The comforting rhythm of life on Earth had woven itself into Axel days. School runs with Alex, shared study sessions filled with unspoken emotions, and the quiet, simple moments of suburban life had become part of a peaceful routine. But peace is never permanent.
It was early morning when the signal came.
A sharp chime echoed from the small communicator embedded in Axel's wrist. A blue alert pulsed gently across the display—a priority transmission from Astrais.
Axel, sitting in the Dunphys' kitchen having breakfast with the family, stiffened. He quickly glanced at Alex, who was smiling as she poured milk into her cereal, completely unaware of the storm about to tear through their normal.
"Hey, I just remembered I have to check on something back at the workshop," Axel said, standing up and grabbing his jacket.
"This early?" Claire raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, time zones with Europe. One of our suppliers," he said, half-smiling. "I'll drop Alex off as usual, don't worry."
Alex didn't notice the worry creeping into his eyes.
The farewell was brief, but heavy.
At the school drop-off, Axel hesitated. He watched Alex as she stepped out of the car, her ponytail bouncing slightly. She turned to smile at him, the usual casual wave following.
"See you later, Axel!"
His throat felt tight. "Yeah... later, Alex."
And then he drove off, but instead of returning home or to his workshop, he took a detour out of the city. A hidden entrance nestled within the rocky hills opened as his vehicle approached—a disguised hangar leading to the launch tunnel.
Within minutes, he was inside CHM-002, strapped in, the machine interfacing with the Astrais remote pilot channel.
"Initiate orbital jump. Set destination: Lunar base." Axel's voice was calm, but urgent.
The transition from Earth to orbit was seamless. Within seconds, he was aboard Astrais, the hum of the ship's systems welcoming him like an old friend. The central command room flickered to life as he walked in. Chamber, the ship's AI and companion, greeted him.
"Welcome back, Commander Leo."
"Status report," Axel said, stepping onto the central platform.
A 3D holographic display of the solar system bloomed into existence. Red tracking lines highlighted five fast-moving objects on a direct trajectory toward Earth. ETA: 31 days.
"Unidentified ships," Chamber confirmed. "Speed: Hypersonic, not of terrestrial origin. Their current course indicates possible Earth contact."
Axel leaned closer. "Are they tracking us?"
"Negative. Our stealth systems remain uncompromised. We are outside their detection range."
A sigh of relief escaped his lips. At least they had the advantage of information—for now.
The ships were sleek, unlike anything on Earth. Long, cylindrical bodies with multiple jointed fins, glowing engines that pulsed in unnatural rhythm. Their formation was strategic, military. But their origin was unknown.
"Chamber, begin passive observation. Track their communication signals, heat signatures, propulsion patterns. I want to know everything without alerting them."
"Understood. Initiating silent observation mode."
Axel stared at the rotating models. Something about their movement unsettled him. It wasn't a scouting mission. This was precision, intent.
But intent for what?
Night fell on Earth as Astrais entered a high orbit along Saturn's rings. The camouflage systems engaged, using the debris and electromagnetic interference of the gas giant to mask its presence. From this vantage point, the ship could monitor deep space without being noticed.
Inside, Axel sat alone in the observation bay, a massive glass panel offering a view of the stars. His thoughts drifted back to Alex.
She'd cry, he knew. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but she would. And it broke something inside him. The thought of her waiting for a message, a visit, anything.
"Was it right to leave without telling her the truth?" he asked aloud.
"Revealing extraterrestrial threats could cause unnecessary panic," Chamber replied. "You did what was necessary."
"Maybe. But necessary doesn't make it easier."
He stood and returned to the command deck.
"Monitor trajectory updates every hour. Also, I want to know if Earth's defense systems pick anything up. If they spot these ships before contact, we might still have time to prepare."
"Affirmative. Shall I begin preliminary countermeasure schematics?"
Axel hesitated.
"No. Not yet. First, I want to know if they're here to talk, trade, or conquer. We prepare, but we don't shoot first."
He narrowed his eyes at the five encroaching dots on the galactic map.
"One month, huh? Let's see what the galaxy has in store."
Outside the ship, the icy rings of Saturn drifted in silence. But within the shadows of space, war or wonder waited.