“Please, Aria, don’t go. I’ve already lost one daughter. Don’t make me lose another.”

“I’m sorry, dad. I have to do this.”

My father’s voice breaks as he pleads for me not to go, but it’s too late now. The HF Boomerang is prepping for take-off, and within the hour we’ll be launching into deep space.

“Don’t go. Please. You can’t bring Grace back, honey. I’m begging you.”

My finger hovers over the red button. Disconnect holo-call. I can’t do that to my dad, but it’s simply too late now. I’ve made up my mind long ago. The moment I learned those Nezdek bastards took my sister, I vowed to do whatever it takes to get her back.

“I love you, dad.”

My father runs a hand through his white hair, his eyes red and puffy. I haven’t seen him in this state since my mom died, eighteen years ago. I remember every detail of that morning: The apologetic look on the doctor’s face. My aunt’s sharp cry. I was too young to really understand what was going on, but even I knew something was very, very wrong.

The Nezdek invasion was a sickening déjà vu. The chaos, the panic, the sheer desperation and helplessness…

I couldn’t save my mom, but I can save Grace.

If I had taken her with me on holiday, the aliens wouldn’t have taken her… that thought weighs heavily on my mind. It’s all I can think about. The last thing she ever told me was that she hated me for being so selfish.

I have to make this right somehow. I have to.

The door to my quarters whizzes open and my supervisor, Mr. Woods, peeks his head around the corner.

“Yo, Winters! Get your ass down to engineering, stat. Final inspection time!”

“Yes, boss! I’ll be right down.”

I turn back to my father after my supervisor has left.

“Well… you heard the man,” my father sighs. “Go do your duty.”

“Thank you, dad. I’m going to bring her home. I promise.”

My dad shakes his head. “You’re so stubborn, Aria. Just like your mom. Please, be careful out there.”

“I will.”

I fight to hold back the tears as I end the call. The holographic image of my father disappears, and I’m left alone in my small, cramped quarters. I run my hands down my gray Federation uniform as I take a deep breath.

Never thought I’d wear one of these in my life. I railed against the Federation at every opportunity, and now I’m serving on one of their ships. Funny how those things go.

Time to pretend I actually know what I’m doing.

I make my way down to engineering, only getting myself lost twice on the way down. The ship is a hub of activity as everyone is getting ready for take-off.

“There you are!” Woods snaps the moment I find the engine room. “I’ve been waiting for you!”

“Sorry,” I say. “What did I miss?”

“Nothing yet,” my supervisor says, “but that Zoran could be down here any minute. They say he’s a real hard-ass, so I don’t want to give him any reason to complain about us. You understand?”

“Z-Zoran?” I stammer.

I wasn’t aware there were any Zorans on board. I’m not a fan of the tall alien warriors. If they had never come to Earth, we’d never have a Nezdek invasion, and my sister would still be safe.

“Yes, don’t you read your memos?”

“Of course I do,” I lie. I haven’t had the time — I had to brush up on my starship-engine skills.

“His name is General Dost. After what happened last time, they’re sending a whole squad of Zorans along.”

Makes sense. If anyone can fight the Nezdek, it’s the Zorans. Still, I’m not looking forward to sharing my spaceship with a whole squadron of alien warriors…

“Attention!”

Everyone around me snaps to attention, raising their stretched out hands to their temples. I stand around confused for a few seconds, bewildered, until Wood’s glaring eyes pull me back to reality.

Right. Saluting. I’m in the military now.

I do my best imitation of a salute — I’m still brand new to this — and hope I don’t attract too much attention.

Heavy boots stomp down the hall. The door to the engine room opens, and my breath falters when my eyes land on the tallest man I’ve ever seen in my life.

Even surrounded by Zorans, the general stands out. He’s at least seven feet tall, if not more, and his beautiful skin has a fiery red glow to it. His eyes, as yellow as the sun, land right on me.

I’ve never felt anything like this — I’m trembling under his gaze. His eyes narrow.

Does he know I’m a fraud?

The Zoran general strides towards me. His jet-black suit hugs his many muscles perfectly, leaving very little to the imagination.

I close my eyes and swallow the lump in my throat, wishing with all my might that the moment would pass. Even with my eyes shut I can feel his presence, the warmth radiating of his skin, the heat of his breath. It feels like he can see right through me, see me for what I am, see right through my lies.

I try to think of baseball, of hover-cars, of anything other than the fact that I know next to nothing about starship engines and that I blatantly lied on my resume in order to get this position.

It’s not working.