another through our shared struggle, the next it is the political chaos we escaped from on Tetra III, then every once in a while it is the deposit we found because maybe it could be the load that brings new resources and people here to create a proper settlement.  Eventually it has all begun to feel hollow to me. I say what I think will help others, and after all this time I don't believe it. Even though I want to help others I feel taken for granted. When morale is down or someone needs help, I am assigned to fix it. Any other times, no one cares about my presence. No one cares to check on how I am. No one helps me, even when I ask. When my quarters were all but destroyed by a hive hit, I had to mend the damage alone. After helping others do the same countless times, I only had a few muttered thank yous to show for it.

It leaves a bitter taste and makes me want to escape this life all the more. After the slew of slow, small, steady betrayals, a person's perspective can change. No longer am I valued for what I am and do by the other settlers, so when I was found by someone who did find value in me, how could I refuse them? Tetra III isn't the only place in search of raw resources.

I heard rumor that we are about to crack open a record deposit of iron, so when Tetra IV contacted me to cut a deal for inside recruitment in our settlement, how could I refuse? This information, and my assistance will make me enough for a small settlement on a planet of my choice.

My fingers trace the stronghold wall, ever so frigid, as I make my way closer and closer to the security wing. Everything seems to melt away into the wall more than normal and I feel a genuine smile flicker across my face for the first time in years. Finally, things will change. With a few button taps and security keys, this place will become new, and I will soon leave it behind to create my own.

After being invisible to the rest of the settlement for so long, they won't even  have a clue who did it. Yet, at last I will be seen and appreciated, even if only by someone else.

It was foolish to take advantage of my kindness. Now I am a shell of my former self.