It's a Small... Universe? (Phan AU)

Chapter 1

"Daniel Howell, please come to the observation deck... NOW!" the stressed voice of Dan's boss, Peter Quill, screeched over the intercom. Saucers seemed to have replaced his widened eyes as he rushed up to the allotted location, bolting around desks and people with a speed and agility that he had no idea he was capable of using.  "Here, sir," he said, surprised that his voice didn't waver, when his boss came into view upon his arrival.

"I'm sorry, it's just I got really excited! Look at this!!" Peter gestured to the telescope mounted in the observatory. This side was not nearly as impressive as what you could see looking into it, or even from the outside, Dan knew from personal experience. Sometimes when he was leaving for home, before the huge sliding doors along the roof had closed, he could catch a glimpse of the monstrous head of the telescope. It took his breath away and made him feel so grateful to be able to work with it on a daily basis, even if he still had the telescope his parents bought him... Even if said telescope from his parents was set up in his new home, though he was working most nights. It was just comforting to have there, like a security blanket in Dan's own special way, that is, if 22-year-olds still had security blankets instead of, say, a best friend. Now was not the time to go down that depressing rabbit hole, though.

He fervently shook his head as he realized how far his thoughts had wandered, and refocused himself on the present. His steps were in no way timid as he hurriedly jumped up to the telescope, peeking through and taking in what it was focused on.

"Is that... An undiscovered system!?" Dan squeaked, giddy excitement to match Peter's seeping into his voice. Dan glanced over at his boss with a smile stretched brightly across his face, dimples deeper than craters on the moon, before he returned his attention to the magnificence of the starry sky. He noted at least six planets orbiting the star that made up the system's center. The image was very small and extremely far out, probably the reason why it had been missed thus far. At a quick glance it looked simply like a twinkling star, but upon further inspection he could tell that the twinkling was too patterned to be the star's natural winking. No, this darkening was at a specific cadence as the planets passed across its face. His staring continued for a few more seconds, though he felt it had been hours, and would have gone on for longer if not for Peter clearing his throat.

"I wanted to know if you'd be willing to go out and explore this uncharted corner of space. I know that's a lot to ask of you, but I think you're the most qualified for the job and, well, I trust you." Peter launched into his request, looking expectantly up at Dan when he finished speaking. "Oh my god, yes, I would be honored," Dan rushed with eyes widening impossibly further.

"Great!  So I was thinking we should put this operation into action in about a week, that way we can learn as much as possible about the system before we send you out.  We don't want you going in blind.  You should definitely be present for that, the charting I mean."  Peter's response came quickly after Dan's.  Dan just nodded, mumbling a "Yes, of course," before his sight drifted back to the telescope.

The information was definitely registered in Dan's mind, though his thoughts had drifted elsewhere. It had been a while since his last expedition out into the galaxies, and with the technology of this day and age, they could now travel much farther than anyone had before. He was elated to be out exploring again, drifting through the magnitude of stars and planets and empty space in the universe.

-

A shocked gasp rushed past Dan's lips as he wrenched his eyes away from the telescope.  There were three more days until it was time for his expedition, and he put all his effort into learning and observing as much as he could about this mystery system.  He and Peter worked all hours of the night relentlessly mapping each and every new piece of information. 

"Pete, sir, I think there could be an earth-like planet.  It's uhmm-" Dan glanced at his notes and rolled his eyes, "-there are signs on the planet you insisted upon calling 'Starlord,' signs of life that is.  Like, plant life."  Dan had tried to hold back his astonishment, but the attempt was futile as he finished his explanation. A glittering smile of childlike wonder overtook his expressions as he looked with impressionable eyes at Peter. It seemed to take a moment for the information to settle in his mind, but it was obvious when it did; a spark ignited behind his eyes, toothy grin exposed as he jumped into the air and let out a loud holler. Peter pushed Dan out of the way of the telescope in the hopes of viewing the discovery. Dan giggled as the older, grown man hopped back and forth on his feet, squealing like a small child that had received everything on their Christmas wish list. Essentially he had; it was every astronomer's dream to find a planet like earth that could support life of any kind.  And there were definitely obvious signs of plant life in an, albeit small, area of this planet.

"Dan, I want you to make this one your last stop before coming back.  Get as many samples as you can.  This is so amazing!  Plants!  In space!"  Peter's voice rose considerably the more he spoke, reaching octaves that should be impossible for a man of his age.

Dan just nodded his head in agreement, smiling at the man he considered to be like a second father to him. He couldn't help but feel like he was the more mature one in this situation, though, as he watched the 46-year-old prance around the room.  Even thinking this, he knew the roles would be reversed in three days when he was suiting up for his expedition.