Calm and overly cordial as usual, Serena Pinzini had received the Carabinieri marshal in her office and had attentively listened to the concise and formal account of the events he had been sent to investigate that Monday morning. The military officer had emphasized the importance of keeping the information he had revealed confidential.

The assault on the young woman three nights prior, the theft of documents and architectural plans insured by her predecessor for an exorbitantly high value, the involvement of a state contract, the sudden change of faculty, and a legion of construction company managers who hadn't even dreamt of resting over the weekend before flooding the station with a barrage of complaints— the marshal had stopped just short of uttering phrases like international intrigue and industrial espionage.

«Really, don't insist, please. Consider that I've only been here for less than two months,» the teacher kindly responded. «I have no idea what might be unusual among my students.»

«Think carefully, Professor,» said the policeman, offering her the list of students enrolled in her course one last time. Both were already standing near the door, about to take their leave. «Any detail that comes to mind could help us find the thief...»

«Marshal!» the woman interrupted him. «You're worried about a thief when there's a serial rapist who's been roaming the faculty for months?»

«You're right,» the marshal uncomfortably fidgeted with the cap he was holding. «I apologize, but it's very likely that the two incidents are connected. That's the serious part, you understand?»

«Of course, I understand that those putting pressure on you are the Ministry, the insurer, the construction companies...»

«Professor...»

«Don't worry, I know it's not your fault,» the woman smiled affably.

«Alright, thank you,» the Carabiniere extended his hand. «And even though I don't hold out hope that they'll make it easy for us, please remember to inform us if any student should stop showing up for classes.»

Serena was still sitting at her desk when, not even five minutes later, she heard a nervous knock on her office door. Behind the door appeared the marshal once again, his face cadaverous, tinged with a pale gray and his skin damp with cold sweat.

«Marshal,» the professor greeted him immediately, approaching him with a delicacy bordering on concern.

The Carabiniere closed the door behind him and anxiously looked around. «Professor,» he said in a quivering voice, overcome with embarrassment. «May I take up a bit of your time?»

«What has happened?»

«I would need to search a bit in here if you don't mind.»

«Can I help you?»

After a hasty sigh, compressed by tension, he spoke with a trembling voice. «Please, don't say anything, don't talk to anyone. I've lost my service weapon.»

«That's terrible!» the teacher immediately sympathized. «Wasn't it secured with a chain?»

«I don't know how it could have happened,» the disconsolate Carabiniere gestured towards the interior of the office. «May I?»

«Of course, go ahead, but I don't think it fell in here; we would have noticed.»

For a few seconds, both swept their gaze across the office floor, the chairs, the wastebasket, the surface of the busy desk, and even the shelves and pots of the two plants that adorned the room.

«Yes, you're right. I must have lost it elsewhere, here in the faculty,» the military officer sighed, resigned to leaving the office still devoid of his pistol.

«I'm sorry, Marshal. But if it's here, rest assured, as soon as it turns up, I'll call you.»

When Serena was alone again, she calmly returned to her own chair. She opened one of the last drawers of the desk and observed its contents for a few moments. Thoughtful, she carefully closed it and locked it with a key that she then placed in the inner pocket of her purse.

At the Air Force Command building, Flavio, Clelia, and Cristina had just finished presenting General Leanza with the theory developed by Flavio. The presentation had covered a broad overview of the theoretical foundations of the study, the experimental verifications of its validity, and the prospects for significant benefits that could be gained from development guided by systematic research.

After the comprehensive presentation was concluded, the general had indicated that he understood and invited the two researchers to leave and wait for Captain Cristina Leanza to communicate their next steps.

«For now, coordinate a group with more experienced civilian researchers and the consulting assistance from university collaborators,» the general was telling his daughter behind closed doors. «Arrange for them to study that theory but don't divert too many resources from the project. This way, they can evaluate which experiments and research should be allocated to it.»

«But Mancini has done all that work practically on his own! He understands the subject better than anyone. Wouldn't it be better to give him more autonomy?» Cristina suggested.

«No, that young man has just arrived and hasn't even finished his studies yet. Maybe next year we can reconsider his role. If anything, you can involve Dr. Paradisi, considering her upcoming promotion anyway...»

«But Dad!» Cristina interrupted, expressing her dismay.

«Captain!» the general reprimanded her authoritatively.

Cristina hardened her face into a neutral expression, swallowed her irritation, and stood up straight, adopting a posture of impeccable discipline.

«Sir,» she then said with an energetic and well-articulated tone, «it is my judgment that the current level of authorization for civilian Flavio Mancini is absolutely inadequate for his actual knowledge and skills within the project. Failing to take action on this would seriously endanger the safety of IUPITER itself. I will present a formal report on this matter as soon as possible, but, in my judgment, this situation is already at a critical stage and requires immediate, urgent action. Sir.»

Flavio and Clelia were seated right outside General Leanza's office. To attend the interview that he had just gone through that morning, Flavio had skipped his university classes. With a laptop on his lap, he tightened his lips, uncertain and doubtful about what he was doing, while Clelia smiled in an attempt to transfer some of her own enthusiasm to him.

Clelia put an arm around his slouched shoulders and gently patted him. «Relax, we did great!» she encouraged him.

«It's not about that,» Flavio vented. «It's just that... I don't trust them.»

«Who?»

«No one,» he confided, fearful yet blunt, in a low voice. «None of them,» he added, pointing towards the general's door.

«The general and the captain?»

«I mean the military,» he began to explain. «I feel uncomfortable working on a project that, no matter what they say, aims to conquer and subjugate populations and cultures on a global scale.»

«That's true. They are dangerous, and you should not trust them. It's good to be cautious.»

Flavio was surprised. He hadn't expected Clelia to alarm him rather than reassure him. He observed her serious expression framed by honey-colored curls and got lost, puzzled, in her gaze, which was so innocent and majestic that it seemed indecipherable to him.

«I can't explain right now how and why I'm here, you wouldn't understand... you can't even imagine. But you should know there's something huge at stake, and we can decide a lot. We're doing the right thing at this moment; we don't have better options.»

Flavio swallowed, frowning. «Are things really that bad?»

«Yes,» Clelia confirmed, taking his hand and squeezing it passionately. «You need to prepare yourself.»

Flavio could feel the fire that animated his colleague and friend, who, looking intently into his eyes, whispered again: «I know you don't have a family, but... is there someone, a person you care about?»

Clelia looked at his embarrassed silence for a moment, then spoke again. «Stay close to them,» she said resolutely. «You can't even begin to imagine what's happening on this planet.»

Finally, Cristina came out of the general's office and addressed the two who were waiting for her.

«Dr. Paradisi, Mr. Mancini, please come in, the general has something to tell you.»

«Thank you, captain,» Clelia said, already heading for the door.

Flavio, on the other hand, watched the captain go elsewhere.

«Cri!» he called out.

Cristina stopped and smiled amiably at him. «Yes?»

«Aren't you coming in with us?»

«I'm sorry, I have urgent matters to attend to. I'll see you later, Flavio. Goodbye, doctor.»

General Leanza was waiting for them standing up and dispensed with any niceties. It was clear to Flavio that Cristina had not left him in a good mood. Without beating around the bush, the general announced that a promotion for them had just been decided. In addition to the tasks they were already performing, they would participate in directing the research along with the engineering officers. He explained that Cristina was currently arranging for new badges and computers, in line with the higher level of authorization that would be assigned to them as soon as they had read and signed the documentation outlining their new responsibilities. Of course, he added, their compensation would also be adjusted according to a contract that would bind them to directives coming directly from the Ministry of Defense.

Flavio listened, understood every word. He had nodded calmly, point by point. But his extraordinary mind was buzzing at a frantic pace, because the general's arrangements were anything but normal. He thought of Clelia's last sentence.

No, he couldn't even begin to imagine what was happening to his planet.