Space.
Humans have always looked up at the stars in wonder, curious about the nature of those dim lights in the night sky, and made stories about the images and patterns they formed from them. Soon after, they studied them and dreamed about leaving Earth to wander amongst the stars in hopes of finding a new world.
Nowadays, space was nothing special. It was common to travel the galaxy—to board a vessel and leave planetside. Most of Jaiya’s life had been spent within metallic walls, constantly moving between space stations and ships. She had forgotten what it felt like to plant her feet upon solid ground and breathe in unfiltered air.
Most people would feel unsettled, roaming the unknown with a high risk that something could—and most likelywould—go wrong, and they would be lost to those who knew them.
She glanced out the waiting room’s window and sighed. A transport shuttle was coming in to land as a pair of fighter wings were taking off for practice maneuver runs.
She would rather be out there, in her own fighter, than trapped inside these cold walls.
What does the Rear Admiral want with me?
Jaiya hadn’t done anything to put any spotlight on her back, so it was strange for him to notice her. Her wing was barely above average compared to the others in the fleet, so there was no reason for them to be given a special assignment. Important tasks were left to the veteran unit, a more skilled unit of wings that had been together for years. While she may not have been a rookie, she wasn’t delusional when it came to the skill sets her wing had to offer. They were still working on cohesion with the three brand new recruits.
“Rear Admiral Dias will see you now.”
Jaiya glanced at the secretary and nodded. The middle-aged woman returned a quick smile before returning her focus to her computer.
Jaiya took one last look at the stars before standing. After a quick inspection of her uniform, she went to face her destiny.
She walked through the Rear Admiral’s office doors and halted in the middle of the room.
“You requested me, Sir?” she asked as she stood at attention.
The peppered, brown-haired male gazed up from his tablet. His eyes traveled along Jaiya’s body, lingering at her womanly assets longer than necessary before meeting hers.
Jaiya would’ve shivered from such display or made a brazen comment about where her eyes were located, but after growing up surrounded by males and the military, she had become accustomed to the disrespect. Sometimes she would defend herself anyway, just to get a rise from the offending male.
“Yes, Captain Lian. Thank you for reporting to me in great haste.” He stood and offered his hand.
“It was no problem, Sir.” Jaiya shook his hand and sent him a small smile. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”
“I believe you will want to sit for the news I am about to share with you.” He gestured to a chair in front of his desk and sat down on his own.
Jaiya followed his advice, feeling a sense of dread creep up within her. This wasn’t going to be a simple meeting.
Dias opened one of his drawers and placed a pair of shot glasses on his desk before pulling out a clear flask of amber-colored liquor. “You will want a drink for this,” he said, shooting her a look as if daring her to reject the offer.
She nodded, accepting, and swirling the beverage as she waited for him to take the first sip. He lifted his glass in a toast before slamming it back. Jaiya mirrored him, sucking in a deep breath as she tried to cool the bitterness burning her throat.
“I am not going to waste any more of either of our time,” Dias said, placing his glass onto his desk. “What I am about to tell you is top secret and should not be repeated outside these walls. Do you understand me, Captain?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“The Daextru want us to agree to a cease-fire and try to settle our differences.”
She placed her empty glass down and stared at him, trying to decipher his words. “You mean after twenty-five years of fighting they finally want to sign a peace treaty?”
“Correct.”
“I am assuming that is not why you requested me.”
“You are just like your father. Always thinking ahead.” He gave her a gentle smile. “No. You are here because I wanted to personally warn you about the mission that you are about to be given.”
Jaiya nodded. “I appreciate it. It’s—”
He held a hand up, stopping her. “Don’t thank me yet.”
