The marker squealed against the board.
A slow, deliberate sound.
White lines carved circles and arrows as the Teacher wrote a single word in large letters:
THE UNIVERSE
"The universe," the teacher said, turning to face the class, "is vast, unknowing, and mostly untouched by human understanding."
Students shifted in their seats as the marker clicked back into his palm.
"We like to believe we know space," he continued. "But in truth, our knowledge barely extends beyond our own solar system. A handful of neighboring stars. A fraction of a fraction of what exists."
He gestured back at the board.
"There are trillions of galaxies out there. Each with billions of stars. As science students—future scientists—it is your responsibility to ask how far human knowledge can go. How deep we can push. How wide we can expand."
A hand rose.
The room quieted.
She had silver eyes, unnaturally pale and short grey hair that caught the light when she moved. Her name was Max.
"Yes?" the Teacher said.
Max didn't stand. She didn't smile.
"The S.T.A.R. Troops left Earth three days ago," she said. "No explanation. No public briefing. Nothing."
Murmurs spread across the room.
She continued, her voice steady but sharp.
"Are they just exploring? Or did they find something out there that they're not telling us?"
The Teacher's expression tightened.
"I don't see how that relates"
"It relates because the government doesn't hide things unless it's afraid," Max cut in. "They've poured everything into military advancement, into weapons, into expansion projects. If there's nothing out there, fine. But if there is something out there.."
She paused.
"..then provoking it might be the worst mistake humanity ever makes. And if chaos comes back with them, it won't stay in space."
Silence.
The teacher cleared his throat.
"That is precisely why the S.T.A.R. Troops are well equipped," he said calmly. "They exist to protect Earth."
Max clenched her teeth.
"That's what they say," she muttered.
The bell rang before the teacher could respond.
Chairs scraped the floor as students poured out, some shaking their heads.
"Weirdo," someone whispered as they passed her.
The lecturer watched her gather her things.
"Max," he said gently, "don't worry. I'll have more answers for you next class."
She didn't look at him.
"Whatever," she said, and walked out.
The sun was setting when Max headed home.
Orange light stretched the city into long shadows, and every step stirred memories she tried to bury.
Government officials at their door.
Papers being seized and rooms searched.
Her father's face the day they found out he'd been living in the country illegally.
Deported.
Gone.
Five years without seeing him.
Her hands shook as anger rose in her chest.
She stopped beside a concrete wall.
Pulled a spray can from her bag.
SSSHHHHHK.
One word bloomed across the surface in jagged red letters:
RESIST
Immediately after that she didn't wait.
She ran, vanishing into the lengthening shadow of the setting sun.
Light-years away, fists flew.
Metal rang beneath boots as bodies collided inside the Black Hammer, one of the space ships.
A punch slammed into Nick's face.
Another.
Nick blocked, grunted, and grabbed his attacker by the waist.
With a roar, he lifted him and hurled him backward.
Cole crashed into the metal floor.
Cheers erupted from surrounding soldiers.
Nick lunged forward, swinging—
—but Cole twisted, ribs taking the blow instead. He snarled and kicked Nick away, then sprang upward, spinning mid-air, heel aimed straight for Nick's jaw.
He never landed the hit.
Nick was yanked backward at the last second.
Cole hit the floor hard.
A boot appeared in front of his face.
Cole looked up.
Gerald stood over him.
"That's enough," Gerald said. "Why are you doing this? Leave Nick alone. Stop the reckless fighting."
Cole scoffed.
"Oh? You want to go, Gerald?"
Gerald shook his head.
"I'll pass."
Cole smirked and glanced past him.
"Oh, Nicholas. Papa came to save you."
He chuckled. "Don't worry. We'll meet next time."
Cole turned and walked off with his guys.
From a nearby bunk, Candy laughed.
"Oh, boys," she said. "You never stop amazing me."
She swung her legs over the bed.
"By the way, Gerald pretty boy, I liked what you did. Being the hero and all."
"I don't like playing hero," He replied.
"Well," Candy said, grinning, "tonight's going to be long. I don't even know what counts as night out here."
She patted the bed. "You could stay. Cuddle me."
Gerald stared.
"No."
"Come on," she teased. "Don't tell me you're married."
"I'm engaged."
Candy's eyes lit up.
"Ohhh. Engaged. That means no vows yet."
She crawled toward him. "How about we make some? Right here. Right now."
Nick walked away in disgust, heading for the bathroom.
As he passed Gerald, he muttered,
"Don't interrupt next time. I'll deal with him myself."
Before Gerald could respond, the ship's speakers crackled.
A familiar voice filled the corridor.
"Gerald Flynn."
The room went still.
"Report to the station immediately."
The Lieutenant.
Gerard swallowed.
Why now?