I've been sitting in the enormous captain's chair and sipping high protein, strawberry flavored smoothies the whole day. Not the most entertaining thing to do, but there are no other alternatives at this point. I sigh deeply and squint at the atomic clock, mounted on the armrest. It's eight p.m. I was supposed to be home long time ago. Who would have thought that an alien invasion would be the most boring thing in the world? I pout and spitefully slurp through the straw.

   It was exciting in the beginning. I was only gazing with gaping mouth out of the windshield's five panes of thick, metallic glass at first, waiting for something to happen. It would be an understatement to say that I got chills every few seconds. I am trained to suppress fear effectively and remain calm even in the most dangerous situations, but just couldn't stop wondering what they might be. God knows what is hiding behind the shiny, black surface. There is no guarantee these things are well-intentioned. What if this is the first stage of a planned conquest of Earth and the other planetary colonies? What if the creatures behind it are vicious and terrifying? I stopped this train of thoughts pretty quickly. It was highly unprofessional. I couldn't allow myself to panic. I had to simply do my job.

   I started with detailed research and measurements, scanned every single sphere and looked from all sides under the highest possible magnification. I found absolutely nothing besides the fact that they were completely identical, sixteen feet in diameter each, same onyx color and as smooth as an icicle. I found no dents, cracks, discolorations, traces of hatches, engines or devices of any kind. I detected no communication signals of any type being emitted, no temperature fluctuation or radiation, no shifting in position against the ship or change of speed. Nothing.

   The weirdest thing is that the spheres do not even bend spacetime. With the sophisticated, modern technology which made intergalactic flights possible, the mass-energy, momentum, pressure and stress, created by the spacecrafts are redirected in such a way that they barely curve the matter. Still, there is a minor distortion, leading to few hours loss per year. The curvature I calculated in this case was zero. If I didn't see those objects, I'd say they weren't there, space ghosts, existing beyond reality. 

   When I did everything I could think of, I finally had to give up and found myself in my current position. Well, I might have stuck my tongue out at the bastards and showed a few friendly gestures from Earth, involving one or more fingers. Couldn't help it. I reported everything to Admiral Mbabazi, except that last part. I know he won't miss it on the recordings and I'm sure he won't approve it either, but I can handle a little scolding for the sake of my equanimity.

   And now I'm bored.

   "Captain," Aurora's voice breaks the silence. "Incoming call from the Commander-in-chief."

   "Are you holding on, my boy?" he asks cheerfully. "I have a good news for you. A slight change in plans."

   I am not thrilled. Schedule changes during long interstellar flights are rarely for better.

   "Why?" I mutter suspiciously. "You don't like having my new friends anywhere near Dragon Eye Bay?"

   Despite my general unwillingness to socialize, I want to be there on time. It is my favorite harbor, the oldest human colony outside Earth, built on a small exoplanet, in a triple star systems, and one of the most stunning places in existence. 

   Its enormous moon is visible in the sky all the time, resembling the eye of a huge beast, overlooking the steep cliffs and rugged planes, surrounded by the endless, raging ocean. Dragon Eye is a hostile world, with no oxygen in the poisonous atmosphere, hot as hell, unable and unwilling to sustain life, but that does not make it less beautiful. Half of the planet's surface is occupied by turbulent water and the other half consists of a rocky desert, scorched by the three merciless suns. 

   It is also the most popular tourist destination for those of Earth's inhabitants who are willing to travel a couple of months on the fast, luxurious, cruise liners to see 'The Color Change'. It is an yearly event. The charged particles around the planet react to the unbalanced electric field's force, altered by the moon's particular position, causing a spectacular change of the usual pinkish-purple hues in the sky, lighting it up in all shades of green and ochre. 

   In other words, the colony is one of our best resorts, a cosmic Las Vegas spread over the one thousand square miles of The Sky City, a glass-encased, inhabited station, raised on monstrous towers high in the alien sky. That is not why I don't want to change my destination, though. My schedule was arranged so that I could be there for the main event. I have watched 'The Color Change' five times at least since I was old enough to travel alone. Mom and Dad aren't big fans of space adventures. I would watch it every year if I could. That's how amazing it is. I also carry some necessary equipment for the station.

   "On the contrary, on the contrary," the admiral interrupts my thoughts. "Don't worry, Haru. You won't miss your favorite natural phenomena. Actually, I want you there much earlier than planned. The Sky City observatory is the best place to try and look closer at our guests. You've already done the impossible with Aurora's amenities, but the scientists operate with much more specialized equipment. They might be able to take a glimpse inside the spheres."

   "What about people's safety?" I question. "There will probably be more than two million there at this time of the year."

   "I just got out of the meeting with the President, the Council and The Military Defense Board. We all share the same opinion. You can't be left in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by aliens who don't seem to have any intentions of leaving," he explains. "There's also no use in that. We need to study them. It's much better to move you to a place where you can get help if needed and some work can be done. Dragon Eye is the best option. Earth is out of the question and the other colonies are too far away. The danger is evaluated as low, based on their behavior and the precautions we have taken. Cruises are, of course, suspended for this season."

   "I understand," I nod. 

   "There's more," Mbabazi adds. "Your girl is too slow, so I am sending you company to push her big booty a little. We want you on dock as soon as possible."

   "What?" I screech. "Who?"

   "The fastest one," he laughs. "Who else? I can see your sullen countenance, Commander. Don't hurry to sulk over your disturbed solitude. It's someone you really like."

   "The fastest, huh?" I scratch my head and beam the next second. "Please, tell me it's Chai.*" 

   *(ชาย chaai - Thai nickname)

  "Hahaha! I told you it would be a nice surprise," the admiral confirms, making me grin even wider. "First Rank Commander Ratchanan Boonrueng is on his way to deliver an urgent shipment of oxygen generators to the colony. He will meet you at The Crowned Apple in two days. You know Starlight. That ship of his is as fast as a lightning bolt."

   "Crowned Apple?" I bellow. "There's no way to reach this planet in two days only. I am at maximum speed and it will still take four at least." 

   "You'll have to engage the emergency engine," my commander sighs. Unfortunately, I am familiar with this sound. That deep sigh can only mean that I am not going to like what's coming next. My heart shrinks as he goes on. "I didn't say there was no risk. You will probably be out of fuel before you reach the final destination. Chai will have to push hard as well. You two will not engage in any other activities than hurrying home."

   "What other activities?" I grumble. "You are aware that there will be no power for the weapons with all possible engines on, aren't you? Only the shields will be operational. What if the spheres decide to attack by any chance?"

   "I am sorry, Haru," the admiral says quietly. "In this case you and Chai will have to evacuate immediately in a shuttle. We are trying to avoid any kind of conflict. You must understand what is at stake. Maybe, I would have done it differently, if it depended only on me. But these decisions are collective and the President is personally very keen to see them respected. I firmly believe it will not come to that, son. You better believe it too."

   "No way!" I yell. "I am not leaving Aurora. I am not running away without my girl. Are you all, guys, crazy? How can you ask two captains to abandon their ships? What about Adam? I have no idea how to disassemble and move The Universal Companion. No! Like... The fuck no! Chai would never leave Starlight either. This is outrageous."

   "First Rank Commander Hinode," the Commander-in-chief cuts me off sternly. "This was not a request. It's an order. Am I clear?"

   A few seconds of tense silence follow. I am breathing heavily. This is the crappiest day in my entire career as a space pilot. Shit always hits the fan when the big cheeses are involved.

   "Yes, Sir!" I finally answer.

   "Good," he mumbles in a softer voice. "One more thing. There will be someone waiting for you at Dragon Eye Bay. The Council insisted that you two discuss the situation in detail, considering the events that took place right before the appearance of the alien crafts."

   "Brandon," I state the obvious. "Why him? He has nothing to do with this... Sir, are they... are they going to take my... Shit! Can this get any nastier?... You told the Council about me and Adam, didn't you? I am not giving them my companion and I don't give a fuck whose order it is..." 

   "Calm down. I had to, my boy," Mbabazi soothingly says. "We can't hide essential information, but one thing I can promise you. No one is touching Adam. I've always backed you up and have no intention to fail you this time. You can count on me about that. Don't worry. Just talk to Brandon. He's your friend. Everything will be alright."

   "Nothing's right anymore," I whisper.

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 Illustration 139369660 / Alien Planet © Tsvibrav | Dreamstime.com

A/N

Hello at the end of Chapter 10.

Thank you for reading and supporting! ❤❤❤

Did you expect this?

Do you think there is any real danger for Haru to lose his Universal Companion?

Why do you think Brandon was sent to Dragon Bay? 🤔

We have a new character introduced in this chapter -First Rank Commander Chai.

His aesthetic is added in the 'Welcome and Cast' chapter. I am very excited. I hope you will fall in love with him like me. 😉

Share your thoughts, have fun and criticize if you think it's necessary. All opinions are appreciated.

And don't forget to vote, if you liked the chapter.

Love: Anny