The year is 1974, less than a decade after humanity realized it was not alone in this universe.
What began as unexplained structures on Mars soon evolved into a catastrophe of unprecedented scale. The extraterrestrial species later known as BETA descended upon the Moon, sweeping aside every human attempt at resistance. Their rapid expansion reshaped global politics overnight.
Then in 1973, the BETA began its first invasion of Earth, landing in China. Then it spread rapidly, consuming much of the Eurasian continent before beginning to make strides in Europe.
In the German Democratic Republic, the government mobilized every institution—schools, factories, research centers—to prepare for a future that looked bleak.
It was in this uncertain world that a certain girl spent her childhood, tucked away in a modest orphanage in Leipzig.
A girl with silver hair, pale skin, and steady gray-blue eyes. This girl who would change history.
…
Her appearance is the first thing people notice. Soft, pale features, small frame and a gaze that seems calm far beyond her age. No one had ever seen her cry, or even show much emotion.
But behind that quiet expression is a mind that does not belong to an eight-year-old child.
Her name is Bronya Zaychik, but her memories belong to someone else entirely — a university student from a comfortable family in another world. Born into a rich family, showered with endless praise from her parents who also drowned her in endless expectations. Throwing private tutors at her, left and right. The subjects didn't matter ranging from math, science and engineering to military to the piano, her parents had money and a single belief, that the child must always do more.
Even as an adult, she never escaped their expectations as they threw her into the best university money could buy and still gave her tutors!
But it all came to an end when she died of exhaustion. While her mind was beyond what normal humans could achieve, her body clearly wasn't.
And before she knew it, she realized she had been reborn again.
But now, she had no family, no status and most importantly, no tutors!
So what if she was now in an underfunded orphanage in East Germany during one of the most intense games of chicken?
She was free!
And from her previous life, she learned one essential lesson. Act normal, don't stand out.
The problem was, she had no idea what "normal" actually meant, whether in her past, or now.
So, she tried her best to live this new life as a "normal" person.
…
Waking up at dawn to her internal alarm clock that has never failed her. She arose from her bed, rubbing her eyes. She always woke up before the other children, she couldn't help it. Even after eight years in this world, some habits never die.
She begins her daily routine: making her bed, washing her face and being the first to line up for breakfast. Her expression is neutral throughout.
'From the smell, it seems we are having barley porridge again. That means potato soup for dinner. The budget probably tightened again this month with winter approaching. A shame but there is nothing I can do about it, I'm just a freeloader.'
But she didn't mind, she had already adapted to this way of living. It's not like in her last life she was allowed to indulge, her parents wouldn't allow it, saying it will affect her studies.
While the other children would complain, she just ate quietly in her corner. And after breakfast, she went to go do her assigned chores, until a gentle voice called out to her.
"Bronya."
She calmly turns around, already knowing who the voice belongs to. Frau Adler, the orphanage director, stands with a folded letter in her hand.
"May I have a moment?"
"Yes, Frau Adler."
Frau Adler kneels beside her, smiling warmly.
"I have good news for you," she begins. "You've been selected by the state for a special scholarship."
Bronya blinks once.
Inside, her thoughts are puzzled.
'Scholarship? For what? I didn't apply for anything…'
"You did extremely well during the aptitude test last month, you got a perfect score! And the state has recognized your brilliance!"
'Aptitude test?' She stood in thought. 'Ah! That! That was actually a test?!'
Frau, seeing the rare stunned look on Bronya's face made her happy. That the expressionless child could show some emotion. 'Hehe, she's probably excited! With this, she can live a good life.'
The director was extremely happy that Bronya now had this opportunity. After all, what mother doesn't want to see their child grow, even if she wasn't actually her mother.
"You have been granted admission to the National People's Army Civilian Academy. An elite institution for promising youth. They believe you show exceptional intellectual potential."
Bronya begins to process the information, then she nods. "...Da Bronya understands."
'What the hell! Who puts Army and Civilian in the same title! This is just a soviet brainwashing center!'
"You'll receive a better education there than anywhere else," Frau Adler says kindly. "And you won't be alone. Students your age from across the Republic will attend. Some from distinguished families."
Bronya nods again.
"People from the state will be coming tomorrow morning to pick you up, so tonight I will be helping you pack your belongings."
Though Frau knows that Bronya doesn't have anything to her name other than two pairs of worn clothes, she just wants to spend some time with her before she leaves.
Bronya also recognizes that and simply agrees, though her mind is filled with countless scenarios, some normal, some extreme. After all, this is the Soviet Union, who knows what those crazy people in power are planning.