I can't decide whether to be in awe by the B4 substation or to hate it. The giant structure in the void of space, central to the B4 system, is a feat only understood by the smartest of engineers. As are the rest of the substations and even the main GTA outlet station. As we make our final approach to the flight dock, everyone in the launch room seems to strain against the belts on our seats, trying for a better view through the window.

The structure itself is massive, a size beyond words. The shades of light to dark grey metal standing out against the dark, star-studded blackness. Each part slowly rotates in place, simulating the GTA standard of gravity, the same as Prime 3. The shuttle jerks as the couplings attach and lock, holding the shuttle to the flight deck of the substation. Quickly, we're all herded out of the launch room to join the rest of the Aorian visitors in the airlock of the substation.

We're forced into the airlock so quickly that I stumble and back into someone behind me as I'm turned around, facing the shuttle. Looking to see who I ran into, I take a step to the side to keep from being pushed over in the crowded area. I look up at a tall figure with light features, just like every other Aorian, but a small mark above his right eyebrow sends icy shock through my body.

A small scar just above his right eyebrow, the length of a centimeter was the result of chasing me around the outside of the bungalow when I was six. The four of us, Shawn, my parents and I had been outside, enjoying a warmer day out in the sand. I remember Shawn was showing me how to make a proper sand castle and I had shoved sand down his shirt. I ran around the bungalow, squealing as Shawn ran after me. When he finally caught me, Shawn slung me across a shoulder and spun me in the air, my twin pigtails flying everywhere. But those beautiful five seconds of pure happiness ended in Shawn tripping and the both of us fell to the ground. Right before we hit the sand, Shawn twisted to take the majority of the fall. I was fine, only a few small scrapes, but Shawn has hit his head on a small rock that was hidden by the sand.

I'm about to reach out to him, tears starting to burn my eyes when the light in the room shifts, bringing his face more into the light. My heart stops and my mouth drops in a silent gasp. My feet are stuck in place and it's a good thing too, it keeps me from embarrassing myself in front of all of the other Aorians. His nose is too angular, jaw not sharp enough. He's just some Aorian. He's not Shawn.

"Citizens of B4-D19, Aoria, welcome to the B4 GTA substation. As I'm sure some of you have noticed, while we've done everything we can to make the transition from planet side to open station and easy one, there will be some acclimating needed to adjust.

"The change in atmo pressure, because it's simulated, can cause dizziness, fatigue, and even in extreme cases, hallucinations." This message of utter annoyance is relayed by a GTA agent at the front of the airlock. I struggle to see him and his colleagues, so I eventually give up, settling for crossing my arms and slacking my hips to the side while phasing out the majority of their speech, still catching bits and pieces.

I think back to what Shawn had told me about when he was taken to the substation, scanning the walls to put his words to the layout. The station is set up much like a carrier, each corridor has compartment numbers above on the rafting. My eyes find the labeling above the agents' heads 3-75-25-D, we're on the third deck, seventy-five compartments forward of the ship's frame, twenty-fifth compartment outboard of the centerline to the starboard side and the compartment is used for docking smaller crafts like the shuttle we arrived on.

"...navigating the substation shall be hard at first. This is a very large craft and learning the directional triangulation will take time, people typically get the hang of it right before leaving the craft..."

The station is shared by all planets in the B4 system, all twenty of them. I picture the structure of the station that I was able to see before docking. There were five main rings, all split into four pieces, most likely the separations of the planets.

"...each planet will have their own designated housing, four planets per habitation ring. You can interact with people from other planets, you'll probably see some in the halls of the rings, but you must live in the Aorian housing sector..."

The rest of the lecture seems to last forever and I'm grateful when they finally turn and the mass of Aorians shuffle out of the airlock. We move through countless corridors and multiple stairwells, stopping at a large walkway with the label B4-D19 over the hall.

"This will lead you to your designated housing sector. Your Links will all have the information you need to find your rooms as well as the times for your tests. Other than that, you're free to explore the substation, meet new people, and enjoy your time while staying with us." The agents dip their heads in our direction then turn and walk down the hall, leaving us to our own devices, literally.

A chorus of chimes ring in the air as our Links alert us to information that had been shared with us via Galactic Net. Raising my Link, I wave on the holographic display and scan the map in front of me. Time seems to freeze, we all remain rooted in our spots, looking at our maps, each leading to different parts of the housing sector.

Few others and I move first, each pushing through the crowd to start down the hallway. This is something else I'll have to get used to, crowded areas.

"How are you doing on the substation?"

My feet carry me in long strides as I pace back and forth in the small closet I was given for a room. "I'm not doing well, I'm scheduled to have my test at eighteen-thirty tonight!" I stop pacing and look at Shawn's hologram. My hands pull at my hair which falls in messy curls over my shoulders due to raking my fingers through it too many times. "We've been on the station no more than two hours and I've already heard people going to and from the testing center!"

"Serina, you need to calm down." He holds his hands out and I scowl, he did not just tell me to calm down.

My hands fall to my sides, fists resting on my hips. "I don't know about you, Shawn, but three and a half more hours isn't enough time to prepare myself for a test and application that will literally determine my future."

"The aptitude test only suggests what you should work as." He crosses his arms and raises a brow.

My fists curl in tighter and I grit my teeth. "I think I heard someone calling your name, you better go check that out."

I wave the control center up on the hologram as my temper flares. "Serina, wait—" I end the transmission and sit on the ground, rubbing my face roughly with my palms.

My anger fizzles to nothing just as quickly as it spiked, leaving me exhausted. How am I going to get through the test, much less the day if I can't even hold a conversation with Shawn without seeing red?

I release a sigh and sit with my head supported on a fist that is propped up by my elbow on a bent knee. My free hand moves quickly, calling up the Galactic Net then directing to a private chat between Astrid and I.

Serina: Have you heard anything about meeting up later?

I stare at the display until I see the "sent" script underneath my message then close down my Link and stand up, stepping over to my bags that sit next to the door. Unpacking my bags into the small drawers that are set into the wall next to the bed.

I'm refolding a shirt when my Link pings.

Astrid: i have :(

Serina: What's with the face?

Astrid: the agent I talked 2 said that they suggest against meeting up cuz our planets r housed on complete opposites of the station

Serina: So?

Astrid: soooo just 2 meet somewhere in the middle of the station would take nearly HALF AN HOUR to walk to for both of us! do you realize how far of a walk that is?!

Serina: That would be about three klicks, there's no way that the station is six klicks across!

Astrid: wow! ur right! Tom what does the lovely contestant win 2day?

I roll my eyes and type out a response, only to then delete it and try again.

Serina: Astrid, I'm being serious.

Astrid: as was I b4 you decided 2 be stupid

Serina: Excuse me?

Astrid: y? did u fart? idk why I needed 2 know that but ur excused

Serina: -_-

Astrid: :D

Astrid: anyway while ur right in that the station isnt 6 klicks across, with all of the floor changes and switchbacks we'll have 2 do 2 get 2 the middle of the station, it adds up to about 6 klicks

Serina: ...

Astrid: see? use ur brain sometimes there honey

Astrid changed your name to Honey

Honey: You did not.

Astrid: yep i did

You changed Astrid's name to No Brain

No Brain: hey! y did u do that

Honey: Do you even see what you're typing?

No Brain: eh its 2 much work

Honey: Whatever, I think that we should just ignore what the crew "suggests" and do our own thing.

No Brain: ooo we bad bitches dont listen 2 the rules

No Brain named the conversation Bad Bitches

Honey: Nice.

No Brain: ikr

I rack my brain for something to say but draw a blank, my mind too distracted with the impending doom of the test. The sound on my Link pinging with another message from Astrid mixes with the sound of a knock at my door. Who the hell would be at my door?

When I hover my hand over the wall, the door glides open silently and I see a tall figure standing with their back to me. I clear my throat, and their turn to face me, right hand moving to the back of their neck like he knows he's in trouble, which he probably does. It's Micah.

"Give me one reason not to shut this door right now."

"Serina, I'm sorry I was a dick in the Skimmer—"

"And I was being a bitch, big deal. Get on with it."

"I-well," I raise my eyebrows and start to move my hand back to the wall when he reaches forward. "Please, listen to me."

I take a deep breath and cross my arms, waiting.

"I've talked to Shawn—"

"You've what?!"

"Serina, he reached out, he was worried—"

"Since when?"

"Well, since he left—"

"And you're only now telling me?!"

"He said—"

"I don't care what he said, the fact that he went behind my back is all I need to know."

"Serina—"

"You know, if you were trying to piss me off again, you did a great job."

I wave the door shut and it cuts off whatever he was going to say. The only thing I can hear is a dull thump with each pound he makes on the thick metal. I block out the sound of Micah and open the conversation between Astrid and I, seeing that she had messaged me a few times.

No Brain: when is ur test scheduled 4

No Brain: mine is @ 1000 2morrow

No Brain: hello

No Brain: Rinaaaa

No Brain: eh u mustve gone somewhere

If I hadn't been reading her text lingo for the past four years, I swear that would've taken me forever to figure out.

Honey: Sorry, I had an unexpected and unwanted visitor.

No Brain: ooo continue

Honey: I'd really rather not.

No Brain: boo i need the juicy goss of the day

Honey: A, drop it.

No Brain: oof ok

No Brain: ...

No Brain: so when is ur test

Honey: In three hours.

No Brain: ouch girl

Honey: Yeah.

Honey: Speaking of which, I should probably go. You know, get in the right mindset and all that?

No Brain: yep totally understand i'll be doing the same thing 2morrow morning

Honey: I'll talk to you later? Or if not, tomorrow after your test?

No Brain: sounds like a plan sister

Honey: Bye. :)

No Brain: ttyl girl :D

I exit the conversation and stare absently at my home Link screen, the light blurring as my eyes unfocused. Soon, I blink back to reality, not realizing how much time has passed, only knowing that it was enough for the display on my Link to shut off to conserve power.

I set my Link on the dock next to the bed and glance at the clock across the room as I lay back. The digital numbers taunt me as they tick on, counting down the minutes until I have to leave and head for the testing center. I remain staring at the clock, fingers twisting my ring until I leave the room.