We're Totally Not Ready for This
The underground lab buzzed with tension. The crew stood in front of the scientist, their faces a mix of confusion, fear, and disbelief.
"You want us to go... inside Quor X?" Kalex asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," the scientist said, completely calm. "It's unstable. Dangerous. But it's the only way."
"And we're supposed to just do it? Like, for fun?" Kael muttered.
"Not for fun," the scientist said, then paused. "For money."
Everyone went quiet.
"How much?" Nova asked.
"Enough to change your life," the scientist replied.
Ash looked around. They were all struggling. Poor families, dead dreams, no real future. One mission into danger… didn't sound worse than life back home.
"Fine," Ash said. "We'll do it."
The others slowly nodded.
"Good," the scientist said. "You'll start tomorrow. Be ready by morning."
The Next Morning
Launch day was pure chaos.
Ash wore her space suit backward. Kael couldn't find his boots. Kalex was arguing with NEXA about safety protocols.
Nova stood sipping a protein shake, calm as ever.
Kaia, the silent girl, walked in last. She didn't say anything. She never did.
Ash looked at her while adjusting her suit. "You've been with us for days, and we still don't know your name. What is it?"
Kaia paused. Her voice was quiet but clear. "Kaia."
Ash blinked. "Cool name."
That was it. Kaia didn't say anything more.
Soon, the team walked toward the spaceship. The door opened with a hiss, and they stepped inside one by one.
"Wait!" Kael shouted. "I forgot my snacks!"
Everyone groaned. He ran back to grab a half-crushed bag of chips.
"Unauthorized re-entry detected," NEXA said.
"It's just Kael," Ash said. "He forgot his chips, not his brain."
Finally, they all sat in their seats. The ship lifted slowly, leaving the lab far behind.
Halfway Through the Flight
The crew floated in zero gravity.
"So… what do we actually do once we get there?" Kael asked.
No one answered.
"Survive," Kalex finally said.
Nova hummed softly, eyes closed.
Suddenly, the ship shook.
"Warning: external force detected," NEXA's voice crackled.
The lights flickered. A deep sound echoed through the ship.
"...system integrity... compromised... anomaly breach..."
Ash grabbed her seat. "Did she just say breach?"
"This wasn't in training," Kael said.
Kalex sighed. "Neither was Kael re-entering for chips."
Then, for the first time, Kaia spoke again.
"It's starting," she said.
The ship rumbled louder. A blue light flashed outside the windows. Everyone froze.
Ash looked out into the darkness of space. Something was moving. Not a planet. Not a star.
Something alive.