Earth’s children had spread across the stars. From the first domed cities on Mars to the distant colonies in other systems, humanity had pushed ever outward, relentlessly expanding. But the farther they went, the more they learned—space was not empty, and the stars were not silent.
Varen Noctus, an unremarkable nobody in the Sol Federation, had never known Earth. To him, it was just a tale—an aging myth told by ancestors clinging to their fading origin. Varen’s world was a colony where towering skyscrapers pierced the sky and the spaceports never slept, bustling with travelers from across the system. Life was predictable, steady, and warm, surrounded by family and friends. Even if, at times, it felt distant—lost in the routines of daily life.
“Varen! Varen! Are you even listening?”
Varen blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. Across the table, his friend Anara raised an impatient eyebrow.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m listening,” he said, even though he really wasn’t.
Anara smirked. “Right, sure you are. So, are you excited to enlist? You’ve been talking about it since we were kids.” Her eyes lit up, eagerly waiting for his answer.
Varen hesitated, glancing out at the greenery of the artificial park.
“I mean, I should be, right?” He chuckled slowly, but it felt fake. “I don’t know. I’ve wanted this since we were kids. But lately, every few weeks, a new war starts, and more and more names get piled onto the casualty list... I’m not sure I’m cut out for this.”
“You’re unsure?” Anara leaned forward, crossing her arms. “You’ve been telling me all the things you were going to do since we were six! Come on, you can’t be unsure. I mean, you would look really cool—like my brother—if you did.”
Varen sighed, then forced a grin. “Alright, fine. Of course, I’m excited!” Yet, a trace of doubt lingered in his voice. He leaned back, his fingers drumming against the table as if trying to convince himself.
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“I even went to the range with my neighbor, Mr. Cooper. He used to be in the fleet. He taught me more than just shooting—tactics, positioning... even how a captain would react in the heat of battle.”
“A captain, huh?” Anara smirked.
“Why not?” Varen shot back, this time with real conviction. “Space is always changing. If I don’t move forward, I’ll just be left behind.”
She chuckled, cutting Varen off. “Alright, alright, ‘Captain Noctus,’ don’t get ahead of yourself.” The sarcasm was impossible to miss. “Though, to be fair, you always insisted on being in charge when we played war as kids. Guess some things never change.”
As Varen and Anara talked, the hum of the café was suddenly interrupted by a news report.
"This morning, Sol Federation’s colony MEX-132 and six other outposts were pillaged by unidentified pirate factions. Officials report widespread casualties and destruction. In response to the attacks, the military has announced plans to strengthen the defenses along the border worlds. Citizens are asked to stay calm at this time."
The café fell quiet. The usual lively chatter faded into silence as the news footage played—burning buildings, wounded civilians, soldiers rushing through smoke-filled streets. A sense of unease settled over the patrons, their faces illuminated by the glow of the holo-screen.
Varen’s complexion grew uneasy, his fingers tightening on his cup.
“I hope that Arun stays untouched by the pirates,” he muttered, his voice barely heard.
Anara exhaled, her face stricken with panic.
“My brother is stationed there,” she said, gripping the table helplessly. “I hope he’s fine...”
In a cruel twist of fate, the screen displayed a fallen soldier—Anara’s brother. The caption beneath read:
"Colonel Bradley of the Sol Federation: Fell defending his homeland."
Anara’s breath stopped. Her eyes were glued to the screen, unmoving. A sense of dread washed over her, frozen on her face.
“It can’t be...” Her voice barely a whisper, tears welling in her eyes.
“He promised,” she choked out, hands clenched in agony.
But the caption didn’t change.
Killed in Action.
Varen knew nothing he could say would change anything.
“Anara, I swear...” His jaw tightened. He had never felt this much rage before.
“I won’t let these bastards go.”
But just as the words left his mouth, the holo-screen flickered, an urgent alert appearing.
"Alert! Unidentified vessels detected near Arun colony. Citizens are advised to seek shelter in the nearest bunker immediately."
“No... That can’t be—” Varen clenched his fists.
For years, Varen had dreamed of war—of glory, adventure, and purpose. As the holo-screens continued to blare, it finally set in.
"He had dreamed of war his whole life. Now, war had come for him."