Apparently, I did fall back to sleep, because I woke at seven in the morning, rose, dressed and began to tidy the hut. I made my bed, cleaned the bathroom, and I was in the process of sweeping the floor of the main room when Kyra comes out. When she sees me she looks startled. "You don't need to do that!" She exclaims.

I look at her, then at the broom, shrug sheepishly and put it away. Old habits die hard.

She smiles, and once Silena comes out, we go to breakfast.

***

In the lightning fast week that I have been here, Max has been teaching me how to fire a gun and shoot accurately. Surprisingly, I'm a good shot! I hit all the gandan-shaped targets in their armor's one weakness: the eyes. I have been exercising, trying to get into top form for fighting.

I hang out and eat with Kyra and Silena, growing closer to them with each passing day. With Silena's energy, Kyra's reason, and my quirkiness, we make a good trio. They are helping me break out of my habits and relax more, which is really nice. I enjoy having them around. I never really had friends before...

Siera and I have been doing hand-to-hand combat together. I enjoy having someone who understands what I am dealing with. She helps me with my nightmares about my mother every night.

I help her, too. Sometimes, she is so overwhelmed by her responsibilities and fears. She needs to look strong to lead, and has fooled almost everyone with her facade, but I can see that she is frightened, so we talk.

Now, on the eighth day I have been here, we are discussing the Gandan's invasion and enslavement of the human race. "So, Cleo," she asks me, "What do you know about the invasion?"

I look at her in confusion. "Not much. I only know that the Gandans came here, took over, and enslaved us."

Siera nodded. "That's the basics of it. The whole story is much more complicated. Alright, so the Gandans come from a planet called Gand in a different galaxy. Their race was very peaceful and civilized until a new dictator took over and changed the whole philosophy. He took over and taught everyone about war, his followers ensuring that the populace obeyed. He conquered their whole galaxy, but he wanted more; he wanted to conquer the entire universe. So, using their advanced technology to travel in space faster than we could ever hope too, he took over many planets at once."

I stare at her in shock, trying to process her news. "So you're saying we have to liberate the whole universe, not just our planet?" I ask, flabbergasted.

She smiles at me sadly. "I hope that we can liberate our planet. I pray that we can save everyone, but I don't know whether we can make that reality. Let's focus on Earth first."

A gloomy mood descends on us. "So, what's the plan?" I ask, trying to break the silence.

"Well, we need to take out the Queen. She is in charge of the whole operation here. After that, it's an universal conflict." Siera says.

"Yes, I know, but how can we do that?" I ask, the lust for revenge on the Queen for ordering my mother's death rising.

"Well, we need a figure for the people to rally around. We could use me as the general in charge of the Rebellion, but I wish we had the princess..." Siera trails off there.

Princess? Who? "What are you talking about, Siera?" I wonder.

"Well, before the Gandans arrived, earth was a democratic monarchy. The King or Queen was elected and their children would continue for them but could be removed from office by the populace. The last King and Queen had a daughter right before the Gandans arrived. If we had her, she would be a symbol of hope for everyone to rally around. No one knows where she is, but there are whispers that our spies report about the Gandans having her. If we can find her-" Siera is cut off by the whole base shuddering. Had we not been seated we would have fallen.

I look at Siera sharply. "What's happening?!"

Her pale face looks to be made of stone. "We're under attack. The Gandans have found us!"